TWO PART POV:

Caius POV:

I had said the words . I had said the fucking,  dreaded three words to her and she had said them back to me. I knew there was no going back from this and if she ever left me , no she wouldn't,  I won't let her . I was going to do everything in my power to try for her , to be better for her .

" Yuh know seh fi a mintue mi did about fi run ..", she said as we got up from the floor and I sat down on the edge of the bed while she stood between my legs,  her eyes on the ring on her finger .

"Why?", I asked.

" because mi think a proposed yuh did aguh proposed", she said her eyes locking onto mine as she smiled . Her lashes was still damp with tears but, the emotions swirled within them.

" and if I was ...", I asked testing her response . Of course I wouldn't, not now anyway she was too young and she had her whole life ahead of her and I didn't want to be selfish and took that away by trapping her with marriage. It would come one day and I was looking forward to that and all the thoughts and planning that I would put into making it just right for her but, for now she deserved to live , to achieve her goals and see her dreams become a reality and I was here to ensure that happend.

" mi woudah seh no of course . Mi too young fi one and wi still have a long way fi guh inna all a this ", she said and I kissed her , slow and deep and when we pulled apart,  her eyes were shining.

Later that evening the grand ballroom of the Romanov estate was a vision of opulence and power. Golden chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, their crystals shimmering under the soft glow of the lights. The walls were lined with portraits of Romanov ancestors, their eyes cold and watchful, as if guarding the legacy of their bloodline.

I stood at the edge of the room, my posture rigid, a glass of whiskey untouched in my hand. I watched the crowd, faces I recognized from my childhood, powerful allies of the Romanov empire, political figures, influential businessmen, and the heads of criminal enterprises that spanned continents. They were all here to witness Ivan’s announcement, to see who would take the throne of an empire built on blood and power.

I took a slow breath, my gaze flicking to the corner where the rest of the Romanov siblings stood. Dmitri and Sergei, both wearing masks of indifference, their postures relaxed but eyes sharp, calculating. Darya stood between them, her beauty undeniable, yet her expression cold and haughty, chin tilted with pride. She wore power like a second skin, her eyes gleaming with ambition.

I knew what this was about. Ivan was stepping down, relinquishing his control over the Romanov empire. Tonight,  he would name his successor.

I didn’t want it. The empire, the responsibilities, the power, it was a weight I never asked for. A weight that had shattered my childhood and twisted my soul. I had come to Russia because Ivan demanded it, not because I cared about the throne or who would take it.

"Caius", Ivan’s voice cut through my thoughts, deep and commanding.

I turned to see Ivan standing at the center of the room, his presence undeniable even as he aged. Ivan’s eyes were sharp, a predator’s gaze that had seen and survived more than most could imagine.

"Come. All of you", Ivan gestured to his children, his voice carrying across the room. "We will discuss business before I make the announcement".

My jaw tightened, my eyes flicking to Bria, who stood off to the side, watching me with concern, she looked so breathtakingly beautiful,  it made my heart ache . I gave her a brief nod before moving to join the rest of the Romanov siblings, my shoulders tense.

We were led to Ivan’s private office and the door close behind me as I was the last person to enter. No one spoke a word, each waiting to hear what he had to say. Ivan stood behind his desk, his eyes sweeping over each of our faces . "It’s time to divide what is mine among you".

My  face remained impassive, my hands slipping into my pockets as I leaned against the wall. I didn’t care about the shares. Wealth meant nothing to me , I already had  more than enough without  anything from the Romanov empire . Power meant even less.

Ivan’s voice was steady, his words cold and calculated. "Sergei, you will take control of the eastern territories. Dmitri, the southern networks will be yours. Darya, the financial institutions are under your command".

Darya’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, her lips curving into a victorious smile.

Of course it was money ,one of her favourite things, like she didn't already had enough between herself and hee husband Mikhail Volkov.  Dmitri and Sergei both nodded, their faces expressionless but their eyes betraying their approval.

I waited, knowing Ivan wasn’t done.

"And you, Caius ", Ivan’s voice was calm, deliberate. "You will take my place".

The air in the room grew heavy, silence suffocating. My body went rigid, my eyes locking onto his.

"No"The word left my lips cold and final.

Ivan’s gaze was unyielding.

" You will , you are the only one fit enough for the job. You are my second in command and I have  spent years preparing you for this".

"I never wanted it", my voice was low, a growl of defiance. "I  never wanted to be a part of this fucked up empire ".

Ivan’s eyes flashed with irritation.

"You don’t have a choice.”

"I always have a choice", I shot back, my voice hardening.

"And I refuse to be your successor".

Ivan’s lips curved into a mocking smile. "You think you can escape this life? This blood is yours, whether you accept it or not".

My knuckles clenched, my jaw tightening. I  felt the weight of his  words, the truth in them suffocating. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. I wouldn’t be controlled.

Darya’s laughter cut through the tension, cold and condescending.

"You never could run from who you are, brother. Accept it".

My eyes flicked to her, my gaze icy. "Keep pushing, Darya, and I’ll finish what I started".

Her smile faltered, a flash of fear crossing her face before she recovered, her chin lifting defiantly.

Ivan’s voice was sharp, commanding. “Enough.” He stepped forward, his eyes locked on me. "I built this empire with my blood and sweat. I will not watch it fall apart because you refused to accept what I trained you for all these years ".

My eyes darkened, a cold fire burning behind them.

" I don't what any part of this fucking empire or the hell that comes with it.

You made your fucking choice after what you did to my mother".

Ivan’s expression remained cold, unyielding.

"This isn’t about choice. It’s about legacy. My legacy. And you will carry it"

My chest tightened, anger boiling beneath his skin. I wanted to walk out, to leave and never look back. But I knew that he  wouldn’t allow it . Not without a fight and Bria was here so I couldn't risk it.

Ivan’s voice softened, almost pitying. "You were born to lead, Caius. No matter how much you resist, you cannot change that" .

My heart pounded, my mind racing. I thought of Bria, of the life I wanted to build with her. Away from this darkness. Away from the chains of the Romanov legacy.

But I also knew that if I walked away, they would come for me . For her. They would never let me go.

I looked at Ivan , my gaze cold and defiant. "If I take your place, I do it my way. I don’t answer to you".

Ivan’s eyes narrowed, but a glimmer of respect flickered in them.

"Then prove yourself worthy".

My lips curled into a bitter smile.

"I already have"

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the office, my mind a storm of anger and resentment. I didn’t want this but, I knew that as long as I was with Bria I had no choice. We left his office and returned to the grand ballroom where Bria immediately found my side,  her hands intertwined with mine as she looked at me , studying my face for any sign of something wrong but, I kept my expression neutral as I smiled down at her.

The announcement was made and I was stated as Ivan’s successor,  the new leader of the Romanov empire. It left a bitter taste in my mouth and I could see that Bria had questions but, I couldn't answer them not yet.

Bria POV:

I could feel the tension radiating off of Caius and I knew it was becaue of the announcement that his father had made. It was clear he wanted nothing to with them but, his father kept trapping him the harder he tried to leave . The ceremony was almost over when I decided that I needed that I had had enough, so I told Caius I was going back to our room and he told me that he would be there in a couple mintues .

I took the elevator alone but, just as the doors were about to close, a manicured hand shot through, forcing them back open. My heart sank as Anya stepped inside, her icy blue eyes blazing with contempt. Dressed in a gown that clung to her slender frame, her blond hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked like a queen in her kingdom. A kingdom she probably believed I had stolen from her.

I  stiffened, my  jaw clenching as I straightened my posture. I wouldn’t give Anya the satisfaction of seeing my discomfort. Not tonight.

Anya’s red lips curled into a sneer.

"You don’t belong here", she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

"You’re nothing but a silly island girl playing dress-up ".

I swallowed, my fists tightening at my sides, suh the bitch speak English?

Choosing to ignore her , I fixed my gaze on the numbers above the doors, willing the elevator to move faster. One more floor. Just one more.

Anya took a step closer, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"Did you really think you could replace me? That Caius would actually love you?", her laugh was sharp, bitter.

"You’re nothing to him. Just a toy he’ll get bored of slut".

My chest tightened, the words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit but, I stayed silent, my eyes locked on the elevator doors, refusing to give Anya the satisfaction of a response.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to the third floor. I moved to step out, desperate to escape, but her voice stopped me for a moment.

"He’ll leave you", she hissed.

"Just like he left me. Because that’s all Caius knows how to do. Destroy everything he touches".

I froze, my back to her , my shoulders trembling but, I forced myself to keep moving, stepping out into the hallway, my heels echoing against the marble floor. She wasn't the one with a ring on her finger , I reminded myself and kept walking.

A sharp, cold pain exploded in my shoulder seconds later , and my scream echoed through the empty corridor.

My body jerked forward, my vision blurring as I stumbled, my hand flying to my shoulder where something cold and metallic was lodged.

Anya stood behind me,  her face twisted in rage, her hand still gripping the hilt of the knife. "You don’t belong here bitch!" she shrieked, her voice cracking as she yanked the knife out, blood spraying across the pristine white walls.

my knees buckled, white-hot pain radiating throughout my body but, survival instinct took over, and I turned, my hand slamming into Anya’s face, the force sending her stumbling backward.

Her  back hit the wall, her eyes wide with shock before they narrowed, her lips curling into a snarl. She lunged at me again but, I  sidestepped, the pain in my shoulder blinding, my blood staining the silk of  my dress.

We struggled, bodies colliding, nails clawing, hair pulling. Anya fought with wild, desperate rage, her hands swinging, her face contorted with fury. I blocked her, dodging the blows as best I could, my head spinning from the blood loss.

Then Anya’s grip loosened, her fingers slipping, and the knife clattered to the floor. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed it, the cold metal slick with my blood, and turned on Anya, my chest heaving with ragged breaths.

Her eyes widened, fear flickering across her face. “You... you wouldn’t....."

My palm cracked against her cheek, the force of the slap whipping her head to the side. She stumbled, her body hitting the floor with a graceless thud.

I loomed over her, my vision blurring, the blood from my shoulder dripping onto the marble floor. I knew I should stop. I should walk away but,  I couldn’t. Not after everything that bitch had said. Not after she’d tried to kill me.

With a guttural scream, I dropped to my knees, straddling Anya, the knife gripped tightly in mybhand. I saw the flash of fear in Anya’s eyes, saw the way her lips trembled as she tried to speak. But the words never came.

I drove the knife down, the blade sinking into Anya’s chest, the warm blood splashing against my hands.

Her  body jerked, her mouth opening in a silent scream, her eyes wide with shock.

But I didn’t stop. I stabbed again and again and again hacking away at her chest . My vision clouded with red, my breaths coming in ragged gasps as I screamed, my rage spilling out with every thrust of the knife.

"Yuh nuh get fi tell mi who the fuck mi be", my voice was raw, broken.

Anya’s body went limp beneath me , her head rolling to the side, her eyes blank, unseeing but, still I kept stabbing, my hands shaking, my tears of anger and frustration mixing with the blood staining my skin.

Finally, my strength gave out, and the knife slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor. I fell back, my entire body trembling, my dress soaked with blood, my vision blurring as I stared at Anya’s lifeless body.

The world spun, the corridor tilting as my head grew heavy, my shoulder throbbing, the pain searing through my body but, all I could see was the blood. The blood on mybhands, mybdress, the floor, so much of it.

A sob tore from my throat, my chest heaving as the adrenaline drained away, leaving only pain and horror. I had killed her.  I had killed someone.

The walls seemed to close in, the weight of what I had done pressing down on me, suffocating me . I tried to breathe, but the air was thick, heavy, filled with the scent of blood and death.

My body slumped to the floor, my head resting against the cold marble, my eyes slipping closed and the last thing I saw before darkness took me was the opening of the elevator doors and Caius stepping out, then the shock in his eyes before he ran over to me .