167

Sophia’s POV

The tension in the room felt thick, almost suffocating, as I sat with my parents again a few days after breaking the news. It was the first time I had visited since telling them I was pregnant and getting married, and even though they had said they’d support me, I could still see that they were uncertain and they definitely thought I was rushing into this.

My mom was stirring a pot of soup at the stove, the wooden spoon moving in slow circles as if she was lost in thought. My dad was sitting at the kitchen table, flipping through the local newspaper, though I could tell he wasn’t really reading it. His eyes kept darting up to glance at me, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

“So,” I said, trying to break the silence, “I was thinking about having a small ceremony. Nothing big. Just us and maybe a couple of close friends.”

My mom turned to look at me, her expression carefully neutral. “A small ceremony sounds nice,” she said, her voice a little too calm. “But are you sure that’s what you want? I always imagined you’d have a big wedding… something grand, with all your family there.”

“I know, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile. “But I think with everything going on, keeping it small just feels… right. Less stressful.”

She nodded, turning back to the stove. “Less stressful, sure.” She didn’t sound convinced, but at least she wasn’t arguing.

My dad cleared his throat, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. “So, about Ian,” he started, his voice careful. “What kind of man is he? I mean, we haven’t met him properly, and now… well, you’re having his child. We just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”

I could feel the weight of the question. They still didn’t know the half of it. And they couldn’t. Not yet.

“He’s… great,” I said, trying to sound confident. “He’s really supportive and responsible. He’s been by my side through everything. I know this seems fast, but I love him, Dad.”

My dad leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “But you’re still not telling us everything, are you?”

My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

He gave me a long, hard look, the kind that told me he wasn’t buying my nonchalant attitude. “Sophia, we may be old, but we’re not stupid. There’s something you’re keeping from us. You’ve barely talked about Ian in the past, and now you’re getting married and having his baby? And every time we ask about him, you get cagey.”

My mom turned off the stove and joined us at the table, her face soft but worried. “Sweetheart, we’re not trying to pressure you, but we can tell there’s more to the story.”

I stared down at my hands, feeling very guilty for hiding things from them. They were right—I was keeping things from them. Huge things. But how could I possibly explain any of it? How could I sit here and tell them that Ian wasn’t just a man, but a vampire king? That I was part of a world they’d never understand, where danger lurked around every corner? That their grandchild would be part of that world too?

“I’m not… ready to talk about everything yet,” I said slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I promise, when the time is right, I will.”

My mom reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “We just want to make sure you’re safe, Sophia. That’s all.”

“I know,” I said, trying to keep the guilt out of my voice. “And I appreciate it. I really do. But right now, I just need you to trust me. Trust that I’m making the right choices.”

They didn’t say anything for a moment. My dad’s expression softened slightly, though I could still see the worry in his eyes. “We trust you,” he said finally. “But we’re your parents. We’re always going to worry.”

“I know,” I whispered.

I shifted on the couch uncomfortably. I knew this conversation was far from over, but at least they weren’t pushing me too hard. Yet. I glanced at my mom, noticing the way her hands fidgeted with the edge of her apron. She was trying to hold it together, but I could tell she was struggling.

“How’s the pregnancy going?” she asked, her voice strained but warm. “Are you feeling okay?”

I nodded, grateful for the change in topic. “I’m doing fine, actually. A little tired sometimes, but Ian’s been great about helping out.”

My dad raised an eyebrow. “Helping out how?”

I bit my lip, realizing I needed to be careful with my words. “You know, just making sure I’m comfortable, bringing me food when I don’t feel like getting up… things like that.”

My mom smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s good to hear. You need someone who’s going to take care of you, especially now.”

I nodded, trying to ignore the fact that we were all so uncomfortable with each other right now. As much as I wanted to be honest with them, there were things they just couldn’t know. Not yet. And maybe not ever.

As we sat there in the quiet kitchen, the sound of the clock ticking on the wall, I couldn’t help but feel bad about everything. I had always been close to my parents, telling them everything growing up, but now… now there was this massive wall between us. And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep it up.

“So when’s the wedding?” my dad asked, breaking the silence.

“We’re still working out the details,” I said quickly. “But soon. I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve set a date.”

My mom nodded, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes. She had always dreamed of planning my wedding, and now here I was, doing it without her.

“We’d like to help,” she said softly. “Even if it’s just something small, we want to be involved.”

“I know,” I said, guilt washing over me. “And I promise, I’ll include you. It’s just… there’s been a lot going on.”

My dad sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. “We’re not trying to make this harder on you, Sophia. We’re just… processing. It’s a lot to take in.”

“I know,” I said again, my voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, the room fell silent again, the only sound the soft clinking of my mom’s fingers tapping against her mug. They wanted to trust me, but I knew they didn’t fully understand what they were trusting me with.

“Ian’s a good man,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “He’s going to take care of me and our baby.”

My dad looked at me, his eyes searching mine for some kind of reassurance. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am,” I said, more firmly this time. “I know you don’t know him well yet, but you will. He’s… he’s everything I need right now.”

My mom gave me a small, tight-lipped smile. “If you’re happy, then we’re happy for you. But you need to know that we’re here, Sophia. Whatever happens, we’re here.”

I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. “I know, Mom. I know.”

And that was the hardest part. They were here for me, and yet I was keeping so much from them. And while I sat here, pretending everything was normal, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was lying to them. And it wasn’t just about Ian or the pregnancy. It was about the whole world I was part of now—a world I could never fully explain to them.

But for now, I had no choice but to keep it. To protect them from the truth. It was a shock that my enemies hadn’t come for them already. And I needed to do everything to keep it that way. Even if it meant I’d continue lying to them.

“I love you both,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “Thank you for supporting me.”

My dad nodded, his expression softening. “We love you too, sweetie. Always.”

My mom reached over and squeezed my hand. “You’ll always have us, no matter what.”

I smiled, though it felt forced. “I know.”

How long? I wondered. How long I could keep this up. How long before the truth came crashing down around us all? And what would happen when it did?