/0/64065/coverbig.jpg?v=429356c71b5d7ab21a78ef59e89e5507)
Selena Quintanilla, sole heir to the city's most feared mafia family, finds her life turned upside down when the sudden death of her father bequeaths the family throne to her. However, in order to maintain peace amid the bloody conflict between the mafia, the father has devised a difficult choice: Selena must marry Enzo Salvatore, the son of their family's sworn enemy, or face an endless war.
A clear evening sky cools the campus courtyard. The light of the sun slowly faded, warming Selena Quintanilla's body, which was sitting leisurely under a shady tree. A classic novel opens on her lap, while large headphones cover her ears, playing music that brings calm in between the rush of her routine. Around her, other students pass by, busy with their own affairs, but Selena feels comfortable in her own world-a quiet world away from her family's dangerous shadow.
Selena enjoyed this rare moment. Despite her status as the only daughter of a well-known mafia family, she feels as if she is an ordinary girl, who only needs to think about books, classes, and music. Suddenly, the calm was broken.
Her phone vibrated on the bag lying beside her. She almost ignored it, thinking it was just a message from her friends, but the vibe continued. With a slight annoyance, she removed the headphones from her ears, put the book next to her, and reached for her cell phone.
The name displayed on the screen made her heart suddenly pound. ** Antonio* * - his father's personal assistant. He rarely calls, except for important matters that cannot be postponed.
Selena swallowed, feeling an uncomfortable feeling that slowly crept in. She knew, every time Antonio called, that something was going on. Her eyes looked at the phone screen for a few seconds, as if hoping that the call was just a mistake.
However, reality cannot be ignored. She sighed deeply, then shifted the screen to accept the call.
"Yes?" her voice sounded calm, although her heart was racing.
"Selena"" Antonio's deep voice sounded at the other end, leaving no room for pleasantries. "I need you to come home immediately."
Selena was silent for a moment, a sense of anxiety began to fill every corner of her mind. "What is it?" she asked briefly, trying to remain calm.
"Your father... Passed away this morning."Antonio's voice sounded deeper, loaded with seriousness.
Selena's world stopped for a moment. The novel she is holding fell to the ground silently. The music in the headphones still hanging around her neck suddenly sounded distant, like an illusion that was no longer relevant to reality.
"What do you mean?"her voice trembled. She needed to be sure, even though her heart already knew the answer.
"Your father is dead, Selena. And ... there's something you should know," Antonio continued, his tone more emphatic. "It's about the legacy and the choices he left for you. I'll explain more when you arrive."
Selena clasped her phone tightly, her eyes blinking without focusing on anything around her. She never thought that this seemingly ordinary day would turn into a nightmare. In the midst of the quiet of college, Selena's world begins to crumble, and she knows her life will never be the same again.
**
When Selena was a child she always looked at her father as the perfect figure. A respected successful businessman, who with one touch of his hand can change the fate of their family. Mansions, luxury cars and holidays abroad were commonplace in her life. In the eyes of little Selena, her father was a hero, a man who ruled the business world with unparalleled elegance and authority.
However, everything changed one evening, when Selena was 10 years old.
That night, she overhears a conversation between her father and someone who has just come to the House. The man in the black suit looked nervous, while his father stood in front of his study window, his back to his guest. Selena hid behind the door, intrigued by the seemingly unusual serious talk.
"I've given you enough time," her father's voice sounded cold, far from the gentle figure Selena knew. "If you can't pay off your debts, then your family will bear the consequences."
The man in front of his father begged, his voice full of fear. "Please, Sir. Give me some more time, I will definitely pay for it. I just need a little more-"
"There is no more time."His father turned around, his face hard and unforgiving. "You already know the consequences when borrowing from me."
Selena didn't understand all those words. But what she did know, that night something dark and sinister began to unfold. The man's fear, the coldness of his father's attitude, and the threat implied in every word made her fur bristle.
Since that night, Selena began to notice more and more things. The faint conversations heard on the phone, the tense-faced guests who came and went, and the presence of large men who always followed his father everywhere. The more Selena asked, the more secrets were revealed. Until finally, one day, she learned the harsh truth-her father was not just a businessman. He is the feared mafia boss in this city.
An indescribable sense of disappointment filled Selena's heart. Her father, the hero of her childhood, turns out to be a figure full of violence, threats and power defended with blood. From that moment on, Selena decided to stay away.
At the age of 15, Selena began talking to her father. Selena stood in front of the man she was once proud of.
"I don't want to be involved in the family business, Dad," she said in a trembling but determined voice. "I want to live independently, without the frills of our surname."
Her father just looked at her from behind the table, as if studying the decision her daughter had made. "You know it's not as easy as you think, Selena. The world is cruel, and without the protection of family, you will fall."
"I'd rather fall and stand on my own feet than live in the shadow of your power," Selena replied, her eyes full of determination.
Her father was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "We'll see how long you can hold out, Selena. The outside world is not as beautiful as you think."
Selena was undaunted. She's made up her mind. From then on, she worked hard to stay away from the big name of the family. She chose to continue her studies abroad, hoping to live as an ordinary girl away from the dark world of her family.
In college, Selena was known not as the heir to the mafia throne, but as an independent and intelligent girl. She occupied herself with her studies, friendships, and hobby of reading books. However, even though she tried so hard to escape, the shadow of her extended family always followed. Whenever she sees the news or hears stories about the atrocities of the mafia in her city, the image of her father always comes to mind.
Even so, Selena promised herself that she would continue to walk forward. The mafia world is not for her and she will do whatever it takes to stay on a different path-a path away from blood and violence.
***
I am Raveline Black, known to most as Rosaline. Until recently, no one knew my real name. I'm recognized as a beautiful girl with a charm like a rose – elegant, graceful, and utterly captivating. With a flawless body and naturally red lips that need no lipstick, my long brown hair cascades beautifully. My allure is intoxicating to anyone who lays eyes on me. As a woman often referred to as a street walker, I spend my nights working as a prostitute. Despite the luxuries my life affords me, nothing can fill the emptiness in my heart. I yearn for peace and true love. In my growing boredom, I made a decision I never imagined: to seek someone who could accept my past and offer me genuine happiness. In the midst of shadows and secrets, will I find someone who can see beyond my sinful life and embrace the true Rosaline? Or will the pursuit of true happiness remain an elusive dream? "Black Water" is a poignant journey of self-discovery, love, and redemption.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
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."
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."
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
For the whole 17 years of her existence, Alana did not know the word freedom and happiness having been confined in the basement of her family's house accused of killing her own mother. She's beaten, cursed at, and barely survived from crumbs of food thrown at her. She thought this is her final destiny and has accepted the bitter fate of her life not until the night of her 18th birthday, a mysterious alpha appeared at her door telling her that she is the long-lost daughter of the alpha king and claiming her as his mate he's been looking for several years now.