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Mariane thought she had lost everything the day her mother was found dead by the roadside. Grief consumed her, leaving her with no choice but to accept a loveless marriage to Heinrich Volkov—a powerful, ruthless man with secrets as dark as his cold green eyes.

But just when she begins to accept her fate, the truth unravels.

Her mother’s death wasn’t an accident. The investigation takes a shocking turn, revealing clues that suggest she might still be alive. The deeper Mariane digs, the more the shadows close in around her. And the worst part?

Heinrich might have known all along.

Betrayal cuts deeper than any blade, and as Mariane pieces together the puzzle, she realizes that the man she shares a bed with—the man who watches her every move—is keeping far more than just business secrets.

Was she forced into this marriage to be protected? Or was she trapped to be controlled?

And if her mother is alive…

Why hasn’t she come back for her?

As Mariane’s world spirals into a web of deceit, power, and deadly desire, she’s left with only one choice: trust Heinrich, or destroy him.

But how do you fight the devil when you’re already falling for him?



THE HAUNTED HEART OF LIES

The closet was a battlefield of indecision. Dresses in deep reds, luxurious blacks, and shimmering silvers were sprawled across the floor, each one a masterpiece, yet none feeling quite right. I had spent the last thirty minutes pacing, biting my lip, and staring at the rows of designer gowns as if one would magically call out to me. 


I sighed, pressing a hand to my forehead. My nerves were getting the best of me. What if Heinrich’s family didn’t like me? What if they saw me as some outsider who didn’t belong in their world? I had married into a powerful family, but that didn’t mean I had their approval. 


Just then, I heard the firm, confident footsteps that I had come to recognize all too well. 


CHAPTER 21