Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 264

RABELLA’S POV

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Irina looked like she’d seen a ghost, and nothing brought me more satisfaction than the way she almos lost her footing from how shocked she was.

I waved my hand. “Ah, please be careful. I don’t want you fainting on me.”

“You…” She shook her head, the disbelief written plainly across her face. “You’re lying!”

“Sure. I went to the jewellery store and bought myself a ring just to rub it in your face.”

Irina nodded, like she was concluding that was, in fact, what had happened. “Yes. That sounds exactly like what a desperate woman like you would do!” She seethed, her voice weak and barely audible.

I cocked my head to the side. “You sound more devastated than a loyal staff member to her ‘madam’ should be.” I hummed. “Are you sure you’re not more upset that you couldn’t have him for yourself than you are about him no longer being with your ‘madam”?”

The look on her face told me all I needed to know.

She was sad because she had officially lost her chance of ever being with Alvise.

Tatiana was just a cover-up for her. I knew it.

“I’m not going to let you put words into my mouth.” Irina spat. “You’re an evil woman, and all your schemes will be revealed.”

“And here goes the hypocrite doing what she does best.” I faked a yawn. “Kindly finish up and leave.”

Irina balled her hands into fists and laughed bitterly. “My madam is also going to be at the gala today.”

That caught my attention. “What gala?”

She broke into another bitter laugh, her eyes welling up with tears as she tried to sober herself. “You don’t even know where you’re accompanying him to?”

My stomach dipped. Her tone and the giddiness in her eyes, like she was happy I was clueless, made me uncomfortable. “If you have something to say, just say it or shut the fuck up.”

Irina blinked and shook her head in disbelief. “So he didn’t even tell you? Ah, I see you’re not as important as I thought you were.”

She was just trying to get to me. I knew it, but it didn’t stop the pang in my heart.

Irina continued. “The Smirnovs are hosting a gala this evening, and as tradition demands, all members of the brotherhood and their families are to be in attendance.”

Sweat broke out on my palm, and I rubbed my it over my pants.

I barely understood most of the terms she used, but I was able to pick out the fact that we were going to some sort of event organised by the Bratva, with most of them expected to be in attendance.

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Ruined By My Brother’s Best Friend

“My madam is going to take her fiancé back tonight, and you will finally know that she’s the one he likes.” Irina said, snapping me out of my trance. She pointed at the ring on my finger and snorted. “And you’ll

urn that ring you borrowed from the store.”

My eyes narrowed, and I nodded toward the door. “Get out.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She said, walking out with a smile on her face.

I locked the door the moment she stepped out and paced the room, conflicted about what to do.

I knew I wasn’t interested in fighting Tatiana or being in a competition with her for Alvise’s attention. In fact, I wanted to divorce him and leave.

So why did this new information suddenly make my stomach twist uncomfortably and my chest feel heavy?

I heaved a sigh and walked to the rolling rack, my foot bouncing on the floor as I trapped my bottom lip between my teeth and made my decision.

I was going to the gala.

“I’m doing this because I’m bored.” I mumbled to myself for the umpteenth time as I stared at my reflection in the vanity.

I was dressed in a burgundy, full-sleeve, off-shoulder mermaid dress, with my hair curled and styled up. and two curly pieces left out in front.

The moment the sun had started to set, I’d taken a shower and gotten dressed before doing my makeup.

I went dark with the makeup because I felt like that would make me look more intimidating, considering 1 was going to be in the midst of criminals.

A knock on the door made me flinch, clutching my chest as I tried to steady my breathing.

“Who’s there?”

“Alvise.”

The air disappeared from my lungs, and my legs, suddenly feeling weak, made me hold the dressing table for support.

“Give me a minute.” I mumbled, barely recognising my own voice.

I looked up at my reflection and sighed.

What was I thinking? Was I going to be able to pull this off?

I had no idea.

“Arabella.” Alvise called impatiently, prompting me to push off the dresser and take nervous steps toward

the door.

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Ruined By My Brother’s Best Friend

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The moment I turned the lock, I stepped back, waiting for him to open it himself because my hands were shaking.

He did a second later, and nothing prepared me for the sight of him in a navy suit, the blues of his eyes brighter than ever, almost knocking the breath out of me.

Slowly, his eyes travelled from my face down to my body, and with each second they lingered on my skin I felt my nerves spike.

His eyes finally landed on mine. “You got ready.”

I nodded, whispering. “I did.”.

Alvise walked past me, his scent wafting into my nose and making me shudder. “Ready to go?”

“Hmm.” I hummed, shutting the door and leaning against it. “Where did you get dressed?”

Alvise opened a drawer and pulled out one of his wristwatches. “In the guest room.”

I raised a brow. “You have your clothes there?”

He looked up as he clasped the wristwatch around his wrist. “Yes.”

My stomach sank. “So… you moved your things there to avoid me?” I joked, though the thought made my heart shatter.

Alvise took his time fixing his watch before he walked up to me, stepping into my personal space. “I already had some of my things there before you even came to Russia, Arabella.”

I nodded, looking anywhere but at him, though I felt a little relieved. “Okay.”

Alvise leaned down. “Look at me.”

I did some seconds later, gasping as I saw how dangerously close our lips were.

He pressed his lips to mine, his eyes never leaving mine, and then he kissed me softly.

It was so soft, I closed my eyes and grabbed his suit jacket, tugging him closer. However, he pulled away to whisper in my ear. “You look beautiful.”

Shocked, I craned my head back to look at him, my heart skipping its next beat. “Thank you.”

Alvise opened his mouth, about to say something else, but his phone rang, and he straightened, pulling it from his pocket to pick up the call and place it by his car./

Whatever the caller said made his eyes harden, all trace of softness from earlier gone as he walked past

“We leave now.”

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