The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 316

Help-2

*You have an amazing aunt,* she thought. *And she’s going to be at your birth, no matter what anyone says.*

The future was uncertain.

But one thing was clear-her family was growing.

And she would do whatever it took to keep them together

The afternoon sun hung low over the farm, casting long shadows across the fields. The air was warm and still, carrying the scent of wildflowers and freshly turned earth. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oaks that bordered the property, their branches swaying in lazy rhythms.

Lori stepped out of the farmhouse, her bare feet padding softly against the wooden porch. She had just hung up the phone with Iva, her heart still full from the conversation, her mind still spinning with the news of the pregnancy and the upcoming ball.

She found Attia by the barn, his head buried under the hood of their old pickup truck. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his forearms-muscular, dusted with dark hair, streaked with grease. He was muttering something under his breath, his brow furrowed in concentration as he adjusted something beneath the hood.

Lori leaned against the porch railing and watched him.

She couldn’t help it. Every time she saw him, even in the most mundane moments, her heart skipped a beat. The way his muscles moved beneath his shirt. The way his jaw tightened in concentration. The way his hands-those strong, capable hands-worked with such precision

and care.

He was so focused on his task that he didn’t notice her at first.

She cleared her throat softly.

Attia straightened, turning toward her. The moment his eyes met hers, his face transformed. The furrowed brow smoothed. The tension in his jaw relaxed. A slow, warm smile spread across his lips-the kind of smile that made her knees weak, that made her forget her own

name.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low and rough with affection.

13

Lori’s heart fluttered.

“Hey yourself.”

She walked toward him, her bare feet sinking slightly into the soft earth. The grass was cool against her skin, a welcome relief from the afternoon heat.

“Iva called,” she said, stopping a few feet away from him.

Attia’s expression shifted, becoming more alert.

“Everything okay?”

“Everything’s wonderful.” Lori smiled. “She’s pregnant. She’s going to have a baby.”

Attia’s eyes widened.

“Pregnant? That’s-that’s incredible news.”

Lori nodded, her smile widening.

“I know. She’s so happy. And she’s invited us to a ball at the palace. She wants us there. She said she’d send a car, that she’d make sure we had a suite, that she didn’t care what anyone

thought.”

Attia’s brow furrowed slightly.

“A ball,” he repeated slowly.

“I know it might be complicated,” Lori said. “Being lone wolves, showing up at a royal event. But Iva said she’d protect us. She said we’re family.”

Attia considered her words for a moment, his gaze softening.

“Then we’ll go,” he said simply. “If it’s important to you, we’ll go.”

Lori’s heart swelled.

“Really?”

“Really. I’m not going to let anyone keep us apart from the people we love.”

Lori stepped closer, reaching out to touch his face.

“I love you,” she said softly.

Attia’s smile was warm.

Help 2

“I love you too.”

She opened her mouth to tell him more about the ball, about the plans, about-

They both froze.

Claim

A sound cut through the quiet afternoon-the pounding of footsteps, fast and frantic, approaching through the forest. Leaves rustled. Branches snapped. The ground seemed to tremble beneath the urgency of the runner’s pace.

Lori’s heart leaped into her throat.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify