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.
Basahin
Chapter: Chapter 40: What He Is Afraid To LoseThird Person POV Morning crept slowly into the mansion, pale light filtering through heavy clouds. The storm had passed, but the silence it left behind was heavier than before.Julia arrived at the mansion just after dawn. She’d barely slept, and worry got her out of bed before her alarm could go off. “It's good you came, Julia. It was a long night,” Jim said quietly, welcoming her.She gave him a small smile."Jim."She noticed how still the house felt, like it was holding its breath.“Take me to her.”Jim nodded and led the way.Elena’s door was slightly open. “I kept watch," he explained. She barely slept.”“Wait here,” Julia responded softly.She paused before stepping in. The room smelled faintly of rain and lavender. The curtains were drawn, the air cool. Sky stirred in her crib, a tiny sigh escaping her lips. Elena lay curled on the bed, her skin pale, a faint flush of fever evident on her cheeks.Julia’s voice was as gentle as her touch.“Elena.”The younger woman stirr
Huling Na-update: 2026-02-04
Chapter: Chapter 39: To Leave Or To Stay.The rain was soaking through his shirt, but he wasn't feeling the cold. He stood there a moment longer, staring at the house. His jaw was tight, and his breath sent mist into the night. He’d spent a lifetime mastering control over his temper, emotions, and silence. Yet, in one night, Elena Nolan had managed to undo all three. When he finally stepped back inside, his shoes left wet prints along the marble corridor. The house had become too quiet, even for him. He took off his shirt, more to keep from punching a wall than for comfort, and grabbed his phone. Julia answered on the second ring. “She tried to leave,” he said without any preamble. A pregnant pause followed. Then Julia responded, her voice threaded with concern. “What happened?” He raked a hand through his wet hair. “She must have thought we were asleep,” he said. “Walked straight for the gates in the rain. And she looked like she would have climbed over if I wasn't there to stop her.” “What did you say to
Huling Na-update: 2026-02-03
Chapter: Chapter 38: At Least It'll Be My Choice.Third Person POV The sound came faintly, almost like it didn't even happen.But he heard it.It was a sob that seemed muffled as Elena shut the door.Her footsteps faded away the farther she went. The silence in the room should have brought him relief.Yet it pressed in heavily. And it wasn’t just about the silence. It was the absence.His jaw hardened, the muscle along his cheek ticking. He hadn’t meant to hurt her.Still, what had he said that wasn’t true?He told himself it didn’t matter. That she’d needed to understand the stakes. That sympathy was a luxury neither of them could afford.“She's strong. She'll be fine,” he muttered to himself.He’d spent years building walls like armor, yet here this woman was, causing cracks.It was better she'd left. He also needed the break.Suddenly, a wave of unease crept through him. He didn’t like the feeling that she might do something reckless.She had that look, like she would rather walk into a storm than be pitied by it.And he m
Huling Na-update: 2026-01-31
Chapter: Chapter 37: Clarity At A Cost “What?” she snapped. Ary’s expression stayed the same. He could feel her anger through her gaze. He should have backed off. But he didn’t. Instead, his next words were even more deliberate. “You’re clever enough to know what that kind of evidence is worth. So forgive me if I question your timing.” Elena rose from her seat. “You really think I’d risk my daughter’s life to get paid for everything you saw?” As she spoke, there was a little bit of tremor in her hands. He got up from his seat as well. “I think people do strange things when they’re desperate.” “That’s who you think I am,” she scoffed. “I think,” he agreed, “I don’t know who you are. Yet.” Their gazes locked. Hers was fierce and wounded. His was steady and assessing. Neither looked away for a brief moment. Outside, thunder rolled in the distance, but the silence in the room was louder. Finally, Elena shook her head. “You’re crazy. I can't be here,” she said, turning toward the door. “Or you could tel
Huling Na-update: 2026-01-30
Chapter: Chapter 36: At The Edge Of Trust.The door opened without hurry. Ary stepped in, the dim light catching on the clean line of his jaw.Elena rose.His gaze found her, and he stopped a few feet from her.“Comfortable?” His voice was even.“Enough,” she replied in a matching tone.He studied her for a moment longer, then nodded toward the chair.“Sit.”She obeyed, but her eyes didn’t lower. He noticed that her stubborn refusal to shrink.He sat on the opposite couch, one elbow resting on the arm of his chair, his other hand loose against his knee. “You said you wanted to talk.”“Yes.”Her voice was calm, but her fingers twisted slightly in her lap before she caught herself.He noticed that as well; her composure returned as fast as it faltered.“I'm all ears.”She met his gaze squarely. “I want to know what comes next. For us. What is being done with the information on the card?”For a moment, nothing moved between them.Ary’s expression didn’t change. He leaned forward slightly.“You don’t trust me.”Her voice soften
Huling Na-update: 2026-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 35: A Meal For A Compromise.He had traded his formal shirt for a white cashmere sweater paired with dark slacks. The sweater clung lightly to his frame. The sleeves were rolled up his forearms, letting me catch a glimpse of his skin up close. I looked away, annoyed that I had looked long enough to notice the way the fine hair lay on his skin surface. I stepped back from the table. “Good evening, Mr. Banks.” His hair was still damp from his shower. A stray droplet slid from his temple before he brushed it away. He had the clean, understated scent of soap. It was masculine and subtle, the kind you wouldn't notice until one was close enough to unsettle you. I was still caught in it when his eyes found me. Not the food on the table. Me. "Jim tells me you have been cooking all evening," he said, calm as usual. I could only nod. His eyes locked with mine just long enough to make my breath catch before he finally glanced at the candlelit spread before him, and then sat. Damn. His gaze was intense. “Y
Huling Na-update: 2026-01-23
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