VICTOR'S SECRET

Rory had just said something that made Victor’s blood run cold, Jason had asked about Ami. For what purpose, he wonders. Victor didn’t say much, he simply nodded and pulled her into his arms, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"You should rest now, sweetheart," he murmured, gently stroking her hair. "I’ve got you. I’ll protect both of you, always."

Rory placed her head on his chest, her body finally relaxing, the weight of the day's activities had a toll on her. The room was dimly lit, the soft sound of the air conditioner was humming low as Victor held Rory close to his chest. Her breathing had slowed, and her delicate lashes were fluttering against his skin. She had finally drifted to sleep after what felt like hours of restlessness.

Victor's hand stroked her hair gently, fingers threading through the strands like he was afraid.

After she had fallen asleep, he lay still on the bed, his eyes wide open, fixed on the ceiling above them. The soft sound of Rory’s breathing should have been comforting, but it only deepened the storm steering within him.

She had withheld the most important part of the meeting from him. She had told him about the meeting, yes, but not everything. Not the most damning piece. Victor's jaw tightened.

Earlier that day, he had pleaded with Rory to let him accompany her. “Babe, please, let me come with you. You don’t know what Jason is capable of, he might try something.”

Rory shook her head firmly. “Victor, I can handle Jason, you don’t need to worry. I just want to talk to him and move on.”

But Victor was worried; he had felt an unease that refused to quit. Something in his gut had warned him that Jason was unpredictable. And so, when Rory left, Victor had moved into action.

He had called Harriet, asking her to keep a close eye on Ami for a few hours. Then, he slipped into the hidden room in their walk-in closet, his private vault and reached for the silicon body mask he only used for special missions.

It reshaped his features entirely and altered the build of his body, giving him a bulkier frame. With a white polo shirt, a baseball cap, and his racer bike, he became someone else entirely.

Victor was a part of something he had kept from Rory out of protection. He was the leader of a secret organization known as The Umbra Legion. It was not a criminal gang, no, they were the shadows that protected the world from the rot that seeped beneath society’s surface. They were known to a select few as the dark guardians of power.

They managed territories across Europe—Switzerland, London and Belgium. They maintained order in places where governments failed. They operated in whispers and shadows, securing international art, controlling hidden investments, and protecting ancient secrets that couldn’t afford to be lost. To the world, Victor was a beloved artist with masterpieces in the Louvre and the Vatican. But to those in the know, he was Sable, the enigmatic leader of The Umbra Legion.

That morning, Sable had gotten to the café before Rory. He had taken a table close enough to hear Jason clearly and had sat with one of his trusted men who pretended to be in a business meeting.

And he had listened to every word.

Jason’s voice still echoed in his head.

“I’ll forgive you, Rory, but only on one condition—Divorce Victor and marry me.”

Victor’s stomach tightened. Why had Rory hidden that part of their discussion? He had given her every opportunity to say the whole truth. When she returned home and he asked about the meeting, she smiled, said Jason wasn’t behind the scandal, and that he accepted her apology.

No mention of Jason’s ultimatum.

And when he asked again—“Did he ask for anything in return?” she had paused, just for a moment, and then smiled again.

“No, he didn’t.”

Now, she lay peacefully in their bed, unaware that her husband had been in the room with them all along, just a table away.

Victor sat up, his breath became shallow. Was she considering it? Was she afraid? Or was she protecting him in her own way?

His mind raced.

Should he confront her? Tell her he had been there? Reveal the truth of who he really was?

No… not yet. He would wait. He needed to understand her intentions first.

He stood and walked to his desk, careful not to wake her. Sitting quietly in the glow of his computer screen, he opened his inbox.

There were countless emails from investors, international art commissions, and nominations for awards.

He skipped through until one subject line pulled his attention: “Urgent: Sector 9 Breaches Zurich Territory”

His eyes narrowed.

He opened the mail. One of the Umbra territories in Switzerland had been attacked. A minor gang had tried to infiltrate one of their safehouses. Victor read through, fingers tapping on the desk. Then he replied quickly, issuing strict directives to the local commander.

"Neutralize quietly, but make sure there are no casualties. Send them a message: the Umbra has an eye on them"

Within minutes, a confirmation pinged back.

It was handled.

He leaned back, rubbing his temples.

He didn’t want this life for Rort or Ami. He had spent years shielding them from it, but now, everything felt too close.

He needed to protect his family. At all costs.

He looked toward the bed again. Rory stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Her hand reached toward the space where he had been.

His heart softened, and he assured himself that Rory would not leave him. She loved him very much, and he loved her too more than his own life.

He stood up, stretched, and walked to the kitchen. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a soft golden hue over the marble countertops. He tied on an apron and began making breakfast.

By the time the eggs were sizzling and the steak was seared just right, the smell had filled the house.

Victor headed to Ami’s room first. "Princess," he whispered softly, sitting by her side. "Time to wake up; Daddy made your favourite."

Ami’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked, then grinned wide. "Steak?!"

Victor chuckled, ruffling her curls. "Only the best for my girl."

"Yay! Can I eat in bed?"

"Of course you can my darling," he winked.

He placed the tray in front of her and kissed her forehead.

"Thanks, Daddy, you’re the best."

"You’re welcome, sunshine."

Next, he returned to their room with a tray for Rory. He placed it gently by her side and kissed her cheek.

"Morning, my queen."

She groaned and blinked at him. "What time is it?"

"Time for you to enjoy the best breakfast in all of Zurich."

She sat up slowly, wrapping herself in the duvet. Her eyes softened when she saw the tray. "Victor… you did this for me?"

"Of course I did. You deserve it."

She reached for his hand, eyes misty. "How do you love me this much?"

He sat beside her and brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Because you are mine, and I am yours.”

She ate slowly, savouring each bite. Her mood lifted slightly, the heaviness in her heart now replaced with warmth.

When she finished, she stretched and began getting ready.

"I need to head to the office. There’s still so much to handle," she muttered, pulling out her blouse.

Victor stood in the doorway with his arms folded.

"I think you should rest today."

She turned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you need rest, and I need you here."

She tilted her head, hands on her hips. "Victor, you know how crazy things are right now. How can I rest with everything falling apart?"

"Because I already promised to handle things," he said softly, walking over to her. "I’ve got it under control."

She opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself.

She sighed. "Okay." That was all she said.

Just then, his phone beeped. He picked it up from the nightstand and unlocked it.

It was an email from one of his men.

He clicked it open. As his eyes skimmed the contents, his face changed. His eyes widened in shock.