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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

A sharp ray of sunlight sliced through the curtains, warming my face and pulling me from the deep abyss of sleep. My body felt like it was weighed down by stones, and as I shifted slightly, a dull ache spread through my limbs, a reminder of the previous night. 


I blinked against the brightness, turning onto my side with a wince. Heinrich was not beside me. The space where he had lain was now cold, as if he had been gone for a while. I wasn’t surprised. Of course, he wouldn’t be the type to linger in bed after such a night. 


I rubbed my eyes, forcing my brain to wake up. Almost noon. No wonder the sun was so blinding. I groaned softly as I sat up, my body protesting with every movement. My thighs were sore, my back stiff. 


"Damn him," I thought bitterly. He hadn’t stopped until I passed out. 


CHAPTER 20