로그인I thought divorce would free me from Roland Voss, the man who turned our marriage into a gilded prison. But walking away from a Voss isn’t freedom. It’s war. The press calls me a gold-digger. His lawyers call me a liability. And Roland? He just smirks across his mahogany desk and murmurs, “You’ll never escape me, Aliyah. Not while you carry my name.” I swore I’d never shatter again until I met him. Dominic Voss. Roland’s younger brother. The man I shouldn’t even look at, let alone want. He sees the cracks in me no one else bothers to notice. When the world turns its back, Dominic leans close and whispers, “Let me protect you. Even if it means going against my own blood.” Every stolen glance is treason. Every brush of his hand sets me on fire. And when Victor Hale, a rival billionaire with teeth sharper than Roland’s, circles closer, I realize I’ve become the prize in a game where men like them never lose. But I’m not the same woman Roland once broke. This time, I’m willing to risk everything, scandal, ruin, even the wrath of the dynasty that branded me theirs to choose the man who makes me feel alive. The question is… Will my freedom cost me my heart? Or will loving Dominic ignite a war that none of us survive?
더 보기Aliyah's POV
I sat on the couch as I watched the minutes pass by, the clock ticking continuously as I awaited the arrival of my husband.
The clock ticked closer to midnight, but Roland wasn't here.
No. Not tonight. Not on our third anniversary night.
Frustration boiled within me, heat rising in my chest.
This could only mean one thing. He didn't care about tonight.
I didn't care. No matter when, I'll be here waiting.
My eyelids grew heavy, but I forced them open. No sleep until Roland gets back.
My gaze shifted to the dining table, the dinner I had personally prepared because of the special day lying untouched. The meal had turned cold, making anguish press deeper in my chest.
Moments later, the door swung open and Roland stepped in.
I jumped to my feet, my words filled with anger. It's our wedding anniversary tonight, Roland, I reminded him.
He shrugged, like he didn't have a care in the world. What about it?
His words send a surge of anger coursing through my veins, setting my blood on fire.
How dare he treat today as nothing?! After three years of enduring this loveless marriage?
It's our anniversary, Roland! I yelled. I made dinner, waited for you for hours only for you to come back now? My tone was etched with disbelief.
And all you say is "What about it? I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
I've had a hectic day, Aliyah. I'm tired, so just rest, he muttered, attempting to ascend the stairs.
I grabbed his arm, forcing him to face me. What have I ever done, Roland? All I did was love you! All I ever wanted was your attention! I've never asked for too much! My voice quivered.
He groaned in frustration, his eyes darkened. “Don't forget your place, Aliyah." This marriage was not built on love, but on power! Wealth! Don't act naive.
His words shattered my heart, tears brimming my eyes.
“But I loved you with every fiber of my being,” my voice cracked.
Roland scoffed, looking so cold and distant. “Don't be mistaken,” he said, the words coming out of his mouth with so much hatred. You are merely a pawn for this game in the business world, Aliyah. A pawn I'm supposed to exploit to my advantage.
I recoiled, taking a step backwards, my voice barely audible as I whispered. What did you just say?
I said what I said, dear wife. You're a trophy. Nothing more. His words crashed into me like a storm, the impact of his cruelty becoming unbearable.
A trophy.... Meant to stand by his side, forcing a smile while acting like the perfect wife.
To the world, we were perfect. A perfect marriage every woman would have prayed for.
Tears cascaded through my cheeks, every word he had uttered, shattering my heart into a million pieces.
I sniffled, letting out a bitter laugh. So that's all I am to you? A pawn. A trophy you flaunt whenever you want?
“Don't twist my words, Aliyah!” he snapped.
I don't need to twist anything, you just made yourself clear. My voice trembled with fury.
Roland sighed heavily, like my pains were nothing but a nuisance to his existence. “It's past your bedtime, Aliyah.
That was a way of telling me I've done enough.
The anguish in my throat tightened, Roland. All I wanted was your love. Your attention.
His gaze darkened. You got married to a Voss. Don't expect more.
His cold words struck deeper than a knife. The way he said it, as though I had married him because of his name....his power.
Visions of building a family with him shattered in an instant.
I should have known, My voice cracked. From the very beginning, I should have seen through you.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, Then what?
It made my fists curl, but Roland Voss wasn't done.
He stepped closer, his words filled with mockery. If you had seen through me then you would have done what?
Don’t forget. Consider yourself fortunate, Aliyah. You married a Voss.
"Don't make it sound like I married you because of your damn name!" I roared. I married you because I loved you!
Roland chuckled. Love? Don't be naive, dear wife. His hands cupped my face, his grip firm, gaze merciless.
“Love is for the weak!" We don't live on love, we live on power!” He gritted, then took his hands off my face roughly before he stormed upstairs.
He left me picking the shards of my emotions.
He dared to call my love weak?
No love. No feelings. But I was just finding out after three years.
I trailed behind him, walking into our master bedroom but was met with surprise when I saw the sight of him.
Roland was shredding his clothes off, getting dressed in a new suit adorned with designs, the sharp scent of his cologne filling the air.
You....are going out again? My voice trembled.
Without turning to look at me, he responded. Yeah. To a bar.
The realization hit me hard.
He was preparing to go to a bar, seeking pleasure in the arms of another woman.
Pain washed over me, intensifying the torrent of emotion swirling inside me.
Now you humiliate me by flaunting your infidelity? I asked.
I sacrificed everything for him, but to him, this marriage is nothing.
His face twisted with rage. Don't accuse me baselessly, Aliyah.
Before I could retort, his phone rang. He stormed past me, answering the call.
I'm waiting, a woman's voice said from the other end of the phone.
I'll be there in a jiffy, Roland replied, his tone flat.
The sound of his retreating footsteps echoed through my ears.
Then he was gone, leaving me to process everything that had happened.
He wasn't just discarding me, he was cheating. Betraying me.
The realization cut sharper than a blade.
Then I knew it was time... time to liberate myself from the shadows that had consumed our marriage.
Tonight, I vowed. I was done being his trophy. And this was the beginning of my end with Roland Voss.
Aliyah.The afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow across the quiet hillside cemetery, but a sharp, biting chill lingered in the air as I stepped out of the car. My fingers clutched a single, polished silver ring—Ronald’s wedding band—which had stayed safely tucked away in my jewelry box for months. Tomorrow was my wedding day, and before I could walk down the aisle toward a brand-new future with Dominic, there was one promise I needed to keep.I walked down the narrow, gravel-paved path, my boots crunching softly against the stones, until I found the familiar headstone resting beneath the shade of a sprawling oak tree."Hey, Ronald," I whispered, dropping to my knees right in front of the marble plaque. My voice hitched, but I forced a small, watery smile as I traced the engraved letters of his name. "I told you I was going to live, didn't I?"The wind rustled through the branches above me, sounding almost like an answer."Tomorrow is the big day," I continued, holding up the silver
~Aliyah's Pov~I blinked against a thick, suffocating haze, looking around in confusion as an impenetrable wall of absolute darkness surrounded me. For a terrifying second, there was nothing. And then, slowly, a familiar silhouette materialized through the shadows.“Ronald!” I screamed at the absolute top of my lungs, casting aside all hesitation as I rushed forward and threw my arms around him in a desperate embrace. “You’re alive! You’re actually alive!” I sobbed against his shoulder.Ronald didn’t return the hug with force; instead, he simply rested a gentle hand on my back, a soft, sorrowful smile touching his lips. “Aliyah, you shouldn't be here. He needs you down there,” he murmured softly, gesturing toward the void. “They all do, so go back. Go back and live freely.”“You—!” I stammered, my heart aching to ask a thousand questions, but the words caught in my throat.“I love you, Aliyah, more than words can say, but I want you to live a long, full life,” he added, his form begin
Aliyah.After days of meticulous planning and relentless preparation for the final takeover, the long-awaited D-day finally arrived. A sharp, heavy knot of guilt twisted in my stomach. I could vividly imagine the unimaginable torture Clara had been forced to endure over the past few days because of this war.Without breaking my focus, I reached for Ronald’s cold, heavy gun, sliding it securely into the waistband of my trousers.“Are you sure you are ready, Aliyah?” Dominic asked, his voice softening as he reached out to pat my head affectionately.Meeting his gaze, I stood tall. “I have never been more ready or determined in my life before!” I answered, my fingers moving steadily to button his shirt. “Now don't try to talk me out of it, and let's go!” I added firmly, leaving no room for argument.Without uttering another word, Dominic turned on his heel, and I fell into step right behind him. He started the engine, and we zoomed off toward Victor’s hidden stronghold—the very location
~Aliyah's Pov~“What the hell are you doing here?” Victor demanded, his voice barely above a harsh, disbelieving murmur, every trace of his earlier composure entirely shattered.A sly, triumphant smile spread slowly across my face as I met his wide, panicked gaze. Leaning in close, my voice dropped to a razor-sharp whisper right beside his ear. “I'm here to correct all wrongs, you murderer!”Almost instantly, blinding camera flashes began exploding across the hall like lighting. The press team we had surreptitiously smuggled into the venue surged forward, microphones raised and sharp questions already flying before Victor could even process what was happening.“Mr. Hale! You claimed she destroyed the Voss family—why is she here with you tonight?!” a reporter shouted over the growing din.“She—” Victor stammered, his mouth opening to spin a defense, but I cut him off before he could find his footing.“Everyone, I would love for you to give me a listening ear,” I announced, my voice ca
~Aliyah's Pov~“I can’t sit here and keep spiraling,” Clara suddenly declared.The words burst out of her like something she had been holding back for too long. She shot to her feet so abruptly that the coffee table rattled, and I flinched on instinct.“We’re going out.”I blinked up at her from th
~Dominic's Pov~The house felt too quiet after she left.Not peaceful. Not calm.Empty.The silence pressed against my ears, thick and intrusive, as though the walls themselves were aware that something warm had just walked out of them. A few minutes ago, there had been movement, breath, soft laugh
~Aliyah's Pov~I lowered the phone slowly from my ear, my movements deliberate, almost mechanical. The blank screen stared back at me, cold and indifferent, offering no comfort, no warning, no apology. I kept staring, as if it might suddenly light up again, as if some miracle would make the call co
~Aliyah Pov~My thumb hovered over the screen for a second longer than necessary.Just a second.But it felt like the space between two cliff, the moment before a fall.The glow from the phone illuminated my face in the dim room, pale light against skin that suddenly felt too tight. My heartbeat th












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