Bound By Duty

Bound By Duty

OneNation

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Velia Angelica Howell's perfect life shattered in a single night when a tragic accident took her parents and left her fiancé in a coma. Just as her world crumbled further with job loss and loan sharks threatening her, Lucas Hernandez, a powerful and enigmatic CEO, made her an offer she couldn't refuse: pretend to be his fiancée to secure a vital business deal. In exchange, Velia would regain financial stability and the means to support her fiancé's recovery. But as their worlds collided, dark secrets emerged, and Velia found herself torn between a love that could heal her and the haunting truths of her past.

Bound By Duty Chapter 1 A Night of Shadows

Velia Angelica Howell clutched her handbag tightly and looked anxiously over her shoulder as the cool evening breeze sliced through her flimsy coat. With flickering streetlights casting eerie shadows on the cracked pavement, the deserted street felt oppressive. She walked quickly, the sound of her footsteps echoing from the walls of the silent buildings around her.

Her heart pounded, not only from the fear of being alone at night but also from the weight of the events of the day. She had previously experienced an unexpected loss of her administrative employment, which the firm attributed to "downsizing." The fact that her fiancé, Andrew, had been comatose for months after the car accident that had claimed her parents didn't worry her, nor did the mounting bills. The world was indifferent to her challenges.

"Miss Howell, wait!"

Velia stiffened, her blood chilling at the sound of the rough voice behind her. She didn't need to look back to know who it was. The loan sharks.

"Come on," she murmured to herself, urging her legs to budge. Yet her feet seemed anchored in place. Gradually, she rotated, her large eyes locking onto the threatening stare of the man who had been pursuing her for weeks. Two additional men stood by him, their expressions set with the threat of aggression.

"Your payment is overdue," the man remarked, his tone misleadingly tranquil. He took out a cigarette, igniting it nonchalantly as though they were talking about the weather. "We granted you an extension out of goodwill, but now... goodwill has ended."

"I-I simply require additional time," Velia faltered, gripping her handbag as if it contained the solutions to her pleas. "I will pay." "I promise."

The man laughed ominously, nodding his head. "Time? Promises? Do you believe we're operating a nonprofit organisation? Allow me to clarify this, Miss Howell. You have time until the week's end. "No excuses."

One of the thugs stepped closer, extending his hand to grab her arm. "Maybe we should grab something for collateral," he mocked, his grip becoming excruciatingly tight.

"Please release me!" Velia sobbed and pulled at her arm, but the man's grip held firm. She felt a wave of panic and looked around desperately for help. The street was empty and barren, like a stage set up for her humiliation.

A deep, commanding voice cut like a razor through the tension, "Enough."

All heads moved in the direction of the voice. A towering figure emerged from the darkness of a nearby alley, his pristine dark suit sharp, his demeanour commanding. His defined jawline and striking grey eyes appeared to take in the faint light surrounding him, giving him an air of nobility and peril.

The loan sharks stiffened, their confidence faltering beneath the outsider's chilling stare. The leader advanced, inflating his chest. "This doesn't concern you, friend." "Step back."

The man showed no reaction. Rather, he turned his head a bit, his facial expression inscrutable. "I recommend that you free the woman," he stated, his tone composed yet infused with a subtle command that gave Velia chills.

"And what if we don't?" the leader questioned, although his tone had diminished in confidence.

The stranger grinned, the slightest arch of his mouth. "Afterward, you will regret not having done so."

For a brief moment, the street became quiet. The atmosphere was charged with tension as the loan sharks shared wary looks. At last, with a grunt, the leader signalled to his men. "Let's leave."

With a push, the thug released Velia's arm while silently cursing to himself. The trio retreated, disappearing into the shadows.

Velia staggered back, breathing shallowly and quickly. Her eyes widened in a mixture of gratitude and horror as she turned to face the stranger. "Thank you," she managed to whisper.

The man observed her for a brief instant, his expression inscrutable. After that, he nodded. "You need to exercise more caution," he remarked plainly. "Tonight, not everyone has your good fortune."

Before Velia could answer, he pivoted and started to walk off, his lengthy steps taking him back into the darkness.

"Wait!" she yelled, stepping forward hesitantly. He hesitated but did not look back. With a quivering voice, she questioned, "Who are you?"

He remained silent for a minute. Then he said, "Lucas Hernandez," without turning around. The name was like a shock of electricity to her.

Everyone knew Lucas Hernandez, the affluent CEO of Hernandez Holdings. In the world of business, he was a titan who was both feared and revered.

However, why would someone like him be in such a place? He disappeared into the night before she could ask him any more questions, leaving her alone on the empty street.

Velia's legs buckled, and she fell to a nearby bench, her mind racing. The meeting seemed dreamlike, reminiscent of a moment from the love stories she once enjoyed. However, this wasn't a made-up story. This was her existence-chaotic, uncertain, and balancing on the brink of breakdown.

As the excitement diminished, reality struck her like a speeding locomotive. The loan sharks were not going to yield for long. She required cash quickly, or they would pursue her once more. Her mind drifted to Lucas Hernandez, the person who had rescued her this evening.

What was he seeking? What prompted him to step in? And why did she sense that this was merely the start of something far greater than she could grasp?

Unbeknownst to Velia, the occurrences of this evening would lead her down a path that would change her life forever.

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Bound By Duty Bound By Duty OneNation Romance
“Velia Angelica Howell's perfect life shattered in a single night when a tragic accident took her parents and left her fiancé in a coma. Just as her world crumbled further with job loss and loan sharks threatening her, Lucas Hernandez, a powerful and enigmatic CEO, made her an offer she couldn't refuse: pretend to be his fiancée to secure a vital business deal. In exchange, Velia would regain financial stability and the means to support her fiancé's recovery. But as their worlds collided, dark secrets emerged, and Velia found herself torn between a love that could heal her and the haunting truths of her past.”
1

Chapter 1 A Night of Shadows

18/02/2025

2

Chapter 2 An Offer She Cannot Refuse

18/02/2025

3

Chapter 3 A Deal with the Devil

18/02/2025

4

Chapter 4 The First Test

18/02/2025

5

Chapter 5 The Aftermath of Deception

18/02/2025

6

Chapter 6 The First Crack

18/02/2025

7

Chapter 7 The Thin Line Between Duty and Desire

18/02/2025

8

Chapter 8 Shadows of the Past

18/02/2025

9

Chapter 9 A Dance with Danger

18/02/2025

10

Chapter 10 A Dangerous Line

18/02/2025

11

Chapter 11 Lines We Shouldn't Cross

06/03/2025

12

Chapter 12 The Breaking Point

08/03/2025

13

Chapter 13 A Dangerous Game

08/03/2025

14

Chapter 14 The Edge of Deception

09/03/2025

15

Chapter 15 Unraveling Intentions

09/03/2025

16

Chapter 16 Shadows of the Past

13/03/2025

17

Chapter 17 A War Begins

13/03/2025

18

Chapter 18 The Next Target

13/03/2025

19

Chapter 19 A Line Crossed

13/03/2025

20

Chapter 20 A Battle of Power

14/03/2025

21

Chapter 21 A Shift in the Air

14/03/2025

22

Chapter 22 The Silent Storm

14/03/2025

23

Chapter 23 Unraveling the Past

14/03/2025

24

Chapter 24 Shadows of the Past

16/03/2025

25

Chapter 25 The Edge of Trust

16/03/2025

26

Chapter 26 A Night of Hidden Agendas

24/03/2025

27

Chapter 27 The Aftermath of the Trap

24/03/2025

28

Chapter 28 Caught in the Crossfire

25/03/2025

29

Chapter 29 The Sniper's Aim

26/03/2025

30

Chapter 30 Walking into the Lion's Den

26/03/2025

31

Chapter 31 A Heart Torn in Two

26/03/2025