Novels by Author Adisa

Clad in an elegant off-white gown, Vera stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself. Her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes swollen from all the crying. She had taken a long, scalding shower, trying to scrub away the blood, the guilt, the memory—but nothing helped. She had cried until her voice broke.She would never forgive Roman. But more than that, she would never forgive herself—for letting another innocent come close.Her hands still trembled. She could feel the ghost of Darien’s last touch, and the memory of his blood on her lips made her stomach twist. Pulling a soft shrug over her dress, she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole.But no such mercy came. She was still alive—still caged inside the Devil’s mansion, where hope didn’t exist. A soft thud at the door broke her trance. Her reflection in the mirror mirrored the pain she was trying so hard to hide. “Come in,” she said quietly, The handmaid stepped inside, keeping her eyes lowered. “Señor is calling fo

"You’re ignoring me," Darien said as he leaned against Vera’s cubicle wall. She looked up quickly, scanning the room, making sure there was no sign of danger."I’m not. It’s just..." Before she could finish, he stepped inside and leaned closer. She pulled back instinctively, trying to keep some space between them."Then why do I feel like you’re lying to me?" he asked with a smirk, reaching out to wipe some cupcake cream from the corner of her lips with his thumb."Stop it, Darien," she said softly, brushing his hand away. Her eyes held fear—fear of Roman finding out about Darien’s presence, or worse, how Darien was starting to behave around her."You need to control yourself," she added, stepping away. She didn’t want to give him any wrong idea. She didn’t want him to read her kindness as something more. She had only needed a friend—someone she could smile with and feel normal around. Lately, however, Darien has been acting differently. At first, she brushed off his flirting. It seem

Roman pulled away, resting his weight on his knees for a moment before standing. He didn’t look at her. He didn’t speak. Vera kept her eyes on the ceiling, staring at the faint glow of the lights as if some answer would appear from the empty air.He dressed in silence, his back turned to her the entire time. No glance. No words. No sign that he even remembered she was there. Once fully dressed, he walked to the door and left, shutting it behind him without a sound.She lay there, bare, staring at the ceiling. Used. Empty. Wondering how much longer she could survive this loveless marriage.She had been foolish. Even after everything, a small, stubborn part of her still hoped. Hoped that Roman would change. That maybe, just maybe, he would see her. Care for her. But every time he touched her like this, that tiny flicker of hope shattered into dust. Vera turned onto her side, curling into herself, trying to hold the broken pieces together.What did I do to deserve this? she asked herself

The rules weren’t written, just expected—strip, gel up, lie still, and wait for him.Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, then set it aside, falling right back into the same restless position. A soft click came from the door. Someone stepped inside, and the door closed behind him, leaving just a brief strip of light before the room slipped back into darkness. The rule about keeping the lights off was already being followed without a word.He walked in slowly. Then, without a word, the bed dipped as his knees settled beside her hips. A wave of cold crept through her chest and settled deep in her core. Without a word, his cold hand wrapped around her ankle, silencing the soft chime of her anklet. The sound faded the moment his grip tightened, and he spread her legs without hesitation.She bit her lower lip as the gel she’d already applied began to slide down her skin—useless in easing the pain. He stroked himself once or twice before lining up wi