After running away with her baby sister from her abusive father, Juliana bumps into the last person she would expect to help her. He was rough, dangerous and extremely powerful. He tempted Juliana in ways no one has ever done before but with someone adamant on keeping them apart, will their love prevail?
Chapter 1- Freedom at Last
JULIANA'S POV
I shoved my clothes into my duffle bag quickly, knowing he'd be back soon. Shoving all my makeup and money into my purse, I started packing Estella's clothes.
7:55. Cr?p he'd be back in 5 minutes.
I grabbed a sleeping Estella in my arms and bolted from the front door.?
I sighed in relief as I began to walk away from my father??s house. We were free, finally!
I didn't know where we would go, only that we had to get as far away from that hell hole as possible. Maybe I could stay at a friend house for a couple days, but then I remembered: I had no actual friends who'd be willing to help me
"Owww for f??ck sake, who put that there" I heard a familiar voice groan. I turned around to see my father down the road, rubbing a bruise on his head after just walking into a lamppost.
Damnit! What was he doing back here so early. All I knew was that he couldn't catch me again. I still have bruises on my skin from last time.
I picked up my pace before I started jogging away. But, knowing my luck, I didn't do it without stumbling over and knocking down one of the trash cans.
"Juliana? What are you doing back there?" My father said as he saw me. He squinted his eyes go see me carrying Estella and multiple bags. It didn't take him long to realise that I was running away. And with that he began running towards me.
I didn't waist anytime and turned in my heels to sprint away from him. If he wasn't so drunk, he would've definitely caught up to me. This was the only time I was thankful for his alcohol addiction.
Estella stirred in her sleep at the sudden movement, but that didn't slow me down. I turned the corner and checked behind me to see if my father had caught up to me yet, but what I wasn't expecting was to bump into a rock hard wall.
Quite literally.
I rubbed the side of my head and winced at the pain. I stepped back to see a little bit of blood on the wall. Ouch.
"Are you okay? I just saw you walk into that wall" a voice said from behind me. Stunned by the presence behind me, I spun on my heels quickly, causing me to lose balance when a pair of big strong arms steadied me by wrapping themselves around my body.
Looking up, I lay my eyes on the most handsome man I had ever seen. His hair was a dark brown with curls that I was itching to run my fingers through. He had a sharp jawline with a light stubble over it, and full pink lips. He looked about 6'4, towering over my 5'3 frame. He had big, firm muscles that seemed to be bursting out of his tight suit. He was beautiful.
He studied me and his tongue reached out to lick his bottom him. My lips slightly parted at the sight of it.
"Are you okay?" he asked after what felt like ages. This caused me to snap out of whatever haze I was previously stuck in and I nodded quickly.
"Juliana!" I heard my father shout from behind me. Damnit! How could I get so distracted. I tried to escape the man's hold but he only tightened his grip on me.
As couple second later, my father emerged. Puffing loudly, he grabbed his inhaler from his pocket and breathed the air in like his life depended on it.
He grabbed my arm roughly, turning me so I was facing him.
"Where do you think your going you little b?tch?" He seethed. This was the angriest I had ever seen him.
I was about to apologise, tell him I'd go back with him and beg him not to hurt me, when the man ripped my father's arm off me and stood in front of me protectively.
"Leave." The man said in a deep voice. In case his appearance wasn't already intimidating enough, his voice definitely was.
'W-What?' My father stuttered, he had to raise his head to speak to the man since he was about a foot taller that him.
"I will only repeat myself once more. Leave before I make you", he threatened. My father didn't need to be told twice, before sprinting back in the opposite direction, stumbling a little as he tripped over his feet.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do that for us" I shyly smiled up to him.
"It was nothing, where are you heading? I could give you a lift." He said nodding towards his expensive looking car.
Should I lie? I was slightly embarrassed to admit that I had no where to go and I didn't even know who this man was, I didn't want his to feel obliged to help us
"We're staying at a friend's house" I replied, subconsciously tucking a curl behind my ear- a bad habit I tend to do when I'm lying.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Three years of marriage couldn't melt Theo's frozen heart. When an art gallery collapsed on Lena, he was off romancing another woman—lavishing her with a private jet. Three steel pins held Lena's shoulder together, but her heart remained broken. She filed for divorce and told everyone that he was impotent. Rising from the rubble, Lena blazed onto the design world's A‑list. She expected him to sail off with his true love—until Theo reappeared at her runway, pressing her against the wall. "Impotent, huh? Care to give it a try?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!