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 7

“Don't sleep like a log because I announced Christmas vacation for the staff. The vacation is for my employees. It's not for famous personalities like you whom I love dearly and always want to keep by my side. So tomorrow we are going to Los Santos by early morning flight.” Sion informed Safia while passing through her room to reach him.

Safia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He was acting as if he had been so considerate towards her. It has been fifteen days since she joined Sion’s company and there has been no weekend and no Best for her. Every day she gets up at 4:30 in the morning, rushes with her routine and is seen before the Wellcrow Vineyards head office by six in the morning. “I thought I was your employee because I did not get any extra benefits of being your favorite person.”

Just then his phone began to ring in his pants pockets and immediately his features changed to fury after looking at the caller id. “Beat him to pulp. We are not going to spare him until he gives us the truth. Got it?”

‘So cruel?’ The man was a monster from every side that she looked at him. “Why are we going to Los Santos?” She asked him meekly contemplating if he would answer her question.

“It's an official tour. Our wedding is only on paper. So don't build hopes that I will be taking you to a honeymoon.” He snarled at her and walked to his room.

If only she had the rights…she would pull his tongue out of his throat, cut it into pieces and throw it in the dustbin. Safia ran behind him trying to match his long treads. “How long are we going to stay?”

“Why? You need to bake cookies here?” He asked her arrogantly, removing the Rolex off his wrist.

“Don't I need to pack my bag? Why do you always have to take all my questions the negative way?” This time Safia couldn't control her sorrow and allowed it to surface on her features.

“I'm like this. If you can't live with me, I'm not pleading with you to do so. You are free to repay the money I paid for your company and walk out of this marriage.” Safia gulped heavily in terror.

“We will stay there until I finish my deal. So the time is not fixed when we return. Now if you allow me some privacy…” He removed his first shirt button and beckoned to the door.

Safia's eyes were on a feast, getting a glimpse of his hairy, muscled chest. ‘Thank heavens! He did not see her reddened features. How could she have feelings for a man who did nothing but insult her with every chance he got?’ Despite undergoing the worst treatment there was something in him that attracted her. Maybe he is not as harsh as he shows himself.

As she walked back to her room she saw her phone ringing. “Hey dad, how are you?” Safia asked Soren forcefully replacing her glumness to cheer. “Guess what? We are going to Los Santos tomorrow morning.”

“Good Evening, my princess. I understand it's your honeymoon. See I told you Sion is not a bad man. You just did not understand him. It takes time to settle down. Believe me, you will turn out to be a wonderful couple.”

Safia dried her tears in a handkerchief and allowed her dad to dwell in the happiness. Luckily he can’t see her. She did not disclose to him that it was not their honeymoon but a business trip.

“Los Santos has beautiful weather during this part of the year. The place is famous for grapes and wine. You must surely visit a winery there. And they have this beautiful wine festival too somewhere in this part of the year. Ask Sion to take you there. As a kid I used to frequent the place because my grandparents used to stay there.” Safia could already imagine Soren's eyes glistening with happiness sharing with her his beautiful childhood memory. Also she could understand why Sion wanted to visit Los Santos. The place is famous for wine and he is a wine industry mogul.

“I hope you have learnt many things regarding how to bring our family business back on track.” Soren stated cheerily.

“Of course daddy. I learnt many important things from Sion.” Safia could do anything to see her dad happy. Sion was only taking his revenge on her by employing her in his office. In the last fifteen days the only two tasks she did was schedule his meetings and prepare coffee for him. All the office work was handled by Layla. She was more of a maid than his assistant. Sometimes Safia felt desperate and useless because of Sion’s behavior towards her.

The next morning at six, they were ready. Safia walked down the stairs in a white off shoulder gown which reached just above her knees. She was holding a matching handbag and wearing white stilettos. For a moment did she see a sort of Spencer in his eyes?

Sion observed her head to toe and walked to the entrance ahead of her without speaking anything. ‘Is this man always without any feelings, like a robot?’ The driver put her luggage in the trunk along with Sion’s and held the door open for her as she got into the car.

The drive towards the airport was long and she did not know when her eyes went closed. But in the middle of her sleep she could smell ‘his’ scent and the soft beating of his heart beneath her head. Her face was cocooned in a big warm hand as if he was shielding her from the problems of the world.

Whatever this moment was, Safia did not want it to end. She felt protective in the dwelling and snuggled deeper into the feeling when she heard a rough growl from someone.

After sometime she felt someone softly tapping her on her cheek and calling her. When her eyes finally opened, she saw the fierce eyes of Sion. “Were you planning to sleep all day like a lazy panda?”

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 7

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