14
JESSA
Was I talking in my sleep last night?
The last thing I remember is falling asleep on Anton's chest, his deep voice a low rumble in my ear.
“What did I say?” I ask myself, straining to remember. "And what did Anton hear?"
“Talking to yourself, dear?”
I turn to the door just as Courtney walks in with a tray of water and a small bowl filled with vitamins.
“Just a little,” I mumble. “Seeing as how there’s no one else to talk to.”
“So I’m no one? My goodness, that’s cold.”
I giggle. “You just showed up.”
“Because I was busy talking to your doctor,” she informs me, setting the pills on the bedside table next to my water. “And I have good news.”
“Oh? Tell me.”
“You’re officially out of the woods. We’ve been monitoring you closely and your vitals are strong. So is the baby.”
“Does that mean I’m off bedrest?”
A big smile splits her face. “It does indeed.”
“Yes!” I crow, throwing the covers off me before I jump off the bed dramatically. Courtney looks both amused and nervous as I twirl on the spot with my arms raised.
I’m wearing a white strappy nightdress that came in for me yesterday along with a whole new wardrobe. It was pretty minimalist, but it had all the necessities. Jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, a coat or two. Everything is of the finest quality, but you wouldn’t know until you ran your fingers over the luxurious fabrics or felt the intricate stitches.
I would have made a fuss about it, but then I thought, what is the point? Anton would get his way in the end like he always does. And if he’s willing to spend on clothes for me, why shouldn’t I accept them?
“Okay, but listen to me, darling,” Courtney tells me urgently. “You’re off bedrest, but that doesn’t mean you should overdo it. You still need to rest up.”
“And I will. But I can at least walk around, right? I can leave the suite for a drive or something?”
“That’s up to Mr. Stepanov. But… I don’t know why he would have a problem with it.”
Unfortunately, I do.
He doesn’t want me out and about on my own when Marina is still at large.
This is the first time I find myself agreeing with his way of thinking. I have no desire to ever come face to face with her again.
“Where is Anton?” I ask.
Courtney folds her hands together in front of her lap. “He left for the day.”
I try to hide my disappointment. For some inexplicable reason, I expected him to be here when I woke up. In fact, I’ve come to expect it. Which is certainly not a good sign.
“Did he say where?”
“He didn’t. Not to me, at least.”
I exhale softly and turn towards the windows. In theory, I’m looking out at the view, but I’m not taking any of it in. I’m still trying to remember what I said while I was half-conscious last night.