I never expected my life to change so drastically. One moment, I was a woman with dreams, deeply in love with a man I thought I’d spend my life with. The next, I was betrayed and heartbroken, walking in on him cheating without a hint of remorse. That night, overwhelmed with pain and too much alcohol, I made a reckless decision, a one-night stand with a stranger who, to my shock, turned out to be my new boss. Arec, the vice president of Denco Groups, was desperate. To secure his future as CEO, he needed a wife, and in a twist of fate, he offered me a contract marriage. It sounded absurd, but his desperation mirrored my own need to escape the wreckage of my life. It was supposed to be simple: no emotions, no strings attached. A business arrangement, nothing more. I thought I could handle it, that I could keep my heart out of it. I was wrong. What started as a deal quickly spiraled into something far more complicated. As our fake marriage blurred into real feelings, the world around us began to close in. Disapproving family, old enemies, buried secrets, scheming rivals, and even an attempt on my life threatened to tear us apart. This is my story, a journey of heartbreak, unexpected love, and a fight to protect what we built together. In a world filled with lies and deceit, can a marriage born out of necessity become something real? --- Warning: This book contains mature themes. Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/NJJKETf4
Ella's POV:
The night was a whirlwind of emotions. Even after we'd returned to the penthouse, I couldn't stop staring at the ring on my finger, a symbol of something I never thought we'd reach, a real engagement. My mind replayed Arec's words over and over, each one sinking deeper into my heart.
I glanced over at him as he loosened his tie and set it on the kitchen counter. He looked relaxed, a faint smile still lingering on his face. The thought that he had planned everything tonight, all for me, made my chest tighten with gratitude and something deeper, something that scared and thrilled me at the same time.
"You're staring," Arec said, smirking as he caught my gaze.
"Can you blame me?" I shot back, holding up my hand so the ring caught the light. "You've officially ruined me for any other proposals."
"Good." He walked over, his hands finding my waist as he pulled me closer. "Because there won't be any other proposals. Just this one."