Love blooms in desperation

The woman who inspected me said I was a once-in-a-century find, a true enchantress in bed, designed for unparalleled pleasure.

And so, I was delivered to the most powerful arms dealer in the region, right onto his bed.

"No… it’s too much, I can’t take it…"

Feeling that terrifying heat, my face went deathly pale with fear.

But the man just chuckled, relentless, pushing deeper until there was nowhere else to go.

My vision blurred, and my mind went blank.

"Don't worry, your surprise will be unimaginable."

The man bent down, biting hard on my earlobe, his voice a sinister whisper, "Tell me, who's better, me or Rhys?"

…

Right after graduation, tricked by a promise of a high-paying job, I was sold into a lawless territory in Southeast Asia.

It was pure hell. Every girl there was broken beyond recognition.

The moment I arrived at the compound, a group of thugs swarmed me, tearing at my clothes, threatening to live stream their vile 'entertainment'.

Their lewd laughter plunged me into utter despair.

Just as I was about to bite off my tongue to end it all, a gunshot rang out.

A man's deep voice declared, "She's mine."

No one dared to challenge him.

Later, I learned his name was Julian.

He was the king of this hellhole.

On the surface, he was a respected business magnate, but secretly, he controlled half of the region's darkest dealings.

Trembling, I clung to the hem of his pants.

For the next seven years, I transformed from an innocent girl into the most venomous rose in his empire.

By day, I handled his dirty business, deflecting dangerous threats.

By night, I entwined with him, surrendering myself, enjoying a tenderness he showed to no one else.

Everyone said Julian adored me, that marrying me was only a matter of time.

Until that day. He'd just found his release when he pushed me away, rising from the bed. His voice was as dispassionate as if he were discussing the weather:

"Three days from now, at the Gray family banquet, you'll sleep with Rhys Carter."

"Only if Seraphina sees it with her own eyes will she give up and come back to me."

It was like a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head; my blood turned to ice in my veins.

"Seraphina is a germaphobe; she won't touch anything someone else has touched."

"Here's a packet of powder. Find a way to get Rhys Carter to drink it. I’ll arrange the room, and then I’ll bring Seraphina to catch you."

Seraphina Gray, the eldest daughter of one of the region's four powerful families.

And his unattainable ideal, the woman he truly loved but couldn't have.

Her heart and soul were only for Julian’s sworn enemy, Rhys Carter.

Over the years, Julian had argued with her countless times because of this.

The fiercest fight they'd ever had was when Julian took a knife for her. His wound hadn't even been bandaged, but Seraphina couldn't wait to rush off to see Rhys Carter.

Julian went absolutely ballistic. He, still wounded, went to the compound, looking to vent his rage on some d...