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Hilda Thompson, an independent young woman, finds herself thrust into an arranged marriage with the possessive and enigmatic billionaire Alexander Hartman in order to save her father's crushing company. As Hilda tries to navigate the complexities of their relationship, she must confront her desires while being held captive by the controlling grip of her billionaire husband. Will Hilda be able to break free from Alexander's possessive hold and discover true love, or will she remain trapped in a marriage devoid of passion and freedom?
"Arghh! No! I won't do this." Hilda cursed under her breath.
Today was the day she would meet the man who would become her husband, Alexander Hartman, the enigmatic billionaire whose name and reputation sent chills down her spine.
The sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of her little apartment, casting an ethereal glow over the wooden floors.
Her Dad was here in her apartment, giving her a hard time as usual. She has always been the perfect, dutiful daughter, but this was a little too much even for her.
"You must marry him, Hilda! I won't allow you to jeopardize my business. I won't allow you to crumble what I've worked so hard for, all because of your petty interests." Her father said, with his voice so furious.
"Petty? My interests are petty? I have a future Dad. I have dreams and aspirations, and an arranged marriage certainly Isn't one of them." Hilda yelled back at her father.
"You don't have a choice Hilda. You must marry him. I refuse to become an object of mockery among my subordinates."
He stated sternly and continued; "Take a look at this place. Is this how you plan to live the rest of your life?" He asked, looking around the apartment and thinking that was the end of it, it only just got worse.
"This place is a disgrace to my name. If the media found out that my daughter lives here, that would be a nightmare compared to losing the company.
"But, I -"
She muttered, just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting their heated conversation, and Hilda took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
She smoothed down her skirt and made way to the door, her steps faltering with trepidation.
Opening the door, Hilda found herself face-to-face with Alexander Hartman, his piercing blue eyes appraising him with a mix of curiosity and possession.
He was tall and commanding, exuding an aura of power that made her feel small and insignificant in comparison. "Ms. Thompson, I presume?" he said, his voice low and velvety.
"Yes, I'm Hilda Thompson. Come in." She replied, offering a polite smile, trying to mask the apprehension that threatened to unravel her.
"Good day Mr Thompson. I didn't see you there. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything". Alexander said, looking over to her father.
"It's no problem Mr Hartman, I was just leaving anyway." Her father replied, leaving abruptly.
Alexander's steely gaze then remained fixed on me. "Come, we have much to discuss," he said, holding out his arm in a gesture that expected her compliance.
Reluctantly, she nodded and slipped her arm through his, allowing him to lead her towards the living room.
They both settled into the chairs, facing each other, the air thick with anticipation.
"I must apologise for the abruptness of this arrangement," Alexander began, his voice devoid of warmth or compassion. "But I am a man who knows what he wants, and I have chosen you as my wife."
His words hit Hilda like a blow, the reality of the situation sinking in. It was more like she was nothing more than a pawn in his grand game of power and control.
"I understand the circumstances that have brought us together," she replied, her voice steady, refusing to let her see the simmering anger beneath the surface.
"But I must also express that I am not a woman to be owned or controlled. I have my own aspirations and dreams that I intend to pursue, even within the confines of this arrangement."
Alexander arched an eyebrow, a glimmer of intrigue in his eyes. "You possess a fire within you, Hilda. I must admit, I find it rather enticing. But make no mistake, in this marriage, there will be expectations and boundaries."
I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down. "And what about love? What about a genuine connection between two people? Are those not essential components of a successful marriage?"
A flicker, void of emotions passed through Alexander's eyes, almost imperceptible. "Love is a game Hilda, and I'm not here for games." He responded, with so much authority.
"But for now, (he continued), we must focus on building a solid foundation, a partnership that will unite two families and safeguard our respective interests."
His words stung, a stark reminder of the inherent sacrifice she was making. Love couldn't be forced or manufactured, and from the depths of my soul, she feared the void that would inevitably exist within their union. But she was determined not to let it define her.
"I understand the reasons behind this marriage," she said, her voice unwavering, "but I will not be your prisoner, Alexander. As I said earlier, I have dreams and passions that will not be stifled by the expectations society has placed upon us."
Alexander leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. After a momentary silence, he let out a sigh. "Perhaps I misjudged you, Hilda," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "There is more to you than meets the eye, and I am intrigued by the woman you are."
Hilda raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his admission. "And are you willing to embrace the woman I am, rather than the woman you wish me to be?"
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Alexander's lips. "Only time will tell, Hilda."
"The wedding is in two days. I'm not ready for this." Hilda said beneath her breath.
"You don't have a choice Ms. Thompson. Oh, you do- You can either be my wife, or your family goes bankrupt; making you live on the streets. Isn't that a better choice Hilda?"
He asked, staring intently at her, with a sharp smirk on his face, that Hilda so wished to slap it off.
The thought of getting married to Alexander was dreadful.
"You don't want to miss your own wedding Ms. Thompson. Don't be late." Alexander said. His voice made her escape her thoughts.
She then realised they were barely inches apart. He cupped her chin with his palm and then found herself eagerly anticipating what was yet to come.
'Is he about to kiss me?' she thought.
A one-night stand with a mysterious stranger leaves Kimberly pregnant, but when she tracks the supposed father, she discovers he's none other than the cold-hearted billionaire, Nicholas Reid. He ruthlessly denies the child, dismissing her as nothing but trouble. Determined to make him take responsibility, Kimberly goes public with her story, igniting a scandal that threatens Nicholas's position as CEO. To save his reputation, he's forced to take drastic measures: marry Kimberly, with plans to divorce after the baby is born. Living under the same roof, their clash of wills grows intense. But as secrets unravel and sparks ignite, will they survive this loveless arrangement, or will the actions of their one night together change them both forever?
Jane Smart, a resilient orphan carrying the weight of her father's debts, seizes a golden opportunity to interview Dave Bernard, the revered CEO of a prestigious tech company. Little did she know that their one-night stand will unravel into an unexpected twist. Jane finds herself pregnant, and Dave, dealing with his own internal conflict, rejects the pregnancy, leaving Jane in a confused state. With financial struggles mounting, and a menacing loan shark tightening her grip, Jane's world spirals into servitude. But when Dave stumbles upon her dire circumstances, he embarks on a daring mission to set her free and win back her trust. Can they navigate the treacherous waters of forgiveness, second chances, and a journey towards love and success?
Lily Hart has lived her life in the shadow of her father's ambitions, expected to follow the rules laid out by her powerful family. Engaged to Victor Langston-a cold, controlling heir to a massive fortune-Lily's heart rebels against the idea of a loveless marriage. But when Evan Brooks, a brooding and mysterious man from her family's past, reappears, her world is turned upside down. Evan is no longer the humble gardener she once knew. He has returned from abroad, wealthy, self-assured, and harboring secrets that could bring the Hart family to its knees. When he sets his sights on Lily, the sparks between them ignite a passionate, forbidden affair that she can't resist. As Lily's heart is torn between duty and desire, she must decide: will she bow to her father's demands and marry Victor, or risk everything for Evan?
June, a young, and free-spirited girl with dreams and aspirations is torn, when she is forced to leave her home to a new town called Silverbrooke, a town in which her father came from. As she navigates through Silverbrooke, June finds herself in a world filled with fantasies and mysteries. Something enchanting and unexpected happens when June is faced with a striking truth. Now, she must decide whether to embrace her destiny or reject it, risking the unraveling of her carefully constructed life. What will June discover about her true identity and destiny as she navigates the enchanting world of Silverbrooke? Will she embrace her newfound fate?
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!"
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
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."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.