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Audrey Zachary's life has been shaped by loss and survival. After her father's death and her mother's coma, Audrey's world spirals further when she's kidnapped and forced into a brothel. Escaping with her friends, she assumes a new identity and spends her days constantly on the move, trying to stay one step ahead of her past. While managing a hotel in a new town, Audrey meets Lucas Hamilton , a wealthy man with a cold reputation and a deep mistrust of women. Despite her guarded heart, she's drawn to him and against her better judgment, their connection deepens and she falls madly in love with him. But Lucas has his own demons. Driven by a personal vendetta, he's hunting someone from his past. As secrets unfold and old wounds resurface, their bond is tested by betrayal, heartbreak, and revelations that threaten to destroy them both. Will Audrey's love for Lucas be enough to overcome her past?
Audrey Zachary adjusted the strap of her bag as she stepped onto the train platform, the chilly breeze brushing against her skin. The station was nearly empty, save for a few strangers waiting for the last train of the night. She checked her phone but there were no new messages. Her aunt, Ivy Jenkins had asked her to wait for her here.
Ivy had been her guardian since she was twelve, after her father's death from a brain tumor and her mother's descent into a coma. Audrey had never questioned her aunt's decisions before, but standing alone in a dimly lit train station for over an hour made her uneasy.
Her phone suddenly buzzed. She checked and it was a message from her aunt.
Aunt Ivy: Buy me some groceries before coming home.
Audrey sighed. At least it gave her something to do instead of standing around in the cold. She turned toward the nearest supermarket, her boots clicking against the pavement.
Halfway there, she heard footsteps behind her.
They were steady. Close.
Too close.
Her pulse quickened. She turned, heart hammering against her chest.
A sharp pain exploded at the back of her head. The world tilted, her vision blurred and darkness swallowed her whole.
"She's a beauty."
A voice slithered into her fading consciousness.
"She'll be good for business. Look at that ass-she'll fill out nicely when she grows up. Her boobs are still tender."
The words made her stomach turn. But before she could fight it, everything went black.
Audrey woke to the sound of arguing.
A sharp female voice sneered, "I saw him first .You seduced him!"
Another scoffed, "Shut your mouth. He said he's tired of you."
She blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light. Her head pounded as she sat up, taking in her surroundings , lavish yet suffocating. Velvet curtains, expensive furniture, dim lighting. The sickly-sweet scent of perfume and liquor clung to the air.
Two women stood in front of her, their bickering momentarily forgotten. One, a striking brunette, folded her arms and scowled. The other, a sultry redhead.
"She's awake," the brunette muttered in dismay. "Great. Another hot one to compete with. I can barely keep up with Ava."
Audrey pressed her palms against her temple, trying to make sense of what was happening.
"Where am I?" she croaked, her throat dry. "I need to go home-I have an exam tomorrow. Have you seen my phone?"
The redhead laughed, a cold, humorless sound. "Oh, sweetheart. You've been napped."
"No," the brunette corrected, clicking her tongue. "She was sold."
Audrey's breath hitched.
Sold?
A sharp click of heels cut through the tension. A woman stepped forward, elegant and poised. Dark red lips, high cheekbones, commanding presence.
Mademoiselle Viola.
"The beauty is awake," she mused, her voice silky and calculated. "Perfect timing. There are many clients awaiting your presence."
Audrey's stomach twisted.
Vanessa and Lola exchanged looks, barely concealing their smirks.
"Vanessa and Lola will give you a tour and Amor will teach you everything you need to know about being a prostitute."
The words hit Audrey like a slap.
A joke. This had to be a joke.
She let out a shaky laugh. "I-I don't have time for this. I'm going home." She stood, brushing past them, only to freeze in the doorway.
Beyond the lavish room was a long corridor filled with women in provocative dresses, men leering from dimly lit booths, music thrumming beneath her feet. The unmistakable scent of sin and desperation clung to the air.
Her pulse skyrocketed.
No.
No, no, no.
"This isn't real," she whispered.
Viola stepped behind her, voice low and taunting. "Once you're here, you belong to me, Audrey. Your body isn't your dignity anymore, it's your livelihood."
Audrey spun, eyes blazing. "I want no part of this! Let me go! My aunt is waiting for me!"
Viola's smile didn't waver.
"Shut up, little girl." Her voice turned ice-cold. "You are mine now. Failure to obey my rules will result in punishment. And believe me, you don't want to experience that."
Audrey's knees buckled.
This wasn't a nightmare.
This was real.
She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.
Vanessa crouched beside her, wiping away her tears with an oddly gentle touch. "There's no use fighting," she murmured.
"Once Viola buys you, you're hers forever. If you ever have kids, they'll belong to her too."
Audrey stared at her in horror. "I was sold?"
Lola sighed. "Yeah. Most of us were. I was napped. Vanessa was sold by someone she trusted."
Vanessa nodded solemnly. "Lola's boyfriend sold her."
Audrey's breath came in sharp gasps.
Who had betrayed her?
Who had done this to her?
And most terrifying of all , how would she escape?
Kate Patterson lost everything in her marriage to billionaire mogul Alvin Reagan including a son she never got to see and she was back to take everything from him . She didn't mind colliding with his nemesis to get it. But everything changed when her so called husband wanted her back. " What for? Why give a woman that wants your downfall flowers? "She asked while staring at him. " Isn't it obvious?" He whispered closing the space between them as Kate furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction. " Because she's the one after my heart. She'd shoot me and I'll still love her" he tells her stroking her hair. After everything he had put her through, does he deserve her? Unfold the misery as Alvin Reagan goes all out to make things right. NB: though the book stand on its own. It's better to read the other book named ' cruel Passion' for a better understanding of the story.
"Testify against them and I'll grant you the sweetest revenge you have ever had" he offers and I narrow my eyes at him wondering if I can trust him. Callian has proven to me that he doesn't care about words . To him , they're just mere words. " Then you'll let me live?" He stands up From the bed and towers over me then he lean so I can look into his eyes. " You're alive aren't you? I give you my word " I hold his gaze for the longest of time and then I swallow the lump in my throat as my eyes are on his lips now. The lips that I have kissed and nibbled on. " As for the king, I'm killing him. I'll like to see them stop me . Your choice Nica or should I call you Nicki" he looks calm for someone that was deceived. I don't trust this alluring man but I have no choice. I need him if I'm going to get my revenge. " Yes, please. When do we start?" I ask impatiently practically begging. They're going to pay . He grins, walks around me and then he's walking out of my cell. I'm sure he's enjoying this. *"******** Monica Beaumont is the twin of Luna Anika of the celestial moon Pack who was sold out by her father when she was ten to an elite who trained her to become a weapon not just an ordinary weapon. One of the deadliest supernatural assassin. She was until she received an order to kill Callian Sinclair the most ruthless alpha in the supernatural world. What better way than to impersonate her twin sister unknown to her of the danger and mischief involved. Callian Sinclair is the most dangerous alpha with hectares of land than the King of werewolves, because he had conquered many land. He became on the death list in the supernatural world. He was no fool yet he was fooled by the twin. With the mate bond and all, how is this possible? Will Monica succeed? How do you think Callian will react when he finds out that she's not his Luna?
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."
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."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
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?"