Chapter 12: Wren

My heart was racing in my heaving chest as I stood in front of the full-length mirror, dressed up in my expensive white lace gown. The woman looking back at me was a beauty to behold; the maids had transformed me into this elegant goddess.

But beyond the physical beauty, my heart was bleeding from the way my life had taken a drastic turn for the worse. I was yet to come to terms with my new reality; everything was happening so fast, and it seemed almost impossible to keep up.

Never in a million years would I have thought about this—getting married to a man I barely knew, let alone one who kidnapped me and kept me prisoner in his house. I knew Afanasy reveled in watching me suffer, but I didn't think he'd go this far.

However, he wasn't the one I blamed.

This was all Harrison's fault.

I would never have been caught in Afanasy's web of cruelty if Dad hadn't involved himself with the Bratva.

My brows furrowed at the thought of him, and my jaw tightened as a pang of vexation swelled up within me. I'd always wanted to hate him for being such an asshole but couldn't. However, that wasn't the case today.

Harrison Everett had finally managed to turn me against him for this single act of abandonment. None of his previous bad behavior toward me could be compared to this; none had hurt me the way this one did.

It had been way over a month since Afanasy had captured me and reached out to Harrison; it was that long since he fled the country.

Was that how little he cared for me? Did he ever really care to begin with?

He’d subjected me to this life of emotional torment, and I would always blame him for as long as I lived.

My blood boiled with anger, and a hint of blazing fury danced in the depths of my eyes as I discreetly balled a fist.

The soft zip of my dress being closed behind me pierced through my thoughts, Martha's gentle tug on the zipper reminding me of her presence.

“There. Perfect.” She snuck a peak behind my back, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror in front of us. “You look divine, Miss Wren. I'm sure heads will turn when you walk down the aisle.” Her face lit up with a bright smile.

I heaved a sigh, my lips twitching to force out a grin. “Thanks, Martha.”

For a brief moment, there was silence in the room until she broke it. “He's doing this for you, you know.”

My brows knitted together, a puzzled expression settling on my face. Afanasy did say that my debt was settled because I was his fiancée, but I hadn't given it that much thought ever since.

She circled back to my front, her eyes boring deeply into mine. “I know you probably hate him for forcing you to marry him.”

You're not far from the truth , I thought, watching her expression go softer and softer as she spoke.

Martha continued, “But trust me, Miss Wren. That was the only way to save your life.” Her voice was gentle and awkwardly comforting. “Afan knew what the Bratva would do to you. He knew what horrible fate you'd have to face, so he did what he had to do to save you.”

A lump formed in my throat as I felt my resistance fading, my pounding heart steadying at Martha's explanation.

She placed a consoling palm on my cheek, her eyes never leaving mine. “Because he wanted to keep you alive, and in one piece, he found a loophole in the rules.” She flashed a faint smile. “He knew that members of the Tarasov family were not considered debtors to the Bratva—they're way above that.” She paused, letting the words sink in.

I had a pretty good idea where she was going with this, and somehow, this realization sent a warmth spreading across my chest, thawing the frost around my heart.

“So, in order to keep you safe from the punishment without breaking the rules, he decided to bring you into the family,” she declared, her voice laced with a hint of pride. “That way, your debt will be settled, and you will be untouchable—not to mention you'll be his wife.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she cackled. “Basically, he'll be killing two birds with one stone.”

The fortress around my heart quaked. Its foundations weakened, letting emotions seep in. I hadn’t thought Afanasy cared so much about me, but clearly, he did, which was more than my own father had ever done.

I might not be in complete agreement with his methods, but at least he made an effort to protect me.

Shit!

He’d saved my life.

The realization kicked in, sending tremors through my core. My breath caught and then released as though I'd been holding it forever.

This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me. It was twisted and messed up in more ways than one, but it was still nice.

I was alive today, clad in this beautiful and expensive wedding dress, because one man thought my life was worth saving. And in an instant, my emotions went from pain and resentment to gratitude and a little touch of guilt.

My eyes misted, simmering with unshed tears as my shoulders relaxed, releasing the tension I'd held for so long.

“Try not to hate him, Miss Wren.” Martha's gentle voice cut through my thoughts again. “If anything…I think you should be grateful.”

I swallowed, my breathing slow and steady as I let out a soft sigh. “Thank you for telling me this, Martha.” My tone was laced with sincerity.

She beamed, her voice playful. “You're welcome, Miss Wren…or should I say…Mrs. Tarasov.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her brows wiggling.

An abrupt laugh burst out of me, my body flooding with emotions.

There was a knock on the door that stole our attention. It creaked open, and from the entrance, Mary, clad in a lovely blue dress like Martha's, stuck her head out. “They're ready for the bride.” Her smile was as soft as a whisper, barely audible but deeply felt.

Martha returned her gaze to me, a melancholic grin touching her lips. “It's time.”

I heaved a heavy sigh, preparing myself for the lifetime promise I was about to make.

_____________

Standing at the altar before Afanasy and the priest, my initial confidence was overshadowed by nervousness. At the last minute, my legs turned to jelly, lips quivering as the tremor sprinting through me vibrated my core.

My heart was threatening to explode from my chest, my eyes immediately misting at the myriad of thoughts and emotions that overwhelmed me.

It wasn't like I was harboring second thoughts. No. I was just nervous, especially at how long “forever” was. Saying “I do” would mean sealing my fate for all eternity; my heart, my life, and my body would all belong to Afanasy. He'd be my husband, my Lord, and the head over me. Of course, I was bound to be nervous—any woman in my shoes would be.

In his eyes was a flicker of uncertainty—as though he was unsure of what my response would be. It looked like my hesitation to answer had seized his breath for a fleeting moment.

The way his shoulders subtly relaxed after I said, “I do,” was a testament to how much he was banking on me saying those words.

There was something beautiful about the way he was looking at me, and it caused my cheeks to flush, creating butterflies in my stomach. He looked so handsome in that impeccably tailored suit and perfect hair.

My tension was starting to ease, a faint smile finding its way to my lips, when I heard that familiar voice that stole my breath away immediately.

“Dad?” My brows arched in a mix of shock and surprise.

“I have your money. Now let my daughter go!” he declared, rushing down the aisle with hasty footsteps.

He was holding up a briefcase, his voice commanding attention.

Afanasy's face contorted into a deadly sneer, his eyes blazing with fury. His fingers clenched into fists as he growled at Harrison. “How dare you?” His scowl deepened, his voice a low, menacing whisper.

“I'm saving my daughter from you!” Dad declared, his voice firm and courageous. “Take your money and leave her the fuck alone.” He tossed the case on the fine marble floor and kicked it toward Afanasy.

Murmurs rose from the crowd as our guests exchanged glances. Afanasy's men revealed their weapons, three of them heading toward Harrison with mean expressions on their faces.

They seized him by the arms as he struggled against their strength. “Let go of me! Wren!” he shouted.

I flicked my hand in the air, and for some reason, Afanasy's men let him go. Later, I'd take some time to think about how good it felt to command their respect with a single gesture. But right now, there was no time to be surprised. I had to put an end to this once and for all.

Afanasy's gaze lingered, probably wondering what I was up to or maybe even curious to find out.

I turned to face my dad, who was looking around, a little shocked by the stunt I'd just pulled. “Sweetheart, come on. Let's get outta here,” he said, his tone dripping with affection as he beckoned me.

I looked him dead in the eye and said, my voice cold and stern, “No.”

His eyes widened, shock dancing their depths. “Wh…what…what?” The disbelief in his tone couldn't be any more glaring.

“Did I stutter?” I asked, my expression blank. “I said no.”

Dad stumbled backward as though my words of rejection had struck him like a powerful blow. He blinked rapidly, his eyes misting as he stared at me, breath lodged in his throat.

“You don't get to show up out of the blue after abandoning me for more than a month and dictate what I should or should not do,” I spat those venomous words that seeped into his very core. “You no longer have that right…Dad.” That last word was laced with sarcasm.

His breathing became jagged, hard to catch, as his blinking eyes roamed the church as if to quantify the number of people I'd denied him in front of.

“Sweetheart…it's me…it's Dad,” he said, taking gentle steps forward, his soft tone dripping with pain and hurt.

Whatever agony my words must have inflicted on him was nothing compared to what he'd made me feel in times past. It was high time I stood up for myself and put an end to his reign of abandonment.

“It's too late to play the role of a caring father, Harrison. You had so many chances to do that, but you blew them all.” I paused, letting my words sink into his bones.

He shook his head, pleading with his eyes, but I wasn't going to fall for his tactics anymore. He'd fooled me so many times, but not today.

He’d probably borrowed this money from another dangerous man, which only meant that sooner or later, trouble would come knocking. I made up my mind that I wouldn't be there when that happened.

I was done.

“Take your money and leave,” I said to him, ignoring the tears streaming down his cheeks. Hurts, doesn't it? That's how it feels . “Nobody wants you here. You're not welcome.”

Dad staggered as though his legs could no longer carry his weight, his arms reaching for the nearest pew, searching for support.

I returned my gaze to Afanasy, my lips curling into a genuine smile. I'd rather be with the man who went out of his way to save my life than return to a man who, for years, had brought me nothing but pain and hurt. At least with Afanasy, I knew that I was safe.

“Take him away,” Afan ordered his men, flicking his wrist in Harrison's direction.

“No, let go of me!” He struggled against their restraints but to no avail. “Wren, please, don't do this. Please…!” His voice faded as they dragged him out of the church.

Someone from the crowd clapped once, twice, and on the third, the others began clapping, too, as though applauding a performance well done.

Afanasy's eyes sparkled with mischief, a smirk twitching on the corners of his lips.

The priest cleared his throat, his gaze lingering on the both of us. “In the absence of any other interruption,” he began, his voice echoing through the building, “with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The assembly erupted into a heavy round of applause and cheers as Afanasy pulled me to himself, his lips meeting mine in a tender, passionate kiss.

My heart swelled with emotion, my fingertips tingling at the sensation that coursed through me like jolts of electricity.

This was my first kiss, and it felt surprisingly good—so good, in fact, that it left me breathless, wanting more.

I opened my eyes, staring into the depths of his and wondering if I'd just made the right choice.