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: "Poison" — David Kushner
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One Week Later
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"Cancel all my appointments, meetings—whatever—for the next month. I'm putting you in charge," I said to Harry as I stepped out of the elevator and into my office to clear out a few files before heading home to Reese.
I can't find the words to describe how this week has unfolded for us. Initially, I doubted the doctor's diagnosis and had Reese examined three times by different medical professionals; they all delivered the same verdict. After a day of being unconscious, Elspeth finally regained consciousness.
"It's my fault; I had cardiomyopathy when I was fifteen," she cried. I can't blame her—I won't. The universe seemed to smile upon us when the family of a brain-dead social worker offered to help Reese. I rewarded them generously, promising even more once the transplant was successful.