Shadow's Decree

The pain in her head was miserable. Safia had difficulty even in opening her eyes. But when finally she did, a chord struck in her throat. A very handsome man was sleeping beside her in his half naked glory with his head ducked to the pillow. Alarm leaped like a hurricane in her head. How did she end up with an unknown man in her bed? Oh wait! This was not her home. The place looked eerily quiet and was way too costly than hers. It screamed power and money. Safia panicked. She was not drunk nor on drugs. How come she has no memory of her past? She carefully slipped away from under the covers. But it was too late. The man beside her had already woken up. "Who are you? Why are you in my bed?" Safia squealed in worry. Much against her expectation the guy was very much composed. He signaled to the ring on her finger and opened the drawer beside him before throwing the marriage testament on her face. "We are married. You are my wife now. Be ready to welcome the life of thorns." "What?"

Chapters

Chapter 6

"But today, I wish to have a latte.” Sion said, leaning back and relaxing on his super soft leather chair while staring at her in a dare.

She raised a finger to him in a warning. “Look, I don't have all the time to serve you coffee. I'm here to learn about work.”

Sion raised a single brow and gave a lopsided grin. “My office, my rules. If you don’t want to do it, you can…”

“Stop.” Safia already knew what was coming out of him. “I will go and bring a latte for you.”

Thankfully the elevator was working today. The devil had finally decided to relax her torture. She knew the lift was working for everyone in the office the previous day but for her. It was all a part of his plan to make her suffer.

She had made the latte and brought it to him within five minutes. “Hmm, it tastes good. So tell me what is my schedule today.”

“Schedule? Isn’t Layla going to make it?”

Sion looked at her boredly. “I don't have a money minting machine here with which I can feed two assistants. Since you are here, Layla will not be working as my assistant anymore. She is transferred to another department. I don't have all the day for your learning and need my schedule for today within ten minutes. If you bring it even a minute later you will not be allowed inside my room and can go back to your home.”

“Such an asshole…” She muttered and did not waste a minute standing there. Safia practically ran to her cabin and started preparing the schedule of Sion at the speed of a computer. Though she was only one day old in the office, she referred to several files, spoke to a few people who had an idea about the company’s work and prepared the minutes schedule. She was left with hardly a minute before she almost jumped into his office.

Sion had a hard time restricting his smile. He was having super fun at the cost of Safia's grimace.

Safia started reading the contents in the paper she had brought with her. But before she could complete reading out the whole of it Sion stopped her. “At 10:30 I meet the Russian delegates regarding our textile industry collaboration and at 12:00 reach back to the office to attend the shareholders meeting? The traveling time itself from Park Avenue Square to my office will take me an hour because of the peak time traffic. Where will I have time to discuss the important issues in the shareholders meeting? You can't even make a day’s schedule for me and you think you can put your insolvent company back on track without my help? Well it is very obvious to me now, how you got your company to float all these years.” He looked at her curvaceous form head to toe in ridicule.

The eyes of Safia were threatening tears. She knew what he meant by looking at her physique ‘that way’. But she was not going to show her weakness to him by any means. “Please give me two more minutes, sir. I will make it work this time.” Though trying her best, her voice broke in the end.

For a moment there was sadness in Sion but he quickly concealed it bringing his mind back to the present. He had suffered more than a decade because of her. It's not even ten days since she joined Wellcrow Vineyards. He will make her suffer till her forefathers come out of their grave and plead with him to save her.

****

The next week on Sunday

“So what's your analysis for third quarter numbers?” Karen asked, playing billiards with Sion.

“They've been improving dad since we took over Sangria Vineyards. We will soon be the richest and most powerful wine makers…” Sion was stopped by Karen.

“Not so early, son. Los Santos has the only vineyard that we don't own. It's finally on the market. 50 acres and it's in probate. The executor is required to sell the property by the 24th December. There's a showing up there tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm. So it's going to take a little finesse. Blend in. If word gets out that Wellcrow Wines is interested, we could find ourselves in a bidding war.” Karen informed aiming the red on the billiards board.

“Okay dad, I will tell Layla to book our private jet for tomorrow morning.” Sion spoke, taking the red which Karen missed earlier.

“Good job.” Karen made a high-five. “Take Layla with you. She is experienced, and will be a great help to you at Los Santos. By the way, the name of the mission is Honeybee estate Vineyard.”

“It is the oldest wine we now have in our winery. How does it taste?” Karen asked with expectancy after Sion took a sip.

Sion put the glass at an arm's length and gave a satisfactory nod observing it. “Blue berry, black pepper and earthy, I like it.”

“Your palate is incredible, son. I wish to relax now and you take over the whole company.”

“Don't say such words dad. You have a long way to go.” Sion hugged his father.

“It’s a Shiraz blend from the cooler climate of the Yarra valley.” Karen pointed to the glass in Sion’s hand.

“I would like to add something more to our conversation.” Sion said hesitantly in thought. “Instead of Layla, Safia will be coming with me.”

Karen raised his head and looked at his son appalled. “You were a tosser, angry and destructive as a kid. I bore it and all this while I maintained my silence. But now it's time, I need to warn you, the game you are playing is very dangerous. Some people take years to sketch and counter their enemy but you brought her to live under your own roof. You had a registered marriage with no third eye coming to know about it. What are you going to tell the media? I heard you had already promised a press conference.”

“Sion” Karen held the upper arms of his son in affection. “Your mom and I had already suffered for years losing your sister, we can’t afford to lose you too.”

Sion kept his silence for a moment, taking a sip of wine. “Dad, there is no fun in the game which has no challenge in it. I had suffered enough because of her. This time, the victory is mine.”

Continue to next part

The elevator's golden numbers climbed steadily—thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine—each floor bringing me closer to what I thought would be the perfect surprise. Chase's penthouse key felt warm in my palm, a symbol of the trust we'd built over two years together. Today marked our anniversary, and I'd planned everything down to the last detail: his favorite wine chilling in my bag, reservations at the restaurant where we'd shared our first kiss, and a small velvet box containing cufflinks engraved with our initials. The hallway stretched before me, silent except for the soft hum of expensive air conditioning. Chase's door stood at the end, mahogany gleaming under crystal chandeliers. I'd surprised him like this before—showing up unannounced with takeout or just because I missed him. He always said it was one of the things he loved about me, how spontaneous I could be. I slipped the key into the lock, turning it slowly to avoid the metallic click that might spoil the surprise. The door swung open on well-oiled hinges, revealing the familiar luxury of Chase's living space. Afternoon sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting everything in golden hues.

Billionaire Modern Romance

8.7

Her Body, His Signature ( A CEO's X DEAL )

8.7

My back hits the cold glass of the penthouse window, the city glittering a thousand feet below us. Sebastian’s hand is at my throat—not tight enough to hurt, but enough to remind me who I belong to. “You were talking to him,” he says, voice low, dangerous. His other hand is braced beside my head, caging me in. “You smiled.” “It was just—” “Don’t lie to me, Ocean.” His thumb brushes the hollow of my throat, and my pulse jumps so hard he feels it. “You’re mine. Every glance. Every breath. Every inch of you.” I should be furious. I should tell him I’m not his property. But then his mouth is on mine—rough, consuming, tasting like the whiskey he hasn’t let go of since the gala. I moan before I can stop myself. That’s all the permission he needs. His hand slides to my waist, fingers digging in as if he’s afraid I’ll vanish. The heat between us ignites like dry kindling. It’s dangerous. It’s too much. It’s everything. When he finally pulls back, his eyes are dark enough to drown in. “One year,” he murmurs. “That was the deal. But you… you’re making me want forever.” And in that moment, I know the worst truth of all— If Sebastian Velez decides to keep me, I won’t even try to run.

Billionaire Modern Romance

7.6

His Assistant, His Secret

7.6

His Assistant, His Secret Mira Hale is a disciplined, quiet executive assistant who believes professionalism is the only way to stay safe in a demanding workplace. For two years, she has kept her head down, managing the life and schedule of her boss, Julian Cross, a powerful businessman admired for his control, confidence, and success. Julian is married. He has a family, a reputation to protect, and a life that looks perfect from the outside. But behind closed doors, his marriage is strained, and the weight of unspoken dissatisfaction follows him everywhere. Mira notices the change in him long before she understands it. What begins as a strictly professional relationship slowly shifts into something more fragile and dangerous. Late nights, shared vulnerability, and emotional dependence blur the lines they both promised not to cross. As Mira struggles with guilt and restraint, Julian finds himself leaning on her in ways he never intended. When boundaries are finally crossed, consequences follow quickly. An unexpected pregnancy forces hidden truths into the open, shattering the careful balance Mira tried to maintain. Faced with judgment, heartbreak, and uncertainty, she must decide whether love is worth sacrificing her dignity, independence, and future. With the unwavering support of her best friend, Lena Brooks, Mira chooses a harder path one that demands strength, self-respect, and growth. His Assistant, His Secret is a story about forbidden love, power, consequence, and the quiet courage it takes to choose yourself when love is no longer enough.

Modern Mystery Romance

8.7

I Designed His Dream House, He Built a Secret Family

8.7

I was in a high-end mall, browsing a toy store for my friend's daughter's birthday, when my world tilted on its axis. Through the polished glass storefront, I saw him. My husband, Julian. He was in the café opposite, seated beside the sprawling indoor children's play area. He wasn't alone. A woman, Seraphina Vance—a social media influencer whose perfectly curated life I’d occasionally scrolled past—was laughing, her head tilted just so. And between them, a little boy of about four, gleefully mashing a piece of cake into his own dark hair. Julian’s hair. They looked like a family. A perfect, happy family. An icy dread washed over me. I remembered Julian refusing to have a baby with me, citing the immense pressure of his work. All his business trips, the late nights… were they spent with them? I recalled a night six months ago when Noah had supposedly been sick. Julian had stayed out all night, his voice strained over the phone, telling me a "critical client had a medical emergency." The lie was so easy for him. I must have stared too long. The little boy, Noah, noticed me. He picked up a toy water pistol from their table, aimed it directly at me through the café’s open front, and squeezed the trigger. A jet of cold water hit my silk skirt, leaving a dark, spreading stain. Seraphina Vance turned, her eyes meeting mine. There was no surprise, only a flicker of amusement. She offered a saccharine smile. "Oh, dear. He's just playing with you," she cooed, her voice dripping with condescension. My heart hammered against my ribs. I turned and walked away, my legs unsteady. I needed to leave, to breathe, to think. In the underground parking garage, I fumbled for my keys, my hands shaking. As I passed Julian’s sleek sedan, something on the passenger seat caught my eye. A heavy, cream-colored card with embossed lettering. "You are joyfully invited to the Christening of Noah Thorne." It was real. More real than a fleeting email. A physical invitation to a life I never knew existed. How could I have been so blind? My phone felt heavy in my hand. I didn’t call my best friend. I didn’t call a lawyer. I called the director of the Zurich Architectural Fellowship, a prestigious program I had deferred for him, for us. "I'd like to accept the fellowship," I said, my voice eerily calm. "I can leave immediately."

Modern Mystery Romance

9.6

My Fiancé Chose His Dead Brother’s Wife

9.6

My former fiancé's sister-in-law fell ill, and he insisted on ending our engagement. "Blair Meyer and her daughter Thalia have no one else now that she's ill. I can't just ignore them." I didn't stop him; I agreed right away. In a previous lifetime, I had coerced him into marrying me by threatening his family's business and leveraging my pregnancy. It ended in tragedy—Blair couldn't bear the pain and abandonment and chose to end her life on our wedding day. From then on, Skyler Castillo hated me with all his might. He conspired with my enemies and, within six months, destroyed my parents' company, driving them to desperation where they took their own lives. He locked me away in a cellar, tormenting me daily until he eventually caused my death, costing two lives. This time, I chose to let go. The day he announced our breakup, I went to the clinic, terminated the pregnancy, and applied for a study opportunity in the United States.

Modern Mystery Romance

8.7

My Husband Used My Money to Keep His Mistress

8.7

The apartment felt too quiet on New Year's Eve. The clock on the mantle read 11:47 PM as I sat curled on our cream leather sofa, phone pressed to my ear, listening to Eleanor's voice drift through the speaker. My mother-in-law's tone was as crisp as ever, each word precisely measured like she was dictating a medical diagnosis. 'We're just finalizing some details for Kade's promotion celebration,' she was saying. 'Of course, Kate, you'll want to be involved in the planning. After all, it's not every day a Robertson receives such recognition. The hospital board expects—' The line went dead. I stared at my phone, the sudden silence jarring. Eleanor never ended calls abruptly. Never.

Modern Mystery Romance

Shadow's Decree

Chapter 6

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