LOGINChapter 135|| SERGIO's POV ||I hesitated outside Vincenzo’s door, my hand curled into a fist but not yet knocking.Through the half-open doorway, I caught a glimpse of them — Vincenzo sitting on the couch with Sancia tucked under his arm, baby Seth in her lap.Their little family, glowing with warmth, safety, love.It twisted something deep in my chest.That should’ve been Valeria.That should’ve been our life too.I cleared my throat and stepped inside."Sorry to interrupt," I muttered, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets. I hated how awkward I sounded.Vincenzo looked up first, smiling, but it faded quickly when he saw my expression.Sancia's face crinkled with concern as she gently rocked Seth."Sergio?" Vincenzo said carefully. "What's wrong?"I stepped closer, swallowing the lump in my throat.No backing out now."I found out why Valeria left," I said quietly. "Why she agreed to marry Leonard."Sancia straightened immediately, clutching Seth protectively against her chest.
Chapter 134|| SERGIO'S POV ||I sat alone in my car, parked outside the old pier, the waves crashing against the shore like a cruel reminder of everything I had lost.The city didn’t feel the same without Valeria.I lit a cigarette, but the taste was bitter in my mouth. I tossed it out the window with a curse. I told myself that she had chosen her path, that she didn’t care enough to stay.But the truth was — I missed her.More than I cared to admit.Unable to take it anymore, I started digging. I made some calls, pressured some contacts, pulled every string I could. One thing led to another until I found myself face to face with one of Leonard’s slimy friends at a dingy club.The guy was arrogant at first — laughing, making snide remarks about Russia, about the Bratva, about Valeria.Until I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall."Talk," I growled, my patience gone. "Tell me why she left."He struggled, trying to act tough. I twisted his arm painfully behind his
Chapter 133|| VALERIA's POV ||I sat across from my father at the long, polished dining table, my appetite gone. The grand chandelier above us threw a cold, unforgiving light over the room. Every clink of silverware echoed like a gunshot in the silence between us.I pushed the food around my plate, glancing at him. He ate methodically, not once looking up. The tension was unbearable.Finally, I spoke, my voice cutting through the air."Mother's dead," I said quietly, almost hoping it would stir something in him.He didn't even flinch. He simply dabbed his mouth with a napkin and set it down carefully beside his plate. Then, finally, he looked at me."I know," he said, calm as ice.My throat tightened. "You knew?""I knew," he repeated, sipping his wine. "I knew the moment it happened."I stared at him, disbelief flooding my chest. "And you didn't even— You didn't do anything?"He shrugged, a slow, deliberate movement. "She made her choices. She chose weakness. She chose betrayal."I
Chapter 132|| VALERIA's POV ||The cold Russian wind whipped against my face as I stepped out of the car. I pulled my coat tighter around me, but the chill that sank into my bones had nothing to do with the weather. It was the sight before me — my father, Daniel Volkoff, standing with his men, waiting for me as if I were nothing but a delivery. His black coat fluttered against the snow, his face carved from stone, unreadable. Around him, the Bravta soldiers stood in a silent, imposing circle.Prince Leonard stepped around the car and offered me his hand. I took it briefly, more out of formality than need, my heart hammering against my ribs. This was it. I was back.Leonard turned to my father and bowed respectfully. "Daniel Volkoff," he greeted smoothly. "As promised, your daughter, safe and unharmed."Daniel gave a small, grim smile, the kind that didn't reach his eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness," he said, his voice low and heavy with unspoken meaning. "Your debt to the Volkoff fami
Chapter 131|| VALERIA's POV ||The phone buzzed sharply on the table.I glanced at it and immediately recognized the number.Prince Leonard.I picked up quickly, pressing the phone to my ear."Yes?" I said, keeping my voice light."My cars are outside," Leonard's smooth voice said. "Whenever you're ready."I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying the pounding in my chest.It was real.No turning back now.I hung up without another word and turned toward my small suitcase. I'd already started packing—clothes, a few memories, nothing heavy.Nothing that would tie me down.The door creaked open behind me.I turned to see Sancia and Vincenzo standing there, looking at me like I was some lost cause they couldn’t save."Valeria," Sancia said, stepping closer. "You don’t have to do this.""You're making a mistake," Vincenzo added, voice firm.I forced a smile, shoving a few more clothes into the suitcase."I’m not making a mistake," I said, zipping it closed. "I’m making a choice."Sancia
Chapter 130|| VALERIA's POV ||The wind was sharp against my face as I stepped out of the car. Sergio stayed behind, leaning against the black SUV, arms crossed and eyes alert. The old train station where we agreed to meet was half-abandoned, all rust and forgotten echoes. But Leonard had always liked dramatic settings. Nothing about him was ever casual.I spotted him standing near the edge of the platform—hands in his long coat pockets, posture straight, regal even in the fading light. My heart thumped hard in my chest as I walked toward him, every step weighted with a decision I couldn’t take back.He turned when I was close enough. His face didn’t betray anything—no anger, no surprise. Just that same unreadable calm that had once driven me to madness.“Valeria,” he said. “Didn’t expect to see you again.”“I didn’t think I’d come either,” I admitted, keeping my distance.Leonard raised a brow. “Then why are you here?”I took a deep breath. “Because I need something only you can do.







