Page 49 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

Pippa nods. "Have you thought about what you want to do?"

I shake my head helplessly. "I don't know. I need time to process this. All I know is that I don't want to cause a scene here and now. Besides, Nikolai and I haven’t yet spoken about children," I admit with a shaky voice.

Pippa squeezes my shoulder with such deep compassion that I feel like I might cry. “This is your news to share when you're ready. For now, we go back in there and pretend you broke a nail or something. I'm here for you, no matter what you decide. How does that sound?"

I hug her again, infinitely grateful for her discretion and support. For now, Nikolai cannot know. No one can know. I need time to think, to decide how to break the news. But with Pippa by my side, I feel a little less afraid.

***

I take a deep breath and smooth my dress. It's time to return to the gathering. Pippa gives me an encouraging nod before slipping back in.

I go back into the bathroom and stare at my reflection, trying to arrange my features into a mask of normalcy. But my hands tremble, and my heart races.

A child. Nikolai's child. The reality hits me like a blow. This changes everything between us. I don't know how he'll react. We've never discussed children. Our marriage was one of convenience, a way to unite our families and broker an alliance. But now…

A soft knock at the door startles me from my thoughts. "Anoushka? Are you all right? Pippa came back, and I’ve been wondering where you two disappeared off to," Nikolai's concerned voice comes through the door.

"I'm fine," I call out, cringing at the quaver in my tone.

The door opens, and Nikolai steps inside, his brow furrowed. "You don't look fine. What's wrong?"

I shake my head, avoiding his penetrating gaze. "Just felt a little sick. I'm better now."

Nikolai steps closer, tilting my chin up. His eyes search mine, dark with worry. "Please, tell me if you’d like to go home.”

My breath catches at the tenderness in his voice. Perhaps this news won't drive us apart. Perhaps it will bring us closer together. But I cannot tell him, not yet.

So I force a smile, patting his hand. "I'm all right, really. Let's get back to the others."

Nikolai hesitates, clearly unconvinced. But he nods, lacing his fingers through mine. "If you're sure."

As we leave the bathroom, his solid presence comforts me.

Nikolai keeps a watchful eye on me as we rejoin the family gathering. Though he engages in conversation, his focus never wavers from my side.

When a server offers champagne, Nikolai smoothly intercepts. "Just water for my wife, thank you."

I squeeze his hand in silent appreciation. No one seems to notice the small gesture.

As dinner is served, the savory aromas turn my stomach. Nikolai leans in; concern etched on his face. "Here." He pours me some extra soup and places a bread roll on my plate. “Just eat light, you’d feel better.”

Nikolai presses his palm to my forehead, then brushes a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. “Whenever you wish to leave, just say the word," he says gently.

With him by my side for the entirety of the night, just for a moment, all my fears melt away.

Chapter 21 - Nikolai

I enter Boris's office building with a lingering tension on my neck, which creeps down my shoulders. This sensation is one unfamiliar, but it stems from the helplessness I feel at knowing that I’ve truly tried everything I can with the Zolotov brothers to win them over.

This is our first meeting since I’ve been back from Paris. If the hostility still remains, there’s literally close to nothing I can do.

I’ve tried everything possible under the sun. Worked extra hard, made an effort outside of the office at family events, and proven to them that their sister is in good hands.

Outside the conference room, I put my game face on, maintaining a neutral expression as I enter the room. Boris, Damien, and Lev are seated in the leather chairs across from Boris's massive oak desk. Their eyes follow me as I stride across the room and take my usual seat at the opposing end of the table.

Damien nods at me, and to my surprise, Lev gives me a grin.

Am I… imagining things?

---