“No, what?” Sofia and Amanda asked.

“The fat Italian. Honestly. People feel sorry for Slavik. I don’t know how he puts up with her. He could do so much better. I know my dad tried to get me thrown at him, but Volkov decided the Fredo girl was more important.” The jealousy in Irina’s voice was clear to hear.

So, where I thought I’d made a connection with these women, it was all an act.

“Did you see the dress?” Amanda asked. “She looked like a cow. All Slavik has to do is say the word, and I’d do anything for him. I heard on her wedding night, Slavik had to cut himself because he couldn’t find her pussy through the layers of fat.”

It went on and on. Between them using the bathroom, washing their hands, and applying makeup, they continued to insult me. Once they left, I stepped out of the stall. It wasn’t the first time this had happened.

I stared at my reflection. My hair had been curled by the male hairstylist Slavik had hired. He’d wanted to cut my hair, but I refused, and so he curled it.

Tonight … I thought I looked pretty. I guessed I was wrong.

Tears shimmered in my eyes as I looked at my reflection, and my smile wobbled. “What did you expect?” I took a deep breath, calming down my nerves, and finally, the tears faded.

Time to go and play a role.

I stepped out of the bathroom and took my seat back at the table. My hand shook as I reached for the glass of water.

Amanda, Sofia, and Irina were back at the table, and I kept my gaze forward.

Slavik’s hand brushed mine. I turned toward him as I jerked my hand away from him. My entire body shook.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

He didn’t need to know that another hope and dream had just been dashed. My pity party was my own.

My heart raced and I sat back. I ignored the women at my side and stared across the table. Ivan stared right back at me. I didn’t know what to do, and so I looked down at where a slice of chocolate cake waited for me.

It looked delicious with the dark frosting and the moist cake, but I felt sick.

“I ordered dessert for you,” Slavik said.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry.” I sipped at my water.

“I don’t suppose you’ve got some news to tell me?” Ivan asked, silencing the table as he talked.

When he spoke, everyone else shut up.

Heat filled my body, and I made sure not to look at Ivan.

“No news.”

“So no little babies coming our way? The next generation of good strong men?” he asked.

Babies. We’d have to be having sex to have babies, and that wasn’t happening.

“No babies,” Slavik said.

“Aw, Slavik, you break this poor man’s heart. I want to see more children.”