LOGINBetrayed by the man she loved, Serena Collins must also find a way to pay for her mother's medical treatment. Just when she is on the verge of giving up, fate leads her to Steave Alexander, a powerful CEO who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend's uncle. What begins as a simple agreement soon turns into a relationship filled with temptation, secrets, and feelings neither of them can ignore. Could her true love be the very man she should never have fallen for?
View MoreToday, Serena Collins and her boyfriend, Ethan, had plans to meet. Serena arrived at Ethan's apartment with a happy heart.
There was nothing particularly special about the occasion, but Serena was the kind of girl who could always find a reason to be happy. Maybe it was because Ethan rarely had free time, so every date felt like a small celebration. At first, Serena walked cheerfully, full of excitement despite the lingering drizzle that had nearly ruined her freshly blow-dried hair. Her hand held a small umbrella, now folded shut, while her heart bloomed with joy. However, the moment she arrived at apartment 3B and noticed the door was not fully closed, an uneasy feeling crept over her. "Ethan is never this careless. Could it be that he doesn't realize his door is still unlocked?" Serena murmured. She reached out to knock, but something stopped her. Her heart was suddenly restless. Frowning, she carefully pushed the door open. She stepped cautiously into the dim living room. Only a corner lamp was on, casting the shadows of decorative plants across the walls. The sofa was in disarray, and a man's shirt lay draped over its backrest. Serena's heartbeat began to pound strangely. That wasn't all. She also noticed a woman's dress and undergarments scattered in front of the bedroom door. "Ethan?" she called softly. No answer came. She moved farther inside. The atmosphere in the apartment made her chest tighten, and just as she neared the bedroom door, she heard voices. "Ahh... deeper, Ethan. Don't stop!" a woman's voice cried out, breathy and filled with pleasure. Serena's body instantly froze. Then a man's voice followed, one she would recognize anywhere. "You're crazy, Marissa. Your body is addictive." Serena stood rooted to the spot, her head throbbing. The bed creaked, followed by alternating breaths and moans. "Ah, Ethan, faster. I'm almost..." "Quiet. Let me be the one controlling you tonight." Serena clamped a hand over her mouth to keep her breathing silent. She took a cautious step forward until she could peer through the narrow gap in the bedroom door, which was open only a few inches. And there, every certainty she had ever held shattered. Marissa, her stepsister, lay sprawled across the bed with her hair tangled across the pillow. Her unclothed body and intoxicated expression radiated pleasure. Ethan, the man she was engaged to, was kissing her stepsister with reckless hunger. Serena stood motionless. Tears fell from her eyes, yet her face remained rigid. She was not the kind of girl who would scream and cry outside a bedroom door. She simply stood there, swallowing the bitter reality that stabbed through her heart. Her hands trembled, but Serena kept her back straight, refusing to let herself collapse. She would not fall apart in front of them. With the last of her strength, she stepped away from the door. Their voices continued to slice through her ears, but Serena chose to leave. Her heart was broken, yet her thoughts were even more chaotic. She didn't know what to do about her relationship with Ethan. Their engagement was not merely a matter of love. It was an agreement between two influential families. If she called it off, her stepmother could persuade her father to withdraw all financial support for her biological mother's medical treatment. Her mother was currently receiving intensive care in the hospital. But if she went through with the marriage, it would feel like stabbing herself with the very same knife. Serena pressed a hand against her chest, torn between wanting to scream and wanting to faint. Every path before her seemed to lead toward destruction. She ran out of the apartment, her mind spinning. She shoved the door open in haste. Her breathing was ragged, and tears streamed down her face. Serena hurried down the hallway. That was when she nearly collided with a tall man dressed in an immaculate suit. She looked up. The man studied her intently. His dark eyes were calculating as they rested on the young woman before him. Meanwhile, Serena lowered her gaze again and walked past him without a word. The man was Steave Alexander Whitmore, Ethan's uncle. Steave watched the young woman wander away aimlessly, tears still visible on her cheeks. Suspicion immediately stirred within him. He walked toward Ethan's apartment and opened the door without hesitation. His instincts proved correct. Moans, gasps, and the rhythmic creaking of a bed echoed from inside. One glance was all it took for him to understand exactly what was happening. A faint smirk appeared on his lips. He pulled his phone from his pocket and raised it to his ear. "Paul," he said flatly. "We're moving up the timeline. Prepare everything."After confirming that her mother's condition remained stable, Serena decided to return to the Collins family home. It had been a long time since she had set foot there.As soon as the taxi stopped in front of the gate, a servant hurried over and opened the door for her. Serena stepped out wearing a long cream-colored coat that concealed her petite frame."Serena?"A gentle voice tinged with unmistakable sarcasm greeted her from the living room.Claudia, her stepmother.Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes were cold."So you finally remembered to come home. I thought you'd forgotten you still had a family here."The tone instantly tightened Serena's chest.She didn't respond. She simply looked at Claudia without expression."Good morning," she said flatly before walking past her toward the staircase.But Claudia wasn't finished."I heard your mother was transferred to a larger hospital. Where did you get the money for that? Did your father pay for it? Or..."Serena stopped.Her h
Steave cursed himself.The harder he tried to stay away, the stronger the pull he felt.With hesitant steps, he returned to the side of the bed. His eyes traveled over every inch of Serena's exposed body, from her smooth shoulder to the enticing curve of her waist. He swallowed hard, feeling his throat go dry."Why do I keep wanting you?" he whispered to himself.His hand lifted and reached toward Serena. His fingers trembled as they brushed against her soft skin.Serena shifted slightly in her sleep, causing Steave to pull his hand back at once. He tried to restrain himself, but his desire had already grown too powerful to contain. This time, he could no longer hold himself back."Hate me as much as you want," he whispered softly before lowering his head and pressing a gentle kiss to Serena's lips.At first, the kiss was nothing more than a light touch. Gradually, it deepened, becoming more passionate. Steave savored her lips, surrendering to every sensation that fueled the desire bu
Sunlight streamed through the large window curtains, spilling across the bed.Steave had been awake for hours.He sat upright at the edge of the mattress, already dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.A steaming cup of coffee rested in his right hand as his gaze settled on the figure still lying beneath the blankets.Serena.She looked exhausted. Strands of disheveled hair partially covered her face. Her breathing was steady, her lips slightly parted, and faint reddish marks lingered on her neck from the night before.Steave watched her for a long moment, expressionless.He didn't know what he was feeling.Satisfaction?He had to admit it. A desire he had suppressed for so long had finally found its release with the woman he wanted.But what now?Was he satisfied after having her?No.If anything, he had become even greedier, especially knowing that he was the first man to whom Serena had given everything.Steave set his coffee cup on the bedside tab
Without warning, Steave lifted his hand and gently touched Serena's face.Serena held her breath.The distance between them slowly disappeared until their lips finally met.The kiss sent Serena's heart into a frenzy. She wanted to pull away, but her body seemed to have lost the ability to move."Serena," Steave whispered.His voice was low and filled with pressure.Serena lowered her gaze. She didn't know what to say. Everything was happening so quickly that her mind struggled to keep up with reality.Steave brushed his thumb across her cheek."Look at me," he said.Serena lifted her face, and their eyes met.For a moment, neither of them spoke.Only the sound of their breathing filled the silence of the spacious apartment.The city lights streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows cast their silhouettes across the floor.Steave remained standing before her, calm, dominant, and impossible to read."I've kept my promise," Steave said. "Now everything is in your hands."Serena gripp












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