تسجيل الدخولAll she ever wanted was to be loved. All she ever wanted was to escape the cage she was born into, but betrayal shatters her world when her fiancé elopes with her sister and her rival blackmails her into marrying him. Now, her goal seems far from reach. Zachary Wellington—cold, ruthless, and feared by everyone except one woman: Valerie Hampton, the one woman he has despised since high school. She bullied his first love, and the girl died after discovering a secret about Valerie. Years later, they are powerful rivals, well known in the business world. He calls her Ursula—the villain in his love story—and she calls him Dracula, the devil’s spawn. The next time they meet, Zachary drops a bombshell: she must marry him, or her father’s dirty dealings will be exposed to the public. Left with no choice and determined to protect her father’s reputation, she agrees to the marriage. Fueled by old wounds and a twisted thirst for revenge, Zachary turns their union into a twisted game of chess guided by cold rules, where every move is calculated and trust is a luxury neither of them can afford. But what begins as punishment spirals into something far more dangerous: desire, obsession, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. From betrayal and childhood trauma to a violent heir lurking in the shadows, Valerie and Zachary are about to uncover a truth that could destroy them both. Love was never part of the plan. But in a marriage built on lies and vengeance, it might be their only way out.
عرض المزيد*VALERIE*Anna's words still bothered me long after she left. They spun in my mind even as the doctor treated the injury at the back of hand, inflicted when the needle ripped off.I couldn't hear what he said to Zachary, all I knew was that after they exchanged words, my eyes began to droop till I drifted into a deep sleep.When I woke up, Zachary was no longer in the room. He was now replaced with Cara.Her teary eyes met mine and they were immediately flooded with relief.“Valerie,” she croaked throwing herself into my arms, the impact nearly knocking the breath out of me. “I thought I'll never see you...” the rest of the words got muffled as she buried her face into my neck, tears sliding off her cheeks and dropping down my shoulder.I could barely lift my right hand, so I just wrap my other hand around her and rubbed her back soothingly.“I'm fine, Cara, really.”I meant for the words to calm her, but it merely made her sob even harder.Her shoulders shook as she clung to me, her
*VALERIE*She that I never expected would be here.Anna. Her red lips were set in grim line as her eyes darted between us, suspicious. I let my eyes sweep over her form. She looked different. Her ginger curls were now dyed black , cropped at the shoulder length. Her eyes were no longer different colors. They were now brown. She stepped in fully, shutting the door behind her. “Valerie,” she cooed, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Long time no see.”I didn't share in her enthusiasm. I know first-hand the manipulative snake she was. I wonder what trick is up her sleeves this time. Zachary rose from where he sat beside me and marched towards her. “What are you doing here? ” He asked, grabbing her arm harshly. “I came to see an old friend, of course.”Her voice dripped with fake sweetness.She wrenched her arm from Zachary's grip.“Besides,” she murmured, rubbing her arm. “I helped in saving her.”My brows pulled into a frown. “What exactly do you mean?”Her eyes glinted with
*VALERIE*Beep. Beep. Beep. The steady rhythm drilled into my skull, dragging me out of darkness.I groaned, trying to roll on my side but a sharp searing pain shot through my arm.My eyes peeled open. Everything was blurry at first. I blinked a few times, my eyelids feeling heavy and slowly, the fog cleared. Harsh fluorescent lights glared from above from the white unfamiliar ceiling.The sterile scent of antiseptic drifted through my nose.A thin tube trailed from my wrist, connecting to the beeping machine.My throat felt like sandpaper...dry and scratchy.I swallowed hard, trying to piece together how I got here.Then it hit me all at once.Panic flared in my chest as I jerked awake.Someone groaned from my side. I stiffened.My head turned slowly and my gaze landed on a figure slumped over the edge of the bed, his messy curls falling over his face.His breath was even, his lips slightly parted as he snored softly.Zachary.His name left my lips in a whisper.Unconsciously, m
*VALERIE* I froze, the cold metal pressed against my temple. My eyes squeezed shut, my heart pounded violently. This is it. I'm going to die. “Lower your guns.. or I blow off her skull.” No one moved. Gareth's fingers pressed against the trigger as he cocked the gun. The officers lowered their weapons and my eyes widened in fear. What are they doing? “Step back! ” he barked and they followed his orders. Then he backed away slowly towards the waiting car, the muzzle of his gun still pressed to my head. He pulled open the car door and shoved me inside like a ragdoll. Pain shot through me as my injured shoulder made contact with the leather chair. Without waiting for a second, he swung into the driver's seat and stepped on the pedal. The engine roared to life. Tires screeched as the car lurched forward away from the clearing into the moonlit road. Bullets rained after us as the officers open fire. A bullet hit one of the side mirrors but that
*VALERIE*“You really think you can escape from me, huh?!”Gareth's hand striked my cheek and I hit the ground from the impact.Tears burned my vision both from the pain from my shoulder and the crushing weight of despair. I clung to his leg, my voice breaking from desperation. “Please, let me go
*VALERIE*Beep. Beep. Beep. The steady rhythm drilled into my skull, dragging me out of darkness.I groaned, trying to roll on my side but a sharp searing pain shot through my arm.My eyes peeled open. Everything was blurry at first. I blinked a few times, my eyelids feeling heavy and slowly, the
*VALERIE* Cara whimpered as she clutched me tighter. Gareth had striked her cheek for talking back at him. “You coward!” she snarled and his fist connected with her cheek. I shielded her body with my arms as it absorbed her tears. Gareth straightened, running a hand through his hair. His l
*ZACHARY*“Is it true your wife fled because you were abusive?!”“Do you have anger issues, Mr. Wellington?!”“Did you really stop taking your pills?!”Reporters swarmed me like bees, shoving their microphones into my face, flashes exploding in every direction.Their voices melted into one chaotic












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