Dahlia is a very religious and ambitious girl from a small village in Romania. She now studies in a prestigious catholic high school in the capital. But her love life... isn't as religious.
The bell above the grand wooden doors of St. Augustine's Catholic High School tolled loudly, its chime reverberating through the courtyard. Dahlia's heart raced as she stood at the entrance, the prestigious school towering before her like a cathedral. Her uniform felt stiffer than she expected, the pleats perfectly ironed, the school crest stitched into her blazer glowing with fresh embroidery. It was her first day, but the excitement was overshadowed by the gnawing secret buried deep within her heart.
Anne. Her name alone sent shivers through Dahlia. A secret lover. No one could know. Especially not today.
Anne was different from anyone Dahlia had ever met: confident, elegant, and fiercely intelligent. Their relationship was a secret Dahlia guarded fiercely, especially from Dion. The thought of Anne's brother made her uncomfortable, because Dion was madly in love with her. How could she face him today?
As she walked past the main courtyard, her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Dahlia!"
She turned quickly, her stomach fluttering. It was Anne.
Anne smiled warmly, her hazel eyes locking onto Dahlia's. "First day jitters?"
"Something like that," Dahlia mumbled, trying to keep her voice steady. "I can't believe we're here."
"Neither can I," Anne whispered, stepping closer. Her hand grazed Dahlia's for a brief moment before pulling away. "We should... be careful."
Dahlia's heart sank, but she nodded. "Yeah, I know."
The school's towering gothic spires loomed above them, casting long shadows over the cobbled walkways. Students bustled around them, seemingly oblivious to the silent tension between the two girls. Dahlia's eyes briefly scanned the crowd, searching for Dion. She knew he would be here. His presence was as inevitable as the rising sun.
Anne sighed, sensing Dahlia's unease. "You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
"I can't help it," Dahlia admitted. "It's like he's always there, waiting... watching."
Anne looked down, her smile fading. "Dion's... complicated. But he's my brother. Just be careful around him, okay?"
Before Dahlia could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Dahlia!"
She froze. There he was. Dion.
He strode towards them with his usual confidence, tall and striking in his uniform. His eyes, sharp and intense, were fixed on Dahlia. She could feel the weight of his gaze, and her stomach churned with guilt.
"Dion," she greeted, her voice a little too soft.
Anne shifted awkwardly beside them, her expression unreadable. Dion barely acknowledged his sister, his attention fully on Dahlia. "I've been looking for you. How are you holding up? First day and all."
Dahlia forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just... nervous."
"You'll do great," Dion said, his voice low and sincere. He stepped closer, too close, and Dahlia could feel the tension between them.
Anne cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "Dion, we should get to class."
He looked at her, finally acknowledging her presence. "Right. Of course."
The three of them walked together in silence, the air heavy with unsaid words. As they entered the grand halls of the school, the rich scent of polished wood and incense filled Dahlia's senses. The walls were lined with religious paintings, and the stained-glass windows cast colorful patterns on the marble floors.
"This place is beautiful," Dahlia murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
"It's a privilege to be here," Dion said quietly, his eyes still on her. "Not everyone gets in. You earned it."
Dahlia swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. She hadn't gotten in because of her grades. Not entirely. It was Anne who had pulled strings, leveraging her family's connections to ensure Dahlia would be accepted. Another secret.
"Thanks," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "But I'm just glad to be here with you guys."
Anne smiled faintly, though her eyes didn't quite match the expression. Dion, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to say more, but the arrival of their homeroom teacher interrupted him.
"Welcome, students," Father Marcus said as he entered the room, his black robe flowing behind him like a shadow. His presence commanded silence, and the chatter of the classroom died instantly. "It is an honor to welcome you to St. Augustine's. This school is not merely a place of learning, but a place of faith, discipline, and integrity."
Dahlia sat at her desk, her mind only half-listening. She could feel Dion's eyes on her from across the room. Anne sat beside her, her leg brushing against Dahlia's under the desk. It was a subtle touch, but it was enough to send a rush of warmth through her.
Focus, Dahlia. Focus.
Father Marcus continued his speech, his deep voice echoing off the walls. "Remember, students, this is not just a school. It is a community. A family. We are bound by our faith and our commitment to excellence."
Dahlia glanced at Anne, who was staring straight ahead, her face composed but her hand trembling slightly. Dahlia wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but she knew they had to be careful. Too many eyes. Too many secrets.
After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom. As students shuffled out of the classroom, Dion caught up with Dahlia.
"Want to grab lunch later?" he asked, his voice casual, but there was a tension in his eyes that made her uneasy.
Dahlia hesitated, glancing at Anne, who was lingering by the door. She could see the subtle shake of Anne's head, a silent plea.
"I'm not sure," Dahlia said carefully. "Maybe."
Dion frowned, but before he could press further, Anne spoke up. "We've got a lot of catching up to do, Dion. Maybe another time?"
Dion looked between the two of them, suspicion flickering in his eyes. But he nodded slowly. "Yeah, sure. Another time."
As he walked away, Dahlia exhaled in relief. "Thank you," she whispered to Anne.
Anne smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We can't keep this up forever, Dahlia. He'll figure it out."
"I know," Dahlia said softly. "But not today. Please, not today."
Anne nodded, her expression softening. "Come on. Let's get out of here before someone else asks questions."
They walked together through the crowded hallways, side by side but worlds apart, each step weighed down by the secrets they carried. The first day wasn't even over, and already, Dahlia felt like she was drowning in lies.
BOOK 1- BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE BOOK. MATURE THEMES 18+ The book may contain s!xual scenes, sudden instances of possessiveness, mild violence. Sydney Morgan and Gavin Reed, high school sweethearts, had been married for over a decade. Five years of their relationship were filled with unconditional love; however, in the next six years, this changes drastically between them when Sydney takes advice from her best friend, Gavin's first love. When Sydney loses her baby, Gavin is left broken and vulnerable in the hands of his first love. She convinces him to divorce Sydney, and when he does, Sydney loses it and nearly gets hit by a car, but then the talk of the town, Gavin's rival, and CEO's son, hiding behind a facàde, comes to her rescue.
"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.