ALELE TOMBRA

Sienna Cross is no ordinary private investigator. Gifted-or cursed-with the ability to see the invisible threads that bind people to their actions, she uncovers truths most would rather keep buried. But her ability is also a burden, keeping her isolated from others, haunted by memories of a past she can't fully remember. When a strange old woman comes to her with a desperate plea to find her missing daughter, Sienna is thrust into a mystery far darker than she could have ever imagined.   The search leads her to an abandoned mansion on the edge of town, long whispered to be cursed, where the air is thick with unseen forces and shadows seem to crawl along the walls. There, Sienna uncovers a journal filled with disturbing entries about a secret occult society, a forbidden ritual, and an ancient power known only as "the Thread of Shadows." But the journal ends abruptly, and Sienna soon realizes she's not the only one hunting for the truth.   A man named Lucien, shrouded in secrets of his own, warns her to turn back. But it's too late-something has already been awakened inside Sienna. Her powers begin to change, her visions warping into horrifying glimpses of the future, and a sinister force starts to invade her mind. Soon, she discovers the terrifying truth: the Thread of Shadows is a sentient entity, a force of unimaginable power, and it has chosen Sienna as its next host.   As her grip on reality starts to unravel, Sienna is drawn deeper into the web of conspiracy surrounding the cult responsible for unleashing this ancient evil. She uncovers the truth about her own family's involvement with the Thread, the true nature of her abilities, and a betrayal that has been waiting in the dark for years.   With time running out and the Thread's control growing stronger, Sienna must confront the terrifying prospect that her powers aren't her own-they come from the very darkness she's fighting to destroy. Lucien, who knows more about the Thread than he lets on, becomes both an ally and a threat. Trusting him might save her, but it could also lead her into the hands of the very forces she's trying to escape.   The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the game becomes. The Thread isn't just an ancient force; it's alive, and it's hunting. And the more Sienna learns, the more she realizes that the only way to stop it is to confront her own shadow, face the darkness within, and sever the bond that ties her to this malevolent entity-before it consumes her completely.   In *"The Thread of Shadows,"* every secret leads to another, every step forward unravels a darker truth, and every thread that Sienna pulls on brings her closer to losing herself. As reality bends and twists, and her own identity becomes a battleground, Sienna must decide how far she's willing to go to save herself, and whether the darkness she's fighting is truly external-or something buried deep inside her all along.   Gripping, atmospheric, and filled with shocking twists, "The Thread of Shadows"is a supernatural thriller that will pull readers into a world where nothing is as it seems, and the line between light and dark, truth and madness, is always shifting. For Sienna, unraveling the mystery might be the only way to stop the nightmare-but it might also destroy her in the process.  

In the glittering world of the elite, where power and prestige reign supreme, Elena Rivers finds herself thrust into a high-stakes game of love and ambition. A talented interior designer, Elena's world is turned upside down when she enters a marriage of convenience with the enigmatic billionaire Damian Blackwood. What begins as a strategic alliance to preserve their reputations and business interests soon spirals into a tumultuous journey of unexpected romance and emotional conflict. Damian Blackwood is a man accustomed to control and dominance, his life meticulously orchestrated to maintain his empire. Beneath his formidable exterior lies a deep-seated fear of vulnerability, a byproduct of a challenging past and ruthless ambition. When Elena steps into his life, she disrupts the delicate balance he has carefully maintained. Despite his initial resistance, Damian finds himself drawn to Elena's strength and authenticity, a stark contrast to the superficial world he inhabits. As the couple navigates their contract marriage, the lines between duty and desire blur. Elena's warmth and genuine nature gradually break down Damian's emotional barriers, leading him to confront his own fears and insecurities. Their journey is marred by past secrets, high-profile social events, and the looming threat of an ex-business partner, Sarah Carter, whose return stirs unresolved tensions. In a world where appearances are paramount, Damian and Elena must reconcile their public façade with their growing private connection. As they face personal and external challenges, their relationship evolves from a calculated arrangement to a profound and transformative love. *Sinful Deal* is a captivating tale of power, passion, and redemption, where love emerges as the ultimate triumph against the backdrop of opulence and intrigue.

Elena Carter has spent years clawing her way up the corporate ladder, only to watch her dreams teeter on the edge of collapse. Her fledgling marketing start-up is drowning in debt, and the last thing she needs is Damian Blackwood-Manhattan's most ruthless billionaire-pulling the rug out from under her. When her office lease is terminated without warning, Elena storms into Damian's sleek skyscraper to fight for her company, determined to stand her ground against the enigmatic tycoon. Damian doesn't need distractions. His empire was built on unshakable focus and cold precision, not fiery confrontations with ambitious women who won't back down. But there's something about Elena-her fire, her drive-that he can't ignore. When she reluctantly accepts his offer to work on a high-stakes project at his secluded Hamptons estate, the line between business and desire blurs in ways neither of them expects. As jealousy and pride threaten to tear them apart, Damian and Elena must confront their own vulnerabilities to discover that sometimes, surrendering control is the greatest power of all. In a world of high stakes and even higher walls, can love triumph over ambition and fear?

New York City is a place of ambition, where dreams are built as high as its towering skyscrapers and love often takes a backseat to success. For Emma Carter, a brilliant architect on the rise, her career has always been her first love. Designing buildings that will stand the test of time is all that matters, and she has no room for distractions-especially not romance. Mark Bennett, on the other hand, thrives in the chaos of the city, chasing stories that expose hidden truths. As an investigative journalist, his passion lies in uncovering corruption, no matter how powerful the people he exposes may be. He believes in the power of words to change the world, but even he can't predict the impact one chance encounter will have on his own life. When Emma and Mark meet in a quiet coffee shop on a rainy afternoon, neither expects the instant connection that ignites between them. What begins as a series of stolen moments soon turns into something deeper-a love built on mutual respect, late-night conversations, and shared vulnerabilities. But beneath the surface, both carry wounds from past relationships, scars that make trust a fragile foundation. Their love is tested when Mark's latest exposé uncovers corruption within a major architectural firm-one of Emma's most important clients. Suddenly, their careers, their integrity, and their relationship are on the line. Emma is torn between her loyalty to her profession and the man she loves, while Mark struggles with the consequences of telling the truth at any cost. As the city they love threatens to pull them apart, Emma and Mark must ask themselves: Can love truly conquer all, or are some sacrifices too great to make?

Today is October 14th, my birthday. I returned to New York after months away, dragging my suitcase through the biting wind, but the VIP pickup zone where my husband’s Maybach usually idled was empty. When I finally let myself into our Upper East Side penthouse, I didn’t find a cake or a "welcome home" banner. Instead, I found my husband, Caden, kneeling on the floor, helping our five-year-old daughter wrap a massive gift for my half-sister, Adalynn. Caden didn’t even look up when I walked in; he was too busy laughing with the girl who had already stolen my father’s legacy and was now moving in on my family. "Auntie Addie is a million times better than Mommy," my daughter Elara chirped, clutching a plush toy Caden had once forbidden me from buying for her. "Mommy is mean," she whispered loudly, while Caden just smirked, calling me a "drill sergeant" before whisking her off to Adalynn’s party without a second glance. Later that night, I saw a video Adalynn posted online where my husband and child laughed while mocking my "sensitive" nature, treating me like an inconvenient ghost in my own home. I had spent five years researching nutrition for Elara’s health and managing every detail of Caden’s empire, only to be discarded the moment I wasn't in the room. How could the man who set his safe combination to my birthday completely forget I even existed? The realization didn't break me; it turned me into ice. I didn't scream or beg for an explanation. I simply walked into the study, pulled out the divorce papers I’d drafted months ago, and took a black marker to the terms. I crossed out the alimony, the mansion, and even the custody clause—if they wanted a life without me, I would give them exactly what they asked for. I left my four-carat diamond ring on the console table and walked out into the rain with nothing but a heavily encrypted hard drive. The submissive Mrs. Holloway was gone, and "Ghost," the most lethal architect in the tech world, was finally back online to take back everything they thought I’d forgotten.

For three quiet, patient years, Christina kept house, only to be coldly discarded by the man she once trusted. Instead, he paraded a new lover, making her the punchline of every town joke. Liberated, she honed her long-ignored gifts, astonishing the town with triumph after gleaming triumph. Upon discovering she'd been a treasure all along, her ex-husband's regret drove him to pursue her. "Honey, let's get back together!" With a cold smirk, Christina spat, "Fuck off." A silken-suited mogul slipped an arm around her waist. "She's married to me now. Guards, get him the hell out of here!"

"Stella once savored Marc's devotion, yet his covert cruelty cut deep. She torched their wedding portrait at his feet while he sent flirty messages to his mistress. With her chest tight and eyes blazing, Stella delivered a sharp slap. Then she deleted her identity, signed onto a classified research mission, vanished without a trace, and left him a hidden bombshell. On launch day she vanished; that same dawn Marc's empire crumbled. All he unearthed was her death certificate, and he shattered. When they met again, a gala spotlighted Stella beside a tycoon. Marc begged. With a smirk, she said, ""Out of your league, darling."

Sunlit hours found their affection glimmering, while moonlit nights ignited reckless desire. But when Brandon learned his beloved might last only half a year, he coolly handed Millie divorce papers, murmuring, "This is all for appearances; we'll get married again once she's calmed down." Millie, spine straight and cheeks dry, felt her pulse go hollow. The sham split grew permanent; she quietly ended their unborn child and stepped into a new beginning. Brandon unraveled, his car tearing down the street, unwilling to let go of the woman he'd discarded, pleading for her to look back just once.

Elliana, the unfavored "ugly duckling" of her family, was humiliated by her stepsister, Paige, who everyone admired. Paige, engaged to the CEO Cole, was the perfect woman-until Cole married Elliana on the day of the wedding. Shocked, everyone wondered why he chose the "ugly" woman. As they waited for her to be cast aside, Elliana stunned everyone by revealing her true identity: a miracle healer, financial mogul, appraisal prodigy, and AI genius. When her mistreatment became known, Cole revealed Elliana's stunning, makeup-free photo, sending shockwaves through the media. "My wife doesn't need anyone's approval."

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."

After five years of playing the perfect daughter, Rylie was exposed as a stand-in. Her fiancé bolted, friends scattered, and her adoptive brothers shoved her out, telling her to grovel back to her real family. Done with humiliation, she swore to claw back what was hers. Shock followed: her birth family ruled the town's wealth. Overnight, she became their precious girl. The boardroom brother canceled meetings, the genius brother ditched his lab, the musician brother postponed a tour. As those who spurned her begged forgiveness, Admiral Brad Morgan calmly declared, "She's already taken."

Maia grew up a pampered heiress-until the real daughter returned and framed her, sending Maia to prison with help from her fiancé and family. Four years later, free and married to Chris, a notorious outcast, everyone assumed Maia was finished. They soon discovered she was secretly a famed jeweler, elite hacker, celebrity chef, and top game designer. As her former family begged for help, Chris smiled calmly. "Honey, let's go home." Only then did Maia realize her "useless" husband was a legendary tycoon who'd adored her from the start.

I sat in the gray, airless room of the New York State Department of Corrections, my knuckles white as the Warden delivered the news. "Parole denied." My father, Howard Sterling, had forged new evidence of financial crimes to keep me behind bars. He walked into the room, smelling of expensive cologne, and tossed a black folder onto the steel table. It was a marriage contract for Lucas Kensington, a billionaire currently lying in a vegetative state in the ICU. "Sign it. You walk out today." I laughed at the idea of being sold to a "corpse" until Howard slid a grainy photo toward me. It showed a toddler with a crescent-moon birthmark—the son Howard told me had died in an incubator five years ago. He smiled and told me the boy's safety depended entirely on my cooperation. I was thrust into the Kensington estate, where the family treated me like a "drowned rat." They dressed me in mothball-scented rags and mocked my status, unaware that I was monitoring their every move. I watched the cousin, Julian, openly waiting for Lucas to die to inherit the empire, while the doctors prepared to sign the death certificate. I didn't understand why my father would lie about my son’s death for years, or what kind of monsters would use a child as a bargaining chip. The injustice of it burned in my chest as I realized I was just a pawn in a game of old money and blood. As the monitors began to flatline and the family started to celebrate their inheritance, I locked the door and reached into the hem of my dress. I pulled out the sharpened silver wires I’d fashioned in the prison workshop. They thought they bought a submissive convict, but they actually invited "The Saint"—the world’s most dangerous underground surgeon—into their home. "Wake up, Lucas. You owe me a life." I wasn't there to be a bride; I was there to wake the dead and burn their empire to the ground.

I woke up in a blindingly white hotel penthouse with a throbbing headache and the taste of betrayal in my mouth. The last thing I remembered was my stepsister, Cathie, handing me a flute of champagne at the charity gala with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Now, a tall, dangerously handsome man walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his hips. On the nightstand sat a stack of hundred-dollar bills. My stepmother had finally done it—she drugged me and staged a scandal with a hired escort to destroy my reputation and my future. "Aisha! Is it true you spent the night with a gigolo?" The shouts of a dozen reporters echoed through the heavy oak door as camera flashes exploded through the peephole. My phone lit up with messages showing my bank accounts were already frozen. My father was invoking the 'morality clause' in my mother’s trust fund, and my fiancé had already released a statement dumping me to marry my stepsister instead. I was trapped, penniless, and being hunted by the press for a scandal I hadn't even participated in. My own family had sold me out for a payday, and the man standing in front of me was the only witness who could prove I was innocent—or finish me off for good. I didn't have time to cry. According to the fine print of the trust, I had thirty days to prove my "rehabilitation" through a legal marriage or I would lose everything. I tracked the man down to a coffee shop the next morning, watching him take a thick envelope of cash from a wealthy older woman. I sat across from him and slid a napkin with a $50,000 figure written on it. "I need a husband. Legal, paper-signed, and convincing." He looked at the number, then at me, a slow, crooked smile spreading across his face. I thought I was hiring a desperate gigolo to save my inheritance. I had no idea I was actually proposing to Dominic Fields, the reclusive billionaire shark who was currently planning a hostile takeover of my father’s entire empire.