Page 95 of Obsession of the Bratva

“I wasn’t doing anything,” Nico clarified. I was only here to see my bride before the ceremony.

“That is not true,” Ilana snorted. “I know you way too well to not know your intentions, brother. Please get out. Avgust take him. Besides, Mikhel Aslanov has come to the wedding and was asking about you so he could greet you personally.”

“Mikhel is here?” Nico looked delighted.

“I didn’t realize the two of you were friends,” Avgust commented.

“We became friends in a meeting or two,” Nico shrugged. “But I have no desire to see him right now. I would rather stay here.”

“Nico, leave!”

Nico looked genuinely wounded, as if his favorite toy had been taken away from him. I laughed again, but the sound felt strange. Not because it was unfamiliar but because it was easy. Life had felt impossible for so long, but now laughter came naturally. Without effort or fear or waiting for disaster.

It felt like freedom.

“Out. Now,” she ordered, and both Nico and Avgust scurried outside at once, leaving the two of us alone inside the bridal suite.

Ilana approached and adjusted a strand of hair near my face. Her eyes softened. “You look beautiful.”

Emotion tightened unexpectedly in my throat. “Thank you.”

“Ava was coming with the flowers, but I left her to manage a few things outside,” Ilana explained, talking about my best friend. The one person who had given me clarity at a time when I had felt lost.

Ilana squeezed my shoulder, and for a second neither of us spoke. An endless chaos had somehow brought us here, and I truly couldn’t be happier. I hadn’t only found myself a husband, but a family. A family who loved me. Eventually Ilana smiled.

“You know, when Nico first mentioned you, I honestly expected someone terrifying.”

I blinked. “He mentioned me? When?”

Ilana looked delighted. “Oh, constantly for the entire time you dated. We kept asking him to introduce us to you, but he kept refusing, which made me wonder if he was trying to hide you from us.”

I exploded with laughter. It was adorable, but I would never tell him that. His ego was already large enough. The door opened before I could reply, and Misha stepped inside with Ava beside her. All of them were dressed in identical pastel pink gowns as my bridesmaids.

“The guests are arriving. We are about to begin,” Ava announced, and we nodded.

“Ready, Vera?” Misha asked, and I nodded.

“I have been ready for ages now.”

The room shifted as excitement settled over everything. The wedding was beginning. For real. I suddenly couldn’t breathe. Not because I was afraid but because it was happening, and that felt rather surreal after everything. It was actually happening.

“Misha and I will walk first. Ava, you can stay here with Vera?” Ilana asked and Ava nodded. The two of them quickly filtered out, leaving me alone with my best friend.

“Are you okay?” she asked quietly, and I nodded but then immediately shook my head.

Ava laughed, probably having expected that.

“I’m getting married.”

A smile touched her mouth. “That is generally how weddings work.”

“I know. I just don’t know how to really process any of this.”

Something warm unfolded inside my chest as Ava held me close.

“You have loved him for a very long time, Vera. And if there is anyone who deserves happiness, it is you. And I wish I could tell you how happy I am to stand here and watch you finally get it.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.