[Warning: This story contains explicit adult content and dark romance themes. It features a strong female lead and a dominant male lead. Expect dangerous plot twists ahead.]
slow burn 

I'm Julie Michael

I went with my father to a luxurious restaurant in New York, but I never left with him.


On a lower floor of a world that doesn’t exist on any map, I discovered the truth:


I wasn’t abandoned by accident.
I was sold to Robert Cross, a billionaire who buys people for the joy of breaking them.


But I refuse to break under his hands. 

In Robert Cross’s world, everything has a price tag. I was his most expensive purchase, and I intend to be his most dangerous mistake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-
"You bought my body, but you will not buy my submission," Julie spat.
Robert leaned in, his voice a dark hiss:


"Commodities don't need to like their masters, Julie... It’s enough that I took a liking to you and bought you, sweetheart."

______________

Julie stomped the floor with her foot, and agitation was clear in the tone of her voice, which rose slightly as she pointed at my face: 


"You ran your thumb over your lip! You're hinting to me... hinting that I kissed you!"



My composure didn't budge; instead, I tilted my head to the side and looked at her with a gaze shrouded in mischief, then said with utter simplicity: 


"And what is the problem with that? It was just a kiss."

--------------------

She waved her hand with bitter irony: 


"Are you the one who's going to protect me from him?"


 I nodded, confirming: 


"Yes."



A low growl escaped her, and she said: 


"You are worse than him."

Then I asked her in a confident tone that made her cheeks burn: 


"Then why were you burying your face in my chest, with your fingers digging into my shirt?"


Adult content only

Dark Romance

Twisted

I took a step backward, feeling my chest tighten from sheer anger and confusion, and said in a wavering voice: 


"What are you doing in my house? And why did you follow me?"


That provocative smile did not leave his face as he replied coldly: 


I gritted my teeth so hard I felt pain in my jaw, and said, pointing a trembling finger toward the outside: 


"Get out of here! If my father sees you, he will kill you!" 


I tried to push the door with all my weight to close it, but he was faster than me; he wedged the tip of his leather shoe between the door and the frame, and the door recoiled to strike my shoulder. 


With a sudden movement, he pushed the door with his strong hand to enter by force, then shut it behind him with a terrifying calmness. 


Chapter 73 - 74/The Trap of Hope