"In the shadowy streets of Manhattan and Milan, a deadly game of power and passion unfolds. When artist Aurora 'Rory' Thompson witnesses a brutal murder, she's forced into a fake marriage with Leonardo De Luca, the ruthless Mafia kingpin behind La Ombra Noir. Their explosive one-night stand has become a toxic obsession, fueling a dangerous dance of loyalty and deceit. As Rory uncovers Leonardo's dark secrets, she must choose between her art, her freedom, and her soul. Will their twisted love redeem him, or will it destroy them both?
The city never slept, its pulsing heartbeat echoing through the concrete canyons of Manhattan. Neon lights danced across the rain-soaked pavement, casting a gaudy glow over the crowded streets. Amidst the chaos, a lone figure emerged from the shadows.
Rory Thompson stepped out of the downpour, her long, raven-black hair plastered to her pale skin. Water droplets clung to her lashes as she gazed up at the towering skyscrapers, their peaks shrouded in mist. The city's energy coursed through her veins like lifeblood.
She slipped into the crowded subway, the air thick with the smell of damp earth and exhausted dreams. Rory's eyes scanned the sea of strangers, her gaze lingering on a young couple embracing in the corner, their love radiating like a beacon. A pang twisted in her chest, a familiar ache she'd grown accustomed to.
The train lurched forward, and Rory grabbed the pole, her fingers brushing against the cool metal. The advertisement plastered above the seats caught her attention: "Artistic Visionaries Wanted." The words seemed to pulse, beckoning her toward the unknown.
At the next stop, Rory pushed through the throng and emerged into the crisp night air. The rain had slowed to a gentle patter, casting a mystical spell over the city. She walked, her boots echoing off the buildings, until she reached the unassuming door of the Red Door Gallery.
A small, elegant sign creaked in the breeze: "Closed for Private Event." Rory's heart skipped a beat. This was it – her chance to showcase her art, to prove herself among the city's elite. She smoothed her damp hair, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door.
Inside, the gallery transformed into a sophisticated haven. Soft jazz floated through the air, accompanied by the clinking of champagne glasses and polite laughter. Rory's eyes adjusted to the warm lighting, and she spotted him – Leonardo De Luca, the enigmatic patron of the arts, standing amidst a circle of admirers.
His gaze locked onto hers, piercing and intense. For an instant, the room melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a world of their own making. Rory's pulse quickened as Leonardo's lips curled into a subtle smile, inviting her into his realm.
"Welcome, Miss Thompson," he said, his voice low and husky, as he extended his hand. "I've been expecting you."
Rory's fingers touched his, a spark of electricity igniting at the contact. As she met his gaze, a whispered warning echoed deep within her: "Beware the beauty that hides the darkness."
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
After a devastating divorce with the man she had been married to for over three years, Rachel thought her life was over. Her family disowned her, they wanted nothing to do with her anymore and she couldn't blame them. She had just divorced David Hart, one of the top successful bachelors in the country and heir to the Hart industries. But they would never understand that she didn't divorce him, he divorced her after she caught him cheating on her with her god-damned best friend! Rachel was just about to end everything by jumping off a bridge when she was saved by the most unexpected person. The boy she once bullied severally in highschool because he always wore ugly glass and was from a poor background, how come that glass make him so hot now? Why was he helping her get revenge on ex-husband who is trying to make her life even more miserable? And most important how did he get so handsome? What exactly does he want from her? ... No, you must want something, anything. If you can really help me get revenge on David and Lana, I can't just let you do it for free". Ethan went quiet for a while. I held my breath waiting for what his request might be. If it was something money could buy, I'll try my best to get it for him even though I was somehow broke right now. "You're right I do want something". He said after thinking for few minutes "What?" I asked slowly. " Until you get your revenge on David, Lana and every other person you want, you will live here". Live here as in...? " Wha... What are you saying? ". I stammered hoping he wasn't saying what I thought he was saying. I tried to step back but I missed a step and almost fell on the bed but Ethan caught me holding me in his muscular arms. Ethan moved his face closer to mine be was so close, our nose almost touched. " I want you to be with me! ".
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
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.
I received a pornographic video. "Do you like this?" The man speaking in the video is my husband, Mark, whom I haven't seen for several months. He is naked, his shirt and pants scattered on the ground, thrusting forcefully on a woman whose face I can't see, her plump and round breasts bouncing vigorously. I can clearly hear the slapping sounds in the video, mixed with lustful moans and grunts. "Yes, yes, fuck me hard, baby," the woman screams ecstatically in response. "You naughty girl!" Mark stands up and flips her over, slapping her buttocks as he speaks. "Stick your ass up!" The woman giggles, turns around, sways her buttocks, and kneels on the bed. I feel like someone has poured a bucket of ice water on my head. It's bad enough that my husband is having an affair, but what's worse is that the other woman is my own sister, Bella. ************************************************************************************************************************ “I want to get a divorce, Mark,” I repeated myself in case he didn't hear me the first time—even though I knew he'd heard me clearly. He stared at me with a frown before answering coldly, "It's not up to you! I'm very busy, don't waste my time with such boring topics, or try to attract my attention!" The last thing I was going to do was argue or bicker with him. "I will have the lawyer send you the divorce agreement," was all I said, as calmly as I could muster. He didn't even say another word after that and just went through the door he'd been standing in front of, slamming it harshly behind him. My eyes lingered on the knob of the door a bit absentmindedly before I pulled the wedding ring off my finger and placed it on the table. I grabbed my suitcase, which I'd already had my things packed in and headed out of the house.
"The entire wealthy circle in Seattle knew how much Stella Carlson loved Aaron Malone. People watched the childhood sweethearts grow from inexperience to maturity, finally getting married in a grand wedding ceremony. On the day of the wedding, despite the alliance between the Carlson and Malone families, the groom ran away. Stella knew that Aaron had rushed to L.A. to take care of his ex-girlfriend, who had attempted suicide. Unwilling to become the laughingstock of all Seattle, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number of her adversary, her tone almost commanding, "Ethan, come and marry me now. This is your only chance for revenge." On the other end, Ethan Powers raised an eyebrow as he gripped his phone, staring at the floor littered with cigarette butts. "Did the groom run away?" he asked. "My darling."