Vanessa thought her life couldn't get worse-until it did. A hardworking woman from a modest background, her world shatters when her father, Jonas, falls gravely ill and their family is left bankrupt. Her stepmother and stepsister abandon them, and to make matters worse, Jonas owes an unpayable debt to Alaric Moretti-a ruthless Mafia lord who is as feared as he is deadly. Dragged into Alaric's dark world, Vanessa is prepared to fight for her father's survival. But when Alaric's mate bond snaps into place the moment he meets her, everything changes. Vanessa is his fated mate-a rare connection that Alaric, a cold-hearted monster, doesn't want and refuses to accept. To settle her father's debt, Alaric makes a horrifying demand: Vanessa must give her blood and a lung to save his dying girlfriend, Emma. Refusing to be a pawn, Vanessa strikes her own deal-she'll comply only if Alaric marries her, securing her father's treatment and her siblings' futures. It's a business arrangement, nothing more.
Lihat lebih banyakI stared at the high ceiling of the guest room—or should I say prison cell?—I was now forced to live in. The luxurious bedding did nothing to comfort me, nor did the plush pillows or the warm glow of the bedside lamp. None of it felt like mine. Nothing in this mansion did. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Anna’s tear-streaked face. Was she happy now? Was she settling into her new life? Did she have anyone to talk to? And then the haunting thought hit me: Was she scared? Alaric’s rules were clear—no contact with the outside world. I couldn’t call her, text her, or even write her a letter. I had no idea how she was doing, and that thought alone tore me apart. My hands balled into fists beneath the soft blanket, my nails digging into my palms as tears burned the back of my eyes. I was her sister. Her protector. And now I couldn’t even do that. The faintest sound outside my door startled me—a footstep, maybe. The guards were always there, always stationed outside like statues,
The room was still dark, the early morning light barely peeking through the heavy curtains. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking at the sight of Anna’s face close to mine. Her small hand was resting against my arm, and her big brown eyes—still puffy from crying—gazed up at me."Vanessa…" Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. I turned to her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "What is it, sweetheart?"She hesitated for a moment, her lips trembling. "Are you sure about this? The man… he’s scary." Her voice broke slightly, and I could feel the fear in her words. I took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. "I know he’s scary, Anna. But I need you to trust me, okay? We’re going to be fine as long as we’re together." "But… what if he hurts you? Or Dad? Or me?" Her voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes again.I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her small frame. "Hey, hey… don’t cry. You’re safe with me. I promise you, nothing bad is going to happen to y
I tried to breathe, but the air felt thick and suffocating as the black SUV rolled through the gates. The car’s interior was cold, and the only warmth came from Anna, who was pressed tightly against me, still crying. Her tiny body shook, and all I could do was hold her close, stroking her hair to calm her down, though I was terrified too. My mind was racing—my heart pounding as the realization of what was happening hit me again. Millions. My father owed millions to a man whose name was whispered in fear across the city.How the hell could he ever have come to owe that much?I looked down at Anna, her wide, terrified eyes meeting mine, and I felt like I was about to break in half. My thoughts spiraled, each one darker than the last. Where would I even get that kind of money? A quick, desperate idea flashed through my head—maybe I could sell my organs. But no, that was insane. What would I even do? I didn’t have any way out of this.There was only one thing I was sure of: I wasn’t going
The smell of burnt toast wafted through the kitchen as I juggled Anna’s lunchbox, my coffee mug, and a pile of unpaid bills. The latter stared at me from the counter, a constant reminder of how far we’d fallen. I took a quick sip of coffee—cold, of course—before setting it down and spreading peanut butter onto the last slice of bread."Anna, come on!" I yelled over my shoulder. "The bus won't wait, and I’ve got to leave in five minutes!"Thirteen-year-old Anna shuffled into the kitchen, already wearing her oversized hoodie and carrying her tattered backpack. Her curly brown hair was in a messy ponytail, and her face looked half-awake."I'm here. Chill," she muttered, grabbing a granola bar from the counter.“Chill? I’m the one running around to make sure you’re fed and don’t miss school!” I snapped, sliding the sandwich into her lunchbox and snapping it shut. “And grab your homework this time. Last week was not fun.”She rolled her eyes but grumbled a soft “Thanks, Ness,” before stuff
The smell of burnt toast wafted through the kitchen as I juggled Anna’s lunchbox, my coffee mug, and a pile of unpaid bills. The latter stared at me from the counter, a constant reminder of how far we’d fallen. I took a quick sip of coffee—cold, of course—before setting it down and spreading peanut butter onto the last slice of bread."Anna, come on!" I yelled over my shoulder. "The bus won't wait, and I’ve got to leave in five minutes!"Thirteen-year-old Anna shuffled into the kitchen, already wearing her oversized hoodie and carrying her tattered backpack. Her curly brown hair was in a messy ponytail, and her face looked half-awake."I'm here. Chill," she muttered, grabbing a granola bar from the counter.“Chill? I’m the one running around to make sure you’re fed and don’t miss school!” I snapped, sliding the sandwich into her lunchbox and snapping it shut. “And grab your homework this time. Last week was not fun.”She rolled her eyes but grumbled a soft “Thanks, Ness,” before stuff...
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