CamilaThe news about the man who was supposed to be my father shook me deeply. But it was even more shattering for my mother. For so many years, she had carried the painful weight of believing that he had abandoned her, leaving her alone to raise me. And now, after all this time, to learn that this wasn’t the case—that he hadn’t left by choice but had suffered in his own way—was almost too much to process.The thought that he, too, had struggled to rebuild his life after losing us was both heartbreaking and strangely comforting. He hadn’t forgotten us, and maybe, in some small way, that made the years of pain a little lighter for her.I watched my mother as she sat there, silent at first, the phone held tightly in her hands. She had been putting off this call, hesitating, maybe afraid of what she might feel or hear. But now, sitting in the quiet of the afternoon, she finally found the courage. It was nearly two o’clock, and I sensed that for her, it was now or never. She couldn’t del
CamilaBreaking away from her, I made my way to find Master Erin and give him his phone. As I approached the living room, I heard Madam Melania’s voice rising sharply, filled with fury.“You have some nerve coming to my house, Raina, after all you did! Paying my workers to spy on me. Your husband turned my son into a fugitive! You are despicable! You know this was coming! Sergey and I had nowhere to go because I trusted you enough to take you to our bunker. You are an enemy, Raina!” she spat, her anger palpable and slicing through the air like a knife.“I didn’t do anything to you!” Raina protested, her voice trembling slightly under the weight of Melania’s accusations.Madame Melania laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “Yeah, right. You didn’t. Threatening Mirabel for answers. Having her spy on my family. What was that for?” she shot back, her eyes flashing with indignation.“My son hates me because of you! I tried to force him to marry your daughter. Our friendship was so important
RonanJoseph and I sat across from the three marshals in charge—my father, Joseph’s father, and Marc’s father. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension as we conveyed everything we had learned.When we mentioned Nikolas and Raina, their faces fell into a mixture of shock and disbelief. It was clear that they hadn’t anticipated such a twist. It felt as though the weight of the world had descended upon them.“Would the Belvarians get us the intel we need on time?” Amos Zielinski asked, his voice steady yet filled with an underlying urgency. I nodded in response, feeling a flicker of hope.“Frederick secured the right evidence for the questioning. It helped us back Lucas into a corner, forcing him to spill everything,” I explained. Amos seemed relieved, though I could sense a lingering tension in the air.“Speaking of Lucas, is it possible to cut him a deal to make this easier for us?” I ventured cautiously, knowing the gravity of my words. Almost instantly, I felt the disapprov
RonanI recounted everything I had learned, piecing together the intricate puzzle that had unfolded before us. As I shared my insights, I watched their faces twist in shock and disbelief. The realisation hit us all at once.“That bitch! She was here trying to play on Mom's feelings,” Erin exclaimed, his frustration boiling over.“There must be trouble in paradise,” I replied, a mix of anger and determination fueling my words. “She wouldn’t have come here unless she needed something. That’s the only reason she would risk showing her face.” Erin nodded, understanding my point.Ashton leaned back, considering our next steps. “It seems we have to wait for the Belvarian intelligence to dig up dirt before you move on the people on that list,” he suggested, his voice steady.I agreed, the plan taking shape in my mind. “If we start picking them up now, the others might get tipped off, and that would ruin everything. We can’t afford to lose our chances,” I emphasised, the gravity of our situat
RonanMy phone rang early in the morning, shattering the stillness of my dreams. I blinked my eyes open, struggling to shake off the remnants of sleep.The clock read four in the morning, its bright numbers glowing like a beacon in the dark. I wondered who could possibly be calling at this hour. Just as I was about to push the call away, a loud bang echoed at my door, the knock urgent jolting me upright.“What's going on?” I thought, a wave of concern washing over me. Camila stirred in her sleep, her brow furrowing as the noise broke through her peaceful slumber. I reached out to gently shake her shoulder, trying to calm her down, but her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep.“What is going on?” she mumbled, her voice thick with confusion.“Go back to bed, Malish,” I said softly, attempting to reassure her. “Just a small issue.” But deep down, I knew this was more than a small issue. I couldn’t let her see my worry; I had to stay calm. I glanced at the phone again and saw the n
RonanI felt the familiar vibration in my pocket, followed by the unmistakable ding of a message.Joseph had sent the location. The moment I had been anticipating was finally here. Quickly, I unlocked my phone and scanned the coordinates, my heart racing as I watched the small blue dot marking our rendezvous point pulse ominously on the screen. It was a stark reminder of the gravity of our mission.Without wasting another second, I turned to Erin and Ashton, my voice low but steady, “It’s time. Thirty minutes out. Let’s move.”They nodded, their faces grim, each of us fully aware that any delay could lead to disaster. In the half-light of dawn, the world around us felt suspended in time, a stillness that contrasted sharply with the urgency thrumming in my veins.We made our way to the car, and I slid into the driver’s seat, my hands gripping the wheel tightly. As I turned the key in the ignition, the engine roared to life, and without hesitation, I slammed on the gas. The tires squeal
RonanWhen we finally breached the building, the inside unfolded before us like a grim theatre of violence.The air was thick with smoke, and debris littered the floor, remnants of chaos that painted a stark picture of a war zone.Papers lay scattered, some torn in half, while splintered wood formed makeshift barriers that hinted at the desperation of the struggle that had taken place here. My pulse was pounding so loudly in my ears that it nearly drowned out the chaos around us, each beat a reminder of the urgency of our mission.In the centre of this madness, I spotted Gregory Novikov, our head of state, bound to a chair. His face was bruised, a vivid map of the violence he had endured, but his eyes remained clear and defiant.Next to him, Linus Dimitrov, equally determined, was chained to the floor, his expression revealing a mix of fear and unyielding resolve. And looming over them both was the last person I had ever expected to see in such a twisted position of authority—Nikolas
RonanI could see his finger tighten on the trigger, his knuckles turning white as his anger peaked. And then he did it. He pulled the trigger.I felt the sick twist in my stomach, a moment of frozen horror, but the gun only clicked, a hollow, chilling sound. Empty.Nikolas's face flashed with surprise, and in that split second, Erin seized the chance, his reflexes honed to perfection.His shot was precise, hitting Nikolas in the shoulder and forcing him to stumble backwards, his weapon clattering to the ground.Chaos erupted as Nikolas's men launched forward, enraged, but we were faster. I threw myself into the fray, the sharp crack of fists and muffled grunts mixing with the sounds of gunfire as we battled through his bodyguards.Ashton grappled with one of the assailants, his movements swift and brutal, while Erin moved like a shadow, ducking and weaving through the melee.I focused on Nikolas, now struggling against the pain of his wound, his face twisted in defiance. He tried to
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