Page 55 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

“Maxim,” she says, her voice sharp but playful. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going or am I just supposed to sit here and wait in suspense forever?”

A grin tugs at the corner of my lips, but I don’t take my eyes off the road. “It’s a surprise,” I say simply, my tone calm.

She huffs dramatically, but there’s a glimmer of excitement in her eyes that tells me she’s enjoying this. I know her well enough by now to understand that surprises make her nervous, but I also know how much she loves them when they turn out right.

We drive a little farther, the city disappearing behind us as the road winds toward our destination. She shifts in her seat, glancing out the window, trying to piece together where we are. Her impatience is palpable, but I keep my mouth shut, letting her wonder.

Finally, we arrive at a large building, bustling with people. Sophia’s eyes widen as she takes in the scene. There’s a crowd gathered, banners hung across the front of the building, and a sense of excitement fills the air. I park the car and step out, rounding the vehicle to open her door. She steps out cautiously, her gaze scanning the area.

“Maxim, what is this?” she asks, her voice softer now, curious.

I nod toward the entrance, where Kristen, Jennifer, and a few of her other friends are already waiting in the audience. They wave to her, smiling widely.

Her eyes shift between me and them, confusion still written on her face. “Why are they here?”

I don’t answer. Instead, I take her hand, leading her toward the entrance. As we step inside, she freezes, her eyes landing on the large sign above the stage: Sophia Sharov Foundation.

She reads it slowly, her eyes widening in disbelief. Her mouth opens slightly, but no words come out. I can see the gears turning in her head, trying to make sense of it all.

The foundation’s focus is simple—environmental conservation, sustainability, and planting initiatives, all things she’d mentioned enjoying during our conversations. I remember how her face lit up when she talked about her passion for protecting the environment, how she wanted to make a difference in a world full of chaos. And now, she has the platform to do just that.

There’s a moment of stunned silence before the crowd breaks into applause. Sophia turns to me, her eyes glassy, overwhelmed.

“You did this?” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.

I nod. “You mentioned you wanted to do something meaningful. I figured you’d want to start here.”

Her hands fly to her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears. “Maxim… I… I don’t know what to say.”

I shrug, trying to play it cool, but deep down, I’m enjoying every second of this. Seeing her happy like this—it’s worth everything. “You don’t need to say anything. Just enjoy it.”

She turns back toward the crowd, taking in the applause, the smiles from her friends, and the significance of what’s just been given to her. There’s a light in her eyes I haven’t seen in a long time, a kind of joy that makes all the darkness she’s endured seem like a distant memory.

She steps forward, shaking hands with some of the guests, her movements slow and careful, as though she’s still processing it all. Jennifer rushes over, wrapping her in a tight hug, and I hear them laughing through their tears. Kristen stands nearby, clapping, pride shining in his eyes.

I lean back, watching from the side, satisfied. Sophia’s been through hell, but she’s made it out stronger, and now she has something that’s entirely hers—something good. Something that gives her a reason to smile.

She glances back at me, her eyes full of gratitude and something else—something deeper. For a moment, our eyes lock, and I can see how much this means to her. She’s over the moon, and I can’t deny that it feels good to see her like this.

As the applause dies down, she walks back toward me, her smile wide and genuine. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hug. I’m not used to public displays of affection, but for her, I make an exception.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice shaky with emotion.

“You deserve it,” I say, my voice low but firm. “You’ve been through enough. It’s time for something good.”

She pulls back slightly, looking up at me, and for a moment, I see the girl who used to be weighed down by all thepain and loss. Now, though, there’s hope in her eyes, and it’s like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” she says, her voice still filled with disbelief.

I smirk, leaning in closer. “What’s mine is yours, remember?”

She laughs, shaking her head as tears spill down her cheeks. “You really are full of surprises, aren’t you?”

I shrug. “I have my moments.”

The event continues smoothly after that, and it’s satisfying to see how much Sophia’s foundation resonates with the people attending. Our friends and family gather around, offering their congratulations and support. I stand back for most of it, letting Sophia take the spotlight. She deserves every bit of it. I can’t help but notice the way she glows when she talks about her plans, her passion shining through with every word.

Jennifer pulls her aside to chat about future events, and Kristen can’t stop beaming with pride. It’s a good night, one that feels like a step in the right direction for both of us.

---