A Love Forged In Ruins
img img A Love Forged In Ruins img Chapter 1 The ultimate betrayal
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Chapter 6 Behind closed doors img
Chapter 7 Cracks in the wall img
Chapter 8 Shadows and secrets img
Chapter 9 A silent threat img
Chapter 10 The stranger in the dark img
Chapter 11 Hunted in the dark img
Chapter 12 Trapped by fate img
Chapter 13 When fear turns to love img
Chapter 14 A dangerous temptation img
Chapter 15 Holding on, letting in img
Chapter 16 Not just a contract img
Chapter 17 Silent, but not innocent img
Chapter 18 Pier 13 img
Chapter 19 The train station img
Chapter 20 The choice img
Chapter 21 Choosing me img
Chapter 22 Becoming sovereign img
Chapter 23 Queenmaker img
Chapter 24 Born by wolves, raised by fire img
Chapter 25 They never said sorry img
Chapter 26 Born Monroe, built different img
Chapter 27 Not dead, not done img
Chapter 28 Daughter of secrets img
Chapter 29 A name, not a home img
Chapter 30 Half of me img
Chapter 31 From ruins, we begin img
Chapter 32 Not here for permission img
Chapter 33 Power in red img
Chapter 34 Collect damage img
Chapter 35 Forgiving myself img
Chapter 36 Fraud in the family img
Chapter 37 Peace is a fragile thing img
Chapter 38 History repeats itself img
Chapter 39 Blind Loyalty img
Chapter 40 The folder img
Chapter 41 The vote img
Chapter 42 In the eye of the hurricane img
Chapter 43 Lines in the sand img
Chapter 44 Standing together img
Chapter 45 The confession room img
Chapter 46 Love after war img
Chapter 47 Just us img
Chapter 48 Love without fears img
Chapter 49 House of Amara img
Chapter 50 AmaraExposed img
Chapter 51 Damage control img
Chapter 52 Pretty. Polished. Powerful img
Chapter 53 The girl I didn't reach img
Chapter 54 Seen at last img
Chapter 55 Speak your truth img
Chapter 56 A matter of voice img
Chapter 57 Vindication img
Chapter 58 The rebirth of Amara img
Chapter 59 The visitor img
Chapter 60 The between us img
Chapter 61 Ghosts in velvet img
Chapter 62 Why now img
Chapter 63 Love, however late img
Chapter 64 Not her shadow img
Chapter 65 What still remains img
Chapter 66 And then there was you img
Chapter 67 Heartbeat between us img
Chapter 68 The pitch img
Chapter 69 The mirage img
Chapter 70 Threads unraveling img
Chapter 71 Silk and steel img
Chapter 72 Everything for sale img
Chapter 73 The boy at the door img
Chapter 74 Truth in the blood img
Chapter 75 Dinner and distance img
Chapter 76 The breaking point img
Chapter 77 The conversation that matters img
Chapter 78 Fathers and fears img
Chapter 79 Becoming a we img
Chapter 80 New roots img
Chapter 81 The beginning of everything img
Chapter 82 A home for five img
Chapter 83 The woman at the gate img
Chapter 84 Echoes in the cradle img
Chapter 85 The calm that lied img
Chapter 86 The offer img
Chapter 87 Lines in the sand img
Chapter 88 The weight of quiet img
Chapter 89 The call img
Chapter 90 Still waters img
Chapter 91 The distance between us img
Chapter 92 The weight we carry img
Chapter 93 Night on the water img
Chapter 94 Only you tonight img
Chapter 95 The spark img
Chapter 96 The weight of truth img
Chapter 97 The choice img
Chapter 98 No turning back img
Chapter 99 The suspect img
Chapter 100 Cleaning house img
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A Love Forged In Ruins

Leeleebari
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Chapter 1 The ultimate betrayal

Layla's pov

Today marks my second anniversary with Mark. He's been my boyfriend since I met him at a café two years back. It was love instantly, and I have no regrets about having him in my life. I invited him to come to the house to celebrate, but he forgot it's our anniversary and that I want to surprise him.

My car stops in front of my parents' mansion, a place I previously considered home but that now felt like a foreign land. The sight of the grand house makes me feel uneasy, Iike I don't belong here anymore.The expansive windows shimmered in the afternoon light, creating lengthy shadows on the beautifully kept lawn. This place used to feel like home, but now it feels cold, distant–just like my family. I came back sooner than anticipated, aiming to catch Mark off guard. I considered that we might share the afternoon, enjoying laughter as we once did.

I step out of the car, holding my gift for Mark and head towards the door. The front door was slightly open, which was unusual. Pushing it open, I step inside. The sound of my heels echoing on the marble floors, sharp and loud, sending chills down my spine. I ascend the stairs, holding the tiny box tightly in my hand, but the discomfort in my stomach intensifies with every step.

Then I could hear it–a laugh. Mark's laugh, floating down the hallway, light and familiar. I'd recognise it anywhere.

He's talking to someone. His voice sounds relaxed, even happy. My heart beats faster as I walk towards the sound, my steps slower now, my chest tightening.

I opened the door to my room. And there they stood-Mark and Celeste, entwined in one another's embrace. My stepsister, the family's favorite, and my boyfriend, the guy who professed his love for me just last night.

Celeste, always the performer, pulled away from him, gasping like she's the one who's been wronged. "I didn't want you to find out this way." she says, her voice calm, almost bored.

Find out this way? Not a hint of remorse in her tone. Simply shocked that her secret had been revealed.

Mark let out a deep sigh, brushing a hand through his hair. Looking at me like I'm the one causing a scene "Listen, Layla" he says, his voice so calm it makes my blood boil. "I was going to tell you. Celeste and I... it just happened."

It just happened? My chest feels tight, and my hands tremble as I step back. The betrayal cuts deep, the pain almost too much to bear.

"Was everything a lie, then?" I ask, each word taking a part of my soul. "Everything you said to me? Every promise?"

Mark had the audacity to appear emotionless. "Let's be honest, Layla. Things haven't been good between us for a while. You've simply been too absorbed in your own problems that you didn't even notice."

My problems? My anger surged as the pieces began to fit together. He was accusing me, making the situation even worse.

And Celeste... she just stood there, watching me with that same self-satisfied smile she always had. She had won. She had seized it all-my family's love, their attention, and now, the man I thought I would spend my life with.

Unable to endure it any longer, I rushed downstairs. Each step felt more heavy, the air denser. I needed fresh air. I had to break free from the distorted reality that my life had turned into.

But the nightmare had just begun.

At the foot of the stairs, my parents stood waiting, their faces emotionless and calm. My mother had her arms folded and wore a serious expression. My father, glancing aside, avoiding my gaze, his jaw tense.

"Mom, Dad," I started, fighting to maintain my calm. "Did you know?"

My mom looked away, unwilling to meet my stare. Dad cleared his throat. "Layla, you need to understand."

Understand?. His words hit me like a blow to the body. My parents were supporting her. Protecting both of them, as if my suffering was insignificant.

"Oh, I understand." "So, I'm the problem in this family, is that right?" My voice rised, anger and heartbreak mixing in every word.

My father's stare grew intense. "Layla, stop being so dramatic." "We expected more maturity from you."

Maturity?. I bit my lip to prevent it from quivering. I wasn't the one being dramatic. I was the one being betrayed.

I felt the urge to run, to leave this house as fast as I could. But my mother's voice stopped me.

"There's something else you should know"

I turned slowly, preparing myself.

"Celeste will be inheriting Monroe Enterprises." "It's what's best for the family," she said, her voice cold and detached, as if she's reading off a grocery list. "You... you've always been too gentle for the corporate world, Layla,"

The room rotated, and I fought to maintain my balance. Monroe Enterprises belonged to me. I spent years getting ready, giving up so much, delaying my dreams to grasp every detail, each strategy, and every connection. Everything had been for this-my future, my heritage. And now, in just one sentence, they were giving it to her. Just like that.

"And regarding you," my father said, cutting through my thoughts, "we've set up your marriage to Damian Blackwood. "Do you remember him?"

My thoughts faded away. Damian Blackwood-the controversial offspring of an ex-billionaire, whose family's dynasty had fallen apart due to accusations of fraud and dishonesty. He was everything I despised-arrogant, ruthless and dangerous.

"That's meant to be Celeste's duty," I said, my voice rising. "She is the one who's supposed to marry for the family." "Not I."

My mother let out a sigh, a look of contempt crossing her features. "You don't have a choice , Layla. Celeste is the future of this family now. "You'll have to do this for her-and for us."

"Is it for her?" My laughter felt empty. "You're throwing my life away for her?" "You want me to marry a total sranger I don't even love, just to make her life easier?"

My father's stare became intense. "It's not about love, Layla." It's about responsibility. You will be taken care of. "Plus, you require the funds for your grandmother, right?"

The reference to my grandmother broke whatever remained of my determination. She was the only person who had ever shown me unconditional care. The only person who had cared for me without expecting anything in return. She was unwell, and the medical expenses were pilling more quickly than I could handle. Without assistance, I wouldn't be able to afford her treatment

I felt the walls closing in on me. This isn't a choice, it's a trap.

This was my decision: give up my happiness, my future, or witness the only person who ever mattered to me in pain.

The voice of my father was steady, unyielding. "Consider this an opportunity, Layla."A chance to prove your worth to this family. Show us that you can make the right choices."

The right choice. Like I had a say in the situation.

"Alright," I murmured, my voice barely heard. The words felt poisonous on my tongue. "I will do it." "I will marry Damian Blackwood."

            
            

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