Rejected: A love story-Chapter 152: If you want to end the wedding

The entire family were all sitted in the grand living room, everyone was quiet not sure what to say first. Nikolai who had arrived more than twenty minutes ago was still confused.

Different thought were running through his mind. Like... were they planning to call off the wedding? Had he done something wrong? He looked at Viktoria’s face again, She looked pale, tired and stressed. Was she sick again? He quickly erased the thought.

Viktoria was everything to him so he couldn’t even imagine her being sick or leaving him again. Ivan finally spoke, clearing his throat.

"Thank you for honouring my invitation Nikolai." He started. "There’s something important that you should know, and we wouldn’t blame you if you decide not to continue with the wedding after it.

"What do you mean sir Ivan? What could be more serious..." He trailed off looking at Viktoria now "Oh my God—are you sick?" He asked facing Viktoria. But she slowly nodded her head,

"I’m fine, Nikolai." She assured. "Then what is? What could it be to the extent of calling off the wedding?" He asked but everyone’s eyes only darted from one another, no one was speaking. The silence stretched longer than it should have.

No one wanted to be the one to say it or be responsible for what would come after. Nikolai’s brows furrowed slightly as his gaze moved from one face to another. Something was wrong.

"Viktoria? What is it? You know you can tell me anything right?" He assured. His voice softened, almost careful, like he was afraid of what he might hear next. Viktoria’s lips parted slightly but no words came out.

Her fingers tightened together in her lap, her nails pressing into her skin. She wanted to speak, but the words felt stuck somewhere deep in her chest.

"Viktoria?" He called again when she didn’t respond. His voice carried a hint of urgency now.

"She’s pregnant!" Dmitri said instead. His parents glanced at him in disapproval.

"What? Someone had to tell him." Dmitri added, shrugging slightly like it wasn’t a big deal.

"You’re pregnant?" Nikolai voice came, calm and nothing like anyone expected. There was no shock Or anger. Just calmness.

Viktoria nodded tears slipping down her cheeks now. "Yes." Her voice was barely audible. It almost got lost in the silence that followed. "I’m three month gone already and I’m sorry. I didn’t plan for this or wanted to hurt you like this." Her voice was trembling as she sobbed.

Her shoulders shook slightly but she didn’t look away from him. She couldn’t. She needed to see his reaction. Needed to know if everything was about to fall apart. Nikolai finally spoke again.

"Do you love me?" Viktoria seemed to be taken aback, out of everything... this was the only thing that he could ask. Not about the child Or who the father was.

"Yes," she said. "I do." Her answer came quickly this time, almost like she had been waiting for that question. Nikolai leaned back slightly.

"Then the wedding will go on," he said, like it was already decided. Viktoria blinked, surprised. For a second, she thought she misheard him.

"You’re serious..." Her voice carried both relief and disbelief. "I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t." His tone didn’t change.

Viktoria felt relieved, he loved her this much and yet she still cheated on him. That alone made her hate herself.

"This child..." she started again, her voice quieter now, "what if—"

"It changes nothing," he cut in quickly.

He didn’t even let her finish. His answer came too fast,

"What? Are you serious?" Dmitri started again.

He leaned forward this time, unable to stay quiet any longer.

"Are you even hearing yourself?" he said, this time quieter but sharper.

"You’re ready to take responsibility for another man’s child? Just like that?"

"Dmitri." Their mother started, her tone low but warning.

"No," he cut in quickly.

"No, mother, because this doesn’t make any sense."

His gaze stayed on Nikolai.

"She’s carrying another man’s child. Not yours.

And you’re sitting there like it’s nothing?"

Ivan’s expression hardened slightly. His eyes moved to Dmitri, clearly displeased.

"This does not concern you, Dmitri," he said.

"It concerns all of us," Dimitri replied immediately. "Or are we pretending this is nothing?"

"Enough! This is between Viktoria and Nikolai," Ivan said calmly.

Dimitri scoffed, shaking his head. "Unbelievable," he muttered, leaning back again.

He didn’t say anything else, but his expression didn’t soften either.

Viktoria frowned slightly, her fingers tightening together.

"Dmitri is right." Viktoria took over. Her voice was not as strong as before.

"It does matter," she said, then turned to Nikolai.

"You don’t even know who the father is, Nikolai."

Niikolai’s gaze didn’t move from her. Not even for a second.

"I don’t need to." His answer came without hesitation. Like he had already made up his mind long before this moment.

Viktoria’s chest tightened again. She didn’t understand how he could be so calm. How could he accept everything so easily.

"I love you Viktoria, everything that comes with you. And I’m going to take responsibility and love that child as my own regardless of who the father is."

"But..."

"There’s no but my love." He stood from where he was sitted and went to Viktoria, kneeling down beside her.

"The only thing that matters is if you love me and you’re ready to begin a future with me." He continued.

"You see Viktoria, ever since we were children... I’ve always loved you. Even when we came of age and were betrothed to each other —I could tell you never loved me. And I remember going to church and praying for you to see me for who I am and love me."

Tears flowed freely from Viktoria’s eyes now. He brushed it off with his thumb. "Now that you love me Viktoria, I’m not going to leave. I’ll always love and cherish you no matter what."

"And this baby, may be God’s way of bringing us together. I love you Viktoria, every part of you."

"I love you too" she said and fell into his arms, sobbing.

The entire family seemed stunned, they never expected that Nikolai was madly in love with their daughter.