In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 378

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His silence was damning.

"That's what I thought," she whispered.

"This isn't fair," he finally said. "You know how much pressure we're under. The entire country is watching, waiting—"

"You think I don't know that?" Her voice rose despite her best efforts. "I can't walk into a room without feeling eyes drop to my stomach. I can't hold a child without someone making a comment about how 'natural' I look. I can't escape it for a single day!" Maria had really pissed her off.

"Amelia—"

"Do you know what it's like?" She continued, unable to stop now that the dam had broken. "To take that test every month, praying for a different result? To feel like a failure as a woman, as a wife, as a princess? To see the disappointment in your eyes, even when you try to hide it?"

"I've never been disappointed in you," Niko insisted, reaching for her.

She stepped back. "Haven't you? I see how you look at me, Niko. I see how your eyes go to my waistline every morning, how you pull away a little more each month. I'm not imagining it."

Pain flashed across his face. "Is that what you truly believe? That I'm pulling away from you?"

"Aren't you?" She challenged. "When was the last time we had a real conversation? When was the last time you told me what you're actually feeling?"

Niko's shoulders sagged slightly. "I'm trying to be strong for both of us."

"I don't need your strength," she said quietly. "I need your honesty. I need to know if you resent me for not giving you a child yet."

"God, Amelia, no." He crossed to her, taking her hands in his despite her resistance. "I could never resent you."

"Then why does it feel like we're drifting further apart with each negative test?" Her voice broke on the last words, tears finally spilling over.

Niko pulled her against his chest, his arms encircling her tightly. "I'm sorry," he murmured into her hair. "I didn't realize... I thought I was protecting you by not showing my own disappointment."