Page 61 of Carved in Ruin

“What?” I blink.

They laugh, Katya shaking her head. “Her and her husband like taking on the rougher elements of the Bratva. They enjoy it, I think.”

“Oh.” I try to sound casual, but nausea rises in my throat. I shove it down, plastering a smile on my face.

We move on, hitting Chanel and Dior, and I’m sure no matter how much I shop, it won’t even dent this card.

Then it hits me—Rafael doesn’t have a wedding ring. I look down at my own, a massive diamond the size of Mount Everest. But him? Nothing. I hadn’t even thought about it before, andthe realization sends a weird, possessive feeling rushing through me.

I glance at the girls. “Rafael’s wedding ring got lost. Can you help me pick out a new one for him?”

Yelena’s brows shoot up. “He lost his ring?”

I nod. I’m not about to admit he never had one.

“Men are terrible with jewelry,” Katya grumbles, rolling her eyes.

“Good thing we’re not,” Yelena quips, grabbing my arm and steering me toward the nearest jewelry store.

Inside, we’re greeted by glass cases filled with sparkling bands.

“What are we thinking?” Katya asks, running her finger along the edge of a case.

“Something simple,” I say.

Yelena picks up a silver band with a subtle texture. “How about this? Classic, but not boring.”

I take it, holding it up to the light. It’s perfect.

“I think this is the one,” I say.

Katya grins. “You’re so thoughtful, making sure your husband has a ring.”

“It’s only fair,” I mutter under my breath. “If I have to wear this rock, he should at least have something.”

As we step out of the store, the silver band tucked safely in its velvet box, my phone buzzes in my bag. I glance at the screen and feel a pang in my chest. It’s Layla.

“I need to take this,” I tell Yelena and Katya, already stepping away to find a quieter spot.

“Layla.” I breathe.

“Mila,” she says, the warmth of her voice wrapping around me like a hug. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you more,” I reply, leaning against a wall and closing my eyes for a moment. “How’s everything been?”

Layla sighs, and I can already tell it’s bad. “Father’s gone even further off the rails. He’s been… erratic these past few days.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, guilt tightening my chest. Layla was supposed to have what I have now. She was supposed to leave that mansion, escape his madness, find someone sane. And yes, Rafael is cruel, rough, a force to be reckoned with—but he isn’t abusive. At least with Rafael, I broke the cycle. I realized what our father does isn’t love.

“It’s okay,” Layla says quickly, though I know it’s not. “Don’t feel guilty.”

“Just… stay safe, Layla. Don’t agitate him. Leave him be if you can. Please.”

There’s a pause before Layla shifts the subject. “So, how’s everything on your end?”

“It’s… okay,” I say, hesitating.

“I’m still so pissed we didn’t get to have the Serbian wedding you deserve, and that I couldn’t be your kuma.”

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