Page 59 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

I'm struck by their journey—once enemies, now inseparable—and it gives me hope. Mark and I have our own obstacles to overcome, but if my parents found their way together, maybe we still have a chance, too.

Their words echo in my mind long after we say our goodbyes and hang up. Is Mark worth fighting for? I'm not sure. But as I sit there in the gathering dusk, my phone clutched tightly in my hand, I know one thing for certain: I can't keep running from my feelings forever.

But to face whatever I feel head-on, I have to first be honest with myself and the world.

***

The breeze whispers through the cafe's open windows as I wait nervously for Lara, shredding a paper napkin into smaller and smaller pieces. I've never been more grateful for her friendship than in this moment, when I desperately need a listening ear outside of the situation with Mark, even if it is with Mark’s sister. Besides, she deserves the truth.

The tinkling bell over the door announces her arrival. I stand automatically, almost knocking over my chair.

“Hey, sorry I'm late,” Lara says breezily, pulling me into a quick hug before sitting across from me. Her bright smile fades as she takes in my tense posture. “What's going on? You said it was important and Mark’s been acting strange...”

I don’t beat around the bush. Instead, I take a deep breath, folding and refolding my hands. “You know how we told you Mark and I got engaged?”

Lara nods, her expression sharpening with concern.

“Well, I haven't been completely honest about how it happened.” I force myself to maintain eye contact, even as shame burns through me. “Charlie Letvin had his eye on me and suggested that it would be safer for me if I belonged to him. But I never dreamed we’d... that I'd...” I trail off helplessly.

“Oh, Honey!” Lara takes my hand and motions for the waiter. “Two coffees and the largest slice of chocolate cake you have.”

The waiter hurries away, and Lara turns to me. “Chocolate always helps.”

Her kindness almost kills me. “Lara, I’m so sorry. We lied to you all, let you all believe…”

“No, no, Quinn,” Lara's voice is firm. “You don't have to apologize. I understand why you did what you did. Mark can be...overbearing at times and have the strangest plans and convince you to go along with them, but I've seen the way he looks at you. And let me tell you, eyes don't lie.”

The coffee and cake arrive, providing a welcome distraction. We sit in silence for a moment, sipping our drinks.

Then, Lara leans in, her green eyes serious. “Quinn, listen. I know what it must have cost you to tell me all this. But you need to remember something—Charlie might have forced your hand into this fake engagement, but that doesn't change how you and Mark feel about each other. You've been through so much together already. I can see how whatever is happening between you is affecting him.”

“I moved out,” I whisper in confession.

“No wonder,” she clutches her heart. “We’re all worried about him… and now, I’m worried for you too, Lara. I’ve known my brother a long time, and the way he is around you, I’ve never seen him that way.”

“Are you certain?” I ask, with raw desperation. If there’s anyone who would know, it’s his sister. It’s Lara.

“I won’t lie to you, Sweetheart. There’s nothing I could gain from it,” she says with brutal honesty.

Something about her words makes me feel like a fog has lifted. She’s right. There’s no reason for her to lie. Lara has been nothing but brutally honest from the beginning. If she believes I truly mean something to Mark and sees that he feels the same way about me, she’s simply calling an apple an apple.

As we finish the last bites of chocolate cake, I feel a sense of determination settling over me. Lara's unwavering support,coupled with her insight into Mark's feelings, has given me a newfound strength. I can't keep hiding from the truth, especially not from Mark.

“Lara,” I begin, setting down my fork with newfound resolve. “Thank you for listening, for understanding... for everything.”

She smiles warmly at me, her eyes reflecting genuine care as she extends a hand. I let out a shaky breath, gripping Lara's hand like a lifeline. Her reassurance is a balm to my battered spirit.

“I've been so confused,” I confess. “Pushing Mark away because I didn't trust what we had. But hearing you say that...it gives me hope.”

Lara smiles. “The heart wants what it wants. Don't overthink it.” She tilts her head. “Although with his reputation, I can understand your hesitation.”

I nod ruefully. “Mark's not exactly known for commitment. But when we're together, it feels different. Real in a way I can't explain.”

“Then trust that.” Lara squeezes my hand. “Give him—give yourself—a chance. You both deserve to find out if this is something more.”

Her words resonate through me, a truth I've been avoiding. Mark and I have something unique, something worth nurturing. I've been letting fear hold me back, but no more.

I meet Lara's earnest gaze. “You're right. I'm going to call him.” Saying it out loud fortifies my resolve. “I need to tell him how I feel, and find out if he's willing to try again—for real this time.”

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