Broad Appeal
5.0
Comment(s)
View
73
Chapters

Amelia Sinclair is a successful but guarded book editor living in New York City. Focused on her career, she's long since given up on finding love - until she meets Lucas Donovan, a charming and charismatic aspiring writer. Lucas is instantly captivated by Amelia's sharp wit and intelligence, and he's determined to win her over. Despite her best efforts to maintain an emotional distance, Amelia finds herself falling for Lucas's gentle persistence and genuine kindness. As their relationship blossoms, Amelia and Lucas must navigate the complexities of their different backgrounds and priorities. Amelia's wealthy, high-powered family disapproves of Lucas's humble origins, while Lucas struggles to prove he's worthy of Amelia's affection. Just when it seems they've overcome every obstacle, a devastating family secret from Amelia's past threatens to tear them apart. Forced to confront her deepest fears, Amelia must decide if she's willing to risk everything for a chance at true love.

Chapter 1 Amelia's Guarded Heart

The bustling streets of New York City were a familiar backdrop for Amelia Sinclair, whose brisk pace and laser-sharp focus kept her firmly rooted in the fast-paced rhythm of the concrete jungle. As she navigated the crowded sidewalks, clutching her leather briefcase tightly, her mind was already several steps ahead, mentally reviewing the day's agenda and preparing for the high-stakes negotiations that awaited her at the publishing house.

At 32 years old, Amelia had risen through the ranks to become one of the most respected and sought-after book editors in the industry. Her keen eye for detail, unwavering commitment to quality, and unapologetic drive had earned her the admiration of her colleagues and the grudging respect of even her toughest critics. She took immense pride in her work, treating each manuscript with the same level of meticulous care and attention, regardless of the author's credentials or the project's commercial potential.

Yet, beneath the polished veneer of her professional success, Amelia's personal life remained a carefully guarded fortress, impenetrable to all but a select few. The scars of a tumultuous past had left her wary of opening her heart, and she had long since resigned herself to the notion that romantic love was not a luxury she could afford. Her sole focus was on her career, on shaping the literary landscape and leaving an indelible mark on the publishing world.

As she approached the towering glass-and-steel building that housed her office, Amelia took a deep breath, mentally steeling herself for the demands of the day. The familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the hum of bustling productivity greeted her as she stepped through the revolving doors, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished marble floors.

"Good morning, Ms. Sinclair," a cheerful receptionist called out, her smile warm and welcoming.

"Good morning," Amelia replied, offering a brief nod as she made her way to the elevators, her mind already immersed in the tasks at hand.

Once inside her spacious, meticulously organized office, Amelia settled into her chair, her gaze sweeping over the imposing stack of manuscripts that awaited her attention. With a deep sigh, she reached for the first one, her slender fingers caressing the worn cover as she prepared to delve into its contents.

As she read, her brow furrowed in concentration, her mind dissecting the narrative, the character development, and the overall structure of the work. She made notes in the margins, her pen dancing across the pages with surgical precision, her critical eye leaving no stone unturned.

Hours passed, the steady ticking of the clock marking the relentless march of time, but Amelia remained steadfast in her focus, her dedication to her craft unwavering. It was only when her assistant, a young woman named Emma, gently knocked on the door that Amelia finally looked up, blinking as if emerging from a trance.

"Ms. Sinclair, I have the revised contract from the Hastings account ready for your review," Emma announced, her voice soft and respectful.

Amelia glanced at the clock, surprised to find that it was already well past noon. "Thank you, Emma. I'll take a look at it in a moment."

As Emma retreated, closing the door behind her, Amelia leaned back in her chair, rolling her shoulders to ease the tension that had built up in her muscles. She allowed her gaze to drift to the cityscape beyond her window, the familiar skyline a comforting presence in her otherwise solitary existence.

In many ways, Amelia's life was a paradox – she was a titan in her field, respected and revered by her peers, yet she remained stubbornly aloof, unwilling to let anyone truly see the vulnerable woman beneath the polished exterior. Her guarded heart had become a fortress, impenetrable to the outside world, a decision she had made long ago as a means of self-preservation.

The memories of her past, of the heartbreak and betrayal that had shattered her faith in love, still haunted her, lingering in the darkest corners of her mind. She had vowed never to allow herself to be so vulnerable again, to protect her heart at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing the possibility of finding true happiness.

With a heavy sigh, Amelia turned her attention back to the contract, her fingers deftly navigating the pages as she scrutinized every detail. The familiar rhythm of her work provided a welcomed distraction, allowing her to push the demons of her past back into the shadows, if only for a moment.

As the day wore on, Amelia continued to immerse herself in her professional responsibilities, her unwavering focus and sheer determination driving her to excel at every turn. She met with authors, negotiated contracts, and meticulously edited manuscripts, her keen intellect and uncompromising standards leaving an indelible mark on the projects she touched.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the bustling city, Amelia had finally completed the day's tasks. With a satisfied nod, she gathered her belongings and headed for the elevator, her steps purposeful and her gaze fixed straight ahead.

As she stepped out onto the sidewalk, Amelia couldn't help but pause, her eyes drawn to the vibrant energy of the city that surrounded her. The laughter of passersby, the cacophony of honking horns, and the twinkling lights of the skyline – all of it serving as a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of her own life.

Amelia couldn't remember the last time she had truly allowed herself to be swept up in the joy and wonder of the world around her. Her days were a carefully orchestrated routine, a meticulously planned schedule that left no room for spontaneity or unexpected detours. She had made a conscious choice to keep her heart guarded, to focus solely on her career and to avoid the messy complications that often accompanied personal relationships.

Yet, as she stood there, watching the ebb and flow of the city's lifeblood, Amelia couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing deep within her heart. She had built a successful and respected life for herself, but at what cost? Had she truly sacrificed the chance at finding true happiness in exchange for professional accolades and financial security?

The questions swirled in her mind, unsettling the carefully constructed walls that she had spent years building around her heart. Shaking her head, Amelia forced herself to push those thoughts aside, reminding herself that her choices had been necessary, the only way to protect herself from the pain and heartbreak that had once threatened to consume her.

With a newfound determination, Amelia set off towards her apartment, her steps quickening as she navigated the crowded sidewalks. As she walked, she couldn't help but wonder what the future might hold, whether the solitary path she had chosen would ultimately fulfill her or leave her forever yearning for something more.

But for now, Amelia Sinclair remained steadfast in her resolve, her guarded heart firmly in place, as she continued her relentless pursuit of professional excellence, her own personal happiness relegated to the shadows of her mind

Continue Reading

Other books by Osagie Aromose

More

You'll also like

Phoenix Rising: The Scarred Heiress's Revenge

Phoenix Rising: The Scarred Heiress's Revenge

Xiao Hong Mao
5.0

I lived as the "scarred ghost" of the Stephens penthouse, a wife kept in the shadows because my facial burns offended my billionaire husband’s aesthetic. For years, I endured Kason’s coldness and my family's abuse, a submissive puppet who believed she had nowhere else to go. The end came with a blue folder tossed onto my silk sheets. Kason’s mistress was back, and he wanted me out by sunset, offering a five-million-dollar "silence fee" to go hide my face in the countryside. The betrayal cut deep when I discovered my father had already traded my divorce for a corporate bailout. My step-sister mocked my "trashy" appearance at a high-end boutique, while the sales staff treated me like a common thief. At home, my father threatened to cut off my mother's life-saving medicine unless I crawled back to Kason to beg for a better deal. I was the girl who took the blame for a fire she didn't start, the wife who worshipped a man who never looked her in the eye, and the daughter used as a human bargaining chip. I was supposed to be broken, penniless, and desperate. But the woman who stood up wasn't the weak Elease Finch anymore; she was Phoenix, a tactical predator with a $500 million secret. I signed the divorce papers without a single tear, walked past my stunned husband, and wiped the Finch family's bank accounts clean with a few taps on my phone. "Your money is dirty," I told Kason with a cold smile. "I prefer clean hands." The cage is open, the hunt has begun, and I’m starting with the people who thought a scar made me weak.

Secret Triplets: The Billionaire's Second Chance

Secret Triplets: The Billionaire's Second Chance

Roderic Penn
5.0

I stood at my mother’s open grave in the freezing rain, my heels sinking into the mud. The space beside me was empty. My husband, Hilliard Holloway, had promised to cherish me in bad times, but apparently, burying my mother didn't fit into his busy schedule. While the priest’s voice droned on, a news alert lit up my phone. It was a livestream of the Metropolitan Charity Gala. There was Hilliard, looking impeccable in a custom tuxedo, with his ex-girlfriend Charla English draped over his arm. The headline read: "Holloway & English: A Power Couple Reunited?" When he finally returned to our penthouse at 2 AM, he didn't come alone—he brought Charla with him. He claimed she’d had a "medical emergency" at the gala and couldn't be left alone. I found a Tiffany diamond necklace on our coffee table meant for her birthday, and a smudge of her signature red lipstick on his collar. When I confronted him, he simply told me to stop being "hysterical" and "acting like a child." He had no idea I was seven months pregnant with his child. He thought so little of my grief that he didn't even bother to craft a convincing lie, laughing with his mistress in our home while I sat in the dark with a shattered heart and a secret life growing inside me. "He doesn't deserve us," I whispered to the darkness. I didn't scream or beg. I simply left a folder on his desk containing signed divorce papers and a forged medical report for a terminated pregnancy. I disappeared into the night, letting him believe he had successfully killed his own legacy through his neglect. Five years later, Hilliard walked into "The Vault," the city's most exclusive underground auction, looking for a broker to manage his estate. He didn't recognize me behind my Venetian mask, but he couldn't ignore the neon pink graffiti on his armored Maybach that read "DEADBEAT." He had no clue that the three brilliant triplets currently hacking his security system were the very children he thought had been erased years ago. This time, I wasn't just a wife in the way; I was the one holding all the cards.

His Discarded Gem: Shining In The Ruthless Don's Arms

His Discarded Gem: Shining In The Ruthless Don's Arms

Temple Madison
5.0

For four years, I traced the bullet scar on Chace’s chest, believing it was proof he would bleed to keep me safe. On our anniversary, he told me to wear white because "tonight changes everything." I walked into the gala thinking I was getting a ring. Instead, I stood frozen in the center of the ballroom, drowning in silk, watching him slide his mother's sapphire onto another woman's finger. Karyn Warren. The daughter of a rival family. When I begged him with my eyes to claim me, to save me from the public humiliation, he didn't flinch. He just leaned toward his Underboss, his voice amplified by the silence. "Karyn is for power. Ember is for pleasure. Don't confuse the assets." My heart didn't just break; it incinerated. He expected me to stay as his mistress, threatening to dig up my dead mother’s grave if I refused to play the obedient pet. He thought I was trapped. He thought I had nowhere to go because of my father’s massive gambling debts. He was wrong. With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone and texted the one name I was never supposed to use. Keith Mosley. The Don. The monster under Chace's bed. *I am invoking the Blood Oath. My father’s debt. I am ready to pay it.* His reply came three seconds later, buzzing against my palm like a warning. *The price is marriage. You belong to me. Yes or No?* I looked up at Chace, who was laughing with his new fiancée, thinking he owned me. I looked down and typed three letters. *Yes.*

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book
Broad Appeal
1

Chapter 1 Amelia's Guarded Heart

23/06/2024

2

Chapter 2 An Unexpected Encounter

23/06/2024

3

Chapter 3 An Unshakable Distraction

23/06/2024

4

Chapter 4 Behind the Mask

23/06/2024

5

Chapter 5 Awakening

23/06/2024

6

Chapter 6 A Glimpse of Vulnerability

23/06/2024

7

Chapter 7 A Glimpse of the Past

23/06/2024

8

Chapter 8 Opening Up

23/06/2024

9

Chapter 9 A Turning Point

23/06/2024

10

Chapter 10 Beyond the Facade

23/06/2024

11

Chapter 11 The Mask Slips

23/06/2024

12

Chapter 12 A Glimpse of the Real Amelia

23/06/2024

13

Chapter 13 Facing the Lion's Den

23/06/2024

14

Chapter 14 A Family Affair

23/06/2024

15

Chapter 15 Confronting the Past

23/06/2024

16

Chapter 16 A Glimmer of Hope

23/06/2024

17

Chapter 17 Freedom from the Shadows

23/06/2024

18

Chapter 18 The Triumph of Love and Freedom

18/07/2024

19

Chapter 19 A Treasure of Love

18/07/2024

20

Chapter 20 Embracing the Future

19/07/2024

21

Chapter 21 A New Adventure Begins

19/07/2024

22

Chapter 22 The Canvas of Our Dreams

19/07/2024

23

Chapter 23 Uncharted Horizons

19/07/2024

24

Chapter 24 Radiant Horizons

19/07/2024

25

Chapter 25 Blossoming Dreams

19/07/2024

26

Chapter 26 Tides of Change

19/07/2024

27

Chapter 27 Threads of Destiny

19/07/2024

28

Chapter 28 The Art of Healing

19/07/2024

29

Chapter 29 Echoes of Inspiration

19/07/2024

30

Chapter 30 Love Illuminated: A Canvas of Hope

19/07/2024

31

Chapter 31 Love in Full Color

08/08/2024

32

Chapter 32 Artistic Frontiers

08/08/2024

33

Chapter 33 The Art of Connection

08/08/2024

34

Chapter 34 Art Without Borders

08/08/2024

35

Chapter 35 The Next Frontier

08/08/2024

36

Chapter 36 A World of Art

08/08/2024

37

Chapter 37 The Sound of Creation

08/08/2024

38

Chapter 38 Harmonizing the World

08/08/2024

39

Chapter 39 Bridging Worlds Through Melody

08/08/2024

40

Chapter 40 Harmonizing Futures

08/08/2024