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Huling Na-update:
2025-03-28 20:02:07
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SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 17
Nikolai Volkov If hell had a waiting room, I was fairly certain it would look exactly like this bridal boutique. Rows of white dresses lined the walls, each one a nauseatingly extravagant display of lace, pearls, and tulle. Chandeliers cast a soft glow over the showroom, reflecting off the floor-length mirrors that surrounded us on all sides. It smelled like vanilla and something sickeningly floral—probably whatever overpriced perfume they spritzed on the gowns to make them seem more magical. And right in the center of it all stood Alessia, arms crossed, face twisted in barely concealed irritation. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, shifting her weight as she eyed the sea of dresses. “This whole thing is ridiculous.” From the plush armchair beside me, Stassie, her best friend, let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, come on, Alessia. It’s your wedding. You could at least pretend to be excited.” Alessia shot her a glare. “*It’s not my wedding. It’s my prison sentence.*” I smirked. “C
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-29SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 18
Alessia Moretti The car ride back to the manor was suffocating. I sat in the backseat, arms crossed, my reflection in the tinted window barely recognizable. The wedding dress fitting had been a disaster. Not because of the dresses themselves, but because, for a fleeting second, I had let something unthinkable creep into my mind. I had almost felt like a bride. It made me sick. Nikolai sat beside me, annoyingly relaxed, as if today had been nothing more than another business deal. His phone was in his hand, thumb scrolling absently over the screen, but I knew he wasn’t really focused on it. He was watching me. Waiting. Predictable. “So,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or should I start guessing?” I didn’t bother turning my head. “You? Guessing? That’s a first.” His lips twitched. “Fine. Let’s see… You’re brooding, which isn’t unusual. But this is different. More dramatic.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please enlighten me, Dr. Vo
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-30SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 19
Nikoali Volkov The low hum of the city beyond the towering glass windows of my office barely registered as I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled under my chin. The news had come in an hour ago—Dante Moretti, the ever-ambitious Italian snake, was making moves on my business. Not just any moves. He was trying to slide his way into contracts that had been mine for years, whispering sweet promises into the ears of my collaborators, hoping to turn them against me. A power play. A pathetic one. I had seen it before—rival families thinking they could test my patience, mistaking my calculated silence for weakness. But Dante? He should have known better. He should have known that I don’t *do* forgiveness. And yet, he had made a mistake far worse than just business. He had forgotten that his daughter almost bore my name. My grip tightened around the glass of whiskey in my hand as I took a slow sip, eyes narrowing at the thought. Alessia. His only daughter, his precious little princ
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 20
The reflection in the mirror was almost unrecognizable. I smoothed my hands over the deep red silk of my gown, the fabric clinging to my curves like a second skin. The slit along my leg was scandalously high, a calculated choice. If I was going to suffer through an entire evening in the company of power-hungry criminals, I might as well look like a queen while doing it. Behind me, Nikolai watched in silence. I could feel his gaze, sharp and burning, raking over my body like a physical touch. I hadn't heard him arrive and I noticed that he hadn't taken his eyes off me since he arrived. “If you keep looking at me like that, I might start to think you actually like what you see,” I said, tilting my head with a smirk. His jaw tensed slightly, but his lips curled into something wicked. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here.” His words sent a strange thrill down my spine, one I refused to acknowledge. Instead, I turned back to my reflection, adjusting the delicate strap of m
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-01SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 21
The gala continued in full swing, a grand display of power, wealth, and deception. The air smelled of expensive cigars, aged whiskey, and the underlying tension of unspoken rivalries. As I moved through the crowd, my arm looped through Nikolai’s out of sheer necessity, I felt suffocated by the weight of expectations pressing down on me.He had insisted we make the rounds together, greeting the most powerful figures in the underworld, exchanging pleasantries with people who would kill us if given the chance. My smile was a well-rehearsed lie, my posture an act of defiance against a fate I had never chosen.Nikolai, on the other hand, thrived in this environment. He was the epitome of confidence, every smirk, every calculated glance, designed to assert his dominance. His hand rested possessively on my waist, a silent warning to anyone foolish enough to think I was anything less than his."You look like you’re contemplating murder," he murmured near my ear, his lips barely brushing my sk
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 22
The heavy scent of whiskey and cigar smoke lingered in the air of my office, mixing with the faint aroma of leather and old books. I leaned back in my chair, fingers drumming against the polished mahogany desk as I stared at the man sprawled lazily across from me.Zayn smirked, twirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. "You called me in here like it was urgent, but all I see is you brooding over Dante Moretti like an ex-lover. What’s the deal?"I shot him a flat look. "Dante is becoming a problem. A problem that needs to be handled before he starts thinking he has an upper hand."Zayn raised an eyebrow. "Handled how? Because if you’re suggesting something permanent, you know that’s a hell of a move. He’s still one of the most powerful men in the Italian syndicate. Killing him outright would cause more chaos than it’s worth."I exhaled sharply, swirling the ice in my own drink. "I don’t need to kill him. I need to send a message. A clear one."Zayn leaned forward, his usual playfulnes
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 23
The penthouse was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city below. I leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching as Stassie paced back and forth in front of me, her hands flailing dramatically."Alessia, I swear, if you don't at least *try* to enjoy yourself before this whole sham of a wedding, I might actually lose my mind," she huffed, stopping to glare at me.I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Stassie, do you hear yourself? You're asking me to celebrate the end of my freedom. An actual party for a wedding I don’t even want?"She groaned. "No, I'm asking you to have one fun night before you get shackled to a Bulgarian mobster for life. There *is* a difference."I snorted. "Not much of one."Stassie rolled her eyes. "Come on, Alessia. When’s the last time you let loose? Actually had fun? I’m talking dancing, drinking, making bad decisions—"I cut her off with a raised brow. "I make bad decisions daily. This wedding is a prime example."She scoffed. "Oh, ha-ha. I’m seriou
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 24
The sun had barely crested the Los Angeles skyline when I laced up my sneakers and grabbed my water bottle, the silence of the penthouse broken only by the rhythmic slap of my footsteps against the marble floor. The weight of the previous days sat heavy on my chest, and running felt like the only way to outrun my thoughts. I needed the sting of cool morning air, the burn in my calves, the ache that came with pushing myself harder than my doubts could follow.Wearing a fitted black sports bra and high-waisted leggings, I tied my hair into a tight ponytail and headed toward the elevator. Of course, fate—or rather, Nikolai—had other plans.He was leaning against the kitchen counter, coffee in hand, dressed in a pair of tailored pants and nothing else. The way his gaze moved from my sneakers to the hem of my leggings told me he wasn’t admiring my dedication to fitness."That’s what you’re wearing?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement and the slightest hint of disapproval.I rolled my
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-05
Pinakabagong kabanata
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 36
Dante MorettPower isn’t something you inherit. It’s something you seize. Something you bleed for. People like to romanticize legacy, talk about bloodlines and destiny, but all of that is noise. Pretty distractions. I’ve built my empire in silence, in calculated moves, in sacrifices most men wouldn’t stomach.Including my daughter.Yes, I gave Alessia to Nikolai Volkov. A contract wrapped in lace and signed in blood. Not because I wanted to. Because I had to. Family always comes first. Even when it destroys you.I sit behind the desk in my study, the city’s lights flickering like dying stars beyond the window. The glass in my hand is half-empty, like everything else in my life. Half full of victories. Half full of regret.Alessia thinks I betrayed her. Maybe I did. Maybe the moment I agreed to the terms with Volkov, I sold off the last piece of my soul that could still call itself a father. But that girl—she doesn’t see the battlefield. She only sees the wounds.And Luca… my son. My b
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 35
The warehouse was quiet. Just the hum of the overhead lights and the soft scrape of my shoes on the concrete floor. Zayn stood near one of the worktables, rolling a coin between his fingers. That little tic always meant something was bothering him. I didn’t need to ask.Still, I waited.He didn’t make me wait long.“Alessia’s stalker isn’t just a shadow anymore,” he said, voice low but certain. “We’ve got something. Not enough to strike, but enough to feel the heat.”My jaw tightened. “Talk.”Zayn flicked the coin up and caught it again. “Surveillance footage. Cross-referenced timestamps from the gala, her usual haunts, even that little bookstore she likes.”“She hasn’t mentioned the bookstore to me.”“Because she doesn’t trust you yet.” He raised a brow. “Can you blame her?”I ignored the jab. “What else?”“One guy shows up three times in three different places. Always on the edge of frame. Never close enough to raise alarms. But too consistent to be coincidence.”I nodded slowly, pi
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 34
Alessia Volkov The air felt heavier than usual. Like something thick and unspoken had settled over the city, clinging to the windows and walls of the penthouse. I stood at the edge of the balcony, wrapped in a robe, hair twisted into a loose bun, fingers curled around a cold glass of water I hadn’t touched in ten minutes.Behind me, the doorbell echoed faintly. Once. Twice.I didn’t move. Didn’t turn.I knew who it was.Nikolai had stepped out earlier for meetings—of what nature, I didn’t care to ask—but his absence made it easier for my father to come slithering back in. Roman had called to let me know Dante was downstairs, waiting.I should have said no.I didn’t.When the door opened, I didn’t need to look to feel him enter. The presence of Dante Russo always came with the scent of expensive cologne, finely tailored disappointment, and shadows.“You look thin,” he said casually. “Is he feeding you?”“Not now, Papa.”I turned to face him slowly. He looked older. Or maybe just more
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 33
Nikolai Volkov The morning sun had no right to shine as brightly as it did.It poured into the penthouse like liquid gold, draping the marble floors and high ceilings in warmth that I didn’t feel. Alessia sat by the window, wrapped in a silk robe that was too pristine for how sharp her mood had been since she woke. Her hair was a cascade of dark waves over her shoulder, untouched since last night.She didn’t look at me.Coffee brewed in the background. The scent filled the room, but it didn’t mask the chill that had settled between us.“You didn’t sleep,” I said, my voice low.Alessia raised her cup to her lips without turning. “Didn’t know I had to report my sleep schedule to you now.”The sarcasm was immediate. Cutting. Familiar, yet more pointed than usual.I approached slowly, as if one wrong move would cause her to shatter.“Was it the bed?” I asked. “Or the idea of waking up next to me?”She glanced over her shoulder finally, eyes gleaming with something I didn’t like. “It was
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 32
Alessia Volkov The applause faded into the clinking of crystal flutes and the soft hum of a string quartet. The ceremony was over. The vows had been said. The trap had been set. Now came the performance. The reception was held in the same estate, only this time, the gardens had been transformed into a dreamscape of lights and flowers. Twinkling chandeliers hung from towering trees, casting golden reflections across white roses and marble statues. It was beautiful—disgustingly so. I stood at the edge of it all, glass of champagne in hand, veil removed, heels sinking slightly into the manicured lawn. Guests mingled and laughed, wine flowed like water, and everyone pretended like this was a celebration. But I knew better. "Smile," Nikolai murmured beside me, not looking at me but at the crowd. "They’re watching." I forced my lips into something resembling joy. "Don’t worry. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of your criminal board of directors." His mouth twitched at the
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 31
Alessia Moretti The morning light streamed through the sheer curtains of the bridal suite, but there was nothing soft or romantic about it. It felt intrusive, like it was daring me to forget what today really was. My wedding day.I stood in front of the vanity, motionless as Stassie pinned the last delicate strand of my hair into place. Her fingers were steady, her reflection calm, but I knew her well enough to see the storm behind her eyes."You look like a goddess," she said softly, her voice a rare note of warmth in the cold quiet of the room.I met her gaze in the mirror and forced a smile. "A sacrificial one."She sighed. "You still have time to run.""And where would I go, Stass? There’s nowhere far enough from Nikolai Volkov. Or the consequences."Her eyes dropped to her hands, and the silence between us stretched. She didn’t argue. She knew me too well. Knew Luca was worth it. Knew I’d already made peace with my own destruction.I stared at my reflection, trying to reconcile
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 30
Alessia MorettiThe night air was heavy with warmth, laced with the distant sounds of a city that never truly slept. From the terrace of the penthouse, Los Angeles sprawled beneath me like a sea of molten stars—bright, endless, deceptive. I lay on the lounge chair, a thin silk robe draped over my legs, my hair cascading over my shoulder like a veil. The wind was gentle, caressing my skin, offering no comfort.Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Volkov.My throat tightened at the thought. Not out of love. Not out of joy. But because I had no other choice.I tilted my head toward the sky, searching for something—clarity, maybe. A sign. Anything. But the stars didn’t care, and the moon remained silent.A bitter smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. A year. Just one year. That was the deal. One year bound to Nikolai Volkov. One year wearing his ring, sleeping in his bed, smiling for cameras, and pretending I wasn’t drowning inside.All for Luca.The thought of my little brother made my chest
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 29
Nikolai Volkov The meeting with the wedding planner had barely ended when I found myself pacing the hallway outside my office, jaw clenched and fingers twitching with anticipation. Alessia’s sarcasm still lingered in my mind like the remnants of an irritating perfume—sharp, invasive, and impossible to ignore. And yet, underneath all the aggravation, I could still see the glint in her eyes when she challenged me, the fire she tried so hard to conceal. It was a maddening dance we performed, this back-and-forth of cold barbs and reluctant magnetism. But there were more pressing matters than navigating the battlefield that was my relationship with my fiancée. Zayn leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his usual smirk absent from his face for once. He knew what today meant. This wasn’t about sending a message. It was about making a statement. “You sure you don’t want to send Roman or Sergei?” he asked, his voice calm but laced with caution. “You know they’d take care of it wit
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 28
The penthouse was unusually quiet for a morning that promised chaos. Two days. Two days before Alessia and I were bound by a contract neither of us asked for—but both agreed to. A necessary alliance. Strategic. Ruthless. Like me.And yet, nothing about this wedding felt predictable. Especially not her.I stood in the open space of the living room, watching the sun slant through the large windows. My black dress shirt was rolled at the sleeves, a cup of Turkish coffee in one hand. I needed the caffeine if I was going to survive this morning. The wedding planner was set to arrive any minute, and Alessia—true to form—was still in her room, likely choosing the most dramatic outfit she could find just to irritate me.Footsteps echoed lightly from the hallway. Speak of the devil.She entered, dressed in an oversized black button-down shirt that looked suspiciously like mine. Her hair was twisted up messily, and she wore no makeup. Still, she looked like chaos incarnate—controlled, curated c
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