Page 94 of Velvet Chains
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.
Chapter 38
Laura
I GRAB my phone from the nightstand, grunting as I roll onto my back. The screen lights up, and I squint at the time. Eleven in the morning. Lovely.
God, I think I slept less than a few hours.
My body feels exhausted, but my brain is running ten miles a minute.
I try not to spiral into a panic attack, but it’s hard not to when the reality of my situation keeps hitting me like a freight train. I’m pregnant. I’m actually, definitely, undeniably pregnant.
I am so fucking dead.
With a sigh, I unlock my phone, my heart sinking as I see that my message from last night was read. But there’s no reply from Victor.
Really, what was I expecting?
I stare at the screen for a moment, debating whether I should send another message. Finally, I type out:
