Page 67 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

"Briony, this isn't your fault." Winnie's voice softened. "You believed him because he made you think you could."

My phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with a new email. The sender's name stopped my breath. Varlam Petrov.

My heart forgot yesterday's injury, slamming against my ribs anyway.

He'd finally reached out. I shouldn't hope. Shouldn't believe. But the explanation I'd waited for yesterday suddenly had a narrow opening. Maybe he'd say the transfer was temporary. Maybe he'd ask why I hadn't come back.

Maybe—

I opened it.

"New Project: Wedding planning for Varlam Petrov and Miss Brinny Vasilieva. Submit preliminary proposal ASAP."

The world went quiet.

Winnie said my name. I heard nothing. Each word on the screen sat perfectly straight, black, emotionless. They arranged themselves into a sharp blade, slicing open yesterday's wound.

Another wedding.

My first planning job was for my ex-boyfriend and the friend I'd trusted most. I personally checked flowers, confirmed vows, adjusted seating, stood there while they exchanged rings. I thought that was the cruelest joke life could pull.

Clearly, I'd underestimated it.

Now I had to plan Varlam's wedding to the woman he actually loved. Choose their venue, design the processional. Confirm what lighting Varlam would stand under while watching another woman walk toward him.

My hands shook. The screen blurred. Those names melted together through my tears, mocking me for not even knowing my place.

"Hey." Winnie's voice cut through. "Why are you crying?"

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. I pushed the phone across the table. She read it, her face hardening.

"He wants you to plan their wedding?"

"I don't know how to do this." My voice came out raw.

I took a breath. My chest only got tighter.

Winnie grabbed napkins and shoved them at me.

"Then don't. Quit."

I looked up.

"This isn't the only job in the world." She was barely containing her anger. "He can't push you away and then force you to roll out their red carpet."

"If I quit, Rory and I won't even have a place to live." I clutched the napkin.

Varlam paid off my parents' debt, but life with Rory hadn't gotten easier.

Winnie froze.

"Then move in with me." Her tone was decisive. "My place is small, but it'll fit you both."

I looked at her. She was barely getting by herself, but didn't hesitate to offer help. The suffocating pressure in my chest finally cracked open. I still had Rory. I still had Winnie. I couldn't let this break me.

I looked back at my phone. That email still sat there, cold.

"Forget it." I wiped my eyes. "I'll treat this like a goodbye ceremony."