Novels by winterhearts53

The morning light bled through the massive windows, casting golden streaks over the silk sheets tangled around Nirvana’s legs. She stretched, muscles still thrumming with the memory of last night’s tension. RAyNe had played his game well, but so had she.A sharp knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.Before she could respond, Gianni stepped in, holding a sleek black box with a satin ribbon. He set it on the bed beside her."From RAyNe," he said.Nirvana arched a brow. "Should I be flattered or concerned?"Gianni smirked but didn’t answer. He turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.Curious, she pulled the ribbon loose and lifted the lid.Her breath hitched.Inside lay a dress…a deep crimson masterpiece, cut low in the front and scandalously high on the thigh. Delicate chains draped across the open sides, held together by gold clasps. The silk fabric felt sinful against her fingers.She chuckled to herself.He thinks this will unsettle me?No. She'd wear it. And she'd m

The door to RAyNe’s private office creaked open just enough for Nirvana to slip inside. Shadows stretched across the dimly lit room, the scent of expensive cologne and leather wrapping around her. She moved quickly, her fingers skimming the edge of the grand desk. If there was anything to find, it had to be here.Her heart pounded as she reached for the top drawer. Locked. Of course.“You little snake,” a sharp voice cut through the silence.Nirvana froze.Siara stood at the doorway, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with triumph."You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” Siara stepped closer. “Wait till RAyNe hears about this.”Nirvana turned, her mind working fast. If Siara made enough noise, she’d be caught. But if she controlled the narrative first…Before Siara could open her mouth again, Nirvana gasped dramatically and threw herself against the desk with a loud thud. A sharp cry left her lips, her body crumpling onto the floor.“Ahh..!” she moaned, clutching her side.Heavy footsteps e

Nirvana woke to the sound of knocking.Three sharp raps against the door.She groaned, blinking against the morning light filtering through the tall windows. “What?”The door creaked open, and a young maid stepped inside, her hands clutching a box wrapped in a silver ribbon. She kept her gaze down, avoiding eye contact. “The boss asked me to bring this for you.”Nirvana sat up slowly, stretching her arms before taking the box. She tugged the ribbon loose and flipped the lid open. Inside was a soft, pastel summer dress with thin straps and a delicate bow at the neckline.A dress.Of course.She scoffed, tossing the box onto the bed. “Let me guess. He expects me to wear this?”The maid hesitated before nodding. “Yes, miss. He’s asked that you join him for breakfast.”Nirvana rolled her eyes. So this was his game now? Dressing her up like his perfect little doll? Like she was just another one of his playthings, docile and submissive?She should have been irritated, but instead…she smirke

The sound of approaching footsteps barely registered in Nirvana’s mind. She sat by the hospital window, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. Outside, the world moved on…cars passing, people walking, life continuing as if hers hadn’t been shattered into something unrecognizable.Behind her, the door opened. She didn’t turn. She didn’t need to. The air shifted, darkened, carrying the weight of his presence.RAyNe was back.She expected some grand entrance…maybe a snide remark, a sarcastic comment, something to remind her he was in control. Instead, he simply stood there for a moment, watching her.Then, as expected…“You’re quiet today.”Nirvana didn’t answer. She kept her gaze on the window, fingers loosely gripping the edge of the bed.RAyNe moved closer, slow and deliberate, like a predator testing the waters. “Not even a glare? No sharp words?” He tilted his head. “I’m almost offended.”Still, she said nothing.A slow, amused exhale left his lips. Then…“I like you tamed.”Her f

"You look like hell, Mr. Castillo."Adrian’s voice dripped with mockery as he strolled into the dimly lit visitation room. He adjusted the cuffs of his designer suit, the sharp contrast against the cold, grimy walls of the prison making his presence feel even more suffocating. He took his time, dragging out each step before finally sitting across from Jordan Castillo.Jordan exhaled heavily, his weary eyes locking onto Adrian with a mixture of disgust and disappointment. This boy... This traitor..."What the hell do you want?" Jordan’s voice was hoarse, exhaustion clinging to every syllable.Adrian smirked, leaning forward with his elbows on the table, his confidence reeking of arrogance. "I just came to check on you. See how you’re holding up in this lovely little home of yours." His tone was laced with amusement.Jordan clenched his fists. "You put me here.""I did." Adrian’s smirk widened. "And I did it well."Jordan's breathing became heavier, but he refused to let Adrian see how

"There she is."RAyNe’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried a weight that made Gianni shift uncomfortably beside him.The crisp autumn air of Université Saint-Laurent in France carried the laughter and chatter of students heading out of the campus gates. Some hurried past, engrossed in their own worlds, while others lingered in small groups, sharing inside jokes.But RAyNe’s world had narrowed to one person.Across the street, a young woman stood with a backpack slung over her shoulder. She was beautiful…delicate, almost fragile…but there was something deeply unsettling about her appearance. She was thin, too thin. Her skin was pale, her cheekbones pronounced, and her eyes…Hollow. Haunted. Terrified.Her gaze darted around, her fingers tightening on the strap of her bag as if she expected something…someone…to appear and drag her away.RAyNe clenched his jaw so hard his teeth hurt.What the fuck happened to her?"You’re gonna give me away if you keep standing like that,"

"Noel, open the door."Vincenzo’s voice was firm, laced with something raw…something that made Noel’s fingers tremble against the wood. His forehead rested against the cool surface, his breath uneven.“Go away,” Noel whispered.A heavy silence settled between them before Vincenzo’s fist slammed against the door again. “Are you really going to let him touch you again?”Noel’s stomach twisted violently. He squeezed his eyes shut, his nails digging into his palms.“Yes.” His voice shook, but he forced the words out. “Just go away, Vincenzo.”“Bullshit.”Noel heard the frustration in Vincenzo’s tone, the quiet desperation simmering beneath it. “You don’t want this, Noel. I can save you. Just open the door and leave the rest to me.”Noel’s chest ached. He wanted to believe that. God, he wanted to.But Julian had the video. And if it got out…if his father saw…He sucked in a breath. “No. I don’t need your amazing grace. I don’t need your saving. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”The words

“I just want what’s best for Vincenzo.”Elene’s voice was soft, laced with gentle concern as she gazed at Don Ramón De Luca with wide, earnest eyes. Her delicate fingers toyed with the rim of her teacup, the very picture of a thoughtful, loving fiancée.Across from her, Vincenzo’s mother, Isabella, smiled warmly, clearly taken by the young woman’s sincerity. Even Don Ramón, ever the skeptic, observed her with interest.“Of course, you do,” Isabella agreed, setting down her spoon. “You’ve always been so patient with him.”Elene gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, lowering her lashes. “I wouldn’t call it patience… I just love him, is all.” She let out a quiet sigh, perfectly timed, her voice softening with hesitation. “But lately, something feels… different.”Don Ramón’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean?”Elene bit her lip as if reluctant to speak, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “I wasn’t sure if I should say anything. I don’t want to cause problems between you and Vincenzo.”Is

"I’ve missed you, Noel."Julian's voice slithered through the air, smooth and calculated, sending an icy shiver down Noel’s spine.Noel’s fingers twitched. His body locked up, every muscle screaming at him to run…but he couldn’t. Not here. Not now.Vincenzo’s grip on his wrist tightened. "Who the fuck is this?" His voice was low, dangerous.Julian’s gaze flicked to Vincenzo, his smirk widening. "Ah. The infamous Vincenzo De Luca. Figures." He took a step forward, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Didn't think Noel would downgrade so drastically, though."Vincenzo’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted in the air. The temperature seemed to drop.Noel snapped out of his frozen state. "Julian, leave." His voice came out sharper than he intended, but his heart was pounding too hard to care.Julian tsked, shaking his head. "That’s not how you talk to your boyfriend."Noel flinched."Ex." His voice barely held steady. "We’re done, Julian. You need to…"Julian’s smile didn’t waver. "

"You should just give in and be Vincenzo De Luca’s sugar baby, Noel. It’d solve all your problems."Aria's voice was laced with playful mischief, but Nico snorted, shaking his head."You’re wasting a golden opportunity, man," Nico added, smirking. "Rich, powerful, and obsessed with you? Some people would kill for that."Noel stabbed at his half-eaten pasta, his appetite long gone. "I’m not for sale," he muttered, voice tight.Aria and Nico exchanged a glance. The teasing stopped when they noticed the way his shoulders tensed, his fingers gripping the fork like a lifeline."Noel…?" Aria’s voice softened.He inhaled shakily, blinking back the sudden sting in his eyes. "I went to see my dad," he admitted, barely above a whisper.Silence.Nico sat up straighter. "And?""He’s getting married."Aria frowned. "What?""He invited me home just to drop that bomb. Like it wasn’t a big deal. Like I didn’t spend my childhood in that hellhole," Noel said bitterly, hands clenching into fists on the

"You’re late."The voice was cold, sharp like a blade, and it made Noel’s stomach churn. He hadn’t even stepped inside yet.His fingers curled into fists at his sides as he stood frozen outside the grand three-story house, his childhood prison. The sight of it alone made his chest tighten, the air around him suddenly feeling too thin.He hated this place.The memories clawed at him, dragging him back. The shouting matches in the kitchen, plates shattering against walls, his mother’s piercing screams. He used to squeeze his eyes shut, hands pressed tightly over his ears, wishing it would stop. But it never did.Sometimes, she took her anger out on him instead. A slap across the face, a yank of his arm, and then the dreaded sound of the basement door unlocking."You like hiding so much? Stay there."Cold. Cramped. Suffocating. His breath would quicken, his chest tightening as the shadows pressed in on him. He'd claw at the door, scream until his voice went hoarse, but no one ever came.

"You're hiding something."Vincenzo’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. His dark eyes stayed locked onto Noel, who sat curled up on his bed, his arms wrapped tightly around himself.Noel didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at him.Aria and Nico exchanged glances, shifting uncomfortably."Who was that guy?" Vincenzo pressed, stepping closer. His patience was razor-thin. "The one who had his filthy hands on you."Noel flinched at the reminder. His fingers clenched the blanket, his breathing still uneven from earlier.Aria was the first to break the silence. "Vince, drop it."Vincenzo’s gaze snapped to her, his jaw tightening. "Like hell, I will. You think I’m gonna just stand back after seeing someone attack him?"Nico sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Look, man. It’s complicated.""Then uncomplicate it," Vincenzo snapped, his voice low and dangerous. "Who. The fuck. Was he?"Silence.Noel’s head lowered, his platinum hair falling over his eyes. He was trembling, t