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And whoever did it still walked out of these walls unscathed. They most likely still walked these walls.

My fingers tightened on the glass until the rim cracked softly under the pressure.

They could roam these halls all they wanted for now, arrogantly thinking they’d gotten away with killing her, but it was only a matter of time before I solved the mystery.

I wasn’t going to spare whoever was behind her death.

I didn’t give a shit who it was. I would make sure they died in the same way—maybe even worse.

Chapter 15 – Zoella

Pregnant.

The word echoed in my mind like a ghost I couldn’t escape. I was pregnant for a man I was supposed to hate, and there was no refined way of saying it. No safe means of offering it as a gift, when it was closer to a confession.

And I was no longer able to hide it.

Every time I breathed, it was a lie. Every time I gazed in the mirror, every time I thought of Matvey, it was heavier on my ribs, tighter at my lungs.

The gown I wore tonight was made of gold silk, featuring a high neckline and a low back. Classy. Royal. Breathtaking.

And I hated it.

I hated how it rested too perfectly against my stomach. Hated how it felt like a disguise. Like it was designed to hide the truth lurking just beneath the surface.

I’d eaten just two bites of one of the meals they served tonight. I couldn’t speak without my mouth drying out.

At this rate, I would die from anxiety before I even had the chance to tell him, and I had to tell him.

I had to look at his face when I did, to see if the storm between us would churn or break or disappear entirely.

I slipped through a cluster of revelers, fingers tracing the edge of a gold tray, the scent of saffron and champagne hanging heavy in the now suddenly hot air.

My eyes scanned the room for him. That chill, killing shadow who had somehow become the axis of my life turned around.

But I did not find him near the dining hall, or the bar, or with Rurik’s men.

I could save the news for later, but I needed to get the weight off my chest, and I needed to do it now. I sauntered off tothe garden doors. They were slightly open, letting in a whisper of chilly night air.

I moved quietly, looking around for him.

After my discussion with Elena, I’d come to the conclusion that she was right. Matvey wasn’t that bad. I was insanely attracted to him. We had sex and made a baby together, and we were married. Having a baby wasn’t such a bad idea anyway.

But my chest constricted with fear at what his reaction would be, too. What if he didn’t want a child, and I’d misunderstood that little moment with Damien’s son?

I shook my head, trying to break the loop of thoughts inside.

There were nowhat-ifs.I couldn’t tell how he would react until I told him the truth.

I halted when I heard his voice drifting from the corner of the garden just right by the window. There was someone with him—Damien. I could hear their voices as they discussed something or someone.

“Didn’t think you’d stop looking,” Damien said, his voice cool, curious, as if he already knew too much but was probing for more.

“I haven’t stopped looking. Yulia was family too.”

My blood curdled at the mention of my sister’s name. Why were they talking about her? What was he looking for?

I stood just at the edge of the curtain, not meaning to eavesdrop, but my curiosity piqued at the fact that they were talking about my sister.