The morning light filtered through my bedroom windows as I held Maliya in my arms. Everything felt different now. Last night, I'd finally said the words that had been building in my chest for weeks.
I love you.
And she'd said them back.
I watched her sleep for a moment, her face peaceful and relaxed. My wife. The woman I'd forced into marriage, who somehow had become the most important person in my world.
She stirred, her eyes opening slowly. When she saw me watching, she smiled, that beautiful, genuine smile that made my chest ache.
"Good morning," I murmured, pulling her closer.
"Morning."
We lay there quietly for a few minutes, just being close. But my mind was already working through everything that needed to happen today.
"I need to send Marcus to get your mother this morning
