♪♪ We Found Love - Rihanna✿Lilah's POV :I roll over in the empty bed. Midnight ticks by, but Ivan still isn’t back. Lately, he's been returning early, yet after our encounter today, he's nowhere to be seen. The silence in his absence feels thicker than usual, oppressive even.I don’t know why, but the sting of rejection sits heavy in my chest, a feeling I hate to admit. I thought he might give in this time—thought I’d get under his skin. But it’s Ivan Volkov. He’d never give in.I shift onto my stomach, staring up at the starry sky through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sleep is the last thing I can do right now. Frustration tightens around me like a vice. I need to get out of this bed, out of my head. With a sigh, I toss the covers back and head downstairs. My mind’s been spinning around Ivan all day, and I can’t shake the tension crawling over my skin.Lucy asked earlier what was wrong. I told her everything. She’s as confused as I am. Why the hell am I feeling this for my enemy?
Lilah's POV :I haven’t seen Ivan in a week. The air in the mansion feels different without him—lighter, but also strangely oppressive. It’s as if his absence leaves a vacuum that’s too vast to ignore. The maids whisper in clusters, their voices low, but not low enough to escape my ears.“He’s on a business trip,” one says, her hands busy polishing silverware.“Egypt, I heard,” another chimes in. “For a whole week.”“At least we can relax a bit this week,” the first replies, though her tone suggests anything but pity.My fingers tighten around the coffee cup I’m holding. A week. That’s all I have. Ivan’s absence is rare, and even though the thought of digging into his world terrifies me, it’s the only chance I’ll get.Later that evening, I shared the plan with Lucy in hushed whispers.“This is it, Lilah,” she says, gripping my arm. “If we’re ever going to find something, it’s now. Break into his office.”“I know,” I whisper back. “But listen—you’ll stand outside. If you see anyone com
Lilah's POV :The room is suffocatingly silent, save for the distant ticking of a clock on the wall. Ivan’s gaze is fixed on me, cold and unwavering, like a predator studying its prey. The air between us feels electric, crackling with an intensity that makes the fine hairs on my arms stand on end. I take a step back, instinctively, but my legs bump into the edge of the heavy wooden desk behind me, stopping my retreat.“You’ve been pushing your limits, Lilah,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. His accent wraps around my name like a velvet glove over an iron fist, and it sends an involuntary shiver down my spine.I glare at him, trying to summon every ounce of defiance I have left. “You don’t scare me, Ivan.”His lips twitch into a smirk, one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “No?” he murmurs, closing the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps. “Then why do you look like a frightened little mouse cornered by a cat?”I hate the way my body reacts to him, my heart hammering
Ivan’s POV :The mansion falls eerily silent as the moon climbs higher into the ink-black sky. I lean against the polished mahogany railing of the balcony, staring at the shimmering pool below. My thoughts are scattered, my focus fractured. The weight of my decisions presses heavily on my chest, yet my mind keeps circling back to her—Lilah Daniels.That insolent little spitfire has been a thorn in my side since the day I dragged her into my world. She shouldn’t matter, shouldn’t occupy space in my thoughts. And yet, she does. Her fiery defiance, her sharp tongue, her infuriating audacity—it’s a drug I can’t seem to resist.I clench my jaw, willing myself to stop thinking about her. But then the faint creak of a door catches my attention. My gaze snaps to the bedroom behind me, where Lilah stands at the threshold, bathed in the silver glow of moonlight. Her hair is loose, tumbling in soft waves around her face, and she’s dressed in an oversized shirt that barely grazes her thighs. One
Ivan's POV :The night is thick with silence, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. The room is dimly lit, bathed in a warm, golden glow from the bedside lamp. I sit on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on my knees, staring at the floor. Lilah is across the room, leaning against the door, her arms folded, her lips pressed in a thin line.She’s wearing that defiant look again—the one that simultaneously infuriates me and makes me want to crush it under my touch. Her oversized sweater, barely covering her thighs, clings to her frame in all the wrong ways, or maybe all the right ones. She’s beautiful, but not in the polished, deliberate way most women in my orbit are. She’s raw, unrefined, maddeningly real. It’s that realness that disturbs me the most.“You don’t trust me,” she says suddenly, her voice soft but cutting through the quiet like a blade.I glance up at her, my jaw tightening. “Trust is earned, not given freely.”Her eyes narrow, and she pushes off the door, stepp
Lilah's POV : The dress Ivan picked for me was both a masterpiece and a weapon. Crimson satin clung to my body like a second skin, the neckline plunging scandalously low, exposing far more than I was comfortable with. The slit that ran up my thigh was equally indecent, every step threatening to reveal more. My hair had been styled into soft waves cascading over my shoulders, and diamonds sparkled at my neck and ears, catching the faint light of the hallway.When I stepped into view, Ivan’s gaze found me immediately. His expression remained unreadable at first, but as his eyes traveled from my face to my hips, something flickered—a hunger he tried to suppress. His jaw tightened, and his lips pressed into a thin line.“You look adequate,” he said, his voice low, as though the words were forced.“Coming from you, I’ll take that as a glowing compliment,” I shot back, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.Ivan was dressed to kill—literally and figuratively. His tailored blac
Lilah's POV :I never thought I'd see the day Ivan Volkov would seem... human. Yet, here he is, sitting at the massive dining table, the faintest trace of color returning to his otherwise ghostly complexion. His sharp jawline, typically set in an expression of cold indifference, looks softer in the dim light."You're staring," he mutters, his voice as gruff as ever."I'm not," I lie, turning my attention back to the plate in front of me. The clink of silverware against porcelain fills the silence between us, but it's far from uncomfortable.He shifts in his seat, leaning back with an exhale that sounds almost... relaxed. “You’ve been hovering,” he accuses, though there’s no malice in his tone.“Hovering?” I glance up, meeting his icy gaze head-on. “You were nearly on your deathbed two days ago. Someone had to make sure you didn’t keel over.”His lips twitch—an almost-smile. “And now?”I hesitate. “And now... you’re fine.”But that’s a lie too, isn’t it? Because even though he’s gettin
Ivan's POV :The darkened conference room buzzes with a tension that could slice through steel. The opulence of the surroundings—a mahogany table large enough to host an army, crystal chandeliers shimmering cold light, and leather chairs that seemed designed to dominate the occupants—did little to mask the suffocating atmosphere. I sit at the head of the table, a predator in a cage of pretense. My fingers tap an idle rhythm against the polished wood as I wait, my patience thinning by the second.James Oliver, Mia's father and an insufferable meddler, finally strides in, his face set in a mask of smug determination. He is flanked by two men—his so-called advisors—who are little more than yes-men. My eyes narrow as I lean back in my chair, the shadows of the room seeming to gather around me, drawn by my disdain."Volkov," James greets, his voice oily, oozing false camaraderie. He doesn’t sit; instead, he plants himself at the opposite end of the table, an act that reeks of attempted dom
Lilah’s POV Fifteen Years Later...Life had a way of sneaking up on you, didn’t it? One moment, you’re sitting in a hospital room, holding your newborn daughter, and the next, you’re standing in the living room, watching her head off to high school with a backpack almost as big as she is. Time was a thief, stealing the days and weeks, leaving behind only memories of laughter, tears, and endless love.Emma was fifteen now, and her personality was a perfect mix of Ivan and me. She had his stubbornness and my kindness, his determination and my sense of wonder. She was beautiful, inside and out, with her father’s blue eyes and my dark curls. And she was all grown up.“You ready, sweetheart?” I asked, smoothing a wrinkle from her uniform.Emma turned to me with a smile, her cheeks flushing a little. “I guess so, Mom. It’s just high school, not the end of the world.”I chuckled, trying to keep my voice steady. “I know, but it’s a big step, isn’t it?”Emma shrugged, her eyes showing a matur
Lilah’s POV Five Years LaterLife had a way of speeding up when you weren’t looking. Five years had come and gone in the blink of an eye, each day a blur of laughter, tears, and endless love. Emma was now a lively, talkative little girl, full of questions about the world and a heart that overflowed with kindness. She had turned five, and her boundless energy and curiosity seemed to grow with each passing day.Ivan and I were sitting in the living room after putting Emma to bed, sipping on our favorite wine. The house was quiet, a rare occurrence in our busy life, and the peacefulness was almost surreal.“I can’t believe how big she’s getting,” I said, looking at the framed pictures on the mantel. They were filled with memories—Emma’s first steps, her first day of kindergarten, and the many other small moments that had made up our life together.“I know,” Ivan said, his voice soft. “It feels like just yesterday she was a little baby.”I smiled, tracing a finger over a picture of Emma
Lilah’s POV Four Years LaterTime had flown by in a blur of sleepless nights, endless laughter, and countless little moments that had quickly filled our lives. Our daughter, Emma, was now a spirited, four-year-old little fireball, her wild, curly hair and mischievous eyes mirroring her father’s playful nature. She was the perfect combination of Ivan and me—independent, stubborn, and fiercely loving.It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when the naughtiness in Emma finally made itself known. Ivan and I were in the living room, sharing a quiet moment after putting Emma down for her nap. The house was blissfully silent for once, a rare occurrence with a young child in the house.“I can’t believe our little girl is four already,” Ivan said, pulling me close for a kiss.I smiled, resting my head against his shoulder. “I know, it’s gone by so fast.”“I can still remember the first time I held her,” he murmured, his voice soft with emotion. “It feels like only yesterday.”I squeezed him tightl
Lilah’s POVIt had been two weeks since our daughter’s birth, and life had settled into a new rhythm. Ivan and I were finally finding our footing as parents, learning the delicate balance of late-night feedings, diaper changes, and quiet moments of bonding with our little girl. The early days were a whirlwind of sleepless nights and endless love, but slowly, we found our groove, leaning on each other for support and sharing the joy of our growing family.The house was filled with the soft coos and gurgles of our baby girl, a constant reminder of the love and happiness she’d brought into our lives. Ivan was an incredible father—so attentive, patient, and gentle with her. Watching him with our daughter melted my heart. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before—soft, tender, and deeply loving.“I can’t believe she’s already two weeks old,” I said one evening as Ivan rocked our baby in his arms, a smile on his face.He glanced up, his eyes twinkling with pride. “I know. Time flies when yo
Lilah’s POV Three months had flown by in a blur of love and anticipation. The honeymoon felt like a distant memory, replaced by the reality of settling into married life with Ivan and the excitement of preparing for our new addition. We’d talked endlessly about names for our baby, tossing ideas back and forth, and now, finally, the day had arrived. It was a crisp, early morning when I felt the first pangs of labor. Ivan had been at the gym when I woke him, my voice trembling with excitement and fear. “I think it’s time, Ivan.” His eyes widened, his face lighting up with a mixture of awe and panic. “Are you sure?” I nodded, squeezing his hand tightly. “Yeah. It’s happening.” Ivan didn’t waste a second. He was on his feet, grabbing the hospital bag we’d packed weeks ago, his face a picture of pure determination. “Let’s get to the hospital, Lilah. We’re having a baby today.” It was chaos from then on. The drive to the hospital was a blur of hurried conversations, Ivan’s hands gripp
Lilah’s POVThe days following our wedding felt like a dream. We were finally married, our bond solidified, and now it was time for our honeymoon. Ivan had surprised me with a secluded beach resort, far away from the world’s noise, a place where we could just be together. It was perfect—the gentle waves lapping against the shore, the soft sand beneath my feet, and the endless blue sky above.We had spent our first night as husband and wife in a beautiful beachfront bungalow, the sound of the waves soothing as we lay together, holding each other close. It was surreal, waking up beside Ivan, knowing he was mine now, forever. He looked at me with those intense, dark eyes, his love for me shining through in every glance, every touch.“I can’t believe we’re here,” I said, lying on the bed, feeling the softness of the sheets against my skin.Ivan smiled, his eyes softening. “I know. It feels like a dream.”“Like the best dream ever,” I said, reaching out to take his hand.“I’ve dreamed of t
Lilah’s POVThe weeks leading up to the wedding were a whirlwind of emotions, each day bringing a new layer of anticipation and nerves. Ivan and I had talked about marriage for a long time, but now that it was actually happening, it felt surreal. My heart fluttered with excitement, but there was also a deep sense of fear. I was about to marry the man who had once terrified me, the man who had been both my captor and my savior. And now, he was my everything.We’d decided to keep the wedding simple—a small ceremony with just a few close friends and family. I didn’t want anything big or extravagant; all I wanted was to be with Ivan, to make a promise to each other that we would be there for each other, no matter what. And now, with our baby on the way, it felt even more important to make those promises.The day of the wedding arrived, bright and sunny with a hint of warmth in the air. I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself in the simple white dress I had chosen. It wasn’t anyt
Lilah’s POVThe days blended together, a steady stream of quiet mornings and shared evenings with Ivan. Our new routine was comfortable, almost domestic, and I found solace in the simple things—cooking dinner together, the sound of his laughter, the feel of his hand brushing mine as we walked through the gardens. It was a life I never thought I’d have, a life I never dared to dream of.I was still adjusting to this new version of Ivan. He was different now, softer, more attentive. The hard, ruthless man I had first met had softened, his rough edges worn down by the years. He was still commanding, still powerful, but there was a vulnerability to him now, a need for me that was oddly comforting. I was learning to see beyond the tough exterior, to the man underneath—the one who had always been there, even when I didn’t know it.Tonight, as we sat in the garden, a light breeze ruffling the leaves around us, Ivan’s arm wrapped around my shoulders, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t known in
Lilah’s POVThe days after Lucy and Andrey’s departure passed in a quiet blur. The mansion seemed emptier without them, the walls echoing with an emptiness that seemed almost symbolic. Ivan and I settled into our new routine—me in my old room, Ivan always close by. There was a sense of stability now, a promise that made the loneliness and fear of the past seem like faded memories.I spent my mornings helping Ivan with the business, trying to find my place in this world I had once been so afraid of. The dynamics had shifted, though. Robert had found his stride, and it seemed Ivan’s unyielding support had finally clicked for him. The atmosphere in the office was more relaxed, the tension that had once hung heavy between them lightened.Ivan was different too. Softer, somehow. The hard edges that had always defined him had been polished away by time and the challenges we’d faced together. He was more patient now, less prone to the ruthless displays of temper that had once been his tradem