The brothers had done their grieving the day before, the moment they received the news. There was nothing more to be done- their grandfather had been well into old age and had lived a long, full life. Still, it was painful to watch the once commanding man, who had loved life with such ferocity, carried along the narrow path in a coffin, soon to be lowered into a depth from which there was no return.
The Darvins stood in silence throughout the ceremony, leaving all the arrangements to their uncle. Vlad's attention drifted to a young woman standing on the opposite side of the grave. He clung to the hope, right up until the last second, that it wasn't Nadya. But that hope vanished the moment Katerina stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter.
Over the years, he had assumed the girl would change-grow into her looks, maybe even become beautiful. Apparently, no such miracle had occurred. Hideous, shapeless leggings. An oversized black T-shirt. The glasses he could tolerate, but what on earth was she wearing on her head? A babushka scarf?
"Unbelievable," Stas muttered beside him, letting out a low chuckle.
"What are you talking about?" Vlad snapped irritably.
"Don't you remember that chocolate bar from when we were kids? The one with the girl in a headscarf on the wrapper?" Stas smirked. "Well, there she is. Look at her."
Vlad nearly lost his temper and shot his brother a lethal look. Not because Stas had insulted his fiancée- but because he was infuriatingly right. This was not the kind of woman Vlad envisioned at his side, much less for the rest of his life.
"Well done, Grandpa," he muttered darkly.
He noticed the girl turning away, clearly intending to leave. And where exactly did she think she was going? The nerve. His grandfather had loved her more than his own grandsons, and she couldn't even stay until the ceremony was over? He wouldn't allow her to dishonor the old man's memory.
Vlad, cutting across another path to intercept her, just as he expected, caught up to her in a few long strides. She walked straight into him, not even noticing he had stepped into her path. Her startled eyes flew up to his, and she froze, holding her breath.
Up close, things weren't entirely hopeless. Her skin was clear and well cared for. Full lips. A nicely shaped nose. Not a complete disaster. He could mold this girl into something acceptable. Something worthy of standing beside him. And who knew- perhaps one day he might even want her.
"Where do you think you're going?" Vlad growled, seizing her wrist when she tried to step back. "Do you think this is appropriate, considering everything our grandfather did for you?"
"I just wasn't feeling well, that's all..." she said, trying to pull free.
"You look perfectly fine to me. We're going back before people start talking."
He tugged her along without the slightest concern for whether it hurt. Girls like her should be grateful he paid them any attention at all.
"Let go," she snapped, finally wrenching her hand free. "What gives you the right to grab me like that? You're his grandson. You're the one who shouldn't have walked away."
Nadya's expression shifted-steady now, more assured. She rubbed the spot on her wrist where his fingers had dug in.
What right did he have? As her future husband, every right. But it was far too soon for her to know that.
"Go back and wait quietly until it's over. After that, you're free to do whatever you like."
Infuriating little thing, he thought bitterly.
She gave him a faint, incredulous smile, then turned sharply and almost ran toward the exit.
"Looks like I'll have to work on your manners as well as your appearance," Vlad muttered as he headed back. There was no time to chase his bride now. In one respect, she was right-he was Makar's grandson, and his place was there.
The ceremony was drawing to a close, and the final farewell began. The brothers stepped forward first to say goodbye to their grandfather, followed by their uncle, who looked more devastated than anyone else present.
When the last of the mourners began tossing handfuls of earth into the grave, people gradually made their way toward the exit.
A woman approached the Darvins and offered her condolences-words they had heard so many times that day they had lost count. But coming from Katerina, they carried more weight. After all, she was their future mother-in-law.
"Mrs. Katerina, thank you for coming to pay your respects," Stas said politely, though a faint smile tugged at his mouth as he fought the familiar urge to provoke his brother.
"Boys, I can't even begin to imagine your loss," the woman said softly. "That man was like a father to you."
"Yes, you're right. It won't be easy without his support," Vlad replied, adopting the solemn expression expected of a grieving grandson. "But despite everything, I hope our meeting this evening is still on?"
"Of course. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you both tonight."
"Oh no, I won't be there," Stas said lightly, lifting his hands and stepping aside. "I've already made other plans. All the best."
The younger Darvin strolled down the path, leaving Vlad alone with the woman.
"I'll come alone, if you don't mind," Vlad said smoothly. "There's something important I need to discuss with you, and I can't postpone it any longer. May I assume Nadya will be joining us for dinner?"
"Of course," Katerina replied with a warm smile. "Nadya is very much looking forward to this evening."
"Then I'll see you tonight, Mrs. Katerina."
