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

"No orders were given. Who would dare fire recklessly? It must have been someone inside the villa…"

"This situation has gotten out of hand. So many high-profile figures involved…"

A squad jogged past them in formation, their expressions solemn as they approached the scene. The fire at the villa raged uncontrollably while the flashes of cameras from outside the barricades were blinding.

What were they saying? What do they mean by not a single one survived?

Ethan and her father couldn't be among them. They couldn't be gone.

Lily stood frozen, her mind completely blank as she listened to the soldiers' murmurs.

On the scene, soldiers cautiously approached the fallen bodies, guns in hand. One soldier nudged a figure lying on the ground. The body rolled over but remained motionless.

The soldier turned to his comrades and shook his head.

Hope in the Darkness