In this captivating tale, Emma's life takes an unexpected turn when a one-night stand with the cruel and ruthless and psychopathic billionaire playboy, Alexander Sinclair , thrusts her into a world of manipulation and power. As secrets unravel and darkness consumes, Emma must navigate a treacherous path to protect herself and her daughter from Alexander's malevolent grip. In a world where redemption seems out of reach, Emma must look for ways to outmaneuver a man fueled by sadistic desires. As the question looms: Can she ever truly break free from Alexander's grasp? "
CHAPTER ONE
EMMA'S POV
I rushed towards the counter, giving the orders to the chef as he arranged something for me to take back. It was two p.m. in the afternoon, the rushing hour of restaurants, and the shop was so full today. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough servers and it made the job so stressful and clumsy.
Taking the orders back to the table who had ordered them, I could hear several other people calling my name and hissing terribly from not taking their orders. The crowd alone made me dizzy as I stared at them in worry.
It was four p.m. now and everyone had gone, we had only a few customers and I could finally breathe. "I thought I was going to faint with that amount of customers," I said with a chuckle to Ken; the chef. "Guess who almost lost his arms while cooking," he said, making me laugh. I am sure you will be wondering why I am still working here, which leads me to introduce myself.
My name is Emma Hartfield, I recently graduated from college. Struggling to get a top-tier job, I decided to start this menial job just to help my family who were financially unstable. My father had died some years back, leaving me and my mother to face the wicked world alone. Unfortunately, my mother couldn't take the news well and had suffered from an illness shortly after, leaving her physically and mentally unstable.
Here I was, dealing with the trauma from everything, and even had to carry the financial burden of the family! I had five jobs and I had done only three today, it was exhausting but I had to do this to fend for the family. "Can I go now? There aren't any customers and my shift begins at four twenty p.m. at my workplace," I pleaded with Ken, giving him my puppy eyes. I used it whenever I wanted to ask for a favor from someone.
"Don't worry, I got you!" Ken said, laughing at my puppy eyes. "Thank you, Ken!" I said before running out of the shop. Jogging to my other place of work, I arrived there and started my shift. It was a supermarket, and my shift ended at eight p.m. We always had lots of customers and the counting and calculating was never-ending. I received tips at times, especially when I was being extra nice and it helped me a lot.
My shift ended at the supermarket and I rushed to the club. I was also a bar attendant, I changed into the club uniform and started my job. Receiving taps and smirks from drunk customers. I despised this job but the pay was very good and customers dropped tips almost every time. It was after eleven p.m when I got home, I threw my shoes away before collapsing on the chair. I could barely undress myself as I walked into the shower, no matter how tired I was my shower was paramount.
"Good evening Mom," I greeted my mother who just sat there staring at the wall. She couldn't utter a word or even lift a finger, only her eyes moved from time to time. I was emotionally drained, and I wished Mom was here to support me. The daily torment was beginning to take a toll on me and I was slowly losing my mind.
I managed to eat chips that I had gotten from a store before collapsing on the bed. Sleep engulfed me as I was very exhausted.
Rushing to do my routine this morning, I was already late. Thinking about my employer, I knew she was going to kill me. I ran past everyone, colliding with a few people before getting to the store. This was my first shift and I worked here as a salesperson. It was a cosmetic shop that people of the higher society visited.
My best friend and I worked in the store and it was very fun criticizing the people who walked in silently. The people of the higher society think so highly of themselves, that it is rare for you to come across humble ones.
"Hey B," I greeted. "You were late!" Anita said, already scolding me. "I know, I woke up very late and had to run a marathon race," I whisper-yelled, making her chuckle. "I am just so exhausted from working so endlessly these days," I complained. "There is a job though. It is just a one-night thing but the pay is very good." Anita said as we answered the customer's request.
"You know I am always up when it comes to a job with good pay, tell me more about it," I muttered. "A gala is being hosted a few nights from now, they need a night gift server. The job is not stressful and the pay is very good. I will give you the address to apply for the job, the requirements aren't outrageous." Anita explained to me. I beamed at her before enveloping her in an embrace.
"Can't breathe!" Anita managed to say as I squeezed the hell out of her. I laughed at her making her frown at my gesture. I looked forward to this job mainly because I had Anita to keep me company, she was very funny and playful and was also my best friend.
My shift ended and I still had enough time before my next shift started so I made my way to the address which Anita had given me. Surprisingly, there weren't many who had come to apply for the job. I was asked a few questions which I answered, a few minutes later they called me back and said I was accepted to work for them. I was given a uniform and a tag before walking away.
Happy that I had gotten a job, I jogged out. Just as I was going, I hit the shoulder of a broad man, he was so broad that I had to look at him. I turned to face him but he immediately scurried away. "Who was that?" I thought internally.
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
"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?"
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."