When Lila Monroe's ex-boyfriend, Julian Sterling, announces his engagement, she drowns her sorrows at an upscale bar, waking up in a stranger's bed the bed of none other than Ethan Sterling, her ex's ruthless and dangerously alluring brother. Lila's life takes a devastating turn when her father is imprisoned, his fate orchestrated by Julian's cruel schemes. With no one else to turn to, she strikes a risky deal with Ethan. He'll save her father and restore her family's honor, but only if she agrees to a marriage of convenience...and an heir. Caught between her lingering heartbreak and Ethan's intense, possessive nature, Lila must navigate a world of betrayal, passion, and family secrets. Yet the more she resists Ethan, the more undeniable their attraction grows, sparking a dangerous game neither is prepared for. But when she discovers she's carrying his child, Lila must decide if she's willing to risk everything even her heart for a man who may only see her as a pawn in his deadly rivalry.
Chapter 1 1
The bass pulsed through Lila's veins, thick and intoxicating, as she tipped back her third glass of whiskey, the amber liquid burning its way down her throat. Tonight, she wasn't Lila Monroe, the composed marketing executive with her life carefully packaged in neat, measured boxes. Tonight, she was a woman abandoned, a lover scorned-just another heartbroken soul swallowed by the city lights.
She shut her eyes, savoring the heavy warmth in her limbs, her skin tingling as the alcohol began to work its magic. Julian's words echoed in her mind like a haunting melody she couldn't shake. I'm doing this for us, Lila. I'll always care about you. Care. That word twisted her insides, leaving a bitter taste behind. Love was never enough for Julian Sterling; ambition had always come first.
With a deep sigh, she glanced around the dimly lit lounge, taking in the glimmering chandeliers, the velvet-lined booths, and the buzz of New York's elite around her. She didn't belong here-not tonight, not anymore. But she had come for one reason, and one reason only: to lose herself in the rhythm of music and forget, if only for a few hours, the man who had carved his way into her heart only to shred it apart.
"Another?" The bartender, a handsome man with a crisp, black vest and warm hazel eyes, leaned in, his gaze lingering just a little too long. She noticed the faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looked her over.
"Why not?" she replied, her lips curling into a half-smile. The night was young, and she wanted nothing more than to drown every memory of Julian until it dissolved into oblivion. The bartender slid her a fresh glass, and she lifted it in a silent toast-to broken hearts, to bad decisions, to finding a way to forget.
"Rough night?" His voice was low, smooth, and a little too perceptive.
Lila laughed softly, the sound tinged with a hint of bitterness. "You could say that. It's one of those nights where you realize...maybe you've been wasting your time."
He nodded knowingly, leaning against the bar with an ease that suggested he'd heard his fair share of late-night confessions. "Well, in that case, I'd say you're in the right place. Just make sure you don't drink the memories away for good. Some things are worth keeping."
"Oh, trust me," she murmured, swirling the liquid in her glass, "there's nothing worth keeping here."
She downed the whiskey in one long, searing gulp, her gaze drifting over the crowded lounge. A sleek black suit caught her attention, its wearer's back turned as he spoke to another man in a low, intent conversation. Something about the way he held himself-the commanding presence, the ease with which he filled the room-drew her in, a magnetic pull she couldn't resist. She barely registered herself standing up, her steps unsteady as she walked toward him, leaving the bar and the faintly amused bartender behind.
She approached him without a plan, without a single coherent thought beyond the need to escape herself. And somehow, it felt like he was the answer, or maybe just the perfect distraction. She was close enough now to catch the deep timber of his voice, though his words were lost beneath the music. But as if sensing her presence, he turned, his gaze locking onto hers with a sharp intensity that left her breathless.
Her breath hitched. The man was handsome in a way that bordered on dangerous-sculpted cheekbones, dark eyes that seemed to hold a hint of something primal, something untamed beneath the polished exterior. He was unmistakably wealthy, the subtle tailoring of his suit and the quiet confidence in his stance giving him away.
"Hello." Her voice came out softer than she intended, almost hesitant, as she met his gaze.
He raised a brow, a flicker of intrigue passing over his face. "Hello." His tone was cool, distant, but there was a glint in his eyes that betrayed a hint of curiosity.
"Do you mind if I...?" She gestured vaguely, realizing with a pang of embarrassment that she wasn't sure what she was asking.
One corner of his mouth lifted in a faint, almost amused smile. "Go ahead."
The permission was all she needed. She closed the gap between them, leaning in slightly, feeling the intoxicating pull of his presence, his scent-spice and cedar, sharp and luxurious. She couldn't remember the last time someone had unsettled her like this, the last time she'd felt so drawn to a complete stranger.
"I don't usually do this," she murmured, a hint of self-conscious laughter in her voice.
He tilted his head, studying her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. "And what is it you're doing, exactly?"
"Trying to forget someone." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and for a moment, vulnerability flashed across her face. She half-expected him to laugh, to brush her off, but instead, his expression softened, a spark of understanding passing between them.
"Well," he said quietly, his gaze never wavering, "maybe I can help with that."
Without another word, he took her hand, his grip firm and warm as he led her through the crowd, past the thrum of music and the glances of curious onlookers. They moved toward a quieter corner of the lounge, a secluded area where the noise faded into the background, leaving only the two of them enveloped in an electrifying silence.
They sat, and she found herself leaning closer, drawn in by the dark mystery of his gaze, the calm confidence in his every move. The room seemed to shrink around them, the world outside fading away.
"What's your name?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
He hesitated, as if deciding how much he wanted to reveal. "Ethan," he replied finally. "Ethan Sterling."
Her heart skipped a beat. Sterling. The name settled over her like a cold shadow, a realization twisting in her stomach. No. It can't be.
"Sterling... as in-"
"Yes," he interrupted, his tone firm, the glint of recognition in his eyes unmistakable. "Julian Sterling's brother."
A wave of disbelief crashed over her, mingling with the buzz of alcohol in her veins. She stared at him, processing the revelation, her mind whirling with confusion, attraction, and the faintest hint of alarm. Yet, despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to move, to pull away.
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
31/10/2024
Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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Chapter 16 16
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Chapter 17 17
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Chapter 18 18
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Chapter 19 19
03/11/2024
Chapter 20 20
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Chapter 21 21
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Chapter 22 22
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Chapter 23 23
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Chapter 24 24
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Chapter 25 25
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Chapter 26 26
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Chapter 27 27
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Chapter 28 28
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Chapter 29 29
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Chapter 30 30
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Chapter 31 31
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Chapter 32 32
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Chapter 33 33
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