Page 125 of Owned Bratva Bride

“Here,” he handed me a red leatherbound journal, “for whenever you’re ready.”

I examined the book, and the realization of what it was almost knocked the air out of my lungs.

Blank sheet music.

“Eduard,” I uttered, my voice shaky with the deepest amount of love and gratitude. “Thank you.”

He lifted my chin. “You don’t have to thank me, baby.”

He dropped a kiss on my forehead.

“I’ll leave you to your magic,” he disclosed before turning around.

My chest was heavy with emotion as I watched him leave.

Eduard’s actions touched a very deep part of me.

I never had anyone to believe in me as much as he did.

It was beyond what I could put into words to tell him, even if I tried.

But I knew what I could do. I would make sure the trust he put in me made him proud. Sooner or later.

Epilogue – Marielle

The soft amber lights made the piano shine even more. My dress, which flowed around me like a waterfall, boosted my confidence as my fingers glided over the keys. But the true source of my confidence was in the back. He was dressed in his usual black suit and white shirt, standing with his eyes fixed on me.

The look of unadulterated pride and love he gave me drove me higher than the impressed nods of the patrons hearing me play. I wasn’t just playing for them; I was pouring my heart into each stroke of the keys.

I glanced at him again, the love of my life, my protector, my husband. Away from the press and the chatter, he watched me like no one ever could. He knew the story behind my music, the story no member of the audience had the slightest idea of.

I expressed our shared struggles and joys without speaking a word. The sounds conveyed the ups and downs of our unconventional relationship. From the time I believed Lucien was coming to save me, to when I married for protection, and when I thought Eduard and I would never get a chance.

And he heard it all.

When the final note lingered in the air, deafening silence filled the room.

And then, all at once, the thundering sound of joined applause replaced the silence. Nods and cheers spread across the room.

When it all rolled over, I walked over to Eduard with a smile. He took my hand in his and kissed it. He pulled me out, toward the car.

As I pulled my heels off, I asked him, “How was it?”

“Baby, do you even have to ask me that? It gets better every time. I was stunned.”

“Thank you,” I answered. “Where are we going?”

“The countryside house is ready. It’s all ours now,” he informed, his lips curling up in a smile.

“Already? Thank you!” I gushed, throwing my arms around him.

“It’s my utmost pleasure, baby.”

I curled into his side as the car melded with the traffic.

The countryside house was nothing short of a dream come true. From the moment I set my eyes on the building, I had loved it. It was going to be our safe haven, away from the city, far from the noise.

I couldn’t wait to be there.