From the moment she was born, Camilla has been bound to Damien Russo, her fate sealed as a peace offering for her parents' hidden sins-a dark secret everyone refuses to reveal. A fierce rebel at heart, Camilla relentlessly seeks to break free from the gilded cage he has created for her. But as she delves deeper into the truth of their union, she uncovers a chilling reality: escape is impossible, and the grip of Damien Russo is inescapable. In a world where love and power collide, can she find a way to reclaim her freedom, or is she forever trapped in his world?
Camilla's POV
"Miss Camilla, Young Master Russo has arrived." Leslie said.
"Let him wait..... I'm busy." I responded to her nonchalantly.
"Your father has requested that you meet with him immediately, Miss. He won't be pleased if the young Master gets upset." She said calmly.
I let out a frustrated sigh, paused my actions and turned towards her.
"Alright Les, I'll be down in a minute."
She bows her head slightly and leaves the room.
Leslie was my personal maid. She's more like a sister to me but always insisted on using formal terms when addressing me.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I dropped my brush and proceeded to my wardrobe to get an outfit.
I'm almost tempted to go out to meet the asshole in my current outfit just to spite him but I know my father would literally have a stroke if he heard about it.
Angry and feeling defeated, I opted for the dress I had on the last time he was here. I put on my flats and gave my painting one last look before heading out.
The house was lively as usual with everyone going about their respective duties. I headed to the library to pick out a book I would use to keep myself busy and also picked one with the title "The Art of Smiling" for him.
Exchanging pleasantries with some staff on my way down, I headed towards the music room.
He stood by the window at the far end of the room, gazing out of the window with his hands in his pockets.
Damien fucking Russo. My betrothed and worst nightmare.
He's alert of my presence. I know from the way he turns his head slightly from my footsteps.
I don't even know why they force us to do this. Our encounters have never been pleasant.
Deciding against paying him any attention or even bothering to make small talk, I took a seat by the piano and started reading. Seeing as it was the only thing I could do to keep myself company.
No one was allowed near us during these sessions.
I read for about thirty minutes before Damien moved away from the window and settled on the sofa by the wall, making himself comfortable. Looking as stoic and unbothered as usual.
Picking up the book I had picked out earlier, I tossed it at him. It landed on his lap.
"What the fuck is this?"
"A book. It's meant for reading." I casually said.
He took a look at the title and his face contorted even more. He moved his gaze towards me immediately.
"The art of smiling. Do take your time to read it. It'll do you a lot of good." I said smugly.
If looks could kill, I'd be dead, buried and forgotten from the way he looked at me.
"Where did you pick this up?" He asked.
"Uhh, the library?"
His expression changed to a smug one.
"Wasn't there one on hygiene and the importance of wearing clean clothes?"
My jaw dropped.
"Fuck you Russo!"
He didn't say anything but maintained his smug expression.
"You know what? I didn't see one, but, I did happen to see one on sleazy bastards who forcefully claim girls." His demeanor changed.
"Watch your mouth Moretti."
"Watch yours" I threw back.
He let out a sigh, tossed the book aside and leaned back on the sofa.
Feeling frustrated, I dropped my book and started loudly playing off key on the piano.
"Cut it out." He said.
I continued my actions.
"Moretti!"
I kept going.
He stalked towards me and grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the piano and towards him.
"I said cut it out."
"You don't get to tell me what to do. You don't own me." I retorted.
"Not yet but we'll see about that in two years."
"Fuck you."
"Such vile words from pretty lips." He scoffed. I tried to ignore the fact that he called my lips pretty.
"I would never marry you. I'm going to find a way out of this." He scoffed.
"You think I want to look at you, more less marry you?"
Ouch. My pride.
"You disgust me." He said slowly, disgust laced in his tone.
That hurt.
I tried to keep my tears at bay and maintain eye contact with him. I didn't want him to see me cry.
He let go of my arm as if it disgusted him and used the wipes on the table to clean his hand and fingers.
A tear slipped out and soon I was full on crying. I was such a cry baby and I hated it.
He looked unbothered about me and resumed his position by the window.
I pulled myself together and got some wipes to clean my face.
"If you're done with your performance, listen and listen good." He casually said. His gaze trained on the window.
"I would be leaving for Italy for two years."
"What has that got to do with me?" I asked, my voice hoarse from crying.
"I'm giving you your freedom. Go out, learn, have fun, live the life you've always wanted."
"How kind and generous of you." I said sarcastically. He ignored me.
"I would return in time for our wedding after which you would leave with me."
"What part of 'I am not going to marry you' don't you understand?" I asked.
"We both know you don't have a choice." He turned towards me. "I can as well claim you. Leave with you right now to Italy and keep you by my side if I so desired to."
"My father would never allow it."
"Your father doesn't have a say in what I do with you." He replied amusedly.
"I own you Moretti. The sooner you understand that, the better it'll be for you."
That's all I have been told since I was ten. Dad has refused to give me a valid response as to why he had to sign my life away to this monster.
"You're an asshole." I said annoyed.
"I've been called worse." He shrugged.
He walked towards the table at the corner and poured himself a drink.
"Take the opportunity I am giving you Moretti. You're a wise girl."
He downed the liquid at once and set the glass down before glancing at me.
"Two years and then you're mine." He said and walked out of the room.
Sarah's father was accused of treason and executed alongside his wife as punishment, her sister had also mysteriously disappeared and was feared dead. She was shunned, ridiculed, bullied and mistreated by her own kind as punishment for being spared. With her days filled with scornful glares and harsh words, and Lucia, the Alpha's betrothed ensuring she was always on the edge of despair, she longed for a day where she would be free from the pack's cruelty. Fate seemed to smile at her when Alpha Killian, the Alpha King pays a visit to her pack, they end up becoming mates and she leaves her old pack. However, in Alpha Killian's pack, she comes to learn about a shocking truth and revelation about her sister's disappearance and her father's supposed betrayal which leaves her both stunned and devastated.
When Tasha agrees to embark on a vacation with her friend, she doesn't expect that it would end with her getting pregnant for Mathew Williams, a man older than her and whom she barely knows, neither is she prepared for the changes it brings to her life. Her pregnancy leads to her forced marriage with Mathew whom she just met, putting her in a situation she desperately seeks a way out of. How does she navigate her new life? What happens when her sister in law does everything to make sure she loses her baby or worse ends up dead? Would she succeed in her quest for freedom or will she fall for him after learning about the circumstances surrounding her forced marriage?
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
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."
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.”
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.