FINDING ELENA
Elena dreams of becoming a world-class chef. On the day she sets out to pursue her passion, her father, Jon Nolan, sells her in marriage to Brad, who paid off Jon's debts just to have Elena - and win a bet.
For two years, she plans her escape from the hellish marriage. Suddenly faced with an external danger that threatened her life and that of her unborn child, she flees prematurely into Boston, carrying a secret that could bring down the most ruthless crime family in Massachusetts and her husband. Now, these men searched the city for her.
Elena finds shelter in the Banks’ Family Center, where she hides until her child, Sky is born.
Ary Banks, a reclusive billionaire with zero interest in love, walks into Elena's life.
The first woman he ever finds intriguing!
Ary soon learns that beyond her enchanting laughter is a world of storm, too enormous for her to survive.
That same storm now poses a threat to his empire and everyone he cares about.
To save his empire, he must protect Elena and Sky. But this means he must be willing to battle not only the external enemies but his estranged mother who has ruthless ambitions and also welcome disruption in his controlled world.
Obsessed with controlling his life, Ary's mother will stop at nothing to tear away those closest to him - especially the woman he’s beginning to love - until she is the only anchor he has left, until she could rule his empire and life.
Thrusted on each other by fate, Elena and Ary realize their growing connection and dare to trust again.
As old wounds resurface, new enemies arise. They must decide if their fragile love is worth the fight - or if it’ll be destroyed before it could ever bloom.
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Chapter: Chapter 6: To Save and To Kill.ELENA Brad stormed in all bloodied and sweaty, grabbing his side. In spite of my predicament, I was concerned for him. “Brad- what happened? Are you-?” “Grab some towels and the first-aid kit,” he growled. “Now!” I obeyed. He grabbed a bottle, slumped onto a couch, and gulped some drink while I fetched the first-aid kit. I returned to see him struggling to take off his jacket. I leaned in to help. When the jacket came off, a wallet - not his - fell to the floor, and he didn't seem to notice. At that same moment, my eyes caught the wound. “Uh,” I gasped. “Is that glass?” Slowly, he began to pull it out, clenching his teeth hard. “Towel,” he groaned as the glass slipped out, blood pumping out. I shrieked, turning away for a moment. He dropped the glass on the floor. “Not good with blood, huh?” he said, smiling through the pain. My fingers trembled while I pressed the towel, which was turning red fast. “Shouldn't you be seeing a doctor?” I asked. “I should, sweethea
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: Chapter 5: A Routine of Relief and PunishmentA domestic routine soon fell into place, one that I followed like a zombie. Before he left for work every morning, Brad would kiss my cheek. “See you later, sweetheart.” I hated that. But I hated it more that I had to smile and accept it. Everyday. Then he'd locked the doors from outside so I couldn't go out. He'd bring groceries himself or make me go with him. The click of the locks always felt like a breath of air I wasn’t allowed to take too deeply. Being home alone was a mix of relief and punishment. I still nursed the idea of escaping, but I feigned compliance for my own good. I cooked. I cleaned. When there was nothing left to do, the house would grow insanely quiet. Sometimes, I'd sit by the kitchen window, listening to the ticking clock and the hum of distant traffic. Other times, I'd cry. Quietly. But even that wasn’t simple with the CCTV cameras watching. So I learned the blind spots, picking the small corner beside the laundry door at the far edge
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: Chapter 4: His TrophyI slid off the bed, clutching the sheets around me like armor. Every step toward the bathroom hurt my private area. Inside, I turned the lock. Steam filled the small space as I turned on the shower. The first touch of water stung, slicing through bruises and scratches I hadn’t yet noticed. The ache spread, slow and deep. It was everywhere. When the water finally ran clear, I stood there, staring at my reflection in the fogged mirror. The girl who stared back wasn’t me. She had hollow eyes, pale lips, and a faint bruise darkening her collarbone. There was no trace of the girl who dreamed of Paris and the smell of bread baking. Then a sharp, heavy bang sounded against the door. “Elena!” Brad’s voice thundered through the wood. “Open the damn door!” I froze, my heart jumping to my throat. “What the hell do you think you’re doing locking me out?” he shouted, his voice laced with fury. I pressed my back to the door, water still dripping from my hair. I clutched the sheet tight ar
Last Updated: 2025-10-30
Chapter: Chapter 3: Broken... Until One DayI frowned, searching his face and my memory. I came up blank, shaking my head. “I’ll help you,” he said, settling back against the counter again. “We met at Sally’s. I spoke to you, and you looked at me like I was dirt. Called me a creep. You made my friends mock me.” A cold wave crept up my spine. My heart began to race. Sally’s. The bar I used to drag my dad out of whenever he got drunk. I’d met too many men there - loud, sloppy, reeking of liquor - whose hands wandered as I searched for my father. The faces were blurred together. I couldn’t remember his. Brad reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering a second too long. “I told them I was going to make you my wife,” he murmured, smiling. “We… bet on it. On you.” I blinked in shock. “And saving you…” he added. “Well, that was a set-up too.” He smiled more now, clearly pleased with himself. The words sliced through my chest like cold air. I stepped back before I could stop myself. His s
Last Updated: 2025-10-30
Chapter: Chapter 2: One Tragedy and A BetThe City Hall was almost empty. Sunlight filtered through tall glass panes, making the terrazzo floor gleam too brightly. It smelled faintly of polish and stale paper. To me, it was the scent of signatures and quiet tragedies, like the one in which I was now the unwilling main character. A woman stood by a wooden counter, holding a folder. Beside her, an officiant in a dark suit adjusted his spectacles, looking faintly uneasy. Brad guided me forward with a hand on my back, the gesture mockingly gentle. My arm still tingled where he’d gripped it earlier. My father followed a few steps behind. I stood there, in my white dress, that suddenly felt like a curse. My hair fell loose over my shoulders - the way Mom liked. The thought of her seeing me like this broke my heart all over again. “Let’s get this over with,” Brad said, his tone light and almost cheerful. The officiant hesitated, glancing briefly at me, then at my father. “Is this… an arranged marriage?” Brad's smile didn’t
Last Updated: 2025-10-30
Chapter: Chapter 1: SoldELENA I stirred awake from my short nap as the car slowed down, the tires scrunching against the ground. We left Essex before noon, and our destination was the Boston Logan International Airport, from where I'll be taking a flight to Paris to attend culinary school. My dad was driving. I was excited he was finally letting me pursue my dream like my mom made him promise on her deathbed. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine my future as a world-class chef traveling the world and learning different food cultures. I felt intense gratitude for the opportunity. This might just be the best day of my life. I glanced over at him. He didn’t return my gaze, but I could see the crease on his forehead and deep sadness in his eyes. My chest tightened in guilt. “Come on, Dad,” I started, “I'm going to be okay. I'll call you every night and come back whenever I can.” Before I got any response, he veered the car off the main road and kept driving. I looked out the window, puzzled. We s
Last Updated: 2025-10-30
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