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22 years old Zara Klein was forced to marry, and produce an heir for 41-year-old Kai Adler, who has three months left to live; to save her father's company from bankruptcy. She had to keep up with Kai's inhumane treatment, got pregnant with his child and quietly anticipated his death. But their lives took a drastic turn when Kai miraculously got cured of his illness.
ZARA'S POV
My father and I sat in the back seat of his car, parked inside Standesamt Mitte in Berlin, awaiting the arrival of the Adlers. The marriage registration was scheduled for 15:00, and it was already 14:00.
"There must be other ways of saving the company; do I have to do this?" I turned to my father, who had been silent since our arrival.
He sighed heavily, "That's not the only issue; you'll be marrying a man old enough to be your uncle," he grasped my hands, his expression grave as he met my gaze, "But desperate times call for desperate measures, Zara. This marriage is our only option to avoid bankruptcy and homelessness."
Tears began streaming down my cheeks as the weight of the situation sunk in. "But why me?" I protested softly. "What about Lena? She's older; she could handle this much better than me."
His expression suddenly hardened, and he dropped my hand, signalling my breach of an unspoken line.
"You, Zara, know exactly why. Your sister is instrumental to the company," he countered sternly, "And frankly, I don't trust anyone else with this-not even you."
His words stung, revealing the harsh truth: I was nothing more than a sacrificial lamb protecting the favoured child.
"Zara, your sister has sacrificed a lot for us; now it's your turn to contribute. Fulfill this obligation by marrying him. It won't be for long; he's not expected to live much longer, and once it's over, you'll have your freedom. Lena will take over as CEO, and you'll be promoted to managing director."
I sank deeper into the seat, a sense of resignation washing over me as I exhaled deeply, closing my eyes to the bleak reality.
Our tense silence was broken when Lena joined us in the car, her presence a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere. "They're here," my father announced as two cars pulled up alongside ours. We stepped out to meet them.
Kai's mother emerged from the first vehicle, her youthful vigour belying her age. Kai exited the second car, dressed impeccably in an all-white suit.
As we approached, Mrs. Adler embraced me warmly and then introduced me to Kai. Despite months of arrangement discussions, this was our first actual meeting.
Standing next to him, my 5'6" stature felt particularly short. He was impressively built, with medium-toned, luminous skin that made his well-styled black hair and striking features stand out even more.
His chiselled jaw, strong nose, and well-defined lips could easily rival classical sculptures. Despite being 41, his presence was commanding, yet there was an undeniable gentleness in his eyes.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his green eyes piercing into my amber ones with an intensity that both unnerved and captivated me.
"Uh, yes, yes," I stuttered, momentarily lost in his gaze, which contrasted so sharply with the ruthless businessman reputation that preceded him.
As we proceeded with the marriage registration and exchanged rings, I was taken aback by his unexpected kindness and gentility, which belied his fierce public persona.
After the ceremony, I turned to my sister first, embracing her tightly. "I'm sorry you had to go through this. It's my fault for not keeping a tighter rein on the company's finances," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
I reassured her as I wiped away her tears, "We agreed to this because Mrs Adler promised significant financial support if one of us marries her son and bears his child before his impending death. Focus on the company and ensure my sacrifice counts for something. He seems more personable than the rumours suggested, so perhaps these next few months won't be as dreadful as we feared."
Returning her embrace, she sobbed, "I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too," I whispered back, our bond sealed by shared adversity since our mother's early departure left us to navigate our father's cold pragmatism and the burdens of family expectations.
As Kai departed to attend to business, Madam Tess, the housekeeper, showed me to my room-a well-appointed space that would serve as my sanctuary or cage, depending on how one viewed it. Left alone, I dined by myself, Kai's absence extending well into the evening.
Later, as I lay reading, Madam Tess informed me of Kai's return, requesting my presence in his room-a summons that set my nerves on edge. "Why does he want to see me in his room?" I pondered aloud.
"Perhaps he just wishes to speak," I reassured myself, though the fluttering in my stomach suggested otherwise.
With a mixture of apprehension and a need to assert some control, I entered his room without knocking, only to find Kai shirtless, an unexpected sight that halted me in my tracks.
"Oh my God, I am so sorry. I should have knocked," I stammered, turning to leave.
"No, it's fine, come in," he said calmly, stopping me.
As I turned back, our eyes met, and the world around us seemed to pause. In a moment that felt both reckless and inevitable, he drew me close, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was surprisingly tender yet desperate.
The connection was instantaneous, overwhelming my senses as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bed where passion and reservation blurred in a dance as old as time.
His actions spoke of a man who knew this might be his last chance at intimacy, his urgency underscored by the raw honesty of our situation.
As he undressed us both, his touch was paradoxically gentle, a contrast to the forceful life he was known to lead. When he entered me, the initial pain gave way to a rush of pleasure that overwhelmed all thoughts of duty and consequence.
Together, we reached a crescendo, a moment of escape from the roles we were forced to play, only to be shattered by his subsequent withdrawal and cold dismissal.
"Get out of my room," he ordered abruptly, his earlier warmth replaced by an icy detachment.
"Excuse me?" I said, my voice a mix of confusion and indignity as I clutched the sheet to my chest.
"You heard me. Get out," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for discussion.
As I left his room, the complex layers of our encounter left me reeling-trapped in a marriage that was both a contract and a confrontation with unexpected depths of emotion.
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In a union of benefit,Ronald Hoffman weds Emily Adair to secure his family's inheritance but under the guise of their arranged marriage , Ronald and Emily harboured secrects His hidden past and she, an unyielding taste for power. As they tackle the treacherous terrain of family opposition and their own desires, they must face the darkness of their own motivation . Will their marriage of benefit become alove match?
Olivia thought her life was going to be perfect after she was adopted at a legal age by the Brookes couple, who were well-known businessmen in New York. She later found out that the reason for her adoption was only for a marriage agreement because the Brookes couple only had a male child and needed a female child to fulfil their end of the bargain. Things got worse for Olivia when she realized her fiance, Kellan hated her to the core and had another woman in his life, and she had no choice but to go through with the marriage. Will Olivia be able to survive all the troubles she would go through in the hands of Kellan and his girlfriend who would do anything to get rid of her?
"Do you Aria Carter Stephenson take Dave Micheal Mendez to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish in times of good health and bad health, rich and poor till death do you part?" My fingers tightened on my gown as I turned to the side, searching through the crowd. I locked eyes with my brother who had a blank expression. "Aria?" The priest called my attention. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to look at Dave. "No, I don't." Aria Stephenson is a small-town girl who got an opportunity to work as a fashion designer in a big clothing company with the hope of making a name for herself in the fashion industry. Dave Mendez is a playboy who was given the chance to take over his father's company which happens to be the same company Aria got employed in. Instead of trying to impress his father, Dave got distracted by a certain hazel-eyed girl. They ended up falling in love like every other love story but what happens when a buried secret comes out and breaks them apart?
What do you do when your sister's ex-boyfriend whom she dumped turns out to be a Spanish prince and chooses to marry to get revenge on her?
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
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."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
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