HIS REPLACEMENT BRIDE

THE CONDITION.

NICOLAI'S POV.

“You have to marry Ariana.” Stefan's voice rang in my head as I stared at him like he grew two

heads, there has to be something wrong with my ears. “What?” I asked and he leaned back on

his chair, “You heard me Nicolai and you know very well I don't repeat myself.” He replies “I can't

marry your daughter Stefan, that's insane!” I exclaimed, trying to calm myself down, “Why? Is it

because she's younger?” He asks “f**k her age! I don't give a flipping damn about it!” I replied.

He chuckled, “Nicolai watch your tongue or I'll have your head delivered to your daughter” he

says. “You wouldn't dare, I'm your greatest support. We both know without me this entire family

won't exist,” I reply, his eyes narrowed and I walk forward, stopping a few feet away from his

table.

“You know very well you will need me forever and that's exactly why you want me to be your

successor as Don so don't make empty threats Stefan,” I say as I clench my fists. He threw his

head back as laughter filled his office, “If you want to become Don Nicolai you have to marry my

daughter” he says “I lost my wife! There's no f*****g way I'm replacing Nera,” I reply. “Nera died

two years ago Nicolai, she's never going to come back,” he says “your daughter will need a

mother. Ariana will be the perfect mother for her and if you're thinking she will bother you don't

worry my daughter is well trained she won't get into your personal space” he adds and I shake

my head. “Steafan this is wrong, I deserve to be Don without this” I say “You can't become Don

if you're not family Nicolai,” he replies “Ariana will be home soon so you have just about enough

time to get your shirt together” he adds before dismissing me.

I stormed out of his office, out the building and into my car. “f**k!” I cursed as I hit the wheel. I

rested against the wheel as I closed my eyes, Nera. My favourite memory of us together filled

my mind, it was our wedding. She looked so beautiful in her dress, her deep blue eyes sparkled

as I lifted her veil, she was perfect. She understood me better than anyone ever did even my

own mother, we spoke our vows and we were bound together forever. Then Zikorah came, an

exact copy of Nera but sharper, I was so happy we were happy until that day.

Two Years Ago,

“Nicolai, we can't live like this, think about Zizi. What if something happens to her?” Nera says,

her voice cracking. “Listen to me sweetheart,” I said, holding her face as I used my thumb to

wipe her tears. “Nothing is going to happen to us,” I whispered as she shook her head. “Nicolai,

I need you to understand me, please , my love, let's leave, you don't have to continue with this

life, we have enough to sustain us for a lifetime,” she replies as I pull her close to me as I kiss

her forehead. “We are going to be perfectly fine sweetheart just have faith in me,” I say she pulls

away. I stare into her blue eyes and I smile, “I love you Nera, so much” I say “I love you too

Nicolai” she replies.

The next day we were going to pick Zikorah from my mothers place when I noticed a car tailing

us, “Sweetheart I need you to buckle up and hold on real tight” I say and she nods but I could

see the fear in her eyes. I reached over, holding her hand, “You trust me right?” I asked as she

nodded “Good, there's a gun in the dashboard. I need you to get it,” I said as she stared at me

rooted in place. “Now sweetheart!” I exclaim as she jolts moving fast. I increased my speed as I

noticed two more cars had joined the previous one, I didn't know what they wanted, they could

have wanted me or worse Nera. I took a sharp turn as Nera gasped, she brought out the gun, “Nicolai!” She yells and I step on the brakes coming to a sharp stop. We were cornered, they

didn't make a move yet so I told Nera to lay low before I got out raising my arms. One of the

doors opened and a man walked towards me slowly, “It's not you we want” he says and I hear

Nera yell as I turn sharply, gunshots echoed, everything happened so fast the cars moved and I

was next to Nera she laid in a pool of blood as I dropped to my knees. “N..nera,” I called as my

hands moved, “Nera please, please keep your eyes open sweetheart please!” I yelled as tears

rolled down my cheeks she coughs as blood gushes out of her mouth she reaches for me as I

hold her hand. “I'm going to get you to the hospital sweetheart so please stay with me” I say,

lifting her into my arms as I get into the car. “T…tak…take good care of… her” she breathes as I

shake my head, “We will take care of her together Nera, you can't leave us I'm sorry my love

please! I can't live without you. You know I can't!” I yelled “I'm sorry,” she said as she coughed,

“Save your strength please!” I reply and she shakes her head. I rushed into the hospital as I

yelled “Emergency!” but a part of me knew she died in my arms that day. I just wanted a miracle,

but I guess miracles don't work for people like me.

Present,

I raised my head as I pressed the heel of my palms to my eyes, Stefan was right, I wanted to

become Don.