Serpents Embrace

Alison Peterson spent five years reshaping herself to fit Alexander Hale's dreams: the polished image, the quiet ambition, the promise that someday they'd build a life together. When Alexander cheated on her with another woman, the polished life crumbled. Betrayed and furious, Alison decides she won't be someone's regret-she'll make him regret.

Damon Prescott is a legend whispered about in boardrooms and dark alleys. As the head of the Prescott empire, he commands wealth, loyalty, and fear. The one thing he lacks is an heir to carry his name and secure his legacy. When Alison walks into his office-broken, beautiful, and furious-Damon sees an answer to his problem. He makes her a cold, practical offer: be his partner for one year, conceive his child, and he'll give Alison everything she needs to remake her life.

Alison accepts-but not for the reason Damon expects. She wants revenge, yes, but she also wants power and safety. With Damon's resources and reputation, she can become untouchable. Their initial bargain leads swiftly to something deeper. Love arrives in small, astonishing moments: Damon's quiet protection when Alison faces Alexander's smug new circle; Alison's fierce loyalty when Damon's enemies test his patience. They fall hard and fast, more connected than either thought possible. Alison's pregnancy binds them closer-an heir on the way becomes a symbol of what they've built together.

Word leaks to Alexander. Humiliated and furious, he vows to destroy the life he abandoned. He knows he cannot take Damon head-on-Damon's reach is too long, his wrath too absolute-so he turns to the one who eased his betrayal: Veronica, the woman who stole his future. Veronica, craving status and still holding grudges, agrees to help Alexander. Together they scheme to fracture Damon's empire from within: a public scandal, planted evidence, whispered lies, a staged betrayal designed to turn Damon's allies against him and push Alison into fear.