Chapter: 159Rose lay half-curled against him, her cheek warm on his bare chest. Her fingers traced the black ink on his skin… the snake coiled along his ribs, the cross over his heart.Dante’s hand rested on her hip, lazy and gentle, like he didn’t want the moment to end.“Dante,” she murmured, eyes half-closed. “Why did you bring Adrian here?”He looked down at her. For a second, he didn’t answer. He only brushed a thumb along her shoulder, slow and thoughtful.Then he smiled… It was that small, guilty, older-brother smile she’d learned to read.“I brought him because of Bella,” he said softly.Rose lifted her head a little. “Bella?”“Mhmm,” Dante breathed out. “I’ve seen the way she is lately. Strong outside, but tense inside. She carries everything alone. And…” he paused, almost teasing, “I’ve seen how she looked at Adrian in Switzerland.”Rose blinked. “You think something is there?”“Oh, Rose.” His voice warme
Last Updated: 2026-09-14
Chapter: 158Months passed again. The twins grew stronger. Rose smiled more. Dante regained his strength, though his doctors still warned him about the bruised ribs.The household moved with a new sense of unity…guards were more alert, staff were more respectful, and the Moretti siblings closer than they had ever been.One quiet afternoon, Dante walked into the family lounge.Bella was on the couch with her tablet. Rose was with the twins on a playmat. Elena was helping them build a soft-block tower. The room was warm, sunlit, and peaceful.He came in holding a few documents, kissed Rose’s head, ruffled Antonio’s hair, tapped Aria’s little nose, then cleared his throat in a way that meant he had something to say.Everyone looked up.“I want to tell you all something,” he said.Rose straightened, instantly alert. Bella lowered her tablet. Elena paused with a block in her hand.Dante kept his gaze calm, almost too calm.
Last Updated: 2026-09-14
Chapter: 157The Moretti courtyard was silent. Not because the family was calm, but because the rage in the air was too thick for anyone to breathe through.The council members stood along the upper balcony. Soldiers lined the ground floor. Rose, Bella, Elena, and even the household staff watched with tight faces. No one dared whisper.Dante stepped forward, still recovering but strong enough to stand with authority. The bandage under his shirt tugged, but he ignored the pain. His eyes were fixed on the scene in front of him.Two soldiers dragged Luca out first.He no longer looked like the Moretti son. His face was bruised, swollen, and one eye half shut, his lips were cracked.His hair, once perfectly slicked back, was a tangled mess. His steps were slow, heavy—his body already beaten down by days in the dungeon.Bianca came next… or what was left of her.Thin. Unwashed hair. Her dress hung off her like she was disappearing inside
Last Updated: 2026-09-14
Chapter: 156The Moretti convoy rolled through the villa gates later that afternoon. Engines cut off one by one, quietly falling over the courtyard like a final breath after a long night.The main doors burst open.Rose came running out barefoot, still in her robe, tears streaking her face. Bella and Elena were right behind her, both pale and shaken.Her voice cracked as she screamed—“Where are my children?! Dante—WHERE ARE THEY?!”“Signora,” Enzo said quickly, out of breath, “the children are safe. They’re safe. They’re in the second car.”Rose froze.Then she ran to the boot of the second car as soldiers opened it. Inside were two small white blankets covering the twins, both sleeping weakly, skin slightly pale from the cold night. A doctor rushed forward with a nurse and took them into his arms immediately.Rose clutched both babies, sobbing so hard her knees almost gave out. Elena steadied her. Bella stood behind them,
Last Updated: 2026-09-13
Chapter: 155They finally arrived at the location. Dante stepped out first.Instantly, muffled phff sounds echoed from the shadows as Team Alpha began eliminating Luca’s outer guards with silent shots. Bodies dropped like shadows collapsing.Enzo signaled the bomb team forward.They crept around the back, shields raised.Then—A gunshot cracked loudly from above.The villa soldiers froze.“That wasn’t one of ours,” Enzo hissed.A second later, another shot rang out—Luca’s snipers fired openly.“Luca knows we’re here,” Dante said.Enzo ordered, “Team Beta, take them down!”Silent rifles pointed upward. Three soft thhhhpt sounds. One body fell. Then another. Then the third.Silence.Dante moved forward.But then a group of armed men stepped out of the factory entrance.At least fifteen.Some of them wore Moretti uniforms.Dante froze. He knew thei
Last Updated: 2026-09-13
Chapter: 154He turned to Enzo.“Comb every inch of this villa. Every tunnel. Every exit. Find LUCA. NOW!”“Yes, Don Moretti!” Enzo barked.Soldiers rushed out.Bella wiped tears violently from her cheeks. “We need to check CCTV—every camera, every hallway, every exit.”Dante nodded sharply. “Do it. NOW.”Bella ran out with two guards.Rose kept shaking. Her breath came in painful bursts. “Dante, please—please find them—”“I will,” he promised, holding her tight. “I swear to you, I will bring them home.”But even as he promised, his stomach twisted.Luca. It could only be Luca.Bella rushed back into the room in less than two minutes, her face was wet, her hair tangled, and she was breathing fast.She looked wild.“Did you find Luca?” Dante demanded.“No,” she whispered, voice trembling. “But the back-gate camera was cut, the guards drugged—Dante, he planned this—”
Last Updated: 2026-09-12
Chapter: One Hundred and Thirty Chapters LaterDear Readers,We made it.One hundred and thirty chapters.As I sit here writing this, I honestly don’t know where to begin. What started as an idea in my head became a journey I shared with thousands of people I may never meet, yet somehow feel connected to.First of all, thank you.Thank you for giving Mia and Ethan a chance.Thank you for spending your time, your energy, and your hard-earned money to unlock chapter after chapter. In a world where everyone is busy and life keeps demanding more from us, the fact that you chose to spend a part of your day with my characters means more than I can ever put into words.Thank you to every reader who left a comment.Whether you laughed, cried, screamed at Ethan, wanted to drag Sophia by her red hair, threatened to fight Sarah, defended Mia, or simply shared your thoughts after reading a chapter—I read your comments. They made me smile on difficult days. They encouraged me when I doubted myself. They reminded me that these characters had bec
Last Updated: 2026-06-21
Chapter: 130Two years later Mia stood in the lavender reading nook she had built with her own hands, running her fingers along the spines of books she wouldn’t be taking with her. The past two years after graduation had been a steady climb: full-time work at the university counseling center, graduate courses in the evenings, weekends spent strengthening the roots Aunt Lisa had once reminded her to keep. She had grown into herself—twenty-three now, confident, grounded, no longer the girl who needed chaos or validation to feel alive. But she had never stopped wanting Ethan. The job offer in Los Angeles had come through three weeks ago—a clinical psychology position at a respected practice with ties to the league’s player wellness program. It was perfect. After four years of long-distance flights, late-night calls, and carefully scheduled visits, the distance was finally closing. Her parents and Ethan’s mother were in the living room helping with the last boxes. Jake and Nora had driven in
Last Updated: 2026-06-21
Chapter: 129Mia's senior graduation day arrived under a sky so perfectly blue it almost felt mocking. She stood in line with her classmates outside the main quad, black gown fluttering in the light breeze, and the mortarboard slightly crooked no matter how many times she adjusted it. From the bold, reckless nineteen-year-old who had seduced her brother’s best friend to this moment—twenty-one, grounded, roots firmly planted. The house waited for her a short walk away, now fully hers in every way that mattered. But today, one chair in the family section would be noticeably empty. Ethan wasn’t coming. He had apologized again two days ago over a crackling video call, exhaustion clear in his voice after back-to-back games and travel. “The schedule got locked in last minute. I’m so sorry, baby. I wanted to be there more than anything. I’ll make it up to you. Promise.” She had told him she understood. And she did. His career was rising—consistent minutes, scout attention, the kind of development
Last Updated: 2026-06-21
Chapter: 128That week wasn’t about passion burning hot and fast. It was about the quiet romance of ordinary days shared. They cooked together in the kitchen he had planned for her—simple meals, laughter over spilled sauce, his arms around her waist as she stirred pasta while he kissed the side of her neck. Mornings started with coffee on the small back porch, wrapped in a shared blanket, talking about everything and nothing. He helped her study for an upcoming exam, quizzing her from flashcards while she sat cross-legged on the couch, his hand resting on her knee. One afternoon they walked the neighborhood hand-in-hand, the early autumn air crisp. Ethan pointed out small improvements she’d made to the house—the flower beds she’d planted with her mom, the reading lamp in the lavender nook positioned just right for late-night studying. “You’ve turned this into a real home,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Every time I come back, it feels more like ours. I love seeing what you build while I’m g
Last Updated: 2026-06-21
Chapter: 127Three months later. Mia stood barefoot in the kitchen, late afternoon light pouring through the window above the sink as she stirred a pot of soup. The lavender reading nook was now a lived-in sanctuary—shelves overflowing with psych textbooks, novels, and a growing collection of houseplants she’d named after group members (Sophia’s was dramatic and needed constant attention). The living room had a comfortable couch they’d picked out together during one of Ethan’s visits, throw blankets Nora had sent as a housewarming gift, and photos on the walls: the whole group at the lake house, Jake and Nora’s new apartment, Sarah’s gallery opening, and a candid shot of her and Ethan laughing on the porch the day they’d first seen the house. It was home. The past nine months hadn’t been easy, but they had been real. Long distance had taught her resilience in ways she hadn’t expected. She thrived in her junior-year classes, volunteered consistently at the counseling center, and built
Last Updated: 2026-06-21
Chapter: 126Mia closed her laptop with a satisfied click, the final draft of her abnormal psychology paper submitted fifteen minutes before the deadline. She leaned back in the desk chair in the lavender reading nook, stretching her arms overhead as late afternoon light poured through the window. The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of neighborhood kids playing outside. It still felt new—hers in a way that made her chest warm with quiet pride.Roots, Aunt Lisa had said during that last lake house weekend, pulling her aside on the dock while the others laughed around the fire. You’ve got them here, Mia. Don’t let anyone’s dream, no matter how bright, pull you out of the soil before you’re ready to move with it.Those words had stayed with her through the first brutal month of long distance. She wasn’t waiting. She was building.Lena had become a daily constant. They met three times a week for “survivor club” st
Last Updated: 2026-06-20
She's Viktor Romanov’s
Anya Petrova has always lived life her way—strong, fearless, and in control. But when she’s bought by Viktor Romanov, the most dangerous man in Moscow, everything changes. He says he owns her now, but Anya has never been one to bow to anyone.
Viktor wants more than her obedience—he wants her to give in to him completely. But Anya is not the kind of woman to back down, and the tension between them is as dangerous as it is irresistible.
Viktor is used to getting his way, and Anya’s defiance only makes him want her more. But she’s not someone he can easily control. The more she fights, the deeper Viktor falls, and soon, what started as a battle for power becomes something much more dangerous.
But Viktor doesn’t know everything—Anya has secrets even more dangerous than his own. As desire clashes with control, they’re drawn into a world of secrets, betrayal, and a passion they can’t deny. But with enemies everywhere, trusting each other might be the most dangerous risk of all.
Warning: Mature content, blood, fights, and explosions.
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Chapter: Forever twentyViktor pov.I couldn't breathe.I just... couldn't.The smoke from the explosion still clung to my lungs, the acrid scent of burning flesh and the metallic tang of blood made my stomach twist.I couldn't even think straight. I couldn't feel my hands, but I knew they’re covered in blood. His blood.My feet moved on their own, carrying me forward through the chaos, the destruction. There was nothing left of the place but rubble, shattered glass, and bodies strewn like discarded toys.I couldn't even make sense of what I was seeing. The warehouse was a mangled mess of twisted metal and debris. And somewhere in that wreckage was my nephew. My Kolya.I forced myself to move through the debris, my legs shaky beneath me, my heart pounding.The pain in my chest was unbearable. It felt like someone was tearing me open from the inside, slowly, piece by piece. I couldn't stop shaking. I couldn't stop the tears that blurred
Last Updated: 2026-08-23
Chapter: You're the best uncle everNikolai pov.Gunfire roared around me, the sharp cracks of bullets ricocheting off steel and stone. Every sound blurred together—shouts, the crunch of footsteps on broken glass, the metallic zing of shells hitting the ground.My heartbeat pounded in my ears like a drum, a painful reminder that I was still alive. For now.I crouched behind the crates, clutching the bag of diamonds like a lifeline. My hands were shaking, slick with sweat and blood—not all of it mine.They weren’t worth this—not Sasha’s death, not the looks of desperation on my uncle’s face as he fought to keep us alive.And they wouldn’t take him from me, not Viktor.Across the battlefield, Viktor was shouting orders, his voice cutting through the chaos.“Yuvi, cover the left! Mikhail, get Nikolai out of here!”But no one was listening. Boris’s men kept coming, an endless tide of shadows in the dim light.We were outnumbered—outgunned. Th
Last Updated: 2026-08-23
Chapter: You trusted the wrong person Viktor povBoris stepped closer into the light, his face coming into view. Scars criss crossed his skin, deep and jagged, souvenirs of battles long gone.His right cheek was the worst, the flesh gnarled as if melted. Combined with his cold, calculating eyes, he looked like a man who had crawled out of hell and decided to stay for the view.Boris’s men seemed to materialize out of nowhere, blocking every exit, their weapons drawn and ready.They outnumbered us—easily twice our size. The air felt like it had been sucked out of the alley, replaced with a suffocating sense of dread.“Well done, Viktor,” Boris said, his voice gravelly, almost amused. “A clean heist. I have to give you credit—you’re not half bad at this. But you’ve made one mistake.”I clenched my fists, scanning the area for any weaknesses in their formation, any chance to turn this around. “Boris,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Didn’t think you’d show up in person.
Last Updated: 2026-08-22
Chapter: Yuvi, what's the status?Viktor pov.The chill in the air crept into my bones as we stood in the shadows near the west entrance. The city’s faint glow was behind us, but it might as well have been a million miles away.Tonight wasn’t about the beauty of Saint Petersburg—it was about precision, trust, and survival.“Yuvi,” I said into the comm, my voice low but firm. “What’s the status?”“Cameras are disabled,” Yuvi’s voice came through steady and calm. “Two guards outside the loading bay, pacing. Move now, and you’ll avoid them.”I glanced at my team. Lev was on my left, arms crossed like he didn’t have a care in the world. Nikolai stood to my right, his shoulders stiff. The kid looked like he was ready to bolt.“Koyla,” I said, leaning closer to him. “Eyes on me. Stay behind me, da? No heroics.”“Yes, Viktor,” he stammered, nodding quickly. His hands fidgeted with the strap of his jacket.“Relax,” I told him. “You’ll be fine. Just foll
Last Updated: 2026-08-22
Chapter: Been busyAnya pov.I hesitated, staring at my phone like it might bite me. Calling Mama wasn’t something I did often—it always exchanging emails.Still, after what I’d just seen in Irina’s quarters, I couldn’t shake the need to hear her voice. Maybe, just maybe, she’d give me some answers.Taking a deep breath, I pressed the call button. It rang twice before her voice came through, bright and warm.“Anya! Zolotse (my golden one)! Look who finally remembers she has a mother!”I couldn’t help but smile. “Hi, Mama. I’ve been busy.”“Busy? That’s your excuse every time! You don’t even call to check if I’m alive.”I sighed, a mix of guilt and exasperation bubbling up. “Mama, you’re not that old. You’re fine.”“I could’ve been lying in a ditch somewhere, and you’d never know!”“You’re too stubborn to end up in a ditch,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.She let out a dramatic huff. “Stubborn? That’s rich
Last Updated: 2026-08-21
Chapter: Why would you care?Anya pov.The house was too quiet.Even with the constant movement of guards and staff, Viktor and Nikolai absence was noticeable.It wasn’t that I had grown used to their presence—far from it—but knowing they were out there, somewhere, taking risks I couldn’t even imagine, made my chest ache with worry.I stood by the window, staring out at the sprawling grounds. Snow dusted the rooftops and paths, muffling the usual sounds of the estate.My fingers brushed the locket around my neck, a gift from Viktor, its smooth surface comforting beneath my touch.“Spasibo (thank you),” I whispered to no one, wishing it could somehow reach him.I glanced at the bracelet on my wrist—Nikolai’s thoughtful gift. His enthusiasm had been impossible to ignore, and the memory brought a faint smile to my lips.But the smile faded quickly. Their absence pressed down on me again, and I turned from the window, pacing the room.
Last Updated: 2026-08-21
Chapter: The Empty RoomNia POVThe sound of Kingston’s engine pulling away from the estate echoed faintly in the distance, then died into nothing.I stood by my bedroom window, forehead pressed against the cold glass. The pane bit into my skin. My breath fogged a small, uneven circle that kept disappearing and reforming. He was gone. He had actually left.The penthouse had never felt this big before. The silence was thick, almost physical, pressing against my ears. Every tick of the wall clock landed like a hammer.I turned away from the glass. The king-sized bed, the plush rug, the designer vanity — all of it had been chosen by Mama when I first moved in. She had stood in this exact room talking about fresh starts and sanctuary. Now the same room felt like a holding cell. The air itself felt heavier, like it had soaked up every scream and sob from earlier and refused to let them go.I wiped the dried tear tracks from my face with the sleeve of my oversize
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Chapter: LeaveKingston POVDad’s order was still ringing in the room when his head slowly turned toward the corner. His gaze landed hard on Cole, then swung over to Ava, who was still kneeling by Nia’s side on the carpet.“Did y’all know about this?” Dad asked.The question hit like a physical punch.Cole rubbed the back of his neck, leaning his shoulders heavily against the kitchen counter. He didn’t look at me. He didn’t look at Dad. He just stared down at the dark hardwood floor for a second, then lifted his eyes.“Yeah,” Cole said quietly. “I knew.”A short silence.“I didn’t say anything to you. That’s on me.”Ava looked up, her lips parted, but no words came out. She didn’t try to defend herself either.Renee let out a horrible, strangled sob from the armchair, burying her face deeper into her hands. “Oh, God… everybody knew. Everybody was lying to us.”“Mama, no!” Nia cried out, reaching a hand toward
Last Updated: 2026-09-29
Chapter: How long?Nia POV“How long?”Victor’s voice wasn’t loud. That was the part that made my blood run cold. It didn’t boom across the high ceilings of the penthouse or rattle the glass windows overlooking the city. It came out quiet, dark, and steady, like a blade slipping through silk.The elevator doors had closed, sealing Serena out, but the air she’d left behind felt poisoned.Kingston didn’t move an inch in front of me. His broad shoulders were locked tight, his spine stiff as steel, shielding me as best he could from his father’s eyes. But I could see the side of his jaw working, the muscle clenching over and over.“Dad,” Kingston started, his voice heavy, gravelly. “Listen to me—”“I didn’t ask for an explanation yet, Kingston,” Victor interrupted, taking one slow step closer. He kept his hands in his pockets, but the tension radiating off him made the floorboards feel like they were about to crack. “I asked you a plain question. How long?”I couldn’t breathe. My throat felt like it was coa
Last Updated: 2026-09-28
Chapter: The videoKingston POV“Hello, stepsiblings.”Serena’s voice hit the living room like a blast of sub-zero air, freezing the warm noise in the space instantly.I stood straight up from the back of the couch, my jaw clenching so tight my back teeth ached. Beside me, Nia went completely still. I saw her hand jump on her lap, fingers twisting into the fabric of her jeans. Ava dropped her smile instantly, her eyes cutting sideways to Cole. Cole didn’t even move, but his posture hardened from relaxed to ready in a fraction of a second. They both knew what was hanging in the balance—they were the only two in this house who knew the whole messy truth about me and Nia.Dad set his coffee mug down on the glass side table with a sharp clack. “Serena? What are you doing here? I thought you and Kingston already worked out whatever was going on between you both.”Renee wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin, looking up with that polished motherly patience that was starting to fray around the edges. “What is so
Last Updated: 2026-09-28
Chapter: Welcome homeKINGSTON Nia had packaged the entire Marcus file like she’d done it a hundred times. I sat at the dining table late that last free night, laptop open, watching her walk me through the folder she’d built. Every access log, every secondary server bounce, every timestamp that didn’t match Marcus’s travel calendar—organized, color-coded, annotated in plain language. She’d even added a one-page summary at the top that any executive could understand in under two minutes. “You did all this today?” I asked. “Most of it.” She scrolled to the bottom. “The last three files were the ones that sealed it. If your dad looks at this and still wants to protect him, that’s his business. But he won’t be able to say he didn’t have the full picture.” I looked at her. Smart didn’t even cover it. She’d taken the mess we’d been chasing for days and turned it into something clean enough to hand over. “This is good,” I said. “I know.” Neither of us mentioned that it was the night before everythi
Last Updated: 2026-09-07
Chapter: Last free nightNIA Tuesday night felt like the last good breath before the wave hit.We’d spent most of the day doing absolutely nothing useful. Ava had declared the afternoon “officially anti-productivity” and forced everybody into the theater room for a reality show marathon. Cole sat through two episodes like he was serving a sentence. Kingston kept finding reasons to leave and come back. I mostly stayed next to Ava and laughed when she yelled at the screen.By seven she was over it.“I’m starving and I refuse to eat another thing out of that judgmental fridge,” she said, stretching across the couch. “We going out. All of us. No excuses.”Cole didn’t even look up from his phone. “I’m good.”“You are not good. You’ve been sitting there looking like a disappointed uncle all day. Get up.”Kingston glanced at me from the doorway. The corner of his mouth twitched. “There’s a rooftop spot in Midtown that stays open late. Food’s decent. Not too loud.”Ava pointed at him. “See? Leadership. Let’s go.”Tw
Last Updated: 2026-09-03
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