Miku_Peachy

Lily Summers doesn't believe in love. She believes in power, pleasure, and never making promises. Her world is ruled by sharp deals and sharper heels—until Ethan Vale walks in, all smoldering eyes and dangerous charm.

He's the kind of man who unravels rules just by existing. A club owner with a past as dark as his desires, Ethan knows how to seduce and destroy. One night is all it was supposed to be.

But one taste turns into obsession.

Thrown together by a business deal that spirals into something wicked, Lily and Ethan begin a game of fire—one neither of them can afford to lose. Secrets bleed. Hearts burn. And in the shadows of Veloria, even the strongest vows can twist.

Because love was never the goal.

Survival is.

Twisted Vows

Lily hadn't planned to take him home. It was supposed to be a power play, a warning shot. But here she was—pressed against the glass wall of her penthouse suite, Ethan's mouth on her neck, his hands unapologetically exploring every inch of her body.

She shoved him back, breathless but composed. "You got what you wanted. Now get out."

Ethan, shirt rumpled and eyes wild, only chuckled. "That was just the beginning, Lily. You and I? We're not done."

She crossed her arms, masking her confusion with disdain. "You think because you got a kiss, you've won?"

He stepped forward, but not close enough to touch. "No. But I saw something in your eyes tonight. You want more. You want me."

Lily clenched her jaw. "I want control."

He tilted his head. "So do I. That's what makes this fun."

Then, he left. Just like that. No smug goodbye, no lingering glance. Just the sound of her door clicking shut and silence settling in like fog.

She stood there for a full minute, heart thundering. This wasn't just attraction. It was a war. One she couldn't afford to lose.

The next morning, the city skyline was bathed in gold, but Lily's mood was anything but bright. Her phone buzzed with reminders and requests—Naomi managing the fallout from last night's absence, clients demanding meetings—but she ignored it all.

She pulled up Ethan's profile on her tablet. His empire was as sleek as it was ruthless: tech, real estate, offshore accounts that even her best hackers hadn't fully cracked. And then, there was that mysterious disappearance Naomi had mentioned.

She made a mental note: dig deeper.

Lily was halfway through her espresso when Naomi called again.

Naomi's voice trembled. "You need to see the news."

Lily tapped her remote. The screen on her wall flared to life. There it was: BREAKING NEWS: ValeTech Accused of Corporate Espionage

Ethan was on the screen, walking through a swarm of reporters, looking completely unbothered. His smirk was the same one he wore when he kissed her.

"Nothing with Ethan Vale is a coincidence."

She ended the call and stood, grabbing her coat. If Ethan thought he could seduce her into submission while dancing through scandal, he was dead wrong.

She wasn't going to play by his rules.

At the Marcelli Gala that evening, Lily entered like a storm wrapped in satin. Her midnight-blue dress clung to her like a second skin. Eyes followed her. Whispers chased her heels.

And there he was—Ethan Vale, drink in hand, perfectly calm as chaos buzzed around his name.

"Bold of you to show up," she said, slipping beside him.

He grinned. "Bold of you to act like last night didn't happen."

Lily turned to him, smile cool. "It didn't. You're just another mistake I'll turn into a lesson."

His expression flickered—amusement? Anger? Intrigue? She couldn't tell. She didn't care.

"Then let's both make more mistakes," he murmured.

She sipped her champagne, eyes locked on his. "Only if I'm the one pulling the strings."

He leaned in. "Careful, Lily. I like it rough when control is on the line."

And somewhere between the champagne bubbles and veiled threats, Lily realized something dangerous:

This game might destroy them both.

A Game of Control