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Jameson Edward is a man who has lost everything. Once the rightful heir to the Edward family empire, he was cut off by his own father, betrayed by the people he trusted most, and left to battle the demons of his past alone. With his inheritance hanging by a thread, there is only one way to regain his power-marriage. Alexa Lim never imagined her life would come to this. Forced into a contract marriage with a ruthless billionaire, she is nothing more than a pawn in a game of power and control. But with her family drowning in debt, she has no choice but to play the role of the perfect wife-even if her husband sees her as nothing more than a means to an end. From the moment she steps into the Edward mansion, Alexa realizes she is walking into a lion's den. Jameson is cold, controlling, and unreadable, treating their marriage like a business transaction. But his younger brother, Theodore, is a different kind of danger-charming yet deadly, obsessed with wealth and power. And he has his own plans for Alexa. What starts as a battle of wills between Alexa and Jameson soon turns into something much darker. Theodore is watching her, manipulating her, waiting for his chance to strike. And when Jameson suddenly disappears in a mysterious accident, Alexa is left defenseless against the man who has always wanted to see her suffer. Trapped in a web of lies, betrayal, and deadly secrets, Alexa must make an impossible choice. Can she fight for her own survival in a family that sees her as nothing more than a tool? Will Jameson return before it's too late? Or will the contract she signed become her greatest regret-and her ultimate downfall? A gripping tale of passion, power, and revenge-where love is just another weapon, and survival means knowing who to trust... and who to destroy.
I stared at my reflection in the cracked mirror, my hands trembling as I smoothed down the simple white dress my mother had given me. It wasn't a real wedding gown, but it was the closest thing we could afford. Not that it mattered-this wasn't a real wedding. This was a deal, a contract. A sale.
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had made my decision. There was no turning back now.
"You look beautiful, Alexa," my mother whispered, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. Her smile was forced, her eyes red from crying.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile. "Thank you, Mom."
In truth, I felt anything but beautiful. My hands were cold, my heart a heavy weight in my chest. Today, I was marrying Jameson Edward-a man I had never met, a billionaire known for his ruthless business tactics and cold, emotionless heart.
The name Edward carried power. The family was one of the wealthiest in California, controlling industries from real estate to technology. Jameson was the heir, but I had heard the rumors-his father had cut him off. And now, to regain his fortune, he needed a wife.
A contract wife.
I was the girl desperate enough to take the deal.
My father entered the small bedroom, his face lined with guilt. "Alexa, it's time."
I nodded and turned to my younger sister, Emma, who clung to my arm. "Promise me you'll come back," she whispered, her voice breaking.
I knelt to hug her tightly. "I promise," I lied.
We both knew that once I stepped out of this house, my life would never be the same.
A loud knock echoed through the house. They were here.
A man in a black suit stood at the door, his face expressionless. "The car is waiting, Miss Lim."
I took a deep breath and stepped forward. My mother's sobs were the last thing I heard before the door closed behind me.
---
The drive to the Edward mansion was silent. I sat stiffly in the back of the sleek black Mercedes, my hands folded in my lap. The city lights blurred past, but I felt detached, like I was watching someone else's life unfold.
"Mr. Edward doesn't like delays," the driver said after a long silence. "When we arrive, follow my lead."
I nodded numbly.
Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled through towering iron gates and onto a long driveway lined with neatly trimmed hedges. The mansion came into view-a massive estate of white marble and tall glass windows. It was breathtaking, but it felt cold.
Like its owner.
The driver opened the door, and I stepped out, my heels clicking against the stone pavement. The air smelled of roses and fresh-cut grass, but there was no warmth in this place.
A woman in a black uniform approached me. "This way, Miss Lim."
I followed her inside, my heart hammering against my ribs. The entrance hall was grand, with chandeliers that sparkled like diamonds and floors polished to a mirror shine. But the beauty of it all only made me feel smaller.
Then, I saw him.
Jameson Edward stood at the foot of the grand staircase, dressed in a black suit, his piercing blue eyes locked on me. He was taller than I expected, his sharp jawline and dark hair making him look like he had stepped out of a magazine.
But there was no warmth in his gaze. No emotion.
This man wasn't just cold. He was ice.
"You're late," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
"I-" I hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"It doesn't matter." He glanced at the woman beside me. "Take her to my office."
The woman nodded and led me through a set of heavy wooden doors into a large study. The walls were lined with bookshelves, the scent of leather and expensive cologne filling the air.
Jameson entered a moment later, his expression unreadable.
"Sit," he ordered.
I obeyed, my hands gripping the armrests of the chair.
He leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Let's get one thing clear, Alexa. This isn't a marriage. It's a business arrangement. You are here because I need a wife to regain my inheritance. In return, your family gets financial security."
I nodded, my throat dry.
"You will act like my devoted wife in public," he continued. "You will attend social events, smile for the cameras, and do exactly as I say. In private, you will stay out of my way."
I clenched my fists under the table. "And after one year?"
His lips curled into a smirk. "After one year, we divorce. You take the money and disappear."
My stomach twisted. One year. I just had to survive one year.
"Understood," I said quietly.
"Good." He opened a drawer and pulled out a contract, sliding it across the desk. "Sign."
I hesitated. "No vows? No ceremony?"
Jameson chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "This isn't a love story, Alexa. It's a transaction."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and picked up the pen. With one shaky breath, I signed my name.
The moment the ink dried, Jameson took the contract, glanced at my signature, then stood. "It's done. You're now Mrs. Edward."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
"Melinda will show you to your room," he said dismissively. "Remember-stay out of my way."
I stood slowly, my legs unsteady. As I followed the maid out of the office, I felt the weight of my new reality settle on my shoulders.
I wasn't a bride. I was a pawn.
A woman sold to a man who would never love her.
And as the doors to my new prison closed behind me, I realized something terrifying.
I had just signed away my soul.
Born the daughter of an Alpha, Olivia Archer always believed that her life would follow the path of power and respect. But instead, she's been abandoned by her father, tormented by her cruel stepmother and stepbrother, and falsely accused of betrayal. Forced into a life of misery, Olivia knows one thing: she must escape or lose herself entirely. But fate has other plans when she crosses paths with Dalton Skalbeck, the feared and enigmatic Lycan King. He isn't the savior she imagined, nor is he the prince she dreamed of. He's a man cursed by the Moon Goddess, bound to a life of loneliness and duty. And yet, something about him draws her in-a force beyond their control, a connection neither can ignore. As danger looms closer, Olivia must confront the truth: the kingdom she thought she knew is crumbling, and she may be the key to saving it-or destroying everything she holds dear.
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?"
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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.”
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."