Between Love and Vengeance

Chapter 1: Betrayal and Bargains

Maria Luíza Duarte sprinted down the stairs of her home, clutching an envelope that held news of her medical report—evidence of her recent improvement, thanks to Marco.

Despite being her father's soldier, Marco treated her with a tenderness that lightened her days, even though their relationship was clandestine.

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Ignoring the peripheral world, she hurried through the garden towards the soldiers' quarters at the rear. She knew Marco's room well; she intended to surprise him with her good news today.

Pushing open the slightly ajar door, her heart pounded with anticipation. "Marco?" she whispered, incredulous at the devastating sight before her. Marco lay naked with another woman on the same couch where he had once tried to touch her. The image seared into her mind as she stood, envelope crushed in her hand.

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"Malu? How did you get here?" Marco's voice rang out in surprise, but before he could approach her, she grabbed a nearby vase, dousing them in water and glass shards. "Stay away from me!" she screamed, slamming the door shut and fleeing to her room.

Locking herself in, Malu collapsed in tears. Determined not to let Marco destroy her, she wiped her face and composed herself.

She couldn't let a man dictate her life or emotions. As she gazed out the window, movement in the house caught her eye—her father, accompanied by Don Antony and an imposing figure she didn't recognize. Marco was there too, but she ignored him, steeling herself.

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She descended to serve coffee, striving to appear composed despite the turmoil. Approaching her father's office with a tray, she overheard talk of a new peace agreement involving her—she froze. Did the Russians want her as part of the deal?

Attempting to steady herself, she inadvertently collided with a tall, commanding figure who brushed past her, causing her to drop the tray. "Pay attention!" His voice thundered, but as she knelt to pick up the shards, his striking presence overwhelmed her.

"Who are you?" Malu managed, but he ignored her, striding into the office where her father and Don Antony awaited. "Daughter, meet Alexei Kim," her father introduced, revealing a sudden marriage arrangement. Malu's world spun as she struggled to comprehend her fate.

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"Alexei?" she stammered, meeting the man's cold gaze to be her husband. Bitterness rose in her throat, but she knew she had no choice—the alliance with Russia was paramount.

As the reality sank in, Malu retreated to a room, seeking solitude. Alexei soon entered, commanding and dominant. "Pack a bag. You'll wear what I provide," he ordered brusquely, dismissing her objections. She refused to wear the clothes of his deceased wife, sparking his anger but also piquing his curiosity.

"In my house, I am in charge," Alexei asserted his grip on her neck a chilling reminder of her new reality. Despite her defiance, Malu realized her fate was sealed. Tomorrow, she would leave her old life behind for Russia—a marriage of convenience that felt more like a prison sentence.

Her heart was heavy with betrayal and fear; she looked out the window where Marco had vanished. With Alexei, she faced an uncertain future—a path chosen not by her but by the power and politics that surrounded her.

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