Sarah felt content with her existence. She could overcome anything as long as her fiancé and boyfriend were by her side, even with the daily challenges. That's what she thought, until he abruptly stopped talking to her and left her with their ring and a message. Brokenhearted, she attempts to go on, but instead she gets kidnapped and taken into the arms of the incredibly attractive Dominic, the Mafia boss. When she discovers that the man she loved wasn't who she believed him to be, everything is turned upside down. "He informed me that he is employed in security," "No, cara-he was employed by me." With his henchman having abruptly defected with crucial information, Dominic Caruso kidnaps his fiancée and holds her as collateral and bait. He had no idea that she would turn out to be more fascinating and distracting than he had anticipated, nor that he would find himself drawn to her. As identities and realities are exposed, there is more to the maze of peril and secrets than first appears. Would Sarah make it through the chaos? Would Dominic be able to let her go when the time came?
As I gulped in the next shot, the muted tones of the bass music slammed in my ears and swam beneath my skin. How many had I already taken? Even though I had lost count, it didn't matter because I was still sane.
I felt a wave of vertigo as soon as I moved. Perhaps I had gone a little too far. I didn't realise someone was calling my name until I felt a hand abruptly shake my shoulder. I turned to face my closest friend.
"Sarah! For the benefit of Pete. Why are you in this place? With a heaving motion, Bailey let out a curse and ran towards me. Remembering that I'd called her here took a time.
"Bailey." I drew her in with a smile and said, "Come drink with me."
She shook her head, but didn't move from her spot at the bar next to me.
"Is it about him, baby?" Under the lights, her voice was clear and sweet as she enquired. She could have dipped me in ice instead.
The thought still caused my heart to thump terribly. I wanted to forget about him forever. Athan Slater. That idiot.
My fiancé-or rather, my ex-fiance.
Life was pleasant. I believed that as long as I had him, it didn't matter how bad my hand was from the start. When I dropped out, Ethan helped me through my mother's illness and remained by my side till her death. He had swept me off my feet. He was my rock, and I believed that he was the same.
That's what I believed until I heard nothing when I got home, discovered that all of his possessions were gone, and discovered his engagement ring and a note that said, "It's over," on the dinner table.
Done. After three years of courtship, they split up. And he couldn't even say it directly.
It had taken me an entire day to come to terms with the fact that he was not returning. I asked all his acquaintances and the individuals I assumed he worked for, and I searched everywhere for him, but nothing turned up. He had vanished, leaving me alone.
I had already progressed through half of the grieving process, from acceptance that he wouldn't return to anguish and guilt.
Was I the one? Was it something I'd done? Was I a burden, in his opinion?
I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was working at an office with no skills, barely out of high school, just to make ends meet. As a security guard, it was him who brought in the majority of the cash. He had never addressed my feelings of inadequacy as an issue, but he had always consoled me when I felt inadequate. He could have easily told me if that was the case.
Or was there another reason?
I had now chosen to feel rage, as there was no way to know otherwise.
"I'll report sick to work tomorrow on your behalf." Bailey jolted me out of my reverie with her voice.
No need, I said, shaking my head. It was oppressive to consider spending more time in that house than was required. Whether I was drunk or not, I wasn't going to stay in. In the first place, the office job wasn't that vital. I wouldn't be the first person to arrive there inebriated.
"I appreciate you coming here for me." As I mentioned,
You weren't supposed to come here by yourself. Things happen in settings like this all the time. Things mafia and gang related. Horrible garbage. She flicked her braid and gave me a wary look. "We must leave here as soon as it is necessary."
Observing the concern in her gaze, I hummed. I could see why she was always so worried about visiting places like this. If my life was difficult, hers had been much worse. She talked a lot about that, always being so unduly circumspect. Occasionally, she would regale me with a series of hazy tales about various things that she said she had heard from a friend of a friend, all of them terrifying. from trafficking to gangs to the shadowy underworld. She had even mentioned the Mafia boss before.
Again, what was that name? Dante? David?
"Whatever," I thought as I got up from the chair. Although I appreciated her prudence, all I wanted to do tonight was forget.
I said, "I'm going to dance." I moved fast, amazingly stable for an alcoholic, before she could object. I moved, swaying to the beat of the music as I blended in with the crowd.
It was not like me to do any of this. Clubs and bars had never been my scene, mostly because it would never have been appropriate to do so while I was engaged. It was time for something different.
My courage came from the drink as I joined in the crowd's dancing. I started to feel a little pressure in the middle. Odd. I could feel someone watching me.
Since I was near the periphery of the dancing crowd, it wasn't too difficult to turn around. I saw the look and quickly froze.
There was a man seated on a chaise lounge. The lights dance across his face, deepening the shadows to accentuate his chiselled jaw and blackened hair.
But I was imprisoned by his intense stare. I was afraid of it because it was so intense that I found myself pulled to it.
The crowd of people about me felt oppressive all of a sudden. I made myself turn away, pushing and tugging to get out of the crowd and stumble into the arms of those I knew.
Bailey mumbled, "I think that's enough for today, babe." I lacked the will or the strength to object. She helped me out of the club together as I staggered.
I looked up, saying an apology, after a severe bump. The look was so familiar, like the mysterious man I had met before.
There was not time to think things out. I skirted him and met the refreshing night air outside the club. All other memories vanished until I stepped into Bailey's plush vehicle seat cushion.
..
I felt immediate guilt for turning down Bailey's offer the following day. I forced myself to go to the office and work despite having a pounding headache and feeling sick.
I had to let go. Ignore him. I was able to look after myself.
That was my motivation for the entire day. Bailey could only help me so much when it came to quelling the migraine-inducing cries coming from our manager's office. She needed to leave, I had to persuade her, lest the manager see her with me and try to get even with her.
The hours passed inertly, yet my motivation persisted. When nighttime finally arrived, I treated myself to some takeaway and ice cream before returning to the flat.
I hummed softly as I worked my way through the takeaway with my keys, but nothing occurred when I tried to use them. My door was not locked.
My heart began to rush right away. There was a problem.
I never forgot to lock the doors, not even on the morning after a late night. Had I?
I cautiously opened the door as anxiety filled me, yet something bothered me even though nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everything was as it was supposed to be. I stepped inside and looked around to see what had set off my alarm.
Then I caught sight of it. In the corner of the space, there was a human-shaped shadow.
"How the heck is that?"
Suddenly, a hand covered my lips. I screamed at it, but before I could fight back, a stinging chemical smell flooded my nostrils.
All was lost.
"In a world divided by power and prejudice, Emily finds herself trapped in a life of torment under her father's cruel reign. Desperate for freedom, she stumbles upon her salvation in the form of four powerful alphas: Xavier, Xander, Xaviero, and Xavian, the Martinez brothers. Drawn to Emily's strength and resilience, they offer her sanctuary from her oppressive past. As Emily navigates the complexities of her newfound alliance, she uncovers dark secrets hidden within her own bloodline. With the threat of her father's betrayal looming over her, Emily must confront her past and embrace her true identity as a white mage. But when a sinister plot orchestrated by dark forces threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, Emily and her mates must unite their powers to vanquish the darkness once and for all. In a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, Emily discovers the true meaning of family and the power that lies within her heart."
Eliana was framed by her best friend and her fiance into sleeping with a boy toy in the club and getting impregnated by him. Five years after she had given birth to twins, she returned home and worked under the Moran Group, where she met the CEO-- Maurice. Maurice was a brilliant businessman who did his job well. But in order to stay under the radar, he lived a double life. One as Maurice, and one as Preston. Fate brought the two together again, roping them in on an exciting love story. It all became more complicated when Eliana faced Preston, the man she had slept with before, once again. Now that she was being pursued by two men, how could she ever choose? When would Eliana uncover the secret of Maurice's identity? When was Maurice going to know that he already had two children of his own? How would Eliana face this man when the truth came to light one day? Come and find out.
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"
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.
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.