Elona sat in the quiet living room of the villa Alaric had assigned to her, staring out at the sprawling cityscape of Emerald Hill also known as the city of kings. The tension from their earlier conversation lingered, heavy and suffocating. Alaric’s insistence that everything was under control grated on her nerves. If only he knew who I really am, she thought bitterly.As the second-in-command of the Guild of Shadows, Elona had seen and dismantled schemes far more intricate than the one currently targeting Royale Group. But Alaric’s refusal to trust her instincts and his blind faith in Maribel, stung deeply.Alaric had handed her the keys to the villa before she left the Royale Group headquarters, his expression unreadable. “Stay here, Elona. It’s safe, and I’ll come back every night to see you. You don’t need to worry, Maribel has the situation under control.”His words were meant to comfort, but they only deepened the ache in her chest. She wanted to scream at him, to shake him unti
Maribel's past heroics had earned her Alaric's unwavering trust. During their elite military school days, Maribel had saved Alaric's life on a mission when they were nineteen. Her quick thinking had blocked a bullet meant for Alaric, using a dead trafficker's body as a shield. This selfless act had forged an unshakeable bond between them.Alaric's trust in Maribel was absolute, and he relied heavily on her expertise. His assistant, Jimmy, shared this trust, having witnessed Maribel's exceptional skills firsthand. Unbeknownst to Alaric, Maribel's devotion stemmed from a deep-seated love for him, one she had harbored for years.Meanwhile, in Country F, Elona informed Alaric's parents, Adrian and Edith Royale, that she would be taking the children to Valtieri mansion to visit her mother. Unaware of Elona's intentions, they raised no objections. Elona, however, had no plans to maintain contact with Alaric's family. Feeling betrayed and distrustful of Alaric, she decided to sever all ties.
Later that evening, as Alaric stared at the night skyline from the balcony of the Zheron International penthouse, Maribel stepped into the room, her presence a practiced blend of casual and confident. She carried a tablet, scrolling through reports.“Tomorrow’s meeting with the investors should be the final push we need,” she said, her tone professional but laced with warmth. Alaric barely glanced her way. “I hope it’s worth it. I’ve been feeling... off about everything lately.”Maribel smirked, setting the tablet on the table. “You’re overthinking again. You always do when you’re tired.” She poured herself another glass of wine and leaned casually against the counter.Unbeknownst to Alaric, Maribel’s tablet displayed encrypted messages. One was from Theodore, the general manager, confirming their plan to delay Alaric further. Another was a directive from her true employer: a shadowy figure referred to only as “The Benefactor.”Later that night, Maribel entered her private suite, lock
Alaric’s discovery of the encrypted file, Project Obsidian, left him with more questions than answers. Sitting alone in his penthouse, he stared at his laptop screen, the file refusing to open without a decryption key. “Jimmy,” he called out, his voice tense. His assistant entered, immediately sensing Alaric’s unease. “What is it, sir?”“This file,” Alaric said, turning the laptop toward him. “It’s locked, but the name, Project Obsidian is tied to Maribel’s private server. I need this decrypted.” Jimmy hesitated. “That could take time. If it’s encrypted this heavily, it’s meant to stay hidden.”“Then we don’t have time to waste,” Alaric snapped. “Find someone who can crack it.” As Jimmy left to make the arrangements, Alaric leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. For the first time, doubt crept in about Maribel, Zheron, and even his father.Back at the Valtieri Mansion, Elona paced her bedroom, the cryptic warning still burning in her mind. She couldn’t sit idle. If
Elona stood at the expansive desk in the Valtieri Mansion’s study, her fingers tracing the edge of the mysterious letter. The warning, “He’s not who you think he is. Trust no one from Zheron,” replayed in her mind. Her instincts, honed as deputy leader of the Guild of Shadows, told her there was more to this than a simple accusation against Alaric or his associates. This was a web, and someone was pulling the strings.Esmeralda entered the room, her gaze sharpening as she took in Elona’s tense posture. “You’ve been quiet since you received that letter,” she observed, crossing the room to sit on the couch. “What’s troubling you?”Elona sighed, holding up the note. “This. Someone’s trying to plant doubt in my mind, about Alaric, about Zheron, perhaps even about Adrian. I need to uncover the truth before I make a move.”Esmeralda’s lips tightened. “You’re right to be cautious. The Guild has resources that can help you investigate. Use them.”Elona nodded, her mind already working. She w
Elona moved silently through the dimly lit corridors of the Guild of Shadows’ hidden headquarters. As the deputy leader, she commanded respect, but tonight she sought something more elusive. Answers. The faint sound of footsteps echoed behind her as Victor, the Guild’s third-in-command, approached. “Elona,” he greeted, his voice low. “You’ve requested a private session in the Archives?”She nodded, holding up the letter. “This came to me at the Valtieri Mansion. It’s linked to Zheron territory, and I need to know who’s behind it.”Victor’s brow furrowed. “A bold move. Whoever sent this knows your connections.” Elona’s gaze hardened. “And they underestimated me. I need the Guild’s network to trace this further.” Victor inclined his head. “Consider it done. But be careful, Elona. Whoever orchestrated this may be closer than you think.”As Victor left, Elona entered the Guild Archives, the air thick with ancient scrolls and parchment. She placed the letter on a glowing panel, activating
Back in his suite, Alaric paced the room restlessly. The conversation with Maribel had only deepened his unease. Her defensiveness wasn’t the reaction of someone with nothing to hide. His mind wandered back to Elona.Her absence had created a void he couldn’t ignore. Elona wasn’t just his children's mother. She was his anchor, the one person who always challenged him to be better. The thought of losing her and the children gnawed at his resolve.Jimmy entered the room, a folder in hand. “Sir, I found something else. Niccolo Ferrand’s name has surfaced in connection with a shell corporation that Maribel has been funneling funds into.”Alaric froze. “Niccolo Ferrand? The operative who vanished years ago?” Jimmy nodded grimly. “It seems he’s not as dead as we were led to believe.”Alaric’s jaw tightened. If Niccolo was alive, and Maribel was involved, then this was bigger than he’d imagined. He clenched his fists, determination flaring in his chest. “I’m going to confront Maribel. But fi
Alaric sat on the edge of his bed in the dimly lit hotel room, his head buried in his hands. The echoes of Elona’s sharp words and decisive actions haunted him, replaying over and over like a relentless storm. He thought back to the quiet strength she had displayed when they first met, her determination to stand firm in the face of adversity. How did I fail to see the brilliance in her all this time?He glanced at his phone again, frustration brewing within him. Every failed attempt to reach her felt like a strike against his resolve, but also a reminder of how much she had endured because of him. Her intellect, her courage, her ability to protect their children while navigating danger, was nothing short of extraordinary.Maribel’s shadow loomed over his thoughts, and he clenched his fists. For years, he had let loyalty to an old comrade cloud his judgment. Elona had seen through the facade, and she had paid the price for his blindness.“I’ve been a fool,” he murmured to himself. Jim
Five Years Later… The Royale Estate had never been more alive. Lush gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, the scent of blooming roses mingling with the crisp afternoon air. The laughter of children echoed across the grounds, filling the estate with warmth and joy. Elona stood on the grand balcony, watching the scene below unfold with a soft smile on her lips. She leaned against Alaric, his strong arm wrapped protectively around her waist. "Look at them," she murmured, pride evident in her voice. Down in the courtyard, the Terrific Trio, Arlyle, Artie, and Allie, were engrossed in an intense discussion, their expressions far too serious for eleven-year-olds. But then again, they weren’t just any eleven-year-olds. They were national geniuses, their intelligence unmatched by any child their age. Their names graced international forums, scientific journals, an
The grand ballroom of the Royale Estate was transformed into a breathtaking vision of elegance. Cascading chandeliers bathed the space in golden light, while delicate floral arrangements lined the aisle, each petal whispering a tale of love, redemption, and new beginnings. Alaric Royale stood at the altar, dressed in a custom-tailored black tuxedo, his stance confident yet solemn. His heart pounded with anticipation as he awaited the arrival of the woman who had become his world, the woman he had almost lost but fought to reclaim. The billboards across Country M broadcasted the event live, capturing every moment in stunning detail. The entire nation bore witness to the redemption of a man who had once taken love for granted but now vowed to cherish it with his entire being. When Elona finally appeared at the entrance, time seemed to stand still.Dressed in an exquisite white gown
Alaric Royale had always been a man who thrived under pressure. Business deals, billion-dollar investments, and ruthless negotiations had been his expertise for years. But now, he was navigating an entirely different battlefield, one that involved diaper changes, bedtime stories, and earning the love of the family he had once taken for granted. And he was determined not to fail. For him, this was the dawn of a new routine, and one he fully embraced with sincerity. The sun had barely risen when Elona stirred awake, expecting to hear the usual fussing of the twins. But instead, the room was quiet. Too quiet. She sat up, her heart thudding. Had she overslept? Where were the babies?Slipping on her robe, she made her way downstairs, only to pause at the sight before her. Alaric was in the living room, still in his sleepwear, holding one of the twins in his arms while feeding the othe
Elona studied him, searching for any trace of deception, but all she saw was sincerity, painful, soul-deep sincerity. “I don’t know if I can ever fully forgive you,” she admitted quietly. “But… I want to try.” Alaric’s head snapped up, eyes widening slightly. “You do?” Elona sighed. “The truth is, despite everything, a part of me never stopped wanting you. And maybe that’s my own weakness. But I can’t ignore that you’re their father, that we’re still married, and that...” she hesitated, “...that I once loved you.” The admission hung in the air between them, fragile and uncertain. Alaric leaned forward slightly, his voice a gentle plea. “Then let me earn it. Let me show you that I can be the man you deserve. I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, but I’ll spend every day proving it to you.” Elona exhaled. “We’ll take it one step at a time.” A spark of hope ignited in Alaric’s g
“I missed both of your pregnancies. I wasn’t there when you needed me most. I let others dictate my life, let my pride get in the way.” His jaw clenched. “And because of that, I lost the woman who should have been my priority from the beginning.” Elona crossed her arms, her eyes filled with lingering pain. “You don’t just get to regret things now and expect everything to be okay. You should know that by now." “I know,” he admitted. “And I don’t expect forgiveness overnight. But I need you to know, Elona, that I regret it every single day. Every time I look at our children, I think about what I missed. I think about how you went through it all alone because I was too blind to see what truly mattered.” Elona bit her lip, fighting against the emotions rising inside her. It was rare to see Alaric this open, this vulnerable. But bitterness still lingered in her heart. “You always put business first, believed
The battle was won. The threats to Elona were gone. But for Alaric Royale, the war was far from over. As the chaos of the past weeks settled, silence became his enemy. It was in that silence that the heavy burden of his failures pressed down on him. He had conquered enemies, crushed empires, and outmaneuvered some of the most ruthless minds in the world. Yet, when it came to the one thing that truly mattered, his family, he had failed spectacularly. Alaric sat alone in his office, a crystal glass of whiskey untouched on his desk. The city skyline stretched before him, bright and alive, yet he felt nothing but emptiness. His fingers hovered over his phone. He had Elona’s number memorized, yet every time he thought of calling her, he hesitated. What could he say? I’m sorry? I regret everything? Please come back to me? None of it felt enough. He hadn’t just missed a few anniversaries or forgotten a birthday.
After the banquet’s revelations had settled, Alaric, Elona, and Master Fu gathered in the Guild’s war room, a dimly lit chamber filled with ancient scrolls, maps, and strategic plans. The room was filled with the scent of aged parchment and burning incense, a signature of Master Fu’s personal quarters.Seated at the head of the table, Master Fu steepled his fingers, his piercing eyes scanning the duo before him. “We need to discuss Gwen Mason.”Elona exhaled sharply, her expression darkening at the mention of the former queen consort of Country S. “She got away too easily,” she muttered.Alaric leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable but his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. “Even after the ICC took over, the Mason family pulled their strings, and now she walks free on ‘bail.’ It’s a mockery of justice.”Master Fu nodded gravely. “The ICC was never going to hold her accountable. The Mason family has deep connections, and the former king… well, let’s just say he w
Kian stood at the wide-open balcony of his guest bedroom at the Guild headquarters, his fingers curled tightly around the ornate railing. The cool night air did little to ease the storm raging inside him. He had spent his life running, from the truth, from himself, from the consequences of his choices. But tonight, he could no longer hide.Behind him, the grand doors creaked open, and light footsteps approached. Elona. He knew her presence before he even turned. “You wanted to see me?” she asked, her voice calm but distant.Kian inhaled deeply, steeling himself before facing her. She looked as poised as ever, her striking features illuminated by the moonlight, but there was something else, something he had put there. A wound, not of steel or poison, but of betrayal.“Elona…” he hesitated, his throat tightening. “There’s something I need to say. Something I should have said a long time ago.” She crossed her arms, waiting. “I’m listening.”His fingers clenched at his sides before he for
The following evening, the banquet hall of the Guild of Shadows was alive with activity. The grand space had been transformed into an elegant but fortified venue. Guards were positioned at key points, watching for any sign of trouble. Elite members of the guild mingled with the esteemed guests, their presence a reminder that tonight was not just a celebration, it was a test. And Elona was at the center of it all. At the head table sat Master Fu, his keen eyes observing the room, knowing that tonight was not just about celebration, it was about revelation. Elona sat beside him, her face calm and composed, but a storm brewed within. The triplets were at a smaller table nearby, excitedly whispering to one another, while Kian sat to her other side, his expression unreadable.Then, Alaric walked in. Dressed in a sharp black suit, exuding dominance, his icy blue eyes swept the hall before landing on Elona. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still between them. But before he could tak