When self-made billionaire Sebastian Grey needs a wife to secure a critical business merger, he offers struggling artist Charlotte Reed an irresistible deal: one year of marriage in exchange for financial freedom. With her family drowning in debt, Charlotte reluctantly agrees, vowing to keep her heart out of the equation. But as their worlds collide, fake kisses turn into stolen moments, and icy business meetings melt into warm confessions. Bound by a contract but tethered by something deeper, can Sebastian and Charlotte find love in a relationship built on lies? Or will the walls around their hearts prove impossible to tear down?
The rain pelted against the glass walls of the art gallery, each drop a stark reminder of Charlotte Reed's crumbling world. She clutched her portfolio tighter, hoping no one would notice the trembling in her hands. Tonight was supposed to be her breakthrough, the night her art would finally attract the kind of buyers who could lift her from obscurity. Yet, with every passing hour, the dream seemed further away.
Wealthy patrons in tailored suits and glittering gowns meandered through the gallery, their attention fixed on artists more established, more famous, more bankable. Charlotte stood near her display, an uneasy smile plastered on her face, trying to mask the sting of rejection. Her paintings-bold strokes of vibrant blues and oranges that spoke of longing and resilience-barely earned a glance.
"Miss Reed, I'm sorry to interrupt," came a clipped voice behind her. It was Mrs. Dalton, the gallery owner, her face pulled into a tight expression. "But I overheard a potential buyer asking about your work. Perhaps you could-"
"Of course," Charlotte interrupted, her heart leaping. This was her chance. Following Mrs. Dalton across the gallery, she smoothed her dress and practiced her best professional smile.
When she reached the corner where the buyer supposedly stood, she found no one. Charlotte's hope deflated. "Where are they?"
Mrs. Dalton hesitated. "Ah, it seems they've moved on. Perhaps next time."
Charlotte nodded, unwilling to show her disappointment. Next time. That phrase had haunted her for years. Next time, her art would sell. Next time, her bills wouldn't pile up. Next time, her sister wouldn't need to take on extra shifts to help pay for medication.
Across the gallery, she noticed a tall man in a dark suit watching her. He stood out from the rest-not because of his height or the sharpness of his tailored attire, but because of his stillness. While others flitted from one piece to the next, his gaze lingered, unflinching and almost predatory.
Charlotte quickly looked away, unnerved. She didn't have the energy to deal with another critic or, worse, a patron who would offer "advice" instead of buying her work.
Her phone buzzed in her clutch. Pulling it out, she saw her sister's name flashing on the screen. "Abby?"
"Hey, Charlie," Abby's voice crackled on the other end. "Just checking in. How's the big night going?"
Charlotte forced a lightness into her tone. "Oh, you know, schmoozing, dazzling everyone with my charm. Same old."
"Liar," Abby teased, though her voice carried the weariness of someone who had been fighting her own battles for too long. "Listen, I hate to bring this up, but the landlord called again. He's threatening to change the locks if we don't pay by Friday."
"I'll take care of it," Charlotte said quickly.
"With what? You can't keep putting yourself last, Charlie. You've already sold-"
"I said I'll handle it," she snapped, regretting her tone immediately. "Sorry. I'll figure something out, okay? Don't worry."
Abby hesitated before answering. "Okay. Just... don't do anything crazy."
Ending the call, Charlotte felt the weight of the world pressing down on her. Crazy? That was her life now. Every day, she had to make choices that bordered on desperate just to keep her family afloat.
Returning to her display, she found herself face-to-face with the man in the dark suit. He was even more imposing up close. His sharp jawline and piercing gray eyes exuded an air of control that made her uneasy.
"Miss Reed," he said smoothly, his voice rich and deliberate. "Your work is... intriguing."
"Thank you," she replied cautiously, unsure if it was a compliment or a veiled critique.
"I'm curious. What inspires such bold choices?"
His question caught her off guard. Most people asked about techniques or influences, but he seemed genuinely interested. "Life, I guess," she said after a moment. "The struggle, the hope, the contradictions. It's messy, but that's what makes it beautiful."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Messy, indeed. Tell me, Miss Reed, have you considered that sometimes beauty lies in order, in control?"
"Control has its place," she admitted, "but it's in the chaos where you find truth."
He regarded her for a moment longer, as if weighing her words. Then, without warning, he turned and walked away. Charlotte watched him go, puzzled and slightly irritated. Who was he to swoop in with cryptic observations and leave without so much as a goodbye?
Before she could dwell on it further, Mrs. Dalton approached her again, her expression unusually grave. "Charlotte, a word?"
In the office at the back of the gallery, Mrs. Dalton handed her an envelope. "This is your share from tonight's sales."
Charlotte's stomach sank. She opened the envelope to find a check far smaller than she'd hoped. It wasn't enough-not for the rent, not for Abby's medication, not for anything.
"I'm sorry, dear," Mrs. Dalton said, her tone not unkind. "Your work is brilliant, but buyers are... hesitant. They want established names."
"I understand," Charlotte murmured, though bitterness coiled in her chest.
As she left the gallery, the rain still fell in relentless sheets. Pulling her coat tight, she hurried toward the subway, her mind racing with half-formed plans. Maybe she could take on a second job. Maybe she could pawn the last piece of jewelry her mother had left behind.
"Miss Reed," came a familiar voice, stopping her in her tracks.
Turning, she found herself face-to-face with the man from the gallery. He stood beneath a black umbrella, the storm framing him like a scene from a noir film.
"I believe we can help each other," he said.
Her instinct told her to run, but desperation rooted her in place. "Who are you?"
"Sebastian Grey," he replied, extending a hand. "I have a proposition for you."
Charlotte hesitated before shaking his hand. It was warm, firm, and unsettlingly confident. "What kind of proposition?"
"Let's not discuss it in the rain. My car is just over there." He gestured toward a sleek black town car idling by the curb.
"I don't even know you," she said, her voice wary.
"True," he admitted, his smile disarming. "But I believe that will change very soon."
Against her better judgment, Charlotte followed him to the car, curiosity and desperation battling in her mind. Once inside, she was greeted by the scent of leather and a driver who sat silently, his eyes fixed on the road.
Sebastian sat across from her, his posture relaxed but his gaze intense. "Miss Reed, I've been watching you."
The words sent a shiver down her spine. "Excuse me?"
"Your work," he clarified. "Your resilience. You're... exactly what I need."
"And what is it that you need?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
"A wife," he said simply.
The air in the car seemed to freeze. Charlotte blinked, sure she'd misheard him. "A wife?"
"Yes. Temporarily, of course."
"This is insane."
"Not at all," he replied smoothly. "I have a business merger pending that requires me to appear settled, family-oriented. You need financial stability. I'm offering you a solution to your problems-no strings attached, beyond the terms of the contract."
Charlotte stared at him, her mind reeling. It was absurd, unethical, and completely out of the realm of anything she'd ever considered.
"I'm not the kind of woman who agrees to something like this," she said, her voice trembling.
"I'm not asking you to change who you are, Miss Reed. I'm asking you to play a role. For one year, you'll have everything you need-financial freedom, security for your family. And at the end, you walk away, no harm done."
His words were calm, calculated, but Charlotte couldn't ignore the gravity of the offer. It was a lifeline, albeit one tied to a man she barely knew.
She shook her head, laughing bitterly. "This is crazy."
"Sometimes," he said, leaning closer, "crazy is the only way forward."
Charlotte met his gaze, her resolve wavering. In his eyes, she saw something unexpected-a flicker of understanding, perhaps even kindness.
"Think about it," he said, handing her a card with his number. "But don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't wait forever."
The car pulled away, Charlotte stood alone in the rain, Sebastian's offer echoing in her mind. It was madness. But with the weight of her sister's needs and her own crumbling life pressing down on her, madness might be her only option.
Growing up, Nova always felt different from the other Omegas. She was strong, quick, and unafraid to speak her mind. Everything changed when she turned 18 and unlocked her wolf, discovering that she was far more powerful than anyone had realized, and learning the truth about her secret heritage. Alpha Dorian Blackthorn has been searching for his mate for four long years, ever since he became the leader of the Obsidian Moon Pack, the most powerful pack in North America. His search leads him to a distant pack, where he finds Nova being mistreated by an elder, with no one willing to intervene. Will Dorian reject Nova because she's an Omega, or will he embrace her as his true mate and protect her from those who wish to harm her?
Sophie Bennett has spent over a year in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, Liam. Determined to revive their once-thriving romance, Sophie orchestrates the perfect Valentine's Day surprise- a proposal and a luxurious getaway to the Maldives. But her world shatters when a heart-wrenching betrayal forces her to confront the truth about their fading love. In the aftermath of heartbreak, Sophie has an unexpected encounter with Daniel Grayson, a magnetic and enigmatic CEO. In a moment of bold defiance, she hatches an impulsive plan- a fake engagement with a man she barely knows. As their agreement plunges them into an unpredictable adventure, Sophie and Daniel find themselves grappling with emotions neither expected. Will their pretend romance ignite a genuine connection, or will the secrets and challenges between them keep them apart?
When Clara West is dragged into the ocean's depths, she's saved by the mysterious and alluring billionaire, Victor Hale. Their unexpected encounter ignites a forbidden romance that threatens to shatter Clara's privileged existence. Clara navigates the treacherous waters of family expectations and dark secrets, Victor's hidden past casts a dangerous shadow over their growing love. In a world where wealth and power reign, can their passion survive the storm of lies and betrayal? Dive into a sultry, suspenseful romance where the high seas meet high society, and where the truth is deadlier than the ocean's deepest depths.
Best friends, Emily and Olivia, have been inseparable since childhood. Their bond has weathered countless storms, but when they both meet the charming, mysterious Noah, everything changes. He's everything they've both ever wanted-kind, intelligent, and impossibly magnetic. What begins as harmless attraction soon turns into a whirlwind of love, lust, and temptation. But when Noah's affections are divided between the two, their friendship is torn apart, and betrayal lies in the shadows. As passions escalate, Emily and Olivia must confront their deepest desires and fears-only to discover that sometimes, love can be the most dangerous game of all.
Under the glow of the Eclipse Moon, Selene, a skilled healer with an unknown legacy, is bound by fate to Alpha Raiden, the formidable leader of the Crescent Fang Pack. Their union should mark a new era of strength and unity, but an ancient prophecy foretells devastation if they come together. Rival Alpha Draven of the Obsidian Howl Pack schemes to exploit the prophecy, Selene uncovers her hidden powers and a sacred bond to the Moon Goddess that could save or doom them all. With the support of her fierce best friend, Nyssa, and her growing love for Raiden, Selene must embrace her destiny and prove her worth as Luna. When betrayal and war threaten their pack, Selene faces a harrowing choice: sacrifice herself to break the curse or fight against destiny to claim the love and future she deserves. Can Selene and Raiden rewrite the stars, or will their love be eclipsed by the shadows of fate? This is a tale of love, courage, and defying destiny against all odds.
Leila's world is turned upside down when she's rejected by her mate, the alpha of her pack, and forced to leave everything she's ever known. But fate has other plans. Deep in the heart of the wilderness, two twin alphas, Rylan and Ronan, find her injured and broken, their instincts pulling them to her like never before. They offer her a chance for healing- but at a cost. In a world where omegas are meant to belong to only one alpha, Leila's heart is torn between two men who share a bond deeper than she could ever have imagined. As dark secrets unravel, Leila must choose: remain the rejected omega, or embrace a love that defies everything she's been taught.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Cathryn, an orphan with no family ties to Grayson, regarded him only as family. He, however, valued her as a precious jewel. From their very first encounter, Cathryn's destiny was intertwined with his. Once lonely and desiring affection, she was ensnared by his love, unable to break free. Eventually, she managed to escape his emotional clutches. Shockingly, she had fallen for someone else. Grayson confronted her sharply. "How could you feel for another?" Unable to meet his eyes, she whispered, "You're family. I can't..." Looking down, he pressed further. "You can't, or you wouldn’t dare?"
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.