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 MoreThe night was alive with the sounds of the ocean's waves crashing gently against the shore, and the warmth from the campfire flickered in the cool evening breeze. The sky above was dotted with countless stars, their light twinkling in the vast expanse, untouched by the noise of the world. The island, isolated and tranquil, was the perfect escape from everything—the world they had left behind, the lives they had built, and the contract that tied them together.Nadia and Theodore lay side by side on the soft, white sand, their bodies barely touching but an invisible tension between them, as if the night itself was holding its breath. The fire crackled between them, sending a warmth that contrasted with the coolness of the island air. The flames danced, casting long shadows on the sand, while the soft light illuminated their faces in a way that made the world feel smaller—just the two of them, lost in time and space.Nadia stared up at the stars, her thoughts drifting back to the very fi
Nadia’s heart raced as she responded instinctively, her arms wrapping around Theodore’s neck, pulling him closer to her. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent and intense, and she could feel every inch of him against her, her body reacting to the closeness as if it had been waiting for this moment. Her fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him tighter against her, unable to resist the pull between them.Theodore’s lips moved over hers with a hunger that left her breathless. She could taste the sweetness of his mouth, feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. The subtle, familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the natural musk of his skin, and it was intoxicating—like she was drowning in him, in everything about him.He pulled back slightly, his eyes locking with hers, darkened with emotion. His voice was low and thick with desire, yet there was an undeniable vulnerability in his words. "I care about you," he murmured, his voice almost a whisper, as if admitting something he ha
Nadia woke up with a start, the warmth of someone’s arms surrounding her. The first thing that registered in her mind was the scent of Theodore, mixed with the softness of the sheets around her. Her eyes fluttered open, and her heart skipped a beat when she realized just how close his face was to hers. His features, relaxed and peaceful in his sleep, were only inches away, and she could feel his breath against her skin.But then, panic flooded her senses. What happened last night? She quickly glanced down at her body, her heart racing. Her mind scrambled as she checked herself, half-expecting the worst. She frantically touched her clothes, her hands skimming over the fabric of her tank top and shorts. I’m still dressed, thank goodness.Nadia sighed in relief, though the mix of confusion and something else—disappointment?—settled in her chest. She couldn’t quite figure out how she felt about the situation. Part of her was glad nothing happened, but another part of h
Nadia woke up with a jolt, a soft warmth surrounding her. The first thing that registered in her mind was the feeling of something—or someone—holding her, and she could smell Theodore’s familiar scent, the one she had grown used to. As she opened her eyes, the soft light of morning poured into the room, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow. Her gaze shifted, and her heart nearly stopped when she saw Theodore's face so close to hers.For a brief moment, everything felt surreal. His face was so peaceful, so calm, as if he was in a deep, undisturbed sleep. His jaw was sharp, the slight shadow of stubble covering it, his lips slightly parted. The light from the window highlighted the strong, angular features of his face, and his breathing was steady and relaxed. The sight of him, so close and so... vulnerable, sent a strange flutter through her chest. Her pulse quickened as she realized the position they were in—she was lying in his arms, her head resting against his chest
The silence between them stretched on, suffocating in its weight. Theodore’s gaze was fixed on Nadia, his expression unreadable, his jaw clenched as if holding back a storm of words. Nadia stood there, unsure of what to do next. Her heart raced, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts, none of them making sense."So, what happens now?" she blurted out, her voice louder than she intended. "Will the contract be over now? Do I have to leave? Should I go back tomorrow morning like it says in the terms? I—"Before she could finish her barrage of questions, Theodore stepped closer, cutting her off completely."I love you," he said, his voice low but firm, and the words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning.Nadia froze, the questions on her lips dying as she processed what he had just said. Her heart stuttered, her breath catching in her throat. She had heard the words, but they felt like they didn’t belong in this moment. It was impossibl
Amy looked at Nadia, her curiosity piqued. "Ms. Nadia," she asked softly, "how did you fall in love with Mr. Thatcher?"Nadia’s heart skipped a beat at the question. She glanced at Theodore, sitting across from her, his expression distant and unreadable. She felt her throat tighten as she tried to find the words. For a moment, she considered brushing it off, but something inside her urged her to speak the truth.She took a steadying breath, and when she spoke, her voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of honesty. "Everyone sees Theo as a beast," she began, her eyes flicking between Amy and Rene, then resting on Theodore for a brief moment. "They see his power, his coldness, the way he rules everything around him with an iron fist. And it’s true, in a way. He’s relentless, calculating, like a predator who never lets his guard down. He’s strong, always in control, and everyone fears him for that. It’s how he survives this world, how he built everything he has."
The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the yacht as the evening rolled in, the soft hum of the ocean gently rocking them in the background. Dinner was being served, and the four of them were seated around the table—Nadia, Theodore, Rene, and Amy. The table was elegantly set, the scent of fresh seafood filling the air as the dishes were placed before them. Rene and Amy, though staff, had joined them for the meal, and it felt more casual than any dinner Nadia had ever imagined with someone like Theodore.Nadia found herself talking animatedly with Rene, his playful personality and teasing nature making her laugh often. Rene, 22, was the life of the conversation, cracking jokes and lightening the atmosphere with his loud, carefree demeanor. Amy, on the other hand, sat quietly beside him. She was only 19, with a delicate, almost shy aura, her dark eyes lowered as she ate, a soft smile lingering on her lips whenever she did speak. Despite the difference in personalities,
After the exhilarating dive, Theodore and Nadia had returned to the yacht, their wetsuits now replaced with comfortable, dry clothes. The air was warmer now, but still carried a slight chill from the ocean breeze. The yacht gently rocked with the current, the sound of the water lapping against its hull the only noise around them.They had made their way to the top deck, where large cushions were scattered on the floor, perfect for lounging under the open sky. Nadia, ever the adventurer, flopped down first, stretching out her legs and tilting her face towards the sky. The clouds had gathered, dark and fluffy, giving the sky a soft, overcast feel. It wasn’t the bright, sunny weather they were used to seeing, but it was beautiful in its own way. The clouds seemed to roll gently across the heavens, shifting in slow, graceful patterns, while the occasional bird soared high above, cutting through the air with its wings spread wide.Theodore hesitated for a moment before
The soft hum of the yacht's engines barely disturbed the calm of the early morning. The sun had only just begun to peek over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the vast ocean. Nadia stood outside Theodore's room, her hands lightly gripping the railing as she gazed out at the shimmering water. Her thoughts swirled with excitement; it had been a while since she'd done something adventurous, and this was the perfect opportunity. The yacht staff had told her they could do anything—any water activity she wanted—and she had decided, on a whim, that scuba diving would be the perfect way to start the day.She waited patiently, her heart beating a little faster with anticipation. She could hear the faint sound of footsteps from inside Theodore's room. He was awake.A few moments later, Theodore stepped out into the hallway, his bare chest glistening in the soft morning light. He had a slight frown on his face, still groggy from sleep, and his hair was messy from the n
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...
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments