Lahat ng Kabanata ng Blood And Vows : Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 150

MikhailThe next morning, I woke up in our bed for the first time in weeks. Liliana was beside me, looking peaceful as she slept. For a moment, I thought it was all a dream. That she was still angry with me, still living in the cottage, still refusing to see my face.But then she opened her eyes and looked at me, her eyes were soft and loving instead of filled with hatred."Good morning," she said quietly, still being careful with me."Good morning," I replied, wonder evident in my voice that she was really there. "You stayed.""I promised I would," she said gently. "We're going to work through this together, remember?"I nodded, gratitude overwhelming me. After weeks of thinking I had lost her forever, having her back felt like a miracle."How are you feeling?" She asked, concern evident in her eyes as she studied my face."Better," I said honestly. "Not good, but better. Like maybe I can breathe again."She reached out and touched my cheek, love and worry mixing on her face. "You sc

MikhailThree weeks had passed since we began investigating Dmitri, and I was starting to feel like a fool. Every report from our surveillance team showed the same thing. Dmitri was exactly who he appeared to be. A loyal friend, a dedicated advisor, and a man genuinely trying to protect our family."The cybersecurity firm called," Liliana said, entering my study with frustration written across her face. "They've analyzed those encrypted communications Dmitri mentioned. They're legitimate intelligence intercepts from rival families."I looked up from my desk where I'd been reviewing surveillance reports, disappointment mixed with relief flooded my face. "So he was telling the truth about tracking enemy communications.""It appears so," she said, trouble evident in her expression as she sat down across from me. "And the guards report that he's been visiting a woman at the hospital every Tuesday. That's where he disappears to for few hours." She let out a sigh. "Report has it that he'd

MikhailThree months had passed without a single attack from The Architect. Three months of peace that felt almost too good to be true. Every morning I woke up expecting to hear alarms or explosions, but instead there was only silence and the sound of Liliana breathing beside me."It's been ninety-three days," I said one morning as we had breakfast together, my brow furrowed in thought. "Ninety-three days without an attack.""I know," Liliana replied cautiously. "It doesn't feel right, does it? This much quiet.""Maybe he's given up," I suggested, though my tone lacked conviction. "Maybe he realized he couldn't tear us apart and moved on to other targets.""Or maybe he's planning something so big that it requires months of preparation," she said, worry lines appearing around her eyes. "Something that will end everything once and for all."The thought made my stomach turn, but I tried to stay positive. "We can't live our entire lives waiting for the next attack. At some point, we have

MikhailThe week leading up to our anniversary passed in a blur of excitement and preparation. Liliana and I had agreed to keep the pregnancy news between ourselves for now, not wanting to add more complexity to an already elaborate celebration."Are you sure we shouldn't tell Anastasia?" Liliana asked one morning as we watched our aunt coordinating with the florists, her eyes bright with excitement. "She'd be so happy about becoming a great-aunt.""After the party," I said firmly but gently, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "Let's get through the anniversary celebration first. Then we'll share our news with the family properly.""What about Dmitri?" She pressed thoughtfully, her brow slightly furrowed. "He's been working so hard on this party. Don't you think he deserves to know?"I considered it, weighing the options as I watched the staff prepare the grand hall. "Dmitri has enough to focus on with security arrangements. We don't want to distract him with personal news right no

MikhailThe first gunshot was a thunderclap in the tense silence of the ballroom. It wasn't the sharp crack of a pistol, but the deeper, more authoritative boom of a high-caliber rifle. A scream ripped through the air, followed by a second shot that silenced it. Every head, friend and foe alike, turned towards the main entrance.The grand double doors, which had been sealed shut, now stood open. Framed in the doorway, backlit by the hall's dim light, stood a figure holding a long, sleek rifle. My heart, which had been a cold, hard stone of dread in my chest, leapt with a sudden, desperate hope."Dmitri," I breathed, his name sounding like a prayer. He had come. He was late, but he was here. He would have a plan. He always had a plan.He stepped into the light of the ballroom, and I felt relief flood through me. This was it. Our salvation. The man I trusted more than anyone would turn the tide of this nightmare."Welcome, Dmitri!" I called out, my voice cutting through the panic, a con