RonanTo become the head of state, I had two choices left after deciding to reject the Semenovs' offer. The first option was to bide my time, waiting fifteen long years to rise through the ranks and become a general. But with the world changing so quickly, and laws becoming more unpredictable, I wasn’t sure I could protect Camila for that long. The thought of waiting while everything around us shifted and the dangers grew felt unbearable.The second option was far more perilous—a coup d'état. But that was the darkest path of all. If I failed, I would lose everything, including my life. And the idea of leaving Camila in this harsh world without me to protect her was something I couldn't bear to consider.My parents could take care of Katya, but they wouldn’t be able to protect Camila. I felt trapped, desperate for a solution. I had to find a way out of this mess, but until then, all I could do was wait and hope."How are you?" I asked, breaking the heavy silence. Camila looked up, meeti
CamilaThe moment we stepped onto the pathways in the woods, I felt a deep sense of relief wash over me. It was as if I could almost taste freedom in the air. The tension I had been carrying for so long began to loosen, and I found myself exhaling, letting go of the anxiety that had gripped me. But that relief was short-lived when we came upon the checkpoint. My heart raced, and fear gripped me tightly. I was scared—terrified, really—of what might happen next.Katya, couldn’t hold back her tears. She cried so softly, and it broke my heart. I wanted to reach out and hold her, to comfort her in any way I could. She deserved that—she deserved to be held and reassured. Seeing her cry made me want to protect her even more.As soon as we entered the woods, I noticed a change in Ronan. His shoulders, which had been so tense, seemed to relax just a little. Even though I was seated in the back with Katya, I could sense his worry and stress alleviated. He had taken on so much for our sake, and I
CamilaRonan looked at me with a warm smile, and I knew I must have looked completely taken aback by everything I had just witnessed.“In the woods, there will be no sign of a car, a garage, or anything. No one would ever know we were here," he said, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him."This is a perfect getaway and hideaway," I replied, and he nodded in agreement."The only downside is the limited supplies and the need to stock up regularly. Otherwise, I might have just left you and Katya here, but that wouldn't be right. You can't go out on your own," he said, and I understood his concern.I knew Ronan wanted to protect me at all costs, and I appreciated him for that. But deep down, I had accepted my fate and knew I couldn’t stay hidden forever."Coming here for holidays, though, is perfect," I said, trying to lighten the mood. Ronan smiled and pulled me close, Katya still in my arms, and kissed me gently on the lips.Katya giggled when we broke the kiss, her innocent laughter
CamilaRonan and I stood quietly by Katya’s bedside for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully. The room was filled with a gentle calm, and for that brief time, everything felt right. Before we left, Ronan carefully placed a baby monitor on a nearby shelf, positioning it so it faced the bed. We could keep an eye on her from anywhere in the bunker."Now, let me show you the rest of the bunker," he said, a playful glint in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat.The kitchen was already visible, sharing the open space with the living room, so we moved on to the second door.When Ronan opened it, we stepped into another area with two more doors. The first room was filled with monitors and a computer—an impressive setup that allowed us to view above-ground and satellite images. It was a control center of sorts, providing a sense of security by letting us keep an eye on the outside world from the safety of the bunker.The second door led to a supply room. Inside, shelves were stocked with
CamilaBacking me up against the wall, Ronan lifted me effortlessly, driving himself into me with a force that took my breath away.His movements were hard and fast, and I instinctively ran my fingers through his hair, desperately trying to hold on to some semblance of control. But with each thrust, my senses slipped further away, surrendering to the overwhelming waves of pleasure that consumed me.His lips found mine, and we kissed deeply, our bodies moving in perfect sync. Every motion, every touch, sent me spiralling closer to the edge. He was hitting all the right places, making it impossible to think about anything other than the intense pleasure coursing through me."Want it harder?" he whispered, his voice a low, guttural groan in my ear. The question sent a shiver down my spine, and I could only nod, my breath catching in my throat. Without missing a beat, Ronan carried me from the wall to the bed, positioning me on my elbows and knees.He entered me again, this time with even
RonanI held Camila close for a while before we finally settled into bed. She had never been as free with me as she was in that moment. Normally, she would try to muffle her sounds, to hold back, but here, she let go completely, making the most arousing sounds I’d ever heard. Those sounds went straight to my head, filling me with a sense of satisfaction and pride that I knew I’d never forget.Her body responded to everything I did, welcoming every touch, every movement and enjoying every bit of it. This was going to be a wild and satisfying vacation, and I was glad I’d decided to take the trip, however short.We slept briefly, the exhaustion from our time together catching up with us.I woke when I heard Katya’s small voice coming through the monitor. Camila was still asleep, wrapped up in the sheets, her face peaceful. I knew she must be tired—she hadn’t slept well the night before, and all the intense pleasure she’d experienced must have drained her. I didn’t want to disturb her, so
Ronan I woke up in the morning to find that Camila had already woken up and taken care of everything, although she was back in bed with me. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it—I had hoped she would use the opportunity to rest, but when I asked her about it, she just shrugged and explained that she was used to being up early and had gotten bored lying there. "Really?" I asked, a bit incredulous. "Yes," she said with a playful smile, "I was just staring at the ceiling." I moved closer to her, a teasing grin on my face."There was another thing you could have done in the morning other than house chores," I said, pulling her close so she could feel the growing bulge beneath the sheets. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and I couldn’t help but laugh—it was always adorable when she got shy like that. It reminded me just how much of an effect I had on her."A ride would have been fun," I added with a mischievous glint in my eye. Her blush deepened, and I found myself chuckling agai
RonanArya's heavy, tearful breaths filled the silence on the phone, and I could tell she had been crying hard."Ronan, where are you?" she asked, her voice trembling with desperation. "I was laid off from the Red Cross today, and they took my passport. I need help," she pleaded.I felt a surge of frustration. "And how is that my business, Arya? I told you to leave the country, but you chose to stay," I replied, realizing that the situation was even more complicated than I had anticipated.With the government likely about to declare its position in the Kavistan war, things were about to get dangerous, and Arya’s decision to stay could have serious consequences."I stayed for you," she said, her voice breaking. "You can't still be mad at me, Ronan. I've changed, I swear." Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. This was a mess I hadn’t anticipated, and it was clear she was in deep trouble."There is nothing between us anymore, Arya," I said firmly. "If
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