Is it true that touching love, playing with it, will burn and hurt, and the only person who gets hurt is yourself? Chloe once lost a daughter, but fate brought her back to meet her child again, which led to entanglement with the man she had secretly loved for many years. But he still despised her, just like in the past. One day, the man coldly said, "Chloe, let's get married. Stop wasting your efforts seducing other men. I can give you what you want."
The sky gradually turned to late afternoon. The hallway light's "mouse" had long been broken, emitting dim and nuclear rays. Chloe Thomas, carrying a bag of groceries she had just bought from the supermarket, kept her hand against the wall, groping her way step by step.
The old building was about to be demolished and moved, with the security nowhere to be seen. Few households remained, the hallway devoid of light.
To the sixth floor, her heart filled with worry and anxiety, she lowered her head to search for her keys in her bag. Suddenly, her chest collided with an obstacle, causing her to lose her balance. Strangely, the object she hit had a bit of warmth... it was a person!
The faint smell of tobacco lingered around her nose, almost making her lose control and scream.
Her heart pounded, her ears filled with the sound of her own rapid breathing. Instinctively, she stepped back a few paces.
A crisp "click" sound echoed, and a small spark of light burst before her eyes. Thanks to the blue glow of the lighter, Chloe saw a familiar, somber pair of eyes, with dark, sharp pupils filled with impatience and irritation.
It was him...
Chloe tightened her grip on the grocery bag, her fingertips digging into the soft flesh of her palm, trying to steady her breath before she spoke, "What's the matter?"
The man's lighter went out, leaving them in silence before the door, consumed by darkness. After a moment of contemplation, he reminded her, "Open the door."
Chloe seemed to awaken from a dream, hurriedly rummaging through her bag. The more anxious she became, the more her hands trembled.
A slender arm suddenly wrapped around her waist, his solid chest pressing against her back. Her breath immediately hitched, her eyes staring at the moving shadow. They stood so close that she could vaguely feel his body temperature and hear his heartbeat. That warmth went straight into her heart, burning her chest.
He stood silently behind her, reaching into her bag.
Knowing he was searching for the keys, understanding that he wasn't intentionally touching her, she still felt uncomfortable, her eyes stinging as if something uncontrollable was about to fall.
The sound of steady breathing and the jingle of keys by her ear left her dumbfounded as she moved forward, wanting to stop him from opening the door. The man, impatient, rebuked her: "Move."
She hesitated for a moment before stepping aside, obediently standing still, trying to breathe quietly, afraid of breaking the current silence.
The door creaked open, a harsh light flooding in, causing her to squint and slowly lift her eyes to adjust to the sudden change. The image of the handsome man standing in the doorway immediately imprinted in her mind.
Chloe's heart pounded wildly, she quickly lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him for more than a second. She forced herself to carry the grocery bag straight inside, placing it on the round table, slowly regaining her breath. Thinking about the man behind her, her heart couldn't help but flutter with unease.
Turning around, she focused on him, awkwardly asking, "Do you want some water?"
Caleb Wilson glanced around the dilapidated room, the damp smell of New York's rainy season permeating the air. His frown deepened, increasingly impatient, he ignored her question and got straight to the point: "Lily is sick, she's asking for you."
Chloe was stunned, sweat forming on her pale forehead.
She stared wide-eyed, anxiously stepping closer to him, completely unaware of the intense disdain in his eyes, and asked worriedly, "Is it serious? The weather has been unpredictable lately, why haven't you taken good care of her?"
Caleb's lips curled into a mocking smile. Without a word, he stared at her.
Seeing his expression, Chloe realized her rash behavior, her fingers gripping tighter, she lowered her eyes and stepped back: "I'm sorry."
Caleb's eyes widened. Every time he saw this woman's weak demeanor, he was filled with disgust, understanding her true malicious nature like no one else.
"The girl wants the soup you make, cook it now."
Caleb finished speaking and naturally walked over to the sofa, sitting down, his hips pressing against something soft. Frowning, he picked it up. It was a small rubber duck.
The duck looked familiar, similar to the ones Lily had, but this one was larger, like...
"This is the mother duck," Chloe murmured, stepping forward to snatch the duck from his hand, handling it like a precious treasure, carefully placing it in a drawer.
Caleb silently watched her every move, a slight snort escaping his nostrils: "What? Are you still hoping for the mother duck to be reunited with the ducklings one day?"
His words were clear. Even if she wasn't smart, she understood.
Chloe turned her back to him, a bitter smile on her lips: "No, I just want... to keep it so that I can look at it whenever I miss Lily."
Caleb looked at her with suspicion, not believing her. Without giving him a chance to mock her further, she grabbed the grocery bag and went straight to the kitchen.
A fire seemed to ignite in Caleb's heart, yet he had nowhere to release it. Irritated, he took out a cigarette. Glancing around the room but finding no ashtray, he pulled a small trash bin closer.
He noticed a cigarette pack in the trash, stared at it for a moment, and then quietly looked away.
Care for this woman? He would have to be crazy!
-
In the kitchen, the sound of running water could be heard as Chloe carefully washed the ingredients. Last night, Caleb had stayed up all night taking care of his daughter, now feeling exhausted. After just a few puffs of his cigarette, he closed his eyes.
Chloe put the clay pot back on the stove, added half an ear of corn to the soup, then dried her hands before heading back out.
Entering the living room, she saw Caleb's long legs draped over the edge of the sofa. His tall, powerful frame was cramped on the small couch, his brows furrowed even in sleep. Still holding the half-smoked cigarette, she tiptoed over and carefully removed it from his hand.
Caleb's sleep was usually light, the slightest noise would wake him, but now he slept soundly, unaware of her presence.
Gazing at his familiar, handsome face, she felt a strange urge to reach out, stopping just an inch away from his furrowed brow.
His previous words always etched deep in her heart, and he expressed his dislike for her touching him, stating that he found it disgusting.
Her parents had passed away. It was a day when she was twelve years old. Her parents died, and she was about to be killed by shapeshifters. Daenerys was terrified. Her eyes welled up with tears, but they also gleamed with hatred as she looked at them. 'Go to hell!' The moonlight bathed their claws, a silver light flashing in Daenerys's pupils. But she wasn't afraid. Faced with death, her gaze didn't waver; it was filled only with hatred. Just before the moment of life and death, a loud noise suddenly rang out. He appeared like a guardian angel. Each step he took made the moonlight retreat. He approached and saved her. He was the Alpha of the Black Wolf pack. He took Daenerys home, raised her, and cared for her in silence. But she was very afraid of him because this uncle Austin always had the look of 'the Grim Reaper.' Originally, they had an uncle and niece-in-law relationship, but in truth, he wanted more. Will this girl realize his feelings and accept them or not?
Jayce Smith randomly meets Evelyn Thomas, who is hiding her identity. After her secret is exposed, he forces her to stay with him. They engage in a battle of wits and courage: Evelyn defies the world, and Jayce vows to spoil her. They are close but each has their own secrets. As the internal struggle of a family gradually comes to light, their unwanted pasts are also revealed. From a small town to New York, from New York to Singapore, they move from fighting each other to becoming friends, ultimately winning the final match—a grand gamble!
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.