Riven Storm was sold before she even knew what it meant to be free. Her mother, desperate for survival, traded her into the Garden-a place where women are bought and sold for pleasure. She learned quickly that trust was a luxury, and survival meant building walls no one could break. Then came Seth Maddox. He didn't want to break her, control her, or even free her. He bought her from the Garden to own her-body, mind, and soul. Now, she's his, whether she likes it or not.
Prologue
From inside the shabby-looking house on the outskirts of Bronx, New York City, the piercing cry of a baby echoed through the dim hallway. Her wails were sharp and endless.
Across the room, her mother sat still-eyes fixed on the child but unmoving. She didn't try to hush her, didn't reach for her. She just stared, like she'd already tried everything and lost the will to try again.
The door creaked open.
Lia walked in-the owner of the house-her heels clicking against the floor with a loud noise. Her gaze swept the room like a judge entering a courtroom.
Elizabeth
I looked up the moment I heard the door open. Lia's expression already told me I was in trouble.
"Aren't you going to do something about your child?" she snapped, arms folded tightly across her chest. "Her crying is becoming a damn nuisance. I took you in because you looked helpless that night, not because I run a charity. I'm not running a daycare, Elizabeth. I won't tolerate this much longer."
All I managed was a whisper. "I've tried everything I could... she just won't stop crying. I don't know what else to do."
Lia's gaze shifted to the baby in the corner. She walked over and stared down at her in silence. Her face was unreadable. Then she asked, without turning around, "Have you thought of a name yet?"
I swallowed hard. "Yes... Riven."
"Riven," she repeated softly, like she was testing the name. Then, without pause, she said, "Why don't you give her up?"
My heart stopped. "Who would take her?"
She turned to face me, then sat gently on the bed next to me. Her tone softened.
"I know someone," she said. "And they're willing to pay."
My eyes narrowed, disbelief spreading like fire in my chest. "Pay?"
Lia nodded, her voice low, deliberate. "Yes. One million dollars."
And just like that, she exited the room like she didn't just drop a bomb on me.
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."
She was the notorious Alana Wilson, a shameful daughter of the Wilson family. Her reputation went downhill after she broke her engagement with her fiance, Albert Harris. They pointed finger at her, calling her a cheater. However, in truth, who was the cheater here? Alana would do anything she could to have her engagement with Albert broken, even if it meant sacrificing her own reputation. Ten years of abuse she endured in her last life was enough. She made sure that in this life, she would never marry that cheating bastard again. As her previous crush, as well as her brother's best friend, Lorenzo Miller is now back to the country, what would happen to her already messed up life? Especially when her ex-fiance also didn't want to leave her alone. Sequel is out now! Rebirth of the Billionaire's Vengeful Actress Wife
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town's richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. "Way to go, honey!"
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."
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
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."