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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?
KIMBERLY
The shrill ring of my alarm jolted me awake, and I shot up in bed, my heart pounding. A quick glance at my phone made my stomach drop.
"Crap! I'm late!"
I tossed the covers off, rushing into the bathroom. No time for a proper shower-I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth like my life depended on it, and yanked a brush through my tangled hair.
A glance in the mirror made me wince. Dark circles under my eyes, hair half-tamed...not exactly my best look. But there was no time to worry about that now.
Grabbing whatever clothes I could find, I threw them on-thank God it was casual Friday. Sneakers instead of heels today.
I shoved a granola bar into my bag and sprinted out the door, praying I'd somehow make it to the office without looking completely disheveled.
I hopped into my car and drove as fast as I could.
"Ugh! Move your damn car you c*nt!" I yelled out in frustration to the driver in front of me. He was too slow.
The streets were already busy, which only added to my already built-in frustration. Why did it feel like every car, every pedestrian was out to slow me down today?
By the time I finally burst into the office building, I was breathless, my shirt slightly wrinkled, and my hair a complete mess. Great. Just great.
As I pushed through the doors, I immediately noticed something was off. The usual hum of the office was replaced with... laughter? Excited chatter?
I frowned, walking in to find balloons, streamers, and a crowd gathered around Jessica's desk.
"What the-?" I muttered, trying to catch my breath. Did I miss some kind of memo?
Before I could process what was happening, Jessica spotted me from across the room. Her eyes lit up, and she rushed over, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Kimberly! You're finally here!" she exclaimed, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the crowd.
"Wait-what's going on?" I asked, still a little dazed from my frantic morning.
Jessica grinned from ear to ear. "I got promoted! Can you believe it? I'm officially the new Senior Marketing Manager!"
The pieces clicked into place, and I felt a wave of guilt for not remembering sooner.
Jessica had been working her ass off for this promotion, staying late almost every night. I should've been more prepared to celebrate, not showing up like a tornado that just ripped through a thrift store.
"That's amazing, Jess!" I said, forcing a smile despite my internal chaos. "You deserve it!"
"I know, right?" She was practically glowing with excitement. "We're going out tonight to celebrate. Club Vortex. And you, my dear, are definitely coming."
I blinked, still trying to recover from my mad dash to the office. "Uh, I don't know if-"
"No excuses," Jessica cut me off, waving her hand dismissively. "You've been cooped up for too long. You need to let loose. Trust me, it's going to be fun."
I sighed, running a hand through my already messy hair. "Fine, fine. I'll be there."
"Good," she said with a wink. "And tonight, you're not allowed to be the responsible one. It's time for you to let go for once."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Yeah, we'll see about that."
Jessica gave me a playful nudge before returning to her sea of congratulations.
Just then, Katie, one of the random workers at the office called out to me.
"Miss Ross, your attention is needed in the file room." She said.
"Fine. I'll be there shortly".
Hours later...
4:30pm...
"Hey, don't forget about the celebration tonight, Kim. At the club." Jessica said as she escorted me to my car.
"Do I really have to? I mean, they literally threw a party for you to celebrate."
"Come on, don't be a party pooper. Loosen up. Let's have some fun."
"But-"
"No buts. Infact, I'm gonna follow you home."
"Why?"
"To ensure that you'll follow me out to celebrate."
"Jess, I-"
"Nuh-uh." Jessica said, while nodding. "Let's go."
She entered the passenger's seat of my car.
I smacked my palm on my forehead in frustration.
"Ugh! You're unbelievable!" I said, annoyed.
"That's why you love me. Drive. Let's go to your house."
"Fine." I said, as I revved up the engine and drove off swiftly.
Soon, we arrived at my place.
"Hmm... cozy as always." Jessica said, as she sat on my sofa. She stared at me smugly. "Don't just stand there! Get dressed!"
I sighed.
"But, I don't have anything to wear."
Jessica scoffed. "You're kidding right?"
She walked towards my closet and started shuffling through my clothes.
"No... nah... this one is dead already... too casual... not club material... She continued to say, as she threw the clothes on my bed.
Jessica stopped, eyes wide as she pulled out a sleek, crimson dress. Her jaw practically dropped.
"Oh my God! Kim! You have this dress!? It's sexy asf!"
I glanced at the dress, already feeling my face heat up. "It's not really my style. It'll show too much skin, Jess."
She held the dress up in front of me, Red, and extremely short. The thin spaghetti straps and dangerously low back caught the light. "Um, hello? You're going to a club, not some church or something..."
"Jess!" I protested, shaking my head.
"What?" She rolled her eyes, pushing the dress against my body. "Wear this. In fact, you don't have a say. You're wearing this."
"But-"
"No buts!" She shoved the dress into my hands, crossing her arms. "Trust me, you're gonna look hot."
I hesitated, glancing at the plunging neckline and how the fabric clung in all the right places.
"Jess, this is... a bit much."
"Exactly. It's the point. Now go change before I make you!"
"Fine!"
I stared at myself in the mirror, unsure if this was really happening. The dress was nothing short of scandalous, the deep red fabric clinging to every inch of my body, exposing more skin than I ever thought I'd show.
Jessica's eyes gleamed as she stepped back to admire me. "Damn, Kim. You look incredible. Seriously. You could shut down the entire club in that."
I tugged at the hem, trying to cover more, but it was useless. "This feels... too much."
She laughed. "Too much? You'll be the hottest girl in the club. Trust me."
I bit my lip, my nerves still getting the better of me. "And what are you wearing?"
Jessica grinned and pulled a sleek black mini dress from her bag. "I always come prepared. Had a spare dress in case of emergencies. Mind if I borrow a pair of your shoes?"
"Yeah, sure," I mumbled, still not fully convinced by my own reflection.
She quickly slipped into her dress and found a pair of heels from my closet, effortlessly pulling off the look like she'd been planning it all along.
"Alright," she said, twirling the car keys in her hand. "Let's go."
I nodded affirmatively, and we hurried out the door, entered the car and drove off.
The cool night air hit my bare skin.
"This is going to be a long night." I muttered silently.
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?
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?
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?"
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
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."
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."