Page 128 of Owned By the Bratva Christmas Devil

My hands trembled as I opened it. Inside lay a vintage diamond-and-emerald necklace—elegant,old-world.

"It was Igor's mother's," the old Don said. "Before she died, she asked me to give it to Igor's wife. Now I pass it to you. It belongs to you."

My eyes burned. "Thank you."

He waved it off. That night, the four of us ate quietly. The old Don said little, but every time he looked at Stella, his eyes were soft.

After he left, I leaned into Igor.

"Your father wasn't what I expected," I said.

"He's changed a lot," Igor answered. "These five years did things to him. He lost everything and finally learned what family is."

"I'm glad he understood," I said. "Stella and Nikolai need a grandfather."

"We all needed family," he said, kissing me. "And you are the most important part of mine."

THE END