Escaping His Cruel Love

Escaping His Cruel Love

Artsea

3.5
Comment(s)
697.4K
View
550
Chapters

For three years, Joanna had dedicated herself as both Anthony's secretary and his secret lover, all for her family's sake. Upon discovering Anthony's engagement to the woman he truly loved, Joanna chose to break off their affair, resign from her role, conceal her pregnancy, and leave without a trace. Five years later, Joanna had ascended to the role of CEO of a formidable business empire. In a bold public declaration, she announced her plans to acquire Anthony's group within three years. In a private moment, Anthony cornered Joanna, pressing her against the wall and softly kissing her near her lips. "If you desire it, I'm ready to offer it to you, okay? Just promise you won't leave me again."

Escaping His Cruel Love Chapter 1 Forbidden Relationship

The afternoon sunlight streamed into the CEO's office, scattering light and shadows across the man and the woman entwined on the desk.

Joanna Peters lay across the chilly surface, her hair disheveled, her slender waist propped up by the man.

The position was extremely uncomfortable, yet she remained silent.

This silence was mandated by the phone pressed against her chest, broadcasting an ongoing call. A sweet, feminine voice floated from the speaker. "Anthony, remember you promised to take me shopping today. Don't forget..."

Anthony Dixon's fingers delicately traced her collarbone, gliding down her body's contours.

Joanna shivered, about to moan, but Anthony quieted her with a quick kiss.

"I won't forget," he replied softly to the woman on the phone, his actions contrasting with his gentle tone.

He then tightened his grip on Joanna's waist, causing her to wince in pain. The phone clattered onto the desk.

"Anthony?" The woman's voice came through, tinged with worry. "What was that noise?"

"Nothing," Anthony responded, his voice smooth.

He then stood up and grabbed the phone. "Lately, Joanna's been messing up at work. She even let my phone slip through her fingers."

"Joanna was handling your phone? While you were on the line with me - your fiancée?"

The emphasis on "fiancée" made Joanna wince, a wave of bitterness washing over her as she listened.

Madisyn Tucker, the woman Anthony had pledged to marry, had been his love for many years.

She vanished for a long stretch only to reappear recently, resuming her place by Anthony's side.

In contrast, Joanna was just the secretary and a substitute for Madisyn's absence.

Three years prior, disaster had struck her family - the Peters Group encountered severe issues, her father Henrik Peters suffered a stroke leaving him incapacitated, and her brother Kyson Peters was wrongfully imprisoned. The Peters family teetered on the edge of financial ruin.

All responsibilities had piled on Joanna.

Desperate, she remembered hearing about Anthony's lost love who bore a resemblance to her.

Leveraging this, she approached Anthony for help with the Peters Group. In exchange, he had one condition. She had to become his lover.

Driven perhaps by obsession or profound affection for the woman Joanna resembled, Anthony not only resolved the crisis for the Peters Group but also vindicated Kyson, securing his release from prison.

Since resolving these troubles, Joanna had remained by Anthony's side, filling in for Madisyn.

Standing before the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, Joanna caught her reflection in the glass, her cheeks burning with shame.

She quickly turned away, unable to bear the sight of her and Anthony together.

Just as Joanna braced for Madisyn to voice suspicions about her and Anthony, Madisyn spoke with unexpected understanding. "You must be swamped with work, and managing the boss' phone is just part of a secretary's duties. It's a minor mistake. Anthony, don't be too hard on Joanna."

How understanding. Joanna scoffed inwardly.

"Joanna, thanks for looking after Anthony," Madisyn called out, her voice louder to reach across the distance.

At that moment, Joanna was feeling Anthony's unwelcome touch once more, caught off guard by Madisyn's sudden interruption.

She met Anthony's gaze, hesitated briefly, then mustered her remaining strength to respond with a calm she didn't feel. "Miss Tucker, it's part of my job. Thanks for your concern."

"Joanna, are you okay? Your voice sounds off..."

"Madisyn, I have things to handle," Anthony interjected, his tone casual without a hint of impatience. "I'll pick you up later."

Joanna's body shook uncontrollably.

She felt her heart pounding in her throat and covered her mouth with her hand, terrified of making any noise that might carry over the phone.

Anthony, who was standing behind her, however, seemed determined to continue his torment, moving in ways that nearly made her cry out.

Oblivious to the distress on the other end, Madisyn bubbled over with joy. "So it's all set then."

The moment the call ended, Joanna's stifled moans escaped, soft and quivering.

The indignity of being used while he chatted up his fiancée overwhelmed her, and through clenched teeth, she muttered, "Anthony, you've lost your mind..."

Reflected in the glass, she saw his muscular torso and, for the first time, a flicker of emotion in his usually indifferent gaze as he looked down at her, observing her face flush with a potent mix of desire and dread.

"When you begged to sleep with me, did you ever consider this moment?" Anthony taunted, straightening his posture.

Tears welled up in Joanna's eyes, eventually overflowing and trailing down her smooth, delicate cheeks.

A few tears reached her lips.

Bitter.

For three years, Joanna had concealed her true self, endeavoring to appease Anthony by emulating his lost love - submissive and gentle.

She rationalized that Anthony had aided her, believing it justified his use of her as a stand-in, a mere transaction.

Regrettably, she had fallen in love with him during this charade.

Joanna labored tirelessly, day and night, meeting clients and managing projects, far exceeding her responsibilities as a secretary, all to bring in more business for Anthony's firm as a form of repayment.

Her relentless drive had led to several health issues, which Anthony noted but did nothing to mitigate.

Joanna had planned to confess her feelings once she felt she had adequately reciprocated his kindness, hoping to transform their relationship from patron and proxy to one of mutual and simple love.

But then Madisyn returned, recapturing all of Anthony's focus.

Joanna realized then that she could never supplant the one true occupant of Anthony's heart.

"Don't get distracted."

Anthony gently turned her face back toward his, pleased with her reaction.

He didn't pull away until a warm sensation filled her.

Joanna slumped onto the chilly, smooth marble floor. Her heated, striking reflection stared back at her from the surface, her skin dotted with the imprints of kisses.

Yet, Anthony was already by the desk, his suit immaculate, appearing untouched by their recent intimacy.

Ignoring the discomfort, Joanna headed to the dressing room to fetch a spare suit for Anthony.

By the time she returned, Anthony had finished his shower and was seated in his chair, lighting a cigarette. He exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he glanced her way.

A shiver ran down Joanna's spine.

His eyes were icy as he looked at her.

Joanna, ever the obedient and gentle companion, had always moved in perfect harmony with him in their intimate moments.

He seemed content, his voice carrying a hint of condescension. "Your family's bid for that project land in the south end of the city? No need to continue."

Stunned, Joanna faced Anthony, confusion etched across her features.

The land was worth at least thirty million.

Anthony had always been generous with her, but to offer such a large sum at once... what could it imply?

"Mr. Dixon, this is..."

Anthony appeared pleased with her startled look, lifting her chin tenderly. "This is your reward."

It was a reward for her stellar performance in bed.

He was always generous toward her, but offering her a piece of project land, one that was government-funded no less, was beyond lavish.

Joanna remained silent for a moment before saying, "I prefer to see how the bidding goes."

She was aware that without Anthony's influence, her family's chances of winning the bid were nearly nonexistent.

"Stay on your best behavior, and there'll be more where that came from in the future," Anthony murmured in a resonant tone.

Joanna looked up, her confusion growing.

What future were they headed towards?

She quickly masked her concern with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling seductively as she softly said, "Thank you, Mr. Dixon."

A faint smile played on Anthony's thin lips, his dark eyes mysterious and slightly contemptuous.

After issuing his instructions, Anthony walked away to handle other affairs.

Joanna gazed at the documents scattered across the desk, her emotions tangled.

Just then, the wall-mounted TV flickered to life, displaying breaking news, and an image briefly captured Joanna's attention.

She grabbed the remote and turned the volume higher.

"Madisyn Tucker, the heiress to Proria Group, and Anthony Dixion from Dixon Group are scheduled for a lavish wedding. A match made in heaven - childhood friends who are now set to wed, their love as romantic and perfect as a fairy tale."

A bitter laugh escaped her.

That made sense.

A piece of project land was given in return for her continued role as his secret lover, his mistress hidden away from view.

Her stomach suddenly turned.

Joanna rushed to the bathroom, gripping the sink and gagging.

Looking up, she saw her reflection in the mirror, her lips already colorless.

She understood that even after three years, she hadn't truly grasped Anthony's character.

He was on the verge of marrying his childhood sweetheart but still clung to her, Madisyn's stand-in.

After refreshing her makeup, she looked intently at her reflection.

Her voice was steady yet resolute. "I'm done being the substitute!"

Continue Reading

You'll also like

Abandoned Ex-Wife: Now Untouchable

Abandoned Ex-Wife: Now Untouchable

Tao Yaoyao
5.0

My five-year-old daughter was dying in the ICU, her heartbeat replaced by the continuous, electronic scream of a flatline. I gripped her cold hand, my throat sealed shut by a terror so absolute I couldn't even cry out. I dialed my husband Grayson's private number, the one reserved only for me and his assistants. He declined the call instantly. A second later, a text buzzed against my palm: "In a meeting. Do not disturb. Stop calling." Five miles away, Grayson was at a luxury gala, adjusting his silk tie and laughing with Belle Escobar. He told her I was just being "dramatic" and using our daughter's "fever" as an excuse to avoid the event. He had no idea Effie's heart had already stopped. When I finally reached our penthouse, soaked from the rain and carrying Effie's small socks in a plastic bag, Grayson didn't even look at me. He snapped at me for ruining the hardwood floors and asked if I'd left Effie with the nanny just to "feel sorry for myself." Three days later, while I buried our daughter in a small, lonely ceremony, Grayson was at the Hamptons. Belle posted a photo of him golfing with the caption: "A mental health day with the boys." He didn't even attend the funeral, but he returned home demanding I clear out Effie's room to make a study for Belle's son. The injustice burned through me until there was nothing left. I swallowed a handful of sleeping pills, desperate to join my daughter. But instead of the darkness, I woke up to blinding lights and the scent of Grayson's expensive cologne. I was standing in a ballroom, wearing a blue silk dress I had already burned. Above me, a banner read: "Happy 5th Birthday Kaiden & Effie." I was back, exactly one year before the tragedy. This time, I wasn't going to be the grieving wife. I was going to be their worst nightmare.

The Convict Heiress: Marrying The Billionaire

The Convict Heiress: Marrying The Billionaire

Rollins Laman
4.8

The heavy thud of the release stamp was the only goodbye I got from the warden after five years in federal prison. I stepped out into the blinding sun, expecting the same flash of paparazzi bulbs that had seen me dragged away in handcuffs, but there was only a single black limousine idling on the shoulder of the road. Inside sat my mother and sister, clutching champagne and looking at my frayed coat with pure disgust. They didn't offer a welcome home; instead, they tossed a thick legal document onto the table and told me I was dead to the city. "Gavin and I are getting engaged," my sister Mia sneered, flicking a credit card at me like I was a stray dog. "He doesn't need a convict ex-fiancée hanging around." Even after I saved their lives from an armed kidnapping attempt by ramming the attackers off the road, they rewarded me by leaving me stranded in the dirt. When I finally ran into Gavin, the man who had framed me, he pinned me against a wall and threatened to send me back to a cell if I ever dared to show my face at their wedding. They had stolen my biotech research, ruined my name, and let me rot for half a decade while they lived off my brilliance. They thought they had broken me, leaving me with nothing but an expired chapstick and a few old photos in a plastic bag. What they didn't know was that I had spent those five years becoming "Dr. X," a shadow consultant with five hundred million dollars in crypto and a secret that would bring the city to its knees. I wasn't just a victim anymore; I was a weapon, and I was pregnant with the heir they thought they had erased. I walked into the Melton estate and made an offer to the most powerful man in New York. "I'll save your grandfather's life," I told Horatio Melton, staring him down. "But the price is your last name. I'm taking back what's mine, and I'm starting with the man who thinks he's marrying my sister."

One Night With My Billionaire Boss

One Night With My Billionaire Boss

Nathaniel Stone
4.5

I woke up on silk sheets that smelled of expensive cedar and cold sandalwood, a world away from my cramped apartment in Brooklyn. Beside me lay Ezra Gardner—my boss, the billionaire CEO of Gardner Holdings, and the man who could end my career with a snap of his fingers. He didn’t offer an apology for the night before; instead, he looked at me with terrifying clarity and proposed a cold, calculated business arrangement. "Marriage. It stabilizes the board and solves the PR crisis before it begins." He dressed me in archival Chanel and sent me home in his Maybach, but my life was already falling apart. My boyfriend, Irving, claimed he had passed out early, yet his location data placed him at my best friend’s apartment until three in the morning. When I tried to run, I realized Ezra was already ten steps ahead, tracking my movements and uncovering the secret I’d spent twenty years hiding: my connection to the powerful Senator Grimes. I was trapped between a CEO who treated me like a line item on a quarterly report and a boyfriend who had been using me while sleeping with my closest friend. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, wondering why a man like Ezra would walk up forty flights of stairs on a broken leg just to make sure I was safe. "Showtime, Mrs. Gardner." Standing on the red carpet in a gown that cost more than my life, I watched my cheating ex-boyfriend’s face turn pale as Ezra claimed me in front of the world. I wasn't just an assistant anymore; I was a weapon, and it was time to burn their world down.

The Ghost Wife's Billion Dollar Tech Comeback

The Ghost Wife's Billion Dollar Tech Comeback

Huo Wuer
4.5

Today is October 14th, my birthday. I returned to New York after months away, dragging my suitcase through the biting wind, but the VIP pickup zone where my husband’s Maybach usually idled was empty. When I finally let myself into our Upper East Side penthouse, I didn’t find a cake or a "welcome home" banner. Instead, I found my husband, Caden, kneeling on the floor, helping our five-year-old daughter wrap a massive gift for my half-sister, Adalynn. Caden didn’t even look up when I walked in; he was too busy laughing with the girl who had already stolen my father’s legacy and was now moving in on my family. "Auntie Addie is a million times better than Mommy," my daughter Elara chirped, clutching a plush toy Caden had once forbidden me from buying for her. "Mommy is mean," she whispered loudly, while Caden just smirked, calling me a "drill sergeant" before whisking her off to Adalynn’s party without a second glance. Later that night, I saw a video Adalynn posted online where my husband and child laughed while mocking my "sensitive" nature, treating me like an inconvenient ghost in my own home. I had spent five years researching nutrition for Elara’s health and managing every detail of Caden’s empire, only to be discarded the moment I wasn't in the room. How could the man who set his safe combination to my birthday completely forget I even existed? The realization didn't break me; it turned me into ice. I didn't scream or beg for an explanation. I simply walked into the study, pulled out the divorce papers I’d drafted months ago, and took a black marker to the terms. I crossed out the alimony, the mansion, and even the custody clause—if they wanted a life without me, I would give them exactly what they asked for. I left my four-carat diamond ring on the console table and walked out into the rain with nothing but a heavily encrypted hard drive. The submissive Mrs. Holloway was gone, and "Ghost," the most lethal architect in the tech world, was finally back online to take back everything they thought I’d forgotten.

The Scars She Hid From The World

The Scars She Hid From The World

REGINA MCBRIDE
4.6

The heavy iron gates of the Wilderness Correction Camp groaned as they released me after three years of state-sponsored hell. I stood on the dirt road, clutching a plastic bag that held my entire life, waiting for the family that claimed they sent me there for "rehab." My brother, Brady, picked me up in a luxury SUV only to throw me out onto a deserted highway in the middle of a brewing storm. He told me I was a "public relations nightmare" and that the rain might finally wash the "stink" of the camp off me. He drove away, leaving me to limp miles through the mud on a snapped ankle. When I finally dragged myself to our family estate, my mother didn't offer a hug; she gasped in horror because my muddy clothes were ruining her Italian marble. They didn't give me my old room back. Instead, they banished me to a moldy gardener’s shack and hired a "babysitter" to make sure I didn't embarrass them further. My sister, Kaleigh, stood there in white cashmere, pretending to cry while clinging to her fiancé, Ambrose—the man who had once been mine. They all treated me like a volatile junkie, refusing to acknowledge that Kaleigh was the one who planted the drugs in my bag three years ago. They wanted to believe I was broken so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about the "wellness retreat" that was actually a torture chamber. I sat in the dark of that shed, feeling the cooling gel on the cigarette burns that covered my arms, and realized they had made a fatal mistake. They thought they had erased me, but I had returned with a roadmap of scars and a hidden satellite phone. At dinner, I didn't beg for their love. I simply rolled up my sleeves and showed them the price of their silence. As the wine spilled and the lies crumbled, I sent a single text to the only person I trusted: "I'm in. Let them simmer." The hunt was finally on.

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book
Escaping His Cruel Love Escaping His Cruel Love Artsea Romance
“For three years, Joanna had dedicated herself as both Anthony's secretary and his secret lover, all for her family's sake. Upon discovering Anthony's engagement to the woman he truly loved, Joanna chose to break off their affair, resign from her role, conceal her pregnancy, and leave without a trace. Five years later, Joanna had ascended to the role of CEO of a formidable business empire. In a bold public declaration, she announced her plans to acquire Anthony's group within three years. In a private moment, Anthony cornered Joanna, pressing her against the wall and softly kissing her near her lips. "If you desire it, I'm ready to offer it to you, okay? Just promise you won't leave me again."”
1

Chapter 1 Forbidden Relationship

01/08/2021

2

Chapter 2 Who Did She Think She Was

01/08/2021

3

Chapter 3 What She Really Wants

01/08/2021

4

Chapter 4 Pregnancy

05/07/2024

5

Chapter 5 The Babies

05/07/2024

6

Chapter 6 Just Like Her

05/07/2024

7

Chapter 7 Everything Falls Apart Without You

05/07/2024

8

Chapter 8 Madisyn Is Far Better Than You

05/07/2024

9

Chapter 9 He Never Trusts Her

05/07/2024

10

Chapter 10 Losing Control

05/07/2024

11

Chapter 11 His Irritation

05/07/2024

12

Chapter 12 Her Change

05/07/2024

13

Chapter 13 She Is Dazzling

05/07/2024

14

Chapter 14 Plaything

05/07/2024

15

Chapter 15 Failure Before Starting

06/07/2024

16

Chapter 16 Knocking Him Down

07/07/2024

17

Chapter 17 We Are Friends

08/07/2024

18

Chapter 18 Negotiation

08/07/2024

19

Chapter 19 Collaboration Between Two Companies

08/07/2024

20

Chapter 20 Anthony Couldn't Breathe

08/07/2024

21

Chapter 21 Enjoying Being A Mistress

08/07/2024

22

Chapter 22 His Future Daughter-in-Law

08/07/2024

23

Chapter 23 Who Is The Mole

08/07/2024

24

Chapter 24 Going Separate Ways

08/07/2024

25

Chapter 25 This Is Too Much

08/07/2024

26

Chapter 26 Joanna Wants To Run Away

08/07/2024

27

Chapter 27 The Mole In The Design Department

08/07/2024

28

Chapter 28 Arresting The Mole

08/07/2024

29

Chapter 29 The Handover Has To Pause

08/07/2024

30

Chapter 30 Going To Rozand

08/07/2024

31

Chapter 31 Warning

08/07/2024

32

Chapter 32 Joanna Is My Granddaughter-in-law

08/07/2024

33

Chapter 33 Do You Miss Me

08/07/2024

34

Chapter 34 Your Worthless Father

08/07/2024

35

Chapter 35 Can't Enter The Company

08/07/2024

36

Chapter 36 Welcome

08/07/2024

37

Chapter 37 I'm Not That Important

08/07/2024

38

Chapter 38 The Representative Of The Peters Group

08/07/2024

39

Chapter 39 Each With Their Own Agenda

08/07/2024

40

Chapter 40 Returning To The 67th Floor

08/07/2024