THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE — KIRILL

Her marriage to Kirill was never about love. It was a consequence of her father’s mistakes, a debt that could no longer be paid with money.

Kirill was a powerful man in the Russian mafia. Wealthy, ruthless, and feared by practically everyone who knew his name. He was accustomed to getting what he wanted, whenever he wanted it. He didn’t negotiate when he didn’t have to, didn’t tolerate disobedience, and certainly didn’t care about other people’s feelings.

Her father had borrowed an enormous amount of money from him. For months, he had promised to repay it, constantly asking for more time. Kirill had tolerated the excuses long enough.

Until one evening, he decided to collect what belonged to him.

The Night He Came

Several black SUVs pulled up outside her family’s mansion. Kirill stepped out, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, accompanied by his men.

He didn’t knock.

His men forced their way inside, immediately taking control of the house. Within minutes, the sound of breaking glass and furniture being thrown around echoed through the hallways. Expensive decorations were smashed, paintings were ripped from the walls, and several men searched through the house.

She had been downstairs with her older brother when it happened.

The moment she heard the commotion, she froze. Her brother immediately pulled her behind him, but she could still see everything happening in the living room.

And then Kirill walked in.

He looked around at the destruction without showing the slightest emotion. He took off his gloves, handed them to one of his men, and slowly approached her father.

“Kirill, please. We can talk about this,” her father said, desperately trying to maintain his composure.

Kirill glanced at him.

“We’ve talked enough.”

“I just need more time. The money is coming. I promise.”

Kirill gave a short, cold laugh.

“You’ve been promising me the same thing for months. Do you think I’m stupid?”

“No, of course not. I would never—”

“Then stop wasting my time.”

Her father swallowed nervously, looking around at the destroyed living room.

“Please. My family is here. You don’t have to do this in front of them.”

Kirill casually glanced towards the staircase, where she was hiding behind her brother.

“You should have thought about your family before gambling with money that wasn’t yours.”

Her brother stepped forward.

“That’s enough. You’ve made your point. Get out of our house.”

Kirill slowly turned towards him.

“Did I ask you to speak?”

“She’s got nothing to do with this.”

Kirill barely acknowledged his words.

“Then keep her quiet and stay out of my business.”

Her brother immediately moved in front of her again, while she held onto his arm, visibly frightened.

Her father stepped closer to Kirill.

“Please. Tell me what you want. I’ll find a way to pay you.”

Kirill adjusted his watch before answering.

“Your daughter.”

Her father stared at him.

“What?”

“She marries me. Your debt disappears.”

“Kirill, she’s my daughter. You can’t expect me to—”

“I don’t care what you expect.”

“Please, there must be another way.”

Kirill’s expression remained completely unchanged.

“There isn’t.”

Her brother immediately shook his head.

“You’re not taking her anywhere.”

Kirill looked at him, his voice dangerously calm.

“Your family is alive because I’m giving you the opportunity to settle this without further consequences. Don’t make me reconsider.”

Her father looked towards his children. He knew exactly what refusing would mean. Kirill wasn’t bluffing, and everyone in that room understood it.

“Please, Kirill. Just leave my son out of this.”

“Then agree.”

After a long silence, her father finally lowered his head.

“Fine.”

Kirill nodded once, as if the matter had already been settled.

“Good. The wedding arrangements will be handled by my people.”

He turned around and walked towards the entrance, completely indifferent to the crying, the destruction, and the terrified faces left behind.

For him, it had been a business transaction.

For her, it was the moment her entire life fell apart.

The First Time They Were Alone

A few days later, she was brought to Kirill’s mansion.

She was sitting on the sofa in his private office when the door opened. Kirill walked in, holding his phone, speaking Russian to someone on the other end.

He didn’t acknowledge her immediately. He ended the call, placed his phone on the desk, and removed his jacket.

“Stand up,” he said.

She slowly got to her feet.

Kirill looked at her briefly before taking a seat behind his desk.

“Come here.”

She hesitated before approaching him.

He opened a folder containing documents about their marriage.

“Your wedding is next week. My people will take care of everything. You’ll have everything you need, so I don’t want unnecessary problems.”

She remained quiet, looking down at the papers.

“Are you listening?” Kirill asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good.”

He continued going through the documents as if she wasn’t even there.

After a moment, she quietly spoke.

“Can I still see my brother?”

Kirill didn’t immediately answer. He finished reading the page before looking up at her.

“Why?”

“He’s my brother.”

“I know who he is.”

She nervously folded her hands together.

“I just want to see him sometimes.”

Kirill leaned back in his chair.

“We’ll see.”

She nodded quietly.

“And can I take some of my things from home?”

“Make a list. My driver will arrange it.”

She hesitated again.

“My father...”

Kirill looked at her.

“What about him?”

She immediately lowered her eyes.

“Nothing.”

“Then we’re finished.”

He picked up his phone and returned to his work.

She stood there for another moment, unsure whether she was supposed to leave. Eventually, she quietly walked towards the door.

“Close it behind you,” Kirill said without looking up.

And that was their first conversation.

After the Wedding

Their wedding was an expensive, private affair. Everything was arranged by Kirill’s people. The guests were carefully selected, the security was extensive, and the entire event was conducted according to his preferences.

Kirill stood beside her throughout the ceremony, dressed in a black suit, his expression unreadable.

He didn’t look particularly happy. He didn’t seem nervous or excited. To him, it was simply another arrangement being finalized.

When the ceremony was over, he placed his hand briefly against her back and guided her towards the waiting cars.

“Get in,” he said.

She quietly followed.

From that day onwards, she lived in his mansion and carried his surname.

But being his wife didn’t mean she had any real say in their marriage.

Kirill was extremely strict and controlling. He expected to know where she was, what she was doing, and when she would return. He didn’t like her leaving the house without permission, and he certainly didn’t appreciate being questioned.

He wasn’t a man who explained his decisions. He made them, and everyone else was expected to accept them.

If she tried to argue, he shut the conversation down. If she asked him for something he didn’t want to give her, the answer was usually no.

He could be sitting in his office working while she tried to tell him about something that had happened during her day, and he would barely acknowledge her presence.

“Kirill, can I tell you something?” she asked one evening.

“Make it quick,” he answered, his eyes still on his laptop.

She stood beside his desk.

“I was wondering if I could go out tomorrow.”

“Where?”

“Just shopping.”

“With whom?”

“Maybe my brother.”

Kirill finally looked at her.

“No.”

She frowned slightly.

“Why?”

“Because I said no.”

“But I haven’t seen him in so long.”

Kirill closed his laptop.

“Do you want to repeat that conversation?”

She immediately fell silent.

“Then we’re done here.”

He returned to his work, expecting her to leave.

That was how Kirill operated. He didn’t feel the need to justify himself, didn’t seek her approval, and didn’t care whether she agreed with his decisions.

He wasn’t interested in building a loving marriage.

He wanted obedience, control, and a wife who understood that his word was final.

And he had never given her any reason to believe otherwise.