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CHAPTER 12
Last Updated:
2025-03-24 18:49:51
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SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 13
Alessia Moretti The sun was beginning its slow descent behind the towering buildings of Los Angeles, painting the sky in a mix of gold and crimson. The day had been unbearably long, filled with lectures I barely paid attention to. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the suffocating reality of my new life. Even thinking about his name sent a mix of unease and frustration coursing through me. I had spent the past few days trying to navigate my new reality, living under the same roof as him, feeling his presence shadowing my every move. I exhaled as I pushed through the university doors, gripping my bag tightly. Today, for just a few hours, I had managed to slip into the illusion of normalcy. Attending my classes, sitting beside Stassie, laughing at her ridiculous jokes. Pretending, even if only for a short while, that my life was still my own. But that illusion shattered the moment I stepped into the parking lot. I froze. Leaning against my car, his arms crossed over his broa
Last Updated : 2025-03-25SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 14
Alessia Moretti The drive from the university to Nikolai’s penthouse was a blur. My thoughts had been consumed by Marcello’s words, each one cutting deeper than the last. I hadn’t realized how much pain I had been hiding—how much I had been pretending to ignore. The way Marcello had looked at me, that desperation, that pleading… it was a reminder of a life I couldn’t escape, a past I couldn’t seem to shake.I’d never wanted to hurt Marcello. I cared for him, once. But the man I was now engaged to—Nikolai Volkov—had made it clear that there was no room for any other man in my life. And yet, here I was, still haunted by the ghost of the past.I barely even registered the tall, imposing building in front of me as the car came to a stop. I hadn’t even realized we’d reached the penthouse. All I could think about was the conversation with Marcello, how I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my choices. Before I could gather my thoughts, the door opened, and there he stood—Nikol
Last Updated : 2025-03-26SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 15
Alessia Moretti The moment Sienna McCoy stepped into the grand hall of the manor, I knew I was going to hate every second of this interaction. She was beautiful in a way that made you question whether you were even looking at a real person. Sharp cheekbones, full lips, impossibly sleek black hair that cascaded down her back like a shampoo commercial. Dressed in a blood-red dress that fit her like a second skin, she walked in like she owned the place. Like she owned him. And Nikolai? Well, he barely acknowledged her presence at first, standing by the grand piano, flipping through some files. But the second she spoke, his gaze lifted—cool, composed, and unreadable. "Nikolai," she purred, sauntering over to him with the grace of a woman who had never had to beg for attention a day in her life. "It’s been too long." Oh, fantastic. She’s a purrer. She's a business partner of Nikolai's, but given her attitude towards him, I'm sure there was more than just business between them. N
Last Updated : 2025-03-27SHADOW OF VOW'S CCHAPTER 16
Nikolai Volkov The sound of clinking metal and cabinet doors slamming shut pulled me from my half-sleep. At first, I ignored it, assuming one of the staff was handling something in the kitchen. But then came the muffled curse, followed by what sounded suspiciously like a teaspoon being hurled across the room. I exhaled sharply, running a hand over my face. It was nearly midnight. Who the hell was making this much noise? Pushing off the bed, I grabbed the gun from my nightstand—habit—and made my way downstairs, my footsteps silent against the polished floors. The moment I reached the entrance of the kitchen, I stopped. There, standing in front of the open pantry, was Alessia. In nothing but silk shorts and a matching top that barely qualified as clothing. I tightened my grip on the doorframe. Her back was to me as she rummaged through the shelves, her hair slightly tousled, probably from sleep. The shorts sat dangerously low on her hips, and the top—if it could even be
Last Updated : 2025-03-28SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 17
Nikolai Volkov If hell had a waiting room, I was fairly certain it would look exactly like this bridal boutique. Rows of white dresses lined the walls, each one a nauseatingly extravagant display of lace, pearls, and tulle. Chandeliers cast a soft glow over the showroom, reflecting off the floor-length mirrors that surrounded us on all sides. It smelled like vanilla and something sickeningly floral—probably whatever overpriced perfume they spritzed on the gowns to make them seem more magical. And right in the center of it all stood Alessia, arms crossed, face twisted in barely concealed irritation. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, shifting her weight as she eyed the sea of dresses. “This whole thing is ridiculous.” From the plush armchair beside me, Stassie, her best friend, let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, come on, Alessia. It’s your wedding. You could at least pretend to be excited.” Alessia shot her a glare. “*It’s not my wedding. It’s my prison sentence.*” I smirked. “C
Last Updated : 2025-03-29SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 18
Alessia Moretti The car ride back to the manor was suffocating. I sat in the backseat, arms crossed, my reflection in the tinted window barely recognizable. The wedding dress fitting had been a disaster. Not because of the dresses themselves, but because, for a fleeting second, I had let something unthinkable creep into my mind. I had almost felt like a bride. It made me sick. Nikolai sat beside me, annoyingly relaxed, as if today had been nothing more than another business deal. His phone was in his hand, thumb scrolling absently over the screen, but I knew he wasn’t really focused on it. He was watching me. Waiting. Predictable. “So,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or should I start guessing?” I didn’t bother turning my head. “You? Guessing? That’s a first.” His lips twitched. “Fine. Let’s see… You’re brooding, which isn’t unusual. But this is different. More dramatic.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please enlighten me, Dr. Vo
Last Updated : 2025-03-30SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 19
Nikoali Volkov The low hum of the city beyond the towering glass windows of my office barely registered as I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled under my chin. The news had come in an hour ago—Dante Moretti, the ever-ambitious Italian snake, was making moves on my business. Not just any moves. He was trying to slide his way into contracts that had been mine for years, whispering sweet promises into the ears of my collaborators, hoping to turn them against me. A power play. A pathetic one. I had seen it before—rival families thinking they could test my patience, mistaking my calculated silence for weakness. But Dante? He should have known better. He should have known that I don’t *do* forgiveness. And yet, he had made a mistake far worse than just business. He had forgotten that his daughter almost bore my name. My grip tightened around the glass of whiskey in my hand as I took a slow sip, eyes narrowing at the thought. Alessia. His only daughter, his precious little princ
Last Updated : 2025-03-31SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 20
The reflection in the mirror was almost unrecognizable. I smoothed my hands over the deep red silk of my gown, the fabric clinging to my curves like a second skin. The slit along my leg was scandalously high, a calculated choice. If I was going to suffer through an entire evening in the company of power-hungry criminals, I might as well look like a queen while doing it. Behind me, Nikolai watched in silence. I could feel his gaze, sharp and burning, raking over my body like a physical touch. I hadn't heard him arrive and I noticed that he hadn't taken his eyes off me since he arrived. “If you keep looking at me like that, I might start to think you actually like what you see,” I said, tilting my head with a smirk. His jaw tensed slightly, but his lips curled into something wicked. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here.” His words sent a strange thrill down my spine, one I refused to acknowledge. Instead, I turned back to my reflection, adjusting the delicate strap of m
Last Updated : 2025-04-01
Latest chapter
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 55
Nikolai Volkov The moment the envelope hit my desk, I knew it wasn't just another threat. It was too formal, too clean, too deliberate. The kind of envelope that meant war—not just in words, but in legacy.I didn’t open it right away. Instead, I stared at it for a moment, feeling the familiar sting of anticipation burning just behind my sternum.It bore no return address. No emblem. Just my name, scrawled in neat, deliberate handwriting."Nikolai Volkov."I broke the seal with a blade, unfolding the letter with care. The message was short.“Let’s talk, Volkov. Face to face. One week. Neutral grounds. No backup—or do bring them. I want them to see what’s coming.—Natov”Bastard.He didn’t even bother to sign with a title. No “Don Natov,” no initials. Just a name. Like we were equals.We weren’t.And now, I had to remind him of that.—I gathered my men within the hour.The war room at the mansion felt colder than usual. Zayn stood at my right, arms crossed, his expression grim. Across
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 54
Alessia Volkov The silence stretched between us like a tightrope I wasn’t sure I wanted to walk.Nikolai stood a few feet away, his body still as stone, arms crossed, eyes locked on mine. That infuriating unreadable stare of his. It was the kind of look that could either promise ruin or reveal everything if I dared to stare long enough. But I’d learned the hard way—he didn’t give anything away for free.Still, I wasn't going to let the moment pass.I took a slow breath, crossing my arms in return—not out of defiance, but because it was the only thing keeping me from fidgeting under that gaze. My voice came out quieter than I expected.“Why me, Nikolai?”A flicker. Barely noticeable, but I saw it. A twitch in his jaw. A shift in his weight.Good. I’d hit something.“You could’ve taken anything else. My father offered you his everything. You could’ve had it all. But you asked for me.” My throat tightened, but I forced the words through. “Why?”He didn’t answer. Of course not. That woul
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 53
Alessia Volkov There was something suspiciously charming about the way Nikolai Volkov smirked.Like he knew something I didn’t.Or worse… like he knew I knew he knew—and was daring me to do something about it.And lately, that smirk had become a permanent fixture on his face.Our truce—if we could call it that—had brought a new kind of peace between us. Fewer arguments. Less hostility. Occasional laughter. The kind of calm that made me question if this man was still the same infuriating control freak I married.But with peace came something even more dangerous.Playfulness.And from Nikolai, that translated to subtle touches. Lingering gazes. Innuendos that danced dangerously on the edge of propriety. And, of course, the smirk.Today was no different.He stood in the doorway of the kitchen, wearing black slacks, a crisp white shirt rolled to his elbows, and that damn smirk."You’re awake early," he said, sipping his espresso like a villain in a perfume ad.“I had a nightmare,” I repl
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 52
Exterior PovThe luxury of the study did little to ease the weight in Dante Moretti’s chest. The room was adorned in dark oak and rich leather, a blend of Italian elegance and old-world authority, but even that ambiance felt suffocating tonight. A single glass of scotch rested on the armrest of his chair, untouched, the ice melting slowly into insignificance.Across from him, Viktor Natov sat with the poise of a viper: relaxed, but every fiber of his being coiled, ready to strike. His suit was impeccable, his demeanor calm, but his eyes—those glacial eyes—carried a madness that no amount of grooming could conceal. He sipped his vodka slowly, lips curling into a thin smile as he studied Dante like a predator admiring the temporary civility before bloodshed.“I have to say, Dante,” Natov began in his thick Eastern European accent, “I didn’t expect a man like you to agree to work with a monster like me.”Dante didn’t respond immediately. He leaned back into the leather chair, eyes narrow
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 51
Nikolai Volkov The low hum of the fireplace was the only sound accompanying the silence in my office. The thick walls of the penthouse filtered out the distant noise of Los Angeles. Outside, the city was alive. Inside, I was a storm waiting to break. The amber glow of the desk lamp cast shadows on the mahogany as I flipped through the recent reports. Arms shipments. Movement of rival factions. Port schedules. Nothing out of the ordinary until the name appeared. Viktor Natov. I froze. The words blurred, my mind short-circuiting for a fraction of a second before the fire roared back to life in my chest. My fingers clenched around the edge of the folder. A knock. Three sharp taps. Predictable. Controlled. Zayn. “Come in,” I said, my voice like steel scraped against gravel. Zayn entered, dressed in black as usual, his shoulders relaxed but his eyes alert. He didn’t wait for pleasantries. He closed the door and approached the desk, placing a USB and a printed document in front of
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 50
Alessia Volkov The moment I stepped out onto the terrace, barefoot, wrapped in a silk robe that clung to my curves like a second skin, I saw him.Nikolai.He was seated on one of the lounge chairs by the pool, a laptop perched on his lap, the screen casting a faint glow over his sharp features. The light breeze tousled his dark hair as if it belonged to him, as if even nature obeyed his silent command. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing the powerful tendons of his forearms. His jaw was tight with focus, eyes locked on the screen.And I wanted to ruin that focus. Completely.Not because I needed attention. Not because I was feeling insecure. But because I was Alessia Moretti, and I never let a slight go unanswered. No matter how subtle.Sienna McCoy had touched what was mine.I knew Nikolai had dealt with her. I knew he’d said the words, drawn the line, made it clear she had no claim on him. But I also knew men like him. Power didn’t only live in action—it breathed in
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 49
Nikolai Volkov It was early afternoon when I glanced at the clock, the ticking echoing louder than usual in the silence of the office. The calm before the storm. Sienna McCoy would be here in exactly two hours, and despite the professionalism I intended to maintain, I could already anticipate the chaos that would follow. Not because of Sienna, but because of Alessia. She hadn’t taken the news well. “I’m sorry, you invited her here?” she’d asked, voice sharp as a dagger. “She’s not invited,” I corrected, leaning against the marble counter in the kitchen, arms crossed. “It’s business.” She scoffed. “Sure. Business. Because nothing screams professionalism like holding meetings in your living room.” “My office is separate, and you know it,” I replied coolly. “I’m not going to rent a penthouse suite every time I meet a supplier.” “Supplier?” She barked a laugh. “She’s not a supplier, Nikolai. She’s the woman who thinks she’s your future wife.” “She isn’t,” I said simply. “And she
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 48
Nikolai Volkov If someone had told me years ago that I’d spend my Tuesday morning trying to convince a woman—my wife—to hold a gun without threatening to shoot me with it, I would’ve laughed.Now?I wasn’t laughing.Not when Alessia stood at the entrance of our underground training facility like I’d just asked her to drown a puppy.Her arms were crossed, brows drawn together, lips pressed into a line of pure rebellion. That particular expression—equal parts dramatic and unimpressed—was becoming her default look around me lately."Let me get this straight," she said slowly, voice dripping in honeyed sarcasm. "After our cute little bonding session where you taught me how to punch people, now you want me to hold a gun? Inside a literal mafia shooting range?"I nodded once. “Yes.”“Are you high?”“No.”“Are you sure? Because that sounds like the fever dream of a man deeply disconnected from reality.”I exhaled through my nose, keeping my patience on a tight leash.She took another step b
SHADOW OF VOW'S CHAPTER 47
Alessia VolkovvWhen Nikolai said he wanted to teach me self-defense, I thought he was joking.Like, genuinely. I even checked if he was smiling. Spoiler: he wasn’t.I should’ve known that marrying a man like him — a Volkov — meant the romantic Sunday morning cooking class would be replaced by private training sessions in a gym that smelled like sweat, leather, and testosterone.And here I am. Barefoot on the tatami mat, wearing black leggings and an oversized T-shirt, standing across from my very intimidating husband.He’s in nothing but sweatpants and a tank top that clings far too perfectly to his muscles for me to focus properly.I tilt my head toward the ceiling and sigh. “Honestly, Volkov, if you wanted to beat me up legally, you could’ve just said so.”He raises an eyebrow, amused.“I’m teaching you how to defend yourself, printsessa. Not how to get beaten.”“Hm. Either way, I still end up on the ground, right?”He shakes his head, that sly little smile tugging at his lip
