FROM SHADOWS TO LOVE

closest allies. At thirty-five, he stood at the pinnacle of two worlds-the legitimate empire of *Ruby Industries* and the ruthless underworld of th

gave him an air of perpetual seriousness. His dark hair was always meticulously combed back, not a strand out of place. His cold, gray eyes were the color of storm cloud

he head of the Ruby family, a criminal kingpin who had built his empire on violence, fear, and secrecy. But it wasn't just the mafia that Giovanni had controlled-he

iew from the top floor was one of the most breathtaking in the city, the skyline stretching endlessly before him. But Damien never looked at the view. He w

ded respect-and fear. He exuded an air of power, but it was his silence that t

r had been swift, but

d fear in equal measure. Damien had inherited his father's business acumen, but it was his mother, Maria Ruby , who had taught him the importance of survival. Though she

y feared and resented. In the five years since Giovanni's death, Damien had not only solidified his place at the top of the family business but had expanded it furthe

legendary. He crushed competitors without hesitation, and he had no qualms about dealing with those in the shadows-men who owed him, men who had tried to betray him. He was a man without mercy, Evel

learned quickly that weakness had no place in his world. His father's empire had been built on power, secrecy, and brutality. Damien too

cutting-edge tech startups. His criminal empire funded every part of it, giving him leverage no one el

he one to introduce Damien to the world of high-end construction and tech investments. Together, they had built a thriving network, but over time, Ha

ayes was already in too deep. His debts were astronomical, his company on the verge of collapse. But it wasn't just money that was o

s palpable. Hayes, once a confident, calculating man, now looked like a broken shell of himself. His once-clean suit wa

request for mercy. But Hayes' situation was different. His debts weren

iam Hayes had promised him everything-his company's shares, future investments, and his own daughter in exchange

room as William Hayes once again, but thi

u-" Hayes had pleaded, his f

calm but unwavering. "And now you come to me, begging like a man with no prid

" Hayes had stammered. "I

nterrupted. "The time

filled the room with an uncomfortable

Damien said, his eyes narrowing. "But this isn't

face was palpable.

ile. "Your daughter, Evelyn, will marry me. She'

to agree. Damien knew the man would sacrifice anything to

hed most-his daughter. It was a business decision, a way to ensure that no one else would dare cross hi

old Ma

g proudly from the front row, her mother watching from a place beyond. She had dreamed of love, or at least companionship-of shari

warmth in her heart. Her stepmom smiling mischievously sent chills down her spine.The weight of her father's betrayal was a bitter pill she h

was foggy, numb to the reality around her. The ceremony was short, efficient, and almost cl

ng from her for more than a moment. She had never seen someone so detached, so utterly unaffec

band. There was no joy, no warmth-only the chilling finality of a decision made long before this moment. When it was ov

oice devoid of emotion. The words hung in

ke that, Ev

ng estate spoke of wealth and power, but there was no warmth here-nothing to soften the harsh edges of her new life. The marble floors, the p

of them spoke to her. They avoided her, their faces set in rigid indifference as they went about their duties.

de from the occasional command. He expected her to stay out of his way, to remain silent, to do

cating. The house, though vast and beautiful, felt like a tomb. The silence was deafening, broken only b

lled there, though she wasn't sure why. She had been working in the company for two days now, filing papers

surface reflecting the city lights that streamed through the windows behind him. He didn't look up as she entered, his atten

rdly by the door. She didn't know what to do, what to

down her spine. His eyes seemed to strip her bare, as though he were looking past the facade she ha

he co

ing slowly to the chair in front of his desk.

if assessing something. His silence was unnerving, oppressive.

You're to work here, in the comp

n? She was already his secretary, already carrying out tasks she didn't fully understa

your father promised you. You're here because I need you to be. Don't mistake this for kindness, because t

She had seen the coldness in his eyes, heard the cruelty in

ight say something more. But instead, he turned away, hi

e didn't look back as she exited his office, the door

as ever, and Evelyn was caught in a world she didn't understand. Each day felt like a battle

though her very existence was a mistake. The loneliness gnawed at her, but there was no escape. She had no friends, no family t