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When Zara Hart agrees to a marriage contract with the notoriously cold billionaire Damian Cole, she thinks she's secured her freedom from a debt-ridden life. Little does she know, Damian has his own agenda-a vengeance plan that requires an ideal "wife" to win his family's approval and take control of his legacy. As their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, Zara and Damian discover their fake marriage is becoming all too real. But with secrets and lies woven into their contract, will their growing love survive, or will it destroy them both?
The coffee shop was too warm, the air thick with the mingled aromas of burnt espresso and cinnamon pastries. Zara Hart brushed a stray curl behind her ear, her fingers trembling as she looked down at the crumpled paper in her hands. The debt total, with its string of zeroes, was seared into her mind, a relentless reminder of her parents' sudden passing and the financial disaster they'd left behind.
With a weary sigh, she slipped the paper back into her bag, grateful that the dim lighting obscured the dark circles beneath her eyes. The reality was that Zara, at twenty-seven, had hit a dead end. Her once-vibrant dreams of opening an art gallery seemed as distant as stardust. The thought made her sick-until the man across from her cleared his throat.
Damian Cole was as intimidating in person as his reputation promised. His sharp jawline, cold eyes, and meticulously tailored suit spoke of money, control, and a life untouched by mundane struggles. At thirty-two, he commanded not only a fortune but an entire empire. This meeting, however, wasn't about his empire-or so he claimed.
"Miss Hart," Damian's voice was calm, almost clinical. "I understand you're in a difficult position financially."
Zara stiffened, her defenses rising. "You could say that. But what exactly does that have to do with you?"
His lips twitched, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I have a proposition that might benefit both of us."
He reached into his leather briefcase and pulled out a sleek folder, sliding it across the table toward her. Zara eyed it warily, her fingers tingling with a mixture of curiosity and dread. She opened it, skimming the legal jargon that her exhausted brain could barely process.
"I want you to marry me," Damian said, his tone as if he'd just asked her to pass the sugar.
The words froze her, and her eyes snapped up to meet his, searching for a sign of humor, a hint that this was some cruel joke. But his gaze remained unwavering.
"Marry you?" she echoed, almost choking on the absurdity. "Are you out of your mind?"
"I assure you, I'm entirely sane." Damian's expression didn't shift. "This isn't a marriage in the traditional sense. It's a contract. Six months, nothing more. You fulfill the role of my wife, and in return, I'll clear your debts and provide a generous payout at the end."
Zara blinked, her mind scrambling to keep up. The words "clear your debts" reverberated through her, mingling with a sense of dread and impossible hope. "Why me? You could hire anyone to play this role. Why go to the trouble of a legal marriage?"
Damian's gaze hardened, a flicker of something-anger, maybe?-crossing his features. "Let's just say my family requires a convincing performance. My brother and the company board are waiting for an excuse to deem me unfit to lead. A stable marriage would put them at ease, and you"-he paused, glancing down at her worn blouse and tired expression-"don't have ties to anyone who could interfere with my plans."
Zara's chest tightened. He was right; she was alone in every sense. With her parents gone and her closest friend Riley as her only confidant, Zara had no one who would stand in Damian's way. The sense of isolation she'd felt since her parents' death flared anew, mixing with the unnerving reality of Damian's proposal.
"And what exactly would I have to do?" Her voice sounded small, but she couldn't stop herself from asking. "As your...wife."
"Attend functions with me. Convince my family we're madly in love. Play the part convincingly." His eyes gleamed with a rare hint of warmth, though she doubted it was genuine. "Nothing more than that."
"No...physical relationship?"
He gave a curt shake of his head. "Not unless you choose. This arrangement is purely professional."
Zara let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. The idea of being bound to someone as guarded and intimidating as Damian-without the safety net of real affection-sent chills down her spine. But the truth was staring her in the face, merciless in its simplicity. She was out of options. Her debts were drowning her, and here, before her, was a lifeline-one tangled with strings, yes, but a lifeline nonetheless.
"What's in it for you?" she pressed, needing to understand more of the shadows behind his steely gaze.
A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. "My brother, Grant, is waiting for me to slip up. He wants the company, and the board believes I'm too volatile to lead. A 'respectable' marriage will change that perception. And when I meet the board's criteria, I'll have the leverage to make decisions without interference."
Zara nodded slowly, feeling her resolve harden. She'd always fought for her independence, but this...this might be her only way forward. "And you'd really pay off all my debts?"
"Every cent," Damian confirmed, leaning back in his chair. "And you'll be compensated handsomely for your time."
It was a proposition that seemed too good to be true, yet his expression held no room for doubt. Still, doubt gnawed at her. "If I agree...what happens after six months?"
Damian's gaze turned steely. "After six months, we part ways. No strings attached. You'll have what you need, and I'll have fulfilled my obligations. We go back to our own lives."
She considered his words, weighing the risks against the salvation he offered. Six months. That was all. Six months of pretending, of playing a role that could secure her future. But the fear of being entangled in Damian's web, of losing herself in a charade with a man who seemed to wield control over everything-she could feel it pricking her skin, whispering warnings.
Finally, she looked him square in the eye, her voice steady despite the whirlwind inside her. "Fine. I'll do it."
For the first time, Damian's lips curved into a faint smile, though it held no warmth. "Then we'll begin immediately. You'll be moving into my residence within the week. My attorney will finalize the contract by tomorrow."
The finality of his words settled like lead in her stomach. There was no turning back now. Zara had stepped into his world, a world of power and deception where the stakes were dangerously high. But if this was the price of freedom from her past, she was willing to pay it.
"Welcome to the family, Mrs. Cole," Damian murmured, his tone laced with a chilling satisfaction that left her questioning whether she'd just made a deal with the devil himself.
When Aria wakes up in an unfamiliar packhouse, disoriented and without any recollection of how she got there, she finds herself face-to-face with Lucas, the enigmatic and commanding Alpha who claims she is his fated mate. Confused and unable to recall their bond, Aria struggles to reconcile her lack of memory with the intense emotions Lucas stirs within her. As pieces of her past begin to return in fragmented flashes, she uncovers a painful truth: Lucas rejected her years ago, shattering their bond and setting her on a path of loneliness. But Lucas's pack is now cursed, their survival hanging by a thread, and Aria may hold the key to breaking the spell. Torn between the betrayal of the past and the undeniable pull of their fated bond, Aria must decide if she can forgive Lucas and if their love is strong enough to undo the darkness threatening them all. But as secrets unravel and a rogue witch's vendetta is revealed, Aria realizes her lost memories hide more than just heartbreak; they conceal a power that could save them or destroy them all.
Running from her past, Cassia, a runaway omega, has spent years hiding from the ruthless pack she escaped. But when she crosses paths with the feared Alpha Killian-a wolf known for his brutal reign-her world is turned upside down. Killian is her fated mate, a bond she can't deny. As she resists his attempts to claim her, dark secrets about her past begin to unravel, revealing the true reason she fled. With enemies closing in and her heart torn between fear and desire, Cassia must decide if she can trust Killian to protect her or if surrendering to him will lead to her destruction.
When celebrated chef Adrian Knight teams up with enigmatic sommelier Celeste Laurent for an exclusive culinary event, sparks fly faster than pans in a kitchen fire. Their shared passion for exquisite flavors becomes a tantalizing prelude to a deeper, carnal hunger neither can deny. But as secrets simmer beneath the surface, their indulgence threatens to burn everything they've worked for. In a world where precision and control reign supreme, can two fiery souls surrender to their desires without losing themselves-or each other?
Drayen Fael has spent his entire life training to exert revenge on the witch who destroyed his family. As one of the last dragon shifters, his fiery rage fuels his every step, sharpening his claws and stoking the flames that burn inside him. Finally, after decades of hunting, he tracks her to the ruins of a forgotten kingdom. But the witch, Keryth, isn't what he imagined. She isn't the heartless monster of his nightmares. She's broken, haunted by her own dark past, and struggling to control the very powers that caused Drayen's grief. As their fates intertwine, Drayen must confront a truth more terrifying than any firestorm: vengeance isn't the answer, and his destiny is tied to the one he swore to destroy. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that goes far beyond their vendetta, one that threatens to unleash a darkness capable of annihilating their world. Can love bloom in the ashes of betrayal? Or will the flames of their past consume them both?
Amara thought she had everything-a destined mate, a promising future as the Luna of the Silver Ridge Pack, and a love she believed unshakable. But when her mate, Alpha Kael, cruelly rejects her for another, her world crumbles. Stripped of her title and cast out, she ventures into the wilds, broken but determined to survive. Years later, Amara returns as a formidable warrior with secrets that could change the fate of the werewolf world. But fate has one last twist for her-a second chance mate, one she never expected: Adrian, the enigmatic and dangerous leader of the rogue wolves. Torn between a past she can't escape and a future she never anticipated, Amara must navigate treachery, forbidden love, and a deadly prophecy. As the moon rises, choices will be made, blood will be spilled, and destiny will unfold.
Dear readers, this book has resumed daily updates. It took Sabrina three whole years to realize that her husband, Tyrone didn't have a heart. He was the coldest and most indifferent man she had ever met. He never smiled at her, let alone treated her like his wife. To make matters worse, the return of the woman he had eyes for brought Sabrina nothing but divorce papers. Sabrina's heart broke. Hoping that there was still a chance for them to work on their marriage, she asked, "Quick question,Tyrone. Would you still divorce me if I told you that I was pregnant?" "Absolutely!" he responded. Realizing that she didn't mean shit to him, Sabrina decided to let go. She signed the divorce agreement while lying on her sickbed with a broken heart. Surprisingly, that wasn't the end for the couple. It was as if scales fell off Tyrone's eyes after she signed the divorce agreement. The once so heartless man groveled at her bedside and pleaded, "Sabrina, I made a big mistake. Please don't divorce me. I promise to change." Sabrina smiled weakly, not knowing what to do...
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?