The luxurious restaurant buzzed with the sounds of clinking glasses and quiet murmurs, but the atmosphere felt charged with anticipation. The sleek, modern design of the space was nothing short of extraordinary—polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of crystal chandeliers above, and the tables were set with gleaming silverware and fine china. Every detail had been meticulously crafted to create an aura of exclusivity. It wasn’t just the food that made this restaurant famous; it was the people who dined here. Celebrities, politicians, and billionaires were regulars in these plush surroundings, and tonight, Theodore Thatcher had joined their ranks.The moment Theodore entered, the air seemed to shift. His presence commanded attention, even though he didn’t actively seek it. People couldn’t help but glance at the tall, confident figure striding toward a private booth. He exuded an effortless charm and power, qualities that had made him a name not only in business but also in the
Nadia walked into the hospital with a determined step, wearing a simple, unassuming outfit that didn't stand out. She pulled the hood of her jacket low over her face, doing her best to keep her identity hidden. She didn’t want any attention, especially not from anyone who might recognize her. As much as she had become entangled in Theodore’s world, she wasn’t ready for the kind of scrutiny that came with it.She walked through the sterile hallways, her heartbeat a little faster than usual, a mix of concern for Chris and the tension of staying out of the public eye. She finally reached her brother’s room and opened the door, finding Chris resting on his bed, his pale face a bit brighter than before. A nurse stood nearby, adjusting his IV.The doctor assigned to Chris, a calm man in his forties, approached her with a reassuring smile. “Ms. Vaccaro, I’m glad you could make it. Your brother’s condition has improved significantly. All of his necessary treatments have been provided, and his
The clock struck 6 PM when Theodore arrived at the house where Nadia was waiting. As he walked into the room, his gaze immediately fell on her. She was dressed in a stunning brown backless dress that accentuated her figure, yet there was something cold about her demeanor. She looked effortlessly sexy, but her eyes barely met his. She ignored him completely.Theodore, who had always been in control of every situation, was confused. Nadia had been distant since the moment they left the car. Her silence, her lack of eye contact—it was all too obvious. He couldn't figure it out. Why was she acting this way?They arrived at Leonora’s house, and the luxury of the estate immediately hit them. The grandeur of the mansion screamed wealth and status at every turn. The lush gardens outside, the marble floors, the chandeliers that illuminated the hallways—it was all just too much. It felt like stepping into another world, one that Nadia didn’t belong to.Theodore led Nadia inside, his mother’s se
The drive was long, but the moment they arrived, the sight before them took Nadia’s breath away. The car came to a halt by the cliff’s edge, the moonlight reflecting off the vast, dark ocean below. The waves gently crashed against the rocks, and the only sounds were the whispers of the wind and the occasional distant calls of seabirds.“Come on,” Theodore said, breaking the stillness. His voice was softer than usual, almost inviting. “Let’s take a walk.”Nadia followed him, stepping out of the car. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she removed her heels, holding them in one hand as she walked barefoot on the cool grass. Theodore couldn’t help but watch her for a moment, his brow furrowing in curiosity. Why did she take off her shoes so casually? It was a strange, simple gesture, but it made her seem… freer than he expected. It made him wonder about her, about the kind of woman she was beneath the surface. Theodore, noticing her discomfort, quickly removed his jacket and draped it o
Miranda handed Nadia a generous amount of money, instructing her to buy new clothes and shoes to make herself presentable for the show, as Theodore had ordered. Nadia felt reluctant, unsure about accepting the money, but she had little choice. With a heavy sigh, she tucked the money into her bag and set off alone to the nearest market, the task weighing on her.She was dressed casually in a white short, a navy long-sleeve top, and black sunglasses, trying to keep a low profile while shopping. Nadia didn’t want to draw attention to herself, especially with everything happening around her, but she had to go through with it.As she moved through the aisles of the market, lost in thought, she accidentally bumped into someone. She immediately apologized, looking up to see a tall, muscular man standing before her. His eyes were charming, and he offered a warm smile, his presence commanding yet gentle.“No need to apologize,” he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. “But I must say, I
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
The sun peeked gently through the palm leaves as morning arrived on the island, painting the horizon in soft shades of gold and peach. A salty breeze whispered through the trees, stirring the embers of last night’s campfire. Nadia stirred first, her cheek nestled in the crook of Theodore’s shoulder, the fine white sand cool beneath them. For a moment, she simply lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing, her hand resting lightly on his chest.Theodore's eyes opened slowly, blinking against the morning light. His arm was still wrapped protectively around her, and when he noticed her watching him with sleepy affection, a slow smile spread across his face."Morning," he murmured, voice still husky from sleep."Morning," she whispered back.They lay there for a while in comfortable silence, the world around them beginning to stir. The distant cry of gulls overhead, the sound of waves lapping against the shore—it all felt surreal. This place, this moment, was a dream carve
The fire crackled softly in the stillness of the night, its glow casting warm orange hues onto the white sand surrounding them. Above, the stars glittered like scattered diamonds across the ink-black sky, and the sea whispered gently to the shore just a few feet away. The air smelled of salt and faint smoke, and the cool breeze rustled the palm trees around the campfire.Nadia lay on her back on the sand, her arm brushing Theodore’s as they stared up at the constellations. It felt surreal, being here—on this quiet island, away from the chaos and lies, away from the noise of expectations and reputations. For once, everything was calm. There were no reporters, no pretending, no pretending to be strangers or enemies or anything else. Just them, raw and real.She turned her head to look at him. Theodore was quiet, his expression relaxed in a way she had only recently begun to recognize. Gone was the cold billionaire with walls made of steel. Here beside her lay the man who held her when s
The 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,