Bound by debt, Trapped by desire
Elena Thompson’s life has never been easy, but she’s always managed to survive. Working long shifts at a small diner, she’s spent years cleaning up the mess her father made—until the day he makes the ultimate mistake. Drowning in debt to dangerous people, he signs away the only thing he has left to offer: her.
Alexander Calloway is ruthless, powerful, and dangerously cold. When he steps in to settle William Thompson’s debts, he doesn’t want money—he wants Elena. To him, marriage is just another contract, another deal to control. But what he doesn’t anticipate is the fire in her eyes and the way she refuses to bend to his will.
into a world of wealth and secrets, Elena vows to fight for her freedom. But the more she clashes with her formidable husband, the more she finds herself drawn to the man behind the icy exterior. And as an old flame from Alexander’s past resurfaces, determined to ruin everything, Elena realizes that escaping her new life might not be her biggest challenge…
Surviving it—and resisting the growing tension between her and Alexander—might be.
In a battle of wills, desire, and betrayal, how long can Elena fight the pull of the man who holds her fate in his hands?
Baca
Chapter: EpilogueA year later…Elena stood at the balcony of their penthouse, staring out at the New York skyline as the golden hues of sunset painted the city in breathtaking shades. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh roses from the garden Alexander had built for her—a sanctuary in the midst of the chaos that had once ruled their lives.She placed a hand on her stomach, feeling the small but growing swell beneath her dress. A secret she hadn’t yet told Alexander. Their child.She smiled.A year ago, she had been nothing more than a waitress trying to survive. Then she had been a wife bound by a debt she hadn’t created. But now? Now she was a woman in love. A woman loved.Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a familiar warmth. She sighed as Alexander pressed a kiss against her temple.“What are you thinking about?” he murmured.Elena turned, looking into the deep ocean blue of his eyes. The same eyes that had once been cold, guarded—now filled with warmth and devotion.“Our l
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-05
Chapter: Chapter 14Chapter 14The night had been long.Too long.Alexander hadn’t let go of Elena since they returned home.She sat wrapped in a blanket on the edge of their bed, fingers trembling around the cup of tea he had given her. The warmth seeped into her palms, but it did nothing to stop the chill in her bones.Alexander sat beside her, his hands tight fists on his lap.“They won’t hurt you again,” he said.There was steel in his voice. A promise.Elena turned to him. “You… you saved me.”His jaw clenched. “I should’ve been there sooner.”“You were there when it mattered.”Alexander exhaled sharply. His hand came up, hesitating for only a second before brushing over her bruised cheek. His touch was gentle, reverent.Elena’s breath caught.“Does it hurt?” he asked, voice tight.She shook her head. “Not as much as it did before.”His eyes darkened. “Tristan—”“He’s gone,” she whispered. “It’s over.”A long silence stretched between them.Then—“Elena,” Alexander said, his voice raw. “I almost los
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-05
Chapter: Chapter 13Elena should have known something was wrong the moment she stepped into the mansion.The air inside felt off—too still, too heavy. The grand chandelier overhead cast a cold, silvery glow, illuminating the long hallway leading to Alexander’s study.Her gut twisted with unease.Alexander should have been home by now. But the house was eerily silent.She hesitated at the study door before slowly pushing it open.And then she froze.Scarlett sat perched on Alexander’s chair, legs crossed, a wine glass dangling from her fingers.Tristan stood beside her, his expression unreadable.Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs.“What… what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice coming out steadier than she felt.Scarlett’s lips curled into a smirk. “Hello to you too, darling.”Elena swallowed hard, forcing herself to step inside. “Where’s Alexander?”Tristan chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “He’s… occupied. Which means it’s just us.”Elena stiffened. “I don’t have time for your games.”Scar
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-05
Chapter: Chapter 12Elena had always known Alexander was a man of secrets.But this?This was something different.Something darker.She could see it in his eyes—the way they sharpened at her question, the way his body tensed, as if preparing for battle.Something had happened the night Scarlett left.And now, she needed to know what.“Elena,” Alexander said carefully, his voice controlled, measured. “Where is this coming from?”She hesitated for only a second. “Tristan called me.”His jaw clenched.“He said I should ask you about Scarlett.”Silence.A heavy, suffocating silence.Elena forced herself to keep her gaze steady. “So I’m asking.”Alexander exhaled slowly, setting his tie down on the dresser before turning to fully face her.“I don’t like Tristan speaking to you.”“That’s not an answer.”His lips pressed into a thin line.She could tell he was debating—choosing his words carefully.And that only made her pulse pound harder.Why did he need to choose?Why couldn’t he just tell her the truth?“E
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-01
Chapter: Chapter 11Elena knew it wouldn’t be easy.Whatever was happening between her and Alexander, whatever this thing was, it wouldn’t come without consequences.And she was right.Because the next morning, Scarlett showed up.—Elena was in the library when the knock came.It wasn’t a soft, hesitant knock. It was sharp. Demanding.Before she could react, one of the house staff entered, looking uncertain.“Mrs. Calloway,” the woman said. “There’s a… guest at the door.”Elena frowned. “Who?”The woman hesitated, then sighed. “Scarlett Monroe.”Elena’s stomach dropped.She shouldn’t have been surprised.After what had happened at the gala, after Scarlett’s warnings, it was only a matter of time before she made another move.Still, Elena wasn’t prepared to come face to face with her this soon.She straightened her shoulders. “Where is she?”“The foyer.”Elena exhaled slowly. Then, without another word, she made her way there.Scarlett was waiting by the grand staircase, dressed in an elegant black coat,
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-01
Chapter: Chapter 10Elena had never felt this way before.Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, she could still feel Alexander’s touch on her skin, still taste him on her lips.She had fought against him for so long, against this pull between them, convinced it was nothing but a trick of circumstance.But tonight, that illusion shattered.Because when Alexander had kissed her, she hadn’t resisted.She had kissed him back.And she had wanted more.A part of her screamed that this was dangerous—that Alexander Calloway was dangerous.But another part of her, the part that had felt his hands on her waist, the part that had heard the quiet hitch in his breath when she pulled him closer, told her something else entirely.Maybe he wasn’t just the cold, ruthless man everyone believed him to be.Maybe, with her, he was something different.—The next morning, Elena found herself walking through the house in a daze.The staff moved around her as usual, offering polite nods, but she barely noticed them.Her mind wa
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-01
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