Chapter: The unwanted wifeThe finality in his voice was crushing.Julian let go of her chin, but he didn’t step back. He stayed exactly where he was, close enough that Mary could feel the heat radiating from his body, close enough that there was no air left between them. The space he occupied felt deliberate, calculated an invisible cage built from proximity alone.Her throat burned from holding back sobs. Her legs trembled, though she forced herself to stay upright, to not fold in front of him. He watched her closely, his gaze cold and analytical, as if he were cataloging her weaknesses for later use."Starting tonight," Julian said, his eyes scanning her pale face with clinical indifference, "you move out of the master suite."Mary’s breath hitched."You will sleep in the small room at the end of the north wing," he continued. "The servant’s wing. You will eat when I tell you. You will speak when I tell you."Each sentence landed like a sentence passed in court.Mary shook her head, tears finally spilling ov
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-07
Chapter: RumorsThe news of the "Son’s" arrival had turned the mansion into a graveyard waiting for a resurrection. For two days, Mary had been locked in her room—not by a physical key this time, but by the sheer weight of the fear that radiated from the rest of the house. The servants moved like shadows, and the constant, rhythmic beep-beep-beep of Arthur’s life support in the distant wing seemed to grow louder in the silence. Then, the summons came. It wasn't a polite knock. It was Elena, her face paler than usual, standing in the doorway with a tray of tea that had gone cold. "He wants you," she whispered. Her voice lacked its usual sharp authority. It sounded brittle. "Who?" Mary asked, though her heart already knew the answer. "Mr. Julian. He is in his father's private library. He told me to tell you that if you are not there in three minutes, he will come and drag you out himself." Mary’s blood turned to ice. She stood up, her knees shaking. She was wearing a simple, high-necked grey dress—
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-04
Chapter: The sonThe Sterling Mansion had always been a fortress, but with the arrival of the son, it felt like a tomb being sealed from the inside.Mary stood behind the heavy velvet curtains of her bedroom, barely daring to breathe. The fabric was thick beneath her fingers, soft and expensive, yet it did nothing to steady the violent hammering of her heart against her ribs. Outside, on the stark white gravel of the circular drive, a black motorcycle rested like a predatory insect—low, sleek, and lethal. It did not belong among the polished luxury cars that usually lined the estate. It looked like it had come for blood.She had heard it before she saw it.The roar of the engine had sliced through the quiet of the house, sharp and aggressive, sending a ripple of panic through the servants. It had not slowed as it approached the gates. It had demanded entry, and the gates had obeyed.The man who had arrived didn’t walk into the house.He took it over.Even from the second floor, Mary felt the shift. Th
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-03
Chapter: ComaThe night dissolved into a chaotic blur of blue and red lights, the smell of ozone from the defibrillator, and the heavy, accusing silence of the household staff. Mary sat on a hard velvet bench in the hallway, wrapped in a thick wool blanket that someone—perhaps a maid with a shred of pity—had thrown over her shoulders. Beneath the wool, she was still wearing the lace slip she was meant to bleed in.Doctors in white coats moved with frantic urgency in and out of the master suite. The bodyguards, men with faces like granite, stood at the ends of the hallway, their eyes never leaving her. They didn't see a grieving bride; they saw a girl who had broken their master."Miss—I mean, Mrs. Sterling?"Mary looked up. A police detective stood over her. He was a middle-aged man with tired eyes and a notebook that looked like it had seen too much of the city’s darkness."I need to know exactly what happened," he said. His voice wasn't unkind, but it was firm.Mary’s teeth chattered. "He... he w
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-03
Chapter: SuspectArthur loomed over her, his weight pressing the mattress down until it dipped beneath Mary’s back. The canopy above them swayed slightly, shadows shuddering along the velvet drapes as if the room itself were breathing. His hands were rough and impatient as they reached for the thin straps of her slip, fingers fumbling with clumsy urgency. The fabric trembled against her skin as much from fear as from his touch.His face was flushed a deep, angry red, sweat glistening along his hairline. His breathing came in ragged, wet gasps, each one louder than the last, filling the room with a sound that made Mary’s stomach twist. He looked frustrated—angered by resistance, by delay—his brow furrowed with the effort of forcing control back into his hands.Mary thrashed beneath him, panic giving her strength she didn’t know she had. Her nails scraped uselessly against his arms, her heel catching him hard in the chest as she tried to shove him away. The bed creaked beneath them, protesting the strug
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-02
Chapter: Wedding nightThe master bedroom was not a place of comfort; it was a monument to Arthur Sterling’s ego. The walls were draped in heavy, dark crimson silk that looked like dried blood in the dim light of the flickering candles. The furniture was made of ancient, blackened oak, carved with sharp edges that seemed designed to bruise. But it was the bed that drew Mary’s eyes—a massive, elevated platform with four thick posts and velvet curtains that could be pulled shut to swallow whoever lay within.Mary stood in the center of the Persian rug, her wedding dress feeling like a suit of lead armor. The silence of the mansion was different from the silence of her father’s house. Her father’s house was empty; this house felt full. It felt like the walls were leaning in, listening to her heart hammer against her ribs.She looked for a lock on the door. There was one, but it was on the outside. She was a guest in name only; in reality, she was a prisoner brought here for a specific purpose.Her hands moved
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-02
The Alpha’s Second Chance Human Mate
Lila Reid’s life of privilege has always felt like a gilded cage. As the wallflower daughter of the powerful Richard Reid, she has always shy away from the cameras due to her traumatic experience when she was a kid. But when a series of sinister threats against her family emerge, her father hires his best friend, Caleb Marshall to be her bodyguard.
Caleb Marshall with his commanding presence and rugged good looks, awakens something dark and primal within Lila. She can't help but be drawn to the way his eyes linger on her, the subtle brush of his hand against hers that sends shivers down her spine. The forbidden nature of their attraction only intensifies her desire. Every stolen glance and accidental touch fuels a hunger she’s never felt before, a need she knows is dangerous but impossible to resist.
Caleb Marshall known in his other life as Alpha Marshall has always been a man of honor, fiercely loyal to his best friend Richard Reid. Protecting Richard’s daughter, Lila, was supposed to be a straightforward task, but the moment he saw her, he felt an overwhelming pull. She is his second chance mate, a bond he thought he’d never feel again. The fact that Lila is human and already promised to another man only adds to the torment.
Every moment he spends with Lila is a test of his restraint. Her scent, her closeness, the way she looks at him with a mix of innocence and desire—it drives him to the edge. He is consumed by a dark, primal need to claim her, to mark her as his despite knowing the consequences. The forbidden nature of their attraction gnaws at his control, making every touch, every heated gaze a battle against his deepest instincts
Baca
Chapter: PizzaAs Caleb drove them to the pizzeria, Lila couldn't help but glance at him every so often, her heart thudding in her chest. There was something about him that made her feel both nervous and safe at the same time, an intriguing contradiction that she couldn't quite understand. The way he handled the car, the confident ease in his movements, all of it was so captivating. She wanted to say something, to break the silence, but every time she opened her mouth, the words got tangled up in her throat."Are you okay back there, princess?" Caleb's voice broke through her thoughts, a teasing lilt to his tone that made her cheeks flush."Y-yeah, I'm fine," she managed to stammer, immediately hating how awkward she sounded. "Just... thinking.""About?" he prompted, throwing a quick glance her way before focusing back on the road.Lila fidgeted with the hem of her dress, unsure how to respond. "Just... stuff," she said lamely, feeling her face heat up even more.Caleb chuckled, a deep, rumbling sou
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-07-13
Chapter: WarmthLila stepped out of the therapist's room, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The calming hues of the office did little to settle her racing heart.As the door closed behind her, she scanned the waiting area, and there, like an unyielding sentinel, stood her bodyguard, Caleb.Tall and imposing, his eyes flickered with concern as they met hers, offering a silent reassurance in the face of her inner turmoil.“Hi.” She waved. “I hope you haven’t been here long.”He shook his head, “You’re worth waiting for, don’t worry. Hope you’re okay?”Lila's lips curved into a grateful smile at Caleb's words. His genuine concern was a soothing balm to her turbulent emotions."Yeah," she replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "It was... intense in there. But I think it helped." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly.Caleb's presence seemed to offer an anchor amidst the chaos of her thoughts."I'm glad to hear that," he said with warm sincerit
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-07-12
Chapter: He’s backLila stood in front of her closet, her heart pounding with nervous excitement. She tugged at the hem of her floral sundress, her gloved fingers fidgeting with the fabric. Today was different; today she was going into town with Caleb, to see her therapist. It was just a routine appointment, but the prospect of spending time with him outside the confines of her home was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.With a sigh, she turned to the mirror, her reflection revealing a mix of anticipation and self-doubt in her eyes. Her fingers brushed through her hair, trying to tame the unruly strands, as she wondered what Caleb would think of her today.She smoothed out invisible wrinkles on her dress, her heart racing at the thought of being around him in a more personal setting.Lila had always been a private person, but lately, her feelings for Caleb had grown stronger. His protective nature, his kindness, and the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled had all captured her heart.She admired his
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-07-12
Chapter: Breakfast Lila stabbed a button to slow down the treadmill and bent her body across the machine, panting as the track came to a stop. Sweat dripped down her skin, sticking in her hair. Her lungs ached. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. She had been going out of her damn mind. It had been four days since Caleb arrived at her house, and she had been officially losing it. He had been everywhere. Everywhere she turned. He was currently working on fitting her new security system, installing cameras, lights, blinds, gates, locks, alarms. The whole nine yards. He would wake up every morning, dressed in jeans and t-shirts, and spend all day screwing and wiring and hammering. Lila couldn't help but admire his flexing abs and bulging biceps as she struggled to catch her breath. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of him, and the air felt thick with their shared tension. Groaning, she grabbed her phone and left the basement gym, her legs feeling shaky from the intense workout. Working out
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-06-27
Chapter: Goodbye Lila folded the last of Alice's clothes into the suitcase, smoothing out the wrinkles with a careful hand. The room was a chaotic mix of half-packed bags, discarded outfits, and the faint scent of Alice's favorite perfume. Alice, always the whirlwind, stood in the middle of it all, trying to decide if she should pack one more dress or leave it behind."You sure you don't need this?" Lila held up a shimmery, silver gown.Alice looked up, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Nah, leave it. Besides, you might need it for a hot date with that bodyguard of yours."Lila rolled her eyes, trying to hide her blush. "Caleb is just doing his job, Alice. It's not like that."Alice smirked, tossing her hair back. "Right. And I suppose those longing looks you two share are just part of the job, too?"Ignoring her sister's teasing, Lila zipped up the suitcase and pushed it to the side. "You're impossible, you know that?"Alice laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Just saying, if I had a bodyguard lik
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-06-27
Chapter: His touchRemarkably, he stood firm and unwavering, unaffected by the collision. In a swift and fluid motion, his agile arms shot out, swiftly catching her before she fell."Careful now," he whispered gently, his voice soothing as he effortlessly supported her until she regained her balance and stood steadily on her own feet again."Okay?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her, yet revealing nothing in his expression. His expression remained stoic and unreadable, leaving her longing for the warmth and security she had felt when pressed against his broad chest.The crisp white collar of his shirt and impeccably knotted gray tie served as a mere facade, unable to conceal the raw magnetism that practically emanated from him.In her mind, he embodied the epitome of perfection, surpassing even the most strikingly beautiful men she had seen in movies. He exuded a masculine aura, emanating strength, maturity, and an undeniable primal energy that seemed to course through his veins.Oh God.Lila's body stiffe
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-06-24
Masuk
