Novels by Divine

Zade stepped onto the balcony.He glanced at the night sky first, then he hands tucked casually into the pockets of his tailored coat. Only after that did his eyes flick briefly to Ryan just a glance then looked at Sylvie. "Chilly." he remarked lightly.Her fingers were still curled around the railing with her knuckles pale.Zade turned fully to her then with a smooth expression. "You’ve been gone long enough," he said. "People will start to ask questions."Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them and placed a hand at her waist. "Come back inside." he murmured. Sylvie swallowed and nodded, because nodding was easier than speaking.She let him guide her through the glass doors and back into the noise and light. The party swallowed them whole, the music swelling, laughter cresting, cameras flashing.She felt Ryan fall in step behind them without looking back because she didn’t need to. 'Well, I can't wait for this to be over' she thought. The rest of the night b

The engagement dinner was still roaring behind her, music, chatter, clinking glasses but she felt she couldn't breathe. Not with Zade hovering. Not with her father watching her every expression. Not with the cameras freezing every fake smile on her face. She pushed past a pair of laughing guests and slipped through the tall glass doors that was leading to the balcony. Cold night air rushed over her skin like a blessing. She gripped the railing and inhaled hard, trying to steady the shaking in her hands and also trying to convince herself that she's doing this for the future of the Wilfred empire. She had smiled so much her cheeks hurt. She had stood so close to Zade she could smell the expensive cologne clinging to him like armor. She had played the role perfectly. But no one asked if she wanted any of this. Behind her, soft footsteps approached. She didn’t turn because shealready knew who it was. "Ryan." she said tiredly. "Miss Wilfred" His voice was quiet,

Tonight was the official engagement dinner of Zade Russo and Sylvie Wilfred organized by Zade. The room glowed in gold. Chandeliers spilled warm light across marble floors, and a string quartet played softly near the stage. Not so many guests but a blend of elites, business partners, and the ever-hungry press filled the room. The cameras loved it. They loved her, the heiress with the striking eyes and the perfect, practiced smile. They loved him, the young mafia lord turned businessman, elegant in his tailored suit, hand resting lightly on her waist as if she belonged there. The media headlines had already begun circulating: THE UNION OF POWER. PERFECT MATCH: RUSSO & WILFRED. TWO EMPIRES, ONE FUTURE. Only Sylvie knew how false every caption was. She just couldn't wait to leave. Zade leaned toward her as they moved through the crowd. "Smile, dear. They’re watching." Sylvie forced one, though her cheeks felt stiff. "I am smiling." "Not with your eyes," he murmured,

Sylvie left her father’s office. One second she was staring at the contract papers that promised to steal two years of her life, and the next, her legs were moving on their own, carrying her out of the room, down the hallway, away from her father’s voice, away from Zade’s cold stare. Her vision blurred. Her chest felt tight. Her breath came shallow. By the time she reached the elevator lobby, tears were already sliding down her cheeks, hot, angry, disbelieving tears. She pressed her palms against the nearest wall and bent her head, swallowing a sob. How could he do this to me? How could my own father decide my future like a transaction? How could he offer me up? But deep down she kind of understood what was on ground. The elevator dinged softly behind her. And then... “Miss Wilfred” Ryan His voice steady and controlled as always, felt like a hand catching her before she could fall. She didn’t look at him. She didn’t want him to see her crying. But he saw. O

The following morning, the Wilfred mansion was unusually quiet. Sylvie barely slept. The image of Zade Russo’s smirk kept replaying in her mind, along with the words he left hanging in the hallway. There is a debt. And I always collect what I am owed. She couldn’t shake it off. She found Ryan waiting for her downstairs, already dressed in black, unreadable as always. "You’re up early" she muttered. "I didn’t sleep." he replied simply. Sylvie blinked. "At all?" "Didn’t need to." She rolled her eyes. "You’re not human." Ryan didn’t answer just opened the car door for her. His silence felt heavier today. Halfway through the drive, Sylvie’s phone buzzed. It was her father. Come to the office. Now. He sped toward Wilfred Corporation headquarters, never taking his eyes off the mirrors. --- Inside the building, employees whispered the moment Sylvie walked through the lobby. Ryan walked beside her, expression carved from stone, scanning every corner like he expec

The Wilfred empire had seen powerful men walk through its doors, politicians, investors, industry giants but never anyone like Zade Russo. Sylvie didn’t know that yet. The rowdiness was much reduced compared to yesterday. But as she got to company, there were more guards than usual. The staff whispered in tight circles. The air itself felt heavier, like the walls were holding their breath. Ryan was standing in the lobby. "What’s going on?" she asked. Ryan didn’t answer right away. His jaw clenched, just once. "Your father is expecting a visitor." "Okay… and?" "And it’s someone important." The tone in his voice, flat but strained, made her stop. "Ryan," she pressed, "who exactly is coming?" Before Sylvie could ask more, the doors below opened. Two men in dark suits entered first, guards. Then he stepped inside. Zade Russo. Young. Devilishly handsome. Dark hair slicked back with expensive precision. His suit was tailored so perfectly it looked like it had been stit