His empress to Claim (Book Three)

4. Chapter Four.

Dimitri's Pov

"Oh my god!" My mother's shocked gasp reverberated through the room, and her hands trembled as she clutched onto the edge of the table for support. Her wide eyes showed a mixture of disbelief and concern as she tried to process the weight of the news I had just delivered.

"I knew this was coming, I could feel it in my bones," my father's voice was filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. He paced back and forth, his face etched with worry lines that seemed to deepen with every step. "Like an ominous storm brewing on the horizon, I knew the moment would come when we'd have to face the consequences of your actions."

"Dimitri, I warned you about getting involved with that princess," he continued, his voice becoming more somber. "I knew the risks, about how it could jeopardize our safety and the delicate balance we've maintained all these years."

As I stood there, emotions swirling within me like a tumultuous sea, I couldn't help but confront my father with the truth that had been revealed to me by Rena.

"And is that why you chose to bribe her, to lure her back to her family or whisk her away to some hidden place where I couldn't find her? Was it all to protect the sanctity of our mafia family?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the anger and sorrow threatening to consume me.

"Because if it wasn't for your actions, if it wasn't for your misguided attempts at safeguarding us, Rena would be awake and healthy today," I continued, the weight of sadness and despair heavy in each word. "She confided in me about your intent, right before she fell ill."

"You did what?" My mother's voice trembled with shock and disbelief as she confronted her husband, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Don't try to blame this on me, this had nothing to do with me, you knew there was no future between you and that princess!"

"I had to do it in order to protect our mafia family from potential danger," my father retorted, his tone laced with frustration and a hint of regret. "If she truly loved you, she wouldn't have placed you in such a situation. It's clear to me that she's either deluded for wanting to wage a war against her own father, or she never loved you at all – and sadly, the latter seems more plausible."

"Time and time again, I've stood by your side, sacrificing my own desires for the sake of our mafia family," I expressed, my voice tinged with both pain and determination. "But now, I must find the strength to put myself first. I am a human being, just like everyone else, and I deserve to be considered in the choices that shape our lives – just as you did when you decided to start a family within the confines of the mafia world."

My mother looked at me with a mix of surprise and support, appreciating the courage it took for me to stand up to my father even if it meant walking away from his mafia for good. The room fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable.

"That's different, and you know it!" my father retorted vehemently, his eyes narrowing as he defended his actions. "This princess is the reason why we're in this mess in the first place. I never pursued someone I knew was unattainable and would ultimately lead to my downfall. It's completely different scenarios, Dimitri!"

As I looked back and forth between my parents, I saw two individuals fiercely entrenched in their beliefs. The clash between duty, love, and self-preservation hung heavily in the air.

"Whatever you say no longer matters," I declared, my voice resolute despite the turmoil within. "I won't give up on Rena and our child. So, there's only one other option – it's either Rena and I, or you can have the twins run your mafia from here onward. If I were you, I'd make that decision quickly."

The room fell into a tense silence as my father's face contorted with anger and disbelief. His eyes bore into mine, trying to convey the gravity of my words and the potential consequences of my defiance.

"You can't ask that of me, Dimitri!" he bellowed, his frustration evident. "I'd advise you to reconsider your future instead of risking it all for a girl you won't be with in the end, or a child that can be remade."

My mother, on the other hand, couldn't remain silent. Her love and concern for me overpowered any attempt to hold back her emotions. "Don't say that! That's my grandchild and my son's future your talking about," she scoffed, her eyes pleading with me to find a middle ground.

Yet, I couldn't let my father's ultimatum dictate my path. Losing Rena and our unborn child was not an option I was willing to entertain. The bond I shared with Rena ran deep, and the love I felt for our child was already a part of me, intertwining our destinies in a way that defied my father's logic.

His words, while spoken with conviction, couldn't sway me from my resolve. I couldn't let fear or the prospect of power cloud my judgment and dictate my choices. My heart yearned for a life with Rena and the family we were building, despite the challenges that lay ahead.

Ignoring the voice of my father, yelling for me to reconsider, I turned away and walked towards the door. The weight of my decision felt heavy, but it was a decision made out of love and the pursuit of happiness.

As I entered Rena's room, a mix of emotions washed over me. Seeing her lying there, peacefully unconscious, brought both relief and worry. Relief because she was safe for now, but worry because I knew the dangers that lurked around us.

My mind raced with possible scenarios and decisions to make. What would Rena want me to do? I knew her well enough to be certain that she would want us to run away from this dangerous situation.

The thought of leaving everything behind was daunting, but I couldn't bear the idea of losing her and our unborn child.

Sitting beside Rena on the bed, I couldn't help but admire her beauty, even in her vulnerable state. Her presence was a source of comfort to me, and I longed for the day she would wake up and fill the room with her radiant smile again.

With a gentle touch, I kissed her hand and whispered sweet words of comfort, as if my words alone could bring her back to consciousness. It became a ritual, one that I repeated every few hours when I came to check on her and ensure the well-being of both her and our child.

Time seemed to pass slowly as I kept vigil by her side. I found solace in those moments, knowing that our love and the bond we shared were strong enough to overcome any obstacle. It was this unwavering love that fueled my determination to keep her safe.

But staying by her side for long hours was not enough. Each passing moment only fueled my determination to take action and devise a plan to ensure her safety and the safety of our unborn child.

I couldn't bear the thought of handing them over to the dangers that awaited us in this treacherous mafia world.

As I turned to leave, my mind felt like a battlefield, heavy with the weight of the decisions I had to make. The responsibility on my shoulders was suffocating, and my heart was torn between love and the instinct to shield Rena from the harsh realities of my world.

But before I could take another step, a sound reached my ears – a sound that made my heart skip a beat and my pulse quicken.

It was a voice I had known all too well, calling out to me, echoing through the room with a mixture of desperation and surprise. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and my head snapped around, my eyes locking with Rena's, shocked gaze.

"D-dimitri," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes searched mine, trying to comprehend the emotions that must have been written all over my face.

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