The night had deepened. In Alexander's grand palace, a royal dinner was laid out on the enormous dining table. Alexander sat at one end, Jasmine at the other. The gentle glow of the chandeliers gave the hall a calm ambiance, yet an undercurrent of tension lingered in the air.
The servants moved with meticulous care, carrying expensive silver platters filled with delicacies. Alexander sipped his red wine with satisfaction, eyes fixed on Jasmine. She, however, stared silently at her plate, expressionless.
The Mysterious Dinner
As the servants arranged the dishes, Alexander noticed that Jasmine wasn't touching her food. She merely stirred it absentmindedly with her cutlery. Her indifference caught Alexander's attention.
Suddenly, he observed one of the servants trembling as they served the food, quickly glancing at Jasmine before averting their eyes. A strange tension gripped the room.
Alexander's deep voice cut through the silence:
"What's happening? Why are you all standing there like statues?"
Leaning slightly toward Jasmine, he added:
"Jacy, don't you like the food? I made your favorites. Or are you still mourning Dmitri, unable to forgive him for not returning?"
Jasmine slowly lifted her head and met his gaze with a mysterious smile. At that moment, a servant lifted the lid of a large dish, sending up a curl of smoke.
Annoyed, Alexander glared at the trembling servants. "Why are your hands shaking? And Jasmine, why aren't you eating?"
Calmly, Jasmine replied:
"I'm wondering, Alexander… does this meal hold fate for both of us today? Or just for one?"
Alexander paused, unsure what she meant. Glancing suspiciously at the nearby servant, he noticed them collapse to the floor in fright. A shiver ran down his spine—was there something wrong with the food? Or had Jasmine quietly assembled her own secret faction within the palace over these three months?
Alexander's lips curved into a strange, victorious smile. He placed his wine glass on the table and leaned slightly toward her, eyes alight with possessive satisfaction.
Laughing softly, he said:
"Well done, Jacy, very well! Your sharp words are exactly what drew me into loving you. You think I'll be afraid? I want you to try… to challenge me. Only in your attempts will you come closer to me."
He took a bite of meat with slow delight, then looked at her again.
"From now on, every particle of dust in this palace is yours. You may choose not to finish this dinner, but it won't change your fate."
Jasmine's Inner Thoughts
Watching Alexander's cheerful expression, Jasmine felt a heavy weight in her chest. She still loved Dmitri, but in the eyes of society, the priest's decree, and the law, she was Alexander's wife.
She whispered to herself:
"No matter how much I resist, fate has placed me before a cruel truth. Dmitri is gone, and I belong to Alexander. From now on, my fight isn't to escape but to survive in this darkness."
Resolute, she picked up her cutlery. To defeat Alexander, she first needed to act as a worthy wife. A forced smile crept onto her face.
"You're right, Alexander," she said. "Since fate has united us, there's no point in wasting this meal. Let's finish dinner."
Alexander was surprised by her sudden composure, but he took it as a sign of his victory. He had no idea that Jasmine was now the most beautiful yet most dangerous part of his life.
Alexander and Jasmine on the International Stage
They were invited to a grand international event attended by the world's most influential business and political figures. Alexander wanted to show everyone that Jasmine belonged solely to him.
The venue was lined with a blue carpet, flashes from hundreds of cameras filling the air. Alexander wore a regal black suit, and Jasmine dazzled in an emerald-green designer gown.
Stepping out of the car, Alexander held Jasmine tightly in front of everyone, hand on her shoulder, striking a pose. Normally, Jasmine would feel uncomfortable, but today was different.
Jasmine's Smile and Inner Change
As Alexander held her, Jasmine leaned her head against his chest, smiling genuinely. There was no artificiality. Together, they became the world's new 'power couple.'
Her thoughts:
"Three months ago, I despised him… but now, in spite of everything, he hasn't let me go. Perhaps this is my destiny. Alexander may be ruthless, but he has made me his queen. His possessiveness no longer feels poisonous—it feels… right."
Alexander whispered in her ear, "Everyone envies you tonight, Jacy. You're not just beautiful—you are the source of my strength."
Jasmine glanced at him, blushing, a soft smile playing on her lips. Memories of Dmitri faded into the background, replaced by a new, growing bond with Alexander.
Jasmine's Regal Entrance
Entering the grand hall, all eyes turned toward her. She walked not as a guest, but as the new empress of the Volga empire. Each step was confident and rhythmic, the long train of her gown sparkling like diamonds on the floor. Alexander proudly presented her to the crowd.
Later, away from the cameras and crowd, Jasmine adjusted Alexander's suit collar and looked into his eyes. There was no fear or hatred—only calm surrender.
"Everyone is watching us, Alexander. Are you happy?" she asked softly.
He was momentarily stunned by her tenderness, unable to believe she had come so close of her own will. Pulling her closer, he whispered:
"I don't care if the whole world is watching. For this smile, I could burn the world. Do you truly want to stay by my side?"
Bowing her head, Jasmine admitted softly:
"I am your wife now, Alexander. Your home is mine. My heart is yours… perhaps this is just the beginning."
Alexander pressed a deep kiss to her forehead. He didn't know if she truly loved him yet, but this moment felt like his greatest victory.
But Where is Dmitri?
From the gallery above, a shadowy figure watched, binoculars in hand, eyes burning with fury. He saw Jasmine resting her head on Alexander's chest, smiling. It was Dmitri.
Quietly, he muttered:
"Jasmine… have you really forgotten me? Alexander may have taken you, but I will risk everything to bring you back to me."
Exhausted after the event, Jasmine sank into a sofa in their private lounge. Her high heels were painful, and she struggled to remove them beneath the heavy gown.
Alexander noticed and knelt before her. Jasmine was shocked—this feared mafia leader, before whom all bowed, was now kneeling at her feet.
With utmost care, he removed the straps of her heels, massaging her tired feet gently. Looking at her, he said softly:
"Are they hurting too much, Jacy? I knew these shoes might be too high for you. Tell me if it's too much."
Jasmine was speechless at his care. The affection she had begun to feel deepened. She never imagined Alexander would humble himself like this.
Placing her hand over his hair, she realized he hadn't just possessed her—he truly treated her like a queen.
"Thank you, Alexander. I never thought you'd do this yourself," she said.
He looked at her with a rare, gentle smile, no trace of malice.
"You are my wife, Jasmine. Taking care of you is my duty. When you are comfortable, I am at peace."
For the first time, Jasmine silently admitted to herself that Dmitri may have been her past, but Alexander was her present—and her future. She held his hand firmly.