Liana was forced to leave the man she loved five years ago without a word. Her departure was not a choice, but a forced act of circumstances she could not fight. Now, fate has played a trick on her once again. Returning to the corporate world to save her career, Liana finds herself working under the man she left behind-Darren Alaric Vaughn, a cold CEO who is now much harsher, more unforgiving, and more vengeful. Darren is no longer the man who once loved her unconditionally. His once warm eyes are now filled with anger and a menacing curiosity. Why did Liana leave? What is she hiding? But Liana also holds a secret that could destroy everything-that the reason she left five years ago was not simply her own desire, but to protect something bigger than her feelings. Now, the question is no longer whether they can get back together, but whether Darren will let her stay or destroy the world Liana has worked so hard to build.
Liana stood frozen at the entrance of Vaughn Enterprises, her fingers tightening around the strap of her handbag as she stared up at the towering skyscraper. The polished glass reflected the dull gray of the overcast sky, mirroring the unease that settled deep in her chest. Five years. It had been five years since she last saw him-since she had walked away without a single explanation.
Darren Alaric Vaughn.
The name alone sent a chill down her spine, igniting memories she had spent half a decade trying to suppress. The man she had loved so deeply, the man she had left behind. And now, fate had brought her right back to him.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she forced herself forward, heels clicking against the marble floor of the grand lobby. The scent of fresh coffee and expensive cologne filled the air, but it did little to distract her from the tension coiling in her stomach. She had prepared herself for this-rehearsed every possible scenario in her mind-but none of it compared to the reality of facing Darren again.
"Ms. Calloway?"
Liana turned sharply at the sound of her name, schooling her features into a neutral expression. A woman in a sleek black suit stood before her, holding a clipboard against her chest. Her gaze was sharp, assessing.
"Yes," Liana responded, keeping her voice steady.
"Mr. Vaughn is expecting you in his office."
The words sent a ripple of apprehension through her, but she nodded. "Thank you."
She followed the woman through the sleek corridors, her pulse hammering harder with each step. Five years apart, and yet she could still recall the last time she had seen him-the raw anger in his eyes, the way his hands had clenched into fists at his sides. He had demanded answers. She had given him none. And now, she was walking straight back into his world.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt agonizingly slow. Liana exhaled quietly, staring at her own reflection in the mirrored walls. Her long dark hair was neatly pulled back, her white blouse crisp beneath her tailored navy blazer. Professional. Composed. As if she hadn't spent the last five years haunted by what she had done.
The doors slid open with a soft chime.
"This way," the assistant instructed, leading her through the lavish executive floor.
Liana's heart pounded as they approached a pair of imposing mahogany doors. The assistant knocked once before pushing them open.
"Ms. Calloway is here," she announced before stepping aside.
Liana inhaled sharply as she stepped into the office.
And there he was.
Darren sat behind a massive black desk, his fingers steepled together as he observed her with an unreadable expression. Time had not softened him. If anything, he looked even more imposing than before. His sharp jawline was set in a hard line, his dark eyes colder than she remembered. The crisp suit he wore fit him with effortless precision, exuding wealth and power in a way that made her painfully aware of how much he had changed. Or perhaps, how much he had hidden from her before.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved pasts.
Then, Darren leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly as he regarded her. "So," he finally said, his voice smooth yet laced with something sharper, something dangerous. "You finally decided to return."
Liana forced herself to meet his gaze. "I'm here for the job."
His lips curled into something that resembled a smirk, but it didn't reach his eyes. "The job," he echoed, as if the idea amused him. "How convenient."
She gritted her teeth. She had known this wouldn't be easy. She had known he wouldn't welcome her with open arms. But the coldness in his eyes, the sheer detachment in his voice, was still a painful contrast to the man she had once known.
"If you have an issue with my employment, I can speak to HR," she said, keeping her tone level.
Darren's smirk faded. "HR doesn't make the decisions here, Liana. I do."
The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine. It was the first time he had spoken it in years, yet it carried the weight of everything they had left unfinished.
She straightened her shoulders. "Then do you want me to leave?"
A charged silence stretched between them. Darren's gaze never wavered from hers, his fingers tapping slowly against the desk. He was testing her, she realized. Pushing her, waiting to see if she would run again.
Finally, he stood, rounding the desk with deliberate steps. He stopped just inches from her, close enough that she could feel the heat of his presence, smell the faint trace of his cologne-woodsy, familiar, yet distant.
"You left without a word, Liana," he murmured, his voice dangerously quiet. "And now you walk back in here as if nothing happened. Tell me-what exactly are you hoping for?"
Her breath caught. She had expected anger, resentment. But this-this was something else entirely. A storm brewing beneath his controlled exterior.
"I'm here to work," she said firmly.
Darren studied her for a moment longer before stepping back, his expression unreadable once more. "Then work," he said coolly. "But don't expect the past to stay buried."
Liana swallowed hard. She had feared as much.
Because five years ago, she had left with a secret.
And if Darren ever discovered the truth... he would never forgive her.
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."