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"They say once a heart is broken, it can never be whole again. But some hearts just don't know when to quit." Camilla Moretti left everything behind four years ago-the man she loved, the life she built, and a world laced with danger. She did it all to protect the secret she carries: the child her ex-husband, Nikolai DeLuca, doesn't know exists. Now, the ruthless billionaire has tracked her down, and he's furious. Betrayed, vengeful, and determined to reclaim the woman who slipped through his fingers, Nikolai will stop at nothing to pull Camilla-and their son-back into his world. But as the thin line between love and hate blurs, they both discover that old scars and buried secrets make for a lethal combination. Nikolai wants his family back, and Camilla can't deny the pull of the past... even if falling for him again is the most dangerous thing she could do.
Chapter 1
Camilla Moretti;
"Sign the goddamn papers, Camilla."
The words hit me like a slap. Nikolai stood across from me, his expression colder than the winter air seeping through the open window.
"What?" My voice trembled as I clutched the chair for support. "Nik, it's late. We need to leave for your mom's birthday." I forced a smile, desperate for normalcy, even as my hands shook.
He didn't blink. "I won't repeat myself. Sign the papers." A lump rose in my throat. "Why? What did I do?" My voice cracked. "I've done nothing wrong."
"That's the problem," he said flatly. "You've done nothing, Camilla. And I'm done. I want you out by tomorrow. "Each word was a dagger. "You're... leaving me?" My knees buckled, but I clung to the chair, refusing to fall. "After everything-"
"Enough." His tone was sharp, final. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."I searched his face for any sign of the man I loved, but he was gone. The man standing before me was a stranger, and his indifference stung more than his words.
"Nik, please..." The plea slipped from my lips before I could stop it.
He turned, walking away without another word, leaving me standing in the ruins of our marriage.
The buzz of my phone startled me. I wiped my tears and glanced at the screen-Mother-in-law. The name alone made my stomach twist.
I answered quickly, forcing my voice to steady.
"Hello, Mother. I saw your missed call."
Her sharp voice sliced through the line. "Where's Nikolai? Where the hell are you two? Why aren't you here yet?" I clenched the phone tightly, her impatience grating against my already fragile nerves. She didn't care how I was or even bothered to ask. All she wanted was Nikolai-like always.
"Ma, the thing is-"
"Enough of your excuses, Camilla! Be here in the next few minutes!" she snapped, cutting me off before I could explain. The line went dead before I even had a chance to breathe.
I lowered the phone, staring blankly at the screen. Her voice still echoed in my mind, sharp and impatient, as if I were nothing but a nuisance. My chest tightened, and I released a shaky sigh.
God... what on earth have I done to deserve this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. The memories rushed in, uninvited. It wasn't the first time Nikolai's mother treated me this way. Her disdain had been clear from the moment I entered their lives.
"You'll never be good enough for my son," she had said to me on the day Nikolai brought me home to meet her. Her words had been like a dagger to the heart, but Nikolai's arm around my waist had given me a sliver of hope. It'll get better, I had told myself back then. She just needs time to know me. But she never did. Every family dinner, every gathering, every interaction-it was always the same. Her icy stares, her passive-aggressive remarks, her constant reminders that I didn't belong. And now, here I was, forced to endure yet another gathering after being blindsided by divorce papers.
I shook my head, trying to dispel the bitter memories. There was no time to dwell. If I didn't show up, she'd find another way to punish me. I had no choice but to face her. And maybe, just maybe, I'd get a chance to confront Nikolai about everything. Dragging myself to the bathroom, I stepped under the shower, the hot water cascading over me. My tears fell freely, mingling with the water, but I didn't bother wiping them away. The weight of Nikolai's coldness, the divorce papers, and his mother's never-ending disdain pressed down on me.
After what felt like an eternity, I forced myself to get ready. I chose a simple dress and dabbed on the barest hint of makeup, hoping it would conceal the puffiness around my eyes.
As I looked in the mirror, my reflection mocked me. My once-bright eyes now looked dull, lifeless. My lips trembled as I whispered, "Pathetic."
I bit back the sob that threatened to escape and swiped at the corners of my eyes. No more tears. Not now. Not when I have to face her.
I sat down for a moment, gripping the edge of the vanity as another memory clawed its way to the surface. I forced myself to stand. Straightening my shoulders, I took a deep, steadying breath. "You can do this, Camilla. One night. Just get through it."
Grabbing my bag, I headed for the door. The night ahead would be filled with fake smiles, bitter memories, and buried pain-but maybe, just maybe, I'd find the answers I needed.
The drive felt like an eternity. Forty minutes of endless thoughts swirling in my mind, each one darker than the last. By the time I pulled up to the sprawling estate, my heart was racing, a steady drumbeat of anxiety echoing in my chest.
The security guards recognized me and waved me in, their polite smiles doing little to ease my nerves. The house was stunning, draped in extravagant decorations for his mother's birthday. The chandelier in the grand hall bathed everything in a warm, golden glow, but I felt none of its warmth.
As soon as I stepped inside, her voice rang out, sharp and demanding. "Camilla! Where's Nikolai?"
I turned to face my mother-in-law, her piercing gaze already locked on me. Her presence was as commanding as ever, and it had only taken her seconds to single me out.
I forced a polite smile. "Ma, he's still at the office, handling some business. He won't be able to make it tonight."
Her eyes narrowed, lips pursing in obvious disapproval. "And you decided to come alone?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but she waved me off, turning to greet her circle of friends. Her dismissal stung, but it wasn't unexpected. A waiter approached, holding a tray of champagne. I reached for a glass, hoping it would steady my nerves, but my mother-in-law's voice cut through the air.
"Don't give her one," she said sharply. The waiter froze, looking at me apologetically.
Her attention turned back to me, her expression cold. "Maybe you should eat less instead. You'll need room to carry a grandchild for me."
My cheeks burned with humiliation, but I kept my composure. Not here. Don't let her see you break.
"When are you going to give me a child, Camilla?" she pressed, her tone dripping with disdain. "You've been married long enough. Or is there... a problem?"
"Ma, I-"
I tried to find the words, but my voice faltered. The weight of her judgment pressed down on me, and just as I was about to gather myself, a voice rang out from behind.
"Mom, I'm here."
The room went still. Every head turned toward the entrance, mine included. And there he was. Nikolai.
For a moment, my heart lifted-until I saw her.
A slender, elegant woman stood beside him, her hand resting possessively on his arm. Nikolai's hand was wrapped around her wrist in a way that spoke of intimacy. They entered as a pair, their presence commanding the room as if the world revolved around them. My breath caught as they walked closer, their steps in sync. The woman's eyes flickered toward me, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Camilla," Nikolai said casually, his voice carrying no warmth, no acknowledgment of the chaos he'd left in his wake. "You're here."
And then, as if to twist the knife deeper, he added, "Meet Alessia-my fiancée." My world tilted, the air knocked from my lungs. Fiancée?
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
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.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"