Signed In Blood
episode 1
They called it marriage, but in the Sokolov estate, it functioned more like a negotiation with consequences.
A week after marriage, Milena stopped asking what she was allowed to do, and started noticing what she was being prevented from doing.
She wasn't as free as she thought.
Milena Chernov
When I agreed to this marriage, I didn't sign up for a prison sentence. *folds her arms*
Nikolai Sokolov
*looks up from his phone, confused* You're not locked up. I'm your husband, not your prison warden.
Milena Chernov
Then I want to go out-
Nikolai Sokolov
You do go out, remember? Your university. The mall-
Milena Chernov
With a bunch of bodyguards!
Nikolai Sokolov
It's for your safety.
Milena Chernov
I don't need you to protect-
Nikolai Sokolov
*cold tone* This marriage may only be an arranged marriage, on paper only, in our eyes. But for the public it's a real one.
Nikolai Sokolov
*cold tone*As much as I hate saying this, you're a Sokolov now. Which means you'll act accordingly.
Milena Chernov
*rolls her eyes* Oh it's such an honor to be one of you Sokolov.*sarcastic*
Nikolai Sokolov
*glares at her*
Milena Chernov
*sighs* Don't you think assigning four bodyguards is a bit too much?
Milena Chernov
How about three?
Nikolai Sokolov
Don't even try.
Nikolai Sokolov
Non negotiable.
Nikolai Sokolov
*pinches the bridge of his nose, sighting* Are you planning to keep doing this until you reach zero?
Milena Chernov
Is that a yes to me having one bodyguard?
Nikolai Sokolov
Absolutely not. *leaves the room*
Milena Chernov
*mumbles* Jerk
The Sokolov and Chernov family have known each other for years. They were both in the Bratva- the russian mafia. Whilst, of course, the two were enemies, that changed a long time ago when both families were ambushed by some unknown enemies leading to widespread bloodshed, and nearly the death of Maksim Chernov.
But his soon-to-be friend, Igor Sokolov, managed to help him and keep him alive. That's when Maksim decided that maybe, this hatred between the families should come to an end. They announced a truce now that they had a common unknown enemy.
But promises were made to be broken. And words weren't enough. Not in the Sokolov family, the founders of the bratva called the Voron Syndicate.
Maksim, to thank Igor for saving his life and to prove his commitment to the truce, offered a marriage between the two families. An arranged marriage, The first son and the first daughter were to marry each other, to assure the two families will never be enemies again.
Even if this marriage proposal was made before any of them had kids, it was a deal made by two russian mafia men. And as tradition goes, a contract as sacred as this, is to be signed by blood, and to never be broken.
two bloody thumb print were enough to condemn their first children to a life they never signed up for, but could never escape.
A contract that's signed in blood can't be undone no matter the circumstances. And if any party tried to get an out, that would be considered treason and a war would start.
After two years Nikolai was born, and after eight years Milena followed.
Milena always knew about the arranged marriage, ever since she was a kid. Her parents believed that the sooner she knows about it, the easier she'll accept it, not that rejecting it was an option. They believed it'll be best if she had enough time to actually process it. And she did have enough time, she had years. But with her parents reminding her everyday of the truce, the contract, the Bratva, the blood oath, it just made her believe it was her duty to agree to this marriage. That all she was born for was to prevent the war. It felt like her mission in life, and soon she stopped arguing, stopped trying to come with a solution for this mess. She knew she couldn't get out of this marriage, not even Nikolai can. She knew that.
episode 2
Daria Petrenko
so? How's Mrs Sokolov doing? *smirks teasingly*
Milena Chernov
Oh please don't call me that. It's a living hell!
Daria Petrenko
*frowns* Why? Is he hurting you?
Milena Chernov
No.. He's... okay.
Daria Petrenko
I sense there's a but somewhere in there.
Milena Chernov
*sighs* There's no but. He's acting like a husband should be.
Daria Petrenko
Oh! Then how come I didn't hear anything about your wedding night?
Daria Petrenko
Is the Nikolai Sokolov that bad in bed you were ashamed-
Milena Chernov
*puts her hands on Daria's mouth* We didn't do anything!
Milena Chernov
*frustrated* That's not what I meant when I said he acts like a husband does.
Daria Petrenko
*removes her hands* Listen, I know this must be hard for you, getting married at a young age to someone you don't know.
Daria Petrenko
And I understand that there's no way out of this, but I'm here for you if you need to talk, or anything really.
Milena Chernov
*smiles* Thank you Daria.
Milena Chernov
I just need time to get used to being married to Sokolov. *shrugs*
Daria Petrenko
Well who knows, maybe you'll fall in love with each other.
Milena Chernov
*shakes her head* If I ever do, it'll be because of Stockholm syndrome! I feel like I was kidnapped. *laughs*
Daria Petrenko
Oh yeah totally, let's not ignore the fact that you didn't deny it's possible you'll fall in love with him. *teases her*
Milena Chernov
*gets up* Oh shut up Daria, let's go we'll be late for class.
Daria Petrenko
Okay fine.*follows her, smiling*
Then Milena's phone started ringing
Milena Chernov
*answers the call*📲 Hello mother
Irina Chernov
📲 Come see me after you finish your classes.
Irina Chernov
*already hung up*
Daria Petrenko
What did she say?
Milena Chernov
She wants to see me, but she didn't say why. *frowns*
Daria Petrenko
*concerned* I hope it's not the same thing as last time.
Daria Petrenko
You can't go alone!
Milena Chernov
I have to. She'll get mad if I don't and I cannot afford that to happen.
Nikolai Sokolov
Alex what's the latest Intel?
Alexei Belov
Albert Harrison was last seen meeting with a bunch of drug dealers. *passes him a file*
Nikolai Sokolov
*reads it* What is he planning this time?
Alexei Belov
*sits down* Our informer said it's drug trafficking.
Alexei Belov
We don't know which type of drugs though.
Nikolai Sokolov
That doesn't matter. He chose to operate in our territory and that's his last mistake.
Nikolai Sokolov
*cold tone* Talk to the informer, have him tell you the time and date of the drug trafficking.
Nikolai Sokolov
If it's tonight, get everyone ready.
Alexei Belov
*gets up* On it.
Nikolai Sokolov
*cold tone* Alexei, I want no mistakes.
Alexei Belov
Of course, I'll get it done. *leaves*
Nikolai Sokolov
*clenches his fist* Harrison, you thought I wouldn't know about your little meetings in my city.
Nikolai Sokolov
*cold tone* I'll hunt you down and I'll make sure you never get to see another day.
Nikolai and Melina's room
Nikolai Sokolov
*knocks on the door and opens it* I was told you're not feeling well.
Milena Chernov
*laying on the bed, back facing him*
Nikolai Sokolov
(She must've fallen asleep)
Nikolai Sokolov
*leaves the room*
Milena Chernov
*opens her eyes*
Milena Chernov
*goes to the bathroom and looks at face in the mirror*
Milena Chernov
*standing in front of Irina* Mother, you asked for me?
Irina Chernov
*cold tone* How's everything going with Nikolai?
Milena Chernov
Fine. We're still married. *raises her left hand showing off her ring*
Milena Chernov
One week and we're still counting. *ironic tone*
Irina Chernov
*stands up and walk closer to her*
Irina Chernov
*cold tone* Watch your tone. You don't need me to discipline you, do you?
Milena Chernov
*tried to hide her fear* No mother.
Irina Chernov
If I hear you're being a problem, then you'll have me punishing you. *glares at her*
Irina Chernov
Just like the old days. *smirks*
Milena Chernov
*clenches her fist* I'm a Sokolov now.
Milena Chernov
I'm the wife of the Pakhan of the Bratva. The boss.
Irina Chernov
*smiles* Oh there's still so much for you to learn, my dear daughter. *walks closer to her*
Milena Chernov
You cannot hurt me like you used to. Your son in law will have you killed. *trued to be brave*
Irina Chernov
*slapps her*
Milena Chernov
*cheek bleeding*
Irina Chernov
What have I been teaching you all these years, huh? Do not expect love from this marriage. It is your duty in life and that's it.
Irina Chernov
You're not supposed to enjoy it. And you're definitely not supposed to threaten me. *glares at her*
Irina Chernov
*angry* Your husband doesn't love you, he wouldn't bother to even think of your well-being.
Milena Chernov
*clenches her fists*
Irina Chernov
*looks at her bloody ring she wore on the hand that slapped Milena* Oh look what you've made me do.
Irina Chernov
You ruined my ring! I had it custom made. *angry*
Irina Chernov
*cold tone* Get out of her. And next time you better learn how to speak to your mother or else I'll have no problem 'helping' you do so.
Milena Chernov
I'll have to avoid him until I come up with a good excuse for what happened to my face. *touches the bandage on her cheek*
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
