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Boris’ words, "I'll be in touch," echo in my mind. I know the Bratva's reach is long and their memory even longer. But I've battled with them before and I've come out stronger. This time will be no different, except now, I have something more to fight for.
The Bratva may think they can control me, but they're about to learn that Ivan Stepanov is not a man who bows to anyone's will—not anymore.
Chapter 10
Julie
The magnitude of Ivan's proposal continues to weigh heavily on my mind as I sit in my apartment staring blankly at the wall.
Several hours of introspection have brought me no closer to a decision. The thought of being locked in a marriage with Ivan for a minimum of twenty years is terrifying. I might have a husband and a child, but I would not have love.
In a desperate attempt to find a silver lining, I imagine my life as the kind of romcom it's starting to resemble. Maybe Ivan and I will fall in love once we're married and building a fake life together.
Who am I kidding? I dismiss the thought almost as soon as it forms. Ivan is all business, through and through. His world revolves around deals, negotiations, and cold, hard logic. Feelings and human emotions don't seem to have a place in his life. He's a man driven by ambition and professionalism, not romance.
But then I remember last night. That moment in his office, how close he stepped to me with that peculiarly profound look in his eyes. There was a hint of something more than just lust. Maybe. Or maybe it was just lust… Either way, lust isn't love. It's a fleeting, physical reaction, not the foundation for a lifelong commitment.
My mind spins, tangled in a web of what-ifs and maybes. The more I think about it, the more I realize there's only one person who can help me sort through this mess and that’s my Aunt Barb, the woman who raised me after my father killed my mother.
I need her perspective, her wisdom. She's always had a way of cutting through the noise, of helping me see the heart of the matter. And right now, I need that clarity more than ever.
Reaching for my phone, I dial her number—texting got me in trouble last time. My heart feels heavy with the gravity of the decision before me. This isn't just about a job or a career move. It's about my life, my future, and potentially, the creation of a new family.
We meet at Murray’s—our favorite deli—a cozy spot that's seen many of our heart-to-hearts over the years. Barb, with her free-spirited aura and artist's sensibility, is the polar opposite of me. She's my mom's twin sister, but you'd never guess we were related from our personalities.
Her hair is a wild mane of curls, and she's wearing a flowy, bohemian dress that looks like one of her canvases come to life.
Barb can always tell when something's up with me, and today's no different. She eyes me with a knowing look as she sips her coffee.
"Spill it, Jules. You never miss work. What's got you so antsy?"
God, where to begin?
I recount the tale of the accidentally erotic message left for Ivan, watching Barb's reaction closely. And then I follow up with his… reply.
At first, her eyebrows rise in surprise, a hand flying to her mouth in a gesture of mock horror. But as the story unfolds, her expression shifts. The corners of her eyes crinkle with amusement, and soon, she's laughing, a deep, hearty laugh that fills the deli. Her laughter is infectious, spreading warmth and lightness, transforming my embarrassment into something almost bearable.
"It sounds like it could be a scene from one of these popular shows currently streaming, Jules!" Barb exclaims, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. It's one of the things I love most about her; her knack for turning life's awkward moments into anecdotes to be laughed at over coffee.
Emboldened by her reaction, I delve into the heavier part of my story.
"But that's not all," I say, and I watch as Barb's expression sobers, her artist's eyes sharpening with interest. She leans in, her bracelets jangling softly, signaling her full attention.
I tell her about Ivan's proposal, his unexpected offer of marriage and funding for my nonprofit. I detail the terms, the prenup, and his cool, business-like approach to the whole thing.
"Honey, that's... quite a proposition," she finally says.
As she digests the information, I can see the wheels turning in her head. Barb's always had a gift for seeing the bigger picture, for understanding the artistry in life's chaos.
"It's a lot to think about," she adds before her eyebrows shoot up, as if something’s just occurred to her. "To be honest, it sounds like he's trying to buy you, honey.”
I nod, my fork playing with the salad on my plate. "I know, right? That's exactly what I thought. But the idea of getting my nonprofit off the ground, doing something good with his money... I have to admit it's tempting."
Barb leans back in her chair, studying me like I'm one of her paintings. "But at what cost, Julie? You're talking about marriage, kids, a whole life with a man who sees this as a transaction."
I sigh, feeling the weight of her words. "I know, I know. It's just that this could be a chance to make a real difference, to honor Mom's memory in a big way."
We sit in silence for a moment, the deli bustling around us. Barb's always been the one to encourage my dreams, to push me to pursue my passions. But this is different. This is about the rest of my life, about bringing another human into the world.
