|Sybella Fiori|
|A week later|

"What are we doing here, baby? I need to go back to Paris," I said as my husband covered my legs with a white weighted blanket. "I made a promise to Santino—"

"You need to rest, malyshka," he interrupted. "I called Santino and told him everything that happened and we've come up with a new plan because I still want my billions," he joked, making me chuckle and although it hurt a little, I pushed through it because I missed laughing. "From now on the only concern in your brilliant head is to get better, deal?"

"You want me to be still for two months?" My right eyebrow arched.

Ilya nodded "It's not an option, you need to do it so we can go on our honeymoon and you can rock your scars in a tiny bikini," the man wiggled his eyebrows, making me smile.

"So I have to lie here and do nothing while you go look for the man who did this to me? You're crazy and know nothing about me if you think I'll—"

He gave me the look he has been giving me for seven days "The Doctor said you should avoid stress—"

"He killed my baby, Ilya and he planted Jay into my life to destroy me which he ended up achieving so I'm not going to let him get away with it. He needs to pay," tears flooded my eyes. My husband tilted his head as a light smile curved his lips which weirded me out "Why are you smiling? This isn't funny—"

"It's not funny at all, Sybella but it's still weird listening to your voice for long periods of time," his right hand reached for my left cheek. "There were nights where I squeezed my eyes closed, thinking hard about the last day we spent together and wishing that when I opened them you would be beside me, drowning your legs with your eucalyptus body lotion while watching a cooking show."

My heart tightened at his words "I'm the worst wife in the history of marriage."

Ilya shook his head "No, you're not. You were scared and although the way you handled it wasn't the best, it's the only one you saw as viable and that's okay," he leaned in to peck my lips. "I love you, my Sybella. And I guess you can help me—"

"YES!" I clapped enthusiastically.

"But," he said firmly "you have to follow the Doctors orders and mine."

My right eyebrow arched as my arms crossed "Your orders?"

He cleared his throat as his cheeks turned pink which I deeply missed "No because I can't order you around, you're the only one who can give orders in this marriage."

A grin appeared on my lips "You can only order me around in bed. How soon can we have sex? I'm dying to have a real orgasm."

"Once the sutures are removed," he informed. "I imagine sex with Nicolas has been awful as always."

My cheeks turned a deep shade of red "I haven't had sex with anyone in eleven months."

His right eyebrow arched "But Nicolas—"

"I drugged him before and then tell him in the morning that it was strenuous and mind-blowing." Ilya tried to keep his laugh in but wasn't able "Don't laugh at me, Ily!" I punched his upper arm.

"Ouch!" He groaned, rubbing the stricken area. "I'm laughing because I haven't done anything in eleven months either," a sigh left his mouth. "I tried jerking off a few times, just out of need but every time I thought about you, all I could see was that stunning image of you in your white gown..."

"Every night I looked at the album," I took his hands in mine.

"You took it?" He seemed surprised.

I nodded "I took the album and a bunch of your sweaters because they're always impregnated in your smell which is weird since you always send them to the dry cleaners...I don't understand why you've fought so hard for me when I clearly don't deserve it, I don't deserve you working so hard to get me back."

"You thought I would just forget about you and move on?"

I nodded.

"How well do you remember our wedding day, Sybbie?"

My face turned hot at the sound of the nickname "It's engraved in my mind, every bit of it."

We were lying on the bed, his right leg draped over mine as his head rested on my stomach and his arm laced around my hips "We could have the ceremony on an Italian beach of your choosing," my fiancé commented as his fingers tickled my side, making me chuckle. "Or we could marry in Russia at that place where we spent the night together."

My eyes moved down to meet his gaze "Will that place become our house once I become Mrs. Zharkova?"

"If that's what you want then yes, we can call the decorator at lunch."

I shook my head "I would like us to take care of it, together."

A big smile curved his lips as he climbed on top of me "Are you asking me to become your co-decorator?"

"Not really, you'll be more like an assistant," my arms laced around his neck as a cheeky smile adorned my lips.

He playfully growled "I love it when you boss me around, give me more orders, baby doll," his knees parted my legs under the sheets.

"I don't think we should have sex right now, baby," my fingers tickled the back of his neck and he seemed beyond confused.

"Why?"

"Because I want us to get married today," he went from confused to ecstatic; I pulled him closer with my legs and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "What do you—"

"Yes malyshka!" He exclaimed, leaving me deaf but it was still cute. "Oh my God! Yes!" The man crushed his lips against mine "A million times yes, Sybella," his lips moved down my lips to my neck.

"Mhh, baby baby," I gently pushed him away. "We need to take care of things if we want to get married today."

"Oh yes, we need to go get attires and—"

"We don't," I pushed him off of me and quickly straddled him "I got my dress already and asked your sister to send over one of your tuxes; it's in a garment cover on my side of the closet."

"You're so sexy when you're over prepared," his hands caressed my thighs. "What about a judge and witnesses or dinner?"

"I already got us a judge and we have people all around us, they can be our witnesses, as for dinner I'm going to make you the most exquisite burger and French fries so we can have them right here, naked and watching a movie before getting in the bathtub where you'll fuck me for the first time as husband and wife."

Ilya grinned, looking up at me "You're a genius. It's all going to be perfect."

"I know but your mother is going to murder us when she finds out."

"She'll most likely make us have a ceremony and a party of which she'll be the protagonist. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

I nodded "Your mother means the world to me and if she needs a ceremony or a big party where we are the pretty couple that just stands there, then so be it, as long as my life is bound to yours forever."

"You love her like your own mother, don't you?"

"Yeah but you know that already, baby," my hands fell upon his chest.

"Sybella, I've seen you adore and praise her more than anyone but I never thought you actually felt this strongly about her."

"Does it bother you?"

My fiancé shook his head "No, not at all. So, if we get that big ceremony and party, would you like her to walk you down the aisle?"

My heart started racing "It would be nice but I don't want you or your siblings to feel like I'm hogging all her attention..."

"You're her favorite, Sybella; Anna, Slava and I are totally a-okay with that because she connects with you in a way that she has never connected with any of us; you share similar stories and that binds people," my fiancé gently sat up and held me by the waist to keep me in place. "Don't feel guilty for wanting a mother figure, she taught us how to share."

His words made me feel tranquil because sometimes—most times—I feel guilty for looking so much for Ekaterina since she has children to take care of and that attention should be directed to them but after being assured by Ilya that none of them mind, I might start looking for her a lot more, there are a ton of things I would like her to help me with.

After talking for another hour, we hopped into the shower together and rinsed each other since Ilya loves kissing my body and I love kissing his...it's very cheesy and romantic but in the world we live in, cheesy and romantic are always needed to keep us from falling into a dark, deep void.

For my hair I did a classic Hollywood wave style and my makeup was this gorgeous gold glitter all over my eyelids and under it too since it was a mess but a beautiful one, gloss that deepens my natural lip color and mascara. Once I was done, I went into the closet where Ilya was getting ready in front of the mirror.

"You look handsome, baby," I commented, unzipping the garment cover with my dress in it.

"Thank you, malyshka," his arms laced around my waist from behind as his lips pecked the side of my neck. "Would you like some help with the dress?"

"No, just go sit on the bed and wait for me; I want it to be a surprise."

"As you wish, my bride," the man pecked my cheek before following my orders.

For fifteen minutes I was in the closet, getting ready to go downstairs to the garden and get married to the love of my life. My gown is this gorgeous Dior masterpiece that's Greek-inspired and has a sort of cape.

Before exiting the closet, I slipped on the engagement ring with the most stunning emerald I've ever seen and looked in my sock drawer for the weddings bands I ordered from London. A deep breath left my mouth as I opened the door to find my groom looking out the window "I can't—" he stopped talking as his eyes fell on me.

My cheeks turned crimson "What do you think?"

"Think? I can't think straight right now. All I want to do is look at you until my eyes can no longer stay open," his eyes scanned me as if he was trying to engrave my image in his memory to never forget this moment. "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever have the privilege of seeing," Ilya approached me and grabbed me by the waist "I love you, Sybella."

"I love you too, Ilya." I popped open the box "These are our weddings bands," I showed him the three rings in the box "I wanted you to have diamonds like me but they don't make thicker bands and with such short notice they couldn't make a custom one so two of these are for you."

"They're stunning, malyshka," his eyes bore into mine, causing my heartbeat to race "let's go get married," he took my right hand.

I nodded with a smile "Let's go get married," we rushed downstairs, smiling from ear to ear and looking at each other like we were the only people in the universe; I felt in a romantic movie, filled with naivety because at that exact moment there wasn't a thing wrong with my world, it felt like our lives would be filled with that strong, embracing and consuming love trapped in our gazes and only shared with one another. It was poetical.

Once outside there were a couple of people waiting for us and one of them was crying Ben who was being hugged by Blade which made me smile even harder; they're cute.

The judge gave a lovely speech and though generic, everything it's true; we must love each other even when we hate each other because that's commitment. A marriage is not about perfection but about accepting each other just the way we are.

"It's always been extremely difficult for me to hide my feelings. My face says a lot more than I condone. During that rocky period of time of our relationship, I thought that calling you names and scoffing would hide my deep blushes or the long stares filled with wishes I thought wouldn't ever come true," Ilya said as his hands tickled the small of my back. "When we first had sex, I thought 'This is the woman of my life' because not only are we exquisite between the sheets but we connected without even trying. Before meeting you I didn't believe in the meant-to-be thing or the soulmate thing; my parents check both boxes but it seemed so rare, I never thought it would happen to me. I remember one time we were having dinner with my family, it was Christmas Eve and you were wearing this lovely little red number, my parents raised their glasses to toast to love and we instantly looked at each other, as if the one knew what the other one was thinking. I vow to do everything in my power to make you feel loved and protected, even if you don't need anyone to protect you, which means I have to find a way to make myself useful around the house. I love you, Sybella, thank you for stealing thirty-five million from me."

A chuckle left my mouth as my cheeks grew hot "You're so sexy when you talk about your feelings, it makes me horny," Ilya pulled me closer, causing my smile to grow. "For years I've been hopelessly in love with you in secret, a secret I didn't even know existed. When Anna and I became best friends, I watched you bring women to your home with whom you seemed extremely happy. Many of those days I stayed with your family, I would sit on the opposite side of your door and cry until my eyes burned, thinking of all the things I wanted to tell you but couldn't because on the outside it appeared that you abhorred even the slightest glance of my image. You know very well that the first time we had sex wasn't my first time but it felt like that, because I wanted to be there and not only did our bodies seemed made for each other, but also our hearts and minds. People always say that this kind of love is nonexistent but they're wrong," my thumbs caressed his cheeks softly as tears slid down my eyes "they don't know us, baby. I've never been more sure about anything in my life. There's not a thing I wouldn't do for you. I vow to love you even if we hate each other, I vow to be your partner eternally and I vow to protect you even if you don't need me to. I love you, Ilya."

"By the power invested in me by the city of Roma, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other."

My arms aggressively pulled down my groom to crush my lips against his'. Ilya picked me up by my thighs and sat me on the table where we are supposed to sign the papers. His right hand traveled up my left thigh until it was inside my dress, playing with the waistline of my white lace thong which is when I pushed him away because as hot as it sounds to be fucked in this setting, with people watching, we shouldn't.

"Baby, there'll be plenty of time for this after dinner, okay?" my thumb caressed his bottom lip as I tried to steady my breathing.

"Yeah and we have to sign the damn papers you almost fuck on," Ben commented "I'm not gonna sign a paper with cum on it."

"Shut up," Ilya ordered, putting me down on the grass carefully.

"I'm not gonna shut up," Ben spat. "Fucking reckless teenager."

"Sign the papers, malyshka," he placed me in front of him and commenced humping me as I bent over to sign the papers. "Fuck, baby, I want to see my cum dripping out of your tight cunt and your gorgeous legs quivering–"

"Baby," I looked at him over my shoulder to shoot him a glare "stop it, you're making me hornier."

Ilya chuckled as his head rested on my thighs "Then you made me apologize to the judge for being so disrespectful."

"You weren't sorry at all," I chuckled, running my fingers through his hair. "It was hard making dinner for you because you wouldn't stop slipping your hand in my underwear–" a knock on the bedroom's door interrupted me. "Who's that? The Doctor?" my right eyebrow arched.

"Not exactly," he seemed nervous as he got up. "Please don't murder me because she'll do it–"

"Open the door in this instant, Ilya Zharkov!" I instantly identified the voice: Ekaterina.

The man complied, revealing his gorgeous mother wearing a knitted navy blue dress and white boots with her hair down in its natural state "Mom, please–"

"Shut up," she pushed him away and rushed to my side with worrisome in her eyes. "My darling, what have they done to you? I'll punish whoever laid a hand on you and my son along with them–" she stopped talking once she felt the rings on my finger. "What's this?" her eyes fell to my hand to observe the jewelry.

"Ilya and I got married," I informed with a smile on my face.

Ekaterina gasped "When?" She looked over her shoulder at her son "Don't you think you should've mentioned this?!"

My husband's face turned red as he hid his hands in the pockets of his pants "You know, mom, we've been busy–"

"I see! Getting married without me present! When did you do this?!"

"A year ago," I told. "It was sudden; I asked him to get down on one knee," a smile from Ilya's direction warmed my heart.

"So you've been together for a year? Are you hiding a grandchild too?" she looked at me suspiciously which made me chuckle.

"No, the entirety of our marriage we've spent apart; I was scared of losing Ilya so I left after a month. It wasn't the right thing to do but it was the only solution to my thoughts back then. You should yell at me and not at your son," Ilya sat on his side of the bed and wrapped his arm around me. "I don't deserve such a good man as your son."

Ekaterina got up, letting out a deep sigh "I did the same. It was right after Ilya was born, I took him with me to this small town with only 180 people in it and hid there for a month."

"What?" Ilya was confused.

Mrs. Zharkova stood in front of the bed, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window with a gorgeous view of Lake Como "I was scared of not being enough for you father. Your grandma was a massive bitch and every time we saw each other she told me in detail how I wasn't enough for her perfect son. After some time, I started believing it.