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Trapped in a loveless marriage, Isabella Cruz thought she could survive Alejandro Santiago's cold indifference. But when he hands her divorce papers and tells her his first love is returning, her heart shatters. Pregnant with his child and unwilling to beg for love, Isabella walks away, determined to never look back. Two years later, Isabella has transformed into a powerful and breathtaking heiress, catching the eye of every eligible bachelor at a prestigious gala. When Alejandro spots her across the room, he's floored by the woman she's become and devastated by the realization that he never truly knew her. But as secrets unravel and passions ignite, Alejandro must fight not only to win Isabella back, but also to claim the family he never knew he had. Can Isabella trust the man who once broke her heart, or will she choose a future without him? In a world of power, wealth, and betrayal, love might be the ultimate risk.
The grand chandelier cast a warm, soft glow across the sprawling living room of the Santiago penthouse. Every piece of furniture had been chosen with a meticulous eye, from the marble floors that gleamed beneath Isabella's feet to the plush, custom-made Italian sofas arranged in perfect symmetry. To anyone else, it would have felt like a dream, the pinnacle of luxury, but tonight, the opulence suffocated her.
Isabella sat on the edge of the velvet armchair, her spine straight, hands folded tightly in her lap. She didn't dare look up at the man pacing in front of her, his footsteps heavy with frustration. Alejandro Santiago-the man she had loved, married, and spent the last three years trying to please-was in a rare state of unrest.
"I can't keep doing this, Isabella," Alejandro finally said, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. He stopped in front of her, towering over her with an intensity that sent a chill through her. "This charade... this marriage."
Her heart clenched, but she didn't let the pain show on her face. She had grown used to his coldness over the years, though it never stopped hurting. Every day she told herself that maybe, just maybe, today he'd see her for who she really was. That he'd see her love, her dedication. That he'd love her back.
But today wasn't that day.
Isabella lifted her eyes, meeting his dark, stormy gaze. "What are you saying, Alex?"
He flinched at the name-'Alex'-as if it stung to hear her say it. It wasn't the formal 'Alejandro' he preferred, the name everyone else used in his world of high-powered business deals and boardrooms. No, 'Alex' was a name meant for a different kind of intimacy, one they had never truly shared.
"I'm saying," he bit out, his jaw tightening, "that this needs to end. Our marriage. Us."
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Isabella felt the ground beneath her shift, as though everything she had been standing on, every piece of hope, was crumbling beneath her.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "Is this because of Vicky?"
Alejandro's eyes flickered for a split second-a hint of something, perhaps guilt, perhaps regret-but it was gone as quickly as it came. His face hardened once more.
"This has nothing to do with her," he lied, his tone devoid of any emotion. "This marriage was a mistake from the beginning. You know that. It was just... it was just for my grandfather's sake."
Isabella's throat tightened. She had heard this line before, the same excuse that had been used to justify everything between them. Their marriage had never been about love-at least not for him. It had been a contract, a duty to his family, to his grandfather's dying wish. But for her, it had always been real.
"And what about us?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What about the last three years?"
Alejandro's gaze was cold, unyielding. "There is no 'us,' Isabella. There never was."
She flinched, his words like a physical blow, and her hands clenched tightly in her lap. How could he stand there, so composed, so distant, when her entire world was shattering at his feet?
"You're wrong," she said softly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm. "I loved you, Alex. I've always loved you."
His expression remained impassive, as though her confession meant nothing to him. As though her love was a burden he couldn't wait to discard.
"Love isn't enough," he said flatly. "I need more than this. I need someone who understands me, someone who can stand by me in the way I need."
Isabella's heart twisted painfully. "You mean someone like Vicky."
Alejandro didn't deny it this time. He simply looked away, his jaw tightening again. "Vicky is coming back," he admitted. "We have a history, something deeper than... whatever this was."
There it was. The truth, laid bare. Vicky Soriano-the woman who had left Alejandro years ago, chasing her career in Paris, had always been the ghost in their marriage. No matter how much Isabella tried to convince herself that Vicky was in the past, she had always known that she was living in another woman's shadow.
"And what about me?" Isabella asked, her voice breaking. "What about us?"
"There is no us," he repeated, his tone final. "This was always temporary, Isabella. We knew that from the beginning."
A lump formed in her throat as she stared at him. How could he be so cold, so detached, after everything they had shared? Didn't he see how hard she had tried to make this work, to be the wife he needed, the partner he never asked for but had?
"I'm filing for divorce," Alejandro said, his voice slicing through her thoughts. "I've already spoken to my lawyer. You'll get everything you need. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
The words were supposed to be comforting, but they felt like a death sentence. He was dismissing her, casting her aside like a business transaction that had run its course.
"I don't want your money," Isabella said bitterly. "I never wanted your money."
Alejandro's eyes darkened, and for a moment, something flickered in his gaze-doubt, hesitation, regret. But it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared.
"That's not what it looked like," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Isabella stood, her hands shaking as she faced him. "You really think I married you for your money? After everything?"
He didn't answer, but the silence spoke volumes.
Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not here, not in front of him. Not when he was so willing to believe the worst of her.
"I never wanted your money," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I wanted you. But clearly, that wasn't enough."
Alejandro's jaw clenched, and for the first time, he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "This is for the best, Isabella."
"For who?" she demanded. "For you?"
"For both of us," he said quietly, his voice barely audible.
Isabella took a step back, her heart breaking with each word. She had tried so hard, given so much, and in the end, it had all been for nothing. He didn't love her. He never had.
"I'll sign the papers," she said finally, her voice hollow. "But know this, Alejandro-one day, you'll realize what you've lost."
She turned and walked away before he could respond, before he could see the tears that finally spilled down her cheeks. The world outside the penthouse was a blur of city lights and noise, but Isabella felt nothing as she stepped into the elevator, her body numb with pain.
As the elevator doors closed, she placed a hand on her stomach, the weight of her secret pressing down on her like a stone.
He would never know. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Not now. Not ever.
Alejandro stood in the center of the living room long after she had left, staring at the door as if expecting her to return. But she didn't. The silence that followed her departure was deafening, and for the first time in years, he felt something unsettling-something that gnawed at the edges of his carefully controlled world.
Regret.
He clenched his fists at his sides, trying to shake the feeling. This was what he wanted. This was what needed to happen. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not with Vicky coming back. His life was moving forward, and Isabella-Isabella was just a remnant of the past, something he had to let go of.
But then why did it feel like he was the one being left behind?
Alejandro's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, grateful for the distraction. It was a message from Vicky.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Missed you so much. xx
He stared at the words, but they didn't bring him the comfort he expected. Instead, his thoughts drifted back to Isabella-her face, her eyes, the way she had looked at him before she left.
She had loved him. He had seen it in her eyes. But love was messy, unpredictable, and Alejandro couldn't afford messes in his life. He needed order, control, and Vicky... Vicky was the one who fit into that picture.
Still, as he walked toward the window, staring out over the city skyline, the image of Isabella's tear-streaked face lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.
The divorce papers would be filed. The chapter would be closed.
But something told him it wasn't the end.
Not yet.
A cold-hearted billionaire. A headstrong florist drowning in debt. A contract that binds them in a marriage of convenience-with no room for love. Xavier Harrington is a man who controls everything-his business, his reputation, his emotions. When a billion-dollar deal requires him to appear as a devoted husband, he does what he does best: he makes an offer no one can refuse. Mia Brooks never imagined she'd sign a contract to be a billionaire's wife, but with her flower shop on the verge of collapse, she has no choice. The rules are simple-no feelings, no attachments, and absolutely no falling in love. But behind Xavier's icy demeanor lies a scarred past and a desire he can't control. And behind Mia's defiance is a heart that refuses to be tamed. As passion blurs the lines of their arrangement, secrets surface, enemies close in, and a betrayal from the past threatens to destroy everything. When the contract ends, will Xavier let Mia go... or will he risk everything to make her stay?
Sebastian Hale is a man who gets what he wants-until his father, Gregory Hale, threatens to destroy everything he's built unless he agrees to a marriage of convenience. Trapped in his father's ruthless game, Sebastian's only option is to marry Ivy Collins, a fiery journalist with secrets of her own. For Ivy, the marriage is a means to an end. Marrying Sebastian gives her access to the Hale family empire-and the chance to expose their darkest secrets. But what begins as a cold business arrangement soon ignites into a fiery passion neither of them can resist. As the lines between love and betrayal blur, Ivy discovers the truth about Sebastian's family, including a devastating secret that could destroy them both. With Gregory pulling the strings, Ivy and Sebastian must decide whether to fight for each other-or lose everything in the process.
Grace Parker has dedicated her life to helping others, but when her nonprofit is on the verge of collapse, she's forced to strike a deal with the last man she ever wanted to rely on: Sebastian Cole. Cold, calculating, and devastatingly handsome, Sebastian offers to save her charity but only if she agrees to play the role of his fiancée in a high-stakes business negotiation. What starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals out of control when a single night of passion leaves Grace with a life altering secret. As their fake relationship begins to feel all too real, Grace and Sebastian are drawn together by more than just their shared goals. But standing in their way are Sebastian's manipulative ex, Natasha Blake, and his ruthless rival, Henry Adler, who will stop at nothing to destroy everything Grace and Sebastian have built. When lies, betrayal, and secrets threaten to tear them apart, Grace and Sebastian must confront their deepest fears and decide if the love they've found is worth fighting for.
Lucas Sterling has everything money, power, and a reputation as the city's most eligible bachelor. But behind the charm and billion-dollar smile lies a man scarred by betrayal and convinced love is nothing more than a liability. Emily Harper is his complete opposite a spirited schoolteacher with a passion for helping others and no patience for arrogant playboys like Lucas. When fate throws them together, sparks fly, and Lucas finds himself captivated by the one woman who refuses to fall for his charm. As Emily challenges Lucas to confront his demons, a shadow from his past resurfaces. Isabella Royce, his cunning ex-lover, is determined to reclaim him at any cost even if it means destroying everything Lucas holds dear. Can Emily's love tame the heart of a man who's built walls around it? Or will Isabella's schemes shatter their fragile bond before it has a chance to bloom?
Trapped in a marriage she never wanted, Lily Hart is thrust into the cold, calculating world of billionaire CEO Adrian Blackwood. He married her only to claim her father's company, and his resentment is as intense as his possessiveness. Behind his mask of power and wealth, Adrian harbors a dark affection for his mistress, Celeste. a beauty with a vengeful soul and her sights set firmly on destroying Lily. In Adrian's world, love is as elusive as freedom, and for Lily, it's nowhere to be found. She's nothing but a pawn, forced to endure his cruelty and trapped in a twisted game of control and desire. But as the walls close in and secrets unravel, Adrian's indifference begins to shift into something else, something possessive and obsessive that even he can't deny. Lily must find the strength to survive in a world built to shatter her and face the question: will she ever escape Adrian's ruthless grasp, or will she be forever bound to a man who will do anything to keep her?
Emilia Rosemont never expected her life to turn into a gilded cage. Forced into a marriage with billionaire CEO Alessandro DiLaurentis, she becomes a pawn in a twisted game of family legacy and cruel ambition. For Alex, the marriage is nothing more than an obligation one he despises and resents. His heart belongs to another, and he doesn't hide his disdain for the wife he was forced to marry. Trapped in his world of wealth and power, Emilia endures his coldness, his cruelty, and the haunting knowledge that her husband will never love her. But as Alex's possessiveness grows, so does his conflicted desire, leaving Emilia ensnared in a web of hate, obsession, and forbidden attraction. With his seductive mistress, Vanessa, pulling the strings from the shadows, Emilia realizes that escape might be impossible. In this dark billionaire romance of love and betrayal, Emilia must find the strength to survive a man who both despises and craves her, in a world where everyone has a price and love is the ultimate sacrifice. Will she ever be free, or is she destined to remain the Surrogate Wife forever?
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
"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.
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."