Novels by Gloria Salvador

The news broke early in the morning:“Former billionaire Desmond July found dead in prison cell. Apparent suicide.”The headlines spread like wildfire. News channels, social media, newspapers—every platform covered the scandalous downfall of the once-mighty mogul. Analysts speculated, reporters dissected every detail, and the public debated whether justice had been truly served.But inside Diego and Freya’s home, the atmosphere was different. The television was on, but neither of them paid it much attention.Freya sat at the dining table, sipping her morning coffee, while Diego leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone with a lazy smirk.Noah, dressed in his school uniform, glanced between them, his brows furrowing.“So…Desmond’s really dead,” he muttered, pushing his cereal bowl aside.Neither Freya nor Diego reacted much. Freya merely took another sip of coffee, setting the mug down with a soft clink. “Looks like he finally ran out of ways to escape his consequences,”

5:25 PMThe air in Diego’s office was thick with the usual tension of high-stakes business negotiations.Diego was seated at the head of a long, polished table, in the middle of a board meeting. He exuded his signature confidence—sharp, composed, commanding.The only sound was the soft hum of the projector and the murmured discussions of Diego's business associates. Diego's eyes were fixed intently on the presentation unfolding before him.His executives and business associates sat around him, discussing projections, acquisitions, and expansions for his green-energy empire. The meeting was important, the kind that could shape the future of his company.Yet, his mind was elsewhere.On her.Diego stole a glance at his phone, an itch in his chest growing with every passing minute.It had been hours since he had last spoken to Freya. And he missed her. His mind was fixed on the upcoming weekend and the plans he had with Freya.Just as he shifted in his seat, imagining a steamy night with

6:30 AMThe loud, shrill ringing of Freya’s phone shattered the peaceful silence of the morning.Her brows furrowed in confusion as she blindly reached for it on her nightstand. She squinted her eyes against the faint morning light streaming in from a small opening in the window.Her gaze came to a focus on the phone screen, and the number flashing on the screen made her blink. It was Diego’s chief of security.Immediately, she sat up and snapped out of the sleepy haze. A sudden, terrible feeling clawed at her chest as she quickly answered the call. Diego's chief of security only called when there was bad news about Diego.“Hello?” she breathed, sweeping her disheveled hair backwards.“Ms. Freya,” the man’s voice came through, urgent, tense. “It’s Diego. He…he got into a car accident. You need to come now.”The world stopped the minute he dropped the bomb. Freya's heart slammed against her ribs, and her blood ran cold.No. Not again.Her hands shook as she scrambled out of bed, barely

The living room was filled with a golden glow from the television screen. The breaking news banner flashed across the bottom, repeating the same phrase over and over:DESMOND JULY ARRESTED IN SCANDAL—ABUSE, ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND KIDNAPPING EXPOSED.The anchor spoke with a serious, almost incredulous tone. "In a shocking turn of events, billionaire Desmond July, former CEO of Dexus Innovations, has been arrested and is facing a long list of charges, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and attempted murder. The once-revered businessman was taken into custody last night after damning footage of his crimes was broadcast at his own celebratory gala, exposing years of abuse toward his ex-wife, Freya Dominic, and their son, Noah Dominic. Legal experts predict that with the overwhelming evidence, July could face life in prison with no chance of parole…”The remote slipped from Freya’s fingers and landed on the couch beside her. Her heart pounded as she stared at the screen, her m

Freya walked into the room with a quiet sense of power, her presence commanding attention.She was dressed in a crimson gown— a deep, bold, unapologetic dress that clung to her like molten lava. Every step she took was slow, deliberate, and commanding. And her presence was undeniable.She dressed to fit into the context. After all, this was a grand gala filled with elites from all over the world.However, it wasn’t her dress that stole the breath from every mouth in the room. It was the bruises. The dark, undeniable marks which decorated her arms and cheek. Marks of war.And she made no attempt to hide them. Her dress was sleeveless, and she wore no makeup. She wanted the world to see it clearly.In an instant, camera flashes erupted around her. Paparazzi swarmed forward, fighting to capture the moment, the scandal, the face of a woman wronged.Desmond’s chest tightened as he watched the unfolding drama. His stomach twisted. His body screamed at him to move, to run. But he couldn’t.H

The Dexus Innovations' Tower stood like a beacon of power, piercing the night sky with its gleaming lights. Tonight, the heart of the city pulsed with anticipation. An event unlike any other was about to unfold in the building’s grand ballroom—an affair so spectacular that the world was watching.A scarlet carpet stretched from the main entrance, lined with golden railings and uniformed security. Photographers stood at the sidelines, cameras flashing as an endless parade of luxury cars arrived, their sleek bodies gleaming under the streetlights and the golden glow from within the ballroom.Chauffeurs in crisp suits opened doors with precise elegance, allowing their distinguished passengers to step onto the crimson carpet that stretched into the opulent ballroom.The guest list was nothing short of extraordinary. Billionaires, Hollywood elites, influential tech moguls, and political heavyweights—all gathered under one roof. Their tailored suits and designer gowns shimmered under the li

Sophia stared at her phone screen, reading the email for the fifth time.Dear Ms. Reyes,We are pleased to inform you that after careful consideration, we would like to offer you the position of Marketing Coordinator at House of Aurelia...Her hands flew to her mouth."No way!" she exclaimed aloud to the empty apartment, her eyes widening in disbelief. "This can't be true."She blinked hard, half-expecting the words to rearrange themselves into a rejection when she looked again.But they didn't.They stayed exactly the same.We are pleased to inform you......offer you the position...For a moment, she just sat there on her bed, frozen, her heart hammering so hard she could feel it in her throat.Then the reality hit her all at once, crashing over her like a wave.She got the job.A real job. At a real company. A prestigious fashion house where she'd be doing work she actually loved, work that actually mattered.Tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them—hot, overwhelmin

Sophia woke up the next morning to an empty apartment.She knew before she even got out of bed. The silence felt different—heavier, lonelier.She padded into the living room, her heart sinking when she saw Liam's keys were gone from the counter.He'd left early. Without saying goodbye. Without even a note.He's avoiding me now.The irony wasn't lost on her.Sophia stood in the quiet kitchen, guilt twisting in her chest like a knife."We were never that close to begin with."God, why had she said that?It wasn't even true.Liam had been there for her more than anyone. He'd picked her up when she'd literally fallen. He'd comforted her through rejections, made her breakfast, carried her to bed when she was too exhausted to make it herself.And she'd thrown it all back in his face.Sophia closed her eyes, exhaling shakily.She needed to apologize. Needed to tell him she didn't mean it.But first, she had to get through today.***The interview at House of Aurelia was at ten.Sophia dresse

The next day was worse.Sophia woke up early again, the gray morning light barely filtering through her curtains. She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, the weight of yesterday's tension pressing down on her chest like a stone.She couldn't keep doing this.But she didn't know how to stop.With a resigned sigh, she dragged herself out of bed, made coffee in the quiet kitchen, and disappeared back into her room before Liam even stirred.When she finally emerged hours later—driven out by restlessness and the need for water—she moved through the apartment like a ghost. Quiet. Careful. Always just out of reach.Liam tried."Morning," he said when she passed through the living room, his voice tentative, almost cautious."Morning," she replied without looking at him, her eyes fixed straight ahead as she headed for the kitchen."Sleep okay?""Yeah, fine.""Want some breakfast? I can make—""I'm not hungry. Thanks."She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, her movements quick

The next morning, Sophia woke early.Too early.The pale gray light of dawn filtered through her curtains, casting long shadows across her room. She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, her mind replaying the previous night on an endless loop.His face so close to hers. His hand on her cheek. The way he'd looked at her like—She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the memory away.It didn't mean anything. It was just a moment. A mistake.But her racing heart suggested otherwise.The problem was, she could still feel it. The warmth of his palm against her skin. The way her breath had caught when his eyes had dropped to her lips. The electric charge that had hummed in the air between them.Stop. Stop thinking about it.But she couldn't.With a frustrated groan, she threw off the covers and got up, her feet hitting the cold hardwood floor.She needed coffee. Needed to move. Needed to do *something* other than lie here obsessing over something that didn't—couldn't—mean anything.She padded to h

Sophia's mind was spinning.This is happening. This is actually happening.Liam's face was so close she could feel the warmth radiating from him, could smell the faint scent of his cologne mixed with something else—something that was just him.Her heart was racing, her pulse pounding in her ears.He's going to kiss me.And God help her, part of her wanted him to.But another part—the louder, more terrified part—was screaming at her to stop.What are you doing? This is Liam. Your husband on paper. Your roommate. Your friend.This isn't real. It can't be real.He's just being nice. He feels sorry for you. He doesn't—Liam's hand was still on her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin.He was so close now. Close enough to feel the warmth of her breath against his lips. Close enough to see the way her pupils had dilated, the way her chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths.She's not pulling away.That thought alone was enough to make his resolve crumble.Just one kiss. J

The evening light filtered through the living room windows, soft and golden, casting long shadows across the small dining table where Sophia sat hunched over her notepad.Her pencil moved in quick, confident strokes, sketching the outline of a dress—something elegant, flowing, with structured shoulders and a draped neckline. She paused, tilting her head, then added a few more lines to refine the silhouette.Fashion design had always been her escape. Even when everything else felt like it was falling apart, she could lose herself in the lines and shapes, imagining fabric and movement and the way light would catch on silk or linen.She was so absorbed she didn't hear the front door open.Liam stepped inside, his keys jingling softly as he set them on the counter. He loosened his tie with one hand, his shoulders sagging slightly with exhaustion.Then he saw her.She was sitting at the table, barefoot, her legs tucked beneath her, wearing an oversized white shirt that hung loosely off one