All Chapters of His Brother's Bride To-Be : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

90 Chapters

Chapter Ten

THE BRIDE OF THE CENTURY••Luciana••The mirror throws my reflection back at me like a joke I never agreed to. I asked firmly and clearly for something simple. A soft curl here, a light touch of makeup there. Something that said I’m present, not I’m the main attraction in a royal circus.Yet here I stand, looking like the bride of the century.My hair glimmers in sculpted waves, pinned with pearls I don’t remember approving. My dress shimmers like moonlit water. My lips carry a shade too bold for my taste. If my mother were alive, she would have strutted into the room, clucked her tongue, snapped her fingers, and told them all exactly what to do.A tug crosses my chest. I miss her today more than I’ve missed her in years.I lift my chin and breathe. This is my duty, the princess no one refuses. Today I have to play the role they need me to. After tonight, I leave Sicily behind and step into Russia’s icy breath, into a life already decided for me.A soft knock, then Matteo slips inside

Chapter Eleven

AISLE OF TWO STRANGERS ••Luciana••The music drifts through the hall like warm smoke, lingering softly and slowly, drawing every gaze in my direction. My fingers clutch the arms of the two individuals I personally selected for this occasion—Matteo to my left and Antonio to my rightThe one thing I decided myself for this wedding without needing anyone's consent, and yes, my wedding dress too.If anyone was going to walk me down this aisle, it would be the two men who shaped my life far more than mere family ties ever could. Matteo supports me with a calm strength, while Antonio's hand vibrates beneath mine, yet his jaw is set with determination, ready to fight the world for my sake.The aisle seems to stretch on infinitely before me. All eyes are fixed on me—some filled with curiosity, others tinged with judgment, and a few wearing those insincere, sly smiles that mafia families often use to feign warmth.My smile feels rehearsed, while my heart seems to be absent from the moment.I t

Chapter Twelve

THE MOMENT I SAW HER••Roman••What a day!The words settled in my mind as I sank into the chair in my study, rubbing my face with both hands. The house is quiet now. Too quiet, it is the kind of quiet that makes your thoughts walk louder.My head still carried the noise of everything that happened today, yet the image that refused to fade was Luciana walking down the aisle. She looked breathtaking in a way that punched the air out of my chest. Not in the polished, perfect way people talk about brides. More like she carried her own weather, with a calm face and steady steps. Those eyes that never let you read what she feels unless she wants you to.Something flickered inside me at that moment. Warm. Unfamiliar. Unwelcome. I still didn’t know what name to give it.Then came the kiss. Her lips looked soft in a dangerous way, the kind that could pull a man into believing foolish things. I kissed her quickly on purpose. If I lingered even a second, it would feel like I was taking somethi

Chapter Thirteen

WALKING INTO SILENCE ••Luciana••For the first time, I woke up as Luciana Orlov.The name tasted strange in my mouth. It is too new and too heavy. It felt like slipping into a dress someone else tailored, hoping it fits with time.I pushed myself up on the bed and stared at the ceiling. What will my life look like from now on? No more lazy mornings where I waited for breakfast like a pampered princess. No more tagging along with Father to meetings, pretending to be interested in business deals just to annoy his men.No more spontaneous ice cream runs with Antonio.No more loud club nights that Matteo always pretended he didn’t enjoy.No more shopping sprees where I lost track of my own footsteps.A quiet sigh escaped me.“I need to shop soon for this new environment,” I muttered. “Before I die of boredom.”My phone buzzed against the nightstand. The screen lit up with messages.Matteo:Did you sleep at all? Text me when you wake.Antonio:Send me a picture. If they stress you, I’ll f

Chapter Fourteen

WHERE IS LUCIANA?•• Roman••“Fear is a strange thing. It hit me before anger did.”The moment the maid told me Luciana’s bed was empty, I felt an unsettling sensation wash over me, like the earth had suddenly opened up beneath me. Theo stood next to me, poised and ready for orders, but I was momentarily paralyzed, my mind racing with a single thought: “Where could she be? Did she get scared and run off?”The emptiness of the room echoed in my thoughts, it was just so hauntingly silent.My mother’s voice echoed down the hallway, calling for her. Mildred stumbled into view, her hair messy from sleep, casually asking if Luci had stepped out for a walk. Yet, nobody bought that story, not even for a second.I was determined not to let panic spread through the house, so I urged everyone to stay calm, even though my heart was pounding so hard I felt it could crack my ribs. Theo and I dashed towards the surveillance room—I needed answers. I had to find out when she left and who had allowed h

Chapter Fifteen

THE WRONG FIRST DAY••Luciana••I managed to navigate my way back to the room, but my legs felt strange, as if they no longer belonged to me. Roman's outburst echoed in my mind, harsh and loud. Since the engagement meetings started, he had hardly exchanged more than a few words with me—just four words here, two there, always delivered in a clipped, controlled manner. And today, when he finally strung together complete sentences, it was only to raise his voice at me.My inaugural day as an Orlov had crumbled before it even got going. The morning was tinged with bitterness, and I felt a tightness in my chest. This whole mess wouldn't have unfolded if it weren't for that relentless message. Who was behind it? Who found amusement in yanking me around like a puppet? What on earth did they want? Why was Pier Twelve involved again? And why me?I would fill Matteo and Antonio in later; they'd have a way of extracting the truth from anyone, even the devil, if need be. But for now, all I craved

Chapter Sixteen

SETTLING INTO THE ORLOVS LIFE ••Luciana••The door creaked open, stirring me from sleep, and Roman walked in without even sparing me a glance. His focus was entirely on the wardrobe, where he busily packed a few essentials: clothes, documents… Perhaps a suit. Or even two. I remained still, feigning sleep while my mind absorbed every detail.The bed was big enough for two people who didn’t particularly like each other, yet he still opted for the study. Maybe he needed space. Maybe he wanted silence, or maybe he simply didn’t care. Regardless of the reason, the room felt more expansive and emptier than Sicily ever had.He gently closed the door behind him, but the silence he left behind felt heavier than the sound.Eventually, I forced myself to get up, splashed water on my face until the morning chill melted away, combed my hair into a decent state, and slipped into a simple dress. Each movement felt mechanical, yet I pushed through it until I could breathe without feeling like the wal

Chapter Seventeen

THREADS BETWEEN US••Roman••New York had a way of swallowing noise, even amidst its deafening chaos. Cars blared, curses flew, and the weight of towering buildings created an aching groan, yet my thoughts drifted elsewhere.Luciana.I stood at the hotel window with my phone in hand, I found my thumb poised over her contact. It was a moment of pointless hesitation that gripped me more firmly than I cared to admit. I often felt the urge to send something simple, something like:Are you settling in? Did you eat?How ridiculous and weak. This was not behavior befitting an Orlov heir.So, each time, I locked the screen and tucked the phone away, convincing myself it wasn’t necessary. I had assigned one of my security guards to keep an eye on her from afar and send me updates.Logic told me that was sufficient. Emotion… well, I chose not to indulge that notion.His reports came in few times. The first time, he mentioned she barely spoke at breakfast. The next day, he said she spent hours in

Chapter Eighteen

PLAYING WIFE “You didn’t check the time?”Roman’s voice hit the air like a cold drop of water on hot skin. I jerked my eyes from the laptop screen to him—tall, perfectly sculpted, framed by the doorway like a very expensive problem.My eyes darted to the digital clock pulsating near my files. 5:00 p.m. Already.Of course.“I’ll get dressed in a bit,” I mumbled, closing the laptop, even though Sapphire Lounge’s financial troubles echoed in my mind, lost funds, feuding staff, a creeping destruction gnawing at the place my father once nonchalantly tossed into conversation like a random gift. I’m putting that lounge under your name, Luci…you’ll understand its importance someday.Someday had arrived without warning, claws out.I stood from the bed and moved to the closet, pulling out dresses until a small war zone formed on the floor. Finally, I found something worthy—a rich wine satin gown with a daring slit and gentle draping that hugged my waist. It exuded class with a hint of edge;

Chapter Nineteen

THE RESTROOM AMBUSH••Luciana••My heart raced in my chest ever since Roman's fingers brushed against mine, and the longer I lingered in that hall, the more suffocating my surroundings became.“I’m… heading to the restroom,” I said, striving to keep my voice steady. He gave a brief nod, already diverting his gaze elsewhere, and I slipped away before my racing pulse could betray my anxiety.The restroom was eerily quiet—too quiet for comfort.Bathed in soft golden light, with polished marble underfoot and the faint echo of my heels, I approached the sink, turned on the tap, and splashed cool water onto my face. The sudden chill brought a momentary relief, though it was only temporary.I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror—flushed cheeks, my eyes sparkling with tension.“What’s happening to me?” I whispered to myself.Though my breathing steadied, the unease lingered.A subtle shift in the atmosphere made the hair on my arms stand on end, as if the room had exhaled behind me.Som

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