athena complex

If we psychologically damage an individual beyond repair, what will be the consequence of it? We all have a limit to the amount of mental and psychological stress we can take. Once the stress exceeds the limit, we’ll reach our breaking point. What happens after that is a mystery no one can solve, or is it? Lydia Johnson faces a similar situation. She is a complex young woman who faces a downfall stemming from the mental and physical abuse of her father and siblings, the negligence of her mother, and a chilling secret. From abused to loved, to abused again--that’s how life is for Lydia. Her family taught her only one lesson: emotions are for the weak and the weak don’t have a place in this world. With each kill, Lydia atones for the loss of her innocence by getting rid of another emotion and also rids the world of someone undeserving of her love and forgiveness. What lengths will she go to, for revenge, and prove her resilience? Will she ever be able to live her life like a normal person again? Or will she continue killing everyone until her own death?

When Athena's father dies mysteriously, she ends up in a contract marriage with ruthless billionaire Levi Strauss-Jackson in a bid to investigate the mysterious circumstances. Trapped in a cold marriage of convenience fueled by ulterior motives, Athena unexpectedly falls for her callous husband while also finding friendship in his charming brother Samuel. Ensnared in an opulent but twisted world of secrets and conflicting agendas, the newlywed heiress soon realizes her investigation has also made herself a target. As buried truths claw to the surface, Athena discovers bonds can become shackles and new family ties may be fatal. To reclaim her power and ensure her survival, she must see through the smoke and mirrors of the Strauss-Jackson empire to uncover who the real enemy is while fighting her growing attraction to her new husband and his brother. But will the truth about her father’s death free her...or will it instead seal her own? In the glittering corridors of power and wealth, even wedding vows and blood pacts can be decisively broken.

Crystal Blues, a young woman from a low-class family, endured the tragic loss of her parents when she was just twelve years old. Left with the weighty responsibility of caring for her younger sisters, she faced a challenging path ahead. Fortune smiled upon her when her path crossed with an archangel in the name of Mervin Brooklyn who offered his assistance, thus lightening the burden she bore. As fate would have it, Crystal eventually obtained evidence pointing to her parents' murderers, only to discover that they were part of a formidable and powerful family. Life took an even more complicated turn when she found herself entangled in a complex love triangle. Her affections were torn between Mervin, her guardian archangel, and the daughter of the family responsible for her parents' demise. Fuelled by a burning desire to bring the responsible family to justice, Crystal made the bold decision to reveal the damning evidence she held against them. However, the tables quickly turned, and Crystal's loved ones were thrust into jeopardy, becoming bargaining chips in exchange for the proof of the family's wrongdoing. Now, she stands at a harrowing crossroads, forced to make a life-altering choice that could either rescue her from impending tragedy or condemn her to a painful repetition of history.

Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, possessive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved—dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?

"I never knew what love was until I met you." I looked up. "Stop joking around like that." Theo's deep blue eyes bore into mine. "Who says I'm joking?" *** In the shadow of her prodigious twin brother and the periphery of neglectful parents, high school senior Cora Kinsley navigates her world alone. Her life takes a turn when Theodore Thorsen, a mysterious and wealthy new student, arrives at school.Constantly thrown together, Theodore's stoic demeanor clashes with Cora's reserved nature, sparking a complex love-hate dynamic between them. Amidst their turbulent relationship stands Jin, Cora's steadfast friend who offers support and challenges her perceptions of love and friendship. Is Theodore the key to helping Cora break free from her isolation? And what secrets lie behind his captivating exterior and enigmatic personality? And as Cora navigates these questions, will Jin's presence becomes crucial in shaping her choices and understanding of true connection?

Ava and Baxter have a past that is more complex than either of them could have ever imagined. What was once a strong friendship is now an intense rivalry, and their families’ businesses are in peril. To save them, Ava and Baxter must put aside their differences and enter into an arranged marriage. As Ava and Baxter learn to navigate the strange new boundaries of their relationship, will the danger looming over them tear them apart, or will they find a way to come together and save their families?

In the shadowy depths of Italy's criminal underworld, Lucas Firmino is well known for being ruthless. Feared by all rival mafias, he eliminates threats without hesitation and acknowledges no authority. Successfully reclaiming his seat as the tough mafia boss, Lucas is a force to be reckoned with. On the other side, Camila is a committed carer, willing to go to any lengths to protect her baby brother, Camillo. Her sole aim is to ensure his happiness, and she remains resolute in her commitment, even if it means sacrificing her own well-being. Caught in a complex web of loyalty and betrayal, Camila's world is upended when her father, known as Papa, engages in concealed dealings that lead to her being pushed into an arranged marriage with Lucas. The unexpected union between Camila and the ruthless mafia boss sets the stage for a tumultuous journey. As Camila steers the disloyal waters of her forced union with Lucas, the promise she made to protect her brother hangs in the balance. Will she find a way to uphold her commitment amidst the chaos, or will Lucas's influence force her to break the very promise she made to protect her brother? Find out more in the story.

At the age of twenty-two, Cecy Smith had no interest in marriage. Her sole focus was obtaining her Ph.D. by the time she turned twenty-five; everything else felt like a distraction. Cecy , widely regarded as a naive and studious young woman, had never considered marrying until her twin sister, Barbara, became involved with a billionaire. In a short span of time, Cecy found herself taking her sister's place, as Barbara abandoned the marriage, leaving Cecy to sort out the aftermath. As Cecy attempts to navigate this unconventional situation, she becomes entangled in a complex web of emotions, caught between her loyalty to her sister and her newfound feelings for Zacky, the man who had shown her kindness and affection. Will she choose to remain in the marriage, or will she protect the love she has found with Zacky? Can she outsmart her sister's cunning tactics as she embarks on a life with her husband, all while secrets slowly unravel?

After moving to a new school, Pearl finds herself caught in the crosshairs of the school's notorious bully, Lucas Whitlock. However, to her surprise, the bully soon finds himself falling for her. As their relationship grows, Pearl is torn between her feelings for the bully and the danger he poses. It seems he has many secrets which he always hides.  He is a rich, cold, and aloof figure, known for his cruelty and intimidating demeanour. Yet, Pearl soon discovers that beneath his tough exterior, Lucas has a soft side that he only shows around her.  Pearl: "Watch where you're going, you blind bull!" Lucas turns around, still intimidating but surprisingly soft-spoken when his eyes fall on her. His heart skips a beat.  Lucas: "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. It won't happen again." “ Gasp! ” The students around them are shocked by Lucas' unexpected politeness. She called him a ‘ blind bull! ’ and he not only apologised but actually smiled at her! But who is more shocked is none other than Pearl herself.  As their relationship develops, Pearl must navigate the intense and complex dynamics of falling for someone notoriously difficult to please.

Athena had always avoided being involved with dangerous people. She lived her life simple as a pole dancer even though she had a brother who was a gangster. Her whole life turned into a mess in one night when her brother and his gang were sent to kill someone and they got her involved forcing her that she would distract the person to make easy for them to kill the person. What happens when she realises that she wasn't distracting a human but a powerful ruthless being? What happens she actually made a deal with the devil? *He suddenly appeared very close to me and placed me between his arms that were now balanced on the door. He was so large, towering over me and I felt so small, praying to disappear because my brain was malfunctioning due to the extreme proximity we were sharing. Leaning his face close to mine and making sure that our noses touched, his olive green eyes shifted into dark crimson wolf like eyes that sent cold to freeze my spine. "Because you are my mate and you are mine." He whispered, merging his voice with his wolf's.*