With a mischievous glint in her eye, Trisha said, "Remember, we're not a real couple. No physical stuff, okay?" Dashiell snorted disdainfully and retorted, "Funny you mention it. You know we agreed on those conditions, but you were the one who broke that rule earlier." At twenty-five, Trisha Lockhart thought she had a perfect life—a thriving career as a landscape architect at the real estate subsidiary of Vanthorn Ventures Holdings, a handsome boyfriend who was also her boss, and a bright future ahead of her. Or so she thought. But everything came crashing down when she caught him cheating on her with his assistant. Betrayed and broken, Trisha was exiled to an unpromising project on a remote island, where she felt alone and hopeless. To make matters worse, she had to endure the constant pressures and torments from her family, who never appreciated her sacrifices. In the island, she encountered a man who seemed like a simple and naive country bumpkin. But he was actually Dashiell Vanthorn, the powerful and mysterious CEO of Vanthorn Ventures Holdings, who was hiding his true identity. Sparks flew between them, and they soon entered into a fake marriage, hoping to get back at her ex-boyfriend. But their plan was not as simple as they thought. Trisha faced a deadly threat that put her life in danger. Dashiell had a dark and complicated past that haunted him. And they both had a secret that could change everything: a baby. Could Trisha trust Dashiell with her heart, after being hurt so badly? Could he overcome his demons and open up to her, before it was too late? And could they find love in the midst of chaos, revenge, and destiny? *** Disclaimer: This story is purely a work of fiction and is the product of the author's imagination. Some names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Your supports in power stones, gifts and golden tickets as well as some reviews are highly appreciated. Thank you. @Cover design and all character images by the author with AI generated image. Find me in IG @Karensiarose Discord @Karensia