During the day, she was a dedicated and humble housekeeper. As night fell, she cleaned her scar and showed her breathtaking beauty to become the substitute wife of the billionaire president. Soon, the secret of her being a substitute was revealed and all the ladies in New York couldn't wait to see her falling from grace. However, no matter how long they waited, they only got to see her live an extraordinary life - she could create perfumes and make drugs. Her charisma killed all. Some president even turned into uxorious and spoiled her with his heart and soul. "She's mine. Stay away from her!"
"You have no choice, Baila. Sleep with my husband tonight, or you'll never see your grandmother again!"
Standing outside the presidential suite of the Ruy Hotel, Baila Nelson froze.
Rowan Hayes was Phoebe Nelson's husband, the man Phoebe had married two years ago only to cast him aside with disdain. To Phoebe, he was nothing more than an illegitimate heir, unworthy of her time. She had taken Baila's grandmother hostage to force Baila to take her place, using her as a substitute for herself.
Fortunately, Baila had never crossed paths with Rowan, as he had spent the past two years abroad.
But Baila had never imagined that the moment Rowan returned, Phoebe would demand that she sleep with him.
Baila's fists clenched at the thought of her grandmother, who was taken away as leverage. "Fine," she finally said through gritted teeth.
Baila walked into the presidential suite. It was dimly lit inside.
A figure lay sprawled across the massive bed. The man looked strikingly handsome.
So this was "her husband"-the man she had been "married" to for two years.
She hadn't expected him to be so young. And certainly not this handsome.
Biting her lower lip, Baila hesitated for only a moment before crawling onto the bed.
Her trembling fingers reached for his belt, fumbling at the clasp.
The second her skin brushed against his waist, she shivered.
Before she could react, a strong hand shot out, seizing her wrist. In an instant, she was yanked forward, crashing against the man's solid frame.
The scent of alcohol clung to him, heavy and intoxicating. His warm breath ghosted over her face. "Who are you?"
His voice was deep and cold.
Baila barely had time to catch her breath before she met his eyes.
At some point, he had woken up, his piercing gaze now locked onto her with an unsettling intensity.
Baila's heartbeat thundered in her ears. For a split second, she hesitated. Then, she leaned in, pressing her lips against his. "Shh," she whispered against his mouth, "if you need an answer, just know this-I'm your wife."
***
The next morning.
The Ruy Hotel was locked down. A line of bodyguards in black suits stood guard outside the presidential suite, their presence heavy with tension.
Inside, Rowan was awake, leaning against the headboard. His fingers idly tapped against his knee, his eyes sharp with anger.
Last night had been a blur. Fresh off a flight back to the country, he had been whisked off to a business dinner, only to be sent back drunk to his hotel room by his secretary.
When he had woken up, he had seen a woman straddling him.
He had never thought he would wake up while being intimate with someone else.
Over the years, countless women had tried to seduce him, yet none had dared to force themselves on him. That woman was the first.
And afterward, she had disappeared without a word.
Very well. That bold woman, reckless with desire, at least had the sense to run-knowing full well he would have destroyed her if she had been caught.
The bed was a mess, sheets rumpled, with a stark patch of dried blood standing out against the crisp white fabric.
Rowan exhaled slowly, his throat tightening. A virgin. And yet, she had been bold enough to do something like that.
"Boss." Clive Aston, Rowan's secretary, strode inside urgently. "We've found out who the woman was."
"Who was she?" Rowan asked.
"Your wife," Clive replied.
"My wife?" Rowan frowned, but as the words settled, fragments of a long-forgotten memory surfaced.
Two years ago, the Hayes and Nelson families had arranged his marriage, the matter orchestrated by his grandmother, Old Mrs. Hayes. He had never given much thought to his marriage to Phoebe, who had been brought in a car to Imperial Manor on their wedding night. Their marriage had been kept secret, known only to a select few.
And now, after two years apart, the woman in his bed last night had been his so-called wife?
"I need to return to Imperial Manor," Rowan said, his voice cold.
***
Imperial Manor.
When Baila returned, she met Phoebe's eyes. "I did what you asked me to do."
Phoebe glanced at the hickeys scattered along Baila's skin, barely concealed beneath her collar. Those imprints had been made by her husband-ones that should have belonged to her.
But Phoebe wasn't a virgin.
"Listen carefully, Baila. Last night never happened. As far as the world is concerned, I am Rowan's wife. Rowan is the head of the Hayes family. Your time as a stand-in is over. I will take my place as Mrs. Hayes now," Phoebe said.
During the day, she was a dedicated and humble housekeeper. As night fell, she cleaned her scar and showed her breathtaking beauty to become the substitute wife of the billionaire president. Soon, the secret of her being a substitute was revealed and all the ladies in New York couldn't wait to see her falling from grace. However, no matter how long they waited, they only got to see her live an extraordinary life - she could create perfumes and make drugs. Her charisma killed all. Some president even turned into uxorious and spoiled her with his heart and soul. "She's mine. Stay away from her!"
During the day, she was a dedicated and humble housekeeper. As night fell, she cleaned her scar and showed her breathtaking beauty to become the substitute wife of the billionaire president. Soon, the secret of her being a substitute was revealed and all the ladies in New York couldn't wait to see her falling from grace. However, no matter how long they waited, they only got to see her live an extraordinary life - she could create perfumes and make drugs. Her charisma killed all. Some president even turned into uxorious and spoiled her with his heart and soul. "She's mine. Stay away from her!"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
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."
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!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
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."