As the last echoes of the jet engines faded into the night, the soft crunch of boots on the tarmac drew Andrine’s attention. Her eyes, still filled with the pride of her sister’s connection to the Rodriguez family, snapped toward the approaching figure—and her smile vanished.There he stood, Maximilian Holland, dressed sharply in his military uniform. The gleaming badges on his chest and the crisp folds of his uniform made him look every bit the war hero. At 188 cm tall, his athletic figure moved with ease, his blond hair catching the faint lights of the runway, and his piercing blue eyes fixed on Andrine with a look of unmistakable joy. He looked like a Hollywood star, the kind that graced movie posters, and not the rugged fields they were used to.Andrine’s gaze hardened, her earlier pride faltering as she glared at him. Her thoughts raced, anger rising within her, though she said nothing. This was not the future she had imagined, and his presence only reminded her of the path she d
Andrine, overwhelmed by her emotions, suddenly lunged toward Alysha, throwing her arms around her sister in a desperate embrace. Alysha hitched, startled by the sudden movement, but then slowly composed herself, her own head spinning with the weight of everything that was happening. She wrapped her arms tightly around Andrine, holding her as her sister trembled with fury."I’m not going to leave Alysha!" Andrine cried out, her voice cracking with emotion. "Neil Holland, I know exactly what you’re planning with us!"Maximilian stood to the side, taken aback by the intensity of Andrine’s reaction. His usually calm demeanor faltered as he tried to process what was unfolding."Andrine, stop," Alysha said softly, though her voice was shaky. "They are helping us."But Andrine wasn’t done. Her voice rose again, filled with defiance. "They’re not helping us, Alysha. They’re blocking us!"Alysha, wide-eyed, looked at her sister in disbelief. "Blocking us?" she whispered, struggling to make se
The sudden arrival of flashing lights and blaring sirens outside the Rodriguez mansion shattered the calm night. Dozens of police cars and black SUVs filled the driveway, and heavily armed officers and secret agents poured out, their faces etched with anger and determination. They moved swiftly, spreading out around the mansion, their weapons drawn, their expressions tight with purpose. Inside, Lilian and Gabriel Rodriguez stood in the grand foyer, both frozen in shock as they watched the chaos unfolding before their eyes. They exchanged a glance, their confusion clear to see. This wasn’t some random raid—it was personal. The sheer number of agents and the intensity of their movements made it clear that something serious was happening."What the hell is going on?" Lilian hissed under her breath, her heart racing as she gripped Gabriel’s arm tightly. She scanned the room, trying to make sense of the scene unfolding around them.Gabriel’s face remained stern, though his eyes flicker
One officer gave one final nod before turning away, leading his team further into the mansion to find Bjorn. As the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the halls, Gabriel and Lilian stood together in silence, the weight of their son’s actions hanging over them like a dark cloud.The second officer, his tone stern and matter-of-fact, stepped forward. "Your son, Bjorn Rodriguez, attacked the Jarl palace," he said, his eyes never leaving Gabriel and Lilian.Lilian gasped, her breath catching in her throat as the shock hit her like a wave. "Attacked the Jarl palace?" she repeated, her voice trembling. "That can’t be true."Gabriel took a deep breath, his jaw clenching as the weight of the officer's words settled over him. He had feared something like this for a long time but never imagined it would escalate to this point. The officer continued, unflinching. "He even shot toward Karol Jarl," he added, his voice growing more intense.Lilian froze, her mind refusing to process what she
One of the officers cleared his throat, trying to break the tension. He exchanged a look with the others, their eyes wide with shock. No one had expected to walk into this situation. The sounds of moaning and the loud thudding coming from the other side of the door made it clear that they had walked into a far more intimate moment than anticipated."Uh... should we..." one officer whispered, not finishing his sentence, his cheeks reddening slightly. He wasn’t sure how to proceed, and clearly neither did the others.Another officer raised an eyebrow and shook his head, clearly frustrated. "We’re here for an arrest, not for... this," he muttered under his breath. "Let’s focus. But... maybe we should give them a minute."The group exchanged uneasy glances, not wanting to storm in at such an inappropriate time, yet also knowing they were there on official business. It was a surreal moment. The tension between their duty and the situation they found themselves in was palpable.One officer
The hallway was very tense because everyone was waiting and didn't know what would happen when the door opened.With the tension rising and the awkward discomfort too much to bear, one of the police officers, his face flushed with embarrassment and frustration, finally snapped. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and with a swift, decisive motion, kicked the bedroom door open.The loud bang echoed through the hallway as the door flew inward, slamming against the wall. The room's atmosphere changed instantly, the intimate sounds of passion abruptly cut off by the sudden intrusion.Inside, Armin and Seraphina were caught in the middle of their heated moment, completely unprepared for what had just happened. Armin, still deep in the throes of his own passion, froze mid-thrust, his eyes flashing with anger and disbelief as he turned to see the group of officers standing in the doorway, their expressions a mix of shock and awkwardness.Seraphina gasped loudly, her body still tre
Armin stood there, frozen in shock, his mind racing. The room around him seemed to spin as the weight of what they were saying crashed down on him. His mouth opened, but no words came out. It felt like his entire world had been turned upside down. He was caught between the raw reality of the moment with Seraphina and this sudden, impossible truth being thrust upon him."Married?" Armin repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, as if trying to convince himself this wasn’t real. "This… this has to be the biggest joke of my life." His gaze turned back to his parents, eyes wide with disbelief.But the looks on Gabriel and Lilian’s faces told him that it wasn’t a joke. This was real. And Alysha Jarl—his wife—was missing.The tension in the room was suddenly broken by the sound of loud shouting coming from downstairs. The commotion echoed throughout the mansion and everyone froze. The sound of fists hitting flesh accompanied by loud screams got louder.“Tell me where Neil took my woman!”
Armin’s mind raced. He knew his brother was prone to reckless behavior, often acting without thinking. He also knew that Bjorn’s obsession with this mystery woman was pushing him toward dangerous actions. But now, with all eyes on them—the police, their parents, everyone—Armin, a skilled and calculating lawyer, understood that handling this situation required careful strategy.He forced a smile, trying to ease the growing tension. “Really, Bjorn? A beautiful woman, you say?” Armin’s tone was light, almost amused. “Then we must find her, right? We’ll get to the bottom of this.”Bjorn nodded eagerly, completely taken in by his brother’s calm demeanor, not realizing Armin was already working to defuse the situation. Armin turned his attention to Garry, who was still struggling to recover from Bjorn’s brutal attack, blood dripping from his lip. “So, where is Neil Holland?” Armin asked sharply, his voice now carrying a subtle edge of authority.Garry, wincing in pain, shook his head. “I do
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