Chapter 97 Anya
I spent the entire day in bed, playing the part of the sick wife.
It was easier than I expected. All I had to do was stay pale, move slowly and refuse food.
The doctor came again in the afternoon to check on me.
"Your pulse is elevated," he said, frowning. "And you seem very anxious. Are you sure you are only suffering from exhaustion?"
"I am sure," I said weakly. "I just need rest."
He looked unconvinced but he nodded. "Very well. I will tell Mr. Ivanov to let you sleep. No disturbances for at least three days."
"Thank you," I said.
After he left I lay back against the pillows and allowed myself a small smile.
Three days. That would be enough time for Nikolai to do whatever he was planning.
Ivanov came to check on me that evening before leaving for his council meeting.
"The doctor says you need complete rest," he said, standing in the doorway. He did not come closer. As if he feared my illness might be contagious.
"I am sorry," I said. "I know you need me at these meetings."
"It cannot be helped," Ivanov said.
"Just focus on getting better. I need my wife healthy."
"Of course," I said.
He left without another word.
I listened to his footsteps fade down the hallway. Then I heard the front door close. The sound of his car starting. He started driving away.
He was gone.
I sat up in bed, suddenly alert.
This was it. Whatever Nikolai had planned, it would happen tonight.
I got out of bed and moved to the window. The grounds were quiet. A few guards patrolled but fewer than usual.
Someone had arranged for light security tonight. Probably Pavel.
I paced the room, my heart racing.
What was I supposed to do? Just sit here and wait?
What if something went wrong?
What if Nikolai needed help?
But he had told me to stay away. To keep my distance so I would not be implicated.
I understood the logic but it did not make the waiting any easier.
Hours passed.
I tried to read but could not focus.
Tried to sleep but could not relax.
Every sound made me jump. Every footstep in the hallway made my heart race.
At eleven o'clock I heard something. A crash from somewhere below. Like glass breaking.
My blood ran cold.
Had it started? Was Nikolai in Ivanov's study right now?
I moved to my door and pressed my ear against it, listening.
Voices raised. People started shouting. The sound of running feet became closer.
Something was happening.
I opened the door a crack and peered out.
Guards were running toward the east wing. Toward Ivanov's study.
"What is going on?" I called out to one of them.
"It's a break in, Mrs. Ivanov," the guard called back. "Stay in your room and lock your door."
He ran past me without waiting for a response.
A break in. That was the cover story Viktor had mentioned.
But where was Nikolai? Was he safe?
I closed my door but did not lock it. Instead I waited, listening to the chaos unfold below.
The shouting increased. The sound of furniture being moved.
Then silence.
Terrible, ominous silence.
I held my breath, waiting for something, anything.
Finally footsteps approached my door.
There was a knock.
"Mrs. Ivanov?" Sonya's voice called.
I opened the door quickly. "What happened? Is everyone alright?"
Sonya looked pale. "There was a break in. Someone smashed the window in Mr. Ivanov's study. The guards are searching the grounds now."
"Did they find anyone?" I asked.
"Not yet," Sonya said. She met my eyes. "But you should know, Mr. Ivanov is on his way back. His meeting ended early. He will be here in twenty minutes."
My stomach dropped.
Twenty minutes. Nikolai had twenty minutes to finish whatever he was doing and get out.
"Thank you for telling me," I said.
Sonya nodded and hurried away.
I closed the door and leaned against it.
My mind raced.
This was bad. If Ivanov arrived and found Nikolai in his study, the whole plan would collapse.
I needed to do something. Create another distraction.
But what could I do?
I looked around my room desperately. My eyes landed on a lamp on the bedside table.
An idea formed in my head.
It was risky. Possibly stupid. But I was out of options.
I grabbed the lamp and threw it at the wall as hard as I could.
It shattered with a tremendous crash.
Then I screamed. Long and loud and terrified.
Within seconds guards were pounding on my door.
"Mrs. Ivanov? Are you alright?"
I ran to the door and threw it open, my face wild with fear.
"There was someone at my window!" I cried. "A man! He was trying to get in!"
The guards looked at each other, then at the broken lamp, then back at me.
"Are you certain, Mrs. Ivanov?"
"Yes!" I said. "He was right there! You have to find him!"
The guards ran toward my window, checking outside, calling for backup.
More guards came running. Soon half the security force was focused on my room instead of the study.
I had created chaos. I hope it was enough.
But I could not keep this up forever.
And Ivanov would be here in fifteen minutes.
I sat on the edge of my bed, trembling, wondering if I had just saved Nikolai's life or condemned us all.
The guards searched my room, checked the grounds outside my window, questioned me repeatedly about what I had seen.
I stuck to my story. A man at the window. Tall in dark clothes. He was gone before I could see his face.
They wanted to believe me. I was the mistress of the house. Why would I lie?
But I could see doubt in some of their eyes.
Ten minutes until Ivanov arrived.
The door to my chambers burst open.
I jumped to my feet, expecting guards.
But it was Nikolai.
He was breathing hard, his shirt was torn. He had a cut above his eye bleeding.
We stared at each other.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered urgently. "You need to go!"
"I needed to make sure you were safe," he said. "I heard the guards running to your room. I thought something happened."
"I created a distraction," I said. "To buy you time. But Ivanov is coming back. You need to leave now."
Nikolai grabbed my hands. "It is done."
"What is done?" I asked.
"Everything," he said. "Ivanov is finished."
Before I could ask what he meant, we heard it.
The sound of car tires on gravel. An engine stopping.
Ivanov was back.
But… he was supposed to be dead.