Page 45 of Beautiful Agony

My heart stops as I spot the envelope among the scattered mail, addressed in an elegant script: "Dear Little Thief."

"Vadim." My voice comes out barely above a whisper.

He looks up from Dr. Chen's letter, his expression immediately darkening when he sees what I'm holding. Before I can blink, he snatches the envelope from my trembling fingers.

"Don't," he growls, holding it up to the light. His hands move with practiced precision as he examines the edges and seams. "It could be rigged."

"It's from her, isn't it?"

I don't need to specify who.

Vadim frowns, turning the envelope over. "It's too light to be an explosive." His jaw clenches. "But that doesn't mean it's safe."

He retrieves a letter opener from his desk and carefully slits the top edge. Nothing happens. Slowly, he tips the contents onto his desk.

Two items fall out: a folded piece of paper and a single bullet that lands with a dull thud.

My hand instinctively moves to protect my stomach as I stare at the bullet. Vadim's face has gone completely still—that dangerous stillness I've learned means he's barely containing his rage.

The bullet gleams mockingly in the afternoon light streaming through his office windows. My hand instinctively moves to my stomach as I stare at it.

Vadim's fingers close around the bullet, his knuckles white. "I won't let her hurt you," he growls.

My hands tremble as I unfold the letter, the heavy cream paper rustling between my fingers.

Dear Little Thief,

Consider this a souvenir from Paris. I thought you might like to know it was me who pulled the trigger. My only regret is that I missed you and hit that bitch instead.

But don't worry. I'll have another chance soon enough. Until then, feel free to keep this bullet that was meant for you.

Next time, I won't miss.

By the way, congratulations on the whelp in your belly. Such happy news! And I must say, I do love the challenge of hitting a small target.

Until we meet again,

Sayanaa

The letter slips from my numb fingers. My stomach heaves and I barely make it to the wastebasket before retching. Vadim's hands are instantly there, pulling my hair back as I empty what little is in my stomach.

When the heaving finally stops, I become aware of Vadim speaking softly in Russian—not to me, but into his phone. His other hand hasn't left my back, moving in gentle circles as I try to catch my breath.

"She killed Irina," I whisper. "She was aiming for me but killed Irina instead."

My hand presses against my stomach, tears blurring my vision as the full weight of Sayanaa's threat crashes over me. Not just me anymore but my baby. The child Vadim and I created that night when everything still felt pure and right.

Sayanaa could've killed my child before I even knew I was pregnant.

My heart twists at the thought of her extinguishing my baby's life so cruelly and callously.

My hands press protectively over my stomach as I think about those words.The whelp in your belly... I do love the challenge...

No, she still wants to.

"She'll never get close enough," Vadim growls, his arms wrapping around me from behind. "I swear it."

But we both know what that means. The walls of Pankration that once felt like a prison now become my only shield.

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