Chapter: 46The months that followed were unlike any Deira had ever known. The smoke had long lifted from the hills, leaving behind the smell of earth and rain. The once-ruined streets now rang with laughter, the kind that felt almost foreign after years of fear. Farmers returned to the fields that had been trampled by horses, their plows cutting through the same soil that once drank the blood of soldiers. Markets reopened, children chased each other through the courtyards, and the bells of the cathedral tolled for life rather than death.Peace was not an announcement; it was a slow, trembling rebirth.In the heart of this renewal stood the castle, rebuilt stone by stone, though some walls still bore the faint scorch marks of war. Yet even they were left untouched, as though Deira herself refused to forget. Within those new halls, Queen Isabelle moved softly, her steps careful but assured, her hand often resting on the swell of her belly.Each morning, she stood by th
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-10-21
Chapter: 45The night after the battle was eerily silent.No drums, no horns, only the sigh of wind through charred stone and the faint toll of the mourning bell that rang for Deira’s fallen. The war was over, but peace did not yet know how to settle its wings upon the kingdom.Queen Indira was captured before dawn.She did not resist. Her silks were torn, her crown gone, her once-imperious face calm as she was escorted through the ruins of her own making. Servants and guards alike watched her pass in mute disbelief. The woman who had ruled their lives through fear now moved like a shadow among the ashes.She was confined to her chambers under guard. The same room where she had once plotted her empire now stood stripped and dim, the mirrors draped in mourning cloth.That night, she requested parchment and ink.When the guards returned at sunrise, they found her seated by the window, her head tilted slightly as though she were still deep in thought. The goblet beside her was empty. The poison had
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-10-21
Chapter: 44The night over Deira bled crimson.Queen Indira stood by her chamber window, the smell of smoke seeping through the silken curtains. The distant palace glowed faintly, the rebellion had failed. Adrian lived. Malcolm’s silence was damning.Her rings scraped against the windowpane as she turned to Alastair. “End it,” she hissed. “If the son lives, the mother must burn. Burn them all, the castle, the woman, the unborn seed.”Alastair hesitated. “Your Majesty, the winds…”“Do it,” she snapped. “While the night hides our shame.”Outside, the loyalists gathered with torches and oil. The plan was cruel and simple. Surround Adrian’s castle, bar the gates, and set it aflame. Let the smoke finish what the sword could not.But fate, that treacherous hand, turned their cruelty inward.As the first torch touched the outer walls, the wind shifted. The flames, instead of crawling toward the castle, curled back, fierce, hungry, alive. The oil spilled. Sparks leapt like spirits seeking vengeance.“Wat
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-10-21
Chapter: 43The first screams came with the sunrise.From the high walls of Adrian’s castle, the watchmen saw the royal banners advancing — crimson silk and black-armoured riders moving under forged decrees that bore the Queen’s seal. Alastair’s plan was perfect on parchment: strike before dawn, seize the prince, present him to the throne as a traitor.But parchment burns faster than flesh.Before the soldiers reached the capital gates, Adrian’s scouts intercepted the message. By the time Alastair’s men entered the royal grounds, Adrian’s army had already crossed the river under cover of mist, steel whispering from scabbards.When the sun rose fully, it rose upon chaos.Flames licked the velvet banners that hung above the marble corridor. The air reeked of smoke and iron. Adrian’s blade met the first wave of palace guards with merciless precision. His black cloak, slashed and ash-streaked, swept behind him like a shadow made flesh.“Hold the eastern wing!” he shouted over the din. “No fire near t
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-10-21
Chapter: 42The days after the poisoning bled into one another — long, heavy, and gray.The once-lively corridors of Adrian’s castle had turned into a place of whispers. Every creak of a floorboard seemed to carry suspicion. Every unfamiliar face, danger.Adrian had not been seen outside the west wing for two days. He kept to Isabelle’s bedside, his voice low, his fury colder than steel. When at last she could sit up without trembling, she reached for his hand and found it rigid as a soldier’s blade.“Adrian,” she murmured, “you must let this rest. I am alive. That should be enough.”He turned to her then and the look in his eyes frightened her more than any sickness. “Enough?” he said softly. “They tried to take you from me. They dared to reach into my home, into our lives, and you say it should be enough?”“It will destroy you.”“It already has.”He stood abruptly and left the room before she could say another word.Outside, the castle’s courtyard echoed with the metallic clang of training swor
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-10-21
Chapter: 41The palace doctor’s visits had stopped days ago, at Isabelle’s insistence. Since that night in the room, she had learned to hold her pain where no one could touch it, deep enough that even Adrian would not see. Her body still bore faint bruises where Malcolm’s hands had gripped her arms, but it was her silence that ached the most.The world was already heavy with secrets; one more, she thought, could drown quietly without notice.So she smiled through her morning walks and recited her duties as though nothing had cracked beneath her ribs. Spencer was the only one who noticed the tremor in her voice.That morning, they walked along the castle gardens, a stretch of dew-kissed roses and gravel paths shaded by budding trees. The air smelled faintly of rain. Spencer, ever the loyal knight, trailed half a step behind, speaking softly about the soldiers stationed near the gates.“Adrian’s orders were firm,” he said. “No one without clearance enters these grounds. Still, I saw new faces among
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-10-21
Chapter: Harvey's LifeThe doctor pointed a little light into her eyes as she blinked."I'm really happy for you," he said to Jason who was full of smiles. Grandma, Barb, Alessia, Johnson and Lucas were all there."Can you walk?" He asked her.She tried to stand up as Jason helped her up. Her legs were a bit wobbly but she could stand."You'll need therapy," he advised. "I'll sign you up for our therapy class. It's just one week. It'll realign your muscles."After the doctor left, everyone expressed their happiness. How glad they were that she woke up. They filled her in on what she had missed. She was most especially glad to see Lucas. After hanging out for a while, they all left, leaving Tess and Jason alone."You know, you really scared me," Jason said as he stroked her hair. They were lying beside each other on the hospital bed. "Why didn't you wear a vest?""Because I never thought he would shoot me," she said weakly."He's a psycho, I'm glad he's
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2021-10-19
Chapter: DernierOne month later..."You're here," Barb greeted Jason and his grandma as they walked in.It was Tess's hospital room. She laid on the bed with an oxygen mask covering her nose."Sorry I'm late,I had some issues to settle," he hugged her."Let's go," Jason's grandma called Barb."See you later," she took her bag and left with her.Jason took a seat beside her and brought out his papers.One month ago...The night of the incident..."Here's the cure," Lucas ran to Jason's hospital room."Who are you?" The doctor asked."Lucas Henderson, Tess sent me here," he gave the vial to him but the doctor looked at him weirdly with all the blood on him."It's safe, I made it," he persuaded him and he injected Jason."Doctor," Luke walked in but stopped when he saw Lucas."Luke," Lucas called slowly.Luke was confused for a while. He was trying to recognize him."It's me, Lucas." He hugged him fiercel
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2021-10-18
Chapter: Martyr"Search them," one of the guards said to the other one who searched Tess and Tae-ho. They took away all their weapons."Follow me," he said and they did. They walked into a toilet and Tess saw that bird sculpture that was at his house. The man touched it and a wall opened."Why am I not surprised?" Tess said sarcastically and it earned her a glare from the guard. They went down through an elevator and the doors opened. Mr. Harvey was sitting on a chair with Jack and James beside him. Lucas and a woman were on their knees too.That must be Fei, Tess's subconsciousness filled in for her."Fei!" Tae-ho whisper-yelled. "Well look who finally showed up," He cackled."Hey Dad," Tess greeted."Theresa," he called gently. "Why do you keep interfering with my business?""You interfered with my business first,old man," she hissed. "You took Lucas, injected Jason and still have the audac
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2021-10-18
Chapter: Hostage"You knew he was going to betray us?" Mitch asked as he pulled a blanket over Diana."Yes, Max came by earlier."'''"Let's talk," he called her over. "I'm sorry about what my team did when they were with you. I never knew they were under orders.""Whose orders?""Cap.""That old fart," she muttered."I know you tapped his office. He knows.""That's why we haven't been hearing anything lately," she wondered."He has someone on your team.""What? No, he doesn't have anyone on my team.""I'm sure of it. They were talking to each other this morning. I don't know what you're planning but someone is working for Cap." "Jack," Tess murmured."He is acquainted with your father too. I've seen him frequent him office recently.""You still recognise my dad?""Of course,I can't forget his face when Aunt Monica walked in on the wedding day.""Why are you helping me?" Tess aske
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2021-10-18
Chapter: Saengmyeong-eul guhada- Save Life"Don't worry mom," Tess said on the phone. "I'll be back in two days. Alright, I won't skip my meals." They were all getting ready for the infiltration. "Where's the smoke bomb?" Caleb asked Tess. "Uh, it's right next to the darts," she answered as she typed a message. °im going somewhere, I'll see you when I arrive. Be healthy for me 🙂° She sent it to Jason and her phone was placed on vibration."All phones on vibration please," she said to everyone and they obeyed. "Alright," she called their attention. "You all know we may die right?" They nodded."And our bodies may never be found?" They nodded again."If you wanna opt out, this is the time to do so. I won't hold any hard feelings against you, I promise." "We're not leav
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2021-10-18
Chapter: PinTess was scooping down the soup her mother made before she left that morning. Everyone else was sprawled out on the living room floor. The couples were all cuddling except for Luke and Jack. Jason let out a yawn as he walked down the stairs."Good morning," Tess greeted and waved her hand. He scoffed. "I'm surprised to see you like this," he pecked her. "No hangover?""Nah, just a little headache," she smiled."Your recovery ability is great." Jack stood up hurriedly and ran outside."You better not puke in my compound!" She yelled after him."He's gonna be in a very bad shape," Jason chuckled. "What are you eating?""Chicken soup.""I want some," he bent down and she fed him."It's too early for all this," Luke walked into the kitchen, straight to the fridge."Good morning," Jason greeted and he nodded as he drank his water."I can't believe you're s
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2021-10-18
Off Limits
Maya has always been close to Ethan. They have been best friends since childhood, and his family has become a second home to her. But there has always been one person she could never quite figure out: Ethan’s older brother, Dean.
Four years ago, at a high school party, Maya and Dean shared a kiss. It was Maya’s first kiss, and for a moment, everything between them felt different. Then Maya pulled away and ran, leaving Dean to believe that she regretted it.
Now they are both students at Pelt University, and Dean has built a reputation as a charming flirt who never stays with one woman for long. Maya has tried to put the past behind her, convinced that whatever happened between them that night is over.
Then Dean suddenly needs somewhere to stay.
When he moves into the apartment Maya shares with Ethan, keeping their distance becomes almost impossible. Old memories return, and so does the tension neither of them wants to acknowledge. Maya struggles to understand why Dean still affects her, while Dean begins to wonder whether the kiss he has spent four years trying to forget actually meant more than he thought.
Things become even more complicated when Maya befriends Cole, a funny and intelligent classmate who quickly becomes part of her life. Dean has no reason to care about Maya’s new friendship, yet he finds himself watching them more closely than he should.
Between university life, new friendships, old feelings, and the awkward reality of living under the same roof, Maya and Dean are forced closer together.
But there is still one question between them.
Why did Maya run away that night?
Some people are meant to stay off limits. Dean might be the one exception Maya can’t resist.
อ่าน
Chapter: Chapter 70Epilogue Maya's POVA few months after graduation, I had discovered that being a published author came with a rather unexpected problem.Dean had become impossible.Not that he had ever been particularly easy to deal with, but now that my debut novel was doing well, he seemed to have found an entirely new reason to tease me.Every time someone mentioned my book, he would find a way to remind me that I had turned our relationship into a book.Sometimes, he would ask whether I had received any new reviews. Other times, he would casually mention that he was considering charging me for using his life as inspiration.I had stopped taking his threats seriously.Especially because he was usually the first person to tell me whenever someone had said something nice about the novel.He was, without question, my biggest supporter.And my most annoying one.I was sitting at the dining table with my laptop open when he walked into the room, carrying two mugs of coffee."Your favourite author dese
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 69Maya's POVFour years.It was strange how much could change in four years, and even stranger how quickly they seemed to pass when I looked back.The university campus was almost exactly as I remembered it. The familiar buildings, the walkways between lecture halls and the little spots where students gathered between classes were all still there. Yet, as I stood in my graduation gown, holding my cap and watching people take photographs, I couldn't help feeling that I was looking at a place I had already begun to miss.Today, Ethan and I were graduating.Together.I smiled as I watched him struggling to straighten his gown while Janelle stood in front of him, laughing."You're making it worse," she told him, adjusting the collar."How is that possible? I've been trying to fix this thing for five minutes.""Because you keep touching it.""Then perhaps you should stop distracting me."Janelle rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she helped him again.I approached them, holding my phone
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 68Maya's POVI read the email for the fourth time.Then I read it again.The words hadn't changed, and neither had the subject line, but somehow, I still couldn't convince myself that I was reading it correctly.My manuscript had been accepted.My first novel was going to be published.I pressed a hand against my mouth, trying to contain the smile spreading across my face. I had spent weeks working on the manuscript, revising chapters, questioning entire paragraphs and wondering whether anyone besides me would ever find the story interesting.There had been moments when I considered abandoning it altogether. Not because I didn't love the story, but because finishing something I had created felt different from simply imagining it.But I had kept going.I had completed the manuscript, submitted it and tried not to think too much about the outcome.Now, I was staring at an acceptance email.I scrolled through the message again, reading the words about the manuscript, the editorial process
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 67Dean's POVI knew something was different about Ethan the moment he walked into the living room.He had been smiling to himself since breakfast, occasionally checking his phone and looking as though he was trying very hard not to let his excitement show. It was unusual enough to make me suspicious."What?" I asked, looking up from my phone.He glanced at me. "What do you mean?""Whatever you're smiling about. What is it?""Can't I just be happy?""Not without making the rest of us curious."Maya laughed from her seat beside me. She had been reading something on her laptop, but Ethan's behaviour had caught her attention too."He's been like this all morning," she added. "I asked him earlier, but he said he'd tell us when everyone was around."I looked at my brother again."Everyone?""Yes, everyone.""Should I be worried?"Ethan rolled his eyes. "Can you let me enjoy my moment?"I raised my hands."Fine. We'll wait."A few minutes later, Janelle arrived. Ethan immediately got up to gre
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 66Maya's POVI had been staring at the same paragraph for almost twenty minutes.My laptop sat open on the desk, a half-finished document occupying the screen while I leaned back in my chair, trying to decide what to write next.It wasn't that I had run out of ideas. If anything, I had too many.Over the past few weeks, I had been making a conscious effort to spend more time writing. Between my academic responsibilities and everything else happening in my life, it was easy to keep postponing the things I wanted to do for myself. But lately, I had been finding my rhythm again.I had started setting aside a little time each day to work on my writing, even when I didn't have a particular deadline.It felt good to create something without worrying about grades, feedback or whether it was good enough for someone else.I looked at the empty space beneath the paragraph I had written and sighed.Perhaps I needed a break.I closed the document and opened a new one.For a few seconds, I simply wa
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 65Dean's POVThere was something comforting about an ordinary afternoon with Maya.Nothing special had been planned. We had no reservations, no appointments to keep and no particular reason to leave the apartment. Ethan had gone out to spend some time with Janelle, leaving the place unusually quiet.Maya was in the kitchen preparing something to eat when I walked in.She stood in front of the counter, concentrating on whatever she was doing, with her hair loosely gathered away from her face.I approached her from behind and wrapped my arms around her waist.She smiled without turning."You're disturbing me.""Am I?""Yes. I'm trying to concentrate."I rested my chin on her shoulder."On what?""Making lunch.""Seems important.""It is. Unless you want to starve."I chuckled and kissed her cheek."I'd rather not."She turned slightly, giving me a brief kiss before returning to what she was doing.I stayed behind her, watching for a moment."Can I help?"She handed me a spoon."Stir that.
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2026-11-05
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