A runaway with nothing to lose. A powerful man with everything at stake. A fate neither saw coming. Sheila'Lning has spent her life running-from her past, from her captors, from the cruel hands that sought to claim her. But when a desperate escape lands her in the arms of Dean'Changli, a brooding businessman with a mysterious past and a baby in his care, her world takes an unexpected turn. Mistaken for a nanny, she seizes the chance for safety-only to realize she's stepped into a dangerous game of power, deception, and hidden enemies. Dean has no patience for complications, especially not ones wrapped in lies and defiance. But when an attempt on his life forces him and Sheila into the unknown, their survival depends on trust-something neither of them can afford. As secrets unravel and passions ignite, they find themselves bound by more than just circumstance. But danger is never far behind, and Sheila's past isn't the only one with unfinished business. In a world where loyalty is a rare commodity and betrayal lurks in the shadows, can they protect what truly matters before it's too late? Love. Power. Survival. Some bonds are written in starlight... and forged in fire
RUNNING FROM THE PAST
CHAPTER ONE
SHEILA'LNING
I ran without looking back as I dashed through the stuffed market square almost hitting a fruit seller's stall. "Look at where you are going!" the merchant screeched after me.
Ignoring the looks I got as I dart through the market place like a headless chicken, I pick clothing items from the stalls of fabric sellers haggling prices with their numerous customers. My stomach rumbled with hunger, reminding me it hadn't received any food for a few days now.
I slow down a bit as I looked around not knowing where to head to, a food seller parking her cart just at the skirt of the market draws my attention. I dip my hand into the pocket I had found stitched to the innards of my garment, fingers dancing along the coins I had managed to have stolen from Jules. It should be enough to get a decent noon meal, with that thought in mind I headed to the food seller's cart. The woman had been kind enough to offer me a pair of too tight shoes which I was thankful for.
From where I stood, I could see my new owner scrambling through the market looking for me in the aftermath of the brief but chaotic stampede that had occurred due to the mad dash everyone was engaged in to see the city's Mayor who had been sick.
I dash into the lane in front of the market skirt, following the lane for hours. As I advanced further from the market, I noticed the buildings looked much more spectacular than the ones I saw after the market skirt.
I slowed down my hurried pace to gaze around me. Since I had been taken from Ovale city, if I was not busy adapting to my newest master, I was too busy trying to survive each day I did not have all that time to sight see.
The part of town I was in had no stalls in them, just rows of neatly structured shops. In front of most shops various size and color of hovercars were parked indicating rich people were the ones who patronizes them.
I approached one of the shops, peeping into the place through the large side window. The place was painted an off-white color splashed at some places a dull yellow, both men and women mingled around the building. Confused as to what they are doing, I made a move to continue on my way.
A voice beside me stopped me by saying "Miss Genvre, I am sure I did not ask you to meet me here so that you can peep at the people inside the establishment". I turned my head to the owner of the voice, my throat swollen with a trapped scream.
The man before me was very tall considering my height, his eyes a mash between coin gold and champagne gold narrowed at me in irritation. "Excuse me?" I croaked out my eyes wide in fear.
"Are you not here for the Job?" he questioned, rising an eyebrow. His eyes ran a scan of my body before bouncing back to meet my gaze. "I am?" I said in reply not sure I wanted to deceive the man I was the person he was meant to meet here. Just then, a cry rings out in the air angrily.
The man before me swipes a hand down his face before heading to one of the hovercars parked, he yanks the handle to the passenger's door open pulling out a car seat in which a small bundle was residing in.
"Well are you just going to stand there?" the man says his angry gaze resting on me. On autopilot I collect the car seat from him, my hand trembling a bit. "We agree on a thousand zure coin, I take it?" he says before stalking into the weirdly colored shop.
I watched as he approached a group of older men on a circular platform who looked like they were few seconds from leaving. The bundle lets out another cry, snapping my focus back to the car seat in my hand, with slightly trembling hands I lift the satin material covering the car seat to reveal a baby who had its face screwed in preparation for another round of scream before it set it eyes on me. The baby and I engaged in a stare off before it actually dawned on me.
I was holding a baby and I was currently been employed as a nanny by a man I don't know who refers to me as miss Genvre. "Keffing shit!" I say as I stare wide eyed at the baby before I looked up into the shop to find where the baby's dad was.
I pushed the door to the shop to give back the baby and apologize for whatever keffing shit just went down outside. The baby's father got to me before I could attempt to look around for him. "Miss Genvre I would like to assume you know where the childcare center is located here" he says pinning me with his gaze as irritation with a splash of frustration flash through his eyes. "I think there is a mix up her-'' I was saying before he cuts in anger pouring off him in waves.
"Look, I really don't have time for this back and forth with you. If you did not want the job you would not have come here today, so just do your damn job'' he says tone cold and voice so low I could have sworn he was talking to himself and not me.
Just then the baby lets out another sharp cry, everyone in the shop went silent at that, eyes snapping to our direction. The baby's dad wrapped his hand around my arm, dragging me along with him to what I think is the childcare center. The room was empty as we stepped in, before I could say anything he left.
In a world where the supernatural has stepped out of the shadows, Clara is one of the few who stand between humankind and the deadly creatures lurking in plain sight. As an enforcer for the Guild, she's trained to keep Otherworld beings in check-but when she's assigned to steal the Dark Prince of the Fae's crown, she knows she's walking into a death trap. With secrets buried deep in her past and a thirst for vengeance against the Fae who murdered her family, Clara is prepared for danger-but nothing can prepare her for Ryan, the Dark Prince himself. Deadly, seductive, and impossibly powerful, he sees through her deception with a single touch. Now, bound by magic and caught in a web of betrayal, Clara must play a dangerous game of survival. As forbidden desires ignite and the lines between enemy and ally blur, Clara faces an impossible choice: betray the Guild, or surrender to the darkness calling her name. But in a world where power is everything, can she afford to lose herself to the most dangerous Fae of all?
Adrianna Banner doesn't do love-at least, not anymore. After a string of heartbreaks, she's sworn off relationships, opting for uncomplicated fun instead. But when a weekend getaway at Ransom Canyon throws her back into the orbit of Jackson Dune-the one man who burned her the most-Adrianna is forced to face the fire she thought she'd extinguished. Jackson has never been the settling-down type. A whiskey-fueled bad boy with a past as reckless as his charm, he's always lived life on the edge. But seeing Adrianna again reminds him of everything he lost...and everything he still craves. Between old wounds, undeniable chemistry, and a family drama that could shake them both, Adrianna and Jackson are playing with fire. And this time, one of them might get burned for good.
Joanna never imagined that a desperate job interview would lead to a whirlwind of unexpected opportunities-and complications. Hired as a personal assistant to the enigmatic billionaire Zac Cross, she quickly learns that working for him means navigating not just high-stakes business but also undeniable chemistry. But Zac isn't looking for help, and Joanna isn't looking for trouble. As their worlds collide, will they be each other's downfall-or their greatest chance at something real?
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
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?"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.