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

"The sudden downfall of the Carter Group has shocked the business world. No one knows what happened, and this may remain a mystery forever."

The reporter's voice echoed from the hospital television.

Lily stood there, staring at the screen. For a moment, she was a child again—reading the headlines about her father's company collapsing, her family name reduced to a scandal.

The Carter Group—once a legend, once the center of attention—had disappeared just as quickly.

"Miss Anderson… stop watching." Butler Aston sighed beside her.

The Carter family was finished. That was a fact no one could change.

When Lily reached Alice's room, she was half-reclined in bed, staring blankly ahead.

The moment Lily stepped inside, her footsteps jolted Alice from her trance.

On the Edge of Madness