In the quiet halls of Maplewood High, a secret blooms where it shouldn't. Miss Evelyn Hart, a young and passionate literature teacher, never imagined her world would shift the day she met Adrian Blake, a brilliant but brooding final-year student with a troubled past and a gaze that sees through her. As stolen glances turn into forbidden conversations, and boundaries begin to blur, both find themselves entangled in a romance that defies rules, risks reputations, and challenges everything they thought they knew about love and consequences. Behind the classroom door, desire whispers louder than duty, but how far are they willing to go for a love they shouldn't have?
The halls of North Hill High buzzed with adolescent energy as students hurried to their classes, the sound of sneakers squeaking on polished floors mixing with laughter, gossip, and the occasional slamming of locker doors. It was only the second week of the term, and Miss Amara Blake, the newest English Literature teacher, was already drawing curious glances.
She walked down the corridor with a neat stack of books in her arms and a calculated calm in her steps. Her pencil skirt hugged her figure modestly, and her white blouse was tucked in with precision. Her hair was pulled into a low bun, not a strand out of place. She was composed, professional and determined to keep things that way.
Her classroom door was labeled "Room 4C – English Lit." She entered and placed her books on the desk, taking a deep breath. Today, she'd meet the infamous Class 12B. According to her colleagues, this class had the most challenging students smart, unpredictable, and unfiltered.
She turned to the board and began writing the day's topic when the door creaked open behind her. A few students filed in, murmuring greetings or ignoring her entirely. Then the room fell unusually quiet.
A presence entered
Amara turned slowly while her marker hovered midair.
He was tall, easily over six feet with broad shoulders that strained against his black uniform shirt. His sleeves were rolled up carelessly, revealing strong, veined forearms. His tie was loose, as though he couldn't care less about school decorum. Jet-black hair framed a face that was more mature than the average high schooler's, sharper jawline, stubble beginning to peek through, eyes far too calculating.
He moved like someone who owned the room, even though he'd just stepped into it.
Liam Carter
She recognized the name instantly. The last file in her stack last night, he was aged 20. Repeating his final year due to a past suspension involving a physical altercation with a teacher. He'd vanished for almost a year and had just returned under special permission from the board. His file was stamped with warnings.
"Mr. Carter," she said evenly, lowering her marker "You're late"
He looked at her, dark eyes dragging over her face and down her form with bold indifference.
"I'm here now," he said, voice deep, controlled, too calm for someone reprimanded.
A ripple of quiet laughter passed through the class. Amara raised a brow, her professional tone unshaken.
"Find a seat"
He did, all the way at the back, slouching comfortably like he belonged more in a biker bar than a high school classroom. Amara turned back to the board, suppressing the unexpected flutter in her stomach.
She launched into the lesson by SHAKESPEARE titled OTHELLO ,the theme of manipulation and internal conflict. For the first twenty minutes, the class barely listened. Phones buzzed, heads tilted, whispers were passed. She was used to this because new teachers always had to earn their ground.
But then a voice cut through.
"He didn't kill her because he stopped loving her," Liam said from the back. "He killed her because he didn't know how to survive the feeling of betrayal. It wasn't about her though, it was about him."
Amara paused.
The class turned to look at him, mildly surprised.
She turned as well, her gaze sharp "Interesting perspective, but I think most critics would argue Desdemona's innocence and..."
"Critics don't understand pain," Liam interrupted, staring straight at her. "They just try to explain it away"
Her breath caught for half a second. There was something in his voice. A kind of raw, restrained darkness. She didn't know whether to challenge him or step away from the edge he was standing on.
"Well," she said, steadying her tone, "perhaps that's something we'll explore more in our discussion essays next week so let's move on."
The rest of the lesson passed with her heart knocking too loudly against her ribs. She could feel his gaze on her, even when she wasn't looking. He was watching, studying, and undressing every layer of her calm.
When the bell finally rang, students packed up and left in the usual chaotic rush. Amara exhaled quietly as she erased the board then she felt him again.
She turned and saw Liam standing by her desk.
Up close, his features were even more intense. Strong brows, straight nose, a scar just beneath his jaw that she hadn't noticed before. His eyes locked onto hers with terrifying focus.
"Is there something you need, Mr. Carter?",she asked.
He didn't answer immediately instead his eyes flicked to the books on her desk.
"I didn't get the homework."
"I posted it on the class group chat maybe try checking it"
"Don't have a phone," he said. "Yet."
She narrowed her eyes, "Then I suggest you get one or at least ask earlier next time"
His mouth twitched slightly, not quite a smile. "You're not like the others."
"Excuse me?"
"You don't try too hard to be liked which is good, you shouldn't."
She was stunned by the boldness in his voice, like he had the right to comment on her at all.
"Class is over, Mr. Carter," she said firmly. "You should go."
He leaned in just a little. Not enough to break boundaries... but close enough that she had to fight the urge to step back.
"See you tomorrow, Miss Blake."
Then he turned and walked out, slow and deliberate.
Amara stood still, pulse in her ears, confused by the flush in her cheeks.
This wasn't happening, not again, not here.
But something about the way he looked at her like he already knew she would break the rules.
She wasn't sure who had just walked into her classroom but she had a sinking feeling that he wasn't going to walk out of her life quietly.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
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.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
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?
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"