Epilogue
ALICE
The sun is shining, its golden rays casting a soft glow over the garden. Flowers are in full bloom, their fragrance wafting through the air, blending with the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. It’s the perfect summer day. We’ve been postponing our marriage for a day like this, and it’s finally here.
I stand in front of the mirror in my room, my reflection staring back at me. My dress is simple yet elegant, the white silk flowing gracefully around me, hugging my figure in all the right places. I feel like a princess, and even though my postpartum weight isn’t gone completely, Ivan made sure to get me a designer who knew exactly what I would want.
I glance over at the bassinet where my daughter, Rose, sleeps peacefully. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen—chubby cheeks, tiny fingers curled into fists, and a soft head of dark hair.
“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Marta’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see her standing in the doorway, a rare smile softening her usually stern face.
“She is,” I say, unable to tear my eyes away from Rose. “I still can’t believe she’s mine. Ours.”
Marta steps into the room, adjusting the small bouquet of peonies in my hands. “You’ve grown so much, Alice,” she says quietly. “You’ve brought something to this family I didn’t think was possible—peace.”
I blink back the sudden sting of tears. “Thank you, Marta. That means more than you know.”
She nods, then straightens. “It’s time. They’re waiting for you.”
My breath hitches. They’re waiting for me. My heart races, not with fear, but with anticipation.
I scoop Rose into my arms, kissing her forehead as she stirs. Her tiny yawn makes me smile. Marta takes Rose from me as we make our way outside. The garden is transformed into something from my dreams—rows of white chairs adorned with soft pink ribbons, a simple wooden arch decorated with wildflowers framing the altar.
The guest list is small, intimate. Just family and a few trusted friends. Sergei is standing near the altar, his sharp suit a stark contrast to his usual rugged demeanor. Despite everything, he’s here, and I’m grateful for the tentative truce we’ve found. Vadim, too, is present, sitting quietly in the back. The truce we brokered wasn’t easy, but with Alexei’s lies exposed, there was no longer a reason for war. For now, there’s peace.
Luka and Mila sit in the front, their tiny faces alight with excitement. Luka looks dashing in his little suit, though he keeps tugging at the collar like it’s choking him. Mila, on the other hand, is all smiles in her pale pink dress, the tulle puffing around her like a little cloud. She’s holding onto Marta’s hand tightly as if the excitement might carry her away.
And then there’s me, standing at the end of the aisle. My heart races as I adjust the bouquet in my trembling hands. My dress feels like a second skin, its silk soft against me.
Jenna leans close and whispers, “Breathe, Alice.”
I laugh softly, nodding. “I’m trying.”
Marta gives me an encouraging smile as she urges Mila and Luka to their feet, Rose still cradled in her other arm. Luka takes his sister’s hand, leading her proudly down the aisle as the flower girl and ring bearer. Mila throws petals with wild abandon, her giggles filling the air, while Luka keeps his serious face, determined to play his role perfectly. My heart swells as I watch them, these children who have come to mean everything to me.
When it’s finally my turn, I take a deep breath and step forward.
I step onto the stone path leading to the altar, and my breath catches as I see them—my men. Ivan, Dmitri, and Nikolai stand side by side, each wearing tailored black suits that fit them perfectly.
As I walk toward them, my heart feels like it’s going to leap out of my chest.
When I reach the altar, Jenna takes my bouquet and steps aside, giving us the space we need. Ivan steps forward first, taking my hands in his. His fingers are rough, calloused, but his touch is so gentle it makes my chest ache.
“You saved me, Alice,” he says. “You saved all of us. I never thought I could love like this, but you proved me wrong. And I promise to protect you, to love you, for the rest of my life.”
Tears spill over my cheeks, and I nod, unable to speak.
Dmitri steps up next, his hands warm as they cup my face. “You’re everything I never thought I deserved,” he says. “You’re strength, compassion, and fire. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you know how much you mean to me.”
I laugh through my tears, leaning into his touch. “You already do,” I whisper.
Nikolai is the last to step up.
“You’ve always been my light, Alice,” he says, his voice a little shaky. “From the moment you walked into our lives, you changed everything. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’ll never take it for granted.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re impossible,” I say, but I can’t help but laugh.
“And you love it,” he quips, making me laugh again.
“Are you ready for this?” Dmitri whispers as I stand between them, my hands trembling in theirs.
“I’ve never been more ready,” I whisper back, my voice steady despite the tears brimming in my eyes.
The officiant, a kind older man Sergei insisted on bringing in, clears his throat and begins the vows.
Tears spill down my cheeks as I say my vows, my voice breaking but sure. “Ivan, Dmitri, Nikolai…you are my family, my home, and my heart. I promise to love each of you, to stand by you, and to protect what we’ve built together. You’ve given me everything, and I’ll spend my life giving it back to you.”
When it’s time for the rings, Ivan slides a simple, thin gold band onto my finger, followed by Dmitri and Nikolai with two more.
“I now pronounce you…well, I’m not sure what the right term is,” the officiant says with a chuckle, eliciting soft laughter from the guests. “But you’re certainly married.”
The three of them lean in at once, their lips brushing mine in turn, sealing the vows with kisses that leave me breathless. The crowd erupts into applause, and I turn to see Sergei clapping heartily, Marta dabbing at her eyes, and even Vadim offering a reserved nod.
As we walk back down the aisle together, Rose now cradled in my arms again, I feel an overwhelming sense of peace. The past may have been turbulent, but this—this is our future.
Later that evening, we have our reception in the garden. Luka and Mila are the stars of the dance floor, spinning and twirling with anyone who will join them. Even Sergei cracks a rare smile as Mila insists he hold her hand while she dances.
I watch from the side, holding Rose close to my chest. She’s dozing off now, her tiny fingers curling into my dress. Dmitri comes up behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist as he rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Mind if we steal you for a moment?” Nikolai teases, his eyes warm despite his playful tone.
I smile, nodding. “I was wondering when you’d get tired of dancing.”
“We could dance all night if it made you smile,” Dmitri says softly.
Ivan pulls out a chair, sitting directly in front of me, his intense gaze meeting mine. “But you look like you have something on your mind.”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I do. I just…I need you all to know how much you mean to me.”
Nikolai leans forward, his smirk softening. “We already know, sweetheart. But I think we like hearing it anyway.”
I laugh quietly, shifting Rose in my arms. “When I came into your lives, I didn’t know what to expect. I was just trying to survive, to find a place for myself. And then, somehow, I found all of you. You gave me love, a family, and a home. You made me feel safe when I thought that wasn’t possible anymore.”
Ivan reaches out, his large hand covering mine. “You’ve done the same for us, Alice. More than you know.”
I shake my head, my eyes filling with tears. “No, let me finish. I didn’t just fall in love with you individually. I fell in love with the way you care for each other, the way you protect Luka and Mila, the way you made room for me even when I didn’t deserve it.”
Dmitri’s fingers tighten slightly on my shoulder, his voice rough when he speaks. “Alice, you’ve never not deserved it. You’ve been ours from the start.”
Rose stirs slightly in my arms, and Ivan takes her carefully, cradling her against his chest. The sight of him holding her makes my heart clench in the best way.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
Nikolai grins, his hand finding mine. “We’re the lucky ones. You’ve managed to tame this madhouse of a family.”
I laugh, wiping at my tears. “Hardly.”
“I didn’t think I could love like this, not after everything we’ve been through. But you proved me wrong,” Dmitri says.
Nikolai leans in. “We don’t just love you, Alice. We need you. And we’ll spend the rest of our lives making sure you know it.”
I can’t hold back the tears anymore, and they spill freely as I look at each of them. This is our life. Our love. Our happily ever after.
The End
Dear precious reader, thank you for reading Ruthless Daddies!
When I finished writing the book, I couldn’t put down my pen yet… not until I wrote a little something extra special just for you.
P.S. If you enjoyed Ruthless Daddies, then I think you’ll enjoy Bratva Daddies too! Swipe to the next page for a sneak peek…