Theodore Thatcher is a man used to getting what he wants—money, power, control. As a self-made billionaire, There's one thing he can't easily claim—his inheritance. To secure it, he must marry before turning 30. With no interest in commitment, Theodore decides to solve the problem his way—by making a deal with Nadia Vaccaro. Nadia, desperate to help her sick brother and pay off mounting medical bills, has no choice but to agree when Theodore offers her a proposition she can’t refuse: pretend to be his wife, and in return, he’ll cover her brother’s medical expenses. It’s a cold, transactional arrangement. No emotions. No complications. Just a game. But as their lives intertwine, the lines between what’s real and what’s fake begin to blur. Nadia finds herself drawn to Theodore, the man who holds her fate in his hands, while Theodore discovers that his feelings toward Nadia might not be as indifferent as he thought. With everything at stake, Nadia must decide: will she remain in Theodore’s game, or will she walk away before it consumes her? And Theodore, for all his wealth and control, must face the truth of what he’s willing to sacrifice to keep the woman who has become more than just a pawn in his game.
View MoreAs the evening's festivities drew to a close, the once lively ambiance of the party gave way to a quieter, more subdued atmosphere. Nadia and Theodore made their way to the parking lot, the cool night air offering a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside. The sleek black car awaited them, its polished surface reflecting the ambient lights.Theodore approached the driver's side, his movements deliberate yet slightly unsteady. Nadia observed him closely, concern etching her features."Are you sure you're okay to drive?" she inquired, her voice tinged with worry.He paused, one hand resting on the car's roof, the other fumbling briefly with the keys. His gaze met hers, eyes sharp yet clouded."I'm fine," he replied curtly, opening the door and sliding into the driver's seat.Nadia hesitated for a moment before settling into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt with a soft click. The engine roared to life, and Theodore guided the car
Drake knew how to play his part.He had always been the charming one, the easygoing cousin who never took life too seriously. But tonight, he was more than just that—he was a man in love, a man ready to lay his heart at Nadia’s feet.At least, that was the role he had to play.Standing in the dimly lit corner of the lavish ballroom, he kept his expression carefully composed as he faced her. The golden light from the chandeliers bathed her features in a soft glow, making her look even more striking than he remembered. She was wary—he could tell by the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes flickered toward the crowd as if seeking an escape.He couldn’t let her run.Not yet.Drake sighed, letting his gaze drop momentarily before meeting hers again. He made sure his voice was gentle, laced with just the right amount of vulnerability."Nadia, I owe you an apology for everything my father, Victor, has put you throu
The birthday celebration had officially begun. Guests laughed and chatted as the waitstaff moved gracefully between tables, serving plates of exquisite cuisine. The scent of rich, gourmet dishes filled the air, yet Theodore Thatcher had not taken a single bite.He sat beside Nadia, his fingers lazily swirling the wine in his glass, his sharp gaze unreadable. Unlike the others, who were indulging in the luxurious meal, he seemed content with nothing but his drink.Just as Nadia picked up her fork, she heard a familiar voice.“Glad you could make it, Nadia.”She turned to see Drake approaching with his signature easygoing smile. His presence alone attracted attention—Drake Thatcher was not only Theodore’s cousin but a well-known figure in the industry.Nadia returned the smile. “Happy birthday, Drake.”Drake chuckled. “Thanks. I didn’t expect you to come, but it’s a nice surprise.”Then his eyes drifted past her, and he bl
The sleek black car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the grand venue. The event was already in full swing, golden chandeliers casting a warm glow over the entrance, where photographers and guests lingered in hushed whispers.The valet stepped forward as the driver exited, swiftly opening the car door. A polished black dress shoe touched the red carpet first, followed by a tall, commanding figure.Theodore Thatcher.Dressed in a crisp white long-sleeved shirt and tailored black trousers, he was effortless in his confidence—no tie, no jacket, just sheer presence. His sleeves were neatly rolled up to his forearms, revealing strong wrists and a silver watch that gleamed under the lights.He barely glanced at the murmuring guests before turning back toward the car.A second later, a delicate hand, adorned with a simple yet elegant diamond bracelet, reached for his.Nadia stepped out next.And the moment she did, the atmosp
The soft hum of the blow dryer filled the spacious dressing room, blending with the faint melody of a love song playing in the background. The warm light from the vanity cast a golden glow on Nadia’s skin as she added the final touches to her look.Her reflection stared back at her—an intoxicating mix of elegance and seduction. The sheer black lace of her dress clung to her figure like a second skin, teasing glimpses of smooth flesh beneath its intricate patterns. The plunging neckline was daring yet tasteful, while the high slit running up her thigh was enough to make a statement without crossing the line into overt provocation.It was a dress designed to draw attention, to leave an imprint in the minds of those who saw her—and she wore it effortlessly.Her long, wavy hair cascaded down her back in soft, luxurious waves—not too curly, just the right amount of volume to frame her delicate features. She reached for the deep red lipstick, gliding it over her
Nadia stepped out of the car, her heels clicking softly against the pavement in front of Thatcher Enterprises. The towering glass building loomed over her, exuding power and prestige, yet she felt nothing but quiet reluctance.Beside her, Miranda, ever composed, walked with effortless grace.Three days had passed since the pictures of her and Theodore at the Bright Horizon Foundation went viral.Nadia had no interest in reading comments, but Miranda kept her informed—people were beginning to like her. The tide had turned in her favor, and in the process, Sheena had become the new target of public scrutiny.Nadia wasn’t sure how to feel about it.As they entered Theodore’s office, she instinctively searched for him.The moment their eyes met, the world seemed to pause.His sharp, calculating stare locked onto hers. A familiar intensity lingered in his gaze, one that made her heart skip—yet before it could settle, she look
Sheena Valerio leaned against the plush couch of her penthouse, her long, manicured fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. The rich aroma of red wine filled the air, but she barely noticed. Her mind wasn’t in the present—it was trapped in the past.She closed her eyes, letting herself drift back to the time when everything had felt certain.Theodore was her childhood sweetheart.Leonora Thatcher, Theodore’s mother, had always made sure that the two of them were close. They grew up together, attended the same gatherings, were seen as a pair long before anything romantic even started. It had always been an unspoken assumption—Sheena Valerio and Theodore Thatcher, the perfect match.Sheena had believed it. Everyone had believed it.But Theodore was different from other rich boys.He never cared about appearances, about power plays or social standing. While Sheena was basking in the spotlight, Theodore was pushing himself to the
The warm afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the charity center as the day slowly came to an end. It was already three in the afternoon, and it was time to leave.The children, who had been full of laughter and energy throughout the day, now had tears welling in their eyes."Nadia, please come back soon!" one of the younger girls cried, clutching onto her hand."I will," Nadia promised, kneeling to hug the girl tightly. "Be strong for me, okay?"The little girl sniffled and nodded.Others gathered around, waving, their faces a mixture of smiles and sadness. “Thank you for today!”“Come visit us again, Miss Nadia!”“You too, Mr. Theodore!”Theodore stood slightly off to the side, watching the scene unfold. He wasn’t used to emotional goodbyes. He didn’t even know how to react to them. The way the children clung to Nadia, the way they looked at her with so much admiration—it was unfamiliar territory for him.
Nadia held Theodore’s gaze, searching for an answer in his unreadable expression. He didn’t look uncomfortable, exactly, but there was something about the way he stood there—silent, unmoving—that made her realize the truth.He doesn’t know how to interact with kids.It made sense. Theodore Thatcher wasn’t the type to deal with small, fragile things. He was used to commanding boardrooms, negotiating million-dollar deals, and being the cold, untouchable figure of Thatcher Enterprises.But here, in front of a room full of bright-eyed children, he looked… out of place.The nurse beside him, oblivious to the tension, still held an eager smile. “Mr. Theodore, would you like to say something to the kids?”Theodore didn’t respond immediately. His sharp gaze flickered briefly toward the children, who were watching him with curiosity. Some whispered among themselves, and Nadia could tell that, despite not knowing who he was, they could sense he was
Nadia sat at the small kitchen table, staring at the pile of bills in front of her. She was 25, but the weight of her years felt much heavier, carrying the burden of her brother’s medical expenses and a life of constant struggle. Chris, her younger brother, was the only family she had left. Their mother had died eight years ago, and their father had left them long before that, chasing another woman, abandoning them when they needed him most. Nadia had no one else. It was just her and Chris now.Her heart ached as she looked at the medical bills for Chris’s treatments—medication, hospital visits, and the long list of things that were necessary to keep him alive and healthy. Long hours at multiple jobs, cutting back on anything that wasn’t essential, but it was never enough. The bills kept piling up, and the world around her felt like it was closing in. Nadia had never imagined her life would come to this—barely making ends meet, with nothing but a hope that tomorrow would be better.Th...
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