Novel-novel oleh Lily brown

Lea’s POVXavier had me pinned against the wall of his massive bedroom before I could even catch my breath, his blue eyes wild with that unhinged possession that seemed to grow stronger every single time I fought him. His body pressed against mine, hard and warm, one hand braced beside my head while the other gripped my waist like he was afraid I might slip away again if he let go even for a second. The door had barely clicked shut behind us after he carried me up, his hold firm as he ignored every protest I made.“You’re mine now, Lea,” he said, his voice low and rough, breath brushing my ear as he leaned in closer.“I’ve chased you long enough. I’m done waiting. You’re going to stay here with me. Forever.”I pushed against his chest, my palms flat on the hard muscle there, even as my heart raced wildly in my chest. “You can’t just decide that for me, Xavier. You drag me from my job in front of everyone, throw me over your shoulder like some prize you won, and now you think I’ll j

Theo's POV “My father… he used to own a Brown industry before he left us years ago.” Mirabelle said it so casually, so innocently, as if it were nothing more than a passing thought. I stared at her for a long moment, my green eyes narrowing as I tried to keep my face calm even though my mind was already spinning fast, connecting threads I had hoped would stay buried.I sent her away with a curt “Go back to your duties,” my voice colder than I intended, because if I kept her there any longer I wasn’t sure what I would do. The library door closed softly behind her, and I stood there alone, the silence pressing down on me as the name echoed again and again. I walked straight to my office and shut the door, the heavy wood thudding like a final warning. My hands were steady as I picked up the phone and dialed Lucas. “Start digging deeper,” I said the moment he answered, not bothering with greetings. “Everything you can find on any Brown industry connections, any man named Lucien assoc

Mirabelle's POV I stepped into the entrance hall right behind Celeste, my heart still racing from the library and the weight of Theo’s words pressing on me. Valerie stood there like she already owned the place, blonde hair perfectly arranged, her elegant dress hugging her figure as she smiled at Theo with that familiar ease. She turned her head the moment she noticed me, her eyes sweeping over my maid uniform as she smiled at me but it didn't reach her eyes. “Mirabelle, I presume,” she said smoothly, her voice carrying that refined tone that made everything sound pleasant even when it wasn’t. “Theo has mentioned you handle things around the house so diligently. How admirable.”Theo’s green eyes met mine for a brief second, a silent warning, but I kept my chin up as I gave a small nod. “Good morning, Miss Valerie. If there’s anything you need during your stay, please let me know.”Breakfast was already set in the dining room, and I moved to help serve while trying to ignore the wa

Theo's POVValerie’s perfume wrapped around me the moment she stepped fully into the entrance hall, that same expensive floral scent she had worn since we were teenagers running through Marc’s carefully curated world. It pulled me back instantly to the cold, emotionless version of myself he had shaped after my parents’ blood soaked the floor of my father’s office. She looked elegant as always, her blonde hair styled perfectly, her smile perfect like she had rehearsed it in the mirror before arriving.“Theo, darling,” she purred, moving forward without hesitation and wrapping her arms around my neck. She held on a second too long, her body pressing close as if we were still those children with futures already mapped out for us. “It’s been far too long. Marc sends his regards… and his expectations, of course.”I returned the hug stiffly, my arms barely tightening around her. “Valerie,” I said, keeping my voice even. “You look good.”She pulled back just enough to look at me, her fing

Mirabelle's POV I woke up tangled in the expensive silk sheets, my neck still tingling where Theo’s fingers had pressed the night before. The warmth lingered on my skin like a brand I couldn’t scrub away, and shame burned low in my stomach as memories flooded back. My body had arched toward him even as my mind screamed that this man was my captor, not someone I should crave. I forced myself out of bed, repeating the words like a prayer. He threatened my family, he’s a killer and this is survival, nothing more.The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains as I dressed in the black-and-white maid uniform that hugged my curves in a way that made me feel exposed, like everything in this mansion was designed to remind me I no longer belonged to myself.I moved quietly down the grand staircase, the marble cool beneath my feet, and headed to the main hall where the heavy silver candelabras waited.Celeste found me there a short while later, dusting the tall pieces with slow, care

Mirabelle's POVI was sitting in the parlor with a book I wasn't reading when I heard the front door open and I looked up.A man stood in the doorway. He was older than Theo, maybe in his fifties. His hair was silver mixed with black and his suit was tailored. His eyes were sharp and calculating and they moved over the room and landed on me like a predator assessing prey.I recognized him from the mansion's security photos. From the files on Theo's laptop. It was his uncle Marc Vachon. The man who'd raised Theo into what he was."Call Theo," he said. "Tell him I'm here." His voice was smooth and that made my skin prickle.I stood up. "Of course. I'll... I'll get him for you."I moved toward the hallway but felt his eyes on me the whole way like he was cataloguing every detail. My dress, my hair and my nervousness.I found Theo in his study working. "Marc is here," I said.His entire body went tense and his green eyes looked up at me and they were hard. "Bring him to the study," he sai