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
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: Dangerous DesiresI pulled away, fighting the pull that was drawing me back to her. I hovered there, close enough to feel her uneven breath, to see the alarm flare in her eyes."What comes next, krasotka," I rumbled, my voice dropping into a threatening purr, "is that you become mine. My employee, my rules. You step into my world, you follow my orders. No arguments." My words hung heavy between us, a stark threat. She reeled back as if slapped. She retreated, her body forming a fortress, arms crossed defensively."Don't call me kraso-…whatever it is," she bit out. Her voice bristled with rebellion. Her cheeks were flushed red, her breathing shallow."My house, my rules," I repeated, my voice steady, firm."Should I also remind you, sir…" she retorted, her tone cutting through the air like a frosty dagger."Sir." Fuck! The word ignited a spark that traveled all the way down to my groin. In this intense environment, it seemed out of place, yet it struck a chord within me that I didn't even know existed.
Last Updated: 2025-01-17
Chapter: Playing Boss"What—?" she gasped, her face a mask of shock and confusion. Wondering why I picked her, no doubt. A smirk twitched at the corner of my mouth. It was pure entertainment, seeing her so rattled, so lost."You look confused, krasotka," I said, indifference coloring my voice. My smirk deepened as she cringed beneath my attention.I loved it, watching her squirm like this."I- I am not," she stuttered."Not what?" I interrupted, my impatience seeping into my tone. "Second-guessing?" I leaned in, close enough for my lips to brush her ear. "This is not a game, Aria."The slight shudder in her breath didn't escape me. The silence stretched out. I let it hang between us for a while, knowing that it was unnerving her."Screw up," I continued, my voice dropping to a predatory growl, "and you won't just be saying goodbye to Chicago."In the quiet that followed, tension snaked around us. And then her chin lifted, and her eyes flashed. I loved it. Her defiance fueled me. I was a man who enjoyed gam
Last Updated: 2025-01-17
Chapter: Sweet TortureAxel.20 mins earlier."What the hell? Is she for real?" I muttered as my gaze locked onto her. "She wasn't included in this morning's candidates, was she?"My eyes glued to Aria before darting to Svetlana standing rigidly at my side. She solemnly shook her head, her stern expression colored with an unusual hint of curiosity."No, sir. A late addition. One of the janitorial staff vouched for her."I'd burned through those profiles this morning, all eleven, each potential candidate picked apart. But she wasn't among them.The sheaf of resumés in my hand buckled, crumpling in my tense grip. She'd crashed the party, an unexpected twist in my otherwise meticulous process. A surprise but not necessarily an unwelcome one.Now, here she was, in my sight again. Aria. Like a mirage that wouldn't go away. She was back. There were a lot of questions I should have been asking right then, and top of the list should have been "Why?"What was her reason for coming back here?What were the chances of
Last Updated: 2025-01-17
Chapter: Pride and Peril"I'm in need of someone who can handle the responsibility of caring for my Mila," Axel continued, the possessiveness in his tone sparking an unexpected pang of jealousy within me. My Mila? I wondered who this Mila was and why her name elicited a feeling of envy in me. A Bratva lord, loving someone? It seemed impossible."The person I choose will need to assist Mila with her homework, manage her daily schedule, ensure her safety, and provide emotional support," Axel said, his eyes locked on mine as if daring me to prove my worth. "You will be required to be available 24/7 and live with her at our residence."His conditions hung in the air like a challenge, and I steeled myself, determined to meet his expectations and secure this job. The atmosphere in the room crackled with tension, a tangible mix of curiosity and trepidation. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, and then, from the back of the room, a timid voice piped up."Um, excuse me, sir? How much would we be paid for t
Last Updated: 2025-01-15
Chapter: ElectricOur gazes locked, and the intensity between us built. It felt like the room had shrunk, leaving only the two of us standing in this electric, charged space. We stood in silence, neither of us moving, as if we were caught in an invisible tug-of-war, neither willing to give in.How did he look so irresistible in broad daylight?"Ahem!" a voice broke in.I wrenched my gaze from the potent snare of Axel's eyes and redirected my focus to the head maid."What?" I asked, feeling a little disoriented."Over there," the woman barked at me, her eyes filled with disdain as she gestured to a spot at the back of the line of girls waiting for their interviews.She'd been such a colossal annoyance since she laid eyes on me.I did my best to avoid Axel's gaze, but it was like trying to resist the pull of gravity. I couldn't help but sneak a quick glimpse of him, and every time I did, I was sucked right back in.He caught my eye, his mouth curling into a knowing smirk. His eyes latched onto mine, the
Last Updated: 2025-01-15
Chapter: The Devil's GameAria. Today was the day.I scrutinized my reflection. The woman in the mirror might have looked like me, but she was a stranger, an imposter. My outfit was chosen with surgical precision, aiming for inconspicuous yet competent – a simple black dress that grazed my knees, paired with practical flats. Hair yanked back into a no-nonsense bun, makeup barely there. I wanted to fade into the background, be invisible, but the sense of exposure, the vulnerability, was too palpable.I was smack-dab in the middle of a Russian Bratva war.My pulse raced as I geared up for this interview. An interview that might just toss me back into the treacherous world I'd been desperately trying to evade. The gig as a nanny at Axel-Yakov's mansion – the one man I hoped never to cross paths with again.Or did I really hope not to?"Get a move on." Viktor's voice behind me oozed malice, his final warning echoing in my ears. "Don't you dare screw this up, Aria. You'll get the job, and you'll be my eyes and ear
Last Updated: 2025-01-15
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: ControlThe scotch glass trembled slightly in Daniel's hand as he watched the press conference footage again. His own empty chair in the background spoke volumes - the space where he should have been standing behind Fiona, maintaining the image they'd crafted so carefully.Instead, he'd walked out. Left her there to crumble under the weight of her own lies. Amateur mistake."What were you thinking?" His voice stayed measured, professional. The same tone he used in board meetings when someone had spectacularly failed. "Did you even consider the implications before staging this little performance?"Fiona perched on the edge of his office sofa, her designer dress wrinkled from hours of damage control meetings. "Danny, I was just trying to-""To what?" The ice clinked against glass as he set it down. "If it had been any other designer, we could have handled this. Money talks. NDAs exist for a reason." He studied her tear-streaked face, seeing it clearly for the first time. "But Maya? You chose to
Last Updated: 2025-01-16
Chapter: EvidenceMaya's POVIt's funny how spaces can change overnight. The same office that had buzzed with competition excitement yesterday now felt like a minefield of whispers. Every conversation died as I passed, replaced by the heavy silence of people trying too hard to look busy."...can't believe they're sisters...""...guess that explains the interview...""...heard she and the CEO..."The fragments followed me down the corridor. I kept my steps measured, my spine straight. The morning light caught on my design tablet, and I held it like a shield as I made my way to my desk."Did you see the livestream?" Sarah from marketing didn't even try to lower her voice. "The poor sister, crying like that. Makes you wonder what really happened.""Well, you know how she got this job." Claire's response carried just far enough. "The CEO personally-""Stop." I hadn't meant to speak, but suddenly the words were there, cutting through the whispers. Heads turned - some guilty, some curious, some already deci
Last Updated: 2025-01-16
Chapter: The Price of TruthMaya's POV"DESIGNER EXPOSES SISTER'S BETRAYAL: The Truth Behind 'Eden'"The words blurred as I stared at James' phone screen. Behind Fiona's perfectly orchestrated tears, I could see my sketches - the raw, unfinished versions of what would become "Eden." Drafts I'd left scattered across my bed that day, right before everything went dark."You okay?" James' voice seemed to come from far away. "You look like you've seen a ghost.""I need to make a call." My voice sounded steadier than I felt. "Would you excuse me for a moment?"I barely registered his concerned nod as I stepped into what could have been my new kitchen. My fingers shook slightly as I dialed Olivia."Please tell me you're seeing this." The words tumbled out before she could speak."I am. Maya, listen - Fiona's name isn't anywhere in the competition records. I've checked three times. She never even submitted an entry."Something cold settled in my stomach. "She doesn't want to win. She wants to make sure I lose.""Maya-"
Last Updated: 2025-01-16
Chapter: Sweet VictoryMaya's POVI couldn't help but laugh at the memory of Daniel stumbling through Grandfather's mansion last night, all scotch-soaked bravado and empty threats. It was the kind of laugh that caught in your throat - not quite bitter, not quite amused. Just real.The morning commute was oddly peaceful. Traffic flowed smoothly for once, giving me too much time to think about everything and nothing. About how his threats didn't land the same way anymore. About the competition piece I'd submitted last week - "Eden" - and how the name had just felt right.At my desk, I lost myself in current projects. The design for Emma's spring collection needed tweaking, and there was something not quite right about the stone setting in the latest prototype. Normal problems. Safe problems."Ms. Russo?"I jumped, nearly knocking over my coffee. Alex's assistant stood there, apologetic."Sorry to startle you. Mr. Thorne would like a word."My stomach did an odd little flip. Probably about the prototype revisi
Last Updated: 2025-01-16
Chapter: Glass BeadsAlex's POVI watched Maya's reflection in the office window until it disappeared around the corner. The professional mask I'd worn slipped, just slightly, as I pressed my forehead against the cool glass. Below, the city sprawled like a glittering promise - the same view I'd fought so hard to earn.My fingers found the small scar at my temple, usually hidden by my hair. A souvenir from my stepmother's diamond ring, from a time when I'd dared to speak at dinner without permission. Strange, how certain memories stayed fresh no matter how many years passed.The pendant Maya wore today had caught the light during the lobby confrontation. Those beads - so similar to the ones I'd been turning over in my mind since our first meeting. The same intricate patterns, the same way of catching light...The memory rose unbidden, as it often did in quiet moments.I'd been twelve, though I looked younger - all knees and elbows and hunger that went deeper than missed meals. The mountain resort had been
Last Updated: 2025-01-16
Chapter: Not My MotherMaya's POVThe usual morning bustle of the lobby froze the moment I stepped out of the elevator. My mother stood in the center like a gathering storm, designer handbag clutched like a weapon. Ten years hadn't changed her much - same perfectly coiffed hair, same expensive clothes that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent."So this is where you've been hiding," she announced, voice pitched to carry. "Playing career woman while your poor husband sits at home alone."My stomach turned at the sight of phones being raised, at the eager faces of my coworkers pretending not to stare. First day on the job, and already my past was here to haunt me."We should talk somewhere else." My voice came out quieter than intended, but steady."Don't you dare walk away from me." Her voice rose sharply. "I'm not done-""Either we talk privately," I cut in, heat rising in my cheeks, "or security escorts you out. Your choice."She laughed, that brittle sound I remembered from childhood. "You th
Last Updated: 2025-01-16
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