novel_evaray

Ethan Blackwood wasn’t used to being defied. As the CEO of a global empire, he crushed obstacles with a single glance. But when Lily Anderson stood before him, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, and something in him snapped. "Sign the contract," he said, his voice like ice. "30 days. You’ll obey every command. After that, you’re free."

She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped the pen. "And if I refuse?"

His smirk was cold, but his eyes burned. "Then you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off your father’s debts. Your choice."

Trapped, Lily signed. But she vowed one thing: she wouldn’t let him break her.

From the first day, their clash was electric. He demanded perfection; she gave him rebellion. "You think you can control me?" she spat, after he criticized her for being late.

Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "I don’t just control you. Lily, I own you."

But as the days passed, the lines between them blurred. Late nights in his penthouse turned into whispered conversations. His cold demeanor cracked, revealing glimpses of a man haunted by his past. One night, after a heated argument, he pinned her against the wall, his breath hot against her ear. "Why do you fight me so much?"

Her voice trembled. "Because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll lose myself to you."

Their connection deepened, but danger loomed. Secrets from Ethan’s past resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything. When Lily discovered the truth behind his obsession with her, she confronted him. "Was I just a pawn in your game? A way to settle an old score?"

His eyes darkened with pain. "You were never just a game, Lily. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real."

As the final days of their contract approached, their bond was tested like never before. Enemies closed in, and trust hung by a thread. Could they overcome the shadows of their pasts, or would their love crumble under the weight of secrets and pride?

30 Days of Passion and Revenge

Lily felt slightly relieved hearing Ethan's voice, but her tone remained urgent. "Ethan, please have them look for my father, okay? I'm unsure if he went there, but don't let anything happen to him… nothing can happen to him…"

"I understand," Ethan replied, his deep voice steady before he hung up.

"Lily, what's going on?" Alex asked as he glanced at her, watching her accelerate the sports car.

Lily gripped her phone tightly, her fingers trembling.

Why would he go to the suburbs at this time? Even Cipher Stone didn't know if he had been there… Maybe he wasn't there after all.

Yes, there were so many suburban areas—he wouldn't necessarily be at that one.

He was her only family, her biological father… She didn't want anything to happen to him.

Lily was so tense and panicked that her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

A Dangerous Rescue Mission