The Marriage Game: love in a lie.
Amara
I have always known my parents would sell me off for their political careers but I would never allow that
Now, I am engaged to James McKenna, the most eligible bachelor in the country and the feared billionaire just to spite my parents.
But he looks at me like I’m the worst mistake he’s made, he thinks I am reckless and impulsive, I think he is insufferable.
We can’t stand each other but every news outlet in the country believes we are hopelessly in love!
James
I built my empire by staying in control.
Love had no place in my life and marriage was never the plan, until the past I buried threatened to destroy everything I’ve worked hard for. Now, I am blackmailed to marry the Mayor’s impulsive daughter.
Amara Livingston; the well known rebellious daughter.
She was meant to be a temporary solution.
A pawn in my new game.
Instead, she became the only woman capable of bringing me to my knees. But now, I don’t know what to do without her.
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Chapter: 53. Forever and Always.AmaraIt was finally the time for the election results to be announced. The election ended an hour before.Everyone was tense, our little family gathered in the dim lit study that was crowded with campaign materials and posters.We’d done interviews, appeared in shows as a family. This time we weren’t reciting the words that my mother’s publicist had written down for us.Everything that was said, all the laughter that was shared, came from a place of warmth deep in our hearts. One of the show hosts had commented on how lifely we seemed, had called it an election miracle and we’d all laughed over it.My mum said we’d celebrate, whether she won Mayor or not. But I knew deep down that she wanted that seat, and without being biased I knew she was the right person for the job. I listened with all focus, at the edge of my seat as the announcement started. We all waited, a sword could’ve cut through the tension in the room with ease.And that hell broke loose when mum was declared the winner
Last Updated: 2024-08-26
Chapter: 52. Start to Finish.AmaraI was pretty sure anyone within a mile from me could hear how hard my heart was beating against my chest. It’s been forever since I had James near me. The feel of his lips warm against my cold skin sent my senses into a frenzy.Even as I waved him goodbye and watched him pull out of the curb, I could still feel him on me. I stood there longer than I should have, rooted to the spot, because I couldn’t quieten down my own heart or get my feet to move.I heard the door open before Ife’s shrill voice followed. “What are you doing outside in the cold? I didn’t think you were going to come back.”That snapped me out of my reverie and I followed her inside. “Why did you think that?” I hung up my coat and sat down on the couch. I wasn’t quite ready to call it a night.“I thought you’d be too busy making up in his sheets.”The image flashed through my head. I put my palms over my eyes. “Ife!”“I saw the way you were looking at him Amara, like you want to tear his shirt off and mask him
Last Updated: 2024-08-26
Chapter: 51. A New Dawn.JamesWe had our dinner in complete silence, each of us consumed by their own thoughts. I wish Amara would just tell me what was going through her mind so I would know how to fix the problem between us.I drank all of my wine, and so did she. I could tell she was warming up to me from the way her gaze lingered too long on me, or how her eyes drifted to my lips when she thought I wasn’t looking.“Thank you for having dinner with me,” I told her when we were done.“I only agreed because of my mother, I don’t want to ruin the new relationship I have with her.”I wanted to call her bluff. Amara wasn’t the type to do something just because others asked. I’ll let her get away with the excuse because it brought her closer to me.“You can drop me off at Ife’s house, I haven’t cleaned my apartment yet so I’ll be staying there longer than planned.”I helped her with her coat. “The night is still young, and there’s somewhere I’ve been dying to take you to.”Her eyes narrowed at me. “You’re not t
Last Updated: 2024-08-26
Chapter: 50. HopeJames“Alright.”For a complete ten seconds I stood there without registering her response. I’d been so sure she was going to turn down my suggestion that I found it hard to believe that I was hearing right. “You’re going to give me a chance to talk things over?”“I just said yes James, don’t make me change my mind.”It’s a good thing I’d kept the reservation I made in anticipation for tonight. Cayden and Henry had tried to talk me out of it, that she’d clearly rejected me many times and I needed to give up.But I’d held onto the hope that I had. That she would remember the good times we had and give me a chance. Looks like luck was on my side. I wish I could flip my middle finger in their faces.“I made a reservation at a restaurant, just the two of us. If that’s okay with you.” I needed to play my cards right so I don’t upset her and have her banging the door in my face again. “I’m already having dinner with my family, we can just talk in your car. I think—”“Oh, Amara.” My mother
Last Updated: 2024-08-25
Chapter: 49. The Revelation.AmaraIt was finally here; the day of my grand reveal. I was well within my rights to be nervous, everybody else would.I’d been worried that people would not show up for the exhibition, why would they for an artist they didn’t even know what she looked like. But boy, was I wrong? The gallery was fully packed save for the small makeshift stage that was situated at the far corner where my name was put up in a banner.Ife was with me, but the more she tried to calm my nerves, the more nervous I grew.My family was not here yet and it made me worried. What if mum changed her mind about supporting me and saw the exhibition as a waste of her time?It was unfair doubting her like this. But, when you’ve been burned many times in the past, it becomes hard not to grow weary that it could happen all over again.“What if she didn’t get the invite?” I asked Ife.“Who?”“My mum, they’re not here yet. Do you think she bailed?”“You need to have more faith in the people around you, Amara. I’m sure
Last Updated: 2024-08-25
Chapter: 48. Ready!AmaraSpending time with my family helped me get out of the mental dump I’d found myself in. It was nice to sit down in complete laughter, enjoying the laughter and the food the cook had put her magic touch in. I slept over and went back the next morning to Ife’s place, only to find her sitting through a couple letters.“Have a secret admirer?” I teased, hanging up my jacket.“As if. These are for you?”I looked over her shoulder at the pink flowered envelopes she was holding. “I can’t think of a single person on this damn planet that’ll be sending me letters.”“Well, I can. They’re from James, maybe it’s time you give him a listening ear. I’m beginning to feel bad for him.”“You can do whatever you want with the letters.” I walked straight to the door and shut it after me. I sat on the floor, head hung between my knees. Why was he making it so difficult to move on from him? It wasn’t that I couldn’t forgive him, I just wouldn’t be able to trust him again. Going back to him would be
Last Updated: 2024-08-25
Chapter: THIRTY“Alpha Kael.” Cassian clicked off his phone and pocketed it immediately as he approached Kael. Kael exchanged a look with Harry as he stepped out of the car and both men met Cassian halfway.The three men huddled together with their voices low as they spoke. Cassian brought out his phone again and showed something to Alpha Kael.Harry took a sharp inhale and tilted his head back. Alpha Kael looked up at Cassian. “Take me there.” Alpha Kael and Harry followed Cassian and disappeared into a corner.Less than five minutes later, Alpha Kael walked back with Harry, Cassian nowhere in sight. He escorted Harry to his car that was already parked out front by one of the soldiers.“Say ‘Hi’ to Genny and my boy.” Harry pursed his lips and stared back at Alpha Kael without a word. His eyes held a look of contemplation before he nodded his head once and woke his engines.Alpha Kael placed a hand on the steering wheel. “Tomorrow, I promise.”Harry scoffed lightly. “Fine.” He peeled out through
Last Updated: 2026-10-02
Chapter: TWENTY NINE29.Elara thought her legs were going to give out soon. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed but they had been burning what felt like hours.Every step up the hill sent a chilling wave of exhaustion through her body, her knees trembled to give out. Sweat soaked through the back, her lungs struggling to keep up with the pace.But somehow, she kept moving. One foot after the other, up and down the long hill.Her body was exhausted, even Cassian could tell. Yet strangely, she wasn’t stopping.Just as Elara reached the bottom of the hill, ready for another trip up again, she felt something different.The heaviness in her limbs suddenly seemed to disappear as she looked up the hill. Her breathing that was racing some moments ago gradually steadied. The burning in her muscles dulled until it became nothing more than a dull ache.She put her eyes on her waist and looked up the hill confused. She was tired. She knew she was tired. So why did she suddenly feel as though she could keep go
Last Updated: 2026-09-27
Chapter: TWENTY EIGHTPRESENT DAYBrenda ran a finger along the scar on her big toe. It ran from the tip of her toe to the back of her foot. She stared into the space, her eyes void of emotions.A few minutes later, she took a deep sigh, drawing herself back to reality just as the door burst open.“Aunty Brenda!” The awfully cheerful voice had Brenda scrunching her nose. She turned her face to the door quickly.“Kendra?” Her lips slowly stretched into a smile before the smile took over her whole face. “Oh my gosh, Kendra!”Brenda kept up from the bed and met the lady halfway in the middle of the room.“Gosh, Aunty Brenda, I’ve missed you so much.” She buried her face in Brenda’s bosom and hugged her tightly.“Oh, Child. When do you come back?” She cupped Kendra’s face in her palms and placed a kiss on her forehead.“I just came back. I left my things by the gate age came here immediately, I just had to come see you.”“Oh, Child.” Brenda crooned, her loving eyes still on Kendra. “Does your brother know you’
Last Updated: 2026-09-21
Chapter: TWENTY SEVENTHIRTY YEARS AGO. Brenda walked into the large room with a trolley containing variety of food. The room was quiet save for the almost rhythmic tapping of foot on the carpeted floor. Kids clothes and toys were scattered all over the bed. A man in his middle age laid on the bed, a hand behind his head. Brenda pushed the trolley to a corner. “Okay, stand up and have something. I heard news that you have refused to eat anything.” The Man sighed deeply upon recognizing the presence in his room. He shook his head without shifting from his original position. “Food is the last thing on my mind now, Brenda. I have other worries than my grumbling stomach.” “So it is grumbling actually. Meaning that you’re intentionally starving yourself.” “Isn’t that what I’m meant to do? Everything is falling apart and I don’t know what to do. All my plans, my efforts to-” The Man bit his tongue quickly swallowing his words. The last thing he needed was telling the wrong ear of his plans. He w
Last Updated: 2026-09-21
Chapter: TWENTY SIX“Should I be worried?” Harry’s hands were hung loosely over his tactical vest. His jaw was gritted tight. He tried to look unbothered but worry was written all over his face.“What?” Alpha Kael sheathed his pocket knife in his vest as looked up at Harry. Harry shifted his eyes from Alpha Kael and looked at Elara who was standing by the car. “Should I be worried?” He asked again. “And please don’t give me that generic ‘I’m fine, don’t worry response.’ And I’m not even asking about my position that you have sold off to the slave. I’m asking after you, should I be worried?”“Nobody is taking your position away from you. You are my right hand man, always.”“And you? Are you okay? Is there anything you would like to talk to me about? Anything at all?”Alpha Kael swallowed thickly, his teeth gritted tight. There were a lot of things he needed a second opinion on, things he wanted to tell Harry about just because it was Harry but he couldn’t, he already knew Harry’s stance on anything relat
Last Updated: 2026-09-17
Chapter: TWENTY FIVEElara woke up with a stinging redness all over her body and rashes that covered her neck down to her stomach.Her mouth tasted weird, her muscles too were tired but she couldn’t tell what happened. Last she remembered, she had eaten the soup and bread Kathy brought her then she brushed her teeth and went to bed. After taking the medication Gavin prescribed for her.Or could it be Brenda’s potion? Did she mistakenly put her hand in her mouth after rubbing it on her body? She wondered as she climbed down the bed. The sheets around her smelled fresh and clean like they had just been laid. And as she got up, Elara noticed she was in a pyjama set and not the night gown she wore to bed.Her brows furrowed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked different from what she remembered, felt different too. And those stinging rashes… she just couldn’t understand.Gingerly, she went to the bathroom, had a shower and changed into fresh clothes. The old sack of clothes Brenda handed her u
Last Updated: 2026-09-16
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