Chacha onyewuchi TREN

♠️Shadows of Desire 📌

[ His obsession. His fire ]

Genre: Billionaire romance

Tags: mafia, forbidden love, power, wealth, billionaire, revenge, betrayal, kidnap.

Written by: Chacha tren.

Warning: No part of this book should be copied, published else where without my permission or Authorization.

💘 Chapter 63 💘 64 💘

Dominic's chains rattled as he tried to lift his head. He was burning with fever, his wounds festering. The door groaned open. Marcus entered, carrying the glowing brand in tongs. Dominic's heart pounded, his muscles straining against the chains.

Marcus smirked. "Do you hear them, Dominic? My soldiers crying out in the distance. Something's stirring. Your little dove thinks she can fight me."
He raised the brand, the glow searing Dominic's vision. "This mark," Marcus hissed, "will remind you every moment of who owns you."

Dominic's bared his teeth, forcing his cracked lips into a smile. "She's coming and when she does, you'll be the one screaming."
Marcus eyes flashed with fury, his fist connecting with his jaw, snapping his head back. "Stubborn dog. We'll see how long you can keep that tongue."

He turned, leaving the cell with a cruel laugh, the iron doors slamming shut behind him. Dominic sagged in his chains, his chest a blazing agony. But through the haze, he closed his eyes and saw her. Ariella. Her face, her fire, her promise. It was enough to keep him breathing.

Ariella sat by the crackling fire, her cloak still smelling faintly of smoke. Around her, the rebels sharpened blades, prepared arrows and muttered in low voices. The leader Garrick _watched her closely. "You burned Marcus soldiers. Impressive. But fire only frightens men for a night.
To strike him down, you'll need more than fire. You'll need strategy."

Ariella straightened. "Then teach me. Show me how to fight him."
Garrick's scarred lips twisted in a half smile. "Eager, I like that. But understand this...if you falter, you'll drag us all down with you.

"I won't falter," Ariella sat firmly. "Dominic is still alive. I can feel it and I will tear Marcus's kingdom apart stone by stone. If that is what it takes to free him."
Clara shifted nervously at her side. "Ariella, please... what if he's already __"

"He's not," Ariella's voice cracked like steel. "He's alive. I'd know if he wasn't."
Silence followed, heavy with unspoken doubt. Elias finally spoke, his voice low. "The more chaos we sow, the weaker Marcus becomes. If we strike his supply lines, his soldiers will starve. If we free his prisoners, they'll rise against him.”

Ariella nodded, fire blazing in her eyes. "Then that's where we start. No one else will live in chains the way Dominic does."

Garrick pulled her aside. His gaze was sharp, weighing her. "Tell me, dove. Why risk your life for him? Is he truly worth all this?"
Ariella didn't hesitate . "He's worth everything. He risked his life to free me. He saw me as more than a possession. More than Marcus's pawn. He made me believe I could be free."

Garrick studied her for a long moment, then gave a rough laugh. "Foolish. Dangerous. But maybe that's what this fight needs."

The forest road was dark, swallowed by trees that whispered in the night wind. Ariella crouched behind the thickets, her dagger gripped tight, her cloak brushing the dirt. Beside her, Elias checked the string of his bow. "Convoy should be here soon. Two wagons, ten men, maybe more. If we strike fast, we'll cripple Marcus's supplies for a week."

Ariella nodded, though her heart thudded against her ribs. This wasn't just sabotage anymore. Tonight, blood would be spilled and she would lead it.
Clara whispered nervously behind them, clutching the edge of,Ariella's cloak. "Are you sure about this? You're not a soldier."

"I don't need to be," Ariella whispered bay, eyes fixed on the road. "I just need to be faster than my fear."
The sound came then _hoof beats, the creak of wheels, men's rough laughter drifting through the night.

Torches flickered, their glow bobbing through the trees. Elias tensed. "This is it."
Ariella raised her hand, and the rebels hidden among the brush _tightened. Grips on swords, bows, and diggers. The forest held it's breath. When the wagons entered the clearing, Ariella dropped her hand. "Now!"

Arrows hissed through the air, striking torches and plunging the convoy into sudden darkness. Horses reared, soldiers shouted, confusion bursting like thunder. Ariella sprinted from the trees, cloak flying, and drove her dagger into the side of the nearest wagon.

With one shove, she sliced the ropes securing the crates. Supplies tumbled into the dirt. A soldier swung at her, blade flashing. Ariella ducked, heart hammering, and Elias arrow dropped the man before he could strike again. "Stay focused!" Elias barked.

Ariella darted forward, kicking over a barrel of dried grain. It split open, scattering across the road. Another soldier lunged, grabbing her arm. "Got you, w***h__"
Her dagger flashed, catching his shoulder. He screamed, stumbling back, for the first time, Ariella didn't flinch at the blood.

She felt alive. The rebels swarmed, blades clashing, voices echoing through the night. Clara huddled by the trees, wide eyed, whispering prayers.

Ariella's cloak caught on a wagon wheel. She yanked free, turning just in time to see a soldier raising his sword above her. "Ariella," Elias shouted, loosing another arrow. It struck the soldier in the chest, dropping him inches from her.

The battle field reeked of smoke, sweat and blood. The rebels moved like shadows, overwhelming Marcus's men with ruthless precision. Finally, the last soldier fell, the road littered with the groans of the wounded and the silence of the dead.

Elias lowered his bow, breathing hard. "It's done,"
Ariella stood in the middle of the road, chest heaving, dagger slick with blood. Her hands trembled but she forced herself to straighten. "We've shown Marcus," she said, her voice louder than she felt. "His grip weakens. He bleeds, and we'll keep cutting until he falls."

The rebels murmured in approval, some clapping her shoulder as they passed. Clara rushed to her, grabbing her arm. "You could've died!"
"I didn't," Ariella said softly, staring at the blood on her dagger. "And everytime I don't, it brings me closer to Dominic."



TBC. Please make sure to like, comment and share after reading.

https://m.pahina.com/novel/3064226048.html

Babies if you enjoy reading slow burn romance, hidden identity, etc. then rush now to read.

Chapter 1 The Promotion That Changed Nothing

Jessica's POV

“Congratulations, Jessica. You have been promoted to head of jewelry design and technology.”
I blinked. “I…I'm sorry, what?” I asked.
My boss smiled, sliding the document towards me. “You heard me right. Three years in this company and you've outperformed designers with ten years of experience. You earned it.”

A laugh escaped my lips. Half disbelief, half excitement. “Thank you…thank you so much. I promise i won't disappoint you,” I said.
“I know you won't,” he said with a smile.
I held the paper tightly as i walked out of the office, my heart leapt in joy as i never expected to be promoted so soon.

Outside, my coworkers surrounded me. “Congratulations! You deserve it! I knew you'd get promoted!”
“Thank you,”I laughed, trying to hide my excitement. As everyone returned to work, two designers behind me continued chatting. “Did you see the news? The one about Lumiere?”
“Yes, that another anonymous jewelry collection was sold out worldwide in less than five minutes. It's unbelievable,” the other person said.

“But I still can't believe nobody knows whether Lumiere is a man or woman. And they're calling Lumiere the greatest jewelry genius in the world,” the first person said.
I paused for a brief second, then continued walking as though i hadn't heard a word.

Outside the building, i looked down at my promotion letter again. Just three years of working with the company. Head of jewelry design.
“Jerry is going to be very happy” I whispered to myself. Pulling out my phone, dialing his number__then stopped. “No…i will tell him in person “.
I could already imagine his reaction, his proud smile, the way he would pull me into a hug and say “I always knew you could do it, Jess.”

I hurried home. As i stepped into the house, i noticed the air in the room was tense. Heavy. Something felt wrong. My smile slowly faded. “Jerry?” I called softly.
But no response. I stepped further in and froze.

There he was. Jerry. Seated on the couch. Arms folded. Eyes cold and distant. Staring at me. I felt surprised because he has never looked at me with such coldness before.
I forced a smile, though a chill ran down my spine. “You are home early today. That's new.”

He didn't smile back. Didn't respond. Instead, he slowly stood up and walked toward me. Ran a hand through his dark hair. “I have good news,” I said quickly, trying to lighten the tension. “I got pro__”

“Jessica.”
My voice died instantly. Something about the way he said my name, flat, emotionless.. made my chest tightened. “Yes?” I whispered. He looked straight into my eyes. Not warmth. Not love. Nothing.
“I want a break up.”

Silence filled the room. My mind went blank. “... What?”
“I said i want a break up.”
I took a staggering step backward as his words washed over me. “Break up? This is a prank, right?”
“No, I'm dead serious,” he replied.
The promotion letter slipped from my fingers onto the floor. “Why?” I asked, staring at him.

He exhaled like he was bored. “Because i already got what i wanted.”
My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
His lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. “I mean you're no longer useful to me.”

My heart skipped. “Jerry…?”
“I’m tired of pretending that i love you,” he muttered with a smug look.
A knot tightened in my stomach. “What?”
He chuckled softly, and that sound…Cold, unfamiliar_sent a chill through me.
“I dated you because i needed access to everything your parents left behind.”
My breath hitched. “No…”
He shrugged. “You were the easiest way in.”

“No.” I stepped back. “You are lying,” I said, my voice cracking.
“Well, but it is,” he said calmly.
His words like a dagger stabbed deep into my chest. “You loved me…you told me you did.”
He scoffed. “I told you what you wanted to hear.”
The room suddenly felt too small, too difficult to breathe in.

“And honestly,” he continued, “I also thought I'd get something else out of it.”
My fingers trembled. “What…?
He leaned closer, voice dropping. “I thought you'd at least be a virgin. But you turned out to be disappointing.”
I froze. His words struck harder than a slap. For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything. Couldn't think.

I grabbed his shirt with trembling hands. “How could you say something like that? Jerry, i loved you! I trusted you…I gave you everything!”
He looked at my hands with disgust. “Get your filthy hands off me.” He shoved me back. I stumbled, barely catching my balance.

“Please, Jerry. Don't do this,” my voice broke, tears streamed down my cheeks.
“I already did,” he said flatly. Then he turned away, completely indifferent. “I have someone i love. She'll be moving in soon.”
“Someone else? You're replacing me already?” I asked.

Without hesitation, he answered, “Yes.”
The words hit harder than anything else as i felt something inside me collapse.

With Frida's library – I just got recognized as one of their top fans!

♠️Shadows of Desire 📌

[ His obsession. His fire ]

Genre: Billionaire romance

Tags: mafia, forbidden love, power, wealth, billionaire, revenge, betrayal, kidnap.

Written by: Chacha tren.

Warning: No part of this book should be copied, published else where without my permission or Authorization.

💘 Chapter 51 💘 52 💘


Ariella turned to face him, anger flashing in her eyes. "Belief crumbles. Love does not, and I will never love you."
Jake's smile faltered just for a heartbeat before he covered it with another mocking smirk. "We'll see, darling."

As the evening descended, the ballroom filled with aristocrats, politicians, and powerful families guests who owed Jake their loyalty or their silence. Champagne flowed freely, laughter rising into the vaulted.

Ariella stood beside Jake on a raised dais, every muscle rigid. Her eyes swept over the faces in the crowd, searching desperately for any sign of hope. Dominic please...
Clara lingered among the servants, her eyes darting to Ariella whenever she dared.

She gave the faintest nod. Soon, her look seemed to say... hold on.
Jake raised his glass, commanding silence. The crowd hushed instantly, all eyes turning to him. "Friends," he began, his voice smooth and magnetic. "Tonight we celebrate not just power, but unity. Tonight, I bind myself to the woman who embodies loyalty, grace and strength. My future wife, Ariella Montgomery."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Applause followed, though hesitant at first, before swelling into thunder. Marcus stepped forward with a smile on his face. "Congrats Jake." He shake Jake's hand. His gaze flicked to Ariella, his smile widened. "I told you, Ari. You will never be with Dominic," he whispered to her hearing only.

He raised his glass higher. "Congratulations to the latest couple in town."

Ariella felt her stomach twist. Jake took her hand, lifting it as if she were a prize to display. "Smile," he whispered, his grip crushing. "Or i will make sure your friend pays for your defiance.

Her eyes flickered to Clara, who was watching from the sidelines, pale with fear. Ariella forced her lips into a faint curve, but her eyes burned with fury. The crowd cheered louder. Jake basked in it, his chest swelling like a king ascending his throne.

But Ariella felt none of it. Beneath her calm facade, her heart pounded. Dominic where are you?

In a dark corridor above the ballroom, Elias crouched with Dominic, peering down through a grated window. The music and cheers floated up to them, muffled but clear enough. "She's there," Elias murmured. "Beside him."

Dominic's eyes locked on Ariella, the sight of her in Jake's grasp igniting a fire that roared in his veins. His fingers clenched around the chain still wrapped around his fist. "He thinks he can parade her like a trophy," Dominic growled. "He doesn't know he's painting a target on his own chest.

Elias grabbed his arm. "Dominic__if you rush now, you'll get yourself killed. There are guards everywhere. We need a plan."

Dominic's gaze never left Ariella. "The plan is simple. I get her out. Or i die trying."

Jake raised Ariella's hand higher, his eyes glittering with triumph. "To my bride," he declared, voice echoing through the hall. The crowd erupted in cheers again, glasses clinking.

But Ariella, her hand trapped in his, felt something different. A shiver. A pull. Her pulse quickened...not from Jake's touch, but from the invisible bond she knew had not been severed.

Her lips parted in the faintest whisper, drowned by applause. "Dominic...."
The applause still rang through the ballroom, deafening and hollow in Ariella's ears.

Her hand remained trapped in Jake's iron grip. Her smile frozen in place. To the crowd, she was the picture of devotion. Inside, she wanted to scream.

Jake leaned close, his lips brushing her temple as though they were lovers. "Perfect," he murmured, his eyes glinting. "They believe it already."

Ariella turned her head, just enough to keep her whisper between them. "Belief is a fragile thing, Jake. All it takes is one truth to shatter it."
His fingers tightened around hers, the diamonds on her wrist digging into her skin. "Careful, darling. I don't want to mar that beautiful face before our wedding night."

Her stomach churned. She swallowed down her revulsion, forcing her expression calm. Hold on, she told herself. Just hold on.

Above the chandeliers, hidden in the rafters, Dominic's entire body quaked with fury. He could see Jake's hand crushing hers, could see Ariella's stiff shoulders and the way her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Every muscle screamed for him to leap down, tear Jake apart and take her in his arms. His hand gripped the chain so tightly blood dripped from his palm. Elias crouched beside him, whispering urgently. "Dominic... don't. Not now. There are fifty men down there with rifles. If you rush in, you won't make it ten steps."

Dominic's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding. "I don't care."
"You should!" Elias hissed, grabbing his arm. "Think about her, if you die tonight, who saves Ariella then? Who brings her out of this hell?"

Dominic froze, breath ragged. His eyes stayed locked on her. Ariella. She was so close, just below him. He could see the pulse in her throat, the faint tremor in her fingers.

He swore, in that instant, she looked up...her gaze brushing the dark where he hid. Their eyes didn't meet, not truly, but he felt it, the pull, the unbroken tether between them.

His chest ached. Elias voice cut through his haze. "We'll get her. But not like this. We need precision, not su***de."
Dominic's fists shook before he finally forced his grip to ease. He leaned back into the dark, his breath ragged with the effort it took not to leap.

Down below, Jake lifted his glass again, smiling for the crowd. "A toast," he declared, his voice rich with false warmth. "To new beginnings, and to bonds that cannot be broken."

TBC.

♠️Shadows of Desire 📌

[ His obsession. His fire ]

Genre: Billionaire romance

Tags: mafia, forbidden love, power, wealth, billionaire, revenge, betrayal, kidnap.

Written by: Chacha tren.

Warning: No part of this book should be copied, published else where without my permission or Authorization.

💘 Chapter 49 💘 50 💘

Ariella inhaled sharply, her mind racing. "We'll use his arrogance. He thinks he's already won. Tomorrow, when he comes for my answer, I'll give him one."
Clara's grip tightened. "What do you mean?"

"I'll pretend to yield. Just enough to lower his guard and while he's gloating, you will slip away. Find Elias. Tell him Dominic is free. Tell him to wait for my signal."
Clara hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. "And what will you do?"

Ariella's gaze hardened. "I will buy us time."
Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken dread. Finally, Clara nodded. "I'll do it. Whatever it takes."
Ariella pulled her into a fierce hug. "We'll get out of this, Clara. All of us. I swear it."

But as she clung to her friend, her heart whispered another vow_one she didn't dare speak aloud. Hold on, Dominic. I'm coming back to you.

The tunnels reeked of rust, mold and blood. Dominic staggered through the shadows, the broken chain still wrapped around his fist, dripping crimson with every step he took. His body was battered, bones aching, but his spirit burned hotter than ever.

Every corner whispered with echoes of the past weeks..his torment, his rage, his vow. Ariella. Just a little longer. I'm coming.

The sound of boots thundered ahead. Lanterns flared in the darkness as more guards flooded the passage, blades gleaming. "There!" One of them shouted. "Don't let him out!"

Dominic's lips curled into something between a snarl and a smile. "Try"
The first guard lunged, sword swinging. Dominic caught the blade with his chain.. wrapped arm, sparks flying as steel scraped iron. With a Savage twist, he ripped the weapon from the man's hand and drove his fist into his jaw.

The crunch echoed down the corridor as the guard collapsed. Another came from behind, swinging an axe. Dominic ducked, pivoted, and drove the stolen sword through the man's chest. Blood sprayed across the damp stone. The rest hesitated. Fear flickering in their eyes.

Dominic wiped the blade clean on his shirt, his gaze like fire. "Move, or bleed "

One of them cursed under his breath and charged. Dominic met him head on, their swords clashing in a frenzy of sparks. He fought with raw fury, every strike carrying the weight of weeks in chains. He didn't just want freedom...he wanted vengeance.

The guard faltered, his stance breaking. Dominic disarmed him with a vicious twist and slammed his fist into his throat. The man choked and fell, gasping for air. The last two exchanged terrified glances. Then, as if remembering Marcus's wrath, they tried to corner him at once. Dominic let them.

He spun, blade cutting wide, slicing one across the shoulder while his chain wrapped fist slammed into the other's temple. Both men crumpled in unison, groaning . Panting. Dominic stood in the carnage, his shirt soaked with blood that wasn't all his own.

His chest rose and fell, but his eyes burned with a predator's hunger. "Pathetic," he muttered.

The tunnels widened as he pressed forward, the air turning colder, fresher. He could almost taste freedom. But freedom wouldn't be enough. Not without her. He slammed a hand against the wall, forcing himself to stay upright.

His body screamed for rest, but his mind whispered her name. Ariella. Ariella.
A sound broke through the silence...a whistle. Low, sharp. Dominic froze. From the shadows stepped a familiar figure.

Elias. His old ally's face was pale beneath the lantern light, his eyes wide as they swept over Dominic's battered state. "God's," Elias breathed. "I didn't think you'd actually...." He trailed off, then rushed forward. "Dominic, you're alive."

Dominic gripped his shoulder, hard. "Where is she?"
Elias swallowed. "Back at the mansion. Jake has her locked down tighter than ever. He's.... he's planning something. A marriage, I heard whispers__"

The chain in Dominic's hand clanged as his fist clenched, fury radiating from him. "Over my dead body."
Elias gave a grim nod. "Then we have to move fast. Clara's still inside, trying to help. But if Jake seals this union publicly, it'll be almost impossible to get her out."

Dominic's eyes gleamed with dangerous resolve. Then we don't wait. Tonight, Elias. We tear the whole damn mansion down if we have to."

Elias studied him for a long moment, then exhaled. "You're mad. But I'm with you."

Dominic smirked faintly, blood dripping from his jaw. "Good. Because I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

Ariella startled awake at the sound of footsteps outside her door. Her heart hammered, for a moment, she thought it was Jake or Marcus. But then she swore she felt it__an invisible thread pulling tight, as though Dominic's heart beat had suddenly drawn nearer.

She pressed her palm against her chest, her lips curving in the faintest smile. "Come back to me," she whispered.

The grand ballroom of the mansion had never looked more dazzling or more suffocating. Crystal chandeliers glimmered above velvet draped tables. Musicians tuned their instruments while servants rushed about, polishing glasses, arranging flowers, and spreading gold trimmed linens.

It was a scene of celebration, but for Ariella, it felt like a funeral. She stood at the edge of the balcony, her wrists still sore from Marcus's guards. Her gown heavy and suffocating.

He had dressed her like a queen silk in midnight blue, diamonds. Strung along her throat..but the jewels felt like chains.

The door behind her opened. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. "You look exquisite," Jake drawled, his voice smooth as poison.

Ariella stiffened, her eyes fixed on the crowd below. "Dressed for a cage, no matter how pretty it looks."

Jake stepped closer, his presence wrapping around her like a shadow. "Always so dramatic. Tonight is not a cage, my darling. Tonight is a coronation. The world will know you as mine."
Her jaw tightened. "You'll never own me."

His smile didn't waver. He leaned in, brushing his lips against her ear, his whisper sending ice through her veins. "By dawn, they will believe it. And belief is all that matters."

TBC. Don't leave without sharing, commenting and liking it.

happy birthday to my amazing self

Just to meet up with your cards sell target, you will steal people's account and take their pictures.... lying to them that....it is how the bank works. Later when you didn't see anyone to onboard...you will now do fake onboard and use those peoples account to buy cards and sell. Then company will think indeed that you did genuine work.

You will see rejoicing i have 10 onboard today, i have 20 etc. people who the issue ATM card.. please shine your eyes over this so called marketers. Opay!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve my friends and family 🌲🌲🌲🌲

I am born to win. Not to lose. I'm a carrier of God's grace and blessings.

Let your Faith be bigger than your Fear.