[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

My gaze was frozen between a pale Olivia and Julie, who was swaying while pointing her finger in a piercing accusation. 


Olivia said in a shaky voice: "Julie... what are you saying?"


Julie did not back down; instead, she took an unsteady step forward and shouted in a sharp tone: "You tried to kill me, Olivia... admit it!"


Olivia curled her lip in a confused mockery and retreated, scanning Julie's wretched state: "I think you are drunk, or you have completely lost your mind."


I intervened immediately to end this tension, saying firmly while watching the dilation of Julie's pupils: "Fine, Olivia... you can leave now. Julie is not in her senses."


I slowly grabbed Julie's delicate arm and felt the unnatural heat of her skin: "Julie... come sit down."


Chapter 120 - 121/The Broken Barrier