Ariana Taylor thought she'd buried the past-but when the man responsible for destroying her father's legacy offers her a contract marriage, she knows this is her only shot at revenge. Damon Black is rich, powerful, and completely heartless. The plan is simple: marry him, gain his trust, and tear down everything he's built. But nothing about Damon is simple. He's cold but magnetic, cruel yet protective. And the more time Ariana spends in his world, the harder it becomes to remember why she hates him. As sparks fly and secrets unravel, Ariana finds herself caught between two battles-one for justice, and one with her own heart. Because falling for her enemy? That was never supposed to be part of the deal. In a marriage built on lies, one truth might ruin them both: sometimes the most dangerous thing you can do... is fall in love.
"Sign it, or walk away. Your choice."
Damon Black's voice was calm, flat, and annoyingly confident.
The room was silent, except for the ticking of the antique clock on the wall. Ariana Taylor sat across from him in a high-rise office with glass walls that offered a panoramic view of the city-cold, elegant, and as impersonal as the man sitting behind the desk.
Her fingers hovered over the sleek fountain pen that lay on top of the thick contract. One signature. That's all it would take to bind her life to his-for one year.
She should have been nervous. Maybe even afraid. But all she felt was the familiar burn of hatred clawing at her chest.
This was the man responsible for her father's downfall. The man who'd ruined her family's legacy with one ruthless business move. And now, she would become his wife.
At least, on paper.
"One year. No extensions," she said firmly. "No physical obligations outside of public appearances. No access to my private accounts, my body, or my past. Everything ends after twelve months."
Damon leaned back in his leather chair, the movement smooth, deliberate. "You've done your homework."
Ariana met his gaze without flinching. "I don't walk into cages blind."
He raised a brow, clearly amused. "Cage? I was under the impression this arrangement was mutually beneficial."
She smiled coolly. "You get a wife to soften your public image. I get enough money to secure my independence. That's business. Not marriage."
"Harsh words for a bride-to-be."
"Harsh world," she replied.
A flicker of interest crossed Damon's face, but it was gone in an instant. "Very well," he said, tapping the desk. "The terms are clear. Sign, and I'll have the marriage license filed within the hour."
She picked up the pen and pressed it to the paper, her hand steady. Ariana Taylor-a name she'd built from ashes. Not her birth name, but the one that had survived betrayal, poverty, and pain.
When she finished, Damon stood. "Congratulations," he said with dry finality. "You're now officially on my calendar."
"How romantic."
He ignored the sarcasm. "Our engagement will go public tomorrow. Wedding in three days. Press conference next week."
She nodded, already calculating her next move. "Where will I be living?"
"My penthouse. I have an extra room you can use-or you can pretend to be a proper wife and share mine."
"I'll pass."
His eyes lingered on her face for a moment too long. "Pity."
Ariana stood, brushing invisible wrinkles from her pencil skirt. She hated how effortlessly magnetic he was-even now, when she wanted nothing more than to bring him to his knees.
"I'll see you at the rehearsal dinner," Damon said as she turned to leave.
She paused at the door, her hand on the handle. "You think you control everything, don't you?"
His answer was immediate. "I know I do."
Ariana smiled without humor. "We'll see."
++++
Three days later, she stood in front of a full-length mirror, dressed in white.
The stylist fussed with the final pins in her veil while Ariana stared at her reflection. The dress was perfect. The makeup flawless. But beneath the surface, a war raged.
This wasn't her dream wedding. It wasn't even real. But the revenge-that was real. Tangible. Close.
She thought of her father's voice. Of the nights he sat at the edge of her childhood bed, promising her that one day, she'd run the company. That they'd build an empire together.
That future had burned to the ground.
She blinked back the memory and squared her shoulders.
No more mourning. No more running. Today, she stepped into the lion's den.
And this time, she was the one carrying the knife.
++++
The wedding was everything the tabloids would worship: lavish, exclusive, and staged to perfection.
Damon stood at the altar like a man waiting to sign another deal. He didn't smile when she walked down the aisle. Didn't flinch when her hand slid into his.
But his fingers curled ever so slightly around hers-firm, cold.
"You look stunning," he said softly, his voice devoid of warmth.
"I wish I could say the same," she replied without skipping a beat.
A ghost of a smirk tugged at his lips.
The ceremony passed in a blur of vows neither of them meant. As the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Damon turned and pressed a possessive kiss to her cheek.
To the cameras, it was passionate.
To Ariana, it was branding.
++++
That night, back in the penthouse, Ariana stood at the balcony, her gown replaced by silk sleepwear Damon had provided. She didn't wear it for comfort-but to remind herself what she was now: part of his world, however temporary.
"You're quiet," Damon said, entering the room with a drink in hand.
"I'm thinking."
"Dangerous habit."
She turned slowly. "What happens tomorrow?"
"We host a brunch. Appear happy. Smile for pictures."
"And after that?"
"You stay out of my way. I'll stay out of yours."
That suited her just fine. "Goodnight, Damon."
She turned toward the guest room, but his voice stopped her.
"You didn't ask why I agreed to this."
She glanced over her shoulder. "I don't care."
"You should. People like me don't marry without a reason."
"Then maybe I'm not just a woman," she said coolly. "Maybe I'm a weapon."
A slow, knowing smile spread across his face. "You're many things, Ariana. But subtle isn't one of them."
She shut the door to her room with a click and leaned against it.
He didn't know.
Not yet.
But soon, Damon Black would learn that marrying her was the biggest mistake of his life.
Anabel found out she was pregnant and dialed her husband's number to share the good news to him. They have been married for two years without a child. Desmond's mother had been accusing her of being barren and unproductive. When the call was picked, she was flabbergasted and broken. She was hearing a loud moan of feminine voice. "Ohh! Yeah! Don't stop fucking me! Fuck me harder baby!" accompanied with sound of skins slapping against the other. She went home to confront her husband and end up receiving a divorce paper. Desmond divorced him for a lady his mother was rooting. Few months later when he found out that his ex-wife is a billionaire heiress and she is pregnant with twins, he went crazy!
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
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."
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.
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.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?