In the dazzling yet ruthless world of New York's elite, where power is everything, Sophia Chloe has only known suffering. Trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, she endures relentless pain-beatings, humiliation, and heartbreak. Her once-bright future has been reduced to nothing but survival. But one fateful night changes everything. A desperate escape leads her into the arms of Anthony Philip, a cold-hearted billionaire with a past as dark as his reputation. What was meant to be a reckless mistake-a one-night stand-soon spirals into a dangerous entanglement she never saw coming. Anthony is no ordinary billionaire. As a powerful figure in the Mafia, he commands fear and respect in equal measure. He doesn't do love, and he certainly doesn't believe in second chances. But something about Sophia's brokenness awakens a part of him he thought was long dead. He offers her power, protection, and a way out-but at a cost she may not be willing to pay. When her past comes back to haunt her, and dangerous enemies lurk in the shadows, Sophia must decide: remain the weak, broken woman she once was, or rise from the ashes and claim the strength that was stolen from her? In a world of betrayal, vengeance, and deadly secrets, one thing is certain-nothing comes without a price. Themes: Weak-to-strong heroine transformation Mafia power struggles and forbidden romance Betrayal, revenge, and redemption One-night stand leading to an unexpected fate A billionaire who doesn't believe in love... until her She was supposed to be his mistake. Instead, she became his obsession.
Chapter 1 The Night That Changed Everything
The bruises on my arms burned like fire, but they were nothing compared to the ache in my chest.
Each breath was a struggle, my ribs protesting with sharp, stabbing pain. I stumbled into the dimly lit alley, my legs weak beneath me. The distant hum of New York's bustling nightlife surrounded me-cars honking, laughter spilling from nearby bars, music blasting from distant speakers-but it all felt like background noise. My world had shrunk down to the pain, the fear, and the suffocating weight of my past.
I pressed my back against the cold brick wall, wincing as my body screamed in protest. My husband's cruel words echoed in my ears, each syllable dripping with venom.
"You think you can leave me? You're nothing without me, and you know it. No one will ever want you."
His threats were still fresh, still raw, and they tightened around my throat like an invisible noose. I clenched my teeth, blinking rapidly as tears blurred my vision. I had to stay strong. I had to keep moving.
With trembling fingers, I lifted my phone and pressed the only number I knew by heart-Brielle's.
"Please... pick up," I whispered, my voice hoarse, my hands shaking so badly that I almost dropped the device.
One ring. Two rings.
Silence.
I let out a ragged breath, my stomach twisting in despair. Brielle was my best friend-the only person who had ever truly cared about me. If anyone could help me, it was her. But there was no answer.
Was she asleep? Was she ignoring me? Had my husband gotten to her first?
The thought sent ice crawling down my spine.
A shiver wracked my body as a gust of cold wind swept through the alley, cutting through my thin, torn dress. I pulled my arms around myself, trying to stop the violent trembling that wracked my frame. Just hours ago, I had been a prisoner in my own home, enduring yet another night of endless beatings. My husband had looked at me like I was nothing more than an object-a punching bag, something to be controlled and destroyed.
But this time, something inside me had snapped.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I had to run. I had to survive.
My breath hitched as I pushed off the wall, my body screaming in protest. I needed a plan. I needed a place to go. But where? I had no money, no family, no friends I could turn to. My husband had made sure of that. He had cut me off from the world, trapping me in a gilded cage.
And now, I was out, but I was still trapped.
The streets of New York stretched out before me-so many people, so much life. Yet, no one noticed me. People walked past, wrapped up in their own worlds, oblivious to the woman bleeding in the shadows.
A sudden wave of dizziness crashed over me. I reached out, my fingers brushing against the rough brick wall for support. The edges of my vision darkened.
I was going to pass out.
No. Not here. Not now.
I forced myself to stay upright, to keep moving.
Then, the sound of screeching tires cut through the night.
My head snapped up as a sleek black car came to a sudden stop at the curb. The back door swung open with a slow, deliberate motion. My breath caught in my throat as a man stepped out.
Tall. Powerful. Dangerous.
Even in the dim glow of the streetlights, I recognized him instantly.
Anthony Philip.
The name alone was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
The ruthless billionaire. The untouchable Mafia boss. The man who controlled more of this city than the mayor himself. His presence was overwhelming, his aura suffocating. He wasn't just powerful-he was power.
And he was looking right at me.
His sharp, piercing gaze locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. He didn't move, didn't speak, just watched me with those dark, calculating eyes.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea why he was here or what he wanted, but every instinct in my body screamed that I should run.
But my body wouldn't move.
I was frozen. Trapped beneath his gaze.
A man stepped forward from behind him-one of his men, no doubt. "Boss, we should go."
Anthony didn't acknowledge him. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was some kind of puzzle he was trying to figure out. Then, as if making a decision, he closed the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps.
I pressed myself harder against the wall, my pulse a wild drumbeat in my ears.
"Who did this to you?" His voice was low, smooth, but there was an undercurrent of something dangerous beneath it.
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
Anthony's gaze flickered to my bruised arms, to the torn fabric of my dress, to the swelling on my cheek. Something dark flashed in his eyes.
Rage.
I swallowed hard. "I-" My voice cracked. "It doesn't matter."
His jaw tightened. "It does."
A sudden wave of fear washed over me.
Men like him-men with power-didn't get involved with people like me. If he was asking questions, it wasn't out of kindness. It wasn't because he cared.
He wanted something.
"I have to go," I said, forcing my body to move. I turned, my breath coming in short gasps as I tried to put distance between us.
But I had barely taken a step before a strong hand wrapped around my wrist.
I gasped, my body tensing.
Anthony's grip wasn't harsh, but it was firm-unmovable. "You won't make it through the night in this city, not in your condition."
I clenched my teeth. "I can take care of myself."
A humorless smirk touched his lips. "Is that so?" His gaze dropped to my shaking hands. "You're bleeding."
I flinched. He wasn't wrong. My palms were scraped raw from when I had fallen earlier, my skin torn and stinging.
He released my wrist and reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a crisp white handkerchief. Without a word, he took my hand in his, gently dabbing at the wounds.
I sucked in a sharp breath.
His touch was... unexpected. Not cruel. Not rough. Just careful.
Why?
Why would a man like him-someone feared, someone ruthless-waste his time on me?
"I don't know what kind of trouble you're running from," he said, his voice quiet, "but I know what it looks like when someone has nowhere left to go."
My throat tightened.
I did have nowhere to go.
And he knew it.
I should have been terrified. I should have pushed him away and run. But I didn't.
Because for the first time in years, someone was looking at me like I was more than just a burden. More than just a broken woman.
Anthony tucked the handkerchief into my hand, his fingers brushing against mine. "Get in the car."
I stared at him. "Why?"
He smirked. "Because you need a way out."
And maybe-just maybe-he was right.
I hesitated for only a moment before I took a shaky breath and stepped forward.
Into the unknown.
Into the darkness.
Into the arms of a man who could either be my savior...
Or my downfall.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Chapter 1 The Night That Changed Everything
01/04/2025
Chapter 2 Shadows of the Past
01/04/2025
Chapter 3 Caught in the Web
01/04/2025
Chapter 4 A Dangerous Proposition
01/04/2025
Chapter 5 Bound by Deal
01/04/2025
Chapter 6 A Cage of Gold
01/04/2025
Chapter 7 Bound by Secrets
01/04/2025
Chapter 8 A Masked Affair
01/04/2025
Chapter 9 Shattered Illusions
01/04/2025
Chapter 10 Ghost of the Past
01/04/2025
Chapter 11 Whispers in the Dark
01/04/2025
Chapter 12 Dangerous Game
01/04/2025
Other books by Harris Paul
More