Kidnapped by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #5)

Epilogue - Maxim

I glance at Sophia as I drive, her eyes darting from the road ahead to me every few seconds, a mix of curiosity and frustration clear on her face. She’s been trying to figure out where we’re going for the last half hour, but I’ve kept quiet, enjoying the suspense. She crosses her arms, her brow furrowed, and I can practically feel her trying to read my thoughts.

“Maxim,” she says, her voice sharp but playful. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going or am I just supposed to sit here and wait in suspense forever?”

A grin tugs at the corner of my lips, but I don’t take my eyes off the road. “It’s a surprise,” I say simply, my tone calm.

She huffs dramatically, but there’s a glimmer of excitement in her eyes that tells me she’s enjoying this. I know her well enough by now to understand that surprises make her nervous, but I also know how much she loves them when they turn out right.

We drive a little farther, the city disappearing behind us as the road winds toward our destination. She shifts in her seat, glancing out the window, trying to piece together where we are. Her impatience is palpable, but I keep my mouth shut, letting her wonder.

Finally, we arrive at a large building, bustling with people. Sophia’s eyes widen as she takes in the scene. There’s a crowd gathered, banners hung across the front of the building, and a sense of excitement fills the air. I park the car and step out, rounding the vehicle to open her door. She steps out cautiously, her gaze scanning the area.

“Maxim, what is this?” she asks, her voice softer now, curious.

I nod toward the entrance, where Kristen, Jennifer, and a few of her other friends are already waiting in the audience. They wave to her, smiling widely.

Her eyes shift between me and them, confusion still written on her face. “Why are they here?”

I don’t answer. Instead, I take her hand, leading her toward the entrance. As we step inside, she freezes, her eyes landing on the large sign above the stage: Sophia Sharov Foundation.

She reads it slowly, her eyes widening in disbelief. Her mouth opens slightly, but no words come out. I can see the gears turning in her head, trying to make sense of it all.

The foundation’s focus is simple—environmental conservation, sustainability, and planting initiatives, all things she’d mentioned enjoying during our conversations. I remember how her face lit up when she talked about her passion for protecting the environment, how she wanted to make a difference in a world full of chaos. And now, she has the platform to do just that.

There’s a moment of stunned silence before the crowd breaks into applause. Sophia turns to me, her eyes glassy, overwhelmed.

“You did this?” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.

I nod. “You mentioned you wanted to do something meaningful. I figured you’d want to start here.”

Her hands fly to her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears. “Maxim… I… I don’t know what to say.”

I shrug, trying to play it cool, but deep down, I’m enjoying every second of this. Seeing her happy like this—it’s worth everything. “You don’t need to say anything. Just enjoy it.”

She turns back toward the crowd, taking in the applause, the smiles from her friends, and the significance of what’s just been given to her. There’s a light in her eyes I haven’t seen in a long time, a kind of joy that makes all the darkness she’s endured seem like a distant memory.

She steps forward, shaking hands with some of the guests, her movements slow and careful, as though she’s still processing it all. Jennifer rushes over, wrapping her in a tight hug, and I hear them laughing through their tears. Kristen stands nearby, clapping, pride shining in his eyes.

I lean back, watching from the side, satisfied. Sophia’s been through hell, but she’s made it out stronger, and now she has something that’s entirely hers—something good. Something that gives her a reason to smile.

She glances back at me, her eyes full of gratitude and something else—something deeper. For a moment, our eyes lock, and I can see how much this means to her. She’s over the moon, and I can’t deny that it feels good to see her like this.

As the applause dies down, she walks back toward me, her smile wide and genuine. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hug. I’m not used to public displays of affection, but for her, I make an exception.

“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice shaky with emotion.

“You deserve it,” I say, my voice low but firm. “You’ve been through enough. It’s time for something good.”

She pulls back slightly, looking up at me, and for a moment, I see the girl who used to be weighed down by all the pain and loss. Now, though, there’s hope in her eyes, and it’s like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” she says, her voice still filled with disbelief.

I smirk, leaning in closer. “What’s mine is yours, remember?”

She laughs, shaking her head as tears spill down her cheeks. “You really are full of surprises, aren’t you?”

I shrug. “I have my moments.”

The event continues smoothly after that, and it’s satisfying to see how much Sophia’s foundation resonates with the people attending. Our friends and family gather around, offering their congratulations and support. I stand back for most of it, letting Sophia take the spotlight. She deserves every bit of it. I can’t help but notice the way she glows when she talks about her plans, her passion shining through with every word.

Jennifer pulls her aside to chat about future events, and Kristen can’t stop beaming with pride. It’s a good night, one that feels like a step in the right direction for both of us.

As the evening winds down, and the guests begin to filter out, Sophia stays beside me, holding my hand. It’s a subtle gesture, but I can feel the strength behind it, like she’s grounding herself in the moment. When it’s finally time to head home, she lets out a soft sigh of relief as we leave the event behind and get into the car.

The drive home is quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. There’s a sense of contentment that hangs in the air between us, a kind of peace I’m still getting used to.

Once we get inside, Sophia takes a deep breath, her expression shifting into something more serious. She looks at me, her eyes searching mine as if she’s trying to figure out how to say what’s on her mind.

“I have something for you,” she says, her voice soft, almost hesitant. “But… I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden change in her tone. “Show me,” I say, curious.

She reaches into her bag, pulling out a folded piece of paper and handing it to me. It’s a hospital report, the official kind with her name printed neatly at the top. I glance down at the words, scanning the lines until one word jumps out at me: pregnancy .

My heart skips a beat.

“We’re having a baby,” she whispers, her voice barely audible as she watches me for my reaction.

I look up at her, stunned. This was the last thing I expected, and for a moment, I’m not sure how to process it. The idea of having a family wasn’t something I ever really thought about—not with this life, not with everything that’s happened. But now that it’s here, now that it’s with her , it feels… different. It feels right.

A family. With Sophia.

The thought sinks in slowly, but when it does, something clicks into place. I picture a future—one where it’s not just me anymore. It’s her. Our child. Our family.

I glance back at Sophia, who’s watching me with a nervous, almost anxious expression, like she’s bracing herself for something she’s not sure of.

I reach out, pulling her into my arms. “I’m happy, Sophia,” I say quietly, pressing my forehead against hers. “I wasn’t expecting this… but I’m happy.”

Her body relaxes against mine, and she lets out a soft, relieved breath. “Really?”

“Really,” I assure her, pulling her even closer. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, burying her face in my chest, and I can feel the tension melt away from her. We stay like that for a while, just holding each other, both of us processing the reality of what this means.

A baby. A new beginning. A family.

It feels surreal, but as I stand there with her in my arms, I know that I’m ready. For the first time in my life, I actually want this. I want a future with her, with our child.

“Thank you,” she whispers against my chest, her voice shaky with emotion.

I pull back slightly, looking down at her, my hand resting gently on her stomach. “We’re going to be okay,” I say, my voice firm. “You and me. And this baby.”

She nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m just… I’m scared.”

I cup her face in my hands, my thumb brushing away a tear that escapes. “I’ve got you. I’ve got us. You don’t have to be scared.”

She smiles up at me, her eyes softening. It’s a look I’ve come to love, the way she looks at me when all the walls are down and it’s just us. She leans into my touch, and I kiss her forehead gently, sealing the promise between us.

We stand there for a few moments longer, just holding each other, letting the weight of this new reality settle in. There’s a lot we still don’t know, a lot that could go wrong. Even so, everything feels exactly as it should be.

Finally, she pulls back, her hands resting on my chest as she looks up at me. “So,” she says with a small, teasing smile, “are you ready to be a dad?”

I chuckle softly, shaking my head in disbelief. “I guess we’ll find out.”

She laughs, the sound light and full of hope, and I can’t help but smile too. Whatever happens next, we’ll face it together.