Page 88 of Baby for the Bratva King

I slide the lock, stumbling out of the bathroom stall.

“Jeez,” she winces, scanning my face. “Not again. Maybe go easy on the baby snake next time. You were holding that pose for a while.”

“It’s not pole.”

“Father, then?”

I cringe, and we both acknowledge the truth in silence.

“Maybe you might be⁠—”

“Please don’t say it.” I fall into the sink, examining my ghastly appearance in the mirror. My eyes have seen better days. So have my lips. They look like they’re covered in coconut flakes. I’ve never seen them this chapped before.

“Stay here,” says Fleur, already on her way out. “I’m popping across to CVS. You’re not leaving this bathroom until you’ve taken a test.”

“Or I could wait for my period to arrive.”

“And waste time worrying? Hell no.” Fleur kicks open the door, pointing a stern finger at me. “Stay here.”

23

SASKIA

I stare at the two lines on my pregnancy test, feeling like I might pass out.

I can’t be shocked, but I am.

“This is the real cherry on top of today.”

“Drop the sarcasm. It’s not going to get you out of this mess.”

“Endearing.”

“I’m serious.” Fleur grabs the pregnancy test, raising it above her head, examining the thing in the light.

“Searching for a watermark to make sure it’s legit? Give me that.” I take the test back.

“What are you going to do?”

I bite my lip, tasting dried vomit. “Any suggestions?”

Fleur shrugs her shoulders, honest as ever. “I’m not sure. I’ve never been in this situation before. Usually, I only get pregnancy scares.”

“Lucky you,” I say, still staring at the test. “Are we sure this is real?”

“False positives aren’t really a thing.”

“And how would you know?”

“My friend got pregnant once. Bought like seven tests—seven was her lucky number.”

“And?”

“Pregnant each time.” Fleur grabs my shoulder, turning me around. “This isn’t the end of the world.”

“No, but it’s the start of someone else’s world.” I throw myself up against the stall. “How am I supposed to raise a child when my life is in shambles?”

“You have options,” consolidates Fleur. “Thankfully, this has been caught early. We could book you into a clinic.”