Way of the Devil - Chapter 772: Filial Piety (1)

Power runs in blood - and blood always demands payment.Aya rules the North Kingdom with an ancient power that could end her bloodline forever. When Killan, the Southern King, seeks alliance through marriage, politics turn dangerous and desire becomes a liability.What begins as political maneuvering soon becomes something far more volatile. Drawn together by necessity, respect, and a growing attraction neither expected, Aya and Killan must navigate court intrigue, ancient rivalries, and the heavy cost of duty. As old wounds resurface and war looms on every border, the choices they make will determine not only the fate of their kingdoms—but the price of their hearts.Echoes of Ice and Iron is a story of power and inheritance, of love tested by obligation, and of sacrifices demanded by crowns forged in blood and history.

Changqing has always felt that she’s incomparable to Guan Ying in every aspect. Even though she is pretty and has a good family background, this world is nothing more than a world where Princes are more attracted to Cinderellas.

Her first love that she dearly remembers in her heart for years eventually becomes Guan Ying’s current boyfriend and her fiancé is Guan Ying’s ex. He has yet to forget Guan Ying.

A business marriage brings Changqing and Song Chuyi together despite the absence of love.
In public, he is her friend’s ex and in private he is her husband who cannot be publicly–known.
At the hospital, her good friend enjoys her husband’s embrace while she can only act as though he’s a stranger.
At a gala dinner, her good friend hooks her arm around her first love’s arm shyly and she can only smile and give them her blessings.

…

In this marriage, Changqing thinks that all is well other than the fact that Song Chuyi doesn’t love her.
First, her husband is a doctor and he can treat all her illnesses while saving up on medical expenses.
Second, doctors love cleanliness and her husband would always ensure the cleanliness of the house.
Third, at the end of every month, her thin wallet would grow thick with cash that her husband stuffs in secretly.
Fourth, as a person who doesn’t like to exercise, she always get dragged around by her husband day and night to do some pleasurable exercise that is beneficial for the body and mind.
Fifth, she would never have to worry that she would be out of money.
There are always so many uncountable advantages that Changqing enjoys.

…

After the marriage, on a certain night, Changqing looks at Dr. Song gloomily. “Hubby, why are you so nice to me when you don’t even love me?”
Dr. Song continues reading his medical books and ignores her. It’s sometimes quite a headache when your wife is too stupid and daft.
Until one day, Changqing realises that there’s really no free lunch in this world…

- Description from Novelupdates

After finding out she had at most five years left to live, Shikera Anderson could only live life in a carefree and unhindered manner, in order to numb the fear and sadness in her heart. However, her heart shattered when she was forced waste a year stuck in an marriage contract with a masked man, in exchange for her father's life.“The main clause of the contract: Don't touch my daughter!”Ethan DeLoach, the most wanted personality by all the press stations in the country, hated reporters with passion until one came into his life in form of a contract wife. He was able to keep her at bay until her despicable lips turned out to be the cure for his terrifying nightmares.As they experiment with their lips every night before sleeping, how long would it take them to succumb to the throngs of passion while throwing all caution to the wind?Will Shikera be able to dissolve the hatred Ethan has for reporters, with her plain and carefree attitude? How will Ethan react when he finds out what the repercussion was for breaking the contract? And finally, would the love between them defy Shikera's short life span?***“Ethan, why the fuck did you not tell me I had hickeys on my neck?!” Shikera yelled. “I practically announced to the whole nation that I had a passionate night!”“That's not my fault though. You could have lied they were birthmarks.”“And when the marks fade, another lie?” she asked irritatingly.He smirked mischievously at her words, before leaning over to whisper into her ear, “No worries, I will renew them every night.”

Enemies To Lovers+ Unfiltered Smut + Billionaire Romance + Strong Female Lead.From this:“I’ve slept with every woman in this house. What will it take to get that divorce, Brianna? Do I have to go after your mother next?”To this:“I don’t want anyone if it’s not you, my dear wife.”Brianna thought her nightmare was finally over the night she made her abusive, cheating husband fall to his death.But when he woke up in the hospital, smiling at her with tender eyes and calling her “the most beautiful woman he’s ever met”… she knew something was terribly wrong.This wasn’t the man who humiliated her, mocked her, and destroyed her name.Now, her deadbeat husband has become a possessive, seductive, and obsessed doting stranger—one who claims he’ll cherish her forever.[Excerpt]“Wife, your hands are dirty now. Go wash them. I don't want his scent on you.”That seemed like a good enough excuse to regain her senses with the timeout. Brianna sighed, already turning to limp, but the grip from the bed suddenly became firmer.She tugged further, but to no avail. Sighing, “Lucian, let go. I need to go to the restroom. I need a moment to... to process this.”She tugged her slender wrist again, against his hold, but his fingers were a collar of iron. He didn't even look at the door. His dark, fixated eyes were locked onto the palm Marcus Thorne had just grabbed.Lucian's voice was heavy with the haze of the concussion and a terrifying, sudden possessiveness. “No. I don't want you out of my sight. Someone else might... hold your hands again.”“I am going five feet away. I'm not a child, and I'm certainly not a prisoner. Now, let go so I can get this… this man's sweat off my skin.”“I'll do it,” Lucian muttered.However, before Brianna could ask how, he pulled her hand toward his face. Her eyes widened as she realized his intent.“What are you doing, Lucian? Don't you dare—Don't you dare lick my hand!”Brianna flinched violently, dragging her body backward until she was nearly doubled over the edge of the bed, but he was immovable. His concussed brain had simplified the world: Stranger touched Wife. Stranger's scent must be replaced by mine.“Stay still, wife. It'll be quick.”“What kind of animal are you—! Lucian, stop! This is unhygienic! It's… it's psychotic!” Brianna turned desperately towards the corner where Marcus Thorne was still standing paralyzed by the sight!“Marcus! Well, don't just stand there! Do something! Help me!”Meanwhile, Marcus Thorne looked like he wanted to jump out of the window! He was watching the President of Better Health, the most powerful man in the city, bring his wife's hand to his mouth with the raw intent of a wolf.Marcus stammered, his hands shaking as he took a frantic step toward the door. “I-I think I'll just... I'll leave the couple to their... their private recovery. Yes. Intimate recovery.”“Marcus! Get back here!” Brianna cried out with wide eyes of disbelief.But Marcus refused to look back. He gestured vaguely with a trembling hand, looking as though he'd just witnessed a ritual he wasn't meant to survive, and ran into the hallway. The door clicked shut with a finality that sounded like a prison cell locking.Brianna stared at the wooden door, her mouth agape. “You coward! You—”“Wife, I told you. Stay still.”...From deadbeat to doting, her husband has changed overnight. But if he isn’t the man she married, then something is wrong with her husband!A/N: If you are looking for a story with a cold-blooded yet possessive CEO, a genius female lead who takes matters into her own hands, and a 'he falls first but she falls harder' dynamic with a twist,then this book is for you!This book is participating in the WSA 2026!If you enjoyed the first few chapters, please support me by adding this to your Library, leaving a Review, and voting with your Power Stones and Golden Tickets! Gifts are appreciated too! Your support helps this “Goddess” climb the ranks!