Page 110 of Auctioned to My Bratva Boss

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and didn't answer.

But I could feel him smiling too.

Was this what happiness felt like?

I used to think a girl like me—worthless, with nothing—was only ever meant to hide in corners, looking up at the light from a distance.

I never imagined that one day, the light would walk right up to me, bend down, and pull me completely into its embrace.

Chapter Thirty

Riley

The night before the wedding, Evelyn called me.

"Babe, this is your last night as a single woman." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper on the other end. "Let me take you out. We haven't had a girls' night in forever."

We ended up at a cozy bar downtown.

Dim amber lighting, smooth jazz drifting through the air.

Who would've thought? Here I was, the night before my wedding, tucked into a booth with Evelyn, swapping secrets like we used to years ago.

Honestly, I'd barely lifted a finger for this wedding—the one that was about to dominate every media headline.

The venue, the guest list, security protocol, even that fancy gold script on the invitations—Matvey had handled every last detail. I'd figured I'd at least get to pick out my own wedding dress, but he'd taken care of that too.

Dozens of custom-fitted gowns from top designers now hung in my walk-in closet at the manor, just waiting for me to try them on at my leisure.

"You just need to look beautiful and walk toward me. I'll take care of the rest," he'd said.

Now my biggest problem was deciding which dress to wear tomorrow. The kind of problem I never would've dreamed of having before.

"You should see yourself right now," Evelyn said, swirling her drink. "You're practically glowing. Nothing like that little intern I used to know."

"You're exaggerating."

"Am I? Remember when you bought me those imported supplements and lived on instant noodles for a week? You nearly passed out from low blood sugar in the subway station."

I hadn't expected her to bring that up. Those days were brutal. I'd stayed up night after night staring at medical bills, convinced I'd never crawl out of that hole.

"That's all behind us now." I reached over and squeezed her hand.

Her hand was warm and strong. Not cold and frail like when she was sick.

"Yeah. We made it through." Evelyn's eyes glistened, but she blinked hard, forcing the tears back.

She raised her glass. I lifted my alcohol-free soda water and clinked it against hers.

"For those two little ones in there, I'm drinking for both of us tonight." She winked, then sighed. "My baby sister's getting married tomorrow. God, I wish Mom and Dad could see this."

My throat tightened. I took a quick sip, swallowing down the wave of emotion. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration. I wasn't about to ruin my makeup.

We were deep in conversation when some random guy wandered over with two drinks. Loud shirt, cocky smirk.

"Hey there, beautiful. Mind if I buy you a drink?" He slid right into the seat beside me.

Evelyn whistled.