Ruhana is a single mother. With her son Vihaan relocating to the USA for work, she finds herself alone in the bustling city of Mumbai. Rather than letting the solitude consume her, Ruhana decides to revive an old dream-opening a quaint book café. Determined, she throws herself into the process. While her friends offer occasional support, most of the work is carried out single-handedly by Ruhana, her resilience shining through every challenge.
During this journey, she meets Vineet, a man almost her age, working at a multinational corporation. What begins as a casual acquaintance slowly turns into a warm friendship. As they spend time together, Ruhana learns that Vineet is a widower, and like her, he too lives alone. His daughter, passionate about literature, has recently moved to London for her studies.
With the book café finally coming to life, Vineet becomes a frequent visitor. Their conversations deepen, and in the quiet corners of the café and their hearts, a subtle connection begins to form. Their shared sense of loneliness draws them closer. They begin spending time outside the café, occasionally visiting each other's homes, finding comfort in companionship that feels natural and effortless.
One evening, amidst laughter and lingering glances, they cross a line-physically giving in to their emotions. The act leaves them both guilty and confused. But as days pass, guilt transforms into acceptance. They come to understand that love, in any phase of life, is not bound by rules. It is rare, and when it finds you again, it's nothing short of a blessing.
In each other, Ruhana and Vineet find more than just companionship-they find home, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
DISCLAIMER: This book contains explicit content and mature themes intended for readers aged 18 and over. It is not a traditional romance, but rather a deeply complex and dark exploration of a toxic relationship. The characters' dynamics involve intense emotional manipulation, power struggles, and actions that may be triggering to some readers. Please be advised that this story delves into themes that are explicit, emotionally charged, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Proceed with caution.
"Tell me again how you don't want me," he whispers, dragging his lips down her neck. "Say it under oath, and I might even believe you."
Jasmine Taylor doesn't lose. Not in the courtroom, not in life. At just twenty-six, she's built an ironclad reputation: fierce, brilliant, and unshakably professional. But when she's assigned the biggest case of her career-defending Dimitri Alekseev, a dangerously alluring Russian immigrant accused of murder-her world begins to crack.
Dimitri isn't just a suspect. He's a problem. Tall, tattooed, and terrifyingly unreadable, with ties to a powerful family the law doesn't dare touch. The evidence against him is overwhelming. The press wants him buried. And deep down, Jasmine suspects the whispers are true.
But the more time she spends with him, the harder it becomes to separate fact from instinct. Because beneath his cold exterior is something intoxicating. Calculated charm. Raw heat. And secrets whispered in the dark.
As the trial barrels forward, Jasmine finds herself pulled into his world-one filled with shadows, blood ties, and undeniable temptation. The closer she gets to the truth, the more she risks not just her career, but her safety... and her soul.
What happens when the woman who always plays by the rules falls for the man who was born to break them?