Aria Romano never imagined her life would turn into a living nightmare. Trapped in a contract marriage to settle her father's debt, she's now tied to Damien Salvatore-the cold, calculating mafia heir who only sees her as a pawn. But there's a catch: Damien is openly gay, and he makes it clear that their marriage is nothing more than a business deal, devoid of love or intimacy. Damien is everything she despises: arrogant, dominant, and utterly untouchable. He wants nothing to do with his new bride, keeping his distance with a scathing indifference that shatters her hopes of any normalcy. Yet as the days turn into months, Aria starts to see cracks in his icy façade, a flash of protectiveness, a rare moment of vulnerability, and a searing gaze that lingers too long. But just when Aria begins to unravel the layers of her enigmatic husband, Luca Moretti, Damien's ex-lover and the ruthless underboss of a rival family, reappears. Luca's obsession with Damien blurs the line between love and hate, and he's determined to destroy anyone who stands in his way, including Aria. Caught in a dangerous game of power, betrayal, and forbidden desire, Aria must navigate a world where trust is a luxury she can't afford. And as Damien's feelings for her grow, she realizes that the most dangerous secret isn't his sexuality or his hidden past-it's that she might actually be falling in love with her mafia gay husband. Will their love survive the lies and betrayals, or will it crumble under the weight of their dangerous secrets?
The rain lashed against the windows of the limousine, a relentless drumming that drowned out the sounds of the city outside. Aria Romano stared blankly through the tinted glass, her fingers clenched around the bouquet of white roses in her lap. They felt heavy, like shackles disguised as petals. She wasn't sure if it was the chill in the air or the icy fear gripping her chest that made her shiver.
"Are you nervous?" her father asked, his voice laced with a desperation he didn't bother to hide.
Nervous? The word didn't even begin to cover it. She was on her way to marry a man she had never met, a man who was known to be cruel, unfeeling-a man who didn't even want her. But she couldn't say any of that, not when her father's eyes were filled with a pleading she had never seen before. He had made a deal with the devil to save his business, and Aria was the sacrificial lamb.
"I'm fine," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Fine?" Her father's gaze faltered, and he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "This will secure our future, Aria. You have to understand that."
Secure our future. The phrase rattled around in her mind like a hollow promise. Her father's debts had spiraled out of control, and the Salvatore family had offered a solution-a marriage that would seal an alliance and settle the score. What no one spoke of, what they all pretended not to notice, was the glaring fact: Damien Salvatore was gay. The mafia prince, the cold, calculated heir who had never looked twice at a woman. This wasn't a marriage-it was a transaction, a mockery of vows she'd never dreamed she'd have to take.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the imposing gates of the Salvatore mansion, and her heart seized in her chest. The estate loomed like a beast in the storm, its dark silhouette outlined by flickering lightning. It was a fitting place for a nightmare to begin.
The door swung open, and a bodyguard motioned for her to step out. She hesitated, casting one last look at her father, who sat with his head bowed, his hands clasped together as if in prayer.
"You'll be fine," he murmured, but he didn't sound convinced.
With a deep breath, Aria stepped out into the rain, her white dress trailing behind her like a ghost. She felt the weight of it, like she was walking towards her own execution.
Inside, the mansion was all marble and gold, a display of wealth that screamed of power and control. The air was thick with the scent of roses and cigar smoke, a strange, unsettling combination that made her stomach churn. She was ushered into a grand room, where Damien Salvatore stood by the fireplace, his back turned to her.
He didn't move as she entered, didn't even acknowledge her presence. It was as if she were invisible, as if this moment-their wedding-was nothing more than an inconvenience to him.
"You're late," he said, his voice a low, cold drawl that sent a shiver down her spine.
Aria swallowed hard. "I came as quickly as I could."
He turned then, slowly, and she was struck by how handsome he was, in a dangerous, almost unreal way. Damien had the kind of face that could have been sculpted from marble-sharp jawline, high cheekbones, dark, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her. He was dressed in a tailored black suit that fit him like a second skin, exuding a power that was impossible to ignore.
His eyes flicked over her, a quick, dismissive scan, and his lips curled into a smirk. "You look scared."
"I'm not," she lied again, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
"Good," he replied, stepping closer. He loomed over her, his presence overwhelming. "Fear doesn't suit you."
She flinched at the casual cruelty in his tone, but she didn't back down. "This is just a business deal to you, isn't it?"
His smirk widened. "Isn't it to you?"
She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came. He was right. This marriage wasn't about love or even lust-it was about power, control, and settling a debt. But that didn't make it any easier to swallow.
"Do you have any idea what you've agreed to, Aria?" he asked, his voice soft but edged with steel.
"I know enough," she said, squaring her shoulders. "I know you didn't want this any more than I did."
Damien's eyes flashed, a brief flicker of something she couldn't quite place-surprise, maybe, or amusement. "You know nothing," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned in, so close she could feel his breath on her skin. "And you'll regret this. Mark my words."
Before she could respond, he stepped back, putting an ocean of space between them. The priest, who had been standing off to the side, cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the tension crackling in the air.
"Shall we begin?" the priest asked, glancing nervously between them.
Damien nodded once, curtly. "Let's get this over with."
The ceremony was a blur, a haze of words she barely registered. Damien's hand was cold when he slipped the ring onto her finger, his touch impersonal, almost mechanical. He didn't look at her when he recited his vows, and she forced herself not to flinch at the hollow sound of his voice.
When it was over, when the priest declared them husband and wife, Damien didn't kiss her. Instead, he turned away, already walking towards the door.
"Where are you going?" she called after him, her voice cracking with the strain of holding back tears.
He paused, just for a moment, and glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "To take care of business. Don't wait up."
And then he was gone, leaving her standing there, a ring on her finger, alone on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
Aria closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. This was her new reality-a marriage in name only, bound to a man who couldn't care less if she disappeared off the face of the earth. But as the first tear slipped down her cheek, she made a silent vow to herself.
She wouldn't let him break her. Not now, not ever.
To the world, Theo Lancaster is the perfect billionaire-devastatingly handsome, irresistibly charming, and untouchable in his success. But behind the dazzling smile lies a man haunted by a past he can't escape. When his carefully guarded world begins to unravel, he reluctantly hires Nora Bennett, a sharp-tongued therapist with no patience for his walls of pretense. Nora has seen her share of broken souls, but Theo is unlike any client she's ever had. He's infuriating, magnetic, and completely off-limits. Hired under the guise of a "wellness consultant," Nora's job is to help him face his demons. But as their forced proximity sparks a connection neither can deny, the line between professional and personal begins to blur. Just as Theo starts to believe in a future with Nora, his manipulative ex-fiancée, Victoria Langley, returns with a vengeance, determined to shatter everything he's built-including his newfound hope for love. When secrets from Theo's past collide with Victoria's ruthless schemes, Nora must decide whether to stay and fight for him or walk away before she loses herself in the process
In the ruthless underworld of 1980s New York, two men are about to break every rule. Luca Bianchi, heir to one of the city's most feared mafia families, has always known his path was laid out before him: loyalty to his family, power, and a life without the possibility of true love. But when he meets Adrian Russo-mysterious, charming, and working for a rival clan-his world is turned upside down. What starts as a dangerous flirtation spirals into an all-consuming, forbidden romance. Adrian has his own secrets. Caught in the crossfire of mafia politics, he's playing a dangerous game, navigating the delicate line between desire and betrayal. The deeper he falls for Luca, the more impossible it becomes to keep his double life hidden. One slip, and it's not just his heart on the line-it's his life. As family loyalty and passion clash, Luca and Adrian are forced to confront a choice that could destroy everything they've ever known. Their love could end the generations-old war between their families... or ignite it anew. Will they defy the rules of their world and risk everything for a chance at love? Or will their secrets tear them apart before they even get the chance to find out?
Raven Black has always been the pack's weakest link, the frail Omega who is ridiculed and scorned. Her only dream was to find her fated mate, the one person who would love her unconditionally. But that dream shatters when the cruel, powerful Alpha, Smith Lockwood, rejects her in front of the entire pack. Smith, with his piercing silver eyes and unyielding dominance, dismisses her as unworthy. He believes a weak, timid mate would make him vulnerable, but the bond between them refuses to break, pulling them closer in ways they never expected. Trapped in the pack she can't escape and tormented by a mate who both rejects and possesses her, Raven must find the strength she never knew she had. As her hidden powers begin to awaken, Raven realizes she might be the key to saving the pack from a rogue threat lurking in the shadows. But Smith's refusal to accept her as his mate pushes her to the brink. Will he realize her worth before it's too late? Or will his pride cost him the only woman who could be his true equal? In a world where love is dangerous, and power is everything, can a broken girl and her ruthless Alpha find a way to heal each other?
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!
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
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.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?