Chapter 4
Eve's POV
The South District crisis finally ended when Viktor showed up in person and handed over part of our turf to the Vipers.
Late that night, I stood outside the conference room, watching through the cracked door as Viktor sat at the long table, exhausted, rubbing his temples. The family elders surrounded him, faces grim as death.
"Boss, we fucking BLED for South District!"
"Those three warehouses brought in tens of millions every goddamn year!"
"Liliya, she—"
"ENOUGH!" Viktor's fist slammed the table. "One more word and I'll blow your brains out myself."
Room went silent.
But when Viktor turned, I caught something dark and vicious flash in his eyes.
But when Viktor turned, I caught the darkness flashing in his eyes.
After that shitshow, everyone in the family hated Liliya's guts. But Viktor acted possessed—didn't blame her at all. Instead, he threw me under the bus.
Next day's family meeting, he announced in front of everyone: "South District went to hell because Eve fucked up the handover. She deliberately sabotaged Liliya and cost us millions."
He paused, eyes ice-cold on me. "Starting today, Eve's demoted. No more core meetings. Benefits cut in half."
I stood in the corner, watching men who used to kiss my ass now stare at their shoes. Nobody said shit.
"Any objections?" Viktor's stare burned into me.
"No, Don."
Fuck defending myself. One more month and none of this mattered anyway.
Two weeks later, family dinner party.
Under crystal chandeliers, glasses clinked, drinks flowed. Liliya wore a red gown, strutting around like she owned the damn place.
Suddenly, hand over her mouth, she rushed toward the bathroom.
Viktor followed immediately.
Ten minutes later, the private doctor walked out grinning. "Congratulations, Boss. Miss Rossi is pregnant."
The hall erupted in cheers.
Viktor crushed Liliya against him, kissed her forehead. "Baby, you just made me the luckiest son of a bitch alive."
He raised his head, voice booming: "I'm throwing the biggest fucking wedding this city's ever seen. I want EVERYONE to know—Liliya Rossi is MY wife, the future lady of the Konstantin family!"
Applause thundered.
Liliya blushed prettily, nestling against him, then looked over his shoulder straight at me, lips moving silently:
See that? You LOST.
I raised my glass and drained it.
Congrats, Viktor. You finally got exactly what you wanted.
After the party ended, Viktor summoned me to his study.
He sat in that oversized leather chair, cigar between his fingers, smoke curling around those gray eyes.
"Wedding security. You're in charge."
I stood before his desk. Silent.
"Eve," he exhaled smoke, "this is your shot at redemption. Wedding goes smooth, I'll consider letting you stay in the family—as Liliya's personal bodyguard."
He thought this was charity.
He thought making me watch him marry someone else was the cruelest punishment and test.
I lowered my eyes, hiding the mockery burning underneath.
"Yes, Don. The wedding will be perfect."
The next two weeks, I played the perfect soldier.
I personally checked every corner of the wedding venue, arranged the tightest security routes possible.
Five days in, Liliya insisted I go with her to Fifth Avenue's most luxurious bridal boutique to try on wedding dresses.
"Viktor's free today, he's coming too," she looped her arm through mine, smile all sugar. "Eve, you HAVE to help me decide."
Viktor booked out the entire boutique.
In front of those massive floor-to-ceiling mirrors, Liliya tried on one priceless wedding dress after another.
"Baby, how's this one?" Liliya spun in a lace gown with a long train.
Viktor's voice went soft. "Beautiful. But I think that satin one suits you better."
"Really?" Liliya pouted playfully. "Then let me try it again. Viktor, come help me with the zipper? The staff's hands are too rough—I'm scared they'll damage the fabric."
Viktor walked over, caught the zipper on her back, slowly pulled it up.
"Too tight?" he murmured low, breath hitting her neck.
"A little..." Liliya turned to look at him, eyes shimmering. "But I like it."
They kissed in front of the mirror.
I stood in the corner, face expressionless, watching this performance.
My mind flashed back.
After Liliya died, Viktor married me in a rush. The day before the wedding, I carefully asked if we could have a simple ceremony.
"Whatever."
Two fucking words. That's all he said.
I was so excited, prepared a simple white dress. But on the wedding morning, I found it shredded to pieces with scissors.
I cried all night.
I knew who did it—only Viktor had access to my room.
But I didn't dare ask. I thought it was revenge for me "killing" Liliya. Thought if I was obedient enough, he'd eventually forgive me.
But now I understood—
That marriage was my prison sentence from day one. He wanted me to spend the rest of my life drowning in guilt and pain.
After a while, Liliya lifted her head from Viktor's embrace, looked at me. "Oh Eve, hold up my train for me. I need to try on shoes."
I walked over, bent down, lifted that heavy train.
Liliya stepped on my arm as she climbed onto the shoe platform, stiletto heels digging into bone.
"Oops, sorry Eve," she glanced back at me, that fake-ass innocent smile. "I didn't mean to. You're not mad, are you?"
Viktor watched me. Said nothing.
"No." I bit down till I tasted blood.
Just you fucking wait, Liliya. I've got dirt on you.
Over the following days, Liliya loved watching me run around like her servant. She constantly pulled me in front of Viktor to flaunt their relationship, trying to catch a crack in my mask.
But I stayed like an emotionless machine, perfectly executing every single order.
Viktor wasn't satisfied—he looked more pissed every day.
He started watching me constantly, eyes complicated and unreadable.
"You really don't give a shit?" Three days before the wedding, he finally cornered me in the hallway.
I stepped back, maintaining distance.
"Don, I only care about my assignment. Congrats."
He slammed his fist into the wall beside me, panic flashing in his eyes before arrogance replaced it.
"Good. Real fucking good, Eve. You better keep this up."
He laughed coldly and walked away.
What he didn't know—during these two weeks planning his wedding, I'd finished prepping my exit.
Wedding day finally arrived.
New York's largest Catholic cathedral drowned in white roses. Heads of every major mob family in the city showed up. Viktor stood at the altar in a custom pure white suit, looking like he owned the world, waiting for his bride.
I wore black security gear, standing in the second-floor monitoring room.
On the screens, I watched Liliya take Viktor's arm, slowly walking toward the priest.
Music swelled. A thousand white butterflies released into the air.
Every single guest wore white. Only Liliya in her wedding gown.
Everything exactly as she wanted.
I pressed my earpiece. "All units, wedding officially starting. Stay alert."
The priest began reciting the vows.
Viktor gazed at Liliya with a tenderness I'd never seen in two lifetimes.
After my final order, I removed my earpiece and family badge, tossed them both in the trash.
I turned and slipped out the back door.
An unremarkable black sedan waited in the back alley.
I slid in. "JFK Airport."
The car pulled out of the alley, merging into the bustling streets.
Through the window, church bells rang, announcing the birth of the new Mrs. Konstantin.
I looked at my reflection in the glass, smiled for the first time since being reborn—a real smile.
Fuck this cage.
Fuck Viktor.
I'm FREE！
