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In the dazzling yet ruthless world of New York's elite, where power is everything, Sophia Chloe has only known suffering. Trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, she endures relentless pain-beatings, humiliation, and heartbreak. Her once-bright future has been reduced to nothing but survival. But one fateful night changes everything. A desperate escape leads her into the arms of Anthony Philip, a cold-hearted billionaire with a past as dark as his reputation. What was meant to be a reckless mistake-a one-night stand-soon spirals into a dangerous entanglement she never saw coming. Anthony is no ordinary billionaire. As a powerful figure in the Mafia, he commands fear and respect in equal measure. He doesn't do love, and he certainly doesn't believe in second chances. But something about Sophia's brokenness awakens a part of him he thought was long dead. He offers her power, protection, and a way out-but at a cost she may not be willing to pay. When her past comes back to haunt her, and dangerous enemies lurk in the shadows, Sophia must decide: remain the weak, broken woman she once was, or rise from the ashes and claim the strength that was stolen from her? In a world of betrayal, vengeance, and deadly secrets, one thing is certain-nothing comes without a price. Themes: Weak-to-strong heroine transformation Mafia power struggles and forbidden romance Betrayal, revenge, and redemption One-night stand leading to an unexpected fate A billionaire who doesn't believe in love... until her She was supposed to be his mistake. Instead, she became his obsession.
The bruises on my arms burned like fire, but they were nothing compared to the ache in my chest.
Each breath was a struggle, my ribs protesting with sharp, stabbing pain. I stumbled into the dimly lit alley, my legs weak beneath me. The distant hum of New York's bustling nightlife surrounded me-cars honking, laughter spilling from nearby bars, music blasting from distant speakers-but it all felt like background noise. My world had shrunk down to the pain, the fear, and the suffocating weight of my past.
I pressed my back against the cold brick wall, wincing as my body screamed in protest. My husband's cruel words echoed in my ears, each syllable dripping with venom.
"You think you can leave me? You're nothing without me, and you know it. No one will ever want you."
His threats were still fresh, still raw, and they tightened around my throat like an invisible noose. I clenched my teeth, blinking rapidly as tears blurred my vision. I had to stay strong. I had to keep moving.
With trembling fingers, I lifted my phone and pressed the only number I knew by heart-Brielle's.
"Please... pick up," I whispered, my voice hoarse, my hands shaking so badly that I almost dropped the device.
One ring. Two rings.
Silence.
I let out a ragged breath, my stomach twisting in despair. Brielle was my best friend-the only person who had ever truly cared about me. If anyone could help me, it was her. But there was no answer.
Was she asleep? Was she ignoring me? Had my husband gotten to her first?
The thought sent ice crawling down my spine.
A shiver wracked my body as a gust of cold wind swept through the alley, cutting through my thin, torn dress. I pulled my arms around myself, trying to stop the violent trembling that wracked my frame. Just hours ago, I had been a prisoner in my own home, enduring yet another night of endless beatings. My husband had looked at me like I was nothing more than an object-a punching bag, something to be controlled and destroyed.
But this time, something inside me had snapped.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I had to run. I had to survive.
My breath hitched as I pushed off the wall, my body screaming in protest. I needed a plan. I needed a place to go. But where? I had no money, no family, no friends I could turn to. My husband had made sure of that. He had cut me off from the world, trapping me in a gilded cage.
And now, I was out, but I was still trapped.
The streets of New York stretched out before me-so many people, so much life. Yet, no one noticed me. People walked past, wrapped up in their own worlds, oblivious to the woman bleeding in the shadows.
A sudden wave of dizziness crashed over me. I reached out, my fingers brushing against the rough brick wall for support. The edges of my vision darkened.
I was going to pass out.
No. Not here. Not now.
I forced myself to stay upright, to keep moving.
Then, the sound of screeching tires cut through the night.
My head snapped up as a sleek black car came to a sudden stop at the curb. The back door swung open with a slow, deliberate motion. My breath caught in my throat as a man stepped out.
Tall. Powerful. Dangerous.
Even in the dim glow of the streetlights, I recognized him instantly.
Anthony Philip.
The name alone was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
The ruthless billionaire. The untouchable Mafia boss. The man who controlled more of this city than the mayor himself. His presence was overwhelming, his aura suffocating. He wasn't just powerful-he was power.
And he was looking right at me.
His sharp, piercing gaze locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. He didn't move, didn't speak, just watched me with those dark, calculating eyes.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea why he was here or what he wanted, but every instinct in my body screamed that I should run.
But my body wouldn't move.
I was frozen. Trapped beneath his gaze.
A man stepped forward from behind him-one of his men, no doubt. "Boss, we should go."
Anthony didn't acknowledge him. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was some kind of puzzle he was trying to figure out. Then, as if making a decision, he closed the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps.
I pressed myself harder against the wall, my pulse a wild drumbeat in my ears.
"Who did this to you?" His voice was low, smooth, but there was an undercurrent of something dangerous beneath it.
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
Anthony's gaze flickered to my bruised arms, to the torn fabric of my dress, to the swelling on my cheek. Something dark flashed in his eyes.
Rage.
I swallowed hard. "I-" My voice cracked. "It doesn't matter."
His jaw tightened. "It does."
A sudden wave of fear washed over me.
Men like him-men with power-didn't get involved with people like me. If he was asking questions, it wasn't out of kindness. It wasn't because he cared.
He wanted something.
"I have to go," I said, forcing my body to move. I turned, my breath coming in short gasps as I tried to put distance between us.
But I had barely taken a step before a strong hand wrapped around my wrist.
I gasped, my body tensing.
Anthony's grip wasn't harsh, but it was firm-unmovable. "You won't make it through the night in this city, not in your condition."
I clenched my teeth. "I can take care of myself."
A humorless smirk touched his lips. "Is that so?" His gaze dropped to my shaking hands. "You're bleeding."
I flinched. He wasn't wrong. My palms were scraped raw from when I had fallen earlier, my skin torn and stinging.
He released my wrist and reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a crisp white handkerchief. Without a word, he took my hand in his, gently dabbing at the wounds.
I sucked in a sharp breath.
His touch was... unexpected. Not cruel. Not rough. Just careful.
Why?
Why would a man like him-someone feared, someone ruthless-waste his time on me?
"I don't know what kind of trouble you're running from," he said, his voice quiet, "but I know what it looks like when someone has nowhere left to go."
My throat tightened.
I did have nowhere to go.
And he knew it.
I should have been terrified. I should have pushed him away and run. But I didn't.
Because for the first time in years, someone was looking at me like I was more than just a burden. More than just a broken woman.
Anthony tucked the handkerchief into my hand, his fingers brushing against mine. "Get in the car."
I stared at him. "Why?"
He smirked. "Because you need a way out."
And maybe-just maybe-he was right.
I hesitated for only a moment before I took a shaky breath and stepped forward.
Into the unknown.
Into the darkness.
Into the arms of a man who could either be my savior...
Or my downfall.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Precious Rossi has known nothing but pain. Trapped in a loveless marriage filled with abuse, betrayal, and heartbreak, she has lost all hope of ever finding happiness. One fateful night, seeking an escape from her misery, she ends up in the arms of a mysterious stranger-a man who sees through her pain and offers her a moment of solace. That man is Micheal Timothy-a ruthless mafia billionaire with a dark past and a heart colder than ice. Their one-night stand was meant to be nothing more than a fleeting encounter, but fate has other plans. When Precious's world crumbles even further, she finds herself drawn into Micheal's dangerous orbit. As their lives intertwine, secrets unravel, enemies emerge, and a burning passion ignites. But can Precious truly escape her past? And will Micheal be the reason she finally learns to smile again, or will he become another nightmare she must survive? A tale of love, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York's bustling cityscape and the breathtaking beauty of Italy. He Is the Reason Why I Smile Again is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless.
Selene thought she was just an ordinary girl, hiding in the shadows of a powerful werewolf pack. But everything changes when her pack is betrayed, and her family is slaughtered before her eyes. Left alone and broken, she finds herself imprisoned by the very wolves she once called family. Sold into captivity and labeled as weak, Selene is thrust into a world where her life means nothing - until she uncovers a hidden truth about her bloodline. A secret that could change everything. With every step, Selene discovers her true strength and the power she never knew she had. As she navigates betrayal, heartache, and the ruthless world of werewolves, she must rise above her past and fight for the future she was always meant to have. Will she be able to harness the power within her and embrace her true destiny, or will she be consumed by the darkness around her? In a world where survival is everything, Selene must learn that sometimes the greatest power lies in embracing the wolf within.
Trapped in a life of endless suffering, Ella Sophia has known nothing but pain, betrayal, and humiliation. In a loveless marriage with a cruel husband who sees her as nothing more than property, she endures beatings, forced submission, and the crushing weight of despair. At work, things are no better-her boss, the ruthless billionaire Alex Anthony, treats her like she's disposable, a pawn in his merciless world. One fateful night changes everything. A drunken mistake, a one-night stand with a stranger, leaves Ella entangled in a web of secrets she never saw coming. The man she spent the night with? None other than Alex Anthony himself. As Ella's life spirals even further, she faces betrayals that push her to the edge. But she refuses to remain a victim forever. From the ashes of her suffering, a new version of her is born-a woman no longer willing to be anyone's slave. With power, vengeance, and a newfound strength, she rises, determined to make those who hurt her pay. But in a world where love and hatred blur, and enemies lurk in the shadows, will Ella's transformation be her salvation or her ultimate downfall? And when Alex realizes she is more than just a pawn in his ruthless game, will he fight to keep her, or will his past destroy them both? One thing is certain-Ella will never be the same again.
Aria Moretti never wanted to be a pawn in the dangerous world of the mafia. But one reckless night changed everything. A single mistake-a one-night stand with a man whose name she never thought she'd hear again-becomes the chain that binds her to the most powerful and ruthless mafia boss in New York, Luca Romano. Cold. Calculating. Dangerous. Luca is a man who takes what he wants, and when he discovers Aria is carrying his child, there's only one solution-marriage. But Aria refuses to be controlled, refuses to bow to a man who sees her as nothing more than an obligation. Yet, escaping Luca Romano is impossible. As she fights for her freedom, she finds herself entangled in a web of power, deception, and deadly secrets. The world she's been forced into is filled with betrayal, bloodshed, and enemies lurking in the shadows. And the most dangerous of them all? Luca himself. But what happens when the ruthless mafia king starts to fall for the woman who dares to defy him? And when Aria discovers a secret that could shatter everything, will she run from him... or run straight into his arms? In a game where love is dangerous and trust is a luxury, Aria must make a choice-fight for her freedom, or risk her heart for a man who could either destroy her or love her beyond reason. One mistake. One contract. One stolen affection. And now, there's no turning back.
She's a girl from New York City, living a life of misery and submission. When the wealthy and ruthless mafia boss, Alexander Rossi, crosses her path, everything she thought she knew about love, power, and survival begins to unravel. But in a world where trust is a luxury, can she truly escape the darkness, or will the seduction of the billionaire pull her deeper into a web of deceit and danger? Secrets, betrayal, and passion await. Will she become a pawn, or is there a chance she could take control of her fate? Find out what happens next...
Ella has always been the outcast. In a world where werewolves rise to power by embracing their wolf forms, she remains powerless, rejected by those she once called family. But when an ancient prophecy reveals that Ella is the one destined to lead the pack, everything changes. Thrown into a battle for control, Ella must navigate fierce rivalries, dark betrayals, and the growing threat of a ruthless alpha who will stop at nothing to claim the throne. As the weight of leadership presses down on her, Ella will have to confront her greatest fear-accepting the power she's always denied. Will she rise to claim her place as the Unconventional Alpha, or will she crumble under the pressure of expectations and enemies lurking in the shadows? The fate of her pack-and the future of the werewolf world-rests in her hands. ---
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?
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are 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 in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. 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 who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”