Chapter 1 The Settlement

Nikolai placed a settlement agreement in front of me and gave me no chance to argue. "Anthea, listen to me. Let this matter end here."

I gripped the agreement, staring at Nikolai in disbelief. "Nikolai, are you asking me to make peace with the man who killed our boys?"

"Anthea, Daphne suffered three stab wounds trying to get me out alive when I was ambushed by the Astral Society. Her father is the only family she has left in this world. I owe her this. You're my wife. You should understand."

I tore the settlement agreement into shreds. "They were your sons too, Nikolai! Do you even hear yourself?"

"Anthea, it was an accident. Daphne's father didn't mean to—"

"An accident? Our sons suffered multiple compound fractures all over their bodies. The autopsy report clearly stated that they had been run over repeatedly before they died, and you're telling me that was an accident? And the attack by the Astral Society back then, I clearly—"

Before I could finish, Daphne Remington suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me and broke into sobs. "Anthea, I know this was my father's fault, but he's the only family I have left in this world. Please, I'm begging you, spare him. I know you're angry.

"If you need someone to pay for what happened to your children, then let it be me."

"Alright. I'll give you what you want," I said, raising my gun, preparing to pull the trigger.

"Enough!" Nikolai stepped in front of Daphne and snatched the gun from my hand. "Anthea Solmere, I have spoiled you rotten all these years, haven't I?"

At Nikolai's signal, his bodyguards quickly restrained me.

Nikolai carefully lifted Daphne into his arms. When he looked at me again, his eyes held nothing but coldness. "Daphne is innocent, and she saved my life. I will never allow anyone to hurt her.

"I've already taken care of things with the authorities. This settlement carries legal weight as long as my signature is on it. There's no point in wasting your energy on this anymore.

"My wife is ill. Take her back to the family estate. She isn't to leave without my permission."

I was placed under house arrest at the family estate. The latest collections from fashion weeks arrived in my room right on schedule. I could still choose whatever jewelry I wanted from the luxury brands. Everything seemed exactly as it had been before.

"Ma'am, why don't you just give in?" one of Nikolai's men pleaded from outside my door. "We can all see that you're the person the boss truly cares about."