Page 255 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

I love you.

Had Sergei really said it, or was I imagining it?

I tried to open my eyes but I was too tired, and in the end I told myself I must have been dreaming.

Just go to sleep, Fredericka Spears, and stop thinking about the impossible.

Chapter Thirteen

THE WAITING ROOM WASdecorated in pleasantly soothing shades of blue and pink pastels, and the chairs provided looked both pretty and comfy.Definitely no ordinary clinic,Fredericka thought.

“Hello,” the receptionist behind the counter greeted her with a wide-eyed look.

Bingo,Fredericka thought in relief. It was obvious that the receptionist recognized her, and that was exactly what she needed since she didn’t have an appointment.

After a discreet check on the nameplate pinned to the girl’s uniform, Fredericka smiled back. “Hi, Carla.”

The receptionist’s smile turned into a beam. “Hi, Attorney Money – I mean, Attorney Spears.”

In a confidential tone, she whispered, “I don’t actually have an appointment today, but do you think you could squeeze me in?”

“Of course.” Carla didn’t even bat an eyelash. Looking down at her appointment book, she murmured, “I can have you slotted in at 1:30 PM.”

Wow.That was just fifteen minutes away. Being connected to Sergei Grachyov really did have its perks. Flashing Carla a grateful look, she said feelingly, “That would be great. Thank you so much, Carla.”

“Anytime, Attorney.”

When she returned to Alyx’s side, she whispered, “I’m up next.”

Alyx gave her an impressed look. “You actuallyname dropped.”

Fredericka forced herself to shrug. “I do it all the time, it’s normal in my line of work.”

“Yes, exactly.” Alyx’s eyes bored through hers. “You do it all the time at work, but you’ve always been Little Miss Proper in your personal life.”

A server approached them then, handing the two of them a menu.

“This is for free?” Fredericka asked, surprised.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Wow again, Fredericka thought. Rich people’s clinics were sure different. And when she glanced down at the menu to see what was on offer, she was even more impressed, with the drinks ranging from everything between soya milk to freshly squeezed Four Seasons.

“What about coffee?”

The server blinked at her. “But that’s not healthy for the baby.”

Oh. Right. “And tea?”

“Anything with caffeine,” the server said cautiously, “is not healthy for someone expecting.”

“Yes, but I’m not sure I’m expecting—-”

Seeing the militant look in her cousin’s eye, Alyx intervened quickly, saying, “We’ll both have water, thanks.” When the server left, she shook her head at Fredericka, saying ruefully, “You’re exactly like Yanna during her first pregnancy.”Completely unreasonable was what she meant,Alyx thought, but experience taught her better than to speak the words out loud.

Fredericka blinked. “But we’re not even sure if I’m expecting.”

Add to that completely illogical,Alyx thought, but in a rare effort at tact and diplomacy, she managed to say comfortingly, “You can drink all the coffee you want after we have the test results.”

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