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

"Liz!" I called out as soon as Elizabeth stepped out of the car, my voice trembling slightly, betraying how much I’d needed her presence. 


"Mariane." Her arms wrapped around me almost instinctively, holding me close as though we both needed that comfort. I lingered in the embrace a little longer than usual, taking solace in the warmth of her hug. 


When we pulled away, she gave me a once-over, her eyes filled with concern. "Girl, how are you holding up?" she asked, her voice soft but heavy with worry. I could feel the weight of her gaze, and for the first time in hours, I allowed myself to exhale. 


"Trying," I murmured, the words coming out hollow, as if I didn’t really know what it meant to try anymore. 


CHAPTER 35