In the glittering world of high society, where deals are made and alliances are forged, a young woman finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, desire, and unexpected love. When Emily Walker enters into a contract marriage with a billionaire's son Ethan Hatton, to help him secure his inheritance. She never expects to be caught between his captivating charm and the mysterious allure of his brother, Jackson Hatton. As they battle for her affection, Emily is torn between duty and her own desires, navigating a treacherous path of intrigue, jealousy and hidden agendas. Will she follow her heart, risking everything for a love she can't deny or will she succumb to the pressures of society and demands of a contract marriage?
Dear Emily,
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to apply and meet with our team for the position of secretary. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with another candidate. We thank you for your interest in the company and we wish you the best of luck in your job search......
Emily Walker quickly hit the power button on her phone in annoyance, another rejection letter, and the fifth one this week if she was keeping track. Her mind became immediately clouded with the bills she had to pay and working part-time in her grandmother's noodle shop, also cleaning toilets at a luxury hotel wasn't going to cut it. She hated to remind herself of how her life had gone downhill since she had to quit her last job. She felt tears sting her eyes but she was determined not to let it fall.
"Emily" she heard her grandmother yell which snapped her out of her depressing thoughts, perspiration gathered at her forehead while popped back into the heat of the kitchen.
"How many people do we have out back" she asked and Emily stood frozen, she'd been distracted and wasn't taking notes and it was no news that her grandmother had zero tolerance for slacking.
"I'll need to check," she said quickly and rushing back outside before the woman had the chance to complain but in the process, her apron caught on the handle of the door causing her to spiral into a tray of glass cups and they all went spiraling unto the ground shattering into a million pieces with a few pieces clinging unto her hair and clothes. She could feel the sting of the glass in her hair but the silence in the kitchen was louder than the pain she felt
"Emily!" her grandmother yelled, throwing a plastic spoon that hit her square in the head.
"I'm sorry, it was an accident Grandma. I'll clean it up" "Sorry's not gonna cut it Emily, this is going off your paycheck"
"There's nothing left, you keep cutting it for little mistakes I make" she retorted
"Then maybe your next paycheck, how about that and the next one if you keep running that mouth" her grandmother shot back in finality before turning back to the whistling pot and Emily fumed, her eyes rolling back in sadness that was slowly turning to anger.
"You know what Gran, I don't need this," she said as she took off her apron and slammed it on the counter
"Look at you running that mouth again, so what are you going to do? Quit? Run away just like your mother did...."
"Don't...." Emily wanted to say but the woman beat her to it
"Don't what? Mention your mother? That slimy whore that destroyed my son....." "She didn't do anything, I didn't do anything" Emily cried, letting the tears flow freely as she didn't have any means to hold them back because her grandmother's words felt like a spiral knife that stabbed at her chest, twisting and turning till there was nothing left to give but pain
"She did everything, my son is dead because of her because she was a selfish bitch and she wanted more. If she's such a good person where is she now, she abandoned you, didn't she? You look so much like her I feel sick to my stomach" Emily stayed quiet, allowing the words to soak through her skin, embedding themselves in her till it was all she could feel. Her vision blurred, her heart raced and she felt weak to her knees, she had never known love all her life and her grandmother was right. Her mother did abandon her for a better life, she was somewhere gallivanting in the streets of California in Gucci shorts and Prada bags and she wondered why she defended her. Her grandmother was right, her mother didn't want her or maybe she didn't know the full story.
"She killed my son, that selfish whore. Broke his heart so many times over till he was nothing and then abandoned you for me so don't you defend her. Who knows, maybe you're not even my granddaughter and she burdened me with the responsibility of raising you" Still, Emily stayed quiet as the words pierced her heart and there was no defense against everything she always believed to be true
"If you want to leave, you should. Get out I don't want to see your face around here anymore, you're just like her ungrateful and selfish" She felt her grandmother grab her by her arm and push her out the back door alongside her bag before slamming it on her face. Emily stood broken, her legs weak and unable to protest, even oblivious to her bleeding knees from the broken glass because it didn't hurt as much as the pain in her chest from the reality of her grandmother's words. She stepped out onto the streets of New York City of anyways unsure of her next step even though she had to be at her other job in less than two hours. The October sun shone brightly on her skin, lighting up areas that had been darkened by sadness but still, it didn't change how she felt. The heat from the sun did nothing to warm her frozen heart while she walked aimlessly on the streets, going wherever the wind pushed her but she knew where her heart wanted to be, and who she wanted to talk to even though they would never be able to speak back to her. Instead, she walked to the park and flopped absentmindedly on a bench oblivious to a young man sitting next to her with a bouquet hanging lazily from his fingers
"Are you aware that you're bleeding or is that a recent New York fashion" she heard a voice beside her although she wasn't entirely sure she was the one being spoken to. When she turned, his eyes were fixed on hers though hidden behind sunglasses she wanted to assume he was speaking to her. "What?" she raised a brow "Your knees," he said again and she looked down "Oh" she simply said faking surprise at how she hadn't noticed it earlier "Nothing to worry about," she said hoping he wouldn't say anything. They managed to sit in silence, while she watched people pass by mostly couples hand in hand, smiling or laughing at the other, faces glowing and showcasing genuine happiness while she felt like an impostor wallowing in self-pity at her inability to find love or even genuine happiness. The gravity of loneliness hit her suddenly and she had to fight internally to keep the tears locked in, to keep her face straight pensive, and not falter at the sight of a young mother kissing her daughter on the head.
"Ever been in love?" she heard the strange man speak and she turned to face him but he stared straight ahead, the flowers still dangling from his hands. When she stayed quiet he turned to look at her "Not much of a talker, no?" "Sorry" she muttered and he sighed "Take this, looks like you've had a shittier day than mine" he offered her the flowers he held, and when she refused to take them he dropped them on the bench beside her, looking relieved to get rid of them.
"Don't fall in love, it's a trap" he said in a mere whisper and then he was gone.
Jessica Peters moved to a new city, determined to bury her untamed past and build a fresh future with her devoted boyfriend Nathan Gold. But when she lands a dream job at a powerful corporation, she's shocked to discover her boss is none other than Parrish Holmes-the dangerously handsome billionaire who once consumed her every thought. As they're thrust back into each other's lives, the magnetic pull between them reignites, awakening dark, forbidden desires that Jessica had buried deep. Torn between the need to succeed in her career and the sinful attraction she can't resist, Jessica is trapped in a web of temptation. Just as she decides to leave it all behind for a chance at rekindled passion, she uncovers a chilling secret about Parrish that could destroy them both. With her heart shattered and her loyal boyfriend holding a dangerous secret over her, Jessica must choose between a love that could heal her or a past that threatens to consume her once more. Can she escape the darkness that threatens to pull her under, or will her untamed desires be her undoing?
"Rule No. 1 – sex is off the table" He looked at me, a certain darkness clouding his eyes that only brewed lust and desire " Don't worry doll, I'm not going to touch you, not unless you beg me to" Five years ago, Helena De Luca is divorced by her husband, Dante D'angelo, when his high school sweetheart returned and claimed his heart. Now, Helena's back, not for rekindled romance but for survival. Her family's empire is under siege, and the only way to protect it is to strike a dangerous deal with the man she once called her own. Dante agrees to help-but there's only one way: a fake marriage. Helena's reluctance turns to desperation when the rival gangs close in, forcing her to accept. She sets one rule-no falling in love. The stakes are high and complications arise in the form of Dante's manipulative cousin Matteo, who's determined to tear them apart to have Helena for himself no matter what it takes. To make matters worse, Dante's first love is back, determined to destroy Helena's life and claim Dante for herself. Their worlds entangle, a dark sinful attraction festering between Dante and Helena and getting caught in a dirty game of lust, dark desires tainted with betrayal and manipulation. Would Helena be able to withstand the demands of falling for a man as dangerous or would she give in to the pressures of those who want them apart?
On her 18th birthday, Ayra is sold to Alpha Evon, one of the most ruthless Alphas in town, by her stepfather, Victor. Introduced to a brutal world where women are treated as mere possessions, her only hope of freedom is to bear Evon a male heir. But in the midst of her suffering, Ayra uncovers a startling truth: Evon is her fated mate, though he remains oblivious to their bond. Over time, Ayra's feelings for Evon begin to shift, softening her resolve to escape. Just when she starts reconsidering her plans, a devastating incident shatters her completely, forcing her to flee the mansion. Yet her journey is far from over. Ayra soon finds herself in a new life, rescued by Leo and Luca, the twin Alphas of the Golden Breed Pack. As she navigates this new world, Ayra learns that these twins are her second chance mates, presenting her with an impossible choice. With a child on the way from her first mate, Alpha Evon, and a decision to make between the rival twins, Ayra must choose her destiny and the future of her heart.
When I woke up with a hangover, I found a handsome and naked stranger sleeping beside me. --- I’m Tanya, a surrogate’s daughter, an omega with no wolf and no scent. On my 18th birthday, when I planned to give my virginity to my boyfriend, I found him sleeping with my sister. I went to the bar to get drunk, and accidentally had a one-night stand with the handsome stranger. I thought he was just an ordinary werewolf, but they said he was Marco, the alpha prince and the most powerful Lycan in our kingdom. ‘You slut, you’re pregnant! Fortunately, Rick is kind enough to let you be his mistress and save you from shame.’ my stepmother said, tossing a pregnancy strip on the table. Rick was an old pervert. No she-wolf could keep up with his sexual demand. No she-wolf could survive with him more than 1 year. When I was in despair, Marco came to my rescue. He got down on one knee, took out a ring and said he would marry me. --- I thought Marco married me because he loved me, but later I found that was not the truth…
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
After Martina Martinez and Benjamin Walker's breakup, paparazzi captured photos of the business tycoon entering the Walker family mansion with a mysterious woman late at night. This caused a stir, and this wealthy family was bombarded by various media outlets. During a phone interview, the gossip reporter asked, "Miss Martinez, how do you feel now that Mr. Walker has a new girlfriend?" Martina held her painful forehead and looked towards Benjamin, who was adjusting his suit by the floor-to-ceiling window. He gestured for her to come over and help him with his tie. Holding her phone, Martina responded, "It's... complicated!" The reporter's heart leaped with joy and asked, "Is it heartbroken?!" Martina was about to nod, but Benjamin raised his eyebrows and took her phone away. His deep and alluring voice was heard on the other end of the line, "New girlfriend? Whose?"
"Ms. Crawford, it’s time for you to divorce Mr. Larsen and come home. You're the only heiress the Master's waiting for.” ~•~ For the sake of love, Amara accepted the arranged marriage with Tobias William Larsen. She did everything to gain her husband’s heart but when his old love returned, she realized that all her effort was all for naught. Tobias demanded a divorce on the night of their wedding anniversary, even at the price of threatening her. Heartbroken, she finally dropped all her illusions about him and returned home to be the heiress. The next time she met Tobias, they were no longer couples but opponents. "Mr. Larsen, should I remind you again? We've divorced." "Amara, that's the stupidest mistake I've ever made. Please come back to me."
Everyone thought Lorenzo truly loved Gracie, until the day of their daughter’s heart surgery. To Gracie’s utter shock, Lorenzo gave the precious organ needed by their child to another woman. Devastated, Gracie opted for a divorce. Fueled by her need for revenge, Gracie joined hands with Lorenzo’s uncle, Waylon, and orchestrated Lorenzo’s downfall. In the end, Lorenzo was left with nothing and consumed by remorse. He pleaded for a reconciliation. Gracie thought she was free to move on with her life, but Waylon held her back in a death grip. “Did you think you can just walk out on me?”