"Kidnapped by the man I left behind..." At twenty-five, Eleanor's world shatters when she wakes up in an unfamiliar room-luxurious, cold, and far from home. Her kidnapper? Alex Adams, the most feared and dangerous mafia boss in Golden City... and the boy she once loved. Years ago, they shared a fleeting, secret romance during a summer at her grandmother's house. Back then, Alex was quiet, sweet, and hopelessly in love. But when Eleanor vanished without a word, she left him heartbroken-and obsessed. He swore he'd find her again. And he did. Now Alex isn't the boy she remembered-he's possessive, powerful, and dead set on never letting her go again. Eleanor fights to keep her freedom, but the past won't stay buried. As old feelings resurface and dark truths come to light, she must confront the man she once knew... and the terrifying love he still holds for her.
Eleanor Pov
The first thing I noticed was the scent-rich leather, faint traces of expensive cologne, and something else, something dark. My body ached, my wrists felt raw, and my throat was parched. I forced my heavy eyelids open, blinking against the dim golden light flickering from a chandelier overhead.
This wasn't my hotel room.
Panic surged through me like wildfire as I tried to move, only to realize my wrists were bound. My breath hitched. I wasn't alone. I could feel it-the weight of someone's gaze pressing against me, even in the silence.
Think, Eleanor. Think.
The last thing I remembered was stepping out of the resort with Sofia. We were supposed to meet up for drinks, but I had lagged behind, checking my phone for messages. Then... nothing. A blur of shadows. A hand clamping over my mouth. And darkness.
My heart pounded violently as the door creaked open.
I stilled. My fingers curled into trembling fists.
And then, he stepped in.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair slicked back with precision. The glint of an expensive watch on his wrist. His presence alone made the air in the room feel suffocating, like an invisible force pressing against my chest.
I recognized him instantly.
Alex Adams.
The most feared mafia boss in Golden City.
The man who kidnapped me.
The man I had left behind nine years ago without a word.
His icy blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a split second, something flickered in them-something unreadable. Then, his lips curled into a smirk.
"Hello, Eleanor."
His voice sent a shiver down my spine. It was deeper than I remembered, rougher, like a blade honed to perfection over time.
I swallowed hard. "What the hell is this?" My voice came out hoarse, weaker than I wanted.
He took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving mine. "It's been a long time."
I yanked at my restraints. "Untie me."
He tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You disappeared on me, Eleanor."
My stomach twisted. "That was nine years ago."
"And yet," he murmured, stepping closer, "I never stopped looking for you."
My breath caught.
No.
No, this wasn't happening.
I forced myself to hold his gaze, even though my entire body screamed at me to shrink away. "You're insane."
His smirk deepened. "Maybe."
I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. "You kidnapped me because... what? You missed me?" My voice dripped with sarcasm, but my heart was hammering.
His eyes darkened, the amusement flickering away like a dying flame. "You left without a word, Eleanor. You didn't even say goodbye."
I scoffed. "We dated for a week. A damn week, Alex. And I was sixteen!"
He exhaled through his nose, the muscle in his jaw tightening. "And I was twenty-one. And even back then, I knew what I wanted."
I let out a hollow laugh. "That's insane."
He stepped forward, closing the distance between us. I pressed myself against the headboard, but there was nowhere to go. He leaned in, his face inches from mine.
"You never gave me a chance," he murmured. "You just vanished. Like I meant nothing to you."
I swallowed hard. Guilt twisted in my gut, but I pushed it down. I had been young. Naïve. I hadn't known how to deal with the intensity of him.
"You meant something to me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I was a kid, Alex. I didn't know how to handle-" I gestured around me, "-all of this."
His eyes softened, but only for a second. Then, just as quickly, the steel returned.
"Well, you're not a kid anymore."
A chill ran down my spine.
I clenched my fists. "So what's the plan, then? Keep me locked up here forever?"
He studied me for a long moment before finally speaking. "I won't hurt you, Eleanor. But I'm not letting you go."
My breath hitched.
"What?"
"I lost you once. I won't lose you again."
Panic clawed at my throat. I had to get out of here.
But as I stared into the cold, determined eyes of the man I once thought I knew, I realized something terrifying.
Alex Adams wasn't the same person from my past.
And I had no idea what he was truly capable of.
Mia, a young woman from the United States, embarks on a long-awaited journey to South Korea to visit her childhood friend, Ji-yeon, who had once studied abroad in the U.S. Excited to experience Korean culture and reunite with Ji-yeon's warm family, Mia plans to spend a peaceful few weeks sightseeing and learning about the country. However, her trip takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ji-yeon's older brother, Min-ho, a quiet and disciplined military officer stationed at a nearby base. Min-ho's reserved nature initially intimidates Mia, but beneath his stoic exterior, she senses a deep sense of duty and a hidden vulnerability. Slowly, through quiet moments and small gestures, Mia finds herself drawn to him. Min-ho, though slow to express his feelings, begins to develop a protective and caring affection for Mia. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable, though both are hesitant to act on it due to the short-term nature of Mia's stay. Just as their relationship begins to bloom, Mia's idyllic visit to Korea takes a darker turn. A mysterious man starts appearing in Mia's life, lurking in the shadows and watching her from a distance. She first encounters him after an evening out with Ji-yeon and Min-ho, and his presence sends a chill down her spine. Min-ho, sensing danger, grows increasingly protective of Mia, but his duties at the military base pull him away more often than either of them would like. Unbeknownst to Mia, this man is no ordinary stalker. The stranger is a powerful enchanter, a man from Min-ho's past who harbors a deep and bitter resentment toward the soldier. Driven by jealousy and twisted desire, the enchanter-revealed to be named Do-hyun-covets what Min-ho holds dear. His obsession soon turns to Mia, whom he views as the perfect tool to exact his revenge. Do-hyun kidnaps Mia, using his dark magic to enchant her mind and force her into submission. Mia becomes trapped in a mental and emotional prison, where her will is bent to Do-hyun's desires. She fights to retain her memories of Min-ho, but the enchantment grows stronger with each passing day, erasing her love for him and replacing it with an artificial bond to Do-hyun. Meanwhile, Min-ho is devastated by Mia's disappearance. He rallies his comrades in the military, determined to find her and bring her home. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers Do-hyun's true identity-a former military officer who once served alongside him but turned rogue after delving into forbidden dark magic. Do-hyun's hatred for Min-ho stems from a time when Min-ho was praised and revered by their superiors, while Do-hyun, ambitious and power-hungry, was cast aside. As Min-ho searches for Mia, Do-hyun continues to manipulate her emotions, drawing her deeper into his web of control. Though physically trapped in Do-hyun's lair, Mia's mind becomes the battleground for the true conflict. She must fight against the enchantment, hold onto the memories of Min-ho, and resist the growing compulsion to love her captor. Min-ho eventually tracks Mia down, but rescuing her is not so simple. The magic that binds her to Do-hyun is powerful, and any attempt to break it risks harming Mia's mind permanently. The final confrontation between Min-ho and Do-hyun is tense and fraught with danger, as Min-ho must not only defeat the man who kidnapped Mia but also find a way to free her from the enchantment. In a climactic battle, Min-ho's determination and love for Mia help break the spell, though the scars of her ordeal remain. Do-hyun is ultimately defeated, but not without leaving a curse that threatens to haunt Min-ho and Mia's future. Mia is physically freed, but emotionally and mentally, she has a long road to recovery ahead.
Synopsis: In the shimmering city of The Golden Bridge, Liam Morgan reigns as a powerful and ruthless CEO, a far cry from the quiet, brilliant boy who once endured relentless torment in high school. When Hazel Whitmore-the once-charismatic queen bee who made his life miserable-unwittingly lands a job at his company, fate grants Liam the perfect opportunity for revenge. But as the two collide in a battle of wills, their shared past resurfaces, and an unexpected spark ignites between them. Beneath the layers of bitterness and power struggles lies a fragile connection that neither can deny. However, their love is anything but simple. Whispers of betrayal and sabotage threaten to tear them apart, fueled by those who will stop at nothing to keep them from being together. And when Hazel stumbles upon the mystery of her true parentage, she and Liam must navigate a dangerous web of secrets, lies, and long-buried truths. Caught between revenge and redemption, love and hate, Liam and Hazel must decide if their connection can withstand the shadows of their past-and the storm waiting to engulf them in the present. "Love isn't a game " is a tale of passion, vengeance, and the transformative power of love, set against the backdrop of a city as captivating and treacherous as its inhabitants.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.