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Sold like a prized possession, Seraphina Alaric was handed over to the most feared man in the business world—Damien Thorne. She expected chains, cruelty, and a life of silent suffering. But Damien didn’t want a submissive wife. He wanted a weapon.
“You weren’t sold to be my toy,” he murmured, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “You were sold because they feared what you could become. So let’s make them regret it.”
Betrayed by the family who should have protected her, Seraphina finds herself in an unlikely alliance with the man who "bought" her. Together, they scheme, manipulate, and tear down the empire built on her suffering. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, the lines between vengeance and desire blur.
He was never supposed to care. She was never supposed to fall.
But when the final move is played, Seraphina will stand—not as a victim, not as a pawn, but as the queen of her own destiny. And this time, the only man beside her will be the one who helped her burn her past to the ground.

The Keptwoman

Two weeks later, Silas invited her to a masquerade ball.

"It's hosted by the man who brokered your sale," he said casually. "Thought you might want to meet him again."

Elise stared. "You want me to smile at him?"

"No. I want you to make him afraid."

She wore red, the color of vengeance. Her mask shimmered like a second skin. Walking into the ballroom beside Silas, she felt every eye turn. They didn't recognize her. Not yet.

When the man—Gregory Vale—approached, Elise played her part. She smiled, laughed. And then, when they danced, she leaned close and whispered, "I wonder what your wife would say if she knew you trafficked daughters for debt."

His hand tightened, his face paled. Elise didn't break stride. She danced him straight into panic.

Later, Silas met her at the bar. "You were magnificent."

"Revenge tastes better in silk," she quipped.

Chapter 9: The Devil’s Ball