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When Lucas Blackwood's business empire faces a hostile takeover, he turns to his late father's will for a solution: marriage. According to the will's clause, Lucas must marry within a year to retain his inheritance. Emma Brooks, a talented but financially struggling artist, enters the picture. Seeing an opportunity for financial relief, she agrees to a contract marriage proposed by Lucas. However, their agreement comes with a condition: they must convincingly portray their love to the public and even to themselves. As their emotions become entangled, Lucas and Emma must navigate a web of deceit, desire, and danger. They face challenges from rival billionaires, relentless paparazzi, and hidden agendas that threaten to tear them apart. In a world where trust is scarce and love is seen as a risk, they must navigate the treacherous waters of their fabricated romance to avoid the clause becoming their downfall. In "The Marriage Clause," passion and power collide, presenting high stakes for both Lucas and Emma
Lucas Blackwood stormed into his father's study, the familiar scent of aged leather and expensive cologne filling his senses. The room, filled with memories of stern lectures and high expectations, now bore the weight of an unforeseen ultimatum.
He slammed the wall onto the desk, the parchment rattling as it hit the wood. "What is this, Harrison?" Lucas demanded, his voice edged with frustration.
Harrison, the family lawyer and long-time confidant, adjusted his glasses and met Lucas's intense gaze. "Your father's final stipulation, Lucas, It's non-negotiable."
Lucas paced the room, his mind racing. The will's clause was clear: marry within a year, or lose control of Blackwood Enterprises. The stipulation was as binding as it was unexpected.
"The board will eat me alive if they get wind of this," Lucas muttered, raking a hand through his hair. He stopped at the window, staring out at the city skyline. His empire, built on hard work and ruthless decisions, was now at risk because of a condition he had never anticipated.
Harrison's voice broke the silence. "Your father believed a stable family image was crucial for the company's legacy. He trusted you'd understand."
Lucas turned, his jaw set. "Understand? This is manipulation from beyond the grave."
Harrison remained calm. "You have options, Lucas. Find a suitable partner, meet the clause, and secure your position."
Lucas's mind whirred. Who could he possibly marry on such short notice? His past relationships were shallow, more about convenience than connection. He needed someone who understood the stakes and could play the part without complications.
He thought about the socialites he had dated and the women who had pursued him for his wealth and status. None of them were suitable. They were too ambitious and too entangled in their own lives and dramas. He needed someone different. Someone would see this as a business deal, nothing more.
Meanwhile, across town, Emma Brooks sat in a cramped studio apartment, surrounded by canvases and sketches. Her art was her passion, but it didn't pay the bills. Overdue notices and debt collectors loomed large in her mind.
She sighed, glancing at her latest piece-a vibrant, abstract painting that captured the chaos of her life. Her phone buzzed, breaking her concentration. It was her landlord reminding her of the overdue rent.
"Just a few more days," she pleaded, knowing her words held little weight. She hung up, frustration bubbling over. How was she supposed to create when financial stress consumed her?
A knock on the door startled her as she pondered her next move. She opened it to find an impeccably dressed man holding an envelope.
"Miss Brooks?" he inquired.
"Yes, that's me," Emma replied, confused.
The man handed her the envelope. "This is for you. Mr. Blackwood requests your presence."
Emma frowned, taking the envelope. "Mr. Blackwood? I don't know any."
"Lucas Blackwood," the man clarified. "He's interested in discussing a business proposition."
Emma's curiosity piqued. She tore open the envelope and read the contents, her eyes widening. A meeting with Lucas Blackwood, the billionaire? What could he possibly want with her?
Later that evening, Emma found herself in the lavish surroundings of Blackwood Enterprises. The luxury was overwhelming, a stark contrast to her modest lifestyle. She was ushered into a grand office where Lucas awaited, his presence commanding and intimidating.
"Miss Brooks," Lucas greeted her, his tone professional but cold. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."
Emma nodded, still trying to process everything. "What's this about, Mr. Blackwood?"
Lucas leaned back in his chair, studying her. "I have a proposition for you. A marriage of convenience."
Emma blinked, sure she'd misheard. "Excuse me?"
"A contract marriage," Lucas clarified, his gaze unwavering. "I need to be married within a year to secure my company. In return, you'll receive financial stability and a significant sum."
Emma's mind raced. This was insane. Yet, the offer could solve all her problems. She weighed the pros and cons, knowing the decision would change her life forever.
Lucas continued, sensing her hesitation. "You'll have your freedom and your space. It's purely a business arrangement."
Emma met his gaze, seeing the determination there. She knew this wasn't a man who would take no for an answer lightly. "And if I agree?"
Lucas smiled a hint of relief in his eyes. "Then we both get what we need."
Emma took a deep breath. "Alright, Mr. Blackwood. You have a deal."
As they shook hands, sealing their fates, both knew this was only the beginning. The marriage clause had set the stage for a year of deception, challenges, and unexpected twists. Neither could predict just how deeply their lives would intertwine or the dangers that lay ahead.
Lucas felt a strange mixture of relief and unease as he watched Emma leave. This arrangement was risky, but it was necessary. He returned to his desk, pulling out a contract he had prepared. It outlined every detail of their agreement, from the public appearances they would make to the separate bedrooms they would maintain.
He needed to ensure that their fake marriage appeared genuine to the outside world. Any hint of scandal or insincerity could topple everything he had worked for. Lucas knew the board members were vultures, waiting for any opportunity to challenge his leadership.
The following day, Emma returned to sign the contract. As she read through the document, her brow furrowed. "This is very... thorough."
Lucas nodded. "It has to be. The stakes are high, and we can't afford any mistakes."
Emma's hand trembled slightly as she signed her name. "I understand."
With the contract signed, their lives began to intertwine in ways neither had anticipated. Lucas introduced Emma to his inner circle, coaching her on how to present herself as the perfect billionaire's wife. They attended charity galas, business dinners, and social events, always maintaining the facade of a happy couple.
Emma quickly adapted to her new role, but it wasn't easy. She struggled with the constant scrutiny and the pressure to appear flawless. The media's relentless attention was overwhelming, and she often felt like an imposter in Lucas's world of wealth and power.
Despite the challenges, Lucas and Emma developed an unexpected camaraderie. They learned to rely on each other, sharing private jokes and confidences that blurred the lines of their agreement. The more time they spent together, the harder it became to remember that their marriage was just a contract.
Late one evening, as they returned from yet another exhausting social event, Lucas found Emma sitting alone in the study, staring at one of her paintings. He approached quietly, sensing her melancholy.
"What's on your mind?" he asked gently.
Emma looked up, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and determination. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm losing myself in all this. The parties, the lies-it's not who I am."
Lucas sat beside her, understanding her struggle. "I know this isn't easy, Emma. But remember why we agreed to this? We both had something to gain."
Emma nodded, but her expression remained troubled. "I just hope we don't lose ourselves in the process."
Lucas reached out, placing a reassuring hand on hers. "We won't. We'll get through this together."
As they sat in silence, the weight of their agreement settled over them. The marriage clause had brought them together, but it was up to them to navigate the complexities that lay ahead.
The days turned into weeks, and their lives continued to intertwine. Emma's presence brought a warmth to Lucas's life that he hadn't expected. Her creativity and passion inspired him, and he found himself drawn to her in ways he hadn't anticipated.
For Emma, Lucas's strength and determination became a source of comfort. She admired his dedication to his company and his willingness to protect those he cared about. Their bond grew stronger, and the lines between their roles as business partners and something more began to blur.
One evening, as they prepared for yet another public appearance, Lucas's phone rang. He answered, his expression growing serious. After a brief conversation, he hung up and turned to Emma, his face tense.
"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.
Lucas sighed. "There's been a development. Someone is trying to dig up dirt on us. If they find anything that suggests our marriage is a sham, it could ruin everything."
Emma's heart raced. "What do we do?"
Lucas's eyes hardened with resolve. "We stick to the plan. We can't let anyone see through our facade. We're in this together, Emma."
As they faced the growing challenges and threats, Lucas and Emma knew they had to rely on each other more than ever. The marriage clause had brought them together, but it was their evolving connection that would determine their future.
Framed. Disgraced. Silenced. Ivana Castillo lost everything the night she was accused of seducing her godfather's son: her home, her dignity, and the child growing inside her. Cast out by the people who once called her family, she vanished without a trace. Six years later, she returns with a new name, a thriving business, and a burning need for revenge. Her ex-best friend is now the wife of the man who ruined her. The man himself is rising in power, but he doesn't know he has a son. And the family who betrayed her is hiding more secrets than she ever imagined. Ivana isn't back to forgive. She's back to make them pay. One lie destroyed her life. Now, her silence is over.
Scarlett Hale never wanted to marry Damien Cross, but when her stepmother forced her into a contract to save her father's company, she had no choice. Damien was in a coma. Everyone believed she'd soon be a widow and tossed aside. But then he woke up. Enraged and trapped in a marriage he never agreed to, Damien swore to ruin Scarlett, and if they ever had children, he'd destroy them too. Four years later, Scarlett returns, hiding a secret that could cost her everything. She's not alone. She has twins, his twins. And they know exactly who their father is. When her son hacks Damien's system and sends him a taunting message, the ruthless billionaire realizes his past isn't buried after all. *"Come and get me, asshole!" Now, Damien is coming for answers. And Scarlett must do everything in her power to protect the only family she has left... even if it means facing the man who once vowed to destroy them.
Logan, with his mark of fire, carries the burden of his desired legacy. Orphaned by a brutal horde's attack, "Run, Logan!" His father's desperate wheezing echoed in his memory. "They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals! He collapsed, gasping, as a warm, wet nose nudged his side. It was Anya, a young wolf from the neighboring Moonstone pack, with her sapphire eyes filled with worry. "Come with us, Logan." She pleaded in a soft voice. "The moonstone will protect you." Over the years, Logan grew into a beautiful, young, and handsome wolf. He trains hard to develop his fighting skills, but a shadow of his past looms over him. He said that one day he was walking along the border and met Anya. Her hair stood on end, and her eyes were filled with fear. "Garen, he's up to something. He wants to use your mark to control powers you didn't know you had." Logan's world explodes. Is the power hidden within it? Are Garon's true intentions shrouded in darkness? Betrayal and forbidden love spark a desperate fight for survival. Betrayal, prophecy, and forbidden love ignite the fight for freedom. Can Logan ignore the prophecy surrounding his fire sign, or will he become a pawn in Garon's game? Can forbidden love be transformed into a force for good, or will it lead to his destruction? Discover Logan's fate as you explore a world filled with pack politics, hidden forces, and a desperate fight for freedom.
Annabel, the last child of the St. Claires' discovers that she is the price her father paid for a favour. In a glitzy realm of relentless ambition and insatiable desires Anabell is trapped in the cold embrace of an arranged marriage but fate has a wicked sense of humour, for the billionaire tycoon she is forced to wed is Ethan Cresswell, the very man who shattered her world years ago. As their lives are entangled in a load of complex misdirection, lust, and treachery; revenge dances on a tightrope, threatening to consume them both. Each step taken to exact revenge brings them closer, whispers of an ancient curse echoing through their shared desires. Hidden agendas are unveiled and devastating secrets are exposed, the stakes skyrocket to a level unimaginable. Can love survive the wild storm of forbidden desires and shattered illusions? Or will the ruthless pursuit of revenge eliminate their chances for redemption?
A man like Travis Sinclair wants nothing more than a woman who matches his sexual prowess and is used to getting everything he wants. A cold-hearted billionaire ,he lives by one rule - no love, no commitment. Ayanna Davies isn't looking for a relationship. She's focused on her work and the financial security it brings. As a high end escort, her client is full of filthy rich men who are willing to pay handsomely for her services. But when Travis Sinclair becomes one of her clients, she begins twice about mixing work with pleasure. Not knowing that he is an old acquaintance whom she despises.
He told her to call him Daddy. Not because he earned it, but because he fucking owned her. The moment she signed that contract, she stopped being a woman with dignity and became his filthy little plaything. His holes to use. His mess to ruin. He didn't just fuck her, he rewired her. Stripped her clean of boundaries and filled her with sin. Every punishment made her scream. Every game dragged her deeper into his twisted world. And the way he praised her... Good girl. She should've run the first time he said it. But Daddy doesn't let his toys leave. He breaks them until they beg to stay. ** Mia's life changed the night she let a stranger ruin her. One night. She never expected to see him again. Until she walked into her new job... and her boss turned around. Ace.Her one-night sin in a thousand-dollar suit. Only this time, he wasn't asking her to be his assistant. She was to be his wife.
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."