The Price of Her Heart Avery Monroe, a talented yet struggling artist, has always dreamed of making a name for herself in the world of art. Despite her dedication, her paintings have never gained the recognition they deserve. Faced with mounting debts and the responsibility of caring for her sick mother, Avery is on the brink of giving up her dream. But everything changes when she meets Julian Hartley, a billionaire businessman with a reputation for controlling every aspect of his life and empire. Julian sees something special in Avery's art and offers her a deal that seems too good to pass up: he will make her the artist she's always dreamed of becoming-wealth, fame, and recognition in exchange for her loyalty and trust. The catch? Julian wants Avery to become his personal artist, painting only for him, under his terms, and with the understanding that nothing comes without a price. As their professional relationship grows, Avery finds herself drawn to Julian in ways she never expected, even as she begins to question his true intentions. Despite the success Julian offers, Avery soon realizes that the deal comes with more than just financial gain. Julian, with his cold and calculating exterior, begins to demand more from her-her time, her loyalty, and ultimately, her heart. Torn between the man who can give her everything she's ever wanted and the cost of losing herself in the process, Avery is forced to decide how much she is willing to sacrifice **The Price of Her Heart** is a passionate and dramatic tale of love, ambition, and sacrifice, exploring the cost of chasing your dreams and the price of opening your heart to someone who controls everything. Will Avery risk everything for love, or will she walk away to preserve her freedom?
Avery Monroe adjusted the painting on the wall for what felt like the hundredth time. The art gallery was quiet, and the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above seemed to echo in her ears. Her stomach churned with nerves, but she forced herself to smile and look confident. This was her big break. The night she had worked for-the night she had dreamed about for years.
But as she glanced around the gallery, she noticed that no one was stopping to look at her work. People wandered past, heads down, eyes flicking over the paintings as if they were nothing more than background noise. Avery couldn't help but feel invisible.
She had come all the way from a small town with big dreams. She had spent years learning, working, saving, and fighting for this moment. And yet, it seemed like all the effort hadn't amounted to much.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her thoughts. She didn't need to check it. It was probably her mother, worried about her health, or her younger sister, Becky, asking for money again. Avery sighed, stuffing the phone back into her bag.
"Impressive."
The voice came out of nowhere, and Avery nearly jumped. She spun around, wide-eyed, and came face to face with a man who had entered the gallery unnoticed. He was tall-almost too tall-dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His sharp features seemed like they were carved from stone, and his icy blue eyes studied her with an intensity that made her feel exposed.
"I beg your pardon?" Avery asked, blinking in surprise.
The man took a step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "The painting," he clarified, his voice smooth like velvet. "It's impressive."
Avery felt her cheeks flush. No one had ever looked at her work like that before. She wasn't sure whether to feel proud or intimidated.
"Thank you," she said softly, trying not to let her nervousness show. She wasn't used to attention, especially from someone who looked like he belonged in a different world.
He stepped closer, his eyes lingering on her as he studied the piece. "What's the story behind this one?"
Avery's heart raced a little as she explained the piece. It was a landscape, full of vibrant colors, depicting the mountain range from her childhood home. She had poured every ounce of emotion into it. It represented hope, struggle, and the search for freedom.
The man nodded thoughtfully. "I can see the emotion in it. You've captured something raw, real." He paused and looked at her with a glint of interest. "You're talented, Ms. Monroe."
She swallowed hard. "Thank you." She felt awkward under his gaze. "You're... Julian Hartley, aren't you?"
His lips curved into a half-smile. "Yes. And you are?"
"Avery Monroe," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.
He extended his hand, his grip firm but not overpowering. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Avery."
She shook his hand, still unsure why he was here or why he was speaking to her. This man was a billionaire, one of the most influential people in the city. She had read about him in the newspapers, seen him at charity events, but never imagined she'd meet him like this-standing in front of one of her own paintings.
"Would you like a drink?" she asked, trying to act normal despite the nerves flooding her.
Julian waved her off. "I don't need anything. But I do need something from you."
Avery's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
He took a step back, his eyes scanning the gallery, his face unreadable. "You have potential. A lot of it. But you're stuck in this small world. You can't get anywhere with your art if you keep playing by the rules."
Avery blinked. "I'm not sure I understand."
Julian turned to her, his gaze intense. "I'm offering you a deal. A chance for your work to be seen by the right people. Not just any people-people who can change your life."
Avery's pulse quickened, but she kept her composure. "I'm not sure I can accept a deal without understanding it fully."
His lips quirked into a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "It's simple. I have connections-people who would pay top dollar for your work. You won't be unknown anymore. I'll make sure of that."
She didn't know how to respond. This felt like a dream, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that there was a catch. Nothing in life came free.
"What do you want in return?" she asked, her voice cautious.
Julian studied her for a long moment before speaking. "I want you to be my personal artist. You'll paint for me, whenever I need something, and you'll agree to keep our dealings private."
Avery's heart skipped a beat. "Private?"
He nodded. "I don't like attention. The less people know about our business, the better."
Avery wasn't sure what to make of that. But something about him-his confidence, the way he carried himself-made her want to take the risk.
"Is there more?" she asked, trying to read him.
"There's always a price," he said simply. "But you'll get everything you want in return. Money. Recognition. The best galleries. And... me."
Avery's breath caught. "You?"
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Everything I offer comes at a cost. If you accept, you'll owe me. Your time. Your heart. Your loyalty. But in exchange, I'll make sure you're the artist you've always wanted to be."
Her heart was racing now, but her mind was swirling. She was being offered everything she had ever dreamed of, but it came with strings attached.
"What's the catch?" she asked again, her voice barely a whisper.
Julian's eyes darkened. "I'm offering you a chance to have everything you've ever wanted. But you'll give me something in return. Your loyalty, your trust, and yes-your heart."
--
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
"I'm going to tell you what I have in mind," he murmured. "First you're going to strip down until you're completely naked," he whispered against her ear. "Then I'm going to tie you up so you're completely powerless and subject to my every whim." "Mmm, sounds good so far," she murmured. "Then I'm going to insert a plug to prepare you for me. After that I'm going to spank that sweet ass of yours until it's rosy with my marks." She shivered uncontrollably, her mind exploding with the images he evoked. She let out a small whimper as he sucked the lobe of her ear into his mouth. God, she could cum with just his words. She was already aching with need. Her nipples tingled and hardened to painful points. Her clit pulsed and twitched between her legs until she clamped her thighs together to alleviate the burn. "And then I'm going to f**k your mouth. But I won't cum. Not yet. When I'm close, I'll flog you again until your ass is burning and you're on fire with the need for relief. And then I'm going to f**k that ass. I'm going to take you hard and rough, to the very limits of what you can withstand. I won't be gentle. Not tonight. I'm going to take you as roughly as you can stand. And then I'm going to cum all over your ass. Are you ready to be completely and utterly dominated?"
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"