Page 82 of Sinful Wrath

“Losing a parent is hard. The hole they leave behind never heals over. I guess you just learn to live with it.”

“It’s something that Alexei and I bonded over when I first came here. It was a common ground between us. I’m sure you have that with Mikhail.”

“Honestly, he never talks about his parents.” I look at my feet.

“Well, that doesn’t surprise me. Mikhail isn’t much of a talker.” Bianca smiles. “How is everything going with him?”

My cheeks heat as I stare out at the pool.

“It’s going…well.”

“You seem surprised.” Bianca’s lips twitch.

“He’s not easy to get to know.”

“It takes a while for him to warm up to people,” Bianca says. “For so long, I was convinced that Mikhail hated me despite Alexei’s assurance that he was just quiet and reserved.”

“I get that.” I laugh. “But in all honesty, being here has helped show me what a genuinely good guy he is. Despite the fact that we couldn’t be more different, I can’thelp but think that there’s something real developing between us.”

“So, you’re looking forward to the wedding, then?” Bianca smirks.

“I’d hardly call it a wedding,” I grumble. “I tried to get my father to at least throw a small party, but he only cares about the legal stuff. He says all the rest is a waste of time.”

“He sounds like my father.” Bianca scoffs. “Well, I disagree. Even if the marriage is arranged, you still deserve to have a perfect wedding.”

“I’m getting married in four days. It’s too late to do anything about it now.”

“You greatly underestimate the power I have over the bridal boutiques of New York.” Bianca chuckles. “I put together the most insane wedding for Zara and Dimitri in less than two weeks, so trust me, a little party at the house is nothing.”

“Are you being serious right now?”

“Of course! I can tell you really want a proper wedding.”

“I do… I wish I was one of those girls who didn’t care, but I’m not. I love the idea of choosing the perfect dress and the flowers and the cake.”

“It’s your princess moment,” Bianca says with a knowing smile.

“Exactly.”

“Then, it’s settled. I’ll give my friend Clara a call. She owns a bridal shop in the city. She’s the one who organized Zara’s wedding dress, and she’s just the best. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to bring some dresses over to the house for you to try on. Then I can call the florist and caterers and have them bring some samples over too.”

My throat feels thick with emotion as Bianca rattles onabout plans for the wedding. She barely knows me and yet, she’s willing to go to so much effort to make sure I have the most perfect day. Whereas my actual friends don’t even know I’m engaged.

I never bothered to tell them because I knew deep down they’d only be interested in the party and what rich bachelors would be invited.

“Do you have a maid of honor picked?”

“I haven’t really thought about it… But I guess I’d choose my cousin Elle.”

“Great! You should invite her over to the house tomorrow to help. It’ll be like a mini bachelorette party!” Bianca says. “If it’s okay with you, I can invite Zara as well. I’m sure she’d love to have some time away from the twins, and it would be good for you to get to know her. You’re going to be part of the family soon, which means the three of us will be like sisters.”

My eyes start to well with tears, and I have to look away so Bianca doesn’t think I’m a complete blubbering mess.

If the idea of marrying Mikhail didn’t make my heart swell, the mention of sisters is threatening to make it explode.

Is it possible that I could be so lucky?

Bianca pulls out her phone and gets to work making a list of everything that needs to be done in the next four days. She is nothing but confident that she’ll be able to pull this off, and my stomach starts to flutter with excitement at the prospect of actually having a proper wedding after all.

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