SEVASTIANThe room was thick with tension. None of us dared to speak as if, we all have different thoughts of what Amara suffered at the hands of Valeztina’s. The room was consumed with silence and I was already at break of losing my rage. I’m mad but I couldn’t let that emotion be shown, not in front of these crocodiles who're waiting for me to snap and find my faults. Suddenly, Brian breaks the deafening silence by speaking first. "Did you see now what happened to Amara?" His voice steady but edged with accusation. "Your mistake is thinking that your marriage to a Valeztina could stop the war between our families." He added while his gaze locked onto mine, unflinching. I met his stare, and both of us gave a sharp glare. Eros, the eager lapdog of my Uncle son, smirked and leaned forward. "They are our enemy," he declared, his words drenched in contempt. "Now, I can’t help but question your judgment, Sevastian. Marrying an enemy’s daughter only weakens the Ortegas. Or maybe…" Hi
SEVASTIANSuddenly, a chair scraped against the floor, creating a sound that caught our attention. My grandfather, Magnus Ortega, stood from his chair. Every head in the room turned toward him, the weight of his authority pressing down on us like a kind of wolf oppressing its prey.His face was unreadable, the kind of calm that came when a man had already made a decision.And then, he turned his head to his beloved daughter. "Priscilla." He called her name, his voice was steady. It is not a request but a command to get her attention — not only her attention but all of us when he gestures to her to come next to him. Aunt Priscilla turned to him, meeting his gaze without hesitation, and then she moved towards his spot.Every step she took was measured, and calculated like a lioness who knows that she has nothing to fear. And when she finally reached his side, he did something none of us saw coming.He offered her his seat.A sharp intake of breath echoed through the room.Everyon
SEVASTIANAunt Priscilla leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms and legs."Of course, she’s your wife," she said, a smirk curling on her lips.It was a smile that gave an ominous feeling. It felt like a noose tightening around my neck.Before I could even respond, Uncle Eric leaned forward, his smirk widening, eyes gleaming with taunt."But still a Valeztina in blood.”A sharp chill ran through the room. He was doing it on purpose, fully aware that this was a sensitive matter, especially with Aunt Priscilla here.My gaze flicked to Aunt Priscilla. Her expression hardened, the amusement vanishing as her gaze snapped back to me. It was sharp, cold, and assessing.I gulped as my expression hardened.It’s a trap. A fucking execution that invokes rage towards my Aunt. Before I could counter, Uncle Owen’s voice slithered into the conversation, pouring gasoline into the flames."A Valeztina who killed our niece, Amara." He added making my pulse flick with exasperation. I barely regist
NATASHAI watched the vein in Uncle Eric’s forehead throb as his fury boiled over.His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw locked so tight that I swore his teeth might shatter. Good. Let him be angry while I was unbothered by their tantrums like a little child. In fact, I let out a soft chuckle, my lips curling at the pure outrage on their faces."You made a damn oath with a Valeztina," Uncle Clodan barked, his voice rising as he slammed his fist on the table. "And you dare ask why all of us are shocked? Are you fucking insane?"I tilted my head, blinking at him slowly, my amusement deepening. They were so easy to rile up. I wondered when their veins would finally explode so they could die sooner.With a deliberate movement, I threw my head back and laughed.A full, sharp, ridiculous laugh.Loud enough to echo in the heavy silence of the Ortega Courtroom.When I finally stopped, I let my smirk spread wider."Are you mad?" I taunted, leaning forward, my elbows resting lazily on the
NATASHAA slow, amused smirk played on Aunt’s Priscilla lips as she cocked her head slightly, assessing me like a predator eyeing a potential prey."Then I will trust you," she said, her voice smooth but laced with a silent warning. "But make sure she proves useful. Because if she doesn’t…"Her gaze darkened, and her eyes slightly narrowed as I felt the weight of her presence press against me like an unspoken challenge."I will be the one to end your life." She added. And just like that, the room thickened with a heavy tension and pressured. Uncle Owen, Uncle Clodan, Uncle Eric and Uncle Carcel the mad pigs of Ortega's power hungry jackals stiffened at her declaration. Even Grandfather Magnus subtly lifted his chin, observing the exchange with quiet scrutiny.But me? Of course I smiled. A slow, confident curve painted on my lips. If there is someone who can challenge my Aunt, it is only me, Sebastian, Arnold, and Macsen.The four of us the protégés are fighting for her throne, the
SEVASTIAN"You'll find it more interesting once you see her talent," Natasha replied with a confident look. "I assume that woman had something to do with the CCTV and TV removal inside this courtroom?" He asked, his gaze fixed on Natasha, each word dripping with authority.Natasha’s reply was brisk and matter of fact."Yes, because Celestina knows our enemies, that those damn Valeztina’s are spying on us through every electronic device they can breach."I could almost see the flicker of tension in Natasha’s eyes, the slight tightening of her lips as she spoke knowing damn well that it’s really hard to convince our Aunt. Before I could add anything, Aunt Priscilla her eyes narrowing into icy slits as she surveyed the room with a mix of disdain and calculated curiosity."So, are you saying that the Valeztina’s have a better hacker than the Ortega’s?" she demanded, her voice laced with disbelief.This time, I cleared my throat and met her gaze with a steely resolve."Yes," I said firml
CELESTINAThe clock on the wall showed 11:00 PM, its steady tick-tock echoing in my ears like a countdown to doom. Sevastian told me that he will go to their ancestral house to meet his family, and he’ll be a little late since there will be some meetings to be held and all the Ortegas will be present. But as the time went by, he still hadn’t returned. My stomach knotted with anxiety.Just then, my phone vibrated unexpectedly. I hesitated a moment before answering the anonymous call. Yet, as it continues to ring, I have no choice but to answer it reluctantly. "Are you coming or not?" the voice demanded, cold and impatient.I stammered, "Just… just give me some time."There was a pause, a silence that felt like ice settling over my skin. "Time is running, Celestina, and my patience is going thin." Then the line went dead, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.I was about to leave when Hank intercepted me in the corridor. His eyes were hard, and his tone was urgent."Celestina, it’s
CELESTINAAfter the shock had finally begun to fade away, Natasha’s curt order to move into the living room snapped me back to reality. I followed them silently, every step heavy with dread, as if I could feel her piercing gaze slicing right through my bones. Once we settled on the worn leather couch in the grand sitting room, I stole a glance at her.She sat with an elegance that concealed the cruelty in her eyes. A cold, unyielding stare that made my heart pound with a mixture of anger and despair. I clenched my fist, the memory of the past events still burning in my mind.Without missing a beat, Priscilla broke the silence."I heard that you were friends with the BlackEagle," she said, her tone dripping with disdain as she noticed the way I couldn’t help but watch her intently.At that moment, servants began to shuffle in, quietly preparing tea and snacks. I reached for a porcelain teacup, my hands steady even though my mind roiled with conflict."Yes, I am a very close friend
SEVASTIANI’ve been inside Hector’s penthouse for a couple of hours now, lurking inside of his disgusting small house, and every passing second with him breathing the same air as Celestina makes my blood boil. I was itching to put a bullet between his eyes the moment he stepped in with her like he owned the damn night.They probably didn’t know I was already here watching, waiting. But neither of them said a thing. I kept my eyes fixed on Celestina as she disappeared into one of the rooms, her figure slipping behind the door like a dream I couldn’t reach.Then I turned my attention back to the bastard who thought he could play God.“Celestina, do you want red or white?” he called out, smug and casual like this was some kind of date.“Red. Make it strong,” she replied from behind the door.“Got it!” he said, wearing a smirk that made my fists clench. Then I watched him, that smug little prick, slip something into her drink. A small white capsule, crushed into powder, stirred into th
CELESTINAAfter weeks of finalizing the plan, everything was finally set into motion. I'd started going out with Hector more frequently, attending every event he dragged me to, dressed to the nines and playing the perfect, obedient little lover.There’s a saying: keep your enemies close and strike them without realizing it. Right now, I sat beside Hector at some fancy, overpriced event filled with mafia rats dressed in tailored suits, each one pretending they weren’t covered in blood beneath their silk shirts. My arm curled around his, and I forced my lips to twitch into a coy smile as we made our way through the ballroom.Everyone seemed fooled. Everyone… except the man sitting across the room, lounging like a king in his fortress of shadows, his fingers wrapped lazily around a glass of whiskey, his eyes fixed on me.Jack Kostov.He was watching me — no, studying me. Like I was a riddle he already knew the answer to.I turned my head slightly, pretending to listen to Hector talk a
VALERIAThe air thickened as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. I couldn't stop staring at Victoria.So much of what I thought I knew about her shattered the moment she uttered those words. ‘And now… so are you.’Her voice didn’t rise. It didn’t need that quiet weight she carried sank deep, like stone tossed into still water, rippling all the way through me.I swallowed hard, trying to find something to say. Anything. But my throat felt dry, like ash was lodged in it.“You were… dragged,” I murmured finally, repeating the word like it would somehow make sense of all this. “And you didn’t fight it?”Victoria turned to me, eyes cool but not cold. “I did,” she said. “In every way I could. But when you’re young and someone like Jack sees something in you, it doesn’t matter how hard you kick. He doesn't pull you in. He lures you… until you think you’re stepping into light, only to realize it’s just fire dressed as gold.”Her words settled inside me like smoke.I looked
CELESTINAIt’s been a week since the three of us took shelter in this mansion, our supposed sanctuary, though peace has always felt like a borrowed luxury in this life.Everything felt… normal again, at least on the surface. Victoria had returned to her usual poised, icy self mask on, spine straight, and words that are carefully calculated. Valeria still carried the weight of our shared trauma, but in her own way, she remained the same—sharp-eyed and remained skeptical.I lifted my teacup, sipping the warm liquid before placing it back on the porcelain saucer with a quiet clink. “I plan to return,” I said simply.Victoria didn’t even blink. She calmly placed her own cup down with that same elegance she always carried, as if nothing could ever rattle her. “Are you certain?” she asked, her voice was searching for certainty. “You think you can handle it now?”Her gaze pinned me, unwavering, the kind of stare that could strip you bare if you weren’t ready. But I was. “Yes,” I answere
SEVASTIAN“Sevastian, let him go!” Aunt Priscilla’s sharp voice echoed in the whole room. But I didn’t move nor follow her words. My hand was already fisted in Hector’s collar, dragging him up just enough for his feet to lift slightly off the floor. My jaw clenched so tightly I could feel the tendons stretching down my neck. My blood boiled, and my rage pounding in my ears louder than anyone’s voice.Yet this bastard dared to smirk. That smug fucking smirk like he hadn’t just signed his death certificate.“Didn’t you hear her?” Hector taunted, lips twitching in amusement, his voice thick with mockery.I wanted to crush his windpipe. Right there. Right now.I glared at him, as I tightened my grip. He chuckled like I was a goddamn joke to him. “It seems your godson doesn’t want to collaborate with the Savelli,” he said, glancing over his shoulder.My gaze followed.And there he was.Jack Kostov.Sitting comfortably on the leather couch like he owned the entire fucking city. One han
CELESTINAA gentle touch brushes against my face, it was light and careful.I felt the warmth spread through me, it was so familiar that I felt so hurt. Slowly, I opened my eyes and for a moment, everything was hazy and blurred. But I didn’t need a perfect vision to know who stood in front of me.“Found you,” she said softly, poking my cheek like she used to when I was little.I blinked as I adjusted my vision until the haze cleared. There she was, the same woman I used to see when I was a child. The woman who appeared in my fragments of memory and fading dreams. A phantom I once believed was just a trick my mind played to comfort me when no one else would.I shot upright, my breath catching in my throat, and without even thinking, I threw my arms around her.God… I clung to her like I was drowning and she was the last thing keeping me above water.I don’t understand. I didn’t understand why my eyes were suddenly burning, and why my shoulders trembled, or why I felt like something
VALERIAAfter Celestina found out the truth about our father, and his connection with the Ortega's, something inside her shifted. No, not just shifted. She changed completely.The weight of it was too much. Knowing that Jack Kostov, a notorious Russian mafia figure with his hands in nearly every syndicate imaginable, was not only our father but also tied to the Ortega family. Even I, who heard about it, makes me tremble. Because I also know how powerful that man is. No, he’s no longer human but a devil in disguise. His works, his business are all in-human. It is widely known how that man was haunted by the government yet they couldn’t even put him in prison because Jack was also protected by some governor, mayor, and even some personnel in police. That’s why he was known as the King of Mafia’s. Some of them admired him and other’s hated him, he had so many enemies yet he was still alive for some reason. And I knew, just like how I felt. Celestina also felt the same, we’re twins a
SEVASTIANIt’s been three months since I followed Hector all the way to Celestina’s apartment, and I still remember every second of that night like it’s carved under my skin.There are memories that blur over time, yet it’s still vividly reminding me that Celestina doesn't trust me or see me as her husband. I clench my jaw tight as I recall how her hand gently touches his face. I buried myself in alcohol hoping it could lessen but none of it eases the one I felt. Rather, I felt more resentful and hated everything that came into my mind. That night left a mark, and no amount of distraction or alcohol could scrub it clean.“You seem to be lost in thought,” Aunt Priscilla said, her voice slicing through the fog in my head. She sat beside me on the long velvet couch like we weren’t waiting for a goddamn lunatic to walk through the door.I barely turned my head. “Isn’t that normal these days?”She raised an eyebrow but said nothing.“He’s coming today,” Natasha chimed in from across the
CELESTINAThe silence felt unbearable.Victoria sat motionless, except for her hands gripping the blanket on her lap so tightly I swore the fabric would tear. Her knuckles had gone white, and the quiet weight in the air gnawed at my chest like a slow, twisting knife.Then Valeria broke the silence that consumed the whole room. “There’s one thing I want to know.” Her voice was low but sharp, different from what she usually sounds. That even I, was turned to look at her and startled by her sudden shift demeanor. Victoria lifted her gaze. Her expression didn’t shift, but something in her eyes flickered like she already knew what Valeria might ask. “Who is our father?” Valeria asked.The moment the words left in her mouth, I saw a raw reaction which I hadn’t anticipated. Victoria’s entire body stiffened, her shoulders rising slightly before trembling like a leaf clinging to a dying branch.It is the same reaction of fear and feeling I felt when I was inside of Neo secret room. “Don’