MasukBetrayed 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?
Lihat lebih banyakToday, 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."The next morning, Serena slowly woke from a deep sleep. She blinked, trying to gather her senses. Something felt strange, different from usual. Stretching her body, she felt a faint soreness in her muscles. Then she opened her eyes fully and looked around. Her heart immediately began to race when she realized she was in a room she knew all too well. Steave's bedroom. A flood of memories crashed into her mind. She remembered falling asleep on the living room sofa while waiting for Steave, who never came home. She remembered feeling heated touches on her body, touches that had made her shiver with both fear and desire. Then it all came back clearly. She and Steave had been together again last night. Shame and guilt surged through her. She hated herself for giving in to Steave, for betraying herself. Serena climbed out of bed with mixed emotions churning inside her. Steave wasn't in the room. Perhaps he had already left for work, or perhaps he was somewhere else in the apart
“These belongings will be moved to Mr. Steave's apartment. We're only carrying out orders.”“What?” Serena could hardly believe what she had just heard. “Steave? He's the one who told you to do this?”“Yes, Miss. The order came directly from him.”“Why? Why are my things being taken there?” Serena protested, grabbing hold of her suitcase as one of the men attempted to lift it.The man answered briefly. “Mr. Steave wants you to live with him starting tonight.”Serena fell silent, her face growing hot with a mixture of anger and confusion.“He never said anything to me! You can't just walk in and...”“We're only carrying out orders, Miss.”The man dipped his head politely before returning to work.Serena stood frozen as all around her, her personal belongings, her clothes, books, even the small potted plant she had always cared for, were being carried away by strangers.She quickly dug through her bag, pulled out her phone, and called Steave.But no matter how many times she tried, the
Today, rain had been pouring relentlessly since morning. London shimmered beneath the rainfall, the droplets blending with the still-dazzling sunlight.Serena sat at her desk, staring at a computer screen filled with reports. Her job as an administrative assistant in the financial management department demanded a high level of precision.Every document that came in had to be reviewed, reported, and archived perfectly.But that morning, she felt completely unmotivated. She hadn't slept at all the night before because she had been watching over her mother, who was still in a coma at the hospital.“Serena Collins, please report to Miss Liana's office now,” the HR secretary said.Serena had expected it. Sooner or later, she knew she would be called in.She straightened her blazer, took a deep breath, and walked toward the large glass office at the end of the corridor.She knocked twice before a voice came from inside.“Come in.”As soon as the door opened, a middle-aged woman with a bob h
The room was quiet, too quiet, with only Serena and her mother, still lying unconscious in a coma. Then a soft click came from the door. Serena turned quickly. The door to the hospital room, which had been closed moments ago, was now slightly ajar. A shadow stood behind it. Serena froze. The door moved, opening wider. Before Serena could say anything, someone stepped inside with quick strides and gently closed the door behind him. Serena stared in surprise as the door opened. She thought Ethan had returned, but her movement halted the moment she saw who was standing there. Steave. He wore a black shirt that contrasted sharply with his skin. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, making the veins in his forearms stand out. His gaze was cold, sharp, and impossible to read. Serena immediately rose to her feet on instinct, her heart pounding wildly. “Mr. Steave...” Her voice trembled. Steave walked in without responding. His eyes swept over Serena's pale face before briefly
After enduring a difficult night, Serena could finally breathe a little easier. Once Steave kept his promise to continue covering the medical expenses, the hospital immediately transferred her mother back to the intensive care unit. Her mother slept peacefully in the hospital bed. Her breathing wa
Serena hurried to Steave’s apartment.The sky had already darkened by the time she stood in front of his door. Her hand trembled as she pressed the doorbell. Once, twice, then the door opened, revealing Paul.“Good evening, Miss Serena,” he greeted calmly. “Mr. Steave has been expecting you.”Seren
Serena's eyes widened at his words.What?A man who appeared as dignified and powerful as Steave wanted her body as some kind of bargaining chip?That couldn't be serious."Don't joke around!" Serena exclaimed in disbelief. She hoped she had misheard him, or that Steave would take back what he had
The next day, Steave sat casually in his chair, his right arm supporting his chin while his fingers tapped against the desk. The office was designed with a masculine aesthetic, featuring sharp lines and dark tones.Paul, his most trusted assistant, stood straight before him. His expression was seri


















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