Trapped in a fake engagement, Emily Wilson must navigate the treacherous world of billionaire Ryder Blackwood's making. But as his secrets surface, can she escape the possessive grip of a man who refuses to love?"
Trapped in a fake engagement, Emily Wilson must navigate the treacherous world of billionaire Ryder Blackwood's making. But as his secrets surface, can she escape the possessive grip of a man who refuses to love?"
I adjusted my clipboard, surveying the lavish ballroom. My event planning company had transformed the space into a fairy tale, complete with crystal chandeliers and a live string quartet. The evening's charity gala would be the talk of the town.
Just as I confirmed the catering details, a deep voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Emily Wilson?"
I turned to face the speaker, my eyes widening. Ryder Blackwood, billionaire entrepreneur and notorious bachelor, and my boss. Actually, my company's client was hosting the gala, as he was the one who invited us. He stood before me. His chiseled features and piercing blue eyes made my pulse quicken.
"Mr. Blackwood," I replied, extending my hand. He shook it firmly. "Please, call me Ryder. May I have a word?"I followed him to a secluded corner, curiosity piqued. What could Ryder Blackwood want with me?
"I've been impressed with your work, Emily," Ryder began. "Your attention to detail is unmatched."
"Thank you, sir," I replied, trying to sound professional despite the flutter in my chest.
"I have a proposal for you." His gaze locked onto mine, intense. "I need a fake fiancée for the next few months. Are you interested?"
My eyes widened. A fake fiancée? Was he kidding? Ryder's expression remained serious. "I'm finalizing a major business deal, and my investors require... stability. A fiancée would convey that.
I hesitated, weighing the pros and cons. My sister's medical bills loomed, and this opportunity could solve our financial struggles. But what would it cost me?
"What?" I asked, surprised. Mr Blackwood merely acknowledged my astonishment and continued
"You'll accompany me to events, pose for photos, and maintain the illusion," Ryder outlined. "In return, I'll pay off your sister's medical debts and provide a substantial stipend."
My heart skipped a beat. How the hell did he know about my sister? The offer was tempting, but something in Ryder's eyes made me wary.
I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" I asked, stunned. "You want me to pretend to be your fiancée?" Ryder nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Yes. It's a simple arrangement. You'll accompany me to events, pose for photos, and maintain the illusion."
I shook my head, trying to process. "And why would I do that?" Ryder's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'll pay off your sister's medical debts and provide a substantial stipend." My mind raced. The offer was enticing, but the absurdity of the proposal made me hesitant.
"I don't understand," I said, trying to clarify. "Why do you need a fake fiancée? Can't you just find someone... genuine?" Ryder's jaw clenched. "This is business, Emily. I don't have time for genuine relationships." His words sent a shiver down my spine. This was a man who saw people as assets, not individuals. "I'm not sure," I hedged, unsure if I wanted to get entangled in Ryder's world. Ryder's eyes flashed with impatience. "Don't play coy, Emily. You need the money, and I need the image. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."His blunt words stung. Did he think I was that desperate?
"What's the catch?" I asked, searching for hidden strings.
Ryder's expression turned cold. "You'll adhere to my rules. No engaging with other men, no revealing our arrangement, and absolute discretion."
"I need time to think," I said, stalling.
Ryder's gaze intensified. "You have 24 hours. After that, the offer expires." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me reeling.
What had just happened? Was I considering selling myself to a billionaire for the sake of my sister's medical bills? As I watched Ryder disappear into the crowd, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
As the event came to an end, I could still feel the gaze of Ryder on my back, watching my every turn. The question that kept ringing in my ear was, Why me? Mr Blackwood has been a long-time client of her company, as they have handled all his events, and they've crossed paths a few times, but I never thought he knew my name, let alone my personal life!
Feeling vulnerable, I gathered my things, my mind in a whirlwind of questions I was unable to answer. Saying my goodbyes to my colleagues, I got into my car and drove out.
The next morning, I arrived at my office, still lost in thought. My best friend, Rachel, greeted me with a concerned expression. "Emily, how was the gala?" she asked. I filled her in on Ryder's proposal, leaving out no details. Rachel's eyes widened. "Emily, this is huge! But are you sure you're ready for this?"
Biting my lips, I shook my head. "I don't know. I need time to think."
Just then, my phone buzzed. Mr. Blackwood's name flashed on the screen. "Emily," he said, his voice low and commanding. "I expect your answer soon.
"Emily, this is insane!" Rachel exclaimed. "You can't seriously consider pretending to be his fiancée."
"I know, but Sarah's medical bills..." I trailed off. Rachel's expression softened. "I get it. But think about the emotional toll. You'll be tied to this guy for months, pretending to be in love." Her words resonated. I valued my independence and honesty.
"Let's keep this between me and you for now. " I said, Rachel nodding, looking very unpleased.
That evening, I drove to the hospital. Tears streamed down my face, as I struggled to steady my breath. "You've got this," I whispered to myself, watching as the nurses went in and out of the hospital. I picked up my phone and got down of the car, and headed inside.
I got to her room, standing by the door, I watched as she struggled to breathe, even with the oxygen attached to her face. A tear escapes my eye. I whipped it off immediately, and she spotted me and smiled weakly. I walked up to her and sat beside her hospital bed, holding her frail hand.
"Hey, sis," I said, trying to sound cheerful. "I have something to tell you."
Sarah's eyes sparkled with curiosity." What is it, Emily?"
I hesitated, unsure how to share Ryder's proposal. "There's this... opportunity," I began. "A way to pay off your medical bills, but it's complicated." Sarah's grip on my hand tightened. "Tell me," she urged.
"I can't, I'm sorry," I said, begging her with my eyes. "But I promise, you'll get your surgery done and I'll get you out of here."
"What are you going to do, Emily?" she asked, worry etched on her features. I shrugged. "It's nothing for you to worry about." I smiled weakly. Sarah's eyes locked onto mine.
"Emily, I don't want you to sacrifice your happiness for me," she said, her voice trembling. "But... I don't know how much longer I can keep fighting."
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Sarah's words broke my heart. "We'll figure it out together," I promised, hugging her tight. As I held Sarah close, I realized I needed to make a decision.
Brenna lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, enduring their exploitation. When their real daughter appeared, they sent Brenna back to her true parents, thinking they were broke. In reality, her birth parents belonged to a top circle that her adoptive family could never reach. Hoping Brenna would fail, they gasped at her status: a global finance expert, a gifted engineer, the fastest racer... Was there any end to the identities she kept hidden? After her fiancé ended their engagement, Brenna met his twin brother. Unexpectedly, her ex-fiancé showed up, confessing his love...
For eight years, Cecilia Moore was the perfect Luna, loyal, and unmarked. Until the day she found her Alpha mate with a younger, purebred she-wolf in his bed. In a world ruled by bloodlines and mating bonds, Cecilia was always the outsider. But now, she's done playing by wolf rules. She smiles as she hands Xavier the quarterly financials-divorce papers clipped neatly beneath the final page. "You're angry?" he growls. "Angry enough to commit murder," she replies, voice cold as frost. A silent war brews under the roof they once called home. Xavier thinks he still holds the power-but Cecilia has already begun her quiet rebellion. With every cold glance and calculated step, she's preparing to disappear from his world-as the mate he never deserved. And when he finally understands the strength of the heart he broke... It may be far too late to win it back.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
My stepmother sold me like a piece of inventory to a man known for breaking people just to plug the financial crater my father left behind. I was delivered to the Morton estate in the middle of a freezing storm, stripped of my phone, and told that if I didn't make myself useful, my senile grandfather would be evicted from his care facility by noon. The master of the house, Adonis Morton IV, was a monster living in a silent mausoleum, driven to the brink of madness by a sensory condition that turned every sound into a physical assault. When I was forced into his suite to serve him, he didn't see a human being; he saw a source of agony. In a fit of animalistic rage, he pinned me to the wall and nearly strangled me to death just for the sound of a shattering teacup. I only survived by using my grandfather’s secret herbal blends and pressure-point therapy to force his overactive nervous system into a drugged sleep. But saving him was my greatest mistake. Instead of letting me go, Adonis moved me into a guest suite connected to his own bedroom by a hidden door. He didn't just want me as a servant; he needed me as a human white-noise machine to drown out the demons in his head. The nightmare deepened when he took the promissory note that defined my freedom and tore it into confetti. By destroying the debt, he destroyed my exit strategy. He replaced my maid’s uniform with a silver silk dress that clung to my skin but did nothing to hide the dark, ugly bruises his fingers had left on my neck. He branded me as his "primary care associate," a title that was nothing more than a gilded cage. I felt a sickening sense of injustice as he forced me to sign a contract that banned me from contacting other men and required me to sleep wherever he slept. He looked at me with a possessive heat, calling me his "medication" rather than a woman. My family had sold my body, but Adonis Morton was intent on owning my very presence, using my grandfather’s medical bills as a leash to keep me within twenty feet of him at all times. Standing in a neglected greenhouse with mud staining my expensive silk, I realized I was no longer a victim waiting for rescue. If I was going to be his medication, I would learn how to be his cure—or his undoing. I began clearing the weeds with a cold, calculated frenzy, determined to turn this prison into my laboratory. He thinks he has trapped a helpless girl, but I am going to pry open the cracks in his stone walls until his entire world comes crashing down.
Five years of devotion ended when Brynn was left at the altar, watching Richard rush to his true love. Knowing she could never thaw his cold heart, Brynn walked away, ready to start over. After a night of drinking, she woke beside the last man she should ever cross-Nolan, her brother's arch-enemy. As she tried to escape, he caught her, murmuring, "You kissed me all night. Leaving isn't an option." The world saw Nolan as cold and distant, but with Brynn, he indulged her every desire. He even bought her a whole village and held her close, his voice low, deep, and endlessly tempting, his robe falling open to reveal his toned abs. "Want to feel it?"
Today is October 14th, my birthday. I returned to New York after months away, dragging my suitcase through the biting wind, but the VIP pickup zone where my husband’s Maybach usually idled was empty. When I finally let myself into our Upper East Side penthouse, I didn’t find a cake or a "welcome home" banner. Instead, I found my husband, Caden, kneeling on the floor, helping our five-year-old daughter wrap a massive gift for my half-sister, Adalynn. Caden didn’t even look up when I walked in; he was too busy laughing with the girl who had already stolen my father’s legacy and was now moving in on my family. "Auntie Addie is a million times better than Mommy," my daughter Elara chirped, clutching a plush toy Caden had once forbidden me from buying for her. "Mommy is mean," she whispered loudly, while Caden just smirked, calling me a "drill sergeant" before whisking her off to Adalynn’s party without a second glance. Later that night, I saw a video Adalynn posted online where my husband and child laughed while mocking my "sensitive" nature, treating me like an inconvenient ghost in my own home. I had spent five years researching nutrition for Elara’s health and managing every detail of Caden’s empire, only to be discarded the moment I wasn't in the room. How could the man who set his safe combination to my birthday completely forget I even existed? The realization didn't break me; it turned me into ice. I didn't scream or beg for an explanation. I simply walked into the study, pulled out the divorce papers I’d drafted months ago, and took a black marker to the terms. I crossed out the alimony, the mansion, and even the custody clause—if they wanted a life without me, I would give them exactly what they asked for. I left my four-carat diamond ring on the console table and walked out into the rain with nothing but a heavily encrypted hard drive. The submissive Mrs. Holloway was gone, and "Ghost," the most lethal architect in the tech world, was finally back online to take back everything they thought I’d forgotten.
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