A Bride For A Truce のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 71 - チャプター 80

Sera (A week later) The sky was still a deep gray when I slipped out of bed, my heart pounding like a warning bell in my chest. Adrik’s arm was draped over my waist, his breathing even and steady beside me. Safe. Solid. Warm. And yet the guilt that gnawed at my insides didn’t care about warmth or comfort. It chewed through everything, relentless and cold. It had been a little over a week since I spoke to Diana and with each passing day, I felt like I was digging myself into a hole I might not be able to crawl out from. I tiptoed out of bed and padded toward the kitchen, wrapping my robe tighter around myself. The penthouse was silent—except for the soft hum of the espresso machine as I prepared his coffee, the way he liked it. Strong, no sugar, splash of cream. My fingers trembled as I carried the mug back upstairs. He was still lying on his side, bare chest half-buried beneath the comforter, his dark hair tousled from sleep. He looked peaceful. I hated that I

SERA Adrik’s lips were soft against mine. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t angry. It was slow. He kissed me so sweetly that my toes curled. When he finally pulled away, his eyes stayed locked on mine. That familiar icy gaze softened, just a little. He brushed a thumb over my cheek and then down to my jaw. “Get dressed, Zolotse, in as much as I'd like to tear you apart right now. I don’t want your food getting cold,” he murmured. I felt my cheeks heat up and I nodded. My heart trembled with more emotion than my body could hold. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” He said before leaving the room. I didn’t even change out of the silk. I simply slipped a robe over it, tied it gently, and padded down to the dining room barefoot. The lights were low. The candles flickered across the table I’d set. And Adrik was already seated, his sleeves rolled up, his eyes on the wine bottle he’d just uncorked. He looked up as I entered. “You made pasta.” “I know how much you love eating mine.”

SERAPHINA’S POV Diana and Matteo had arrived a little over twenty minutes ago. She had introduced us and it was good to finally meet the man my best friend has been obsessing over. Diana’s voice was the first thing I heard when I stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of fruit and pastries. “I told the man, if you ever try to explain how to use an IV drip to me again, I’m going to insert it somewhere less than ideal.” Matteo laughed, low and amused, his head tilted back as he sat comfortably on our couch. “Remind me never to get on your bad side, Bella.” “Oh, you already have,” she quipped, sipping her tea. I set the tray on the coffee table with a smile. “Play nice, you two.” “I am playing nice,” Diana said, tossing me a playful glance. “This is the nicest I’ve been to him in months.” Matteo grinned at me, his dimple flashing. “I’m trying to win her over again. Clearly, it’s working.” “I’m not that easy,” Diana muttered, crossing her legs. But she didn’t pull awa

ADRIK’S POV.Matteo flinched, shaking as the knife cut deeper into his neck. “Please… please…”I grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back.“Viktor and Don Marco, do they meet?“No! I mean—I don't know anything about Viktor’s private business. His meetings are usually confidential. Viktor just…he only calls me when he wants me to check in on Diana. That’s it.”Sergei leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. “So you’re his errand boy now?”Matteo’s head dropped. “He doesn’t tell me shit. I’m not in the Camorra’s inner circle. Viktor is careful about who he lets in.”I turned away, breathing slowly, trying to steady the rage simmering in my chest. “Serafina’s father Vincenzo. Has he had any meetings that seem suspicious?”Matteo hesitated. “I’m not sure what you term suspicious. But he and Don Marco… they’ve been having late-night drives. Once a week, sometimes more. They meet with someone, but I never get close enough to see who.”I narrowed my eyes. “You didn’t think that was

SERAFINA’S POV I was seated in my bedroom being glammed up for the masked ball event. I had told Adrik that I could do my hair and makeup but he had cut short my protest, insisting that he wanted his wife to look exceptional. Staring at myself in the mirror as they worked their magic, my stomach knotted in anxiety. A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts as it opened to reveal Nadia holding a white garment bag that was embossed with an Alexander McQueen logo. “Delivery for Mrs Ivanova from Mr Ivanov,” she called out, a wide smile spreading across her face. Smiling back I rose from my seat and took the bag from her. I unzipped it slowly, my fingers trembling and my breath caught. The dress was a rich deep shade of midnight blue, like the ocean just before a storm. It was sleeveless, with a velvet bodice curved inward, while the skirt flowed in layers. Tiny sapphire beads were sewn into the fabric, catching the light. There was a velvet box inside the bag, I ope