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“I can’t believe all of this happened, and I had no idea!” Charlotte exclaimed, her voice filled with amazement and disbelief. “You’ve been through so much, Audrey.”
I offered a soft smile, a sense of nostalgia washing over me as I recounted the whirlwind of events that had led me to this moment. “Life has a way of surprising us,” I replied, my fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on my round belly. “But despite everything, Ivan and I found our way back to each other.”
The mansion buzzed with activity around us as workers bustled about, putting the finishing touches in the house. As we chatted, Charlotte’s curiosity shifted toward the impending wedding, and I could feel my cheeks flush with shy excitement.
“Oh, the wedding!” Charlotte exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Tell me all about it. Have you sent out the invites?”
A soft giggle escaped my lips, and I nodded, my heart fluttering at the thought of the upcoming celebration. “Yes, I’ve sent out the invitations,” I confessed.
Charlotte’s grin was infectious as she leaned in, eager to hear more. “I’m so happy for you, Audrey. You and Ivan deserve all the happiness in the world.”
My fingers toyed with the edge of a cushion as I felt a surge of warmth in my chest. “Thank you, Charlotte,” I whispered, my voice tinged with emotion. “I truly am excited. Ivan… He’s my rock, my protector. I really do love him.”
Just as I spoke those words, a sudden chime of the doorbell echoed through the mansion. I blinked in surprise, my attention drawn away from our conversation. “I wonder who that could be,” I mused aloud, my curiosity piqued.
Charlotte’s mischievous smirk only added to my intrigue. “Reinforcement,” she said cryptically, rising from her seat and making her way toward the front door.
I watched her retreating figure, a sense of anticipation bubbling within me. It was a rare and precious feeling, the knowledge that the people I cared about were rallying around me, supporting me in this new chapter of my life. As the door swung open and Charlotte’s laughter mingled with other voices, a wave of contentment washed over me.
Leaning back against the cushions, I let out a soft exhale of pleasure. Sunlight painted patterns on the floor, sounds of laughter and footsteps filling the air. In that moment, I feltan overwhelming sense of gratitude for the way everything had unfolded.
Chapter 29 - Ivan
“Yes, babe. Just handle some of the preparations. I’ll be with you shortly,” I spoke into the phone. “I love you,” I added, those three words flowing easily from my lips.
“I love you too,” Audrey’s voice replied, each word filled with warmth and affection. It was a declaration that still felt surreal, a reminder of the profound connection we shared. I ended the call, a smile lingering on my lips as I pocketed my phone. Love had found its way into my heart, transforming me in ways I had never imagined.
Turning away from the conversation, I faced my brother Vlad, his eyes pleading as he lay restrained by my men. The gravity of his betrayal lingered nauseatingly in the air, an unspoken truth that had shattered the bond between us.
“I can’t believe you were the rat all these years, Vlad,” I uttered in disappointment, “You’re literally my brother, yet you betrayed me, caused the death of many of your brothers...”
My voice trailed off, the accusations hanging heavily in the tense silence. Vlad’s begging fell on deaf ears as I held my ground, my emotions a maelstrom beneath the cold facade. My heart ached as I thought of Josephine, her memory a painful reminder of the havoc Vlad’s actions had wreaked.
Anton’s presence nearby drew my attention, and I sighed deeply and walked away from Vlad, my gaze settling on my loyal friend. “Hello, old man,” I greeted him.
“Boss,” Anton acknowledged. I gestured for him to remain seated on the hood of the car, and I joined him, our gazes fixed on the horizon. The world around us seemed to hold its breath, a heavy sense of finality settling in the air.
The sharp sound of a gunshot shattered the stillness. “I guess that’s that,” I mused, a hint of resignation in my tone. Theconsequences of betrayal were inevitable, and Vlad’s fate had been sealed.
I turned my gaze to Anton, a question lingering in the air. “I’ve never asked what you thought about this, but have you ever wondered about leaving the Bratva, Anton?” My voice held a genuine curiosity, a desire to understand my old friend’s perspective.
Anton shifted uneasily, his silence speaking volumes. The mafia had been his life since birth, a reality he had grown accustomed to. I chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension. “Oh, you’re safe with me, my dear friend. I won’t punish you for whatever answer you give.”
He finally spoke, admitting that the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. It was a sentiment I understood well, the allure of the familiar often outweighing the uncertainty of change.
“I see,” I responded, considering his words. “I realized I haven’t been treating you properly. We no longer have fun together like we used to back in the old days. We’ll definitely be going out more often. You’re going to have some fun.” My voice held a note of determination, a promise to myself and to Anton that we would embrace life beyond the confines of our roles.
Anton smiled, his loyalty unwavering. “I am in your care then... Ivan,” he said with a mischievous smile.
His next question caught me off guard, turning the conversation in an unexpected direction. “But what about you? Have you thought about it?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.
“Several times, yeah,” I admitted, my voice tinged with longing and resolve. “To just be with my new family in some remote quiet town, away from all the criminal world, and living a peaceful life.”
Anton fell silent, his gaze locked on the horizon. It was a dream I had held close, a beacon of hope that had kept megoing through the darkest of times. Audrey was my anchor, a source of light in the darkness, and for her and our child, I was determined to change my path.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape, I knew that this dream wasn’t just a fleeting thought. It was a promise I had made to myself, a commitment to create a better future, not only for my family but for the city we called home.
The journey ahead would be challenging, filled with obstacles and uncertainties, but as I looked at Anton, a sense of determination settled within me. With Audrey by my side and the support of loyal friends like Anton, I was ready to face whatever came our way. Together, we would shape our destinies and leave a lasting legacy of change.
