Maasa... a mute child, whose only voice was the gaze that pierced souls, was adopted by a wealthy family who had lost their little daughter in a tragic accident. Within the walls of their lavish mansion, she grew surrounded by love and care, yet her heart ached under the weight of silence, and she felt unease around her older brother, Qassem, who refused to acknowledge her presence and refused to see her as more than a fleeting guest in his life.
To the world, they appeared as estranged siblings, but behind closed doors, Qassem harbored a dark secret; his heart was shattered by a forbidden love-for Maasa, his adopted sister. His glances toward her radiated desire, and his words, veiled in tenderness, stirred a dangerous mix of passion and peril, desire and duty.
The family forced him into a cruel choice: marry Maasa or leave the country to pursue his life and education far from her. As the date of his marriage to another woman, arranged to satisfy his parents' wishes, drew near, tragedy struck again; his parents died in a devastating car accident, leaving Maasa solely in his care, unprotected except by his overwhelming heart.
Qassem returned to her life as a solitary shadow, abandoning everything-including his fiancée-to become her sole guardian, protector, and a vengeful sword against any man who dared approach her. Every step he took around her was filled with control, every touch a mixture of passion and threat, every gaze carrying a silent promise of retribution to anyone standing between him and Maasa.
Yet fate, as always, was far from finished... holding surprises that could turn their lives upside down and unveil secrets no heart dared even imagine.
Without the truth, she is adrift.
He holds all the answers-yet hides them behind guarded eyes.
Cursed by fate, blessed by destiny... or perhaps it's the other way around.
Her love is pure. His world is ruthless.
And yet, for reasons even he can't explain, he wants her.
Will she finally discover where she belongs?
Will she uncover who she truly is?
Or will he discard her the moment his desire fades and he has no more use for her-leaving her shattered beyond repair?
Only time will tell.
Sneak Peek
> I watched from afar, hidden in the shadows.
Her beauty held me captive-she shone like the moon against the night sky, and her smile... her smile was all I wanted to see.
It had been two and a half years since the royal family commanded me to watch over her.