The early morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Maya lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts heavy with everything that had changed. Everything that was still changing.

She had known from the moment her body had shifted, the signs becoming undeniable, that their world was about to change. But the reality of it was different. It was overwhelming, and yet there was a strange comfort in it, in knowing that she was carrying Zayed’s child.

But then, there was the weight of his presence. Zayed’s possessiveness had always been there, lurking beneath the surface, but with this new development, it seemed to have intensified. He was more watchful, more controlling. Every movement, every glance he gave her now seemed to carry more weight, more meaning.

Maya hadn’t expected it to feel like this. She had imagined the early days of pregnancy to be filled with excitement, maybe even joy. But instead, there was a heavy sense of being constantly under his watchful eye. It wasn’t just his usual control; it was as if she was something precious, something he couldn’t afford to lose.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Maya,” Zayed’s deep voice came through the door, low and commanding. “Are you awake?”

She nodded, even though she knew he couldn’t see her. She could feel him standing outside, waiting, the power of his presence already seeping into the room.

The door opened slowly, and Zayed stepped inside, his gaze immediately locking onto hers. His expression softened just for a moment before the familiar hard edge returned to his features.

“How are you feeling today?” He didn’t approach her immediately, his eyes sweeping over her, noting the slight change in her appearance, the subtle shifts in her body.

“I’m fine,” Maya replied, though her voice was quiet. She had to admit, she wasn’t feeling like herself. She felt different—distant, as though she were losing pieces of herself with every passing day.

Zayed didn’t seem convinced. He moved toward the bed and sat down beside her, his fingers brushing the side of her face, gently pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His touch was soft, almost tender, but there was a firmness in his eyes, a force of will that she couldn’t escape.

“You look tired,” he said softly. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, haven’t you?”

Maya swallowed. “I’m just adjusting to everything. It’s… it’s a lot.”

“I know.” He leaned in, his lips grazing her forehead. “You don’t have to carry it all alone, Maya. I’ll take care of everything. You just need to focus on keeping yourself and our child safe. Everything else is mine to handle.”

Maya looked at him, her heart skipping a beat at his words. There was a possessiveness to them, a certainty that left no room for doubt. She was his—body, heart, soul—and now, she was carrying his child. It was a responsibility he would take on completely, but in doing so, he was tightening the hold he already had on her.

“I know you’re trying to protect me,” Maya said, her voice trembling slightly, “but sometimes I feel like I’m just… a part of your plan.”

Zayed’s eyes darkened at her words, and he moved closer, his fingers cupping her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You are my plan, Maya. You’ve always been part of my plan. Everything I do is for you, for our child.”

There was something possessive in his words, something that made Maya’s heart race. He wasn’t just talking about love anymore; he was talking about ownership, about his unyielding control over her and everything in their world. And as much as she wanted to resist it, she couldn’t deny that the weight of his affection—his obsession—was something she craved.

“I don’t want to lose myself in all of this,” Maya said quietly. “I still want to be the woman I was. I want to be… me.”

Zayed’s gaze softened, but only slightly. He reached out and gently brushed his thumb over her lower lip. “You’ll never lose yourself, Maya. But you’ll be mine. And our child will be ours. That’s not a choice. It’s the way things are.”

Maya bit her lip, feeling a knot form in her stomach. He had always been certain of his control over her. Now, he was certain of his control over their future. She didn’t know how to navigate this. She didn’t know how to find herself again when everything felt like it was slipping away.

“I don’t want to lose you, Maya,” Zayed continued, his voice low and sincere. “I know I can be demanding. I know I can be… possessive. But I love you, and I will always make sure you and our child are protected. Always.”

Maya felt her throat tighten, the conflict inside her growing. She had never imagined this kind of love. This kind of need. It wasn’t just love; it was a force of nature, something that could bend and shape her to fit into a world she hadn’t known she was meant to inhabit. She wasn’t just his wife anymore—she was the mother of his child, the center of his universe.

And she wasn’t sure if that scared her or made her feel more alive than she ever had before.

Zayed stood and walked to the window, his back to her as he gazed out into the vast desert beyond the palace walls. “I want to keep you close, Maya. I need you to stay here, to stay safe. I will not tolerate anyone or anything that threatens what we’re building.”

Maya couldn’t help but feel a twinge of something—was it jealousy?—when she realized he wasn’t just talking about the physical safety of her or their child. He was talking about the emotional safety. He wanted her all to himself. He wanted to ensure that no one could come between them.

She stood up slowly, walking over to him, her hand resting gently on his arm. “I don’t want anyone to come between us, Zayed. I don’t want to lose what we have.”

Zayed turned to face her, his hands immediately going to her waist, pulling her closer. His touch was possessive, urgent, as if he couldn’t bear to let her out of his sight for even a moment. “You won’t lose me, Maya. But you will learn to trust me. To trust us.”

Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up into his dark eyes. She wanted to trust him. She wanted to give herself completely to him, to their love, to their child. But she also knew that trusting Zayed meant surrendering completely—mentally, emotionally, physically.

She had already surrendered so much. Was she ready to give him everything?

Before she could answer, Zayed kissed her, his lips claiming hers with a fierceness that made her knees weak. His kiss was demanding, but it was also full of tenderness, full of love. She kissed him back, not just with her lips, but with her heart. She was his, and in that moment, she didn’t know if she was ready to fight that or embrace it.

“I’m ready for this, Zayed,” she whispered against his lips. “I’m ready for everything.”

His eyes softened as he held her against him, his hand gently resting on her abdomen. “Then I will make sure you never regret it.”