The CEO's Forbidden Wife
Kathalina Ruiz never believed in fairy tales. Her mother's dying wish bound her to enigmatic CEO Thirdie Stone in an arranged marriage she accepted out of duty, not romance. Yet somewhere between quiet nights and fragile smiles, Kathalina fell deeply for her distant husband only to keep her love locked away, too afraid it would never be returned.
For three years, their marriage balanced on politeness and silence. Then one stormy afternoon shattered it all. Kathalina walked into Thirdie's office and found another woman-half-naked-sitting on his lap. Without demanding an explanation, she signed the divorce papers he placed before her, his gaze as cold as the ink that sealed their separation. What she never knew was that Thirdie's betrayal was a lie... a desperate act to protect her from the dangerous threats circling his empire.
Heartbroken and grieving, Kathalina fled abroad. From the ashes of her pain, she rebuilt herself into a celebrated jewelry designer, admired for her elegance and independence. But fate had other plans. Years later, her mother's lawyer makes a revelation she has inherited a vast fortune and controlling shares in Stone Corporation. The life and the man she tried to escape are waiting for her return.
Back in the city where it all began, Kathalina comes face-to-face with Thirdie once more. Old wounds resurface, secrets linger in every shadow, and danger draws closer than ever. Now, she must decide to protect her heart from the man who once broke it or uncover the truth he buried......a truth that could change everything she thought she knew about their past.
A story of love, sacrifice, and second chances, The Stones We Keep asks.....is it ever too late to believe in a love that never truly died?
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Chapter: Chapter 53: Shadows in the AfternoonFor a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet between them felt fragile, like something rebuilt after being broken, careful not to fall apart again.Kathalina looked out the window again, but this time her reflection was smiling, faintly calm, thoughtful, almost peaceful.When they reached her company building, Thirdie didn’t let go of her hand right away. She looked down at their intertwined fingers, then up at him.“I’ll handle the files,” she said gently. “You don’t need to worry.”“I’ll still worry,” he replied, his thumb brushing lightly across her knuckles. “That’s my right as the man who loves you.”Her heart skipped, and for a second, she couldn’t find her words. So instead, she nodded. “I’ll message you when I’m done.”“I’ll pick you up,” he said simply, leaving no room for argument. “And I’ll also send someone from the company to help you with the files; you don’t have to do everything alone.”Kathalina looked at him, a bit touched by his tone. And as she stepped out of the
Last Updated: 2025-11-04
Chapter: Chapter 52: The Quiet Ride BackAfter Jeff and Steve returned to the private room, Thirdie and Kathalina were already standing.“We’ll head back to the office now,” Thirdie said, glancing at Kathalina with a calm, gentle smile… a smile he only ever gave to her.But the moment he turned toward the door, his expression changed. The warmth faded, replaced by the composed, commanding look everyone else knew him for. By the time they stepped into the hallway, the loving man beside her had become the powerful CEO again, cold, unreadable, and in full control.Jeff quickly opened the door and stepped aside to let them pass. The group walked out together, chatting lightly. The air felt warm and easy until they reached the lobby.A sharp voice suddenly called out.“Thirdie!”Everyone turned. It was Agnes.Kathalina froze for a moment, surprised, but quickly hid it behind her usual calm expression. Jeff’s stomach sank. He had hoped this wouldn’t happen.Agnes walked toward them with confident steps, her red heels clicking shar
Last Updated: 2025-11-04
Chapter: Chapter 51: Unexpected EncounterJeff and Steve were already washing their hands when Jeff finally broke the silence. The sound of running water filled the tiled room, and he glanced at Steve through the mirror, his reflection calm but curious.“So,” Jeff began casually, wiping his hands with a paper towel, “how long have you been working with Miss Kathalina?”Steve looked up from fixing his hair, a small grin forming. “A little over a year now,” he said proudly. “I originally applied as a designer, but she said my organizational skills were better than my sketches. So…boom…. I became her assistant.”Jeff chuckled lightly, leaning against the counter.“And you’ve worked for her since then?”“Yep,” Steve replied, straightening his shirt. “And I’m not just her assistant, now we’re friends too. She’s strict, but she’s got a soft heart. She just hides it under that calm, cold face of hers.”Jeff studied him carefully, his gaze flickering over Steve’s composed expression. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if measuring somet
Last Updated: 2025-11-03
Chapter: Chapter 50: The Talk Over LunchWhile they were eating, the soft music from the restaurant played in the background, and the plates of food were neatly arranged across the table. The smell of roasted beef and buttered salmon mixed in the air.Katalina was sitting beside Thirdie, quietly cutting her food. Across from them were Jeff and Steve, talking about the restaurant’s design and service.But Katalina’s mind wasn’t on the food. She wiped her lips gently with a napkin, then looked at Steve.“Did you contact Leo about the corrupted design files?” she asked softly.Steve nodded. “Yes, ma’am. He said it’ll take at least a day to recover and fix everything. Some parts of the system need to be rechecked.”Katalina sighed, rubbing her forehead. “A day is too long… we have that meeting tomorrow.”Thirdie, who had been silent beside her, looked at her from the corner of his eye. He hadn’t said a word since they sat down, but he was listening to everything. He slowly placed down his fork.“Do you need help?” he asked in hi
Last Updated: 2025-11-03
Chapter: Chapter 49: A Shift in the SilenceThirdie leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed sharply on the rearview mirror. His voice was calm, but his tone carried quite a weight. “Something to say, Mr.?”Kathalina blinked, realizing she had forgotten the obvious. “Oh….my bad. I forgot to introduce you properly.”She turned to Steve with a small, apologetic smile. “Steve, this is Thirdie. CEO of Stone Corporation.” Then to Thirdie, “Thirdie, this is Steve, my personal assistant.”Up in the driver’s seat, Jeff’s eyes flicked to the mirror. CEO of Stone Corporation. Not boyfriend. Not fiancé. Just CEO. He caught the slight pause from Thirdie, the kind of silence that said a lot without a single word. Oof. Boss didn’t like that.Thirdie’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. His name. His title. Just business. She didn’t introduce him as anything else.Inside, something hot and tight coiled low in his chest. Just the CEO? That’s all I am to you? He kept his face unreadable, but his fingers tapped lightly against his knee, a si
Last Updated: 2025-10-22
Chapter: Chapter 48: The Drive Between WorldsErica looked at her for the last time, concern still clear in her eyes. Then, without saying a word, she moved closer and wrapped her arms around Kathalina in a tight, protective hug. For a moment, Kathalina froze, then her expression softened. She returned the hug gently, resting her chin on Erica’s shoulder.“Thank you,” she whispered. “For supporting me… and for understanding, even when you don’t agree.”Erica smiled faintly against her shoulder. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt again, Kath. You deserve peace this time.”Kathalina nodded, her voice low but steady. “I know. And I’ll fight for it, I promise.”Steve, standing by the table, looked between the two women. The air was thick with emotion, too heavy for him, so he cleared his throat loudly, breaking the tension.“Alright, love talk over,” he said with mock seriousness. “We’ve got a corrupted design file that’s throwing a tantrum.”That earned him a small laugh from both women, lightening the mood instantly. They pulle
Last Updated: 2025-10-21
Doted by the Ruthless Billionaire
Twenty-year-old Lyra Moreno appears to be nothing more than a cold, sleepy noble girl porcelain-doll beautiful, always wrapped in blankets, and seemingly uninterested in anything beyond her next nap. To her father, stepmother, and scheming stepsister, she's a burden. But beneath her drowsy charm lies a dangerous secret.
Lyra is the anonymous founder of GALAXY, a covert hacker syndicate responsible for dismantling criminal empires from behind glowing screens.
Living quietly under the doting care of her powerful grandparents, Lyra is named heir to their fortune but on one condition....she must marry Elias Vale, the ruthless, cold CEO of Vale Corp, who just so happens to be investigating Virgo.exe, her old hacker alias.
Seven years older, Elias is brilliant, powerful, and emotionally walled off until fate throws him into the path of the sleepy girl he's been unknowingly watching. When her scheming stepmother and stepsister pay a criminal to ruin her, the two are dragged into a public relationship... and a private war they can't avoid. And even, secretly..... marriage.
As they work together to uncover a traitor within Vale Corp, Elias begins to see the fierce strategist behind Lyra's sleepy façade. And Lyra, used to keeping the world at a distance, starts to wonder if she's finally found someone who sees all of her and wants her anyway.
But with enemies in her own home and shadows from her past returning, Lyra must decide: can she let someone into her world, or is silence the only way to survive?
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Chapter: Chapter 43: In the Quiet of the NightElias smiled against her skin as he listened to Lyra's needy moans. He increased the speed and pressure of his tongue and fingers, driving her steadily closer to climax. His free hand wrapped around her hip, holding her in place while his mouth worked relentlessly on her body. Her screams of pleasure echoed through the room as she convulsed around him, her inner muscles clenching tightly around his tongue and fingers.Elias pulled back slightly to watch her face, captivated by the expression of raw ecstasy that spread across it. Panting heavily, Lyra turned her head away from him while he threw off his pants and underwear.His manhood was impressive, standing tall and thick against his abdomen, coated in a shimmering sheen of sweat. The head glistened as it pointed toward her, the slightest movement of air causing it to twitch slightly, promising more pleasure to come. Unable to resist any longer, Lyra reached out tentatively and wrapped her hand around him, marveling at how solid he
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: Chapter 42: Her First, His OnlyElias sat beside Lyra after a while, the two of them sinking into silence in the study room. From downstairs, faint traces of laughter and noise still drifted upward, but here, everything felt hushed, intimate.Lyra glanced at Elias from the corner of her eye. She knew he was handsome, sometimes impossibly so and as his wife, she couldn’t deny the quiet happiness that stirred in her chest at the thought.Elias, catching the weight of her gaze, turned his head toward her. Their eyes locked, the moment stretching between them. His look was intense, almost magnetic, as though he were silently asking for something more. Slowly, he reached for her face.Lyra didn’t move away. She simply gazed back at him, wide-eyed, almost entranced.When his lips met hers, the kiss was gentle at first, soft, careful, as though he were afraid she might break. Lyra’s heart raced; it was her first kiss, and the inexperience showed in her hesitant response. She even nipped at his lip by mistake, but Elias did
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: Chapter 41: Whispers in the StudyLyra sneezed, a soft, unexpected sound that broke the hush of the study. She blinked, pressing the back of her hand to her nose, then sank deeper into the velvet cushions of the long couch. The scent of old books, firewood, and faint traces of lavender tea filled the room, lulling her into a fragile calm. The heart crackled softly in the corner, casting amber warmth against her pale skin and painting shifting shadows along the walls of lined shelves.Her gray-moon eyes drifted lazily toward the rows of leather-bound volumes as she murmured, half to herself,“Someone must be scolding me again.” The words fell from her lips like a sigh, light and wistful, as she tugged the wool blanket closer around her shoulders.The door opened with a creak, and Elias stepped in. His tall frame filled the doorway, a dark silhouette against the light from the corridor. His movements, though, carried an unusual restraint as if he was wary of shattering the fragile stillness of this haven.When his gaze
Last Updated: 2025-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 40: The Silence at the TableThe clink of silverware echoed softly in the grand dining room, the long-polished mahogany table stretching between them, heavy with food that no one seemed eager to touch. Platters of roasted meat, crystal bowls of salad, and delicate pastries sat cooling under the chandeliers, untouched as though they were more display than nourishment.Richard sat at the head of the table, posture slightly slouched, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose as he scrolled through files on his sleek tablet. His fork moved absently across his plate, pushing food around without any real intention of eating it. His mind was clearly elsewhere calculations, projects, and problems far beyond the walls of this dining room.Beatrice set her utensils down a little too loudly, the sharp sound slicing through the quiet like a blade. She curved her lips into a brittle smile, though her eyes were sharp as glass.“Richard,” she began, voice measured but edged with tension, “Lyra was discharged from the
Last Updated: 2025-08-27
Chapter: Chapter 39: The Guard Dog and His TerritoryElias pushed open the front door, loosening the last of his tie as he stepped inside. The faint scent of tea and something sweet drifted from the living room.There she was. Lyra sat curled up on the sofa, a plate of mooncakes on the table beside her, nibbling quietly as if the world outside didn’t exist. For a moment, he simply watched her, a softness settling into his expression. Then, crossing the room, he bent down and pressed a light kiss to the top of her head.“I’m back,” he murmured.The room froze.Rio’s mouth fell open like a bad comedy sketch. Theo blinked twice, his brain visibly short-circuiting. Dren nearly dropped his phone onto the carpet.“Boss…” Rio whispered dramatically, pointing an accusing finger. “Did you just…...kiss her?”Theo gasped, clutching his chest. “On the head! In public!”“History has been made,” Dren muttered, solemnly nodding as if bearing witness to a world-shaking event.Lyra’s cheeks colored faintly. She quickly set her plate down and avoided the
Last Updated: 2025-08-27
Chapter: Chapter 38: Where Loyalties StandMeanwhile....Lyra sat in her office, high in the eastern wing of the house. The room was quiet now, Yani and the Shadow dismissed hours ago. Only the sound of the sea pressed faintly against the tall glass windows, the waves breathing steadily in the night.The black envelope rested on the table in front of her. Heavy card stock. A golden seal pressed into wax like a crown. She hadn't opened it again.... she didn't need to.The Grande Crow.Not an invitation. A summons. A trap.And she already knew whose hand had written it. Liam Moreau's shadow had been circling too close, too desperate, for this to be anyone else's move. But Elias didn't know she had already pieced it together. She wanted to hear the name from his lips.Her phone buzzed quietly against the desk. She glanced at the caller ID. Elias.A small curve touched her mouth, sharp at the edges. So, he would come to her first.She answered. "Elias."His voice carried over the line, steady, but she could hear the wear of long h
Last Updated: 2025-08-27
When the Fool Heals the Mafia
Amara Georgia Musk, the 20-year-old granddaughter of the powerful tycoon Elton Musk, has returned to T City after years of being hidden away overseas. Labeled as "the retard" by her own family and sent away to protect the Musk legacy, no one expected her return much less her claim to the empire her late parents left behind. Amara, the daughter of a renowned traditional doctor and a wealthy businessman, carries a secret strength beneath her quiet and misunderstood exterior.
But not everyone is pleased with her return.
Her cunning adopted uncle, and his ambitious family will do anything to stop her from taking back her rightful place even if it means ending her life. To them, Amara is nothing more than a brainless obstacle standing in the way of power and wealth.
Across the city, Zogo Walton, the ruthless 30-year-old CEO and infamous underworld mafia boss, is racing against time. His beloved mother is slowly dying from a rare, mysterious poison, and not even the best doctors can help her. Known for being cold, enigmatic, and allergic to female attention he once punched a woman for trying to cling to him......Zogo makes a desperate public plea.
"Whoever can save his mother will be rewarded with unimaginable wealth."
When fate throws Amara and Zogo into each other's world, secrets begin to unravel. For Amara it is not who the world thinks she is. Behind her soft gaze and clumsy steps lies a hidden identity......one that may be the key to saving Zogo's mother... and changing the destiny of the Musk family forever.
But in a world ruled by greed, betrayal, and power... can a misunderstood girl and a heartless mafia boss survive each other?
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Chapter: Chapter 52: The Prize of BetrayalMeanwhile, at the Musk estate…The morning light crept slowly through the tall curtains of Damian’s room. He stirred awake, his head heavy from the wine of the night before. With a low groan, he reached for the bell rope beside his bed, summoning a maid.The door opened, and a young maid stepped in quietly, bowing her head.“Where is Father?” Damian asked gruffly, rubbing his temples. “And Aston? They weren’t at breakfast… and Amara?”The maid hesitated, her eyes lowering to the floor. “Don Victor left before sunrise, sir. He instructed me to inform you he is taking a vacation… for his health. And… Miss Amara also departed, though she did not say where.”Damian sat up straighter, a sharp frown cutting deep lines into his face. “A vacation? Without telling me? And Amara too?”“Yes, sir,” the maid answered softly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “He left with Aston and a few trusted maids. He… he said not to be disturbed.”Damian’s jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring. His fath
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: Chapter 51: Breakfasts and DeparturesThe heavy doors of Walton estate swung open with quiet grace, revealing the expanse of the grand foyer. Polished marble gleamed beneath the golden light spilling from the chandeliers, and the faint scent of lilies lingered in the air. Amara’s gaze swept across space, her heart beating a little faster. Everything here felt carefully curated, alive with wealth and memory.At the center of the foyer stood two figures waiting with expectant smiles….an older man dressed impeccably in a butler’s uniform, and a kindly woman whose lined face softened the moment her eyes fell on Amara.Zogo’s hand pressed gently against the smell of Amara’s back, guiding her forward with quiet reassurance. “Amara,” he began warmly, his voice holding a note of fondness she hadn’t heard before, “I want you to meet two people who have been with me for as long as I can remember. This is Mario our family’s butler, though to me, he has always been much more than that. And this……” his eyes softened further as they tur
Last Updated: 2025-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 50: Arrival at the Walton EstateThe black car rolled to a slow halt as the tall, wrought-iron gates of the Walton estate loomed into view. The emblem of the family an intricate crest of intertwined lions and a crown gleamed in the sunlight, etched boldly into the metal. The gates themselves stretched so high it felt as though they touched the morning sky. Two uniformed guards stood rigidly at either side, their posture as sharp as the polished rifles strapped across their shoulders.Cristy shifted in her seat, adjusting the strap of her bag, her gaze steady but thoughtful as she looked out the window.“Impressive,” she murmured quietly, her voice calm, measured. “It seems the stories about the Walton estate weren’t exaggerated.”Amara said nothing at first. Her gaze lifted slowly, following the length of the towering gates. Her chest tightened. She was no stranger to wealth, the Musk estate had been grand, filled with lavish paintings, marble floors, and chandeliers that had hung for decades. But there was a differe
Last Updated: 2025-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 49: The Road Toward New BeginningsThe car purred softly as it rolled out of the Musk estate gates, the early morning light spilling faintly across the sky. The chauffeur, a quiet man in a dark uniform, kept his eyes on the road, his gloved hands steady on the wheel. Inside the back seat, Amara sat by the window, her reflection faint against the glass. Cristy sat beside her, fiddling with the strap of her small bag, a trace of nervousness lingering in her features.“Amara…” Cristy’s voice broke the silence gently, almost as if she was afraid to disturb her miss’s thoughts.“Are you sure you’re ready for this? Going to the Walton estate for the first time… it feels like a big step.”Amara gave a small, soft smile without taking her eyes off the horizon.“Cristy, I’ve been walking toward this moment ever since I signed that marriage contract. It was bound to happen. I can’t keep avoiding the place that’s now… supposed to be my home.”Cristy hesitated, then nodded, her fingers tightening together.“I just don’t want you t
Last Updated: 2025-09-01
Chapter: Chapter 48: Promises in the NightThe dinner had ended warmly, the air in the old mansion filled with the faint smell of wine and roasted lamb. Amara lingered near the tall windows of the balcony, her shawl wrapped loosely around her shoulders. The night outside was calm, the city lights blinking like distant stars.Zogo stood beside her, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching her more than the view.“I’ll come pick you up myself tomorrow,” he said in his steady tone, the kind that carried no room for argument.Amara smiled faintly, shaking her head. “No, that’s not needed. Just send a car.”His brows pulled together. “Why? Do you not trust me?”“It’s not that,” she replied gently, turning her eyes toward the glowing streets below. “I’ll bring Cristy with me… and some things. It will be easier if there’s more space. You don’t have to trouble yourself.”Zogo studied her for a moment, then exhaled slowly. “Fine. But I’ll be waiting at our house.”Her lips curved at his persistence. “Alright. We’ll see you there.”F
Last Updated: 2025-08-27
Chapter: Chapter 47: Quiet DecisionsDon Victor stopped speaking the moment he heard soft footsteps echoing in the corridor outside his study. The sound was faint, yet distinct enough that he lifted his head, his sharp instincts catching it even before the door opened.He already knew who it was. Years of raising her had attuned him to the rhythm of her steps, soft yet purposeful, like a whisper carrying weight.When the door creaked open, Amara entered.Her presence shifted into the air instantly. What had been heavy with tension and shadows now felt gentler, warmer, as though the house itself had sighed in relief at her arrival. She carried herself with her usual quiet strengthening high, shoulders squared but Zogo could see the faint tiredness in her eyes, the kind that came not from lack of sleep, but from years of carrying burdens too heavy for one soul.Zogo, who had been sitting with all the stillness of a soldier at watch, rose at once. His tall frame moved with a quiet urgency toward her. For all the fire in his
Last Updated: 2025-08-26
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