Page 19 of Marrying My Ex's Brother
Outside the tall windows, the estate grounds have been transformed. White flowers cover the arch near the garden steps. Rows of chairs face the lake behind the house. Men in black suits stand discreetly along the edges, pretending they are staff and not security.
Everything is controlled. Polished. Perfect.
Exactly the kind of wedding the Volkovs would allow.
My father stands near the door, watching me like I’m a successful investment. “You look beautiful,” he says.
For once, I almost believe he means it.
“Thank you.”
His eyes shine, but not with emotion. Relief, maybe. Pride. Greed. Something uglier.
“This is a good day for us, Anya.”
Us.
I turn back to the mirror and adjust my veil. “It’s my wedding day.”
“Yes,” he says quickly. “Of course.”
But we both know that’s not the only thing this is.
The door opens, and Galina Volkova enters without knocking.
Dmitri’s mother looks exactly the way she always does: immaculate, severe, and impossible to please. Her dark hair is pinned low at her neck. Her navy dress is simple enough to look tasteful and expensive enough to insult every other woman in the room.
Her eyes move over me slowly.
Not warmly. Never warmly.
“Leave us,” she says to my father.
Sergei hesitates for half a second, then bows his head and steps out.
I hate that he obeys her so quickly.
Galina waits until the door closes. Then she turns back to me. “The dress is acceptable.”
I look at her in the mirror. “That’s almost a compliment.”
Her mouth tightens. “You are joining the Volkov family today. This is not a day for childish remarks.”
I swallow my irritation. “Yes, Galina.”
“Mrs. Volkova,” she corrects.
Of course.
I turn to face her. “Mrs. Volkova.”
She steps closer and reaches for my veil, adjusting it though it does not need adjusting. “You are very pretty,” she says.
The words should feel kind. They don’t.
“In your case, that has done most of the work.”
My face warms. I keep my voice steady. “I’m aware beauty has value.”
