Page 140 of Sweet Deception

Valentina’s expression flickered. “Excuse me?”

I stood, shaking with anger. “You think you’re untouchable? That you can ruin lives just because yours was ruined?” My voice hardened. “Nate getting shot. Nate calling me. Nate dying, that was all you. You orchestrated everything just to get me out of Gleb’s house. And an innocent man died for it.”

Her jaw clenched.

“You’re a terrible mother-in-law,” I spat.

For the first time, her face cracked. Her eyes burned, but she stayed silent.

A sharp knock on the door. The doctor entered, exchanging a few words with Valentina before stepping toward me.

“I’ll need to ask you some questions,” he said.

I cut him off. “I haven’t had any pregnancy symptoms.”

He blinked. “Then how do you know you’re pregnant?”

I lifted my chin. “Just test the sample.”

The doctor sighed but nodded. “Fine. I’ll also need a blood sample.”

I shrugged, holding out my arm.

He took my blood, then turned to Valentina. “The urine results will be ready in five minutes. Blood test will take two to three days.”

Valentina nodded. Once he was gone, I turned to her. “So what’s your plan? Do you really think Gleb won’t burn the world for me?”

She exhaled. “If he’s foolish enough to declare war, there are plans in place to handle his rage.”

“You’re underestimating him.”

She smirked. “No, sweetheart. You’re overestimating yourself.”

I scoffed. “And what do you know about love?”

Her expression darkened. “Love hurts.”

“That’s it?” I snapped. “That’s all you’ve learned? That love hurts?”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’ve barely lived two decades. I’ve lived three times that. Love is an illusion, Anna. It never lasts.”

I shook my head. “Just because your story ended in tragedy doesn’t mean mine will.”

She sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Soon, you and Gleb will be nothing more than a memory to each other.”

A shrill ring cut through the silence.

She checked the screen.

Valentina answered, putting the call on speaker.

“Grandma,” Gleb’s voice was sharp, dangerous. “Where is she?”

She exhaled. “She’s already on her way to Italy. You’ll never see her again.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. “Gleb! I’m here! Please, come find me!” I screamed.

A growl rumbled from the phone. “That’s Anna’s voice.” A dangerous silence followed. Then, low and lethal, “If anything happens to her, I will burn everything to the ground.”