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When Lila Monroe's ex-boyfriend, Julian Sterling, announces his engagement, she drowns her sorrows at an upscale bar, waking up in a stranger's bed the bed of none other than Ethan Sterling, her ex's ruthless and dangerously alluring brother. Lila's life takes a devastating turn when her father is imprisoned, his fate orchestrated by Julian's cruel schemes. With no one else to turn to, she strikes a risky deal with Ethan. He'll save her father and restore her family's honor, but only if she agrees to a marriage of convenience...and an heir. Caught between her lingering heartbreak and Ethan's intense, possessive nature, Lila must navigate a world of betrayal, passion, and family secrets. Yet the more she resists Ethan, the more undeniable their attraction grows, sparking a dangerous game neither is prepared for. But when she discovers she's carrying his child, Lila must decide if she's willing to risk everything even her heart for a man who may only see her as a pawn in his deadly rivalry.
The bass pulsed through Lila's veins, thick and intoxicating, as she tipped back her third glass of whiskey, the amber liquid burning its way down her throat. Tonight, she wasn't Lila Monroe, the composed marketing executive with her life carefully packaged in neat, measured boxes. Tonight, she was a woman abandoned, a lover scorned-just another heartbroken soul swallowed by the city lights.
She shut her eyes, savoring the heavy warmth in her limbs, her skin tingling as the alcohol began to work its magic. Julian's words echoed in her mind like a haunting melody she couldn't shake. I'm doing this for us, Lila. I'll always care about you. Care. That word twisted her insides, leaving a bitter taste behind. Love was never enough for Julian Sterling; ambition had always come first.
With a deep sigh, she glanced around the dimly lit lounge, taking in the glimmering chandeliers, the velvet-lined booths, and the buzz of New York's elite around her. She didn't belong here-not tonight, not anymore. But she had come for one reason, and one reason only: to lose herself in the rhythm of music and forget, if only for a few hours, the man who had carved his way into her heart only to shred it apart.
"Another?" The bartender, a handsome man with a crisp, black vest and warm hazel eyes, leaned in, his gaze lingering just a little too long. She noticed the faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looked her over.
"Why not?" she replied, her lips curling into a half-smile. The night was young, and she wanted nothing more than to drown every memory of Julian until it dissolved into oblivion. The bartender slid her a fresh glass, and she lifted it in a silent toast-to broken hearts, to bad decisions, to finding a way to forget.
"Rough night?" His voice was low, smooth, and a little too perceptive.
Lila laughed softly, the sound tinged with a hint of bitterness. "You could say that. It's one of those nights where you realize...maybe you've been wasting your time."
He nodded knowingly, leaning against the bar with an ease that suggested he'd heard his fair share of late-night confessions. "Well, in that case, I'd say you're in the right place. Just make sure you don't drink the memories away for good. Some things are worth keeping."
"Oh, trust me," she murmured, swirling the liquid in her glass, "there's nothing worth keeping here."
She downed the whiskey in one long, searing gulp, her gaze drifting over the crowded lounge. A sleek black suit caught her attention, its wearer's back turned as he spoke to another man in a low, intent conversation. Something about the way he held himself-the commanding presence, the ease with which he filled the room-drew her in, a magnetic pull she couldn't resist. She barely registered herself standing up, her steps unsteady as she walked toward him, leaving the bar and the faintly amused bartender behind.
She approached him without a plan, without a single coherent thought beyond the need to escape herself. And somehow, it felt like he was the answer, or maybe just the perfect distraction. She was close enough now to catch the deep timber of his voice, though his words were lost beneath the music. But as if sensing her presence, he turned, his gaze locking onto hers with a sharp intensity that left her breathless.
Her breath hitched. The man was handsome in a way that bordered on dangerous-sculpted cheekbones, dark eyes that seemed to hold a hint of something primal, something untamed beneath the polished exterior. He was unmistakably wealthy, the subtle tailoring of his suit and the quiet confidence in his stance giving him away.
"Hello." Her voice came out softer than she intended, almost hesitant, as she met his gaze.
He raised a brow, a flicker of intrigue passing over his face. "Hello." His tone was cool, distant, but there was a glint in his eyes that betrayed a hint of curiosity.
"Do you mind if I...?" She gestured vaguely, realizing with a pang of embarrassment that she wasn't sure what she was asking.
One corner of his mouth lifted in a faint, almost amused smile. "Go ahead."
The permission was all she needed. She closed the gap between them, leaning in slightly, feeling the intoxicating pull of his presence, his scent-spice and cedar, sharp and luxurious. She couldn't remember the last time someone had unsettled her like this, the last time she'd felt so drawn to a complete stranger.
"I don't usually do this," she murmured, a hint of self-conscious laughter in her voice.
He tilted his head, studying her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. "And what is it you're doing, exactly?"
"Trying to forget someone." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and for a moment, vulnerability flashed across her face. She half-expected him to laugh, to brush her off, but instead, his expression softened, a spark of understanding passing between them.
"Well," he said quietly, his gaze never wavering, "maybe I can help with that."
Without another word, he took her hand, his grip firm and warm as he led her through the crowd, past the thrum of music and the glances of curious onlookers. They moved toward a quieter corner of the lounge, a secluded area where the noise faded into the background, leaving only the two of them enveloped in an electrifying silence.
They sat, and she found herself leaning closer, drawn in by the dark mystery of his gaze, the calm confidence in his every move. The room seemed to shrink around them, the world outside fading away.
"What's your name?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
He hesitated, as if deciding how much he wanted to reveal. "Ethan," he replied finally. "Ethan Sterling."
Her heart skipped a beat. Sterling. The name settled over her like a cold shadow, a realization twisting in her stomach. No. It can't be.
"Sterling... as in-"
"Yes," he interrupted, his tone firm, the glint of recognition in his eyes unmistakable. "Julian Sterling's brother."
A wave of disbelief crashed over her, mingling with the buzz of alcohol in her veins. She stared at him, processing the revelation, her mind whirling with confusion, attraction, and the faintest hint of alarm. Yet, despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to move, to pull away.
Aria Kensington has always been the forgotten one the illegitimate daughter of a powerful family, overshadowed by her perfect sister and despised by her stepmother. When her long-time boyfriend betrays her for her sister, Aria's world shatters. But the real blow comes when she's forced into an arranged marriage with a man she's never met a cold, reclusive billionaire rumored to be disabled. Damon Blackwood is no ordinary billionaire. His disability is a ruse, and beneath his icy exterior lies a man who controls an empire built on secrets and power. When Aria is thrust into his world, she becomes more than just his wife she becomes his obsession. Trapped in a marriage of convenience that feels more like a gilded cage, Aria soon discovers the dark side of Damon's love. As their fiery passion ignites, she must decide whether to embrace the man who claims her body and soul or risk losing herself in his dangerous game. In a world where love is power and trust is a luxury, can Aria break free of the chains that bind her or will she fall deeper into Damon's seductive grip?
Lily Tang once believed that love could conquer anything-even a cold, indifferent husband. Bound by a contract marriage to Daniel Zhang, the powerful CEO who barely acknowledged her existence, Lily spent three silent years devoted to a man who never looked her way. But when his first love returned, Daniel didn't hesitate. He brought her into their home and left Lily with nothing but a divorce contract and a shattered heart. Determined to start fresh, Lily walked away, hiding the one secret she carried: she was pregnant with his child. Now, five years later, Lily is back in Shanghai, no longer the timid wife but a successful CEO with a confidence that turns heads and a little boy who looks just like his father. When their paths collide at a high-stakes business event, Daniel is struck by her transformation-and the child by her side. Haunted by the past, Daniel is desperate to win back the woman he lost. But Lily is no longer willing to be his second choice. This time, she's fighting for herself, and she's not letting her heart be broken twice. In a world where power and passion clash, will Daniel prove himself worthy of a second chance, or will he lose her forever to the life she built without him?
In the dark heart of Everglen, Lyra Blackwood once ruled as a celebrated heiress until betrayal stole everything. Set up by her best friend, disowned by her family, and forced into exile, she's spent years rebuilding her life in shadows, raising her young twins with fierce independence. But when fate pulls her back to the city she once called home, she's armed with one mission: revenge. Her target? The ruthless, possessive Alpha Damien Silverclaw Evergreen's wealthiest CEO, and the man who unknowingly fathered her children. Yet Damien is no ordinary man; he's her fated mate, and his power both tempts and terrifies her. As she edges into his dangerous world, their passion ignites under the guise of a contract marriage, but secrets soon threaten to unravel everything. Now, tangled in a bond she didn't choose, Lyra must decide: is her revenge worth risking her heart? Or will she surrender to the dark allure of the one man who could break her... or save her?
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?
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
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?"
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?”
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Amy didn't expect that her husband whom she had loved and trusted earnestly for many years would be cheating on her by having sex with his secretary. When she confronted him, he and his secretary mocked and ridiculed her, they called her barren to her face, afterall, she had not conceived for the past three years that she had been married to her husband, Callan. Terribly Heartbroken, she filed for divorce and left to the club, she picked a random gigolo, had a hot one night stand with him, paid him and dissapeared to a small city. She came back to the country six years later with three identical cute boys and three identical cute girls of the same age. She settled and got a job but soon find out that her CEO was the gigolo she had sex with six years back at the club. Will she be able to hide her six little cuties from her CEO, who happens to be the most powerful man in NorthHill and beleived to be infertile? Can Amy and the most powerful man in NorthHill get along considering the social gap between them.