[Warning: This story contains explicit adult content and dark romance themes. It features a strong female lead and a dominant male lead. Expect dangerous plot twists ahead.]
slow burn 

I'm Julie Michael

I went with my father to a luxurious restaurant in New York, but I never left with him.


On a lower floor of a world that doesn’t exist on any map, I discovered the truth:


I wasn’t abandoned by accident.
I was sold to Robert Cross, a billionaire who buys people for the joy of breaking them.


But I refuse to break under his hands. 

In Robert Cross’s world, everything has a price tag. I was his most expensive purchase, and I intend to be his most dangerous mistake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-
"You bought my body, but you will not buy my submission," Julie spat.
Robert leaned in, his voice a dark hiss:


"Commodities don't need to like their masters, Julie... It’s enough that I took a liking to you and bought you, sweetheart."

______________

Julie stomped the floor with her foot, and agitation was clear in the tone of her voice, which rose slightly as she pointed at my face: 


"You ran your thumb over your lip! You're hinting to me... hinting that I kissed you!"



My composure didn't budge; instead, I tilted my head to the side and looked at her with a gaze shrouded in mischief, then said with utter simplicity: 


"And what is the problem with that? It was just a kiss."

--------------------

She waved her hand with bitter irony: 


"Are you the one who's going to protect me from him?"


 I nodded, confirming: 


"Yes."



A low growl escaped her, and she said: 


"You are worse than him."

Then I asked her in a confident tone that made her cheeks burn: 


"Then why were you burying your face in my chest, with your fingers digging into my shirt?"


Adult content only

Dark Romance

Twisted

I was watching Carlos as he sank into his silence, his eyes narrowing in a desperate attempt to decode the "high price" Julie had paid, 


but I decided that this secret would remain trapped within the walls of my chest. 


Suddenly, the door opened and she stepped in, carrying a silver tray with two cups of coffee on it, 


a mysterious smile playing on her face that made me pause for a second to wonder: what is going on in that rebellious mind?


She approached us with confident steps, placed the first cup in front of Carlos, then extended her hand to give me the other cup.


 Instead of leaving, she simply pulled out a chair and sat down, placing the tray on her lap, and said in a calm tone: 


I furrowed my brows and looked at her in disapproval, saying in a dry voice:


Carlos sipped his coffee, observing the situation, while she replied as she adjusted her seat: 


Chapter 77 - 78/The Bitter Sweetness