Page 7 of Used Bratva Bride

I stand in front of my mirror, adjusting the delicate straps of my dress, smoothing out imaginary creases on the soft fabric. The excitement that had been bubbling inside me all day is still there, but it’s dulled by the lingering weight of frustration from earlier.

My father barely acknowledged me, my business idea brushed aside like an afterthought, and Sophia—well, she’s always been too busy with real family matters to care about what I do.

Tonight, none of that matters.

Tonight, I get to escape, even if just for a few hours. Elise’s birthday party is being held at one of the city’s most exclusive rooftop lounges, the kind of place where people drink too much champagne and dance without worrying about the world beyond the velvet ropes. It’s exactly the kind of night I need, to forget, even briefly, the suffocating walls of this house and the weight of a family that only acknowledges me when it’s convenient.

Slipping on my heels, I take one last look at myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at me is polished and effortless—loose waves cascading over my shoulders, a soft glow to my skin, the deep blue of my dress making my eyes pop. It’s the version of me that people outside this house see. The version that is confident, free, untouched by the burdens of being a Spade.

I grab my clutch and head downstairs, my heels clicking softly against the marble floors. But before I can reach the front door, a familiar voice stops me in my tracks.

“Where are you going?”

I turn to find Sophia standing at the base of the staircase, arms crossed, her gaze assessing. She’s always been beautiful in that cold, untouchable way—perfectly put together, always in control. But tonight, there’s something different in her expression. A hesitation I don’t quite recognize.

“I have a party to go to,” I say, keeping my tone even.

Sophia’s eyes flick over my outfit, the corners of her mouth tightening ever so slightly. “You didn’t think to mention this?”

I let out a quiet laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “Would it have made a difference?”

Her silence is answer enough.

I exhale sharply, the frustration that’s been simmering inside me threatening to spill over. “You barely pay attention to me. None of you do. I could spend weeks working on something and no one would notice. But the second I want to have fun, suddenly I have to answer to you?”

Sophia’s expression remains unreadable, but I see the slight shift in her stance, like she wasn’t expecting me to snap.

“Julie,” she says, her tone measured, like she’s trying to keep me calm, “it’s not about control. Things are… tense right now. It’s not safe for you to just go wherever you want.”

I scoff. “Right. Now it’s not safe? I’ve been in this house for months, invisible, and you didn’t care. But the moment I try to live my life, I’m suddenly a security risk?”

Sophia watches me for a long moment, like she’s considering what to say next. Then, instead of arguing, she steps forward and lifts a hand to my hair, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. The gesture is oddly gentle, but it makes my stomach twist.

“I belong here, Julie,” she murmurs, her voice quieter now. “But you….” She pauses, as if choosing her words carefully, before giving me a knowing look. “Your time will come.”

My throat tightens. I know exactly what she means.

The Spade family is built on power, on strategy. Every move is calculated, every relationship a carefully placed piece in a greater game. And I—whether I like it or not—will not be an exception.

She steps back, straightening the sleeve of my dress, as if that’s the end of the conversation. “You can go,” she says simply. “You’ll have security with you.”

I don’t argue. It wouldn’t change anything.

I swallow back the lump rising in my throat and turn away, stepping through the front door before she can see the emotions swirling behind my eyes.

Outside, the car is already waiting, sleek and dark under the glow of the estate’s lights. The driver stands beside it, along with one of the family’s security men—just as Sophia ordered.

I force a smile, even though my chest feels tight. Tonight was supposed to be an escape, but Sophia’s words cling to me, a quiet reminder of the future waiting in the shadows.

As I slide into the car, I press a hand to my temple, inhaling deeply.Just for tonight,I tell myself,I won’t think about it.

Just for tonight, I’ll pretend I’m still in control of my own life.

The city stretches out in glittering lights as the car pulls into the circular driveway of the mansion. Even through the tinted windows, I can tell this place is on another level—grander, more ostentatious than even my family’s estate. The Spade house is impressive, but it carries the weight of business andresponsibility in its walls. This? This is the kind of luxury that serves no purpose other than indulgence.

The sprawling white mansion is illuminated by golden sconces, its massive columns standing like sentinels against the night sky. A fountain at the center of the driveway shoots water into the air, catching the glow of carefully placed lighting, turning each droplet into something impossibly elegant. Expensive cars line the sides of the driveway, a parade of wealth on display. The laughter and music spilling from inside hint at a party already in full swing.

The driver pulls up to the entrance, and one of the security guards steps forward to open my door. I hesitate for just a second, my sister’s words lingering in my head.“Your time will come.”I push the thought away, stepping out gracefully, tilting my chin up slightly. Not tonight. Tonight, I am just Julie, not a Spade, not a pawn in a game I never agreed to play.

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