The Wrong Bernardi
Maya de Cruz thought the worst thing that could happen before her wedding was catching her fiancé cheating on her.
She was wrong.
One reckless night with Rhysand Bernadi, her fiancé’s dangerous older brother, changed the course of her entire life. By morning, Maya disappeared without a word, carrying a secret powerful enough to destroy two old-money families.
Five years later, Maya has rebuilt herself in Los Angeles as the owner of De Cruz Atelier, a luxury event company trusted by celebrities, billionaires, and people rich enough to turn scandals into PR strategy. Her life is controlled, successful, and carefully protected around the one thing that matters most: her son, Aiden.
Then Maya is hired for the biggest project of her career.
Designing Rhysand Bernadi’s wedding.
Rhysand is no longer the reckless heir she left behind in Hawaii. He’s colder now. More powerful. More dangerous. And the moment he sees Maya again, it becomes painfully clear that neither of them ever truly moved on.
As old attraction resurfaces, family tensions explode, and anonymous threats begin appearing around Maya’s life, the past she buried starts clawing its way back to the surface. Because someone knows what happened five years ago.
And someone has been watching Maya for much longer than she realizes.
The problem is no longer just the wedding.
It’s the little boy with Rhysand’s eyes.
Read
Chapter: almost is what you do bestRhysand stayed silent.I remained standing beside the table, one hand on top of a stack of documents, the other holding a pen. A tiny, utterly useless weapon if a man as tall as Rhysand Bernadi decided to stand too close and breathe in a way that threatened economic stability.He slid one hand into his trouser pocket. “Security access,” he said at last. “For this wedding, every key vendor has to go through a background check before the final contract.”I looked at him like he had just said something that did not make the skin at the back of my neck painfully aware he still remembered the shape of my name without an honorific.“Yes,” I said, opening the security folder with a movement that was far too calm. “We’re used to working with vendor screenings. Florists, catering, production crew, lighting, transportation, all of them can be put on the vetting list.”“Not can. Will.”I gave him a thin smile. “I love it when men come into my office to explain verbs to me.”His eyes did not chan
Last Updated: 2026-05-22
Chapter: The Bride, The Groom, and The Ghost“Maya,” she said brightly, “this is Rhysand. Rhys, this is Maya de Cruz. Founder and creative director of Cruz Atelier. I told you, didn’t I? She’s a genius.”I wanted to laugh. Because if there was one thing worse than being forced to meet the man you once left before sunrise, it was being praised in front of him by his very beautiful, very innocent fiancée.I stood. My smile appeared automatically. “Mr. Bernadi,” I said, holding out my hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”Finally.The word sat on my tongue in a fake dress.Rhysand looked at my hand first.Then my face.He did not take it yet.One second.Two.Then Rhysand took my hand.His skin was warm.Damn him.Five years, one child, one business, and thousands of vendor emails later, my body still recognized that man’s touch like an old password I had never changed.To anyone watching, the handshake was brief.But his fingers squeezed mine lightly.Just lightly.Enough that Gracie would not notice. Enough to make my brea
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
Chapter: Blue Like a WarningAiden decided sleep was a weak concept invented by adults with no ambition.“Aiden de Cruz,” I said from his bedroom doorway, “if you are not in bed in three seconds, I’m selling all your toy cars to a kid who respects bedtime.”Aiden shot past me in pale blue pajamas, his black hair messy over his forehead, his round cheeks flushed from too much running, his mouth making engine sounds loud enough to disturb three states.“Vrooooom!”“Aiden.”He took a sharp turn near the rug, almost crashed into the bookshelf, then lifted one hand.“I’m racing, Mami.”“You’re testing my blood pressure.”“Your blood pressure is good. Abuela says you’re too pretty to be sick.”“Jesus.”Aiden stopped in front of his bed, breathing hard, his blue eyes bright with terrible plans. “Mami.”I narrowed my eyes immediately. “No.”He blinked innocently. “I didn’t say anything yet.”“I’m your mother. I hear your sins before you speak them.”“I want a race car.”“You have twenty-seven.”“I want one I can ride.”I
Last Updated: 2026-05-09
Chapter: No ExitAt ten to eleven, I’m already seated in the Cruz Atelier conference room with my second coffee in hand, my hair neatly brushed, my lipstick resurrected, and the face of a creative director who could make a vendor change an entire floral concept without crying in public.Major progress, considering three hours earlier I had been negotiating with a four-year-old about T-Rex’s constitutional rights.Our conference room overlooked West Hollywood from the second floor, all glass, pale wood, linen samples, neutral-toned mood boards that made rich clients feel calm, and one large vase of white calla lilies I had chosen because they looked expensive and mildly judgmental. Nina sat beside me with an iPad, a black blazer, and the expression of a woman fully prepared to watch me eat someone alive if this meeting wasted my time.Across the table, Gracie Marie’s team sat in a small battle formation.There was a PR director with a sharp bob and a media-trained smile. A lawyer who opened a leather b
Last Updated: 2026-05-09
Chapter: Coffee, Carbs, and Blue EyesLos Angeles. Five years laterBy seven in the morning, my kitchen already looked like a crime scene sponsored by elite preschool and carbohydrates.There was flour on the marble countertop. There was one tiny sock under a stool. There was a picture book about dinosaurs lying open on the kitchen island, right on top of a De Cruz Atelier vendor folder containing a private gala contract worth enough to buy a normal person’s house in Pasadena.And in the middle of it all, my son stood in his preschool uniform, cheeks round, black bangs falling over his forehead, hands on his hips, scolding his babysitter.“Elmo,” Aiden said, deadly serious, “I told you T-Rex is not a villain. He’s just misunderstood.”Elmo, whose real name was Elma but who had lost that war on her second day working for me because Aiden decided “Elma isn’t funny enough,” looked at him from behind a pile of little books and a stainless steel lunchbox.“Aiden, you just said T-Rex ate all his friends.”“It was an accident!”
Last Updated: 2026-05-09
Chapter: Dawn Found Me GuiltyMorning arrived far too politely for something that should have come in carrying a fire extinguisher.I woke before the sun was fully up, with pale light slipping through the gap in Rhysand’s suite curtains and falling over my skin like an accusation.For a few seconds, I didn’t move.There were gentle kinds of silence. Peaceful kinds of silence. And then there was the silence after you slept with your ex-fiancé’s older brother the night before your wedding, which had been canceled because your ex-fiancé had been caught naked with your ex-fiancé’s older brother’s girlfriend.Complicated, assfuck.Fuck.I stared at the ceiling.Then I turned my head.Rhysand was still asleep beside me.Even asleep, he managed to be irritatingly good at it.His black hair was messy against the pillow, one arm stretched over the sheets, his shoulder bare, his breathing slow and deep. Asleep, his face looked younger. Calmer. Almost kind, if a person happened to be drunk on morning light and did not know t
Last Updated: 2026-05-09
A Touch of Madness
Sebastian Sanchez never wanted her, but that's not what led to their divorce. He cheated on her with her best friend and the pain in her heart was multiplied many times over. But, now Isabella Rossi has managed to escape the shadows of her past, building her own happiness after the bitter divorce from Sebastian. She had no time to dwell on all the things about the past that had hurt her. After all, she now had the center of the world that made her forget everything. However, her life is shaken up again when Sebastian reappears in her life, bringing an offer of much-needed financial help. Sebastian hasn't changed; he is still incredibly wealthy, strong, gorgeous, charming, and intoxicating as sin. With her business on the verge of bankruptcy, debts mounting, and daily needs Isabella is cornered between her immediate needs and her desire not to go back to her ex-husband. Isabella insists on keeping her distance from him, seeking other help and trying not to fall for his advances. The situation becomes more complicated for Isabella when Sebastian finds out the major secret she has been keeping. Stefano Archer Rossi; her son. The little blue-eyed one who bears a striking resemblance to Sebastian Sanchez. Sebastian was the most domineering man she despised. But how can she resist Sebastian's relentless pursuit? Using their child as the focal point, transform a traumatic history into a lovely one? There is a razor's edge between love and hatred, and Isabella sees it when they clash. Isabella risks dying if she gives in to this unusual desire and becomes entangled in a deadly game of love and hate.
Read
Chapter: EpilogFive years later.The sound of joyful laughter fills our warm living room. I rubbed my forehead, holding back a smile as I watched our twins, Athena and Azriel, run around yelling at each other. Both were still wearing the superhero costumes they got from Janet's birthday party, complete with fluttering red capes as they ran around the living room."Nana! Azzy! That's enough!" I called out, trying to be a bit chatty even though it was hard to hold back my laughter at their behaviour. "Stop chasing each other around the house. If you want to play superhero, do it in the garden!"Athena paused for a moment, looking at me with wide eyes full of innocence. But instead of obeying, the girl shook her head quickly, grinning as she turned to chase after her twin, who ran away. "I don't want to go outside! It's fun here!" she said, her cheerful laughter filling the room."Yes, but I will lose my sanity if you two keep shouting like this!" I tried to put on a angry face, but Azriel just jumped
Last Updated: 2024-11-05
Chapter: 113 : War is OverSleepiness strikes hard because I haven't slept in two days. It’s crawls over my eyes, making them feel heavy, yet every time I close my eyes, flashes of horror always appear, stopping me from falling into a comfortable sleep. The clock on the wall ticked softly, breaking the silence of the night that felt too quiet. But suddenly, a rumbling sound came from outside. The sound of slamming doors and hurried footsteps. It gets closer, echoing up to my bedroom door, then...The door opened with a bang, and Killian walked in with a tense face. Without a word, he grabs my hand, gripping it roughly. "We're leaving now," he said coldly, his voice low but filled with a frightening haste."What happened?" I demanded, resisting his grip even though there was barely any strength in the resistance. "Don't ask too many questions," he said coldly as he dragged me out of the room, his steps quick, almost running.We walked down the creaking stairs through the narrow, dimly lit hallways. I tried to
Last Updated: 2024-11-04
Chapter: 112Isabella POV.I couldn't sleep. I couldn't close my eyes completely. I stared at the scenery behind the glass. I was expecting something. To someone to come and get me. Sebastian. I wish Sebastian were here.I hug my belly tightly, holding my babies. My chest feels tight, my heart beating wildly in the silence of the night that feels so foreign. Outside, the waves were constantly crashing against the cliff, making a sound that somehow made my body tense up even more. Beyond the windowpane, I could only see the dark, endless sea with no sign of life. Only my own shadow was faintly reflected, looking so fragile in the middle of this cold room.I rubbed my stomach lightly, trying to give warmth to my two unborn babies, hoping they could feel my false calm. "Everything will be okay," I whispered almost silently, more to calm myself than for them. But, I knew I needed to reassure them and tell them their mother would fight.My heart refused to calm down, pounding like it was rebelling
Last Updated: 2024-11-04
Chapter: 111The broken glass on the floor scattered like the shattered remnants of my hope with each passing minute without Isabella by my side. I stared at Marc and Diaz with a sharp look to make them tremble. My chest was beating hard, each beat full of anger and fear that couldn't be suppressed."Useless," I hissed, my voice hoarse and low. They both looked down, not daring to raise their heads.Marc tried to speak, his voice sounding weak, like a child caught in the act. "We've checked the small ports, contacted everyone who might know their whereabouts—""But it came up empty, didn't it?" I cut in, hitting the table so hard that Marc jerked back. "My wife is missing somewhere, and you guys can only stand here like fools!"I looked at Diaz, who gulped, his eyes troubled as he looked at me. But I didn't give him a chance. Every second without news of Isabella made my blood boil. To think that she might be trapped in the hands of a bastard like Killian... my mind was filled with images of a t
Last Updated: 2024-11-02
Chapter: 110My head throbbed violently as the harsh sunlight pierced my eyelids. Heavily, I sat up, trying to understand where I was. Rough wooden walls and small windows with dull curtains emitted light all around me, making this room feel even more alien and rough. My heartbeat quickened, panic creeping up from my toes to my head. This was not a room on our private island, not a place I recognized. The walls were weathered, and the overpowering scent of sea salt pierced my nose, mixed with the damp, unfamiliar smell of wood.The memories swirl, fragment by fragment, starting to return, like pieces of a nightmare creeping in slowly.The silent night on the island, Killian's sudden grip, the thin, cold smile on his face, then the hallways of the house echoing with unfamiliar steps. My memory stops at the moment he pulls me towards the boat, waiting at the dock, as I struggle, trying to escape. But all my efforts were in vain. Killian's grip was like an iron shackle I couldn't break.I stood uns
Last Updated: 2024-11-01
Chapter: 109"I'll be back tomorrow morning before you wake up." Sebastian's voice sounded lazy from our connected call. "I have so many things to take care of. I promise we'll have a good time once I'm done with all this. But I feel bad leaving you alone there."I chuckled softly. "Yeah, that's okay. There's Janet here. I don't feel alone."He chuckled on the other end of the line, his low laugh almost drowned out by the slightly crackling signal. "Yeah, my cousin with her... unique personality," he continued, his voice trying to sound serious but instead sounding full of warmth. "She'll probably set your whole life in pink if you let her. Just make sure she doesn't end up redecorating our house or... suggesting weird names for our baby."I smiled, imagining Janet, who could vigorously transform the house into a sea of pink, complete with flashy accessories. It was like relentless energy ready to fill every corner of the room, chasing away any loneliness I might feel while Sebastian was away. "T
Last Updated: 2024-10-31
Midnight Ties, Ruin Touch.
Jasmine Vargas accepted Mark Morelli's proposal because he was a good man who she believed would make her always happy.
But everything took a different turn when she crossed paths with Tristan Morelli once again.
Tristan Augist de Morelli, Mark’s older brother, is a stark contrast to his brother. Tristan, Italy's wealthiest billionaire and the president of the Cassa di Morelli. She remembers him as a deceitful mobster who took her innocence and callously left her the following day.
His arrival five years ago caused havoc in Jasmine's life. It was Tristan who leaked her identity to the 'Lopez', leading to her bestfriend being murdered. Now all Jasmine wants is to avoid meeting the man who has ruined her life because she knows Tristan wants to complete his unfinished mission of destroying her family's cartel.
A true hedonist, Tristan Morelli is wrapped up in all the splendor of nature.
Unlike Mark, Tristan is darker, colder, and more intoxicating. His confidence is powerful, and his undeniable charm and irresistible attraction make him a dangerous temptation.
Jasmine finds herself grappling with his irresistible charm and the destructive cycle he drags her into. Every attempt to push him only strengthens his obsession. Her resistance seems to fuel his desire even more.
Tristan's relentless nature awakens a deep darkness in Jasmine, a side of her she never knew was there. In the midst of struggling with her demons, Jasmine is determined not to let him be her ruin.
Will she find the strength to break free from Tristan's grip, or will she give in to the darkness he brings into her life?
Moreover, he’s the catalyst for all the chaos that destroyed her life five years ago. Will Jasmine once again lose herself and let Tristan wreak havoc on her life?
Read
Chapter: V: Mr. Wrong"This is very good, Mark." His family villa was on the beach, which gave a beautiful view of the sunset and the calm ocean in the distance. This villa was no different from Xavier's house, but I preferred and was comfortable at Xavier's place because it was my brother's house.I stepped slowly onto the balcony while Mark dropped one of my backpacks on the sofa. "Thank goodness. I was afraid that this view would disappoint you.""Nothing is disappointing about the beach. I love the beach." I replied, turning to him.He looked surprised. "You like the beach? I thought you liked forests,""I like both," I replied, tilting my head. "I've already told you about that.""I forgot, baby." He leaned closer, kissing my forehead. "How about we get ready so we can go straight to the party?" he offered.I nodded while holding back the slight disappointment in my heart. Damn it, I knew all about him. I still remember not liking the beach or the forest. He never paid attention to nature like me. He
Last Updated: 2024-08-22
Chapter: IV: Mr. Right"Tell me how you cried?" Maya asked when I had just come out of the room. She was sitting at the dining table with her laptop in front of her.I shrugged. "I'm not crying. No one cries." My aunt was crying hard, but it was just an act because after we got home and Grandma entered her room, she gave me the biggest smile ever."Your grandpa must be proud that you guys are that strong." She quipped.I laughed. "Yeah, he didn't want anyone to cry when he died," I replied as I stepped towards the kitchen counter and made coffee.Our apartment was a wide one-room style, so the living room and kitchen were only separated by a short partition. Then, there were only three rooms: my room, Maya's room, and the food storage. It was so different from the shabby, cramped apartment we had in Juarez. I had tried to keep things different from what we had in Juarez five years ago."Do you want coffee?" I asked."No. I'll just buy it on my way to work." She replied. "I've also made six sandwiches and
Last Updated: 2024-08-11
Chapter: III: All my love"When are you going back to California?" Papa asked as we relaxed in the living room. I rested my head on Papa's shoulder while Mama was on his other side, busy with her phone, her feet on Papa's lap, and Papa massaging her feet."On Friday," Theo replied. He sat back without turning his head, still looking at his tablet. "I have a flight to San Diego, and they're coming with me," said Theo, my second brother. He is a pilot working for the airline owned by Papa. "Maybe we'll take a short vacation at Xavier's house."Xavier, who was playing a game with Aaric, snorted loudly. "You think I'll let you?""Whether you do or not, we're going there anyway." I replied.Aaric whistled in agreement and Xavier smacked him lightly on the head."Don't be stingy with your siblings, Xavi," Mama said lowly, shaking her head. "Be a good big brother.""You're the oldest here and you're still immature." Papa chuckled and shook his head while Xavier pretended not to hear and continued playing GTA on the P
Last Updated: 2024-08-10
Chapter: II: What a tears"A woman was found dead in her room two hours ago. The police are trying to investigate." The female reporter's voice became a summer background. I leaned against the kitchen at home, staring at the television screen that Papa had deliberately placed at the far end of the kitchen.The reason is because Mama likes to spend time in the kitchen when Papa is busy outside with his work, Mama likes to cook, make cakes, make snacks when she is bored. Not wanting to make Mama even more bored, Papa put another television in the kitchen. An act of love that set the standard for me when I was looking for a man.We grew up in a Colombian mafia cartel family, but our family was far from the stereotype that people grew up with. There was no violence in our family. It probably started with the sweet gestures Papa always made to Mama. Anyone could see the love in Papa's eyes for Mama, and then that love poured out on us, their four children. Plus, being the only daughter in Papa's family, I was alway
Last Updated: 2024-08-09
Chapter: I: What a tragedyI joined the bustle at the pub as a bartender while one of my housemates, Maya, paced back and forth with orders. It was a big pub, but most of the people who came were gang members or people involved in criminal activities. Occasionally, a recently released prisoner would be seen here, too.This city was full of danger, but I was used to it. The life I grew up in was always surrounded by the dark business our family ran. Although Papa had kept the female members of our extended family away from this business, Abuelo or Grandpa, didn't care.Usually, he wanted us girls to serve as bait to trap men from enemy cartels, getting them killed at the hands of his men. This method always worked one hundred percent.However, this mission was different. He only wanted me to monitor the activities of the Lopez family, the cartel that controlled this town, and report everything to him. To do that, I had to live among them, disguised as part of the lives of Maya and Bianca, two women who had becom
Last Updated: 2024-08-01
Chapter: Prolog"Don't screw up, Jas." My grandfather's low voice echoed from our mutually connected calls. "We're screwed if this mission fails, and I'm not sure you'll survive."Perfect, Abuelo. That's very motivating.I closed my eyes, the wind blowing my hair loose. "I know. I'm trying." I said. "And I'll remind you that I never agreed to get into this game."'Tis already done," he replied calmly as if it wasn't him who forced me right at the senior high school graduation ceremony. "This has to be done. I'll be at Blooms tomorrow at two in the afternoon. You have to be there.""What about Papa, Mama and my brothers?""Your family still thinks you're on campus. If you don't mess up, our mission won't be exposed," he said.I hoped they would somehow find out what Grandpa had ordered me to do. Only they could stop my his ambition to control the Mexican cartel, which is why I had to be stuck in Juarez for six months."Understood," I said, and then he disconnected our call.I stared ahead, at the neig
Last Updated: 2024-08-01
LOGIN
