Serena Moretti had it all-wealth, status, and a future filled with possibilities. But when her father's reckless gambling leaves their family in ruins, she is forced into a marriage not of love, but of debt. Her husband? Adrian De Luca. The cold, calculating billionaire's son who sees her as nothing more than collateral. To him, this marriage is a contract-a deal to settle her father's failures. To her, it's a prison sentence. Determined to escape, Serena fights back at every turn. But Adrian is not easily broken. He is ruthless, dominant, and dangerously charming, making it impossible to hate him entirely. And as the walls of their forced union close in, she begins to see a different side of him-a man haunted by his past, a man she should never fall for. But when dark secrets unravel and betrayal lurks in the shadows, Serena must make an impossible choice: Continue fighting for her freedom... or surrender to the man who was never supposed to own her heart.
Serena Moretti's world had collapsed in a single night. One moment, she was the daughter of a powerful businessman, living a life of luxury. The next, she was standing at the gates of Adrian De Luca's secluded estate, about to be handed over like a bargaining chip.
Her father's debts had destroyed them. The man who had once been respected among the elite had gambled away everything-their fortune, their home, their dignity. And now, to save himself, he had made a deal with a devil.
Her husband-to-be.
The gravel crunched under her heels as she stepped out of the sleek black car. The cold evening air bit into her skin, but she barely felt it. All she could feel was the knot tightening in her stomach, the burning rage coiling in her chest.
The De Luca estate loomed like a monster in the distance-all dark stone and towering columns. The sprawling mansion sat atop a cliff, overlooking an endless expanse of ocean. Waves crashed violently against jagged rocks below, as if the world itself was warning her to run.
The driver, one of Adrian's men, barely spared her a glance as he stepped out and pressed the intercom. A deep, mechanical voice crackled through the speaker.
"Bring her in."
The gates creaked open with an ominous groan, the sound echoing in the night.
Her heart pounded as she stepped forward, her fingers trembling against her coat. Every step felt heavier than the last, like she was walking toward her own execution.
When the massive front doors swung open, Serena's breath hitched.
He was there.
Adrian De Luca.
Tall. Imposing. A presence that demanded control without saying a word.
He leaned against the marble entryway, dressed in a tailored black suit, his arms crossed over his chest. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp jawline looked like it had been carved from stone. But it was his eyes that sent a chill down her spine-a cold, unforgiving storm of gray.
Those eyes pinned her in place, stripping her bare without ever touching her.
This was the man she was supposed to marry.
Her pulse spiked with rage, her heart pounding so hard it hurt. She refused to bow to him.
But before she could speak, her father's voice rang through the entryway.
"Serena, be respectful."
Her body tensed, and she turned to glare at the man who had sold her like property.
Arthur Moretti stood a few feet away, a broken shell of the powerful man he used to be. His once-proud shoulders sagged, his face lined with shame. But Serena felt no pity. He had ruined their lives, and now he was handing her over to a man who would surely crush her spirit just as easily.
Adrian let out a quiet chuckle, low and mocking. "She doesn't look happy to see me."
Serena clenched her fists. "Because I'm not."
His smirk deepened, but there was no humor in it. "I don't need your happiness, sweetheart. Just your obedience."
The words sliced through her like a blade. "Obedience". As if she were a pet he had purchased, not a human being with her own mind and soul.
Arthur cleared his throat, his voice shaking. "Serena, this is the only way. You'll be well taken care of-"
Adrian pushed off the wall and stepped forward, cutting him off.
He moved like a predator.
Slow. Deliberate. Dangerous.
Serena's breath caught as he closed the distance between them. He was even more intimidating up close-all sharp edges and quiet authority.
"You don't get to make decisions anymore," Adrian said, his voice low and laced with venom. "The deal is done. You belong to me now."
Serena's chest tightened, her heart slamming against her ribs like a caged bird.
"You can own this marriage," she bit out, lifting her chin in defiance, "but you don't own me."
His smirk returned, slow and knowing. "We'll see about that."
Adrian turned to her father, extending a hand like this was a mere business transaction. "I expect the paperwork to be finalized tomorrow. Your debt is cleared. Our arrangement is over."
Arthur nodded, his eyes glassy with relief. "Thank you, Mr. De Luca. I-"
Adrian's gaze darkened. "Leave."
Arthur flinched, casting one last look at Serena. She stared back, her heart aching with betrayal. He wasn't even going to fight for her.
Without a word, her father turned and disappeared into the night.
The doors slammed shut behind him.
Serena was trapped.
Her throat burned, but she refused to let herself cry. She wouldn't give Adrian the satisfaction of seeing her break.
Instead, she stood tall, meeting his icy gaze head-on.
"What now?" she asked, her voice sharp as a blade.
Adrian's eyes gleamed with something dark.
"Now?" He stepped closer, his voice a quiet threat. "Now, you learn what it means to be mine."
Serena swallowed, every instinct screaming at her to run.
But there was nowhere left to go.
Her cage had closed.
And Adrian De Luca held the key.
The silence that followed Arthur Moretti's departure was suffocating.
Serena stood frozen in place, her mind racing as the weight of her situation pressed down on her. The walls of Adrian's estate seemed taller, the air inside colder, more stifling.
Adrian was watching her-measuring her.
"Follow me." His voice was smooth, yet laced with authority.
Serena didn't move.
She was still standing in the grand entryway, surrounded by polished marble floors and golden chandeliers that cast an eerie glow over the space. It was beautiful, extravagant, but to her, it was nothing more than a gilded cage.
Adrian let out a low chuckle. "You're already testing my patience?"
Serena's chin lifted defiantly. "You said I belong to you, but that doesn't mean I'll be your puppet."
His amusement flickered, replaced by something more dangerous. He stepped closer, his towering frame sending a shiver down her spine.
"This marriage isn't a game, Serena. You will act like my wife, and you will obey me."
She refused to back down. "And if I don't?"
Adrian leaned in, his voice a whisper against her ear. "Then I'll make you."
A chill ran through her, but she masked her fear with fury.
He turned and started walking down the hall, his stride slow, calculated. "You have two choices-either you come willingly, or I carry you myself. Your call."
Serena's heart pounded, her nails digging into her palms. She had no doubt he meant it.
Grinding her teeth, she forced herself to move, following him deeper into the mansion.
They walked through a long corridor, the air thick with tension. The walls were adorned with priceless paintings, and elegant sconces cast flickering shadows along the hall. The deeper they went, the more suffocating it became.
Finally, Adrian pushed open a set of massive wooden doors.
"This is your room," he announced.
Serena stepped inside and nearly gasped.
The bedroom was enormous-a king-sized bed with silk sheets, a fireplace crackling in the corner, a balcony overlooking the endless ocean.
It was beautiful. Breathtaking.
And yet, all she saw were the bars of her cage.
Adrian leaned against the doorframe, watching her reaction.
"You'll find everything you need here," he said. "Clothes, toiletries, whatever you require."
Serena turned sharply. "What I require is my freedom."
His smirk was slow, deliberate. "That's the one thing you won't get."
Her hands clenched. "You can't keep me locked up like a prisoner."
"I'm not." He gestured to the luxurious room. "You're free to roam the estate."
"And leave?" she challenged.
His smirk faded, his eyes darkening. "That's not an option."
Serena's stomach twisted. She had suspected it, but hearing the confirmation sent a wave of helplessness through her.
She was trapped.
No matter how big or beautiful this mansion was, it was nothing more than a cage with no exit.
The moment Adrian left, Serena tested the doors.
Locked.
Of course.
Her chest tightened as she paced the room, her mind racing for an escape plan. There had to be a way out.
Her eyes landed on the balcony.
Without hesitation, she ran toward it and yanked the doors open. A rush of cold air hit her, but she didn't care. She stepped out, gripping the railing, her heart hammering.
Below, jagged cliffs stretched down toward the sea, the waves crashing violently against the rocks. No way down.
She bit her lip, glancing toward the sides of the mansion. If she could climb down to a lower level...
A voice broke through her thoughts.
"Trying to run already?"
Serena spun around, her heart jumping into her throat.
Adrian stood by door, his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
Damn it.
"I was just getting fresh air," she lied.
His smirk was slow, knowing. "Right."
She braced herself as he stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
"I don't think you fully understand," he murmured, his fingers grazing the balcony railing beside hers. "There is no escape."
Serena swallowed, refusing to let him see her fear.
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "You can fight all you want, sweetheart. But in the end, you're mine."
Her pulse pounded. "You don't own me."
Adrian tilted his head, studying her. Then, to her surprise, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Not yet."
Her breath hitched as he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the cold night air, her heart racing.
Serena clenched the balcony railing.
This wasn't over.
She would find a way out.
No matter what it took.
Serena stood on the balcony long after Adrian had left. The wind howled through the cliffs, cold and relentless, but she barely felt it.
Her thoughts were a storm of their own.
"You're mine".
His words echoed in her mind, taunting her. No, she wasn't. She would never be.
The truth was suffocating. She had no money, no allies, no way to leave. Adrian De Luca had stripped her of everything except her pride-and even that, he was determined to break.
She wouldn't let him.
With a frustrated sigh, she stepped back inside and surveyed the room again, searching for anything useful.
The phone on the nightstand caught her eye.
She lunged for it, her fingers shaking as she pressed the power button. Her heart pounded as the screen lit up-only to show a blank display.
No signal.
Of course.
She tossed it onto the bed with a curse.
Everything in this house was designed to keep her in.
She had no idea how long she sat there, lost in thought. But eventually, exhaustion crept in. Her body was drained, her mind heavy.
She didn't want to sleep, not in his house, but her body betrayed her.
The last thing she saw before she drifted off was the locked door across the room.
Her prison.
The morning after, Serena awoke to the scent of fresh coffee and something warm brushing against her arm.
Her eyes blinked open, and she jolted when she saw a tray on the nightstand beside her bed-a plate of food, a steaming cup of coffee, and a note.
She grabbed the note first.
"Eat. You'll need your strength".
-A
Serena crumpled the paper in her fist.
The audacity.
She shoved the tray aside and stormed to the door, trying the handle again. Still locked.
Of course, he wouldn't let her roam freely after last night.
Before she could dwell on her frustration, the door unlocked from the outside.
She stumbled back as the door swung open, revealing a woman in a crisp maid's uniform.
"Good morning, Miss Moretti," the woman said with a polite nod.
Serena straightened. "Who are you?"
"My name is Rosa. Mr. De Luca has asked me to assist you."
Serena folded her arms. "Assist me? Or keep an eye on me?"
Rosa didn't react. "Mr. De Luca wishes to see you in the dining room."
Serena's stomach twisted. She wasn't ready to face him again.
But she had no choice.
With a deep breath, she stepped forward, her spine straight, her face set in defiance.
If Adrian wanted a submissive bride, he was going to be sorely disappointed.
Serena was led down a winding staircase and into an opulent dining room.
The table was long and elegant, but only one place was set-at the head of the table, where Adrian sat, sipping his coffee.
She hated how effortlessly powerful he looked, as if he owned everything, including her.
He glanced up at her and smirked. "You didn't eat."
She lifted her chin. "I wasn't hungry."
Adrian gestured to the chair beside him. "Sit."
Serena hesitated, but refusing would get her nowhere. She settled into the chair, but made sure to keep as much distance as possible.
A moment of silence stretched between them before Adrian spoke again.
"I assume you tried to escape last night."
Serena's jaw clenched.
He leaned back in his chair, smirking. "I admire your spirit, but it's pointless."
She gritted her teeth. "You can keep me here, but you can't control me."
Adrian studied her, his gray eyes unreadable. Then, to her shock, he let out a low chuckle.
"I don't need to control you, Serena. You'll come to me willingly."
She scoffed. "That will never happen."
Adrian smirked, leaning forward, his voice dropping. "We'll see."
Serena's pulse spiked. What the hell was he playing at?
Before she could demand answers, Adrian stood.
"Finish your meal. I have business to attend to," he said, adjusting his cufflinks. "And Serena?"
She met his gaze, hating the way her heart stuttered.
"You should get used to this place." His voice was smooth, but laced with finality. "You're not leaving."
With that, he strode out of the room, leaving her seething.
Serena clenched her fists.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
She would find a way out.
And when she did, Adrian De Luca would regret ever thinking he could own her.
Selene Whitmore, a poor artist, feels that she is just another part in a high-society game when she is compelled to marry the vicious millionaire Damien Blackwood in order to pay off her late father's debts. However, she quickly learns that her mysterious husband has a terrifying secret connected to the old curse that runs in his family when she settles into Damien's isolated cliffside mansion. During the day, competitors dread Damien as the untouchable CEO. At night, he is someone completely different-a man battling the evil that resides beneath his flesh. Selene, who is contractually obligated to him, wants to get away. However, she starts to uncover secrets as the full moon rises, leading her to wonder who the true monster is. Will she be his demise or break his curse when fate brings them together?
Maria Moretti is a young woman who has always lived a quiet, ordinary life, far removed from the dangerous world of organized crime. A promising career as a lawyer and a tight-knit family keep her grounded, but everything changes when she crosses paths with Luca DeLuca, the ruthless and enigmatic leader of the DeLuca mafia family. Their initial encounter is a collision of fate and danger, one that pulls Maria into a world she never knew existed-and a love she never anticipated. But just as Maria begins to grow closer to Luca, she meets Adrian Valenti, the charming and ambitious head of a rival mafia family. Adrian is everything Luca isn't: calculated, smooth-talking, and hiding a dark past that intrigues her. The connection between Maria and Adrian is undeniable, creating a tense love triangle that throws her world into chaos. As Maria's feelings for both men deepen, she is forced to make impossible choices. Caught between the fierce loyalty to Luca, who has his own secrets and demons, and Adrian, whose past threatens everything, Maria must navigate a maze of lies, betrayals, and violence. In a world where loyalty means life or death, Maria's heart will be torn between two men who will stop at nothing to claim her. Maria's Heart is a story of love, betrayal, and survival in the dangerous world of mafia families, where the heart can be both a weapon and a weakness. As Maria learns the painful truth about the men she loves, she must decide what she's willing to risk-and who she is willing to trust-before the mafia's grip destroys everything she holds dear.
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
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.
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.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .