Taken By A Dangerous Mafia Lord: Chapters 1–5

Chandria's POV

“Hey, Daniel. Are you coming to our fourth anniversary celebration tonight? You know we planned this, right?” I asked eagerly, my heart fluttering with excitement.

“Yeah. I'll be there.” His voice was distant. Detached. Odd, but I shook it off.

“Okay, see you. I love you.”

“Okay.”

He ended the call before I could respond. My lips parted, ready to say something—anything—but all I heard was the empty beep of the disconnected line.

No “I love you” back. No warmth in his tone.

I stared at my phone, my fingers tightening around it.

Was he distracted? Tired? Or was something wrong? Doubt crept into my chest, whispering unwelcome thoughts. Four years together, and yet, lately, he felt distant. Cold. Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe tonight, everything would change.

Forcing a smile, I shook off the unease. He promised he’d be there. That was enough. Right?

Tonight was special. I just knew he would propose. I could feel it.

I placed my phone on the vanity and checked my reflection in the mirror. My long, dark hair cascaded in soft waves over my shoulders, and my makeup was flawless—just enough to enhance my features without looking overdone. The red dress I wore hugged my curves perfectly, its silky fabric clinging to my body like a second skin. I wanted this night to be unforgettable.

I grabbed my purse and left my apartment, my heart thudding with anticipation.

The restaurant was warm, filled with the soft hum of chatter and clinking glasses. Golden chandeliers bathed the space in a gentle glow, and the scent of roasted lamb and fresh bread filled the air.

I sat at our reserved table, my fingers tapping lightly against the polished surface.

A waiter approached. “What would you like to order, Ma’am?”

I shook my head with a polite smile. “I’m waiting for someone.”

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

Excitement slowly turned into unease.

Where was he?

Just as I reached for my phone, I heard footsteps.

“Chandria.”

I turned with a bright smile—only for it to freeze on my lips.

Daniel stood before me. But he wasn’t alone.

Beside him was a woman.

My stomach twisted painfully. My fingers clenched around the edge of the table as I stared at her.

“C-Catherine?” My voice barely came out.

Why was she here? Why was she with Daniel?

I looked at him, searching for an answer. “W-Why is she with you?”

He glanced at her, then back at me. The words that followed shattered my world.

“I want you to meet my fiancé.”

The restaurant fell into silence—or maybe it was just my mind, drowning everything else out.

“W-What?” My breath hitched. My legs wobbled. I clutched the table for support.

No. This had to be a joke!

“What do you mean… your fiancé?” My voice trembled. “We’ve been together for four years, Daniel! You said you had something important to tell me tonight. You were going to propose, right?”

Catherine’s sharp laugh cut through the air. I reached out, desperate as I stood up.

“Daniel!”

But she shoved me back. Hard!

“Back off, bitch. Don’t touch my man!”

I stumbled, my heels slipping on the polished floor. My back collided with the table, sending glasses and plates crashing to the ground. Gasps erupted from nearby diners.

Pain shot through my palms as glass shards dug into my skin. But nothing compared to the agony tearing through my chest.

Catherine stepped closer, towering over me as I sat humiliated on the floor.

I knew her.

How could I forget?

She was my tormentor. My nightmare. The girl who made my college years hell.

And now, she was Daniel’s fiancé?

I turned to him. The man I loved. The man I trusted!

But his eyes… they were cold. Indifferent.

He didn’t flinch. He didn’t move to help me.

Tears streamed down my face. My heart pounded violently. Four years. Four years of love, of promises… destroyed in a second!

“You never stood a chance,” Catherine sneered, smirking. “We’ve been planning this for a long time. Everything… was a game to him.”

Her words cut like knives. My body trembled as I shook my head. “No. That can’t be true…”

I turned to Daniel, pleading. “Tell me she’s lying! Tell me you love me!”

He scoffed, eyes filled with disgust. “Don’t be so fucking naive, Chandria.”

Each word was a dagger. My heart cracked, piece by piece.

“This was all just a game,” he continued. “A way to make you realize how worthless you are. Do you really think I could ever love someone like you?”

Air fled my lungs. My vision blurred.

Daniel stepped closer. “Didn’t you notice? I never really cared. And yet, you still clung to me. Pathetic.”

My lips trembled. “But I—”

“You can’t even conceive a child.”

The final blow.

Pain exploded in my chest, unbearable and suffocating.

Beside him, Catherine laughed, linking her arm through his. “Let’s go, darling.”

“Yeah, let’s get out of here.”

I watched, horrified, as they turned their backs on me.

No. No. This wasn’t real. This was a nightmare!

“NO! WAIT!” I screamed, my voice raw with desperation.

Daniel stopped. For a second, hope flickered, thinking he would finally listen to me.

Then, he spoke. “Enough!” His tone was ice. “I never cared about you, Chandria. You were nothing but a worthless piece of trash I wanted to discard.”

He snapped his fingers. “Guards.”

Two men in black suits appeared beside me.

“Throw her out.”

My eyes widened in horror. “N-No! Please!” I struggled, but their grips were hard. “Daniel, don’t do this!”

He didn’t even flinch.

The guards dragged me away. Other people in the restaurant whispered, their eyes filled with pity and amusement.

We reached the back alley. Without hesitation, they shoved me to the ground.

My body hit the cold pavement, pain shooting through me.

One of them sneered, kicking over a garbage bin. Filth spilled beside me, the stench making me gag.

“Stay out of Sir Daniel’s life,” the other warned. “You don’t belong near him!”

Then they left.

I lay there, curled up and broken, while tears streamed down my face. The cold pavement beneath me seeped into my skin, its rough surface biting against my arms and legs.

My body trembled. My breath hitched in ragged sobs, my fingers clenching into the filth-strewn ground. How had everything fallen apart so quickly?

I was betrayed.

Humiliated.

Destroyed.

Chandria’s POV

I had loved him with everything I had.

I had given all of myself to him, believing he was the one.

I still remembered the first time we kissed, the way his lips felt against mine, the way my heart pounded in my chest. And our first night together… I had surrendered myself completely, believing we had something real.

But now? It all felt like a cruel joke.

I could still hear his voice whispering those words that once made my heart soar.

“I love you so much, Chandria.”

I could still picture it so vividly in my mind. That night, beneath the glowing fireworks, he had pulled me close, his eyes filled with warmth and devotion.

Then, as if straight out of a dream, he pulled out a small red velvet box.

My heart had pounded with anticipation as he slowly opened it, revealing a delicate bracelet.

“This is a promise bracelet,” he said softly, taking my hand in his. “I wanted to share this moment with you because I want you to know… I promise to marry you, to build a future with you. I want it to be us, forever.”

Tears had welled up in my eyes as I threw my arms around him, overwhelmed by love. “Oh, Daniel, I love you too!” I whispered before pressing my lips to his.

That night had been magical. The fireworks painted the sky in colors of red, gold, and blue—he had planned everything, just for me. I had believed, with all my heart, that we were meant to be.

But now?

All of it was gone.

Shattered.

That beautiful love story had been reduced to nothing more than a cruel illusion, a lie I had blindly believed. And the person responsible for tearing it apart?

Catherine—my worst nightmare.

She had been my tormentor in college, the girl who made my life a living hell. She would take every opportunity to humiliate me, as if it were some twisted game to her.

“Oh, what a loser you are!” she would sneer, her voice dripping with mockery.

I could still remember the countless times she would trip me in the hallways, making sure everyone was watching when I fell.

And Catherine? She would stand over me, smirking, her arms crossed as she looked me up and down in pure disdain.

“Well, well, well. Do you really think you can outshine me? Think again, bitch.”

Then, without hesitation, she would pour her iced coffee over my head, leaving me drenched and humiliated. The cold liquid would seep into my clothes as I sat there, frozen in embarrassment while the laughter of my classmates echoed around me.

I never understood why she despised me so much. What had I ever done to her?

But one thing was for sure—I had suffered because of her, day after day.

The only relief I had was when college ended. I thought I was finally free from her cruelty. I thought I had escaped.

And now, she was back.

This time, not just as my tormentor, but as the woman who had stolen the man I loved!

“T-Taxi!” I called out desperately.

A cab stopped in front of me, and I hurried inside, barely noticing the horrified look the driver gave me through the rear-view mirror.

Only then did I realize how awful I must have looked.

My dress was ruined, crumpled and stained, clinging to my skin uncomfortably. I reeked of filth from the mess at the restaurant, and the stench of spilled food and broken glass clung to me. My arms bore fresh cuts from the shattered plates, and blood trickled down in thin streams.

But none of that mattered. Not the filth. Not the pain!

I had to find Daniel!

I clenched my fists, ignoring the stinging pain as I gave the driver an address. I knew where they were. I knew exactly where Daniel had taken her.

His mansion.

The drive felt endless, my pulse hammering in my ears. The moment the cab stopped in front of the grand estate, I didn’t even hesitate. I threw a few bills at the driver.

I shoved the door open.

“Daniel! Where are you? Please! Let's talk!” My voice echoed through the vast halls.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, from the grand staircase, I heard the sound of heels clicking against marble.

Catherine appeared.

A slow, deliberate smirk played on her lips as she made her way down, her eyes gleaming with amusement. And behind her, standing tall with a cold expression, was Daniel.

My breath hitched at the sight of him. But before I could even speak, Catherine’s voice cut through the tense air.

“What the fuck are you doing here, bitch?” she sneered, arms crossed. “Haven’t we made it clear enough at the restaurant? You were nothing but a joke to us. A plaything. Daniel never loved you. I’m the only woman he wants!”

Her words felt like a dagger, twisting deep into my chest.

“You have no right to be here,” she continued, her smirk widening. “Now, get the hell out before I call security!”

I trembled with rage.

Without thinking, I raised my hand, aiming to slap that smug look off her face.

“H-How dare you?!” My voice cracked with raw emotion. “Daniel doesn’t love you! I’m the one he loves!”

I was about to strike her, my palm mere inches away from making contact—

When suddenly, my wrist was caught in a firm grip.

I gasped, my eyes snapping to the man holding me back.

Daniel.

His fingers tightened around my wrist, his grip strong enough to send a sharp pain shooting through my arm.

“Enough!” he said dangerously.

I froze.

I searched his face, desperate to find any trace of the man I had loved. The man who had once held me with such tenderness.

But nothing.

Then, without warning, he shoved me away.

Hard.

I stumbled back, my heels skidding against the polished floor before I lost my balance completely. Pain exploded through my body as I hit the cold ground, a sharp gasp escaping my lips.

“Daniel…” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. My hands trembled as I pushed myself up, my heart pounding violently in my chest. “W-What are you doing?”

His expression remained cold, distant—like I was nothing more than a nuisance to him.

“I told you, didn’t I?” His voice was devoid of any warmth.

“I never loved you!”

The words cut deeper than any blade ever could.

“This was all just a plan to ruin you! Did you seriously believe I would ever propose to someone like you?!”

I shook my head.

“No… Daniel, you’re lying!”

He scoffed, taking a step closer.

“You’re a fool. A stupid, pathetic little girl who was easy to manipulate. I’ve had enough of you.”

The room spun around me.

This wasn’t real.

This couldn’t be real!

“N-No,” I whimpered, trying to stand. But the moment I moved, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through my lower body.

I gasped, clutching my abdomen. A wave of dizziness washed over me as I glanced down—

And my breath hitched.

Blood.

Dark red, pooling beneath me.

I was bleeding.

Chandria’s POV

“Ahh!”

A sharp cry escaped my lips as unbearable pain shot through me.

Tears streamed down my face as I gasped for breath, my entire body trembling. My vision blurred from the agony, and when I glanced up, my eyes locked onto Daniel.

For a brief moment, I saw his expression falter. His gaze fell to the crimson stain seeping between my thighs.

He looked like he wanted to step forward, to come closer… but before he could, Catherine grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“Oh, she’s just acting!” she sneered, rolling her eyes.

“This is just one of her tricks. She loves attention, Daniel. You should know that by now.”

I wanted to scream at her, to tell her she was wrong, that this pain was real. But my body was giving up on me. My head spun, my vision darkened, and the world around me began to fade. I felt myself slipping away, my strength draining fast.

“Daniel… please…” My voice was weak, barely a whisper.

I couldn’t stand, couldn’t even lift myself off the cold floor.

I saw Daniel hesitate again.

His hand lifted slightly, as if reaching for me. For a second, I thought he would help me, that he would prove me wrong—that he wasn’t the cruel man he was pretending to be.

But I was wrong.

To my utter horror, he turned to his security guards and spoke in a cold, detached voice.

“Throw her outside.”

My heart shattered into a million pieces.

“No! Daniel, please!” I begged, my voice desperate and raw.

I reached out for him, but rough hands grabbed me before I could. The guards lifted me effortlessly, my weak body unable to resist them.

I sobbed, struggling, but I was too weak.

“Please… don’t do this…!”

But my pleas fell on deaf ears.

As I was dragged away, I saw Catherine move closer to Daniel.

Her lips curled into a victorious smirk before she pressed a kiss against his lips—right in front of me.

My heart clenched painfully as Daniel stood still, his eyes locked on mine even as Catherine kissed him.

When she finally pulled away, she placed a hand on his chest, her voice dripping with fake concern.

“Don't worry about her,” she cooed, trailing her fingers down his shirt.

“She's nothing. Just a pathetic liar trying to get your sympathy. That blood? Probably staged. She’d do anything for attention, Daniel. Just forget about her.”

Daniel said nothing.

Then, to my utter devastation, he let Catherine pull him away. He turned his back on me. I watched helplessly as his hand slid down to Catherine’s waist, holding her possessively.

And just like that, they disappeared from my sight.

The guards carried me outside like I was nothing more than trash. When they finally let go, my body crashed onto the hard ground. My face hit the cold pavement, sending a sharp sting through my cheek.

Pain consumed me.

I lay there, sobbing, my heart and body broken beyond repair.

I turned my head, my gaze falling on the mansion I once called home.

Memories flooded my mind—laughter, whispers of love, stolen kisses, and warm embraces.

All the moments I had shared with Daniel, all the love I had given him… it all meant nothing to him now.

“Daniel…” I whispered, my fingers twitching as I weakly reached out toward the mansion. As if somehow, if I just reached far enough, I could bring back what we had lost.

But before I could stretch my fingers any further, darkness swallowed me whole.

—

The sound of soft beeping pulled me from the abyss of unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open, my head pounding as I slowly registered my surroundings.

A hospital.

How did I even get here?

I tried to recall the last thing I remembered, but the moment I did, a sharp pain stabbed through my skull. I winced, my fingers instinctively clutching my forehead.

With a shaky breath, I forced myself to sit up. Every muscle in my body ached, but I needed answers.

Just as I managed to pull myself upright, a voice startled me.

“You’re finally awake, Ma’am Chandria.”

My heart leaped in my chest. I turned my head toward the source of the voice, my breath catching when I recognized the man standing beside me.

It was Daniel’s butler.

“You…” My voice came out hoarse and weak.

“Did you bring me here?”

The butler gave a small nod.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

A surge of memories flooded my mind—Daniel’s cold eyes, his betrayal, Catherine’s mocking smirk, and the unbearable pain that tore through my body.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest, each beat sending a wave of agony through me. I couldn’t breathe, as if the walls were closing in.

I buried my face in my hands, my sobs breaking free.

How could Daniel do this to me?

My fingers instinctively reached for the delicate bracelet around my wrist—the one Daniel had given me, a symbol of his so-called love. I had cherished it, believing it meant something. But now, it felt like a cruel joke.

If his love was never real… then why? Why lead me on? Why make me believe in something that never existed?

“Ma’am Chandria.”

The butler’s voice pulled me from my despair. I slowly lifted my head. His expression was hesitant, but there was something else in his eyes—guilt.

“Sir Daniel has been cheating on you because you can't get pregnant,” he said, his voice low but firm.

A sharp chill ran down my spine.

“What…?” My voice trembled.

“No… that’s not true. It can’t be…”

I shook my head in disbelief. My entire world was crumbling, and I desperately clung to the hope that this was all some horrible misunderstanding.

“H-How?” My voice cracked. “Why… why are you only telling me this now?”

The butler exhaled heavily, looking away as if ashamed.

“I wanted to tell you before, Ma’am Chandria. I really did. But I was afraid… afraid of what Sir—” He hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line before correcting himself.

“Afraid of what Lord Daniel would do.”

His words sent a new wave of unease through me.

Lord Daniel?

The title felt…wrong.

A shiver ran through me.

“What do you mean?”

The butler clenched his fists.

“Ma’am… he’s not who you think he is. And for your own safety, you must leave. If Lord Daniel finds out that you’re pregnant with his child…”

I froze.

My breath hitched.

“P-Pregnant?” The word barely escaped my lips. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, my fingers trembling.

A child… Daniel’s child?

That’s why I had been bleeding. That’s why I collapsed!

My heart pounded violently against my ribs, shock crashing into me like a tidal wave.

I was carrying his baby.

“Yes, Ma’am,” he confirmed, “And you don’t truly know who Lord Daniel is.”

I stared at him, my body paralyzed.

“W-What are you saying?”

He took a deep breath before finally revealing the truth.

“He is not just a businessman. He is a mafia lord. A criminal. Ruthless and merciless.”

His words sent ice through my veins.

“He has done terrible things, Ma’am. Things you cannot even imagine.”

No…

No, this couldn’t be true!

I shook my head furiously, refusing to believe it.

“No… you’re lying! Daniel isn’t like that! He needs to know. He needs to know about the baby. Maybe—maybe he’ll change. Maybe he’ll see me differently if he knows we have a child together!”

Desperation clawed at my chest. I couldn’t give up. Daniel had to know! Maybe there was still hope…

I tried to push myself out of bed, but he quickly stepped forward, gently but firmly holding me back.

“It’s too risky, Ma’am Chandria,” he said urgently. “And even if you tell him, he will not claim the child. He will not take responsibility. He already has Catherine living with him in the mansion. His future has already been decided.”

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through my chest.

It hurt.

It hurt more than anything.

Daniel had chosen her.

Daniel had abandoned me.

I was alone.

My lips parted, but no words came out—only silent, broken sobs.

He sighed, his expression heavy with sorrow.

“This is the best I could do for you, Ma’am. Getting you to the hospital… giving you this warning. After this, I can do no more. I hope you find a way to move forward.”

I watched as he walked to the door, his back straight, his movements steady. And then he left, closing the door behind him.

Alone with my shattered heart… and the life growing inside me.

Chandria’s POV

When I found out that I was pregnant, I didn’t know what to do.

I was all alone in this world. I didn’t have parents anymore. I don’t even know what happened to them.

All I knew was that I grew up in an orphanage. The nuns raised me there, and eventually, I was adopted by my adoptive parents.

They were kind, though much older, and they only adopted me. Despite their age, they cared for me the best they could. They left me everything they had when they passed away, money, property, but none of that seemed to matter now.

I was pregnant, and I had no idea what to do.

I needed to tell Daniel about this.

The door to my hospital room opened. I assumed it was the nurse, here to tell me I could finally be discharged.

“Now, I’m being discharged, right?” I asked, almost hopeful.

But when I looked up, expecting a nurse, I was met with a surprising sight.

My breath caught in my throat.

A man I’d never seen before stood at the door.

He was tall and there was something about him, a power that radiated from his every movement.

He was handsome, but it wasn’t just his looks that caught my attention.

There was an energy about him, almost electric, and it was clear he wasn’t someone to be underestimated.

“W-Who are you? What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice trembling more than I intended.

Before I could react further, he spoke, his voice calm and firm, but it held an unsettling authority.

“Don’t worry about the payment. I’ve already taken care of everything here.”

What? How? I was completely taken aback.

“You’re a stranger to me. I-I don’t even know you.”

My mind was racing, trying to process the strange man standing before me, and I felt a mix of confusion and anxiety bubbling inside me.

He looked past me briefly, as though he were considering something, and then took a few steps forward, closing the distance between us.

“Because I need you,” he said simply, his eyes locking onto mine.

“You’re pregnant, right?”

The words hit me like a slap, and I found myself momentarily speechless.

I tried to collect my thoughts, my hands shaking slightly as I gripped the edge of the hospital bed.

“Who are you? And why... how do you know?” I stuttered, my mind spinning.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his gaze remained intense, unwavering. “I know who your husband is,” he continued, his words dripping with certainty. “His name is Daniel Collins, isn’t it?”

My head started to ache from the sheer weight of his words. Who was this man, and how did he know Daniel’s name? It felt like everything around me was slipping out of focus, and I struggled to keep my thoughts grounded.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Please, just leave me alone.”

“I’m the only one who can help you,” he said, his tone unyielding. “Think about it. I know you’re going to go back to the mansion, tell Daniel you’re pregnant. It’s going to be a huge mistake. Trust me.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. My panic flared, and I sat up, pushing myself away from him. “No! I don’t care who you are. You’re a freak. Stay the hell away from me!” I shouted, my emotions bubbling over.

But instead of challenging me further, he simply stepped back, his face unreadable. “We’ll see about that.”

Shaken, I turned. “Excuse me, but I need to go now.” I felt the weight of his gaze on my back as I hurried out of the room, my heart racing. The door clicked shut behind me, but I didn’t look back.

I didn’t know why, but there was something in his words that still lingered in the air, a warning.

I quickly made my way down the hallway, looking for the nurse’s station. I didn’t want to be in that room anymore. That strange encounter had thrown me off balance, and all I could think about now was getting out of the hospital and away from that man.

“How much is my charge?” I asked, still a bit lost in the whirlwind of thoughts swirling around in my head.

The nurse looked up at me, her face polite but professional. “What’s your name, Ma’am?”

“Chandria Silva,” I replied, my voice a little shaky.

She glanced at her computer, typing something in.

“Okay, everything’s settled. Your payment for the hospital bills has been taken care of. You’re good to go, Ma’am. Here are your vitamins and your prescriptions.”

She handed me a small bag filled with medication, and I felt a strange sense of gratitude, though it was overshadowed by the confusion still gnawing at me.

I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the mysterious man who had come to my room earlier.

Could it be that he was telling me the truth all along? Bought the medicines for me? But I quickly dismissed the thought. No, it couldn’t be him.

“Thank you,” I muttered, forcing a smile as I accepted the bag. The nurse nodded kindly, and I left the station, stepping out to the taxi waiting outside.

As the car drove off, I clenched my fist tightly, trying to focus on what I needed to do.

I was on my way to Daniel’s mansion. I still couldn’t shake the words of the butler, warning me that Daniel was involved in something dangerous. He had told me not to return, that my life could be in danger if I did.

But I had to try!

The ride felt like it took forever. My heart pounded in my chest as I neared the mansion. I could already see the grand gates in the distance, but as the taxi stopped and I stepped out, something was wrong. The air was heavy, filled with tension.

I had barely taken a step when I was stopped by a group of guards at the entrance.

My heart skipped a beat.

“W-What’s going on?” I asked, trying to remain calm, but I could feel the panic rising inside me.

“You’re not welcome here,” one of them said sternly, his tone dismissive.

“I need to speak with Daniel. There’s something important he needs to know!”

The guard didn’t move, his expression hardening.

“There’s an engagement party happening right now. Ma’am Catherine and Sir Daniel are about to get married soon, and you are not allowed inside!”

I felt like the ground beneath me had been ripped away. My legs weakened, and the words hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Get out of here, or we will make you leave!” the guard threatened then shoves me away.

I stumbled back, my body shaking, unable to comprehend what was happening.

I didn’t know where to go, what to do. I had come here, hoping to find answers, but instead, I was faced with this.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned away from the gates and walked away.

The rain began to fall heavily, almost as if the sky itself was mourning with me. I couldn’t hold it back any longer. My tears mixed with the rain, falling down my cheeks, and I collapsed in the middle of the road.

“H-How could he?!” I could feel my heart breaking all over again.

And then, just when it felt like everything was truly lost, I heard a voice from behind me.

I turned slowly, my eyes blinking through the rain, and that’s when I saw him—the man from the hospital. He was standing there, holding an umbrella.

“I told you,” he said, his voice low, but unmistakable.

“You cannot go back to the life you had before. I’m the only one who can help you.”

Daniel’s POV

“Are you enjoying this? Look, there are so many guests. I’m glad that all the elite people from around the world are here!”

I nodded in acknowledgment, trying to seem engaged in Catherine’s chatter beside me. But, to be honest, I wasn’t feeling the slightest bit of interest.

She went on talking, her voice a constant hum in my ear, but my mind was elsewhere.

My eyes wandered across the grand ballroom of my mansion, observing the guests at our engagement party. This event, which was meant to be a celebration, felt like a lifeless formality to me.

It wasn’t the excitement of the engagement that kept me here—it was the obligation.

Catherine was pregnant, and I had to do the right thing.

It was the least I could do after everything that had happened.

I glanced at her, her face glowing with an almost forced smile, and I couldn’t help but remember the countless conversations I had with Chandria.

She was the woman I truly wanted, the one who could never get pregnant no matter how hard we tried. We’d spent countless nights together, trying and failing. And I couldn’t hide the frustration anymore.

So, here I was, stuck in this engagement with Catherine, pretending that it was what I wanted, while all I could think about was Chandria.

Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted when I noticed a group of unfamiliar faces entering the party.

“Who are they?” I asked Lucas, my right-hand man, who was standing nearby, ever watchful.

“I’ll check, Lord Daniel,” Lucas replied.

I could feel the tension building, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

There was something about these guests that didn’t sit right with me.

Before I could fully process the situation, the unfamiliar guests approached me.

One of them, a man with a sharp look in his eyes, stepped forward and greeted me with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Lord Daniel, it’s nice to see you here,” he said, extending a hand toward me.

I stared at him for a moment, unsure if I should offer a polite handshake or simply ignore him.

“Do I know you?”

“Ah, yes. We’re so sorry for the unexpected intrusion,” the man said smoothly.

“We are the representatives of Lord Aiden. He couldn’t attend your engagement party because he’s also hosting his own event—a baby shower. But he asked us to pass along his regards.”

The mention of Aiden’s name sent a chill down my spine.

“Lord Daniel, this is from Lord Aiden himself,” the man said.

I took the letter from his hands, my fingers briefly brushing his, before tearing it open.

As I read the words, my heart raced. The letter was formal, yet there was a sense of finality in the words that made my stomach tighten.

“I’m sorry I can’t be there,” the letter began. “But just so you know, I have someone precious from you. Someone you’ll never get back.”

I froze.

My breath caught in my throat as I reread the sentence.

Aiden… What did he mean?!

I looked up to ask the representatives more questions, but they were gone.

“Who are those freaks?” Catherine’s voice broke through the haze of my thoughts. I could hear her annoyance, but I didn’t care.

I had to find out who they were, what they were up to!

Without sparing a second, I pushed past Catherine and hurried toward the door.

“Daniel! Where are you going?!”

My heart raced as I stepped outside into the cold air.

But when I reached the gates, there was no sign of them.

“Lucas!” I shouted.

Moments later, he appeared, his eyes scanning the area.

“Yes, Lord Daniel?”

“Find any men in black coats and black clothes. They’re connected to Black Serpent!”

“Yes, Lord Daniel.”

I stood there, clenching my fists. I had a gut feeling I knew exactly who he was pertaining to.

Chandria.

I waited in silence, my gaze trained on the mansion entrance. I could feel the tension rising, every second stretching longer than the last.

But then, after what felt like an eternity, Lucas returned, his face serious.

“There’s no sign of Black Serpent's representatives, Lord Daniel. They’re gone. We don’t know how they got here or where they went.”

Frustration boiled inside me.

My anger was building like a storm ready to break.

“Find them! I want answers. Now!” My voice was cold, dangerous, and it made my men spring into action without hesitation.

I couldn’t sleep that night. Or the next. Or the one after that.

I was haunted by the sudden appearance of Black Serpent’s men, their message, and the sickening feeling in my gut.

Then, after countless sleepless nights, the breakthrough came.

Lucas’s voice echoed in my ear, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Lord Daniel, we’ve discovered something.”

I stood up immediately, my pulse quickening.

“What is it?”

“We found out that Ma’am Chandria is about to get married... and she’s pregnant.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind couldn’t process it at first.

“What?”

“Yes, Lord Daniel,” he confirmed.

“She’s carrying a child, and the father… the father is none other than Black Serpent.”

The world seemed to slow around me as the weight of his words sank in. I could feel my blood run cold.

Black Serpent.

The very name made my chest tighten with rage. He was my arch-nemesis, the one man I’d never been able to defeat.

And now, he was tied to Chandria!

She’s cheating on me all this time?!

I clenched my fists so tightly that my knuckles turned white, my breath ragged with fury.

“Find her!” I ordered, my voice low and deadly.

“Bring her back to me! Do not stop until she’s back here where she belongs!”