Free SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance by Kylie Knight

questions. Should I have a baby? Do I want to have a baby? Should Ravi know? Is it immoral to not let him know? These were questions that she’d never contemplated before. She was a careful and cautious woman, not someone who was prone to accidents like this. She was on the pill, for gosh’s sake! She’d always strived to be exceptional, but being a part of that 1% was not exceptional—it was abysmal.
    It had been three weeks since she’d spoken with Ravi on the phone, four days since she’d texted with him, and five weeks since she’d seen him. Due to “life”, they had been stopped dead in their tracks for the relationship they thought was there. It had been painful, but Sasha had her work to help mend her—that was her therapy. But with what was growing in her belly at that moment, there would be no forgetting Ravi—ever—regardless of what she chose to do. You didn’t just forget about having a life begin inside of you. Or ending it. Or bringing it to full term and allowing it to enter into this world. None of it could be forgotten!
    She was tempted to put off calling Ravi so she could dwell on things for a few days to make sure it was the best decision. But in her instincts she knew that he deserved the call and to know. He was the other half of this impacted party, whether he knew it or not.
    It was now 7 AM. Sasha was definitely going to be late for work and she texted Bev, telling her to cancel out her morning appointments and reschedule them for any available times further out in the week. She’d explain later. Now it was time to call Ravi. It would be mid-afternoon for him and he’d likely be busy, but she could leave a message if he was.
    She dialed his number and it rang, then kept ringing. Just as she thought, yes, avoidance , he said, “Sasha, hello.”
    “Uh…um…hi.”
    “Hi.” He was quiet.
    She was quiet, not certain how to even start. Small talk? Right to the point?
    “Hello,” Ravi said, this time a bit louder. “I think I lost you.”
    “I’m here.” She blurted it out and realized she was clenching her free hand, the palm sweaty and her nails digging in. If she didn’t get a grip she’d have a bleeding palm to match her bleeding lip.
    “Are you okay? You sound panicked.”
    “Yes, maybe, I guess.” She’s suddenly regretted forcing herself to call right away. It hadn’t been a good idea, but there was no turning back, so…
    “What’s wrong?”
    His voice was so tender and filled with concern that it caught her breathe, but somehow calmed her down. She visualized him hugging her tightly, and it helped.
    “I got some news.”
    “Good, I hope.”
    “I’m not sure, really.”
    “Okay, well, what is it? You must want me to know.” Raj had no idea what this scatter brained conversation with Sasha was about, but he wished she’d just spit it out. It was painful talking with her, because he longed to forget her. His life had been hell lately.
    “I found out I’m pregnant.” She suddenly felt like having a baby was all wrong and she began to back pedal, driven by fear and this strange raw feeling that came from exposing the reality.
    “With my child?” Raj could have kicked himself for saying that, as he knew that Sasha was not a promiscuous woman. “I’m sorry, that didn’t sound right.”
    Sasha had been frowning, but she had to admit that it was a legitimate question—a first reaction.
    “That’s okay. Yes, it’s yours, but I’m not certain if I’m going to keep it. I don’t know if I’m ready.”
    “Don’t just decide that,” Ravi blurted. “Please.”
    “A baby is a big task to take on alone, Ravi, and I just don’t know that I’d be doing any favors for anyone by assuming I could. You know.”
    “You wouldn’t be alone,” he said. He knew that she had every reason to believe she would be, though.
    “Ravi, really? Yes, I would be. Our destiny was pretty short lived, just long enough to involve someone else in it.”
    They were both silent