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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

I sighed as I held on to my mug filled with coffee, staring at the ripples that danced along its dark surface. It was lukewarm now, untouched for too long, but I couldn’t bring myself to drink it. My eyes burned with exhaustion, and my heart was heavy with unease. The doctor had just arrived with a nurse, and they were upstairs running checkups on Heinrich. Still unconscious. Still pale. Still unmoving. 


My phone buzzed against the counter, jolting me. I grabbed it quickly, hoping—foolishly—that it might be him. But no, it was Elizabeth. Her message popped up across the screen: 


ELIZABETH: Hey, how are you feeling? Heinrich’s attack is all over the news. 


I smiled weakly, the corners of my mouth barely lifting. Of course the world knew. Heinrich Volkov wasn’t just anybody—he was someone people either feared, hated, or respected. Some probably celebrated the news of his downfall. Too bad he wasn’t dying. Not today. 


CHAPTER 34