Page 5 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

“Darya, I don’t think this is a good idea. We can come up with some other way,” Maxim says, still not wanting to put me through this.

“Max, seriously, stop worrying about it. I will do it. It’s not a big deal.” It is a big deal.

It’s not, though. I will move in with him, I will play the part of a good wife in public, but ultimately, I will still have my own life and do my own thing. It is only for appearances. Behind closed doors, he probably won’t even speak to me, so what difference will it make? We can still live separate lives and do whatever we want, as long as in public we look like the we have a good marriage.

Stefano is such a player. He flirts shamelessly; he has tried many times to flirt with me, but I know he does it with every girl he meets. He is just that kind of guy. The guy who gets whatever he wants.

He doesn’t actually want me. So this should be easy enough.

It will all be fake.

“Darya has agreed to it—she understands the situation. Can we—"

Kiril interrupts Stefano with a snarl. “Stay out of this, Stef. Just because she agreed to it doesn’t mean it’s happening.”

“Stop it,” I say loudly. “I said I would do it, and that is final. You can stop fighting now.”

I stand up because there is too much nervous energy flowing through me now.

Ivan’s face pulls tight as his eyes pierce into me. He knows me the best—he knows that I would do anything for my family, but he also knows better than to argue with me when I have made up my mind.

I might be soft, but I am not one to be messed with when I am trying to do something good for my family.

“Darya—" Kiril steps towards me.

“Leave her,” Ivan says, holding up his hand. “We can give her a few days to think about it, and then have this conversation again later.”

“I don’t need a few days to think about it. I said I would do it. You can go ahead and make the arrangements. Just let me know when and where I need to be.”

I steal a glance at Stefano again. He is smirking, like he has just won an argument. Of course he would be—he did just win. The power balance will change drastically in his favor when this marriage is made official.

I need to get out of here.

I need to take some time to process what just happened, and what it means for my life.

Everything is about to change so dramatically.

The beautiful love story I have always dreamed of will never happen now, and I think I need to be alone so that I can grieve that.

“I’m leaving now. Just let me know, ok?” My eyes fall on Paval, who nods.

“We will make all of the arrangements,” he nods. “Call me later if you change your mind.”

I shake my head. That won’t happen. I am doing the right thing for my family.

“Stefano,” I say politely, nodding to the man who is to be my future husband.

“Darya, may I walk you to your car?”

“No,” I reply bluntly.

He looks offended. I can’t imagine why. He looks a little angry, too. A nervous shiver tingles across my skin.

“I need some time alone,” I add quickly, so that I don’t come across as too rude. His eyes soften ever so slightly, and he smiles tightly.

“I will make the arrangements at my home for you to move in after the wedding. You can let me know anything you need or want so that I can have it set up for you before you arrive.”

“Thank you.” I am a bit surprised by this. He doesn’t seem like the type of guy to go out of the way to want to make me feel comfortable, even in a forced marriage.

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