Page 58 of Pregnant Bratva Wife
“Complicated how? Are you in trouble? Do you need me to come?”
“I got married,” I blurted out.
The silence that followed lasted so long I literally winced and closed my eyes. She was furious. I could tell.
“Megan?”
“You what?” she hissed.
“I got married.”
“To whom? When? How?” Each question shot out like a bullet. “Autumn, you weren’t even dating anyone!”
I gathered my courage. “His name is Federico. We met about a month ago. It was... sudden.”
“Sudden? That’s what you call eloping with a man you’ve known for a month?” She sounded like she was hyperventilating. “Wait. What does he do?”
“He... owns businesses around New York. He’s quite well-connected and wealthy.” I bit down on my lip, knowing this was the first lie. I couldn’t exactly tell her he was in the mob, could I?
“And you just married him? Out of nowhere? What is this, a Hallmark movie gone wrong?”
I took a deep breath. “We met, there was a connection, and everything happened really fast. I know it sounds crazy—”
“It sounds insane!”
“—but it felt right at the time.” Another lie to add to the pile. I gripped the phone tightly. “Anyway, he wanted to help me with your tuition, which is why you got that money.”
Another long pause.
“That was from him?” Her voice was softer now, bewildered. “I thought it was a bank error. There was a hundred thousand dollars in my account, Autumn. A hundred thousand.”
My heart raced. “I know. It was... a loan I got from him. I’m paying him back. He’s helped me get a great job in retail sourcing, and the salary is so good, Megan. This way, you won’t have any loans from the bank.”
“That’s—that’s too much,” she stammered. “I already donated most of it to the children’s hospital. I kept enough for this semester’s tuition, but the rest... I thought it was dirty money or something. Like I’d get arrested if I kept it.”
“You donated it?” I couldn’t keep the panic from my voice. That money was supposed to cover her entire education, and she only covered a semester?
Federico would have to transfer more, which meant I needed to stay. Needed to keep up my end of the bargain.
“Wasn’t I supposed to? I mean, who keeps mysterious money that appears in their account?” She paused.
“I know,” I sighed, even though I was reeling inside.
“Autumn, what’s going on? This isn’t like you at all.” Her voice softened with concern. “You’ve always been the responsible one. The planner. And now you’re married to some rich guy I’ve never met?”
“I know how it looks.” I got up, pacing the room. “But Federico is... he’s good to me.”
I flinched at my own words. Good to me. Sure, if you overlooked the criminal empire and the murder.
“When do I get to meet this miracle man?” Megan asked, skepticism heavy in her voice.
“Soon,” I promised. “Maybe I can visit campus next month?”
“Or I could come to New York this weekend?”
“No!” I said too quickly. “I mean, not yet. We’re still settling in. Getting used to married life.”
Megan sighed. “I can’t believe you’re married. My big sister, married to a stranger.”
