Page 132 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

The rain stopped ten minutes before the ceremony. The clouds split open, and golden light pushed through wet branches, falling on the stone path lined with white flowers. The glass conservatory had been abandoned for years—broken glass, rusted frames. When I first visited, everyone said it wasn't right for a wedding.

But I loved it.

It wasn't perfect. The old frames still showed repair marks, and not every glass panel was new. But when sunlight came through, those cracks and seams split the light into countless tiny colors.

Like us.

Not without scars.

Just that the scars no longer decided the ending.

I didn't let anyone give me away to Varlam. When the ceremony started, I walked the first half of the stone path holding Rory's hand. His palm was sweaty, but his back stayed straight. At the center, he stopped and carefully kissed my cheek.

"His turn now," he said.

From the other end, Varlam walked toward me.

The guests' murmurs faded.

He wore a black suit, shoulders broad, silver-gray hair combed back.

His right hand clenched and released at his side, the stiff pinky slightly curled. This man who'd faced guns without flinching—two steps away from me, his breathing stumbled.

I extended my hand. He took it.

His palm burned.

"You're three seconds late," I whispered.

"I was making sure this wasn't a dream."

"You'll still have those dreams after we're married?"

"Every day."

My nose stung.

He hadn't waited at the finish line for me to walk to him.

He'd come to the middle of the path.

This was the most important design in my entire wedding.

And his best answer to me.

Gleb sat in the front row, face still stern. Makar beside him raised his glass. Rory winked at me, as if the wedding's success was all his doing.

The officiant asked us to exchange vows.

Varlam pulled out a folded paper but didn't open it.

"I prepared something long," he said. "But she doesn't like bullshit."

"Correct," I said.

His thumb brushed my knuckles.

"Briony, I can't promise your life will never have danger. Can't promise to become someone else. I'll still worry, still get jealous, still want to solve problems before they happen."