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When Lila Monroe's ex-boyfriend, Julian Sterling, announces his engagement, she drowns her sorrows at an upscale bar, waking up in a stranger's bed the bed of none other than Ethan Sterling, her ex's ruthless and dangerously alluring brother. Lila's life takes a devastating turn when her father is imprisoned, his fate orchestrated by Julian's cruel schemes. With no one else to turn to, she strikes a risky deal with Ethan. He'll save her father and restore her family's honor, but only if she agrees to a marriage of convenience...and an heir. Caught between her lingering heartbreak and Ethan's intense, possessive nature, Lila must navigate a world of betrayal, passion, and family secrets. Yet the more she resists Ethan, the more undeniable their attraction grows, sparking a dangerous game neither is prepared for. But when she discovers she's carrying his child, Lila must decide if she's willing to risk everything even her heart for a man who may only see her as a pawn in his deadly rivalry.
The bass pulsed through Lila's veins, thick and intoxicating, as she tipped back her third glass of whiskey, the amber liquid burning its way down her throat. Tonight, she wasn't Lila Monroe, the composed marketing executive with her life carefully packaged in neat, measured boxes. Tonight, she was a woman abandoned, a lover scorned-just another heartbroken soul swallowed by the city lights.
She shut her eyes, savoring the heavy warmth in her limbs, her skin tingling as the alcohol began to work its magic. Julian's words echoed in her mind like a haunting melody she couldn't shake. I'm doing this for us, Lila. I'll always care about you. Care. That word twisted her insides, leaving a bitter taste behind. Love was never enough for Julian Sterling; ambition had always come first.
With a deep sigh, she glanced around the dimly lit lounge, taking in the glimmering chandeliers, the velvet-lined booths, and the buzz of New York's elite around her. She didn't belong here-not tonight, not anymore. But she had come for one reason, and one reason only: to lose herself in the rhythm of music and forget, if only for a few hours, the man who had carved his way into her heart only to shred it apart.
"Another?" The bartender, a handsome man with a crisp, black vest and warm hazel eyes, leaned in, his gaze lingering just a little too long. She noticed the faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looked her over.
"Why not?" she replied, her lips curling into a half-smile. The night was young, and she wanted nothing more than to drown every memory of Julian until it dissolved into oblivion. The bartender slid her a fresh glass, and she lifted it in a silent toast-to broken hearts, to bad decisions, to finding a way to forget.
"Rough night?" His voice was low, smooth, and a little too perceptive.
Lila laughed softly, the sound tinged with a hint of bitterness. "You could say that. It's one of those nights where you realize...maybe you've been wasting your time."
He nodded knowingly, leaning against the bar with an ease that suggested he'd heard his fair share of late-night confessions. "Well, in that case, I'd say you're in the right place. Just make sure you don't drink the memories away for good. Some things are worth keeping."
"Oh, trust me," she murmured, swirling the liquid in her glass, "there's nothing worth keeping here."
She downed the whiskey in one long, searing gulp, her gaze drifting over the crowded lounge. A sleek black suit caught her attention, its wearer's back turned as he spoke to another man in a low, intent conversation. Something about the way he held himself-the commanding presence, the ease with which he filled the room-drew her in, a magnetic pull she couldn't resist. She barely registered herself standing up, her steps unsteady as she walked toward him, leaving the bar and the faintly amused bartender behind.
She approached him without a plan, without a single coherent thought beyond the need to escape herself. And somehow, it felt like he was the answer, or maybe just the perfect distraction. She was close enough now to catch the deep timber of his voice, though his words were lost beneath the music. But as if sensing her presence, he turned, his gaze locking onto hers with a sharp intensity that left her breathless.
Her breath hitched. The man was handsome in a way that bordered on dangerous-sculpted cheekbones, dark eyes that seemed to hold a hint of something primal, something untamed beneath the polished exterior. He was unmistakably wealthy, the subtle tailoring of his suit and the quiet confidence in his stance giving him away.
"Hello." Her voice came out softer than she intended, almost hesitant, as she met his gaze.
He raised a brow, a flicker of intrigue passing over his face. "Hello." His tone was cool, distant, but there was a glint in his eyes that betrayed a hint of curiosity.
"Do you mind if I...?" She gestured vaguely, realizing with a pang of embarrassment that she wasn't sure what she was asking.
One corner of his mouth lifted in a faint, almost amused smile. "Go ahead."
The permission was all she needed. She closed the gap between them, leaning in slightly, feeling the intoxicating pull of his presence, his scent-spice and cedar, sharp and luxurious. She couldn't remember the last time someone had unsettled her like this, the last time she'd felt so drawn to a complete stranger.
"I don't usually do this," she murmured, a hint of self-conscious laughter in her voice.
He tilted his head, studying her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. "And what is it you're doing, exactly?"
"Trying to forget someone." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and for a moment, vulnerability flashed across her face. She half-expected him to laugh, to brush her off, but instead, his expression softened, a spark of understanding passing between them.
"Well," he said quietly, his gaze never wavering, "maybe I can help with that."
Without another word, he took her hand, his grip firm and warm as he led her through the crowd, past the thrum of music and the glances of curious onlookers. They moved toward a quieter corner of the lounge, a secluded area where the noise faded into the background, leaving only the two of them enveloped in an electrifying silence.
They sat, and she found herself leaning closer, drawn in by the dark mystery of his gaze, the calm confidence in his every move. The room seemed to shrink around them, the world outside fading away.
"What's your name?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
He hesitated, as if deciding how much he wanted to reveal. "Ethan," he replied finally. "Ethan Sterling."
Her heart skipped a beat. Sterling. The name settled over her like a cold shadow, a realization twisting in her stomach. No. It can't be.
"Sterling... as in-"
"Yes," he interrupted, his tone firm, the glint of recognition in his eyes unmistakable. "Julian Sterling's brother."
A wave of disbelief crashed over her, mingling with the buzz of alcohol in her veins. She stared at him, processing the revelation, her mind whirling with confusion, attraction, and the faintest hint of alarm. Yet, despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to move, to pull away.
Aria Kensington has always been the forgotten one the illegitimate daughter of a powerful family, overshadowed by her perfect sister and despised by her stepmother. When her long-time boyfriend betrays her for her sister, Aria's world shatters. But the real blow comes when she's forced into an arranged marriage with a man she's never met a cold, reclusive billionaire rumored to be disabled. Damon Blackwood is no ordinary billionaire. His disability is a ruse, and beneath his icy exterior lies a man who controls an empire built on secrets and power. When Aria is thrust into his world, she becomes more than just his wife she becomes his obsession. Trapped in a marriage of convenience that feels more like a gilded cage, Aria soon discovers the dark side of Damon's love. As their fiery passion ignites, she must decide whether to embrace the man who claims her body and soul or risk losing herself in his dangerous game. In a world where love is power and trust is a luxury, can Aria break free of the chains that bind her or will she fall deeper into Damon's seductive grip?
Lily Tang once believed that love could conquer anything-even a cold, indifferent husband. Bound by a contract marriage to Daniel Zhang, the powerful CEO who barely acknowledged her existence, Lily spent three silent years devoted to a man who never looked her way. But when his first love returned, Daniel didn't hesitate. He brought her into their home and left Lily with nothing but a divorce contract and a shattered heart. Determined to start fresh, Lily walked away, hiding the one secret she carried: she was pregnant with his child. Now, five years later, Lily is back in Shanghai, no longer the timid wife but a successful CEO with a confidence that turns heads and a little boy who looks just like his father. When their paths collide at a high-stakes business event, Daniel is struck by her transformation-and the child by her side. Haunted by the past, Daniel is desperate to win back the woman he lost. But Lily is no longer willing to be his second choice. This time, she's fighting for herself, and she's not letting her heart be broken twice. In a world where power and passion clash, will Daniel prove himself worthy of a second chance, or will he lose her forever to the life she built without him?
In the dark heart of Everglen, Lyra Blackwood once ruled as a celebrated heiress until betrayal stole everything. Set up by her best friend, disowned by her family, and forced into exile, she's spent years rebuilding her life in shadows, raising her young twins with fierce independence. But when fate pulls her back to the city she once called home, she's armed with one mission: revenge. Her target? The ruthless, possessive Alpha Damien Silverclaw Evergreen's wealthiest CEO, and the man who unknowingly fathered her children. Yet Damien is no ordinary man; he's her fated mate, and his power both tempts and terrifies her. As she edges into his dangerous world, their passion ignites under the guise of a contract marriage, but secrets soon threaten to unravel everything. Now, tangled in a bond she didn't choose, Lyra must decide: is her revenge worth risking her heart? Or will she surrender to the dark allure of the one man who could break her... or save her?
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
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!"
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!
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."
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."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?