For years, Erin has grappled with guilt since her high school classmate passed away. Under the influence of the friends she trusted, Daryl was challenged, resulting in his tragic demise. Seven years later, Erin did not expect that fate would punish her further. In her stepfather's will, he decided that all their wealth would go to the Arvesso family, the same family that had lost a member before. Erin now found herself caught up in this arrangement. Perhaps that was her punishment-to be the wife of Orion, someone who harbored intense resentment towards her. She believed he would let go of the past once they were married. However, it turned out that before becoming her husband, he had played the role of a protective brother. He agreed to the marriage to torment her.
Erin tossed all her belongings into her room, breaking and smashing them. Exhausted, she quietly wept in a corner.
Her body shook with profound disappointment upon discovering that the man she had loved for years had toyed with her emotions. He had only granted her a few months of solace before delivering the final blow of punishment.
The accusations from people, pointing fingers at her for a sin she didn't commit, persisted. She had borne the weight of guilt since high school, which continued without relief. When would she ever find her justice?
She sobbed as her lips trembled.
"Erin!" Orion's voice echoed as he pounded on the penthouse door. She had already changed the security code, preventing him from entering.
"Erin! Hear me out. Please... Erin!" His voice quivers audibly from the other end.
But her emotions are weary. Her chest felt drained. It isn't easy to love someone who doesn't love you back.
Erin raised the phone to call security and remove the man from outside her door. Tears streamed down her face. She had anticipated Orion hurting her severely, but not in this manner.
She grabbed the cell phone with a cracked screen, and despite her tear-blurred vision, she called the person she knew would keep her safe.
While sobbing, she uttered the words, "Let's get married."
***
[Two years ago]
"I wish to extend my gratitude to everyone who has shown me love, especially my daughter, Erin. I'm entrusting my car to our driver, Cardo Dalyas, and placing the mansion in the capable hands of Isadora Reyes, who dedicated her life to my family for several years. I will pass down the penthouse in White Garden to my daughter, Erin Villaverde.
"My friend, Niel Arvesso, will oversee all my shares in the Yurich Group until my daughter Erin becomes a part of their family through marriage. I grant Arvesso and Erin two years, effective today, to strengthen our relationship. If they fail to fulfill my final wish, transfer all my shares to the Yurich Group."
It felt as if every part of Erin's body froze, and her lips were left hanging open in response to Attorney Tuazon's concluding words. Even her head appeared to swell.
"That's everything Mr. Lawrence stated in his last will," the lawyer said.
"Are you saying Dad left me nothing except for his penthouse in White Garden?" Erin rose from her seat, her face a blend of disbelief and concern.
'How could this be?'
Two months ago, her stepfather succumbed to diabetes-related complications. His kidneys had weakened to the point where he collapsed in the hospital and ultimately passed away.
"The last will specifies that he leaves all his shares in the company to the Arvessos within two years, contingent upon your full integration into their family through marriage. Failure to fulfill his final wish will result in his shares reverting to the company itself."
It means that after two years, the shares her dad owned in the company will go to his cousin, Uncle Roger. She turned to look at the man and his daughter Jenna, who was smirking.
"How much is his net worth in the company?" Erin asked.
"Two hundred and fifty million," her uncle answered with a grin.
"You've got two years, Erin. You have nothing to worry about if your relationship with the Arvessos is solid." The lawyer glanced at Mr. Niel Arvesso, who sat quietly in the corner.
"That's the problem. She hasn't been getting along well with them!" Jenna, her cousin, said amusingly.
"Why?" Erin blurted out. 'Why with the Arvessos?'
Despite her desire to confront them openly, she held back, particularly with the man's presence. That was perplexing! Her stepfather appeared determined to burden her with punishment for the rest of her life. Wasn't seven years of guilt enough?
"I think we've heard enough! We're leaving!" declared Uncle Roger, who happened to be a cousin of her stepfather.
"Good luck, Erin! I must congratulate my dad; the task is hard," Jenna said with a sarcastic tone, casting a look at Niel Arvesso.
Erin shot her with an indignant look. At that moment, she wanted to slap Jenna. Although they were close in high school, her betrayal of Erin's boyfriend made her realize who to avoid.
Individually, each person rose from their seat and left the room. The household staff also departed, their expressions subdued, even though they, like the others, were beneficiaries of monetary support from her father. Though they yearned to revel in the windfall, the somber reality of their master's recent death cast a shadow over their hearts.
"This is quite a revelation," Mr. Arvesso said, holding the tears welling up in his eyes. "I'll excuse myself too. Miss Villaverde, call me when you're prepared," he conveyed before exiting, leaving her in the lawyer's company.
"I will file a petition. I have a stronger claim to the shares than letting Uncle Roger take them!" she declared, her irritation evident. The urge to cry welled up within her. She was determined not to let the two hundred and fifty million end up with them. She adamantly opposed allocating her parents' money to Jenna's family.
Her mother had passed away during her high school years due to a heart attack. Part of the two hundred and fifty million belonged to her mother. It was her rightful inheritance! Since Mr. Lawrence was her mother's husband, everything seemed natural to go to him, especially considering she was still a minor then.
"I apologize, Erin. Only Mr. Lawrence's biological daughter can perform that action."
"What?!" Not even her last name changed when her parents married; she still carried her mother's surname.
"It's true that Mr. Lawrence was your legal guardian back then. But you are twenty-four now, Erin. It will be difficult if you petition for what you'd inherit, especially since there's no blood relation between you."
"But to marry into the Arvesso family?!"
"As far as I know, your dad and Mr. Arvesso were friends. You saw him earlier. I don't think he had any objections. For me, marrying into the Arvesso family seems easier than submitting a petition."
That's what she aimed to uncover. To her knowledge, his family held contempt for her. She hadn't seen Mr. Arvesso in over seven years. Even her mother couldn't bear the guilt of what she had done, resulting in her heart attack.
"I'm going as well; I'll handle everything your dad left behind."
Erin covered her mouth. She quivered with anger, sadness, and a multitude of reasons!
Unfamiliar with office work due to her modeling job, she still expressed willingness to work at Yurich and assume her father's position if necessary rather than letting it go to his cousin.
She wouldn't allow what rightfully belonged to her in Jenna's family to slip away.
Erin was already ten years old when her mother married her stepfather. She didn't see Mr. Lawrence as a stepfather; to her, he was her birth father, and he treated her as such.
Her mother got Erin during her maidenhood, and the lack of knowledge of her biological father might explain her happiness in experiencing fatherly care from Mr. Lawrence. Even when her mother passed away seven years ago, she felt an even stronger sense of nurture from him.
Erin was the one who ended the friendship between Niel Arvesso and her father. She understood why her father continued to include her in their lives up to that point. Maybe her father wished to test the enduring friendship she shattered during high school.
However, Erin only knew one thing: she was not responsible for Daryl's death-the youngest son of Niel Arvesso.
'No, Erin! You are guilty!'
Tears began to flow down her cheeks.
Daryl's loss became a tragedy for the Arvesso family. In turn, Erin lost her mother, who followed Daryl just a day after the incident.
"Did you ever, even once, imagine yourself loving me?" Sarah posed a hopeful question to Philip. “Don’t make me laugh, Sarah. Everything between us has been purely about pleasure and business.” Sarah had harbored feelings for Philip ever since she first saw him in a sports magazine. When his fiancée abandoned him at the altar to elope with another man, Sarah selflessly offered herself as a replacement bride to spare his embarrassment. After enduring three years of a loveless and toxic marriage, Sarah finally summoned the courage to divorce Philip, who was still pining for his former fiancée. She vowed to herself that she would find another man who would love, trust, and worship her like a queen. This is what she sought if she were to marry a second time. A year later, their paths crossed again. Philip confronted Sarah in a ladies’ restroom, demanding, “Do not let other men touch you!” Sarah remained indifferent; her demeanor noticeably changed. “And what if I do?” she retorted. Philip’s tone grew menacing, “You won’t like what I’d do.” Unfazed, Sarah shot back, “Mr. Cornell, I’ve never liked what you’ve done, even in the past. There’s nothing new about that, and please stop whining like a baby,” before turning and walking away, disdainfully leaving him behind.
"Will you, Drew Walton, take Lilian Rose Martin, to be your lawful wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love, now and forevermore?" Lily believed she had no purpose within her family. She had never been treated responsibly and frequently endured physical abuse from her father and other family members. Even the housemaids showed her no kindness, considering her a nuisance. Her value only became apparent when she was forced to marry into the Walton Family. Lily was terrified of Drew, the man she was to marry, but she was bound by her duty as a Martin. On their first wedding night, Drew confessed that he didn't like her. She was unlike the women he typically dated. Who would desire someone with her limited education, slim figure, and unattractive appearance? Nevertheless, she was determined to honor her marriage agreement with Drew rather than return to the Martins, who had mistreated her. [TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains adult language and themes, including graphic violence, explicit content, and instances of violence against women that may be disturbing to some readers. This book is intended for adult readers.]
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.