Fractured Desire
When Elara Santos walks in on her long-time boyfriend tangled in the arms of her best friend, her world shatters in one night. Heartbroken but determined, she flees to Manila to rebuild her life and prove she doesn’t need anyone to survive.
Enter Adrian Velasco—the ruthless, impossibly magnetic CEO of a leading architecture firm. Cold, untouchable, and dangerous to fall for, he’s the last man Elara wants in her life. Yet fate keeps pulling them together. Every clash between them burns with friction. Every accidental touch lingers. Every glance dares her to surrender.
But their growing passion hides darker truths. Adrian’s past is entangled with the betrayal Elara ran from, and lurking in the shadows is Cassandra Ramirez—a beautiful, venomous woman determined to destroy Elara and claim Adrian for herself.
As secrets unravel and desires ignite, Elara must decide:
Will she guard her heart and walk away, or risk everything for a love that could consume her?
In a world of betrayal, ambition, and forbidden passion, one thing is certain—when fire meets fire, someone is bound to get burned.
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Chapter: CHAPTER 10Elara POVThe elevator lights blurred as I left the building, anger and confusion twisting together until I couldn’t breathe. The rain was relentless, soaking through my clothes, washing the city in silver.I needed noise. I needed forgetfulness. The small bar on the corner offered both.The wine was cheap, the music soft. Each sip dulled another edge of my thoughts until everything felt distant. I was halfway through my second glass when the seat beside me shifted.“Rough night?”My pulse stumbled. Adrian’s voice—low, steady, unmistakable.I didn’t look at him. “You followed me.”“Someone had to make sure you got home in one piece.”“I’m fine.”He studied me, sleeves rolled up, rain still glistening in his hair. “You don’t look fine.”I laughed without humor. “What, you want to fix that too?”His jaw tightened. “No. I just don’t want to watch you fall apart.”Something in me gave way at the sound of that—his concern, his quiet restraint. I pushed the glass toward him. “Then stop me.
Last Updated: 2025-10-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 9Elara POVI thought things would settle down after Cassandra’s little performance, but peace was never her language.It started with emails that went missing. Then calls that never reached me. Then whispers—low enough to sound harmless, sharp enough to wound.By Monday, one of the project heads told me a rumor was spreading that I’d stolen design drafts from another firm. By Tuesday, a supplier pulled out without warning. By Wednesday, even the secretaries were watching me like I was a bomb about to go off.And by Thursday, I knew exactly who was behind it.Cassandra Ramirez didn’t need to be in the room to destroy it. She only had to plant the right words in the right ears and watch everything crumble.I marched into Velasco Corp that morning with fire in my veins. I was tired of being the victim in her game.The glass walls of the boardroom reflected my anger back at me. Inside, the senior managers sat stiffly, waiting for Adrian. When he finally walked in, the entire room fell si
Last Updated: 2025-10-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 8Elara POVThe next morning, the world felt strangely heavier—like the air itself remembered the tension from the gala. I tried to shake it off with strong coffee and tighter focus, telling myself it was just work. Nothing else.But my reflection in the mirror betrayed me. My eyes lingered on my own lips, as if they still remembered the ghost of his words:“You’ll still think about this. About me.”And damn it, I did.By the time I arrived at the construction site, the Manila sun had no mercy. The clang of metal, the hum of machinery, and the scent of wet cement filled the air. I tied my hair back, adjusted my helmet, and grabbed my clipboard—my armor for the day.“Ms. Santos!” one of the foremen called out, waving me over. “We’re aligning the upper framework. You might want to check before we finalize the beam placement.”“Got it,” I said, forcing a steady voice. Work was safe. Work didn’t flirt back.I crouched near the plans spread across the makeshift table, tracing the measurement
Last Updated: 2025-10-11
Chapter: CHAPTER 7Elara POVI hated galas. The gowns, the polite laughter, the careful choreography of power—it all felt like theater. But when Marco from the office pressed an invitation into my hand and said, “It’s exposure, Elara. You’ll meet investors here,” I knew I couldn’t say no.So, I found myself in a borrowed dress, my hair pinned neatly, clutching my sketch portfolio like it was armor. The ballroom glittered with chandeliers and crystal glasses, the air perfumed with wealth. I reminded myself this was about business. Nothing else.I hadn’t expected to see her.Cassandra Ramirez stood across the room, radiant in crimson silk, laughter dripping from her lips like poison-coated honey. She hadn’t changed—still magnetic, still dangerous. My stomach tightened, but I forced my steps toward the networking tables. I would not let her ruin this night.“Elara Santos.” Her voice slithered behind me.I stiffened before turning. Her smile was all sugar, her eyes knives. “Cassandra.”“You’ve… adjusted.” S
Last Updated: 2025-10-10
Chapter: CHAPTER 6Elara POVI sank into my chair, pulling my sketchbook toward me. Work was safe. Work would never let me down. But when I moved my pencil on the paper, I didn't see floor plans or layouts - I saw him. Broad shoulders, sharp jaw, eyes that stripped me down in a way that no other man had.I threw the pencil down, angry at myself. "God, Elara, get a hold of yourself."A knock shook me out of it. My heart jumped up, stupid and not ready. I was not expecting anyone. For a moment, the irrational panic whispered - what if it was him?But it was just my neighbor when I opened the door, an elder woman from downstairs with a basket of puto."Elara, iha," she smiled sincer
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 5Elara POV His words lingered in the air, heavy and dangerous. My pen slipped from my hand, clattering against the table, but I didn’t move to pick it up. His presence was too close, his eyes pinning me down as if the whole room had vanished and it was just us. “I don’t have time for games, Mr. Velasco,” I said, though my voice came out lower than I intended. “Good,” he murmured. His gaze dipped briefly to my lips before snapping back to my eyes. “Neither do I.” The silence between us was sharp, like a string stretched too tight, ready to snap at any second. The hum of the lobby faded into nothing. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the subtle scent of his cologne—dark, woodsy, commanding. I forced myself to move, to break whatever spell he was weaving. I bent down to retrieve my pen, but before I could grab it, his hand was already there. Our fingers brushed. Electric. Immediate. I snatched my hand back as if burned, clutching the pen like it was a weapon. “Thank you,” I
Last Updated: 2025-09-02
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