CamilaMy heart pounded in my chest, and every word I spoke felt like a plea for my very existence. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. I glanced at my mother, her face a mixture of fear and sorrow. She didn't deserve this. None of this was her fault. My eyes stung with unshed tears, but I held them back, knowing that crying wouldn't help now.General Sergey remained silent, his expression unreadable. The tension in the room was thick, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me, judging, accusing. The fear of what might come next was almost unbearable. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, about to be pushed off. My future was in their hands, and I could only hope for mercy.Madam Melania's harsh words echoed in my mind. I knew the stakes were high, but all I wanted was a chance to make things right, to protect my mother and to find some small shred of dignity for myself. My heart ached with the weight of what was happening to me, but I stood
CamilaOne year later, I had a daughter named Katya, a name given by Madam Melania. I was allowed into the house, and Melania wasn't as unkind to me as she had been when the matter was still fresh. She was happy when my baby came with dark hair and eyes like her father. Her first words when she held Katya in her arms were, "We can hide her Belvarian roots."There was no doubt my daughter would be loved, but it hurt me deeply that she wouldn't know me as her mother. It was bittersweet. Seeing the love and care the Morozovs showed for her made it a little easier. I told myself it was okay, that this was for the best. I nursed Katya as her nanny. Just as General Sergey had promised, when the time came, my daughter was carried away. It was supposed to be for a year, but Melania insisted it be only for eight months so she could return sooner. General Sergey explained that he hadn't been able to reach Ronan because he had been conscripted to head a battalion overseas. He assured me that R
CamilaMy heart continued to beat fast with anticipation and fear. I wondered if Ronan knew about Katya. Was that why he came? Had his father summoned him? What would he do? How would he react? The questions swirled through my mind, and I dared not approach him. I pretended to be calm while I waited.I soon learned he was only visiting. He had moved into the villa he had bought to share with Leah when he returned from overseas. It must have been lonely living there, but that was his way of moving on. I wondered if he was still mad about what happened.Seeing him brought back so many memories. I remembered the times of innocent moments with him when I served him. He was gentle and kind. I never saw his military side, and I was always relaxed around him. He was a good master. I remembered the morning that changed everything, and the weight of my secret felt heavier than ever. My heart ached with the longing to tell him about Katya, to explain everything, but I knew I couldn't. It w
RonanReturning to my father's house after nearly two years filled me with a deep sense of nostalgia and a mix of other emotions I couldn't quite name. The memories came rushing back, each corner of the house whispering tales of my past. I had left the country two months after that terrible incident, never intending to look back. But my father, ever the determined figure, found a way to bring me back to Jorvik headquarters. I knew my mother had a hand in this, too; it was just like her to meddle when I refused to speak to them. My father's attempts to reach out to me over the past year had been relentless. Each call and message went unanswered. I couldn't bear to talk about Leah or the Semenovs. I had tried so hard to bury the past and move on, leaving it all behind me.During my time in Kivastan, I met a young woman in the medical department. She was kind and attentive, tending to my gunshot wound with such care that I couldn't help but be drawn to her. The war raged on around us,
Ronan"How was your time in Kavistan?" my mother asked as we sat down for lunch on my second day back.When I arrived, my father had mentioned wanting to discuss something serious with me, but I wasn't ready for that yet. I was grateful they had respected my wishes. I planned to have that talk with them this evening because I intended to return home tomorrow. Arya was waiting for me, and I had promised her I wouldn't be gone long. I hadn't introduced her to my parents yet, but that would happen soon."It was challenging," I replied, thinking about the battles with terrorist groups. My eyes drifted toward Glenda, who was standing by the door, waiting to take our orders. I still didn't trust her, and seeing her so close to our food made me uneasy."When did Glenda start handling food service?" I asked as I cut into my steak."Mirabel is ill, so Glenda is filling in for her. Is there a problem?" my mother asked. I shook my head, knowing she would do anything to make me comfortable. Stil
Ronan.I opened my dresser, searching for my cufflinks. The new maid assigned to me was barely any help. I couldn't help but think of Camila. She was so young, yet she took it upon herself to learn my routine perfectly. Camila made sure I never had to search for anything. She always put things exactly where I would find them. I could say she spoilt me.As these thoughts ran through my mind, my hand brushed against a book in the dresser. It was the last novel Camila had borrowed to read. I always let her read on my balcony. Once she left my room, her work wouldn't give her any time to relax. Allowing her to read there was my small way of giving her a break.A wave of emotions hit me. I felt a pang of nostalgia and sadness. I had grown fond of her. Camila's presence had become a comforting routine. Yet, her mother had to ruin everything.I would be lying if I said I didn't miss Camila. If things were different, I would have taken her to my house to work for me. But given what happened,
Ronan.I felt a whirlwind of emotions—shock, anger, confusion, and a deep sense of betrayal. My world had just been turned upside down, and I could barely keep up with the revelations."And Camila?" I asked, trying to grasp what they had done."She has agreed to raise the girl as her nanny," he said, and I was in shock."Agreed or had no choice?" I pressed."She understood it was the best option for Katya. She was willing to sacrifice so Katya would have a good life. If people knew Katya's mother was a Belvarian, Katya would be a slave, too. We can't allow our granddaughter to live like that," he said. I buried my head in my hands, finally understanding their reason. No wonder Camila's eyes looked so haunted and distant. She had been carrying such a heavy burden."I wanted to speak to you about it, but you weren't returning my calls or responding to my letters," my father said, and I felt like a jerk for avoiding them.My father reached into his drawer and brought out a photograph. He
Ronan.I tossed and turned most of the night, unable to find peace. My heart raced so fast it felt like I was having an anxiety attack. This wasn't a typical situation, and there was no guide on how to be a father, especially not for someone in my position. I was eager to meet my daughter but also dreaded the days ahead. Having her biological mother raise her as a nanny would be difficult, but it was necessary to ensure Katya would be free. Most children born to Belvarian women, regardless of their fathers, were born as slaves. I couldn't condemn Katya to that fate. The image in the photograph stayed burned in my memory, keeping me up all night.Morning came, and it was time for me to leave. Glenda served breakfast, her puffy eyes showing she had been crying. I was glad to take Camila away from her before she completely ruined her with her antics. I just hoped Camila hadn't picked up too many of her traits.Belvarians had a reputation for being wicked people. They deserved to be