Ella had lost everything. After her mother’s accident, her father married someone else and pushed her aside, choosing his new family over her. Her friends slowly left, and she was left to deal with everything alone. She spent all her money to keep her mother on life support. Now, she was broke, exhausted, and barely holding on.

Then Nicholas showed up.

He was a stranger—handsome, confident, and calm. But what shocked her most was the marriage certificate he brought. According to him, they got married in Vegas. The problem? Ella doesn’t remember it at all.

She already has too much to deal with—her sick mom, the hospital bills, and her fiancé, who has been her only support. She can’t afford to lose him now.

But Nicholas won’t go away. He says he’s her husband, and he wants her to come with him. Ella feels drawn to him in a way she can’t explain. He sees through her like no one else does.

She knows she should walk away. She knows she should stay with the safe life she’s trying to hold on to. But something about Nicholas pulls her in—and she’s scared he might break her in the end.

A sharp knock echoed through the stillness, jolting Ella awake.


Her heart slammed against her ribs, breath catching in her throat as the dream dissolved into the darkened room. Her body was burning—cheeks flushed, skin damp, the ghost of Nicholas' hands still lingering on her hips.


Her mind struggled to catch up, still drunk on the heat that felt far too real. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she sat up slowly, trying to steady her breathing. The knock came again—firm, impatient.


Her stomach clenched at the sound of his voice.


Her heart climbed into her throat as she glanced at the door, panic flickering in her chest. For one terrifying second, she wondered if she had somehow crossed some invisible line—if he knew what she had been dreaming about.


"Ella," Nicholas' voice came softer this time, a little more curious. "Are you awake?"


Chapter 36 - A dream