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Jade's life is turned upside down when she's wrongfully convicted of drug trafficking. Upon her release, she discovers that her boyfriend, Luke, has been cheating on her and now has a child with her childhood best friend. Just as her world crumbles, fate steps in with an unexpected twist. Grayson Westbrook, a billionaire with a cold and distant demeanor, has sworn off marriage and children after a devastating event in his past. When his mother's pressure becomes unbearable, he proposes a deal to Jade: a marriage of convenience. But what starts as a business arrangement soon stirs deeper emotions. Grayson's words are dry, his affection seems absent, but there's something in his touch that stirs an undeniable passion in Jade. As they navigate their complex and troubled lives, secrets begin to unravel: Will Jade accept the proposal, despite the pain it brings? What truly led to Jade's wrongful conviction, and who betrayed her? What dark trauma haunts Grayson, making him swear off love and commitment?
Jade stood on the steps of the courthouse, her heart a heavy weight in her chest. The warm spring breeze tousled her hair, but she hardly noticed. Everything felt unreal, like a bad dream she couldn't wake up from. A place that had once been her home-the place where her friends, family, and dreams resided-now felt like a foreign land.
Her fingers curled into fists as memories of the last few years flooded her mind. The wrongful conviction. The years behind bars. The betrayal by the man she had loved and trusted, and the betrayal by the best friend who she thought would always stand by her. It was too much for one person to bear.
The sharp click of heels against the pavement drew her attention. She turned and saw her mother, her face creased with worry, walking toward her. The woman had aged since Jade's arrest, her once-vibrant face now a reflection of the anguish she had endured.
"I don't know how you managed to stay so strong," her mother said, wrapping her arms around her daughter. Jade's tears, which she had kept at bay for so long, began to fall freely.
Her mother's arms tightened around her. "It's over now, Jade. You're free. You can finally move on."
But could she?
The truth still lay buried beneath the surface, the real reason behind her conviction. And then there was Luke.
The idea of facing him again was almost too much to bear. How could he have done this to her? He was supposed to be the one person who never turned his back on her. Instead, he had betrayed her in the worst possible way. She had been locked away, and he had moved on. With her best friend, no less.
Grayson Westbrook had no idea how badly she needed to get away from the memories that were now strangling her life. But when he made her an offer, everything changed.
---
Hours later, Jade sat in a small, nondescript coffee shop, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Her fingers drummed nervously against the edge of the table as she waited for him. Grayson Westbrook-the billionaire who had made her an offer she couldn't refuse.
The door to the shop opened with a soft chime, and in walked Grayson, his tall frame casting a shadow over the table. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. He was everything she had imagined-handsome, powerful, composed-but there was something cold about him. A sharpness to his movements, as though he had been hardened by something that no one could see.
Grayson took a seat across from her, his gaze never leaving her face. He studied her with an intensity that unsettled her. Jade opened her mouth to speak, but the words got stuck. His presence was suffocating, and she couldn't find the strength to voice the questions that had been circling in her mind for days.
"Jade," Grayson finally spoke, his voice low and controlled. "I'm glad you could meet me."
He placed a folder on the table, its edges crisp and untouched. "I have a proposition for you. One that could benefit both of us."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
Grayson's lips twitched into the faintest smile, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I understand that your situation is complicated, and I'm aware of the betrayal you've experienced. But I also know what it feels like to have the world expect things from you, to have your every move scrutinized."
She leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "What are you talking about?"
"A marriage of convenience," Grayson said plainly. "I need a wife. Someone who can help me with family matters and my business dealings. You need security, a fresh start, and someone to help you put your life back together. I've studied your case, Jade. I know your history and what you've gone through." He paused, his gaze piercing hers. "You don't have to like me, but we can both benefit from this arrangement."
Jade felt a chill crawl up her spine. "You want me to marry you?" Her voice was incredulous, even though she knew the answer. This wasn't a fairytale. This wasn't love. It was a business deal.
"That's right," Grayson replied, his expression unfazed. "This will be a marriage based on mutual needs, nothing more. A way to keep the pressure from my family off my back and to give you a chance to rebuild your life without the constant reminder of what you've lost."
Jade stared at him, her mind racing. She had no idea what he was hiding behind those cool eyes, what kind of trauma had turned him into this man who saw everything as a transaction. But for the first time in weeks, she saw an opportunity. A way out.
"What's in it for you?" Jade asked, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions within her. "Why would you need a wife? What does it do for you?"
Grayson exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "I've made it clear that I don't believe in relationships. Marriage and children are things I've sworn off. But my mother doesn't understand that. She's been pressuring me for years, trying to set me up with women she deems suitable for my 'status.' This," he gestured between them, "is a way to stop her from meddling in my life."
Jade nodded slowly, absorbing the information. This was a man with a past-a past that haunted him, and now it was threatening to dictate his future.
She didn't know if she could trust him. The idea of marrying a stranger who was offering her security out of sheer necessity felt wrong. But at the same time, there was something in his eyes-a vulnerability he didn't want anyone to see. A side to him that hadn't been hardened by money or power.
Grayson opened the folder in front of him and slid a piece of paper across the table to her. "This is the contract. It's simple. We live as husband and wife in name only. You'll have access to the funds you need to get your life back on track. I'll provide for you, and in return, you'll help me with my family's expectations and maintain the illusion of a perfect marriage."
Jade scanned the document quickly. There were no hidden clauses, no fine print that would come back to haunt her. It was as straightforward as it could be, but the reality of what she was about to do hit her with full force.
"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered, her hand trembling as she touched the paper.
"You don't have to love me," Grayson said, his voice softer now, though still distant. "Just trust me, for now. We'll go through with this and see where it takes us. I'll be nothing but professional with you. We both need this. You know that."
Jade took a deep breath, looking at the man in front of her. She had no other options. This was her way out, a lifeline thrown to her when everything else had failed. The contract before her wasn't just a piece of paper-it was her ticket to freedom.
Slowly, her fingers reached for the pen, and with one quick motion, she signed her name at the bottom.
"Deal," she said quietly, looking up to meet Grayson's gaze.
The moment their eyes locked, Jade knew her life would never be the same again.
Olivia Hayes, a renowned attorney, is drawn to the charismatic and enigmatic tech mogul, Luca Drake. His charm, humor, and innovative vision tick all the boxes for her, and their whirlwind romance sweeps her off her feet. Olivia is already deeply in love with Luca, but behind his thriving tech company lies a dark secret-he is the notorious drug lord of the city's underworld, a side of him he has carefully hidden. Olivia's world unravels when her latest high-profile case puts her directly in Luca's path, sparking suspicions and uncovering threads that lead to his shady dealings. As her feelings for Luca deepen and her case escalates, Olivia begins to uncover chilling clues that suggest Luca's involvement in the very crimes she's dedicated her life to fighting. Torn between her duty to uphold the law and her love for Luca, Olivia is forced to navigate the dangerous world of organized crime, deception, and betrayal.
Mira has always lived in the shadows of despair. With a life full of pain and little hope, she's learned to survive but never to dream. For Jaxon, the scars of his first love run deep. The hollow void left by that lost connection makes it impossible for him to commit, and he drifts from one fleeting relationship to the next. But everything changes when Mira enters his life. Their meeting is anything but fateful. Hatred fills the air as Jaxon rejects the bond that should unite them, forcing Mira to endure his indifference. Jaxon loves her even as he resists, while Mira bears the weight of his inner turmoil. Can they conquer the trials that threaten to tear them apart, or will the shattered pieces of their bond destroy them forever?
Born of a forbidden union, Ashen is haunted by the brutal murder of his mother. Seeking revenge, he infiltrates the powerful Obsidian Pack, determined to bring justice to those who shattered his world. Within the pack, he meets Penelope, the fierce and determined Alpha female destined to lead. Drawn to Ashen despite his outcast status, Penelope finds herself falling for the one man she's forbidden to love. Bound by unyielding tradition, her love for him threatens everything she's ever known. As Ashen's plan for vengeance unfolds, he must confront an impossible choice: sacrifice his growing love for Penelope or abandon his quest for justice. For Penelope, the stakes are just as high-will she risk breaking her pack's laws for a love that could destroy them all?
When billionaire heir Damon Knight is forced into an arranged marriage to secure a business merger, he expects a compliant, gold-digging bride. What he doesn't anticipate is his match, Elena Castellano-a fiercely independent artist who has no interest in his wealth or his world. Bound by duty but divided by pride, Damon and Elena embark on a marriage neither of them wants but can't escape. As their lives intertwine, passion ignites, revealing secrets that could shatter everything. In a world driven by power and betrayal, will their love grow strong enough to defy the odds, or will it crumble under the weight of their lies and pasts?
In the charming coastal town of Willow Haven, Grace Delaney is starting over. After a devastating breakup and the closure of her small bakery, she returns to her hometown to regroup and rediscover herself. Enter Lucas Hayes, a former big-city architect who has moved to Willow Haven to escape his own troubled past. When a community project brings Grace and Lucas together, their undeniable chemistry begins to spark. But Grace's guarded heart and Lucas's lingering guilt over a family tragedy threaten to tear them apart. As they navigate the challenges of trust, healing, and love, the autumn leaves falling around them remind them that letting go of the past may lead to a brighter future.
After being rejected by his mate years ago, Alpha Tristan is forced to face the truth: his heart still belongs to Selene. Now, a threat looms over their pack, and when Selene returns to help with the danger, the bond between them is undeniable once more. But can they overcome the scars of the past, or is their second chance doomed to repeat the same mistakes? As danger grows and secrets are revealed, Tristan and Selene must decide if their love is strong enough to heal old wounds and protect the future of their pack.
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?
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
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."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!