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LOVE BEHIND THE CONTRACT

Shirley Evans never imagined that one reckless night would turn her ordinary life into the city’s favorite headline. Independent, hardworking, and determined to stay far away from the glittering world of the wealthy, Shelly wakes up in the bed of Darrell Duane—the arrogant billionaire CEO of the Duane Group and the sole heir to one of the most influential business empires in the country. What should have remained a forgotten mistake quickly spirals into a media frenzy when paparazzi capture the scandal, threatening both Darrell’s carefully guarded reputation and Shelly’s peaceful life. To silence the rumors and protect the Duane family’s image, Darrell proposes an outrageous solution: a fake engagement. For Shelly, agreeing means stepping into a world of luxury, ruthless business politics, relentless media attention, and a man whose cold arrogance is matched only by his irresistible charm. For Darrell, it’s nothing more than another calculated business arrangement—one with clear rules, no emotions, and a definite end. But as they continue to play the roles of the perfect couple, the line between pretense and reality begins to blur. Hidden wounds are exposed, dangerous secrets come to light, and hearts that were never meant to fall become impossible to ignore. What began as a scandal to protect a billionaire’s reputation may become the greatest love story either of them ever expected—or the biggest mistake of their lives.
Elettariahelix · 3.6k Views

The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

**Mature Content** Eilika Wolanski is the eldest daughter of one of Varos’ most respected merchants, but respect has never brought her kindness. A childhood accident left a scar across her cheek, and with it, a cruel label she can never escape. The “Unwanted Woman” of Varos. Mocked in public, pitied in private, and treated like a blemish to be hidden, Eilika grows up learning one painful truth, beauty matters more than character in high society. So when an unexpected marriage proposal arrives from the powerful House of Kingsley, no one believes it is real. The groom is Damian Van Kingsley, the widowed duke of Varos, feared for his cold temperament and admired for his unmatched looks and wealth. Rumors follow him like shadows. He has a secret mistress, a broken heart drowned in alcohol, and worst of all… A son he barely acknowledges. For Eilika, marrying Damian isn’t a dream. It’s the only option left for survival. Damian, once the kingdom’s most desirable nobleman, has been nothing but a hollow man since the death of his first wife. He has abandoned his responsibilities, pushed away his child, and lived with one vow burning in his chest. He will never replace his first wife. To force him back into duty, his mother arranges a second marriage, one he never asked for, and one he refuses to accept. Damian swears he will never touch her , will never look at her and will never treat her as his wife. But Eilika isn’t the greedy noblewoman he expected. She doesn’t ask for his affection. She doesn’t crave his title. She doesn’t even want his love. What Eilika wants… is something far more dangerous. A family. And perhaps that is the very thing Damian has been starving for all along. ~~~~ “This bed will remain cold until your last breath.” Damian’s voice boomed through the dark chamber. Eilika didn’t flinch at his words. Instead she replied gracefully, “I don’t seek love, Duke. You can visit your secret mistress every night… Just don’t come near me.” This marriage was never meant to become real, until the Duke's heart begins to betray its own rules.
Kn_star8 · 532.4k Views

I swore I was just helping raise our daughter

They were never lovers. Never promised each other anything beyond the shared responsibility of raising the most powerful, chaotic child the realms had ever seen. Lara, the infamous ex-commander with fire in her veins and mischief in her smile, walked away from war, titles, and politics—only to find herself tangled in a life she never expected. A life where she’s not the hero, not the villain, just the co-parent to a half-demon, half-Celestial whirlwind named Aliyah… and tethered, every single day, to the woman who both grounds her and keeps her at a distance. Sarisa, heir to the Celestial throne, is everything Lara is not—elegant, disciplined, devoted to duty. Once playful and soft, Sarisa has reshaped herself into something unshakable, a future queen too burdened to risk vulnerability. Especially when the court whispers that her daughter is an abomination. Especially when her mother has chosen a future and a spouse that doesn’t include Lara. They said they could raise Aliyah together. That it would be simple. No feelings. No future. Just two women bound by responsibility. But Aliyah is growing. Watching. Asking questions no child should ask with such clarity. And Lara is running out of ways to lie to herself. Because somewhere between sword lessons and bedtime stories, between stolen glances and unsaid words, Lara might have done the one thing she swore she wouldn’t. She might have fallen in love with the woman who was never meant to be hers. And Sarisa? She might already be breaking under the weight of pretending she doesn’t feel the same.
Ava_000 · 313.6k Views