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Jessica Collins never imagined her dream of love and freedom would turn into a nightmare. Sold into marriage to the ruthless billionaire Raymond Shaw, she becomes a prisoner in his dangerous world of power, betrayal, and obsession. He is cold, possessive, and impossible to escape. Trapped between her past lover and a husband who both captivates and destroys her, Jessica fights to reclaim her life. But when she discovers she's pregnant, running away becomes her only option. Furious and heartbroken, Raymond will stop at nothing to bring her back. But is it love that drives him or the need to control? In a story of passion, revenge, and sacrifice, will Jessica break free, or will she fall for the man who was never meant to love her?
Jessica's POV
The traffic light turned green.
I gripped my bag tighter and rushed across the road, my heart pounding with excitement. Today was special; I had purchased my ticket weeks before to explore the Vincent Galleria Museum, one of the city's oldest and most renowned art museums. Art has consistently been my escape, a world where I could freely communicate my emotions. The idea of witnessing iconic masterpieces in person excited me greatly.
Upon arriving at the majestic entrance, the soaring columns and detailed designs on the building's exterior left me in awe. I entered, welcomed by the subtle aroma of worn canvas and polished wood. The gentle murmur of subdued talks resonated throughout the large corridors.
I reached the security checkpoint, presented my ticket, and received a visitor badge. My fingertips grazed the plastic, anchoring me in the present. This was it.
As soon as I entered the exhibition hall, my eyes opened wide in amazement. Wall-mounted paintings of varying sizes decorated the space, each narrating a tale that transcended language. Some were lively, overflowing with color, whereas others were shadowy and enigmatic. They communicated with me in a manner I couldn't explain.
I walked slowly, taking in every detail, stopping every few moments to capture images of the ones that intrigued me the most. I longed to paint-my fingers itched to express the feelings I felt merely by observing them.
While I examined a strikingly lovely portrait of a woman with mournful eyes, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out and smiled when I saw the caller ID. Timothy.
"Hey," I answered, my voice soft as I continued to gaze at the painting.
"Hey, babe. Just checking in. How's it going?" Timothy's warm voice came through the speaker.
I turned away from the painting and walked toward a quieter corner. "It's amazing, Tim. Honestly, the ticket was worth every penny. I've never seen anything this breathtaking before."
He chuckled. "I can hear the excitement in your voice. I'm glad you're having fun. Listen, I want you to get ready tonight-I'm taking you out on a date."
I grinned, my heart skipping a beat. "Really? Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise," he teased. "But dress your best, okay?"
I let out a small squeal. "Okay, I will!"
"That's my girl. I'll pick you up at seven. Love you."
"Love you too," I said before ending the call.
I placed my phone back in my pocket, feeling more unburdened than ever. Today was looking to be ideal.
I spent an additional hour appreciating the artwork before finally choosing to go home. As I went outside, the sky had dimmed a little, an indication of evening approaching. I called a taxi and leaned against the window, fantasizing about my date with Timothy.
When I arrived home, something felt... wrong.
The usual warmth of our home was absent. The television was silent, and there was no aroma of my mom's cooking coming from the kitchen.
It was eerily silent.
I frowned, stepping inside and closing the door behind me. "Mom? Dad?" I called out. No response.
A heaviness filled my chest as I entered the living room; it was empty.
I ignored the heaviness and took my bag to my room before going to my parents' bedroom. I knocked gently before pushing the door open a little.
What I witnessed caused my stomach to churn.
My father sat on the bed, smiling as if he had won the lottery, while my mother sat next to him, her face pale and her eyes swollen.
"Dad? Mom?" I proceeded cautiously. "What's going on?"
My father's smile grew bigger. "Jessica, darling, please take a seat. We need to tell you something important."
I looked at my mom, but she turned her eyes away from me. My heart was pounding as I slowly took a seat next to her.
She inhaled deeply, her hands shaking as she extended them toward mine. "Jessica... you're getting married tomorrow."
The words struck me hard as if I had been punched in the stomach.
I blinked. My mind went blank.
"I'm...marrying? What?" My voice came out in a whisper, my throat tightening.
"You're getting married," my father repeated, his tone firm.
I let out a shaky laugh. "That's not funny, Dad."
My mom squeezed my hand, and I turned to her in disbelief. "Mom?"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't say anything.
"You don't understand, sweetheart," my father said, his voice filled with excitement. "You're marrying a billionaire. Raymond Shaw."
My chest tightened, and the room felt smaller like the walls were closing in. "What the hell are you talking about?"
My father's expression didn't change. He looked... proud. Like he had accomplished something great.
"You see, Jessica," he continued, leaning forward, "your mother and I took a loan from Shaw Enterprises years ago. We used it to raise you, to keep this family going. But we couldn't pay it back."
I froze.
No. No, no, no.
My mother finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "We tried, Jessica. But the debt kept growing. We had no choice."
I shook my head, refusing to believe what I was hearing. "So what? You sold me off like some object?" My voice cracked.
My father laughed, actually laughed, as if this was some kind of joke. "It's not like that. It's a business deal. And we're getting more than just clearing our debt-we'll be wealthy for life!"
A strangled sob escaped my throat. "Are you serious?"
"Jessica-"
"Don't," I snapped, standing up so fast the chair screeched against the floor. "You sold me! To a man, I don't even know!"
"You should be grateful!" my father said, his voice sharp now. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are? Women would kill to be in your position!"
I stared at him, horrified. "You're insane."
My mother stood up, reaching for me, but I pulled away.
"Jessica, please-"
I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. "No. No, this can't be real."
But deep down, I knew it was.
My father was smiling. My mother was crying and tomorrow... I was getting married.
To a stranger.
To Raymond Shaw.
Mary Marshall never expected her life to turn into a nightmare. When a ruthless millionaire demands she marry him to erase her family's debt, she does the only thing she can-she runs. Desperate and with nowhere to turn, she finds herself face-to-face with Thomas Randolph-the billionaire CEO known for his cold heart and even colder business deals. He offers her a lifeline: Marry him instead. A contract marriage that will protect her, help him keep custody of his son, and end in one year. No feelings. No strings attached. But living under the same roof changes everything. Thomas isn't just a ruthless businessman-he's a devoted father, a man haunted by betrayal, and dangerously irresistible. The lines between their arrangement and reality blur with every lingering touch, every heated glance... and one unexpected kiss that neither of them can forget. Just when Mary begins to believe in their love, her past comes crashing back. A vengeful enemy, a shocking betrayal, and a life-altering secret force her to make the ultimate sacrifice-walking away from Thomas forever. But Thomas isn't a man who gives up easily. And when he discovers the truth, he will stop at nothing to bring his wife-and the mother of his unborn child-back where she belongs. A steamy, suspenseful billionaire romance full of passion, betrayal, and second chances. Will their love survive the ultimate test, or will their contract marriage end in heartbreak?
Maria Callo never imagined her job as Wesley Thompson's secretary would entangle her in the brutal world of the mafia. Cold, powerful, and dangerously irresistible, Wesley is the feared leader of the Redstar gang-one she knows better than to fall for. But when an ambush threatens his empire, Maria becomes his unexpected lifeline. Forced into an arranged marriage for power, Wesley refuses to let Maria go, binding her to him in a world of violence, loyalty, and deadly secrets. As betrayals mount and war brews with their enemies, Maria must decide if she can trust the man who owns her heart-or if loving him will be her ruin.
With hatred for her step-sister and family generally, Piper Snow finds herself in a bar wallowing in alcohol after finding out her boyfriend…No, her ex-boyfriend cheats on her with her step-sister. She gets drunk and passes out on her way home in front of a moving vehicle. *** Davis Kingston, a 27-year-old cold and handsome billionaire who commands so much power and respect, owns probably more than half of the businesses existing in the country but he is betrothed to a sassy, rude, and arrogant rich missy, camela white. What happens when Davis Kingston meets piper? What made Davis so cold? Will she be able to melt his cold heart? Can Camela stand losing Davis?
Cursed with the worst luck in the whole universe, Stacy Reeves holds on to the last piece of hope she has for a perhaps better life. This too comes crashing down after a very reckless night with a stranger at a nightclub who turns out to be a popularly dangerous Italian billionaire, Andre Rosello which leads to an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy. *** Andre Rosello is a 27-year-old billionaire with barely any good memories in his life. His father had been in the mafia all his life and had trained him to be just like them - the ruthless beatings and starvation all in the name of boosting his endurance. His childhood was not quite a bed of roses and his adulthood was far from it. Much to his father's disdain, Andre doesn't end up following his line of work, instead, he builds his own company from scratch and makes a name for himself defying his father for the very first time. Pressured with a thousand and one responsibilities, Andre just had to let his mind be free for a while. A baby was not on his mind when he took the enthralling and sexy woman he met at the nightclub to his bed. When hit with reality, Andre doesn't know what to do. He wasn't ready to be a father, he didn't think he would ever be fit enough to be a good father. He wanted to be better than his father but he didn't know how to. So when threatened by Stacy's sister to take responsibility for his seed or have his hard-earned name ruined, Andre has no other choice than to accept this new responsibility, even if it meant getting married to her with a 6-year contract and even if it meant defying his father again and making an enemy out of him. What happens to Stacy now? Will her life take a better turn or would it get even worse? Will Andre give fatherhood a chance and love as a whole? Will these two grow to love each other or will they leave each other after 6 years runs out? If they do decide to stay, will Stacy and her child be safe with the mafia Andre had refused to be part of coming back to take revenge and his father still bitter from his son defying him decides to resort to violence like he always did, only this time, more extreme?
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.”
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
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."
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.