A Barbaric Proposal - Chapter 43: A Decided Partner

Revenge is a dish best served cold, with dollop of whipped suffering and a sauce of acute humiliation.Karma would do anything to exact revenge on the one who was responsible for her mother's death, her father's disdain and distrust, and a miserable life.She was manipulated, maltreated, and humiliated by the one she trusted the most. Her stepsister!!Discovering she had only three days left to live, Karma would go to any length to exact revenge. Even offering herself to the scary and powerful demon overlord.A contract. Blood oath. Manipulation. Betrayal. And lots and lots of revenge.

Michael Alastair never mattered. In a world where strength was everything, he was nothing—just another powerless kid, easy to break and easier to forget. When his tormentors finally took things too far, his story should have ended in that alley, bleeding and alone.But fate had other plans.In the void between life and death, a voice spoke. Cold. Sharp. Amused. [NEW TALENT UNLOCKED: WRITER’S LEGACY]. A system unlike any other—sarcastic, relentless, and strangely invested—offered Michael a power beyond reason and a purpose he never imagined. Now, armed with an SSS-rank ability and a mission to rise, he’s back. And this time, he won’t just survive—he’ll rewrite the rules.

A struggling businessman on the verge of bankruptcy finds himself drunk one night, only to wake up in the past—specifically, in 1943 London, amidst the chaos of World War II.This is an era of both immense danger and unprecedented opportunity. It is a time when the British Empire, once the unrivaled superpower where the sun never set, is finally witnessing the dusk of its dominion. Meanwhile, the United States is rising to claim the mantle of global leadership, reshaping the world's balance of power.This is the era where everything begins—where old rulers step down and new powers rise to take their place. This is the era where Pierre finds himself, an era filled with the kind of opportunity he never had before. A small, precious chance to rise, to become a giant, to seize the throne of power, to become a ruler, a world hegemon.

[Mature Content:]Alaric was too close to Nicolette.Her mouth was just inches away from his.He could smell the lavender on her skin, the heat radiating from within her.But he held back, refusing to be carried away by her charm…“Mr. Allens…” she purred, and he looked down at her.Her eyes widened with desire, and he knew, in that moment, that if he wanted to kiss her, she would let him.The last thing he wanted was commitment. He knew that Nicolette didn’t want that either.But why was she this tempting?So willing?It was that willingness that confused him.She blinked, then swallowed as she pulled the jacket off her shoulders. His eyes lingered on her exposed neck.God.He just wanted to bury his mouth in that hollow spot.“Here,” Nicolette said calmly, extending the jacket to him.He took the jacket, his hand brushing hers just a second. She flinched, her face turning pink as she clutched the towel against her chest.His stomach flipped at the sight.If only that towel would give way to…Before he could stop himself, Alaric pressed his arousal against her stomach, pushing her against the wall, cornering her.She gasped at the sudden movement and for a moment, he lost his mind.“Cole…” he breathed, crushing himself against her.Her eyes gleamed with desire and a vulnerability that rocked him to his core.He would be foolish not to give in to this feeling.But he would also be a fool if he did.She had chosen to marry him.Not her boyfriend.And definitely not Lucian Crawford.Yet, he couldn't help it.She was only his for a year.But still…***************When her business and the gallery she inherited from her mother burn to the ground, Nicolette Voss is determined to rebuild—and get revenge on her father.She turned to her father’s rival, Alaric Allens, for an alliance.Alaric is willing to help, but on one condition—she must be his wife for a year.They called him Ruthless Alaric after an infamous incident 6 years ago. Alaric is back in town, and so are the crumbs of his past. But he is determined to change everything with a wife.He has his hidden agenda.She needs her revenge.But will this marriage between storm and steel survive the heat? And what will they do when deep secrets threatens to destroy them both?