MasukSix months behind on rent. Half a million in debt. One desperate proposal to the billionaire who hates her ex-husband as much as she does. Emily’s arranged marriage to Ian Hunter was a transaction—his family’s money for her father’s freedom. For three years, she endured his coldness, his cruelty, his mistress. The day his grandmother died, Ian filed for divorce and walked away with everything. Emily’s business collapsed. Ian’s empire grew. Now, she’s desperate enough to make a deal with the devil’s half-brother. Scott Hunter needs a wife to claim his billion-dollar inheritance. Emily needs capital to rebuild—and revenge on the man who destroyed her. It’s a simple contract: one year of marriage, no feelings, no complications. Except Scott can’t stop touching her. And Emily realizes she’s stopped pretending. What happens when family secrets surface? What happens when rivals clash? Will this marriage based on revenge, jealousy and rivalry survive? Or will their lies cost them the only truth that matters?
Lihat lebih banyak“Scott is Ian’s half-brother and also rightful heir to the Hunter Legacy.” Her throat tightened. “He’s new in town.” Confusion flickered across her parents’ faces. She had no better way to explain it. “Scott, this is my mom and dad—Ruth and Thomas Everson.” She looked at Scott from the corner of her eye, still avoiding his gaze. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Everson.” “Oh, just call me Ruth. The pleasure is ours.” Her mom smiled warmly at Scott. “Let’s get you refreshed.” She stood and headed to the kitchen. “You have five minutes to explain… this.” Thomas gestured between Emily and Scott. “Grandma Hilda is dead.” His eyes widened, then relaxed. “I was going to tell you, but I’ve been really busy.” Emily swallowed. “The funeral was a couple days ago. I knew you wouldn’t come, so I didn’t bother—” “You’re right about that.” Thomas cut her off. He downed his drink and refilled the glass. “The Hunters are bad luck, We don’t care for any of them.” He shot a look
“I hope you understand,” Emily said quietly. Scott didn’t respond. Didn’t look at her. Watching him challenge Ian had given her a sick satisfaction she couldn’t explain. She’d wanted more. Her body had reacted faster than her thoughts—and she’d kissed him. The look on Ian’s face had been worth it. Now he knew what it felt like. But she couldn’t have done it without Scott. “Why were you there?” Scott’s voice cut through her thoughts. She looked at him. His expression was unreadable. “I worked there. Used to, anyway.” Her voice faded. He didn’t respond. Instead, he opened a compartment and pulled out a file. The marriage contract. “Here.” He handed it to her without meeting her eyes. “I made adjustments.” Emily read through it. They’d have to live together for one year and make regular public appearances as a couple. Her stomach twisted. “Why do we need to appear in public?” Ian had always loved the spotlight—stopping to pose for pictures, courting the press. She didn’t.
“Do I have to repeat myself?” Scott’s gaze bore into the guard. “Or does he have to do it for you?” He gestured to Gerry. Gerry moved his arms from his sides and locked them in front, a silent threat. The guard released Emily’s arm. It was too late to play it cool—the whole lobby was watching now. He hadn’t planned to be so vocal, but when he’d seen Emily surrounded, a security guard’s hand on her arm, something unexplainable and uncontrollable had shifted in him. He’d spoken before he’d even registered Ian’s presence. “Wife?” Ian threw his head back and laughed. “I mean I knew you were slow, I didn’t think you were straight-up mentally impaired” Scott ignored him, adjusted his suit, and headed straight for Emily. Gerry followed. “Are you okay?” He touched her face gently. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable. She nodded. A feeling rose in Scott—not pity. No. Anger toward whoever had put that look there. He turned to face Ian and the woman beside him. Who he figured was
“Ouch!” Scott pulled back, touching his lip. “Did you just bite me?”Emily crossed her arms. “I said no contact, Mr. Hunter.”“You kissed—”“I think it’s best we don’t get carried away,” she said, cutting him off.She had to take control, and it worked. The confusion on his face pleased her. She wouldn’t be used by another Hunter. This was her turn to be in charge.She watched as Scott retreated to his desk.Emily sat across from him, forcing confidence she didn’t feel. “We should discuss the wedding. When and where?”“Two days from now. Small ceremony, immediate family only. We’ll announce it to the press afterward.”“Two days?” Emily’s stomach dropped. She’d barely processed signing the contract.“I’ll need your address. My driver will pick you up.”Emily scribbled her number and Rosa’s address on a sticky note. She wasn’t ready to tell her parents how the arrangement meant to save them had only buried them deeper in debt. Her throat tightened. She had to get to Rosa’s before her h












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