Page 52 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

I set the timer on my phone and pace the small space, chewing on my thumbnail. The seconds crawl by at an agonizing pace.

When the alarm finally chimes, I freeze. Do I really want to know? Can I handle the truth, whatever it may be?

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to look at the tests lined up on the counter.

Two pink lines.

A clear “Pregnant” in digital letters.

A plus sign.

The room spins, and I grip the edge of the sink to steady myself. Pregnant. I’m pregnant. “Oh, god,” I whisper, sinking to the floor. “What am I going to do?” Tears blur my vision as the situation crashes down on me. I’m carrying Valerian’s child—a dangerous criminal, who holds my future in his hands.

A sob escapes me, and I clap a hand over my mouth to muffle the sound. I can’t let anyone hear me until I figure out what to do.

I don’t know how long I sit there, my mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. Eventually, I force myself to stand on shaky legs. I need to pull myself together before someone notices something’s wrong.

I gather the tests and their packaging, wrapping them in toilet paper before burying them deep in the bathroom trash. I splash water on my face, erasing the tear tracks, and take several deep breaths.

“You can do this, Claire,” I tell my reflection. “You’ll figure it out.”

As I stare at the woman in the mirror, I see the lie in my own eyes. I have no idea what I’m going to do. How can I tell Valerian? Should I tell him at all? The questions swirl in my mind, each one more daunting than the last.

I step out of the bathroom on unsteady feet, my world forever changed by three little plastic sticks hidden in the trash. My mind spins from the revelation. Pregnant. I touch my stomach, still flat and unchanged, yet housing a secret that threatens to upend everything.

My phone chimes with a text from Mom.“Can you come help at the shop this morning? We’re swamped with orders.”

Perfect. A distraction is exactly what I need right now. I text back a quick “On my way” before heading downstairs.

The kitchen is mercifully empty when I grab an apple I don’t really want and a bottle of water. I pause at the front door, listening for any sign of Valerian. Silence. He must still be in his office.

I slip out into the crisp morning air, inhaling deeply. The drive with Sergei and Ivan to Bloom House helps clear my head, though my hand keeps drifting to my abdomen. The cheerful bell above the door jingles when I enter the flower shop a while later. The scent of roses and lilies envelops me, which is a soothing familiarity.

“Claire, thank goodness you’re here.” Mom emerges from behind a towering arrangement of white roses. “We’ve got three weddings this weekend, and Mrs. Abernathy just called to add another centerpiece to her order.”

I hang up my coat and roll up my sleeves. “Put me to work.”

For the next few hours, I lose myself in the rhythm of arranging flowers, wrapping bouquets, and fielding phone calls. It’s almost enough to make me forget about the bombshell I’m carrying.

Almost.

“Earth to Claire?” Mom waves a hand in front of my face. “That’s the third time you’ve put baby’s breath in that arrangement. The bride specifically requested no baby’s breath.”

I blink, staring at the delicate white flowers in my hand. Baby’s breath. A hysterical laugh bubbles up in my throat, which I quickly swallow down. “Sorry, Mom. I guess I’m a little distracted today.”

She frowns, studying my face. “Are you feeling alright, sweetheart? You look a bit pale.”

“I’m fine,” I say, perhaps a little too quickly. “Just tired. It’s been a long week.”

Mom’s expression softens. “I know things have been difficult with Jay and...everything else.” She hesitates, clearly wanting tosay more about my arrangement with Valerian but holding back. “Why don’t you take your lunch break? Get some fresh air.”

I nod gratefully, hanging up my apron. As I step outside, my phone buzzes with a text from Daphne, a massage client I’ve had for years.

“Any chance you’re free this afternoon? My back is killing me.”

I check the time. I could squeeze her in before heading back to Valerian’s.“Sure. 2 p.m. work for you?”

“Perfect. You’re a lifesaver!”

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