"Kidnapped by the man I left behind..." At twenty-five, Eleanor's world shatters when she wakes up in an unfamiliar room-luxurious, cold, and far from home. Her kidnapper? Alex Adams, the most feared and dangerous mafia boss in Golden City... and the boy she once loved. Years ago, they shared a fleeting, secret romance during a summer at her grandmother's house. Back then, Alex was quiet, sweet, and hopelessly in love. But when Eleanor vanished without a word, she left him heartbroken-and obsessed. He swore he'd find her again. And he did. Now Alex isn't the boy she remembered-he's possessive, powerful, and dead set on never letting her go again. Eleanor fights to keep her freedom, but the past won't stay buried. As old feelings resurface and dark truths come to light, she must confront the man she once knew... and the terrifying love he still holds for her.
Eleanor Pov
The first thing I noticed was the scent-rich leather, faint traces of expensive cologne, and something else, something dark. My body ached, my wrists felt raw, and my throat was parched. I forced my heavy eyelids open, blinking against the dim golden light flickering from a chandelier overhead.
This wasn't my hotel room.
Panic surged through me like wildfire as I tried to move, only to realize my wrists were bound. My breath hitched. I wasn't alone. I could feel it-the weight of someone's gaze pressing against me, even in the silence.
Think, Eleanor. Think.
The last thing I remembered was stepping out of the resort with Sofia. We were supposed to meet up for drinks, but I had lagged behind, checking my phone for messages. Then... nothing. A blur of shadows. A hand clamping over my mouth. And darkness.
My heart pounded violently as the door creaked open.
I stilled. My fingers curled into trembling fists.
And then, he stepped in.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair slicked back with precision. The glint of an expensive watch on his wrist. His presence alone made the air in the room feel suffocating, like an invisible force pressing against my chest.
I recognized him instantly.
Alex Adams.
The most feared mafia boss in Golden City.
The man who kidnapped me.
The man I had left behind nine years ago without a word.
His icy blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a split second, something flickered in them-something unreadable. Then, his lips curled into a smirk.
"Hello, Eleanor."
His voice sent a shiver down my spine. It was deeper than I remembered, rougher, like a blade honed to perfection over time.
I swallowed hard. "What the hell is this?" My voice came out hoarse, weaker than I wanted.
He took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving mine. "It's been a long time."
I yanked at my restraints. "Untie me."
He tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You disappeared on me, Eleanor."
My stomach twisted. "That was nine years ago."
"And yet," he murmured, stepping closer, "I never stopped looking for you."
My breath caught.
No.
No, this wasn't happening.
I forced myself to hold his gaze, even though my entire body screamed at me to shrink away. "You're insane."
His smirk deepened. "Maybe."
I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. "You kidnapped me because... what? You missed me?" My voice dripped with sarcasm, but my heart was hammering.
His eyes darkened, the amusement flickering away like a dying flame. "You left without a word, Eleanor. You didn't even say goodbye."
I scoffed. "We dated for a week. A damn week, Alex. And I was sixteen!"
He exhaled through his nose, the muscle in his jaw tightening. "And I was twenty-one. And even back then, I knew what I wanted."
I let out a hollow laugh. "That's insane."
He stepped forward, closing the distance between us. I pressed myself against the headboard, but there was nowhere to go. He leaned in, his face inches from mine.
"You never gave me a chance," he murmured. "You just vanished. Like I meant nothing to you."
I swallowed hard. Guilt twisted in my gut, but I pushed it down. I had been young. Naïve. I hadn't known how to deal with the intensity of him.
"You meant something to me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I was a kid, Alex. I didn't know how to handle-" I gestured around me, "-all of this."
His eyes softened, but only for a second. Then, just as quickly, the steel returned.
"Well, you're not a kid anymore."
A chill ran down my spine.
I clenched my fists. "So what's the plan, then? Keep me locked up here forever?"
He studied me for a long moment before finally speaking. "I won't hurt you, Eleanor. But I'm not letting you go."
My breath hitched.
"What?"
"I lost you once. I won't lose you again."
Panic clawed at my throat. I had to get out of here.
But as I stared into the cold, determined eyes of the man I once thought I knew, I realized something terrifying.
Alex Adams wasn't the same person from my past.
And I had no idea what he was truly capable of.
Mia, a young woman from the United States, embarks on a long-awaited journey to South Korea to visit her childhood friend, Ji-yeon, who had once studied abroad in the U.S. Excited to experience Korean culture and reunite with Ji-yeon's warm family, Mia plans to spend a peaceful few weeks sightseeing and learning about the country. However, her trip takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ji-yeon's older brother, Min-ho, a quiet and disciplined military officer stationed at a nearby base. Min-ho's reserved nature initially intimidates Mia, but beneath his stoic exterior, she senses a deep sense of duty and a hidden vulnerability. Slowly, through quiet moments and small gestures, Mia finds herself drawn to him. Min-ho, though slow to express his feelings, begins to develop a protective and caring affection for Mia. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable, though both are hesitant to act on it due to the short-term nature of Mia's stay. Just as their relationship begins to bloom, Mia's idyllic visit to Korea takes a darker turn. A mysterious man starts appearing in Mia's life, lurking in the shadows and watching her from a distance. She first encounters him after an evening out with Ji-yeon and Min-ho, and his presence sends a chill down her spine. Min-ho, sensing danger, grows increasingly protective of Mia, but his duties at the military base pull him away more often than either of them would like. Unbeknownst to Mia, this man is no ordinary stalker. The stranger is a powerful enchanter, a man from Min-ho's past who harbors a deep and bitter resentment toward the soldier. Driven by jealousy and twisted desire, the enchanter-revealed to be named Do-hyun-covets what Min-ho holds dear. His obsession soon turns to Mia, whom he views as the perfect tool to exact his revenge. Do-hyun kidnaps Mia, using his dark magic to enchant her mind and force her into submission. Mia becomes trapped in a mental and emotional prison, where her will is bent to Do-hyun's desires. She fights to retain her memories of Min-ho, but the enchantment grows stronger with each passing day, erasing her love for him and replacing it with an artificial bond to Do-hyun. Meanwhile, Min-ho is devastated by Mia's disappearance. He rallies his comrades in the military, determined to find her and bring her home. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers Do-hyun's true identity-a former military officer who once served alongside him but turned rogue after delving into forbidden dark magic. Do-hyun's hatred for Min-ho stems from a time when Min-ho was praised and revered by their superiors, while Do-hyun, ambitious and power-hungry, was cast aside. As Min-ho searches for Mia, Do-hyun continues to manipulate her emotions, drawing her deeper into his web of control. Though physically trapped in Do-hyun's lair, Mia's mind becomes the battleground for the true conflict. She must fight against the enchantment, hold onto the memories of Min-ho, and resist the growing compulsion to love her captor. Min-ho eventually tracks Mia down, but rescuing her is not so simple. The magic that binds her to Do-hyun is powerful, and any attempt to break it risks harming Mia's mind permanently. The final confrontation between Min-ho and Do-hyun is tense and fraught with danger, as Min-ho must not only defeat the man who kidnapped Mia but also find a way to free her from the enchantment. In a climactic battle, Min-ho's determination and love for Mia help break the spell, though the scars of her ordeal remain. Do-hyun is ultimately defeated, but not without leaving a curse that threatens to haunt Min-ho and Mia's future. Mia is physically freed, but emotionally and mentally, she has a long road to recovery ahead.
Synopsis: In the shimmering city of The Golden Bridge, Liam Morgan reigns as a powerful and ruthless CEO, a far cry from the quiet, brilliant boy who once endured relentless torment in high school. When Hazel Whitmore-the once-charismatic queen bee who made his life miserable-unwittingly lands a job at his company, fate grants Liam the perfect opportunity for revenge. But as the two collide in a battle of wills, their shared past resurfaces, and an unexpected spark ignites between them. Beneath the layers of bitterness and power struggles lies a fragile connection that neither can deny. However, their love is anything but simple. Whispers of betrayal and sabotage threaten to tear them apart, fueled by those who will stop at nothing to keep them from being together. And when Hazel stumbles upon the mystery of her true parentage, she and Liam must navigate a dangerous web of secrets, lies, and long-buried truths. Caught between revenge and redemption, love and hate, Liam and Hazel must decide if their connection can withstand the shadows of their past-and the storm waiting to engulf them in the present. "Love isn't a game " is a tale of passion, vengeance, and the transformative power of love, set against the backdrop of a city as captivating and treacherous as its inhabitants.
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."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
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.