Charles Sternly’s voice rang out, cutting through the tense silence like a blade. “Arisha doesn’t need your Suegra daughter, Ivan.” His tone was icy, laced with contempt. Arisha jolted, her eyes snapping to the doorway where Charles stood, his expression cold and unyielding. The atmosphere in the hallway shifted, tension coiling tighter as Ivan’s hand clenched into a fist.Charles’s eyes locked onto Arisha’s, sharp and accusing. “Didn’t I tell you to stay away from this family?” he demanded, his voice rising with frustration.Arisha’s breath caught, and she hesitated, looking between Charles and Ivan, caught in the crossfire. “I had to come, Charles,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Bjorn—”But Charles cut her off with a roar. “That is none of your concern, Doctor Arisha Holland!” His words echoed, and the title stung like a slap, reminding her of the role she had been forced into. Arisha flinched, feeling the force of his anger.Charles’s face hardened as he stepped forwa
Charles’s eyes bore into her, filled with challenge. “Why?” he demanded, his tone harsh. “Why should I stop? Give me a valid reason.”Arisha’s eyes flashed with determination, and she yanked her hand out of his grip. “Because he’s the father of my daughter!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the hallway. “Don’t disrespect him!”The room fell into silence, the tension thick and electric. Ivan’s eyes softened, and for a moment, the rage that had clouded them lifted. He looked at Arisha, and there was a flash of gratitude in his gaze. But behind it, there was also pain, knowing that even now, she was torn between two worlds.Charles’s expression darkened, his face hardening as he processed her words. “You’re defending him?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. “After everything I’ve told you?”Arisha stood firm, her hands shaking but her voice steady. “Yes,” she said. “I may not remember everything, but I know he is Sisi’s father. And for that alone, I will not allow you to speak
Charles’s face tightened, his grip on Arisha’s wrist loosening as he felt the weight of Armin’s gaze. Damn it, he thought, the realization sinking in. He had underestimated Armin. In the heat of the moment, he had forgotten who he was dealing with. Armin Rodriguez wasn’t just anyone—he was the best criminal lawyer in the country, someone who knew how to peel back layers of lies with a single look.Armin’s eyes bore into Charles, his posture relaxed but his presence imposing. “Tell me, Charles,” he continued, his tone calm but threatening. “What exactly are you doing with her? Because from where I’m standing, this looks like kidnapping.”Charles’s mind raced, trying to find a way out. He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Armin, you’ve got it all wrong—”“Do I?” Armin interrupted, his voice turning icy. “Because you seem to be dragging her out of here without her consent. And last I checked, that’s a crime.”Arisha felt the tension between the two men grow, and she dared to
Arisha, trying to diffuse the tension, said softly, “I will go check on Bjorn.”Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, her expression immediately turning sharp. “How can you call him Bjorn?” she snapped, her voice dripping with irritation.Arisha blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in tone. “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t think much of it. After all, he’s younger than me.”Seraphina’s eyes blazed. “So what?” she retorted, stepping closer, her posture rigid with anger. “Just because he’s younger doesn’t mean you can disrespect him. You stupid village farmer girl, you seriously don’t know any manners, do you?”Arisha’s heart pounded in her chest as she lowered her head, forcing herself to bow her head in submission. “I’m sorry, Seraphina.”Seraphina’s eyes widened in fury, the sound of her name coming from Arisha’s mouth like an insult. “What did you just call me?” she hissed, her face flushing with anger.Arisha felt her cheeks burn as she realized her mistake. She closed her eyes, bracing herself fo
Ivan turned on his heel, his arm still protectively wrapped around Arisha’s shoulder as he led her away. His grip was firm, his fingers entwined with hers as they walked through the hospital corridor. The air was thick with shock, and all eyes turned to them. Nurses paused mid-step, doctors glanced up from their rounds, and patients watched from their rooms, each of them frozen in disbelief. The Ivan Anderson Suegra, heir to one of the most powerful families in the country, was walking openly, holding hands with a woman who was supposedly just a doctor.Arisha felt the weight of every gaze, her pulse quickening as whispers echoed in the hallway. She kept her eyes down, trying to steady her breath, but she could feel the intensity of the moment—this wasn’t just about Ivan’s declaration. It was about the power of his family name, and what it meant for him to walk so openly with her. She felt exposed, like the entire world was judging her for daring to walk beside him.Ivan’s expression
Seraphina’s breath came quick and shallow, her mind a whirlwind of ruthless determination. Standing there, overshadowed by Alysha’s unexpected return, her desperation sharpened to an edge that would cut through anything—and anyone—standing in her way. She refused to be a mere spectator in her own life. No, Seraphina would not be overshadowed, nor would she let her plans fall to ruins now. She had come too far, done too much to let it all slip away over Alysha’s resurrection.Her gaze shifted back to Armin, who was still watching Alysha with that unfathomable look, his eyes brimming with something that twisted painfully in Seraphina's chest. Love. Longing. She recognized it all too well, and it felt like a slap across her face, every bit of her carefully crafted future slipping just beyond her reach.But she’d never let Alysha steal Armin away. Never.Her mind snapped to the next move, a wicked clarity settling in her bones. Alysha’s real identity—her supposed “death”—was Seraphina’s
Ivan and Arisha hurried back to the ICU, their expressions shifting to alarm as they spotted Andrine pacing anxiously outside the door. Her eyes were wide, and she rushed toward them the moment they arrived. "Doctor Arisha, where have you been?" she asked, her voice laced with panic. "The machine is showing something!"Arisha’s heart leaped into her throat, and she rushed past Andrine into the room. Her eyes locked onto the monitor, and her breath hitched—Bjorn’s vital signs were dipping dangerously low, the rhythmic beeping accelerating into a frantic, urgent pace.Ivan’s face paled, his eyes darting to the screen and then to Bjorn’s still, bandaged form. “What’s happening?” he demanded, fear creeping into his voice.Arisha’s hands trembled, but she forced herself to stay focused, snapping into action. “His blood pressure is dropping,” she said quickly, her eyes scanning the various monitors and charts. “And his oxygen levels are unstable.”Andrine stood at the foot of the bed, her h
Arisha moved swiftly, her eyes never leaving the monitors as she coordinated with the nurses and doctors around her. “We need to move him to the CT scan immediately,” she commanded, her voice crisp, as she double-checked the IV lines and stabilized Bjorn’s head. “Doctor Boleyn, prep the team for neurosurgery. We don’t have time to waste.”Doctor Erica nodded, snapping into action. She glanced at the medical staff nearby, issuing quick instructions. “Prepare the transport gurney, and get anesthesia on standby for the surgery.”The team sprang into motion, and the room filled with the organized chaos of medical professionals racing against time. Andrine stood at the edge of the room, her hands gripping the railing of the bed as she watched with wide, terrified eyes. “Will he make it through?” she whispered, her voice trembling.Arisha paused, looking at Andrine with a steady gaze. “We’re doing everything we can,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “He’s in critical condition, but we’r
Ivan gently took Alysha’s hand in his, his movements deliberate and filled with purpose. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, a soft smile playing on his lips as he brought her hand to his mouth, placing a tender kiss on her knuckles.Alysha’s amber eyes widened slightly, her cheeks flushing faintly as she looked at him, unsure of what to say or how to react.“I told you, Alysha,” Ivan said, his deep voice smooth and steady, carrying the weight of his confidence. “Once you marry me, no one will dare to say a word against you. Because you have no idea the powerful place you’ve achieved.”Alysha’s heart raced at his words, her mind swirling with questions and emotions. What does he mean?Ivan’s smirk deepened as he glanced at Seraphina, whose face was contorted in a mixture of shock and fury. He turned back to Alysha, his voice growing quieter, but no less commanding. “This Seraphina,” he said, his tone laced with disdain, “is still struggling to claim her place as a Rodriguez. She
Maria, a long-serving household servant, entered with a warm smile, completely oblivious to the storm she had just walked into.“Lady Suegra!” Maria exclaimed, her voice cheerful and genuine. “Good to see you!”Seraphina froze, her sharp eyes widening in shock. Her body stiffened, her mind racing to process what she had just heard. Lady Suegra? Did she hear that correctly? Alysha Jarl—Lady Suegra?Alysha, equally taken aback, felt her heart skip a beat. She glanced at Ivan, her eyes wide with uncertainty. Ivan met her gaze with a calm smile, his head dipping in a small nod as if to confirm it.Maria beamed, stepping closer. “Oh my God,” she said, her hands clasping in delight. “You are so beautiful and young. Master Ivan is so lucky to have finally found such a lovely lady for the entire family!”Alysha’s cheeks flushed, her confusion mounting, but she forced a polite smile. “Thank you, Maria,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.Maria conti
In Suegra State.The soft murmur of guests faded into the background as the unspoken battle between the two men filled the room.Armin Rodriguez Suegra stood with a rigid posture, his sharp features twisted in barely concealed fury. Beside him, Seraphina Holland clung to his arm like a vice, her manicured nails digging into his sleeve. Her daring gaze was fixed on Alysha, her lips curved into a mocking smirk as if silently declaring her victory.Armin belongs to me, her look seemed to scream.On the opposite side, Ivan Anderson Suegra stood tall and unyielding. His piercing blue eyes locked on Armin with an almost casual dominance, his arm wrapped protectively around Alysha’s tiny shoulders. Ivan’s grip was firm but comforting, pulling Alysha closer to his chest. It was a silent declaration, a clear message to everyone in the room:Alysha is mine. My wife. My family.Alysha stood stiffly beside Ivan, her amber eyes darting nervously between the two men. She felt the weight of Seraphin
Alysha’s heart ached, but she forced herself to remain steady, to hold onto the resolve she’d found in the quiet of her own reflection. She took a step back, her voice gentle yet firm. “Ivan, some things can’t be undone. Sometimes… letting go is the only way forward.”He stilled, his face shadowed with a heartbreak he hadn’t prepared for, his jaw tightening as he absorbed the truth in her words. Yet, as painful as it was, he didn’t move, his gaze fixed on her, his silence a quiet acknowledgment of the distance that lay between them.Without a word, Ivan moved closer, his expression dark and determined as he scooped her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. Alysha’s breath hitched, her eyes widening in surprise as he carried her toward the bed, the resolve she’d clung to slipping under the intensity of his gaze.He laid her down gently, his weight settling beside her, his eyes locked onto hers with a heat that made her heart race. She couldn’t look away, captivated by the vu
Alysha turned away, her hand clutching the strap of the bag as she stood, moving toward the bedroom. And as she left him standing there in silence, Ivan understood that this was only the beginning of a long journey—one he was willing to walk, no matter how long it took.Alysha stepped into the bathroom, closing the door softly behind her, feeling the weight of the evening pressing down on her. The quiet hum of the house seemed to grow louder as she leaned against the door, exhaling a shaky breath, her hand pressed over her heart. She could still feel the intensity of Ivan’s gaze, his words echoing in her mind, a steady, relentless pull that she struggled to resist.She moved toward the mirror, her reflection staring back at her, raw and tired, emotions flickering across her face—anger, sadness, and something else, something that lingered beneath the surface, too complicated to name. Turning on the faucet, she let the water run, the sound filling the silence, grounding her as she let h
Heinz’s voice broke the tense silence in the foyer, his tone softer but carrying the weight of a command wrapped in concern. “Alysha, you must be tired,” he said, gesturing toward the grand staircase. “Why don’t you and Ivan go to your room? Take some time to rest.”Alysha turned to look at Heinz, her eyes wary, catching the subtle insistence in his tone. She could sense the layers beneath his words—the way he spoke as though her resistance were nothing more than fatigue, a temporary lapse that rest could fix. He was giving her no choice, and the authority in his voice reminded her just how deep the control in this family ran.Ivan, too, glanced at her, his gaze unreadable, though there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes, an unspoken plea. He took a step forward, his hand reaching out just slightly, as if to guide her. “Come on, Alysha,” he murmured, his voice low. “Let’s go upstairs.”Alysha held her ground, her jaw tightening. Her instinct was to refuse, to keep her dista
The convoy of sleek black cars pulled up to the sprawling gates of **Anderson State**, a place that had been shrouded in silence and mystery for decades. The estate was massive, its grand architecture looming against the gray Boston sky, surrounded by acres of well-manicured land that bore the scars of neglect. As the gates creaked open, Alysha peered out of the car window, her heart pounding. The sight of the mansion took her breath away—its towering columns and elegant stone façade exuded a timeless grandeur, but the faded paint and overgrown gardens hinted at years of abandonment. Sisi sat on Alysha’s lap, her tiny hands gripping her mother’s jacket tightly. She looked up at Alysha and whispered, “Mommy… big house.” Alysha managed a small smile, brushing her fingers through Sisi’s curls. “Yes, my angel,” she murmured, though unease prickled at the edges of her mind. Ivan, seated beside her, stared out the window, his jaw tight. His piercing blue eyes scanned the estate, hi
Little Sisi’s small legs carried her across the room as fast as they could, her soft giggles replaced by panicked cries. She didn’t understand the tension in the air or the argument unfolding between the adults, but she knew one thing for certain—she needed her mother, no matter what. “Mommy!” Sisi called, her voice trembling as she reached Alysha and grabbed the hem of her dress with her tiny hands. Alysha looked down, her amber eyes softening as Sisi clung to her, her little face scrunched with worry. Without hesitation, Alysha bent down and scooped her daughter into her arms, holding her tightly against her chest. Sisi buried her face in Alysha’s shoulder, her small body trembling as she whispered, “Mommy, no leave Sisi. Please.” Alysha’s heart shattered at her daughter’s plea. Tears welled in her eyes as she kissed Sisi’s head, her lips brushing against her soft orange curls. “Shh, my angel,” she murmured, her voice breaking. “Mommy’s here.” Sisi pulled back slightly, he
“What the fuck do you mean by ‘the decision is yours?’” Ivan growled, his piercing blue eyes blazing with fury. “You’re my wife! The mother of my child! And you think you can just stay inside a military camp surrounded by a bunch of men?”Ivan’s furious roar shook the room, his voice echoing off the walls like a thunderclap. Everyone froze, including Alysha, who stared at him wide-eyed, her breath catching in her throat.Alysha was stunned into silence, her body stiffening as the weight of his words settled over her. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.Ivan took a step closer, his towering frame looming over her as his voice dropped to a low, menacing growl. “You don’t even have your memory, Alysha. You don’t know your past, your enemies, or the people who would happily see you destroyed. And yet, you think it’s safe to live like that? Alone, unprotected?”Alysha’s throat tightened, but before she could respond, Ivan’s gaze darkened even further. “Even your little sister