Page 45 of Secret Bratva Twins

I sip my whiskey slowly, watching the way Chiara hovers near the edge of the room, her shoulders tense and her head held high. She’s not wearing the mask of a blushing bride, and I didn’t expect her to. Chiara doesn’t belong to this world, not yet. But she will.

Jennifer approaches her, and I catch their brief exchange from across the room. Jennifer leans in, speaking quietly, and Chiara’s posture softens slightly. For a moment, she looks less like a cornered animal and more like the woman I met long ago—fierce, stubborn, unyielding.

It’s a fleeting moment. The tension ripples through the room again as Maxim approaches me, his presence commanding attention without effort.

“I don’t know how to feel about this,” Maxim says, his voice low but steady.

I glance at him, my expression impassive. “Feel however you like. It doesn’t change anything.”

He lets out a humorless chuckle, his lips curving into a faint smirk. “I don’t regret killing her father, you know. The bastard deserved worse for what he tried to do to my wife.”

His words are matter-of-fact, but I see Chiara stiffen in the distance. Her movements are quick, her heels clickingsharply against the floor as she strides toward us, her anger unmistakable.

“Chiara,” Jennifer calls after her, a soft warning in her tone, but it’s too late.

“Ah, the bride herself,” Maxim says as she approaches, his smirk deepening.

“You don’t regret killing my father,” she says, her voice shaking but loud enough to draw attention. “Good for you. I’m sorry if I can’t be as cool about it.”

Maxim’s gaze darkens, and he steps closer to her, his towering presence intimidating. “You should be grateful,” he says, his tone sharp. “Your father was a monster. You, of all people, should know that.”

I step forward, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “Stay down, Chiara.”

She ignores me, her fury boiling over. “Grateful? For what? Losing the only family I had left? For watching my world fall apart while you played executioner?”

Timur appears at Maxim’s side, his hand firm on his shoulder. “That’s enough,” Timur says, his voice steady but unyielding.

After a tense pause, Maxim allows himself to be guided away, though his glare lingers on Chiara for a moment longer.

I step in front of her, blocking her view of him, my tone icy. “Do not argue with him.”

Her chest heaves, her anger still simmering. “I’m sorry if I can’t be okay with the man who killed my father.”

I narrow my eyes, my voice low and deliberate. “You tried to kill my brother. Do you think we’ve forgotten that?”

Her defiance falters for a split second, her expression flickering with guilt before she regains her composure.

Before she can respond, Alyssa’s laughter rings out across the room, light and pure, cutting through the tension. I glance over my shoulder to see her perched on Katya’s lap, Leo nestled against her side. Katya whispers something to Leo, and his small face lights up with a smile, his hand wrapping tightly around hers.

Chiara’s anger drains as she watches them, her shoulders softening. She crosses the room toward them, her focus entirely on the children. Alyssa spots her first and leaps from Katya’s lap, running into her mother’s arms.

“Mommy! Did you see Grandma Kat? She says we’re staying at her house tonight!”

Chiara blinks, her expression faltering. “What?”

“We’re sleeping over,” Alyssa says, grinning. “She said we can stay up late too!”

Katya rises gracefully, taking Leo’s hand in hers as she approaches. Chiara’s confusion is written plainly across her face.

“They’ve never slept without me,” she says, her voice laced with disbelief.

Katya offers her a gentle smile. “No matter the circumstances, this is your wedding day, Chiara. And your wedding night. The children will be safe with me. You have my word.”

Chiara hesitates, her grip tightening on Alyssa, but Katya leans down to kiss the girl’s cheek and gently pulls her away. Leo clings to Chiara for a moment longer before Katya crouches beside him, whispering softly. Whatever she says works, and he lets go, taking Katya’s hand again.

“Say goodbye to Mommy,” Katya says gently.

“Bye, Mommy!” Alyssa chirps, waving enthusiastically.

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