Page 77 of Cruel Russian Monster
“Mariya, that can't be right.” My brows furrowed. “Jaroslav hated me a few weeks ago. Hell, for the past three years. His words and his actions aligned perfectly.”
She smiled. “But did they align with his heart? He could've found another way to end the war. Yet, he chose marriage. You made an impact on Jaroslav, one that he couldn't erase. One that, if he lost you again, he knew he'd regret it for the rest of his life.”
“But, Vera?” Ninel asked, her tilted. “How do you feel about all of this? About what he did by forcing you to marry him? Based on how you speak about him and how you stood up to him in front of Lev, you still have feelings for him.”
“I wasn't happy about it because I didn't want to be in a loveless marriage. A marriage where my husband treated me like trash, a slave, and a sex worker. But even though Jaroslav's words did sting when we got to his house, he didn't mistreat me. I got it. He was hurt; he didn't know the truth.”
“And the feelings?” Kira asked.
“I never stopped loving Jaroslav. He’s my first love, the only man I've ever been with. What I did to him three years ago? I've felt guilty for hurting him, but I didn't have a choice.”
“And he's clearly forgiven you after finding out the reason why,” Mariya said.
“He has,” I agreed.
“But you're still confused about things because you guys said it was supposed to be casual, but he isn't acting like it,” Katya stated.
“I am. But I'm afraid that maybe I'm overthinking everything, and if I asked about the difference in treatment, it would stop, and I would lose him all over again.”
“Do you want this to work between you and Jaroslav?” Mariya asked.
“I do. I love him.”
“There you have it. Then we'll support you one hundred percent,” Katya smiled.
“You'll just have to brace for when Artyom finds out and the consequences of that…” Ninel's voice trailed off.
Mariya agreed and added, “But, sooner than later, the two of you need to sit and talk to set the record straight. Got it?”
I smiled. “Got it.”
“Now let's drink!” Kira cheered.
Another hour slipped by as we laughed, caught up, and swapped stories before Marten arrived to pick Kira up. I stayed behind with Katya, Ninel, and Mariya for a bit longer, and maybe drank a little too much, because at some point I wandered off to the bathroom, where I snapped a few very sexy pictures and sent them to Jaroslav.
He texted back almost immediately:Don’t call Tomas. I’m coming to get you myself.
An hour later, he showed up. I said my goodbyes, and Jaroslav helped me to the car.
By the time we got home, he’d barely closed the front door before he had me pressed against it, claiming me right then and there. I was already halfway asleep by the time he scooped me into his arms and carried me to bed.
I didn’t wake up until the next day, and when I did, the hangover hit me like a freight train. My head throbbed, my mouth was dry, and I felt like I hadn’t moved in hours. On thenightstand was a bottle of water, a pack of aspirin, and a note from Jaroslav.
Stay in bed,it read.Tomas will drop off breakfast and lunch in the kitchen. I’ll bring dinner. Message me when you’re up.
I did as he asked, sent the text, and spent most of the day curled up in bed.
But over the next few days, the headache still lingered. Jaroslav had told me Tomas was nearby if I needed anything. Nothing was staying down, and I refused to eat anything in front of Jaroslav out of fear that I'd be hunched over the toilet bowl before I even finished.
That was when I realized this couldn't just be a hangover.
Wait…could I be pregnant?
I called Tomas and asked him to take me to the pharmacy. When I got back home with the test and took it, my eyes misted when it read positive. I placed my hand on my stomach. I was pregnant with Jaroslav's baby.
I couldn't wait to share the news with him.
Immediately, I called Jaroslav.
