For the past three years, Ariana Harlow has dedicated herself entirely to her husband, Noah Nelson. They married after her sister, who was originally set to wed Noah, fled on the wedding night, believing rumors that the Nelson Corporation was bankrupt.
Ariana had loved Noah since she was sixteen, and marrying him seemed like a dream come true. Unbeknownst to her, her sister had orchestrated this situation, leading not to a new life but to a personal hell.
She was pressured to abandon her medical training because the respectable Mrs. Nelson could not have her hands stained with blood. Ariana complied, transforming into the perfect wife, tending to her in-laws and husband. Yet, all she received were insults; her husband was ashamed of her, and her mother-in-law believed her sister, Ariel, was more suitable for her son.
Despite the pain, Ariana held on, hoping to one day win back Noah's heart. But then she caught him kissing her sister!
Heartbroken, Ariana decided to divorce Noah. In the process, she became entangled with Nicolai, Noah’s enemy and rival.
They were never supposed to be together. Yet, Nicolai seemed unconcerned about the obstacles between them. He was determined to break into Ariana’s life and set everything ablaze.
In a drunken moment, he grabbed her by the throat against a pub wall, "You can deny it all you want, princess, but you want me." His gaze roamed over her heaving chest, darkening as if he wanted to claim her soul. “Bet if I take a peek, you'll be dripping wet for me.”
Heat flared across Ariana's cheeks as she snarled, “Shut up.”
“Make me,” Nicolai said, crashing his lips onto hers.
His kisses seared her soul, and his warmth burned her skin every time they touched. She thought getting involved with Nicolai was her biggest mistake.
But being desired by such a beautiful nightmare turned out to be worse than any mistake.
When Noah discovered the truth, he confronted her, "Shoot me in the heart, Ari," he said, placing the gun's nozzle over his heart. "Because a life without you is one I don't want. Kill me or come back. I beg of you."
Nicolai now offered her a choice: fall in love with him and embrace danger, or return to Noah, whom she had loved since sixteen?
And would Ariana avoid the lurking dangers, waiting for her to make a mistake and lose everything dear? Would she uncover the secrets tying her to both Noah and Nicolai, unraveling her twisted fate?
***
“It's all about money, isn’t it? Take it and get lost,” Noah shouted, throwing the black card at Ariana.
Ariana couldn’t believe her ears as her husband—or soon-to-be ex-husband—humiliated her like this. Three years of dedication, and this was what she got after catching him with her sister.
“I am going to divorce you,” Ariana declared and left.
Penniless, she stumbled upon Nicolai, Noah’s enemy and the Mafia prince of Lone City, known for his violent tendencies. Their ill-fated meeting placed her in Nicolai’s path.
The first time they met, Nicolai asked her to invite him to dinner.
The second time, he handed her a million dollars.
The third time, he declared, “You will look good in my arms, what do you say, princess?”
