Ariana Sullivan is a beautiful and ambitious young woman, but she lives under the weight of the crushing debts left by her late father. Desperate to protect her family from unscrupulous creditors, she finds herself faced with an unexpected proposition: a marriage contract with Rafael Moretti, an enigmatic billionaire who secretly runs one of the most powerful mafia networks in the country. Rafael has it all: wealth, power, and a reputation that makes even his enemies tremble. But to cement a crucial deal with a rival cartel, he must marry. Ariana, with her beauty and scandal-free past, is the perfect bride to bolster his public image. In exchange, he promises to pay all her debts and keep her family safe. But what begins as a business marriage quickly turns into a dangerous game of power, secrets, and desire. Is Rafael really the cold, calculating man he claims to be, or is there a pain and vulnerability beneath him that Ariana can see through? And as she delves deeper into Rafael's dark, unforgiving world, Ariana discovers disturbing truths about her own family-and the real reasons behind this marriage.
Ariana Sullivan stood in the grand living room of her family mansion, the elegant walls decorated with old portraits of her ancestors, but all around her seemed only dust and decay. His father's debts, accumulated at breakneck speed over the past few years, were an invisible chain that was suffocating him. One debt after another, each more threatening than the last, creditors had presented themselves, demanding their share of what was left of the Sullivan empire. And what was left...wasn't much.
The chilly wind of late autumn blew through the broken windows, reminding Ariana every moment that everything she had known - wealth, comfort, the illusion of a life protected - crumbled between his fingers.
She scrutinized the papers scattered on her father's desk, letters of formal notice and warnings of seizure. The numbers made her head spin. Millions in debt, a legacy of reckless decisions, and a dead father who ultimately left only a broken promise. Ariana bit her lip, her throat tight. She had always admired her father, but he had betrayed her by leaving her family in this ruin. She had to find a solution. For herself. For his mother, who was lost in the melancholy of loss. And for his little sister, who had not yet grasped the extent of the trap that was closing on them.
Creditors were not people you could negotiate with. Shadow men, with dirty hands and cold eyes, ready to do anything to get back what was owed to them. She could almost hear them, their raspy voices in her ears, the pressure of their fingers crossed around her neck. But Ariana wasn't ready to let it happen. She had her own pride. She knew that only a radical solution could save them. And tonight, an opportunity was going to present itself to her, although she hadn't looked for it.
She stood up suddenly, dropping a pile of papers in frustration. An invitation to a charity dinner placed on the corner of the desk caught his attention. A dinner hosted by the Morettis. The rumors about this family were as vast as their empire, but what immediately captivated Ariana was a name written at the bottom of the invitation: Rafael Moretti. The name of this enigmatic and ruthless billionaire, the one everyone spoke about in hushed tones. It was rumored that he controlled more than just his businesses. He ruled over the underworld, the mafias, and the lost souls who dared to cross his path.
Ariana 's heart was beating harder. The idea of meeting a man like him intimidated her, but at the same time she felt a strange excitement. Perhaps there was a chance for her to negotiate a less chaotic future. She didn't yet know in what way, but this dinner would be the gateway to something big. Very big.
A few days later, Ariana stood in front of her bedroom mirror, examining every detail of her black dress, an elegant and simple piece that highlighted her figure without overdoing it. She had opted for light makeup, her hair styled in a cascade of perfect curls. She had to look perfect. Not too helpless, not too fragile. She had to sell the image of the strong, dignified woman who fought for her family, even if deep down, she felt a fragility that she had never shown to anyone.
She arrived at dinner feeling like she was being watched. The scale of the place, the dazzling luxury of the entrance hall, the sparkling chandeliers... it all seemed unreal. Men in black suits and women in evening gowns struggled to appear nonchalant, but the atmosphere was palpable, tense. Ariana immediately felt disconnected from this world, like an intruder who wasn't supposed to be there. But it was there, in this world, that she could perhaps find a solution.
The look she looked for in the crowd, and which she ended up meeting, was cold. A man stood across the room, alone, with a glass of red wine in his hand, but his imposing posture, his air of mystery, everything about him screamed power. Rafael Moretti. He was even more impressive in person. Medium in size, but with an overwhelming presence, he exuded an icy aura, as if the air around him was denser than that of the others. His dark, piercing eyes seemed to pass through people as if they were nothing but air. Ariana felt a rush of adrenaline, her heart beating a little faster with the inevitable encounter.
When he noticed her, there was no excessive gesture. Just a subtle tilt of the head. And yet, that was enough to send a strange thrill through her, a thrill that came not from fear, but from a strange sort of desire and curiosity.
Ariana walked towards him, her step confident but her heart racing. A waiter approached to offer them glasses of champagne, and, with a calculated gesture, Rafael grabbed his glass without taking his eyes off Ariana , as if he was waiting for something. He handed her the cup without a word, and she took it, not really knowing how to react. Rafael's gaze didn't leave her.
"You're Richard Sullivan's daughter, aren't you?" » he asked in a low voice, almost too soft to match the intensity of his gaze.
Ariana nodded, a slight tension in her shoulders. " Yes. Ariana Sullivan. »
"I heard about you. » He paused, looking her up and down. "Your family is going through difficult times. »
Ariana felt a pang in her heart, but she didn't flinch. She was used to whispers and judgments. She looked up at him, determined not to be intimidated. "They say that you are a man capable of solving many problems. Maybe you have a solution for mine. »
Rafael looked at her intently, an almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. He wasn't the type to respond immediately. He took a sip of his champagne and, without taking his eyes off her, let the silence hang for a few moments. It was part of his game, his power. She could feel it. He was studying it. He measured every word, every gesture.
Then, finally, he spoke. " Maybe. But it seems to me that you are not here by chance. You are looking for something more than help. »
Ariana felt a shiver run down her spine. How could he guess that? She looked down for a moment, forcing herself to remain calm, then she continued in a more confident voice. " Maybe. But you are right. I'm looking for a solution. My family has lost a lot, and I don't have many options left. »
He examined her for a moment in silence. Time seemed to stretch around them. Then, with calculated slowness, he whispered, "I have a proposition for you. A business wedding. You become my wife, and in return, I pay all your family's debts, I protect you. »
Ariana looked at him, stunned. She didn't see this coming. The proposal was bold, risky, but she could not ignore the immense relief it could bring. But what did that mean, really? She bit her lip, wondering if she had the courage to embark on such an adventure.
Rafael waited, serene, with a slight smile, as if he knew she was going to say yes. He was a man of power, a man who never offered anything without expecting something in return. But Ariana also knew that she didn't have the luxury of refusing. What he offered her was perhaps her only path to survival.
She looked up at him, and her words came out slowly, but with a certainty she had never allowed herself before. " All right. »
For three years, Althea lived in the shadow of an arranged marriage with Damian Crowe, a billionaire as ruthless as they are insistent, known for his dark things and his absolute control over the elite. This marriage, designed by their families to unite two dynasties by the decline, quickly turned into a nightmare. Ignored by Damian, and closely monitored by his allies, Althea has discovered a world of unavowable secrets and questionable transactions. One night, she comes across compromising information that could ruin Damian and her whole family. Realizing that she is only a pawn in their game, she disappears without warning, leaving behind an empire in danger and a man plagued by her own demons. When Althea resurfaces three years later, she was unrecognizable: independent, formidable and armed with a infallible strategy to undermine the power of Damian. In parallel, it becomes the target of the rivals of the latter, who see in it the key to destroy the reign of the Crowe. But Damian did not say his last word. Torn between his desire to reconquer and the fear of the truths that Althea could reveal, he embarks on a battle where love and destruction are intertwined. Does Althea play a vengeance game, or is it about to overthrow a world that she has sworn to never suffer?
Lea, an orphan since she was thirteen, was raised by her charismatic guardian, Gabriel, a man of dazzling success and a reputation as an alpha in the business world. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, Lea surprises a disturbing scene: Gabriel embraces a mysterious-looking assistant in the private office where she has always believed that trust reigned. This unexpected moment awakens in her a storm of feelings: admiration, anger, and a burning fascination for this man who has always been her protector. Determined to turn the situation around, Lea concocts a daring plan to seduce Gabriel. But as she approaches him with newfound confidence, the guardian struggles between his responsibilities and a desire he thought repressed. What is Gabriel really hiding behind his self-confident appearance? Can he resist the growing attraction to this young woman who is no longer the child he raised? Events take a dramatic turn when Lea discovers a shocking secret about Gabriel's past-a secret that could destroy everything between them. Will she be able to handle the consequences of what she's discovered? Is their relationship doomed to be a dangerous game, or could it turn into something even deeper? As tensions rise and passions flare, Lea must face heartbreaking choices: sacrifice her heart to protect the one she loves, or dive headfirst into this forbidden romance, no matter the risk?
Natalie Carter is the daughter of Charles Carter, a powerful real estate tycoon known for his colossal financial empire. She left her family home to live among ordinary people after a humiliating rejection from her fiancé, an influential man she thought was her soul mate. Her escape caused a scandal, bringing shame on her family. Three years later, Natalie leads a discreet life in Manhattan. She lives in a modest apartment in a picturesque neighborhood and works as an executive assistant in a small advertising agency. She is in a relationship with a simple and unremarkable man. All seems peaceful until her neighbor mysteriously disappears. This disappearance is followed by a series of disturbing events, including murders linked to influential figures in high society. Her mother, Elizabeth Carter, contacts her to alert her of an imminent danger linked to their past. Driven by circumstances, Natalie crosses paths with her former fiancé, Alexander Drake, an enigmatic and ruthless billionaire. Faced with plots, betrayals, and shocking revelations, Natalie finds herself forced to return to the world she fled, ending her simple and anonymous life. But can she navigate this whirlwind of lies and power without losing who she has become? And is Alexander an ally or a threat?
In the dark forests of the Dark Moons pack, Elia Ross, a young healer, seeks to heal the wounds of her past. Sent as a protector to the fragile and gentle Liora, she discovers the disturbing secrets of the lupine hierarchy. At the top of this society reigns Kael Drax, the dominant Alpha, as fascinating as he is ruthless. Ten years earlier, Kael was involved in the tragedy that destroyed Elia's family, but he seems not to remember her. When an arranged marriage between Kael and Liora is announced to unite two powerful packs, Elia sees an unexpected opportunity: to protect Liora, but also to confront the Alpha with his sins. However, troubling questions haunt her mind: why does Kael seem strangely attracted to her? What is he hiding behind his brutal decisions? And, most importantly, is she willing to betray her own principles to uncover the truth and break the chains of her past? As tensions rise and pack rivalries intensify, Elia will have to choose between justice, vengeance, and a forbidden desire.
Alessia Ford, an ambitious young woman disillusioned by her family's betrayals, leaves everything to rebuild her life far from her past. She lands a job in the financial empire of Nathan Drake, a billionaire with an icy charm and a fearsome reputation. Alessia, with her sharp mind and natural audacity, intrigues Nathan from their first meeting. But why does this man, used to dominating the business world, seem troubled by a simple employee? While he proposes an arranged marriage for mysterious reasons, Alessia accepts, driven by the need to protect herself from her own family demons. However, as soon as she settles into the luxurious Drake villa, she realizes that Nathan hides much more than a simple financial interest behind this contract. What is he trying to escape or protect? Why do menacing glances fall on her at every gala? Between corporate secrets, all-consuming jealousies and a budding love, Alessia will have to discover the truth before the stakes of this contract become completely beyond her control.
Eloise "Ellie" Carter, a young woman from a tyrannical elite family, is forced to marry a man she despises: a ruthless billionaire Alpha, Adrian Wolfe. Heir to an ancient line of werewolves, Ellie is the shame of her family because her wolf has never shown up. Adrian, leader of the Silversand pack and CEO of a colossal financial empire, agrees to this arranged marriage to solidify a deal vital to his pack. Arrogant, domineering, and elusive, Adrian hides a deep wound: a dark past marked by loss, betrayal, and a curse that eats away at his wolf, threatening his control. In a world where business mixes with pack hierarchy, Ellie is propelled into a world of luxury, power, and rivalry. But she soon discovers that Adrian is not just a domineering Alpha and a business tycoon: he is also a man haunted by a secret that could destroy everything. Why did Adrian really agree to this marriage? What is this strange bond that seems to be forming between them, teetering between hatred and uncontrollable desire? As Ellie tries to prove her worth in a world that sees her as weak, she uncovers conspiracies within Adrian's pack, shady financial alliances, and a threat that could destroy their world. What if her wolf is not lost but simply asleep? What will happen when Ellie discovers she is linked to an ancient prophecy that could either save Adrian or destroy him?
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."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
After a heated confrontation with her husband and mistress, Brianna was pushed down to stairs. She thought she would die but when she woke up again, she realized that she traveled back two years ago, when it was not late for her to correct her path. The first thing she needed to do when she was reborn was divorce that scum. She saved from the darkest time but he lied to her and murdered her in the end. This time, she would not repeat the same mistakes anymore. She would bring the glory of her family back and make those people who betrayed her pay the price! However, in the process of climbing up to the peak of her career, she met a very intimidating and handsome man who kept on messing with her head through his bold attitude. Brianna doesn't want to be involved with another man again, for she has proven to herself that they will just drag her down, but her constant incidents with him are slowly breaking the wall she built to protect her heart. Brianna will surely choose her career over a man this time, but it's possible to choose both, right? What if he hurt her too? No! She won't risk it but. "You have to run away from me, Bree. Coz I'm done running away, I'll chase you now."
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?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.