The car screeched to a halt in front of St. Mark's Hospital, and Damian didn't wait for the driver to fully park before stepping out with Amara in his arms. His expression was stone hard, but his eyes betrayed the storm inside him. He barked orders at the receptionist, demanding immediate attention, and within minutes, Amara was whisked into an examination room.
The doctor, a middle-aged woman with gentle eyes, began her checkup while Damian paced the room like a caged lion. His fists were tight, his jaw clenched, as if sheer willpower alone could keep Amara safe. When the doctor finally turned to him, her calm smile eased some of the tension in his chest.
"She's fine," the doctor said reassuringly. "At this stage, what she's experiencing is completely normal. Early pregnancy often comes with nausea and food sensitivities. The smells, the tastes-it can all trigger vomiting. But there's no danger. She just needs proper rest, a balanced diet, and no unnecessary stress."
Damian exhaled deeply, finally sinking into the chair beside Amara. He reached for her hand, kissing it softly. "You hear that? You're fine."
Amara gave him a weak smile, her eyes tender despite her fatigue. "I told you it wasn't serious..."
But Damian wasn't convinced. He turned back to the doctor, his voice firm. "I want to be certain. Can we do a scan? I want to see for myself."
The doctor nodded. "Of course. Let's do an ultrasound."
Moments later, Amara lay on the examination bed while the technician prepared the machine. Damian held her hand tightly, refusing to let go. His heart raced as the screen lit up with gray shadows and flickers of movement. The doctor's face brightened, and she looked at them with a smile.
"Congratulations," she said warmly. "You're not just expecting one baby... but two. She's carrying twins."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Amara blinked, her lips parting in shock. Damian's grip on her hand tightened, his chest rising sharply as if the air had been knocked out of him. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face-a rare, unguarded smile that softened his usually hard features.
"Twins..." he whispered, his voice almost reverent. His eyes shone as he bent down and pressed a kiss to Amara's forehead. "You've given me more than I ever dreamed of."
Amara's eyes welled with tears. The sight of the tiny flickers of life on the screen made her heart swell. "Twins," she repeated softly, almost as if to convince herself it was real. She turned her gaze to Damian, who was staring at the monitor like it held the universe itself. "Are you happy?"
He looked down at her with a fierce kind of love. "Happy? Amara, you've made me the happiest man alive."
The doctor cleared her throat gently, reminding them she was still present. "Everything looks healthy. But I cannot stress this enough-she must not overexert herself. Twins mean her body will work twice as hard. Stress is dangerous. No late nights, no overworking, and certainly no emotional upheavals."
Damian nodded firmly. "You have my word. I'll make sure of it."
Amara chuckled faintly, teasing, "You'll probably guard me like I'm made of glass."
"You are," Damian murmured, pressing his lips against her knuckles again. "The most precious glass I'll never let break."
After a few more tests, the doctor gave them discharge papers and instructions, assuring them Amara could go home soon. Damian insisted on handling all the details while Amara rested, his protective instincts blazing brighter than ever.
---
Meanwhile...
Far away, in a darkened apartment, Serena lounged on a leather couch, phone pressed to her ear. A man's voice came through the line.
"We followed them to the hospital. She's pregnant."
Serena's eyes widened, then narrowed. She sat up, her painted nails tapping against the armrest. "Pregnant? Are you sure?"
"Confirmed. And from the looks of things, Damian is over the moon about it."
Serena's lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "Interesting... That explains his obsession with her. She's carrying his heir."
The thug hesitated. "What are your orders, ma'am?"
"Stay low," Serena instructed sharply. "Don't make a move yet. If they suspect us, everything will fall apart. Just watch, listen, and report back."
"Understood."
The moment the call ended, Serena wasted no time. She dialed Clara.
Clara answered with irritation in her voice. "This better be important, Serena."
"It is." Serena's tone was sly, almost playful. "Amara is pregnant."
On the other end, Clara let out a sharp laugh. "You're joking."
"Do I sound like I'd joke about something like this?" Serena hissed. "She's pregnant, Clara. And from the way Damian's been acting, it's the reason he's tying himself to her so quickly. He won't let her go now. She has leverage we never expected."
Clara's voice dropped, filled with venom. "That little witch..."
"Don't worry," Serena said smoothly, her eyes glinting with malice. "I already have plans. Let's just say Amara won't enjoy this happiness for long." She ended the call, her smile stretching into something devilish.
---
Back at Damian's mansion...
Later that evening, Amara lay nestled in Damian's room, the faint hum of the city outside barely reaching her ears. Her body was weary, her eyes heavy, but her heart felt full in a way it never had before. She placed a hand over her stomach, still in disbelief that two lives were growing inside her.
Damian entered the room quietly, his suit jacket already discarded, his shirt sleeves rolled up. His eyes softened instantly when he saw her. "How are you feeling?"
Amara smiled faintly. "Better. Just tired."
He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair back tenderly. "From now on, no more office. No more long hours. You're not working anymore."
Her brows furrowed. "Damian..."
"No." His tone was firm, but his hand was gentle as it stroked her cheek. "I won't risk you or the babies. Tomorrow, we're taking our wedding photos and signing the marriage certificates. No parties, no noise, nothing that could stress you. Just us."
Her lips parted in surprise. "So soon?"
"Yes," Damian said without hesitation. "I won't wait any longer. You belong with me, officially, legally. And I'll make sure you and our children are protected in every way possible."
For a moment, Amara stared at him, overwhelmed by the depth of his devotion. Then she nodded softly. "Alright. If that's what you want."
"It's what I need," he corrected, his forehead lowering to rest against hers. "And what we deserve."
She smiled, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then it's what I want too."
Her eyelids fluttered shut, exhaustion pulling her under. Damian remained beside her, watching as her breathing evened out. He stretched out next to her carefully, wrapping an arm around her without disturbing her sleep. His eyes stayed on her face, memorizing every curve, every breath.
As she slept peacefully against him, Damian's mind was already spinning. Plans, protections, contingencies-he would put them all in place. Because now, he wasn't just guarding the woman he loved. He was guarding his family.
And he would destroy anyone who dared to threaten them.