CEO's Dare Bride

Emma walked out of the penthouse without looking back. The quiet inside was too much. It felt heavy on her chest and made it hard to think. Ace didn’t try to stop her. He didn’t say anything when she stood up from the couch, touched her messy hair, and picked up her bag. He just stayed in his seat, drinking his coffee, and looking at her like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t just said yes to marrying her. "You’ll hear from me,” she said, keeping her voice calm and her eyes on his. Ace gave a small nod. “I’m sure I will,” he said. That was it. No goodbye. No questions. No sign that they had just made a choice that could change everything in their future. She got into the Uber waiting outside, closed the door, and leaned back in the seat. She closed her eyes, but she couldn’t sleep. She hadn’t slept at all last night. Her were moving too fast. Her heart was beating hard, not because she was scared, but because she knew how serious this was. The next date, Emma had coffee w

The sound of high heels clicked on the shiny floor. It got closer with each step, people looked up, waiting to see who it was. Patricia Weston had arrived. She walked into Blacke Tech like she owned the place. Her black coat hung neatly over one arm. Hair done perfectly. Lips red like wine. She didn’t look around for directions. She didn’t ask for anyone. She already knew where she was going. The receptionist recognized her, but no one said anything. No one stopped her. She made her way to the top floor. The glass elevator carried her up slowly, each level reflecting back her own image: perfect posture, confident smile, and eyes too sharp to ignore. When the elevator doors opened, she walked straight toward Ace’s office. The staff nearby looked up, confused, some surprised. She didn’t care. Ace was inside, behind his desk, eyes on his laptop. He looked up when she entered. Patricia smiled and opened her arms. “Hello, stranger.” He stood but didn’t move to meet her. His face

Emma’s POVI didn’t expect the hotel room to feel this quiet. The quietness of the place wasn’t exactly a soothing one; it was the kind that reminds you that something is missing.This business seminar was supposed to give me some space. Just two days away. A thousand kilometers between me and Ace Blacke. No awkward hallway run-ins. No silence in the kitchen. No strange tension when we passed each other like strangers. It's just me, my work, and my thoughts. But fate doesn’t care about your plans. That morning, during the seminar, I spotted Rafael. He entered from the rear of the room, sunglasses removed, that same half-smile on his face, as if he still thought it was effective. My stomach twisted twice. Then sank.He saw me. Of course he did. “Emma Ocean,” he said, loud enough for people to look around. “What are the odds?”I could have walked away. Pretended not to hear him. But that would feel like he won. So I stopped, turned around, and tried to keep my face calm. “Rafael Nolan,”

Emma didn’t expect a handwritten note from Eleanor Blacke. It arrived two days after the brunch, on thick cream stationery and sealed with the family crest. Maria brought it to her that morning, smiling more than usual.“A letter for you, ma’am. From Madam Eleanor herself.”Emma thanked her, though her fingers tensed around the paper. She waited until she was alone before reading it. My dear Emma,I hope this note finds you well. It was such a pleasure having you at the family brunch. I meant it when I said you were a breath of fresh air.I know these events can be overwhelming. So I’ve taken the liberty of inviting just a few close friends over this weekend. I do hope you’ll come. No pressure, of course, but I would be so pleased to spend time with you.Yours,Eleanor BlackeEmma closed the letter slowly.This wasn’t part of the contract. This wasn’t the cold marriage Ace promised. And yet… she couldn’t ignore how warmly Eleanor had looked at her. How much she reminded her of someon

Ace The burnt photo in the fireplace did not make the feeling in my chest any lighter. Even burnt, it held the weight of the trouble Rafael was bringing. Him coming to the penthouse was not a mistake or chance. It was a message. He wanted to disturb Emma and me. He wanted to cause problems. And I could not let that happen. I could not wait or hope that this problem would fix itself. Not when Emma is involved. I know this marriage was a lie from the very beginning, but I had liked Emma since college, and I was unable to do anything about my feelings then because I respected her relationship with Rafael. Even though Rafael was my enemy, I stayed back and watched. Hating Emma for being with him. So now he has to stay back and watch, because that is all he will be doing from now on. I picked up my phone and called Brian. My voice was calm but full of purpose. “Find everything you can about Rafael’s travels in the last two months: flights, hotels, and car rentals. I want to know all of