Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Bride For A Truce: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

SERAFINA I jolted upright as my eyes landed on the time—9:30am. “Shit,” I muttered as I scrambled out of bed, throwing off the covers and darting into the bathroom. The show might not start until 5pm, but rehearsals, fittings, and last-minute preparation meant I had to be at the theatre by 11. I couldn't afford to be late. After a quick shower, I towel-dried my hair and grabbed my phone from the counter where I had left it. Two unread messages were waiting. The first was from Diana. Diana: ‘Emergency surgery this morning. I’m so sorry Sera. Break a leg tonight, I’ll be cheering from the hospital.’ The second was from Irina. Irina: ‘Landing at JFK at 2:15pm. Can't wait to see you. Save me a front-row seat, my favorite diva’. A small smile tugged at my lips. Leave it to Irina to be dramatic. I had told her about today's performance weeks ago and she had cleared her schedule and booked a flight to be here in person. My thoughts drifted t

ADRIKOThe opera was packed full. I hated crowds, the reason why I usually stayed away from most events. I sat in the private box with Irina to my right.she had been chatting my head off from the moment i got here. My hands drummed lightly against the armrest. I have to admit, I was a little bit anxious to watch her perform. The memory of her flushed skin as I fastened the necklace around her neck hadn't left my head.A hush falls over the crowd as an announcement comes from the PA system. A welcome to the audience and a reminder to silence all devices. The curtains rose. And there she stood centerstage, the gold lights bathing her skin. She glowed in the champagne silk dress, my gift sparkling at her throat but it wasn't the diamonds that stole my breath away. It was her. She commanded the stage and owned it. Every emotion in her grey eyes said i belong here, this is my turf but i could tell she was nervous from the tightness of her shoulders. Her lips parted and the first note

ZLATA’S POV My hands trembled with barely concealed rage as I fished my phone out of my clutch and placed a call through. “I’m coming over.” I spat.without waiting for a response, I hung up.“Take me to his apartment,” I instruct the driver as he sped downtown. That bitch. I thought to myself as I replayed Serafina’s words to me. She doesn't know him the way I do. She hadn't watched him lose it when the memories/nightmares hit. She hadn't comforted him when he spiraled after his mum's death. She hadn't waited in silence for years, letting him go and come as he pleased because deep down I thought he would choose me. I believed I was the only one who could handle all of him—his rage, his cruelty, and his rare softness. Adrik and I go way farther than New York. We had grown up together in Russia, our families closely knit, our father’s business partners. I had been hopelessly in love with him for years holding out hope that he would ask me to be his wife. But the only thing he had e

SERAFINA My eyes fluttered open to the empty space beside me, the sheets still warm from the heat of Adrik’s body. He hadn't been gone long. I glanced at the clock: 6:10am Where could he be? I shuffled out of bed and went into the bathroom, doing my business quickly before stepping into the hallway. A strange quietness pressed in as I padded down the corridor, peeking into each room along the way. When I reached the gym, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Curiosity got the better of me and I nudged it open— And froze. Adrik was inside, shirtless, wearing gym shorts, gloves, and workout shoes. My breath caught. He was on the abs machine, his side turned towards me, muscles flexing with every slow rep. Sweat clung to his skin in glistening trails, highlighting every carved line of his body and the beautifully detailed tattoos that ran down his arms and the expanse of his chest. I wonder what the inscriptions and symbols meant. His jaw was tight, his express

ADRIK I glanced up from the file Mikhali had sent, slightly irritated by the soft buzz of my phone which faded when I saw Yuri’s name across the screen. I had instructed him not to call except it was urgent. “Speak,” I commanded. “We have a situation Pakhan.” I shot up abruptly. “Serafina?” “She’s safe.” he paused briefly “Someone planted a note in her bag. A threat. We are on our way back to the penthouse.” My blood turned cold as rage spread through me. “What did it say?” Yuri hesitated which wasn't a wise move on his part. “Yuri” I growled, my patience running thin. “You're not safe, he can't protect you.” My silence was ominous as I stared at the skyline outside my office window,the glass towers glittered as they were bathed in sunlight. But I felt none of the warmth, only the cold certainty that someone had breached a line and dared to touch what was mine. “I want the entire cafe locked down,” I said. “Surveillance retrieved. I want facial recognition