Chapter 45/Twins of the Volkov Line

Chapter 45: 45/Twins of the Volkov Line

Chapter 45

Alexander’s Point of View

Cedric left, slamming the door behind him with a force that shook the walls of the lounge. I remained standing in my place for several seconds, hearing the echo of the slam fade away while my heart raced frantically. I walked toward the sofa with heavy steps and sat down, feeling a slight tremor in my fingertips that I couldn’t control.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes tightly; Stephanie’s image immediately formed behind my eyelids her features, her eyes, every detail of her. A lump formed in my throat as I wondered: Does she agree to this? Is she as happy as I am now?

"My wife..."

I whispered the word, and a delicious shiver swept through my entire body, the hair on my arms standing up from the intensity of the emotion. My expression softened despite myself, and I took a deep, long breath as if I were inhaling her scent already. Fate had granted me what I hadn’t dared to dream of; Stephanie will marry me, she will carry my name, and I will be the one to protect her and protect her children.

I gripped the armrest of the sofa so hard my knuckles turned white as I thought; even if they are from my brother’s loins, I will make them my children. I will build a wall of protection around them that no one dares to breach.

I remembered Cedric’s face, burning with jealousy, and how he had the audacity to come and warn me against touching Stephanie! I let out a muffled, bitter laugh, my body shaking with irony. She is mine. I have touched her, and he is the one who has no right to touch her anymore, because she will be under my protection, inside my fortress, and far from his hand which never knew how to appreciate her value.

I opened my eyes, and their spark had changed. My back stiffened, and I sat up perfectly straight, feeling a power surging through my veins that I had never felt before; the real battle to possess her has only just begun.

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Stephanie’s Point of View

I arrived home with my body trembling completely. I knocked on the door with weak hands, and as soon as my father opened it, he began screaming in my face with a voice that shook the hallway:

"That miserable bastard! How did he dare do this?"

I felt a headache tearing through my brain, so I said pleadingly in a faint voice: "Father, please..."

"Get inside!" he interrupted sharply, pointing toward the interior. "His grandfather is coming to the house now."

I froze in my place, my eyes widening in terror. "What?"

"I called him and told him of his grandson’s folly!" my father replied, slamming the door violently behind me.

I placed my hand on my chest, which was heaving with rapid breaths, and said reproachfully: "Father, you shouldn’t have done this."

"He points a weapon at my face and abducts you from the house? What insolence!" he shouted at me again, the veins in his neck bulging with rage.

I walked inside with heavy steps, as if dragging chains behind me. "Sit in the lounge," he commanded.

"I’m tired..." I whispered exhaustedly, feeling a desire to collapse and cry.

But he shouted again in a tone that accepted no debate: "Sit!"

I threw myself onto the sofa in defeat. My stepmother Celine and my sister Valentina were sitting there; their gazes were like blades piercing through me, looking at me with blatant contempt that made me shrink into myself.

I dug my nails into my palms as I thought of these disasters that had suddenly fallen upon my head.

I closed my eyes in oppression and blamed myself bitterly; I blamed myself because I gave my body to Cedric on ill-fated night. I felt a shiver of disgust at my own stupidity; if I hadn’t done that, none of this would have happened. And now, on top of all my pain, I had to deal with the nightmare of my marriage to Alexander the man I thought was my lover, only for it to suddenly turn out that he is my sister’s lover!

My heart was squeezed by questions, and dizziness swept over me as I stole a glance at Valentina. How? How could he be her lover? And how will I live with him under one roof with all these secrets between us? How will I endure that he deceived me too, just as his brother Cedric did?

A heavy silence prevailed in the lounge, a silence that stifled my breath until I imagined the walls were closing in on me. Suddenly, a dignified and rhythmic knocking broke the quiet. My father jolted from his seat and said in a tone full of anticipation: "Surely, this is Mr. Victor."

He headed to the door, and I heard his voice welcoming him with an affected prestige: "Mr. Victor, please, come in."

A man entered who imposed his presence on the place before uttering a word.

He was tall, his white hair gleaming under the light, and his gray eyes were an exact replica of Cedric’s eyes sharp and piercing to whoever looked into them.

Despite his age, his body was impressively straight, and his luxurious suit emphasized a calculated physique that suggested he cared for his health despite his seven decades.

My father began the introductions, gesturing with his hand: "Allow me to introduce my wife, Celine."

Celine flashed a sycophantic smile and said in a soft tone: "Hello, Mr. Victor, it’s an honor to meet you."

Mr. Victor gave a cold, diplomatic smile. Then my father continued, pointing to Valentina who was sitting tensely: "And this is my younger daughter, Valentina."

Valentina nodded slightly and said: "Welcome."

Finally, all eyes turned to me. My father pointed his hand and said in a dry voice, devoid of any emotion: "And this is my eldest daughter, Stephanie."

Mr. Victor fixed his gray eyes on me and said in a calm tone that carried undeniable authority: "Come closer."

I felt my knees trembling as I rose from my seat.

I walked toward him with staggering steps, and once I reached him, he took my hand in his strong, warm palm. He looked into my eyes with a strange gaze a mixture of sternness and tenderness and whispered: "You are the one carrying my grandchildren in your womb."

Heat rushed to my cheeks and I felt intense shame, so I lowered my head and didn’t answer. He continued in a fatherly tone: "There is no need for shame. I am happy that I will see my grandchildren... I wished for one grandchild, and you have two, so I am very happy."

I raised my eyes to him slowly, feeling a slight relief at his words. I gave a faint smile and said: "They will be lucky to have a grandfather like you."

My father intervened sharply, spoiling the moment: "But they aren’t lucky with their father!"

Mr. Victor turned toward my father, his features changing to formal sobriety. "Mr. Edward, I understand that what happened was not appropriate at all."

"Your grandson trespassed into my home and abducted my daughter by force, and he also pointed his weapon at my face!" my father replied with anger he couldn’t suppress, waving his hand.

"Accept my apologies for this. I will speak with him," Mr. Victor said with a calmness that absorbed the rage.

And suddenly, without any preamble, my father asked in an urgent tone that shocked me: "When is the wedding?"

My body stiffened, and a shiver ran through my limbs; I hadn’t expected my father to pose the question so directly, as if he wanted to get rid of me at any cost. I held my breath as I waited for Mr. Victor’s response, while my heartbeat hammered violently against my ribs.