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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.
In the dazzling chaos of New York City, Ariana Whitmore lived a simple, invisible life-until the night everything was ripped away. Sold like property to a ruthless stranger, she was forced into a world she never imagined: one ruled by secrets, betrayal, and blood money. Leonardo De Luca-the feared Mafia boss from Italy-was a man of dark power and darker desires. To him, Ariana was just another possession, another pawn in his endless game of revenge. He broke her trust. He shattered her innocence. He stole her affection without mercy. But what happens when a broken soul refuses to stay broken? Betrayed by those she loved, crushed by a man she couldn't resist, Ariana will rise from the ashes. She will not just survive the injustice. She will conquer it. She will become the woman every man fears...and the woman Leonardo can never control. In a world of lies, hatred, and shattered promises, can stolen affection turn into a dangerous love? Or will betrayal destroy them both? New York. Italy. Two hearts. One brutal war. Get ready for a romance fueled by vengeance, betrayal, and forbidden passion.
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. ---
"You were about to cum in me." I said and sat up. That's when I felt a stinging pain across my ear as my hand caressed my face, then the realization hit me- he had slapped me, Lee had just slapped me. #Sex. Lies. Money. Power. *** Jessie, after finding out her fiance had married another woman, decides to have a one-night stand with his uncle, only to find herself married to him. But despite being married to his uncle, she was still attracted to him, so she started secretly seeing him. Well, the uncle wasn't willing to give her up now, not after he vowed to always be by her side; now she had two men fighting for her. And the woman her ex-fiance married wasn't just going to give up on him. Will Jessie realize old flames can never be and live a peaceful life with her new billionaire husband, or will Jade succeed in winning her back?
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
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.