Emma Winters thought she had it all—a loving boyfriend, a promising future, and dreams of happily ever after. But everything shatters when she stumbles upon her boyfriend marrying another woman. Heartbroken and betrayed, Emma flees to her hometown of Zeden to start over, vowing to rebuild her life on her own terms. However, fate has other plans. On her first night back, a spontaneous decision leads to a passionate encounter with a mysterious stranger. What was supposed to be a fleeting escape from her pain becomes far more complicated when she starts her new job—and discovers her new boss is none other than Christopher Jacobs, the enigmatic man she spent the night with. As Emma struggles to keep her professional boundaries intact, Christopher is relentless in his pursuit, determined to prove that love at first sight exists. But with a scheming fiancée, a controlling mother, and a vengeful cousin pulling the strings, their love story is anything but simple. When the stakes escalate and Emma’s life is put in jeopardy, Christopher must make a choice: protect his family’s legacy or risk everything for the woman who holds his heart. Will Emma and Christopher overcome the odds, or will their love be another casualty of betrayal?
View MoreThe salon smelled of rosewater and lavender, the gentle sound of running water and faint jazz music playing in the background. As soon as they entered, heads turned. Murmurs followed them like shadows.“Isn’t that Christopher Jacobs and the lady from the trending photo?” One woman asked another.“She’s the one… she looks different in person.”Emma felt the weight of a hundred stares. She wanted to sink into the floor.Chris, however, was unbothered.He stepped up to the receptionist and spoke confidently, “She needs a light transformation. Clean glam—think elegance, not overdone. Keep her natural beauty, just elevate it.”The stylist beamed. “We can absolutely do that, sir.”As Emma was led to a chair, Chris took a seat nearby, legs crossed, observing. When the stylist leaned in to clean a smudge from Emma’s lip, Chris rose without a word, walked over, and gently reached out with a tissue.“Hold still,” he said, eyes locked with hers.She blinked, stunned as his thumb grazed her chin.
The low hum of the car engine filled the silence between them, but Emma’s mind was anything but quiet. She sat beside Christopher, arms crossed loosely, eyes flicking occasionally to his perfect profile as the car cruised through the heart of Zeden.He looked too comfortable. Too calm. Like none of this—the lies, the drama, the deception—bothered him in the slightest.She, on the other hand, felt like her heart was sitting in her throat.“You really think I need a makeover?” she asked after a beat, attempting to keep her voice neutral.Chris glanced at her and smirked, his gaze sweeping over her face and styled hair. “You’re beautiful, Emma. But my mother… she’s a different breed. She reads appearances like résumés. A little polish won’t hurt.”Emma scoffed lightly but didn’t argue. She turned to stare out the window, watching as the city blurred past in streaks of white and gold.Still, something gnawed at her. Her thoughts swirled around a question she couldn’t hold back anymore.“W
The rooftop venue was nothing short of stunning. Elegant white drapes fluttered in the soft breeze, fairy lights twinkled above like stars, and the scent of fresh roses floated in the air. Ivy stood near the buffet table, clipboard in hand, mentally checking off the final touches.She'd done a good job, no, an amazing job. The party was elegant, polished, and timed down to the second. Whoever this Ethan guy was, he was about to be blown away. Not that she cared. It wasn’t her business who the birthday boy was. She’d been hired by a “friend” of his who wanted to throw a surprise party. They’d paid well and upfront, and that was all that mattered. She just doesn't go around snooping about too much information concerning her clients.She adjusted a floral centerpiece on one of the tables and turned to scan the crowd just as a familiar voice floated toward her from behind.“Ivy? Told you we’d see each other again.”She froze immediately she heard the voice.Her brows furrowed slightly as
In the room after taking her bath, Emma stood in front of her mirror, fingers hovering indecisively over her wardrobe.She’d told herself, even reminded herself severally that what they were about to do wasn’t a real date. It was a business arrangement. A favor she agreed to under unusual, circumstances. So why did her heart pound as if she was preparing for something more?She sighed and finally reached for a soft, dusty blue blouse one she hadn't worn since Liam's betrayal.Saying his name doesn't hurt as much again, she thought as she pulled the blouse on.It hugged her figure just enough to be flattering but still conservative. She paired it with a high-waisted black skirt that flared slightly at the bottom, brushing against her knees. On her feet, she slipped into nude heels—low enough to be practical, yet still elegant.Her hair, she left down, brushing it into soft waves that framed her face. A hint of peach blush on her cheeks, a touch of gloss, and she was done. Not too much
Emma stood on the porch, arms folded tightly across her chest, glaring hard at Christopher who was looking at her with a smirk. The cool morning air did nothing to calm the heat simmering under her skin.“It’s too early to be going out on a date,” she snapped. “And I definitely didn’t think you’d show up at my house unannounced.” When she agreed to the date yesterday, she did not think they would be going this early.Christopher didn’t even flinch. In fact, he had the audacity to smile. “I’m your boss, sweetheart. I don’t need an appointment and I didn't give you time for a reason.” He replied with every bit of smugness she was beginning to hate.She gawked at him. “So being my boss gives you the right to show up at my home like you own the place?”He tilted his head, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Not owning it. Just... visiting my very lovely employee-slash-girlfriend.”She let out an incredulous laugh, which sounded forced. “Oh my gosh. You really ARE full of yourself. You know
Saturday morning rolled in quietly, the warm golden light of the sun slipping through the blinds and painting Emma’s bedroom in soft stripes.She had barely gotten any sleep the night before, tossing and turning, her mind looping with the ridiculousness of the date she had somehow agreed to with Christopher. A date. With him. Her boss. The word alone made her groan into her pillow.What had she gotten herself into?Every time she closed her eyes, she saw that cocky smirk of his, heard his voice calling her “Darling,” and remembered the way he’d said “We’re going on a date” like it was a command, not a suggestion. Emma dragged herself out of bed, threw on a loose t-shirt and sweatpants, and made her way toward the kitchen, desperate for coffee and solitude. Her hair was a bird's nest of tangled waves, her eyes heavy with sleep, and her mood decidedly foul.She hadn’t even made it to the kettle when the sharp, urgent ring of the doorbell sliced through the quiet.“Got it!” Evelyn call
The bass from the speakers throbbed through Ivy's body as she stepped onto the club floor, the mini black dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places. The lights flickered across the sea of dancing bodies, but her sharp eyes were focused.She wasn’t here to dance. She was here for a distraction.And she found it standing at the bar.He was tall, dressed in a fitted black shirt that clung to his toned frame. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing strong forearms. His face carried that effortless kind of handsomeness—the type that didn’t try too hard because it didn’t need to. He was sipping from a glass, casually surveying the room.He was her target for the night. So she made her move.Walking over to the bar, she took the empty seat beside him before leaning her elbow on the bar and gave him a sideways glance. “You look bored.”The man looked at her, surprised but amused. “Is it that obvious?”“Painfully,” she said, her lips curling into a small smile. “Clubs aren’t you
The hum of the office around Emma seemed distant as the workday came to a close. Christopher had been in and out of his office all day, exchanging a few glances with her but never fully talking to after he had dropped the bombshell on her earlier on. Emma had grown used to his intensity and unpredictability, but today, it was different. The weight of his presence seemed heavier, pressing down on her shoulders even as the clock ticked closer to the end of her shift.Her fingers hovered over her keyboard, but the words just wouldn’t come. She felt the quiet tension from across the room like a thread pulling her attention toward his office as she took another subtle glance at the door. Finally, the door opened. She didn’t need to look up to know who it was. His shoes clicked sharply against the marble floor as he approached her desk. “Emma,” he began, his voice smooth and teasing. “We’re going on a date tomorrow.”Emma’s eyes flickered toward him, her eyebrows furrowing. “What?” she
Christopher sat in his office, leaning back in his leather chair, his fingers drumming absently on the desk. His mind was still tangled in the conversation he had with his mother. He was frustrated. How was he going to find a girlfriend in less than 24 hours to present to his mom in order for her to cancel the engagement? Business partners had been buzzing his phone since morning with calls and messages to congratulate him on his engagement, and even his employees were buzzing with happiness. He had been forced to put on a smile through it all. “Where the hell am I supposed to find a girlfriend now?” he mumbled angrily to himself. Then, a thought struck him. “Emma.” His fingers stilled on the desk. She was the only woman who had ever managed to get under his skin. The only woman who, after a one-night stand, had walked away without a second glance. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, she was affected by him. They had already shared a night together, so there should be som
Emma Winters stood outside the building where the wedding reception was being held—an event she had reluctantly agreed to attend, thanks to her friend Ivy. “This feels like a terrible idea. I don’t even know these people,” she grumbled, smoothing down the cocktail gown she had been convinced to wear, courtesy of Ivy.“You don’t need to know them,” Ivy chimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “What you need is to get out of the house and stop wallowing in self-pity. You’ve been ghosting me for days, and I’m not having it anymore. Weddings are fun! Trust me.”Emma’s arms instinctively folded across her chest, her lips forming a tight line as she regarded Ivy with a mix of annoyance and appreciation. How could someone so carefree understand the weight of loneliness that clung to her? “Fun for you,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “I’m just going to be the socially awkward plus-one who gets stuck by the dessert table all night, watching everyone else have a good time.”“Then consid...
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