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
Chapter: The union is for the famigiliaDante dragged a hand down his face, forcing back the roar building in his chest. He shouldn’t have let her see him like this. He shouldn’t have let her walk out looking like that… like she was already mourning something that had been stolen from her. From them.A rustle of silk snapped him back. Bianca stepped out from behind the screen, smiling as though she hadn’t noticed the storm he was drowning in. Her white nightgown clung to her curves, the candlelight kissing the edges of her skin. She moved with confidence, the kind born not of innocence but of calculation.“My husband,” she whispered, stretching the word like a victory she had earned.Dante stiffened. “Sleep, Bianca. We are not consuming anything.”She tilted her head, her smile unfaltering. “You think I prepared myself for years to be here… to be your wife… only for you to toss me aside like some servant?”“You knew what this was,” he said, his voice rough. “This unio
Last Updated: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Life was no storyThe cathedral smelled of incense and candle wax, the vaulted ceilings echoing every hymn. Rows of black-suited men filled the pews, their families seated with them in a rigid order that spoke of rank and bloodlines. This was not just a wedding. It was a display of power.Bianca walked down the aisle radiant in white, her veil trailing like a river of silk. She carried herself like a queen, chin high, her smile unshaken even under the watchful gaze of the entire famiglia.At the altar, tradition unfolded. Before vows, she bowed to kiss Vittorio’s ring, her lips grazing the heavy gold band that commanded so much fear. He placed a hand on her cheek, pressed a grandfatherly kiss to her temple. To Rose, it had always felt like branding… an initiation into servitude. But Bianca accepted it as if it were a crown.Then she bent to Dante’s ring, her lips touching the symbol of his authority. Rose remembered her own wedding, the shame of lowering herself b
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: The perfect heirThe corridors were quiet, but Bianca knew her way well. She slipped into Luca’s wing of the house with the ease of someone who had done it before. He was waiting, seated on the edge of his bed, the lamp casting his face in amber light.She closed the door behind her, and he rose to meet her. Their embrace was immediate and greedy. He breathed against her neck, and when he pulled back, his hand slid to her stomach.“How’s my baby doing?” His voice was low, threaded with pride.Bianca’s lips curled. She rested her palm over his, drawing it tighter against her belly. “Strong. Just like his father.”Bianca was a week pregnant, she had confirmed it when she didn't get her period and had told Luca who was very excited to be a father.Luca knelt and pressed a kiss against the flat of her abdomen, his stubble scraping her skin. She let him linger there, watching the rare softness on his face.“Our plan is moving just right,” he murmured
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: You should have trusted meThe courtyard emptied slowly, the soldiers dragging Sofia’s body away while servants hurried to scrub the stones. Rose’s stomach lurched at the sight, but she forced herself to stand still, to walk when the women were dismissed back into the house. Her legs felt like they didn’t belong to her, heavy and hollow all at once.Back in her chamber, the door shut softly behind her. The silence pressed down. She clutched the edge of the dresser with both hands, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her face looked pale, bloodless.Sofia’s eyes haunted her… the pleading, the terror, the trust. Donna Rosa, please, you know me.Rose pressed a fist to her mouth, the sob tearing free before she could stop it. She sank onto the stool before the vanity. Tears blurred her vision until she couldn’t see anything but the smear of her own reflection.“She was only a girl,” she whispered, voice shaking. “Just a girl.”The memory of the gunshot c
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: The culpritA week later.The soldier’s knock dragged Rose out of her half-sleep. She dressed quickly, confusion tugging at her chest, and followed him down the corridor.Her heart thumped painfully. They never called her like this. Guards stood thicker than usual along the walls, stiff-backed, rifles in hand. Something was wrong.The atrium opened wide before her, its vaulted ceiling catching the first wash of pale light. On the men’s side, Vittorio sat in his armchair, massive and immovable, his cane resting across his lap like a sceptre. Around him clustered uncles and older cousins, dark suits and harder faces. Dante stood a pace behind his father, his jaw locked, hands folded in front of him, unreadable.Luca stood farther forward, just shy of Vittorio’s chair. His posture was composed as if he had been waiting for this moment.On the women’s side, Caterina sat stiffly, her hands folded white in her lap. Bianca leaned back in her chair. Ros
Last Updated: 2026-06-26
Chapter: Consider yourself forgiven Later that night. Luca pushed open the door to Bianca’s wing, slipping inside like it was already his. She stood by the vanity, unpinning her hair. The candlelight threw gold across her skin, her gown loosened at the shoulders. He came up behind her without a word, pressing a kiss to her neck, his hands sliding around her waist.Bianca stiffened. Instead of melting into him, she shoved his hands away and spun, fury flashing in her eyes.“Get out.”Luca froze, surprised. “What?” He reached for her again, but she slapped his hand aside.“You heard me,” she snapped. “Leave.”He stared at her, confusion sharp in his face. “Bianca, what’s this?”Her laugh was harsh, humorless. “What’s this? What’s this?” She jabbed a finger toward his chest. “Don’t you dare stand there pretending you don’t know. This evening. In the courtyard. In front of that—” Her lip curled. “—that foreign whore.”It clicked, and Luca’s expressio
Last Updated: 2026-06-25
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: You will get engaged to Isabella tomorrow morning Viktor pov.When I stepped into her room, the air shifted—like it always did around her. Anya sat at the edge of the bed, her hands twisting in her lap. She looked up as I entered, her wide eyes trying to read me, to gauge the storm brewing behind my expression. I didn’t waste time. “Tell me how I can recognize Celine,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. Her brows furrowed in confusion, and she blinked like she hadn’t heard me right. “Celine?” she repeated, her voice soft, uncertain. I crossed the room. “Yes, Celine. Your friend,” I said, biting out each word. “The one you conveniently didn’t tell me about earlier.” Her lips parted as if to defend herself, but no words came out. She looked away, her fingers curling tightly in her lap. “I didn’t know how to bring it up…” “Try harder,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “If I’m going to save her, I need to know where to start.” Her head shot up, eyes wide with shock. “Save her?”
Last Updated: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Why does he care do much, if I was just a toy?Anya pov.When Viktor told me to go to my room, I obeyed without hesitation, but my legs felt like they were made of lead. Every step down the hall seemed heavier than the last. I didn’t know if I was walking toward a safe space or my grave. The memory of Anton’s gun aimed at me still burned in my mind, his finger twitching, ready to end everything. I had never felt so close to death. For a moment, standing in that hall, surrounded by Viktor’s men, I thought I was going to die. Umeret’, the Russian word for death, floated in my mind. I had always imagined it as something distant, a shadow in the corner of my life, but tonight it had stood in front of me, inches away. I’d seen the look in Viktor’s eyes when he dragged me in front of everyone—anger, betrayal, and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite name. And yet, I hadn’t begged for my life. I couldn’t. To beg would have meant admitting guilt, and I wasn’t guilty—not in the way they thought
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: I can prove what I am sayingViktor pov.The room was deathly silent. The kind of silence that wasn’t peace—it was the calm before a storm. I stood at the center of it, my presence heavy, commanding. Around me, faces flickered between rage and confusion. And Anya—my kukolka—knelt on the cold marble, clutching her trembling hands as if holding herself together.I should have felt anger, and I did, but it was layered with something far worse—doubt. Was she telling the truth? My instincts warred with logic. Instinct told me to trust her, but logic whispered she’d betrayed me. She looked up at me, her tear-streaked face raw with desperation. “Viktor,” she began, her voice trembling but determined, “I can prove what I’m saying.” Irina scoffed from behind me. “Enough of this nonsense,” she snapped, her voice like the crack of a whip. “This girl is wasting our time. Her lies will only drag you down further. She needs to be eliminated.” “Babushka, zatknis’,” (Grandmother, shut
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: He’d kill her, ViktorAnya pov.The air in the hall was suffocating, heavy with judgment and the weight of Viktor’s fury. I knelt on the cold marble floor, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would break through my ribs. Every pair of eyes in the room was on me, their silence more terrifying than any shout or accusation.Viktor stood towering above me, the embodiment of power and anger. His icy blue eyes burned with a fire I’d never seen before, and his grip on the folder trembled slightly—just enough for me to catch. He was holding himself together by a thread, and I knew that thread was about to snap.“”Skazhite im,” he growled, his voice low but deadly. (Tell them.)His Russian was sharper now, slicing through the room like a blade.“I didn’t do anything,” I said, my voice cracking. It was the truth, but I could see it in his eyes—he didn’t believe me.The man I’d spent months trying to understand, the man who had let me see the pain behind his cold exterior, was g
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: This is the price of trustViktor pov.The walls of my office were suffocating, shadows creeping in from every corner. A half-empty glass of whiskey sat on the table, untouched. It had no effect anymore—not after Vlan. His death gnawed at me relentlessly, sharp and unforgiving. “Vlan… otets,” I muttered, my voice hoarse. (Father.) That’s what he’d been to me in every way that mattered. And now, he was gone—stripped from me by enemies who thought they could outmaneuver me. The pills sat on the desk, I grabbed the bottle, shaking two into my hand. The bitterness burned down my throat as I swallowed them dry.It didn’t matter. What mattered was vengeance. A knock interrupted the stillness. My muscles tensed. “Come in,” I barked, my voice colder than I intended. Yuvi entered, his face grim. His expression told me everything—he wasn’t here for pleasantries. In his hands was a folder, thick with papers I didn’t want to see. “Pakhan,” he started, tone cautious, “
Last Updated: 2026-06-26
Chapter: I couldn't stop thinking about ViktorAnya pov.The mansion felt different after Vlan’s death, as if the walls themselves were mourning. It was quieter, heavier. I wandered through the halls, trying to shake the unease that had settled deep in my chest. But no matter how hard I tried, the feeling wouldn’t leave. I found myself drifting toward the quieter parts of the house—the ones no one seemed to use. Maybe I needed space to think, or maybe I was just looking for something, anything, that could make sense of the chaos Viktor’s world had thrown me into. It was in one of those halls that I heard the voice. “…his strength finally snapped. We’ll see how long it takes for him to crumble.” I froze. The voice belonged to Anton. He was speaking in hushed tones, his back to me, phone pressed to his ear. My heart started to race. Those words—they felt loaded, dangerous. Anton paused, listening to whoever was on the other end of the line. Then he muttered something I couldn’t cat
Last Updated: 2026-06-25
Chapter: But don't get too comfortable, Katherine.Katherine’s POV.I was trying to blend in, standing by the wall, fiddling with the strap of my purse. The ballroom was buzzing with chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses. But it felt like I was the only one not having a good time.And then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted her. Vera.I stiffened instantly. The last person I wanted to see today.I tried to look away, but she’d already seen me. Of course, she had. Vera always had a way of finding people when they didn’t want to be found.Before I could even think about slipping away, she was walking straight toward me, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She had that smug look on her face, the one that made me feel like she already knew what she was going to say—and how it was going to hurt.“Well, look at you,” Vera said, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Trying to look fancy, I see.”I stayed quiet, not trusting myself to speak. I didn’t want to give her any
Last Updated: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Don't get lost in all this glamor Katherine’s POV. It was a new day. Charlotte had already left for college early in the morning. I stood by the window, sipping my tea, watching the empty driveway where her car had been parked just an hour ago. She was growing up so fast. I smiled. I had my daughter back. It had never felt so good before. I needed to get ready myself. Adrian wasn’t coming to pick me up today; because– you know why. I’d asked Zoe to swing by since she had a car. She’d agreed, thank goodness. I wasn’t in the mood for the long commute alone. I headed to the bathroom to start my morning routine, deciding to apply a quick face mask before the rush. I felt sluggish, maybe a bit overwhelmed by the day ahead. The party later loomed over me like a cloud, but I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the moment. When I returned to the bedroom, wiping my hands dry, my phone was buzzing on the dresser.
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: Can we go back soon?Katherine’s POV. Later that evening, as we all gathered around the dinner table, I could feel a strange tension lingering between Ashley and Owen. She sat next to me, absentmindedly pushing her food around her plate while Owen and Adrian engaged in a lively conversation about business. Across the table, Charlotte and the kids were giggling, recounting the highlights of the day’s events—how it was the ‘best birthday ever.’ My attention drifted back to Ashley. Did she tell him? I could see her mind was clearly elsewhere. I leaned in closer, my voice barely above a whisper. “How did it go?” I asked, my hand brushing hers in a gentle, reassuring gesture. She sighed, her lips pressing together for a moment before she shook her head. “I didn’t get the chance to tell him,” she murmured. Her voice was soft and filled with frustration. “The kids ran in befo
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: Stay the night KATHERINE POV. Saturday afternoon. Ashley looked nervous as she reached out and gently took my hand. “Come with me,” she whispered, glancing around. Without waiting for a reply, she led me toward the terrace, where the warm afternoon air greeted us. The noise from the party faded behind us, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and distant laughter. I looked at her, puzzled. “Ashley, what’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm despite the knot forming in my stomach. She took a deep breath, turning to face me. “I’ve been waiting for you to come,” she admitted softly. “I’m the one who asked Owen to convince you all to come over.” My brows knitted together in surprise. “You did? Why? Is everything okay?” Ashley shook her head, her gaze dropping to the ground. “No, it’s not,” she confessed, placing a hand on her stomach. “You were right
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
Chapter: Ashley is pregnantKatherine’s POV. SATURDAY. The next morning, I woke up early. Sunlight streamed through the large window, casting a warm glow over the room. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to gather my thoughts. Today was the big day—the event, Mr. Sterling's twins' birthday, and Charlotte's birthday, all wrapped into one. It felt like there was so much happening at once, and I wasn't sure how it would all unfold. After a quick shower, I dressed in one of the outfits Adrian had sent us. It was a lovely dress, simple yet elegant, and it made me feel a little more confident about the day ahead. I heard a knock on my door just as I finished getting ready. “Mom, are you up?” It was Charlotte's voice. “Come in,” I called, and she opened the door, already dressed and looking more excited than ever. “You look beautiful,” I said, smiling at her. “Than
Last Updated: 2026-06-26
Chapter: Could she be pregnant?Katherine’s POV. I had never been outside of Portland in the whole year since I moved to the USA. But here I was, on a private jet, flying to Seattle. I never thought this would happen to me. I mean, who flies on a private jet? Not me, that's for sure. The way the plane staff treated me made me feel like a queen or something. They were so polite, always asking if I needed anything. It was so fancy. For a moment, I let myself feel special. If only wishes were horses, right? If things were different, if Adrian and I could be open about our relationship, maybe this could be my life for real. But I knew that wasn’t possible right now. I glanced over at Charlotte. She was grinning from ear to ear, snapping pictures of everything. She looked so happy and fascinated. The excitement in her eyes made my heart swell
Last Updated: 2026-06-25
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