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CHAPTER 11
Last Updated:
2025-03-23 19:06:21
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SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 12
Alessia Moretti The soft clinking of porcelain cups and the subtle scent of vanilla-scented candles should have made the ambiance feel warm and inviting. But there was nothing warm about this room. Nothing inviting either—except maybe the way the wedding planner kept batting her overly mascaraed lashes at Nikolai Volkov.I hated her already.Her name was *Sienna Delacroix*, an award-winning wedding coordinator from Beverly Hills, apparently famous for orchestrating weddings so perfect they made Pinterest boards weep. According to her website, she believed in “creating fairytales, one vow at a time.”I had never believed in fairytales.And certainly not when mine began with blackmail, a forced engagement, and a fiancé who looked like he belonged in a mafia-themed Calvin Klein ad.“Alessia, darling,” Sienna purred, her voice sickly sweet. “You haven’t picked a wedding mood board yet. Romantic coastal or opulent vintage? I brought swatches.”“I pick neither,” I replied flatly, flipping
Last Updated : 2025-03-24SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 13
Alessia Moretti The sun was beginning its slow descent behind the towering buildings of Los Angeles, painting the sky in a mix of gold and crimson. The day had been unbearably long, filled with lectures I barely paid attention to. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the suffocating reality of my new life. Even thinking about his name sent a mix of unease and frustration coursing through me. I had spent the past few days trying to navigate my new reality, living under the same roof as him, feeling his presence shadowing my every move. I exhaled as I pushed through the university doors, gripping my bag tightly. Today, for just a few hours, I had managed to slip into the illusion of normalcy. Attending my classes, sitting beside Stassie, laughing at her ridiculous jokes. Pretending, even if only for a short while, that my life was still my own. But that illusion shattered the moment I stepped into the parking lot. I froze. Leaning against my car, his arms crossed over his broa
Last Updated : 2025-03-25SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 14
Alessia Moretti The drive from the university to Nikolai’s penthouse was a blur. My thoughts had been consumed by Marcello’s words, each one cutting deeper than the last. I hadn’t realized how much pain I had been hiding—how much I had been pretending to ignore. The way Marcello had looked at me, that desperation, that pleading… it was a reminder of a life I couldn’t escape, a past I couldn’t seem to shake.I’d never wanted to hurt Marcello. I cared for him, once. But the man I was now engaged to—Nikolai Volkov—had made it clear that there was no room for any other man in my life. And yet, here I was, still haunted by the ghost of the past.I barely even registered the tall, imposing building in front of me as the car came to a stop. I hadn’t even realized we’d reached the penthouse. All I could think about was the conversation with Marcello, how I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my choices. Before I could gather my thoughts, the door opened, and there he stood—Nikol
Last Updated : 2025-03-26SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 15
Alessia Moretti The moment Sienna McCoy stepped into the grand hall of the manor, I knew I was going to hate every second of this interaction. She was beautiful in a way that made you question whether you were even looking at a real person. Sharp cheekbones, full lips, impossibly sleek black hair that cascaded down her back like a shampoo commercial. Dressed in a blood-red dress that fit her like a second skin, she walked in like she owned the place. Like she owned him. And Nikolai? Well, he barely acknowledged her presence at first, standing by the grand piano, flipping through some files. But the second she spoke, his gaze lifted—cool, composed, and unreadable. "Nikolai," she purred, sauntering over to him with the grace of a woman who had never had to beg for attention a day in her life. "It’s been too long." Oh, fantastic. She’s a purrer. She's a business partner of Nikolai's, but given her attitude towards him, I'm sure there was more than just business between them. N
Last Updated : 2025-03-27SHADOW OF VOW'S CCHAPTER 16
Nikolai Volkov The sound of clinking metal and cabinet doors slamming shut pulled me from my half-sleep. At first, I ignored it, assuming one of the staff was handling something in the kitchen. But then came the muffled curse, followed by what sounded suspiciously like a teaspoon being hurled across the room. I exhaled sharply, running a hand over my face. It was nearly midnight. Who the hell was making this much noise? Pushing off the bed, I grabbed the gun from my nightstand—habit—and made my way downstairs, my footsteps silent against the polished floors. The moment I reached the entrance of the kitchen, I stopped. There, standing in front of the open pantry, was Alessia. In nothing but silk shorts and a matching top that barely qualified as clothing. I tightened my grip on the doorframe. Her back was to me as she rummaged through the shelves, her hair slightly tousled, probably from sleep. The shorts sat dangerously low on her hips, and the top—if it could even be
Last Updated : 2025-03-28SHADOW 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2025-03-31
Latest chapter
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 37
Alessia Volkov Marriage isn’t supposed to feel like this.It’s not supposed to feel like walking barefoot through a minefield, like waiting for the next invisible strike, like drowning in silk sheets that feel more like spider webs. Every step I take, every glance I cast over my shoulder, reminds me that I’m no longer just Alessia Moretti. I’m Mrs. Volkov now.And being a Volkov comes with a target I never asked for.I sit in the sunroom of Nikolai’s penthouse, the walls made of glass, letting the morning light pour in like liquid gold. But the brightness does nothing to warm me. My fingers twitch restlessly on my lap, my nerves on fire ever since the wedding.There’s a car parked outside that doesn’t belong to our usual security rotation. A man I didn’t recognize lingered too long in the café across the street yesterday. Zayn says it's probably nothing. Nikolai says it's handled. I say they’re both liars.And I hate how right I might be.I sip my tea, now cold. I’ve been holding the
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
