Page 89 of Pregnant Bratva Wife
The world went very, very quiet.
Pregnant.
I was carrying Federico Lebedev’s child.
Chapter 21 - Federico
I gave her space.
At first.
I told myself it was what she needed, what sheaskedfor. She didn’t want to see me, didn’t want to hear my apologies or explanations, or feel my presence clawing at her with reminders of all the ways I had failed her.
So I stayed away.
A day. Then two. Then four. Then a week.
And by the second week, I couldn’t take it anymore. For two weeks, I hadn’t done anything except think of Autumn. Missing her had become my new normal.
“Boss?” My lieutenant stood in the doorway, waiting for an answer to a question I hadn’t even heard.
“What?” I snapped, harsher than I meant to.
He flinched. “The Serafini account. Do we move forward?”
“Yes. Fine.” I waved him off, turning back to the window.
I couldn’t concentrate. Couldn’t focus. Every single conversation felt hollow, for I knew when I went home that night, she wouldn’t be there.
Just then, Beatrice called.
“How is she?”
My sister sighed. “Good morning to you, too, Federico.”
“Beatrice. Please.”
“She’s fine,” Beatrice hesitated. “Still not talking about you.”
The words cut deep, but I deserved every slice. “Is she eating better?”
“Yes, Federico, I’m making sure your wife gets three square meals a day.” Her voice softened. “She misses her job at the casino.”
I closed my eyes. “She can come back anytime.”
“I don’t think she’s ready to see you yet.”
“I know.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Just... take care of her.”
Beatrice hung up, and I was left with a terrible truth. She misses her job. Not me. Just the job I’d given her.
I grabbed my jacket and keys.
“Cancel my meetings,” I barked at my assistant on the way out. “All of them.”
“But, Sir, the Galanti family—”
“I said all of them.”
