🌹 Book Introduction: Tempted By You

Tagline: Beneath the Veil of Temptation

Welcome to Tempted By You, a reimagined journey through the world of Serenity Haven — a glittering metropolis where desire hides behind elegance, and love dares to bloom in the shadows of power and secrets.

Once known as Forbidden Desires: Beneath the Veil of Temptation, this story has been completely revamped and reborn with deeper emotions, richer characters, and a refined cinematic tone.

Within the walls of Serenity Haven, you'll follow Li Xin, a woman torn between ambition and vulnerability, and Cheng Hao, a man whose power conceals both danger and tenderness. Their connection defies the boundaries of reason and society — a dance of love, temptation, and betrayal that tests the limits of the human heart.

Prepare to be drawn into a world of passion, suspense, and emotional intensity, where every choice comes with a price and every glance hides a secret.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This story is intended for Mature Readers (18+).

It contains romantic and emotionally charged content that may not be suitable for all audiences.

All characters and events depicted are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or situations is purely coincidental.

💌 If you enjoyed this story, please support the author at — your love keeps the stories alive!

✨ Author Bio

Hi, I'm Fiona Sora, previously known as Freya Frost.

This book, Tempted By You, is actually my debut story on MangaToon, originally published under the title Forbidden Desires – Beneath The Veil Of Temptation when I wrote under my first pen name, Freya Frost.

Now, under my new identity as Fiona Sora, I've reimagined this story with a more mature voice, modern emotional depth, and a vivid cinematic tone that reflects who I am as an author today.

I truly hope you'll continue to walk with me through this new chapter of my writing journey — and thank you for your love and support always. 💞

The white lights of Serenity General flickered against the storm outside. Thunder rolled somewhere beyond the glass, and the sound of rain softened the cries echoing from Room 406.

Li Xin gripped the edge of the hospital bed, knuckles white, sweat clinging to her temples. Her world had narrowed to pulse, breath, and the steady beat of the monitor. Pain came in waves—deep, tidal, relentless.

A voice anchored her through the haze.

"Breathe, Xin. You're almost there."

Cheng Hao's tone was low, calm, threaded with a quiet strength she'd once called arrogance. Tonight, it was the only thing holding her together. His hand covered hers—warm, firm, trembling only slightly despite the composure on his face.

The nurse smiled kindly from the foot of the bed. "One more push, sweetheart. You can do it."

Li Xin nodded, biting back a sob. Her heartbeat thundered against her ribs. Every second stretched until it felt like the world was holding its breath with her.

When the next contraction hit, she pushed with everything she had. The pain split through her, sharp and consuming, then—

A single cry pierced the room.

Her chest collapsed with a rush of relief. The sound was small and fierce, like life demanding to be heard. Tears flooded her eyes before she could stop them.

The nurse placed a tiny, swaddled form onto her chest. "Congratulations, Mama."

Li Xin stared down, stunned. Ten perfect fingers. Ten tiny toes. A faint wisp of dark hair curling against soft skin. Her vision blurred, and she laughed—a breathless, broken sound that carried every ache she'd endured.

Beside her, Cheng Hao went very still. The ruthless businessman, the man the media called The Silver Fox, looked undone. His jaw tightened as he brushed a fingertip across the baby's cheek, reverent, careful.

He looked at Li Xin—really looked—and for a heartbeat, everything outside that room vanished. The empire he built, the secrets he carried, the enemies waiting beyond the hospital walls... none of it mattered.

Only this.

"You did it," he whispered.

"We did," she breathed back, smiling through tears.

He bent to press a kiss to her forehead, his touch gentle, almost fragile. "Rest now. I'll handle everything."

She wanted to believe him. And for that brief, perfect moment, she did.

Rain pattered softly against the window, the rhythm steady and almost soothing. In the reflection, she saw the three of them—mother, father, child—bathed in the sterile glow of the ward, fragile yet infinite.

But joy never comes without a shadow. Somewhere deep inside, a quiet unease stirred—an echo of the choices that had led them here. The world outside this sanctuary still waited, full of questions they could no longer outrun.

Li Xin tightened her hold on the baby, memorizing the warmth, the tiny heartbeat, the peace she knew couldn't last. "Whatever happens," she whispered, "I'll protect you."

Cheng Hao's eyes darkened—not from doubt, but from the weight of knowing how fragile promises could be. Still, he reached out and covered her hand with his.

"We'll protect you," he said.

And for now, under the rain and the hum of machines, it was enough.

One year before.

The evening air of Serenity Haven carried a crisp chill, the kind that slipped beneath the skin and lingered.

Inside a small corner café, soft jazz hummed through the low light, mingling with the smell of roasted beans and rain. Two cups sat untouched between** Li Xin and Liu Hao**—their steam long gone, like the warmth that once bound them.

Li Xin's fingers traced the rim of her cup. As the Sales Director at Vitality Pharmaceuticals, she had spent months proving herself in the very company owned by Liu Hao's family. Every late night and flawless presentation was another battle to show she could succeed on her own. But tonight, none of those victories could shield her heart.

Across from her, Liu Hao's usually composed face was drawn tight. The heir of Vitality—the man she'd loved for five years—looked as though the weight of his world was crushing him.

"I can't keep going against my parents' wishes, Li Xin," he said quietly, eyes fixed on the swirling dregs of his coffee. "They think our relationship is holding me back from my duties to the family business."

His voice trembled only once, but she caught it. That single fracture told her more than all his words.

Li Xin's throat burned. "We've been through so much together. You promised we'd fight, remember? Can't you stand up to them, Hao? Just once—for us?"

He exhaled, slow and defeated. "I've tried. I've argued, begged, pleaded. But their expectations are unyielding. They see me as the future of the company, and they won't accept anything less."

Silence pressed between them. Outside, raindrops drummed softly against the window, their rhythm steady and merciless.

Li Xin blinked back tears, but her voice cracked anyway. "So that's it? Five years... and it ends because they said so?"

Liu Hao looked up, eyes glistening. "It's not what I want, Xin. You know that. But I can't bear to watch you suffer anymore. You deserve peace—a life that isn't a constant war between love and expectation."

She stared at him, every heartbeat carving the truth deeper. His words were tender, yet final. A mercy that felt like a wound.

Her thoughts flickered through memories—late-night calls, laughter echoing in narrow hallways, the way he used to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. Each one crumbled like ash in her chest. "I thought love could conquer everything," she whispered. "I was wrong."

He reached across the table, taking her hand. His touch was familiar, still warm, still steady. "You'll find someone who can give you the life you want. Without this weight."

She pulled her hand free, the loss immediate, like air being taken from her lungs. "Don't tell me what I'll find, Hao. You were my life."

Her voice was barely audible, but he flinched as if struck.

Neither spoke again.

Outside, a bus hissed to a stop. The city kept moving—oblivious, uncaring—while two hearts quietly came undone.

Li Xin rose, chair legs scraping softly against the wooden floor. She adjusted her coat, smoothing the trembling in her hands. "Goodbye, Hao."

He stood too, but his words caught in his throat. All he managed was a whisper. "Take care."

She walked out before the tears could fall, the bell above the door chiming her departure. Cold rain met her face, sharp and cleansing.

Through the window's reflection, she saw him still sitting there—shoulders bowed, eyes downcast. Two worlds separated by glass and choice.

As the city lights blurred in the rain, Li Xin realized love hadn't failed her. People had.

And from its ruins, she would build herself anew.