Page 69 of Pucking My Bad Boy Boss
But even as I unleash my frustration, a part of me recoils at the intensity of my own emotions. It's not just anger at the situation; it's the raw fear of losing what we've built, of losing Isabella.
As I draw a ragged breath, ready to continue my tirade, Isabella's voice cuts through the air, stopping me dead in my tracks.
"I'm pregnant," she says, the words soft but carrying the weight of the world.
I freeze, every muscle in my body tensing as those two words sink in. Pregnant. It's as if the ground has shifted beneath my feet, the entire world tilting on its axis.
My anger, once a roaring inferno, is instantly snuffed out, replaced by a stunned, overwhelming silence. I'm suddenly aware of the rapid beating of my heart, the rush of blood in my ears.
And I’ve got no idea what the hell to say next.
39
Isabella
Therehestands,DomSteele, the epitome of confidence and control, rendered utterly speechless by my revelation. It's a side of him I've never seen, and in this moment of vulnerability, he seems more real than ever.
I take a step forward, my voice trembling slightly as I try to explain the whirlwind of emotions and decisions that led to this moment. "Dom, I... I was overwhelmed," I begin, my words faltering. "Finding out about the baby, seeing you hurt on the ice, and then Jason's threats... It was all too much."
I can see him struggling to process my words, his expression a mix of shock and hurt. "I didn't know how to handle it. The thought of everything changing, of losing the life I've worked so hard for..." My voice trails off as the gravity of the situation weighs on me.
The silence between us stretches, filled with unspoken fears and uncertainties. "I know it was a mistake not to tell you about Jason," I continue, mustering as much courage as I can. "But it was a human mistake. I was scared, Dom. Scared of losing you, scared of what the future holds."
I pause, taking a deep breath as I prepare to lay my heart bare. "I can understand if you can't forgive me for this. But I need you to know, this wasn't about deceit. It was about trying to protect what little control I thought I had left in my life."
As the words leave my lips, I feel a sense of release, as if admitting my fears and flaws to Dom has lifted a weight off my shoulders. But the fear of his reaction, of what this means for us, remains a gnawing presence in my mind.
I stand there, vulnerable and exposed, waiting for Dom to say something, anything. The future of our relationship, of our family, hangs in the balance, and all I can do is hope that the man I've come to care for so deeply can see the sincerity in my eyes and the love in my heart.
I stand frozen, his words washing over me like a tidal wave. "Are you crazy?" Dom's question hangs in the air, a mix of disbelief and something else—something warmer.
"Crazy?" I repeat, my voice a shaky whisper. How can he not see the mess I've made?
But then, he smirks, and it's like a ray of sunshine piercing through the storm clouds in my mind.
"Yeah, crazy," he says, and there's a gentleness in his voice that I've never heard before.
He steps closer, and it feels like the world around us fades into nothingness. "You think you need to apologize to me? If anything, I should be the one begging for your forgiveness," he says, his eyes earnest and intense. “After all, I’ve been a goddamn coward.”
I'm speechless, my heart pounding in my chest. "You've been acoward?" I whisper, unable to grasp his meaning.
Dom nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "I've been terrified of how real this has become. Terrified of admitting that what started as a facade has turned into the most genuine thing I've ever felt." His voice is a low rumble, filled with emotion.
As Dom stands there, his eyes locked onto mine, there's a vulnerability in him that I've never seen before.
"I love you, Isabella," he says, his voice resonating with a sincerity that takes my breath away. "I love the way you challenge me, always pushing me to be better, to think harder. You don't just accept things as they are; you question, you fight, you strive for more. And that... that's incredible."
I can feel my heart racing, a mix of surprise and joy as he continues. "I love how you care about your team, how you put their needs above your own. You're not just their manager; you're their leader, their protector. The passion you show, the dedication... it's inspiring."
His words wash over me, painting a picture of all the little things he sees in me, things I never realized he noticed. It's overwhelming, this flood of affection and admiration coming from Dom Steele, it’s more than I ever expected. But here he is, laying his heart bare in front of me, confessing his love in a way that's so raw and real.
"And your passion," he adds, his eyes sparkling with emotion. "It's like a fire, Isabella. It burns bright and fierce, and it draws people in. You don't just do things; you put your soul into them. And that's... it's just beautiful."
I'm struggling to find words, to respond to this outpouring of love and admiration. It's as if he's peeled back the layers of our fake engagement, revealing something true and profound beneath. This isn't just Dom Steele, the hockey legend and businessman; this is a man who sees me, truly sees me, and loves what he sees.
In that moment, any doubts, any fears I had about us, about what we are to each other, they just melt away. Here, in front of me, is a man who loves me for who I am, who sees my strengths and admires them. How can I not forgive him? How can I not love him back?
"And God, the baby," he continues, his voice softening further, "it just makes everything more meaningful, more precious."
