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Rachel, a headstrong young heiress, is forced to face a bitter reality when her dying father compels her to marry a man she never imagined-her new secretary at the company. To her, this marriage is nothing more than a sacrifice to fulfill her father's final wish. But little does she know, the man holds secrets that could change everything. Behind their cold agreement and mutual distrust, something unexpected begins to bloom. Will this forced marriage pave the way to love, or will it only deepen the wounds in Rachel's heart?
"You have to marry him."
The words echoed through the room like a sudden clap of thunder. Rachel froze in place, as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs and the world had stopped spinning for a moment. Her once-bright eyes now stared blankly at the middle-aged man lying weakly on the hospital bed.
"Sorry, what did you just say, Daddy?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible. It trembled, reflecting how difficult it was for her to process the reality her father had just spoken.
David offered a faint smile. His face was pale, yet the authority he always carried hadn't faded. His trembling hand reached out, trying to grasp his daughter's, as if to calm the storm raging inside her chest.
"You heard me, sweetheart. I want you to marry Lucian."
Rachel turned slowly toward the man standing in the corner of the room. Tall, neat, stiff-wearing a gray suit and thick glasses that made him look like a bookworm. Lucian bowed respectfully, saying nothing.
"Oh my God. Are you kidding me, Dad?" Rachel looked at her father with an expression close to despair.
"I've never been more serious in my life," David said firmly, though his voice was weak.
"Daddy, this is insane... I don't even know him!" Rachel nearly shouted. "You want me to marry-your employee?!"
"Lucian, would you mind waiting outside for a moment?" David cut in quickly.
Without protest, Lucian nodded politely and walked out. As the door clicked shut behind him, the silence that followed felt like it was squeezing the air from Rachel's chest.
"Have you completely lost your mind, Daddy?" she whispered emotionally.
David didn't answer right away. He gazed at the ceiling, as if speaking to ghosts from his past.
"I don't have much time left, Rachel. And the only thing I care about now... is making sure you're not alone when I'm gone."
Rachel closed her eyes. She hated hearing those words. Hated accepting the fact that her time with her father was running out.
"Don't say that," she said, choking back a sob. "You can still get better, Daddy. We can look for treatment abroad-Germany, Switzerland, Japan-anywhere. Just don't give up!"
David smiled and gently touched his daughter's hand. "I'm not giving up. I'm just... preparing."
Rachel fell silent. There was a deep sorrow in her father's eyes-eyes that had always looked strong, now appeared fragile.
"I know you're independent. Smart, brave. But the world isn't fair. It's full of traps. I want someone by your side. Someone who sees you not just as an heiress, but as a person. As Rachel."
"I don't love him," Rachel whispered.
"Love can grow, sweetheart," David said gently. "Your mother and I were arranged too. But look at us... we loved each other until death parted us."
Rachel sobbed. The mention of her mother brought back warm childhood memories. David, the man who had faithfully raised her alone after his wife passed, never remarried. All his love and life had been devoted solely to Rachel.
And now... that man was preparing to leave the world. And Rachel felt like a little girl again-too small to face the weight of loss.
"What if I say no?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"If you refuse, I've prepared another option," David replied calmly. "You'll stay with Aunt Aneta in Italy."
Rachel's jaw dropped. "Aunt Aneta? In that remote part of Italy? No, Daddy! That place doesn't even have a cell signal!"
David chuckled weakly. "Exactly. You'll enjoy life with no social media, no distractions... just vineyards and roosters crowing every morning."
"You're joking, right?" Rachel rubbed her temples. "I'd rather marry Wi-Fi than live there!"
"Unfortunately, Wi-Fi can't protect our family assets," David replied. "And I won't hand over everything to you without someone I trust beside you."
Rachel gritted her teeth. "So Jian is your insurance for all this wealth? Am I just some business project to secure?"
David shook his head, looking deep into her eyes. "You're not an asset. You're everything. And Jian... he's the only person I fully trust."
Rachel went quiet. Those words struck her pride, yet also melted the walls she had built around her heart.
"What if I fake the marriage... and run away later?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"You're free to choose, sweetheart. But I hope you'll decide with your heart, not just your head."
The room fell into a long silence. Only the beeping of the IV and David's breathing could be heard.
"Does Jian know about this?" Rachel asked softly.
"He does," David replied. "And he agreed."
"Agreed to marry someone who doesn't even like him?"
"Agreed to protect and love you-even if it takes time for you to believe it."
Rachel closed her eyes again. Amid all this chaos, one thing was clear: she wasn't ready to lose her father.
"Daddy... if I marry Jian, can you hold on just a little longer?" she asked quietly, like a child begging not to be left behind.
David squeezed her hand tightly. "If that makes you happy... I'll hold on as long as I can."
Rachel broke down in tears. She hugged her father tightly, as if that embrace could stop time. As if love could defy fate.
Outside the door, Jian still stood, staring straight ahead. He hadn't heard the conversation inside. But in his heart, he knew... his life would never be the same.
And so it began-with one request. One decision. One marriage not born of love... but of a father's desire to keep his daughter from facing the world alone.
"You really know how to make me angry, Mine," Seth growled right in front of Jasmine's face, making her feel his warm breath mixed with the smell of cigarette. "What were you thinking when you were with that jerk earlier, hm? Were you intending to spend the night with him?" Seth asked, making Jasmine silent as she looked at those sharp green eyes. Because I'm angry. Because I'm disappointed. And because I'm afraid of losing you. There were so many reasons Jasmine wanted to tell Seth, but it felt so difficult to express them all, so Jasmine finally just reached out her hand and pulled at the tie Seth was wearing, which erased the distance between them.
Letta Letishia finally found herself living in luxury and wealth. However, all of that didn't meet her expectations when she had to marry a man who would be the father of the child she was carrying, the result of a one-night stand with Marco Jovanka, CEO of JV Airlines. Marco also happened to be her superior at work as a flight attendant. "Are you carrying my child?" Marco asked, staring at Letta with a questioning gaze. Letta, who had been avoiding Marco, could only remain silent as their eyes met. "Answer me, are you carrying my child?" Marco asked again, growing suspicious of Letta's evasive behavior. "No, I am not carrying your child," Letta finally replied, causing Marco to tighten his grip on her arms. "If only I knew that you were lying and hiding that fact, I wouldn't have let you go, Letta," Marco whispered with a low voice, making Letta's body tremble. Even Letta dared not return his gaze, only looking down at the tips of her shoes.
Letta tried to stand up because her turn might be called soon. Letta chose to go to the bathroom first until someone accidentally bumped into her shoulder, almost making Letta sit back down. However, Letta felt a large hand now embracing her waist, making her tilt her head slightly, and the next moment her eyes widened when she saw the familiar sharp gaze in front of her. Letta immediately pushed the man. "You," Letta said, covering her mouth, puzzled about how she could meet this man in a situation like this. "What are you doing here?" Marco asked, inspecting Letta's appearance, making Letta quickly shake her head. "I just dropped by," Letta said, unsure of how to answer Marco's question. Marco then looked at the room in front of him, clearly labeled 'obstetrician.' "You say you just dropped by. Maybe I would believe that if you were in a restaurant or cafe, but this is a hospital. How can you say you just dropped by this hospital?" Marco said, making Letta curse herself. Their attention was then diverted when suddenly the teenager stood between them. "Uncle, do you know her?" the teenager said suddenly, making Letta also slightly surprised. It turned out that was what made Letta feel familiar all this time. Their way of speaking was the same; they both had a very dominant style in conversation. "Yes, I just stopped by here. So, excuse me, I have to leave immediately," Letta said, making Marco unable to just let her go. Marco clearly knew that Letta had been waiting in the waiting room to be examined, making Marco immediately grab Letta's arm. "Are you going to have a pregnancy checkup?" Marco asked again, making Letta widen her eyes. "Why would I have a pregnancy checkup? I'm not pregnant," Letta answered, denying it with a panicked expression, making Marco furrow his brow. "I don't believe you," Marco said. "That's up to you. I'm not going to force you to believe me either. So, excuse me, I have to leave immediately," Letta said, but just as she was about to release Marco's grip, a nurse suddenly emerged and called her name. "Miss Letta Leticia," the nurse said, making Letta widen her eyes, while Marco looked towards the nurse. "Isn't that your name?" Marco said, making Letta immediately shake her head, but the nurse called her name again. "For Miss Letta Leticia, please come in," the nurse said, making Marco once again look at Letta with a suspicious gaze. "I may not know your full name, but I'm sure you're called Letta," Marco said, making Letta fall silent. Actually, Letta could have run away, but for some reason, the pain returned to her stomach. The nurse called Letta's name for the third time, making Letta finally raise her hand. "I, nurse... I'll go in now," Letta said, making the nurse nod before entering the room. Letta then let go of Marco's grip and was about to enter the room, but her steps halted when Marco suddenly followed her. "What are you doing? Are you following me?" Letta asked, making Marco fold his arms again. "Of course, I need to know your condition, and you also need to explain. Why did you have to lie about your pregnancy?" Marco said again, making Letta close her eyes. It seemed there was no other way for her to maintain the lie she had been covering up. "Is it that only those who register with this doctor are here for pregnancy checkups? Isn't the teenager you brought also going to be examined in this room? What's her problem?" Letta asked, making Marco look at his niece. "She's my niece, and it's a different story from you. She does have some issues with her body, but you're different," Marco said again, making Letta look at him while guarding her dignity. "Different how? I'm also going to have my body checked. So, it's better if you don't need to follow me, because you're nobody," Letta said, about to turn around. However, Marco immediately stepped ahead of Letta and entered the room, making Letta really want to grab the man with all her might and give him a slap. At least that could make her feel a little relieved. "Your saga ends here, Letta," Letta murmured, finally resigned to enter and follow Marco to confirm her pregnancy.
Xavier and Nadira's marriage, arranged by their families, made their relationships even more complicated. Whether it was between Nadira and Xavier, Xavier and Nadira's overprotective older brother, or Nadira and Anita, all these relationships colored Xavier and Nadira's future marriage. "Has Dad gone to London?" Xavier asked, sitting right next to Nadira. Nadira nodded in response. "Yes, Dad was taken to the airport by Kenzo, and Kenzo left for the office early this morning as he had to take over the meeting that Dad was supposed to lead," Nadira explained, making Xavier nod. Xavier then took a piece of bread prepared by Nadira. For a few moments, they remained silent, until a waiter approached and handed a small piece of paper to Nadira, making both of them look towards the waiter. "What's this?" Nadira asked, and Xavier also glanced at the paper. "A message from the young master, Miss," the waiter replied, making Nadira immediately realize that it was a message from Ditrian. Nadira opened the message, which contained instructions to go to Ditrian's room where he had stored a gift. Nadira found it strange that Ditrian didn't send the message via phone, but she promptly responded. "Thank you. You may return to your duties," Nadira said, and the waiter nodded before continuing with his work. Xavier looked at the paper held by Nadira. "Your siblings seem to be very attentive," Xavier said as he took a bite of his bread. "Yes, because I'm their only sister," Nadira replied without looking at Xavier. "But your father is a bit distant and strict," Xavier added. "That's because that's just his personality," Nadira replied briefly, making Xavier gaze at her for a moment before getting up from his chair. "I'm heading straight to the office. You can go back home with the house driver, right?" Xavier asked as he adjusted his tie. "My brother asked us to stay for two more days," Nadira said, making Xavier immediately look at her with a displeased expression. "Didn't you promise that we would only stay for one day?" Xavier asked, and Nadira nodded. "Yes, initially that was the plan, but my brother suggested it would be better to stay here for a few days. Besides, he doesn't ask this of us often. Just consider it as a return favor because he has been staying at our house for a few days," Nadira said. Xavier was about to speak, but Nadira interrupted him. "If you don't like it, you can go back to Anita. I'll stay here, but I won't give my brother any reason as to why you didn't stay. He must also know that you're accompanying your first wife," Nadira said before leaving Xavier behind. Xavier rubbed his face roughly. How could he be so petty? That would surely tarnish his reputation in the eyes of his siblings. Although Xavier had no intention of being a good brother-in-law in their eyes, he still had his pride and didn't want to be looked down upon as a man.
"Will you marry me?" Axton suddenly said, causing Emily to hold her breath for a few seconds before widening her eyes. "What? Marry you?" Emily asked to confirm, making Axton nod. However, Emily burst into laughter, even though it felt awkward. "You're joking, right? This must be impossible. How could you ask me to marry you? I thought this was just a sign that you're frustrated and making impulsive decisions like this," Emily said, making Axton shake his head. "Do I look like I'm joking with such a serious face like this? Besides, it's not April Fools' Day. There's no reason for me to lie to you," Axton said, making Emily immediately stand up from her seat. "No, no, no. I think you've come to the wrong person. How could you come to your ex-wife's best friend to propose marriage? You don't want to ruin our friendship, do you?" Emily asked, making Axton sigh deeply. "Because you're the only one who can understand, and by marrying you, Grace will realize her mistake," Axton said, leaving Emily speechless. Emily didn't know whether Grace and Axton were aware of her feelings or not. What she was sure of was that, over the years, she had successfully hidden her feelings well, keeping her admiration and love for Axton, her best friend's husband, to herself. Emily didn't know when those feelings had emerged. She also didn't know why those emotions suddenly filled her heart, unstoppable and undeniable. Now, Axton had proposed to her for a clichéd reason, to make Grace divorce Ethan, and Emily had reluctantly accepted. Despite facing Grace's anger for being perceived as a traitor, Emily went along with the decision. But Emily knew that this wouldn't be smooth sailing, as she had finally set some conditions for Axton. "All right, I accept your proposal, but with a few conditions," Emily's decision marked the beginning of their love story.
Yes, us. I don't want to marry you," Luna stated, her gaze fixed on Lucas's face, devoid of expression. "So, you're going to marry the pianist then?" Lucas guessed, causing Luna to become more certain that the man in front of her was already aware of everything. "Of course. I love him, so I will marry him," Luna replied, observing Lucas's reaction carefully. "But this time, I need this marriage," Luna continued, dismissing Lucas's scoffing smile. "And?" Lucas asked. "We'll make a prenuptial agreement," Luna declared. "Do you think I'll agree?" Lucas responded dismissively. "You have to agree. Whether you like it or not, we're going to make a prenuptial agreement," Luna insisted, prompting a threatening smile from Lucas. "Luna Estrada, you're too confident. Do you think I'd agree to this marriage? I even declined it," Lucas replied, belittling her. "We're not going to make a prenuptial agreement because we're never going to get married," Lucas added, causing Luna to clench her fists as if she had been rejected by the man before her. How could Luna Estrada face rejection? She couldn't allow it to happen. "Hahahahah." Luna forced a laugh, attempting to make it sound mocking to Lucas, although at this moment, she wished she could throw her heel at Lucas's head. "Then why did your grandfather force my grandfather to persuade me to accept this marriage, huh?" Luna said with traces of laughter in her voice, emphasizing each word. "Are you serious?" Lucas asked, his face showing mockery. "Didn't you ask your grandfather who would marry you? Weren't you suspicious? Who knows, maybe your grandfather was referring to my own grandfather, trying to match us," Luna's inner thoughts raced, attempting to calm herself. "You're quite amusing, Mr. Alvarez. If it's not you who's going to marry me, then why did you come to that dinner event? Didn't you say those affectionate words to me, claiming that I was your future wife?" Luna retorted, not wanting to be outdone by Lucas. "Why did I come? Of course, to witness the performance of a couple who would part ways that night. Isn't that an enjoyable spectacle? I was afraid that if my grandfather attended himself, he wouldn't be able to bear seeing you both cry and hug each other. You know my grandfather is a soft-hearted person. Hence, I chose to replace him that night," Lucas's words provoked Luna even more. "Stop your nonsense," Luna snapped, causing Lucas to display a smug smile. Finally, Lucas managed to provoke Luna Estrada, who usually had difficulty controlling her emotions. Luna stood up from her seat, glaring at Lucas with escalating anger as he continued to smirk and taunt her.
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?"
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
"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?"
Caught in a web of betrayal, Nicole's life shatters in a single evening when her mother-in-law, Veronica, sets her up in an elaborate scheme. Blindsided, Nicole faces her husband Taylor's cold rage as he casts her out of his life and home, accusing her of infidelity and theft. As she tries to defend herself, her best friend, Sarah, adds another blow by denying their loyalty. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me!" Nicole pleads, her voice breaking, but his icy response is a dagger to her heart. "I don't hate you, Nicole," he sneers. "I despise you." When Nicole reveals she's pregnant, she hopes for compassion, but it only fuels Veronica's determination to rid the family of her. After signing the divorce papers, a dejected Nicole wanders alone, where a brutal attack leaves her bleeding, helpless, and desperate to protect her unborn child. Six years later, Nicole returns from the ashes to inflict seven times the pains upon those who humiliated her and left her to die. "I'll make them pay so dearly that they'd regret ever been born!" She declares. This is a story of romance and revenge you don't want to miss!
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.