Author Note: Hey readers, This book delves into the darker side of romance, featuring explicit language, scenes, and a fast pace romance intertwined with a stalker trope. Please be aware that the content is intense and may not be suitable for everyone. If you enjoy dark romance novels and want to stay updated, follow me to my F******k group, Tracy Readrats, for more insights and discussions. Happy reading! TracyRaisel - POVMy eyes fixate on the phone screen, my fingers trembling above the display, waiting—desperately hoping—for a message from Alaric. But the screen remains hauntingly silent, the absence of his name like a knife twisting deeper with every passing second. Maybe he’s just busy at work, I tell myself, my chest tightening as dread curls around my ribs like a vise. The lie barely holds together.Needing a distraction, I turn to the charity event I’m dressing for, pulling a white, sleeveless dress from the wardrobe. The cream hue feels like a bitter joke—pure, simple, l
Raisel – POV“Fine. Let’s fake date,” I whispered in response to Soren’s bold proposal. My voice wavered, but my heart betrayed me with a flutter. His braces were gone, and so was the awkward nerd I once knew. Standing before me now was a man who looked as though he’d stepped out of a European magazine—dark, brooding eyes, sharp features, and a presence that demanded attention. He was utterly unrecognizable, and it made my chest tighten.The paparazzi swarmed us like vultures, their camera flashes blinding and relentless. My head throbbed as questions were hurled at us from every direction. Before I could react, Soren’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him. His hold was firm yet protective, shielding me from the chaos.“Mr. Soren Dalton, we need to ask Mrs. Raisel Warden some questions,” one of them shouted.“You will not ask any questions of my girlfriend,” Soren stated with a calm, steely edge to his voice. The word “girlfriend” hung in the air like a firecracker, silenci
Soren’s POVThe apartment was silent now. Hazel and Raisel were asleep in the guest room after finishing off a tub of ice cream and hours of painful sobbing. Raisel’s cries had been raw and relentless, each one cutting through me like a knife. It was unbearable to hear her pain—her heartbreak—and knowing I couldn’t fix it entirely only made it worse. Hazel, thankfully, stayed by her side, offering the comfort of a sister.I stood by the window, glass in hand, staring at the city skyline. The lights of New York stretched endlessly before me, a stark contrast to the darkness stirring within. The sight offered no solace tonight. My thoughts were consumed by the image of Raisel—her tear-streaked face, her trembling voice, the shattered trust in her eyes. She looked utterly broken.She didn’t deserve this. Not Raisel. Never her.She was a kind soul, too good for the likes of Alaric. She had been my rock in college—the one who stood by me when no one else dared. Back then, I was the freak, t
Raisel’s POVThe tears never seemed to stop, as if they had carved a permanent path down my cheeks. Humiliation burned brighter with each passing day, fed by the hate-filled texts from strangers and the cruel messages from so-called friends who had turned their backs on me. It had been three months since I’d signed the divorce papers, three months of hiding in Soren’s penthouse. Hazel had been kind enough to gather my clothes from my old apartment and bring them to me, but stepping outside felt impossible.The cozy queen-sized guest room had become my cocoon. Soren had been… incredible. He brought me chocolates, ice cream, and the occasional sarcastic jab to jolt me out of my pity party. The housekeeper cooked meals so delicious I didn’t deserve them, and yet here I was, curled up, an empty shell of the woman I used to be.“Raisel,” Soren called from the living room. His voice was casual, light, like the weight of my crumbling life didn’t hang in the air between us. I glanced at the do
Raisel – POV“Why would he announce his marriage to Davina?” I asked, my voice trembling as tears welled in my eyes. My heart ached, and the betrayal stung anew, as if Alaric had twisted the knife in deeper. “What kind of man is Alaric to move on so easily? To flaunt it so publicly?” My voice cracked, and I pressed my trembling hands against my face to stop the flow of tears.“I know why,” Soren said, his voice calm and measured.I looked up, startled by his confidence. “Why?” I demanded.“We are the talk of the town,” he replied. “The internet believes I’m serious about you. That I’m in love with Raisin.”My cheeks burned at the nickname, but I ignored it. “How does that backfire on Alaric?” I asked, not understanding.Soren’s hazel eyes gleamed with something I couldn’t quite decipher. “I’ll explain later,” he said, waving off my question.I frowned, and Hazel mirrored my skepticism with a pointed glare.“Soren, I need an answer,” I pressed, my frustration building. “You asked me to
Content Warning:This chapter has a suicide attempt scene, which may be distressing for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider reaching out to a trusted individual or professional support for help. Remember, you are not alone. **Raisel – POV**I woke up with a pounding headache, squinting against the sunlight streaming through the windows. Alaric was busy adjusting the drapes, flooding the room with blinding light. “Morning, Raisins,” he greeted me.“My head hurts,” I groan, my eyes slowly adjusting to the brightness. The aroma of coffee and breakfast filled the air, and I spotted Lora, the maid who always brought me delicious food.“You’re drooling,” Soren remarked, an amused glint in his eyes, clearly entertained by my lack of decorum. I didn’t care. Rolling my eyes, I reached for the coffee, but Soren stopped me, pointing to the ginger tea instead. He took the coffee mug for himself, and I growled in frustration.“I need coffee,” I whined.“Ginger t
**Soren's POV**My eyes never left her as she sat reading a book. I want to kill Alaric for what he did to Raisel—my sunshine—leaving her so broken, pushing her to the edge. I couldn't sleep last night; I just watched her like a creep. The image of her, weak and with pills in her hands, flashes in my mind like a nightmare.“You have no work?” Raisel raised an eyebrow, giving me a small smile.“I’m taking the day off,” I muttered.“I hardly see you leave the apartment,” she said in her sweet voice, her messy hair making her look beautiful. I had to avert my gaze before I gave myself away.“You sure you’re not bored of my presence?”“Oh no. I think I know why you’re stuck at home.” I stopped sipping my black coffee, our eyes meeting. I saw the sadness in her blue eyes.“It’s not you,” I assured her. It was only half the truth, but still, there were other reasons.“No need to lie,” she muttered.“Raisel, I have other reasons for staying at home. I need peace while my lawyers handle the p
Raisel – POVHazel will soon be here. It's just a day until my ex-husband marries his former lover. Soren has been planning, I am sure. I heard him call that paparazzi, and the article against me claimed I had an affair with Soren, with some college photos of me and Soren. Things got worse when my ex-husband, Alaric, said I was unfaithful and secretly dating Soren behind his back. He claimed he gave me many chances to turn things around and restore the relationship, but seeing no hope and being heartbroken, he found love again with Davina. The people who once supported me turned against me. I want to reply back with the truth, to expose all the lies he's told, but Soren asked me not to start a Twitter war or engage in an internet battle—it’s not the right time. I argued with him, but he begged me, so I had to stand down. Soren sat next to me, but I haven’t been speaking to him, annoyed and angry.“You know, the day after tomorrow, you have an appointment with the counselor,” he remind
Soren - POVThe scent of whiskey clung to Iris’s lips as she leaned in, her breath hot against my ear."Come on, Soren. You and me—tonight—we celebrate. We’re official now, aren’t we?" she whispered, voice laced with playful intoxication.I barely spared her a glance. "Not interested," I muttered and turned to leave.I barely made it a few steps before she grabbed my arm."What the hell do you think you’re doing?" she hissed, her nails digging into my sleeve.I sighed, yanking my arm free. "What do you mean?""Don’t play dumb with me!" Her voice was low, trembling with frustration. She wanted to scream, but she knew better."This is just a deal. Take a chill pill, woman," I shot back, shaking her off completely.I walked away, ignoring the whispers and the judging stares following me. Let them talk. I didn’t give a damn. But my grandfather—he was another story. His cold, sharp gaze burned into me, a silent warning. He wasn’t happy. He wanted me to play my part, to act like I was engag
Raisel's POVThe car launch exhibition was a massive success. The presale numbers shattered records, marking a historic moment in the industry.The energy at the afterparty buzzed with celebration—music, laughter, and endless congratulations. People kept telling me how inspired they were by my work. I smiled, nodded, accepted their praise, but my eyes kept drifting.Soren and Iris. Hand in hand.I stood next to Joshua, who was effortlessly charming as he engaged in conversation. I tried to stay focused, to be polite, but the weight of his arm around my waist made my skin crawl.“Come on, Luna, this way.” Joshua’s voice was smooth, sweet—too sweet. His touch lingered, possessive. I swallowed the discomfort and endured it.“Raisel!”Hazel’s voice sliced through the noise, and relief flooded my chest. Perfect timing.“Excuse me,” I murmured, stepping away. Joshua gave me a polite nod, his hand finally falling from my waist. I turned quickly, practically rushing toward Hazel and Fiora. As
Raisel's POVI adjusted my cocktail-blue outfit, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The makeup did its job, masking the dark circles, but it couldn't hide the exhaustion in my eyes."You look beautiful," Gwen said with a warm smile. She was a vision herself, dressed in a sleek suit with a satin red blouse, black trousers, and matching heels.I forced a small smile. "Will Soren make it on time?""He will. Rest assured," she replied confidently as we stepped out of her house.As she slid into the driver’s seat, I settled into the passenger side, gripping my dress."Aren’t you nervous?" she asked, glancing at me."Nerve-wracking," I admitted in a whisper. "I just hope everything goes smoothly.""It will. Our hard work will pay off."I nodded, grateful for her words, but deep down, I was scared as hell. Taking a shaky breath, I watched the city blur past us as we neared the venue."Ready?" Gwen asked, pulling into the lot."As ready as I’ll ever be."Stepping out, my eyes immediately
Soren - POVRocher and I sat in the basement, eyes locked on the grainy footage playing on the screen. The man wore a Reaper crest ring, but there was no identifier—no name, no visible face. Something blocked the camera’s view, leaving only his hand in sight. Judging by the roughness of his skin, he was likely in his late twenties or early thirties. I exhaled sharply. No new information. Nothing. Even the dark web held no trace of the Reaper mafia, as if they never existed.If it weren’t for Susan and the stories my grandfather used to tell—tales of his reckless youth and the rebels he ran with—I wouldn’t have even known this gang existed."Any luck?" Susan’s voice cut through the dim light of the basement, blending with the low hum of our laptops."Nah." I leaned back, rubbing a hand down my face. The exhaustion was settling in."It’s been six days." My voice came out rough, frustration slipping through as I ran my fingers through my hair."You look terrible. Go get cleaned up, and y
Raisel’s POVMy head was spinning as I felt the weight of judgmental stares around me. Those looks—those whispers—brought back memories of my split with Alaric. The same unspoken accusation hung in the air: whore. It stung then, and it still stung now. I clenched my jaw, trying to shrug it off, when the sound of a door creaking open caught my attention.“Gwen,” I exhaled, relief washing over me at the sight of her familiar, sympathetic expression. It was a breath of fresh air amid this suffocating tension. She handed me a file, and I flipped through the pages quickly. A solution to the current crisis was underway, but we weren’t out of the woods yet.“Thanks for bringing this. I’ll report the next steps to Soren,” I said, my tone clipped but grateful.“He’s not in the office this week,” Gwen replied casually.I frowned. “What? Why? Where’d he go?”“No idea,” she said with a shrug. Then, with a sly look, she added, “But if I had to guess, I’d say it has something to do with you.”I bli
Soren - POVSusan sighed, shaking her head with a heaviness that filled the room. I sat on the edge of the couch, my patience thinning. She stood abruptly, walking off to her room without another word. Frustration twisted in my chest as I waited, but before I could follow her, she reappeared. In her hands were files, thick and stacked, which she dropped on the table in front of me.“What’s this?” I asked, picking up the top file. My hands tightened around it as I flipped through its contents. Photos of Raisel’s childhood in the orphanage, her college years, and, worst of all, her marriage to Alaric stared back at me. There she was, smiling—happy, even—standing next to him. A twisted knot of agony coiled in my gut. It never failed. Any time I saw Raisel with Alaric, whether in a photograph or in memories that refused to leave me alone, I’d spiral. I couldn’t think, couldn’t focus, couldn’t breathe.Instead, I’d bury the pain the only way I knew how—by drinking myself senseless in some
Soren - POVThe penthouse felt lifeless—empty and cold, even as sunlight struggled to pierce through the curtains. I lay motionless on the bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of exhaustion pinning me down. I wasn’t really sleeping, just barely surviving on fragments of rest.The worst part wasn’t the sleepless nights; it was the endless nightmare of Raisel’s hatred. It felt like a prophecy, each passing moment bringing it closer to reality.The phone rang, cutting through the silence. I sighed and glanced at the screen. Grandpa. If I ignored him, he’d show up unannounced. I dragged myself to answer.“Morning,” he said.“It’s not,” I whispered flatly.“I know,” his tone carried a grim edge. “There’s a scandal blowing up. Apparently, your current girlfriend is all over the tabloids… cozying up to Joshua.”I shot upright, a sharp hiss escaping as the sudden movement worsened my pounding headache. I hadn’t checked the news yet—I didn’t need to. She said she was done with me, and I bel
Raisel – POVThe room was heavy with tension, so thick it felt like the air itself had turned solid. All eyes were on me, but the unspoken energy in the room wasn’t about me. It was about Soren. His presence alone was enough to tighten every throat in the room.“As you all know, there’s been an issue with the car sensor failing,” I began, my voice steady, calm, despite the storm brewing beneath my skin. “I’ve found a solution.”Soren’s voice sliced through the air like a blade. “What have you come up with?” His cold tone made the hair on the back of my neck rise.I didn’t flinch. “I’m getting to that, Mr. Dalton,” I replied, holding onto my composure. “I ran a series of diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact conditions causing the sensor delay,” I said, my voice measured, professional.“And? What did you find?” His words were sharper now, laced with curiosity, but there was something else there—something darker.I clenched my fists under the table. “The issue could be caused by several
Soren’s POV“Mission Raisel accomplished.” A smirk tugged at my lips as I read Jace’s text on my phone. Perfect. Everything had fallen into place—because I made sure it did. It took a lot of manipulation to create this so-called “problem” and ensure Raisel would be the one to fix it. There’s no way I’m letting that asshole Joshua get anywhere near her.The temptation to storm into Chicago and drag her back home myself was almost unbearable. But that would only make her hate me more. And Raisel hating me? That’s the one thing I can’t risk.“Sir, the situation is getting worse.” Gwen’s voice cut through my thoughts. She entered the office, her expression tight with worry.I glanced at her calmly, and she frowned, as though confused by my lack of panic. “You don’t seem concerned. Sir, if we don’t fix this, we’re out of car models, out of investors, and ultimately... out of business.”“Take a breath, Gwen,” I said.She nodded, though the tension in her shoulders didn’t ease. She placed a