In "The Contracted Bride's Tale", Katie, a weak-to-strong woman, finds herself in a precarious situation after unwittingly becoming involved with the dangerous Syndicate. Desperate to escape, she enters into a contract marriage with the handsome and mysterious billionaire, Alex. As they navigate the twists and turns of their unconventional arrangement, they begin to develop feelings for each other. But when the Syndicate threatens to destroy everything they've built, Katie and Alex must work together to protect their love and their lives. Will their fake marriage turn into a real one, or will the dangers of the Syndicate tear them apart? Find out in this steamy and thrilling romance novel.
Lihat lebih banyakKatie's POV
I never thought I would marry a billionaire, let alone enter into a contract marriage with one. But when life throws you a curveball, you either catch it or let it hit you in the face. And I had caught that curveball, or so I thought.
It all started with a high-profile event that my boss had assigned me to plan. It was for Alexander Grey, the CEO of Grey Enterprises, and one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City. He was a mystery to most people, but to me, he was just another client.
I had everything under control, from the venue to the catering, until Alex walked into my office. He was tall, dark, and handsome, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly composed myself and greeted him with a smile.
"Ms. Stone, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his hand.
I shook his hand, feeling a jolt of electricity shoot through my body. "Likewise, Mr. Grey. How can I assist you?"
"I was hoping we could discuss the event over lunch," he said, flashing a charming smile.
I hesitated for a moment, but I knew I couldn't turn down a client. "Sure, that would be great."
We headed to a nearby restaurant, where we talked about the event and our personal lives. I found out that Alex was a man of few words, but when he did speak, he was intelligent and witty. I also learned that he was single and that his father was pressuring him to settle down and take over the family business.
As we finished our lunch, Alex dropped the bombshell. "Ms. Stone, I have a proposal for you."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of proposal?"
He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "I need a wife, Ms. Stone, and I want you to be that wife."
My mouth dropped open, and I could feel my heart racing. "What are you talking about?"
"My father wants me to settle down, and I need to take over the family business. I don't have time for a traditional relationship, so I'm proposing a contract marriage. You'll receive a large sum of money, and I'll have a wife on paper. It's a win-win situation."
I stared at him, feeling like I was in a dream. "I don't know what to say."
"Think about it," he said, standing up. "I'll give you some time to decide."
As he walked away, I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. Was I considering marrying a man I hardly knew for money? Could I handle the scrutiny of the public eye and the pressure of being a billionaire's wife? I needed to think this through, but a part of me was already tempted by the offer.
The rest of the day went by in a blur, and I couldn't stop thinking about Alex's proposal. I talked to my best friend, Andrew, about it, and he was skeptical. "Katie, are you considering this? It sounds like a recipe for disaster."
"I know, but I need the money, Andrew. My mother's medical bills are piling up, and I can barely afford to pay rent. This could be the solution to all my problems."
"But what about your happiness? What about love?" he asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I don't have time for love, Andrew. I need to take care of my family first."
As I lay in bed that night, I weighed the pros and cons of Alex's proposal. On one hand, I would have financial security and could take care of my family's needs. On the other hand, I would be marrying a man I hardly knew and entering into a contract marriage. But was that so different from traditional marriages, where people often got married for financial or social reasons? I couldn't deny that I was attracted to Alex and that there was a spark between us.
The next day, I called Alex and agreed to meet with him. He suggested that we discuss the details of the contract over dinner. I dressed in my best outfit, feeling nervous and excited at the same time.
As I walked into the restaurant, I saw Alex waiting for me at a table by the window. He stood up as I approached, and I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in his suit.
"Ms. Stone, you look lovely," he said, offering me a seat.
"Thank you, Mr. Grey," I replied, feeling a bit awkward.
He ordered a bottle of wine, and we toasted our new partnership. As we ate our dinner, Alex explained the terms of the contract. We would be married for one year, and I would receive a large sum of money, as well as other benefits such as a new apartment and a personal assistant. We would act like a real couple in public, but in private, we could do whatever we wanted.
I listened to him, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. I asked him some questions about the contract, and he answered them all, making it sound like a great deal. But I couldn't help but wonder what the catch was.
As we finished our dinner, Alex leaned in and whispered in my ear, "I hope you'll consider my proposal, Ms. Stone. I think we could make a great team."
I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I knew that I was falling for him. But was it just a physical attraction, or was there something deeper there? I needed to figure that out before I made a decision.
As we walked out of the restaurant, Alex took my hand and led me to a limousine. He opened the door and helped me inside, then got in next to me. The driver took us to a nearby park, where Alex suggested we take a walk.
We strolled through the park, admiring the fall foliage and the sparkling lights. As we walked, Alex told me about his childhood and his dreams for the future. He seemed like a different person, more open and vulnerable than before.
As we reached a gazebo, Alex stopped and turned to me. "Katie, there's something I need to tell you."
I looked at him, feeling my heart race. "What is it?"
He took a deep breath and said, "I'm not just proposing a contract marriage, Katie. I'm also hoping that we can get to know each other better and that we can build a real relationship."
I felt a surge of emotion, and I knew that I had to be honest with him. "Alex, I'm attracted to you, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for a real relationship. I have a lot of baggage, and I don't want to hurt you."
He placed a hand on my cheek, and I felt his warm touch. "I understand, Katie. But I hope you'll give us a chance. I promise to be patient and supportive, no matter what happens."
I looked into his eyes, and I saw something there that I had never seen before. Was it love, or just a mirage? I couldn't tell, but I knew that I wanted to find out.
As we walked back to the limousine, Alex took my hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Think about my proposal, Katie," he said. "I'll give you some time to think it over. But I want you to know that I'm serious about us. And if you decide to go through with it, I promise to make it worth your while."
With that, he kissed me on the cheek and disappeared into the limousine. I stood there, feeling a mix of confusion and excitement. Could I go through with this? Could I marry a man I hardly knew, just for the money and security?
But then again, wasn't that what life was all about? Taking risks and seizing opportunities? I thought about my past, and how I had always played it safe. Maybe it was time to do something daring and unpredictable.
As I walked back to my apartment, my mind raced with possibilities. If I said yes to Alex's proposal, what would happen next? Would we fall in love, or would it just be a business arrangement? And what about the villains lurking in the shadows? What role would they play in our lives?
I knew that I was about to embark on a wild ride, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take me.
Katie's POVThe next day, we woke up early to start our usual routine. Max went off to school, Emily started work, and Alex headed to the office. But instead of feeling the usual rush and chaos of a busy morning, I felt a sense of calm and gratitude.As I sipped my coffee and watched my family rush around, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beautiful life we had built together. We were all so different, with our own unique personalities and interests, but somehow we managed to come together and create something truly beautiful.And as I headed out to my own work, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. I was grateful for the love and support of my family, and I knew that together we could accomplish anything.Over the next few weeks, we settled back into our usual routine, but with a renewed sense of appreciation and gratitude for each other. We spent more time together as a family, going on walks, cooking together, and just enjoying each other's company.One eve
Katie's POVThe next day, we woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. We spent the morning together, drinking coffee and talking about our plans for the day."I was thinking we could take the kids to the park today," Alex said, looking up from his coffee cup."That sounds like a great idea," I replied, smiling at him.We got dressed and headed out to the park, where the kids ran around and played together. Lily and Mia sat on a blanket, drawing pictures in a notebook, while Max and Emily played a game of catch.As we sat together on a bench, watching our children play, Alex turned to me and took my hand."I was thinking, maybe we should plan a family vacation this summer," he said, his voice soft."That's a great idea," I said, smiling at him. "Where were you thinking?""I was thinking maybe we could go to Hawaii. We could rent a house on the beach and spend some time relaxing and enjoying each other's company," he said, his eyes bright with excitement."That sounds amazing," I said
Katie's POVAs the day of the article release approached, I felt a mix of emotions. I was proud of our family and our love story, but I was also nervous about how people would react.But as the article went live, the response was overwhelmingly positive. People from all over the world reached out to us, sharing their own stories and thanking us for showing them that love comes in many different forms.It was humbling and beautiful, and I felt grateful to be able to make a difference in people's lives.As I looked around at my family, I felt a sense of gratitude and relief wash over me. We had been through so much together, and yet we had come out stronger and more united than ever before.A few days later, Alex surprised me with a romantic weekend getaway to a secluded cabin in the mountains. As we settled in by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the peaceful surroundings, I felt a sense of warmth and contentment settle over me.We spent the weekend hiking, exploring, and s
Katie's POVIt was a typical Sunday afternoon when our family gathered for lunch at our favorite restaurant. We were laughing and chatting, enjoying our time together, when Lily suddenly spoke up."Hey, do you guys remember that time when you were in a contract marriage?" she asked, casually taking a sip of her drink.Alex and I froze, exchanging a worried glance. We had hoped to keep that part of our past hidden from our children forever."What are you talking about, Lily?" Max asked, looking confused."Yeah, what contract marriage?" Emily chimed in, looking just as puzzled.Alex and I shared a look, knowing that it was time to come clean."Well, kids, your father and I weren't always in love," I began, taking a deep breath. "We were actually in a contract marriage.""A contract marriage?" Lily repeated, looking even more confused."Yes," Alex confirmed. "We got married because we needed to for business reasons. It was all part of a plan to help our companies succeed."The children l
Katie's POV As we sat in the small apartment, we knew that we had to do everything in our power to keep our loved ones safe. We couldn't risk putting them in danger by involving them in our plan to take down the organization."I don't want to involve Katie or the kids in this," Alex said firmly. "It's too dangerous.""I agree," I said. "But we have to be careful. We can't let the organization find out about our plan. They could come after our families.""Agreed," Andrew said, his expression serious. "We have to keep this between us."But even as we spoke, I couldn't help but worry about Emily. She was already in a fragile state, and I didn't know how she would react if she found out what we were doing."I think we need to keep an eye on Emily," I said, voicing my concerns. "She's been through a lot, and I don't know if she can handle this kind of stress."Alex nodded in agreement. "I'll talk to Katie and see if we can get her some extra support. Maybe a therapist or something.""I ca
Katie's POVThe next morning, we set out to meet with the organization again. This time, we were armed with a plan, and we were ready to take them down.As we entered the bar, I felt a knot form in my stomach. I knew that this was a dangerous game that we were playing, but I also knew that we didn't have any other options.The men were waiting for us, their faces grim and unsmiling. "Where's our money?" one of them demanded."We're working on it," Alex said smoothly. "But we need some more time. We're trying to get the funds together.""You have three days," the man said, his voice cold and menacing. "If you don't have the money by then, we'll come looking for you. And it won't be pretty."We left the bar, feeling a mix of relief and fear. We knew that the clock was ticking, and we had to come up with a plan fast."Let's go back to the apartment," I suggested. "We can talk there and figure out our next steps."Alex and Andrew nodded in agreement, and we made our way back to the apartm
Katie's POVWe set up the meeting in a seedy bar on the outskirts of town. Alex and I dressed in our best suits and arrived at the bar at the designated time. We were shown to a back room where a group of men were waiting for us."Welcome," one of them said. "I'm Nick. What can I do for you?""We're interested in doing business," Alex said smoothly. "We heard you guys were the best in town."Nick's eyes lit up. "Ah, I see. And what kind of business are you interested in?""We're looking for some merchandise," I said, playing the role of the interested buyer. "High-quality merchandise."Nick grinned. "Well, you've come to the right place. Follow me."He led us down a hallway and into a large room filled with all kinds of illegal goods. I tried not to look too interested as I browsed the wares, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust at the thought of the harm these items could do.Nick showed us a selection of items and we haggled over prices. We eventually settled on a few ite
Katie's POVDespite our reservations, we couldn't bring ourselves to turn him away when he came to us again, begging for help. He looked desperate and scared, and we couldn't bear the thought of leaving him out on the street.We agreed to lend him the money and let him stay with us for a few days until he could figure things out. But as soon as he moved in, things took a turn for the worse.Andrew became increasingly aggressive and unpredictable, lashing out at us over the smallest things. He was constantly on edge, as if he was expecting someone to come after him.One night, I woke up to the sound of shouting coming from the living room. I crept out of bed and peered through the doorway to see Andrew arguing with someone on the phone. His face was contorted with anger, and he was shouting so loudly that I could hear every word."You need to get me out of here," he yelled into the phone. "I can't take it anymore. They're on to me."I knew then that we had made a huge mistake by lettin
Katie's POVIt was a quiet Saturday afternoon when the doorbell rang. I was in the kitchen, preparing lunch for the family when I heard the chime. I wiped my hands on a towel and walked to the front door, wondering who could be stopping by unannounced.When I opened the door, I was surprised to see a tall, dark-haired man standing on my doorstep. He was well-dressed, wearing a tailored suit and a crisp white shirt, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into mine."Can I help you?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease.The man flashed me a charming smile. "I'm sorry to intrude," he said. "My name is Andrew. I'm looking for Alex."I studied the man for a moment, trying to determine if he was telling the truth. "Who are you?" I asked."I'm a distant relative of Alex's," he said. "I've been trying to track him down for a while now."I was still skeptical, but something about the man's demeanor seemed genuine. "I'll go get him," I said.I left the man standing on the porch and walked bac
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.
Komen