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Madeline Hayes never expected her life to be turned upside down by a final wish from her grandfather but that's exactly what happened. Forced into a marriage with the cold and distant Nate Blackwood, she thought she could endure it-after all, she didn't need his wealth or affection. But as time passed, attraction began to blaze. Nate's guarded heart started to melt and Maddie found herself falling for the man she once thought she could never love. When old flames and dark secrets suddenly emerged though, their fragile bond was put to the test. A devastating betrayal drove Maddie to seek revenge prompting Nate to fight for her heart. Would his desperate attempts to win her back be enough or was the damage too deep to repair?
"No way! There is no way in hell I'm getting married to her, grandfather."
Nathaniel Blackwood's furious and sharp voice sliced through the air like a blade as he spoke.
Maddie froze just outside the office door as she listened to him shout. Her hand which had been poised to knock on the door hung in the air as if it had been paralyzed.
She wasn't sure what she had expected when she walked into Blackwood Enterprises this morning but it certainly wasn't coming to see that her prospective husband was arguing-very loudly-about how much he didn't want her.
Inside the office, another voice, older, less loud but no less commanding, responded. "You need a wife, Nate. This is not up for discussion."
A sharp and bitter laugh followed in response. "Oh, it's very much up for discussion, Grandfather. I refuse to play the same twisted game my parents did. I refuse to play it with this stranger from God knows where that you were hooking me up with. "
Maddie's fingers curled tighter around the strap of her handbag.
The receptionist who had led her here gave her an uneasy glance as she clearly debated whether to announce her presence or quietly disappear. Maddie spared the woman a nod-she could handle this.
Or at least she hoped so.
So, steeling herself, she stepped forward and pushed the doors open.
Neither man noticed her as she walked in.
Nate's back was to her as he stood behind a massive oak desk. His broad shoulders were stiff and his hands were braced against the polished surface of the desk as he glared at the older man who was across from him. His grandfather, Bill Blackwood, sat in an imposing leather chair and his aged face was etched with frustration as he stared at the younger man.
Nate scoffed as he shook his head while he continued. "My parents' marriage was a disaster, grandfather. You know that so well. You forced them together and look what happened? My mother resented my father every single day of her life. He buried himself in work and she buried herself in her damn affairs and I-" He stopped abruptly and his jaw tightened before he let out a bitter breath. "I was just collateral damage in their perfect little business arrangement."
Bill exhaled slowly as he rubbed his graying temple. "That doesn't mean you shouldn't have a wife, Nate."
Maddie's pulse thrummed in her ears.
If she'd had any doubts about this marriage, they had just been multiplied one hundred fold.
One week ago, she had stood beside her grandfather's hospital bed while she gripped his frail hand and begged.
"Please, Grandfather. Don't do this. I don't need a husband to run Hayes Empires...I can do this on my own."
But his tired eyes had settled on her as he said firmly, "It's either this marriage, Madeline or you forfeit your position as CEO."
And so, she had agreed because the company and her grandfather were the most important to her.
Now, standing in this office and watching Nate Blackwood argue as if marrying her was the worst possible fate, she wasn't sure whether she should agreeing had been a good idea.
Bill slammed a hand on the desk. "This decision is final, Nate. You will marry-"
Maddie cleared her throat just then.
The room fell into silence and both men turned toward her.
For a second, Nate just stared at her and as he did so, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent an uninvited jolt through her.
What the hell, she thought.
She had researched him-of course, she had. She knew he was attractive because she had seen countless pictures of him online to know this. But those photos hadn't done him justice.
Up close, he was magnetic.
He had dark hair that was slightly tousled as if he had run his fingers through it in frustration. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. There was a raw edge to his features...something untamed beneath the crisp suit he was wearing and the polished businessman veneer that was to him that could not be hidden.
And for a split second-just one-she felt the unmistakable pull of attraction
Then his gaze hardened as it continued to be locked on her face. His lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smirk...that wasn't quite a sneer.
"Well," he drawled in a hard voice laced with disdain, "how long have you been standing there eavesdropping like a fool?"
Maddie's spine straightened immediately at his insult. And just like that, whatever ridiculous moment of attraction she'd felt disintegrated.
She lifted a brow while she tilted her head slightly and said coolly. "Long enough to know that you have the emotional range of a teaspoon."
Bill let out a bark of laughter at that while Nate's glare darkened and his jaw clenched. Then with a slow and deliberate shake of his head, he scoffed out loud.
"So, tell me, Madeline," he drawled out her name like it left a bitter taste in his mouth. "What kind of woman willingly allows herself to be sold into a marriage like this?"
Maddie remained perfectly still and did not say anything.
What could she say?
Nate took a step forward while he continued in a voice that dripped with disdain. "Let me guess...my grandfather waved a fat enough check in your face and you just couldn't resist?"
Maddie's fingers curled into fists at her sides but she forced her expression to remain calm.
It was going to be the first time ever that someone had assumed she was after money.
If only he knew.
But her grandfather had made himself clear to her before he died. "Nathaniel Blackwood cannot know what you're worth, Madeline. That is part of the agreement."
So, instead of insulting him like she wanted to, she simply tilted her head and regarded him with cool detachment. "Actually, I was promised a private island and a yacht. The check was just a bonus."
Bill let out another laugh but Nate wasn't amused. His glare only deepened. "You think this is funny?"
"No." Maddie's lips pressed together. "I think it's ridiculous. But here we are."
He exhaled sharply and turned away as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Of course we are," he muttered under his breath.
Maddie ignored the anger that was simmering beneath her skin and clasped her hands in front of her. "Since this wedding is happening in a week, I assume we should discuss the details?"
Nate let out a harsh laugh. "You assume wrong." He turned back to her with blue eyes that were burning with resentment. "This farce of a wedding is not my problem. You and my grandfather can sort it out like the business transaction it is."
Then, without another word, he strode past her and slammed the office door behind him.
Maddie let out a slow breath after he left.
She turned to Bill who was still watching her with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
"I apologize for my grandson," he said as he shook his head. "He's... resistant."
Maddie lifted a brow. "Resistant?" She sighed as she glanced at the door Nate had just stormed through. "That was certainly not resistant. That was more like full-blown hostility."
Bill chuckled at that. "Give him time."
She wasn't so sure.
After a moment, she met his gaze again. "You planned this with my grandfather."
It wasn't a question.
Bill nodded while his expression grew serious. "Yes."
"Does the wedding have to happen?" she asked.
Bill sighed while his features softened with remorse. "I'm afraid so, my dear. It has to happen."
Maddie swallowed the lump in her throat.
She had agreed to this arrangement out of duty to her grandfather. But standing here now and recalling the pure fury on Nate's face, she knew one thing for certain:
She was in for a nightmare.
In a world of betrayal, secrets, and second chances, can love truly conquer all? Sophia Bennett thought her life was perfect-until the day she walked into her sister's wedding and saw her own husband standing at the altar. Devastated, she soon learns the cruel truth: her sister is pregnant with the man she loved, and the world-including her own family-stands behind them because she is barren. Feeling betrayed, Sophia runs away and makes a reckless decision that changes her life forever: she goes on a one-night stand with a stranger. But that stranger, Alexander Grayson, is no ordinary man. He's a billionaire tech mogul with a dark past, and who is entangled in a rivalry with Sophia's ex-husband. When fate brings them together again, Sophia is forced to confront her feelings for the man who could either heal or destroy her. As dark secrets unfold and Sophia's past and present collide especially as Liam and her mother want her back when she becomes pregnant, Sophia must decide if she's willing to find herself and take a chance on love again.
In the bustling corporate world of Metropolis an unexpected twist of fate occurs in the lives of two individuals Regina Jones, CEO of a well known corporate empire, finds herself thrust into a high-stakes battle for a pivotal business deal that could secure her family's legacy right after a devastating breakup with her boyfriend Alexander, who left her for her own sister. Regina seeks solace in a reckless one-night stand. Little did she know, her impulsive encounter was gonna be with her rival and her ex-uncle. Massimo Gomez , the most handsome, sexy and ruthless boss of the Sicilian Mafia family. His reputation was known for being a playboy, violence and strict when it comes to business. Every living thing on earth and beyond trembles at the mention of his name.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Sequel to chasing my estranged wife; I want you back. ******** " You promised me!'' I screamed. "You promised that you wouldn't hurt me, you made the vows that you would stand beside me, Ryan, and what did you do? You broke me into smithereens. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. When I said we were done. I meant it!" Falling in love with him had come in a whirlwind, she couldn't account for how exactly it had happened but what she knew was that she didn't want to let go once she was in. For Ryan, when he made a vow, he had meant it, but nothing had told him about marriage, that it wasn't just a bed of roses, but it had thorns in it as well. When secrets piled up between them and vows broken, they had no choice but to let go of each other, but years later, he wanted her back. Like the air he breathed, he chased after her, but she was gone. Left with the remnants of his actions, he is torn between getting her back and damning all consequences or letting go of her and his children, which would it be?
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”