Seraphina Holland watched the chaos unfold from the shadows of the hallway, her arms crossed and a smug smile curling on her lips. She had positioned herself just out of sight, perfectly content to witness the mayhem she had orchestrated. The room was still buzzing with tension—Bjorn’s fury.No wonder Bjorn is so easy to manipulate, she thought, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. It hadn’t taken much—just a few carefully chosen words, subtle suggestions that Alora was hiding something important, something dangerous to his precious Andrine. And Bjorn, with his reckless temper, had taken the bait, just as she’d planned.Her eyes flicked to where Alora had been, now safely cradled in Maximilian’s arms as he prepared to leave with her. Good, Seraphina mused. The little headache is finally gone from the house. Alora, the one person who had seen Alysha and could have connected the dots, was now out of her way. For Seraphina, it was a perfect outcome—Alora had been a threat, one she couldn
As Bjorn stormed out, Seraphina watched his retreating figure, the satisfaction in her eyes deepening. She allowed herself a moment to revel in the control she had gained. Every move was playing out exactly as she had planned. Bjorn, so easy to provoke, was the perfect pawn to create chaos while she focused on securing her place by Armin’s side.She turned on her heel and made her way to her private office, the heels of her shoes echoing sharply against the marble floors of Rodriguez Manor. Once inside, she closed the door behind her and pulled out her phone, dialing a number from memory—Vincent Wolfe, her go-to contact for discreet operations. The man was a master at creating chaos without leaving a trace.The phone rang twice before a deep, calm voice answered. “Seraphina. To what do I owe the pleasure?”“Vincent,” she replied, her voice smooth as silk. “I have a job for you. It requires your usual finesse—discreet and efficient.”There was a pause, then the faint sound of a chuckle
As they reached the villa’s perimeter, Bjorn crouched low, scanning the area. The building was heavily guarded, soldiers patrolling in pairs and the entrances fortified. Of course, he thought. Neil would make sure she’s protected. He gritted his teeth, the thought of Neil hiding Andrine away igniting a fresh wave of anger. But not for long.Rico moved up beside him, his voice a low whisper. “Boss, we’ll have to split up to take them all down. We need to neutralize them quietly.”Bjorn nodded, his eyes calculating. “You take the left flank with the bodyguards. I’ll move in from the right with my men. We’ll converge at the main entrance.”The teams split, melting into the shadows. Bjorn and his gangsters crept along the villa’s right side, hugging the walls. The cool metal of his gun pressed against his hip, a reminder of the stakes. As they approached the guards, Bjorn gave his men a signal. Two of the gangsters leaped forward, taking out the first pair of soldiers with quick, silent s
But there was no time for anger. The military forces were converging, and their escape route was closing. Bjorn gritted his teeth, rage and frustration boiling inside him. “Fall back, everyone!” he barked. “We’re getting out of here!”With gunfire erupting outside and soldiers flooding the entrance, Bjorn and his men fought their way back, the carefully laid plan falling apart around them.Bjorn and his men moved quickly, the adrenaline coursing through their veins as the villa erupted into chaos. The blaring alarms and flashing red lights cast eerie shadows against the walls, and the once-silent camp was now a war zone. Gunfire echoed through the halls, and the shouts of soldiers closing in grew louder.Bjorn’s eyes blazed with fury as he led his men back down the staircase. Seraphina set me up, he seethed inwardly, but he couldn’t afford to let that rage consume him now. He had to think fast if they were going to escape with their lives.At the bottom of the stairs, Rico and the bod
Bjorn’s eyes burned with fury as he drove, his jaw clenched so tight it felt like it might crack. “Enough of this!” he growled, his voice echoing through the SUV’s interior. “If they want a war, they’ll get one.”Rico glanced at him, a wary look crossing his face. “What’s the next move, boss?”Bjorn’s lips curled into a sneer as he made a sharp turn, tires skidding. “We go straight for Holland Villa. That’s where Maximilian is hiding. We’ll drag him out, and we’ll force him to tell us where they took Andrine.”The air in the SUV grew tense as the gangsters exchanged glances. Rico’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, meeting Bjorn’s gaze. “You’re sure about this? The Holland Villa’s fortified, and you know they’ve got plenty of guards.”Bjorn’s expression was ruthless. “I don’t care. We have enough firepower and men. We’ll storm the place, and if anyone gets in our way, we’ll take them down. It’s time the Hollands learned what happens when they cross me.”Rico hesitated for a moment,
Andrine stepped outside, the night air biting against her skin as the tension from the men surrounding the villa crackled in the atmosphere. Her eyes scanned the crowd of armed men, and there he was—Bjorn, standing at the center of the chaos, his eyes ablaze with determination.Her breath caught in her throat. “Bjorn...” she whispered, frozen in shock. But before she could take another step, a roar of an engine filled the air. Her eyes snapped to the side, and she saw it—a truck barreling down the driveway, its headlights glaring like eyes of a predator, aimed directly at him.Time seemed to slow, and Andrine’s heart leapt into her throat. She felt a surge of terror. “Bjorn!” she screamed, her voice raw with urgency as she started running toward him. She could feel the pounding of her feet against the ground, each step filled with desperation. “Watch out!”Bjorn’s head whipped around at the sound of her voice, his eyes widening as he saw her. For a split second, everything else fell a
Andrine climbed into the SUV beside Bjorn, her hand gripping his tightly. “Stay with me, Bjorn,” she whispered, her voice a plea as the vehicles tore through the night toward Holland Hospital. “Armin’s coming. You just have to hold on.”The SUVs tore through the night, their engines roaring as they sped down the winding roads toward Holland Hospital. Andrine sat beside Bjorn, her eyes locked on his face as she held his hand tightly, willing him to stay conscious. The interior lights of the vehicle cast a dim glow, highlighting the streaks of blood on his face and the way his breath came in shallow, uneven gasps. Every bump in the road seemed to jolt through her, the fear in her heart tightening with every second.“Stay with me, Bjorn,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “We’re almost there. Armin’s coming.”Rico, sitting up front, spoke urgently into his phone. “We’ve got Bjorn Rodriguez coming in—condition critical,” he barked. “Prepare emergency trauma care, now!”The driver’s hand
“You were really searching for me?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper, laced with disbelief.Armin nodded, his eyes serious. “Yes. After all, you are married to Bjorn. We’ve been looking for you ever since the arrangement was made.”Andrine stood frozen, the weight of Armin’s words crashing over her like a tidal wave. Married to Bjorn? Her mind reeled, struggling to process what he had just said.The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her breath caught in her throat, and she took a step back, eyes wide. “What?” she gasped, her heart pounding in her chest. “Married?”Armin’s expression remained steady, as if the news should not have come as a shock. “Yes, your father signed the agreement with the Suegra family. It was all arranged, Andrine. Didn’t they tell you?”For a moment, Andrine couldn’t breathe. Her mind spun, trying to make sense of it all. The truth dawned on her with a sickening clarity. This was Maximilian’s doing. And Neil Holland’s. They had kept her hidden in the
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