Kaulifla426999

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 shrill sound of my phone ringing jolted me awake. I groaned, rubbing my temples as I reached for it. My head was still foggy from sleep, but as soon as I saw the caller ID, my exhaustion vanished. 


My grip tightened around the phone. Why were they calling me this early? Was there a new lead? 


I swallowed hard before answering. "Hello?" 


"Miss Mariane, this is Detective Reynolds. We need you to come to the station as soon as possible. We found something during our search." 


"We investigated the house you used to live in with your mother. We’ll explain everything once you get here." 


My mind raced. That house… I hadn't stepped foot in it since my mother disappeared. The thought of going back there, of facing whatever truth they had uncovered, sent a chill down my spine. 


I hesitated, then nodded as if he could see me. "I'll be there soon." 


CHAPTER 24