Page 32 of Forced Bratva Hostage

My brows furrowed at the thought of him, and my jaw tightened as a pang of vexation swelled up within me. I'd always wanted to hate him for being such an asshole but couldn't. However, that wasn't the case today.

Harrison Everett had finally managed to turn me against him for this single act of abandonment. None of his previous bad behavior toward me could be compared to this; none had hurt me the way this one did.

It had been way over a month since Afanasy had captured me and reached out to Harrison; it was that long since he fled the country.

Was that how little he cared for me? Did he ever really care to begin with?

He’d subjected me to this life of emotional torment, and I would always blame him for as long as I lived.

My blood boiled with anger, and a hint of blazing fury danced in the depths of my eyes as I discreetly balled a fist.

The soft zip of my dress being closed behind me pierced through my thoughts, Martha's gentle tug on the zipper reminding me of her presence.

“There. Perfect.” She snuck a peak behind my back, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror in front of us. “You look divine, Miss Wren. I'm sure heads will turn when you walk down the aisle.” Her face lit up with a bright smile.

I heaved a sigh, my lips twitching to force out a grin. “Thanks, Martha.”

For a brief moment, there was silence in the room until she broke it. “He's doing this for you, you know.”

My brows knitted together, a puzzled expression settling on my face. Afanasy did say that my debt was settled because I was his fiancée, but I hadn't given it that much thought ever since.

She circled back to my front, her eyes boring deeply into mine. “I know you probably hate him for forcing you to marry him.”

You're not far from the truth, I thought, watching her expression go softer and softer as she spoke.

Martha continued, “But trust me, Miss Wren. That was the only way to save your life.” Her voice was gentle and awkwardly comforting. “Afan knew what the Bratva would do to you. He knew what horrible fate you'd have to face, so he did what he had to do to save you.”

A lump formed in my throat as I felt my resistance fading, my pounding heart steadying at Martha's explanation.

She placed a consoling palm on my cheek, her eyes never leaving mine. “Because he wanted to keep you alive, and in one piece, he found a loophole in the rules.” She flashed a faint smile. “He knew that members of the Tarasov family werenotconsidered debtors to the Bratva—they're way above that.” She paused, letting the words sink in.

I had a pretty good idea where she was going with this, and somehow, this realization sent a warmth spreading across my chest, thawing the frost around my heart.

“So, in order to keep you safe from the punishment without breaking the rules, he decided to bring you into the family,” she declared, her voice laced with a hint of pride. “That way, your debt will be settled, and you will be untouchable—not to mention you'll be his wife.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she cackled. “Basically, he'll be killing two birds with one stone.”

The fortress around my heart quaked. Its foundations weakened, letting emotions seep in. I hadn’t thought Afanasy cared so much about me, but clearly, he did, which was more than my own father had ever done.

I might not be in complete agreement with his methods, but at least he made an effort to protect me.

Shit!

He’d saved my life.

The realization kicked in, sending tremors through my core. My breath caught and then released as though I'd been holding it forever.

This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me. It was twisted and messed up in more ways than one, but it was still nice.

I was alive today, clad in this beautiful and expensive wedding dress, because one man thought my life was worth saving. And in an instant, my emotions went from pain and resentment to gratitude and a little touch of guilt.

My eyes misted, simmering with unshed tears as my shoulders relaxed, releasing the tension I'd held for so long.

“Try not to hate him, Miss Wren.” Martha's gentle voice cut through my thoughts again. “If anything…I think you should be grateful.”

I swallowed, my breathing slow and steady as I let out a soft sigh. “Thank you for telling me this, Martha.” My tone was laced with sincerity.

She beamed, her voice playful. “You're welcome, Miss Wren…or should I say…Mrs. Tarasov.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her brows wiggling.

An abrupt laugh burst out of me, my body flooding with emotions.

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