Zero Days Ruth Ware

In order to give my boyfriend, Alaric Lovell, a surprise on our anniversary, I manage to finish my work in three days on my business trip that's originally set to be five days. But as soon as I reach the front door after a whole night's travel, I hear laughter coming from within. Just one minute ago, Alaric has texted me, saying that he misses me greatly because he's home alone. The next thing I know, the sounds of people egging on someone grow even louder. "It's your turn now, Alaric. Truth or dare? Remember, we want the juiciest details!" "Damn, you guys really are nosy, huh? Fine, I'll spill the tea. Not a single word to Elena, alright?" "Just spill already! Don't you trust us with your secrets?" "I've given my virginity to Tracy," Alaric reveals. Everyone starts going "ooh" knowingly. Meanwhile, the revelation has me stunned. Tracy? As in Tracy Sanderson, Alaric's female friend who acts like a guy around him? Before I can register what's going on, Tracy adds smilingly, "Oh, he did more than give me his virginity. He's even impregnated me in the past." That's when I fling the door open and step into the house. As I stare at the shameless couple, I smile at them. "Is that so? Where's your baby, then?"

"I am your master, I own you. Until your father is able to pay me what he owes, you are just a body for me to fuck and dispose of as soon as you give me an heir" His grip on my chin grew more hurtful as he said those words to me. His menacing scowl made him look like he would want want nothing more than to kill me on the spot. "I am going to pay you back, Tell me how much he owes you right now and I'm going to pay everything back, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" I scream as hard as I can into his face. My hand balling into a fist. His head snapped back as he erupted into a wicked laughter, you think you can pay me what your father owes me?" He released my chin then moved to steps backward. His voice dropped to a whisper, vibrating with restrained anger as he continue to speak, "I dare you to try. Your father owes me half a million dollars, but since you have decided to take on this debt, I give you a month." Rue; Freedom was everything I have ever yearned for, a time when I can finally breathe a breath of relief, a time when I can finally be relieved of the burden of my alcoholic, selfish and gambling addicted father. Until my father sold me to the ruthless mafia Don, Alessandro Vanillin as a payment of five hundred thousand dollars. It was stupid of me to think I was better away from my father.

Isabella Martinez never expected to trade her dreams for a marriage contract, but when her conniving step-sister flees an arranged marriage, she's forced to take her place. The groom? Alexander Kane, Manhattan's most ruthless CEO, a man known for destroying companies and breaking spirits. The same man who nearly ruined her father's company years ago. At forty, Alexander Kane has everything money can buy, except revenge against the Martinez family. When his intended bride escapes, he finds an even better alternative in her younger sister Isabella – the one person his rival truly loves. It's the perfect opportunity to complete his vendetta. What starts as a cold business arrangement soon turns into a dangerous game of attraction. Behind closed doors, Alexander's icy facade melts away, revealing a man haunted by past betrayals and unexpected tenderness. Isabella discovers that living with her enemy awakens desires she never knew existed, even as she uncovers the dark secrets that drive him. As their fake marriage transforms into something real, Isabella must choose between her family's loyalty and her growing love for Alexander. Meanwhile, Alexander faces his own demons: can he trust in love again, or will his quest for revenge cost him the only woman who's ever touched his heart?

Blood decides your fate. But hers was never meant to exist. In a world where power is everything and love is a weapon, Lani Grey is nothing more than a forgotten name— until the Caldwells drag her into their dangerous game. A lie. An engagement. A web of secrets spun by the world’s most powerful family. Lani’s life is turned upside down when Mason Caldwell, heir to a billion-dollar empire, claims her as his fiancée to protect his family’s reputation. But beneath his charm lies a darker side, and Lani knows better than to trust anyone. Then there’s Dean, Mason’s older brother— the cold, calculating heir who makes no room for weakness. His eyes hold a truth that could destroy everything. But Lani isn’t the only one with something to hide. In a world where loyalty is currency and betrayal is inevitable, Lani must choose: play by their rules or make her own fate— and in the process, burn everything down.

Randy William has lived his life behind gates of gold, wealthy, protected and perfectly lost. At twenty, a storm brew inside him, questions about his desire, his truth and who he really is Then comes Carlson, seductive, untouchable and hiding a dangerous secret.what started as temptation quickly spiral into betrayal, when Randy learns he was just a Dare-A twisted game. But the lies run deeper, a predatory Dean , a hidden engagement. A past that isn't his. As everything unravels, Randy must face the hardest question of all . Is he brave enough, to become who he was never allowed to be? Some truths free you, but Some truths destroy everything first.

Li Xinyi was the supposed heiress of the Li corporation. At least that was what she taught until the truth was revealed to her on the day she was kidnapped. She was murdered by the people whom she loved and trusted the most. But the heavens gave her a second chance in life to right all her wrongs. Will she make proper use of it? Join us to find out.

"Please, give me your word." She pleaded, sobbing uncomfortably. "Give me your word that I'd be set free after this contract!!" But a sinister grin spread across his lips. *.. In a bid to pay her step father's debt, Katherine found her fate intertwined with Lucifer Cain, the most ruthless mafia lord to ever walk the surface of the earth. In order to change her fate, she struck a deal with the Mafia lord that would change her life forever. But unfortunately for Katherine, she slowly fell in love with her captor, and unknown to her, she was merely a tool to get his perfect revenge. When she found out she was only a toy and a tool to the mafia lord, meant nothing to him, and would not keep his own end of the bargain, she was heartbroken and swore to make him pay.

Alexander Harris has always been cold and indifferent—a ruthless CEO who values power over love. Haunted by a dark past and unable to bear a woman’s touch, he vowed never to fall for anyone. Until he met Everette Carson. From the moment their paths crossed, Everette challenged everything he believed in. When his grandmother threatened to give 15% of the company’s shares to his estranged father unless he marries, Alexander saw an opportunity. Everette’s fire, defiance, and beauty made her the perfect pawn for a marriage of convenience. Silencing his grandmother and putting Everette in her place? It was supposed to be the perfect plan. But nothing about her was ever simple. The more time he spent with her, the harder it became to keep his walls up. Everette’s warmth began to melt the ice around his heart—awakening memories of a mysterious girl from his past—the only soul who had ever touched his own. When the truth of their first meeting comes to light, Alexander realizes their bond was never coincidence. It was fate. Just as love begins to take root, long-buried secrets resurface. Dangerous enemies rise. And betrayal strikes from within. When Everette finally walked away to protect them both, Alexander broke—his desperation unraveling as he threatened to end his life. “Evie… if you walk away today, you will never have the chance to see me again in this life.” But she didn’t stop walking. The gunshot echoed across the runway. And nothing was ever the same again. Now, with everything on the line, fate brings them back together one last time. Will love be enough to heal what was broken, or are they destined to fall apart… all over again?

On Frankie Sutton's birthday banquet in the tenth year of us being together, all of our family, friends, and relatives were confident that I'd propose to him again. After all, I gave up on my family's assets that are worth tens of millions of dollars back in Glufford just so I can travel all the way to Arkvine with Frankie in order to start a pig-rearing business. I've been clinging to him for ten long years so that I can marry him. But even when the clock hits 5:00 am, I'm still nowhere to be seen in my wedding gown. All Frankie receives is a text from me, stating that I'm breaking up with him. In ten years, I've reared countless batches of piglets and watched them grow into full-fledged pigs. Alas, I can never warm Frankie's heart up with my love. Now, I choose to abandon him and the piglets I'm forced to rear.

In my last life, Enzo Saletta saved me from the fire. Chiara Bellini died in my place. For months, he cared for me like a devoted husband. He guarded my hospital room. He bought gifts for our unborn child. He told me none of it was my fault. I believed him. Until the night after I gave birth. Our son was asleep beside me. I was too weak to move, still aching from labor, but for one brief moment, I believed we were safe. Then I smelled smoke. The door would not open. Outside the locked door, Enzo’s voice cut through the smoke. “You took Chiara from me. Now burn with your child.” I screamed his name until my throat bled. No one opened the door. The flames swallowed me and my newborn son. When I opened my eyes again, I was back inside that burning warehouse. Five months pregnant. Smoke in my lungs. Chiara still alive. This time, I did not call Enzo. I waited until he came. I watched him carry Chiara out first. Then I crawled through the fire alone, bleeding for a child he would never get the chance to kill. Everyone believed I had set the fire. Everyone called me jealous, vicious, and insane. But they had forgotten one thing. Before I became Enzo Saletta’s wife, I was the woman who helped build the Carmine family’s security system. Chiara deleted the main footage. She did not delete mine.