Page 54 of Sweet Deception

“Since your husband claimed you carry my grandson.” Her voice was soft, almost affectionate, almost. “Then you must be strong enough to bear a child of this family. Let’s see how strong you really are.”

She turned slightly and gestured to one of the guards. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, setting a delicate crystal glass on the table between us. The liquid inside was deep amber, almost too rich in color.

“Drink.”

My pulse stuttered. “What?”

Her smile didn’t waver. “You look weak. Frail. That doesn’t bode well for a mother-to-be. This tonic will strengthen you. If you’re truly pregnant, it won’t harm you. If you’re lying... well.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Then you have nothing to fear, do you?”

The room seemed to shrink, the walls pressing in as my gaze locked onto the glass. I had no idea what was inside, but I knew one thing... The old woman didn’t strike me as someone who made idle threats.”

I forced my hands to stay steady as I reached for the glass. The weight of every eye in the room settled on me like a crushing force.

“Drink, Annushka,” she purred, her voice syrupy sweet. “Unless, of course, you have something to hide?”

A fresh wave of dizziness hit me, sudden and sharp. My vision blurred at the edges, my breath hitching as the floor seemed to tilt beneath me. Any second now, my legs would give out completely.

And then...

Gleb’s gaze caught mine. Cold. Calculating. But beneath the ice, something flickered. A warning. A command.

His fingers barely twitched at his side, the smallest motion, but I understood it perfectly.

Hold. Do not fall.

Chapter 12

ANNA

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Gleb suddenly stood. “Grandma, we’ll be back in a moment. I need to show her where the bathroom is.”

He gestured for me to follow him. All eyes were on us, but thankfully, no one said a word. My legs ached as I pushed forward, struggling to keep up until we reached the women’s restroom.

Without warning, Gleb scooped me into his arms and carried me across his shoulder.

“Relax,” he muttered.

I stiffened in shock. “How did you know my legs are getting weak?”

“Because I’m your husband.” His voice was flat. “I notice when something’s off with you.”

Husband. The word felt foreign in his mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck and took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

He didn’t respond. Not that I expected him to.

“Your family...” I started.

“Don’t worry about them. They’ll never find out I killed him.”

I stiffened.

“Unless...” He trailed off.

“Unless what?”

“Never mind.”