[Free Until End Of Story] ── ─ ┈┈┈┄┄╌╌ Lowly. Illegitimate. Disgraceful. Amaryllis bore the weight of whispers and stares, a child born out of debauchery. She was raised behind iron gates and velvet curtains, in a family whose name was spoken only in lowered voices. A mafia dynasty, steeped in blood and loyalty. Yet even within that empire of power, she remained a shadow in the presence of her brothers, seen but never truly known. However her heart, vast and unyielding, loved them unconditionally. But life is both fragile and cruel. When terminal illness claimed her, she carried it alone behind fragile smiles, unwilling to darken the days of those she adored. Only one wish bloomed before the end, "I hope their feelings might change, even if it's temporary." And when that time comes... Please bring flowers to my funeral. ── ─ ┈┈┈┄┄╌╌ ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This story contains sensitive and potentially distressing themes, including psychological trauma and mature content. Note - The terminal illness described in this story is entirely fictional and included solely for storytelling purposes. - Update: 2026 - Cover: Canva © 2026 [CherylZielle]. All rights reserved. Do not copy or distribute without permission.

Alessandra has never believed in safety. Life never gave her a reason to. Pain carved her childhood, silence became her armor, and trust? That was a luxury she could never afford. So when she runs -- bloody, broken, and barely breathing, she doesn't expect saving. She certainly doesn't expect to be taken in by a family dripping in wealth and power and. . . warmth? A mother who refuses to give up on her. A father who watches like he's waiting for her to let him in. And six brothers. Rough. Protective. Complicated. Brothers, who don't know what to do with a sister who won't speak. She doesn't know how to trust. How to believe that maybe not everyone wants to hurt her. Every instinct tells her to run. To shut down. But they don't let her go. Not when she flinches. Not when she hides. Not even when she breaks. Happiness is for other people, or that's what she believes. But when love comes wrapped in gentle patience and fierce protection, when hands reach for her without demand, when hearts break themselves wide open just to hold her... she starts to wonder. Can a girl stitched together with silence and fear ever belong in a family built on love? Can she stand tall when the ghosts of her past refuse to let go? And when danger claws its way back into her life, threatening everything she's come to know... will she find her voice, or will she shatter all over again? Trigger Warnings: Child abuse. Violence. Addiction. Panic attacks. Self-harm. Death, and more.

When Simon returns home from deployment, the blaring TV next door is gone-replaced by the scent of warm bread and soft humming through the walls. You've just moved in: a bright, charming baker chasing your dream with a new shop down the street. He's guarded and quiet. You're sunshine and sugar. What begins with cinnamon rolls at the door slowly turns into late-night chats, quiet confessions, and something neither of you expected: comfort, healing... and the kind of slow-burning love that sneaks up on you. This fic is intended for 18+ readers only and may contain mature themes, explicit content, and adult situations. Please read at your own discretion. I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS OR IDEAS FROM SORCE OF INSPIRATION

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝... 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫. Valentina Santos never expected her life to shatter overnight. After her parents sudden marriage into the famous De Luca dynasty, Valentina is dragged into a world dripping in power, danger, and blood-soaked secrets. Overnight, she gains five stepbrothers-heirs to an empire built in the shadows. Beautiful. Untouchable. Deadly. And they hate her. To them, Valentina isn't family. She's a mistake. A weakness. An outsider who's seen too much. Because the De Lucas don't just run the city-they own it. Every alley, every deal, every whispered fear traces back to them. Loyalty is law. Betrayal is fatal. And trust? It doesn't exist. Now trapped inside a mansion that feels more like a prison, surrounded by enemies who call themselves family, Valentina must learn their rules fast. Speak carefully. Watch everything. Never show fear. Because in this family, love is a weapon... and survival is never guaranteed. The question is-will Valentina become strong enough to survive them... ...or will she be the next one they destroy? ╰── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──╯ 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥. 🖤