The story begins with Alessandro Volta, a powerful man, respected and feared throughout the criminal world. At the head of a mafia empire, he rules over the darkest neighborhoods of the city. His heart is as cold as stone, and he has never believed in love. In his eyes, emotions are a weakness. Loyalty is bought with fear, and he has never allowed a single person to get close to him. He is a master of manipulation, control, and vengeance. All who cross his path know one thing: he never forgives. Vengeance is his fuel, and love is a concept he rejects. One day, during a visit to a neighborhood that is not part of his usual haunts, Alessandro meets Livia, a young poor woman, indifferent to his aura of power. She lives in misery, but she is fiercely independent, proud, and refuses to submit to anyone, even a man as powerful as him. Livia is not afraid of him, does not waver under his piercing gaze, and, on the contrary, seems to almost challenge him with her detached attitude and hardness. That day, Livia publicly humiliates Alessandro. Perhaps she refuses one of his proposals, or she unexpectedly criticizes him for the injustice he embodies. She hurls words at him that he has never heard from someone so insignificant in the eyes of all. This awakens in him an uncontrollable rage, but also a fascination. How does such an insignificant woman dare to act this way in front of him? Furious and vexed by the humiliation, Alessandro decides to take revenge, but he does not stop there. He wants her to become his wife. Not out of love, but to subdue her, to prove to her that he can have her as he wishes, and for her to be the center of his power. He abducts her, forces her to marry him under threat, and places her in a world where she has no escape. Livia finds herself trapped in a gilded cage, and her heart is filled with hatred, but also with fear and confusion. Will Livia be able to endure and submit to Alessandro for long? Or will Alessandro end up killing her with his own hands because she will always be unbearable in his eyes? Discover all the answers in my story; I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading!
The first rays of the sun gently filtered into the small house, caressing the worn walls of Livia's bedroom. She slept deeply, her peaceful face contrasting with the harshness of her daily reality. The touch of the sun on her skin slowly woke her up, prompting her to stretch long, yawn, and then jump up. The golden light danced in the room, revealing an organized mess: cookbooks, hastily folded clothes, and a small cracked mirror reflecting her tired image. Glancing at her phone, she saw that it was already 6 AM. No time to waste.
There were chores waiting for her, tasks to accomplish to survive. Each day was a struggle.
She headed to the small window of her room, a gesture that had become a ritual. Through the glass, she looked at the gigantic house across the street. It was a majestic dwelling, with balconies adorned with colorful flowers and walls painted a bright cream color. Through the window, she caught glimpses of silhouettes inside, sitting at the dining table, having breakfast peacefully. The smell of coffee and toast seemed to float in the air, and her heart tightened at the sight of this scene. She saw herself in their place, savoring a worry-free morning, without having to think about what would happen next.
- Eat as much as you can, but don't forget that one day I will come back to reclaim what belongs to me, she thought, clenching her fists. The memory of her parents and the home they had lost still haunted her. But one day, she would reclaim what was rightfully hers. She was certain of it.
Lost in her thoughts, Livia didn't immediately notice the vibration of her phone. She answered without looking at who was calling, a habit she had acquired over time.
- Paulo, I'll join you in a moment. I just woke up, let me be for a bit.
- It seems that Queen Livia doesn't remember what day it is today. But well, good morning to you too and... happy birthday! he replied, teasingly.
Livia rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips.
- Nonsense. I told you I never celebrate my birthday. I didn't even know it was today, she murmured, a slight shiver of despair crossing her mind.
- In that case, you should thank me, because I think I'm the first to wish you that, he insisted, still cheerful.
- Thanks anyway, even if I didn't ask you to do it, she replied, a slight smile grazing her lips despite herself. Paulo's tone, although light, was filled with sincerity.
- I'll do it as long as you're near me. Listen, you're not going to hold it against life, are you? It's your birthday, we have to celebrate it! he said enthusiastically, trying to break through Livia's shell.
Livia closed her eyes for a moment, her heart heavy. She had never been one to celebrate her birthday. Not when she felt that everything had been taken from her, that life had stolen what she believed she was entitled to.
- I will never celebrate my birthday as long as my adversaries enjoy my father's money, while I have to work like a slave to meet my needs, she said in a cold voice, her words filled with bitterness.
Paulo remained silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging heavily between them. Then, in a calmer voice, he replied:
- You and I both know it's impossible for your uncle to drop this matter. He will never give you your inheritance. So forget it.
- Do you realize? she replied bitterly. I understand that you are very poor, that you're not used to these sacrifices, but you don't know what it feels like. It's easy to talk when you have nothing to lose.
- I know you're suffering, Livia. But you can't keep going like this. Life isn't fair, but you can't control everything. You have to move forward. For you. For your future. I will be there for you, no matter what, you know that, he said, his tone filled with sincerity, trying to convey a bit of hope to her.
She let herself fall onto her bed, a heavy silence settling between them. She didn't want to hear that, but a part of her knew he was right. Life would not stop, and she had to move on.
- Thank you, Paulo, she finally murmured, calmer. I will try. But I promise nothing.
- Alright, alright, miss, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Today is your birthday, so you better come here as soon as possible because I have a gift for you, Paolo said, his tone lighter but with a hint of teasing.
- Alright, Paolo, I'll come, but I don't want to hear you sing "Happy Birthday," or you'll get a punch in the stomach, Livia replied, smiling despite herself, her mind relaxing a bit.
- Understood, I wouldn't want you to punch me in the stomach, so I won't sing; I'll just give you your gift silently.
- Good boy, then let me get ready, I'll join you in a few minutes, she said, amused by their exchange.
She hung up, then stared at her phone on the small table for a moment, her eyes turning to the large house across the street. The house, the very one that belonged to her, the inheritance her father had left her before he died. But her uncle, greedy and cruel, had taken possession of everything, chasing her from the family home since she was five years old. Since then, Livia had lived in poverty, alone, fighting every day to survive.
She remembered the days when she wandered from house to house, asking for a bit of bread or a little water. Her father's house, though full of riches and treasures, had become a symbol of pain and injustice. She often watched others through the windows of her little shack, seeing them eat hearty meals, live normal lives, while she settled for dreaming of a better life.
Her memory took her back to those moments when she sat on the steps of the entrance of the family home, watching children play in the garden, their laughter echoing like a reminder of what she had lost. She had never set foot in school, never known the warmth of a real family. When she fell ill, it was to her uncle that she turned, but he showed no mercy. He forced her to work even harder, to do household chores in exchange for a bit of money for her care. That was the only way for her to survive.
But deep down, Livia knew that all of this would end one day. She was growing up, and with age came understanding. She vowed that one day, she would reclaim everything that belonged to her. She would do everything in her power to recover her father's inheritance and restore her name.
After these thoughts, she got up, determined. She headed to the small kitchen, quickly prepared something to eat-a simple slice of bread with a bit of butter, a luxury she rarely allowed herself. Each bite was a reminder of her childhood, of moments when she was surrounded by laughter and warmth. She went to the bathroom, mentally preparing to face the day. A cold shower to wake up, refresh, and prepare for what awaited her. She washed her hands, looked at herself in the mirror, and took a deep breath.
Once ready, she put on her worn jacket, grabbed her backpack where she had slipped a few essential items, and left her shack. The fresh morning air whipped her face, a sweet promise of renewal. She hailed a taxi, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension, and got in, her gaze fixed on the future.
Rihanna, a talented young woman in the world of dance, finds herself in the sights of Marco "The King" Moretti, a feared and respected mafia godfather. As she tries to make her mark in a prestigious ballet school, she becomes involved in a drug trafficking scheme. She is rescued by Marco after a confrontation with dealers who seek to intimidate her. Touched by her talent and determination, Marco decides to take her under his wing and protect her. Over time, a complex relationship develops between them; Marco acts as a mentor and protector, but he also becomes possessive. As Rihanna immerses herself in the bright yet dangerous world of the mafia, she uncovers secrets about Marco's past, as well as the true reasons that led him to save her. Faced with rivalries within the mafia and external threats, Rihanna must decide whether she wants to continue living in Marco's shadow or take her destiny into her own hands, whatever the consequences may be.
Léa, an ambitious architect, is in a relationship with Thomas, a stable and caring man, but a bit too predictable. As they prepare to get married, Nathan, Thomas's twin brother, returns to their lives after years spent abroad. Charismatic, unpredictable, and provocative, Nathan immediately fascinates Léa. An erotic tension grows between them, despite the prohibitions and potential consequences. Léa finds herself torn between her love for Thomas and her consuming passion for Nathan, plunging into a secret relationship that threatens to destroy everything. In a struggle between duty and desire, she must make a choice that will change her life forever.
Sophia is raising her twin boys, Noah and Liam, on her own. She’s always protected them from a painful truth: the identity of their father. To preserve their innocence, she told them he had passed away. But the curious and determined boys uncover the truth and seek out Adrien, their real father—a cold and distant man who flatly refuses to take any responsibility. Shaken, Sophia watches her world collapse as her sons return heartbroken from Adrien’s rejection. Torn between guilt, anger, and sorrow, she must confront the past she thought she had buried. Meanwhile, Adrien struggles between his selfish lifestyle and the growing guilt sparked by the words of his children. With the support of her loyal friend Camille, Sophia fights to protect her sons’ emotional well-being while regaining control over her life. Family ties will be tested, long-buried truths will surface, and each character will be forced to face the consequences of their choices.
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?"
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?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."