Substitute Bride

Elena found out the harshest of ways that love could not be forced. For Twelve years she loved Damien ,but he repaid her love by sending her to the deepest part of hell. In her darkest moments, she was forced to watch Damien shower love to some other woman. Years later, she comes back from her pieces and vows to serve everyone a piece of their own medicine. But for how long?

Blurb: Nicolas Pov: I’ve built my life on control, power, and ruthless decisions. I never wanted to rely on anyone—especially not her. Isabella is young, full of hope, and entirely too naive for this world. I didn’t expect her to become someone I couldn’t ignore. But here she is, stepping into my life, challenging everything I’ve worked for. She doesn’t belong in my world, yet she makes it harder to push her away. I’ve lived in shadows long enough to know better, but something about her light makes me question everything. Still, the world I live in is too dangerous, and trust is a luxury I can’t afford. Isabella Pov: I never imagined this life. Married to a man who is more scarred than I could have ever known, his world of darkness and danger closing in every day. I didn’t sign up for this, yet here I am, holding my ground. Nicolas might think I’m naive, but I see the man behind the mask. He doesn’t know how to love, but I refuse to let that stop me. I won’t run, even if I’m constantly surrounded by threats and lies. This world doesn’t scare me, but what Nicolas won’t let me see—his pain, his demons—that’s what I’m fighting to understand. I didn’t come into this to save him, but maybe it’s time he lets me in.

On the day I miscarried and suffered from haemorrhage, my husband posted a photo of a newborn’s tiny feet on his Instagram Story. The caption read: “Welcome, little angel. Daddy will always protect you.” With trembling hands, I called him. “The baby’s gone. Can you come to the hospital?” On the other end, I heard a baby crying, followed by the man’s impatient voice. “In that case, take good care of yourself. Louise just gave birth and needs someone to care for her. I can’t leave. “Besides, the dead shouldn’t compete with the living for affection. Got it?” He hung up right after. I broke down alone on the hospital bed, and when I finally wiped away my tears, I dialed the number of his sworn enemy, Levi Snow. “Marry me, and the entire Wright Corporation will be my dowry. All I want is for you to bring Finn Yeaton down. Do we have a deal?”

Let's get this over with." Those were the longest words I'd heard him say ever since his entrance to the room. His hoarse voice which held no sign of emotion rumbled like a distant thunder in the large sitting room that was now occupied by his mother, Jane Jordan - the heiress of Jordan Jewelleries, the dark haired judge who sat by an oak table that had been placed in the center of the room for this purpose, Mother, and I , the I-know-nothing-about-this bride dressed in a knee-length lavender gown and silver stiletto heels, nothing befitting for a bride on her big day.  ... "And do you, Ashley, take Alexander to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I sucked in a sharp breath as I closed my eyes. "I do." My fate has been sealed. Just like that, I'm married to a man I know nothing about.

Detective Jane Michaels arrives in Ridgeview to start fresh after a catastrophic case nearly ended her career. On her first day, she’s assigned a gruesome case involving a serial killer who dresses his victims as brides and leaves a single rose. As Jane dives deeper, she uncovers unsettling details about the victims and their lives. Amidst the investigation, she crosses paths with Nathaniel Carter, a kind and mysterious local writer who slowly chips away at her walls. But Ridgeview is a town of secrets, and the truth is never as it seems. When a victim escapes the killer’s clutches and gives a description, the case takes an unexpected turn. The town is rocked as the killer is unmasked—someone who was hiding in plain sight. In the final confrontation, Jane must use her wit and emotional resilience to bring the killer to justice. But even as the case is solved, a sinister shadow lingers, and Jane faces her own demons, left with an unsettling gift that raises more questions than answers.

They said she vanished. They claimed she betrayed them. But when she reappears at a secret auction, claimed by the man who once swore to destroy her, the past ignites like gasoline. In a world where loyalty is currency and truth is buried beneath designer suits and silken lies, love isn’t the question. it’s the weapon.

Caroline Montreal is an ordinary 23-year-old woman who enjoys her simple life with her sister and loving boyfriend. She couldnʼt ask for more until her sisterʼs illness got worse, and the only person she could rely on left her for another woman. Caroline was about to lose hope until she bumped into her boss. Calvin Vander is a 29-year-old business tycoon. Heʼs strict, arrogant, hot-tempered, and the CEO of the renowned company—Platinum Bank Incorporated. The thing is that he would never get his inheritance from his grandfather until he gets married. Thatʼs why after discovering his secretaryʼs situation, he made an offer that would benefit the two of them. “I need a contract wife, and you need money.” On the verge of desperation, Caroline agreed, and they both signed a contract just like a normal business deal. It was just supposed to be an act, but why do those sweet kisses and gestures feel so real? And why doesnʼt Calvin like the idea of her leaving him after the deal?

Isabelle Cruz is forced to marry Jacob Garcia in place of her adoptive sister. As far as she knows, Jacob is an illegitimate son who's an idler, reckless, and not worth much. Unknown to her, he is a billionaire CEO who's determined to end their arranged marriage as soon as possible. Jacob Garcia is in a hurry to end his arranged marriage to his new wife, Isabelle. He doesn't think it's going to be hard. After all, why would a woman from a wealthy family stay married to a poor man? But he realises quickly Isabelle's is nothing like he expected, and that things may not go according to plan.

I stand in the hospital after my two older brothers decline all 99 of my phone calls. They finally appear, bringing with them the biological sister they found. My gentle eldest brother, who had once rescued me from my so-called abusive parents, raises his hand and slaps me across the face. "Cynthia, you're actually pretending to have a terminal illness just to compete with Sarah for our affection? And you came to this kind of place to frighten us?" I clutch my swollen cheek and listen as my second brother, who always says he'll trust me no matter what, holds Sarah in his arms and laughs out loud. "Are you trying to fake being sick to get our attention after seeing that Sarah is in poor health? "Just cut the act. You've been living in luxury since childhood and have always been in perfect health. How could you possibly be ill?" Sarah Crawford speaks up thoughtfully, "Don't blame her, you two. I think she just feels like I've stolen away your love for her, which is why she has become so unreasonable..." I look at the two brothers who have doted on me for ten years and suddenly feel that nothing matters anymore. After all, I only have seven days left to live. In seven days, everything will return to normal after my departure. But by then, they'll be the ones unable to accept it.

A gentle, unwanted girl is sold as a monster’s bride to save a kingdom that never loved her. She does not tame the monster. She wakes him up—and he, in turn, teaches her that the world is allowed to burn for people who hurt her. Together they break an ancient curse, topple two kingdoms, and discover that love can be the most dangerous rebellion of all.