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Darcy's life goes out of control when her father is rushed to the hospital with a severe illness. With her savings depleted by her living expenses, she can't afford the mounting medical bills, and even her boss's help comes with a condition that is unacceptable. Stranded on a lonely road after her car breaks down at night, Darcy accepts a ride from Torsney-a man whose self-assurance masks a hidden agenda. In exchange for his assistance, he demands that she pose as his fiancée, complete with a dazzling ring and a carefully orchestrated introduction. As this dangerous arrangement takes shape, Darcy is forced into a deal that threatens to change her life forever. How much is she willing to sacrifice to save her father and her future?
"Hello, hello. Who's this?" I spoke into the phone, gesturing to a co-waiter to take over.
I slipped past him, through the back doors and into the kitchens. One cook was huddled over a pot, ladling stew into a plate.
"Hello. Hello?"
"Darcy? Is this Darcy Henley?"
My heart got caught in my chest. "Yeah. Yeah, who's this?"
"Darcy, this is the hospital calling. One mister Adolf Henley just did get admitted. Reports says he slumped in a pub. His emergency info says you're family. Here's the address."
I tore a sheet from the waiting notepad and jotted down the address, my heart hammering. Not another problem. Not now. Not dad.
I ditched my apron and dived out the doors into the parking lot. It had gotten pretty dark out. I was soon in my rickety car of five faithful years and pulling out unto the road. I could barely keep my hands steady. I brought up the hospital's address on Google maps, and it was a good distance driving.
It was all just too much. I already had a lot going on for me for chrissake. I did not need the old man's help in adding to it.
I was just about halfway to the hospital before my cranky 10-year-old 1980 Chevy truck decided to take one of its expensive irregular naps. I was left stranded in no man's land, with cars zooming past at full speed. I got out and leaned against it by the side of the road, willing myself to not break down. Calm Darcy. Do not dent your stupid car further by kicking it. Calm does it.
Soon, the beams of a car's headlight that seemed to be slowing down shone straight at me. Thank God. A sleek black beauty pulled up behind my car. I did not recognize the brand, but it was definitely a car for royalty. A young man in his early thirties glared at me from behind the wheel as I walked up to him.
"What is it?!" He sounded rude. I didn't do well with rude people. But the cold had started to get to me.
"I don't know. I'm not a mechanic," I yelled back at him. "Could you help drop me off at Princeston Hospital? I do not know when I'll be able to get a mechanic at this time and it's urgent I get to the hospital..."
"I could," he interrupted. A sly grin appeared on his stupid face. "But what am I to gain from it? Perhaps the rest of your night?"
A headache, summed up. I turned to walk away but then, thought again. It was dangerous for a pretty helpless-looking girl to be alone at this sort of place. Especially at night.
I turned back to his smirking face. "Now, look here, my man..."
But his phone rang, and he held up a hand to silence me. I groaned in frustration. What I wouldn't give to get back at this spoilt, rich-ass smirking at me.
"Now?," he yelled into his phone. He turned and mouthed that I hopped in. I ran around the car and got into the seat next to him, thanking whoever had interrupted our game. The car jerked forward and pulled into the road. The man had only a hand on the wheel while he yelled into his phone.
"I am coming home with my fiancé. She is right in the car with me!"
I turned to see who else was in the car, the fiancé he was talking about. There was none. The man handed the phone out to me and ordered arrogantly,
"Say hello, to my father, Sally."
I froze. What in the world! He did not even know my name! Perhaps this Sally was his fiancé he had to pick up but was late. Not wanting to seem like bad business, as he'd actually stopped to help, even though he'd taunted my through it, I took the phone.
"Hello. Good evening ma... Uh, sir?"
"Oh. He's actually serious?" The voice was a rich baritone. Probably that of a rich, old man. "Well darling, I'm waiting. See you in a bit."
The line went dead. Huh. He snatched the man right out of my hands, the jerk. He began to mutter things I couldn't hear under his breath.
Now, as I turned to actually observe him, he looked like a handsome guy. He was actually a really handsome guy. His jet black hair he styled back. His nose was well carved, and though I couldn't see his eyes, I imagined them as blue. And he was a rich guy! With the car and that attitude, he definitely was. At once, I felt butterflies begin to flutter in my stomach. I was being given a ride in a hot, rich guy's car.
Shame on you, Darcy! Shame. Your father is dying in the hospital, and all you care to think about is this! I shook myself mentally. Get it over with.
"Sooo, what did you mean by that? Who's your fiancé?" I said, curious. He said nothing, and just continued to drive, the jerk.
Oh. That's how it is. No thank you. Just silence. Fine!
"So," he turned to me, not smiling. "You up to make some cool cash tonight?"
I served back the silence he had given me earlier. It felt good.
"Come on, now. Surely..."
"No. Not interested. Take your filthy desires elsewhere..."
"Even if it's five thousand bucks?"
That shut me up real quick.
"See, I could make a call. Send a plow truck to help with your car. What's it you were going to the hospital to do? Someone you know ill? I could send someone there too. Help with the bills and all." He rounded a corner and shot down the road. "Now, you do not have to sleep with me or anything. You just need to follow me to my family's mansion, and pretend to be my fiancé. Only tonight."
I couldn't talk. The prospects... Five thousand freaking dollars! That would go a long way.
"Come on. I know you need it. One doesn't own a car that old except they're actually poor." The insult was not lost to me. "Just do pretend girl, nothing more to it. Just that."
I swallowed. "Why? Am I going to be in trouble after? Anyone going to come looking for me?"
"Nah. Nothing. I told the old man I had a fiancé without actually having one, and now he's holding me to it. No one's going to come looking for you."
What are you doing, Darcy! Silly-ass question. Was he supposed to affirm that you will be in trouble after? Just take the goddamn deal. Life is all about risks.
"This, uhm, five thousand bucks. Do I get it before, or after?"
He laughed. I hated the sound of it. Now, God help me if he had only been teasing me. God so help us both.
"Clever girl. Here, wear this. It'd do to add a little glamor to the appearance."
He tossed me a ring box he had gotten out the car's glove compartment.
Inside, a diamond ring glinted in the light of a passing car's headlight. It was going to be a long, long night.
I had never sold my soul before. Not this cheap.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
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.
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?"
She was the notorious Alana Wilson, a shameful daughter of the Wilson family. Her reputation went downhill after she broke her engagement with her fiance, Albert Harris. They pointed finger at her, calling her a cheater. However, in truth, who was the cheater here? Alana would do anything she could to have her engagement with Albert broken, even if it meant sacrificing her own reputation. Ten years of abuse she endured in her last life was enough. She made sure that in this life, she would never marry that cheating bastard again. As her previous crush, as well as her brother's best friend, Lorenzo Miller is now back to the country, what would happen to her already messed up life? Especially when her ex-fiance also didn't want to leave her alone. Sequel is out now! Rebirth of the Billionaire's Vengeful Actress Wife
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
"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?"