Page 91 of Used Bratva Bride

Sophia’s jaw tightens, her lips parting slightly as if she’s caught off guard.

“You’re still my sister,” I add. “I guess… now you’re going to be an aunt.”

Her brows furrow, confused. “What?”

I take a steady breath, letting the words settle in my mind before I say them out loud.

“I’m pregnant,” I reveal. “A few months along.”

Sophia’s eyes widen. “You’re going to be a mother?”

I nod.

For a second, she just stares at me, speechless. Then, to my complete shock, a wide, genuine smile spreads across her face. She steps closer, and before I can react, she pulls me into a hug.

“Julie,” she breathes, holding me tightly. “That’s… amazing.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the warmth of her embrace. This is what I wanted. What I always wanted. Not just her approval—but her love.

“You’re going to be an incredible mother,” she says, pulling back to look at me.

Tears prick at my eyes, but I blink them away, nodding. “And you’re going to be an aunt.”

Sophia laughs, shaking her head in disbelief. “I never thought I’d be excited about something like this, but… I am.” She exhales, stepping back. “Thank you. For forgiving me. For giving me the chance to be in your life again.”

I nod. “Just don’t waste it.”

She smiles. “I won’t.”

For the first time in forever, I believe her.

I watch as Sophia hops into her vehicle, and the car disappears down the street, the taillights glowing dimly in the evening light. A strange mix of emotions churns in my chest—relief, sadness, closure. I never thought this day would come. Never thought I’d hear her apologize, let alone feel like we’d rebuilt something that was lost long before I was taken away from my family.

Mikhail places a hand on my lower back, his warmth grounding me. “That went better than I expected,” he murmurs.

I glance up at him. “Yeah… it did.”

“You okay?”

I nod, exhaling. “I think so.”

There’s something about the way he looks at me—like he’s proud. Like he understands exactly how much this moment meant to me, even if I haven’t fully processed it myself.

He doesn’t press further. Instead, he guides me toward the car, opening the door for me before getting in himself.

The ride home is quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. I’m lost in thought, my hand resting on my stomach, my mind drifting to the future.

Mikhail notices. His gaze flicks to me before returning to the road. “You’re thinking too much.”

I let out a small laugh. “You always say that.”

“Because it’s always true.”

I roll my eyes but don’t argue. Maybe he’s right. Maybe, for once, I should just let things be.

The moment we step inside, a familiar blur of fur streaks across the floor. A softmeowfollows, and before I can even react, Luka—who has grown significantly over the last year—leaps onto the arm of the couch, staring at us expectantly.

“Someone’s been waiting for us,” I say, smiling.

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