Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Riley
I sat on a plastic chair in the hospital hallway, clutching the lab slip in my hand. The smell of disinfectant made my stomach churn. I swallowed hard to keep from throwing up.
The electronic screen on the wall scrolled through waiting numbers. Every time a new number flashed, my heart clenched.
Please, God. Please let it just be food poisoning. Or some hormonal mess from working myself to death.
But I knew better. I was lying to myself.
My period was almost two weeks late. For two weeks straight, that nauseous feeling hit me every morning like clockwork. Two days ago at the restaurant, someone's fried fish came up, and the greasy smell nearly made me puke on the spot.
My hand drifted to my stomach. Still flat. Nothing unusual. But I knew—if my suspicion was right, there might be a tiny life growing inside.
"Three twenty-one."
My number flashed on the screen.
I shot up. My legs nearly gave out. I gripped the wall, took a few deep breaths, and forced myself toward the exam room.
I pushed the door open. Even stronger disinfectant hit me. A female doctor sat at her computer, not looking up.
"Sit. What's wrong?"
"I—" My voice stuck. "I need a test."
"What kind of test?" She finally looked up, studying me over her glasses.
"Pregnancy." I barely whispered it.
Her expression didn't change. Probably nothing new to her.
"How late is your period?"
"Almost two weeks."
"Nausea? Vomiting? Fatigue?"
"All of it."
She typed something, printed a form, and handed it to me.
"Blood draw. Come back in thirty minutes for the results."
I took the paper. My fingers shook. "Blood HCG Test" burned into my eyes.
The blood draw room had a long line. I stood at the back, watching people go in and come out. Some looked blank. Some anxious. One young couple smiled and chatted about something.
When my turn came, the nurse stuck a needle in my arm with practiced ease. Red blood flowed through the tube. She labeled it.
"Thirty minutes. Come back for results."
Those thirty minutes felt like thirty years.
I paced the hallway. My phone screen lit up and darkened, darkened and lit up. I wanted to call Evelyn, but hesitated with my finger over her name. If I really was pregnant, how could I tell her? Her health had just improved. I couldn't make her worry again.
At the end of the hallway, night had fallen over New York. Neon lights flickered on one by one. This city never stopped for anyone's joy or sorrow.
"Three twenty-one, report ready for three twenty-one."
The announcement came. I practically ran to the pickup window.
"Sign here." The clerk handed me a manila envelope.
I signed with trembling hands and took the thin envelope. It weighed nothing, but pressed on my chest like a thousand-pound stone.
I didn't have the courage to open it there. I carried it back to the exam room and handed it to the doctor.
She pulled out the report, scanned it, then looked up with a professional smile.
"Congratulations. You're pregnant."
My ears rang. The world spun. The ceiling, floor, the doctor's face—everything blurred together.
"About eight weeks."
"You'll need regular prenatal checkups."
"Get rest. Don't overwork yourself."
I nodded mechanically.
"You don't look well. If this is unplanned, New York allows termination, but you need to decide quickly." She softened her tone, seeing my colorless face.
"Also, your levels are abnormally high. We'll need an ultrasound to confirm, but in my experience, you're likely carrying twins."
Twins. I went blank. Two lives? Inside me?
My knees buckled.
"You okay?" The doctor stood to steady me. "Need to lie down?"
"No, no." I forced myself upright. "Thank you, doctor."
I stumbled out clutching the report. My legs felt like cotton. People passed me in the hallway, but I felt disconnected from the entire world.
I found a quiet corner and sat down. With shaking hands, I unfolded the report.
Blood HCG: 210,000 mIU/ml
Reference (8 weeks): 15,000-200,000 mIU/ml
Doctor's note: [Elevated levels. Recommend ultrasound to confirm multiple gestation]
My hand pressed against my stomach. Two tiny lives growing inside. Matvey's children. Mine and Matvey's.
I closed my eyes. Images flooded my mind against my will.
Two children. Maybe a boy and a girl. The boy would look like Matvey—those deep gray-green eyes, that perfect jawline. The girl would look like me. Blond hair. Blue eyes. They'd call me Mom. They'd run into my arms when I came home from work.
If Matvey knew he had children, what would he do?
Maybe he'd freeze. Those cold, steady eyes would show a flash of bewilderment. Then he'd come closer, carefully place his hand on my belly, and ask in a gentle voice I'd never heard: "Really?"
Would he want a boy or girl? What names would he choose? Would he get up in the middle of the night to make bottles and change diapers?
I suddenly pictured it—Matvey Bykov, New York's most feared pakhan, fumbling with a tiny baby's diaper.
I laughed out loud. Tears streamed down my face.
It was all fantasy. He'd sent people to kill me for Veronica. If I told him I was pregnant, what would he do? Force me to get rid of them. Or make me and the babies disappear permanently.
Reality slammed back. My blood ran cold.
No. I couldn't tell him.
These babies were innocent. They shouldn't pay for adult grudges. I'd protect them. Even if I had to raise them alone.
Just two babies. I could work more jobs. Evelyn was getting better. She'd be out soon. We could raise them together.
I stood up, carefully folded the report, and tucked it in my bag. As long as I stayed away from that dark world, stayed away from Matvey, my children would be safe.
I dragged myself to the eighth floor of the inpatient wing.
Evelyn's door stood half-open. I forced back the moisture in my eyes, plastered on the most natural smile I could manage, and walked in.
She was propped up reading. She looked up and smiled.
Then she noticed something. "Riley, you look like hell. Like you've seen a ghost."
Evelyn was getting better every day. She'd returned to her old self. Blunt. Outspoken.
My mask never worked on my sister. I sat on her bed. My voice cracked the moment I spoke.
"Eve..."
"What happened? Did that Russian bastard come after you again? If he hurt you, I swear even if it costs me my life—"
"No, it's not him. Eve... I'm pregnant."
Evelyn froze. Her gaze dropped from my face to my stomach.
After a long moment, she found her voice. "Is it... his?"
I nodded. "And the doctor said twins."
She didn't speak right away. Just gripped my hand tight.
"Does that bastard know?" She frowned.
"He doesn't know. I can't let him know." I shook my head frantically. "He loves Veronica. He tried to kill me for her. In his world, I'm nothing. These babies are just a problem. I have to hide them from him. Raise them myself."
Evelyn looked at my panicked face. Her eyes reddened. She pulled me into her arms, stroking my hair like she did when we were kids, right after our parents died.
"It's okay, Riley. Don't be scared. I'm here." Evelyn's voice carried strength. "If you're keeping them, we'll raise them together. When I get out, I'll find work right away. We'll move somewhere far away where he'll never find us."
I sobbed in her arms.
"Listen, Riley." Evelyn gently pushed me back, looking me in the eye.
"You're twenty-four. Your life is just starting.
When I get out, first thing I'm doing is taking you to the best bar in Manhattan.
We'll order the most expensive drinks. We'll celebrate your new beginning.
Then I'll help you find a real man—someone who'll actually care for you, love you. You deserve happiness. Got it?"
Her words soothed the terror deep inside me. I nodded hard. Yes. I had to look forward.
I stayed with Evelyn for a few hours before leaving.
Light rain had started outside. The droplets on my face cleared my head a little. As I passed a convenience store, a surprised, uncertain voice called from behind me.
"Riley?"
I turned. In the light spilling from the store, I saw Adrian.
He looked mostly the same, just shorter hair and a more defined, mature face.
"Adrian?" I was just as surprised. "Long time."
"It really is you! I haven't seen you since I got transferred." He hurried over, looking me up and down. "You look—"
He stopped.
"Terrible, right?" I said with self-mockery. "Been pretty tired lately."
"No, no, you look good." He rushed to say. "Just a little worn out. Work not going well?"
"I quit," I said. "Doing gig work now."
"What?" His eyes widened. "You quit? Why? Weren't you—"
His voice trailed off, but I knew what he meant. Everyone assumed I had something special with Matvey.
"Just didn't want to do it anymore," I said lightly. "That place wasn't for me."
"Oh." He nodded thoughtfully. "So where are you working now?"
"A restaurant. Part-time."
"God, Riley, you could have—" He stopped himself.
"Could have what?" I raised an eyebrow. "Could have stayed in that suffocating place? Could have kept kissing ass? Thanks, but no thanks."
My tone came out sharper than I meant.
Adrian flinched, then said apologetically, "Sorry, that's not what I meant. I just think, with your abilities, you shouldn't be doing gig work."
"This is fine."
We fell silent. Then Adrian looked at me again.
"I... I've been wanting to apologize, Riley. I shouldn't have avoided you after getting transferred. That wasn't your fault."
"It's in the past, Adrian."
He looked relieved.
"Riley, listen. Leaving when you did was the best decision you ever made." Adrian lowered his voice. "You have no idea what Bykov Group has turned into."
"What's wrong with the company? Bad numbers?"
"It's Bykov himself," he said. "The past few days, he's like a different person. I don't know who pissed him off... but whoever makes even the smallest mistake gets torn to shreds. The whole office feels suffocating. People are afraid to breathe too loud."
Matvey was always rational as a boss. He never brought his emotions to work. So what was wrong with him? Trouble remarrying Veronica? Whatever it was, it couldn't be about me.
We exchanged a few more pleasantries, then said goodbye.
"Riley, if you need anything, call me anytime." He said seriously before leaving. "I know I can't help much, but at least—at least I can buy you coffee and let you vent."
My nose stung.
"Thank you, Adrian."
I walked away quickly before he could see my tears.
Maybe after leaving Matvey, I really could meet someone better.