LOGINChapter 189: Standing My GroundThe morning sun barely broke through the clouds, and I felt a restless energy coursing through me. I couldn’t sit still. Dima’s last move had shaken me more than I wanted to admit, but I refused to feel powerless anymore. No more hiding. No more waiting for Lucien to fix everything.I spread out the papers and notes I had been collecting for days. Names, addresses, connections — anything that might lead me to Dima’s new ally. Every line I read, every detail I connected, made my pulse race. I realized something Lucien hadn’t: someone close to him was feeding Dima information. That someone trusted Lucien… but betrayed us.I swallowed hard. This was bigger than I thought. And if I didn’t act now, the next attack would hit harder.I checked my phone. Lucien was still in meetings at the office, probably unaware of the detail I had just discovered. I knew I couldn’t wait for him to notice. I took a deep breath. “I can do this,” I whispered to myself. “I have
Chapter 188: RealizationI had been watching the monitors, checking the security feeds, making sure every corner of the property was locked down. Every movement was accounted for. Every visitor, every car. Nothing was left to chance. I thought I was ready for anything. I thought I controlled everything.Then I saw her name on a message I didn’t expect. Alina.Not a casual note. Not a question. Something about Dima. Something that made my chest tighten. I scrolled through quickly, reading her plan. My blood ran cold, not because of danger — I knew she could handle danger — but because she hadn’t told me.I leaned back, gripping the edge of the desk. My mind raced. She was… bold. Too bold. Brave. Dangerous. Smart. All at once.A part of me wanted to be angry — furious — that she’d gone behind my back. But another part… a bigger part, felt a swell of pride I couldn’t hide. She wasn’t the same woman who had been scared, who had trembled at threats. She was thinking, planning, moving. Taki
Chapter 187: Fire WithinThe morning light barely reached my room, but I was already awake. My hands were shaking slightly—not from fear, but from anticipation. Ever since Dima’s last threat, I couldn’t stop thinking, planning, wondering what would happen next. Lucien had been tense too, but I refused to let him shoulder all the danger alone. Not anymore.I dressed quickly, choosing clothes that would let me move freely—something practical, but still neat. My heart pounded as I checked the house one last time, ensuring everything was as safe as it could be. I wasn’t a child anymore. I had survived, I had learned, and I was ready.Lucien entered the room, his expression a mix of surprise and admiration. “You’re ready,” he said, voice low, almost approving. “You shouldn’t have to face this, Alina.”I shook my head. “I’m not waiting in the shadows anymore. If Dima wants to play his games, he’ll deal with both of us. I can’t just sit and watch.”He didn’t argue. Instead, he gave a small n
Chapter 186: The Fire Before the StormI couldn’t remember the last time I felt completely at peace. Even in Lucien’s house, with everything secure and luxurious around me, there was always a lingering tension I couldn’t shake. And today, that tension slammed back into my chest like a physical blow.It started with the call — a subtle alert from one of Lucien’s security heads. At first, I thought it was just routine, but the urgency in the tone made my stomach knot. Lucien was already gone, sitting in his office, the blinds drawn, his laptop open, eyes sharp and focused.“Alina,” he said without looking up. His voice was calm, but I felt it thrumming with something unspoken. “Dima is planning something. Bigger than last time.”I froze, the words barely registering. Bigger? I had seen him try before. I had felt the cold threat of his hatred aimed at me, but I had survived. And now… bigger?“I want you to stay safe,” Lucien continued, his hand hovering over a tablet. “This time it coul
Chapter : Saved AgainThe morning sunlight tried to pierce through the curtains, but the warmth couldn’t reach me. My mind was restless, my thoughts spinning like leaves caught in a storm. Ever since the last attack, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Dima was no longer just lurking in the background—he was circling closer, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.I paced the living room, glancing at every window, every corner, half-expecting someone to appear. Each phone ring or car passing by made me jump, and I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. This wasn’t just fear—it was awareness. Every nerve in my body screamed that the war we thought was under control was far from over.Lucien appeared in the doorway, his expression calm yet sharp. He always looked so collected, like a storm contained in a human form. “Alina,” he said softly, but there was an edge in his voice. “Sit down. Breathe.”I hesitated, unwilling to slow down, but his steady gaze made me obey. I sank into the
Chapter 184 : Sound Of The WindI woke to the sound of the wind rattling the windows, though it was faint enough to make me question if I’d imagined it. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, but something about it made me hesitate before picking it up. My heart was still racing from the feeling I’d carried all night—a sense that Dima was closer than ever, that whatever peace we’d fought for was slipping away.When I finally unlocked the phone, a message glared back at me, chilling in its simplicity.“You can’t hide forever. I’m coming.”No name. No signature. But I knew instantly whose handwriting it echoed in intent if not form.I sank against the headboard, letting the phone fall into my lap. The room felt suddenly smaller, tighter, like the walls themselves were closing in. My pulse raced, and I could feel my hands trembling.I didn’t have to see Lucien to know he sensed it too. He was already awake—he had to be. He always was, always alert, always thinking, always a step ahead.“Ali







