Armin glanced at the dashboard clock, the numbers glowing softly in the dark. “It’s too late to go back to the military camp now,” he said, his tone measured. “The gates are probably locked.”Alysha frowned, her mind immediately calculating her options. “I can go to the hospital, then,” she suggested, though there was a hesitance in her voice. “I’ll stay there overnight.”Armin shook his head, his gaze flicking toward her, his eyes firm. “No,” he said. “Come to my villa with me. Stay there tonight.”Alysha’s eyes widened, surprise flickering across her face. “Your villa?” she repeated, the words hanging in the air. “Armin, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”He kept his eyes on the road, but there was a quiet determination in his voice. “It’s safer. You know the hospital isn’t secure—if they knew how to lure you out of the military camp, they’ll know where to find you at the hospital.”Alysha’s hand tightened in her lap, the weight of his words sinking in. “But staying at your place—
The car rolled forward, its headlights cutting through the darkness of the night, Alysha sat quietly, her eyes fixed on the passing city lights outside the window. The world outside felt distant, as if it belonged to another life. Inside the car, everything was still, save for the low hum of the engine and the occasional creak of leather seats as they shifted.Alysha’s thoughts wandered, slipping past the events of the night and settling on a face she hadn’t seen in what felt like forever—Ivan. She could almost picture his eyes, intense and unyielding, the way he would hold her close like he was afraid to lose her. She wondered if he missed her as much as she missed him. Did he think about her, wherever he was? Or had he already moved on to something more important?Does he even care? she wondered, her heart aching as the thought crossed her mind. So many promises had been made, and yet here she was, alone in a city that seemed to swallow her whole. Ivan had left, claiming he had to s
Alysha felt like her world was spinning out of control as Armin's words from earlier settled in her mind. Ivan is a playboy. The thought echoed, clawing at her heart, making her question everything. But before she could process it, Armin’s voice pierced through her haze.“I had a relationship with Seraphina. A long one,” he admitted, his eyes fixed ahead as he drove. “But I never had any other woman in my life besides her.”Alysha said nothing, her gaze distant as she tried to hold herself together. Her heart felt heavy, her mind a jumble of confusion and pain. Why is he telling me this? she wondered, feeling the weight of the night bearing down on her.Armin continued, his voice softer now. “But... ever since I saw you, Alysha, I couldn’t think about her the same way. I couldn’t feel for her the way I used to.”Alysha turned to him, her eyes searching his face, confusion etched in her expression. “What are you saying, Armin?” she asked, her voice quiet, almost hesitant.Armin’s grip
The car pulled into the long driveway of Armin’s villa, its headlights casting long shadows across the manicured lawn. The grandeur of the place was undeniable—a sleek, modern structure surrounded by towering trees and the glow of carefully placed lights. It was impressive, but to Alysha, it felt cold, distant. As the car came to a stop, she looked out the window, her eyes tracing the lines of the building as she took a deep breath.Armin turned off the engine and glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “We’re here,” he said quietly, the tension between them lingering in the air. “You’ll be safe here tonight.”Alysha hesitated before opening the door and stepping out. The night air was crisp, a chill that made her wrap her arms around herself. She watched as Armin got out and came around the car, his eyes meeting hers briefly. There was something unspoken in his gaze—something she wasn’t ready to face.They walked up the stone pathway leading to the front entrance, the quiet of the
Armin sat in his room, the shadows casting long, jagged lines across the walls. His jaw was clenched, and his hands gripped the armrests of his chair as anger coursed through him. How can she love that old man so much? The thought circled in his mind like a vicious storm, each repetition fueling the fire that burned inside him.He stared at the whiskey glass in his hand, the liquid catching the faint light from the bedside lamp, but it didn’t soothe him. The alcohol felt like nothing compared to the rage simmering within. What does Ivan have that I don’t? he wondered, the question gnawing at him. He slammed the glass down onto the table, the sound echoing through the room.Ivan was older than him, by more than a decade, and yet Alysha clung to him like he was her lifeline. Why him? Armin’s chest tightened, frustration clawing at his insides. I’m younger, stronger— he thought, his eyes flashing as he replayed the moments they had shared, how close they had been, how he had protected he
Long shadows were cast across the leather booths and polished wood as the VIP club pulsed with low music. Ivan Anderson sat alone, nursing his drink, the ice clinking softly against the glass as he swirled it absentmindedly. His eyes were distant, staring into the amber liquid as if searching for answers. His mind was a storm—calculating, restless, and torn between conflicting decisions. Every move he had made recently seemed to lead to a dead end, and now, the stakes were higher than ever.Behind him, his bodyguards stood like sentinels, their eyes sweeping the crowd with practiced vigilance. To the untrained eye, the club might seem just another haunt for the city’s elite—a place for them to escape, to indulge. But to Ivan, it was a battlefield, each shadow hiding a potential threat, each glance from a stranger holding the promise of deception.He took another sip, letting the alcohol burn down his throat, as his thoughts spun, tangled with strategy and uncertainty. What next step
The woman’s eyes sparkled, satisfied that she’d captured his attention. She reclined into her seat, crossing one leg over the other, her movements slow and deliberate. It was as if she wanted him to watch, to take in every detail. Her confidence was a shield—one he couldn’t quite read yet, and that intrigued him. In his world, everyone wore masks, but hers was one he hadn’t encountered before.She set her glass down, the sound barely audible over the low hum of the club’s music. “Alright,” she said, leaning forward slightly, her voice silky and calm. “You want to know what I have, Ivan?” Her gaze flicked up, locking onto his. “Information. The kind you’re desperate for.”Ivan raised an eyebrow, taking another slow sip of his drink. “Information has a price.” His voice was cold, testing. “And people who try to sell it to me usually have their own agendas.”“Of course they do,” she replied, unbothered by his suspicion. “But you’re a smart man. You know the rules of this game better than
Unbeknownst to Ivan, shadows moved in the corners of the VIP club, where the lighting was deliberately dim. The woman sitting across from him kept her composure, her confident smile never wavering, even as she sensed the watchful eyes hidden behind the darkness. She knew the game she was playing, and she played it well.A figure, dressed to blend seamlessly with the upscale crowd, slipped through the maze of tables and booths, carrying a small camera tucked discreetly under his jacket. He maneuvered with practiced ease, remaining just out of the line of sight of Ivan’s bodyguards. With the crowd as cover and the loud music masking any sounds, he found the perfect angle.The woman leaned in closer, her fingers grazing Ivan’s as she spoke, making the moment look intimate. Her eyes glimmered, but it wasn’t just with the intrigue she had promised Ivan—it was the satisfaction of knowing exactly how this encounter would look in the photos.The camera clicked, its shutter masked by the nois
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