Theodore was deep in the middle of a business meeting, his focus on the financial charts in front of him. His partners were discussing projections and strategies, but his mind was always ten steps ahead. The hum of conversation and the click of pens filled the air, but Theodore’s attention was momentarily interrupted by the buzzing of his phone.It was Miranda.He excused himself from the table, stepping into the hallway with a sense of urgency. “Miranda,” he answered, his voice professional but curious. “What’s going on?”“Mr. Thatcher,” Miranda’s voice came through, laced with concern. “I need to speak with you. It’s about your mother and Nadia.”The mention of Nadia immediately made him tense. “What happened?” he asked, his mind already racing.Miranda didn’t waste any time. “Your mother… she threatened Nadia. She humiliated her, said awful things. She told Nadia to stay away from you, even offered money to make her leave you alone. It was bad, Mr. Thatcher.”Theodore’s stomach tig
Victor Thatcher sat in his private study, staring out the expansive window that overlooked his vast estate. The news had hit him like a ton of bricks—Theodore was getting married. This wasn’t just any wedding. The timing was significant. In six months, once Theodore turned 30, the inheritance would be his—25 billion, alongside the properties and investments that had accumulated wealth for generations. Everything that Victor had worked so hard to position himself for, now at risk.Theodore was sharp, powerful, and intelligent—much more than many gave him credit for. Victor couldn’t deny that his nephew was a formidable opponent, and the idea that Theodore would soon have full control of the Thatcher fortune made Victor uneasy. Theodore had proven himself time and again, not just in business, but in strategy. If there was one thing Theodore was good at, it was calculating every move before making it. He had the mind of a tactician, and he was poised to take the Thatcher empire to greate
The room fell into a heavy silence the moment the glass doors opened.Theodore Thatcher entered, his tall, commanding presence immediately drawing everyone’s attention. His icy blue eyes swept over the room with that detached air of superiority that everyone had grown accustomed to. But what truly stunned the gathered business partners wasn’t just Theodore—it was the woman at his side.Nadia Vaccaro.Her grace was undeniable, each step she took exuding confidence and composure. She had been prepared for this moment—every question, every challenge—carefully coached by Miranda. She stood tall, confident in her answers, though her heart raced beneath the practiced facade. If anyone expected to rattle her, they would be disappointed.Theodore stopped in the middle of the room, releasing her hand with an almost dismissive gesture. His expression remained cold, unbothered.“This is Nadia Vaccaro,” he said in his usual tone, devoid of warmth. “My fiancée.”The room seemed to freeze. Not beca
Nadia stood frozen for a moment after Theodore left the room. She wasn’t sure what to do. Should she follow him, or stay behind? The moment had felt surreal, especially after that tense exchange. She had been rehearsed for every interaction, every scenario—except this one. The business partners had filtered out, leaving her standing alone in the room.Just as she was about to leave, she heard Drake's voice behind her. “Are you really Theodore’s fiancée?”Nadia turned to see him leaning against the table, his casual demeanor unchanged despite the earlier tension. His grin was in place, but there was something in his eyes—curiosity, maybe even a hint of amusement.“Yes, I am,” Nadia replied, her voice steady despite the racing thoughts in her head. She wasn’t sure where this conversation would go, but she felt strangely compelled to answer him truthfully.Drake smiled wider, clearly intrigued. “I didn’t expect to see someone like you here. The whole corporate vibe isn’t exactly... your
The grand celebration in Victor’s mansion was in full swing, buzzing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the chatter of well-dressed elites. The massive space was decorated with opulence, and Nadia couldn’t help but feel out of place. She was adorned in a stunning black backless dress, six-inch heels clicking softly on the marble floors, her hand resting in Theodore's arm as he led her through the sea of wealthy guests. Everything around her was a reminder of how different her life was from theirs.They reached their table where Theodore sat beside Drake. Nadia seated herself next to Theodore, still feeling the weight of the unfamiliar world around her. Before she could fully settle in, Drake leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, his voice low and admiring. “You look absolutely stunning tonight, Nadia,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. Nadia smiled awkwardly, not sure how to respond to his charm, her heart fluttering despite herself.Victor stood, signaling the start
The soft rays of sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. Nadia stirred, her body reluctant to leave the warm embrace of her bed after the whirlwind of emotions from last night’s celebration. Memories of the party replayed in her mind: Theodore’s announcement, the flashes of cameras, the whispers of the crowd. It all felt surreal.Pushing the covers aside, she slid her feet onto the cool floor and stretched. The house was quiet, save for the faint clinking of plates and the hum of the coffee machine from the dining area. She followed the sounds, her steps light but purposeful.As she approached, the sight waiting for her warmed her heart. Chris was sitting at the table, a plate of greens in front of him, along with a glass of vibrant juice—freshly mixed with fruits and vegetables. Beside him, his medications were neatly arranged, a reminder of the battles he’d been fighting so bravely.“Good morning, Nads!” Chris greeted her with a bright smi
Nadia stepped confidently toward the center of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She stood in front of the sleek, polished table, the glow of the overhead lights reflecting off her blue business attire. Her curly hair framed her face perfectly, and her gaze was steady as she looked across the room at the assembled executives. For a moment, she allowed the silence to stretch, letting the anticipation build before she spoke."Good morning, gentlemen," she began, her voice calm and unwavering. Her tone was rich with authority, but there was warmth that made it clear she wasn’t just here to pretend. This was personal—rooted in her heart. She scanned the faces before her—Theodore, Drake, Victor, and the other business partners of Thatcher Enterprises. "My name is Nadianna Rostova. I’m the founder and director of several charitable organizations supporting children with cancer. Today, I’m here to present a project that can change the lives of thousands of childr
Nadia’s mind raced as she stepped through the polished glass doors of Thatcher Enterprises. The grandeur of the building never failed to strike her, even after weeks of stepping into its imposing structure. The sleek marble floors, modern art, and the faint scent of fresh coffee spoke of wealth, power, and influence—none of which were truly hers. Yet, she walked these halls as if they were.Yesterday’s events had left her in turmoil. Miranda’s call had been a catalyst for the storm brewing inside her.“Nadia,” Miranda had said with calm confidence, “the board has approved the children’s cancer charity initiative. It’s all yours to manage. You’ve proven your capabilities, and now it’s time to shine outside the boardroom.”Nadia had nearly dropped the phone. The charity was supposed to be nothing more than an illusion, a part of the elaborate act to establish her as a philanthropic businesswoman. But this new responsibility made it real. She felt a mixture of exhilaration and dread.She
Nadia stood before the full-length mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection. The dress was perfect—an intricate masterpiece of silk and lace, hugging her frame in all the right places. Delicate embroidery cascaded down the bodice, flowing seamlessly into the train that trailed behind her like a whispered promise. The soft ivory fabric contrasted beautifully against her skin, making her look almost ethereal.Her dark hair was styled in a graceful updo, with loose strands framing her face. A simple veil draped over her shoulders, blending into the elegance of her gown. Her makeup was light, just enough to enhance the emotions shining in her brown eyes.For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to believe this was real. That she was truly a bride, standing on the edge of forever with the man she loved.Yes—she loved him.She could no longer deny it. Somewhere between the lies and the contract, between the cold glares and the unexpec
Theodore stood outside the house, his hands shoved into his pockets, his jaw locked in frustration. The moment he saw Nadia in the parking lot—barefoot, limping, her eyes filled with unshed tears—he knew something was wrong.And he was going to find out what.Miranda arrived a few minutes later, a tablet in hand. Without wasting time, she pulled up the CCTV footage.“I got access to the security feed from the restroom,” she said, tapping the screen. “You need to see this.”Theodore’s muscles tensed as he focused on the video.The footage showed Nadia walking into the restroom first, looking exhausted but composed. Then, seconds later, his mother entered.Leonora’s expression alone made Theodore’s blood run cold—pure contempt, her posture stiff with disgust.Then, the audio kicked in.“You really think you belong here, don’t you?” Leonora’s voice dripped with venom.Theodore’s hands clenched into fists.
Inside Theodore’s office, laughter echoed off the sleek, modern walls. Nadia clutched her stomach, her shoulders shaking as she tried—and failed—to contain her amusement.“You—” she gasped between giggles, wiping at the corner of her eye. “You actually called me baby—in front of everyone!”Her laughter only grew louder, filling the space with a warmth that felt almost foreign in Theodore’s cold, meticulously organized world. She leaned against his desk, catching her breath, still grinning. “I mean, Theodore Thatcher—the man who barely smiles, the man who can make grown men tremble in meetings—just said baby like it was the most natural thing in the world.”Theodore, who had been leaning against his desk with his arms crossed, simply watched her. His face remained neutral, but his piercing blue eyes never left her. He wasn’t annoyed. He wasn’t even trying to defend himself. Instead, he was studying her—how her brown eyes sparkled with amusement, how her lip
Silence hung in the air as Sheena struggled to respond. The confidence she had displayed at the beginning of the meeting had withered under Nadia’s sharp analysis, and everyone in the room could see it. Her fingers tightened around the edges of the document she held, flipping through the pages with increasing urgency. The rustling of paper was the only sound in the otherwise still room, a stark contrast to the eloquence she had shown just moments ago.Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Her eyes darted across the printed text, searching—desperate—for an answer that simply wasn’t there.Leonora, sensing the shift in power, intervened smoothly, her voice cutting through the thick air with practiced ease.“Nadia, while I appreciate your scrutiny, I believe you may be overlooking the broader vision here.” She leaned back, exuding an aura of calm authority. “The Valerio Group has years of experience in large-scale developments. A proposal like this isn’t b
Nadia was seated on the couch in her temporary office when Miranda entered, her expression urgent yet composed. The older woman held a garment bag in her hands, the rich fabric inside barely visible through the opening.“We need to hurry,” Miranda announced, placing the garment bag on the desk and unzipping it. “Sheena Valerio will be presenting a business proposal at the board meeting tonight at seven. Leonora personally invited her, which means this is more than just a simple presentation. Theodore wants you there.”Nadia blinked. “Sheena Valerio?” Miranda nodded, carefully pulling out the dress. “I am sure you already know her. But, to give you a little background she's a daughter of the Valerio family—their business empire is one of the few that can stand on equal footing with the Thatchers. She’s smart, well-connected, and ambitious.”Nadia frowned, running her fingers through her hair. “And why does Theodore want me there?”Miranda
The soft glow of morning filtered through the thin curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. The air was thick with the lingering warmth of the night before, a silent testament to what had transpired between them.Theodore lay awake, his arm resting under his head while his other hand absentmindedly traced patterns on the sheets. His gaze was fixed on the woman beside him.Nadia.Her head was nestled against his arm, her dark lashes resting against her cheeks, her breathing slow and steady. Strands of her dark hair had fallen over her face, and he resisted the sudden urge to brush them away.Even in sleep, she was breathtaking.He let out a slow exhale, his mind clouded with thoughts.He had been drunk last night, yes. But not drunk enough to forget. Not drunk enough to regret.And that was what he hated the most.The past few days, he had tried his best to keep his distance. Their arrangement was temporary,
The room was dimly lit by the faint glow of the city lights filtering through the curtains. The only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the slow, steady breathing of the man sleeping on the couch.Nadia sat up in bed, the sheets pooling around her waist as she glanced toward Theodore. His features, usually so tense and unreadable, were now relaxed in sleep. The sharp angles of his face were softened in the quiet, his dark lashes casting faint shadows over his cheekbones.He looked almost… peaceful. Vulnerable.A strange warmth spread in her chest as she watched him. She wasn’t sure why she got up—maybe it was the pull of something unspoken, something she wasn’t ready to name. Barefoot, she padded across the wooden floor, stopping just beside the couch.Her gaze drifted to his lips.The memories came unbidden. The first time, when she had leaned too close and accidentally kissed him while he was sleeping. The second time, on t
As 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