This wasn't the first time.
This wasn't the first time. I'd been experiencing nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite recently. I'd managed to suppress it before, but today I couldn't control it.
I'd assumed it was a lingering effect from that terrible ordeal. But now...
I slowly stood and walked to the sink. My reflection showed a pale face and empty eyes.
A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
I hurried back to the bedroom and grabbed the calendar from the nightstand—my hands began trembling. My period was nearly two months overdue.
"No..." I whispered. "That's impossible..."
But every symptom pointed to the same possibility. I was pregnant.
Tears streamed down my face. "No... this can't be real..."
I couldn't be pregnant. Not now, not under these circumstances.
I needed to stay calm. I grabbed my phone, hands shaking as I tried to dial Zoe's number—no, all communications were monitored. That would be like telling Kholod directly.
I sat in a daze for a long time until my gaze fell on the sketchpad, and finally I had an idea.
The next afternoon, Darya knocked and entered.
"Ma'am, your friend sent a package." She held an elegant gift box. "From Zoe Harper."
My heart raced.
"Thank you." I took the box, struggling to appear calm. "Put it here. You may go."
"Yes, ma'am."
The moment the door closed, I tore open the box. Inside were beautiful crafts and a box of chocolates. I found a long chocolate bar—trust Zoe to think of this method. I cracked open the chocolate, and there was the pregnancy test, carefully wrapped in plastic film.
My hands shook as I held the test.
I went into the bathroom and followed the instructions.
Three minutes. They felt like three centuries.
When I finally found the courage to look—two clear red lines.
I was pregnant.
"No..." I covered my mouth as tears poured out. "No..."
My trembling hand moved to my abdomen. There was a tiny life growing inside—innocent, mine.
My world turned upside down again, but an unprecedented strength rose from within.
I would never allow my child to be born in this cold prison. Never let Kholod harm them.
I had to escape. Leave this suffocating place.
From that day forward, I forced myself to eat, despite the persistent nausea. I suppressed it through sheer willpower.
I began refusing Emily's examinations, but seeing my life gradually return to normal, she reluctantly agreed.
