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I was finally ready to tell him I’m pregnant.
And now, I don’t know that I can.
I’m so confused. I feel so lost, so hopeless.
Boris gives another low whine, snuggling closer to my side as a tear escapes my eye. His forgiving presence is therapeutic. If only things were as easy and straightforward as my love for my dog. He never makes me question his loyalty—even when he’s stealing my shoes to get my attention.
But as therapeutic as it is to have him by my side, I need someone to talk to. Someone who can help me decide what’s the right thing to do.
I know it’s late, but I’m desperate, and Katie’s the only one I can trust with this kind of situation. She’s the only one who knows the full picture. She’s the only one I’m confident will be on my side.
Giving Boris one last kiss on the snout, I roll over to my bedside table and grab my phone.
“Hello?” Katie hums sleepily.
“Kat?” I whisper, using the nickname she’s insisted I stop using now that we’re both in college.
“Hey, Li-Li,” she says, using the name I haven’t heard in forever.
Somehow, it helps soothe my nerves.
“Everything okay? What time is it?”
“Late. I’m sorry to wake you.”
“That’s okay. What’s up?” she asks, her voice growing less drowsy by the second.
“I… ugh, I don’t know. I can’t sleep and could really use some advice right about now.” Rubbing my face, I debate whether it would be too much to ask if I could come over.
“Did something happen?” she presses, her tone shifting to concern.
I release a breathy laugh. “Yeah, you could say that. But… I don’t really want to say it over the phone…” I hedge, thinking about the last time my mom came barging into my room and scared the hell out of me because I thought she overheard something she shouldn’t.
“Wanna come over?” Katie suggests gently.
This is why she’s my best friend. Doesn’t matter that it’s the middle of the night. She knows what I need and is happy to offer it up without a second thought.
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“No, Alina, come on. We both know you’d be over here in a heartbeat if I needed something. And while I’d offer to come to you… I really don’t want to see how your family’s guards greet me at this time of night.”
I laugh at that. One hundred percent, it would cause a problem—and after I already pinned an excuse on Katie tonight to save Mishka’s life, I don’t need to put her on my father’s radar any more than that.
“No, I’d rather come to you if that’s okay.”
“Great. See you when you get here.”
“You’re an angel. Thanks, Katie.”
I already feel lighter as I hang up the phone. With the relief of knowing I have someone to talk this through with, I slip out from under my covers and quickly dress in some dark, comfy clothes.
Boris follows me with his eyes, and when I open the door to my room, he stands, ready to follow.
“Sorry, Boris. I can’t take you with me tonight,” I murmur. I signal for him to lie back down, then I plant a kiss on his nose. “Stay.”
He does, his eyes accusing me of abandoning him once again as I slip from my room and into the hallway. The house is still and dark, and I tread quietly toward the stairs.
Holding my breath, I peer down to see the night guard standing sentry outside, his silhouette darkening the frosted glass on either side of our front door. If I’m slow and careful, I should be able to slip by without him noticing.
