All Chapters of I Am Mustafin: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The soft clink of silverware against china fills the quiet kitchen as I sit alone at the breakfast table. I push my eggs around the plate absently, my mind far from the meal in front of me.Yesterday’s events play on repeat in my head, like a film reel I can’ shut off. Efrem’s words echo in my ears: “mission,” he’d said. Deonta’e thinks my presence at the next call will help. But with what? What mission? Is this related to whatever Efrem’s been working towards all this time?Questions swirl in my mind like leaves caught in a whirlpool, each one leading to another, none finding answers.What exactly is he trying to do? What is “the mission”?My eyes drift to Tavin, standing stoically in his usual corner. Almost instantly, the memory of yesterday flashes through my mind—his face when he stood there, watching us in the kitchen.Heat rises to my cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and… and something I refuse to name. I clear my throat, suddenly finding it hard to swallow.“I’m sorry about… yes

The sleek black SUV glides through the streets, but I barely notice the scenery anymore. My leg bounces uncontrollably—a physical manifestation of the anxiety bubbling inside me. I glance at Isaak in the driver’s seat, wondering how he must be feeling right now, but his face is a mask of stoic professionalism.How is he so calm? Morris looked after him too when his parents died.…Doesn’t he feel anything?“Alaki are you okay?” Anastasiya’s gentle voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts.I turn to her, contemplating how to respond.Should I play it off? Isn’t that the “classy” thing to do?…But after the way we left the café, wouldn’t it be rude not to explain?I swallow hard, fighting against the lump in my throat and the tears threatening to spill over. “The man on the TV,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper.“The one they arrested?” Anastasiya prompts softly.I nod, letting out a shaky breath. My eyes drift to the window, unable to meet her gaze. “He was like a father to

The walk back to our bedroom feels like a march to execution, each step echoing in my ears like a countdown. My mind lingers on what Ciana revealed, sitting heavy in my chest and making it hard to breathe.Of course we’re not safe here. As long as I’m… me, we’re not safe anywhere.I can hear Matvey walking close behind me, his footsteps the only sound down what now seems like a very short hall. Soon, I’ll have to face not just my husband, but the most powerful man in the Mustafin Ring.I pause at the bedroom door, my fingers trembling slightly against the polished handle. “Is he upset?” The words barely escape my lips, fragile and uncertain. I keep my eyes fixed ahead, not daring to look back at Matvey, afraid of what I might see in his face.The silence stretches, heavy with unspoken warnings, before he finally responds, “Get some rest, Miss Alaki.” His footsteps recede down the hallway, leaving me alone with my churning thoughts and racing heart.Drawing a shaky breath, I push the d

The view from the balcony sweeps out before me, autumn sunlight painting the familiar path in shades of gold and amber. I lean against the railing, my eyes tracing the trail I used to walk almost daily. Strange how you don’t realize how much you miss something until it’s taken from you—until the very thought of it fills you with equal parts longing and dread.I close my eyes, feeling the crisp breeze against my face, but all I can see is Tavin falling, blood blooming across his chest.He’s alive. That’s all that matters.I remind myself of the important things to keep myself from spiraling into a pit of guilt that does no one any good. It’s the soft shift of fabric behind me that draws my attention, and I glance over my shoulder.Tavin and Ivan stand at their posts, silent sentinels in their perfectly pressed suits. It’s almost funny how quickly I’ve adjusted to having both of them shadow my every move, when it’s been barely a week since Ivan joined us. A week, and I’ve heard him spea

The soft glow of the bedside lamp casts long shadows across our bedroom as I smooth lotion over my arms, the familiar scent of jasmine filling my nose. My skin is still warm from the shower, hair damp against my shoulders. But despite the comfort of my nightly routine, my mind won’t settle.I keep replaying the scene with Dimitri, analyzing every word, every gesture.Did I overplay my fear? Was my hesitation too obvious?The questions circle like vultures, picking apart my performance until I’m not sure what was real and what was carefully crafted deception.The quiet click of the door opening pulls me from my thoughts. It’s Efrem, his presence immediately filling the room with that familiar tension—the kind that makes my breath catch and my heart skip. I haven’t seen him since before Dimitri left, haven’t heard his verdict on my performance.He saw everything. He always sees everything.I try to focus on my task, watching from the corner of my eye as he goes through his evening routi