MTL - Gentle to the Bone - Chapter 1

“You look so familiar, Miss, have we met somewhere before?”He looked at her with a smile.

Tang Zhou dreamed that he was cannon fodder in a novel.

Because of prejudice, he misunderstood and hurt the villain, and later was framed by his illegitimate younger brother and became impoverished.

After waking up from his dream, he looked at the innocent and harmless young villain in front of him and decided to change his own ending.

*

Fu Shen knew about his past long ago and had been plotting for many years for this reason.

He agreed to Tang Zhou’s harsh demands, pretended to be harmless, and in silence kept a low profile.

The original plan was to turn around and leave naturally after the deed was done.

But unexpectedly, after one night, this person seemed to have changed.

Peeled off the coat of indifference, there was actually a piece of small sugar cake inside.

Fu Shen was born with a sweet tooth, and after having a taste, he couldn’t let go.

- Description from Novelupdates

“What does it feel like to be a shadow?”People say it's bondage — the absence of light, of freedom. But what is freedom, really?The ability to choose whatever you want?Or... just a beautiful illusion masking the void?Strange question, I know.But you'll understand soon enough.Because my lives?They've always been a little... enlightening.— Kaiser

He is one of the most feared Mafia Don, built on blood, vengeance and silence. She is someone from a world he never planned to enter, or so he thought.Nero has a simple plan. Never fall in love. Never show weakness. And avenge his mother's death.He has been living according to his plans until he met her, Zoe Dean. A girl that shouldn't matter to him, but eventually she did.And now, with enemies closing in, and his past catching up. He must choose: Forgiveness or VengeanceLove or LegacyRise or FallKill or Be Killed.BOOK TROPESDark romanceTouch her and you dieBeauty and the beast vibesLove at first sightHe falls first but denies itPast traumaFeared DonForced ProximityLove Redeems the AntiheroRival Gangs.WARNINGThis book contains themes suited for mature readers only, including:Violence and organized crimeGun and knife use, murder, bloodKidnapping / captivity dynamicsProfanity and dark mafia languagePower imbalances (emotional and physical)Mentions of past traumaExplicit romantic/sexual contentThemes of obsession, vengeance, and betrayalNOTE: Although this is a dark mafia romance, the relationship between Nero and Zoe develops consensually. The story contains intense themes but ultimately centers on healing, redemption, and love.