Reluctant Crossword Clue

Fate has entwined the lives of Bianca and Niko through a reluctant, forced marriage, thrusting her into a world she never imagined. As she navigates the complexities of her new life, Bianca feels herself gradually succumbing to the enigmatic devil she is bound to call her husband. Niko, has magnetic presence and piercing gaze, possesses a rare ability to dismantle her carefully constructed defenses, awakening within her a whirlwind of emotions she never knew existed. In this tumultuous sea of conflicting feelings, Bianca is left to ponder a haunting question: what does one do when escape feels impossible, and she finds herself hopelessly in love with a man whose very essence is shrouded in danger, offering no assurance of her safety? ***THIS IS BOOK TWO IN THE DEVIL'S SNARE SERIES*** ***Book One is : His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil's Snare - Book One***

Isabella Moretti, the spirited daughter of an Italian mafia boss, has always lived a life of luxury but dreams of freedom. Damian Volkov, the cold and ruthless heir to the Russian Bratva, hides a tragic past behind his icy demeanor. When their families arrange a marriage to secure a fragile truce, both feel like pawns in a deadly game. At first, they clash—Isabella defying the union and Damian seeing it as a mere duty. But after an assassination attempt throws them into danger, they are forced to rely on each other. As their partnership grows, they uncover a conspiracy threatening both their families, with betrayal coming from within. Through danger, bloodshed, and secrets, Isabella and Damian begin to see each other’s true selves, and their reluctant alliance turns into genuine love. Together, they fight to protect their families and rise above the chaos, discovering that even in the darkest world, love can be their strongest weapon.

Ever since he was a kid, Sieghal was convinced that something terrifying was lurking under the sea, waiting for him with its jaws wide open. But he had no clue what kind of creature it could be. His fear only grew worse when his dad fell into the ocean, forcing him to return to his hometown—Shira, to face the terror he'd never been able to overcome for years. Returning to Shira after all these years was no cakewalk for Sieghal, who despised the sea. While most folks would say the ocean is a super romantic place, not for Sieghal, it was just a gateway ready to drag his soul into death. Unlike him, the people of Shira believed that the ocean, which had sustained them for decades, was protected by a guardian—a wonderful entity with shimmering silver scales. And it was this entity that had saved his dad when he fell into the sea during a massive storm that night. "Is seventy million dollars is enough to buy your dignity, Alfreeda Sieghal?" "Sir Dylan, I'm not to try sell my soul just to get money for my dad's medical bills."

She owed him everything. But when the time came to pay, it wasn’t money he wanted… Desperate to save her mother’s life, Isabel “Izzy” Vergara turns to a wealthy stranger—Seth Santiago—for help. She offers her body in exchange for the money, but when she hesitates, Seth refuses her. Yet, the next day, her mother’s surgery is mysteriously paid for, and Seth leaves her with a chilling message: Be ready when I come to collect. Months later, Izzy’s world is turned upside down when she learns Seth is her best friend Carl’s uncle. What begins as a reluctant debt soon turns into a dangerous addiction—one she can’t escape, no matter how much she tries. But just as she starts falling for the enigmatic billionaire, Carl reveals a shocking truth: Seth has a past dark enough to destroy them both. As secrets unravel and a vengeful ex-wife resurfaces, Izzy is forced to decide: Will she fight for a love that has already shattered her heart, or walk away before she loses everything—including her life?

After their wedding, Phoebe woke up next to an empty bed. She couldn't find her husband. Alam niyang hindi siya iiwan ni Pierce. They even made love last night. She tried to find him, but to no avail. She even hired private investigators to find her missing husband but the investigation would always fail. There's no lead, no clue, no reason at all why would Pierce left her like that! After two years of living in pain and self-blame, Phoebe has already decided start over. She has to work for her family since her Dad passed away. Ngunit tila pinaglalaruan siya ng tadhana. Because Pierce suddenly shows up! She couldn't believer her eyes. Akala ng lahat ay naglaho na ito, ngunit mula sa kung saan ay bigla na lamang itong bumalik. Her heart was filled with hope again. Finally, she saw him again! But it seems like Pierce couldn't remember her. He treated her cold and heartless. Hindi na niya makilala ang bagong Pierce na nasa kaniyang harap. The Pierce she knew was loving, clingy, and thoughtful... not this one who's rude, ruthless, and cold. Nasaan ang kaniyang asawa? Bakit hindi siya nito maalala? Bakit bigla itong nawala? How could they make their marriage work when Pierce couldn't even remember her? How would she deal with him? How could she endure more pain after the two years of living in pain?

Billy had a tough life and had always lived by one unshakable rule. But one fateful night at an elite party, where she worked as a part-time server, everything changed as she caught the intense eyes of a stranger—a man whose allure was impossible to resist. And against her better judgment, she broke that rule of hers, surrendering to a night of passion and desire that left her breathless. But when she woke up in the morning, the bed was empty, and the stranger was gone, leaving Billy with nothing but memories of that night. Weeks later, she discovered the consequences of that night: she was pregnant. With no clue, and no way to find that stranger, she braced herself to face motherhood alone. Months passed, and Billy landed another job—serving at the engagement party of one of the city’s most powerful billionaires. But when she was called to serve a drink at the party, her world tilted as the groom-to-be was none other than the man she had been searching for: Marcus Lorenzo. Marcus, the cold-hearted billionaire with a reputation for ruthlessness, had been haunted by that night he had with Billy. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget the mysterious woman who had set his soul on fire. Now, faced with Billy again, he keep finding himself drawing closer to her and this brings out their lust for each other despite the obstacles between them. As their shared desire reignites, the boundaries of their lives blur. But with secret and lies threatening to destroy them, Billy and Marcus must confront the question: Was their night of passion a fleeting mistake, or the start of something far more dangerous?

“You’re marrying Mike Rowling. There’s no choice.” That’s what my mother said, her words as cold as ever. I never imagined my life would come to this—trapped in a marriage to a man I’ve never wanted. Mike is a bitter, broken billionaire, his heart sealed off after an accident that changed everything. He’s a stranger in his own home, and now, I’m his reluctant wife. But there’s something no one knows, not even Mike: my daughter Mia isn’t just my little girl—she’s his, too. A secret I’ve kept buried for years. As the days pass, I can’t help but feel the pull between us. He’s changing, softening, and my heart begins to betray me. But every smile, every touch, feels like a lie because of the truth I can never tell. Then one night, Mike looks at me with eyes full of questions, and I realize—he knows. Everything is about to unravel. Will the truth destroy us, or will it be the key to our future?

Adrian Sinclair has his life carefully planned—straight A’s, a flawless academic record, and zero distractions. As a top student at Oakridge University, he’s always been more comfortable buried in books than dealing with people. But when he’s assigned to tutor Liam Hunter, the school’s star athlete, his perfectly controlled world is thrown into chaos. Liam is everything Adrian isn’t—charming, reckless, and effortlessly popular. He needs to pass his classes to stay on the team, but studying has never been his strong suit. When he meets Adrian, he expects another dull tutor, not someone who challenges him in ways he never expected. What starts as a reluctant partnership soon turns into something deeper. Late-night study sessions, stolen glances, and unspoken words blur the lines between friendship and something more. But as feelings grow stronger, so do the obstacles—fear, expectations, and the undeniable truth that love isn’t something you can plan for. Will Adrian and Liam risk it all to embrace what’s between them? Or will their own insecurities and the pressures of college life keep them apart? A slow-burn college romance filled with longing, tension, and the sweetest of lessons—the kind that only love can teach.

Trapped on a billionaire’s private island. A hurricane raging outside. And a passion neither of them saw coming. When fierce environmental scientist Juniper Hale is forced into a reluctant partnership with Adrian Blackwood, a powerful tech mogul who sees the world in numbers and profits, sparks fly and not the good kind. Their partnership is a ticking time bomb, she’s prepared for battle, not romance. Their clashes turn into a war of wills, but when a deadly storm leaves them stranded together, their hatred transforms into something far more dangerous. Secrets from Juniper’s past threaten to unravel her, while Adrian’s empire teeters on the edge of destruction. In a game where trust is a currency neither is willing to spend, will they survive the terror… be consumed by it?

I've crushed on Ethan McKay since the moment I laid eyes on him. After a year and a half of going to the same college, he still has no clue I exist. Aside from my best friend, I'm practically invisible since I've spent the last seven years of my life purposefully living in the shadows, just waiting for my life to begin. Not that it matters. He's got his own life to live anyway. Parties to attend. Girls to see. And a father to impress so he can regain his trust, and earn back his rightful place in the family business. So, how is it that one night, one party, changes everything for the both of us?