Page 144 of Married to My Sis’s Bratva Fiancé

The makeup artist's brush froze against my cheek.

"His shoulder has already healed."

"Perfect. Makes it easier. I can break both."

"You can't take him."

Olga snorted. "He would dare hit back?"

I pictured Kiryan getting chewed out by her and almost laughed, but the burn hit my eyes first. Everyone had acted like they were waiting for me to crack. Even the schedule Feodor had sent over had said: if the bride loses control emotionally, they can delay fifteen minutes.

Three weeks ago, I had said yes at my art show. After that, the venue, the guest list, the music, the dress, all of it had been mine to pick. He had only asked about the number of guards. I had said it was enough, and he had pulled half his men anyway. For Kiryan, that had been the same as taking off a bulletproof vest and walking into a crowd.

I had chosen a gown that didn't scream for attention. I had slipped on the ring Kiryan had given me.

Olga stared at the dress, her lip trembling.

"You're gonna cry again."

"Bullshit." She mashed the handkerchief to her nose. "Wind is strong."

A knock sounded at the door.

"Seamus Rossi."

My smile faded.

The second I heard my father's voice, my shoulders still tightened on instinct.

Olga didn't open the door. She just looked at me.

She waited for my call.

That tiny pause straightened my spine.

"Let him in."

My father walked in alone. His gray-white hair looked like it had taken on another layer of frost. Isabella's death hadn't made him kinder. It had only cracked the stone, just a little.

He saw me and stopped.

Before, he always found what was wrong with me first, like me simply standing there could damage the Rossi name.

Today, he looked for a long time.

"You look beautiful."

My fingers curled.

That praise came too late. It still landed anyway.

"Thank you."

Before Olga left, she reminded him in a voice loud enough to shake the walls. "The bride goes out in ten minutes. Today, nothing matters more than her."

My father's jaw tightened. "I know."

After the door shut, he kept pressing with silence. I didn't break it. In the end, he did.