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Audrey Zachary's life has been shaped by loss and survival. After her father's death and her mother's coma, Audrey's world spirals further when she's kidnapped and forced into a brothel. Escaping with her friends, she assumes a new identity and spends her days constantly on the move, trying to stay one step ahead of her past. While managing a hotel in a new town, Audrey meets Lucas Hamilton , a wealthy man with a cold reputation and a deep mistrust of women. Despite her guarded heart, she's drawn to him and against her better judgment, their connection deepens and she falls madly in love with him. But Lucas has his own demons. Driven by a personal vendetta, he's hunting someone from his past. As secrets unfold and old wounds resurface, their bond is tested by betrayal, heartbreak, and revelations that threaten to destroy them both. Will Audrey's love for Lucas be enough to overcome her past?
Audrey Zachary adjusted the strap of her bag as she stepped onto the train platform, the chilly breeze brushing against her skin. The station was nearly empty, save for a few strangers waiting for the last train of the night. She checked her phone but there were no new messages. Her aunt, Ivy Jenkins had asked her to wait for her here.
Ivy had been her guardian since she was twelve, after her father's death from a brain tumor and her mother's descent into a coma. Audrey had never questioned her aunt's decisions before, but standing alone in a dimly lit train station for over an hour made her uneasy.
Her phone suddenly buzzed. She checked and it was a message from her aunt.
Aunt Ivy: Buy me some groceries before coming home.
Audrey sighed. At least it gave her something to do instead of standing around in the cold. She turned toward the nearest supermarket, her boots clicking against the pavement.
Halfway there, she heard footsteps behind her.
They were steady. Close.
Too close.
Her pulse quickened. She turned, heart hammering against her chest.
A sharp pain exploded at the back of her head. The world tilted, her vision blurred and darkness swallowed her whole.
"She's a beauty."
A voice slithered into her fading consciousness.
"She'll be good for business. Look at that ass-she'll fill out nicely when she grows up. Her boobs are still tender."
The words made her stomach turn. But before she could fight it, everything went black.
Audrey woke to the sound of arguing.
A sharp female voice sneered, "I saw him first .You seduced him!"
Another scoffed, "Shut your mouth. He said he's tired of you."
She blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light. Her head pounded as she sat up, taking in her surroundings , lavish yet suffocating. Velvet curtains, expensive furniture, dim lighting. The sickly-sweet scent of perfume and liquor clung to the air.
Two women stood in front of her, their bickering momentarily forgotten. One, a striking brunette, folded her arms and scowled. The other, a sultry redhead.
"She's awake," the brunette muttered in dismay. "Great. Another hot one to compete with. I can barely keep up with Ava."
Audrey pressed her palms against her temple, trying to make sense of what was happening.
"Where am I?" she croaked, her throat dry. "I need to go home-I have an exam tomorrow. Have you seen my phone?"
The redhead laughed, a cold, humorless sound. "Oh, sweetheart. You've been napped."
"No," the brunette corrected, clicking her tongue. "She was sold."
Audrey's breath hitched.
Sold?
A sharp click of heels cut through the tension. A woman stepped forward, elegant and poised. Dark red lips, high cheekbones, commanding presence.
Mademoiselle Viola.
"The beauty is awake," she mused, her voice silky and calculated. "Perfect timing. There are many clients awaiting your presence."
Audrey's stomach twisted.
Vanessa and Lola exchanged looks, barely concealing their smirks.
"Vanessa and Lola will give you a tour and Amor will teach you everything you need to know about being a prostitute."
The words hit Audrey like a slap.
A joke. This had to be a joke.
She let out a shaky laugh. "I-I don't have time for this. I'm going home." She stood, brushing past them, only to freeze in the doorway.
Beyond the lavish room was a long corridor filled with women in provocative dresses, men leering from dimly lit booths, music thrumming beneath her feet. The unmistakable scent of sin and desperation clung to the air.
Her pulse skyrocketed.
No.
No, no, no.
"This isn't real," she whispered.
Viola stepped behind her, voice low and taunting. "Once you're here, you belong to me, Audrey. Your body isn't your dignity anymore, it's your livelihood."
Audrey spun, eyes blazing. "I want no part of this! Let me go! My aunt is waiting for me!"
Viola's smile didn't waver.
"Shut up, little girl." Her voice turned ice-cold. "You are mine now. Failure to obey my rules will result in punishment. And believe me, you don't want to experience that."
Audrey's knees buckled.
This wasn't a nightmare.
This was real.
She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.
Vanessa crouched beside her, wiping away her tears with an oddly gentle touch. "There's no use fighting," she murmured.
"Once Viola buys you, you're hers forever. If you ever have kids, they'll belong to her too."
Audrey stared at her in horror. "I was sold?"
Lola sighed. "Yeah. Most of us were. I was napped. Vanessa was sold by someone she trusted."
Vanessa nodded solemnly. "Lola's boyfriend sold her."
Audrey's breath came in sharp gasps.
Who had betrayed her?
Who had done this to her?
And most terrifying of all , how would she escape?
Kate Patterson lost everything in her marriage to billionaire mogul Alvin Reagan including a son she never got to see and she was back to take everything from him . She didn't mind colliding with his nemesis to get it. But everything changed when her so called husband wanted her back. " What for? Why give a woman that wants your downfall flowers? "She asked while staring at him. " Isn't it obvious?" He whispered closing the space between them as Kate furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction. " Because she's the one after my heart. She'd shoot me and I'll still love her" he tells her stroking her hair. After everything he had put her through, does he deserve her? Unfold the misery as Alvin Reagan goes all out to make things right. NB: though the book stand on its own. It's better to read the other book named ' cruel Passion' for a better understanding of the story.
"Testify against them and I'll grant you the sweetest revenge you have ever had" he offers and I narrow my eyes at him wondering if I can trust him. Callian has proven to me that he doesn't care about words . To him , they're just mere words. " Then you'll let me live?" He stands up From the bed and towers over me then he lean so I can look into his eyes. " You're alive aren't you? I give you my word " I hold his gaze for the longest of time and then I swallow the lump in my throat as my eyes are on his lips now. The lips that I have kissed and nibbled on. " As for the king, I'm killing him. I'll like to see them stop me . Your choice Nica or should I call you Nicki" he looks calm for someone that was deceived. I don't trust this alluring man but I have no choice. I need him if I'm going to get my revenge. " Yes, please. When do we start?" I ask impatiently practically begging. They're going to pay . He grins, walks around me and then he's walking out of my cell. I'm sure he's enjoying this. *"******** Monica Beaumont is the twin of Luna Anika of the celestial moon Pack who was sold out by her father when she was ten to an elite who trained her to become a weapon not just an ordinary weapon. One of the deadliest supernatural assassin. She was until she received an order to kill Callian Sinclair the most ruthless alpha in the supernatural world. What better way than to impersonate her twin sister unknown to her of the danger and mischief involved. Callian Sinclair is the most dangerous alpha with hectares of land than the King of werewolves, because he had conquered many land. He became on the death list in the supernatural world. He was no fool yet he was fooled by the twin. With the mate bond and all, how is this possible? Will Monica succeed? How do you think Callian will react when he finds out that she's not his Luna?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Lauren Gartner is betrayed, played for a fool and dies by the hands of her rich fiance, the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. She gets a rebirth, a second chance to fix her mistakes and find a better path. This time, she wants revenge. To get her desire, she needs the power and wealth of someone higher than her rich fiance in order to pull him down. Richard Harrison discovers he cannot take over his parents' companies completely unless he gets married. He insists he has no interest in love and proposes a contract marriage to Lauren Gartner, his new personal nutritionist. Desperate to pursue her cause for revenge, Lauren accepts the contract marriage while ignoring the instant attraction and love growing between them. Will things go smoothly as she planned? Or will she be at the mercy of a familiar enemy waiting for her downfall?
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."