Armin rushed to catch Alysha as she crumpled to the floor, his grip turning tender in an instant. “Alysha, look at me!” His voice cracked, the anger replaced by a flicker of panic.Ivan moved closer, his eyes narrowing. “Back off. She’s not safe with you.”“She’s my wife!” Armin growled, pulling her limp body closer. “Don’t you dare touch her.”Ivan ignored him, crouching down, his voice calm but firm. “Alysha, can you hear me? You’re stronger than this. You’ve always been stronger.”A faint groan escaped Alysha’s lips, her eyelids fluttering. The tension between the men hung like a storm cloud, neither willing to give ground.Alysha’s knees buckled as she collapsed to the floor, clutching her head. Armin crouched beside her, his hand immediately on her shoulder.“Alysha!” he said, his tone shifting to panic. “What’s wrong? Talk to me!”Ivan shoved Armin aside, kneeling in front of her. “Alysha, look at me. Are you okay? Can you hear me?”Her vision blurred as the fragments in her min
Armin stepped forward, his movements calm but deliberate, like a predator circling its prey. “You heard me. If that child belongs to Alysha—her flesh and blood—then she’s my responsibility now. I’ll adopt her and give her my name. Rodriguez.”“You son of a—” Ivan’s roar echoed through the room, his rage spilling over as he lunged toward Armin. “How dare you!”Armin didn’t flinch, his expression unbothered as Ivan’s fury washed over him. “Don’t act so shocked,” he said coolly. “If you were such a devoted father, you wouldn’t have kept her hidden all these years. Or does Sisi only matter when it’s convenient for you?”Ivan’s fists shook, his knuckles white with tension. “You think you can just take her? Replace me? You don’t even know her!”Armin’s eyes narrowed. He had expected Ivan to play this card. Of course, the mystery daughter no one had seen. A convenient weapon to twist Alysha’s emotions. He uncrossed his arms and stepped forward with a smirk.“I’ll adopt her.”The words were c
Lilian exhaled deeply, the tension in her shoulders easing only slightly. “Thank God,” she muttered under her breath. “It’s too difficult to deal with Ivan. At least he’s gone for now.”She glanced at her husband, Gabriel, who stood silently, his expression unreadable. But she knew him too well. Gabriel wasn’t fooled by Ivan’s retreat.“He’s gone now,” she said cautiously, “but I know what you’re thinking. He’ll never stop.”Gabriel’s jaw tightened, his thoughts heavy. Ivan was relentless, and his obsession with Alysha was more dangerous than Lilian understood. “You’re right,” Gabriel said, his tone low and measured. “Ivan will keep trying. He’ll do whatever it takes to separate Armin and Alysha. No cost is too high for him.”Lilian looked at him, concern etched on her face. “And what will you do about it?”Gabriel’s gaze turned cold, his mind already calculating. “I’ll do what I must,” he said. “I can’t let him succeed.”But even as he spoke, the weight of a darker truth pressed down
Alysha sat on the edge of the bed, her body still, her hands resting limply on her lap. She felt like a puppet whose strings had been cut—motionless, empty, and utterly lost. The dim light of the room did nothing to ease her spiraling thoughts.Her daughter, Sisi, had been kidnapped. Her memory had been erased. And somehow, all of it seemed connected, as if the events of three years ago were pieces of a puzzle deliberately scattered to keep her in the dark.Alysha’s trembling hands moved to her temples. She closed her eyes, trying to will away the chaos in her mind. But instead of calm, an image surfaced—the same one that always haunted her now.Sisi’s sparkling blue eyes.They were Ivan’s eyes, unmistakably so. The DNA test had proven it: Sisi was their daughter. The truth couldn’t be denied, no matter how much Armin or anyone else tried to bury it.Her breath hitched as another memory pushed forward, one she hadn’t told anyone. The moment Ivan had found her. The way he’d cradled her
Armin sat across from his parents, the tension in the room thick and suffocating. Gabriel’s face was hard, his voice sharp as he leaned forward. “Now you realize the big mistake you made, Armin? I warned you—again and again, back then. I told you we had chosen a beautiful, royal-blooded, talented girl for you.” His eyes narrowed, the disappointment evident in every word. “But you didn’t give a damn, did you?”Armin leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his dark hair, his jaw clenched. He looked at his father, then at his mother, Lilian, who sat silently, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I didn’t take it seriously,” Armin admitted, his tone defiant but tinged with regret. “She was just some… some poor village girl out of nowhere. What was I supposed to think? That she mattered?”Gabriel’s fist slammed onto the table, making Lilian flinch. “She mattered because we told you she did! Because the Jarl family trusted us to take care of her, to honor the contract! You thought t
Ivan's fist slammed into the wall, over and over, each punch landing with a sickening thud. Cracks spiderwebbed across the surface, dust and bits of plaster falling to the floor. His knuckles were bloodied, but he didn’t care. He didn’t even feel the pain—just the boiling rage coursing through him.“Enough!” Henry, his loyal assistant, grabbed his arm and yanked him back. “You’re going to break your damn hand!”Ivan struggled against him for a moment, his body trembling violently with suppressed fury. His chest heaved, his breath ragged and shallow, as though he couldn’t get enough air.“They took her,” he growled through clenched teeth, his voice low and guttural. “They fucking took her. Right in front of me. My woman. My Alysha.”Henry’s grip on his arm tightened. “I know, sir. But this isn’t going to fix anything. You need to think.”Ivan glared at him, his icy blue eyes blazing with anger. “Think? How the hell am I supposed to think when they’ve taken everything from me? Alysha. S
In the soft glow of the morning sun, Alysha opened her eyes to the unfamiliar surroundings of the Rodriguez manor. The room was lavish and grand, its opulence overwhelming and suffocating at the same time. The heavy curtains, the ornate furniture, the shimmering chandelier above—it all felt like a gilded cage.Her head ached slightly, a dull throb at the base of her skull. She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to shake off the lingering fog in her mind. For a moment, she forgot where she was. But then it hit her—the Rodriguez manor.She sat up, clutching the silken sheets to her chest as a wave of unease washed over her. Armin’s voice echoed in her mind, his possessive words from the night before making her skin crawl. She rubbed her arms instinctively, as if trying to erase the memory of his touch.But another face surfaced in her thoughts. Ivan.The tension in her chest eased slightly as she thought of him. His voice, his presence, the strange comfort she felt when he was n
At that moment, the sound of heavy boots echoed through the grand hall, and Henry stepped inside. His sharp gaze swept across the room before landing on Alysha.A flicker of recognition passed between them. Alysha knew Henry—he was Ivan’s right-hand man, always by his side. Reliable, calculating, and fiercely loyal.From across the room, Lilian’s eyes narrowed into a piercing glare, her disapproval palpable. She folded her arms, her expression cold and unwelcoming. But Henry didn’t even flinch. If anything, he looked more defiant, his jaw set as though daring her to speak.Alysha didn’t hesitate. She walked toward Henry, her heart pounding in her chest. “Henry,” she said, her voice urgent, her eyes searching his face. “Where is Ivan?”Henry gave her a measured look, the slightest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “This is the Rodriguez Manor, ma’am,” he said smoothly, his tone respectful but firm. “Sir doesn’t reside here.”Alysha’s brow furrowed, her confusion deepen
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