two more to come 🙏
RonanWe arrived at my parents' house around nine in the evening, greeted by the entire staff standing outside as they always did.It was a tradition my mother had started long ago, and it never changed, no matter the occasion.The air was formal, but there was something different tonight—an underlying tension, a mix of emotions just beneath the surface.Glenda was among the staff, and the moment she saw Camila, her eyes lit up with emotion. I could tell she was fighting back tears, but like the rest of us, she kept herself composed. It was a quiet exchange of understanding, one that didn’t need words.I walked into the house with Camila at my side, holding Katya in her arms. The warmth of the moment was overshadowed by the weight of what was to come. "Where's the room?" I asked Mirabel, one of the housemaids, as we reached the grand staircase.She led us to a guest room just after the staircase—a room we rarely used. It wasn’t one of the larger, more lavish rooms, and I knew instantl
RonanMy father’s face showed a mixture of shock and disappointment, clearly not expecting her to say that out loud. I stood there, my anger barely contained."This isn't about luck or short notice, Mother," I said, my voice tight. "Camila and Katya deserve to be treated with respect, not like they’re being given charity.""A bunk bed with thin, worn-out mattresses?" I said, my voice laced with disbelief and anger."You are a wicked woman, Mother. What did they ever do to you? Even if Katya weren't in the picture, I would never have gotten along with your friend's daughter. And by the way, did Father tell you what your associations with the Semenovs have cost us? It has created a powerful enemy for our family. When will you stop, Mom? Will it be when I decide that I don’t want to have anything to do with you and choose to stay away?" My voice cracked with frustration. "Why can’t you see that these things matter to me?"My mother stood there, shocked by my words, clearly not expecting s
CamilaWatching Ronan leave was like holding my breath, as if I was suspended in time.The reality that he might not return, the possibility that this could be the last time I saw him, was a thought I had been desperately pushing away. But now, as I stood there, the weight of it all came crashing down on me.The fear, the dread—it was overwhelming, and I had to fight back the tears, knowing that everyone was still watching. Why couldn’t they send someone else?The moment the Morozovs left the room, I handed Katya to my mother and rushed to the bathroom, the tears spilling over, uncontrollable now that I was alone.When Ronan told me he loved me, I had felt the dam break inside. I would have preferred he saved those words for his return, because hearing them now, just before he left, made everything feel so final, as if they were a goodbye.I knew it was my fear talking, but how could I not be afraid? Ronan had shown me a kindness that I never thought I deserved, especially in a world
Camila Telling my mother that Ronan had moved on might have been more than I should have shared, but I needed her to feel at ease. I could see the weight of worry she’d been carrying for so long, and I wanted to ease that burden. “He has moved on, really,” I reassured her again, and she nodded slowly, as if she needed to hear it twice to fully believe it. “That’s clear,” she said, “but Madame Melania is still stuck in the past.” She led me to the couch, where we sat down together. The room was nice—not as comfortable as my space at Ronan’s, but I knew Madam Melania wouldn’t have been pleased with even this level of hospitality. "You know, three weeks ago, she had me deliver Kremowki to the Semenovs," my mother began, her voice lowering as she shared her worries. "I overheard them talking about exposing what they believe you did. They were planning to tell Master Ronan that you drugged him, and they claimed they had proof. Camila, I was scared for you. I know what the Semenovs are
Camila Hearing my mother's concern, I knew I needed to find out where this rumour had come from. If General Sergey had said it himself, then there might be some truth to it, though deep down, I wanted to believe it wasn’t true. I trusted what Ronan had told me and understood the real reason he had broken things off with Arya. But was I being naive? To ease my mind, I decided to probe further. "Where did you hear that?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, even though my curiosity was piqued. She hesitated for a moment. "The workers," she said, and I couldn’t help but laugh at that. "In their dreams, maybe," I said, amused by the way rumours spread so easily among the staff. "He kicked Arya out because she was mean to Katya, and he’s definitely not getting back with Leah. It’s all lies." I tried to sound confident, though I could see her concern deepening. "But Mrs. Semenov was here last week," she pointed out, her frown deepening. I nodded, brushing it off. "Well, that’s thei
CamilaMy mother’s voice took on a darker tone as she continued, her words flowing like a dam that had finally burst. I sat quietly, absorbing everything she said, knowing this was something she had been holding in for a long time."We took over countries and seized their resources, and no one ever told us we were wrong," she said bitterly. "We were untouchable. In most places, you’re expected to follow their rules, respect their customs, but that wasn’t the Belvarian way. When we arrived, we didn’t adapt; we imposed. We forced change on them to suit us."She paused, her expression hardening as she recalled the memories. "Some of us saw the flaws in this system. Your father did—he complained often, but no one listened. They court-martialed him a few times for his ‘extreme’ views, as they called them. But in truth, he was just one of the few who realized how selfish and corrupt the system was."Hearing her speak about my father in this way gave me a new perspective. I had always known
CamilaMy Mother’s tears flowed freely now, and I could feel her grief, not just for the loss of her husband but for the loss of everything they had once believed in."One morning, we woke up to a Jorvikian officer on the news," she said, her voice cracking. "He was addressing us, telling us we had been conquered from within. It was over, just like that."I felt a chill run down my spine as she described the moment everything changed."We supplied the weapons that were used to destroy us," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We created the opportunity for our own downfall. The Jorvikians were settled in our midst, married to us, living among us. Some of us even had children with them. But when the time came, they drew the line. They showed no mercy."She paused, her eyes hollow with the weight of her memories. "My neighbour Gloria was married to a Jorvikian. Fifteen years they had been together, and yet he marched her to the concentration camps as if those years meant nothing.
CamilaMorning arrived, and despite knowing Ronan would return, my heart felt heavy with an ache I couldn’t shake. My tears wouldn’t stop falling, and it seemed nothing could distract me from the emptiness his absence had left behind.I never imagined I could miss someone so deeply, but it was as if a piece of me had left with him. I went through the motions, taking care of Katya, but my mind was elsewhere, and I struggled to focus.As I was feeding Katya, Mrs. Mirabel entered the room, her presence stiff and cold. "Camila, General Sergey wants to see you in his study," she said, her voice formal, though the disdain in her eyes was unmistakable.I stood up, about to pick up Katya, but Mrs. Mirabel’s sharp words stopped me. "Without the little miss," she added, her tone barely concealing her dislike. She had never cared much for my mother or me, and I could feel the tension in the air.Still, there was something different about her today—her usual hostility was tempered by a hint of ca
RonanThe rest of the day unfolded like a dream. The blending of cultures at the reception created an electric atmosphere, with traditional music, dancing, and customs from both Jorvik and Belvaria.People laughed, cheered, and toasted together, the joy in the air bringing everyone closer in a way I hadn’t seen before.The food was exquisite—lavish dishes from both sides, served alongside sweets that melted in your mouth. I glanced around, noticing a few of the usual snobbish Jorvikians clinging to old prejudices, but their aloofness felt like a remnant of a fading past. The world was changing, and today was proof that we were moving forward.As the day finally wound down, my heart quickened, knowing I’d soon take Camila home with me for the first time as my wife.My mother’s eyes were misty with tears as we prepared to leave. I knew the real reason she was so sentimental had little to do with the wedding itself.She’d gotten used to Camila and Glenda living at home, filling her table
RonanThese words were my truth, my heart’s deepest promises, and I meant to honour them, no matter what life might bring our way.The hall was filled with the soft sounds of sniffles and quiet sighs; I could feel the weight of emotion in the air. But in that moment, I was aware only of Camila. My vow, my promises, were for her and her alone.Camila took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, and I could see the shy nerves flickering in her expression. She hesitated just a moment, and then began, her voice steady but filled with emotion.“Ronan,” she said softly, her voice warming as she spoke, “words can’t fully capture what I feel, but I’ll do my best.” A gentle chuckle rippled through the crowd, lightening the moment, and she smiled at me with a look that made my heart race.“You made me feel at home when I didn’t have a home,” she continued, her voice thick with sincerity. “Because of you, I’ve known joy, dignity, and freedom—even though society didn’t think I was worthy of those
RonanThe music began softly, and I stood at full attention, my heart pounding as I focused on the door where Camila would soon appear.I felt a mix of nerves and anticipation I hadn’t expected, my eyes lingering on that entrance, hoping each passing second would bring her closer. But first came the bridesmaids, one by one, entering gracefully.Olivia led the way, her figure heavily pregnant but glowing, followed by Stephanie, Ashley, and two Belvarian women who looked like relatives of Camila. Though I hadn’t met them before, their familial resemblance to Camila was subtle—a trace here, a gesture there.Then, my little Katya appeared, a tiny vision holding a small basket of flowers. My heart melted as she toddled down the aisle, her big eyes wide with wonder. For a one-year-old, she was doing exceptionally well, capturing the hearts of everyone as she made her way forward.But then, as her gaze found mine, she lit up and shouted, “Dada!” I couldn’t help but laugh, joy filling me as s
RonanThe day I had dreamed of for so long had finally arrived—my wedding day. As tradition demanded, I couldn’t spend the night with my bride, so I stayed at my house with Marc, Joseph, Erin and Ashton. Lying awake that morning, memories flooded my mind, filling me with emotions I hadn’t felt in a long time. I remembered a different night, a night that haunted me and almost changed everything.That time, I’d been betrayed, drugged, and left in a haze by people I’d thought I could trust—people like Abel and Mira, whose influence had threatened to destroy my happiness. But not this time. This time, it was just my brother my soon-to-be-in-law and my true friends and me, laughing and drinking, reliving those simpler days with nothing sinister lurking around the corner.For the first time, I felt completely in control, safe. I was grateful for that disastrous night from the past, because without it, I would never have crossed paths with Camila. Everything I’d been through, all the pain an
CamilaTwo days before the wedding, Erin arrived with a heavily pregnant Olivia. I couldn't help but wonder how she managed to fly so far along in her pregnancy.Apparently, they had used a private jet, which explained the quick journey. My father had flown them all into Jorvik, bringing along his family, two lively ladies named Trisha and Lily, whom he said were our distant relatives. Along with them were Olivia’s friends, Stephanie and Ashely, who couldn't stop gushing about their excitement to see Marc and Joseph again. Clearly, those two men had left quite the impression on them.Olivia was radiant, her happiness infectious. It was clear she was free-spirited, a stark contrast to the life of servitude I had known.I was grateful she had never had to experience that harsh existence. Madam Melania was particularly taken with Olivia, unable to stop admiring her striking red hair and vibrant green eyes.I could see the wheels turning in Madam Melania’s mind as she tried to charm Olivi
CamilaMy father returned to the villa that the head of state had prepared for him and his entourage. The wedding was just two weeks away, and he planned to leave briefly, returning with my family to attend the ceremony. I was excited at the thought of meeting them, especially with how well my mother’s relationship with Dimitri was progressing. Their bond seemed solid, unhindered by the past, and I was genuinely happy for them both.Ronan suggested we return to his house after the celebration, but Madam Melania was determined to keep us there. She pulled out all kinds of tricks to persuade us to stay, even pleading with my mother not to leave.However, Dimitri was firm in his decision to take her to Nerania, where he also planned to buy a house in Jorvik for them to stay. I understood his reasoning; Madam Melania often seemed to forget that we were no longer slaves, and a little distance might help her realise the changes in our lives.She wasn’t malicious, but her subtle reminders—li
CamilaAs Erin and Ashton walked in alongside my father, I found myself standing up almost absently, my heart racing. Seeing him in person was a revelation; he looked so much better than he did on the screen.His eyes were soft and warm when they fell on me, as if he had just encountered an angel, and in that moment, I couldn’t believe he was my father. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, filling me with a mix of joy and disbelief.I didn’t want to waste any time; I was determined to avoid any awkwardness between us. With a surge of emotion, I rushed toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist, letting him know that there was no need for words. I felt him pause for just a heartbeat before he slowly wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug, holding on tightly as if he were afraid I might slip away.“My daughter, my daughter,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. I could feel his pain radiating through his words, hear it tremble in the air between us. This moment was a
CamilaI was a bundle of nerves after the signing ceremony. My heart raced, each thump echoing in my ears like a drum. I knew Fredrick wouldn't waste any time seeking me out. Erin had mentioned how impatient he had been throughout the event, his excitement barely contained.As I thought about the man I was about to meet, I felt my stomach twist into knots. My mother appeared calm and composed, but I was anything but. Fredrick was my father, a man I had never seen before, someone I hadn’t even known existed until now. The realisation weighed heavily on me. This was all so overwhelming, yet I understood it was something I had to confront.Once the signing ceremony ended, I slipped out of the living room and headed up to Ronan's room. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts and calm my racing heart. I wasn't sure how I would react when I finally met Fredrick face-to-face or what I might say to him. I had only spoken to him once over the phone, which felt like a distant memory now. That w
RonanAs we celebrated, Ashton turned to Erin with a look of quiet amazement. “When my uncle told me the only way to achieve this was by working honestly with the Jorvikians, I didn’t believe him,” he admitted. “But I guess he was right all along.” Erin nodded, sharing the same sense of disbelief mixed with newfound hope. It truly felt like the dawn of a new era, and I was grateful beyond words to witness it, let alone be part of it.Just as we were toasting to freedom and the future, my father’s phone rang. He listened quietly, then looked over at me, his expression softening. “Gregory has agreed to waive the death penalty in exchange for Lucas’s cooperation. He’ll be dismissed from the military and serve three years in prison. After that, he’ll be a free man. This is the best deal we could secure for him.”I nodded, a feeling of respect and relief swelling up as I met my father’s gaze. “Thank you, Father,” I said, my voice low but sincere. He returned a small smile, nodding back. Al