Arabella Carver always has things under control but finds out she isn't as lucky when everything comes crashing down. She is betrayed by her fiance, on the brink of eviction, and with her mother's life hanging by a thread, she's desperate for help. But as she tries to get the help she needs, only one person is willing to offer and it is none other than Adrian Davidson. The first man to claim her heart only to shatter it like it meant nothing. However, there is a catch to his generosity. He needs a wife to appease his grandmother, and Arabella happens to be her ideal choice so he gives her the papers that bind them. A marriage contract. With little choice and a grudge in her heart, she signs them. Besides, what could go wrong? It is, after all, just a contract. But what happens when old wounds resurface and sparks begin to ignite?
Lihat lebih banyakArabella
The last thing I expected as I arrived at Nathan's apartment was the sound of moans that filled the air. The living room was messed up with a woman's bag and shoes tossed carelessly; used wine glasses lying on the couch with an empty bottle of wine on the floor. My pulse raced as I stood frozen in the middle of the room with multiple thoughts crossing my mind about who was in. I'd come over to set up a romantic atmosphere for Nathan, my fiance's birthday. He had no idea that I'd be here, but then, he was currently on a plane back home after a one-week business trip. It couldn't be him. It couldn't be him...the thought brought me momentary relief. Perhaps, a friend of his brought a woman over. Nathan had friends who could do something like this. I just wondered why whoever it was didn't caution the woman about her loud voice or why he didn't take her somewhere else in the first place. Should I call them out?... I contemplated, rolling my eyes at the mess they made. The moans of the woman intensified and I frowned, heading toward the hallway where the sounds were coming from. However, when I got to the room that sourced the sound, dread annihilated my entire system. It was Nathan's bedroom. Rage simmered in my chest. How could they use Nathan's room for shit like this? Annoyed, I spun on my heels to leave, but the woman cried out again, and I paused, wondering why her voice sounded so familiar. "Yes! fuck me harder!" She cried out zealously and a man's grunt followed. Whatever was happening was intense fuckery because I could hear the slapping of their skin from outside. Ew! I took a step away but then paused again as I heard Nathan's voice. "Good girl, take it all" My spine went taut, beads of sweat formed on my forehead and my heartbeat roared in my ears. No, no! I was surely hearing things. I couldn't be... He was on a plane... "You're such a slut!" His voice was louder than the first time, and his words were accompanied by a loud smack, which made the woman shriek, "Ah!" No, no, no! I didn't realize how I moved and when but when I did, I found myself standing by the door, my hands slapped over my mouth and my teary eyes glued to Nathan and his partner on the bed. "Bella!" Nathan's face had paled and he was staring back at me, horrified. My eyes shifted to the woman beneath him and my blood went cold. It was Harley, my stepsister. My heart shattered completely when I saw the sinister smirk she had on her lips. Of all the whores around, he chose to cheat on me with the one person I didn't like. I turned and sprinted down the hallway, the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears louder than my steps. The delayed flight was a lie. What else had been a lie? Us? Oh. My. God! "Bella, wait, fuck!" I heard his desperate call but didn't stop till I stumbled over a heel – it belonged to her. I fell on my face. I couldn't breathe. My face had become wet with tears but there was no sound from me. I couldn't get up on my own till he came rushing to me and assisted me. The fact that I had to lean on him at such a time, made my anger boil over. I lifted my hand and struck his face, the sound echoing eerily through the room. "How long has this been going on? For how long have you been fucking her?!" My breathing was labored. Nathan stepped forward, trying to touch my shoulder, but I shifted back and clutched my bag. "Bella, please let's sit and talk about this," He pleaded, but I'd made a beeline to the door already, my steps wobbly. He followed and tried to touch me again with those hands that had been touching another woman. I slapped them off and glared at him. "No, I don't want to sit and talk about how you were fucking my stepsister–" I choked on my words, my heart constricting painfully. "You know... God!" I couldn't even form a whole sentence. It hurt so much. "Bella, please wait." His arms wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me against his chest. "I know I fucked up but... I'm sorry" He said, his voice laced with guilt. And that was just because I'd caught him! "Don't be! I guess I should have known earlier that I wasn't your type. No, you should have told me because I'm truly dumb and had no idea" I struggled to move away from his hold desperately, thrashing my feet and arms. I would have gotten help if there were other people around, but this cheater had the whole floor to himself. My body went limp when I saw Harley stepping out of the apartment putting on the shirt I'd gotten for him a month ago. I almost screamed as the pain that had evaded my heart twisted my guts. "Stay away from me, Nathan. We're over!" I yelled, pushing him back with all I could muster. I then continued to the elevator, and he was hot on my tail. "Bella, can you please give me a chance to explain? I'm sorry... This isn't what you think it is!" "Oh really? What else does it mean other than you banging another woman, Nathan!" I stopped to look at him in disbelief. I couldn't believe he was trying to justify what I'd seen with my own eyes. "Sweetheart, Bella. Please listen to me, I love you, please..." These words used to make my whole world spin, but today, they only intensified the anger I was feeling. My hand itched to strike him again but was it worth it? Instead, I began to run for the lift. "God, Bella! Stop acting like this is all on me. You forced me! We never got any time together because you were always busy or buried in your shit! I didn't know what to do!" Nathan yelled, and I smiled bitterly as I came to an automatic halt. Now, he was blaming his lack of self-control on me. "If that bothered you so much, you should have ended things rather than lying to me and going to fuck that bitch!" I snapped, my gaze falling on Harley whose face had turned red from anger. She had been quiet and it was the right choice for her. She knew she couldn't stand my anger. I looked back at Nathan who was running a hand through his hair. I always thought he was adorable when he did that but not today or ever again. The sight of him disgusted me, it made me nauseous. Unable to stand him – them – anymore, I turned and pressed the elevator button frantically, and when it finally opened, I jumped in. Nathan was behind me, and he pressed the emergency button, making the lift stay still. "Are you serious, Bella?" He said, his voice threateningly low. "You're upset and that's fine. Just don't take too long to get over it. I won't wait forever" I stared at him in disbelief. When had he changed so much? His dark eyes were pinned on mine and I saw a small smirk tugging at the side of his lips when he thought he had gotten me cornered. "You don't need to wait because I'll never be back, Nathan, never!" I growled and his face fell, and before he could say a word, I moved forward and kicked him as hard as I could in the groin. He stumbled back and as I watched him groan in pain, I shakily pulled off the engagement ring he'd given me and threw it at him. I then pressed the button that would take me down. As the doors slid shut, my knees gave out and I sank to the floor. A sob tore through my chest and my tears spilled over in torrents.ArabellaIt was a dare, a challenge.One that I knew would burn the both of us, yet I didn't care.His gaze sharpened when he felt my jaw clench under his hold. He pressed his thumb down on my lips, forcing it to part.Seconds passed. Our eyes were still locked, the air thick with tension.I swatted his hand away from my chin, and the next second, our lips crashed, rough and fierce in a fight for control. My hand tangled in his hair, tugging hard. He groaned against my mouth.A smile crept up. Good.But he didn't let me savor it. In a flash, his body slammed me hard against the wall.A gasp tore from my lips, and his lips curled like he had me exactly where he wanted. His hands found my hips, pinning me there as his tongue slid against mine, tasting, claiming.A gasp escaped my lips, and he swallowed it, his grip tightening as if daring me to pull away. My hands fisted his shirt, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us.His hand slipped under my dress, fingers trai
ArabellaThe ride home was quiet, heavy with silence. I stared out the window, blinking back tears as Nathan's venomous kept echoing in my head.Sloppy seconds.My stomach twisted.When we got home, I didn't wait for the car to come to a complete halt. I jumped out, my heels clicking sharply against the walkway as I hurried into the house.I moved like the words he'd thrown at me were chasing me. My eyes stung with tears but I kept willing them back. I wouldn't cry. Not for him. He wasn't worth it."Ara," Adrian's voice cut through my thoughts, his footsteps steady behind me.I'd gotten to my door already, twisting the doorknob."Bella." His voice was firmer this time, but I ignored him, stepping inside and pushing the door shut. Only, it didn't close.My heart dropped when I realized his hand was on it, stopping it from shutting."Please," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Just... just leave me alone."He didn't move. The door remained half-open, his presence looming over me."Look at
ArabellaMy vision spun for a second, the lights blurring even more before I steadied myself, eyes snapping up to meet the person holding me there.Nathan.A moment passed before my brain registered the fact that he was the one who had me pinned against the wall."What the hell?!" I exclaimed, trying to push him off, but he had my hands pinned against the wall too."Nathan, what the hell is wrong with you?" I asked, staring into his rage-filled eyes. His eyes were blazing with fury that made me swallow."What are you doing with Adrian?!" He roared into my face, his hands pinning mine strongly against the wall. My attempts to break free from his grasp were futile. I couldn't even move, so I stood still and stared him back in the eye, defiantly."Let go of me, Nathan!""Not until you answer my question, bitch. How did you know him? You have been with him since we were together, haven't you?" His nose flared as he glared at me.I stared at him in disbelief, anger simmering in my chest."
ArabellaI pretended to admire the endless sketch of paintings and sculptures as I sipped champagne, my eyes skimming over brush strokes and sculptures I knew nothing about.Adrian was gone with Lucien, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the occasional polite smile to passing strangers.I still felt the warmth of his hand on my waist, the possessive grip, and the way it tightened each time Lucien pushed his buttons, especially when he asked me to choose the paintings I loved.His grip had tightened like he was trying to ground himself. He seemed particularly possessive during that moment, and my stupid heart had been fluttering at his gestures.My mind replayed the way he'd introduced me — his wife. It was supposed to be an act, just a role to play, but there had been something in his voice that made it feel...real.He wasn't even supposed to introduce me as his wife to anyone tonight, but I guess he had his reasons. I was probably thinking about it too much.Shaking my head, I mov
AdrianSharp blue eyes and an annoying smile, I knew too well.Lucien fucking Dupont.Despite my announcement, he didn't even seem surprised. Just smug.I knew him enough to know that the way he'd stared at her and grinned meant he was interested in her.Who wouldn't? She had more personality than every person in this room.She was the only one scoffing and making faces at the sculptures and paintings, Dupont had tagged as personal. I'd caught her even when she tried to keep her expressions subtle.Meanwhile, everyone else kept gasping and singing praises of the old geezer. Now, his son was out here with eyes for my wife.Something dark crept up my chest as my grip around her waist tightened. Just enough to keep her close and draw the line.My face hardened as Lucien's eyes slid from mine to Ara, who had frozen at my statement, then back to me. His expression was unreadable, and as much as I hated to admit it, aside from my grandmother, Lucien was one person I couldn't see through. A
ArabellaAfter passing through many rounds of security, the car came to a halt before an exquisite building, which, according to Adrian's briefing on our way, was a galleria belonging to the Duponts.The exterior was simple yet elegant, with wide glass panels and neatly trimmed hedges lining the entrance.The thud of the car door as Adrian stepped out snapped me out of my thoughts, and before I could do the same, he beat me to it, opening the door for me.He stretched his hand in a gentlemanly gesture, and I blinked, lifting my head to stare at him. The soft lighting in the background highlighted the green of his eyes — they looked warmer and, as much as I hated to admit, pretty.I envied that lighting could influence the shade of his eye color, and whichever shade they were, it made him sexy. Not just his eyes but him. He was wearing a dark suit, but he exuded effortless charm, as always.He tilted his head, and I looked away, reluctantly placing my hand against his palm.As soon as
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