/0/57741/coverbig.jpg?v=010eebbb35ee11e6e27fefd3eb3c746e)
Where wealth and power dictate every move, Elara Varner, fiercely independent and defiant, finds herself trapped in a gilded cage. Her parents, drowning in insurmountable debt and facing social ruin, sell her into marriage to the coldest billionaire in New York, Alexander Thorne. Known for his ruthless business acumen and icy demeanor, Alexander is a man who never lets anyone get close. Forced into a loveless union to save her family's legacy, Elara must navigate the opulent but lonely world of high society. As her fiery spirit clashes with Alexander's steely exterior, hidden passions ignite and secrets unfold, revealing that even the coldest hearts can be melted.
Elara Varner stood at the edge of her family's estate, the wind teasing her hair as she stared out at the sprawling grounds she had called home all her life. Her heart ached with a mix of anger and despair, emotions she had kept tightly leashed since learning of her parents' decision. The thought of being sold into marriage like a prized mare made her blood boil.
"Elara," her mother's voice called from behind her, soft yet insistent. Lady Amelia Varner approached, her eyes filled with a blend of sorrow and determination that only served to deepen Elara's resentment. "It's time to come inside. We need to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about, Mother," Elara replied, her voice clipped. "You've already made up your minds."
Lady Amelia sighed. "I know this is difficult for you, but you must understand-we had no other choice. The debts have piled up, and if we don't act now, we'll lose everything."
"Lose everything?" Elara scoffed, turning to face her mother. "What about me? Have you thought about what I'm losing?"
Her mother's eyes softened with regret. "Elara, we are trying to protect you, to ensure you have a future. Lord Thorne-Alexander-he can provide for you in ways we no longer can."
"Provide for me?" Elara's laugh was bitter. "You're selling me to a man known for his heart of ice. A man who treats people like pawns in his games. Do you think I'll be happy with him?"
Lady Amelia reached out, but Elara stepped back, avoiding her touch. "I know he has a reputation, but people change. Perhaps you will find common ground. You're stronger than you think, my dear."
Elara turned away, tears stinging her eyes. She didn't want to be strong. She wanted to be free. Free to choose her own path, her own love. But the Varner family's financial ruin had sealed her fate. The only way to save their estate and preserve their name was to marry Alexander Thorne, the cold, enigmatic billionaire who had agreed to settle their debts in exchange for her hand in marriage.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Elara took a deep breath and steeled herself. She would not go quietly into this arrangement. If Alexander Thorne thought he could buy her compliance, he was in for a surprise.
The next morning, the Varners prepared for Alexander's arrival. The estate was abuzz with activity, servants hurrying to make everything perfect for their distinguished guest. Elara watched the preparations with a sense of detachment, feeling more like a spectator in her own life than a participant.
When the sleek black limousine finally pulled up the long driveway, Elara's heart pounded in her chest. She stood by her parents as the driver opened the door and Alexander Thorne stepped out. He was tall, impeccably dressed, and exuded an aura of authority that was almost palpable. His eyes, a piercing blue, swept over the estate before settling on Elara.
"Elara, may I introduce Lord Alexander Thorne," her father said, his voice trembling slightly with a mix of fear and hope.
Alexander extended his hand, his expression unreadable. "Miss Varner," he said, his voice smooth and cold as ice.
Elara lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with defiance. "Mr. Thorne," she replied, ignoring his hand.
A flicker of amusement crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant. "I see you have spirit. That's good. You'll need it."
Before Elara could respond, her father interjected, "Shall we go inside?"
As they entered the grand foyer, Alexander's gaze took in every detail, assessing, judging. Elara felt a shiver run down her spine. This man was not just wealthy; he was powerful, and his presence filled the room.
They sat in the drawing room, the tension palpable. Alexander outlined the terms of their agreement with a precision that left no room for misunderstanding. The Varners' debts would be paid in full, their estate saved, and in return, Elara would marry him within a month.
"I understand this is not what you envisioned for your future, Miss Varner," Alexander said, his tone almost sympathetic. "But circumstances have brought us to this point. I assure you, I will provide for you and your family."
Elara's eyes flashed with anger. "I am not a commodity to be traded, Mr. Thorne. I will marry you because I must, but do not expect me to be grateful."
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As the meeting concluded, Elara's fate was sealed. She was to become Mrs. Alexander Thorne, a pawn in a game of power and wealth. But as she met his gaze one last time, she vowed to herself that she would find a way to turn the tables. She might be entering his world under duress, but she would not lose herself to it.
The journey to Thornewood Hall, Alexander's imposing estate, felt like an inexorable march toward her own execution. Beside her, Alexander sat in silence, his presence as cold and unyielding as the man himself.
She stole a glance at him, wondering what thoughts lay behind those icy blue eyes. Did he feel anything at all about this arrangement, or was it merely another business transaction to him? The prospect of living with a man who seemed more machine than human was daunting, but Elara was determined not to let him see her fear.
After what felt like an eternity, the car pulled up to the gates of Thornewood Hall. The wrought iron gates swung open, revealing a sprawling estate that spoke of old money and meticulous upkeep. The mansion itself was an architectural marvel, a blend of classic and modern design that was both impressive and intimidating.
As they stepped out of the car, Elara's eyes widened at the sight of the pristine gardens and the grand façade of the mansion. A team of staff awaited their arrival, standing in a neat line by the entrance. Alexander strode forward, his long legs covering the distance quickly, and Elara hurried to keep up.
"Welcome to Thornewood Hall," Alexander said, his voice carrying a note of pride. "This will be your home from now on."
Elara nodded, unable to muster a response. She felt like a guest rather than the soon-to-be lady of the house. The staff bowed slightly as they entered, and Alexander began to introduce them, but Elara's mind was elsewhere. The opulence of the place was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the warm, albeit faded, comfort of her family's estate.
"This is Mrs. Whitaker, the housekeeper," Alexander said, indicating an older woman with a stern expression softened by kind eyes. "She will see to your needs."
Mrs. Whitaker gave Elara a respectful nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Varner. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you," Elara replied, her voice sounding small in the cavernous entry hall.
Alexander continued the tour, showing her the various rooms and amenities. Each room was more lavish than the last, but Elara couldn't shake the feeling of isolation. Thornewood Hall was beautiful, but it felt devoid of warmth and soul, much like its owner.
Finally, they reached her quarters, a luxurious suite that could have easily accommodated a small family. "I trust you'll find everything to your liking," Alexander said, his tone polite but distant.
"It's... lovely," Elara replied, feeling the inadequacy of the word.
"I'll leave you to get settled," Alexander said. "Dinner is at seven. I'll see you then."
With that, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Elara closed the door behind him and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. The reality of her situation was starting to sink in. She was alone in a stranger's house, bound to a man she barely knew and didn't trust.
Elara walked to the window and looked out at the expansive grounds, feeling a pang of longing for her old life. She had always dreamed of marrying for love, not out of necessity. But those dreams seemed distant now, replaced by the harsh reality of her new existence.
"You are a selfish girl, you have always been from birth, just like your father" her mother's words laced with venom and disdain echoed in her... The click of champagne glass, sounded and caught everyone's attention "Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce the great Leon Baron Augustus" the MC announced, while the guests clapped, their eyes met. April shivered. Immediately she regretted, just maybe she should have run away to save herself from this marriage, from this man... Leon strode in ignoring the exchange of pleasantries, he narrowed his eyes on her, turning briefly to take in his father next to April's mother. He hated the very essence of the room, only his humane common sense stopped him from murdering every single soul here. "Dirty politicians" he cursed under his breath... They both live in a world dominated by; greed, lies, betrayal, power struggle and corruption. With parents who will not hesitate to use them as means to an end. He is a ruthless Baron. She is the lovely, selfless daddy's girl, who is bent on making sure the Barons do not remain invincible. He is cornered into a contract marriage with the very woman he despises the most. In a marriage fuelled with revenge against each other, and scheming relatives, will she be able to see past the lies, and find a true ally? Is he truly a murderer? He is the king of the business world and also a king in the underworld. Is it possible for him to be completely innocent? With all the betrayals and lies around them, will love and trust blossom?
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ This Book Contains Matured Contents, reader's discretion is advised. *** "Do you have any idea how much I want to be inside you right now?" he asked as he stood to his feet. "Then why aren't you?" I responded, loving the feel of him pressed so close, my back to the mirror, my front to him. But even still, in some far corner of my lust-fogged mind, I realized that we were still in a bathroom. Anyone could walk in and see us. The thought of getting discovered was scary and erotic at the same time. "Oh, we're not done. Spread your legs a bit for me, Kitten." He commanded. When I did as he instructed, he settled between my legs again. "Now close your eyes. And try not to move." Dominic Rutherford murmured. I drew in a sharp breath as his fingers slipped into me with a silky, wet ease. First one. Then another. A feverish tide rose inside me, and I groaned. I jerked in response, causing me to unconsciously move my hips towards his teasing, clever hand, seeking more. "Ohh-" My body trembled under his touch. "Please..." *** Ruby escapes a stifling marriage filled with betrayal, eager to reclaim her freedom. At a masquerade ball, she meets Dominic, a mysterious older man always wearing a mask and has a complex past. Their intense attraction ignites a passionate and dangerous affair. Dominic, who was tasked by Ruby's unknown brother to find her, is captivated by her defiant spirit. As Ruby gets entangled in Dominic's dark world and faces threats from her vengeful former husband and an enemy within, she struggles with her fear of love. Will Ruby and Dominic overcome their pasts and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart? Can Ruby submit to love even after the truth is revealed?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?