All Chapters of clutches of fate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Fake marriage is chapter 1...there was a little mix-up Chapter 2: Alice's POVThe midday sun cast a brilliant glare over the city, bouncing off the towering glass buildings as our sleek black SUV navigated through the bustling streets toward the restaurant. I leaned back in my seat, fingers tapping restlessly against the door handle as my mind wandered back to the stranger from the airport. I couldn’t believe I'd actually considered speaking to him, let alone involving him in my half-baked plan. But just as quickly as he'd caught my attention, he'd disappeared—distracted by a phone call, his focus directed elsewhere. Yet, somehow, he’d left a lasting impression, like a song stuck in my head. The intensity in his eyes when they met mine stayed with me, a curious spark I couldn’t shake. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. A stranger for a fake marriage? I must’ve been losing my mind. Caroline’s voice brought me back to the present. "Alice, are you sure this meeting tonight i

CHAPTER 4"Nick! Nick, where are you?" Alice's voice reverberated through the hallway as she burst into her brother's apartment, urgency radiating from her every step. She had come straight from the airport, her irritation simmering just below the surface as she prepared to tackle the mess that was her brother's latest scandal."Alice?" Nick's voice called from the kitchen. Moments later, he emerged, a bright red apron wrapped clumsily around his neck and torso.Alice raised an eyebrow, her frustration momentarily forgotten. "Is that… an apron? You picked up cooking again?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm."Sure did, kinda had to after moving out" Nick shrugged, nonchalant as he strolled over to grab her bag. "You planning to stay the night? I could use the company while I whip up my masterpiece.""You wish." She smirked, rolling her eyes. "I didn't come here for a sleepover. I came to check on you and to—" She paused, her expression darkening as the gravity of the situation settled ba

CHAPTER 6Alice's POVIt was past 7 p.m. when I finally got back home from my dad's house. I headed straight to the bathroom to wash my face, apply my skincare products, and change into my pajamas before retreating to my bedroom. My body had just barely hit the bed when I heard my stomach growl. Right, I'd forgotten dinner. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and ordered a pizza from my favorite restaurant. Placing the phone down, I lay there, staring up at the ceiling as my thoughts drifted back over the day's events."I can't believe I'm getting married to a total stranger," I scoffed to myself. The very thought of marriage made me recall Alex, the guy i almost proposed to, thank god i didn't carry on with my plan, because how the hell would i have explained to him that i was already engaged to someone else and i couldn't go on with the contract agreement... Still, I couldn't shake the inexplicable attraction I'd felt the moment I saw him. Yes, he was handsome, with a high,

Chapter 8 Alice's POV I couldn't help but feel excited. Why? Because he was coming over today. Yeah, sounds ridiculous, right? We agreed to meet by noon, and I even decided to prepare something nice to serve him when he arrived. But all my cooking efforts ended in total disaster. Why was cooking so freaking hard? I tried making an omelet, but the motherfucker kept turning into scrambled eggs. I attempted to whip up some pudding, but it just wouldn't congeal. I even tried the simplest dish of all—Ramen noodles—but they got too soggy. You know what? I give up. My kitchen sink was now full of used plates and frying pans. I used an entire crate of eggs, and for what? Nothing good came of it. After tossing my apron in frustration onto the kitchen counter, I searched for my phone and decided to order some decent food online. I didn't know what he would like, but since most people liked seafood, I opted for that. I hoped he wasn't allergic. After placing my order, I flung my phone toward

CHAPTER 10 Alice's POV The gates to Madam Gray's villa were grander than I'd imagined, the kind you only see in movies. As we drove through, I felt a strange flutter in my stomach—a mix of nerves and excitement. My father gave me a reassuring smile, but even he seemed taken aback by the sheer elegance of the place. When we stepped inside, I was hit by a wave of warmth mingling with luxury. The chandelier above sparkled like something out of a fairy tale, casting soft light across cream-colored carpets and walls adorned with art that I was sure must be priceless. Every detail of the villa whispered elegance, and for a moment, I felt like I was in another world entirely. "Breathe, Alice," I whispered to myself. Yet, part of me couldn't help but feel like a stranger stepping into someone else's dream. Madam Gray appeared in the hallway, her smile warm and welcoming. She was more stunning in person than I'd imagined, dressed in a flowing silk gown that seemed to shimmer with every st