Aria Rossi was moments away from marrying into one of New York's most powerful crime families when she fled, leaving behind a devastated groom and a deadly vendetta. Five years later, she's built a new life under an assumed identity in the sun-soaked streets of Miami, believing she's finally safe. As the owner of a thriving art gallery, Aria has buried her past beneath layers of carefully crafted lies and exquisite paintings. But when a mysterious new client walks into her gallery, Aria comes face-to-face with her past-and the man she left at the altar. Lorenzo Caruso, now the head of his family's criminal empire, has never forgotten the woman who broke his heart and tarnished his honor. As old feelings reignite, so does the danger that forced her to run. With enemies closing in from all sides and secrets threatening to unravel everything she's built, Aria must decide: Can she trust the man she once loved with her life, or will their second chance at romance be her ultimate downfall? Just as she makes her choice, a shocking revelation changes everything-and nothing is as it seems. An intricate web of betrayal, hidden identities, and long-buried secrets begins to surface, forcing Aria to question everything she thought she knew about her past, her present, and the man she's never stopped loving. In a world where loyalty is everything and trust can get you killed, will Aria and Lorenzo's rekindled passion be strong enough to overcome the lies that tear them apart, or will their love become another masterpiece in her gallery of deception?
My heels tapped lightly on the gallery floor as I made the final touches. The moonlight streamed through the tall windows, making shadows stretch across the polished concrete. I adjusted a painting slightly, making sure it was perfect for the late-night client I was about to meet.
"Everything has to be just right," I whispered, smoothing down my white blouse.
It had been five years since I left behind the name Aria Rossi and everything tied to it. Now, I was Emma Collins, a respected gallery owner in Miami. I had built this life carefully, piece by piece, just like the art I curated.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text from my assistant, Mia: "Client's car just pulled up. Good luck!"
I took a deep breath. This wasn't just any client. The request had come through strange channels-hints of connections that made me uneasy. But the opportunity was too good to ignore, especially with the plans I had for the gallery.
The soft chime of the security system signaled the door opening. I put on my best smile and turned to greet the guest.
"Welcome to Lumière Gallery," I started to say, but the words got stuck in my throat when I saw who it was.
Time seemed to slow down. My heart pounded, each beat a painful reminder of a past I thought I had buried.
It couldn't be him. But there he was, looking as handsome as the day I left him at the altar. Lorenzo Caruso, heir to one of New York's most powerful crime families-the man I almost married.
"Hello, Aria," Lorenzo said, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "Or should I say... Emma?"
I tried to keep my face calm, my years of practice helping me stay composed. "I'm sorry, sir. You must be mistaken. I'm Emma Collins, the gallery owner. How can I help you tonight?"
Lorenzo's eyes locked onto mine as he walked closer, each step slow and deliberate. I stood my ground, even though every part of me wanted to run.
"Let's not play games, Aria," he said, stopping just inches from me. "Five years is a long time, but not long enough to forget the woman who was supposed to be my wife."
The smell of his cologne, a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely him, brought back memories I had fought to forget-stolen kisses, whispered promises, and the engagement ring I left behind.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Mr. Caruso, I assure you-"
"Your eyes give you away," Lorenzo interrupted, brushing a strand of hair from my face. I flinched at his touch, and his expression hardened. "Even with the blonde hair and those contacts."
My carefully built world was falling apart. I took a step back, putting space between us. "How did you find me?"
Lorenzo's lips curled into a cold smile. "You're not as clever as you think, Aria. Did you really believe you could disappear without a trace? That I wouldn't find you?"
"You shouldn't have come," I whispered. "You have no idea what you've done."
"What I've done?" Lorenzo's eyes flashed with anger. "You left me at the altar. You disappeared, leaving me to deal with the fallout. Do you know what that did to my family's reputation? To me?"
Guilt gnawed at me, but I pushed it away. He didn't understand. He couldn't.
"I had my reasons," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Oh, I'm sure you did," Lorenzo replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And I'm here to hear every single one."
I glanced towards the door, wondering if I could escape. As if reading my mind, Lorenzo moved to block my way.
"Don't even think about it, Aria," he warned. "We have a lot to talk about, and I'm not leaving until I get answers."
My mind raced, searching for a way out. I had been so careful, covered my tracks so well. How had he found me? And who else might know where I was?
"Lorenzo, please," I said, letting a hint of desperation into my voice. "You have to leave. You don't know what you're getting into."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly am I getting into, Aria? What was so bad that you had to run from everything-from me?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but I saw movement outside the gallery's windows. A black SUV had pulled up, its tinted windows hiding whoever was inside.
Lorenzo noticed it too, his body tensing. "Expecting company?"
"No," I breathed, fear creeping into my voice. "We need to go. Now."
Before Lorenzo could respond, the gallery lights went out, leaving us in darkness. The security alarm blared, red lights flashing in the room.
"What the hell?" Lorenzo muttered, reaching into his jacket. I saw the glint of a gun.
The sound of breaking glass shattered the silence. I ducked instinctively, pulling Lorenzo down with me as bullets whizzed overhead, smashing the art around us.
"This way!" I yelled, crawling towards the back of the gallery. Lorenzo followed, firing back as we moved.
We reached the storage room, and I fumbled with the keys, my hands shaking as I tried to unlock the door. Lorenzo pressed against me, protecting me as more shots rang out.
"Any time now, Aria," he growled.
Finally, the lock clicked open, and we stumbled into the room. I slammed the door shut and locked it.
"There's a panic room," I gasped, pointing to a hidden door in the wall. "We should be safe there until-"
My words were cut off by a loud explosion from the main gallery. The floor shook, and I nearly fell, but Lorenzo caught me.
"Until what?" Lorenzo demanded, his face close to mine. "Until whoever's trying to kill us breaks in? Who are they, Aria? What have you gotten yourself into?"
I looked into his eyes, seeing the anger, confusion, and hurt I had caused him years ago. I knew there was no going back. My life as Emma Collins was over.
"Lorenzo," I said softly, barely audible over the chaos outside. "There's something I need to tell you. The reason I left... it wasn't what you think."
His grip tightened on my arms. "Then what was it?"
I took a deep breath, preparing to reveal everything. But before I could, the storage room door exploded inward, splinters flying everywhere.
Smoke filled the room as dark figures appeared, their guns aimed at us. Lorenzo shoved me behind him, his gun ready.
"Well, well," a familiar, chilling voice said through the smoke. "Isn't this a touching reunion?"
My blood froze as the speaker came into view. It was a face I had hoped to never see again-the very reason I ran all those years ago.
Lorenzo's sharp intake of breath told me he recognized the man too. "It can't be," he whispered. "You're dead. I saw you die."
The man's laughter echoed in the room, cold and heartless. "Oh, Lorenzo. In our world, death is often just another illusion."
As the smoke cleared and the full horror of our situation became clear, one thought filled my mind: The past I had run from had finally caught up with me, and there was no escape.
After her late husband's debts leave her poverty-stricken, Sarah Jenkins finds herself with no choice but to agree to her in-laws arranging her marriage to billionaire developer Lachlan Reid. Thrust from her struggling existence into his world of opulence and luxury, Sarah is overwhelmed by the drastic change in her circumstances. As she navigates high society events and lavish vacations, she discovers a side of Lachlan hidden beneath his cold exterior. Against all odds, an unexpected affection blossoms between them. But can Sarah truly trust her growing feelings, or is she merely swept up in the allure of wealth and security? Just as she begins to embrace her new life, a shocking revelation threatens to unravel everything...
Title: THE PLAYBOY CHALLENGE Genre: romance Trope: billionaire, play boy. Blurb: Lenora's life was going downhill quickly. From being fired at her work to being about to be evicted from her apartment, she is exhausted with her life of utter misery. The icing on the cake is when a dangerous man sends his two goon sniffing after her and her sister. They can either find a way to get five thousand dollars in three days or become shark food. A miracle comes in the form of a billionaire's daughter with a bruised ego. The plan is simple, if Lenora can keep billionaire playboy Ian O'Malley's attention for sixty days followed by a humiliating, public break up, she gets enough money to turn her life around. It's supposed to be a simple plan, and she's never meant to start feeling things for the charming billionaire. She can't mix business with emotions, but she's never felt this way before. What happens when a money making scheme with a looming end date begins to feel too real?
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Daisy is the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Hubert. His company went bankrupt, so he asked for help from Drkov's house. They agreed to help Mr. Hubert but with one condition. One of his two daughters must marry their nephew - Atlas Drkov. Atlas Drkov is a billionaire but he is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Yaretzi - daughter of Mr. Hubert's official wife - does not accept marrying a disabled man. She and her parents made a plan. They kidnapped Daisy's mother, threatened her, and forced her to marry Atlas. To save her mother, she accepted. However, after getting married, she fell in love with this man, and so did he. Difficulties start from here.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
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?
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.