"If you need anything financially speaking, use this," he held out a black card towards me, "I hope I don't have any problems with you." I stared at the handsome man with the cold expression in front of me, took the card in my fingers and watched him go. Although we were married on paper, our lives would remain separate, each navigating our own turbulent waters. --------------------------- When Morgana's father discovers that he has cancer, she tries to find the money to pay for the treatment, agreeing to marry the grandson of a very wealthy family, Ryan Burke, in exchange for the treatment. Their marriage tends to be only nominal, as the boy already has a girlfriend, Elena Kyle. For Morgana, none of this was important, she just wanted to save her father's life. Three years after this contract, her father dies and she returns to the fictional city of Rookgaard to end this nominal marriage, even though she fell in love with Ryan during the wedding. Morgana reluctantly signs the contract, even though she likes Ryan, who doesn't understand his wife's attitude. The other day, thinking she was free of the marriage, she decides to go out with some friends from work to celebrate the divorce, giving herself the opportunity to get to know doctor Elliot Sharon better. What she didn't expect was to run into Ryan, giving him a reason not to sign the papers. Morgana remains married to Ryan, even though he still brings Elena into their lives, until a mysterious car accident happens. Putting her life on the line and changing things.
**January 2014**
**MORGANA FOSTER**
A girl walked out of the room, and there was no smile on her face. This meant there was still a small chance of salvation for me and my father. That I could leave here married and "happy."
What a bad joke!
With two jobs and accumulated college tuition, plus my father undergoing chemotherapy, I was exhausted. Not only were the college expenses piling up, but the hospital bill was also growing larger, and my father's health had significantly worsened in recent months. That's why, and only why, I decided to show up for this interview for a sham marriage.
Yes, this is at least stupid. Who still needs something like this in the 21st century?
He could be a man too shy to find a wife. He could be a very busy executive who didn't want to bother with finding a real wife. Or simply an ugly man. A million things crossed my mind while I waited for my name to be called and prayed that the other girl hadn't done so much better than I would now.
The mere idea of a sham marriage to solve my financial problems and save my father's life was almost ridiculous, but in the face of adversity, it was the only solution I could see. With no romantic expectations or personal interests, everything boiled down to survival. The idea of a union out of obligation, just to keep my father alive, echoed in my mind like a necessary mantra.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Truly, whoever my suitor was, he had to be someone with a lot of money and influence because even this hotel was too expensive and luxurious for an ordinary person.
I was so deep in debt that my only options were to enter into this contract marriage or become a prostitute. Not that there was much difference between the two, though I was trying to convince myself there was.
Neither option seemed like a good one. But of the two evils, the lesser, right? This was my lifeline.
The idea of selling my commitment or my dignity for financial necessity crushed my pride and suffocated me. However, the feeling of helplessness and the urgency to help my father led me to consider any alternative, no matter how inhumane it seemed.
I entered the dark and empty room, the few beams of light coming through the thin curtains contrasting with the rich environment. I sat in one of the chairs, nervously waiting. The door opened, and an elderly man entered the room.
"Good afternoon, Miss..." He began, his eyes assessing me carefully while I tried not to appear too out of place.
"Morgana. Morgana Melissa Foster," I replied, trying to control the tremor in my voice.
The man sat down, looking at me with a thoughtful expression. "I understand you are here out of a pressing need, Miss Foster." I raised an eyebrow at him. "You don't think I investigated each candidate before this selection, do you?"
I shook my head, and the elderly man chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "There are several clauses you will have to comply with if you accept the final proposal. However, the marriage we are considering is not a trivial decision. My grandson, Ryan, is going through challenging circumstances. He is not looking for a wife just for formality but for specific needs."
I swallowed the lump in my throat before responding. "I understand, sir. I am aware of the difficulties on both sides. I am here because I see no other way out of my family's financial troubles, especially my father's health. That is the most important thing to me right now."
"I understand your situation, but we need to ensure that if this proceeds, it will be a solution that benefits both parties. This is not an ordinary contract; it is an agreement that will require mutual understanding and respect."
We talked for a while longer, detailing mutual expectations and needs. At the end of the conversation, Mr. Burke looked at me with a grave expression, his blue eyes taking on that dark tone that made my spine shiver. "If this goes forward, remember, Miss Foster, that everything we do here will have consequences. Seek wisdom beyond necessity, and perhaps, who knows, something more than just a contract of convenience might emerge."
"Does this mean I passed?" I shook my head, dazed. "I mean..."
"Just sign, child," Mr. Burke replied.
I signed the paper so quickly that before I knew it, I was at the courthouse wearing a blue dress with simple embroidery on the bodice and a fitted waist, not too short. It was the only thing that would do for the occasion. My soon-to-be husband entered the small anteroom where the wedding would take place, furious enough to knock over the side table with a lamp next to him. He hadn't noticed my presence, so I just shrank back at his arrival.
"My grandfather must be out of his mind!" he shouted, pacing back and forth. The loud yells echoing in my ears made me tremble. "How dare he trick me into marrying a..."
He froze mid-sentence when he noticed my presence and stared at me for the first time. I shrank my body into the corner of the room, feeling tiny under the weight of his contemptuous gaze.
The awkward silence lingered for a moment as I tried not to seem so fragile and vulnerable in this situation. The tension hung heavy in the air, as if our fates had been ripped from our hands and forced into a situation neither of us truly wanted.
"I'm sorry... I..." I murmured, trying to break the discomfort between us. "I'm Morgana Foster."
He stared at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of incredulity and irritation. There were no words to calm the whirlwind of emotions that seemed to consume us at that moment. I could barely breathe. He glanced at my hand, which was suspended in the air, and ignored it completely, making me feel foolish.
"Let's just get this over with," he growled, looking away while the tension between us was palpable.
The officiant entered the room, drawing our attention to the beginning of what was being forced into a marriage. His words were a mere murmur, lost amid the emotional chaos surrounding us. As he spoke about union, love, and commitment, it felt like each phrase was another blow to the wound that was already open.
After the ceremony, I was introduced to Ryan's entire family, and then we went home. There was no party or celebration, just a few fake smiles under the flash.
We arrived at the house his grandfather gave us as a wedding present, and silence hung in the air for a moment in the room.
"Well, I guess that's it," Ryan said, breaking the silence with an indifferent tone. "Now that the formalities are over, we need to be clear about how this will work. I don't want any interference in my life, and you shouldn't expect me to be involved in yours either."
I nodded, accepting the coldness in his words. It was obvious that neither of us was willing to turn this marriage of convenience into anything more than a practical agreement.
"Agreed. Each of us lives our own life, no questions, no expectations," I replied, trying to sound as firm as he did.
"Great. Here are the basic rules." Ryan pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and began listing the conditions of our agreement. "No emotional involvement. No questions about each other's personal lives. This is a business deal, and we need to keep it clear."
The coldness of his words was like a confirmation that this marriage would be anything but conventional. It was a pragmatic arrangement, a contract to help us get through our difficulties.
"Of course, I understand," I murmured, memorizing the rules while trying to digest the surreal nature of the situation.
"If you need anything financially, use this," he said, extending a black card toward me. "I hope not to have any problems with you."
I stared at the handsome man with the cold expression in front of me, took the card in my fingers, and watched him leave. Despite being married on paper, our lives remained separate.
"How can you smell like that?" Alpha Dominic took a step toward me, making my heart freeze. He was so much bigger than I was and could easily destroy me. I took a deep breath, but I didn't smell anything. Was I stinking and couldn't notice? He stared at me, eyes narrowed in my direction. The Alpha cursed and stepped back. “Whatever.” He said, walking toward the door. “Stay out of my room!” And then he was gone. That was my honorable wedding night when my husband declared his repulsion for me. In the dense and unforgiving atmosphere of the pack led by the feared Alpha Dominic, the rival Alpha's daughter, Natalie, a young omega, faces the darkest of fates: marrying solely to seal a peace treaty. At the peak of her first wedding night, she is confronted by her husband's icy disdain, whose imposing and powerful aura makes her tremble with fear. When she was sent to marry and seal peace between their peoples, Natalie had no idea of the dangers she would face in this new home, nor of the secrets she would uncover about her mysterious husband. She finds herself plunged into a dangerous game of power and betrayal.
For the sake of their company, Atasha Rae was forced to marry the known heartless billionaire, Lorcan Amadeus. But it only took her a week as his wife because later on, he suddenly wants a divorce immediately. So as he wished, she signed the divorce paper even after admitting to herself that she was somehow starting to fall inlove with him. Heart badly wounded, she ran away from his life. Until she discovers that she's pregnant with his child and as a result, she ends up with no choice but to keep it a secret. Out of Lorcan's awareness, she's keeping a secret that would lead him to an overflowing regret. Because for a week of their fallen marriage beyond repair, she's carrying the billionaire's heir.
For two years, Bryan only saw Eileen as an assistant. She needed money for her mother's treatment, and he thought she'd never leave because of it. To him, it seemed fair to offer her financial help in exchange for sex. However, Bryan didn't expect to fall for her. Eileen confronted him, "You love someone else, yet you always sleep with me? You're despicable!" The moment she slammed the divorce papers down, he realized she was the the mysterious wife he married six years ago. Determined to win her back, Bryan lavished her with affection. When others mocked her origins, he gave her all his wealth, happy to be the supportive husband. Now a celebrated CEO, Eileen had everything, but Bryan found himself lost in another whirlwind...
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!"
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didn’t know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.
After finding out that her sister and fiance were having an affair, Tabitha fled and attended the party her best friend invited her to. In pain, she got heavily drunk and blacked out only to wake up in bed with a man. At first glance, Tabitha recognized the man as the second son of one of the most prominent companies in State Z. However, that night was a mistake, and Tabitha left with the intention of putting it behind her. Tabitha arrived home, only to find herself locked in her room by her family, forced to marry her fiance. But what happens when the second son of BlueDiamonds Enterprise comes to claim Tabitha as his own? Even more, this man, Silas, isn't just a billionaire, but a powerful person who is the future Alpha of Cerulean Moon Park.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."