Page 29 of The Bratva's Pregnant Bride

After a moment's thought, she nodded, and with a cautious glance around, she reached for her cleaning trolley and pulled out the envelope. I felt a sudden sense of relief and watched as Grace took the envelope.

I got the woman's bank details and sent her more than enough money to encourage her to keep her hands to herself the next time she came across something that didn't belong to her.

She pulled out her phone and her eyes grew as wide as tennis balls, but before she had the opportunity to thank me, I turned around and walked away, with Grace quietly walking by my side.

“Such a pity,” she said when she entered the car. She shut the door and leaned back with a sigh. “The things people go through, right? I mean, she didn't even know what was inside the envelope, but she stole it.”

“She could just be a kleptomaniac,” I said and started the car.

“Or,” she turned to me, put one leg up on the seat, and tugged at the drawstring of her hoodie. “She could just be a woman who has hungry children to feed and is willing to do anything, including steal, to make ends meet.”

“What if she doesn't have kids?”

“Igor…” she playfully scolded, and I smirked.

“You have a good heart,” I said sincerely. And though I never admitted it, it was one of the things I found attractive about her. Her pure heart and feisty nature.

She blushed, her cheeks turning a dull shade of crimson. She tucked her hair behind her ears and stared at the brown envelope.

“Go on, I know your fingers are itching,” I urged with a smirk and glanced at her.

“Huh?”

She looked so adorable, with pouting lips and sparkling eyes. I forced myself to avert my gaze and concentrate on the road. “The envelope. I know you've been dying to see what's inside.

Go on and open it. See for yourself.”

She hesitated for a moment, then picked it up, her fingers brushing over it, feeling the content. She glanced at me and back to her hands, taking her to time. However, as she was about to tear it open, her expression shifted.

The envelope dropped from her grip and her hand flew to her head.

“Grace,” I swerved the car and parked at a corner. “What's wrong?”

“It’s... sudden, intense pressure...” she mumbled, gripping her head tightly, her face contorted in discomfort. Her voice strained with unease, she managed to say, “Igor, I don't feel...”

The words hung in the air, but before I could answer or offer help, her eyes lost focus, she slumped and fell unconscious.

Panic flooded through me as I reached out to shake her gently and call her name. But she didn't respond to me. I had never felt so helpless. My heart was racing with fear and all I could think about was not losing her.

Chapter 15 - Grace

Muffled noises sounded in the background, and I blinked. My eyelids felt heavy, and the rest of my body felt slightly numb. My hand moved to my head. The last thing I remembered was talking to Igor and holding the brown envelope in my hand after he had finally permitted me to see the contents, just before I suddenly felt a strong pressure in my head.

My vision blurred and my mouth felt dry when I opened them to speak. “Where... where am I?”

“She’s awake,” came a heavy voice. I recognized it immediately and straightened up, squinting because of the bright white light in the room. It hurt my eyes, so I closed them and leaned back against the pillow behind me.

“Ah, well, that’s a good thing,” an unfamiliar voice friendly female responded. “Don’t worry, Mr. Varkov, your wife will be fine. I will be leaving now, but rest assured, the doctor will be here soon to talk to you.”

“He’d better hurry,” Igor said coldly, and I heard footsteps withdrawing. After I was sure we were alone, I tried speaking again.

“Igor?” I called and felt a sudden movement beside me.

“I’m here, princess,” he rushed out.

With a sigh, I opened my eyes again. This time they quickly adjusted to the light and immediately fell on his bright blue eyes. He was sitting next to me on the bed, very close to me, and his strong, masculine scent reached my nose.

I blinked again. Maybe I was high, but... he looked worried.

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