Page 99 of Sinful Lies

I stare at my phone for a couple of seconds.

This is suddenly real. There’s no more convincing myself that the tests were false positives or that I’ve got the stomach flu.

I’m carrying Dimitri’s child, and he has no fucking clue.

My chest hurts, and my lungs are closing. “Breathe, Zara…”

I can’t go home because Dimitri will see the shock written on my face. I need to get it together before I can face him. Even then I’m not sure how I’m going to tell him the news. But my ultrasound isn’t for another week whichmeans I have until then to work out how to tell Dimitri he’s going to be a father.

I unlock my phone and decide to call Bianca who answers after two rings.

“Zara! Thank god you called, I’m going out of my mind. With Alexei gone, the only person I’ve spoken to in four days is Leo, and he’s not exactly a great conversationalist.”

My chest tightens as Leo squawks in the background.

“I’m sorry I haven’t checked in.”

“Don’t be! You’re a newlywed.” Bianca laughs. “I’m sure you’ve been verybusy.”

I’m so grateful I chose not to facetime my friend so she doesn’t catch the way my cheeks burn as I think of all the ways Dimitri and I have gotten busy.

“That’s what I was calling about.”

“Uh oh. After all the hype, is Dimitri actually bad in bed?”

I huff a laugh.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Oh yay! I’m so happy for you. Wait. Why don’t you sound happy?”

“C-can I come over? I, uh…don’t want to be alone right now.”

“Of course! Me and Leo are at the penthouse while Alexei’s gone. He wants us close to the rest of the family, not that Danil and Mikhail are much help with the baby.” She laughs. “Come and have some baby snuggles.”

My eyes sting as I realize in a matter of months, I’ll be able to hold my own baby in my arms.

“I’ll be there soon.”

By the timeI’m taking the elevator up to the Koslovs’ penthouse on the Upper East Side, my cheeks are damp with tears.

It’s made worse by the sight of a sleeping Leo in Bianca’s arms as I step out of the elevator into their living room.

Bianca throws an arm around my shoulder, hugging me close. “Zara, what is it?”

I take one look at Leo’s chubby face as he sleeps, and the flood gates open.

“I’m pregnant.” I bury my face in my hands.

Bianca is silent for a moment, and I worry that she misheard me.

I glance at her through my fingers to catch her blue eyes widening.

“You’re pregnant?”

“The doctor just confirmed it.” I drop my hands to my sides. “I have my ultrasound next Monday.”

“Oh, mygod!” Bianca cries, accidentally jolting Leo awake. “This is so exciting! Leo’s going to have a cousin!”

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