Ivan sat in silence, his mind a storm of thoughts, when his phone buzzed. He glanced down, the screen flashing with Bjorn’s name. Instantly, a jolt of tension hit him—Bjorn rarely called him, and when he did, trouble was usually close behind. Ivan’s pulse quickened as he picked up.“Uncle!” Bjorn’s voice came through, sharp and angry. “Can you come get me? Take me with you—now!”Ivan’s heart skipped, dread settling in. “Where are you?”“In Suegra State, Europe,” Bjorn replied, his tone tense. Ivan could hear the frustration, but beneath it, there was fear—a rare emotion for his bold, hot-headed nephew.Ivan’s eyes narrowed. “You just got there, Bjorn. Why are you trying to come back?”A pause, and then Bjorn’s voice lowered, laced with panic. “Because Dad wants to beat me to death! I’m locked in my room right now.”Ivan’s fist clenched, a familiar anger bubbling up. “Why would Gabriel want to beat you? How many times have I told him to get a grip on his damned temper?”“Well, see, I o
In Jarl Palace. Europe.Alysha’s hands shook as she folded the last of her clothes into her bag, her heart a chaotic mess of anger, regret, and longing. Today she would leave with Neil Holland, escaping the nightmare that had become her life. From now on, she would live in the Holland family mansion, far from the twisted web of secrets and betrayals. But as she glanced around the room one last time, her gaze landed on something that stopped her in her tracks—a slip of fabric draped over the edge of the chair.It was her night robe.She froze, a shiver running down her spine as the memory washed over her. That night… she’d been dressed in her wedding gown, hadn’t she? The beautiful, delicate white lace that her mother had spent hours preparing for her. It had been a symbol of innocence, of a new beginning. But it was gone. What had Neil done with it? Had he burned it, destroyed it to erase any trace of the ordeal she’d endured? Or worse, had he discarded it like some cheap disguise, a
The rumble of engines outside sent a jolt through Alysha, her breath catching as she looked out the window. Sleek black SUVs, a fleet of them, were rolling up the long gravel drive, their dark silhouettes unmistakable. Her heart stopped, a cold dread settling over her as she recognized the crest emblazoned on the sides. Suegra.What the fuck… they’re here.Before she could react, Andrine bounded over to the window, her face lit with excitement. “Your husband came, Alysha!” she squealed, clapping her hands, her eyes wide with anticipation. “Look at all those cars! They’re here for you!”Panic surged through Alysha’s body. Her mind raced, trying to find an escape, to find any place to hide. Her eyes darted around the room frantically, searching for some cover, any cover, while Andrine jumped up and down beside her, oblivious to the danger.Andrine turned and called into the hallway, “Hazel! Look, Alysha’s husband is here! Look, look—”Without thinking, Alysha gripped Andrine’s shoulders
Gabriel, Lilian, and Bjorn stepped through the grand gates of the Jarl palace, Bjorn’s eyes wandered curiously around the sprawling estate. The grandeur of the palace was something even he hadn’t expected, but his attention was soon pulled elsewhere.Andrine’s heart pounded as she leaned over the railing, watching the Suegra family stride confidently through the grand gates of the Jarl palace. Gabriel and Lilian moved with an aura of authority, their faces unreadable and cold. But it was Bjorn—her eyes had locked onto him immediately. The wild, untamed Bjorn, who seemed to carry chaos in every step, his presence filling the room with a reckless energy she found irresistible.Bjorn. Her cheeks flushed as she took him in, remembering the way he carried himself on the streets, unafraid, loud, and fierce. She’d seen him from afar many times, watching him shout, fight, and toss the other boys around like they were nothing. Every ounce of him was thrilling, dangerous—and to her, somehow per
Alysha's parents, Karol and Ingrid Jarl, stood nervously before the Rodriguez family.Gabriel's piercing gaze didn't help matters. His arms crossed over his chest, his posture radiating authority as he glared at Karol. “Where is Alysha?” Gabriel demanded, his voice low but sharp.Karol's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. Before he could speak, Ingrid stepped forward, her hands wringing nervously. “Mr. Rodriguez,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “we sent her to the USA. She should have been with your family by now.”Gabriel’s eyes narrowed, his arms tightening across his chest. “But she’s not,” he replied coldly.Ingrid paled, her eyes flicking to Karol for support, but all he could do was nod helplessly. “Then… we don’t know,” Ingrid stammered, her voice barely audible.Gabriel was taken aback, his brow furrowing in disbelief. “You don’t know?” he repeated, his voice rising with restrained anger. “Seriously?”The tension crackled through
“Bjorn,” Gabriel growled, his voice barely containing his rage. “Enough.” The single word cut through the air like a knife, and for once, Bjorn fell silent, looking at his uncle with a half-dazed expression.Lilian’s voice was low, steady, with an edge that could slice through steel. “We didn’t come here for your nonsense, Bjorn. We came for Alysha. And right now, she’s missing.” Her eyes narrowed, piercing him with a look that could have silenced anyone with a shred of common sense.Bjorn looked more puzzled than worried when he realized how serious the situation was.Gabriel’s face twisted with rage, his hands balled into fists at his sides, and for a moment, it looked as though he might strike Bjorn right there. The look in Gabriel’s eyes was murderous, but before he could react, Lilian stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly with fear. Ingrid and Karol exchanged horrified glances, the weight of the situation pressing down on them like a crushing force. They had heard whispe
Neil gazed at Gabriel, each word laced with challenge and accusations that had lingered unspoken for far too long. Gabriel felt the pressure mounting, the gradual unraveling of his usual control—a rare sensation that was both infuriating and unsettling. For once, he was at a loss, and Neil's ruthless persistence was leaving him alone."Neil," Gabriel began, his voice edged with forced calm, "you were responsible for bringing my daughter-in-law, Alysha Jarl, safely to the States. You knew the stakes. So tell me, why isn’t she there?”Neil crossed his arms, a cold smile barely concealing his contempt. “And how am I supposed to know what you did to her?” His voice was a low growl, the accusation slicing through the air, and Gabriel felt his pulse spike. Neil’s words hit with a precision that forced him to react, his face hardening.“She went missing, Neil!” Gabriel barked, his voice cutting through the thick silence, frustration evident. “She’s not at the hotel, and there’s no record of
Inside the car. Lilian clenched her jaw, her mind racing between the chaos unfolding around Alysha’s disappearance, Neil’s hidden vendetta, and now Bjorn’s relentless demands. She knew she couldn’t let her son continue down this path, but the storm brewing around them made every decision feel like a potential disaster.Gabriel returned to the car, his face dark and clouded with frustration. Lilian immediately noticed the heaviness in his expression, the weight of the confrontation with Neil still clinging to him. Her heart sank at the sight of her husband, knowing that things had escalated in a way that could spiral even further out of control.She leaned over to Bjorn, her voice soft but firm. "Bjorn, look at your father. He’s so upset. Please, don’t talk right now, okay, my son?"Bjorn glanced at Gabriel, the usual arrogance in his eyes dimming slightly as he observed his father’s mood. Though his own desires still simmered beneath the surface, he grudgingly nodded, sinking back in