
The Sleeper Awakening
Jennifer Cooper · Ongoing · 15.7k Words
Introduction
She lay in a supernatural slumber for three years, a pawn in her husband's cold bargain with his family's cruel legacy.
Now, awake and alone in a world that has moved on, Elena makes a desperate deal with fate itself.
Armed with an ancient ritual that could rewrite history, she returns to the past—not to win back Nicola's heart, but to escape it.
She flees to London, reinventing herself as an artist and daring to hope for a life without him.
But some bonds transcend time.
Nicola, the man who sacrificed everything to protect her, will stop at nothing to find her again.
When their paths finally cross under London's rainy skies, they must confront the truth: Was their love destroyed by betrayal or merely tested by it?
This is a haunting tale of second chances and the courage to choose one's own destiny.
This time, what will you choose?
- BXG
- Bittersweet
- Brave
- Chasing the Ex
- Clean& Wholesome
- Cozy
- Destiny
- Drama
- Fated
- Fated Mate
- Female Growth
- Ghost story
- Gothic
- Inspiring
- Magic Realism
- Magical world
- Medieval
- Mysterious
- Powerful
- Reincarnation
- Return to death
- Revenge
- Romance
- Sister's Boyfriend
- Strong Female Lead
- Surrogate
- Suspense
- Time Travel
- Unrequited Love
- Vengeance & Betrayal
- Warm
Chapter 1
In June, Tuscany doesn't warm up gradually.
Cicadas sang from dawn until late into the night. Heat waves distorted the olive groves and vineyards on the horizon, and the air carried the sweet scent of sun-baked grapes mingled with pine and hay.
Those black clouds were a sure sign of rain.
——
In the evening, it was raining.
Elena Rossi stepped out of the taxi, the rain soaking her white linen dress.
The driver, Marco, an elderly man with wrinkled, slightly trembling hands, helped her with her luggage.
"Why not wait for a moment, Signora? The rain is too heavy," he asked, worried.
Ignoring him, Elena paid and turned toward the Valerio Estate.
She stood in front of the iron gate, which entwined thorns and white lilies. Rainwater slid down the metal's grain like tears.
Three years ago, she had been carried away from there.
It was a gloomy November day.
Before the ambulance door closed, she caught Nicola Valerio standing in the doorway like a statue, utterly expressionless.
Now, she was back. It is doomed to be a new chapter.
She pushed open the heavy wooden door.
The butler, Giovanni, came from the kitchen carrying a silver tray.
Seeing her, he was startled, and the tray nearly fell.
"Mrs. Valerio, you...you're awake?" His voice trembled.
Elena was dripping wet from head to toe. Her white dress clung to her gaunt figure. Her collarbone stuck out, and her ribs were faintly visible beneath her skin.
"I heard voices," she said hoarsely.
"From the banquet hall?" she asked, eyes glittering with intensity.
"Yes, Mrs. Valerio. The master is entertaining guests—the Count of Calabrese and several family elders."
Elena smiled faintly, walking to the banquet hall.
The heavy oak door stood ajar, and warm yellow light spilled through the crack.
Her hand paused on the doorknob.
"That ceremony was far too conservative," Nicola said coldly, as if he were discussing the weather.
Through the crack in the door, Elena could see the scene in the banquet hall—seven or eight people seated around a long table.
In a dark gray shirt, Nicola was seated at the head of the table.
Opposite him sat his father, Theodore Valerio, the man she had feared ever since the day she married Nicola.
"She has slept for three years," Nicola continued, "and the curse remains unbroken. Now she is unable to have children.
Just leave her to the elders."
Theodore paused, then said coldly, "It would be better to replace her with Bianca, and you two can have another child."
Outside the door, Elena's hands clenched into fists.
So that was it.
It wasn't an accident after all.
The "Sleeping Maiden" curse afflicted every member of the Valerio family.
Desire to have grandchildren, Theodore had forced Nicola to bring her to an ancient "curse-breaking ritual" three years ago.
They claimed the ritual would break the curse and allow her to bear a healthy heir.
That night. She was taken to the crypt beneath the family chapel, where seven candles burned, each representing a metal.
Dr. Conti, dressed in a black robe, chanted in Latin.
Then a searing pain struck, her vision blurred, and darkness engulfed her.
When she awoke, she opened her eyes and saw everything in white.
"You actually woke up, oh my God, it's a miracle," Dr. Conti exclaimed.
She learned that she was the first in the family's history to be awakened prematurely by the "Sleeping Saint."
——
Elena leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.
Tears streaming down her cheeks, she chuckled softly.
*Well, it was Nicola who had been tampering with the ritual. *
The memory of their first encounter came to mind.
It was a hot summer eight years ago.
She was going camping in the Tuscan hills with her friends.
A sudden downpour caught them, and she fell in the mud and tumbled down the slope, nearly losing consciousness.
Fortunately, a man appeared at this time.
Holding a black umbrella, Nicola approached and lifted her.
Resting her head against his chest, she could hear his steady and strong heartbeat. A strange mix of cologne and something savory filled the air.
It smelled like spring.
Yes, she fell in love with him in that moment.
Later, she learned that he was the heir to the Valerio family—the man her father had always wanted her to marry.
She had thought it was a gift from fate.
But now, she realized she was wrong.
It was nothing but a deal — a business alliance.
——
Elena took a deep breath and pushed open the doors to the banquet hall.
The whole group fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the doorway, where a soaking-wet woman stood with an unsettling smile on her pale face. Her hair clung to her cheeks, and droplets of water trickled down her chin.
"Elena?" Someone broke the silence.
It was the Earl of Calabrese. He was an elegant elderly gentleman with snow-white hair, dressed in a tailored suit.
He was shocked, and the wine glass in his hand tilted slightly, spilling a few drops onto the tablecloth.
Ignoring him, Elena stared at Nicola.
Frowning, Nicola set down his glass and rose.
"How did you get here?" he asked.
There were no caring words.
Elena scanned the room.
The banquet hall remained as it had three years ago, yet something had changed. The thick carpet was pale beige, and the oil paintings on the walls depicted 16^(th)-century religious themes. It was clearly Bianca's taste.
Has Bianca Calabrese become the mistress of this house?
When I, the true Mrs. Valerio, lay in the hospital like a vegetable?
"Elena," Theodore said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You're awake. It's so--"
"Unexpected?" Elena laughed, cutting him off. "Yes, truly unexpected. I thought I'd sleep forever and let you smoothly bring Bianca in."
"What are you talking about?" Nicola chimed in.
"Well." Elena turned away. "I'm just here to collect my things."
"You have nothing to collect," Nicola said coldly. "Your residence remains intact."
"My home is not here," she declared, leaving the banquet hall at a pace bordering on a run.
"Nicola, go see to her." Theodore's voice echoed behind her.
"She needs to calm down," Nicola said flatly.
Elena sprinted down the corridor, tears blurring her vision.
Portraits of generations of family members hung on either side of the corridor.
Under their gazes, she ran faster.
Last Chapters
#17 Chapter 17 Matteo
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#16 Chapter 16 The Wedding
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#15 Chapter 15 Breaking the Vow
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#14 Chapter 14 The Check
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#13 Chapter 13 The Café
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#12 Chapter 12 The Umbrella
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#11 Chapter 11 The Truth
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#10 Chapter 10 Reunion
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#9 Chapter 9 Go Find Him
Last Updated: 3/12/2026#8 Chapter 8 The Library
Last Updated: 3/12/2026
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I Loved You in Silence, You Betrayed Me in French
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Confrontation would be too cheap. Tears are worthless. I quietly started cataloging the hidden networks my father left behind, activating the Swiss accounts.
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He Never Loved Me, Until I Left
I put away the divorce agreement with a wry smile.
When he and my son completely disappeared, he finally panicked.
Three months later .
He knelt down on the streets of Chicago in despair, begging me to remarry him.
My six-year-old son looked coldly at his biological father and said, "Get lost, you bad uncle! You don't deserve to be my dad!"
When I Disappeared, He Regretted It
The moment the screen lit up, my entire world came crashing down.
The woman on the bed was Calista - that girl who grew up with us since we were kids. And that hand caressing her skin was wearing the wedding ring I had personally put on Matteo's finger.
"I've missed you so much..."
"You drive me crazy, baby..."
Those sweet words I knew so well completely destroyed me.
Everyone said we were the perfect couple, but who knew this marriage was built on nothing but lies?
Since he's so good at acting, I guess it's time I gave him a show of my own. I'm going to make sure everyone sees what this "perfect husband" really is...
He Thought I'd Never Leave
When he said he was being bullied, I believed him. When he kissed me on that rooftop, I thought he felt the same. When he asked me to transfer schools with him, I said yes without hesitation.
Then I heard him bragging to his friends: "She'd save her first time for me. Hell, she'd still be thinking of me on her wedding night."
The bullying was staged. The kiss meant nothing. He just wanted me gone—so his new girl could feel more comfortable.
He thought I'd beg. He thought I'd cry. He thought I'd never actually leave.
I left the country.
And ran straight into his stepbrother.
I Died While They Threw Her a Party
Their real daughter came home. She'd only been back two years. That's all it took to erase twenty-four.
When kidnappers grabbed us, I used my body as a shield. They beat me until something inside me ruptured. I was dying from internal bleeding, but no one could tell.
My parents wouldn't even look at me. "This is your fault! None of this would've happened if it weren't for you!"
"Get downstairs and apologize to your sister. If you can't, pack your things and get out."
They threw her a party at a downtown hotel while I died alone in my room.
I thought they'd be relieved. Maybe even glad. I thought they'd just move on like I never existed.
But when they finally learned the truth, they fell apart.
Bury Me in His Regret
The kidnapper pressed the gun to my temple and asked, "Choose your wife or your sister-in-law?"
Zachary didn't hesitate. "Let Valerie go," he said.
He actually chose to save his sister-in-law! In that moment, even the baby in my belly seemed to stop kicking.
Later, they locked me in the basement. Drugs to delay labor were pumped into my veins over and over. Zachary wanted to save the "firstborn son" status for his sister-in-law's child.
When warm blood finally soaked through my skirt, I dialed the number I knew by heart with shaking hands.
"Zachary," I whispered into the phone, "our child... can't wait any longer."
The Kidney That Killed Me
A few months ago, my sister was hospitalized with kidney failure. The doctor said she needed a transplant. My family's first thought was me—the backup daughter they'd kept around all these years.
When my husband Allen took my hand with tears in his eyes and said, "Only you can save her," I agreed without hesitation.
When the doctor explained the surgical risks and potential complications, I smiled and nodded my understanding.
My parents said I'd finally learned what sisterly love meant.
Even Allen, who'd always been cold to me, held my hand gently and said, "The surgery's safe. You're so healthy, nothing will go wrong. When you recover, I'll take you to Hawaii."
But they don't know that no matter how the surgery goes, I won't be around to celebrate.
Because I just got my own test results—I have terminal brain cancer. I'm going to die anyway.
After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms
From first crush to wedding vows, George Capulet and I had been inseparable. But in our seventh year of marriage, he began an affair with his secretary.
On my birthday, he took her on vacation. On our anniversary, he brought her to our home and made love to her in our bed...
Heartbroken, I tricked him into signing divorce papers.
George remained unconcerned, convinced I would never leave him.
His deceptions continued until the day the divorce was finalized. I threw the papers in his face: "George Capulet, from this moment on, get out of my life!"
Only then did panic flood his eyes as he begged me to stay.
When his calls bombarded my phone later that night, it wasn't me who answered, but my new boyfriend Julian.
"Don't you know," Julian chuckled into the receiver, "that a proper ex-boyfriend should be as quiet as the dead?"
George seethed through gritted teeth: "Put her on the phone!"
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
Julian dropped a gentle kiss on my sleeping form nestled against him. "She's exhausted. She just fell asleep."
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother
"What is wrong with me?
Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?
It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.
He’s my boyfirend’s brother.
This is Tyler’s family.
I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.
**
As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.
Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.
When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.
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**
I hate girls like her.
Entitled.
Delicate.
And still—
Still.
The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.
Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.
It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.
I’m not here to rescue anyone.
Especially not her.
Especially not someone like her.
She’s not my problem.
And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Accardi
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.
Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.












