Things have changed. A marriage that was believed to be built on a solid foundation is put to the rest when storms roll in. Communication stops, needs are neglected and doors are opened for outside influence. Is it worth saving? Are years of love and unity worth saving? When the storm passes who will they be? Will the home they've built fall or be reinforced.

They call me Brute. It wasn't always my name. But it's the one that stuck. Los Angeles. The Iron Vultures MC. A role I never asked for and a reputation I earned anyway. I'm the enforcer - the guy people look at and decide not to test. I play the part well. What they don't see is the humor, the loyalty, or the weight that comes with carrying a name you didn't choose. The past doesn't stay quiet forever. And some names are harder to bury than others. This isn't a love story. But it is a story about survival.

Olivia was everything to Xander Thorne-his reason to breathe, the center of his world. She was the bright light in his dark empire, the promise of a life he never thought he could have. Their love was all-consuming, fierce and tender, built on whispered dreams of a future they'd both believed in. But when Olivia was framed for a betrayal she never committed, everything they shared was put to the ultimate test. Instead of standing by her side, Xander let doubt and fury blind him. In a single night, he tore apart the life they had built-burning not only her art but the memories that meant everything to her. Now, standing in the wreckage of what they once shared, he sees the truth. And it's enough to break him. Because Olivia wasn't just his wife, wasn't just the woman he'd built his future around-she was the air he breathed, the blood in his veins. And without her, he's nothing. He'll do anything, risk everything to win her back. To prove that what they had wasn't just a dream lost to ash. Because she's still his world. And he won't stop fighting for her, no matter how much she hates him.

They say, Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. But what about letting him fool her for three years straight? What kind of fool does that make her? When Sage discovers that her husband has not only betrayed her, but has been playing her a fool for years, she doesn't yell, she doesn't scream, she doesn't demand a divorce, no, Sage wants revenge, and what better way than to beat him at his own game.

I've dreamed of the perfect marriage ever since I was a little girl: a marriage complete with a hardworking husband while I tended to the home and our children, preferably four little rugrats to call my own. I dreamed of a life filled with laughter, joy, and success, a life we built together. I dreamed of growing old next to my husband, creating a great love story to tell our grandchildren someday. It all seemed so possible. I was raised to be the perfect wife, after all. From the outside, it seemed I had exactly what I dreamed of with the rich, determined husband; the brilliant, gaudy diamond ring; and the beautiful home filled with the hope of future children. Yes, it was all a dream come true. I should have felt grateful, really. The problem is, I also wanted a marriage based on love, passion, and affection, but those are the only things my husband cannot give me . . . . . . because they're reserved for her. For readers: * I do my best to proofread before publishing, but some typos and errors will slip through. Feel free to point them out! * Comments, active engagement, and helpful critiques are welcomed. * Mean, unnecessary comments that attack me, personally, or other commenters will be ignored and deleted. It takes a lot of courage to publish your work and for others to actively engage in a community. I'd like to keep this a safe and fun place to rage at imperfect heroes and cheer for darling heroines! * I'm not a spicy writer. I rather use my word count for plot, character development, and GROVEL!!! * Most importantly, I hope you enjoy the little world I'm creating. Happy reading, everyone! ADS/Imaginationgirl35

𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. LILLIE SOMMERS thought love would protect her. That Grayson Sterling-the man who made her feel seen-would stand by her side when it mattered most. But when the laughter in the boardroom got too loud, he said nothing. When they humiliated her, he looked away. And when she broke... she broke alone. Now she's done playing the girl who waits. She's taking her power back-piece by painful piece. And if Grayson wants her forgiveness, he'll have to crawl for it. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐇𝐞 𝐢𝐬. GRAYSON STERLING had everything-status, control, and the quiet belief that Lillie would always be his. But it took losing her to realize he never really had her at all. Now he's haunted by the echo of her silence, obsessed with the fire in her eyes, and desperate to prove he's still the man she once loved... or at least the man he should have been. 𝐀 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧, 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭, 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. For fans of broken boys, unbreakable girls, and second chances that burn before they heal.