Chapter 37

Laura

FUCK, FUCK, fuck, fuck, fuck!

The test slips from my fingers, clattering to the floor as I sink to my knees. I stare at it, my vision blurring with tears.

This can’t be happening. This can’t be real.

But it is. It’s real, and it’s happening, and holy fuck, I’m going to be a mother.

A hysterical laugh bubbles up in my throat, mixing with the sobs that threaten to choke me. I’m pregnant with Victor Morozov’s baby. The man I’m supposed to be fake married to.

What the hell am I going to do?

I sit there for what feels like hours, my mind spinning with a thousand different thoughts and fears. How am I going to tell him? What if he doesn’t want it? What if he thinks I did this on purpose to trap him?

The very idea makes me want to throw up all over again.

Shit. Maybe this test is fucked up. It’s gotta be too early to tell anyway. I mean, it’s only been a week since I missed my period. With all the crazy shit going on, I totally forgot.

Ten minutes later, I’m sprawled out on the fluffy carpet, my back against the bed.

My mind’s a total blank, but my hands are clutching all three tests. And they’re all saying the same damn thing.

I’m knocked up.

Three fucking times over.

I drop the tests and cover my face with my hands, groaning.

How the hell am I supposed to tell Victor? What if he flips his shit? What if he wants me to… to get rid of it?

Without even thinking, my hand drifts to my stomach, resting there protectively.

No. No way. This is my baby. Our baby. I’m not letting anyone hurt it.

But fuck, I need to be sure. Like, doctor sure.

Suddenly, a knock from downstairs nearly makes me jump out of my skin. In a panic, I scramble to my feet, looking around wildly. I can’t let anyone see these tests.

I dart into the bathroom, yanking open the cabinet under the sink. I shove the tests way in the back, behind a stack of towels. Not the best hiding spot, but it’ll have to do.

I practically fly down the stairs, my heart pounding. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself before I open the door.

“Coming!” I call out, wincing at how high-pitched my voice sounds.

I turn the knob, expecting to see Nadia with that soup. But when I open the door, it’s not Nadia standing there.

It’s Dimitry.

“Dimitry?” I blink, confused. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes are cold, his expression hard. He looks past me into the room. “Are you alone?”

I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. “Y-yeah. Victor’s at work.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Dimitry pushes past me, walking into the room like he owns the place. I stand there, stunned, as he shuts the door behind him.

“Are you… are you looking for Victor?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

Dimitry turns to me, his lips curling into a sneer. “No. I’m here to ask you something, Laura.”

The way he says my name makes my skin crawl. “What?”

He steps closer, looming over me. “Did you see a message on my phone the other day?”

Oh, fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I try to keep my face neutral, but I can feel my eyes widening. “No. No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Don’t lie to me. You’re shit at it.”

He grabs my chin roughly, forcing me to look at him. “I know you’re just a contract wife. But if you saw something you shouldn’t have…” His fingers dig into my skin, and I wince. “You keep your mouth shut. Got it?”

Something in me snaps. Maybe it’s the hormones, maybe it’s the fact that I’m just so fucking tired of being pushed around. Whatever it is, I find myself reaching out, grabbing his wrist.

“What did you do?” I ask, my voice cracking, but I steady myself, standing firm.

Dimitry’s eyes widen, then narrow. “It’s none of your fucking business!” he snarls, trying to yank his hand away.

But I hold on tight, my nails digging into his skin. “Well, I’m telling you that I don’t know what you’re talking about. So back the fuck off.”

He stares at me, his jaw clenched. For a moment, I think he’s going to hit me. The look in his eyes… it’s crazy. Unhinged. Like he’s capable of anything.

Is he working with Vasiliev? Going against his own family?

I start to back away, my eyes darting around the room, looking for something, anything I can use to defend myself.

“Look, bitch,” he sneers, “I know you’re just after the cash, a classic gold digger. So don’t try any stupid stunts that could mess that up.”

My face tightens, nostrils flaring as anger surges through me. “You think you can—?” I begin, my voice sharp with fury, but a knock at the door cuts me off mid-sentence.

Without thinking, I dart past Dimitry, wrenching the door open. And there, standing in the hallway, are Nadia and…

Ksenia.

Nadia’s holding a tray, a smile on her face. “Are you okay, Madam Laura…?” But the words die on her lips as she sees Dimitry looming behind me. “Master Dimitry…”

Ksenia’s expression doesn’t change, but I see a muscle twitch in her jaw. She cocks her head, her eyes drilling into her husband. “What are you doing here, Dimitry?”

He shifts uncomfortably, his face pale. “Oh, I… I was just asking Laura about a book. For Eli.”

It’s a weak excuse, and we all know it. Ksenia arches one perfect eyebrow. “A book? For Eli?”

Her tone is casual, but there’s an undercurrent of danger. Like a knife hidden in a silk sheath.

Dimitry swallows hard, his eyes flicking to me, then back to Ksenia. “Yes. But I… I have to go. Meeting.”

He pushes past me, his shoulder slamming into mine. But before he disappears down the hall, he turns back, his eyes locking with mine.

The look he gives me is pure venom, a silent warning. This isn’t over.

Then he’s gone, his footsteps echoing down the stairs.

I stand there, my heart pounding, my hands shaking. Ksenia is watching me, her gaze sharp and assessing.

“Is everything alright, Laura?” she asks.

I could tell her, but… what if it makes everything worse?

I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as brittle as it feels. “Yes. Yes, everything’s fine. Dimitry just… surprised me, that’s all.”

“Ah…” Ksenia replies slowly, her face unsmiling, her eyes narrowing slightly as she speaks. “I’m talking about your… food poisoning.”

Her gaze drifts from my face to my stomach, and I feel a jolt of panic. Unconsciously, I bite my lip hard, my hand drifting to my belly.

“It’s… it’s better now,” I reply, trying to force a laugh. “Guess I’ve eaten something that didn’t sit well with my stomach.”

But Ksenia doesn’t laugh. She just keeps staring at me.

Rude. But she’s fucking scary.

“You know, I don’t really know you yet. Sister-in-law.” She strolls casually into the room, her eyes sweeping over every detail. Like she’s looking for something.

I swallow hard, my palms starting to sweat. “Yeah, I… I don’t think you like me too much.”

“You don’t think?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. “Or you know?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Look, I know you don’t think I’m good for Victor. You think I’m just here for the money.”

“Ah huh,” Ksenia drawls, her lips curling into a smirk. “And are you? Here for the two hundred grand a month, the property Victor put in your name? Quite the catch, aren’t you?”

Her words hit me like a slap, leaving me reeling.

But before I can reply, Nadia appears at my elbow, setting the tray down on the coffee table. The smell of the soup wafts up, rich and inviting, but my stomach churns at the thought of eating.

“Your soup, madam. I hope you feel better soon,” Nadia says, giving me a sympathetic smile.

I nod, mumbling my thanks as she slips out of the room, closing the door behind her.

And then it’s just me and Ksenia. Alone.

She circles me, her eyes raking over every inch of me. I feel like a bug under a microscope, pinned and wriggling.

Jesus, what is this, a fucking zoo exhibit?

I try not to squirm under her scrutiny.

Step right up, see the knocked-up mafia bride!

“I heard you vomited during dinner two nights ago,” Ksenia says, her voice casual but her eyes sharp.

I nod, my throat dry. “I… yes. Must have been something I ate.”

“And you did it again. Earlier.”

It’s not a question but a statement. I bite my lip, my heart pounding so hard I’m sure she can hear it.

Fuck, she knows. She knows, and she’s going to tell Victor, and then…

I don’t even want to think about what happens then.

Ksenia steps closer, her head tilted. “Laura, are you…”

I hold my breath, bracing myself for the accusation. For the disgust, the anger.

This is it. She’s going to ask if I’m pregnant. She’s going to fucking lose it.

“…free tomorrow?” she finishes, her lips curving into a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I think we should have lunch with Eli. Get to know each other better.”

I blink, stunned. That… was not what I was expecting.

“Uh. Yes, I mean… of course. Lunch sounds great.”

Ksenia nods, seeming satisfied. “Good. I’ll have Nadia make the arrangements.”

She turns to go, but pauses at the door, looking back at me over her shoulder. “And Laura? Nice chatting with you.”

It feels more like I’ve been interrogated than a chat.

I nod, my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Ksenia smiles again, a cold, dangerous thing.

And then she’s gone, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts and my pounding heart.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck.