Page 122 of 10 Days to Surrender

The boutique goes silent. Even Gina lowers her phone.

Mama makes a small sound and reaches for Jasmine’s hand. “You remember those photos?”

Jasmine nods, wiping quickly at her eyes. “I used to sneak into your closet to look at them. You were so happy in that picture, Mama. And now…” She gestures at me, a watery grin breaking through. “Now, my baby sister’s wearing the exact same smile.”

I have to blink hard to keep from ruining my makeup. It’s been so long since I’ve seen Jasmine let her guard down like this, let herself feel something pure and uncomplicated.

“So,” Maria asks from somewhere behind me, “this is the one,si?”

For the first time since I emerged in this one, I look at my reflection. It’s… everything. White as snow, flowing, simple. It cradles my baby bump without shame. It makes me feel like exactly who I want to be when I marry Sasha: strong, beautiful, and completely, gloriously free.

“Yes,” I decide. “This is the one.”

Once the seamstress has taken measurements, I settle onto the velvet couch, carefully arranging my regular clothes around my belly. Maria insists we can’t leave without celebrating properly, so she bustles around with a tray of delicate cookies dusted with powdered sugar and glasses filled with prosecco and sparkling water.

“For good luck!” she declares, pressing a crystal flute of bubbling water into my hands in place of the alcohol. “Salute!”

Everyone raises their glasses. Mama and Lora are still wiping away tears, while Gina keeps sneaking glances at her phone, probably texting updates to Feliks.

I’m about to take a sip when Jasmine touches my arm. “Can we…?” She gestures toward a quiet corner near the window.

I follow her to two carved wooden chairs tucked between racks of veils and vintage accessories. Jasmine’s fingers twist in her lap. “What’s on your mind, Jas?”

She takes a deep breath. “I need to tell you something. About Sasha.”

My heart skips, but I stay deathly quiet.

“It’s okay. It’s not a bad thing. You don’t have to look terrified.” She laughs and cups my cheek in her warm palm before tucking her hands back in her lap. “When he helped me escape… hedidn’t just save my life. He gave me a choice. Agency. The thing Dragan and Baba and everyone else tried to take away.” She looks down at her hands. “I was so angry for so long, Ari. At everyone who tried to control me.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I was angry, too.”

“But Sasha…” Her voice catches. “The man who helped me wasn’t the cold monster everyone thought he was. He risked everything to help a terrified girl he barely knew.” Finally, she meets my eyes. “And watching him with you… he’s grown into someone even better. Someone worthy of my little sister’s heart.”

Tears blur my vision. “Jas…”

“I know what it’s like to be trapped in an arranged marriage to a monster,” she continues. “If I thought for one second that’s what was happening to you, I would have kidnapped you out of there myself. But this?” She gestures to my ring, my belly, my face glowing with happiness. “This is real. And you have my blessing, for whatever that’s worth.”

I grab her hand, squeezing tight. “It’s worth everything.”

The ride home is as chaotic as the first, but this time, I can’t stop smiling. ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” blasts through the tinny speakers.

“YOUNG AND SWEET, ONLY SEVENTEEN!” Gina belts out, completely off-key.

Jasmine joins in from my left, while Mama claps along from my right. Even Lora is swaying in the front passenger seat.

I close my eyes and let the warmth of the moment wash over me. The late afternoon sun paints the inside of my eyelids gold, like honey dripping, slow and sweet. My mother’s perfume mingles with the breeze coming through the open windows. The ring on my finger catches the light every time I move.

“Come on, Ari!” Gina calls over her shoulder. “You know you want to sing!”

And you know what? I do.

So I join in, not caring that my voice cracks on the high notes or that the twins are using my bladder as a dance floor. The five of us—sisters by blood and choice—screech our way through the chorus like teenagers at a slumber party.

“God,” I wheeze when the song finally ends, wiping tears from my eyes. “I never thought I’d have this.”

Jasmine squeezes my hand. “Have what?”

“This.” I gesture vaguely at all of them, all ofthis.“Family. Love. Choice.” My voice catches. “Freedom.”

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