When Aurora's world collapses around her, she's forced to make a desperate choice. Her brother's life-threatening illness has left them drowning in medical bills, and her own future hangs in the balance. Not until she meets Xavier Williams. A ruthless billionaire mogul with a proposal that's both shocking and tempting. Become his contracted wife for six months, and he'll pay her brother's medical bills. As Aurora Maneuver the dark underbelly of Xavier's world, she uncovers secrets, lies, and a web of deceit that threatens to destroy everything. Will their twisted arrangement become a toxic trap, or can Aurora find a way to reclaim her life and forge a new future?
Aurora pushed the door to Alex's bedroom open and stopped frozen in shock.
Alex her boyfriend was busy making out with cassidy, her neighbor. They were in a compromising position.
The image seared itself into her brain and Aurora felt like she had been punched in the gut.
"Alex!!!" She yelled her voice shaking as tears started welling up in her eyes.
The both of them quickly slid under the sheets and Alex faced her with cold eyes.
"Surprised?" He raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean by surprised ?" She asked.
"Isn't it obvious? You no longer have my time. You're always busy with your brother and work. Honestly Gorge is going to die anyways. So, stop trying" Alex snapped.
Aurora anger boiled over. She felt a surged of adrenaline coursing through her veins.
She was trying her best to be optimistic about George health but Alex's words cut deep.
She stormed to the side of his bed. Before he could react, her hand flew out and slapped him across the cheeks, sending his head tilting sideways.
"You can say all you want about me but don't you ever dare open your filthy mouth, and talk about George," she snarled.
With that she turned and ran out of the apartment. The tears she was holding back had started streaming down her cheeks freely.
She was late for work and couldn't find a cab. She quickly wiped her tears and took off on foot.
After about 30 minutes of running, she arrived at the restaurant, gasping for breath.
She quickly wiped her tears and composed herself before pushing the door open.
The restaurant was meant for elites only. And the atmosphere was calm as usual. She spotted John her colleague, coming out from the kitchen and she ran to him.
"Is Mrs Miller around?" She asked.
"Ehm...she came about an hour ago," John replied.
"Oh God, I'm doomed," She muttered.
"Quickly get dressed In your uniform before she comes out," John said as he glanced at the door leading to Mrs Miller office to see if she was coming.
"Ok," Aurora nodded running into the staff's changing room.
She quickly changed and emerged only to find Mrs Miller waiting for her, a Stern expression on her face.
"And what's your excuse for today ?" Mrs Miller asked.
"I'm... I'm sorry please, I couldn't find a ride here," Aurora quickly apologized.
"Sorry? Be sorry for your self. Your fired!" Mrs Miller half yelled.
Aurora eyes widened in horror as she felt her spirit leave her body for a sec. She couldn't loose this job. George medical bills are there and her rent was almost due. She lost her other jobs last week and this was the only on she had left.
"Please don't do this Ma'am. I really need the money for my brother's hospital bills, please I'm begging you," Aurora fell on her knees pleading.
"I don't care. I won't have you coming to my restaurant late every single time and always try to cook up an excuse or an apology. That's it. Take off my uniform and leave this premises now!" Mrs Miller yelled.
Aurora searched her face to see if it held a single remorse, but, she saw none. All she saw was anger and hate.
Right from the start Mrs Miller didn't like her but she tried her best to please the old witch but couldn't.
Fresh tears start rolling down her cheeks as she grabbed Mrs Miller's legs.
"Please don't do this to me. Please ma'am. My brother's life is in your hands, I need this job please," Aurora cried.
"Get those filthy hands of me. Your freaking brother's life isn't in my hands," Mrs Miller snapped shaking Aurora off her leg.
"Leave for the last time or I'll call the cops," She threatened.
Aurora knew that was it for her. She was officially jobless and heart broken.
She changed back into her casual clothes and left the restaurant reluctantly.
Her mind was messed up as different thought ran through it. She didn't even know whether to go home or to the hospital to check on George.
His cancer was surely eating him up. She was already owing the hospital and his medication bills was the only thing she was able to clear.
He phone rang from her pocket disrupting her thoughts. Without checking the caller's ID, she brought the phone out and answered the call, before placing it on her ear.
"Hello," she whispered.
"Hello Miss Anderson, this is Doctor Connor speaking," the caller said.
Her eyes widened, as she regretted picking the call. She was trying to avoid any call from the hospital lately because of the bills.
"Ehm...Doc... Doctor... Connor. How may I help you?"Aurora stuttered.
"You have not been picking up my calls but thank goodness you did today. George condition has taking a turn for the worst, and we need to perform an urgent transplant, one of his organs is down," Doctor Connor informed.
"How much will it cost," Aurora asked, knowing fully well they'll ask for money.
"$7,000" Doctor Connor replied.
Her eyes instantly widened.
Where was she going to get that amount from, she bearly had $2,000 on her.
She quickly ended the call and shoved he phone back into her pocket.
This was it. She was finally hopeless. She couldn't watch George die but on second thought she can't do anything currently.
A thought suddenly crossed her mind and she stared at the story building ahead of her.
"If I can't watch you die, I might as well die before you," she muttered proceeding into the building.
She cried as she ran up the stairs leading to the rooftop. All the memories she had with George came playing back in her head in vivid flashes.
More tears fell from her eyes as she got to the rooftop.
The night breeze was cold as it blew by, pushing her hair forward, making it to cover her face.
She quickly, tucked her hair behind her ears, approaching the edge.
"I'm sorry George," she mumbled, closing her eyes.
Just as was about to jump, a muscular hand encircled around her waist pulling her back.
"Ahhhhh!" She screamed as the both fell backwards, with she landing on top of him.
Aria Alessandro's life is turned upside down when she's taken by Valtor, Italy's most feared crime lord. Her only crime? Being a pawn in a debt she didn't know existed. With her innocence and beauty captivating this devil, Aria must survive his treacherous world of power and obsession. But Valtor, known as "Il Diavolo" (The Devil), is a man shrouded in mystery and feared by all. His cold calculation and merciless ambition have earned him the respect and terror of his enemies. Will she escape the clutches of Valtor ? What happens when she starts falling in love with this heartless monster ?
In the shadows of San Diego, vampires lurk, and Vincent, the ruthless king of the underworld, reigns supreme. Feared by all, his gaze is a death sentence. Naomi Clinton, a shy but fierce college student, lives on the outskirts of town, near the woods where Vincent hides. When curiosity gets the better of her, Naomi enters the forbidden woods, attracting Vincent's attention. Her life is forever changed as she's dragged into a world of hell and slavery.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
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."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to 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."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!