His Forbidden Mistress

New Orleans City"We're sorry, ma'am. It's too late. We lost her."That was the last thing Serena heard before she collapsed in front of the hospital ward.She was rushed into the next room and treated. When she finally woke up, the first thing she saw was the white ceiling."So I'm still alive. But my mom is gone now," she murmured.All her life, it had always been just her, her mother, and her sister Mia. Even though she had a mom, Serena had been the one providing for the family, her sister’s tuition and her mother’s medical bills were always on her shoulders.She had to work multiple jobs. From waiting tables at a restaurant during the day to cleaning at night. All just to make ends meet."Why is life so unfair?" Serena murmured. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't hold them back any longer."WHY ME, GOD?! After everything I’ve done... After giving up my own dreams... after working my ass off... I even went as far as borrowing loan from a loan shark. Just so my mom would

Marcus jolted upright as the door creaked open and Daniel stepped inside.Without a word, Daniel walked over to the couch opposite Marcus, grabbed the bottle of vodka, and poured himself a glass. He downed it in one go.Marcus blinked in surprise."Wait... I thought you left me for that dancer. How come you're back so soon?"Daniel set the glass down with a dull thud."I wanted to ask for her name, but she vanished within minutes."He poured another shot, his expression unreadable. But his mind was still there, in that dim room. Her hips swaying, that intoxicating confidence in every move.The way she danced... the way she moved her waist, seductive and fluid, like she didn’t even need to try. 'She stirred something in me. She’s different,' Daniel thought.Marcus tilted his head, watching him closely."Oh, I see... You know, I can help you get her," he offered, crossing one leg over the other.Daniel’s gaze met his."And why would you do that? We both know nothing between us comes fre

Serena’s POVI didn’t think when I yanked open the car door and threw myself inside. All I knew was survival. Escape. My voice cracked as I pleaded, “Please drive! Please help me!” My hands trembled, clutching my bag like my life depends on it. My mind is too lost to register who I was begging.Then that voice - smooth, smug, and chillingly familiar - rang into my ears. “Why should I help you?”My blood froze. Slowly, as if moving through circles, I turned my head.The dim streetlight filtering through the window revealed his face - sharp jawline, piercing green eyes, and that infuriating smirk. Daniel. The bastard who’d stolen my first kiss not even an hour ago. My stomach churned, a sickening mix of dread and disbelief. I’d fled from Victor’s fire only to dive headfirst into Daniel’s inferno. “Why is the universe so cruel to me? I cried silently. “No,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, more to myself than him. My hand touched the door handle, survival instinct kicking in a

Serena’s POVI slammed the door shut behind me, as the sound echoed loud in the quiet night. My chest heaved,as I leaned against the wall, my hands trembling with anger.Daniel’s words clawed at my mind, like a fresh wound: “Be my mistress. For a year.”The audacity, the sheer arrogance of him thinking he could buy me, own me, like I was some commodity to be traded for his desire. My skin burned with the memory of his touch, his lips, the way my body had betrayed me with that kiss. I hated him. I hated myself more for letting him get under my skin. “Fuck you, Daniel,” I muttered under my breath, my voice shaking with rage as I kicked off my heels, wincing as my aching feet hit the cold floor.The living room was dimly lit, the flickering glow of the TV casting shadows across the walls. Mia, my little sister, was sprawled on the couch, her eyes glued to the screen, the latest blockbuster blaring. Popcorn spilled into a bowl in her lap, and she didn’t even notice me until I dropped

Serena’s POVLila’s words hung in the air like thick smoke and it was suffocating me. “Then you better be ready to bleed,” she said, her smirk sharp as she raised her whiskey glass. My hands trembled, as rage and fear twisted in my gut. The idea of surrendering to Daniel Hawthorne’s disgusting proposal to become his mistress made my skin crawl. But Lila’s insistence that I had no other way out slapped me even though it was the truth. Victor’s threats loomed tightening around my neck, and yet the thought of selling myself to Daniel felt like a betrayal of everything I stand for. I opened my mouth to argue, but the dressing room door suddenly swung open, cutting me off.Dante, one of the club’s bouncers, filled the doorway, his broad shoulders nearly brushing the frame. “Serena,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “The boss wants to see you. Now.”I froze as my heart raced. Lila barely glanced at him, as her eyes flicked back to her whiskey as she took another