Billionaire Bad Boy, Broken Underneath
Ezra King learned early that love comes with a price, so he stopped paying it. He just took what he wanted and left before anyone could leave him first. Now he's a selfmade billionaire, owner of the fastest growing tech company in the country, running from a past that still owns him while he drowns himself in work and women. Until he meets Carissa, his new private Chef whose presence unravels him. She sees straight through the armor he's spent a lifetime building but she refuses to either fix him or flee from him, which unsettles Ezra more than either would. He sees a woman who has never once needed anything he could buy.
Carissa Davis, a young talented Chef in urgent need of money to pay off the mortgage on her parents house seeing as her dad is too proud to admit his need for help. She took the job in Ezra's mansion to help her family. She told herself she would just do her job and stay away from her charming boss. But she was wrong. Something deeper than she could understand draws her to him. She's terrified, way more than she'll admit, because wanting him means risking the one thing she's always protected; herself.
Between his hunger for a love he doesn't believe he deserves and her fear of being consumed by a man she can't save, something neither of them chooses starts to grow.
He'll have to stop running.
She'll have to stop rescuing.
And both of them will have to face the need for grace, more than either has ever given anyone.
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Chapter: Chapter 57Ezra’s POVI still can’t believe what happened. I’ve been sitting behind my desk, trying to distract myself with work but my mind keeps taking me back to the board meeting held earlier today. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my best friend has been siphoning company funds for months now. What really hurt me the most is that he didn’t see the need to confide in me about his gambling addiction. We would have found a way to pay off the debt and get him the help he needs. I would have done everything in my power to help Jason out.I don’t fault him for battling with the addiction. People go through all kinds of crazy stuff. I’m battling with a lot as well. But then again, I feel so betrayed and hurt. I can’t seem to explain how I really feel. I stare at the words on my screen, unable to actually read anything. I slam my hands down on the table and groan inwardly. Standing up from my chair, I grab my suit jacket from the hanger and head out. I direct my driver to take
Last Updated: 2026-11-05
Chapter: Chapter 56Ezra’s POVI called for a full board meeting two days after Denise informed me about the theft. Just this morning, she had told me that she was able to trace the transactions back to Jason’s unit. The audit team Denise organized secretly to look into the matter already has the culprit. I asked that they hold on with the report and bring it into the boardroom when I send for it. I thought about talking to Jason about it first before the meeting but Denise advised against it, saying, I need honest reactions, regardless of whoever might be behind it.I look around from the head of the conference table to see the faces of everyone on the board, seated and staring at me with curious glances and judging by their expressions, they are probably wondering why I called for the emergency board meeting. Jason is seated to my right and Denise to my left.I clear my throat. “My attention has been drawn to an ongoing theft in the company. Millions of dollars are being discreetly siphoned into an of
Last Updated: 2026-11-02
Chapter: Chapter 55Carissa’s POVI toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep ever since Ezra told me about the theft issue in his company. I became more concerned after he mentioned Jason. I think back to the suspicious phone call I overheard him have when we visited his house some months ago. And also, the message that popped up on his phone which felt like a threat. I don’t know if I should let Ezra know or not. But what am I going to say to him exactly? I have no tangible evidence whatsoever. And what if all of this has nothing to do with the theft in his company? I don’t want to make false suggestions and jeopardize their friendship. I’m so clueless and I feel like I’m caught in the middle of all of this. I take out my phone and put a call through to my friend, Rachael. If anyone would give me some good advice, it has to be her.“Hey, babes,” her voice comes through from the other end.“Hi, Rach. How are you doing?” I ask, sitting up and pulling the blanket over my knees.“I’m alright. You’re calling
Last Updated: 2026-10-30
Chapter: Chapter 54Ezra’s POVI made up with Carissa two days ago and things and things are pretty much back to normal. I had promised her that I’d seek professional help for my alcohol problem. She even agreed to go with me on my first day after I asked if she could accompany me. I really don’t know what I did to deserve Carissa. I know I don’t deserve her but I’m too selfish to let her go. Meeting her family and getting acquainted with them just makes me feel closer to her. They made me feel like I’m a part of their family and it kind of felt like home, being around them. Her mom is very sweet and quite chatty. I wasn’t bored for even a second with her around. I was reminded in that moment what it feels like to have a family and a caring one at that. I missed having my mom and wondered what it would have felt like, introducing Carissa to her as my girlfriend. But I’m sure of one thing. My mom would have loved Carissa. It’s easy to love Carissa. She makes it so easy.“How’s the public reception of t
Last Updated: 2026-10-30
Chapter: Chapter 53Carissa’s POV“Come in” I say to whoever it is by my door. Ever since I left Ezra’s house, or he rather asked me to leave his house, I’ve been held up in my room, not really speaking to anyone. Ezra called a few times but I refused to speak to him. I’m still mad at him. He’s refused to acknowledge the fact that he’s drowning and needs help. I don’t know how to help him when he isn’t even giving me a chance to. “Hey, honey” dad says as he comes and sits at the foot of my bed.“Hey, dad” I say, sitting up slightly.“You good?” he asks, observing me.“I’m alright dad” I say, not wanting to admit that I had my first fight with my boyfriend and I’m not feeling okay at all.“You clearly are not. Even your mother noticed” “So, mum sent you here?”“No, she didn’t. She even asked me to give you some space but it’s been a few days now since you got back from Ezra’s house and you've been in your room, barely coming out. Your mum even has to force you to eat most of the time. Did anything happe
Last Updated: 2026-10-28
Chapter: Chapter 52Ezra's POVI got discharged from the hospital earlier today after spending three days there. It was a lot more intense this time. My body broke down in a way that was too critical. The doctor said I was lucky I was brought in on time. Carissa stayed in the hospital with me for the entire three days. Her dad visited as well and brought her a change of clothes. We came home earlier and luckily, the press has moved on to other gossip. I no longer have hidden paparazzi camping around my house.I sit up on my bed and grab my MacBook on the side. I haven't been to work in three days and I can't even begin to imagine the pile of work waiting for me. I held a virtual meeting with the investors a few hours ago since a physical meeting wouldn't be possible in the meantime. They refused to postpone the meeting and agreed to a virtual one. I was able to convince them to not pull out of the deal and promised to deal with any issues that may arise. They looked convinced and that took a lot of bur
Last Updated: 2026-10-27
Married To My Daughter's Nanny
She was hired to be his daughter's nanny. She never planned to fall for him too.
Dane Matthews swore off love after his first wife's betrayal left him guarded, cold, and desperate to protect the one person he cares about the most, His little girl. When his Grandfather forces an impossible choice on him to remarry within ninety days or lose the company to his reckless younger brother, Dane makes a deal with the one woman who was never supposed to be anything more; Averie's nanny, Genesis. What starts out as a contract neither of them wished for slowly becomes something real, even as an ex-wife plotting her way back, a brother willing to burn the family down, and a rival with his own agenda, closing around them. Genesis has spent her whole life enslaving for people who never cared about her and now she has to decide if she can trust that this time, with everything falling apart around them, she just might actually be needed.
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Chapter: Chapter 16Genesis’s POVI’m getting married in a few days and it still feels unreal. I mean, how did I go from being a nanny to prepping for my own wedding? I know it’s a contract but I’ll still be married for a period of seven years, real or not. I’m tied to this family for the next seven years. As much as I love Averie and don’t mind staying next to her, I’m not quite sure what to expect from this arrangement.I’m seated next to Miss Ophelia in a luxurious bridal shop going over wedding gowns. I stare at most of the gowns here and the prices are insanely expensive. One wedding dress here can pay off my debts. Not that it matters to The Matthews. Miss Ophela had told me not to bother about the prices and go for the one I liked best.She pointed towards a beautiful ball gown and I got up to try it on. I emerged from the changing room and walked straight to the full-length mirror. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and I looked like a Disney princess. The gown is beautiful and sparkly, but
Last Updated: 2026-11-06
Chapter: Chapter 15Dane’s POV“Hey sweetheart” I step closer to Averie who is curled up in her bed, eyes glistening with unshed tears.“Daddy, are you getting married? Am I going to have a new mommy?” she asks in a voice that breaks my heart.“Sweetie, you’ve always yearned for a mother, haven’t you? Daddy doesn’t like seeing you sad so I decided to give you a new mommy” I scoot closer to her on the bed.“Then what happens to mommy? Mommy is gonna return, I know it” she says in defiance.“Baby, we’ve talked about this. Mommy isn’t coming back. She hasn’t seen you in years. She has moved on from us, baby. I don’t want you hoping for things that won’t happen” I say in a soft voice.“So, you’re getting married again?” she looks up at me with tear-soaked eyes.“Yes, baby” “Is it because of me?” she asks and I stare at her. She looks nothing like Melissa. The only thing they have in common is their hair color. Every other thing is me. When I had conducted a DNA test when Melissa cheated, it was just a forma
Last Updated: 2026-10-30
Chapter: Chapter 14Dane’s POV Genesis signed the contract. I don't know why but I feel a lot relieved. Almost like what I usually feel whenever I close a good deal I know will yield the best results. My lawyer asked to meet with the both of us later today. I guess to further lay out the terms of the contract but I don't see why that's important. We both have signed already, haven't we?“Please come to my office” I say to my secretary, Landon, through the intercom.Landon enters after a few seconds. I conclude revising the files in front of me before raising my head to look at him.“What's left in my schedule for the day?” I ask, leaning back on my chair.“You have a meeting with the Japanese investors, slated for 12pm. And then a dinner meeting by 6pm with the daughter of Knight holdings, Miss Laurel Knight. She would be filling in for her dad who is away on business. The deal with them has been pending for months now” he says. I know why it has been pending. Honestly, I'm slowly losing interest. Appar
Last Updated: 2026-10-26
Chapter: Chapter 13Genesis's POV It's been two nights of endless thoughts and pondering on what to do about the offer. On one hand, I feel it isn't a good idea getting married to someone I barely know even if it's a contract marriage, but on the other hand, I think about Averie and how much I really want to be a part of her life. I think about her dad, as strange as it may seem and for some reason, I do not want him to lose the company he's worked so hard to build. But then, I feel like I might get lost in this. I don't want to think about what would happen after the seven years is over. I know I should worry about that when I get there but I can't help but be cautious. I feel as though I'm an asset he could buy over with money just because I have a load of student loans and debts on my head. I try not to think about how embarrassing it is that he had to go through my weakest point to get me. If I turn the offer down, it's guaranteed that I would lose my job because he would definitely get someone
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
Chapter: Chapter 12Dane’s POV I had laid out all rules and expectations in the contract I handed over to Genesis two days ago. She will be my wife in name only. We will have our separate bedrooms and our individual lives. We wouldn't be expected to fulfill any marital obligations towards each other. She takes care of my daughter and plays my wife in public while I sort out her bills and reward her handsomely. It's a win for both of us. Grandfather's choice turns out to be the best. He doesn't know it's going to be a contract marriage. He would refuse outrightly if he knew. Everything is under tight wraps with only myself, Genesis and my lawyer in the know. The only good thing about this whole situation is that Averie gets to have a mother figure in her life and it so happens to be the one person she has warmed up to. Their bond is tight and I wonder how it came about because Genesis has been working here for barely a month now. How she grew on her is still a mystery to me.Speaking of, I need to infor
Last Updated: 2026-10-22
Chapter: Chapter 11Genesis's POV “Dane has asked for you. He's in his study” Miss Ophelia says from the doorway. I look up to see her walking further into the room. I drop the colour pencils I was using to colour shade with Averie on the table. Averie looks up but returns back to colouring.“Okay” I say with a tentative look.“I'll take it from here. Just go see him” Miss Ophelia says as I leave the room. On my way to his study, my mind races with a million and one reasons why I'm being summoned. This has never happened before since I started working here. I tell myself he maybe wants an update on his daughter's well-being and nothing serious as I perceive. I approach the door and take a deep breath before knocking.“Come in” I hear from within and I enter.“Good evening, Sir” I say, walking towards his desk.He looks up at me through his transparent reading glasses before taking them off and tossing them on the table. “I told you to ditch the “Sir” thing” he leans back on his chair.“I'm sorry. Good e
Last Updated: 2026-10-21
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