Venessa was always the picture of innocence—a sweet, gentle soul who never knew the dark truth that kept her alive. As a child, she was involved in a tragic accident that left another girl, Sophia, fighting for her life. But a powerful, heartless billionaire had a deal to make, one that would change everything. In exchange for Sophia’s heart, her life would be traded away so that Venessa, dying from a congenital heart defect, could survive. Fast forward years later, and Venessa has grown into a beautiful young woman, blissfully unaware of the dark secret that beats inside her chest. But when Alex, a charming yet cold billionaire, entered into a contractual marriage with her , things start to unravel. Venessa is swept up in a romance with the man who, unbeknownst to her, is the son of the man responsible for her father’s untimely death. As their love deepens, Venessa uncovers a devastating truth: the heart that keeps her alive is the heart of Alex’s first love—Sophia, the very girl she unknowingly doomed. And Alex? He’s now torn between a love that could heal him and a betrayal that could destroy them both. In a tale of passion, secrets, and vengeance, Venessa and Alex must navigate a twisted fate neither of them ever saw coming. Will love conquer all, or will the truth tear them apart?
View MoreVenessa shifted nervously on the sleek, black chair in the lobby, watching the clock on the wall. The seconds seemed to drag, each one stretching longer than the last. The receptionist had informed her that someone would escort her to the CEO’s office, and now, after what felt like hours. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was certain of one thing: she had to face Alex Graystone today. A tall woman in a sharply tailored suit appeared from behind the reception desk, her expression calm and professional. She gave Venessa a polite smile, her voice smooth as she spoke. “Ms. Hunt, I’ll take you to the office.” Venessa stood up, clutching the bag on her hand and followed the woman toward the elevators. She was led past rows of elegant offices, through glossy marble floors and walls of glass, the hustle of the employees around her blending into an ambient hum. Everything about this place radiated power and precision, from the immaculate design to the sleek modern furnishings. Veness
Venessa stood outside the towering glass-and-steel skyscraper, the world around her buzzing with the rhythm of the city’s unrelenting pace. The building before her seemed to pierce the sky, a symbol of power, wealth, and success. The polished exterior of Graystone Industries reflected the afternoon sun, casting a cold, almost clinical glow on the streets below. It was one of the most prestigious multinational corporations in the world—synonymous with strength, influence, and, of course, Alex Graystone. Graystone Industries was a monolith in the corporate world, its reach extending to every corner of the globe. The company’s glassy façade was both beautiful and imposing, a testament to the iron-clad grip Alex had on his empire. The sleek, modern structure stretched upwards for what seemed like miles, with the building’s sharp edges and clear windows reflecting the world in an almost perfect mirror. Venessa stood before it now, her fingers tight around the edge of the crumpled bro
Venessa’s chest was heavy as she walked down the hallway, her mind racing. She hadn’t even made it to the stairs before Meredith’s voice sliced through the air like a knife. “Venessa.” The coldness in her stepmother’s tone made Venessa’s blood run cold. She stopped in her tracks, her throat tight with emotion. Meredith always had a way of making her feel small, insignificant, like a child who could never escape her shadow. Venessa wiped the tear-streaked makeup from her face, but the traces of her earlier breakdown still clung to her skin. She tried to steady herself, but Meredith wasn’t waiting for her to compose her thoughts. “What the hell is this nonsense I hear?” Meredith demanded, her heels clicking sharply as she strode toward her. “You’re refusing the marriage? Refusing Alex Graystone? After everything I’ve done for you?” Venessa’s chest constricted at the venom in her stepmother’s voice. Her body tensed, but her lips parted as she tried to speak, trying to summon th
The sound of the paper rustling filled the otherwise silent room as Venessa’s eyes flicked across the contract. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to read it all at once—too much of the weight was too heavy. The parts that had already seemed unreasonable enough had left her with a tight knot in her chest, but now, her eyes froze at the next set of clauses, which seemed to mock her very existence. The ridiculousness of some of the provisions made her stomach twist in disgust. She hadn’t wanted to believe it could get worse, but here it was, laid out before her in cold, unyielding terms. She read them again, her mind struggling to process the absurdity. Clause 32: Sexual Obligations and Freedom of Choice Party B (the Wife) agrees to make herself available at any time for Party A’s (the Husband’s) sexual satisfaction. Should Party A desire intimacy, Party B must comply immediately, regardless of Party B’s personal feelings, state of health, or time of day. Failure to meet Party
The evening sky had already sunk into the deep hues of twilight when Venessa finally arrived home, the soft thud of her shoes against the worn wooden floor echoing through the quiet house. She’d lost track of time—lost in the whirlwind of part-time jobs she’d taken on to keep things afloat. Despite working every possible hour, the bills never seemed to stop. The weight of the world seemed to press down on her shoulders as she pushed the door open, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. The house smelled faintly of something she couldn’t quite place—a mix of old wood, cooking spices, and something sharper, more synthetic. It was always like that here, a mixture of warmth and a subtle, unsettling tension. She paused in the hallway, taking a moment to collect herself. The last thing she needed was to let her emotions slip. “Venessa?” Her stepmother’s voice cut through the silence, sharp as ever. There was no warmth, no concern—just a directness that Venessa had grown used to over the years.
Venessa Hunt sat at the corner table in the crowded cafeteria, her fingers lightly tapping against the edge of her untouched tray. The clatter of trays, the murmur of voices, and the hum of overhead lights filled the space around her, but it all felt distant. She barely noticed the noise, too consumed by the icy silence across the table. Alex Graystone, the man sitting opposite her, looked nothing like a typical billionaire. He was a vision of cold precision, his tailored black suit cutting an almost impervious silhouette against the chaos of the cafeteria. His dark eyes locked onto hers, empty of warmth, calculating, as though she were just another business deal, a formality to be processed. He didn’t smile. Didn’t flinch. His expression was one of total indifference, his gaze piercing yet vacant, like a predator watching a prey he wasn’t quite interested in but knew he could capture without effort. There was no admiration, no warmth. His features were flawless, handsome in a way th
Venessa Hunt sat at the corner table in the crowded cafeteria, her fingers lightly tapping against the edge of her untouched tray. The clatter of trays, the murmur of voices, and the hum of overhead lights filled the space around her, but it all felt distant. She barely noticed the noise, too consumed by the icy silence across the table. Alex Graystone, the man sitting opposite her, looked nothing like a typical billionaire. He was a vision of cold precision, his tailored black suit cutting an almost impervious silhouette against the chaos of the cafeteria. His dark eyes locked onto hers, empty of warmth, calculating, as though she were just another business deal, a formality to be processed. He didn’t smile. Didn’t flinch. His expression was one of total indifference, his gaze piercing yet vacant, like a predator watching a prey he wasn’t quite interested in but knew he could capture without effort. There was no admiration, no warmth. His features were flawless, handsome in a way th...
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