Page 67 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

“Everything okay?” he asks.

I nod, plastering on another smile. “Yes, just thinking about what I want for breakfast. Pancakes, maybe?”

Valerian chuckles. “Pancakes it is.”

As we head downstairs, I try to push away the guilt gnawing at my insides. One more day, I tell myself. One more day to pretend everything is normal before I turn both our worlds upside down.

Later in the morning, Valerian has departed to run an errand, and I’m sitting in the living room, flipping through a magazine without really seeing the pages, when I hear a car pull up outside. Curious, I set aside the magazine and move to the window, peeking through the curtains. My heart leaps when I see my mother stepping out of a sleek black SUV, one of Valerian’s guards holding the door for her.

“Mom?” I whisper, surprised and a little confused. I hadn’t expected to see her today. I haven’t seen her in a few days, since going into lock-down at the mansion, and seeing her now, when I’m so desperately confused, brings tears to my eyes.

I hurry to the front door, opening it just as my mother reaches the steps. Her face lights up when she sees me, and she quickens her pace. “Claire, sweetheart.” She envelops me in a warm hug, the familiar scent of her lavender perfume washing over me, before she kisses my cheek. “I hope you don’t mind the surprise visit.”

I return the hug, savoring the comfort of her embrace. “Of course not. I’m always happy to see you, but how did you?—”

“Valerian arranged it,” she says, pulling back to look at me. Her eyes search my face, concern evident in her expression. “He thought you might want some company while he’s out.”

Myriad emotions surge through me, including gratitude for Valerian’s thoughtfulness, nervousness about facing mymother’s questions, and a twinge of guilt for the secret I’m keeping. I force a smile, stepping back to let her inside.

“That was nice of him,” I say, leading her to the living room. “Can I get you something to drink? Tea? Coffee?”

Mom settles onto the couch, taking in the luxurious surroundings. “Tea would be lovely, thank you.”

Before I can ring, Anatoly is already there, a tea tray in hand. He gives me a smile. “I thought you ladies might enjoy tea. There’s chamomile, herbal, orginger.” He says that last part with special emphasis, making me wonder just how much the observant butler has guessed.

When he departs, I feel my mother’s gaze on me. My secret presses down on me, making my movements feel clumsy and uncertain. I pour the tea and hand her the herbal blend while selecting ginger for myself. Mom takes her cup, blowing gently on the steaming liquid before taking a sip.

“So…” she says, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. “How are you doing, really?”

I open my mouth to give my usual response of, “I’m fine,” but the words stick in my throat. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and suddenly, I can’t hold it in anymore. “Oh, Mom,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “I’m pregnant.”

Her eyes widen, the teacup freezing halfway to her lips. “Pregnant? But I thought?—”

“I know,” I say, wiping at my eyes. “The doctor said it’s some kind of hormonal shift, and it’s not just one baby. It’s... four.”

Mom sets down her cup with a clatter. “Four? Oh, Claire...”

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. She moves to sit beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Have you told Valerian?” she asks gently.

I shake my head. “Not yet. I... I don’t know how. You can’t tell anyone until I figure out how to tell him.”

She squeezes my hand. “Of course not, sweetheart, but you need to tell him soon. He deserves to know.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I’m just... I’m scared.”

Her brow creases, and she suddenly looks concerned. “Scared? Claire, are you... are you being held here against your will? Is this about Jay’s debt?”

I sit up straighter, shaking my head vehemently. “No, it’s nothing like that. Jay’s debt has been resolved. I’m here because I want to be. It’s just...” I trail off, struggling to find the right words.

“It’s just what?” she prompts gently.

I exhale raggedly. “I’m scared of bringing babies into this world. Valerian’s world. It’s dangerous, Mom. There are people who want to hurt him, and by extension, anyone close to him.”

She’s quiet for a moment while rubbing soothing circles on my back. “I can’t pretend to understand everything about your situation, but you have options. If you’re not ready for this, if you don’t want to go through with the pregnancy…”

“No,” I interrupt, surprising myself with the vehemence in my voice. “I mean, I’ve thought about it, but I spent so many years thinking I might never be able to have children. Now that it’s happened, even in these crazy circumstances, I can’t give that up.”

She nods, a small smile on her lips. “I understand, but this is your decision. Whatever you choose, your father and I will support you.”

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