Page 156 of The Last Hope
My hands instinctively moved to my lower abdomen. A baby… Nikolai’s and mine ?
Suddenly, memories from the past few weeks flashed through my mind—the constant nausea, the exhaustion, the mood swings. The uncontrollable emotions.
“I don’t know,” I murmured, staring into the distance.
My throat tightened, as if the entire world were closing in around me.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” I said, pushing myself up on shaky legs.
“I’ll come with you,” both women offered at once, but I shook my head.
“No… I just… I need to be alone. Please,” I added when Elif looked ready to protest.
After a brief hesitation, they both settled back into their seats, silently watching me as I walked away. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted familiar faces—our bodyguards, strategically positioned throughout the terminal.
As I finally reached the hallway leading to the restrooms, I suddenly collided with an Asian woman. She caught me just in time before I stumbled to the floor.
“I’m sorry—”
“Antonio is waiting for your response,” she said in Italian, slipping a phone and a folded piece of paper into my hand before continuing on her way without a second glance.
I froze, my mind reeling, struggling to make sense of what had just happened. Her words echoed in my ears.
My hands trembled as I pushed open the bathroom door and locked myself in a stall. With shaking fingers, I unfolded the paper.
Cara mia,
We are waiting for you with our son and the Ivanov brats. Get on the plane I’ve arranged for you and join us. Call the number on the phone for detailed instructions. I promise I will return the little Ivanovs to their father once we are reunited.
Your loving husband,
Antonio.
It was too much.
I pushed up from the toilet, lifted the lid, and vomited what little food I had managed to eat on the plane that morning.
My throat burned. My eyes burned. My entire body burned.
A sudden knock on the stall door made me flinch.
“Are you okay in there ?” a woman asked.
I swallowed my sobs, forcing myself to stay composed, “yes, thank you,” I replied, flushing the toilet.
I sat back down, waiting until I heard her footsteps fade away before turning on the phone. Only one contact was saved. It had to be the number for instructions.
Should I have called Nikolai ? Gone straight to Grigori in the main hall ?
But what if Antonio had people watching us ? If he found out I’d told anyone, he would hurt my sons. No. I couldn’t take that risk.
Another wave of nausea surged, but I forced it down.
I stepped out of the stall, dragging myself to the sink. I rinsed my mouth, then splashed cold water on my face.
“You know it’s a trap, don’t you ?” The voice behind me made me jolt.
I spun around sharply. A woman stood by the far wall, wearing a black cap and a matching mask. Her dark hair fell in soft waves just above her chest.
