Game of Ambition

What did you do?

Tristan narrowed his eyes, studying her with the same interest a chess player gives a key piece before a checkmate.

—You lost everything in a dirty move. That irritates me.

Lya frowned, distrust coloring her gaze.

—Why do you care?

Tristan smiled. Not a kind smile, but the one of a wolf who had just found its next prey.

—Because I hate men like Alexander.

Lya raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

—I’ve heard things about you. That you never give something without expecting three times as much in return.

He let out a low, dark chuckle.

—You're smart. I like that. It’s not hard to see what he saw in you.

The words hit her like a slap.

—Am I… a toy to you?

Tristan tilted his head, as if the idea amused him.

—That depends. If you accept my offer… you can be a queen.

A shiver ran down her spine, and it had nothing to do with the rain soaking her skin.

—What offer?

He slid a black card between his fingers and handed it to her, his gaze burning with a dangerous promise.

—I want you to work for me. But not as a lawyer. As a weapon.

Lya felt the world spin around her.

—You want me to take revenge?

Tristan shrugged elegantly.

—I want you to rebuild yourself. And if in the process you destroy Alexander and his lovely wife… well, that would be a beautiful bonus.

Lya’s heart pounded in her chest.

—How can I trust you?

Tristan smiled again, his voice like sweet poison.

—You can’t. But that’s what makes it interesting.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm despite the rain.

—Think about your child, Lya. He doesn’t deserve to be born as an abandoned bastard.

Lya pressed her lips together, feeling the weight of the card in her hand.

Was this madness?

Or the only way to survive?

—And if I accept? —she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Tristan smiled as if he already knew her answer. He leaned over the table and slid a document in front of her.

—Then we sign a contract.

Lya blinked, stunned.

—A contract?

—Clear rules, mutual benefits —he said calmly, turning the page toward her—. Protection, money, a roof over your head for you and your child. In exchange… absolute loyalty.

—I want you to know that I won’t sleep with you, I don’t want anything s****l— she dared to demand.

He gave her a long look.

—Darling, women throw themselves into my bed. It’s never empty.

A Few Hours Later, at Tristan’s House

Lya scanned the paper with her eyes. Everything was detailed: her stay, her financial support, security for her and her baby. He asked for nothing more than loyalty and obedience.

Loyalty.

It was a strange concept, considering what had happened hours earlier. At least now, he couldn’t just turn his back on her.

Her hands trembled as she picked up the pen. With a lump in her throat, she signed.

The ink had barely dried when everything around her blurred. Her head buzzed, her limbs felt heavy.

—Lya.

Tristan’s voice sounded distant. Dizziness engulfed her, and before she could grasp onto anything, her world went dark.

When She Woke Up

The light was dim. She wasn’t on the floor or in a hospital. She was on a warm bed, soft sheets surrounding her.

She sat up slowly, feeling a damp cloth on her forehead. Tristan was beside her, holding it.

—Finally awake —he murmured, a shadow of concern in his gaze.

Lya parted her lips, surprised.

—What… what happened?

—It must have been the stress of the last few hours. Your body decided to shut down.

Before she could respond, Tristan stood up and returned with a tray of food. Hot soup, freshly baked bread, orange juice.

Lya froze. That wasn’t the kind of gesture she expected from him.

—Eat —he said firmly—. I don’t want you collapsing around here.

She took the spoon, feeling strangely vulnerable. Tristan didn’t seem like the kind of man who took care of anyone. And yet, here he was.

His phone rang in his pocket, and he gestured to leave the room, though he left the door slightly open, letting his voice filter through.

But the warmth of the moment shattered when she heard his voice in the hallway.

—Have everything ready. I want her controlled.

Lya froze. She stood up carefully, moving silently toward the door.

—No, she doesn’t know yet —Tristan continued, his tone low and calculated—. But she will… when the time is right.

A chill ran down Lya’s spine. What the hell was Tristan planning?

She slipped back into bed just as Tristan walked in. His expression was the same as always: unreadable, calculated. But now, Lya saw beyond it.

—Everything okay? —he asked with a lopsided smile.

She nodded slowly, forcing herself to appear calm.

—Yes… Just tired.

Tristan studied her for a moment, as if considering whether to say something else. Then he set his phone on the table and leaned toward her.

—Rest. Starting tomorrow, the world will never be the same for you.

He brushed his fingers against her cheek. His touch was soft, almost tender… Too perfect.

When he left the room, Lya knew she couldn’t sit still. Something was very wrong.

She waited a few minutes to make sure Tristan was gone. Then she grabbed her phone. She had to get out of there. She had to find a way.

But before she could do anything, the screen suddenly went black.

Lya frowned and pressed the power button. Nothing.

Then, the sound of the lock clicking echoed in the room.

Lya ran to the door and turned the knob. It wouldn’t budge.

She was locked in.

Panic took hold of her as she pounded on the door.

—Tristan! Open this door right now!

The slow, calculated sound of footsteps made her hold her breath.

—Oh, Lya… —Tristan’s voice came from the other side, terrifyingly calm—. I thought we already talked about this.

—What the hell are you talking about?! Open this door!

Silence. Then, a low, dark chuckle.

—I can’t risk you making the wrong decisions. Not after you signed the contract.

Lya’s stomach sank.

—What did you do?

—The same thing you did, darling. Make sure there’s no way to lose.

The sound of his laughter faded as his footsteps disappeared down the hall.