The final ingredient to finding true love is one teaspoon of lies. **** On her 18th birthday, Elspeth's world was shattered after a one-night stand left her pregnant. The child's father, Alan, betrayed her by revealing his alliance with her scheming half-sister, Heather, who aimed to steal Elspeth's position as heiress. To protect their family’s reputation, her parents sent her away in disgrace. Years later, Elspeth returns, determined to reclaim her place and exact revenge on those who wronged her. But her family’s pressure to marry complicates things. Desperate to dodge a blind date, she impulsively kisses Castiel Stepanov, her daughter's teacher, using him as a convenient escape. When a key investor insists on meeting her husband, Elspeth sees an opportunity and proposes a fake marriage to Castiel. Castiel, a powerful Russian business mogul and part-time elementary teacher, has his own hidden agenda. Traumatized by witnessing the murder of his family, Castiel’s life has been driven by the desire for revenge. Unbeknownst to Elspeth, her father is responsible for the tragedy that destroyed his family. Eager to destroy Elspeth's life, Castiel agrees to the sham marriage, intent on ruining her and her father. As their fake marriage progresses, hidden truths and deep-seated wounds begin to surface. Can Elspeth balance her desire for vengeance with her need to protect her heart, her daughter, and her empire? And will Castiel follow through with his plan for revenge, or will love and the weight of the past consume them both? _______ TROPES: One night stand. Pregnancy. Contract/Fake Marriage. Win her back. Betrayal x Revenge Family. First person (dual perspectives) ______ IG: @ebynamani TT: @eby.namani
Song Rec'd: Summertime Sadness — Lana Del Rey .
Cinnamon Girl — Lana Del Rey
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"Yes, I did." He confirmed my fears as he rose from his chair. "I don't want to hide things from you anymore, so I'll say everything plainly. I married you to get revenge on your father. I wanted to hurt you too after I got you to fall in love with me. It felt unfair—crazy even—that your life was perfect after what he did."
"You got me pregnant for revenge," I mused, trying to steady myself as he stepped closer.
It was all an act. Lord, please help me. Once again, I had to be a naive, foolish little girl to believe in happy ever afters, only to have my heart crushed. He'd taken every part of me—heart, body, and soul—just to crush it eventually. I was merely a pawn in his sick game.