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
Arisha flinched, but she forced a nod, her lips quivering as she tried to maintain her composure. “I—” she began, but her voice was shaky, her fear evident.Ivan’s eyes locked onto Charles, his fists clenching at his sides. “If you think I’m just going to stand aside, you’re wrong,” he said, his voice low, the promise of retaliation threading every word. “This isn’t over.”Charles arched an eyebrow, amusement flashing in his eyes. “Is that a threat, Ivan?” he asked, his voice taunting. “Or are you just making empty promises again?”Ivan’s gaze burned. “A warning,” he said. “I’m not walking away.” He stepped forward, his eyes hard, showing he wasn’t backing down. “You can call her your fiancée all you want, but I know what’s been done to her, and I’ll find out the truth.”Charles’s expression darkened, and he straightened, squaring his shoulders. “You’ve had your chance,” he said, his voice dropping to a chilling tone. “Take your leave now, or I’ll have you escorted out.” He gestured,
Arisha’s body moved on instinct as Ivan disappeared down the hallway, her eyes fixed on Sisi, but just as she started forward, Charles’s strong hand clamped around her arm, yanking her back. “Arisha!” he snapped, his voice rough and unyielding.Arisha’s eyes flashed with desperation as she struggled against his hold. “Charles, please—my daughter!” she cried, her voice cracking with panic.Charles’s grip tightened, his expression hardening. “Didn’t Neil tell you never to leave the house with Sisi?” he hissed, his eyes narrowing with frustration. “Why did you bring her here?”“She needed a doctor!” Arisha pleaded, her voice rising in frustration. “Why don’t any of you understand? I was trying to help her.”Charles’s face twisted with anger, but there was something else there too—fear. “You could have told me, Arisha!” he growled. “I could have brought her in myself. But look what you’ve done.” His grip tightened as he pulled her back another step, holding her in place. “Now they’ve got
Seraphina sat behind her desk, her fingers tapping restlessly against the polished wood. The air in her office felt suffocating, and her mind was a whirlwind of anger and frustration. Alysha—or whatever she called herself now—had shown up, right out in the open, and the chaos that followed was still unraveling in her mind. Her grip tightened, nails digging into her palm as she tried to calm the storm inside her.The door creaked open, and Neil Holland strode into the office, his face unreadable but his eyes sharp. Seraphina’s gaze flicked to her father, sensing the tension before he even spoke.“Where is Alysha?” he demanded, his voice cold but measured. There was a hint of suspicion laced in his tone.Seraphina leaned back, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t know,” she answered, her voice flat but filled with irritation.Neil’s gaze didn’t soften. “Did you do something to her again?” he pressed, his eyes piercing.Seraphina scoffed, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “If I’d had the
The next day. Inside the Military camp Villa.Ivan Anderson Suegra stood there, his tall frame rigid, his piercing blue eyes locked on Alysha. The pain in his gaze was unmistakable, a raw intensity that made Alysha’s stomach twist. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, couldn’t bear the weight of whatever emotions lay behind them.Instead, she kept her head down, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the edge of the desk. Little Sisi, unaware of the storm brewing in the room, sat nearby, watching them with curious eyes. Her tiny hands clutched a doll, but her gaze darted between Ivan and Alysha, sensing the unspoken tension.Ivan’s chest rose and fell in deep, controlled breaths. He wanted to shout, to demand answers. Every fiber of his being screamed for him to shake the truth out of Alysha. How could she not remember him? After everything they’d shared, after everything they’d been through, the thought was unbearable.But he held himself back, his fists clenched tight
Alysha’s lips parted, but no words came. Her mind was blank, spinning as Ivan’s intense gaze bore into her. She couldn’t lift her head to meet his eyes, couldn’t find the strength to confront the emotions swirling inside her. Her whole body tensed when she felt his large hand cover hers, warm and steady, grounding her against the storm in her mind.“Please,” Ivan said, his voice low, almost pleading. “Come home with me.”The word home made her chest tighten. She hitched a breath, her heart thundering in her ears. Home? What did that even mean for her? She had no home—no memory of one, no connection to a place she could claim as her own. She was an empty shell, floating in a life constructed by others. No identity, no family… nothing.“Home?” she whispered, her voice trembling, her gaze still fixed on the floor. “What home?”Ivan’s hand tightened over hers, his thumb brushing gently against her knuckles. “Our home,” he said softly, his words heavy with longing. He stepped closer, reach
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