Chapter: Epilogue It was a long night. Victoria had been in labor for hours, and I could see the exhaustion on her face. Sweat slicked her forehead, and her grip on my hand tightened with each contraction."Easy... easy..." I whispered, trying to keep her calm, but she wasn’t hearing it. She was too focused on the pain."Push!" the nurse said, her voice sharp and clear. Victoria squeezed her eyes shut, letting out a loud cry of frustration."Push! You’ve got this, Victoria," I said, doing my best to be encouraging. She glared at me between breaths."Yeah, right. You’re the one who put me in this position!" she shot back, her voice strained. I knew better than to argue.The nurse was moving around, adjusting equipment, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I wasn’t about to leave her side. I stood by her, rubbing her back as she gave another push.The nurse gave me a knowing look as she prepared to leave. “We’ll be right outside,” she said, before heading for the door. But I wasn’t going anywhere.“No, I’ll stay
Last Updated: 2025-01-27
Chapter: Chapter 156Vincenzo Dante Volkov:“You! You did this!” the president bellowed, his finger shaking as it pointed at me.I raised my hands, smirking. “Easy now. I didn’t do anything, alright?”“I'm disappointed at the kind of games you've played Mr President. First you tried sabotaging my image, now you plan on killing me?” Nikoali walked in, he took a glass of wine and drank. “Interesting…you wanted to kill my brother? After everything I've done for you!?” I asked, shaking my head. “Indeed, you are a fool. What was running through your head!” Nikolai set the empty glass down with a deliberate clink, his cold eyes never leaving the chaos in the room. "The president’s ambition always outweighed his intelligence. I warned you, didn’t I? But you never listen."I stepped forward, my boots clicking against the marble floor as I faced the dying man on the ground. Blood seeped through his shirt, pooling beneath him, yet his defiance still flickered in his eyes.“You wanted to kill my brother?" I repeat
Last Updated: 2025-01-27
Chapter: Chapter 155Vincenzo Dante Volkov:The car pulled over at the grand event hall. I adjusted my suit and stepped out. Nikolai wasn’t answering his calls, and it had been hours.Inside, I searched the room, weaving through the crowd of politicians and officials. Finally, I spotted him on the upper level, speaking to a high-ranking senator.I headed straight for them. Nikolai saw me coming, his expression tightening for a split second before he spoke.“Vince,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d be here this soon.”“Clearly,” I replied.Nikolai excused the senator, and the man left without a word. Once it was just the two of us, I didn’t waste any time. “What the hell are you doing here?”“I’ve been calling you,” I said, my voice sharp. “No answer. I didn’t want to call Dad, Mom, or your wife to tell them your life is in danger.”Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, ‘my life is in danger’? I’m fine, Vince.”“No, you’re not.” I stepped closer. “Mr. President ordered a one-point-and-shoot strategy
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
Chapter: Chapter 154Vincenzo Dante Volkov:"I love how you play these games, Charles. Coming into my house and trying to kill my wife? Really?" I walked toward the man tied to the chair, his face disfigured from repeated punches and his fingers chopped off. He was gagged, of course—I didn’t want to hear his excuses for trying to harm my wife."What was it? The money? How did you even get into my house with all that security, huh?" I watched as he tried to move—was he thinking of running? I couldn’t be sure, but I loved the way fear radiated from his face.He muffled a sound as I gave him a shallow cut across his cheek."Is that a cry?" I muttered, leaning closer, locking eyes with the man tied to the chair. "Alright, just nod. That’s all I need from you. Who sent you?"He thrashed, muffling something behind the gag."Oh, right. The gag." I yanked it off, watching as he gasped, blood trickling from his split lip. "Now, talk. Was it the Senator? Yes? No?"His breath hitched, his words tumbling out in a rus
Last Updated: 2025-01-23
Chapter: Chapter 153Vincenzo Dante Volkov:The silence between Little Mouse and me was deafening, weighted with all the things I’d done wrong. Every marriage has its storms, but this—this was a hurricane of my own making. She is my goddess, my entire world, and I’d be a fool to let my thoughtless actions tear apart what we have.I needed to apologize—not just with words but with my soul.I walked to her room and knocked gently. The sound barely broke the air, but I knew she heard it. She turned away, her back now to the door, and my heart sank further.She was angry, hurt. I could feel it radiating from her, and I had no one to blame but myself.I stepped inside, my breath heavy with guilt. As I approached the bed, I spoke, my voice raw and trembling with emotion.“Baby,” I began softly, “I’m sorry. I endangered you and our babies, but most of all, I broke your heart.”The words caught in my throat, but I pushed on, sinking to my knees beside her. “Please, forgive me. I can’t go on like this. It’s tearin
Last Updated: 2025-01-22
Chapter: Chapter 152Vincenzo Dante Volkov:Some things never change. I was in my office, going through files and preparing for the next patient. The door opened, and a woman stepped in, followed by a man who looked like he didn’t want to be here.“Good afternoon,” I said, motioning for them to sit. “I’m Dr. Vincenzo. How can I help today?”“My name is Gloria,” the woman said, her voice shaky. “This is my husband, Daniel. We, uh, just came in for some tests.”I nodded, looking at their files. “Alright, I see the test results are in. Let’s go over them.”She sat up a little straighter, her hands folded tightly in her lap. “Is something wrong?”I took a deep breath, keeping my tone calm. “Gloria, one of the tests shows you have an infection—it's a sexually transmitted infection.”Her face went blank for a second, like she didn’t quite understand what I said. “What? No… that can’t be right.”The man, Daniel, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Gloria looked at him, her voice growing a little more anxious. “Da
Last Updated: 2025-01-17
Chapter: Chapter 54Rose SinclairThe whole day went by without me stepping out. I remained inside the room we all shared, buried under the duvet on my bunk bed.My thoughts went everywhere, yet I couldn't find the answers I sought.Would he really let me meet my mother?Did he hold me back from Trix because he knew she would hurt me?Why exactly am I here if I'm just to be a fancy slave tool?I thought of every answer to the unwavering questions chugging my heart. Then, his hands on my throat, the rage in his eyes, his facial expression, his body movement—the disgust simmering out of every word he uttered was overwhelming.I was out of options. I had considered every sane idea I could come up with.That evening, I woke up and tried to get to my feet, but a wave of dizziness hit me. I sat back, trying to collect myself before attempting to stand again.After what felt like an eternity, the dizziness cleared. Something caught my eye—a tray covered with linen.I pulled it open and found a plate filled with
Last Updated: 2025-02-25
Chapter: Chapter 53Federico Di GraziaI felt a surge of anger the moment I saw her with Trix. She should know better than to involve herself in a fight with someone like Beatrice. Now, Beatrice has the perfect excuse to drag Rose into her twisted revenge games.A deep, unsettling feeling twisted inside me—I was the one who made Rose into the Fox she’s becoming by sending her here. She’s no longer the quiet, fragile girl she once was. That passive fury she unleashed on Trix? I’ve never seen her that mad before.At the same time, I can’t deny I’m impressed. She’s adapting quickly. But fighting? That’s something I won’t tolerate.Then came strike two—she walked away from me, turning her back as if I wasn’t still in the room. An insult of the highest order.I sent someone from her little circle to deliver a message—she was to come to my office.Leaving the cafeteria, I was filled with mixed emotions. A part of me was pleased—she’s becoming territorial, showing real emotions instead of that constant gloom. B
Last Updated: 2025-02-25
Chapter: Chapter 52 Rose SinclairAfter our usual daily routine, an announcement came through—Red was visiting today.Chaos erupted. Whispers, murmurs, hushed conversations. Excitement and fear coiled together in the air like a storm about to break.Me? I kept my thoughts to myself. I had learned my lesson back in the cafeteria.A few hours later, we all gathered in the great hall. The masters had no details about the surprise Red had in store for us, only that it wouldn’t be an easy one. That much was obvious.Then, the hall doors burst open with a force that sent a ripple of tension through the crowd. The air shifted. A presence entered the room—powerful, commanding.We were trained well enough to keep our eyes straight ahead, locked onto the raised platform, but we felt him.In seconds, he strode past my line of sight, heading for the front. Master Stephen stepped forward, voice steady as he addressed us.“For those of you who haven’t had the honor,” he announced, “allow me to introduce the man behind
Last Updated: 2025-02-25
Chapter: Chapter 51Federico Di Grazia;With the election only months away, my team and I were busier than ever. I had a lot on my plate—meetings to attend, business deals to oversee, and associates to manage. But it wasn’t just politics keeping me occupied. The underground mafia world had caught wind of my run for governor, assuming foolishly that my focus on the campaign meant I’d be too distracted to keep my grip on the streets.I needed to remind them. I ruled both worlds, and no one—not even another mafia family—could overthrow a Di Grazia.James brought me intel the other night."Boss," he said, "word is your campaign has stirred up the mafia. They think you’ve gone soft. Sources say your push for legitimacy has made you look… less ruthless."I leaned back, absorbing his words. "Is that all?"He hesitated before adding, "Your rivals believe you’re trying to play clean, avoiding violence to maintain a political image."I smirked. Listening to more of this bullshit wouldn’t help. "We need to remind t
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: Chapter 50Rose SinclairThe incident with Master Stephen plagued my mind all day. I couldn’t shake the endless possibilities running through my head.Lady Roseline would be the most exquisite bow I’d ever seen, and as an archer, I dreamed of one day holding it in my hands.But Master Stephen made it clear—it belonged to Red. Off-limits. Untouchable. No exceptions.The Trip & the Shooting TestThe rest of the trip was eventful. We saw old pistols, modern machine guns, even an MI16. But nothing captivated me like that bow in the restricted room.With three days left before our shooting program began, we gathered notes on bullets, arrowheads, and other essentials. I’d already started picturing myself shooting, imagining the thrill of it.Fun, right?Wrong.We were taken to a practice room where Tier 3 was having a shooting test. Each of us received a set of headphones. For what? To listen to Lady Gaga while we fired? Or were they meant to feed us information in this madhouse filled with guns and b
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: Chapter 49Federico Di Grazia;I was trying to wrap up some paperwork before my meeting with the confraternity later today. Being a senator was no small task, and my right-hand man, James, and I had worked tirelessly—pulling an all-nighter to stay ahead. The campaign team had dropped off samples earlier: T-shirts, hats, banners—everything a politician needed.I know, it sounds like I don’t fully belong in that world. Right now, I see myself as an interim, just until I officially secure the position—which, by the way, is already in motion.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my work. I arched a brow at James, who responded with a silent I’ll check it out look. I gave him a slight nod, granting permission.He moved to the door, cracked it open just enough to peek outside, then swung it wider for the visitor—my head of security, Theo Bennett.Theo gave a small bow before stepping inside. “Morning, Boss.”“Theo,” I acknowledged, my focus still on my desktop. “Something wrong?”“Boss, you have a
Last Updated: 2025-02-17