Joanne Ogoin's life has never been easy. As the third daughter of a wealthy family, she's always felt like an outcast. Her chronic illness has made her parents all but dismiss her, favoring her healthier, more vibrant sisters instead. But when Joanne's family arranges her marriage to Marcus Thompson, the wealthy and ruthless CEO, she's horrified. Marcus is notorious for his brutal business tactics and acidic tongue, and Joanne knows she's in for a world of pain. What she doesn't expect, however, is the complex, vulnerable person beneath Marcus's harsh exterior. As they navigate their tumultuous relationship, Joanne begins to chip away at Marcus's defenses, revealing a deep well of emotion and longing. But as they struggle to overcome their pasts and the societal expectations that haunt them, Joanne and Marcus must confront the darkest corners of their own hearts. Will their love be enough to heal the wounds of their past, or will it succumb to the crushing weight of their families' ambitions?
Joanne Ogoin sat rigidly in the backseat of the luxury black sedan, her fingers clutching the hem of her dress as if the fabric could ground her. The city lights blurred past the tinted windows, but she barely noticed. Tonight wasn't about the city. It wasn't about the expensive restaurant her parents had insisted on. It was about the man waiting for her inside.
Marcus Thompson.
The ruthless, cutthroat CEO of Thompson Enterprises. A man whose name was synonymous with power and destruction. A man she was being forced to marry.
Joanne's stomach twisted as her mother's voice echoed in her head. "You should be grateful, Joanne. Any woman in her right mind would kill for a chance like this."
Grateful?
She wasn't foolish. She understood what this marriage meant to the Ogoins. Their business had been bleeding money for years, and Marcus Thompson, with his wealth and influence, was the only man powestruck- Joanneo save them. A deal had been struck- Joanne, the sickly, unwanted daughter, was the price.
Her father's voice had been dismissive when he told her. "You should consider yourself lucky, Joanne. It's not like you had any better prospects."
A sharp pain shot through her chest, but she ignored it.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of Echelon, an exclusive restaurant known for hosting billionaires, politicians, and the kind of people who made and destroyed lives with a single word.
The driver opened the door, and Joanne stepped out, smoothing down the silk of her dress. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she walked into the restaurant.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of expensive wine and truffle-infused dishes. A waiter guided her toward a private section, where only the most elite dined.
And then, she saw him.
Marcus Thompson sat at the corner table, his presence commanding the entire space. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his sharp jawline and piercing gray eyes made him look more like a predator than a man. A sleek, black cane rested against the table beside him.
Joanne's breath caught in her throat.
The world spoke of Marcus Thompson as if he were invincible, a force of nature that crushed anything in his path. But the cane told a different story.
For a split second, their eyes met,, something flickered in his gaze-something sharp, guarded.
Then, his lips curved into a smirk.
"Sit." His voice was smooth but edged with steel. A demand, not a request.
Joanne forced herself to move, settling into the chair across from him. The moment she did, Marcus leaned forward, studying her like she was an unsolved puzzle.
"I expected someone more... fragile," he said, his voice laced with amusement.
Joanne straightened her spine. "I expected someone less rude."
Marcus chuckled, swirling his drink. "You don't seem like the type to enjoy arranged marriages."
"I don't."
"Good," he said, leaning back. "Neither do I."
Joanne blinked. "Then why agree to this?"
A flicker of something-annoyance? Amusement?-crossed his face before he answered.
"Because, Joanne, I never turn down a challenge."
Her heart pounded.
A waiter arrived, placing a plate of delicately arranged seafood in front of her. She barely noticed.
Marcus took a slow sip of his drink before setting it down. "Here's how this is going to work. You will play the role of the perfect fiancée in public. Smile when necessary, attend the events, and do whatever is needed to keep up appearances. In return, I will ensure your family's company survives."
Joanne's fingers curled into her lap. "And in private?"
"In private," Marcus murmured, his eyes locking onto hers, "you will stay out of my way."
Her throat tightened.
This was nothing more than a business transaction to him.
It shouldn't have surprised her. It shouldn't have hurt.
She lifted her chin. "Fine. But I have my own conditions."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Do you?"
"I may be forced into this marriage, but I refuse to be treated like an inconvenience." Her voice didn't waver, even as her pulse raced. "You want me to smile in public? Then I expect you to show me at least the same courtesy."
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Marcus's face.
"Interesting." He took another sip of his drink, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "You're not as weak as they say."
Before Joanne could respond, Marcus's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it, his expression darkening. Without a word, he stood, reaching for his cane as he pushed back his chair.
"Dinner's over," he said.
"What?" She frowned.
Marcus pulled a thick envelope from his suit pocket and tossed it onto the table.
"Your engagement contract."
Joanne's breath hitched.
"I'll see you soon."
And with that, Marcus Thompson walked out, his cane tapping against the polished floor, leaving Joanne alone with nothing but a stack of cold legal documents and the sinking realization that her life would never be the same again.
"They say the rain follows me. That I was born cursed. Marked. Promised to a monster who lives in the shadows." When seventeen-year-old Elira is torn from her village during a storm, she's told she is the "Storm Bride"-a girl bound by blood to the feared Shadow Lord. Whispers say he's not human, that his castle breathes, and that every bride before her vanished without a trace. Now trapped in a dark fortress where the walls seem to whisper, and eyes watch her every move, Elira must uncover the truth about the curse tied to her bloodline and the mysterious man she is bound to marry. But the deeper she digs, the more twisted the truth becomes. Because the Shadow Lord isn't just hiding secrets... He's hiding her destiny. A slow-burn fantasy romance filled with ancient magic, dangerous court intrigue, and a girl who was never meant to be ordinary.
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
“Do I want a taste?” his voice deeper than he had ever spoken. His eyes pinned on me like I was the only thing that fascinated him. “What do I do?” I thought to myself as he moved closer to me, I wanted to run away, to resist him but I was pinned to the wall by him. “Gosh I hate this man so much” his scent, his body, his beautiful green eyes, he was driving me crazy. I know this is wrong, he has a fiancee and all but that makes me want him even more. “Get on the bed and spread your legs” his cold voice woke me up and then I remembered I was just a maid to him. “Yes master”.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
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!
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."