Page 47 of Married to My Sis’s Bratva Fiancé

He stepped toward her. "Why did you come back?"

"Was I not supposed to?" Tears slid down Isabella's cheeks. "I thought I could forget you. I couldn't."

The guests kept their faces polite, but their eyes fed on it—sharp, hungry, gleeful. A bride swapped at the last minute. Isabella vanishing, then returning in full view. They'd dine out on this for months.

Isabella turned her gaze on me.

"Elena. Congratulations. You got everything."

"The wedding was Father's arrangement." My voice stayed steady even as my nails dug into my palm. "After you left, things happened fast."

"I knew." She nodded gently. "That night, I saw you in the hallway, coming out of Kiryan's room. You told me to leave with dignity. I thought..." She looked up, soft and wounded. "I thought Kiryan had let you tell me. That was why I went abroad."

The lie slid out of her mouth smooth as silk. Sweet enough to swallow.

Kiryan didn't speak. His eyes stayed on Isabella. Days ago he'd said he'd trust me, but the second she appeared, he looked like he was slipping.

"I never said that to you," I said, calm as ice. "And I never forced you to leave."

My denial seemed to sting her. She gave a bitter little smile. "Maybe. But back then I barely slept. After I left, I bounced from city to city. I didn't dare call anyone. I didn't dare ask about Kiryan. I thought if I got far enough away, everyone would breathe easier."

She painted herself as the cleanest victim in the room. Kiryan flicked a glance at me, and the hesitation in his eyes punched right into my ribs.

"You don't have to explain," Isabella said softly. "And don't worry—I didn't come back to steal Kiryan. I just... every day out there, I knew more and more that I still love him. I only wanted to see him once. To make sure he is okay. If he chooses you, I'll leave."

She sounded so gentle, like she was the one who'd been shattered and still decided to be gracious.

Kiryan bought it.

"We need to talk. Alone." He dropped the words and led her out of the ballroom.

I told myself he just needed the truth. He'd promised—he wouldn't let other people define me, he wouldn't convict me before I spoke, he'd learn how to be a real husband.

I should've believed him.

But their backs as they walked away made panic claw at my throat.

I couldn't keep hosting. My feet moved before my brain caught up, chasing after them.

At the end of the hall, the terrace door sat slightly ajar. Isabella's muffled sobs slipped through the crack.

"I regretted it every day," she said. "I missed you, Kiryan. I never stopped loving you."

I stood in the shadows and watched Isabella grab his jacket.

"Isabella," he said her name low, no emotion giving him away. "You shouldn't have left like that."

"I knew." Her crying grew heavier. "I wanted to come back every day, but I was scared you didn't want me anymore." She swallowed a sob. "I told myself leaving was right. That you'd forget me eventually. I tried, Kiryan. I really tried."

"Don't make this worse."

"It already got worse the night you and Elena slept together." Her voice snapped. "Just tell me you don't feel anything for me anymore, and I'll go. Right now."

Kiryan didn't answer.

Isabella stared at him. "See? You still love me."

She rose on her toes, leaning in to kiss him.