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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Enemies At The Altar : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

88 Kabanata

Chapter 1 – The Announcement

The sound of her father’s boots clicking across the marble floor sent a shiver down Mia Romano’s spine. She had learned long ago that those boots carried more than authority—they carried the weight of life or death. And now, as she waited in the study, her stomach churned with the sense that this visit wasn’t casual.“Sit,” her father said without preamble, gesturing to the chair opposite his massive mahogany desk.Mia obeyed, her fingers clasped tightly in her lap. The Romano estate had always felt like a gilded cage, but today, it felt more like a trap.Her father’s eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto hers. “Mia, it’s time we spoke about your future.”Her pulse quickened. “My… future?” she asked cautiously, sensing the storm behind his calm facade.He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “You’re of age now. Old enough to… contribute to the family in ways you haven’t yet.” His words were measured, deliberate.Mia swallowed hard. “Father, I—”“I have arranged something

Chapter 2 – Shattered Love

Mia’s hands shook as she gripped her phone. She stared at Ethan’s name blinking on the screen, her chest tight with dread.She had no choice. She had to tell him.“Ethan…” she whispered, her voice trembling.The line clicked alive. “Mia?” His tone was light, warm, the sound of safety she had clung to for months.Her throat tightened. “I… I need to talk to you. It’s… it’s important.”Immediately, his voice sharpened slightly. “Okay. Meet me at the café. Twenty minutes. Don’t be late.”Twenty minutes later, Mia slid into the corner booth, barely meeting his eyes. Ethan’s jaw was set, his brow furrowed, but there was a softness in his gaze—the kind that made her heart ache.“I…” she swallowed hard. “My father… he’s arranged my marriage.”The words hung in the air like smoke. Ethan’s hand froze mid-sip of his coffee. His eyes widened in disbelief.“Wait… what?” His voice cracked, a mix of anger and shock. “He… he’s forcing you?”Mia nodded, biting her lip. “To… to Mark DeLuca.”The name h

Chapter 3 – Cold Vows

The morning sun poured through the tall windows of the Romano estate, glinting off polished marble floors, gilded walls, and crystal chandeliers. The mansion had been transformed for the wedding—flowers of deep red and white lined the aisle, candles flickered on golden stands, and velvet chairs awaited guests who would watch the union of two people who were supposed to be perfect for one another.But perfection was a lie.Mia Romano stood in the bridal suite, staring at herself in the mirror. Her gown was a masterpiece of satin and lace, hugging her frame, cascading in waves of ivory silk. But she didn’t feel beautiful. She felt trapped.Her fingers clenched at the fabric around her waist. I’m supposed to smile, nod, and pledge myself to a man I don’t love. To a man I hate.Her reflection didn’t comfort her. It only reminded her that she was, in the eyes of her father, a commodity—a piece on the Romano chessboard, moving according to someone else’s strategy.A soft knock at the door p

Chapter 4 – Separate Rooms

The Romano mansion was quiet now, the echoes of the wedding day long gone. The opulent halls, lined with polished marble and crystal chandeliers, seemed almost oppressive in the stillness of the night. Mia’s heels clicked softly against the floors as she made her way to her suite, every step a declaration of independence.Her father had made his expectations clear: she was married, and Mark was her husband. But Mia had made her decision too. She would not share a room with him—not tonight, not ever if she could help it.When Mark entered the suite shortly after, his presence was calm, deliberate. His dark eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail, but they lingered on her.“You’re sleeping here,” Mia said sharply, cutting through the silence.Mark’s brow arched ever so slightly. “I thought that was the plan?” His voice was low, even, but there was an edge that made her stomach twist.“This is my room,” she said firmly, planting her hands on her hips. “I’ve made my choice. Separate

Chapter 5 – First Clash

The Romano estate was quiet that evening, but the tension inside Mia’s suite was anything but.She was rifling through drawers, packing a small bag. Clothes. Essentials. Anything she could grab in case she decided she’d had enough of this life—the life her father had forced her into.A soft knock at the door froze her hand.“Mia, may I come in?” Mark’s voice, low and calm, carried through the wood.She didn’t answer immediately. When she finally spoke, it was sharp, defensive. “I’m busy.”“Packing?” His steps were slow, deliberate. “Going somewhere?”Mia whirled around, anger flaring. “Why do you care? This isn’t your business!”Mark’s dark eyes narrowed, calm and piercing. “It is my business when it concerns your safety.”Her fists clenched. “My safety? Really? Or are you just obeying my father’s orders like the good little soldier you always are?”He froze, the slightest twitch in his jaw betraying a flicker of emotion. “I am not a soldier,” he said evenly. “I am a husband. And as y

Chapter 6 – The Warning

The Romano estate was quiet again that night, but Mia could feel the weight of the world pressing down on her chest. The corridors, normally elegant and orderly, felt like a labyrinth designed to trap her. Every polished surface reflected her conflicted expression, every flickering candle seemed to whisper that she had no escape.And then, in the shadowed corner of the library, she saw him. Ethan.“Ethan…” Her voice was a mixture of relief and apprehension. She had hoped for news from him, maybe even an explanation for the message he had left earlier. But now, standing so close, so unexpectedly, the calm she had been clinging to began to fracture.“You need to come with me,” he said immediately, his voice urgent, almost desperate. His dark eyes blazed as he stepped toward her. “Right now, Mia. Pack your things. Run. We can’t stay here a minute longer.”Mia’s stomach churned, a mix of fear and frustration twisting inside her. “Run? Ethan… you know what’s at stake. My father—he’s not ju

Chapter 7 – The Dinner Table War

The grand dining hall of the Romano estate gleamed under the golden chandeliers. The long mahogany table was set immaculately—crystal glasses, polished silverware, and ornate candelabras casting flickering light across the room. Every detail screamed wealth, power, and tradition.But to Mia, it felt suffocating.She sat at the center, beside Mark, wearing a gown of deep crimson that hugged her frame elegantly. Her hair was pinned back perfectly, her makeup flawless. The image of the perfect wife.But inside, she was anything but perfect. Her heart thudded with anger, anxiety, and a strange, unbidden awareness every time Mark moved beside her.Her father, Don Romano, sat at the head of the table, his dark eyes scanning her like a hawk. Every muscle in his face was taut with expectation. “Mia,” he said, voice calm but commanding, “remember your place tonight. This is a family dinner. A display of unity. You are my daughter, and he is your husband. Behave accordingly.”“Yes, Father,” Mia

Chapter 8 – Shadows of Violence

The night air was sharp and cool as Mia stepped outside the mansion gates, craving a moment—just one moment—of silence away from her father, from the family, from Mark.The Romano estate loomed behind her like a fortress, its stone walls high and guarded. But beyond the gates, the quiet street felt deceptively peaceful. She wrapped her arms around herself, exhaling shakily.Everything felt suffocating.Her marriage, her father’s control, Mark’s constant presence.Even when he wasn’t in the room, she felt him—his watchful eyes, his quiet strength. It infuriated her.I don’t want to depend on him. I don’t want him involved in anything that touches my life.She pushed deeper into the shadows near the end of the driveway, letting her thoughts drift—until the crunch of gravel behind her made her freeze.She turned slowly.No one.Just darkness.She exhaled. “Get a grip, Mia.”But the second step she took forward, it happened—Fast.Silent.Deadly.Three men in black masks emerged from the

Chapter 9 – The Aftermath

The mansion exploded into chaos the moment the guards dragged the bodies of the attackers inside the gates. Shouts filled the night, flashlights flickered across the lawn, security scrambled everywhere.But Mia couldn’t move.Her body felt disconnected from reality, her breath shallow, her vision blurry.A warm hand gripped her elbow.Strong. Steady.Mark.“Come inside,” he ordered softly.“I can walk,” Mia snapped, even as her knees wobbled.Mark’s expression tightened. “I didn’t say you couldn’t. I’m saying you’re in shock.”She wanted to fire back, but the world suddenly tilted, and his arm shot around her waist, holding her firmly before she could fall.She froze—heat, strength, the scent of him—too close, too steady.His eyes searched her face. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”Her heart thrummed painfully.She hated how safe he made her feel.She hated it.Don’t let this get to you, Mia. Don’t.She pulled away abruptly. “Just take me inside.”He nodded once, jaw tight, and guided her t

Chapter 10 – Ethan’s Jealousy

Morning sunlight crept through Mia’s curtains, but it brought no warmth.Her body felt heavy, her mind foggy, memories of last night replaying in broken flashes—the attack,the fear,Mark’s voice saying he wouldn’t survive losing her,and the sliver of warm hallway light she’d kept on purpose.When she finally gathered enough courage to leave her room, Mark was still there.Standing, alert, arms crossed, gaze fixed on her door like nothing else existed.He didn’t smile.He didn’t speak.But his eyes softened—barely—when they met hers.Mia’s heart betrayed her with a quiet flutter.“Good morning,” she said stiffly.“Are you okay?” he asked softly, scanning her face.Before she could answer, another voice cut across the hallway.“Mia.”Ethan.He stood at the far end of the corridor, jaw clenched, eyes blazing.The second he saw Mark near her door, his expression snapped into pure fury.“Oh. Of course,” Ethan spat. “I should’ve known.”Mia exhaled sharply. “Not now, Ethan.”“No, now is

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