Chapter 3

A week ago…

Anya’s POV

Having five daughters and no son is the equivalent of being doomed as a Career politician in Russia, and if my father had known it would turn out this way, he might have adopted a son twenty years ago at least.

My father, Dmitri Sokolov, was hosting a gala for Moscow’s elites today; it was not unusual in my family. What was unusual was him summoning all of his daughters in the morning of that day.

He cleared his throat before he spoke. “For the past forty years since I took over from my father, I have protected this family and its interests, but now our enemies are growing stronger. The Barinov family is becoming a bigger threat with every rising sun and we cannot sit back and watch their power and influence grow unchecked.”

From the look in his eyes, I could tell my father, the ruthless power-hungry Oligarch was scared, and whatever scared Dmitri Sokolov would certainly put me in a wheelchair; that was how serious it was, but not to me.

I have never been one to concern myself with what goes on in the family, not after what happened to me four years ago. I try to live my life as far away from their activities as possible.

“…This is why I have decided to make a new alliance with the Vetrov family; one found through marriage.” My father continued.

“The Vetrov family? But they are our enemies, Father.” My eldest sister Katerina chirped in.

I sat upright immediately, not for the same reasons as my sister. Yes, the Vetrov family was our enemies, but father just casually announced arranging a marriage between our family and theirs.

Was he marrying Irina off to the enemy?

His first three daughters were married, it was just Irina and I. She was 23 and I was 21, so she was next in line to get married.

Turning to her beside me on the couch, I could already see the look of defeat in her eyes. Marrying into a Bratva family was punishment enough, but one that despised our family? That was equal to sentencing her to a life of hell.

“Yes, the Vetrovs are our enemies, but we share a common enemy now, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Luka Vetrov was murdered and so his brother is returning tonight to take over the family business, he is also Bratva. I have spoken to them and the returning younger son is interested in our offer; A wife in exchange for protection.” Father announced.

I recoiled at the mere thought of marrying a Vetrov; those monsters, I feel so bad for Irina.

“When he arrives today, your engagement to him will be announced at the gala, so you must wear something nice, Anya.”

I froze, slowly looking in confusion. At first I thought that father had mixed up our names again, he usually didn’t know which one of us was Irina and Anya, and what would you expect from a father who never has time for his kids?

But when I saw his eyes staring in my direction, I felt my heartbeat pause.

No, this can’t be.

“Me?” I muttered, pointing to myself.

“Yes Anya, you will be the bride. I have other responsibilities for your sister.”

“What? No way! You cannot be serious father!” I protested.

That was a foolish thing to say, my father was always serious.

“Quiet! You have had your fun, Anya. For the past few years, I let you do whatever you pleased; parties, university, New York. Now it is time for you to do something for your family and you will not shy away from your responsibilities.”

I stood up immediately. “My family? You mean your empire! Half of the times you don’t even know my name, and here you want to sell me off to your enemy and all for what?”

My father immediately walked over to me and slapped me right across the face. I held my sore cheek in shock; it is not like I didn’t see it coming. No one speaks to Dmitri Sokolov in that tone.

“This is not a debate you ungrateful child, be lucky I don’t feed you to the wild dogs for being so useless. Now you will go into your room and get one of your best dresses, put it on tonight and come out to meet your groom, is that clear?” he yelled.

I nodded, refusing to cry. And then I stormed off to my room, pain stinging in my heart. I could not believe it, I was a forced bride for a Bratva Kingpin whose first name I didn’t even know.

But this was the Mafia life, this was life as a politician’s daughter, this was life as a girl child. You don’t get a say in your own life, your story is written by the hands of other people.

Except I am not your average girl child, my father might be Dmitri Sokolov but he is not the only one with the Sokolov blood running through his veins, he wouldn’t get to have the final say.

Later that evening, I dressed up in a red flowy gown embroidered with beads. I walked into the room full of people, many with masks on their faces; a familiar sight.

My father’s gala glittered with cold charm; some of the most powerful men in Russia were here, with women dripping in diamonds paid for with dirty money. Not a single soul in here was innocent.

I saw father signal me to approach him and I dragged my legs to where he stood.

“Smile Anya, you are about to meet your future husband.” He said to me as he took my hand.

When a single muscle on my face didn’t move, he tightened his grip on my wrist and that was all the warning I needed to force a smile.

Father led me forward and my eyes soon caught sight of a man standing in a black suit with his back to us, he was speaking with another man who walked away the moment he saw us coming.

“Mr. Nikolai, please meet my daughter Anya, your future bride.” Father announced.

The man turned to face us, and right that moment, my smile faded and my blood iced. I knew him, not as Nikolai Vetrov but Vladimir Mikhail; Someone I never wished to set my eyes upon again.

This man standing right there ruined love for me; he was a man I swore to hate till my last breath.

T. B. C!