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.
Ella Sophia clutched the phone with trembling fingers, her pulse hammering in her ears. Another night, another round of bruises painting her fragile body. She could barely breathe, the pain suffocating her like a vice. Her husband's laughter echoed in her mind, a cruel reminder that she was nothing but a possession, a punching bag.
"Pick up, Brielle, please," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.
But there was no answer. Just silence.
And then... the door creaked open.
Her heart clenched as heavy footsteps approached. She barely had time to wipe away the tears before a rough hand yanked the phone from her grasp and flung it against the wall. The screen shattered on impact, mirroring the broken pieces of her soul.
"Who the hell are you calling, Ella?" James, her husband, growled, his breath reeking of alcohol.
She flinched, her body instinctively curling inward. "N-No one..."
A sharp slap met her cheek, sending her crashing to the floor. Pain exploded across her face, but she didn't cry out. She had learned long ago that showing weakness only made it worse.
"Lying bitch!" He sneered before kicking her in the ribs. She gasped for air, clutching her stomach as tears blurred her vision.
He grabbed her hair and yanked her face up to his. "You think you can escape me? You're nothing, Ella. You're mine to use and discard as I please."
A loud crash from outside made them both pause. James released her and turned towards the noise, his brows furrowed.
"What the-"
Before he could react, the front door slammed open. A tall, powerful figure stepped inside. Alex Anthony.
His cold, stormy eyes locked onto her bruised face, then flickered to James. The air thickened with tension.
"Get your filthy hands off my employee," Alex said in a dangerously calm voice.
James laughed mockingly. "Your employee? She's my wife. I can do whatever I damn well please with her."
Alex's lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes burned with unspoken fury. "Not anymore."
Before James could process his words, Alex's fist connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling backward. Ella gasped as James hit the ground, blood trickling from his lips.
"You have two options," Alex continued, his voice deadly. "Leave her. Or leave this world."
Ella's breath hitched. Was this real? Was someone actually standing up for her?
James growled, his pride wounded. "You think you can steal my wife? You think she's yours?"
Alex glanced down at her, his expression unreadable. "Not yet. But she will be."
Ella's world spun. What did he mean? And why did her heart stutter at the way he said it?
---
Flashback: A Life of Pain
Ella had once believed in love. In fairy tales. In the idea that marriage meant safety. She had walked down the aisle with hope in her heart, believing James would protect her. Love her. Cherish her.
But that dream had shattered on their wedding night when his hands turned cruel.
The abuse started small. A harsh word here. A degrading comment there. Then came the first slap. And before she knew it, she was trapped in a cycle of pain, where apologies meant nothing, and forgiveness was a distant fantasy.
She had tried to escape once.
She had packed a bag, stolen his wallet, and run to Brielle's house, thinking she was free.
But James found her.
And that night, he made sure she never tried again.
Now, kneeling on the cold floor, her ribs aching from his latest assault, she wondered if fate had finally given her a way out.
Alex Anthony wasn't a man known for kindness. He was ruthless in business, feared by his enemies, and dangerously powerful. But in this moment, he was her only hope.
---
The Ultimatum
James spat blood onto the floor, glaring at Alex. "You don't scare me. She belongs to me."
Alex's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "No, James. She never belonged to you. And if you don't walk away now, I'll make sure you don't walk at all."
James hesitated. He was a bully, a coward who preyed on the weak. But he wasn't stupid. One look at Alex told him that this wasn't a fight he would win.
With a sneer, he wiped the blood from his lips and turned to Ella. "You think he's your knight in shining armor? You'll regret this."
Ella didn't respond. She had no words left for him.
Alex extended a hand toward her. "Come with me."
Her gaze flickered between the outstretched hand and James's retreating form. Fear warred with hope. Could she trust him? Could she really escape?
Taking a shaky breath, she placed her hand in his.
And just like that, her shackles began to break.
---
A New Beginning?
Ella sat in the passenger seat of Alex's sleek black car, her hands twisting in her lap. The city lights blurred past, but her mind was stuck in the past.
"Where are we going?" she asked softly.
Alex's hands tightened on the wheel. "Somewhere safe."
She wanted to believe him. But after years of torment, trust wasn't something that came easily.
"Why are you helping me?" she finally whispered.
He glanced at her, his gaze unreadable. "Because no one helped my mother. I won't make the same mistake."
His words sent a chill down her spine. There was more to this man than she realized.
As the car pulled up to a towering mansion, she exhaled shakily. She had escaped James.
But was she truly free?
Or had she just stepped into another cage?
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.
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.
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. ---
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
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!
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.