The next morning, I woke to the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the room. Sunlight poured in through the windows, spilling over the soft cream-colored walls. For a moment, I stayed still, taking in the peaceful quiet of the estate. It felt like a dream, but I knew better. This was our reality now.Lukas wasn’t in bed when I turned to his side, the sheets cool where he had slept. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and saw a note resting on the nightstand.Gone to finalize some arrangements. Klaus will assist you today. Enjoy the morning. -LI stared at the note for a moment, the elegant scrawl so distinctly his. Despite his attempts to shoulder everything alone, I could see the strain he was under. It made me even more determined to find my footing here, for him and for the twins.Klaus greeted me in the dining room, where breakfast was already laid out—a spread of fresh bread, jams, cheeses, and fruit. He bowed slightly, his polished demeanor reassuring. “Good morning, Mr
The morning sun bathed the room in a warm, golden light, but its brightness did little to dispel the shadow of the letter’s threat. Lukas paced back and forth, the crisp sound of his footsteps on the hardwood floor a stark contrast to the unease settling over us.Klaus stood nearby, his usual stoic demeanor strained as he waited for Lukas’ next instruction.“I want the entire property swept,” Lukas ordered, his tone clipped. “Every inch of it. Cameras, motion sensors, anything that can give us a heads-up if someone comes within a mile of this place.”“I’ll see to it immediately,” Klaus replied before leaving the room with a curt nod.Lukas turned to me, his piercing gaze softening slightly. “Are you okay?”I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. The letter had rattled me to my core, but I didn’t want him to see how scared I truly was. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “What about you?”His lips pressed into a thin line. “This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with thr
The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of Lukas’ study, casting long shadows across the room. I sat in the corner, clutching a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind, each detail sharpening my resolve.Across the room, Lukas stood by the window, his posture rigid. Klaus had left at dawn to follow up on the drone’s signal, leaving us in a tense silence that seemed to thicken with every passing minute.“Irina,” Lukas said, breaking the quiet. “About the pendant—you said it felt familiar. Can you think of any connection, no matter how small?”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like a memory on the edge of my mind, but it’s just... out of reach.”Lukas crossed the room, his intensity making the space feel smaller. “We don’t have the luxury of waiting for it to come to you. If Viktor—or whoever is behind this—knows something about your past, they’ll use it against you.”I flinched at the truth in
The weight of the world sat heavy on my shoulders as I stared out of the large window of my childhood bedroom. The once-beautiful view of the city below, with its twinkling lights and bustling streets, now looked like a cruel joke. This room, this house—everything in it—had been my prison for as long as I could remember. And now, it seemed like the bars were closing in tighter than ever.The door creaked open behind me, and I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. My mother’s familiar perfume filled the air, a mix of lilies and something else that I could never quite place. It used to be comforting, but now it only made my stomach churn.“Irina,” she said softly, but there was no warmth in her voice. “You need to start getting ready. The engagement party will begin soon.”I didn’t respond. Instead, I kept my eyes fixed on the cityscape, hoping that if I stared hard enough, I could find a way to escape. But I knew better. There was no escape from the fate they had planned for m
The cold night air bit at my skin as we stepped out of the bar, but I hardly noticed. Lukas’ hand was warm around mine, guiding me through the dimly lit streets. The city felt different now, the shadows no longer threatening but inviting, pulling me into a world I had never dared to explore.We didn’t speak as we walked, and I was grateful for the silence. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, too tangled to sort out. All I knew was that I needed this—needed to feel something other than the crushing weight of my life falling apart. And Lukas, with his dark, intense gaze and calm confidence, seemed like the perfect escape.We reached a hotel not far from the bar, one of those places that catered to late-night visitors looking for a quick, anonymous stay. The neon sign flickered above the entrance, casting a red glow on the pavement. Lukas paused for a moment, glancing at me as if giving me one last chance to back out.But I wasn’t going to. I was too far gone, too desperate to care about co
The morning light was too bright, piercing through the thin curtains of my tiny apartment. I winced as I rolled over, the dull ache in my head reminding me of the wine I’d had the night before. I blinked, trying to push the remnants of sleep away as I stared up at the ceiling. It was still strange to wake up here, in this small space that I now called home.Three months had passed since that night with Lukas. Three months since I had walked away from everything I had ever known. I had moved across the city, as far from my family as I could manage, and rented this tiny one-bedroom apartment with the little money I had left. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.I had found a job shortly after moving in, working as an assistant at a large multinational company. It wasn’t glamorous, but it paid the bills and, most importantly, it kept me under the radar. I wasn’t sure if my family was still looking for me, but I wasn’t taking any chances. The last thing I needed was to be dragged back into th
The days after my discovery passed in a blur of anxiety and uncertainty. Every morning, I would wake up hoping that the past few weeks had been a nightmare, but the gentle ache in my lower back and the persistent nausea were harsh reminders that this was real. I was pregnant—with twins—and there was no escaping the truth anymore.I knew I had to tell Lukas, but the thought of facing him filled me with dread. How was I supposed to break the news? How would he react? Would he even care, or would he dismiss it as a consequence of a one-night stand? The fear of the unknown gnawed at me, making it hard to focus on anything else.At work, I found myself constantly distracted, my thoughts drifting back to Lukas. It had been months since that night, and I had no idea how to find him. We hadn’t exchanged numbers, and all I knew was his first name. The chances of running into him again seemed impossibly slim, and part of me wondered if that was for the best. Maybe it was better to leave things
The conversation with Lukas left me more rattled than I expected. As I walked out of his office, I couldn’t shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on me, as if he was trying to decipher what had just happened. My heart was pounding, and I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Relief that I’d finally told him the truth, and anxiety over what would come next.I took the elevator down to the lobby, my mind spinning with thoughts of the twins, Lukas, and what this all meant for my future. The weight of the situation felt heavier with each step I took. I could hardly believe that just a few months ago, my life had been so simple, and now I was walking out of my boss’s office after telling him I was pregnant with his children. It all felt surreal.The crisp evening air hit me as I stepped out of the building, and I wrapped my coat tighter around me. The streets were bustling with people heading home from work, and the city was alive with its usual energy. But tonight, I felt detached from it a
The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of Lukas’ study, casting long shadows across the room. I sat in the corner, clutching a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind, each detail sharpening my resolve.Across the room, Lukas stood by the window, his posture rigid. Klaus had left at dawn to follow up on the drone’s signal, leaving us in a tense silence that seemed to thicken with every passing minute.“Irina,” Lukas said, breaking the quiet. “About the pendant—you said it felt familiar. Can you think of any connection, no matter how small?”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like a memory on the edge of my mind, but it’s just... out of reach.”Lukas crossed the room, his intensity making the space feel smaller. “We don’t have the luxury of waiting for it to come to you. If Viktor—or whoever is behind this—knows something about your past, they’ll use it against you.”I flinched at the truth in
The morning sun bathed the room in a warm, golden light, but its brightness did little to dispel the shadow of the letter’s threat. Lukas paced back and forth, the crisp sound of his footsteps on the hardwood floor a stark contrast to the unease settling over us.Klaus stood nearby, his usual stoic demeanor strained as he waited for Lukas’ next instruction.“I want the entire property swept,” Lukas ordered, his tone clipped. “Every inch of it. Cameras, motion sensors, anything that can give us a heads-up if someone comes within a mile of this place.”“I’ll see to it immediately,” Klaus replied before leaving the room with a curt nod.Lukas turned to me, his piercing gaze softening slightly. “Are you okay?”I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. The letter had rattled me to my core, but I didn’t want him to see how scared I truly was. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “What about you?”His lips pressed into a thin line. “This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with thr
The next morning, I woke to the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the room. Sunlight poured in through the windows, spilling over the soft cream-colored walls. For a moment, I stayed still, taking in the peaceful quiet of the estate. It felt like a dream, but I knew better. This was our reality now.Lukas wasn’t in bed when I turned to his side, the sheets cool where he had slept. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and saw a note resting on the nightstand.Gone to finalize some arrangements. Klaus will assist you today. Enjoy the morning. -LI stared at the note for a moment, the elegant scrawl so distinctly his. Despite his attempts to shoulder everything alone, I could see the strain he was under. It made me even more determined to find my footing here, for him and for the twins.Klaus greeted me in the dining room, where breakfast was already laid out—a spread of fresh bread, jams, cheeses, and fruit. He bowed slightly, his polished demeanor reassuring. “Good morning, Mr
The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the master bedroom, bathing the space in a soft, golden glow. I woke to the sound of birds chirping, an unfamiliar yet soothing melody compared to the bustling noise I was used to. For a moment, I forgot where I was, but the elegant furnishings and the faint scent of pine reminded me—this was Salzburg, our new beginning.I turned to find Lukas already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed. He was dressed in casual slacks and a dark sweater, a far cry from his usual sharp suits. His gaze was fixed on the view beyond the window, his expression contemplative.“Morning,” I said, my voice still heavy with sleep.He glanced over his shoulder and offered a small smile. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”“Well enough,” I replied, sitting up and pulling the blanket around me. “You?”“Barely,” he admitted. “Too much on my mind.”I hesitated before asking, “About Viktor?”He nodded, his jaw tightening. “And about you, the twins... everything.
Morning came with the pale hues of dawn spilling across the sky, a quiet herald to the changes about to unfold. I woke to the sound of Lukas moving around the bedroom, his steps deliberate but soft, careful not to disturb me.“You’re up early,” I murmured, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.Lukas turned, his tie half-knotted, and offered a faint smile. “It’s a big day. Thought I’d get a head start.”I glanced at the packed bags near the door, their presence a sharp reminder that today was the day we’d leave everything behind. The thought made my stomach churn, though whether it was nerves or the twins, I couldn’t tell.Lukas crossed the room and perched on the edge of the bed. “I had breakfast sent up. Thought it might help calm your nerves.”“You’re assuming I can eat,” I said, managing a weak smile.His hand found mine, his grip firm but gentle. “You need your strength, Irina. For you, for them.” He nodded toward my growing belly.I took a deep breath, letting his steady presence ancho
The hours that followed Aaron’s departure seemed to drag and blur at the same time. Every small task I took on—folding clothes, organizing papers, even packing a few items—felt monumental, like I was dismantling pieces of a life I hadn’t fully lived yet.Lukas stayed close but gave me space, sensing that I needed the quiet to sort through the storm inside. He busied himself with finalizing arrangements for our trip, taking calls in hushed tones as I moved through the apartment.By mid-afternoon, I found myself in the nursery. The soft hues of the walls, the neatly arranged crib, and the stuffed animals waiting patiently on the shelves felt like a promise we hadn’t yet fulfilled. I ran my fingers over the edge of the crib, imagining our babies sleeping peacefully there.A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts. Lukas appeared moments later, his brow furrowed. “Sophia’s here,” he said.Sophia. My heart leapt and sank all at once. I hadn’t told her about our decision yet.When I
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the room as I sat by the window, watching Lukas and Aaron converse in hushed tones near the doorway. Their faces were tight, their postures tense, and I didn’t need to hear their words to know they were discussing Viktor.Aaron’s visit, though brief, had been a welcome distraction from the ever-looming threat of my past catching up to us. But now, as the weight of reality bore down on me, I felt a pang of guilt. He had come to help, yet I hadn’t asked how he was holding up.When Lukas excused himself to take a call, I stood and crossed the room toward Aaron. He was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his face set in a mask of quiet resolve.“Aaron,” I began softly, and his eyes flicked toward me.“What’s on your mind, Irina?” he asked, his voice rough but kind.I hesitated, unsure how to put my thoughts into words. “I’ve been so caught up in everything… I never asked how you are. How’s Greta? Is she okay?”Aaron’s
The cottage was meant to be a safe house, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too quiet—too perfect. I sat in the small living room, the faint scent of lavender mingling with the crackle of the fire Lukas had started in the hearth. Outside, the darkness pressed against the windows, broken only by the distant hum of his men patrolling the grounds.Lukas had insisted I rest, but I couldn’t. My thoughts spiraled endlessly, replaying the events that led me here. My conversation with him earlier felt like a dam breaking—one I’d held together for far too long. For the first time, I had laid my fears bare, and Lukas had taken each one with a steady determination that both comforted and terrified me.He was in the adjoining room now, speaking in low tones on the phone. His voice carried a sharp edge, a quiet intensity that made me wonder if he was already planning his next move. Against Viktor? Against whoever had tried to tear us apart? I didn’t know.The door creaked open, and Luka
The night before my departure felt impossibly long. Sleep was a distant concept as I sat with Sophia in her small kitchen, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound between us. The clock ticked closer to dawn, and with it, the moment I would leave the sanctuary she had given me.Sophia’s kitchen, with its mismatched chairs and a single flickering bulb overhead, had become my safe haven over the past few weeks. Here, I had rebuilt fragments of myself, piece by fragile piece. But even this space, comforting as it was, couldn’t shield me from the weight of what was to come.“I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Sophia admitted, her brow furrowed as she watched me from across the table. Her hands clasped a steaming mug of tea, the warmth seeping into her fingers.I shook my head. “It’s the only idea I’ve got. I can’t keep running, Sophia. Lukas needs to know... And... I can’t do this without him.”She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before finally nodding. “I jus