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Chapter 2 - Mikhail's background story

Mikhail's Background Story:

Name: Mikhail Volkov

Family Legacy: Mikhail comes from the Volkov family, a powerful and feared Russian mafia clan that has ruled the underground for generations. The Volkovs are known for their iron-fisted control over various industries, from arms dealing to black-market trade. Growing up in a family where power, loyalty, and ruthlessness were everything, Mikhail learned early that weakness had no place in his world.

Childhood: Mikhail's childhood was anything but ordinary. His father, Viktor Volkov, was the head of the family—cold, calculated, and merciless. Mikhail was raised to be his father's successor, which meant being groomed in ways most children could never imagine. By the age of ten, Mikhail was already trained to fight and strategize, developing a sharp mind and keen instincts under his father's relentless expectations.

Viktor had no patience for softness; emotions were a liability, and kindness was weakness. Mikhail's mother, though gentler, was distant and complicit in the family's ways. The few times Mikhail tried to connect with her, she'd simply warn him that any attachment would be used against him. Thus, Mikhail grew up learning to suppress his emotions, believing that love was a dangerous weakness and that he could only rely on himself.

Tragic Incident: When Mikhail was sixteen, his younger brother, Alexei, whom he adored, was kidnapped by a rival gang as a pawn in a power struggle with Viktor. Mikhail was forced to watch his family's ruthlessness firsthand as his father made the decision not to negotiate or pay any ransom, deeming Alexei's life expendable for the sake of the family's reputation. Mikhail's attempts to save his brother were thwarted, and Alexei was ultimately killed. This incident shattered whatever remnants of innocence Mikhail had left.

Alexei's death drove Mikhail deeper into himself, solidifying his cold exterior. He came to believe that attachment only led to loss and vulnerability. This event marked a turning point; it was when Mikhail finally accepted that he could never escape his family's darkness and resolved to become the man his father wanted—a ruthless, hardened heir.

High School and Isolation: To further his training and isolate him from distractions, Viktor sent Mikhail to an elite academy in the U.S., where he'd learn not only Western strategies but also forge connections that would be useful for the family's future interests abroad. Mikhail kept his background a secret, allowing rumors to circulate but never confirming them. He was the quiet, intimidating student no one dared to approach. The few who tried were quickly shut down, and Mikhail maintained his aloofness, hiding the turmoil and scars beneath his cold gaze.

Mikhail's Inner Conflict: Deep down, however, a part of Mikhail yearned for something beyond the family's violence and ruthlessness. He occasionally allowed himself fleeting thoughts of a different life—one where he wasn't bound by blood to a world of crime. But his father's hold on him and the trauma of Alexei's death kept him chained to the belief that any softness would make him weak.

Meeting Ethan shakes Mikhail's convictions. Ethan's defiance and courage intrigue him, and Mikhail feels both drawn to and threatened by someone who doesn't fit into his world of power and submission. Ethan represents everything Mikhail thought he couldn't afford to want—a life where emotions don't have to be hidden, and where strength can come from love rather than fear.

(Such a big storyline 😭. Don't hesitate to contact me on discord if you want to make Manhwa depends on this story. Although I know this story isn't that best so you don't have to make Manhwa if you don't want. kellyallwayshere4you_21733.)