ErinMy mother clung to me tightly, her grip almost desperate, as if letting go might make this moment slip away. I watched Ronan head off and saw Ashton fall into step behind my father. My mother seemed blissfully unaware of everything around her; all she could do was hold onto me, and I could feel her shaking as tears began to flow. Without a word, I wrapped my arms around her, trying to anchor her as she let her emotions spill out.“Let’s go inside, Melania,” my father said gently, and after a moment, she managed to pull herself together enough to release me. We walked into the house, and I was struck by how everything was exactly as I remembered it. The hallway, the walls, even the way the light fell across the familiar rooms — it was like stepping back in time. Nothing had changed, yet I felt like a stranger, holding onto memories that no longer felt quite real.Once we were inside, my mother finally spoke, leading me toward a couch as she searched my face. “Erin, why didn’t you c
RonanCamila and I managed to get dressed just in time for dinner. I wasn’t completely ready, but I figured that what I had on would be enough to get me through the evening. Deep down, I longed to stay in the room with her for as long as I could.To do that, I decided I would take her and Katya back to my house. I needed to keep my mother out of my business. Thankfully, she would be busy with Erin for a while, and that was just fine with me.As we made our way downstairs, I could sense Camila's nervousness. She held herself a bit stiffly, and I understood why. It wasn’t just the looming dinner; it was everything that came with it—the stares, the whispers, and the judgments. But no matter what happened during dinner, I had made up my mind to stand my ground.I felt a surge of determination. I knew Nerania was always an option if things got too tense. I was ready to leave with my family if it came to that. I was done with all the unnecessary restrictions and the heavy expectations that
Ronan“What is the matter, Glenda?” my father asked, his tone growing impatient as the silence stretched on. Honestly, her lack of response was beginning to get on my nerves too. It would have been so much easier to understand what was wrong if she could just tell us why she was so shaken.Glenda finally turned her gaze to my father, and tears began to stream down her cheeks, leaving wet trails on her pale skin.“That bastard left me alone in the house and ran away when Jorvik attacked. He just… left me there… without protection, with nothing. I…” Her voice caught in her throat, and more tears spilled over. I didn’t need to be a genius to understand what she was implying. Was Glenda Fredrick’s wife?“That can't be,” Ashton said, shaking his head as if trying to dispel the uncomfortable reality. “Fredrick is my uncle, and his wife’s name is Annabel. I knew her…” His voice trailed off, but Glenda turned to face him, her expression a mix of pain and anger.“If Fredrick is your uncle, th
RonanAshton bowed his head, tears streaming down his face, each drop a testament to his heartbreak. I felt helpless, unsure of what to say or do, so we simply let him cry, allowing the silence to cradle his pain.“So Fredrick is Camila's father?” My mother finally broke the sombre stillness, her voice soft yet filled with disbelief.Glenda nodded slowly, and I instinctively reached for Camila’s hand beneath the table, squeezing gently to help her stay grounded amid the storm of emotions swirling around us.“You mean you were Fredrick Johnson's wife and Camila, his daughter?” My father asked, his surprise palpable. Glenda nodded again, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.“He was a very powerful man in his time,” my father said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I would have never expected that his wife and daughter would be in my home. This is something else…” He exchanged a glance with Uncle Dimitri, and I could see the sadness reflected in my uncle's eyes, a deep sorrow that resonat
RonanErin, Uncle Dimitri, my mother, and I all gathered in the living room, the air thick with unspoken tension.My father hadn’t invited our mother, but she had shown up anyway, her presence like a shadow looming over us. There was no point in saying no; she was part of whatever we needed to discuss, whether we liked it or not.“So what is the plan?” my father asked, his voice steady but edged with concern as he looked at me, eager to hear what decisions we had reached. I knew Linus had probably whispered some details to him already, but I felt a sense of responsibility to share everything myself.I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment.“Well, I think we’re hoping to wrap this up in just a few weeks. The longer we let this drag on, the more ground we risk losing. With everything that’s happened recently, it feels like we’ve turned the tables on them, but who knows how long they’ll stay down?”My father nodded thoughtfully, and the rest of us shared uneasy glances, th
RonanThe room fell silent as his words settled over us like a heavy blanket. I could see my mother’s struggle, her heart torn between wanting to keep her son close and understanding his need to protect his family, even if it meant returning to a place that carried so much pain. The tension in the air felt almost palpable, and I could sense the love that intertwined with the worry in my mother’s heart.Erin’s gaze softened, a flicker of gratitude shining in his eyes as he met my father’s understanding stare. I wished I could ease my mother’s pain, to help her understand that sometimes love required sacrifice, and sometimes the best thing you could do for someone was to let them go. But as the silence lingered, I realized there were no easy answers, only the heavy weight of our choices and the love that bound us all together, even as we faced the unknown.“Knowing you are alive and well is a blessing,” my father said, his voice steady, yet filled with warmth. “And learning that you are
RonanMorning broke with the usual bustle, and my father and I made our way to the office, leaving Erin and Ashton to tackle their surveillance plans. I had expected Ashton to be a bit off after everything that had happened, but the soldier in him was resilient. He was warm towards his cousin, showing that despite the turmoil, family bonds remained strong.Erin had mentioned he would call Fredrick that morning, allowing Glenda to speak with him—a moment I wished I could witness, but duty called. Getting the truth from Abel and Lucas was critical; it was the only way to unravel this case. With the head of state secured in a safe house and his family out of the country, we had a rare chance to operate without too many concerns.When we arrived at the office, Joseph was already there. The atmosphere buzzed with gossip about us, and to my relief, it leaned more towards admiration than hostility. A meeting was scheduled, so we headed toward the conference room.As we entered, I noticed Igh
RonanJoseph and I entered the interrogation room, the atmosphere thick with tension. Abel and Lucas stared at us, their faces pale, as if they’d seen ghosts. I couldn’t help but wonder how Abel would react when he finally saw Marc. That would truly be a sight to behold.“Surprise,” I said, flashing a smirk at Abel. His expression shifted to anger, and I relished it.Joseph and I drew our chairs up, resting our arms on the table, ready for a game of psychological warfare.“Guess you aren’t happy to see us,” Joseph remarked, casting a glance at both of them. Lucas merely smirked, his arrogance palpable.“You have nothing on us. They’ll have to let us go eventually,” he replied, but I couldn’t help but laugh.“Some confidence you have there,” I said, relishing the moment. His bravado didn’t seem to faze me.“You should worry more about yourself, Ronan. Ighor is creating an official report about your conduct with that Belvarian whore in your home,” Abel shot back, a sly smile creeping on
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