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The Billionaire's Secret Contract By S.L. Gumbi "Marry me for one year. No feelings. No complications. Just a contract." Struggling artist Mila Raines is desperate. Her brother is ill, the bills are piling up, and hope is fading fast. When billionaire CEO Lucien Blackwood offers her a lifeline-marriage in exchange for a fortune-she agrees without hesitation. One year, no strings attached. At least, that's what they both claim. But secrets have a way of surfacing. Lucien needs a wife to secure his inheritance, but his icy heart hides deeper wounds. Mila is the only woman who's ever challenged his control-and the only one who might break it. As their plastic marriage goes way too far, becoming terrifyingly real, their lies from the past threaten to tear apart their fragile relationship. And when Mila uncovers a fact that's capable of tearing down Lucien's world – and her own, she is faced with a choice between either saving her heart or taking a gamble with love. When money can be used to purchase everything, but not trust, can two people who have been broken survive the cost of loving each other?
The rain was merciless.
It slashed sideways against the towering glass walls of Blackwood Holdings, drenching everything in its path. Cars hissed past on the slick streets, their lights blurring like watercolor on glass. Mila Raines stood at the curb, covered in water, tired from carrying her soggy sketchbook stuffed into her canvas bag, along with a scant few resumes that no one had wanted.
She looked up at the skyscraper, and her breath puffed small white clouds into the cold. It was the kind of building that should have been in a different world – the world of crystal chandeliers and silent chauffeurs and people who don't flinch every time their phone buzzes them another unpaid bill. It wasn't her world.
Tonight, though it had to be.
She breathed in shakily and walked into the revolving doors. The warmth was there suddenly, and the scent of leather, cologne, and polished marble assaulted her. All glittered from the black floors and the golden elevator door that mocked her with her reflection of the bedraggled appearance.
The security guard glanced at her doubtfully until she showed him the sleek black card she'd received earlier that afternoon. The assistant's voice had been clipped, cold, and professional.
"Mr. Blackwood would like to see you. Seven sharp. Dress appropriately."
Mila had tried. But with her single decent outfit still at the laundromat, she'd had to make do with dark jeans, a simple white blouse, and the long gray coat her mother had left behind before vanishing out of their lives years ago. The boots squeaked uncomfortably as she walked over the marble floor.
The elevator was bringing her up to the last floor – no buttons, no stops. The ride was quiet, save for her heart beating. When the doors opened, she walked squarely into an office that resembled a penthouse rather than an office. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed a panorama of the city skyline lost in storm clouds and lightning.
And there he was.
Lucien Blackwood.
He stood, with his back to her, towards the city like a man surveying an empire. His profile was trim – broad shoulders, a slim waist, perfect in black. When he turned, his eyes locked onto hers like twin storms-gray, cold, unreadable.
"Mila Raines," he said smoothly. "You came."
What could I do, she responded, forcing her chin up. "You said it was urgent."
He didn't smile. "Urgency is subjective. I find desperation far more motivating."
She bristled. "I'm not desperate."
Her soaked coat and the torn end of her portfolio visible from her bag caught his eye for a moment before returning to her face. "Of course you're not."
She hated him already.
He pointed to a sleek leather chair across his desk. She remained standing.
"What is this all about, though?' she told, getting to the point.
Lucien strolled to a black cabinet in the corner, poured himself a shot-scotch neat-then settled in. Only then did he speak again.
"I need a wife."
Mila blinked. "Excuse me?"
"A legal wife. For one year. No more, no less."
She glared at him, certain that she'd heard wrong. "You brought me here ... for a joke?
"I don't joke." His voice was ice. "This is a business arrangement. You'll marry me, live with me, and fulfill the public image of a loyal spouse. In return, I'll pay you five million dollars."
Mila's laugh was hollow, disbelieving. "Is this some kind of twisted proposal? Why me?"
"You're invisible," he said bluntly. "No press, no scandals, no ties. You're struggling. You're smart. And you're desperate enough to accept."
"I told you, I'm not desperate."
"Your brother has cystic fibrosis. He was recently pulled from his treatment program due to unpaid fees. Your landlord filed for eviction. And your utilities were cut off last week."
Mila's blood froze. "You had me investigated?"
"I don't offer five million dollars without doing my homework."
She wanted to scream. Wanted to throw something. But most of all, she wanted to run.
"Why do you need a wife?" she asked tightly, forcing her voice to stay level.
"My grandfather died two weeks ago. His will left the controlling shares of Blackwood Holdings to me-on one condition. I must be legally married by the end of this month, and remain so for at least a year. Otherwise, the shares go to my cousin, whom I'd rather burn the company down than see in power."
Mila absorbed that in silence.
This was madness. The kind of thing you saw in old soap operas or ridiculous novels. But the money... five million dollars.
That would pay for her brother's treatments. Get them a new apartment. Maybe even restart her career. A year of her life for a lifetime of freedom.
"I'm not a toy," she said finally.
"No. You're an employee. With benefits."
"And what exactly do these 'benefits' include?" Her eyes narrowed.
"We'll have a contract. There will be no intimacy unless you agree to it. You'll attend public events with me, move into my penthouse, and behave like a devoted wife when the cameras are on. You will not speak to the media, and you will not fall in love with me."
That last condition made her scoff. "My dear, trust me, you're not my type".
A smile did not curl on Lucien's lips. "Good."
She hesitated as her hands clenched the strap of her bag in their fists.
This was insane. Dangerous. Impossible.
And yet...
"What if I say yes?" she whispered.
"Then you'll sign the contract tomorrow. The wedding will be the day after. And your life, Miss Raines, will never be the same again."
In a world where the wealthy live among the clouds and the rest survive beneath a dying sky, Calla Voss is a hidden heiress-beautiful, brilliant, and caged in a floating city of secrets. She's never set foot on the earth... until a rogue thief from below crashes into her life and forces her to run. Rhys Arden is a rebel with nothing left to lose. But when he kidnaps the wrong girl and discovers she's the key to toppling the corrupt elite, everything changes. She's a blend of fire and steel, and regardless of their differences, their bond is unmistakable. Fleeing from a regime that obliterates memories to stay in power, Calla and Rhys discover a plot that endangers not only history but reality itself. As their lives intersect, their fervor erupts-and thus a revolution begins. But love in a broken world comes with a price. And if they fail, they'll be erased from existence... forever.
He has everything. She has nothing. But they share a secret neither one knows. After losing her mother, Ayla Cole is left with no family, no money, and only one clue about her father - a faded photograph of a man she's never met. Desperate for answers, she takes a job as a maid in a luxury estate owned by Dominic Blackwood, a ruthless billionaire known for his cold heart and private life. But when Dominic finds out Ayla's real identity, everything changes. Because she isn't just another employee... She's the daughter of the woman he once loved - and the only heir to a fortune she knows nothing about. With enemies circling and the truth buried in lies, Ayla and Dominic must navigate a tangled past, forbidden feelings, and a legacy that could destroy them both.
Shards of the Moon In a world where magic is bound to blood, memory, and the moon, destiny does not forget its chosen. Kaela has always felt like a stranger in her skin-haunted by fragmented dreams, drawn to shadows no one else can see. Raised in the quiet Wind Kingdom, she hides a strange birthmark, a forbidden power, and a past she cannot name. When a moment of mercy exposes her healing gift, she becomes the most hunted soul in the empire. Five kingdoms are on the brink of war, and the Fire Kingdom's cold-hearted prince, Rael, believes her to be the lost "Moon Shard"-the spirit princess whose disappearance shattered the balance of power... and who may have caused his mother's death. But Rael is not the only one watching her. A silent guardian from another life, a ruthless high priestess weaving a deadly plan, and the unraveling truth of Kaela's past begin to awaken a dangerous legacy. As memories return, so does love-and betrayal. What happens when the fate of an empire rests on a girl who's lived a hundred lives and remembers none? A tale of love reborn, power reclaimed, and a destiny no one can outrun.
Dear readers, this book has resumed daily updates. It took Sabrina three whole years to realize that her husband, Tyrone didn't have a heart. He was the coldest and most indifferent man she had ever met. He never smiled at her, let alone treated her like his wife. To make matters worse, the return of the woman he had eyes for brought Sabrina nothing but divorce papers. Sabrina's heart broke. Hoping that there was still a chance for them to work on their marriage, she asked, "Quick question,Tyrone. Would you still divorce me if I told you that I was pregnant?" "Absolutely!" he responded. Realizing that she didn't mean shit to him, Sabrina decided to let go. She signed the divorce agreement while lying on her sickbed with a broken heart. Surprisingly, that wasn't the end for the couple. It was as if scales fell off Tyrone's eyes after she signed the divorce agreement. The once so heartless man groveled at her bedside and pleaded, "Sabrina, I made a big mistake. Please don't divorce me. I promise to change." Sabrina smiled weakly, not knowing what to do...
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.
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?"
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!
Becky endured three years of marriage to the cold-hearted Rory. In all that time, she naively reasoned that one day, he'd gradually come to like her. But the second he forced her to kneel down and humiliate herself, she knew she had been wrong about him. This man had no feelings for her at all. So why should she still love him? When Rory gave her the choice between kneeling down and divorcing, she didn't miss a beat and chose the latter. After all, why should she waste her youth on this scumbag? Wouldn't it be nicer for her to just have fun every day with her billion-dollar family fortune?
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.