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"One agreement. One year of pretending. No emotions to get entangled." In an agreement she couldn't refuse, Emma Sinclair was forced to pretend to be the wife of renowned CEO Chase Donovan. Their relationship was just a show - no emotions, no complications. But as the months passed, everything changed. The fake embraces left real heat, and the pretend kisses left marks on her heart. However, not all love stories end in a beautiful fairy tale. Emma thought she had found something real - until she discovered the truth. From the very beginning, she was just a pawn in Chase's game. Their marriage was never meant to last; it was just a step to protect Chase's power, a contract she unknowingly became a part of. And when their agreement ended, the illusion ended too. But behind the lies and deception, Chase had a secret that could never be revealed. He loved Emma; but if he admitted it, he knew he would have sealed his own death sentence.
Chapter 1
"FINAL NOTICE."
Emma Sinclair stared at the document in her hand, her jaw agape. It felt like a sharp knife piercing her chest.
Final notice.
It meant that if she couldn't pay within thirty days, she would lose her house-the only thing left of her family.
She gasped, her vision blurring. She reread the document, desperately searching for a loophole. Maybe she misunderstood something. Maybe there was still a way to escape this.
But the words were clear:
-"We regret to inform you that due to your failure to settle the remaining balance, the property located at Lot 23, Greenfield Subdivision, Quezon City, will be foreclosed within thirty (30) days."
This was followed by details of the exact amount she owed-an amount impossible for her to pay within a month.
Her knees weakened, causing her to fall onto the old sofa. Trembling, she clutched the paper, as if its magic could change what was written on it.
"No... I can't lose this house."
She looked around. Even though it was an old house, it was full of memories. Her mother's old piano was still there, the table where her father used to read the newspaper, and their family portrait hanging on the wall-one of the few things she hadn't sold despite her dire need.
Her chest tightened. Tears welled up in her eyes.
FLASHBACK – A TIME OF HAPPINESS
"Emma, come here!" her mother called cheerfully as she laid out freshly baked bibingka on the dining table.
She immediately rushed to the kitchen, where her father smiled as he stirred hot chocolate in a mug.
"Sweetheart, do you want to play outside after you eat?" her father asked, stroking her head.
She nodded with a smile. "Yes, Daddy!"
Her mother giggled. "Just don't go too far, okay? Or Grandma will scold you again!"
Laughter. Joy. Love.
That was her family then. Complete. Happy.
And above all, they had a business to be proud of-a successful chain of restaurants built from nothing by her parents.
The name of the restaurant? Monte Sinclair Café.
The Monte Sinclair Café was a well-known name in the industry. They had five branches in different parts of Manila, known for their signature chocolate lava cake and homemade bibingka. Emma grew up in the restaurant-learning to count using receipts, learning to cook with their chef, and learning to smile at customers, making her business acumen seem innate.
She knew that one day, her parents would pass it on to her.
Until the day of the downfall arrived.
One blow after another came.
It started when a major food scandal implicated their business. A customer filed a complaint after allegedly suffering food poisoning at one of their branches. Even though they were innocent, it became a major issue on social media. Fake reviews further worsened the situation.
Their once-thriving restaurant gradually went bankrupt.
But even when things got tough, she didn't lose hope-because her family was still there.
Until the most painful thing happened.
One rainy night, her parents announced they were leaving for a business trip.
"Don't forget to study, okay?" her father said, kissing her forehead.
"And pray before you sleep," added her mother.
"Yes, Mommy! Yes, Daddy!" she replied before they left the house.
But that was the last time she would see them alive.
The next morning, she woke up to news that turned her world upside down-her parents' car had been in an accident, and they didn't survive.
In an instant, she lost her family.
And now, would she also lose their house?
BACK TO THE PRESENT
Emma returned to the present, unable to hold back her tears.
"I won't let them take this house," she whispered to herself.
But how?
EMMA'S STRUGGLE: A FRUSTRATING JOB HUNT
Three months without a decent job.
After her family's business went bankrupt, she tried to fight for it-but to no avail.
Now, she had no business, no decent job.
For three weeks, she applied online, submitted resumes, lined up at job fairs-but no one hired her.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sinclair, but we need someone with more experience."
"We'll call you if there's an opening."
"I'm afraid you're overqualified for this role."
Where would she go?
Once, she was forced to buy the cheapest food at a convenience store-a cup of noodles and bottled water. While eating on a park bench, she sighed.
Was this how low her life had become?
A LAST HOPE
Her phone rang.
UNKNOWN NUMBER CALLING.
She quickly answered, hoping this was the answer to her problems.
"Hello, this is Emma Sinclair speaking."
"Good evening, Miss Sinclair," a deep, formal voice answered on the other line. "I received your application for the matchmaking position. Are you available for an interview tomorrow at Donovan Enterprises?"
Her eyes widened.
Donovan Enterprises?!
This was one of the largest companies in the country!
She gripped her phone. She didn't yet know what kind of job she would be taking, but one thing was certain-this was her last hope to save her house.
And she had no intention of failing.
A marriage built on lies. A past buried in secrets. A love that never should have existed. Isabella Ramirez never wanted to marry Sebastian Villafuerte, the cold and ruthless heir to a billion-dollar empire. But to save her family, she had no choice. Their marriage is nothing but a contract-a forced union meant to settle an old debt. She vows to keep her distance, but Sebastian's possessiveness and unpredictable rage make that impossible. Sebastian loathes Isabella, believing she is just another pawn in their families' dangerous game. Yet, every time he looks at her, something stirs inside him-something dark, something undeniable. When a single moment of weakness ignites a fire between them, he realizes that keeping her at arm's length might be the hardest battle of all. But neither of them knows the truth that binds them. A past filled with betrayal, shocking family secrets, and a twisted fate threaten to shatter everything. As they fight to resist the pull between them, their forced marriage begins to blur the lines between love and hate, drawing them into a storm that neither of them can escape.
Si Lucky ay NBSB, at isang matagumpay na manunulat ng erotika. Lumaki siyang malaya at may sariling kakayahan kahit na ipinanganak siya sa isang mayamang pamilya. Siya ay kontento na sa kanyang dalawampu't walong taong pag-iral. Gayunpaman, umabot siya sa punto ng kanyang buhay na nais niyang magkaroon ng anak. Nasa tamang edad na si Lucky; marami na siyang naipon na pera at may sariling bahay. Ito rin ang paulit-ulit na hinihiling ng kanyang mga magulang. Isa lang ang problema ni Lucky: dumaranas siya ng genophobia, isang mental health disorder na nailalarawan sa pamamagitan ng takot sa sekswal na intimacy. Walang ibang nakakaalam sa kalagayan niya bukod sa matalik niyang kaibigan na si Genesis. Maging ang sariling pamilya ay walang kamalay-malay dahil natatakot siyang kutyain ng iba ang kanyang kalagayan; kaya, hindi solusyon ang pag-ampon sa kanyang pagnanais na magkaroon ng anak. Isang opsyon lang ang maiisip niya: IUI, isang medikal na pamamaraan kung saan direktang itinatanim ang sperm ng isang lalaking donor sa matris ng babae. Sinabi ni Lucky kay Genesis ang tungkol sa kanyang plano, at sinuportahan siya ng kanyang matalik na kaibigan; gayunpaman, nang sabihin niya na gusto niyang si Genesis ang kanyang sperm donor, tumanggi ang lalaki, na sinasabing ayaw niyang managot sa sinumang babae, lalo na kay Lucky. May paraan na, pero hindi inasahan ni Lucky na mahihirapan siyang kumbinsihin ang matalik na kaibigan, kaya naman gumawa ng krimen si Lucky isang gabi matapos makipagtalik si Genesis sa kanyang flavor of the month; ninakaw niya ang ginamit na condom ni Genesis. Magtatagumpay kaya ang insemation ni Lucky? Ano ang mangyayari sa pagkakaibigan nila ni Genesis dahil sa makasarili niyang desisyon? Mawawasak ba sila o may bagong pag-ibig ang uusbong sa panahong sinubok ang kanilang pagkakaibigan.
Si Serena ay isang vampire-werewolf hybrid. Ang kanyang mga magulang ay pinatay sa harap mismo ng kanyang kabataan, inosenteng mga mata at siya ay kinuha ng Alpha Tyler ng Black Moon Pack. Hindi sila eksaktong nagpalaki sa kanya. Sa halip, ginawa nila siyang kasambahay at ipinagbili pa siya bilang isang sex slave nang maglaon. Sa lahat ng mga taon na ito, ang tanging pinagmumulan niya ng suporta ay si Brandon, ang anak ni Tyler. Isang araw, pagkatapos magtrabaho ng buong puso, natuklasan niya na matagal na siyang niloloko ni Brandon sa kanyang tunay na asawa. At parang hindi na ito maaaring lumala pa, ipinahayag sa kanya na si Alpha Tyler ang pumatay sa kanyang mga magulang. Parang tuluyan na siyang binalingan ng mundo. Ngunit bigla na lang, dumating sa kanyang buhay ang isang gwapo at malapit nang maging makapangyarihang Alpha na nagngangalang Peter, na sinasabing siya ang kanyang asawa. Na may mapanganib na kapangyarihan sa kanyang dugo na itinuturing siyang banta sa mga bampira at werewolves, at isang mahiwagang kaaway na nagplano laban sa kanya sa dilim, maaari bang magwagi si Serena sa lahat ng mga pagsubok na ito kasama si Peter sa kanyang tabi?
Si Loraine ay isang masunuring asawa kay Marco mula nang ikasal sila tatlong taon na ang nakararaan. Gayunpaman, tinatrato niya ito na parang basura. Wala siyang ginawang nagpapalambot sa puso niya. Isang araw, nagsawa si Loraine sa lahat ng ito. Humingi siya ng hiwalayan at iniwan siyang mag-enjoy kasama ang kanyang maybahay. Nagtinginan sa kanya ang mga elite na parang baliw. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "Kailangan ko kasi umuwi para makakuha ng billion-dollar fortune. Tsaka hindi ko na siya mahal," sagot ni Loraine. a smile. Nagtawanan silang lahat sa kanya. Ang ilan ay naniniwala na ang diborsiyo ay nakaapekto sa kanyang pag-iisip. Ito ay hindi hanggang sa susunod na araw na sila ay natanto na hindi siya nakikipag-away. Isang babae ang biglang idineklara na pinakabatang babaeng bilyonaryo sa buong mundo. Si Loraine pala yun! Nagulat si Marco to the bone. Nang muli niyang nakilala ang kanyang dating asawa, nagbagong tao ito. Pinalibutan siya ng grupo ng mga guwapong binata. Nakangiti siya sa kanilang lahat. Ang tanawin ay nagpasakit ng husto sa puso ni Marco. Isinasantabi ang kanyang pride, sinubukan niyang bawiin ito. "Hello, love. Nakikita ko na bilyonaryo ka na ngayon. Hindi ka dapat kasama ng mga sipsip na gusto lang ng pera mo. Paano kung bumalik ka sa akin? Bilyonaryo na rin ako. Magkasama, makakabuo tayo ng isang malakas na imperyo. . What do you say?" Napapikit si Loraine sa dating asawa habang nakaawang ang labi sa disgusto.
Si Hera Louisiana Reyes ay isang outcast ng kaniyang pamilya. Siya ay itinuturing na isang itim na tupa at tinatrato nang masama. Sa kaniyang mga kapatid, siya lang ang hindi nakapagtapos ng kaniyang pag-aaral. Isa siyang waitress ng isang sikat na restaurant ngunit natanggal dahil sa pananampal niya sa pinsan ng kaniyang amo. Naghanap siya ng trabaho at isang araw ay may bigla na lang sumulpot na lalaki at nag-alok sa kaniya ng isang trabaho na may malaking sahod. Kahit desperado siya, tinanggap niya ang trabaho. Ngunit hindi niya alam na ang trabahong naghihintay sa kaniya ay magdadala lamang sa kaniya ng sakit at kakaibang sarap na hindi pa niya nararanasan sa tanang buhay niya. Ano na lang ang kaniyang magiging reaksyon kung isang araw ay natagpuan na lang niya ang kaniyang sarili na may kakaibang relasyon sa kaniyang Amo?
"Bulag ang pag-ibig!" Tinalikuran ni Lucinda ang kanyang maganda at komportableng buhay dahil sa isang lalaki. Nagpakasal siya sa kanya at nagpaalipin sa kanya sa loob ng tatlong mahabang taon. Isang araw, sa wakas ay nahulog ang mga kaliskis sa kanyang mga mata. Napagtanto niya na ang lahat ng kanyang pagsisikap ay walang kabuluhan. Tinatrato pa rin siya ng asawa niyang si Nathaniel na parang tae. Ang tanging inaalala niya ay ang kanyang manliligaw. "Tama na! Hindi ko sasayangin ang oras ko sa lalaking walang puso!" Ang puso ni Lucinda ay nadurog sa maraming piraso, ngunit naglakas loob siyang humingi ng diborsiyo. Nagdulot ng kaguluhan sa online ang balita! Isang maruming mayamang dalaga kamakailan ang nakipaghiwalay? Siya ay isang mahusay na catch! Hindi mabilang na mga CEO at guwapong binata ang agad na dumagsa sa kanya na parang mga bubuyog sa pulot! Hindi na kinaya ni Nathaniel. Nagsagawa siya ng press conference at lumuluhang nakiusap, "Mahal kita, Lucinda. Hindi ko kayang mabuhay ng wala ka. Pakiusap bumalik ka sa akin." Bibigyan ba siya ni Lucinda ng pangalawang pagkakataon? Basahin para malaman!
Dahil sa gulo sa pamilya, si Zen Luo, ang dating pinakamayamang apo, ay naging isang alipin. Ngunit sa isang di-inaasahang pagkakataon, natuklasan niya ang sinaunang sikreto ng paghuhubog ng mga makapangyarihang sandata. Gamit ang kanyang katawan bilang sisidlan at ang kanyang kaluluwa bilang lakas, siya ay dumanas ng libu-libong pagsubok upang maging isang diyos! Ang kanyang pagbangon ay nagsimula sa pagtanggap ng mga palo at suntok. Sa gitna ng labanan ng mga makapangyarihan at digmaan ng mga lahi, siya ay tumindig bilang isang tunay na mandirigma. Gamit ang kanyang katawan na parang isang makapangyarihang sandata, tinalo niya ang lahat ng kanyang mga kaaway!