RonanIt was becoming clearer to me now—Arya had more than just me as her target. She had a source inside the military, someone she trusted, someone they believed could rise quickly if Marc was taken out of the picture.Could it be Lucas? It could be anyone, really. With thirty-three colonels currently in the ranks, any one of them could be vying for a promotion. It was impossible to pinpoint who her ally was without more information. This puzzle was a tough one to solve, but I was determined. Once our mission in Kavistan was complete, I intended to get the truth out of Arya myself.The fact that she had tried to gain access to my office and my computer sent a shiver down my spine.I had never been so thankful for my cautious nature as I was right then. Every security measure I had put in place, every extra layer of protection—I was suddenly grateful for them all.I glanced over at Camila, lying peacefully in bed, and felt a wave of relief. Choosing her had been the right decision, not
CamilaI woke up in the morning to find Ronan asleep with his head resting on the table, his laptop still open in front of him.He must have gotten up during the night to attend to some work. I didn’t want to disturb him, so I quietly slipped out of bed.My lace nightdress was torn, a casualty of last night, so I wrapped myself in a robe and carefully made my way out of the room.I showered quickly, the warm water helping to wake me up, and then dressed in a hurry. I was eager to get breakfast started.I grabbed the baby monitor to keep an ear out for Katya. She’d played so much yesterday that she was sure to be exhausted and would probably sleep in a bit longer.As I stepped into the kitchen, I was caught off guard to see Arya sitting at the table, eating pancakes and drinking hot chocolate. I looked at the sink and saw she had cleaned up after herself.I hadn’t expected to see her this early, and I fought the urge to laugh at the sight of her so casually eating in our kitchen. I quic
CamilaI turned to look at Arya, a smile playing on my lips. “For someone who hated my people—and hated me—you seem to care now. What’s the catch, Arya? What do you really want?” I asked, watching her closely.She smiled, a hint of something mischievous in her eyes.“You got me, Camil. I know I was a bitch to you. I won’t deny it. Can you blame me, though? You’re hot and gorgeous, and the way he looks at you, the way he protects you… It got to me. I’m honestly shocked he hasn’t made a move on you yet. He must have some serious self-control,” she said with a light laugh. “Anyway, I was just hoping you’d forgive my actions, and maybe we could start fresh. Be friends, even. You help me, and I help you.”I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be interested in what she had to say. “Help you, and you help me? How, exactly?”“Well,” she began, leaning forward slightly, her voice lowering conspiratorially, “I have resources that could get you to Nagria. You and your mother, if you’d like. You’d be
CamilaJust when I thought the conversation was finally over, Arya spoke up again.“Do you think he’s over me?” she asked, her voice softer, almost wistful.I rolled my eyes before turning to face her. Honestly, I didn’t need this right now. I had a home to keep and responsibilities to manage. This conversation was becoming tedious, but I knew I couldn’t afford to put her on edge.If she started getting suspicious, it could jeopardise Ronan’s mission. So, much to my displeasure, I forced myself to keep the conversation going.“I guess,” I said with a shrug. “Maybe that’s a conversation you should have with him.” I struggled to keep a straight face, fighting the urge to laugh at her delusion.“I guess so…” she murmured, still smiling as she took another sip of her hot chocolate. She seemed lost in thought, likely imagining some fantasy of rekindled romance.“You know what,” she continued, setting her cup down. “I’ll speak to my connection about the Nagria situation and let you know what
CamilaAs soon as Ronan left the house, I felt a wave of loneliness wash over me.To distract myself from the emptiness that his absence created, I decided to keep myself busy in the kitchen.I wanted to make sure dinner would be perfect when he returned.I started planning the menu for the evening, imagining how it would feel to host a dinner in his house with his fried present. But then, as I looked around at the food I had made this morning, a sharp realisation hit me—I had cooked food that no one would eat.The promotion exams were important for Ronan, and I knew how much it meant to him to excel.Still, I wished he hadn't had to leave on an empty stomach. I worried about him, my heart aching with the thought that he might be hungry while focusing on such an important task.I wanted to be there for him, to support him, to ensure he was taken care of. But all I could do was stand in the kitchen, hoping he would make it to the top, silently wishing him all the best with every beat of
CamilaKenneth seemed to be hinting that Ronan might be bringing a female guest, and I could see the twinkle of mischief in his eyes. I just laughed, shaking my head at his playful assumptions. Despite everything, his lightheartedness was a welcome distraction from the tension Arya had stirred up. We both knew tonight would be interesting, and I could only hope it went smoothly."You know me—I mind my own business. It’s not like I have much of a choice. Besides, I enjoy my job," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. Kenneth smiled warmly at me, a hint of admiration in his eyes."If only Arya were more like you," he said with a sigh. "She might have had a better life."I chuckled at that, shaking my head. "I doubt personality matters much in our world, Kenneth. In this place, you’re either free or you’re enslaved. There’s no middle ground," I said softly. My words seemed to hang heavy in the air, and for a moment, Kenneth fell silent, lost in thought. The conversation was starting t
CamilaI glanced at Madam Melania and could see the displeasure etched across her face. Her eyes were cold and accusatory, making me feel small under her sharp gaze.“What were you doing that allowed her to get sick on your watch, Camila?” she demanded, her voice dripping with disdain. “What other responsibilities do you have?”I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. I knew from experience that trying to explain myself to Madam Melania was pointless; she rarely listened and never cared for excuses.“You better pray she recovers quickly,” she continued, her tone threatening. “If anything happens to her, your life is forfeit. You have no other purpose in this family except to take care of that girl. And if something happens to my Katya, I will personally hand you over to the authorities. Useless,” she spat, her words like a slap across my face.She turned her attention to Katya’s room, her eyes scanning every corner with critical scrutiny. “Pack her favorite toys,” she ordere
CamilaAfter Madam Melania left, the doctor returned with Katya's medication. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious; just paracetamol was needed to bring down her fever. I felt a wave of relief wash over me knowing she was going to be okay.Kenneth and Oliver were both incredibly helpful throughout the day, and by five in the evening, we had finished all the work in the kitchen.Ronan had mentioned he wouldn’t be late, but I had a feeling he was buried under a mountain of work that would keep him occupied for a while.Katya’s fever went down soon after I gave her the paracetamol, and before long, she was up and about as if nothing had happened.It was a blessing to see her so lively after the scare this morning. I was immensely grateful for her quick recovery and made a silent promise to myself to be more cautious whenever I took her out to play.The thought of her getting sick again, especially after watching her lie in bed looking so small and helpless, was unbearable. The fear of l
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