Page 92 of Velvet Chains
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.
