One desperate mistake. One ruthless billionaire. One impossible choice. When Claire Adams is caught stealing to save her dying mother, she thinks her life is over. But instead of prison, she's dragged into the lavish and dangerous world of Damian Blackwood-the most feared billionaire in the city. His wife, Eleanor Blackwood, refuses to carry his heir, unwilling to ruin her perfect figure. Now, Claire is given an ultimatum: rot in prison for a decade... or surrender her body to bear the Blackwood legacy. Thrown into a gilded cage, Claire soon realizes that this arrangement is far deadlier than it seems. Eleanor's icy smile hides secrets darker than sin. Damian's lingering stares burn with something more than indifference. And behind the mansion's grand doors, shadows whisper of betrayal, obsession, and a game Claire was never meant to win. But the deeper she falls into their twisted world, the more she wonders: Is she only a surrogate... or a pawn in a dangerous scheme? And when the time comes, will she escape with her life-or lose herself to the billionaire who owns her fate? A pulse-pounding billionaire romance laced with danger, desire, and deadly secrets. Enter the Blackwood mansion... if you dare
The city never slept, and neither did desperation.
Claire Adams' heart pounded as she dashed through the darkened alleyway, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The loaf of bread clutched in her trembling fingers felt heavier than it should-a crime she never wanted to commit but had no choice. Her mother was starving. She was starving. And the world had long since turned its back on them.
The wail of sirens sliced through the air, sending ice down her spine. She ducked behind a stack of crates, hoping, praying. But the universe had never been kind to her.
Bright headlights suddenly flooded the alley, blinding her. A sleek black car screeched to a halt, and before she could react, a pair of strong hands seized her arms.
"Let me go!" she struggled, but the grip was unrelenting.
A door swung open, and she was shoved inside. The moment it slammed shut, silence engulfed her. No sirens. No escape. Only the scent of leather and power thickening the air.
And then she saw him.
Damian Blackwood.
The ruthless billionaire. The man who owned the city's breath. His piercing steel-gray eyes regarded her with calculated interest, like a predator studying his prey. He was the kind of rich that made people untouchable. Dangerous.
"Miss Adams," he murmured, voice smooth as silk but carrying the weight of authority. "You've been very reckless tonight."
Claire's throat went dry. She knew who he was. Everyone did. But why was he here?
"I didn't mean to steal," she whispered. "I-"
"You did." He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, exuding quiet menace. "And from my store, no less."
Her stomach twisted.
He let the silence stretch, the tension suffocating. "Tell me, Miss Adams, do you know what happens to thieves?"
Her pulse thundered. She had heard the stories. If the law didn't break you, the city's elite did.
"I have no money," she admitted, voice barely audible. "But I'll pay you back. I swear."
His lips curled into something resembling amusement. "Oh, you will."
The car slowed, turning through grand iron gates, and her breath caught in her throat. The Blackwood Estate.
Fear coiled in her gut. "Where are you taking me?"
The door opened before he could answer, and she was led into the kind of wealth she'd only seen in magazines. Gilded chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, casting golden light over the marble floors. But the opulence did nothing to thaw the coldness in the air.
A woman stood at the top of the grand staircase.
Eleanor Blackwood.
She was breathtaking-flawless porcelain skin, icy blue eyes, and a dress that clung to her like sin itself. But there was something else beneath the beauty. Something venomous.
"This is the girl?" Eleanor's voice was a whisper of disdain.
"She is," Damian confirmed, his expression unreadable.
Claire looked between them, confusion twisting inside her. "What do you want from me?"
Eleanor descended, slow and deliberate. "You see, darling," she said, tone laced with condescension, "I have no interest in ruining my body with pregnancy cause I can't stand losing this perfect body of mine"
Claire's stomach dropped. No.
Eleanor smirked, stepping closer. "But my husband requires an heir."
Blood roared in Claire's ears. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, I'm very serious." Eleanor's nails traced the curve of her collarbone, her amusement evident. "And you? You have two options."
Claire turned to Damian, desperation clawing at her. "You're just going to let her say this?"
His gaze didn't waver. "I'm the one making the offer."
Her breath hitched. This wasn't real. It couldn't be.
"Option one," Eleanor continued, enjoying every moment. "You rot in prison for the next ten years."
Claire felt the walls closing in.
"Option two," Eleanor whispered, leaning in close, "you carry our child."
Everything inside her screamed run. But there was no escape.
Claire clenched her fists, nausea rising. "This isn't a choice. It's a trap." She thought aloud.
Eleanor's smirk deepened. "Then by all means, darling. Walk away. See if the police still have mercy."
Claire's body trembled. If she went to prison, her mother would die alone. But if she agreed to this?
Damian's gaze bore into her, unreadable. Dangerous.
Was this a business deal to him? Or something more twisted?
She took a shaky breath. "And if I agree?"
Eleanor's lips curled in satisfaction. "Then you will live here. You will be cared for. And when the child is born, you will leave."
Claire swallowed hard. "And my mother?"
Damian tilted his head. "She will be taken care of. Medical bills covered. Comfort ensured."
It sounded too easy. Too convenient. But the alternative? It was unthinkable.
"Do I have a choice in... in how this happens?" Her voice wavered.
Eleanor laughed softly. "Oh, sweetheart. The choice was never yours."
Claire felt her world spin as the weight of their proposition crashed down on her.
She had no choice.
But she had to make one.
Her vision blurred as a sudden wave of exhaustion hit her. The adrenaline, the fear-it was all too much. She swayed on her feet.
Damian's hands were suddenly on her arms, steadying her. His touch was warm, firm. "Sit down," he commanded, leading her to an opulent chair by the fireplace.
She sank into it, too drained to protest. A butler appeared with a silver tray, setting a cup of tea before her. The scent of jasmine filled the air.
Eleanor watched with a smirk. "Drink. You'll need your strength."
Claire hesitated. "Why are you being kind now?"
Eleanor's smile never reached her eyes. "Because, darling, you belong to us now. And we take care of what's ours."
The words sent a chill down Claire's spine. She wasn't a person to them. She was a vessel. A means to an end.
Damian knelt before her, his gray eyes sharp, assessing. "Do you accept the deal, Claire?"
Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. The weight of her mother's life, her own future-it all balanced on this single moment.
Claire exhaled shakily. "Yes."
Eleanor clapped her hands together, triumphant. "Wonderful."
Damian, however, didn't smile. His expression remained unreadable, as if he knew... this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.
And Claire? She had just stepped into the lion's den, knowing there would be no way out.
Life has a way of dealing cruelly with some, leaving them to endure the sting of betrayal. For Ixora Edward, a beautiful seventeen-year-old girl, life's harshness transformed her overnight. Once a devout Christian, Ixora quickly found herself drawn into the world of crime, becoming a skilled burglar. In the shadows of society, many criminal activities unfold unnoticed. Among the masterminds behind them is Zack Rowland, a notorious underground crime operator who manipulates teenagers into a life of theft. He is one of New York City's wealthiest tycoons, but beneath the surface, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Then there's Silver Jakeson, a young woman whose life is tainted by the fear of her own mortality. Every day, she counts the dwindling days left to her. As these different worlds collide, the pain and darkness of their lives intertwine. What happens when Silver encounters a famous, wealthy, and enigmatic man who bears his own set of scars? The journey promises twists, turns, and heartbreaking revelations.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Aria never wanted to marry Kael, the arrogant playboy her father forced her to accept as her fiancé. But Kael had his own twisted motives-he only wanted her because she was the one girl who refused him. When Aria rejected his demand to sleep with him a week before their wedding, Kael tried to take what he wanted by force. His drunken pursuit ended in tragedy when he was struck by a car, leaving Aria caught in the crossfire of blame. Zander, Kael's elder brother and the soon-to-be Alpha King, believed Aria was responsible for his brother's death-and promiscuous to boot. To prevent war between their packs, Zander agreed to marry her, but only for revenge. His plan? Ruin Aria's life for a year, then cast her aside and divorce her. But Zander's scheme begins to unravel when his ex-best friend Asher returns, determined to take Aria for himself. As secrets from the past resurface, Zander discovers betrayal, lies, and truths he never wanted to face. Was Aria truly guilty, or was she just another pawn in a deadly game of power and revenge? Asher laugh and say, "You're a fool; she never wanted to come. I told her you were with Lyra, so she came. And now I've achieved my goal: I ruined your marriage." Zander feel foolish, asking, "But why? I never did anything to you! You were my best friend. I should have killed you when you slept with my ex fiancée, Lyra!" Asher respond, "You knew I loved her, but you stole Lyra from me. She was my true mate, but she refused to marry me because you were soon to be the Alpha King! She never loved you. She loved me but wanted to be the queen of werewolves; that's all." Zander would realize how foolish he was. Yet, he still believed Aria wasn't innocent because she slept with his deceased brother before the wedding.
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
“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?”