The Shadows Of Illusions
- Reads 3,889
- Votes 2,086
- Parts 64
MatureOngoing26h 53m
Last published Wed, Apr 29, 2026
She carries scars no one sees.
He carries secrets no one survives.
When their paths collide, it isn't fate-it's a collision of two broken histories trying to rewrite themselves. She's spent years running from the shadows of her past, the memories that claw at her mind when the world goes quiet. He's spent just as long hiding behind masks, illusions, and the lies he tells to keep everyone at a distance.
But the closer they get, the more their pasts begin to unravel-thread by dangerous thread.
Every touch feels like a promise.
Every silence feels like a confession.
Every truth they uncover threatens to destroy the fragile bond forming between them.
Because loving him means facing the darkness he's buried.
And loving her means confronting the ghosts she's never escaped.
Together, they must decide whether their love can survive the weight of the illusions around them...
or whether their pasts will pull them back into the shadows for good.
All Rights Reserved
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
π°π΅ π³πΆπ½π¬ πΎπ°π»π― π¨ π΄πΆπ΅πΊπ»π¬πΉ
"π°π'π ππππ ππ ππππππ π πππ πππ πππ πππππ ππππ π πππππππππ" π©ππ ππππ πππππππ ππππ πππ ππππ ππππππ ππ ππππ?" She thought she had her life figured out. A quiet job in a quiet town, a routine that never hurt, and a heart too careful to fall for anyone too fast. But then he walked in. The new hire. Mysterious. Impossibly attractive. He had the smile of a gentleman and the presence of a man who'd burn the world to keep your attention. He said all the right things. Held doors. Knew how to make her laugh. And when he looked at her-it felt like she was the only girl in the universe. But love, she learns, can be blinding. And not all monsters hide in shadows. Some wear suits. Some call you "baby." Some hold you like you're a prayer-then break you like a curse. Because he has secrets. Dark ones. Dangerous ones. The kind of truths that can't be buried without blood. So now the real question is... Will she uncover who he truly is-before it's too late? Can love survive when it's soaked in lies and obsession? And when she finally sees the monster behind the man... Will she run? Or will she stay?Complete
Wounded Heart β
She loved him with devotion so fierce it scorched every heartbeat, every glance. He was her obsession, her reason to breathe, and her undoing. But while her world revolved around him, he remained distant-a presence, never hers. "How do you let go of someone who is the air in your lungs and the ache in your heart?" "He is my breath, and I will forget him when I forget to breathe." Memories burned bright and untouchable-hers alone. She clung to each haunted fragment, every echo of forbidden love. Until fate, honouring a promise to Aashi, forced her into the arms of the man whose heart was a graveyard. "I married you to fulfil her last wish. You will never belong here." His words cut deep-cold, calculated, meant to wound. Cruelty hid his storm. Her silence was her weapon, her pain a fortress. "You think you know pain?" she spat, her eyes blazing. "I live it every day." He turned away, fists clenched. "You don't belong. This will never be your home." Yet, in their grief and fury, sparks flew, igniting something dangerous. "Love and hate are two sides of the same burning coin." When apologies come too late, and regret drowns truth, love risks turning to ash. She walks away, her heart in ruins. He falls, shattered-vowing to bleed, to burn, to reignite the fire in her eyes. "Some hearts are forged in fire. Some burn to ashes." Even if it destroys him. π Start Date: 28th October 2019 β³ End Date: 23rd October 2020 βοΈ Edited Date: 2026Complete
VOWS NOT MINE - A Replaced bride story
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE Her tired, trembling steps are struggling to move forward in the pouring rain, yet she drags herself aimlessly down the deserted road. Her body is exhausted, her heart even more so, and her mind is too clouded with pain to figure out where to go. There is no destination, only the unbearable urge to escape. "WHY... WHYYYYY!!!" She screams, her cry so raw and loud that it pierces the silence of the night. But there is no one around to hear her pain. There is no one around to hear her pain. Her voice disappears into the wind, as if the world itself has turned its back on her. Suddenly, headlights blaze through the rain-soaked darkness. She shields her eyes from the sharp brightness, her heart racing in panic. The sight of the car jolts her back to reality. She knows immediately he's here. "No...." Without wasting a second, she turns and begins walking faster, almost slipping on the wet pavement. The driver's door swings open, and in the very next moment, he storms out of the car, his eyes looking directly towards her. "GET IN THE CAR!" He commands, his voice sharp, cold, and unrelenting. Her pace quickens, but before she can take more than a few steps, she feels herself lifted off the ground. He sweeps her into his arms without hesitation. Her fists pound against his chest in resistance, her body writhing to break free. "Let me go!" She cries, hitting him again and again. "I don't want to go..." But her efforts seem futile. Her strength is no match for his iron grip. He doesn't flinch. He doesn't stop. Without a word, he strides toward the car and shoves the door open, placing her inside with force. "NO! NO!" She screams, trying to push back, and escape. But her voice is swallowed by the roar of thunder. The rain pours harder, drowning her screams, her tears, her very existence, leaving only silence and the hum of an engine waiting to drag her back into the nightmare she's trying so desperately to escape.
Drenched in Betrayal(On Hold)
His voice was hoarse as he whispered against my ear, "Shh, love. Stop being so irresistible. I want to give you something." He pulled his fingers out of my pants, leaving me empty and frustrated. My eyes snapped to his instantly, a soft whimper escaping my lips. He took out a small, velvet box from his pocket, holding it out to me silently. Curiosity piqued, I opened it to reveal a pair of delicate gold anklets, tiny diamonds and rubies scattered along the chain. I looked up at him questioningly, but he just smiled softly, taking my left foot gently in his hand. He wrapped one anklet around my left ankle, securing it with a gentle click. Then he picked up my right foot, his touch reverent. "Fuck, love," he murmured, "You look even more beautiful with these." He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my left ankle, right above the anklet. I gasped, he smiled against my skin before kissing my right ankle as well. "Perfect." he whispered. β¬βββββββββββ§βββββββββββ¬ Aarohi Arora, a soft-spoken, seemingly fragile girl with quiet strength buried deep within her. She carries the unhealed wounds of her mother's death and the weight of her own father's resentment, learning early that love often comes with conditions. Dhruv Malhotra, a man forged in power and darkness. Cold-hearted, arrogant, and ruthlessly feared, he rules both boardrooms and blood-soaked shadows without mercy. Haunted by the brutal loss of his sister, guilt has hardened him into someone who destroys before he can feel. A wedding with no answers. A bond neither of them chose. Thrown into a mansion ruled by control and shadows, she becomes the wife he refuses to accept and the truth he can't ignore. In his eyes, she's a lie. In hers, he's a storm she never learned how to survive. AAROHI x DHRUV Book one in the burnt crown series (CAN BE READ STANDALONE)
~Trust Me ~
"I want a divorce." And just hearing him say that my whole world that seemed to revolve around him stopped. Gathering myself I barely managed to speak in a voice that even I could not recognise. I couldn't comprehend anything going around me. "Wh..hy?" As soon as the words left my mouth he threw the file and the photographs spread across the floor. And those photographs had me in compromising positions with not one but several men. Looking at those photos I looked straight into his eyes. Disgust and hatred. The only emotions I could see. Taking a deep breath I composed myself and tried to keep my face void of the emotions I felt at that moment. Hurt and immense pain. If he didn't trust me then he has no right to see me vulnerable too. "Is this the only reason why you want to divorce me? No other except this?" It was foolish of me to ask him but I had to make sure. Also for me trust comes before love. If he doesn't trust me I don't even want to save the relationship. "Is this not enough you whore? What else can I expect from a slut and a gold digger like you! I knew it from the start that all you showed was just a facade. Your innocence, kindness, it was all fake. I just don't believe how can I be so dumb." Was I hurt? No I was broken beyond repair. My heart ached. I felt like I was seconds away from collapsing. I had far exceeded the limit of hurt and pain. I was so powerless in that moment that I couldn't even fight with him. Love makes you strong. I have heard and felt that countless times but they always forget to mention what comes after that. Love makes you weak too. I couldn't shout at him because I loved him. But I had to be brave. For myself. ************************************************** Is love enough for two people to be together or is there something more important than love? This is story of Xander and Sophie who loved each other but still couldn't be together. Because more important than love is trust. Β© All rights reservedComplete
His Unwanted Wife
A child marriage they never asked for. A future they never expected. She was just 13, he was 15, when their fates were bound by family and tradition. He walked away. She waited. Now she's 18, finally sent to live with the husband she barely knows... And he's 20, more distant, more bitter, and completely uninterested. To him, she's invisible. To her, he's everything she was promised-but never had. Will the boy who left ever become the man who stays? Can a marriage born in silence... ignite into something real? Child Marriage Hate-to-Love Invisible-to-Irresistible Forced Proximity / Living Together "Touch Her and You Die" Vibes Possessive Jealousy Slow Burn ObsessionComplete
His Path Of Redemption
Prologue How do you fix something that is beyond repair? How do you stop your heart from breaking each time you try to fix the wrong? How do you redeem someone when you know the person is beyond redemption? SHE was the happiest soul to step on this earth. HE was worse than satan himself. She was an angel to the world but only a few knew she was a devil in disguise too. He had a heart of black, they thought, but only a few knew that the same heart was once golden. She was adamant on making the wrong right. He was adamant on making it worse. But In the journey of making his wrongs right, In bringing him out of the darkness. She didn't know she would become darkness herself, she wasn't aware that her heart would break into million pieces which she couldn't put back. ^ ^ ^ ^ "would you treat me the same way if I wasn't independent and equally strong?" I asked breaking the silence. He stared at me and said "No, I wouldn't" shocked would be an understatement, I was astonished his 3 words made my heart jump but I wasn't prepared for what came next, " I wouldn't treat you the same way not because no woman deserves it, but because I would never, EVER bend to anyone because I won't beg for anyone to stay, because I don't NEED anyone" he said, coldly. That day I realized one thing, whatever this guy had gone through was beyond repair but I wasn't aware that with him, even I' d have to go through the same hell. Would Blaze and Olivia cross all limits of being crazy? Will Blaze's cold demeanor be broken by Olivia's warmth? Or will Blaze bring darkness to her like he bought to everything else? Will obsession win over love? Will sins be redeemed? Cover by: @krissthetic.Complete
The Devil's Crybaby
A man stormed in with a gun. She was shot. She lived, but the part of her that trusted life didn't. After that, she became careful. She avoided crowds. Sudden movements made her freeze. She spent more time alone because it felt easier than being around people who didn't understand what had happened to her. Life became smaller, but it felt safer that way. Then one night, someone came for her. He took her from her bed without explaining who he was. He kept her moving, kept her close, and kept his distance at the same time. A man who lived by rules she didn't understand and fear she couldn't escape. Everything about him screamed danger, yet he never touched her without reason. Never spoke more than necessary. He lived for one person only. Everything he did was for his brother. His brother had lost an eye years ago because of him, and he treated that loss like something he could never make right. He followed his brother's orders without thinking about the consequences. When his brother wanted something, he made it happen. Eliza asked questions. Tried to understand what she had been pulled into. The man who kidnapped her protected her but never from the truth. In the silence he left behind, she started filling in the gaps herself. She told herself he wouldn't protect her if she didn't matter. She told herself that the way he stayed close meant something. When she finally learns the reason she was taken, it doesn't come gently. It strips away everything she believed and leaves her facing the fact that she was never chosen. She was a promise. A problem someone else decided to solve. Two brothers want different things from her. One wants to own her. One never planned to keep her. Around them is a world where violence is normal, where people disappear without anyone asking questions, and where some men hunt for reasons that have nothing to do with survival. This is not a story about being saved.
Marriage first, then love
He did not love her. It was a loveless marriage to him. In his eyes, she is just a burden who cooks food for him. And in return, he will earn money and place it in her bank account. But she fell for him the moment she had laid eyes on him. It was love at first sight. She would lovingly cook him breakfast, but he would not even glance at her in the morning. In attempts to get him to glance at her, she fooled and embarrassed herself in front of him. She was close to giving up. A small part of her had hoped someday he would change the way he views her. But the fragment of hope diminishes very quickly. Little did she know that one simple action will cause everything to change. That one day he going to start feeling something for her, when her heart is broken. That he is going to start feeling something for her, with a dark past. Will she have to continue to wonder whether it will always be a loveless marriage or a new journey where they fall in love with each other together instead of one-sided love. Will he be able to love her like she loves him? A/N: Probably clichΓ© to some people, read with caution.Complete
What If I Was Nothing?
They loved hard, fought harder, and broke quietly. Ryan and Hannah were supposed to last - the kind of love that survives slammed doors, sleepless nights, and promises said in the dark. But love, as they learned, doesn't always fade in one clean motion. Sometimes it unravels, thread by thread, until you wake up beside someone you no longer recognize. After years of trying to fix what was already gone, Hannah walked away. Ryan stayed - until the silence between them became too heavy to bear. Years later, Ryan has rebuilt his world. A new home. A wife who makes him laugh. A baby boy who carries his smile. He's finally found peace in the wreckage. But when Hannah reappears one morning, holding all the words she never said, both are forced to face the truth: love doesn't die - it changes. And sometimes, the hardest part isn't losing each other. It's learning to live with what remains.Complete
"π°π'π ππππ ππ ππππππ π πππ πππ πππ πππππ ππππ π πππππππππ" π©ππ ππππ πππππππ ππππ πππ ππππ ππππππ ππ ππππ?" She thought she had her life figured out. A quiet job in a quiet town, a routine that never hurt, and a heart too careful to fall for anyone too fast. But then he walked in. The new hire. Mysterious. Impossibly attractive. He had the smile of a gentleman and the presence of a man who'd burn the world to keep your attention. He said all the right things. Held doors. Knew how to make her laugh. And when he looked at her-it felt like she was the only girl in the universe. But love, she learns, can be blinding. And not all monsters hide in shadows. Some wear suits. Some call you "baby." Some hold you like you're a prayer-then break you like a curse. Because he has secrets. Dark ones. Dangerous ones. The kind of truths that can't be buried without blood. So now the real question is... Will she uncover who he truly is-before it's too late? Can love survive when it's soaked in lies and obsession? And when she finally sees the monster behind the man... Will she run? Or will she stay?
More detailsContent Guidelines