The Devil in Mask Kate had always been the most powerful demon in her realm, a cunning force wrapped in beauty and boundless ambition. For centuries, she wandered the earth, weaving chaos and fear, hidden behind the perfect mask of humanity. But something was stirring-something that made her, for the first time in millennia, question her own supremacy. It began with whispers of a shadow, a presence darker than herself, looming in the corners of the human world. When Kate finally peeled back the layers of her investigation, she discovered a truth that shook her to the core. She wasn't alone. There was another, a twin she never knew existed-Liz, a sorceress whose thirst for destruction eclipsed even Kate's. As Kate prepared to bring about the apocalypse, thinking herself unmatched, Liz stepped out from the shadows. But instead of joining Kate in the end of all things, Liz had other plans-plans that didn't include her sister's version of destruction. A battle was brewing, not just for the fate of the world, but for the title of the true embodiment of evil. And in this fight, Kate would realize that sometimes, the worst evil wears a human face.
The moon hung low in the midnight sky, its silver light spilling over the dense forest like a shroud. A soft rustling echoed through the trees, the sound a mere whisper against the heavy silence. It was here, in this sacred place between worlds, that Kate had chosen to reveal herself-morphing from the shadows of her demonic form into the alluring figure of a woman. Her raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, a hint of the darkness she concealed.
Tonight was the night she would unleash chaos upon the human realm.
Kate had spent countless years among the humans, honing her craft, learning their ways, and perfecting her facade. She could weave the finest lies, draw in the most unsuspecting souls, and manipulate their fears like a skilled artist. But even among the clamor of their mundane lives, she felt an insatiable longing-something she couldn't quite grasp, a void that twisted at the edges of her existence. It was the thrill of power, yes, but also a deeper, more sinister desire to conquer and obliterate.
As she took her first steps into the clearing, the ground beneath her feet pulsed with a dark energy, resonating with her own. She could sense the fear lurking in the hearts of the mortals nearby; it was intoxicating. But then, a flicker of something more powerful brushed against her awareness-a force she hadn't anticipated.
"Kate," a voice called softly, almost teasingly, from the darkness.
Kate turned, her heart quickening as she faced the source of the voice. Emerging from the shadows was a figure draped in a cloak woven from the very fabric of night. The face was obscured, but Kate felt a chill run down her spine as recognition washed over her.
"Liz," she breathed, a mixture of astonishment and anger flooding her senses.
Liz stepped forward, her dark cloak billowing like smoke in the wind. Her eyes glimmered with a dangerous intensity, and a wicked smile curled at her lips. "You've come a long way, sister. But tell me, do you truly think you can end the world without me?"
Kate narrowed her eyes, the initial shock giving way to a fierce resolve. "You've always been jealous of me, haven't you? While I embraced the chaos, you chose to hide among the humans, pretending to be something you're not."
Liz chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the trees like a haunting melody. "Oh, Kate, you misunderstand me. I have been biding my time, gathering strength and knowledge. While you played the devil, I delved into the arcane, mastering the very forces you seek to unleash."
Kate's expression darkened. "You think you can stop me? You're merely a wizard with delusions of grandeur."
"Delusions? Hardly," Liz replied, raising a hand. A surge of energy crackled in the air, illuminating her face for a brief moment. "I've seen the world through different eyes, and I know the true nature of power. You may think you're the queen of chaos, but I am the storm that will bring you down."
The tension crackled between them like lightning, and in that instant, Kate realized the stakes had changed. She had never feared anything before, but facing her twin sister-a being who mirrored her own darkness but wielded a different kind of magic-sent a tremor of uncertainty through her.
"You're a fool if you think you can thwart my plans," Kate spat, her voice laced with venom.
"And you're a fool to underestimate me," Liz countered, her smile widening. "The world may tremble at your feet, but remember this: blood runs thicker than water, even in a game as treacherous as this."
With a flick of her wrist, Liz summoned a swirling vortex of energy that danced around them, a storm of magic that darkened the night. Kate felt the force of it tugging at her, and for the first time, a seed of doubt planted itself in her mind. Liz was not just a rival; she was a threat, a dark mirror reflecting Kate's own ambitions.
As the winds howled around them, Kate knew the battle for the world-and their very souls-had begun. With one last defiant glare at her sister, she turned and vanished into the night, determination igniting within her.
She would not be bested so easily.
But Liz was right; blood was thicker than water, and the ties that bound them would either be their salvation or their doom.
She was never supposed to matter. Just the womb. Just the contract. Just the child. Casey Finch didn't sign up for this life-but life didn't ask her permission. Forced to carry the child of Italy's most feared mafia boss, Ivan Park, she's thrown into a world of cold marble mansions, shadowed pasts, and blood-stained power. Ivan is ruthless, violent, and unyielding-he doesn't want a woman, just a mother for his heir. Nothing more. But Casey? She's not just a vessel. Beneath her innocence lies a secret-a buried identity that could shatter everything Ivan thinks he controls. As the walls between them begin to crack, laughter seeps into tragedy, touches turn into temptation, and hate blurs into something dangerously close to love. Until love becomes the deadliest weapon of all. In a world where emotions are liabilities and secrets bleed deeper than scars, Mafia Surrogate is a heartbreaking, darkly emotional journey of forced choices, forbidden love, and a bond born in the most twisted way possible.
I didn't expect to catch feelings at work. But then there was Eli sweet, thoughtful, always leaving his coffee too long on the desk and smiling like the world was lighter around him. Somewhere between shared glances and late-night edits, I started falling. And for a while... I think he fell too. But everything changed when Noah joined the team. He was everything Eli admired confident, funny, magnetic. And just like that, the space between me and Eli started to grow. Conversations got shorter, smiles faded, and I was left watching the boy I loved slip into someone else's arms... while I was still sitting right there. This isn't just a love story. It's the moment you realize you're not the one and the ache that comes after.
In the world of power, betrayal is inevitable. Lucinda thought she knew Atticus-his loyalty, his love. But when an unexpected enemy emerges from the shadows, their deadly game threatens to destroy everything she holds dear. The Sovereign Order, a centuries-old faction, has set its sights on Atticus, and they will stop at nothing to bring him down, using Lucinda as their pawn. As the stakes rise, Lucinda must decide where her true loyalties lie. Will she stand by the man she once loved, or will she embrace the darkness that beckons her into their world of manipulation and control? With the walls closing in, both Atticus and Lucinda are forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts, and the fragile bond that once united them begins to fracture. Shattered Vows is a tale of power, betrayal, and a love teetering on the edge of destruction. Will their love survive the war to come, or will the shadows consume them both?
Jeon, a powerful and ruthless billionaire mafia boss, thrives in a world where emotions are a weakness and every relationship is a transaction. When business complications arise, he makes a calculated move to marry his secretary, Hyunjin, in a cold, contractual arrangement. Hyunjin, quiet but resilient, finds himself thrust into a world of danger and deception, agreeing to the marriage out of necessity, not affection. As they navigate their complicated agreement, the lines between duty and desire begin to blur. Both men guard their hearts, but in the unpredictable world of crime and power, true feelings start to surface. What starts as a marriage of convenience slowly turns into something far more complex, leaving Jeon and Hyunjin questioning whether they can survive this world-and each other-without falling in love. Their journey will be filled with tension, mystery, and unexpected passion, where trust becomes the most dangerous weapon of all.
In the glitzy world of fame and fortune, love is a dangerous game. Atticus Monroe, the world's biggest pop star, is used to living in the spotlight. His electrifying performances and heartthrob persona make him a global sensation, but behind the flashing cameras and screaming fans lies a broken heart longing for something real. Enter Ivan Laurent, a young billionaire with charm, power, and a mysterious past. Their connection is instant, a whirlwind romance that burns brighter than any spotlight, yet darker secrets loom in the shadows. As Atticus and Ivan's worlds collide, they discover that love at the top comes at a steep price. Beneath Ivan's cool exterior, lies betrayal-whispers of hidden agendas, jealousy, and a dangerous deal that threatens to unravel everything they've built together. Atticus struggles with the mounting pressure of his fame, while Ivan hides secrets that could destroy the fragile bond between them. Love becomes a battleground, where passion and pain blur the lines, and trust is a luxury neither can afford. Broken is a story of love tested by betrayal, where hearts are shattered and mended in the pursuit of something real in a world full of lies. As the pieces of their lives fall apart, Atticus and Ivan must decide if love is worth fighting for-or if some hearts are too broken to be healed.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."