His Ruthless Affection

In his world of power, she was only meant to be a toy... until she chose to break the game.

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Winter Amethyst Lustre only wanted a chance at a better life---a college degree, a stable job, a future she could finally call her own. But being an international student meant struggling alone in a world that never played fair. And when life pushed her past desperation, she was left with no choice but to cling to the sharpest edge she could find.

Winter sold herself, not to just any wealthy man, but to one name whispered like both a promise and a warning.

Magnus Pierre DeLaurentis, the ruthless CEO of DeLaurentis Group. A man carved from old money, power, and a reputation that made even seasoned businessmen uneasy.

Women chased him like moths to a flame, but Magnus only took what pleased him. What obeyed him. What could satisfy his desires without breaking too easily. And out of all the women in the club that night, Winter was the one who caught his eye. She became his newest possession, his prettiest plaything, his favorite pet.

But their arrangement came with rules---rules meant for someone who could separate pleasure from emotion, body from heart. And Winter... couldn't. A girl starved of affection her whole life, she mistook indulgence for care and pampering for love. She let herself believe that Magnus' attention meant something. Enough that she bowed, yielded, and endured even the sharpest edges of his cruelty, just for a taste of warmth.

Until she saw the truth for herself---Magnus' real tenderness, soft and unrestrained... but given to another woman.

That's when Winter finally realized... she was nothing more than his pet. A pampered plaything when he was in a good mood, a punching bag when he wasn't. And toys are meant to be thrown away once their shine fades.

But Winter wasn't made to break.
She's done being naive.
This time, she's the one walking away first.