revenge

Lalin Vongviphan is a gifted architect whose life is a blueprint of crumbling dreams. While she spends her days designing skylines, her reality is grounded in the suffocating debt of her father’s gambling—a staggering one billion baht owed to Bangkok’s most ruthless predators. When the sharks begin to circle her family, an unlikely savior appears from the glass towers of the city: Phakin Rattana, the reclusive billionaire known as the "King of Bangkok." Phakin offers a lifeline that feels more like a golden noose. He will erase her father’s debt and provide top-tier medical care in exchange for a three-year marriage contract. Lalin must play the role of the perfect, devoted wife to repair his image and navigate the treacherous waters of high-society PR. She enters the "Gilded Cage" expecting cold indifference, but she is met with a man who is as intoxicating as he is terrifying. Behind his clinical mask, Phakin is a man of "obsidian" features and "casually cruel" beauty, whose touch—though rare—ignites an electric connection Lalin cannot explain. However, Lalin is unaware that she is the centerpiece of a decade-long masterpiece of revenge. Phakin blames Lalin’s father for the Red Sky Mall collapse—a tragedy that claimed the lives of his parents. To him, Lalin is not a wife; she is a variable to be "neutralized," a hostage taken to force her father to watch his most precious possession belong to his enemy. As they navigate "public perception management" trips to private islands and glittering galas, the scripted lines begin to blur. Phakin find himself protecting Lalin from his own ex-fiancée, Araya, and her past flame, Kit. In the "Shadow of the West Wing," Lalin discovers the dark truth of Phakin’s obsession, leading to a collision of secrets. When the realization hits that they may both be pawns of a deeper conspiracy involving "Emerald Peak," the King of Bangkok must decide if he will follow his plan to break her, or burn his empire to the ground to keep her.

Yu Xiao believed death was the end—until she awakened in another world as Feng Xiaotian, a feared sovereign erased from history and bound to the legendary Primordial Fire Phoenix. With no memories of this body’s past, she is hurled into ancient feuds, celestial conspiracies, and a demon king’s prophecy that has shaped the fate of the realms for five of thousands of years. Enemies hunt her for a power she cannot yet command. Followers kneel before a ruler she does not remember being. And then there is Long Jianyu—the stoic Azure Heaven Sovereign, once the Young Master of the Blue Flames Pavilion, bearer of the last pure dragon bloodline… and the man cursed by An Chi through an unbreakable geas. Their fates were bound long before this lifetime—by phoenix fire and azure dragon blood, by genocide, prophecy, and a curse that turns love itself into a forbidden risk. Drawn together by destiny neither of them chose, their bond is as dangerous as it is irresistible. As sealed wars awaken and forgotten bloodlines rise, Yu Xiao must decide whether to sever fate itself… or burn with the man the heavens once tried to destroy. In a world ruled by fire, dragons, and divine curse, their love may be the only force that can shatter fate— or the final trigger that plunges all realms into ruin.

In the era of the Old World, there walked women who did not merely cast magic, but breathed life into the world. They were the weavers of Black Magic, more commonly known as Witches. For thousands of years, the earth has been barren of them. For a Witch is not born; she is wrought. The scholars of the Old World claimed three conditions unlock this forbidden power: First, there must be the Drowning of the Heart. The woman must be pushed past the breaking point of human sorrow. Grief must become the water that drowns her humanity. Second, there must be the Sharpening of the Will. Hate must become the steel of her spine. She must choose not to weep, but to burn. Third, and most rare, there must be the Anchor of the Beast. A Witch without a tether is but a storm that consumes itself. She requires a devotion that rivals her own: a dragon who would trade his divinity to stand in the shadow of her thorns. When these three tides collide, the mage dies, and the Witch awakens. It is said that when the Witch returns, the mountains will breathe again. The dead woods will scream, and the kingdoms of men will be reclaimed by a garden that never sleeps.

Ongoing new Russia Novel Bangladesh novel Author’s Note21+ Ninel Nastasya Anna (Writer Oriniska) This is the final chapter of The Fate of the Shadow. Due to account limitations, I am unable to officially mark this story as “complete on Webnovel. However, I want all my readers to know—this is truly the end of the journey for these characters. Their story ends here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, supporting, and staying with this story until the very last word. I hope their fate, choices, and shadows remain with you long after the final chapter. — Author Anna ⚠️ Age Advisory (21+) This story is intended for readers aged 21 and above. It contains adult themes, intense emotional conflict, dark elements, violence, and psychological tension. Please read responsibly and at your own discretion. Copyright Notice © 2025–2028, Ninel Nastasya Anna Orinska. All rights reserved. The Fate of the Shadow is an original work by Ninel Nastasya Anna. No part of this story may be reproduced, copied, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews or other non-commercial purposes permitted by law. Written & Illustrated by: Ninel Nastasya Anna Orinska Languages: Bengali, English, Russian First Edition: 2028 Story Overview — The Fate of the Shadow Alia is a brave and intelligent woman carrying deep secrets hidden within her family and true identity. Her search for truth leads her into dangerous missions, covert operations, and a world shrouded in shadows. Along the way, she encounters Viktor—a mysterious man shaped by a dark, violent past. Their collision sparks a complex relationship—built on trust, betrayal, desire, and conflict. Together, they navigate a brutal underworld where loyalty is tested, love becomes a weapon, and survival comes at the highest price. Genres & Themes Dark Romance Dual Lives & Secret Missions Action, Thriller & Adventure Mafia & Criminal Underworld Royal Bloodlines & Traditions Betrayal & Revenge Drug Trade & Dark Networks Intense Chemistry & Psychological Conflict Power Struggles & Control Loyalty vs Duty Character Profile — Alia Skills Summary Alia is a highly trained operative and versatile warrior, excelling in physical, psychological, and technological combat. Martial Arts Expertise: Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, advanced hand-to-hand combat. Weapons Mastery: Expert in sniper rifles, handguns, submachine guns (SMGs), and specialized firearms with exceptional precision. Psychological Warfare: Skilled at destabilizing opponents through manipulation, mental tactics, and strategic deception. Technology & Cyber Espionage: Proficient in hacking, encryption bypass, cybersecurity infiltration, drone operation, and covert surveillance.Character Profile — Viktor Skills Summary Viktor is a highly skilled operative and strategic enforcer, shaped by a dark, violent past and honed in covert operations and criminal underworld networks. He excels in psychological manipulation, combat strategy, and high-stakes intelligence missions. Combat Expertise: Master in hand-to-hand combat, Krav Maga, close-quarter tactics, and disarming opponents. Exceptional skill in firearms, including sniper rifles, assault rifles, pistols, and specialized tactical weapons. Psychological Warfare: Adept at destabilizing targets through intimidation, deception, and mental manipulation. Expert in reading opponents’ behavior and exploiting weaknesses. Intelligence & Covert Operations: Skilled in surveillance, counter-surveillance, infiltration, and extraction missions. Proficient in cybersecurity, hacking, encryption bypass, and covert communication techniques. Strategic Leadership: Capable of planning high-risk missions, manipulating power dynamics, and controlling outcomes. Operates in morally gray areas where loyalty, survival, and control are constantly tested.

Transported to the One Piece world. As a time traveler whose golden finger's activation condition was bizarrely set at age 60. Ignis Glow resolutely chose to join the Marines. He spent his days slacking off and clocking in. He witnessed the rise and fall of various eras of sea monsters. Today, the Marineford War is imminent. Ignis Glow, an old soldier, is preparing to retire. He doesn't want to be involved in any more trouble. Unexpectedly, the town where Ignis Glow lived for over thirty years was destroyed for failing to pay the Heavenly Tribute. Witnessing everything, Ignis Glow. With the system's granted 'Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto' template, he chose for the first time to break his peaceful life. He decided to take revenge on this chaotic world. "Since this is a world where the weak cannot survive, let me break it with my own hands." "All Things in the Universe, Turn to Ashes!"

Alternative Tittle: The Second Male Lead’s POV (in an Otome World) Starting a forbidden relationship with the duke’s daughter was the most reckless thing Lucian had ever done in his life. Up until now, his only risks were hunting rare saplings from dangerous places. Now, he was breaking the nobles’ rules. And it backfired, horribly. Not once, not twice, not thrice but multiple times. He almost died once, lost a few friends, fled his homeland, and then almost died again, but here he was, not really learning. "So dumb," the devil voice in his head whispered in disdain, "How more idiotic can you get?" "As far as idiocy goes deep," Lucian answered, accepting the new path of his life, "And it goes deep. And wide." Goal: get wealthy and powerful enough to afford more idiocy Current arsenal: blood, sweat, tears, and pure wits Start point: gardener End point: unknown TAGS: #twistedMC #manipulativeMC #YANDERExYANDERE #NO-NTR #loyalMC #loyalFL #insaneFL #evilFL #forbidden-love #you-can't-f‎ix-her-FL #lovers-to-enemies-to-??? #nobility #fantasy #pirates #secret-organization-building #territorymanagement #obsessive-love #comedy #conspiracy #businessman #moneymaking #mystery #Adult #Mature Trigger warnings: LOADS OF ROMANCE, toxic love, the villain tag refers to MC (he won't start as a villain though)

After getting divorced from her husband, the man her family sold her off to, Roseanne found out that she was pregnant. The worst part? The child wasn’t his. The night she caught her husband cheating on her with her sister, on the very bed that was supposed to be theirs, her heart shattered into pieces and she ran out crying like an idiot. Roseanne ended up in a hotel bar she had never been to before. And that was where she met Czar Nikolai Romano. He was… devastatingly handsome, dangerously composed, and the kind of man women whispered about in daydreams and warnings alike. There were plenty of red flags screaming at her that he was someone she shouldn’t get involved with. But fueled by heartbreak and betrayal, she bravely took the drink he offered. Now, four years later, a tiny carbon copy of the man she spent one reckless night with ran around her house clutching toy cars in his little hands. Roseanne thought her life had ended the moment she found out she was pregnant, but it turns out, Kaden became the only joy she lives to protect. She must protect her son. From Czar, who was obsessed with making them his. From Galen, the ex-husband who apparently wanted her back. And from the dangers of a world she never knew existed. Or maybe, she was already part of it all along. — “Mister, don’t flirt with Mommy!” Czar froze. “I don’t want a baby brother!” Roseanne flushed bright red. “Kaden!” — [WARNING: MATURE CONTENT (18+)]

Aren Frost, CEO of Titan Crest Entertainment, finds his life crumbling before his eyes on the day of his 22nd wedding anniversary. His wife was in bed with the chairman and owner of his company. This man was his best friend for whose company he dedicated his life to. "How can you do this?" He asks, yelling with tear filled eyes. "This isn't something new." The man smirks, "We were lovers before you even got married." Aren's world crumbled. "Even the daughter you cherishes isn't yours." The man reveals, snickering, "She is my biological daughter." Aren tries to kill the man in anger, but his bodyguards appears and takes him away. He is killed, disguised as an accident. Just when he thought it was over, he finds himself in the body of an idol, hated by fans. The idol was retired, and condemned for being the reason for group's disbandment. Then— [Ding!] [Welcome Host, I'm the Acting System.] [Rise and become the superstar of this generation.] Aren, however, didn't care. He wanted revenge! He will take everything precious away from him. He took his wife, now, Aren will take every woman he cares for. He will turn them against him.

Once upon a time, Eclipse lived a quiet life—until the Moon Goddess bound her to Malric NorthSteed, Alpha Prince of the North. A man who was Cold, Ruthless and Ambitious beyond mercy. On the night she was rejected as his mate, Malric slaughtered her entire pack… and then crowned another woman his bride. Buried under the burning betrayal, Eclipse dies with her family, but five years later, she is reborn as Arrow—an assassin feared by wicked nobles and criminals alike; a ghost whispered through the underworld. Every life she takes is training that sharpens her resolve toward a single purpose: Kill Malric NorthSteed. Then burn his entire empire to the ground. But Malric is no longer just an Alpha Prince. He is now the Alpha King of the North—untouchable behind towering palace walls and absolute power. So to reach him, Eclipse must do the unthinkable. She enters the grand Bridal Selection, a ruthless competition of fifty women vying to become his next Luna Queen—each bride hiding secrets, ambitions, and bloodstained desires of their own. Disguised, surrounded by spies and trapped among obsessed rivals and lethal politics, Eclipse plays the role of the demure woman seeking Malric’s heart… while plotting to rip it from his chest. Yet as the competition turns deadly, a terrifying truth emerges. In this game of hearts and death, she is far from the only pawn on the board; Her family’s massacre was no simple act of cruelty; The bond she once shared with Malric NorthSteed had been anything but an accident; Not to mention that Malric has been playing this game long before she even drew her bow, Eclipse tows the line of danger while donning on a fake mask before him. Because if Malric discovers who she truly is— If he realizes she is the mate he once rejected— If the embers between them ignite into something dangerously real— Then Eclipse will face a fate far worse than death. For when he catches her, no arrow, no mask, no hatred will save her. Not from his vengeance. Not from his power. Not from the forbidden love that could destroy them both.

The heavens have always been ruled by the Twelve, their celestial light guiding the fate of every soul on Earth. But the stars are hiding a lie. When the world is plunged into the "Star-Fall Event," the constellations we once looked up to reveal their true, predatory nature. Amidst the chaos, an ancient, forbidden power stirs—the Thirteenth Constellation, Ophiuchus.

In a world where every eighteen-year-old awakens a magical class, Arjun Verma receives the most useless class of all — “Shadow Servant.” Mocked by his academy, abandoned by his friends, and labeled a failure, Arjun is sent into a beginner dungeon to prove he isn’t completely worthless. But inside the dungeon… he dies. Or at least, he should have. Instead, a forbidden system awakens within him. [Shadow System Activated] [Host has been selected as the Successor of the Abyss] Now Arjun can steal shadows, evolve them, and level beyond human limits. The same academy that laughed at him will soon kneel. Because the rejected one… is about to become the nightmare of gods.

Betrayed and shattered, that was the instant she caught the attention of a mysterious and handsome unknown man. Who got lust wishing to have her body?Without wasting much time, he kidnapped and entrapped her on his bed, having her as a meal... morning, afternoon and night... Although he is cold-hearted, yet he treats her well. The only thing she despises about him is having her body against her wish. But there is one deadly secret about this sex addict that she doesn't know about. Later on her ex-husband wishes to have her back...war, fight, hatred unveiled between these two men in her life... dragging and competing among themselves on who will have her. But it all lies in her hands on whom she will choose between them. Will she choose the man who kidnapped and entrapped her on his bed? OR will she choose her ex husband who has divorced and hurt her feelings for him? _____________________ "What's that?" Willow asked, looking at the paper on the table. "A contract paper" "What sort of contract?" She asked, confusion was plastered on her face. "A contract that will be signed between us" Fernando replied, his eyes not leaving her, he wants to see each and every one of her reactions. "I don't understand" "I have what you want and you got what I want" Fernando replied. Willow wanted to ruffle her hair, she is really losing it already. What's he talking about? "And what do I want?" She asked. Fernando looked into her eyes. "Satisfying your sexual urges" _______________

The Heavens gave them weapons. To me, they gave an Abyss. In the Aethelgard Empire, your soul is your strength. On the Day of Awakening, every youth manifests a Soul Armament—holy blades, indestructible shields, or elemental staves. These gifts are powered by the Sun-Forge Stone, a celestial relic that has fueled the Empire’s glory for three millennia. Ren Thorne was expected to be nothing. The son of a branded traitor, he grew up in the mud of the Outer Districts, surviving on scraps and the bitter memory of his father’s execution. But when Ren touches the Sun-Forge Stone, he doesn't manifest a weapon. He manifests a Singularity. While others strike with fire and steel, Ren consumes. His Soul Armament is a "Void Orb"—a literal hole in reality that eats mana, relics, and the very spells of his enemies. Labeled a "Cursed Grade" and hunted by the Empire’s elite Solar Knights, Ren is forced into the shadows. But the darkness has its own rules. Guided by a mysterious System that demands he "Feed or Die," Ren begins a journey to reclaim his family’s honor and dismantle a corrupt celestial order. Level by level. Star by star. In a world that worships the light, they will learn to fear the man who commands the silence between the stars. For Ren Thorne is not just a survivor. He is the Primordial Void King.

Five years ago, they destroyed her life and stole her child, leaving her for dead in the shadows. Now, Mo Yan has returned as a lethal queen of the screen, ready to burn her enemies to ashes. She thought she was alone in her revenge, until she met the city’s most dangerous man: Lu Zhenting. He offers her a throne and a wedding ring, but his protection comes with a terrifying price. Behind the walls of his manor, Mo Yan discovers a secret that links her tragic past to his silent son. In a world of hidden marriages and deadly lies, will she find her justice, or fall into a deeper trap?

In a vast fantasy world where countless dangers lurk for humans and demi-humans alike, no creature is more fearsome or powerful than the Dragons, proud, intelligent beasts who stand at the very peak of existence. Dragons do not fight for kings or armies. They are the purest manifestation of nature’s fury and brutality, beings born to stand alone. Yet even such creatures seek a connection, a single partner chosen only once in their lifetime, bound through a unique Pact that links body and soul as one. Those chosen are no ordinary individuals. Dragon Riders soar through the skies atop their mighty companions, dominating land and air alike with powers of overwhelming magnitude. Thus begins a ruthless race between peoples and nations, each striving to secure the loyalty of the most powerful Dragon Riders the world can produce. This is the story of Theo, a noble whose family was brutally murdered, leaving him orphaned and alone as a child. Now a young man, his gaze turns toward the Royal Academy of Dragon Riders of the Empire of the Four Kingdoms, for nothing could serve vengeance better than a creature that embodies the raw fury of nature itself. But while Theo’s steps are driven by revenge, his journey will be filled with both intriguing allies and cruel enemies. And in his search for a battle companion, he will discover something far more precious, because the same mythical beast capable of terrorizing the skies and the land also holds another side, one far more unexpected than anyone could imagine.

When her father is publicly disgraced and stripped of his noble title after being framed for treason, Lady Alora Grayford is cast from privilege into obscurity overnight. Her family’s estate is seized, their name dragged through mud, and society turns its back on them. But Elara knows one truth: her father is innocent—and the powerful household of Balemont orchestrated his fall. Determined to restore her father’s honor, Alora disguises herself and infiltrates the very family that ruined them, securing a position within the Balemont household under an assumed identity. Her plan is simple: uncover the truth, expose their crimes, and reclaim her family’s legacy. What she does not plan is the heir. Lord Vadrian Balemont—the kingdom’s most sought-after gentleman—is brilliant, guarded, and far more honorable than the ruthless dynasty he represents. As Alora moves through glittering balls, secret corridors, and whispered political schemes, she discovers that Vadrian may not be her enemy… but her greatest temptation. As secrets unravel, alliances shift, and forbidden feelings bloom, Alora must decide: will she sacrifice love for justice, or risk everything to become the most powerful woman in the kingdom—and the one person capable of rewriting its future? A sweeping Regency tale of revenge, deception, slow-burn romance, and political intrigue, where love and ambition collide and a fallen lady rises to become the kingdom’s most influential woman.

In just twenty-four hours, Cassia Marcelli’s not-so-perfect life turned one hundred and eighty degrees worse. Her father—the Don—was assassinated. She was betrayed from within her own family and thrown into a private blood auction, sold like spoils of war to the highest bidder. There, she was bought by the most powerful man in the underworld. And that man… was none other than her first love. The boy she believed to be dead. He offers her a deal: stay and play the part of his mistress in the public eye to secure his claim as the new Don or be sent back to the auction block. Cassia has no choice. It’s either him or the savages who were ready to claim her. Kairos Moreau returned from the dead to exact revenge on his enemies and claim his rightful place as king of the underworld. But the first thing he did was reclaim what he lost five years ago. Cassia Marcelli. The only woman he ever wanted but could never have. She hates him. Kairos doesn’t care. He is determined to burn that hatred out of her—until it turns into something far more dangerous they both cannot resist. something more consuming like the desire he has for her. But behind his icy threats lie obsession, guilt, desire and secrets he refuses to confess. And as enemies close in and the truth behind her father’s death begins to unravel, Cassia starts to wonder: Did Kairos save her Or was he the one who destroyed everything she loved?

"I watched you execute me. I watched the empire burn. Now I'm back—and this time, I'm saving us both." Wei Lian died on her knees in the Imperial Garden, accused of poisoning the Crown Prince she'd never even met. As the executioner's blade fell, she watched Emperor Shen Yao's cold eyes—the same eyes that had never once looked at her with anything but indifference during her three years as his forgotten concubine. Then she watched the empire fall. Witnessed the palace burn. Saw the Emperor fight to his last breath against the rebel forces that tore his dynasty to ashes. And then she woke up—three years earlier, on the day she entered the palace as a lowly concubine from a disgraced family. Wei Lian knows exactly what's coming: which concubines will betray her, which ministers are traitors, when the floods will devastate the south, and most importantly—that in eighteen months, everything she knows will be destroyed. The Crown Prince will be poisoned. The Emperor will execute the wrong person. The empire's greatest general will defect. And civil war will consume them all. She should run. Escape the palace before the trap closes. Instead, she makes a different choice: she'll change everything. Armed with three years of future knowledge and nothing to lose, Wei Lian begins playing the deadliest game in the empire—palace politics. She exposes conspiracies before they hatch, saves lives that were meant to be lost, and speaks truths that should be impossible for a concubine to know. The Emperor notices. Shen Yao has ruled through fear and control for eight years, his heart frozen after losing everyone he ever loved to betrayal. He keeps his concubines at a distance, uses people like chess pieces, and trusts no one. But this strange woman—this lowly concubine who was supposed to be invisible—keeps appearing where she shouldn't be, knowing things she couldn't possibly know, and looking at him with eyes that hold too much sorrow. "Why do you watch me like you're mourning someone?" he demands. "Because I am, Your Majesty," she whispers. "I'm mourning the man you're going to become if I fail." Every life she saves alters the future. Every conspiracy she unravels changes the timeline. And every moment she spends near the Emperor draws them into a connection that was never supposed to exist—because in her first life, he never loved her. Never even knew her name before he ordered her death. But the future is fighting back. The harder she works to prevent catastrophe, the more dangerous enemies emerge. The Empress wants her dead. The Imperial Consort is a poisonous schemer. The rebels are already moving. And the real mastermind behind the empire's fall—someone she never identified in her first life—is hunting her. Worse: she's falling for a man destined to become a tyrant. A man who, in the original timeline, loved someone else—the beautiful Imperial Consort Hua Rong, whose "death" will drive him to madness and massacre. Wei Lian must choose: save the empire and lose the Emperor's heart to the woman fate chose for him, or save the man and watch the world burn. She died once for an empire that never valued her. This time, she'll make them all pay attention—even if it means becoming the most dangerous woman in the palace. The future isn't written. It's a war. And she's already won it once.

An exiled princess, a poisoned husband, and a battle for power—Eirian Soliel refuses to be forgotten, but can she turn a cold marriage into a fiery alliance before it’s too late? First cousin to the King and the darling of the Court of Sorrow, Eirian has spent most of her life indulging all her whims and fantasies under the protection of her royal blood, but when her father’s sudden re-marriage results in a son, she finds herself suddenly shuffled aside. On top of that, her longtime on-and-off romantic partner suddenly betrays her. Instead of proposing to her, he shows up to her birthday ball, married to a low-ranked Lady without a word of warning. Eirian’s life is upended, and her stepmother succeeds in exiling her into an arranged marriage with a general who never leaves the distant borderland. Regimented, completely disinterested in the capitol and the Court, and dying from a poison no one can identify, her new husband would rather continue his simple life with his mistress than welcome his new wife, but Eirian refuses to go down without fight. Determined to make a place for herself if she cannot find one, Eirian finds herself facing an enemy she never expected, and she underestimates her shy, gentle husband. Will the General fall for his vivacious Princess, or will Eirian be set aside again?

Zara never expected one impulsive act of kindness to tie her to one of Genoa’s most powerful families. The night she helped a wounded stranger, she didn’t know he was Luca Bellini, the heir to an old empire built on influence, silence, and carefully buried violence. In Luca’s world, kindness is currency. It is exchanged, negotiated, or weaponized. It is never freely given. But Zara gives it without asking for his name. That is what unsettles him. That is what stays. What begins as quiet gratitude becomes something far more dangerous. Luca finds himself searching for her in places he has no reason to be. Memorizing the rhythm of her routines. Ensuring a car is always nearby. Ensuring no unfamiliar face lingers too long. He tells himself it is precaution. The night she saved him, he was attacked by one of his father’s rivals. Anyone connected to him becomes leverage. Weakness. Target. He cannot afford weakness. And yet, he cannot seem to walk away. The closer he watches, the more he realizes Zara is unlike anyone in his carefully controlled world. She speaks to him without fear. Looks at him without calculation. Treats him like a man instead of a surname. For the first time, Luca Bellini wants something that cannot be acquired through power. But the heir to an old mafia dynasty does not pursue recklessly. Enemies are waiting. Alliances are fragile. One wrong move could place Zara directly in the crossfire. So he keeps his distance. He protects her from the shadows. He tells himself watching is enough. Until the line between protection and obsession begins to blur. And the most dangerous thing about Luca Bellini is not the empire he will inherit... It’s what he is willing to risk for the one person who was never meant to be part of it.