Alyona – POV

My heart sank when I heard Dad’s voice echo through the hall.

“I’ve been silent long enough. You brought my daughter into your revenge scheme. You manipulated her trust. I will never, never, agree to their relationship.”

I stood there, frozen by the doorway, listening to him and Ashton in the living room. My mother placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, but I could feel her unease too.

“Vlad,” she whispered. “Don’t let this be permanent.”

His eyes flicked to ...