Valentina Cruz, a poor but defiant college student, is thrown into a deadly world of mafia politics after her estranged father gambles with her life to pay his debt. In a cruel twist of fate, she is forced to marry Rafael D’Amico, the cold-blooded heir of a brutal mafia dynasty known as The Beast.

At first, their hatred is mutual. But as danger closes in, secrets unravel — including Rafael’s tragic past love, Valentina’s buried rage, and a passion betweValentina Cruz, a poor but defiant college student, is thrown into a deadly world of mafia politics after her estranged father gambles with her life to pay his debt. In a cruel twist of fate, she is forced to marry Rafael D’Amico, the cold-blooded heir of a brutal mafia dynasty known as The Beast.

At first, their hatred is mutual. But as danger closes in, secrets unravel — including Rafael’s tragic past love, Valentina’s buried rage, and a passion between them that refuses to die.

In a world ruled by violence, can love survive betrayal?
Or will it be buried beneath blood and bulen them that refuses to die.

In a world ruled by violence, can love survive betrayal?
Or will it be buried beneath blood and bul

You'd think after surviving betrayal, forced marriage, and a shootout in a Gucci dress, I'd be unshakable.


Turns out, all it takes is one whispered lie to snap the string holding your world together.


Sometimes that lie comes from the person you love most.


Rafael had always been a fortress — cold, tall, made of secrets. But lately, he was… something else.


He stared at his phone like it owed him answers. Snapped at his men. Barely touched his coffee. And when he held me, it was with arms that felt more like armor than affection.


So when I found the burner phone hidden in the drawer beneath his gun safe, I didn't feel guilty.


I didn't know what hurt more — that he was talking to his brother…


I stormed into his office like a woman on fire.


"You want to explain why you've been texting the same man who wants me dead?"


"Then why the hell are you keeping secrets again?"


He stood slowly, jaw tight. "Because not everything in this world is black and white, Valentina."


"Bullshit. That's the excuse men like you use to justify every betrayal."


"I'm trying to end this war without bloodshed."


I stared at him like I didn't recognize the man in front of me. "Since when do you care about bloodshed?"


He looked away. And that silence? It was the loudest answer of all.


But because I had to know who I was without him.


I'd spent months becoming stronger, sharper, more dangerous — but somehow, I'd still let my heart be his hostage.


"You think running will make it hurt less?"


I shook my head. "No. But staying might make me forget who I am."


Just to a safehouse Rafael didn't know about — one of the few secrets I owned.


I curled up on the couch, stared at the ceiling, and tried not to cry.


I didn't hate Rafael for talking to his brother.


I hated that I'd let myself believe love would be enough.


The next morning, a note slipped under the door.


Chapter 20 - chapter 20