Titan'S Bride Coolmic

Eira Morgan never believed she’d bargain with a monster—until her brother’s life depended on it. When a haunting sketch leads her to the doorstep of Caius Draven, the infamous vampire lord of Ravensmoor, Eira is prepared to offer her blood in exchange for her brother’s freedom. But Caius wants something far more dangerous: her hand in marriage. Bound by a blood covenant she doesn’t fully understand, Eira is thrust into a world of ruthless politics, ancient rivalries, and deadly secrets. As the human bride of a predator, her fiery defiance and sharp wit spark a dangerous game of power with Caius, whose golden eyes see too much—and hide even more. But the blood bond between them is stronger than either anticipated, awakening forbidden desires that could shatter them both. As threats close in from all sides, Eira must decide: will she fight her captor, or stand beside him as something more powerful than prey? In a world where love is dangerous, one thing is certain: surrender is not an option.

She was married to a wealthy alpha when she was 20. She was forced to live as a widow at the age of 21 despite her husband being alive and well. Anabella lived her life suppressing her emotions and what she felt, all for the sake of her family. Her parents sold her off to secure a future for their Alpha son, while the family she got married into was not ready to accept her. Her husband hated her, his gaze searching for someone else among the crowd. And her son-in-law sought the image of his mother in someone else, not giving her a chance even to get close. Life was not...great. So, Anabella decided to end it all and run away. If she were going to live as a widow, despite her marriage, then she would make the best of it and ensure that she would not have to repress herself. After all, even if she was married, Anabella was not marked. And for some, that was enough reason to accept and welcome her to her new life. ...... MXFXF relationship. Female alphas are futas, so come in expecting that It will have yuri and a lot of R18 content. You have been warned beforehand

Hulk was a pro football player, a guy who loved nothing more than clutching a pigskin and barreling through the defense like a runaway freight train. He lived for the gridiron. But he never, in his wildest dreams, imagined he'd see a pair of nipples bigger than a football. He became a giant baby, reborn with a new name: Orion. Orion was the runt of the giant litter, the weakest of the bunch. But when he turned ten, something crazy happened. He saw a strange panel – that not only displayed his stats but also helped him level up. With the panel's help, and a whole lot of elbow grease, Orion led his giant tribe to become the most powerful in the Barren Mountains. He went from zero to hero, becoming a mighty Titan King. He was no longer the runt; he was the top dog.

Ibrahim Rahman, a notorious mafia boss in the hearts of Kuala Lumpur. In the underground world, his influence extended into the darkest corners of the city. At the age of 35, he was feared and respected, a man who commanded loyalty and never took 'no' for an answer. On the other hand, Ava Lim, a 23-year-old University student, is a world away from his dark realm. She is a shy and innocent girl. Their paths converged at a wedding. Ibrahim's eyes locked onto Ava from the moment she stepped into the wedding. From that instant, he knew that he wanted her, and he was determined to make her his, no matter the cost. As the days turned into weeks, Ava couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, the eerie sensation that someone was tracking her every move. Her world was rapidly changing, and she had no idea why. She was blissfully unaware of the darkness that lurked in the shadows, the world she was about to be thrust into. One fateful night, Ibrahim orchestrated her kidnapping from the quiet neighborhood she called home. Will Ibrahim make Ava fall in love with him or Ava will try to to choose the path of revenge?

“You are the least objectionable groom of all the ones I’ve seen,” Anaisa replied seriously. “Thank you for the glowing compliment,” Trace grinned, “but that didn’t quite answer my question.” ___ Anaisa is an orphan and a pariah. In an ultimate act of betrayal, her father, a Count of the Realm, is accused of deserting and betraying the army in a time of war. Not only is he immediately executed for the offense, but the king declares he must have been a fake all along! His two daughters are stripped of their titles and inheritance, replaced by a distant cousin and cast out of their home with nothing. Anaisa swears someday she will get her title and lands back, but in the mean time, she and her sister Katia have to figure out how to survive. Trace is an anomaly among his people; instead of revealing their son as a magic user and thrusting him into the public eye, his parents kept it a secret to allow him to choose the kind of life he wanted. Trace found himself content to rest and play in his own dream world instead of invading the nighttime visions of others. As an adult, his choice to remain unknown is thrown into jeopardy when a mysterious blackmailer forces Trace to enlist in the territorial war between nations, threatening to reveal his secret if the demand is not met. With the war now over, Trace believes he can finally go home to his farm and live the simple, unremarkable life he’s always desired. When Anaisa and Trace are thrown together by a royal edict, the sisters find themselves unwittingly tangled in the web of mystery and intrigue that surrounds the blackmailer’s escalating assignments for Trace. Anaisa begins to suspect it may be connected to the plot to replace her family in the noble court. As the scheme continues to unfold, lives, loves, marriages, and magic will be put to the test to see what forces in the world are strongest.

Adopted into a wealthy family at a young age, Axelle always believed she had finally found the love and security she longed for. But behind the lavish dinners and polite smiles, dark secrets festered, and Axelle soon learned the hard way that blood may be thicker than water, but it can also be deadlier. When she catches her husband—the man she trusted with her heart—in bed with her sister, Axelle’s world shatters. Her heartbreak deepens as she realizes that this betrayal is only the tip of the iceberg. The family she sacrificed everything for has set her up to take the fall for their crimes, using her as a pawn in a game she never asked to play. But Axelle is no longer the naive girl who once craved acceptance. With nothing left to lose, she turns to the last person anyone would expect—her family's most dangerous enemy.

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT] Reborn into the world of her favorite novel, 'Auberon's Edge', as the maid of an unimportant side character - the doomed princess who would be married off to the villain and then killed in a fit of anger some time after they were married - Rache is faced with a moral dilemma: does she use her knowledge to flee the to-be-conquered nation and live somewhere she knows will be safe, or risk upturning the fate of the book by warning Princess Airie about her impending doom? Before Rache can decide, she's ambushed in her bedroom by the princess' guard. Knowing how dangerous the black hearted prince of Sidera is, the princess declares she's forcing her maid to go in her place due to the maid bearing a striking resemblance to her own rare features, while the real princess goes into hiding until her parents can find a way to get untangled from Sidera's web. "Remember, if the prince finds out the truth, he'll kill you first." Trapped in a marriage to a cold-hearted sadist who only loves violence, railroaded into a pointless ending before the story even begins. There is no escape to this twisted romance but death. Rache - the new Princess Airie - will not go so quietly into the night. "Let's break up!"

She supported the entire company through the arranged marriage. Five years later, she only received the brutal truth: "The only reason I married you is that it was the condition my grandpa set for granting me the inheritance of the company." She was overwhelmed by sadness and anger. Then, suddenly, he appeared, extended a helping hand to her, and said coldly, "Listen, you hurt those who hurt you. That's what fairness is." Since then, she found herself trapped in this complex relationship with this tycoon... She tried to resist, saying, "We're not suited for each other." He replied, "You've already tried whether we're suited or not. Now you want to leave? That's being irresponsible." "I'm divorced." "How can we get married if you're not divorced? Bigamy is a crime." Abandoned, she surrendered herself to him, a man of immense power, who gave her the whole world. He dotes on her so much that no one dares to bully her... [Highlight One] "You know what? In love, those who are not loved are considered mistresses." A woman taunted her. "So what? I'm the legal wife. Until I'm divorced, you'll always be the mistress." She replied indifferently. Although she disdained the title, she wouldn't allow herself to be insulted. "So be polite to me. Maybe when I'm in a good mood, I'll give you this position as a bone to a pitiful dog." That woman instantly felt extremely ashamed. [Highlight Two] "Boss, today is the opening of Madam's gallery, but her rival's also opening their business on the same day. What should we do?" His assistant asked. "Tell all the media that I'm going to propose to her today, and anyone who attends will receive a red envelope." He sneered. As soon as the news was released, all the media came to her gallery, and all the billboards in the city were live streaming this grand and romantic proposal. As the sky rained with roses, he appeared, holding a red rose and kneeling in front of her, saying, "Marry me." This man, who had never been known for his romantic gestures, suddenly gave her a surprise! It moved her to tears...

Auctioned and sold by her stepmother,she became an item on sale. He descended brutally seize her, forced her to sign the contract. “Woman, I gave everything you need. Why are you still not satisfied?” he pinched her chin and asked. She struggled to break free, refusing to meet his eyes. When her identity was exposed and she became the heiress of a prestigious family, she realized she was still a bird in his cage. Falling deeper and deeper… it was only in the end that she understood, she had become the queen of his empire long ago…

When she agrees to help her friend out in a blind date, she never imagined it would lead her to the one man she'd hoped never to encounter again—her child's father. Her first instinct? Run. But life has other plans, and she finds herself inescapably drawn back into his orbit as his company's legal advisor. Just as she's poised to resign, escaping the tangled web of personal and professional ties, she's cornered in his office by the man who is as relentless in business as he is in pursuit of her heart. In a game of cat and mouse, she is faced with a choice: succumb to the undeniable chemistry that still sizzles between them or risk it all to maintain the distance she's fought so hard to keep.

Life was mediocre for Amara until her Master brought a proposal for her or more like, it was an order: she was to marry the wicked Lord Damien. Refusal was out of the question for her, as she was merely a slave —a servant burdened by her parents' debts. Just when all hope seemed lost, and she resigned herself to her fate, a mysterious man shows up in front of her, kills the evil old lord, kidnaps her brother, and gives her certain tasks to complete. If she doesn't, then he will kill her brother. As Amara embarks on her journey to save her brother, she finds herself in the clutches of a handsome prince - a devil prince. Despite the danger that surrounds him, she is instantly drawn to his captivating charms. As she struggles to fulfill the tasks set by the mysterious man, her heart is pulled in two directions. On one hand, she feels an undeniable attraction to the devil prince; on the other, she is determined to do whatever it takes to save her brother's life. Will Amara be able to complete the tasks given to her by the mysterious man? Will she be able to save her brother's life? And what will happen when her assigned tasks clash with her feelings for the devil prince, forcing her to choose between her love for him and her family? *** The cover doesn't belong to me. All credit goes to the original owner.

When Elizabeth Hayes, a woman who loves art and music returns home to save her family's failing gallery,she never expects to find herself in the crosshairs of Xavier Coles,a billionaire known for his ruthless business acumen and cold demeanor. The Cole's family owns half of the businesses in New York City, and now, Xavier sights are set on Elizabeth's family asset. Desperate to save her family's legacy, Elizabeth confronts Xavier only to be surprised when he offers her an unextended deal: he will save her gallery but on one condition SHE MUST MARRY HIM. What will happen when she begins to see glimpse of the man behind the cold facade.

Life was steady—maybe not ideal, but manageable—for Evelyn Morgan, the overlooked daughter of a powerful business magnate and his unforgiving wife. Evelyn’s world revolves around a thankless life in the Morgan Mansion, where she's treated as little more than a maid, despite being family by blood. But everything changes the night her glamorous sister Diane, the chosen heiress, vanishes without a trace, leaving Evelyn with an unexpected and weighty responsibility. To save her family’s reputation and future, Evelyn must step in as Diane’s replacement, meeting with the mysterious and notoriously wealthy Mr. Volkow. Rumored to be a crippled recluse, he is nothing like she expected—gorgeous, intense, and unnervingly sharp. Evelyn quickly realizes her life will never be quite the same, especially as she navigates a world where her role and her heart seem more complicated than she ever imagined. But with each encounter, Evelyn begins to wonder if she’s in over her head...

Sophia's life has been nothing more than a loving hell for as long as she can remember. Born into a noble family but kidnapped and sold to the human farms ever since she was a child, pain and suffering are all she has ever known. She escapes the kidnappers momentarily and manages to run into Alexander Sabastine, the young billionaire heir to Sabastine’s fortune. Will he be able to rescue her from this misery and give her the love and happiness she seeks

Getting transmigrated inside a novel is not really a bad thing—you know the story, you have the power of the future in your hand, you know all the hidden keys. You might as well end up as the most powerful and omniscient being in that world. That is, if you don’t wake up during the epilogue. And yet I find myself in the body of a fallen priest at the end of the novel, a tragic hero who had his mana circuit broken in the last war, being shunned, drown in debt, and destined to die not long after. Fortunately, I know just the cure. Unfortunately, the cure was in the hand of one of the Demon Lords—you know, the race that my kingdom just wage war with. Would he give me the cure if I asked him politely? There’s no harm in trying, right? I’d die if I didn’t get the cure, anyway. “Sure, but you have to be my bride as the price,” the Demon Lord said. ...huh? Sir, you know I’m (technically) a priest, right?

In the court, Naveah waited for her boyfriend’s arrival to marry her. Instead she received a message with his lame excuse. Dumped by James, cheated on, ridiculed by him on social media, Naveah swears revenge. Naveah vows to marry the first rich looking guy she would encounter on her way out. Seeing a luxurious vehicle outside, she breaks the windshield and waits. “Oops! I don’t have money to pay, but I can pay back by warming your bed.” Nolan was amused by her guts, lifting her chin and offering her something else. “Marry me and we are even!”

Emily is considered a curse by her father, who abandoned her to live alone in the countryside the day she was born. However, when Emily comes of age, her father asks her to marry another man in place of her sister. She fights back but is poisoned by her father and stepmother, leaving her mute and without her wolf. Her fiancé, Alpha Klaus, is said to be nothing more than a head wolf with an empty title, and he's short-tempered and cruel, but is that really the case? "Tell me, why did you run away from your marriage?" Alpha Klaus puffed on his cigarette, sunglasses hiding his face, "Did you not want to marry me because you were afraid of me?" She fled, he chased. Wherever she was, he found her. She was treated like grass by her family, he treated her like a treasure. He sheltered her from the wind and rain and healed her from all her wounds. He took her in his arms, a warm snort in her face, and he whispered in her ear, "Emily, I ask you to think of me every day, just as I miss you." I want the rest of your memories to be with me. " Note: This book deals with adult content, violence and dark magic.

What exactly does it mean to be his bride? *** Every year, in each of the seven villages that made up the great Kingdom of Ignas, a Choosing Ritual was conducted. During this Chosing Ritual, one of the ladies in the village would be chosen to be the dreaded Dragon King's Bride. No one knew exactly why the ritual was being performed every year or what happened to the brides that had been chosen in the past. Was he turning them into slaves? Feeding them to his dragon? Or was he... feeding on them? That couldn't be ruled out. After all, there were rumours that the king wasn't like them, that he wasn't human. Yet the question relentlessly troubled the people's heart. What was he using them for?! But they dared not question the King, afraid of what fate daring to go against him would be. Anyways, none of these was Belladonna's business. Although it was her village's turn to produce a bride this year, she was certain she wouldn't get chosen. Why? Well, because she had a plan and she was absolutely certain it wouldn't fail her... or would it? *** Note - This novel contains mature content. - Cover isn't mine. Full credit to the artist. Should they require that I take it down, I will. __ Want to give me more inspiration? Weekly Goals. 15 golden tickets - 1 bonus chapter. 200 power stones - 1 bonus chapter. ((Please help me meet them, thank you!)) Please check out my other books. 1. Stealing The Alphas' Soul (In a competition, please support). 2. Mated To The King Of Darkness 3. Dangerously Yours Till Eternity. Also, please check out "MOANSTERS // Reverse Harem" if you are interested in Reverse Harem stories. Thank you!

Meet Angelou, a smart and independent businesswoman who built a name for herself after years of hard work and determination. She tirelessly cares for her foster parents as a simple gratitude for providing everything for her since adoption. But when her foster father mismanages the family business, he seeks help and arranges a partnership with multi-billionaire Ferdinand Levine. A partnership that includes Angelou marrying his only heir, Gabriel. Angelou and Gabriel got tangled with the arranged marriage, both having their own respective objections and goals. Angelou being at the top of her career and loving her singlehood, while Gabriel wanting to get his revenge on her and at the same time take full control of his father’s conglomerate. As their world collides, blossoming love and danger intertwine in this gripping billionaire romance. “I hate to burst your bubble, Miss, but this marriage is nothing more than just a deal. You can dream all you want, I will not stop you from doing so, but these are all temporary. So enjoy the moment while it lasts.” “As long as this will keep my family’s name from destruction, then I am more than willing to spend temporary hell with you until our fake marriage is over. I am doing all of this for my parent’s sake. So come hell or high waters, even if I need to be in the abyss just to save them, then so be it.” “Don’t ever fall in love with me, Miss. Don’t you dare or you’ll be sorry.”

Weddings are supposed to be magical. Mine? More like a disaster waiting to happen. One minute I’m planning the event of the year, the next I’m standing in for the missing bride, marrying a werewolf Alpha—who just happens to be my boyfriend’s older brother—under a blood-red moon. When Ronan’s fiancée vanished, the pack needed a quick replacement to avoid scandal. Lucky me, right? The human girlfriend of his little brother. The plan? Fake the vows, keep the peace, and go back to my old life. Easy. Except nothing about this is easy. Now I’ve got strange new powers stirring inside me, visions I can’t shake, and an Alpha who’s acting like this marriage is more than just for show. And trust me... it’s about to get way more complicated.

O'Neil Andrew Morisette was born into the Divine Empire of Titan with a silver, no, golden spoon in his mouth. Having been sent to prison at the young age of 5 for being the perpetrator of the biggest scandal of Titan Imperialty, he launched his political career after his release. He could be the Emperor's favorite minister, the Princess's husband, a Prince of the Divine Empire of Titan, or a marshal with tens of thousands of soldiers, but which persona will he choose to identify with? This is a story of choices, of intrigue, of love. Will O'Neil Andrew Morisette bow to his fate, or will he entangle himself in romance? Where does his destiny lead, and what changes will he bring to the strongest empire in Westland?

Warning: Mature Content Trigger Warning: Abuse, Trauma, Psychological *It's full of red flags. Don't tell me I didn't warn you all. Blue Learley, a seventeen-year-old girl, lived in a small town with her parents and two brothers. Everything was going as usual until that fateful night when her life changed forever. Demetrius Easton, the merciless werewolf king, got his eyes on her and wanted her as his bride. When her own parents sold her to him, she had no way of escaping him and no one to turn to for help. *** “I don’t want to stay away for too long. Sometimes I fear the bird might fly away.” “The bird doesn’t have a home. The outside world is dangerous for it. And besides, the bird has already found its freedom inside,” I said. “The bird won’t fly away.” ‘So you don’t have to cut its wings since it did not grow them in the first place. It’s okay. The bird likes the cage anyway.’ *** Support my other works: *Silence*- It is a crime-filled thriller novel with a blooming romance between two teenagers. It is about love, friendship and betrayal. Trust me, the twists will keep you on edge. The Mask Of The Monster where you can read the love blooming between a human girl and a terrifying-looking monster The cover is not mine. Source: Devianart

"Sa ngayon mananatili ka sa palasyo ko bilang isang prinsesa hanggang sa dumating ang araw na sumapit ka sa wastong edad, saka kita gagawing aking reyna. Mamili ka, dito sa poder ko at maging aking asawa, o ibibigay kita kay Vincent para maging pagkain niya? Madali akong kausap Elysia, alin man diya ang piliin mo ay buong puso kong ibibigay sayo," saad nito sa mababang boses na nagpatindig sa kaniyang mga balahibo. Buong buhay ni Elysia ay sunud-sunuran lamang siya sa mga utos ng kaniyang pamilya, ngunit dumating ang araw na makakawala siya sa pagmamalupit ng kaniyang itinuturing na kamag-anak. Ngunit, ang kalayaang iyon ay kapalit naman ng buhay niya. Buong puso niya iyong tinanggap kapalit naman ng mga alaalang iniwan sa kaniya ng kaniyang mga magulang na hawak ng kaniyang tiyahin. Subalit ang inaasahan niyang kamat*yan ay hindi naganap, sa halip ay isang kasunduan ang inilatag sa kaniya ng inaakala niyang tatapos sa buhay niya. Si Vladimir na siyang hari ng mga bampira na matagal nang nabubuhay sa mundong ibabaw. Ang kasunduan bang iyon ang siyang magbabago ng buhay ni Elysia o ito rin ang siyang magpapahamak sa kaniya? Sa mga buhay nilang binabalot ng lihim, magkapuwang kaya ang pag-ibig sa pagitan ng dalawang magkasalungat na angkan at lahi?

***** "And the kiss last night?" he asked, stepping closer until she could feel the warmth of him so near. Katrina clutched the roses, heart pounding, feeling the butterflies rising in her. His eyes held her, intense and filled with an emotion she couldn't name. "I don't regret it," he murmured. "I meant every bit of it, and I'd love to—" Katrina didn't let him finish. She pulled him close and pressed her lips to his, unable to resist any longer.  He responded immediately, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her close.  His kiss was slow and deep, full of a passion that set her on fire. ****** King Karl of Xylonia, known as the masked king, is feared by all. Cursed at birth to die at 25, he hides half his face behind a mask, leaving everyone wondering what lies beneath. Ruthless and cold-hearted, he never expected to fall in love—until Katrina enters his life. Katrina, a slave-princess, is treated like a servant in her own home because she was born outside of marriage. When her father can't repay his debt to King Karl, he offers his eldest daughter in placed of his youngest daughter, claiming she has a magical touch that heals with a simple massage. Intrigued, the king agrees. But Katrina was never the chosen one, and the healing power is a lie. As the king starts to fall for her, Katrina is trapped in a web of deceit. How long can she keep her secret before the vengeful king uncovers the truth? And when he does, will their love survive—or will the mask of the king hide a fury that could destroy them both? Contain 18+ scenes detailed explicit content. Hot Romance, Dark secrets. #Not your regular Dark-Romance novel#

Alternative Title: Titans In a world where gods once roamed freely, their power is now fractured, scattered across humanity in the form of "Titan Fragments"—artifacts that grant extraordinary abilities to their wielders. These fragments, said to be remnants of the gods themselves, bestow unimaginable strength, speed, and intelligence, but at a cost: they draw their bearers into an eternal struggle for dominance. Eren Kael, a young scavenger from the forgotten city of Ashenvale, stumbles upon a mysterious fragment buried in the ruins of an ancient battlefield. Unlike others, his fragment doesn't seem to amplify his strength or speed—it grants him visions of the gods’ downfall and whispers of a secret that could change the balance of the world. As Eren is thrust into the chaotic battles of the Titans, he must navigate alliances and rivalries with other bearers, each with their own ambitions and dark pasts. Among them are Lysara, a rogue strategist seeking vengeance for her family; Kaelen, a knight determined to restore honor to his kingdom; and Darius, a warlord who believes he is the reincarnation of a fallen god. But as the fragments call for blood and power, Eren begins to unravel a chilling truth: the fragments are not just relics of the gods—they are the gods, imprisoned within shards of their former glory, desperate to reclaim their dominion. Caught between the Titans' unending war and the gods’ looming resurrection, Eren must decide: Will he use his fragment to end the cycle of violence, or will he succumb to its intoxicating power and become the very thing he fears? Titans is a gripping tale of power, ambition, and the eternal question: What does it mean to be a god in a world of mortals?

[MATURE CONTENT] Chloe Betram, the beautiful daughter of Cuthbert Betram, leader and ruler of the humans in a City where the vampires invaded, the City of Galea, had a long-life dream to get married and build a home with Geoffrey Fergal, an infamous farmer. However, that dream is crushed when her father informs her that she would be getting married to the ruthless General and ruler of the vampires, General Grant Reynard. General Grant Reynard wasn't just a vampire - the creature that had taken over the humans' land and massacred them - he was a ruthless General that led the terrorism conspired by the vampires against the humans and had massacred over 100 nations. However, Chloe's marriage to the General was more than it seems. Chloe was infact the reincarnation of one of the people General Grant had murdered brutally. Chloe is cursed to reincarnate into General Grant's bride in order to save the world from the plague that is General Grant. She is a sacrifice.

Felicia’s life is shattered when her father sells her to a mafia lord, the Bianchi family to settle a debt. She’s forced to marry Nelson Bianchi, a powerful and ruthless mafia heir. Felicia started her new life within the Bianchi clan, she uncovers dark secrets and lies about the mafia. Despite her initial hatred towards Nelson, they developed a complicated and slow burn for each other. Will Felicia and Nelson overcome the danger and deceit surrounding them, will their pasts tear them apart or will their love be destroyed by the mafia’s deadly rules??

Emma, a headstrong, ambitious young woman, is on the brink of losing her family’s struggling bakery, which has been her only connection to her late mother. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious stranger named Adrian Blackwood—known to the world as a ruthless billionaire with a hidden past—shows up with a strange proposition: he needs a wife by midnight to fulfill a condition in his father’s will or lose everything. The deal? Marry Adrian, and he’ll pay off her debts and invest in her bakery, with enough left over to make her dreams come true. But there’s a catch: they must convince his suspicious family and the prying media that it’s real. As Emma enters Adrian’s world of wealth and secrets, she discovers that his stoic facade hides more than he lets on, and his reasons for needing a wife might go deeper than she thought. With each staged public appearance, intimate encounter, and late-night conversation, they both find it harder to pretend. But with a powerful enemy determined to expose their contract, can they keep up the act long enough for their feelings to turn real?