Page 30 of Convenient Vows

“Scarlett,” I say smoothly. “Ladies.”

Scarlett lifts a brow, smirking. “You’re wound up tighter than a garrote wire, Zasha. Relax.”

I grunt, giving a faint shake of my head. “I’m fine.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Yelena steps forward, poking me lightly in the arm.

“Come on, Zasha,” she says with a teasing lilt. “We all know you’ve been growling less since she showed up.”

My jaw tenses.

That’s not true. Or is it?

Before I can argue, Alina tilts her head, grinning sweetly.

“And blushing more.”

I shoot her a sharp look, my mouth tugging down in a scowl — but I know, even without seeing it, that the three of them are exchanging victorious glances.

I mutter something under my breath, turning slightly away, hoping they’ll take the hint.

They don’t.

Scarlett plants a hand on her hip, eyes glinting with wicked amusement.

“Did… you just almost smile?”

I exhale hard, dragging a hand down my face.

“Stop scrubbing your hand across your face so that you do not end up rubbing off your signature scowl,” Alina says.

Finally, I let out a soft, low laugh, shaking my head.

Scarlett lets out a small, mock gasp, dramatically clapping her hands together.

“Victory,” she whispers to Yelena and Alina.

Yelena grins, nudging Alina. “We should’ve bet on this.”

I roll my eyes but feel the knot in my chest loosen — just a little. It’s strange, how easily they disarm me.

Scarlett, Yelena, Alina — they’re the only ones in this world who can poke fun at me without risking a broken nose. They are Family, not by blood, but by every bond that matters. And even I can’t deny that their presence here, their laughter and sharp teasing, grounds me in a way nothing else does.

But as soon as they drift off, leaving me alone again, the quiet rushes back in, heavier than before.

I square my shoulders, steadying my breath.

Because in just minutes, Mara will walk down the aisle to me — and no matter how much they joke, no matter how much I try to tell myself this is all tactical, I know the truth.

Nothing about this feels simple anymore.

While I am still contemplating, I sense them before I see them. The subtle shift in the air, the faint softening of conversation as people glance toward the doorway.

Viktor and Lev.

They move through the space with sharp, effortless authority — no loud announcement, no unnecessary fanfare.

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