Emily Grace, a gentle and beautiful café worker, catches the eye of Alexander Steele, a ruthless billionaire tycoon, after a chance encounter. Obsessed, Alexander orchestrates Emily's downfall to make her dependent on him. Forced into a manipulative marriage, Emily struggles to navigate her complex feelings for Alexander while enduring torment from his ex-fiancée, Isabella. After a violent confrontation leaves Emily with amnesia, Alexander's genuine care helps her heal. What happens when the delicate beauty of Emily collides with the iron will of Alexander? Can they overcome the obstacles that stand in their way, or are some divides too great to cross? Will love prevail, or will their pasts forever keep them apart?
View MoreDavid's voice was filled with regret as he told the sad story of the Thorne family. It wasn't just a clash of personalities; it was a mess of ambition, betrayal, and a father's manipulative ways.Their father, Theodore Thorne, had built a huge business empire using sneaky and cheap tactics. He saw his sons not as children but as future heirs, always taking them against each other to see who was more ambitious. Alexander, the older son, thrived in this environment. He embraced his father's cold logic, becoming a genius in business strategy, just like Theodore.David, however, was different. He loved adventure and found peace in nature. He saw through his father's facade and was disgusted by the dirty tactics used to secure deals and maintain power. This difference in values created a big rift between the brothers.The final break came when their father, on his deathbed, made a shocking confession. He had built his empire on stolen property – a secret land deal years ago had been secure
The sterile white walls of the hospital felt like they were closing in on Emily. Days turned into weeks, and the silence around her was frustrating. She was trying to put all the pieces together but she could not. David was a ghost, replaced by a string of uncaring doctors. Alexander remained a whirlwind of empty promises and quick visits. He hardly bothered to stay back and talk to her. Their stolen moment on the rooftop felt like a dream, tainted by the revelation of his family secret.One day, while staring out the window, thinking about the things going on in her life presently and the people involved, when Emily noticed a delivery person leave a small brown package outside her door. Curiosity piqued, she reached for it, a sense of hope flickering within her. It had no sender's address, just her name written on the brown paper in a haste. Her heart pounded as she tore it open, revealing a book titled "Hidden Trails." A small note slipped out, the words familiar yet unsettling:"R
Emily spent the next day thinking. She was still surprised about David's sudden disappearance, the way Alexander acted on the rooftop, and now Isabella's decoded words– it all felt like a bad dream. She couldn't trust anyone, not even her own thoughts.The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room when Alexander finally arrived. He was not looking so pleased, His face remained unreadable,a mask that offered no clues to his emotions. He checked on her ankle with practiced efficiency, but his touch felt cold and distant."How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice lacking all sort of warmth.Emily bit back a sharp retort. "Fine," she said very carefully . "Just… confused."Alexander paused, his gaze flickered across her face. He seemed to hesitate, then sighed. "We need to talk," he said finally. "About what happened last night."Emily's heart started hammering in her chest. This was it. "Yes," she agreed, her voice barely a whisper. "We need to talk.."Alexander pulled up a
The annoyingly white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in around Emily with every passing hour. The dull ache in her ankle was a constant reminder of the accident that had turned her life upside down. Days fell into one another, paused only by the arrival of nurses and the occasional routine of medication and physical therapy.One bright morning, a new face appeared at the door. Dr. David Moore, young and charming with a gentle smile and warm brown eyes, introduced himself as the physician assigned to her case. He gave out a calm aura that put Emily at ease, a big difference to the hurried efficiency of the other staffs in the hospital.David's visits became a highlight of Emily's day. He wasn't just interested in her ankle – he asked about her life before the fall, her dreams, her fears. He spoke of his own passion for medicine, his love for hiking and exploring hidden paths a passion he hoped to share with her once she was back on her feet. He spoke very carefully, takin
Chapter 6The world suddenly turned dark for Emily. She felt pure pain. She gasped, but the sound got lost in the big "bump" as she fell down on the cold floor. Everything looked funny, the room felt like it was filled with rainbows.Then, nothing. No more seeing, no more feeling.When Emily woke up, her head felt heavy and her ankle felt tight. She tried to sit up, but her body felt so dizzy making her fall back down.White walls and beeping machines sounds filled the room. Where was she? What happened? She felt scared.A soft voice cut through the noise and her thoughts. "Mrs. Steele? You're awake!" A lady with blue clothes smiled at her. Her voice was nice. "You fell down bad, but you're in the hospital now. Don't worry, you'll be okay."Emily felt much better now. Safe. But the fall and the mean words from Isabella were still fresh in her mind. What happened next? Where was Alexander? So many questions filled her head, but she was too tired.The lady covered her with a blanket. It
A woman with clear blue eyes and a perfectly coffee blonde hair stood at the doorway. Her designer dress gummed to her slender figure, and an air of superiority radiated from her like heat. Each perfectly manicured nail seemed to be like a weapon, poised to notice any imperfection."You must be Emily," she said, her voice cold and condescending. "I'm Isabella, Alexander's… associate."Associate? The word felt loaded, and a feeling of uneasiness ran down Emily’s spine. Was she his business partner, his confidante, or something more?"It's nice to meet you," Emily managed to say out loud, forcing a smile that felt odd against Isabella's cold demeanor.Isabella's smile was lacking warmth. "Likewise, I'm sure. Alexander will be joining us shortly for dinner. He has a… particular dislike for lateness."The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air. She nodded curtly, feeling like a small-town mouse dropped into a den of lions.Hours later, dressed in a borrowed dress that felt more like a cost
Alexander rested back in his chair, turning his fingers in a way that spoke of power and control. "Let's call it a mutually beneficial arrangement, Miss Grace."Emily’s mind started racing. This could not be good, Infact any offer from a billionaire with a ruthless reputation can never be a good sign. But the crazy large bill for his ruined suit was still there, a very obvious evidence of her current predicament."What are you aiming at?" Emily asked cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.A slow smile spread across Alexander's face. "Simple. You become my wife."The words struck her like a physical blow. His wife? The whole situation left her speechless. Marrying a stranger, a powerful, arrogant man she barely knew, to escape a financial burden? It seemed like something out of an extremely funny fairytale."Marriage?" Emily finally managed to blurt out, her voice strained. "Are you serious?""Perfectly," he responded , his gaze unwavering. "A marriage of convenience, of course.
The day continued still, a very slow, and painstaking torture. Every customer interaction that is going on in the cafe, every sounds of spoons against mugs, felt so loud because of the weight of Alexander Steele's threat. Emily dug the expensive napkin from her apron pocket, a constant reminder of the hard situation she found herself in.Finally her shift ended, she hurried out, the crisp autumn air offering little help. The short walk to her apartment was a moment of worry, Never had she felt such fear. Every bill of debt notice plastered on her door seemed to scream at her, a constant reminder of her financial situation.Unlocking the thin door, she was greeted by the familiar warmth of her tiny apartment. The worn furniture and tiny carpet made her feel even more wretched than usual. How could she possibly afford to "pay back" Alexander Steele for something that was clearly an accident?Exhaustion finally took hold and Emily collapsed on the couch, burying her face in a pillow. Te
The rain poured down angrily, imitating the anger burning inside Emily. Her heart was beating like a drum against her ribs, a funny opposite to the click-clack of her shoes on the wet street.Just a few minutes ago, she received a text on her phone. It was from a secret "friend" who seemed worried. All it had was one blurry picture. A picture of Mark, her Mark, with his arm around another girl. This girl had hair like sunshine and a smile that made Emily's heart ache. Underneath, a cruel message: "The Landmark, 8 pm. Don't be late."The Landmark. Their special place. A hidden bar nobody knew about, hiding away in a forgotten corner of the city. A place they found on their very first date. Now, it felt like a mean joke.She opened the heavy door, and a wave of warmth came over her. There were loud voices and smoke hanging in the air, thick as soup. It all smelled like cheap perfume and old beer, making her feel like she would vomit soon.Her eyes looked around the room, taking in the s
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