The ten days spent in the gentle environment of the Hulunbuir Grassland flowed by like a beautiful dream. This period proved to be a profound blessing for their relationship:
A New Life in the Green Meadows: Every morning, they spent time together under the open sky, free from the shadows of their dark past.
Depth of Emotion: During this time, they were able to rediscover each other without any pretense or masks, experiencing only deep respect and affection.
Creating Memories: Every moment—whether running under the rainbow or sitting on the grass sharing long conversations—became part of the most cherished memories of their lives.
Commitment to a New Relationship: They realized that this ten-day journey was not merely a simple trip but a guide toward a new beginning for them both.
By the end of these ten days, they felt transformed into new people. While their old wounds had not completely vanished, this serenity gave them the courage to overcome them. As they prepared to return, they had no more hesitation; they knew the green expanse of Hulunbuir had taught them how to step out of the shadows and walk into the light.
However, that sacred ten-day peace in Hulunbuir proved to be a fleeting gift from nature. As soon as they set foot in Russia, the harsh wall of reality stood before them. The dark world they had sought to leave behind seemed to be lying in wait to consume them.
The following points highlight this sudden shift in tone and circumstance:
The Return of the Past: As soon as they touched Russian soil, the atmosphere around them changed; old conspiracies, power struggles, and the dark shadows of their past lives closed in on them once again.
The Cruelty of Viktor's World: The harsh realities of Viktor's life and the complex equations of the underworld began to fade the moments of serenity they had just cultivated.
Alia's Instability: The security and peace she had found in the meadows of Hulunbuir dissipated in the foggy, restless environment of Russia, creating a renewed sense of unease deep within Alia's character.
Uncertainty of the Future: Their ten-day fairy-tale journey seemed to end, pushing them back into a harsh reality where every step was fraught with risk and uncertainty.
The cold climate and familiar clamor of Russia reminded them that even if they wished to, they might never be able to fully erase their past. The fragrance of the white flowers and the colors of the rainbow from Hulunbuir began to blur in their memories, replaced by the grim reality of power struggles. As Alia stepped out of the bath, water still dripping from her hair, she was still wrapped in the lingering warmth of the memories from the Hulunbuir Grassland. However, the moment she entered the room, the atmosphere shifted drastically. Viktor was standing by the window; his jaw was set, and his eyes were cold as ice.
Without any preamble, Viktor exploded at her, his behavior bordering on madness.
Irrational Accusations: Viktor began picking apart every minor detail, accusing her of being late, acting indifferent, and even questioning why she was smiling in a way he claimed was meant to insult him.
Loss of Control: The crushing pressure of the dark underworld in Russia and the constant power struggles had completely eroded Viktor's composure. He spoke as if Alia had committed a transgression that was unforgivable under the ruthless rules of his world.
Shock and Fear: Alia stood there, stunned and paralyzed. She could not comprehend how the same man who had tenderly braided her hair in the grasslands just moments ago could suddenly turn so aggressive.
Viktor's shouting and his sharp, cutting words weighed heavily on the room. Every word felt like a physical blow to Alia. She realized with a sinking heart that the peaceful days in Hulunbuir were merely a fleeting, dreamlike illusion in the face of the brutal, harsh reality that defined Viktor's existence.The air in the Moscow palace had grown heavy, as if the walls themselves were suffocating. The memories of those serene mornings in the Hulunbuir Grassland now felt like nothing more than a fading dream to Alia. The peace that once resided within Viktor's chambers had vanished, replaced by a volatile, burning intensity.
As Alia stepped out of the bath and began drying her hair, a sudden, thunderous roar erupted from Viktor. He hurled a file across the room and stormed toward her. His eyes, once known for a cool, calm blue, were now ablaze with an uncontrollable, frantic fire.
Viktor's Mountain of Accusations: Viktor loomed over Alia, his teeth gritted as he spat out words of venom. "Did you think those ten days of play-acting would change everything?" he demanded, shouting that she had merely wasted his time. He accused every single one of her gestures of being a calculated mask, claiming she was actively trying to exploit his vulnerabilities.
The Breaking Point of Control: Having completely shattered his own composure, Viktor blamed Alia for the resurgence of his business rivals, insisting that her presence had created the window they needed to strike. He slammed his fist against the table, growling, "Do you think I am blind? Behind that sweet smile, you are mocking me and belittling my authority!"
Alia's Helplessness and Terror: Alia stood frozen, paralyzed by the shock of his transformation. She could not comprehend how the man she had grown to know could become such a terrifying stranger in an instant. Though she tried to speak in a soft, trembling voice to defend her innocence, Viktor was far beyond the reach of reason.
The confrontation was no longer just a verbal argument; it was a psychological dismantling. Each of Viktor's cutting words reopened the old, jagged wounds that Alia had worked so hard to heal. As his voice echoed through the cold, expansive palace, Alia realized with chilling clarity that their time in Hulunbuir had been nothing more than a fleeting, unreachable heaven. They had been dragged back into the abyss of a hell where love was irrelevant, and the poison of suspicion was the only surviving truth.
Alia stared out the window, the cold Russian landscape reflecting the void inside her. She realized that this was perhaps the inevitable end of their path a world where the brutal reality of Viktor's existence would always extinguish the colors of their dreams. Standing before Viktor's endless accusations and insults, the final barrier within Alia finally shattered. Her tears had dried, replaced by a cold, hollow void. Looking directly into his eyes, she spoke in a calm, firm voice: "I do not want to live in this hell with you anymore, Viktor. I want a divorce. Set me free."
Upon hearing the word "divorce," the air in Viktor's room seemed to freeze. For a few seconds, he remained completely silent. Then, he suddenly let out a demonic, cold laugh. There was no joy in it only the harbinger of destruction.
Viktor stepped toward Alia, slowly, like a predator cornering its prey. He drew so close that he grabbed her jaw firmly, forcing her to meet his gaze, and uttered vile, sharp words that shattered her very soul:
Denying her existence: "Divorce? Freedom?" Viktor hissed. "Did you think you came into this palace by your own will and could leave the same way?". "Who are you, Alia? You have no existence in this world other than through my mercy and the identity I have given you".
Belittling her worth: "Did you think I was crazy in love with you for those ten days?". "That was just a game of mine". "You are nothing more than a toy in my hands; I can buy girls like you whenever I want, and I can throw them away whenever I please".
Ruthless threats: "You are not my wife; you are my property, and I never let go of my property". "If you ever think about crossing the doors of this palace again, remember this: I will not leave a single trace of you or anyone connected to you on this earth".
Every one of Viktor's words was like a poisoned arrow. His filthy, low-minded speech ruthlessly crushed the beautiful dreams Alia once held. In place of the romantic man from the Hulunbuir Grassland, a cruel underworld lord stood before her. Alia realized that asking for freedom from Viktor might be the most terrifying mistake of her life. There were no boundaries to Viktor's darkness, and there was no longer an easy path to freedom for her. Alia's entire being trembled with humiliation and rage. After hearing Viktor's cruel words, a new volcano of fury erupted within her. No longer paralyzed by fear, she stared into Viktor's eyes and screamed, "You are lying! Viktor, you weren't like this before! Was the person I was with in Hulunbuir just a total act? Was that version of you a lie?"
Viktor remained still for a moment, then replied in his cold, stony voice, "I have always been this way, Alia. Those ten days were nothing but a mistake an unnecessary deviation in my life. What you mistook for love was merely my whim. The real Viktor lives in the darkness of this palace."
What followed was a terrifying, heated argument. The intensity of their shouting shattered the silence of the palace:
Alia screamed, "You are not a human; you are a stone! I despise your dark life and your disgusting arrogance!" She began smashing the items on the table, a raw expression of the pent-up fury she had been harboring.
Viktor's Harshness: Viktor was in no mood to stay silent. He grew even more aggressive, poking at Alia's vulnerabilities with every word. He gritted his teeth and growled, "Who are you to hate me? You live by my mercy, and you must accept this side of me, or the consequences will be dire!"
Violent Conflict: The room became a battlefield. Fueled by his arrogance and her long-suppressed pain, they vented their hatred upon each other. Every one of Viktor's words created fresh wounds in Alia's mind, while she, through her defiance, tried to fracture his iron-clad ego.
No one in the palace dared to approach the room at that moment. This explosive argument between Alia and Viktor was no longer just a verbal clash; it was a collision of two different worlds where love had withered away, leaving behind only the toxic smoke of hatred and suspicion. The tension in the room was suffocating, and Viktor's control had completely snapped. Alia's relentless defiance and piercing screams felt like a direct assault on his authority. Without a second thought, his hand moved like a flash, striking Alia across the cheek with such force that the room seemed to go deathly silent. Alia stumbled and fell into the corner of the sofa, her face burning like fire. A hot tear welled up in the corner of her left eye, but before it could even trace a path down her cheek, her entire demeanor shifted.
Alia pulled herself up, gripping the arm of the sofa, and stood tall. A strange, chilling smile played on her lips. The traces of tears vanished from her eyes, replaced by a deadly, cold silence. She looked directly into Viktor's eyes and whispered in a calm yet terrifying tone, "You seem to have forgotten who I am, Viktor. Did you think a single blow would break me? This tear isn't born of cowardice; it marks the final limit of my patience. Remember this well: I am a dangerous woman. You may have struck me physically today, but I will make you pay for every moment of this pain with interest. You are not at all prepared for the destruction you are about to see from me."
For a fleeting moment, Viktor stood paralyzed. Seeing the intense hatred and fierce confidence burning in Alia's eyes triggered a sudden, unfamiliar unease within him. Alia walked past him with steady footsteps toward the door. As she reached it, she paused, and without looking back, she said, "Stop judging me by the rules of your underworld. Because when I change my nature, even these palace walls won't be able to hold me back. The game begins today, Viktor."
She pushed the door open and stepped out, leaving Viktor standing alone in the suffocating silence, where her cold warning still hung in the air like a lethal omen.