THIS STORY IS BEING EDITED AND CORRECTED!!!!! Book One of Four: Somniphobia Definition: The fear of sleeping - or the terror of what waits in your dreams. Aria Smith has spent her life surviving one nightmare after another. Born into an abusive home, she fears the dark almost as much as she fears closing her eyes. Sleep means losing control - and control is the only thing keeping her alive. Her parents see her stutter and exhaustion as proof she's a disappointment. A burden. A mistake. But when a dangerous man arrives to collect the debt they owe, everything changes. He's the kind of man who makes the world fall silent when he walks into a room - cold, untouchable, and merciless. Yet when his eyes meet hers, something in him shifts. He came to destroy her family. Instead, he becomes obsessed with the one person he should stay away from. Aria should hate him. She should run. But when danger pulls her deeper into his world, the line between fear and desire blurs - and soon, he's the only thing more terrifying than her nightmares... and the only one who makes her feel alive. ⚠️ Content Warning: This story contains dark themes including abuse, violence, death, suicidal thoughts, and mature content with explicit language and sexual scenes. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Please do not copy or reproduce any part of this work. Thank you for reading and supporting my stories 💜