Isabella, born into a harsh and unjust world with divorced parents, managed to find her footing and achieve stability. But what happens when her world is turned upside down, and she must rely on a complete stranger? Discover what fate has in store for her.
My life has always been a bit unconventional. Growing up with limited resources and my parents' divorce left my brother and me to fend for ourselves alongside our overworked mom. My brother, the dedicated student, became a doctor, while I, never much of a studier, found my niche in accounting. Now, I was doing well for myself with a good job and a boyfriend, and life seemed perfect. Or so I thought.
One day, everything changed. I received a message at work: "Miss Isabella, we regret to inform you that your services are no longer required." My heart sank, and I felt utterly confused. My second-class degree made finding another job like the one I had difficult.
Feeling down, I decided to head to a bar for a drink. I ordered some vodka, and that's when I heard a familiar voice.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?" I turned around to see the most charming man I'd ever laid eyes on. Just as I was about to respond, he interrupted me. "And more importantly, who did that to your face?" His concern was genuine, and I felt a glimmer of hope.
His name was Ethan, and he had a way of making me feel at ease. "It's a long story," I told him, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Well, I've got nowhere to be," Ethan replied, signaling for a drink. "Go ahead and tell me what's going on."
I told him everything, from my job loss to my concerns about my relationship with my boyfriend, Mark. Mark had started becoming abusive. I didn't even think he loved me anymore. At the beginning of our relationship, he had showered me with affection and promises, but it didn't take long for his true nature to surface. He rarely showed any genuine interest in my feelings or needs. I constantly felt like a burden to him, never truly loved or valued.
Throughout my life, I never felt my parents loved me. Sure, they took care of me, but all that was confirmed when my dad turned his back on us. My mother, although hardworking, never cared about my mental health or what I liked. She was always too busy to notice my struggles or my interests. It was even more difficult because I was not the studious type. My brother, on the other hand, loved studying and eventually became a doctor. My mother was so proud and happy with his achievements, and I couldn't help but feel like a disappointment in comparison.
I tried to leave my relationship with Mark several times, but to no avail. What's worse is that he threatened my family and friends if I dared leave him. Life was not fair. He cheated on me countless times with other girls, yet he still held me against my will. Each betrayal cut deeper than the last, making me feel worthless and unlovable. His abuse wasn't just physical; it was mental and emotional too. He belittled me, made me doubt my worth, and isolated me from those who cared about me. I was drained, a shadow of my former self, with no hope in sight.
Ethan listened attentively, not once interrupting or making me feel uncomfortable. "You don't deserve to be treated like that," he said firmly. "No one does."
"I know," I replied, feeling teary-eyed. "But I don't know what to do. I'm scared of what might happen next."
"You need to take care of yourself, Isabella," Ethan said, his voice full of conviction. "You deserve better than that."
I knew Ethan was right, but I didn't know how to go about it. That's when Ethan surprised me with an offer. "Come stay with me," he said. "I have a spare room, and you can stay there until you get back on your feet."
At first, I was hesitant. I didn't know Ethan, and accepting his offer seemed foolish. But something about him made me feel safe, and I knew I couldn't stay in my current situation any longer. "Okay," I said, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I'll take you up on your offer."
"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?"
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."