Amidst the excitement of Anashia and Alia's photo shoot, Viktor sat in his drawing room, flipping through old albums. Looking at these photos, even his stony heart felt a momentary surge of memories.
Viktor pulled Elena close and sat her on his lap. Elena was in tears, her heart heavy. Viktor tenderly wiped away her tears and pointed toward the pictures.
Viktor: (In a deep, calm voice) "Don't cry, Elena. Look at this photo... this was from when you were very small. When I first held you in my arms like this, everyone in the mansion was amazed they said you looked exactly like me! You inherited my blue eyes and white hair."
Elena stopped crying and stared at the photo in wonder. In the picture, Viktor was dressed in majestic royal attire, his elegance illuminating the entire room.
Viktor: "Then, when your mother held you, she was so happy! Alia was the most beautiful queen in the world back then. I captured that historical moment of us together that very day. Look at us... we are the Russian Royal Family. Power and regality are mixed in our blood."
The photo showed Alia wearing a stunning red gown and a royal crown, cradling baby Elena. The images of Viktor and Alia's old days told a story of ethereal beauty.
Viktor: "Our family is no ordinary family, Elena. The blood flowing in your veins is the blood of kings. When you cry, this nobility fades. Remember, you are the princess of the Petrov Empire."
Elena rested her head on her father's chest and grew calm. She realized that no matter what happened outside, these royal roots would always protect her. But she had no idea how much the curse of the Blue Blood hidden behind this nobility had complicated their lives. When Alia returned to the mansion after finishing the photoshoot, only a few moments remained before the first light of dawn. As the car pulled up to the massive main entrance, the surroundings felt eerily quiet. Alia walked up the stairs with exhausted steps.
As she reached the door, a maid quickly opened it. There was a hint of surprise and fear in her eyes; she hadn't expected to see Alia returning so late. Alia stepped inside, holding up her long black dress slightly. Her hair was still somewhat disheveled, a testament to the long struggle of the night.
Alia looked around calmly and then turned toward the maid.
Alia: (In a tired but serious voice) "Has everyone gone to sleep? Why is the mansion so silent?"
The maid bowed her head and replied in a very low voice, "Yes, Ma'am, everyone has retired to their rooms. But..." She hesitated, gesturing toward the drawing room. "The Master (Viktor) is still in the drawing room. He has been sitting there with the little Princess for a long time."
Alia paused for a moment. She hadn't realized Viktor and Elena were still awake. A strange sense of dread washed over her did Viktor know where she had been? Had he heard about the POMA photoshoot?
Without saying a word, Alia began walking slowly toward the drawing room. The 'clack-clack' sound of her heels on the floor created a haunting echo in the silent mansion. She saw Viktor sitting alone in the distance, with the old photo albums open before him. Alia's return seemed like the omen of a new storm.As soon as Alia entered the drawing room, she saw Elena half-asleep in her father's lap. Without saying a word, Alia gestured with her eyes to her 14-year-old daughter to leave. Elena understood her mother's silent command; she quietly climbed down from Viktor's lap and headed to her room.
Now, only Alia and Viktor remained in the room. The silence felt as heavy as stone. Viktor rose from the sofa and walked slowly toward Alia, his eyes sharp enough to pierce through her.
Viktor: (In an incredibly deep and cold voice) "Why so late, Alia? The night is ending, dawn is breaking, and you return just now?"
Alia didn't respond; she simply stood her ground with her usual regality. Viktor took another step forward until the distance between them vanished. He leaned in close and took a deep breath near Alia's neck, as if trying to extract the truth of her whereabouts from her scent.
Alia shuddered as she felt Viktor's warm breath against her skin. Viktor instantly recognized the faint scent of her perfume mixed with the artificial smoke of the studio.
Viktor: (Whispering near her ear) "The scent of the perfume I gave you has faded, Alia. Instead, I smell something sharp... and this dress? This isn't just any ordinary dress. Tell me the truth, what game were you playing tonight?"
Alia lifted her head and met Viktor's gaze. There was no guilt in her eyes, only a challenge.
Alia: "Is it always necessary to give an explanation, Viktor? Sometimes, silence speaks loud enough."
Viktor placed his hand near her throat, his fingers cold as ice. He realized that the boundary Alia crossed tonight would lead to consequences that were far from pleasant. Viktor's cold suspicion finally snapped Alia's patience. The silence of the drawing room instantly transformed into a violent storm. Alia jerked Viktor's hand away from her throat.
Alia: (Screaming) "Don't touch me, Viktor! Do you think I'm just a piece of furniture in your mansion that has to stay in front of your eyes at all times?"
Viktor's jaw tightened, his pupils constricting with rage. He stepped closer and gripped both of her shoulders tightly. His mafia persona had fully awakened.
Viktor: (Roaring) "Don't raise your voice at me, Alia! I asked you—where were you? Who were you with? You've been out all night, and now you return in this strange outfit and dare to argue with me? Don't test my patience!"
Alia: (Defiantly) "Patience? Do you even know what patience is, Viktor? I am exhausted from being trapped in your cage for years! Today, I followed my own will. I did what I liked. I broke through your walls of nobility and stepped out."
Viktor pulled her closer, his voice low but extremely dangerous.
Viktor: "Stepped out? Or were you playing some filthy game with Anashia? I know everything, Alia! The scent on you, this dress—it all tells me you wanted to challenge me. Tell me, what were you two doing at that POMA studio?"
Alia: (With a scornful laugh) "If you already know, why ask? Yes, I modeled! I showed the whole world that I am not just Viktor Petrov's wife; I have my own identity. I stepped out of your dark world and into the light!"
In a fit of rage, Viktor smashed an expensive vase nearby. Glass shards flew everywhere.
Viktor: "Not light, Alia—you've stepped onto the path of destruction! You cannot auction off the honor of the Petrov family like this. If those photos ever go public, remember I will grind your pride into the dust!"
Their fierce quarrel made the entire mansion tremble. Upstairs in her room, 14-year-old Elena cowered in fear, knowing that when her parents fought like this, the outcome was never good. Alia's eyes widened in shock. She stood frozen for a few seconds, then fixed a sharp gaze on Viktor and asked in a piercing voice.
Alia: "Wait a minute... how did you know? Anashia and I went in total secrecy. No bodyguards, no word out. You weren't there, so how did you know?"
Viktor removed his hands from her, but his gaze became even more terrifying. He took a step back and let out a strangely cruel laugh. His tall frame and the shattered glass on the floor made him look like a powerful monster in that moment.
Viktor: (In a dead-calm, stony voice) "Did you truly think you could reach that studio without me noticing? Don't forget, Alia—I am not just your husband. I am the Russian Mafia Lord. Every brick wall in this city speaks for me. Every CCTV camera follows my command."
He began to pace slowly around Alia, like a predator circling its prey.
Viktor: "Your phone's location, that cameraman's banking transactions, even exactly what pose Anashia had you in inside that studio—reports were reaching me every single minute. Even the sky you breathe under is under my surveillance. I am the Lord, Alia. Not a single leaf moves in this city without my permission."
Alia realized she had made a massive mistake. She thought she was free, but Viktor's invisible web had always been tightly wrapped around her.
Viktor: (Stepping back in front of her) "You modeled; fine. But I have already made sure those photos never leave the editing table. Because I don't give anyone the audacity to play with the honor of this Lord not you, and not Anashia."
Alia stood with her back against the wall. She felt that Viktor's power of control wasn't just the pride of authority; it was an addiction one that would never let her go. Alia's direct attack shattered Viktor's stony calm in an instant. She took a step forward, looking into Viktor's eyes with a scornful laugh.
Alia: "Viktor, stop the drama! You knew perfectly well that Anashia would model. You practically encouraged him because no one knows better than I do how close friends you two are. From your old laboratory days until now, you've known each other's every move."
She paused, her voice becoming even sharper.
Alia: "Why so much jealousy now? Why are you breaking glasses? A few hours ago, when we were in bed, you were the one who said our relationship is just a curse of Blue Blood, devoid of any affection. You were the one who wanted to let me go! Now that I've found that freedom in my own way, why is your Mafia Lord ego burning so much?"
Hearing the mention of the 'bed' and 'freedom' caused the suppressed volcano within Viktor to explode. In one leap, he pinned Alia against the wall. His wrists were trembling with rage.
Viktor: (Roaring) "Alia! Do not cross your limits! I know Anashia well enough to know how dangerous he can be. And you talk about the bed? That was a moment of weakness, but it doesn't mean I'll let you become a puppet in someone else's hands!"
In a fit of fury, Viktor slammed his fist into the wall next to Alia's head. A bit of the plaster cracked.
Viktor: "Me telling you to leave doesn't mean you can take my honor and auction it in the market! Anashia might be my friend, but he is also my rival. And you? You are my personal property! I will not allow anyone else to point a lens at what belongs to me as long as I am alive!"
Viktor's eyes had turned a deep crimson in the darkness. He brought his face close to hers and whispered, "If you think Anashia can take you from me, remember I can turn that studio and your entire glamour world into ashes in a heartbeat."
Alia was stunned by Viktor's extreme reaction. She realized that behind Viktor and Anashia's friendship lay a massive store of gunpowder, and she was standing right in the middle of the fire.