Chapter 121The following days passed in a haze of uncertainty, yet there was a strange sense of calm that seemed to settle around me. Stefan’s words lingered in my mind: “Take all the time you need.” And I found myself grateful for that space, that quiet assurance that I wasn’t being rushed into something I wasn’t ready for. But while the words brought me comfort, they also planted a seed of doubt within me. How long could I keep him waiting? How long would he be willing to stay, knowing that my heart was still hesitant, still uncertain?The baby had become more active, reminding me constantly that this wasn’t just about Stefan and me anymore. There was a new life growing inside of me, a small person who was both a product of this complicated web we’d found ourselves in, and a symbol of everything that had changed. I would never have imagined, even a few months ago, that I would be carrying Stefan’s child, but here I was. And as much as I tried to keep the future at bay, there was no
Chapter 122The early morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the bedroom. Shania stirred, her hand instinctively reaching out to the warm body beside her. Stefan was already awake, propped up on one elbow, watching her with that look—the one that always made her feel like she was the only person in the world.“Good morning,” he said, his voice low and rough from sleep.Shania smiled, her heart swelling at the sight of him. “Morning.”“Liam’s already stolen my spot as your favorite,” Stefan teased, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “He was babbling nonstop while you held him last night. I think he’s plotting to keep you all to himself.”She laughed softly, her chest tightening with the overwhelming love she felt for both her son and this man who had become her everything. “You’re just going to have to fight for your place, aren’t you?”Stefan grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “I’ve fought for you before. I’ll do it again.”Th
Chapter 123The sun had long since set, leaving the estate bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. Shania stood on the balcony adjoining their bedroom, her arms wrapped around herself as the cool evening breeze teased her hair. Below her, the sprawling gardens were quiet, the faint sound of a fountain bubbling in the distance.She should have felt entirely at ease, but an unshakable restlessness kept her rooted in place.“Couldn’t sleep?”Stefan’s voice was a low rumble behind her, sending a wave of warmth through her. She turned to find him standing in the doorway, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His piercing gaze softened as it met hers, and he stepped forward, closing the distance between them.“I was just thinking,” she admitted, leaning into his touch as he brushed a thumb across her cheek.“Dangerous pastime,” he teased, his lips quirking into a half-smile.Shania laughed softly, the sound easing the tension that had coiled in her chest. “I know
Chapter 124The ballroom was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the hum of conversation. Shania moved gracefully through the crowd, her silver gown catching the light with every step. She radiated confidence, her presence commanding attention as she exchanged pleasantries with the high-profile guests. This was the world Stefan had drawn her into, and tonight, she embraced it fully.From across the room, Stefan watched her with a quiet intensity, his jaw tightening with pride. Dressed in a tailored black tuxedo, he looked every bit the formidable billionaire he was. But his focus wasn’t on the event or their influential guests. His eyes never left his wife.Liam’s soft laugh floated through the air as one of the staff members entertained him in a corner of the room. The sight of their son surrounded by warmth and care filled Shania’s heart with joy.“Mrs. Volkov,” a voice called, pulling her attention.Shania turned to find Alina, one of the board members of the foundation, app
Chapter 125Stefan paced the private study of their penthouse suite, his imposing figure silhouetted against the city lights pouring in from the massive windows. The folder now lay on the desk, its damning contents spread open like a challenge issued to him. His piercing eyes held a dangerous glint, his jaw set in grim determination.Shania sat on the couch, her hands clasped tightly, though her composure was unshaken. She trusted him—trusted that there was no force on earth capable of bringing Stefan Volkov to his knees.“Whoever did this,” Stefan growled, his voice sharp enough to cut steel, “has no idea who they’re dealing with.”He turned to her, his gaze softening only slightly as it met hers. “I’ll make sure they regret ever breathing the same air as you and Liam.”Shania rose from her seat, crossing the room to stand before him. “We’ll face them together,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.He placed his hands on her shoulders, his fingers tightening ever s
Chapter 126The black SUV pulled up to the gates of the Volkov estate, its engine humming with restrained power. Stefan stepped out first, his commanding presence amplified by the tailored suit that seemed to wrap him in authority. Shania followed closely, her head held high, her confidence matching his. Together, they were unstoppable.The staff lined up respectfully as they walked through the grand foyer, their footsteps echoing on the marble floors. Stefan ignored them all, his focus solely on the mission at hand.“Any word from Nikolai?” Shania asked as they entered his private office, the heavy oak doors closing behind them.“Not yet,” Stefan replied, moving to his desk. “But he knows better than to waste time. Petrov’s empire is already crumbling, and it’s only a matter of hours before he crawls out of whatever hole he’s hiding in.”Shania leaned against the desk, her arms crossed. “I want to be there when you deal with him.”Stefan’s gaze snapped to hers, his expression unreada
Chapter 127The morning sunlight filtered through the towering windows of Stefan’s estate, casting a golden glow over the polished marble floors. Shania stood by the window in the bedroom, sipping her coffee and gazing out at the sprawling grounds. The events of the previous night played on her mind, not with fear or uncertainty, but with pride in the man she loved.Stefan emerged from the shower, a towel slung low on his hips, his muscular frame exuding power and control. He approached her, pressing a soft kiss to her neck as his arms encircled her waist.“You’re up early,” he murmured, his voice a deep rumble.“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied, leaning into his embrace. “Too much adrenaline.”He chuckled, the sound warm and intimate. “You handled last night like a queen. Petrov won’t dare cross us again.”She turned to face him, her hands resting on his chest. “Us, Stefan. We’re a team now. I’ll always stand by your side.”His blue eyes locked onto hers, filled with an unspoken promis
Chapter 128The tension of the day faded as the first rays of sunlight kissed the horizon. Stefan sat at the head of the dining table in his estate’s sunlit breakfast room, his commanding presence as undeniable as the wealth displayed around him. Across from him, Shania, dressed in a flowing silk robe, sipped her espresso while scanning the morning updates Nikolai had delivered.“Petrov’s movements were traced to Vienna,” Shania said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, confident—a reflection of her growing comfort in her role beside Stefan.Stefan didn’t even glance at the report. His focus remained on her, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. “Let him scurry,” he said, his voice rich with amusement. “A rat always runs to the darkest corner when it knows its time is up.”Shania set the tablet down, her gaze meeting his. “You seem unnervingly relaxed, considering Petrov isn’t entirely out of the picture.”“I don’t fear anyone, Shania,” Stefan replied smoothly, leaning back in
Shania stood on the balcony of their villa, the ocean breeze playing with her hair. Below her, the waves crashed against the rocks, a rhythmic melody of nature’s power. She closed her eyes, letting the serenity of the moment wash over her. The last few months had been a whirlwind of change, but here, in the stillness, she found a rare moment to breathe.From behind, Stefan’s voice broke the silence. “I thought I’d find you here.”She turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his gaze warm and steady. Even now, after everything they’d been through, there were moments when she still couldn’t believe he was hers.“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, stepping closer.She shook her head. “Too much on my mind.”He tilted his head, studying her. “Want to talk about it?”She hesitated, then gestured for him to join her. As he settled beside her, she leaned against the railing, her eyes fixed on the horizon. “Do you ever think about what life would have been like if things had
163Shania stood on the edge of the playground at the newly inaugurated community center, watching the children race down slides and swing high into the air. The sound of their laughter filled the crisp morning, a melody of hope and joy. She wrapped her arms around herself, letting the moment sink in. This was what all the long nights and hard decisions had been for—a tangible change in the lives of those who needed it most.Stefan approached from behind, his footsteps light but familiar. Without looking, she could feel his presence, a grounding force she had come to cherish. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, the warmth of his touch seeping through her coat.“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, his voice low and calm.She turned her head slightly to glance at him. His eyes were fixed on the children, but there was a softness in them she had grown to recognize. “It’s everything I hoped for,” she admitted. “And more.”“You did this, Shania. Don’t ever forget that,” he said, his v
162The first sign of spring brought with it a sense of renewal that mirrored Shania's state of mind. She stood in the middle of the new community center site, the crisp air filled with the scent of fresh earth and budding flowers. The construction crew was hard at work, laying the foundation for what would soon be a safe haven for dozens of underserved children and families.Shania closed her eyes, letting the sound of hammers and drills wash over her like a symphony of progress. This center was the first step toward the expansion she and Stefan had dreamed about—her vision coming to life in ways she hadn’t dared to hope for a year ago.Stefan appeared beside her, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored coat. "You’re quiet," he observed, his tone teasing but warm."I’m taking it all in," she said, turning to him with a smile. "It’s surreal, seeing it come together like this."He looked at her with a mix of admiration and pride. "It’s because of you. None of this would exist
Chapter 161Shania stood in the middle of the small bookstore she had frequented as a child, the familiar smell of aged paper and wood polish wrapping around her like a comforting hug. The memoir’s galley proofs were clutched tightly in her hands, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. She hadn’t been in this store in years, but it had always been a place where her dreams felt tangible.The owner, a spry older man named Mr. Colton, shuffled over with a warm smile. “Back again, are we? Thought I might see your face soon, especially with all the buzz.”“Buzz?” she echoed, puzzled.Mr. Colton grinned knowingly. “Your memoir. Word travels fast in this town. Some of the kids from your center were in here a few days ago, saying how you’ve been working on something big.”Shania’s cheeks flushed. The thought of her story already being talked about, even before it had been officially published, was both exhilarating and terrifying.“I just wanted to bring a copy by,” she said, handing him the
160The morning light seeped through the curtains of their bedroom, bathing everything in a golden glow. Shania stretched, her body warm and content beneath the covers. Stefan lay beside her, his breathing deep and even, his arm draped protectively over her waist.For the first time in a long time, Shania felt an unfamiliar but welcome sense of calm. There was no immediate crisis, no shadow of doubt looming over her, and no lingering remnants of the past clawing at her peace.Still, her mind buzzed with ideas.She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Stefan, and padded to the kitchen. The house was silent except for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the chirping of birds outside. She brewed a cup of coffee and took it to the patio, where the garden was alive with color and life.Her notebook, always nearby, sat on the small table. Shania opened it, flipping past pages of sketches, notes, and plans for the center. On a fresh page, she began to list her new goals:Expand the cent
159The evening breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers as Shania stood on the balcony of their estate. The city twinkled in the distance, a blend of movement and stillness that mirrored her life. Behind her, Stefan emerged from the shadows, a glass of wine in each hand.“You’ve been quiet since the ceremony,” he said, handing her a glass.“I’ve just been thinking,” she replied, her gaze still fixed on the skyline.“Good thoughts, I hope?”She turned to face him, a small smile playing on her lips. “Mostly. It’s just… I feel like I’m finally living my truth, but there’s this voice in the back of my head asking, ‘What now?’”He leaned against the railing beside her, his expression thoughtful. “That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? There’s no script. You’ve built the foundation; now you get to decide where it leads.”She sipped her wine, the cool liquid grounding her. “Do you ever feel that way? Like you’ve reached the peak of one mountain, only to realize there’s another, t
158The flight back from the island felt different. Not just the airy lightness of post-vacation bliss, but a weightlessness in Shania’s chest—a freedom she hadn’t felt in years. As she leaned against Stefan’s shoulder, the hum of the plane’s engine steady in the background, she closed her eyes and reflected on the transformation she’d undergone.Stefan brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Tired?”“No,” she replied, her eyes fluttering open. “Just thinking.”“About?”“About how... I feel more like myself than I ever have,” she said softly. “But also... I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of who I am.”He smirked. “I’d say that’s a good thing. The best journeys don’t have a final destination, right?”She laughed lightly, but her mind was already turning. Stefan had a way of grounding her while also inspiring her to dream bigger. And now, sitting in first class, thousands of feet above the ground, she felt the stirrings of a new vision—a purpose beyond anything she had eve
Chapter 157Shania walked barefoot through the garden, the soft grass tickling her feet. The morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. This was her favorite place in the estate—a sanctuary where life felt simple and her thoughts could wander freely. Today, though, her mind was anything but still.In the weeks since the foundation’s mural unveiling, she had been grappling with a question she couldn’t shake: What’s next? Not for the foundation or her relationship with Stefan, but for herself. She had built so much, survived even more, yet there was a quiet restlessness in her heart.“Thinking too hard again?” Stefan’s voice broke her reverie.She turned to find him standing a few steps away, coffee cup in hand, his dark hair slightly tousled from the breeze. His presence was grounding, as always.“I can’t help it,” she admitted with a wry smile. “You know me—I need to have something to obsess over.”He smirked and closed the distance betwee
Chapter 156Shania stood on the balcony of their home, her eyes scanning the sprawling city skyline bathed in the warm hues of twilight. The evening breeze carried with it a sense of calm she rarely felt in her chaotic days. Behind her, she could hear the faint sound of Stefan’s voice on a phone call, his tone measured and confident.Her hand absently traced the cool metal of the railing as she let her thoughts drift. Life had changed in ways she couldn’t have imagined. What once felt like an uphill battle—fighting for survival, for her dreams, for her heart—now felt like a journey she had conquered with scars to prove it. Yet, even in her victories, she often asked herself: Who am I when there’s no more fight left to win?The sound of the sliding door opening pulled her from her thoughts. Stefan stepped onto the balcony, his phone tucked into his pocket. His eyes immediately found hers, and the tension in his shoulders softened.“You looked deep in thought,” he said, leaning against