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Bella Hart thought her world had ended the night her fiancé betrayed her, humiliating her with lies and shattering her heart. But when a mysterious billionaire steps in, offering her a contract that will change her life forever, Bella is thrust into a dangerous game of power, passion, and deceit. Damian Blackwood is cold, calculating, and used to getting what he wants. And right now, he wants Bella. Their one-night stand was a mistake, but the fire between them is undeniable. He proposes an arrangement: a contract marriage that will give Bella everything she's ever dreamed of wealth, protection, and a chance to rebuild her family's failing business. But in Damian's world, nothing comes without a price. As Bella struggles to maintain her independence, the lines between business and desire blur. Secrets from their pasts threaten to tear them apart, and an unexpected twist could shatter everything Bella thought she knew about Damian and herself. Is their passion strong enough to survive the storm? Or will Bella's heart break once again, this time beyond repair?
Bella Hart stared at her reflection in the mirror, smoothing down the soft fabric of the red dress that clung to her curves. The dress had cost her more than she could afford, but tonight was special. It had to be. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her hair, pinning it back just as Liam liked, soft waves cascading down her shoulders. Tonight was their anniversary, and Liam had promised something unforgettable.
"Unforgettable," she whispered to herself, forcing a smile. That's what he'd said. She needed this night to be everything she hoped for-an end to the distant looks, the terse words, the lingering silences that had taken over their relationship in recent months. Maybe Liam had been stressed at work, maybe it was the pressure of everything they'd been through, but tonight would fix it all. He would remember why he loved her, why they were perfect together.
She slipped into her heels and took one last look at herself before heading out of her tiny apartment. The neighborhood was quiet, the streetlights flickering as she waited for the cab Liam had sent. He hadn't come to pick her up, but she brushed the thought aside. He was probably just busy.
The cab pulled up, and she slid into the backseat, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The drive to the hotel was quick, too quick for her to mentally prepare herself. Her fingers danced on the edge of her clutch, trying to shake off the nervous energy. Liam had reserved a room at one of the city's finest hotels-a place far out of their usual reach.
As she stepped into the hotel lobby, the grandeur of the place hit her-marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and the soft hum of wealth. She couldn't help but feel a little out of place, her anxiety spiking. But then she saw Liam standing near the elevators, looking as sharp and polished as ever in his tailored suit. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"There she is," he said, his voice smooth but somehow distant.
Bella smiled, stepping closer, hoping that a hug or kiss would bridge the invisible gap between them. "You look incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with a softness that matched her hopes for the evening.
Liam didn't meet her embrace. Instead, he motioned toward the elevator. "We should head up. I've got something special planned."
She tried to hide her disappointment at his coolness, her smile faltering for a brief second. "Of course," she said, following him into the elevator. As the doors closed, silence settled between them. Bella tried to think of something to say, something that might reignite the spark between them, but her mind was a blank slate of apprehension.
Once they reached the suite, her breath caught in her throat. The room was luxurious, dripping with opulence-silk sheets, a stunning view of the city lights, and a table set for two. Yet something about the scene felt off. It was too staged, too perfect.
Liam moved toward the minibar, pouring two glasses of wine. "I got your favorite," he said, handing her a glass.
Bella took it, staring at the dark red liquid, her fingers grazing the rim of the glass. She smiled at him, though his gaze was still elsewhere, distant. "This is amazing, Liam. I wasn't expecting..."
He cut her off. "I know things have been rough between us," he began, leaning against the bar as he swirled the wine in his glass. "But I wanted to do something special for you. For us."
Her heart softened at his words, and she took a small sip of the wine, tasting the sweetness on her tongue. "I've missed you," she admitted quietly. "I've been feeling like we've been drifting apart, but I want us to work. I want to-"
He interrupted again, his tone suddenly sharp. "Bella, I've been thinking."
Her stomach clenched at the sudden shift in his demeanor. "Thinking about what?"
Liam took a deep breath, setting his glass down on the table. "About us. About our future." He paused, his eyes flicking away from her. "You know how important my reputation is, especially now with the deal I'm trying to secure. I've worked too hard to let anything ruin it."
Bella's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
He stepped toward her, his voice low, almost rehearsed. "You come from a different world than I do. We've been trying to make it work, but the truth is... you're not what I need. I've met someone else."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut, knocking the breath from her lungs. She blinked, trying to process what he'd just said. "What?"
"Her name is Chloe. Chloe Sterling. She's... different. She understands the world I live in, the pressure I'm under. She comes from a family with connections I need. I'm sorry, Bella, but this isn't working."
Her mind was spinning, her heart racing. "Liam, what are you talking about? You're just going to throw everything away? After everything we've been through?"
He sighed, his expression unreadable. "I'm not here to debate this. I wanted to do this face-to-face to avoid a scene, but you need to understand that this is over. We're over."
Bella's hand shook as she set the wine glass down, her throat tightening with the urge to scream, to cry, to demand answers. "So that's it? You're just going to walk away and leave me for someone richer? Someone who fits your perfect little world?"
He didn't answer, just moved toward the door. "I've already moved on. I suggest you do the same."
Her heart ached, her vision blurring as the tears began to form. "You coward. You're doing this here, tonight?"
"I'm doing you a favor, Bella. Trust me."
Before she could reply, Liam opened the door and motioned to someone outside. A woman stepped into the room, tall and impossibly elegant, her blonde hair falling in perfect waves around her shoulders. Chloe Sterling. Bella had seen her in magazines, always dripping with luxury and wealth.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Liam said, his tone cold. He turned to Chloe and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be downstairs."
As he left, Bella felt her world collapsing. Chloe stood there, arms crossed, looking Bella up and down as if she were something beneath her. "You'll get over him," Chloe said in a tone laced with condescension. "But you'll never fit into his world, darling. Better to accept it now."
Bella's chest tightened with a mix of rage and humiliation. "You're welcome to him," she spat, her voice shaking. "You two deserve each other."
Chloe shrugged, unaffected. "He was mine the moment I walked into his life. Good luck finding someone who'll take you seriously now."
Bella's vision swam with the tears she had been holding back. Without another word, she stormed past Chloe, grabbing her purse as she fled the room. The hallway was spinning, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fought the wave of emotions crashing over her. How could he do this? After everything?
She needed to get out of there, out of the hotel, away from the memories of the night that should have been theirs. Stumbling into the elevator, she pressed the button for the lobby, her tears finally spilling over.
But something felt wrong. Her head was spinning, and a strange warmth spread through her body, clouding her thoughts. She blinked, trying to clear the fog that had settled over her mind. The wine. Something was wrong with the wine. Her legs wobbled beneath her, and she reached out to steady herself against the wall of the elevator.
By the time the doors opened, Bella wasn't sure where she was. Her vision blurred, her body felt heavy, and she stumbled out into the hall, trying to remember why she was so desperate to leave.
She needed air. She needed... something.
Without knowing how, she found herself outside a different room, her hand fumbling with the handle as she pushed it open. The cool air of the hotel suite hit her face, and she collapsed against the door, her mind swimming in a haze.
Inside, a man stood by the window, his back to her, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a tailored suit. He turned, his dark eyes locking on hers as she stumbled further into the room, barely able to stand.
"Who-?" His voice was deep, commanding, but the words blurred in her ears.
Bella's legs gave out, and she fell into his arms, her breath coming in shallow gasps. His grip was strong, steady, but her body felt like it was melting, her mind slipping into darkness.
And then everything went black.
The next morning, Bella woke with a pounding headache and an unfamiliar ache in her body. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she didn't know where she was. The room was unfamiliar-sleek, modern, nothing like the suite Liam had booked.
Panic surged through her as she sat up, clutching the sheets around her. She wasn't alone.
The man from last night was sitting at the edge of the bed, his shirt unbuttoned, revealing a muscular chest that was both intimidating and mesmerizing. His gaze was cold, unreadable.
"Who are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
He didn't answer immediately, just watched her with an intensity that made her feel exposed, vulnerable. Finally, he spoke, his voice like gravel. "Damian Blackwood."
A cold-hearted billionaire. A headstrong florist drowning in debt. A contract that binds them in a marriage of convenience-with no room for love. Xavier Harrington is a man who controls everything-his business, his reputation, his emotions. When a billion-dollar deal requires him to appear as a devoted husband, he does what he does best: he makes an offer no one can refuse. Mia Brooks never imagined she'd sign a contract to be a billionaire's wife, but with her flower shop on the verge of collapse, she has no choice. The rules are simple-no feelings, no attachments, and absolutely no falling in love. But behind Xavier's icy demeanor lies a scarred past and a desire he can't control. And behind Mia's defiance is a heart that refuses to be tamed. As passion blurs the lines of their arrangement, secrets surface, enemies close in, and a betrayal from the past threatens to destroy everything. When the contract ends, will Xavier let Mia go... or will he risk everything to make her stay?
Sebastian Hale is a man who gets what he wants-until his father, Gregory Hale, threatens to destroy everything he's built unless he agrees to a marriage of convenience. Trapped in his father's ruthless game, Sebastian's only option is to marry Ivy Collins, a fiery journalist with secrets of her own. For Ivy, the marriage is a means to an end. Marrying Sebastian gives her access to the Hale family empire-and the chance to expose their darkest secrets. But what begins as a cold business arrangement soon ignites into a fiery passion neither of them can resist. As the lines between love and betrayal blur, Ivy discovers the truth about Sebastian's family, including a devastating secret that could destroy them both. With Gregory pulling the strings, Ivy and Sebastian must decide whether to fight for each other-or lose everything in the process.
Grace Parker has dedicated her life to helping others, but when her nonprofit is on the verge of collapse, she's forced to strike a deal with the last man she ever wanted to rely on: Sebastian Cole. Cold, calculating, and devastatingly handsome, Sebastian offers to save her charity but only if she agrees to play the role of his fiancée in a high-stakes business negotiation. What starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals out of control when a single night of passion leaves Grace with a life altering secret. As their fake relationship begins to feel all too real, Grace and Sebastian are drawn together by more than just their shared goals. But standing in their way are Sebastian's manipulative ex, Natasha Blake, and his ruthless rival, Henry Adler, who will stop at nothing to destroy everything Grace and Sebastian have built. When lies, betrayal, and secrets threaten to tear them apart, Grace and Sebastian must confront their deepest fears and decide if the love they've found is worth fighting for.
Lucas Sterling has everything money, power, and a reputation as the city's most eligible bachelor. But behind the charm and billion-dollar smile lies a man scarred by betrayal and convinced love is nothing more than a liability. Emily Harper is his complete opposite a spirited schoolteacher with a passion for helping others and no patience for arrogant playboys like Lucas. When fate throws them together, sparks fly, and Lucas finds himself captivated by the one woman who refuses to fall for his charm. As Emily challenges Lucas to confront his demons, a shadow from his past resurfaces. Isabella Royce, his cunning ex-lover, is determined to reclaim him at any cost even if it means destroying everything Lucas holds dear. Can Emily's love tame the heart of a man who's built walls around it? Or will Isabella's schemes shatter their fragile bond before it has a chance to bloom?
Trapped in a marriage she never wanted, Lily Hart is thrust into the cold, calculating world of billionaire CEO Adrian Blackwood. He married her only to claim her father's company, and his resentment is as intense as his possessiveness. Behind his mask of power and wealth, Adrian harbors a dark affection for his mistress, Celeste. a beauty with a vengeful soul and her sights set firmly on destroying Lily. In Adrian's world, love is as elusive as freedom, and for Lily, it's nowhere to be found. She's nothing but a pawn, forced to endure his cruelty and trapped in a twisted game of control and desire. But as the walls close in and secrets unravel, Adrian's indifference begins to shift into something else, something possessive and obsessive that even he can't deny. Lily must find the strength to survive in a world built to shatter her and face the question: will she ever escape Adrian's ruthless grasp, or will she be forever bound to a man who will do anything to keep her?
Emilia Rosemont never expected her life to turn into a gilded cage. Forced into a marriage with billionaire CEO Alessandro DiLaurentis, she becomes a pawn in a twisted game of family legacy and cruel ambition. For Alex, the marriage is nothing more than an obligation one he despises and resents. His heart belongs to another, and he doesn't hide his disdain for the wife he was forced to marry. Trapped in his world of wealth and power, Emilia endures his coldness, his cruelty, and the haunting knowledge that her husband will never love her. But as Alex's possessiveness grows, so does his conflicted desire, leaving Emilia ensnared in a web of hate, obsession, and forbidden attraction. With his seductive mistress, Vanessa, pulling the strings from the shadows, Emilia realizes that escape might be impossible. In this dark billionaire romance of love and betrayal, Emilia must find the strength to survive a man who both despises and craves her, in a world where everyone has a price and love is the ultimate sacrifice. Will she ever be free, or is she destined to remain the Surrogate Wife forever?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
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?"
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Being dumped by my mate, Ethan, on my dream New Year cruise tour was bad enough. Watching him swap spit with Vanessa? Absolute hell. Enter Lucas-the cocky, sinfully hot hockey Alpha-who claims I'm his mate. But he doesn't want love; he wants revenge, proposing a fake relationship to rile Ethan. Now I'm stuck sharing a suite with the guy who has secrets of his own. Christmas and New Year on a luxury ship was supposed to be magical...not a steamy, chaotic mess. What could go wrong?
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
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.”