Page 1 of Married to the Bratva

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SOPHIE

This isn’t how a wedding day is supposed to feel: trapped in a grimy bathroom, wrestling with a dress that’s trying to choke the life out of me.

My phone buzzes on the sink, a welcome distraction from the cheap lace biting into my skin. I grab it and wedge it against my ear. “Hi, Grandma.”

“Oh, Sophie!” Her voice crackles with excitement. “You’ll never guess. I think my doctor is flirting with me.”

“Grandma…” I let out a breath, tugging uselessly at the neckline. “You’ve said that about every doctor since you checked in. The whole hospital can’t be in love with you.”

“This one’s different,” she insists. “He asked if I was single.”

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “And what did you say?”

“I told him I’m too old for a relationship, but if he’s interested in a one-night stand, he knows my room number.” She lets out a laugh, wheezing slightly. “But I warned him—he’ll have to be on top. My leg’s still healing.”

“Grandma!” I groan, half-laughing despite myself. “Did you just call to traumatize me?”

“I called to ask if you’re really going through with it.” Her laughter fades, replaced by a softness that lands like a punch.

I glance at my reflection, at the red marks the lace has left gouged in my neck. “Heading to the courthouse soon,” I say lightly. “Just a quick ceremony. No big fuss. You know how Evan is—practical.”

“Practical.” The word drips from her mouth like poison. “Is that why no one’s invited? Just you and him, like it’s some back-alley deal?”

“Lila’s coming as my witness.”

“Oh, wonderful. Let me talk to her. Maybe she can explain why she’s letting you ruin your life.”

“She’s busy helping Evan with his tie while I fix my dress.”

“And Evan? Is he bringing anyone to this shotgun wedding? A friend? A witness? A stray dog?”

Her words slice clean, hitting their mark. “It’s not a big deal, Grandma,” I say, forcing a smile into my voice. “Evan says it’s the marriage that matters, not the wedding.”

There’s a long silence before she speaks, her voice quiet. “You don’t have to make your mom’s mistake. Or mine. Don’t be the third generation to get stuck with an asshole.”

I stiffen, the weight of her words pressing into my chest. “He’s not an asshole,” I snap, too quickly.

“Really? What do you call a man who’ll only fund your business if you agree to marry him?”

“A good man?”

Her laugh is sharp and humorless. “Oh, Sophie. Just because you don’t believe in love doesn’t mean you should settle for the first guy with a fat wallet.”

“I never said I don’t believe in love,” I mutter.

“It’s true though, isn’t it?” she counters. “You’ve been chasing security ever since your dad ran out. But this isn’t security,Sophie. It’s a cage. What would your mother say if she were still here?”

I clench my jaw, the familiar ache of bitterness flaring. “Probably ask me where she could score her next fix.”

Her sharp intake of breath stabs at my resolve. “She’d tell you not to make her mistake.”

“Yeah? And what am I supposed to do, Grandma? Believe in fairy tales? In soulmates?” My voice rises, trembling with anger I don’t fully understand. “They don’t exist. Dad left us. Mom overdosed. That’s what love gets you.”

Her sigh is long and heavy, the kind that lingers long after it’s gone. “I just don’t want you to do something you’ll regret, sweetie. The right man is out there. I know he is. But it’s not Evan, trust me.”

“Look, I’ve got to go,” I say quickly, desperate to end the conversation before the crack in my voice becomes a fissure. “I’ll call you after the ceremony.”

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