"Marry me and save your family's reputation or stand the chance of loosing everything." He said, his face stoic. She stood there watching him, the same man she had hated and wished death on for most of her adult life. "I'll marry you." She answered, defeated. Sophia Tyler never thought she would meet Bran Garner, the heartless billionaire who previously broke her heart. But when her family's debts became overwhelming, she was left with no option but to meet him again and put her signature on the line. The agreement? In just a year being his wife, her family's money problems will be resolved. Will she survive in a world filled with a lot more than luxury? where her strength is tested and secrets threatening to tear everything apart?
SOPHIA'S POV
"You did what?"
My voice trembled as I stared at the man I called my father. The walls of his office seemed to close in as he refused to look up at me.
"It was a bad business deal. I had no idea it would lead us here. I didn't know it was a scam, " he said, bending his head.
If I had not known him better, I would have believed he was genuinely remorseful, this had been the drill for the longest time.
"Dad, you gambled away a business the whole family has been depending on. This is not even the first time you're doing this. How could you continue even after we almost lost everything the last time?" I said, trying to control my voice out of respect.
"It wasn't supposed to end like this, it seemed a fair deal, the benefits were mouth-watering –"
"I can't believe you would do this, you even used my shop as collateral, you know how things have been for me, you still want to take everything from me?" I asked, tears rolling down my cheeks.
I had woken up that morning with the intention of resuming work, a little fashion-designing house I had been running since I turned 18, it wasn't doing too well, but it was enough to sort our bills every time my dad gambled and landed us in trouble.
I got to work, and the place was locked; my things were thrown outside, with security officials not letting me go in. I had fought, but my efforts were futile, and they had insisted I go talk to my father.
"Who do we owe this time? How do you come out of this mess?" I asked, my voice crossing the line I had set for it.
"Don't talk to Father like that." My sister Henna shouted from the corner she had been standing the whole time.
I turned to face her, my insides boiling with suppressed anger threatening to burst out, "What did you say?"
"Come on, Sophia, it was just one bad mistake, it's not like those things are not supposed to happen in businesses, it's called risk, and it's unavoidable, don't be a brat." She said and walked off to stand close to my father, who had his head buried between his hands.
I bent my head in frustration, biting my lips to fight back tears "I must be the only sane person in this house, Henna at your age, I was already paying for the family's bills, I was working more than expected to make sure we didn't lack, what have you done with your life so far if not constantly causing trouble?"
She rolled her eyes and flipped her hair.
"I don't know how you guys don't understand that I'm tired, my business is falling, and I haven't taken time to create a good life for myself because I've been sacrificing everything to make this family stable. The only business we have had been gambled away, how did it even get up to that extent, Dad?"
"If it's not gambling, then a police case or some fight over jewelry, can I please catch a break?" I yelled, my chest rising and falling in anger.
"I'm sorry, Sophia, I honestly didn't mean for things to turn out like this. It was a good game, and I was close to winning. I just kept putting everything down, and I unfortunately ended up losing everything." He said and started hitting his chest.
"Just like that?"
"They were going to arrest me till he came, he helped me out and I had to put the business down, he said he'll give me everything back if I can grant him a favour, I had no choice."
"He? Who? And what has that even got to do with my shop being locked up?" I asked, walking closer to his table.
"I'm sorry, Baby." He said, his voice trembling.
I sank to my knees. He had gotten me that shop on my 16th birthday when we still had things to our name; it was the only way I could assist the family, and he just gave that away too. I was immediately reminded of the knot I felt in my stomach when I realized my helplessness, I felt sick.
I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.
"So I can't get my shop or the company back if we don't do as "he" says?" I asked.
"Yes, he has everything, and I'm indebted to him. It was the last option, the other guys wouldn't listen, he seemed like a decent rich man, so I agreed, I signed everything to him."
I scoffed.
"Who is he and what does he want?"
"Bran Garner"
I staggered backwards, my breath rising again.
"Which one?" I asked, not believing my ears.
"There's only one Bran Garner Sis, the Multimillionaire." She said and rolled her eyes.
I knew that, I knew him too, but how? Why? I couldn't believe what was happening, it was like the universe was throwing me into the same hole that I had fought hard and long to escape from.
Not this name again, not him again.
"Is there nothing else we can do? Do we have to go through him?" I asked, trying desperately to find a little hope in the situation.
"No, I signed everything to him, we're indebted to him, he was the safest option, and we have to do as he says." He said, avoiding my eyes again.
"We? How convenient," I said.
My head was already running in different directions, This wasn't the kind of situation I wanted myself in; it was like having your life placed in the hands of the devil.
"Just think of something else, is there nothing we can do, no other solution?" I asked, and I was already livid.
"I had no choice, Sophia, neither do you." He said, finally looking up at me, his eyes filled with something I couldn't name, something more than desperation.
"What do you mean?" I asked, walking up to him, there was something in the air that made my eyes water and my heart sink.
His voice came in a whisper, almost inaudible, "You have to marry Bran, Sophia."
The room spun, and the floor felt unsteady beneath me.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Their marriage was nothing but for the benefit of the two families. He could choose anyone to be his bride, but the moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew she was the one he wanted. However, their marriage didn't last for a long because of her indifference. Until the moment he signed the divorce agreement, he finally witnessed her true colors. It turned out that she also took advantage of him. Their divorce was not an end but the start of the real love game.
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
"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?"
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.