Aria Alessandro's life is turned upside down when she's taken by Valtor, Italy's most feared crime lord. Her only crime? Being a pawn in a debt she didn't know existed. With her innocence and beauty captivating this devil, Aria must survive his treacherous world of power and obsession. But Valtor, known as "Il Diavolo" (The Devil), is a man shrouded in mystery and feared by all. His cold calculation and merciless ambition have earned him the respect and terror of his enemies. Will she escape the clutches of Valtor ? What happens when she starts falling in love with this heartless monster ?
Aria woke to the warm embrace of sunlight streaming through the window, casting a golden glow on the terracotta floor. She stretched, yawned, and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet dangling in the air.
A faint rustling sound came from the next room, followed by the slow creaking of the wooden rocking chair.
Nonna Rosa, her grandmother, appeared in the doorway, her frail figure illuminated against the morning light. Her silver hair was thinning, her face etched with the lines of a life well-lived.
"Good morning, Nonna!" Aria called out softly, using the Italian endearment "Nonna" (Grandmother).
"Buongiorno, cara," Nonna Rosa whispered, her voice weak but full of love. "Come, help me with breakfast."
Aria nodded, getting out of bed, following Nonna Rosa to the kitchen. Nonna Rosa's hands trembled as she tried to pour the coffee, and Aria gently took the pot from her. "Let me, Nonna."
Nonna Rosa smiled as she nodded her head before taking a seat in front of the small round dining table with two chairs by it side.
Aria set the table before taking a seat opposite Nonna Rosa. She noticed the faint scent of medicine lingering on Nonna Rosa's skin. "Nonna, you should stay home today. You're not feeling well."
"Ah, cara (dear), I'm fine," Nonna Rosa insisted. "We need to go to the Bakery. We can't leave our customers without their favourite pastries."
"But, Nonna, the doctor said you need to rest," Aria pleaded, concern etched on her face.
"Pfft, doctors!" Nonna Rosa waved her hand dismissively. "I've been running the bakery for fifty years. I know what I need."
Aria sighed, trying to persuade her grandmother. "Nonna, please. Just this once. Stay home and rest. I'll handle the shop."
Nonna Rosa's expression softened, but her eyes still sparkled with determination. "Va bene (okay), cara. But just for today. And only because I don't want to worry you."
"Grazie (thank you), Nonna. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly." Aria smiled, relieved.
"I trust you, Cara," Nonna Rosa smiled, eating her breakfast
After they were done having breakfast, Aria washed the dishes and helped Nonna Rosa back to her room.
Rosa settled into bed, her eyes clouding with concern. "Aria, cara, I have a bad feeling. Something's off.
"It's just your imagination, Nonna. You've been worrying too much about the Bakery." Aria smiled reassuringly.
But Rosa's expression remained grave. "No, cara. This is different. I feel it in my bones. Something's coming, something that will change everything."
Aria sat beside her, taking her hand.
"Nonna, you're just tired. You need to rest. It's just an illusion."
"Listen to me, Cara. I know when something's not right. You must be careful, cara. Il mondo è pieno di ombre (the world is full of shadows)." Rosa's gaze intensified.
Aria's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Nonna, don't worry. I'll be fine. I'll take care of the bakery and everything will be okay."
Nonna Rosa's eyes lingered on Aria's face, searching for reassurance. Finally, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Va bene, cara. But promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise, Nonna. I'll be careful." Aria nodded.
As she stood to leave, Nonna Rosa called out again. "Aria?".
"Yes, Nonna?"
"Non dimenticare (don't forget), cara. Ti amo (I love you)."
"Ti amo anch'io ( I love you too)," Aria went back and pecked Nonna Rosa's forehead before leaving the room. She went to her room and took a warm shower.
As she finished getting ready, her hands moved swiftly as she styled her brown hair and applied a light layer of makeup. She slipped into her favourite yellow sundress.
She grabbed her purse, a vintage leather bag that Nonna Rosa had given her, and checked its contents: phone, wallet, keys, and a small notebook.
She entered the kitchen, where the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air.
Her eyes then landed on the tray, perfectly arranged with an assortment of chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and lemon sugar cookies. She smiled, remembering the routine she shared with Rosa.
Every morning, they would bake a fresh batch of cookies, carefully selecting the perfect combination to take to the market.
It was a tradition that brought them joy and connected them to their community. And Rosa had already baked the cookies before she could wake up.
She carefully lifted the tray, the warmth of the cookies radiating through her fingers she poured them into a picnic like basket before proceeding to the exit.
The warm sunlight enveloped her as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She raised her hand, hailing a taxi that cruised down the street. The driver, a gruff-looking man with a kind smile, pulled over and opened the door.
"Dove vuoi andare, signorina?" (Where do you want to go, miss?) he asked.
"Reggio Calabria, per favore," (To Reggio calabria, please) Aria replied, settling into the backseat.
In no time, the taxi came to a holt a few distance away bakery. Aria stepped down and paid her taxi fare.
She was busy searching for the key to the bakery with one hand and was not focused on where she was going when she bumped into someone.
When Aurora's world collapses around her, she's forced to make a desperate choice. Her brother's life-threatening illness has left them drowning in medical bills, and her own future hangs in the balance. Not until she meets Xavier Williams. A ruthless billionaire mogul with a proposal that's both shocking and tempting. Become his contracted wife for six months, and he'll pay her brother's medical bills. As Aurora Maneuver the dark underbelly of Xavier's world, she uncovers secrets, lies, and a web of deceit that threatens to destroy everything. Will their twisted arrangement become a toxic trap, or can Aurora find a way to reclaim her life and forge a new future?
In the shadows of San Diego, vampires lurk, and Vincent, the ruthless king of the underworld, reigns supreme. Feared by all, his gaze is a death sentence. Naomi Clinton, a shy but fierce college student, lives on the outskirts of town, near the woods where Vincent hides. When curiosity gets the better of her, Naomi enters the forbidden woods, attracting Vincent's attention. Her life is forever changed as she's dragged into a world of hell and slavery.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
[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!"
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”