Chapter: The DriveThe DriveThe car hummed along the road, but the silence inside was deafening. I glanced at Emilia, seated beside me, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Her fingers deftly twirled a small, triangular piece of metal, the motion so fluid and practiced it was mesmerizing. For a child her age, the skill was impressive. Unsettling, even.I cleared my throat, trying to catch her attention. But Emilia remained lost in her own world, the metal dancing between her fingers without missing a beat.I swallowed, a part of me wanting to leave her be. The silence was fine, I told myself. No childish questions, just blessed quiet. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. This Emilia was a far cry from the bubbly girl I'd met at the house. The way she stared ahead, so intense and knowing... it was almost as if she was aware of something I couldn't see."So, Emilia," I ventured, attempting to break the ice. "How's school going? You like your teachers? Your classmates?"Her responses were cl
Last Updated: 2024-09-09
Chapter: Phone call with DadAva.I stood in the kitchen, watching Alex hurry towards the door with Emilia skipping ahead of him. The migraine that had been pounding at my temples mere seconds ago faded into the background, forgotten in the face of this moment.Something about the scene before me felt achingly familiar, and painful difficult to ignore. As Alex and Emilia disappeared from view, my late husband's face superimposed itself over Alex's in my mind's eye. "James," I whispered absentmindedly, the name slipping out unbidden.A heavy, shaky breath escaped me, snapping me back to reality. Suddenly, I became aware of a dampness on my cheeks. I swallowed hard, reaching up to wipe my face. I'd been crying without even realizing it."Ms. Ava?"Rosa's voice startled me. I turned to find her standing at the threshold that led to the main lodge of the house. I hadn't even heard her approach. She tilted her head, genuine concern shining in her eyes. She didn't say anything more, but her gaze held a wealth of unspok
Last Updated: 2024-09-07
Chapter: Pancakes and PromisesAlex. I followed Ava and Emilia into the house, my hands tucked into my pockets. I'd done what I came here to do - brought Ava home safe and sound. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to leave. Maybe it was the way Emilia had looked at me, with those big, curious eyes. Or maybe it was the memory of Ava's face in the garden, so raw and vulnerable. Whatever it was, I felt like I needed to stay, just a little longer. Of course, I knew Vivian would be waiting for me when I got back to my place. She'd probably been there all night, pacing and worrying. I'd promised her this thing with Ava was just a charade, a means to an end. But after last night, after the things I'd said and done... I couldn't shake the feeling that I was betraying her, somehow. We entered the kitchen, and I took a moment to appreciate the space. It was impressive, even by my standards - all top-of-the-line appliances and custom finishes. The kind of kitchen you'd expect to find in a multimillion-dollar h
Last Updated: 2024-09-06
Chapter: Ghosts and GardensAlex. The garden was a riot of color and life, a stark contrast to the sleek, modern lines of the house. I followed the winding stone path, the sound of childish laughter and splashing water growing louder with each step. As I rounded a corner, I spotted them. Ava, kneeling by the edge of a small, ornate fountain. And Emilia, her dark curls damp and clinging to her cheeks, her little hands plunged into the water as she giggled and played. For a moment, I just watched them, something warm and unfamiliar stirring in my chest. Ava's face was soft, unguarded in a way I'd never seen before. She was smiling, her eyes crinkled at the corners as she watched her daughter play. But there was a sadness there too. Faint, but it was there, it flickered across her face when Emilia wasn't looking. It was the same sadness I'd glimpsed that day at her office, when she'd reluctantly told me about her husband. I must have made some noise, because suddenly Ava's head snapped up, her eyes locking
Last Updated: 2024-09-06
Chapter: The Morning AfterAlex.The car hummed quietly as I navigated the streets of Seattle, the early morning sun just starting to peek through the clouds. Beside me, Ava was slumped in the passenger seat, her seatbelt on but her body curled into a tight ball. She'd pulled the hood of her sweatshirt up, burying her face in the soft fabric.I glanced over at her, my lips twitching. When I'd handed her the tracksuit back at the hotel, I'd half-expected her to ask about last night. To demand answers about how she'd ended up in that barely-there nightgown, about what had happened between us. But she'd just taken the clothes, her jaw tight, and disappeared into the bathroom to change. Maybe it was better this way. Better to leave the past in the past, to focus on the game we were playing now.I'd offered her one of my patented hangover smoothies before we left, pressing the green concoction into her hands with a grin. She'd eyed it suspiciously, her nose wrinkling."Relax," I'd said, moving around the suite as I
Last Updated: 2024-09-06
Chapter: The FalloutAva. I woke up with a pounding headache and a mouth that tasted like something had died in it. Groaning, I rolled over, my hand brushing against unfamiliar silk sheets. Wait. Silk sheets? I sat up, blinking against the harsh sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. This wasn't my room. This wasn't my bed. And I definitely didn't own a nightgown like the one I was currently wearing - a flimsy, barely-there scrap of lace that left little to the imagination. What the hell had happened last night? Fragmented memories swirled through my mind. The gala. The balcony. Alex's mouth on mine, hot and hungry and full of promises. And then... nothing. A blank space where the rest of the night should have been. I looked down at myself, my cheeks flushing hot. I hadn't put this nightgown on myself, which meant... oh God. Had Alex undressed me? Had he seen me, touched me, while I was passed out drunk? The thought made my stomach churn with a mixture of embarrassment and somet
Last Updated: 2024-09-05
Divorced My CEO Husband, He Came Begging
In the glittering world of high finance and luxury penthouses, Maya thought she had it all. A fairytale marriage to a powerful CEO, wealth beyond imagination, and the promise of a perfect life. But beneath the polished surface lies a web of deceit, manipulation, and shattered dreams.
As the cracks in her golden cage begin to show, Maya discovers that the price of her apparent success is her very identity. Trapped between familial expectations and a husband's cruel indifference, she finds herself fading into the background of her own life.
But a chance encounter at a company gala sparks something long dormant in Maya – a fierce determination to reclaim her worth. As she navigates treacherous waters of family loyalty, marital obligations, and self-discovery, Maya must make a choice: continue living a lie or risk everything for a chance at true happiness.
With each step towards freedom, the stakes grow higher, and the dangers more real. In a world where appearance is everything, Maya's journey to find her voice threatens to topple empires built on secrets and lies.
Will she find the strength to break free from the chains of expectation? Or will the price of her rebellion prove too high to bear? One thing is certain – in the game of love and power, nothing is ever as it seems.
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Chapter: Ride Home with the EnemyI stood there, caught between Alex's piercing gaze and the echo of Daniel's words still ringing in my ears. The hallway suddenly felt too small, too confining. I needed air, space, anything to clear my head. "I didn't realize you were so concerned about other people's personal lives," I said, aiming for nonchalance but hearing the brittleness in my voice. Alex blinked, taken aback by my sudden sharpness. He recovered quickly, his expression softening. "I just came out for some air," he said lightly. "The atmosphere in there is... rather intense." I let out a humorless laugh. "You don't know the half of it." I glanced back towards the dining room. "I should go. Grandfather will be waiting." "Maya," Alex's voice stopped me. "A woman like you... you shouldn't be trapped in a broken marriage." The words hit me like a physical blow. Broken marriage. Such a simple phrase to describe the wreckage of my life. I felt a tidal wave of emotions crashing over me – anger, hurt, fear, and s
Last Updated: 2024-09-21
Chapter: EavesdroppingThe dining room was a study in opulence. A massive mahogany table dominated the space, its polished surface reflecting the warm glow of the chandelier overhead. Fine china and gleaming silverware awaited us at each place setting. As we took our seats, I couldn't help but feel like a fraud in this world of old money and more uncomfortable secrets. Grandfather sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding even in the act of unfolding his napkin. "Alex, my boy," he said, his voice warm. "It's been too long. Tell me, how was your time abroad?" Alex smiled, and I was struck again by how at ease he seemed in this setting. "Enlightening, Mr. Russo. The techniques I learned in Italy have been invaluable to my work." "Italy?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. All eyes turned to me, and I felt my cheeks warm. Grandfather chuckled. "Ah, I forget my manners. Maya, dear, Alex was a student of mine before he went abroad to study jewelry design. One of my most promising pupils
Last Updated: 2024-09-21
Chapter: Family Dinner from HellThe tension in the room evaporated the moment Daniel answered his phone. His face, moments ago contorted with rage, smoothed into a mask of politeness. "Grandfather," he said, his voice suddenly warm. "How are you?" I lay there, heart still racing, as I listened to Daniel's side of the conversation. His brow furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. "Tonight? But-" Daniel paused, clearly cut off. "Yes, of course. We'll be there." He hung up, turning to me with a scowl. "Get up. We're going to dinner at the old mansion." I blinked, struggling to process the sudden shift. "What?" "Grandfather wants to see you," Daniel spat, as if the words tasted foul. "He misses you, apparently." --- The leather seats of Daniel's luxury sedan creaked as he shifted gears, his cologne almost suffocating in the enclosed space. We'd been driving in tense silence for nearly twenty minutes, the city lights giving way to the manicured lawns of the suburbs. "Remember," Daniel said, his voice l
Last Updated: 2024-09-21
Chapter: Crossed LinesDaniel's eyes locked onto the designs spread across the bed. "What are you doing?" I stiffened, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. "Just... working on some new designs." "New designs?" Daniel scoffed, sauntering into the room. "As if the ones you've been churning out aren't enough." His dismissive tone made something twist inside me. "Those designs are making you money, aren't they?" I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Daniel's head snapped towards me, surprise flickering across his face before it hardened into a scowl. "Careful, Maya. Don't forget who you're talking to." "How could I?" I muttered, turning back to my sketches. "What was that?" Daniel's voice dropped dangerously low as he crossed the room in two quick strides. I should have backed down. Should have apologized. But something in me refused to yield this time. I met his gaze. "I said, how could I forget? You never let me." Daniel's eyes narrowed. "You're in quite a mood tonight,
Last Updated: 2024-09-20
Chapter: Secret Phone CallThe darkness pressed in around me, broken only by slivers of moonlight sneaking through the curtains. I sat on the plush carpet of my prison, my back against the cold, unyielding door as I curled in on myself, my hands bracing my knees to my chest. The digital clock on the nightstand blinked neon against the darkness, 7:42 PM. Daniel's mocking laughter still echoed in my ears. "You should thank Fiona, you know," he'd sneered earlier. "If it weren't for her, you'd be in a much worse situation." I'd begged the damn bastard, I'd pleaded. Hell, I'd even tried reasoning with him. Fat lot of good that did me. "Daniel, please," I'd said, my voice embarrassingly small. "You can't keep me locked up forever." He'd just smirked, those eyes I once thought were kind now cold as ice. "Watch me." The click of the lock had been final, absolute. I'd pounded on the door desperately until my fists ached, screaming myself hoarse. "You bastard! Let me out!" Silence was my only answer. Now, ho
Last Updated: 2024-09-20
Chapter: Locked AwayMaya's POV "Yes, my wife. Is there a problem with that, Mr. Thorne?" Alex's smile turned casual, almost playful, but his eyes remained sharp. "No problem at all. I just... might have thought differently." Daniel's jaw clenched, and I could feel the anger radiating off him. "If you'll excuse us," he said, his voice tight. "We're needed inside." As he began to steer me away, Alex spoke up again. "Before you go, I must say, Mr. Russo, you're a lucky man." His voice was warm, but his eyes never left mine. "Your wife is not only beautiful but incredibly knowledgeable. A rare combination." Daniel's laugh was just a touch too loud, too forced. "Oh, I know how fortunate I am," he said, pulling me closer. "Maya is... one of a kind." I could feel Daniel's fingers digging into my side, a silent warning. Play along, they seemed to say. "We're very much in love," I heard myself say, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "Aren't we, darling?" Daniel's smile was all teeth. "Absolutely besot
Last Updated: 2024-09-14
Undercover in His Bed
Axel Yakov, a brutal mafia boss with blood on his hands, collides with Aria Blackwood, a woman desperate enough to sell her body and soul to save her junkie brother.
Aria's mission: spy on Axel, feed intel to his nemesis. But when Axel's raw magnetism and dominant presence ignite her deepest desires, the lines blur.
Their savage attraction explodes into mind-blowing sex, with Axel unleashing Aria's darkest fantasies. But as she falls for the man she's meant to destroy, Aria's caught in a web of lies, lust, and divided loyalties.
Axel, usually cold and merciless, finds himself obsessed with Aria. He wants to possess her, protect her, fuck her senseless – and it's making him careless.
With enemies closing in and betrayal lurking in every shadow, their intense affair could get them both killed. Or it could be their salvation.
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Chapter: Six-Fingered Chefs and Sudden CallsAria.I took a moment to absorb the strange little situation I'd found myself in. To all intents and purposes, this kitchen scene could be plucked straight out of a family sitcom – not a mafia household. It was surreal.Satisfied with the amount of ingredients and cheese she'd added to her pizza, Mila triumphantly marched her cheese-smothered star creation over to Nikolai."Dima, look!" She thrust it toward Nikolai like a trophy won in battle. I couldn't help but grin at the earnestness in her voice.Mafia princess by day, pizza chef by night. Why the hell not?Nikolai, built like a damn Spartan, and looking like he just stepped off a Men's magazine cover, was manning the pizza oven with sweat glistening off his muscles. I felt my face flush at the sight of him.Or was it the memory that had me trying to hide in a hole? It was almost hard to believe that the man standing there, cradling Mila's star-studded pizza with a tenderness that didn't fit his Herculean build, was the same man w
Last Updated: 2024-12-14
Chapter: Cheese and ChancesAria.Axel's lips twitched, and I swore there was a twinkle in his eye."Hungry?" he asked casually, as if I wasn't just dying here."No—" I attempted to bluff, but who was I kidding? My stomach decided to pull a Judas again and grumbled loud enough to register on the Richter scale.In one smooth move, he fished out a slice of the piping hot pizza from the oven, the cheese still bubbling like molten lava, and thrust it at me."Sit. Eat." His gaze locked onto mine.The slice of pizza he was brandishing looked sinfully delicious, a decadent sight of melting cheese and glistening toppings that had my mouth watering like a malfunctioning sprinkler system.I swallowed my saliva. Hard.Putting on my best poker face, but I knew I failed terribly. I might as well have been a starved mutt eyeing a juicy steak. I was sure my eyes were practically bulging out of my head, my tongue lolling out of my mouth.Damn it.Before I could respond, Svetlana interjected. "She's a—"Her protest was cut off by
Last Updated: 2024-12-14
Chapter: The Bacon Queen's KitchenAria.The delicious aroma of melting cheese and baking dough wafted out from the kitchen, a call to my empty stomach.God, I hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday.Between the whirlwind of events and my gnawing nerves, food had been the last thing on my mind. Things were just crazy since last week. The events at the "Velvet Room," the notorious strip joint where my best friend Zara worked, still lingered fresh in my mind.The image of her bloody, bruised face was seared into my brain.The ugly truth slammed into me with the subtlety of a freight train – Zara was in this shitstorm, all thanks to yours truly. The raw bite of guilt chewed me up from the inside out, an unrelenting reminder that I crafted this hellhole we were in. Zara was caught in the crossfire, and my big bro was collateral damage. It was my mess, my responsibility to shovel our way out.Oh, Zara. I am so sorry!Suddenly, I was yanked back, now standing in the kitchen doorway; the irresistible salty aroma was a freakin
Last Updated: 2024-12-14
Chapter: The Princess Suite PrisonAria.My heart hammered against my ribcage as I shadowed Svetlana through the labyrinthine corridors of the Yakov mansion. Each grandiose room we passed reeked of power and grandeur, a glaring reminder of the perilous world I'd been thrust into – a wolf's lair."This is your room," Svetlana ground to a halt in front of an imposing door, brandishing a golden key as if it were a weapon. I barely caught myself before slamming into her broad back.Shit!Someone should stick a "sudden stop" sign on her.Mental note: Don't tailgate Svetlana.The woman had the stopping power of a brick wall. My mental meandering came to a halt as I paid attention to what she was doing.The door creaked open, unfolding a realm that was more fairy tale than reality. Forget the typical nanny's quarters – this suite was nothing short of a princess's private sanctuary.Delicately patterned silk wallpaper cloaked the walls, looking more like an artist's loving masterpiece. Commanding the room's attention was a kin
Last Updated: 2024-12-14
Chapter: Pizza and PrioritiesAxel."Ni-nice to meet you too, Roman." Aria looked completely out of her depth."And you know what? She's Bella, and Axel is the Beast!" Mila sang, her face shining with the innocence that only a child could have."Oh, is that so?" Roman burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the large room. "Nice to meet you, Bella. Watch out for our beast here." He threw a pointed look at me before turning to Aria. He winked at her again.Fucker!In the background, Nikolai snorted, disappearing into the kitchen with a shake of his head."Svoloch," the word slipped out, a low grumble. Roman, that damn tease, always knew how to get under my skin. But even as I seethed, there was a strange warmth that unfurled within me. I was... content.Aria's eyes caught mine, a hint of something I couldn't quite place flickering there. It was as if she was seeing me in a new light as she took in the strange camaraderie that existed in our little family. I smirked at her, enjoying her bewilderment.Life in our w
Last Updated: 2024-12-13
Chapter: Beauty Meets the FamilyAxel."Déjà vu," I grunted to myself, a smirk curling my lips as I recalled that day when Aria had managed to douse me in vodka. What a picture she was, eyes as round as dinner plates, her lips parting in stunned silence, while the icy liquid made a mockery of my shirt.Now she stood before me, her hands resting on my chest, and I felt my cock harden as I took in her appearance up close. Her eyes, wide with surprise and vulnerability, locked onto mine. Her lashes were thick and dark, framing those huge eyes in a way that was... captivating. And as for her lips... I could still remember how sweet they tasted. I tightened my grip on her waist, pulling her body even closer.God, I want her so fucking bad."Thank- thank you!" Aria tried to push me away, but I didn't release her just yet, enjoying the heat of her body and the flustered look on her face.Blyat! Feeling Aria's plump breasts pressed against my hard chest sent a jolt of desire straight to my groin. I wanted those soft, full mo
Last Updated: 2024-12-13
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