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.
Abandoned as a child and orphaned by murder, Kathryn swore she'd reclaim every shred of her stolen birthright. When she returned, society called her an unpolished love-child, scoffing that Evan had lost his mind to marry her. Only Evan knew the truth: the quiet woman he cradled like porcelain hid secrets enough to set the city trembling. She doubled as a legendary healer, an elusive hacker, and the royal court's favorite perfumer. At meetings, the directors groaned at the lovey-dovey couple, "Does she really have to be here?" Evan shrugged. "Happy wife, happy life." Soon her masks fell, and those who sneered bowed in awe.
A year into the marriage, Thea rushed home with radiant happiness-she was pregnant. Jerred barely glanced up. "She's back." The woman he'd never let go had returned, and he forgot he was a husband, spending every night at her hospital bed. Thea forced a smile. "Let's divorce." He snapped, "You're jealous of someone who's dying?" Because the woman was terminal, he excused every jab and made Thea endure. When love went cold, she left the papers and stormed off. He locked down the city and caught her at the airport, eyes red, dropping to his knees. "Honey, where are you going with our child?"
"Lucien, let's get a divorce," I said in a peremptory tone that was long overdue, the most decisive farewell to this absurd marriage. We had been married for exactly three years-three years that, for me, were filled with nothing but endless loneliness and torment. For three years, the husband who should have stood by my side through every storm, Lucien Sullivan, had completely disappeared from my life as if he had never existed. He vanished without a trace, leaving me alone to endure this empty, desolate marriage. Today, I finally received his message: "I'm back. Come pick me up at the airport." When I read his words, my heart leapt with joy, and I raced to the airport, thinking that he finally understood my love and was coming back to me. But his cruelty was far worse than I could have ever imagined-he was accompanied by a pregnant woman, and that woman was Carla, my closest and most trusted friend. In that moment, all of my previous excitement, all my hope, and all of our shared laughter and tears turned into the sharpest of daggers, stabbing into my heart and leaving me gasping for air. Now, all I want is to escape from this place that has left me so broken-to lick my wounds in solitude. Even if these wounds will remain with me for the rest of my life, I refuse to have anything to do with him ever again. He should know that it was his own hand that trampled our love underfoot, that his coldness and betrayal created this irreparable situation. But when he heard those words, he desperately clung to this broken, crumbling marriage, unwilling to let it end-almost as though doing so could rewind time and return everything to how it used to be. "Aurora, come back. I regret everything!" Regret? Those simple words stirred no emotion in me-only endless sadness and fury. My heart let out a frantic, desperate scream: It's too late for any of this!
Isabelle Everett's perfect life crumbles when her billionaire husband, Damion Ryder, serves her divorce papers on their anniversary. Betrayal, heartbreak, and deceit propel her into a six-year journey of self-discovery. Now, with secrets exposed and old flames rekindled, Isabelle must choose between the man who broke her heart or her high school sweetheart, the one who's always loved her but has an ulterior motive. Will forgiveness transform their lives, or will the past destroy their future?
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
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