In The Arms of Ivan Dimitri

CRYSTAL ELIZA DIMITRI POV...

A month had passed since Olga's death.

I exhaled deeply, my reflection staring back at me in the mirror. Dark circles clung stubbornly beneath my eyes, a testament to restless nights and lingering ghosts. My fingers drifted to my abdomen, where the faint swell of my pregnancy had begun to take shape. It was subtle but undeniable. I needed to schedule my first checkup.

"Ma."

I cleared my throat. "I'll be right outside, Joanna."

Shrugging on a robe, I gathered my hair into a loose bun, securing it with little care before stepping out. Joanna stood there, her head bowed in deference before her lips stretched into a broad smile.

I arched a brow. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ignoring my question, she followed me into my closet as I selected a black tee, a fitted jacket, and a pair of jeans.

"Ma Crystal..." she began hesitantly.

I turned to face her fully. "Joanna, if you don't tell me why you're grinning like that, I swear-"

She flushed, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "Sir Morozov asked me to meet him tonight in his room. I don't know if I should go, but I... I think I want to."

A smirk tugged at my lips as I pulled on lace underwear. "Do you like him?"

Her blush deepened. "I-I don't know, Ma."

I clipped on my bra, then faced her again. "Jo, if you want to go, then go. But don't do something you'll regret."

She let out a conflicted sigh. "It's not that simple..."

Slipping into my jeans, I regarded her with quiet amusement. "You like him, and I'm certain he likes you too. So what's stopping you? Follow your heart, or you'll spend your days wondering what if."

Her expression softened, gratitude flickering in her gaze. "Thank you, Ma. I'm glad you're here."

I cupped her face with a knowing smirk. "Do you have anything hot to wear?"

She turned crimson. "I-I don't plan on doing anything, Ma!"

Chuckling, I threw on my tee and jacket. "Take whatever you want from my closet. I don't even wear most of it."

Her eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." I adjusted my sleeves. "Now, I'm going downstairs to eat. Then I'll take a walk in the garden."

She nodded enthusiastically, already eyeing the racks of designer dresses.

Leaving her to it, I made my way down the hall and stopped before Morozov's door. Knocking twice, I waited. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing him with nothing but a towel slung low on his hips.

"Really, Sweet Pea?" he drawled, leaning lazily against the frame.

I rolled my eyes, pushing past him. "We need to talk."

His smirk was wicked. "How do you want it? Hard? Slow? Fast?"

I smacked his chest. "Shut up and get dressed."

He chuckled, running a hand through his damp hair. "Sure thing, Ma." He disappeared into his closet.

I exhaled slowly, my fingers absently reaching for a bowl of grapes on his table. Popping one into my mouth, I barely noticed him emerging until his sharp gaze landed on me.

"Stealing my fruit?" he mused.

I grinned, savoring the sweetness. "I'm hungry."

"Then let's go eat," he said, wrapping his hand around mine as we stepped out of his room.