LOGIN[Astoria’s POV]“Morning." Matthew entered, interjecting our conversation.Viktor and I exchanged glances.Matthew looked as though he hadn't slept more than an hour. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and the smile he offered everyone looked painfully forced.“Good morning,” I greeted nonetheless."Did you sleep well, Astoria?""I... managed," I answered honestly.His tired smile widened slightly. "I'm glad."Before he could say more, we heard footsteps and soon Aria walked in.Unlike yesterday, she wasn't smiling smugly nor did she have her arrogant stance.Instead, she moved with measured elegance before taking her seat opposite Matthew without even sparing him or us any glance.I frowned, noticing her subtly. That was odd. Did they have a fight? Or…what in the world happened that her behaviour was so different from today morning?Matthew quietly poured himself coffee, though I noticed he never once looked directly at Aria. I felt tiny bit happy because at least he hadn’t fogotten my
[Astoria's POV]For the first time after what seemed to be a long time, I woke up without the sound my phone alarm going off, but I also couldn’t tell if I had slept for long.Sleep had evaded me for a long time last night, and somewhere between wondering where Mom was and what her identity was, I had fell asleep.I didn’t want to get up though because that would mean facing reality.Eventually, I forced myself out of bed. There was no point in lazying in bed either when my mother was missing and I needed answers that would definitely not pop up in this room.After taking a quick shower and changing into a soft beige bell-sleved top and dark jeans, I tied my hair into a loose ponytail before making my way downstairs.The estate felt strangely subdued, as in eerily calm. Unlike my first stay here, there were no servants chatting quietly in the corridors or distant laughter drifting in from another room.However, the scent of coffee hit my nose. I followed the familiar scent until I rea
[Astoria’s POV]The ride back to Blackstone Estate felt impossibly longer than the journey into the city that morning.My hands remained clasped tightly in my lap while Viktor’s attention remained fixed on the road. After all the information and practically making me doubt my mother’s affection, he seemed nonchalant, as if the information was just another weather update.As the gilded gates opened up to let the car in, my heartbeat sped up. The thought of suddenly meeting Viktor’s mother, whom I would now no doubt see in a new light, made my palms feel clammy.“Don’t behave like you know and are terrified, because whoever this woman posing as my mother is, she isn’t a kind creature,” Viktor said as if reading my mind while he maneuvered the car down the driveway.When we entered, the house itself seemed quieter than usual. For some reason, I felt the hair at the back of my neck rise.“Is it colder than usual?” I muttered.“No,” Viktor answered.I was about to say more when Matthew wal
[Astoria’s POV]“Your mother is a dormant fae,” he said. His eyes carried no amusement, his voice didn’t carry any underlying humor, and his expression didn’t flicker even once.Even then, I let out a disbelieving laugh. “What the heck? You are yet again going to tell me about supernatural creatures.”Viktor’s eyes remained grim and entirely fixed on my face. The proximity didn’t help the case. His arm was still around my waist as if he was afraid I would slip away and out of the office the moment he would let me go.I probably would. It felt like I was once again back to the Black Estate and Viktor was talking about werewolves.“There’s more in the world than werewolves,” he stated as if reading my mind.I opened my mouth to say something, then closed it.“Where is my mother?” I asked because Viktor hadn’t answered me yet.Viktor remained silent before murmuring. “I…am looking into it.”I struggled in his hold, angry and scared. But Viktor held me firmly.“Her identity could be the r
[Astoria’s POV]“What…will you do if I go and let Vladimir touch me?” I asked, my voice breathless. I didn’t know where this boldness was coming from. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing, but I just wanted his answer.The warmth of his body seeped in through the clothes, making my stomach coil in anticipation. His darkened gaze fixed on my lips. He leaned closer until our lips were barely inches apart.“Do you really want to know? What can your brother do?” His grip tightened slightly as he uttered the word ‘brother’.I felt my breath hitch.“Well, you’re certainly not holding me like a brother would,” I retorted, trying to keep calm, although I was sure he could feel my heart pounding.His lips quirked up. This time, he let his lips brush against mine. “I would ensure that you forgot his name completely, that the only thing you would remember was my name, my smell, and only have my mark all over your body.”The blatant implication made me tremble. I didn’t even know if saying tha
[Astoria’s POV]The first day had left me jittery and exhausted. Everything felt overwhelming, not because I was bad at my job or that I couldn’t understand a task, but because of the sheer weight of eyes that seemed to follow me everywhere.These were the eyes of many employees who looked at me, judged me, and probably even envied me. I had very quickly realized that my relation to the Romero brothers wasn’t clear to them. I didn’t want to think in what light they were seeing me in, but on the first day itself, I’d come very close to yelling at them and telling them that I was just their unfortunate half-sister.A week into the job, and apart from the thought of the salary that I would get, I dreaded going there. My colleagues had subtly but firmly made it clear that they didn’t want to be friendly. They helped, sure, but that was the end of it.I sighed softly as I worked silently, forced to keep my thoughts to myself even though I heard laughter and jokes around me.Deciding to tak
[Astoria’s POV]The hallway outside thrummed with laughter and vibrance.Below were guests whom I didn’t know at all, but for some reason, I did not feel nervous.My gaze darted to the man beside me and I was struck by the effortless way our strides matched. We weren't touching, but that necklace h
Astoria’s POV]The morning of my mother’s wedding arrived with bright sun rays and a gentle breeze.After waking up, I simply lay there listening to the distant hum of preparation, guests talking and laughing, their voices muted and distant, and the muted footsteps in hallways.I rolled onto my sid
[Astoria’s POV]It was ironic and slightly comical how my mother, who was used to dictating and making people work for her, was having to explain things to someone.The realization made me happy rather than making me feel affronted.
[Astoria’s POV]Unable to endure the weight of his gaze, I excused myself and made my way upstairs, maintaining composure until I reached my room. Only after closing the door did I allow myself to exhale a shaky breath.What the F was that all about? Why was he looking at me like…like I was some ki







