Page 82 of Ruthless Bratva King

“You’ve always been useless,” Natalia snaps. “No talent, no purpose. Couldn’t even die the right way.”

The words sting, cutting through the fragile remnants of my faith in them. I turn to my mother, hoping for some denial, some small defense of me. But she just shrugs, her expression indifferent.

A bitter laugh escapes me, cold and sharp. “Of course. Why would I expect anything different?”

My father snarls. “He’ll kill us all, and it’ll be your fault.”

“No,” I say, my voice firm. “He could’ve killed you already. He lied to Peter to keep you alive because that’s the kind of man he is.”

My father glares at me, his fists clenched. “Bullshit. You believe the horseshit he’s been feeding you?”

“Don’t talk about my husband like that.”

Natalia barks out a laugh. “Oh, my God, you’re in love with him. That is hilarious.”

Mom turns pale. “You love him?”

Dad speaks over them. “You don’t even know what love is. You’re a child for God’s sake.”

“What is love?” I say, my voice breaking. “Leaving your daughter to die to save yourselves?”

“You think you get a happy ending?” Dad replies. “He is a coldblooded killer. He’ll slit your throat when he’s bored of you.”

A new voice speaks up from the doorway. “Will I?”

I turn just in time to see Dmitri step inside, his expression calm, his movements controlled. Even in the dim light, his presence dominates, the sheer force of him drawing every eye.

He doesn’t glance at my family. His gaze locks onto mine, searching, assessing, his dark eyes filled with something I can’t quite name.

“What does my wife want?” he asks, his voice low but unyielding. “Would you like me to kill them all?”

The question lands between us like a challenge, weighted with the memories of everything I’ve seen, everything I’ve felt. I meet his gaze, my breath catching in my throat, but there’s no hesitation in my heart.

Turning to my family, I take a step forward. “Goodbye.” My voice is steady, final. “I’m done. I’m done with all of you.”

My father bristles, rising from his chair. “You’re making a mistake, Elena. This man?—”

“This man,” I interrupt sharply, “chose me when you didn’t. Protected me when you wouldn’t. He taught me how to stand up for myself. You? You taught me how to act invisible. I’m not that person anymore.”

My mother’s lips press into a thin line, but she doesn’t say a word. Natalia just glares at me, her disdain cutting but ineffective.

I turn to Dmitri, whose steady gaze hasn’t wavered. “I’m leaving with my husband. We’re going to build a family of our own—a family full of love. A family that knows what it means to care for each other.”

My father snorts, his face twisting in disdain. “You think he’ll give you that? He’s a killer, Elena. A coldblooded, ruthless killer. You’re deluding yourself if you think he won’t turn on you the second he doesn’t want you anymore.”

I tilt my head, narrowing my eyes at him. “Why did you steal the jade statue, Dad?”

His mouth opens, then closes. For a moment, he looks almost…sheepish. “I didn’t know who it belonged to,” he finally admits. “I just saw an opportunity and I took it.”

I can’t help the bitter laugh that escapes me. “You saw a chance and you took it,” I repeat, my voice sharp. “I’m doing the same. But unlike you, I’m not stealing. I’m choosing. And I choose him.”

The room falls silent, my declaration ringing in the stillness.

My father’s face darkens, and my sister mutters something under her breath, but I don’t care.

Dmitri holds out his hand. Without hesitation, I take it, letting his warmth wrap around me.

“Let’s go,” I say softly.

---