It starts with a contract, not a love story. After a mission in Spain goes wrong, Aleksandra Mikhailovna Dragunova, Moscow's Bratva princess, is ordered to marry the lion of Sicily to stop a war. One wrong deal. One betrayal. One forced marriage between two empires that should never mix... and a slow-burn obsession that could burn them all. Hunted by her own world and driven out of every safe house and city, Aleksandra has one way left to survive: align with the Spadaro family. A ring she never wanted becomes her only shield. Domiziano Massimo Spadaro, Underboss and the heir to the Black Lion's crown, was raised on blood oaths and loyalty. His loyalty is the kind that makes men fear his name more than the law. When the contract lands on his desk, he doesn't see a bride; he sees a liability wrapped in strategy. A Dragunov. A woman he is ordered to claim, never trust. Aleksandra led men who killed at her word and bled at her feet. Her rules were simple: freedom over fairy tales. Power over promises. Control over love. They walk into the marriage as enemies, bound by ink, not choice. They promise themselves one thing: do not fall. ~~~ "He was supposed to be my protection. Not my addiction." ~ Aleksandra Dragunova

Selena is the 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍. The villain destined to lose her football-star boyfriend to the shy, innocent nerd. Everyone watches in silent awe as he replaces her in the name of love. It was the perfect fairytale ending, just like the movies... But not for long. Because this breakup awakens admirers long held back. Particularly one who's made her his quiet obsession: Noel Casper. The neglected genius assigned to be her tutor. What begins as study sessions develops into a friendship neither of them expected. Behind closed doors, Selena cooks for him, upgrades his wardrobe, and supports his dreams. But to the outside world, he's just a boy being used by the mean girl, especially when they see him carrying her books, tying her shoes, and driving her all around. What they don't know, is that Noel has been watching her for years. And the more Selena takes care of him, the more he becomes 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅. When his research catapults him to international success, the world suddenly notices the boy they once overlooked. Now Selena's ex is begging for a second chance, and the rival who started this all is determined to "rescue" Noel. But Noel doesn't want to be saved. He only wants one person. Selena. And he will do whatever it takes to ensure she never leaves his side. ─ ⊹ ⊱ ⊰ ⊹ ─ 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑩𝒆𝒆 𝒙 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒕 𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒖𝒔 𝚃𝚘𝚙 𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: #1 𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 #1 𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚗ess #2 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 #2 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 [Originally written 2019. Went on hiatus, then finished in 2026.]

Before he was a renown researcher, he was her best friend. Before billions were offered for his life changing discovery, he made her a promise: 𝙄'𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚. He made her promise she'd wait for him. And she did. Now Selena stands beside him as his fiancée, but to the rest of the world she's nothing but a 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳. The girl who latched onto a rising genius at the perfect time. Especially when the wealthy CEO of a business does her a favor, and an NFL star accidentally mentions her name instead of his girlfriend's at an interview. They think she played Noel. They think he's naive. They think he's being used. They're all wrong. Noel knows exactly what he's doing. In fact, he's been pulling the strings, tying her life to his in ways she doesn't fully understand...and will never be able to escape.

Wattpad said "NOPE", no more new chapters in my first book. 😂 Apparently, it's too long already, so I had to create a new book to continue Ceres's story. Hahaha! So yes, this is the continuation! 🎉 📌 To all new readers: You really, really need to read the first book before this one, otherwise, nothing here will make sense. Like, at all. 😂 #CeresChroniclesContinue #TooLongForWatty #ReadBookOneFirst #TrustTheProcess

Ceres was the villain in her half-sister Ciena's love story, doing everything to sabotage their relationship. On their wedding day, she arrived in a gown grander than the bride's, basking in the chaos she caused. But fate had other plans. Outside the church, a runaway truck barreled toward the crowd. She should have been safe-until she saw a little girl in danger. Without hesitation, she saved the child, only to be struck and killed herself. Instead of hell, she woke up as the widowed Empress of a crumbling kingdom-a woman with her face but none of her privilege. Once a spoiled brat, she now had to rule a dying empire. Could she rise as a true Empress, or was she doomed to fall once more?