Page 54 of The Bratva's Prisoner Bride

Even if he tried, the Fokins were too strong to let anything happen.

Reminding myself of that, I urged myself to relax again.

Even when I eventually got out of my head about it, I didn't have the same energy I normally did, and instead of heading upstairs to tuck myself away for a few hours, I went to the couch and turned the TV on.

After some time of half-watching a few brainless reality shows, light footsteps entered the room before Veronica's gentle voice reached me.

"I'm surprised you aren't in the studio," she said, leaning against the back of the couch across from me.

I let go of a breath and shrugged. "I didn't feel like it today...I'm pretty tired."

Despite it being a fairly tame response, a touch of concern moved through her eyes. "I noticed you didn't finish your breakfast either. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

Her quiet worry was a comfort, but I didn't really want to be fussed over. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just feeling a bit under the weather. I'm sure it's just a stomach bug."

While that edge of skepticism lingered in her gaze for another moment, Veronica didn't press. "All right...just let me know if you need anything."

I nodded and thanked her, and she eventually disappeared to continue with her work.

Even if I registered how tired I felt for seemingly no reason, and was aware of the lingering discomfort in my stomach, I didn't think much of it until Veronica poked a bit. But after the fact, I couldn't help but notice more of the queasiness as time went on, and I couldn't bring myself to leave the couch.

After another hour passed, those footfalls returned, and a small box appeared in front of my face.

I pulled back slightly while my eyes adjusted to the sudden intrusion, and then my brows furrowed when I saw the label and picture on the box.

Craning my neck, I met Veronica's steady gaze. "A pregnancy test?"

She nodded simply and handed it to me. "Yes...I think it's worth trying. Even if it's false, at least you'll know."

A small part of me didn't even want to find out, reeling at the idea. But I swallowed hard and nodded, taking the box from her. I knew she was right.

"Let me know when you're done."

Reluctantly, I got up from the couch and left the warm blanket across my lap behind. I sighed and went straight to the bathroom.

Mustering up the courage, I followed the instructions, capped the test again, then placed it on the countertop and waited with my arms crossed over my chest.

The minutes seemed to take a lifetime, but when I turned around and looked down again, my heart was immediately in my throat.

There was no way.

Seeing that single small word on the little screen confirming Veronica's suspicion made my stomach drop, and my hands shake.

I couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to think or how to feel. There were too many thoughts to process, and my mind went blank instead.

I was pregnant.

We hadn't been trying to reach that outcome, but when I thought back to every time we slept together, he hadn't exactly been trying to avoid it either.

With my hands slightly clammy, I let go of a shaky breath and numbly went to the door. I needed to tell Veronica...maybe she'd be able to help level me out again—

But the moment I stepped out into the hallway, my eyes widened the moment I saw them. My heart stopped, and I could've sworn my blood went cold.

Face to face with Olivia while Dima stood behind her, I had nowhere to go. Nowhere to run and hide.

The realization that Ivan never told them I had been living with him all that time hit me, and I knew at once that I just found myself in deep shit.

Olivia looked at me like she had seen a ghost. "...Zoey?"

---