Mimi_sola25

Ayla never expected the man she’d fall for—Leon—to be a cartel leader. Nor did she expect to discover that her long-lost father is Leon’s sworn enemy, Viper. Torn between love and blood, Ayla is forced to choose between the man who owns her heart and the father she never knew. But when she’s abducted by a mysterious enemy seeking revenge, Ayla becomes the center of a deadly game. In a world of betrayal, secrets, and forbidden love, her next choice could cost everything.

His forbidden flame

She stood in front of the mirror, fingers tugging at the edge of the pearl necklace Elise had given her that morning.

"You wore one just like this when you were ten," Elise had said, smiling too tightly. "You broke it on the trampoline. Scattered pearls all over the lawn."

Celeste had smiled back. Nodded like she remembered.

The necklace felt foreign around her neck. The dress too tight. The house too loud.

Elise and Jean had sprung it on her with glitter in their eyes and a towering cake in the dining room. The guests were already pouring in — neighbors, family friends, people she didn't know but who acted like they'd watched her grow up.

When she saw him earlier in the hallway, his face had stiffened like he hadn't expected it either. Like something he was planning had just shattered beneath his feet.

Now she stood alone in her room, the sounds of laughter and music rising up from below. She should feel happy. She should feel loved.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

He looked like he'd dressed in a rush — shirt slightly rumpled, tie loosened at the collar. His eyes locked with hers, then darted to the necklace.

"You look…" he began, then stopped. "They threw you a party."

"No," he said. His voice was quiet. "I had other plans. Guess they'll have to wait."

Celeste stepped forward. "What kind of plans?"

He hesitated — just long enough for the silence to sting. Then:

"Something private. Simple. I thought you might need that more than… this."

His gaze didn't flinch. "Because none of this feels real to you, does it?"

Celeste didn't answer. She didn't need to.

Leon looked at her for one more moment, like he wanted to say something else — something final. But then a knock came from the bottom of the stairs.

"Celeste! Come down! Everyone's waiting!"

Leon stepped back. "Happy birthday," he said softly, then left before she could reply.

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL