The tension between them was pierced by a small voice that kept Ivan's grip tight. “Mommy...” came the soft, innocent call. It was like a chime, so pure and out of place in the midst of the storm of emotions.Ivan’s body went rigid, his eyes snapping to the source of the voice. Standing just a few steps away was a tiny girl, no more than two years old. She had one finger tucked in her mouth, her wide, curious eyes—his eyes—fixed on them with confusion. Her orange hair, a perfect match to Arisha’s, caught the light, and her tiny lips formed a hesitant pout. She was like a miniature, innocent reflection of Arisha, but with his piercing blue eyes staring back at him.Ivan’s breath caught, his mind unable to process what he was seeing. Mommy. The word echoed in his mind like a gunshot.Arisha, too, went still, her eyes darting between Ivan and the child. “Sisi...” she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of fear, shock, and love. The world around them seemed to freeze, the sterile w
Ivan’s world tilted off its axis as the reality of the situation crashed into him. Alysha Jarl. The woman standing in front of him, the one holding the little girl with his eyes, was Armin’s long-lost wife.The same woman he had shared that one unforgettable night with, the one he couldn’t forget no matter how hard he tried. And the child—their child—there was no denying the truth. One look at her, and he knew. She was his daughter.The shock of it left him breathless, his mind struggling to process the chaos unraveling before him. His gaze flicked between Arisha—Alysha—and the child she clutched protectively. The truth was a sharp, cutting blade, and he felt its sting.Meanwhile, Bjorn seemed lost in his own obsession, his eyes blazing as he confronted her. “I am talking about your little sister, Andrine!” he barked, crossing his arms with a look of pure determination. “Where the hell is she? Where is your family hiding her?”Arisha’s face twisted in confusion and panic. Her eyes dar
Arisha felt like she was drowning. The sight of Ivan holding Sisi, those blue eyes mirroring his own, was a truth she had fought to hide for so long. Her entire body shook, and she took a step forward, desperation clinging to her voice. “Ivan, you can’t—please, she’s my daughter.”Ivan’s eyes flicked to Arisha, the pain in her voice slicing through him, but he held firm. “If she’s mine, then she’s my daughter, too.” The words were calm, but there was an intensity beneath them, a fierce determination that sent a shiver down Arisha’s spine. “I’m not leaving this question unanswered, not again.”Henry, still standing by the door, seemed to snap out of his shock. He hesitated, glancing between the two, before finally nodding. “I’ll arrange the test immediately,” he said, his voice subdued. He turned and walked away, disappearing down the hall as the tension in the room grew thicker.Arisha’s hands dropped to her sides, defeated, her shoulders slumping as she watched Ivan cradle Sisi. She
The nurses and technicians were moving efficiently, collecting samples and preparing for the DNA test. Ivan stood by, his expression unreadable, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His eyes never left Arisha and Sisi, who sat together on the hospital bed. He could sense Arisha’s fear and desperation, but he knew there was no turning back. The truth, whatever it was, needed to be uncovered.Arisha held Sisi close, whispering soothing words to her daughter. The little girl remained calm, her eyes curious as she watched the activity around her. She seemed unfazed, her small hand playing with the hem of her mother’s sleeve as the nurses swabbed her cheek. But Arisha’s eyes remained locked onto Ivan, a mixture of fear and pleading evident in them. She wanted to shield Sisi from everything—from this—but she was trapped, unable to do anything to stop it.Bjorn stood off to the side, his arms crossed, his face a mask of irritation and impatience. He watched the process with cold eyes,
The words were in the air and heavy. Bjorn let out a long exhale, his eyes darting between Ivan and Arisha, still trying to make sense of the situation.Arisha’s face crumpled, and her grip on Sisi tightened. She had known this was a possibility, but hearing it spoken aloud made it real. There was no more pretending, no more hiding behind half-truths and lies. She closed her eyes for a moment, the tears threatening to spill over. “Ivan, I...”But Ivan stepped forward, his gaze fierce but not unkind. “No more lies, Arisha. I want the truth—everything.” His voice was low, but there was an urgency in it, an undeniable plea. “Why did you disappear? And why did you hide Sisi from me?”Arisha swallowed hard, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks as she met his gaze.Ivan’s eyes softened, but his grip on the truth remained unyielding. “What were you running from?”Arisha looked down at Sisi, who clung to her, unaware of the gravity of the moment. She took a deep breath, her body trembli
At that moment, Seraphina’s arrival felt like a lightning bolt cutting through the tension in the room. She entered with quick, confident strides, but the moment she saw Arisha standing with Ivan and Bjorn, her breath caught, and she faltered. Her eyes went wide, panic flashing across her face before she quickly masked it with a calm expression. But there was no hiding the fear that flickered in her eyes.“Oh, no...” she muttered under her breath, trying to regain her composure. Forcing a smile, she stepped forward, her voice laced with false curiosity. “What’s going on here?”Bjorn’s face lit up with a devilish grin as he turned to Seraphina, seizing the opportunity to stir the pot. “Look, Seraphina, we found the real—”“Bjorn!” Ivan snapped, his voice sharp like a whip. Bjorn’s grin vanished, and he flinched, glancing at Ivan, who shot him a warning look. “Not now.”Seraphina’s eyes darted between them, suspicion clouding her face. “What do you mean?” she asked, but her voice lacked
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, the confidence returning to her stance as she crossed her arms, trying to reclaim control of the situation. “Mr., I don’t know who you are, but I must tell you who I am,” she began, her voice cold and authoritative. “I am the CEO of this hospital. Do you get it?”Ivan didn’t flinch, his expression indifferent. “So?” he replied, his tone flat.Seraphina’s eyes flashed, and she stepped forward, trying to impose her authority. “You must know this is a military hospital,” she said, her voice sharp. “Not your private playground. You can’t do anything openly here.”Ivan’s lips curved into a smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “I get it,” he said calmly. “That’s why I’m taking my leave—with Arisha and Sisi.” His voice was casual, as if he were discussing the weather, but there was a steeliness in his gaze.Seraphina’s eyes widened, her confident mask faltering as she felt control slipping through her fingers. “Hey! You cannot take her away!” she shouted, her voi
The soldiers behind him straightened, their hands resting on their weapons, ready for any signal from their superior. The room felt like it was closing in, the tension thick enough to choke on.Ivan’s eyes darted between the soldiers and Charles, the situation turning into a standoff. He squeezed Arisha’s hand, feeling her tremble beside him, and kept his eyes locked on Charles’s, unwilling to back down. “I suggest you rethink that, Charles. You don’t want to start a war you can’t finish.”Charles’s cold gaze shifted to Arisha as he addressed her. “Arisha! Do you know this man?” His voice was like ice, and it sent a shiver down her spine. Arisha flinched, her eyes darting nervously between Ivan and Charles. She felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on her, and panic clawed at her throat. She shook her head quickly. “No,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but it was enough.Ivan’s expression darkened, confusion and hurt flickering in his eyes. “Arisha...” he murmured, trying to mak