LightReader

Laurel

nellyshantai5
7
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 7 chs / week.
--
NOT RATINGS
447
Views
Synopsis
--- Alora Serano is a therapist with a gift for healing broken minds—but she never expected to be forced into marrying one. Her husband, Laurel Ashford, is a powerful CEO with a sharp tongue, colder eyes, and a past he keeps buried in silence. Their marriage is nothing more than a calculated transaction between two families—but beneath the formalities and tension lies something far more dangerous: chemistry. From the moment Alora enters Laurel’s world, he makes it clear—he didn’t ask for a wife, especially not one with eyes that see right through him. "You’re wasting your time trying to fix me, mia cara," Laurel mutters one night, jaw clenched, eyes dark with everything he refuses to say. "And yet, here you are... letting me in, inch by inch," Alora replies softly, holding his gaze. He smirks, the edge of something darker curling at his lips. "You like how my fingers make you feel, don’t you, Alora?" Their dynamic is a storm. Passion tangled in pain. One moment, they're at each other’s throats, the next, they’re pressed against the walls in breathless silence, trying to pretend the desire doesn’t mean anything. But it does. Every glance burns. Every accidental touch leaves a mark. Alora never meant to fall for a man who weaponized distance, and Laurel never expected a woman who could unravel him with just a look. "You don't get to touch me like that and pretend it means nothing," she snaps during one of their many arguments. His voice is a low growl as he steps closer. "And you don't get to look at me like that unless you're ready for the consequences." As Alora digs deeper into his psyche, she uncovers the wounds he’s buried for years—wounds he never let anyone see. But love isn’t easy, not when trauma lurks in every corner and trust feels like a luxury neither of them can afford. When Laurel’s demons rise to the surface and Alora begins to break under the weight of loving a man who might never be able to love her back, the line between devotion and destruction begins to blur. "You make me want to believe in things I swore I never would again," Laurel whispers against her skin one night, vulnerable and raw for the first time. "And I want to be the reason you finally do," Alora breathes. Their story is messy, complicated, and maddening—but also intoxicating, healing, and unforgettable. In a marriage born out of duty, they discover that sometimes, the person you were forced to marry becomes the only one who can truly set you free. ---
Table of contents
VIEW MORE

Chapter 1 - CHAPTER ONE

Alora's POV ♡

 " That's the end of our session today Mr. Pasile", I said to him smiling . "Already? This one one hour does move quite fast ", he said with a small sad smile . "Sure does", I replied . I watched him gather his things and package himself as he stood up to leave. 

 "See you next session Miss Serano".

 "Till then", I offered him a small smile as he left my office. I loved my job ! I was a therapist and enjoyed bringing people to a better state of mental health. One would find it weird since I'm from a family of business and I'm the only one in a medical field.

 But they didn't mind it, I came from one of the most elite families in New York known for our exquisite and exotic jewels. 

 I stood up and walked to my window only to find the most beautiful sight of the sun setting.

 The sun sank slowly toward the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the land. Streaks of amber, crimson, and violet painted the sky like a masterpiece in motion, blurring the edges between day and night.

 Each passing minute deepened the colors, as if the heavens were sighing into twilight. 

 Shadows lengthened and softened, and the last rays of sunlight danced across the clouds, setting them ablaze before fading into gentle hues of rose and indigo. I couldn't help but smile. 

 I was pulled out of my longing gaze by my phone ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and placed it right on my ear without even looking at the caller ID. 

 "Hey princess", my father said with his gruff voice, he sounded happy . 

 "Hey dad",I answered with a big smile plastered on my face. Talking to him made me happy . "Your mum and I were wondering if you can come home for dinner today we've got some big news," I could hear my mum yelling something in the background but I couldn't quite grasp it ! "Honey, you there ?", Fuck I totally forgot my dad was on the phone. 

 "Yeah sure I'll be there, give me a few minutes", I said as I gathered my belongings and hung up the phone absentmindedly. 

 "Hey you", I said as I looked up to see my ex boyfriend Roman in my office . I didn't even hear him walk in. "Hey gorgeous", he smiled at me revealing his perfect white teeth and his cute dimples . 

 In all our years of dating I never got over that smile, it made me feel so warm I couldn't even decipher the feeling that always sat at the pit of my stomach. I just stared at him his blonde hair that shone like gold, his build like that of an underwear model. He looked great in blue jeans, I c—

 "— can we do it over dinner". Do what over dinner !? Can't believe I missed what he said .

 ""Maybe another time , I'm going to my parents over dinner".I said as I brushed past him and walked as quickly as I could to my car. I revved it up real quick and drove off.

 People like him are better left in the past no ? I mean that was why he was an ex. 

 "Uuggghhhhh " I screamed at myself . It took me months to get over that man , not two months , not three eleven fucking months that was basically a year !! 

 And yet he has the audacity to show up now after three fucking years !

 I can't go through that path again I jus—

 BANG ! A loud crash sounded. Someone bumped into my car ! You're kidding me !

 I quickly removed my seat belt and stormed out of my car. "No no no no not my car it's brand new", I held my face in utter shock as I walked to the back of my car . "Would you relax , its not that damaged", Some guy in a suit said . Is he sane !? He hits my car and tells me to calm down! "What ?, you hit my car and that's what you say ! ", Yes it wasn't that big but still !! No ounce of remorse radiated from him . 

 The closing of a car's door had me drifting my attention to the man that was walking towards us. Holy shit ! People look like this actual people ?

 He stood tall with a presence that drew attention without a word. His jet-black hair, thick and tousled, framed a face defined by sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. But it was his eyes—icy blue and unnervingly intense—that held you captive, as if they could see straight through to your thoughts. 

 There was something raw and magnetic about him, a quiet power that simmered beneath his calm expression. His broad shoulders and sculpted frame spoke of strength and discipline, every movement precise and deliberate, like a man accustomed to control. He looked like danger dressed in confidence—unshakable, unreadable, and impossible to ignore.

 But his voice ! "Here's my business card you're car will be picked tomorrow and fixed, come on Mario I'm getting late for the meeting ", he said as he walked back to his car. My eyes were glued to that card, his face imprinted in my mind. When I raised my head their car was no longer there . 

 I walked to my car with my mind thinking of a certain adonis, I wasn't even mad about my car anymore . It sounded alright even 

 I need to gather my thoughts, I'm losing myself! 

 I arrived at my parents house their majestic house stood right in front of me. I walked in and I was enveloped be the sweet scent of lilles and some spices. 

 "Honey you're just on time ", my mother welcomed me with a small hug. You're father is upstairs with a guest in his office he'll be right down. 

 I didn't know I missed my mother till I actually saw her , her dirty blonde hair that laid gracefully on he shoulders , her brown warm eyes that assured you of comfort and peace. She was beautiful , her beauty didn't match someone of her age. We sat down at the dinner table as the food was brought in by the servants. 

 We catched up slow with my mother and I heard my father coming down the stairs and engulfed me in one of his famous teddy hugs. His jet black hair slowing getting some edges of white was laid back . I did take after my father . 

 My father joined in on our conversation but my mother kept on obviously nudging him mouthing the words tell her Jack '. 

 I looked at my father with a expecting gaze urging him to talk. 

 "You see the thing is sweetie", he spoke as he held my hand and looked straight into my eyes. 

 "You're getting married". I felt my throat clamp up . The food that I was already eating tasted like acid in my mouth.

 I could feel bile rise in my throat. This was some kind of joke. 

 "But I'm not seeing anyone ", I said as I drew my hand away from my father . 

 "Exactly , that's why you're marrying him ", my father pointed towards a figure emerging from the dimly lit staircase. 

 I quickly turned my head to be met with the man my father pointed out — "YOU ?"