Lucian and Isla never asked for the life they were forced into. Bound together by their parents' marriage, they became step-siblings overnight. But from the moment their eyes met, an undeniable pull threatened to shatter the fragile rules keeping them apart. Fate plays a cruel game when love grows in forbidden soil. As the weight of society's judgment and their own guilt battle against their hearts, they try to suppress what shouldn't exist. But when a hidden truth about their families comes to light, the line between love and law blurs. With everything at stake, Lucian and Isla must choose: deny their hearts and live in the shadows, or risk it all and challenge the rules that were never meant for them.
Prologue
Isla had never been the type to care for society's whispers, but as she stood at the grand doorway of her new home, a heavy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. The opulence of the mansion, the elegance of the champagne glasses in the hands of her mother's guests, and the laughter that rang through the halls made her feel like a stranger in her own skin. This wasn't the life she had chosen.
Her mother's recent marriage had brought her here, to this gilded cage. To the family of a man she hardly knew and whose presence was a constant reminder of the things she could never have. The Sinclair name, once a proud emblem of independence, now felt like an anchor tied to her heart, dragging her down into this sea of pretense.
They called it a celebration, a merging of two powerful families-rich, influential, untouchable. But to Isla, it felt like a prison sentence.
Her mother had married into wealth, yes, but it was not just for the riches. There was something more. Something no one ever spoke about, least of all her mother. And Isla had learned the hard way not to ask questions.
From the moment the marriage had been announced, Isla had felt the weight of it. She hadn't even met her new stepbrother yet, but the whispers of the servants, the way the other guests regarded her mother, told her everything she needed to know. This was no ordinary union. This was a marriage of convenience, wrapped in secrets that Isla had no intention of uncovering.
But as the night wore on, and Isla's eyes darted across the room, she couldn't help but feel a pull-something she couldn't explain. Her mother's new husband was distant, cold even, his focus always on the guests, always away from Isla. That was fine. She wasn't interested in him or his world of high society.
But then there was the matter of her stepbrother. She hadn't met him yet, but she had heard rumors. Cold, ruthless, and untouchable. The Sinclair family's wealth and influence were only matched by the Valmorne family's. And that was exactly why Isla hated it. It wasn't supposed to be this way. She wasn't supposed to be here, trapped in a gilded cage with a family that had more secrets than she cared to know.
A flash of movement caught her eye. For a moment, she thought it was him-her stepbrother-but no, it was someone else. A man she didn't recognize, standing at the far end of the ballroom, watching her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. The gaze felt like fire, burning through her with a coldness she couldn't quite place.
The man disappeared into the crowd, and for a moment, Isla wondered if she had imagined it. But the feeling lingered, gnawing at the back of her mind. There was something about tonight-something that didn't sit right. She couldn't shake the sense that her life, her world, was about to change in ways she couldn't control.
And then the door opened again, and Isla's heart skipped a beat.
Her mother entered the room, accompanied by her new husband, his face unreadable as always. And behind them, standing just a little too far off to catch a glimpse of his expression... Isla knew.
It was him. The stepbrother she hadn't yet met.
Isla's breath caught in her throat. He wasn't who she expected, yet he was everything she had imagined. Dark eyes, sharp features, and a posture that screamed confidence, arrogance, and something else-something deeper. Isla had seen enough of the world to recognize it. Power.
But power was a dangerous thing, and Isla wasn't sure if she was ready to face whatever storm his presence might bring.
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
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.
"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.]
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
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.