Chapter 21 But this place ? The countertops are all marble . The furniture is a sleek , matte black . The couches plural are the highest quality leather Ive ever touched . Everything here screams money . And nothing here screams home . A knock on the door jolts me out of my thoughts . Come in , I call , thinking it must be Grisha with a hot towel or a mint chocolate for my pillow or something . But it isnt Grisha . Well , well , a petite blond woman croons from the doorway , if it isnt Matveys koshka . I trust you didnt have any trouble finding the place ? I recognize her immediately . Even with her hair down , her clothes businesslike , theres no mistaking who this person is . The bride whose wedding I ruined . From the doorway , two more figures come in . Women , though at first glance youd never know . Tall burly , muscled , they look every bit the part of what I suspect they are : bodyguards . And not of the law abiding kind . Its Petra , right ? I ask , remembering Matveys words from yesterday . Tm- April Flowers , Petra replies sweetly , taking hold of my hand . My fiancés tailor . And , well .. She looks down at my belly . Something else , Im certain . Maybe Im misinterpreting here , but- Did this bitch just call me a bitch ? Look , I start , not wanting to drag this on any longer , Im so sorry about yesterday . I didnt mean for things to happen the way they did , but- But you just happened to stumble upon our wedding , she completes for me . And you really couldnt wait any longer to break the news to my husband to be . Is that right ? That Actually , yes , I mumble . That sounds about right . Chapter 21 Petra s smiles , all teeth . For a second , Im reminded of a lioness the prides hunter , capable of slaughtering gazelles with a single bite . And , for some reason , I feel an awful lot like a gazelle . Lets get one thing straight , cvetoček , Petra coos , sticky sweet . I dont know what tragic tale you spun for Matvey- Im pregnant . I deadpan . You know . You were there . or whose little ubljudok youre carrying in that kangaroo pouch of yours , Petra continues , as if I hadnt spoken . Should I have taken Russian in high school ? Im starting to think I shouldve taken Russian . Not that I need a translator to understand what Petras trying to say to me . The language of catfights is universal . Im not lying , if thats what youre implying . I dont grit my teeth , nor do I yell I dont want to give her the satisfaction . But Im not going to take this lying down , either . Insult me ? Fine . Maybe I deserved it . But insult my baby ? Not on my watch , kalinka . Maybe not , Petra concedes . But the timing sure is interesting . Im not I start , but my words are cut short . Because suddenly , Petras hand is twisting mine . Her handshake now feels like a vise tighter , tighter . I press my lips together , refusing to make a sound . Hurt me all you want . I promise you one thing : Ive felt worse . All I care about , she enunciates , her face now uncomfortably close to mine , is my dream . And if you ever get in the way again , Ill make sure your little komuk grows up calling every single nanny Mama . Have I made myself clear ? Ive never wanted to hit someone this bad . Scratch that Ive never wanted to kill someone this bad . One day into this nightmare and Im already homicidal . Crystal , I grit out . Only then does Petra finally let go . Splendid ! She claps , as if that settles that . Ill leave you to unpack , then . Just dont throw out the boxes , mkay ? she winks . You never know when you might need them again . Chapter 21 With that , she sashays out the door , her bodyguards trailing after her . As soon as shes gone , I shake out my hand . Ow , I mutter . That hurt , bitch . Alone , I look around the room again . The sealed boxes , the cold countertops , the emptiness . And , not for the first time . I wonder … Just what the hell did I get myself into ? MATVEY Having fun ? Petra turns to me with a surprised look . My , my , if it isnt the runaway groom , she croons in Russian . The automatic doors of the Jupiter Hotel whirr shut behind her back . On each side of her , Petras bodyguards glare at me in unison . What brings you here , fiancé ? Come to guard the princesss tower in person ? I ball up my fists . Im not in the mood for your games . What the hell are you doing here ? She gives me an enigmatic half smile . Who does she think she is , the fucking Mona Lisa ? Just popped by to compliment the chef . Those salmon tarts ? Delicious . Tried to bribe the recipe out of him , but he wouldnt stop shaking long enough to speak . Note to self : give Rowan a raise . Thats it ? I sigh . Cut the shit , Petra . I know you were at the penthouse just now . A light chuckle . What , caught me on those pricey cameras of yours ? Or did a little bird whose name rhymes with Trisha sing a pretty song in your ear ? 21:40 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!