Ronan"The Kavistani troops, along with four high-ranking officers from Jorvik, were all in on it," Erin said, his voice cold and distant, as if the memory itself were too painful to fully relive. "One night, they called us out—told us it was an emergency briefing. They drove us out to the middle of nowhere. It was pitch black, no landmarks, nothing. Just empty land all around us."I could feel the tension in the air, my chest tightening as I listened, unable to imagine the fear they must have felt."They lined us up," he continued, his eyes clouded with the memory, "and before we knew it, they opened fire. No warning. Just... bullets. Spraying us like we were nothing. Like we didn’t matter. We were left for dead in the middle of that wasteland. That’s how they dealt with us. I guess we were disposable."Erin’s hands moved to his shirt, and without a word, he began unbuttoning it. I watched as he pulled it off, revealing a torso covered in scars—small, circular scars, unmistakably heal
Ronan"The only people not involved," Erin began, his voice low and deliberate, "are our fathers and Marc's father. They’re the few who haven’t been tainted by this conspiracy. The others, though—they’re all complicit. Once they’re eliminated, along with ten loyal army generals—whose names I already have—and fifteen lieutenant generals, plus eight colonels, it’ll be game over. One of the Marshals is already lined up to take over as head of state. It’s all part of their plan."My heart pounded as Erin spoke, each revelation more alarming than the last. This was bigger than anything I had imagined, a vast, intricate web of betrayal and power grabs."They’re still in bed with the Kavistanis, for now," Erin continued, "but here’s where it gets messy. Jorvik no longer wants to share the spoils of their crimes with Kavistan. That’s why all of this is happening. The unrest, the tensions—it’s being orchestrated to force Jorvik into a war against Kavistan and break their alliance. All this cha
Ronan "Arya even recruited two of your cleaning staff," Erin continued, his voice filled with a grim certainty. "She wasn’t planning to return to Jorvik with you. That was never her goal. She just wanted to prove to her people that she was still useful, still valuable to their cause. Colonel Malik is her handler here. He’s the one who ordered your kidnapping. You never stood a chance, not in the quarters and certainly not in the café. They had you surrounded from the start." My blood ran cold. Every moment I had trusted her, every look, every word—it had all been a lie, carefully orchestrated by someone else pulling the strings. I thought back to every time I had felt uneasy, brushing it off as paranoia, and now I realised it was all true. "We still don’t know the names of everyone involved," Erin said, his brow furrowed in frustration. "But their plan was simple: use you to flush me out. Then, once they had me, they’d use me to infiltrate this operation and bring it all down. Tha
CamilaWe waited in silence, hearts pounding in our chests, until Master Dimitri finally showed up. I should have known General Sergey would never leave his younger brother behind, not in something as crucial as this.The move was arranged quietly, like a whispered secret, and Madam Melania played her part perfectly. She made it look like we were just going to Ronan's house to fetch Katya’s things. Her voice dripped with scorn as she scolded me for not bringing enough clothes, belittling me in front of everyone as if she enjoyed every second of it.The air in the kitchen felt thick with judgment and sneers when I went to get a glass of water.Mirabel stood there, watching me with that twisted smile on her lips. I could hear her soft, mocking laughter echoing off the walls. Then she had the audacity to taunt me. “Trying to climb the ladder, are you?” she snickered. “Not even a seat at their table will earn you respect. You’ll always be what you are—a nobody, a slave. Nothing.”With th
CamilaJust as I was about to enter Katya's room, I heard Madam Melania’s sharp voice cut through the air.“It’s late, you know. Hurry up. I want to get home early. Katya shouldn’t be awake at this hour,” she said, her tone dripping with condescension.Of course, it was all just a part of the act. She played her role so effortlessly that anyone watching would’ve believed she was genuinely annoyed. But I knew better. I knew the cold edge in her voice wasn’t hard for her to fake. It came naturally, too naturally, almost as if she relished it.I turned around briefly, and that’s when I caught Oliver’s eye. He raised his eyebrows ever so slightly, a subtle gesture of mockery aimed at her. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing out loud. How he managed to keep his composure around her, I’d never understand.With a small, tight smile, I hurried into Katya’s room. There wasn’t really anything I needed to get from there—this was all for show. Still, I went through the motio
CamilaWe climbed into the car, and I slid into the passenger seat as Madam Melania settled behind the wheel.The decision not to bring a driver had been a calculated one—one that ensured no unnecessary eyes or ears could witness what was happening tonight. Every precaution mattered.She glanced at me briefly before starting the engine. “Did you get everything?” she asked, her voice unexpectedly soft and almost kind.“Yes, Madam,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral and steady.She gave a small nod of approval and then focused on the road ahead.“Thank you, Camila. Sergey and I… we didn’t know what to do, where we’d go. That bitch Raina—she tricked me into hosting that party at Sergey’s bunker.” Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles turning white as she spoke. “She was supposed to host hers at Ighor’s bunker afterwards, but it never happened, did it?”I stayed silent, sensing she wasn’t really looking for a response but rather unravelling her thoughts out loud.“I guess the
CamilaIt took nearly an hour of winding through dark, narrow roads before we finally reached the clearing. My eyes strained in the darkness, searching for the familiar signs I’d seen before—the subtle markers that would indicate we were in the right spot. When I was certain, I turned to Madam Melania.“Please stop here, Madam,” I said quietly.She gave me a puzzled look, her brow furrowing. “Here? In the middle of nowhere?” she asked, clearly confused. It was the same reaction I’d had the first time I came here.“Yes, Madam. This is the place,” I reassured her, offering a small, confident nod. Gently, I shifted Katya, who was still sleeping soundly, from my arms into hers. Madam Melania adjusted her hold, eyes still filled with questions as I stepped out of the car and into the cool night air.I took a deep breath, the crisp scent of pine and earth filling my lungs, and reached into my pocket. The remote felt solid and cold in my hand as I pointed it towards the ground in front of us.
CamilaWe walked down the long, dimly lit hallway until we reached the imposing double metal doors that marked the entrance to the living quarters. The doors stood like silent sentinels, heavy and unyielding. They gleamed under the lights, their smooth surfaces betraying none of the strength they held within.General Sergey stepped forward, eyes narrowing as he examined them.“This is smart,” he murmured, tracing his fingers over the cool metal. “It’d be nearly impossible for anyone to locate this place, let alone breach it. These doors are made of grade M steel—resistant to bullets, blasts, you name it. Ronan must’ve emptied his entire bank account for this. Why didn’t I think of something like this for myself?” He shook his head, a hint of grudging admiration in his tone.“Another thing you failed to notice, big brother, is that this is Belvarian technology.” Dimitry’s voice was playful, his gaze shifting between his brother and Madam Melania. “Maybe that’s why he kept it a secret.
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