"Of course, you can stay with me as long as you need," Mariane said, her voice gentle and full of warmth. Jonas cleared his throat. "Mom," he said softly, "can you give us a moment? I need to talk to Alva alone." Mariane hesitated, her eyes darting between them. Then, with a small nod, she turned to Freya. "Come on, let’s give them some privacy." Freya nodded in agreement, and the two women walked off the patio, leaving Jonas and Alva alone. The tension between them was obvious, the air thick with unspoken words. Alva crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Her eyes were sharp and cold as they locked on him. "So?" she said flatly. "What do you want to say?" Jonas took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of his regret. "I’m sorry," he began, his voice low and hesitant. "I’m so, so sorry, Alva. If I’d known....if I had any idea that you weren’t in your right mind that night, I swear to you, I never would have touched you." Alva didn’t respond, her
"I never abandoned you, my child," Karina said, her voice trembling with emotion. She wiped her tears and reached for Alva. "Listen to me, Selma. We lost you when you were just a little girl." "Lost me?" Alva repeated, her voice sharp with confusion. "How did you lose me?" "You were only three years old," Karina began softly. "Your dad and I were supposed to go on a trip, but you wouldn’t stop crying. You begged us to take you along. You and your brothers were meant to stay with your grandparents, but I couldn’t bear to leave you behind, so we took you with us." She paused, her voice cracking. "But there was an accident. A terrible one. It took your father’s life, and me... I lost my memory. I was badly injured and rushed to the hospital." Alva’s eyes widened as she listened, her breath caught in her throat. "The people who found us said you weren’t in the car," Karina continued. "Nobody knew where you went. Nobody knew what happened to you. Some believed you’d... died. But y
"Alva!" Freya cried, her voice breaking as she watched Alva being carried away by her brother. Alva closed her eyes tightly, refusing to look back. She turned her face away, her silence cutting deeper than words. Behind her, Freya broke down, covering her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. The Lundes got into their car, and in moments, they were gone, leaving Freya sobbing quietly. Marianne turned to her, her tone cold but controlled. "You should go home, Freya," she said. "You betrayed your best friend, someone who trusted you with her life. You can’t be surprised by her actions now." Freya wiped her tears, her face full of regret. "I understand, ma’am. Thank you," she whispered before glancing at Jonas. His glare pierced through her, and she quickly looked away, walking off without another word. Jonas remained seated, his expression unreadable. Marianne sat across from him, studying his face. "You seem sad," she said gently. "But you should be happy for Alva. After ev
As Marianne left, Jonas sat in silence, guilt consuming him. His thoughts were a storm of regret as he replayed all the things he had said and done to Alva. Each memory felt like a dagger to his chest, and he couldn’t shake the overwhelming sense of shame. Meanwhile, Alva’s eyes widened as Nikolai, tall and strong, carried her effortlessly into the house. She was taken aback by his strength and the care he showed as he gently laid her down on a king-sized bed in a pristine white room. The room was breathtaking, with its elegant decor and soft lighting. On a nearby table, her gaze fell on a large photo of a baby. The moment she saw it, her heart skipped a beat. That baby was her. Memories of her early childhood, blurry and fragmented, suddenly came rushing back like a flood. Her grandfather, mother, Nikolai, and Vidar followed her into the room, all watching her with expressions of love and curiosity as she settled on the bed. “I should make you some breakfast,” her mother sudd
Alva was sleeping when she felt a hand lightly rubbing her ankle. Her eyes shot open, her heart racing for a moment before she recognized Nikolai sitting at the edge of her bed. Confusion flickered across her face as she tried to pull her leg away instinctively. But his grip was firm yet gentle. “Don’t move,” he said softly, concern etched into his features. “You’re going to hurt yourself. It must hurt a lot, doesn’t it?” She hesitated before nodding. “Yeah, it does,” she admitted quietly. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That workaholic Vidar has gone back to the company. While we were shopping, he kept getting calls, said he had a quick meeting, and left. Thea later joined us. She and mom are still out there, spending every last dime, I think. I had to leave them and come back.” Alva blinked, still trying to process his presence. “Oh… okay. I was waiting for Grandpa, but he never came.” A sigh escaped Nikolai’s lips, and for a moment, his expression darkened. “Act
Nikolai nodded, trying hard to keep his anger under control. He carefully tied the bandage around Alva’s ankle, his hands steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. Once done, he left the room to wash his hands. When he returned, he sat closer to Alva on the bed. Gently stroking her hair, he said, “You’re so beautiful, Alva. You remind me so much of Mom. You look just like her. The first time I saw your picture, I felt like I’d seen you before. But it didn’t click then that you might actually be my sister.” He paused for a moment, his voice softening. “Grandpa was the one who figured it out first. After Thea was adopted, I tried to love her as my sister. I really did. But… it never felt the same.” Alva stayed quiet, sensing the raw emotion in his words. “I still remember when we were little,” Nikolai continued, his lips curving into a bittersweet smile. “You used to call me ‘big brother.’ You loved playing with me. You’d pull my hair, laugh when I crawled around pretendi
Karina walked in with Thea, their arms overloaded with shopping bags. Behind them, a small group of supermarket staff followed, carrying even more. Alva’s eyes widened, disbelief etched on her face as the sheer volume of bags kept piling into the room. When the last of the bags had been unloaded and the staff finally left, Alva could only gape at the mountain of items. Karina perched beside her on the bed, her expression soft and apologetic, though a warm smile lingered on her lips. "I might have gone a little overboard," Karina admitted sheepishly. "I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I just... got a bit of everything." Her smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of deep vulnerability. "When I found out I had a daughter, I made sure this room stayed exactly the way it was. This was your room when you were little." Her voice wavered, and Alva could see the emotion brimming in her eyes. "I’ve kept it this way all these years. Even your baby clothes are still here. I had the ro
Alva smiled faintly at her mother, but her mind was a storm of emotions. "I don’t even know how I feel, Mom," she admitted, her voice soft and hesitant. "I can’t say if I love Jonas or not. Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I’m just… lost. Right now, I want to focus on my life....on college, on my dreams, and on preparing to be a mother. That already feels overwhelming." Karina reached out, pulling Alva's cheeks lovingly. Her gaze brimmed with love and determination. "You’ll have everything you want, Alva. I promise you that. No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure your dreams come true." Meanwhile, across the city, Marianne sat in a quiet, tension-filled room with her husband, Troy. His sharp gaze bore into her, his patience visibly wearing thin. "Marianne," he said, his voice firm but steady. "You’ve been saying you need to tell me something, but you keep holding back. Just spit it out." She fidgeted, wringing her hands together. "I’m worried, Troy," she admitted. "What I have to
Alva sat by the window, the golden sunlight pouring over her as she gently caressed her rounded belly. She had just registered her marriage to Jonas a week ago in a quiet ceremony, their rings simple yet meaningful. Though their wedding celebration had been postponed until after the baby’s arrival, her heart was full. But today, she was restless. “I miss Mom,” Alva said softly, turning to Jonas, who was busy arranging a small pile of baby clothes they had recently bought. “I want to visit her.” Jonas looked up with a gentle smile, crossing the room to kneel in front of her. “Then let’s go,” he said, taking her hands in his. “You’re her pride and joy. I know seeing you will make her day.” As they prepared to leave, Alva suddenly gasped, clutching her stomach. A rush of water spilled onto the floor. “Jonas…” she whispered, her voice trembling. Jonas was at her side in an instant. “Your water broke,” he said, his voice steady despite the panic rising in his chest. “It’s time.”
A few days after the press conference, Jonas stood outside his parents' home, holding Alva’s hand. The house was an impressive estate surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, reflecting the warmth and grandeur of the Stanford family. Jonas turned to Alva with a reassuring smile. “Nervous?” he asked, squeezing her hand gently. “A little,” Alva admitted, glancing at the imposing double doors. “Meeting your parents officially is a big deal, Jonas.” Jonas chuckled, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Trust me, they’ll love you as much as I do.” As they stepped inside, Alva was immediately enveloped in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Jonas’s mother, Marianne, rushed forward, her arms outstretched. “Alva!” she exclaimed, pulling her into a heartfelt hug. “It’s so wonderful to see you again. Jonas has told us so much about you.” Alva smiled, touched by Marianne’s warmth. “Thank you, Mrs. Stanford. It’s an honor to meet you again.” “None of that formality,” Marianne said, waving he
A few days after the workshop ended, Alva returned home with Vidar and Jonas. The trio’s spirits were high, their bond stronger than ever after the eventful days they’d shared. But their cheerful mood took a sobering turn when they learned about Thea’s actions. Sitting in the living room, Karina explained everything; Thea’s betrayal, the recording, and her banishment to Australia. Alva’s face showed a mix of disbelief and relief. “She really tried to have me killed?” Alva whispered, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it.” Vidar clenched his fists. “It’s a good thing she’s gone. If she weren’t, I don’t know what I would’ve done.” Jonas nodded in agreement. “Your mom handled it well. And I think Australia is more mercy than she deserved.” Karina sighed. “It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done. I couldn’t risk her harming you, Alva.” She reached out, taking Alva’s hand. “You’re safe now, and that’s all that matters.” That evening, Alva and Vidar invited Jonas to join them for dinner
As Nikolai held Freya in his arms, steadying her after her fall, their eyes locked. Time seemed to slow, the patter of rain on the windows fading into the background. Freya’s lips parted slightly as she gazed up at him, her cheeks flushed, her breath soft and quick. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. The intensity in Nikolai’s gaze was mirrored in Freya’s own, and before they realized it, their faces inched closer. Their breaths mingled, and then their lips met in a soft, hesitant kiss. The kiss deepened quickly, fueled by the tension that had been building between them. Nikolai’s hands slid to Freya’s waist, pulling her closer, while Freya’s fingers curled into his shirt, clinging to him as if afraid to let go. The warmth of their connection surged through them, igniting something neither of them had felt before. Freya tilted her head, giving him better access as Nikolai’s lips moved with hers, their passion growing. As Nikolai guided her onto the couch, he looked into
As Karina watched Thea being dragged away, her resolve only hardened. "No matter what happens, I will never let you come back, Thea. I’ll make all the necessary arrangements to ensure that even if I’m no longer alive, you’ll never harm my daughter again," she thought coldly. Meanwhile, at Fjord Garden, Freya sat in the now-empty restaurant, her heart sinking with each passing minute. The rain continued to pour, and the once-romantic atmosphere now felt gloomy and cold. Glances from other patrons made her feel self-conscious, as though they were silently judging her for being stood up. Her phone had lost service, and she couldn’t reach Nikolai. Frustrated and embarrassed, she decided to leave. She walked out into the rain, clutching her small bag as she began looking for a cab. In her haste, her phone slipped out of her hand, splashing into a shallow puddle. "Damn it," she muttered, crouching to pick it up and wiping it off with her damp sleeve. The rain soaked through her clothes,
The next day, Nikolai couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he prepared for his second date with Freya after work. He had spent the entire night replaying moments from their first date, unable to think of anything else. Every time her laughter echoed in his mind, he found himself smiling like a fool. At the same time, Freya was already dressed and ready, her excitement bubbling over. She had chosen a light floral sundress that flowed beautifully around her, paired with simple sandals and a small clutch bag. She couldn’t stop thinking about Nikolai, her heart racing every time she imagined his smile or the way he had looked at her the night before. As Freya waited, her phone rang, and she picked up immediately when she saw Alva’s name. "Alva!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Freya shared everything about her date with Nikolai, thanking Alva profusely for making it possible. Alva, equally thrilled, recounted her own dramatic day at the auction, sharing every de
Vidar folded his arms, staring at Mina with a mixture of disgust and disbelief. His voice was cold as he spoke. "You know, Mina," he began, "after I found my long-lost sister, I was looking forward to introducing her to you. I thought you two could be friends, and maybe there was even a future for us. But you revealed your true colors before it ever came to that." Mina opened her mouth to speak, but Vidar raised a hand, silencing her. "I’m happy I realized your disgusting nature before I gave you a status in my life. Don’t ever come near me or my sister again," he said firmly. "And, oh....get ready to explain yourself in court for defaming Alva." Mina’s face paled. She turned to Emilie, who was just as shocked as a lot of people to learn that Alva was Vidar’s sister. Mina dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she begged. "Vidar, please, I’m sorry! I love you so much. I thought Alva was your new girlfriend. I was blinded by jealousy. I would never have done this i
Mina’s hands trembled as she rummaged through Alva’s purse, her desperation growing with each passing second. She overturned every pocket, searching thoroughly, but the bracelet was nowhere to be found. Her heart raced, her mind spinning in disbelief. "I put it here!" she thought frantically. "I know I did!" In a final act of desperation, Mina turned the purse upside down, spilling its contents onto the floor. A few items fell out: some feminine wipes, a sleek black card, and a few dollar notes. The crowd watched in stunned silence as she crouched down, furiously pawing through the small pile. Alva stood above her, her gaze calm but piercing. She folded her arms, watching Mina humiliate herself. As Mina’s panic grew, Alva’s mind flashed back to the bathroom. She recalled how, through the mirror, she had seen Mina slip the bracelet into her purse while pretending to adjust her makeup. Alva had already been on guard, having noticed Mina’s earlier conversation with Emilie. Jonas had
Nikolai arrived at Aurora Bistro, a picturesque lakeside restaurant with a rustic charm. The bistro’s warm glow under string lights reflected on the tranquil water, creating an intimate and magical ambiance. He parked his car and walked toward the entrance, his nerves tingling with anticipation. As Nikolai entered, his eyes landed on Freya, who was already seated at a table near the window overlooking the lake. The sight of her momentarily took his breath away. She wore a deep emerald green dress that complimented her fair complexion. The soft fabric flowed effortlessly, cinching at the waist and flaring slightly at her knees. Her hair was styled in loose waves that framed her delicate features, and her light makeup highlighted her natural beauty. Freya’s bright smile, however, was what truly stole Nikolai’s attention. He approached the table with a grin. “Freya, you look absolutely stunning. I feel like I’m at a gala instead of a dinner date.” Freya blushed, smoothing her dress