Page 38 of Triplet Babies
“Is it? It looks like it’s just getting more complicated.”
Before I can respond, Mrs. Nykova approaches with a clipboard and a professional smile. “How are things progressing, Miss Clark?”
“Very smoothly. The kitchen staff is excellent, and the guests seem pleased with the service.”
She nods and notes something on her clipboard. “Good. We’ll be serving dinner in twenty minutes, followed by the formal engagement announcement at nine-thirty.”
The announcement where Yarik will put a ring on Katya’s finger and make their relationship official. My stomach lurches, and I have to swallow hard to keep from being sick. “I’ll make sure everything is ready.”
She nods. “Thank you. You’ve been very helpful this evening.”
After Mrs. Nykova leaves, I excuse myself and hurry toward the guest bathroom near the main entrance. The wave of nausea hits me hard, and I barely make it to the toilet before my stomach rebels.
Afterward, I lurch to the sink and grip the marble counter, breathing deeply while trying to regain my composure. The morning sickness has been unpredictable lately, triggered by stress as much as by the pregnancy itself. This evening has been a perfect storm of both.
When I finally feel steady enough to leave, I check my appearance in the mirror. My face is pale but not obviously distressed. I smooth my hair and prepare to return to work. As I open the bathroom door, I nearly collide with Katya, who’sstanding just outside with a concerned expression that doesn’t quite reach her cold blue eyes.
“Oh, Sarah, are you feeling all right? You looked a bit peaked when you rushed off.”
My pulse spikes. How long has she been standing there? How much did she see? “I’m fine, thank you. I just needed a moment away from the crowd.”
She studies my face without speaking for a long minute. There’s something calculating in her expression, like she’s solving a puzzle and doesn’t like the picture that’s emerging. “Of course. Large gatherings can be overwhelming.” Her smile is perfectly pleasant and completely without warmth. “You’re doing excellent work, by the way. Very...dedicated.”
The way she says “dedicated” makes my skin crawl, like she’s implying something more than professional commitment. Does she know about Yarik and me? “Thank you. I should get back to coordinating with the catering staff.”
“Yes, you should. We wouldn’t want anything to go wrong on such an important evening.”
I force a neutral smile and walk away, my heart rate slowly starting to calm down. The conversation carried subtext I don’t understand, but every instinct is screaming that Katya suspects something about my relationship with Yarik.
Or maybe she already knows.
On my way back to the dining room, I pass by two men are speaking in low, rapid Russian and quickly recognize them as Katya’s brothers, Lev and Nikolai. I slow my pace slightly, not understanding their words but sensing urgency in their tone.
Nikolia speaks Katya’s name with what sounds like concern or frustration. I keep walking, pretending to check something on my radio, when Lev switches to English.
“Some bonds are meant to end before they begin.”
The words are spoken quietly, almost thoughtfully, but they make me tremble. I don’t know what they’re referring to, but something about the phrase creates an ominous feeling .
I continue walking, forcing myself to maintain a steady pace even though every instinct tells me to run. Whatever the Nikitin brothers were discussing, it didn’t sound like typical wedding planning.
Back in the dining room, I find Nina arranging champagne flutes for the engagement toast. She takes one look at my face and moves closer. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I shrug. “Nothing. Just nerves about the evening going smoothly.”
She gives me a stern Mom Mode look. “Sarah, you’re lying. What’s wrong?”
I glance around to make sure no one is listening, then lower my voice. “Katya cornered me outside the bathroom. She was asking if I was all right, but it seemed like she was fishing for information.”
“Information about what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe about Yarik and me. Maybe about why I was sick.” I touch my stomach unconsciously. “I also overheard her brothers talking about bonds ending before they begin. It could have been about anything, but it didn’t sound good.”
Nina frowns. “Maybe you should leave early. You could tell Mrs. Nykova you’re not feeling well.”
I shake my head immediately. “I can’t. It would look suspicious, especially after Katya just saw me being sick.”
“Then stay close to me for the rest of the evening. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
