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contractmarriage

THE CONTRACT WIFE WHO STOPPED WAITING

"Sign here, Miss Reed. One year. No expectations. No emotions. Just a business arrangement." Grace Reed thought she'd hit rock bottom when her fiancé cheated with her stepsister. She was wrong. Rock bottom was standing in her childhood bedroom, listening to her father tell her she was worthless and then offering her as a bargaining chip to save the family company. Sebastian Sterling, Manhattan's most ruthless CEO, needs a wife for exactly one year to secure his inheritance. No love, no complications just a signature. Grace is perfect: desperate, compliant, and completely forgettable. Or so he thinks. What Sebastian doesn't expect is that his quiet contract wife has a spine of steel buried under layers of hurt. When his first love, the elegant Olivia Winters, returns from Paris and slots seamlessly into his life attending his meetings, accompanying him to events, finishing his sentences, Grace is supposed to smile and play the part of the understanding wife. And at first, she does. She's good at being invisible. She's had practice. But every time Sebastian tells Grace she doesn't need to attend an event because "Olivia can handle it," every time he dismisses her input because "Olivia knows how I think," every time he comes home late smelling of Olivia's perfume and tells Grace "it's not what you think" something inside her cracks. Not all at once. But slowly. Steadily. Until one day, Grace looks at herself in the mirror and doesn't recognize the ghost staring back. Sebastian notices the change. His wife, who used to nod quietly at everything, now questions him. Challenges him. Walks out of rooms when Olivia walks in. Stops waiting up for him. Stops waiting, period. He tells himself he doesn't care Olivia is the one he's loved for years, the one he almost married, the one who understands him. Grace is just a contract. Except... why does he find himself defending Grace to Olivia? Why does he instinctively reach for Grace's hand at galas when he should be reaching for Olivia's? Why does Grace's absence feel heavier than Olivia's presence? What Sebastian doesn't know: every time he thinks he's choosing Olivia, his actions betray him. He seats Grace in the place of honor at business dinners. He brings home food that Grace likes, not Olivia. He finds reasons to fire employees who disrespect Grace. He stands between Grace and her toxic family, even when he tells himself it's just protecting his "investment." What Grace doesn't know: she was never the substitute. Sebastian has been falling for her from the moment she stopped trying to fit into the shape he wanted and started becoming the woman she was always meant to be. And when Olivia's true motives come to light, Sebastian will have to choose between the woman he thought he loved and the woman he can't live without. But by then, Grace might be done waiting for anyone even him. Sometimes the hardest person to choose is yourself. And sometimes, that's exactly what love demands.
nelsondavidson55 · 792 Views

The Cage of the Heartless Wolf

Aanya Lu is an innocent, hardworking girl with a soft heart and big dreams. A devoted lover of Korean and Chinese dramas, she secretly adores K-pop star Jungkook.”and believes that talent and honesty can change fate. What she doesn’t know is that her past is stained with blood. When she joins one of Shenzhen’s most powerful corporations, she catches the attention of Zain Yan— a flawless CEO in the eyes of the world… but in truth, a cold, broken, and dangerously ruthless man. Zain assigns her an important project and gradually pulls her closer. To Aanya, he is a strict but fair boss. To Zain, she is nothing more than a weapon of revenge. Years ago, on a night soaked in blood, Zain lost his mother and younger sister. The man responsible was Lu Kang— Aanya’s beloved uncle. Zain’s plan is simple: use Aanya to completely destroy Lu Kang. But fate has other plans. Aanya’s past is not as pure as it seems. Her ex-boyfriend, Ruan Jian—the man she once trusted as her support— walked away and shattered her heart without looking back. Then her innocence and hidden strength draw the attention of the underworld’s most feared ruler—the Dragon King. But the real question is… Why does the Dragon King want Aanya dead? And how is the secret of her birth connected to him? For the first time, Zain’s perfect plan begins to collapse. The girl he intended to use as a pawn… becomes the one he grows fiercely possessive of. He cannot tolerate anyone looking at his wife— not even the ghosts of her past. Amid bullets, betrayal, and bloodshed— Zain makes a shocking public move: A contract marriage. Now Aanya is trapped in a marriage she never chose, bound to a man full of secrets— a man who is both using her… and protecting her. Is she merely a pawn in his revenge? Or the only weakness of the Heartless Wolf? As buried truths rise, as the Dragon King’s true connection is revealed, and as Aanya finally learns why Zain chose her— It will not be just love or trust that breaks… …but the very cage imprisoning a wounded heart. .Note: I am a new writer, so there may be some small mistakes in my novel. Your love and support are my greatest strength.”.
Aarinya_Solen · 53.6k Views

Tiny Genius Alert! Mom & Dad Better Make Peace

For money, Jin Jumo "signed" herself to the business tycoon Rong Mochen, for a period of one year. Upon their first meeting, the man's voice was icy, "I like women who keep their place, understand?" "Yes." Jin Jumo nodded lightly. So, Jin Jumo always adhered to her place, tightly locking her heart away, never crossing the line. If there was anything in her relationship with Rong Mochen that Jin Jumo hadn't anticipated, it would be... --- "Mr. Rong, our contract expired a week ago." Jin Jumo lightly curved her lips, giving a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she looked at the man in front of her. "So?" "So, Mr. Rong, are you playing rogue now?" Jin Jumo gritted her teeth. "Hmm..." Rong Mochen frowned, leisurely raising his head to look at Jin Jumo, "Is my daughter behaving well in your belly?" "It's not even two months, how do you know it's definitely a daughter..." Wait... Jin Jumo's eyes widened in terror, she hadn't told him she was pregnant... Rumor had it, a car accident targeting Z City tycoon Rong Mochen resulted in the death of a seven-month-pregnant woman. Rumor had it, after the accident, the Rong Family's president underwent a drastic change, becoming ruthless and fierce from being coldly indifferent. Rumor had it, the person killed in the accident was the person closest to Rong Mochen's heart. --- Four years later. "Brother, do we really need to find a new boyfriend for Mommy?" The little bun bit his chubby fingers, looking at the little boy beside him who was slightly taller. "Yes." The boy squinted, his gaze coldly fixed on the televised global sensation of the Rong Family's president's luxurious engagement ceremony. "But didn't Brother say that the old man named Rong is our real dad?" Jin Jumo, who had just stepped into the house, was nearly collapsing inside. How did the two little guys know Rong Mochen was...
Faded Makeup · 326.7k Views

Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law

She, the second daughter of the Bluen consortium, a figure of envy among the rich second generation. No matter who she mentioned, they were all figures that others flocked towards. However, her boyfriend was getting married, but she was not the bride. She, who had always been so noble and lofty, was cruelly abandoned. He, the CEO of Valence Group, the intimidating young master of the Horne family and a prime example of the rich second generation. Little did people know, his bride ran away on the day he planned to register for marriage. He too, was cruelly abandoned. Laughably so, He was her soon-to-be brother-in-law. Seeing her angry and lonely future brother-in-law, she suddenly jeered, "We both have been abandoned. We would make a perfect pair." He pursed his lips in silence. The next day, he took her to the Civil Affairs Office to go through the marriage registration process, having her replace her runaway sister as his bride. (Declaration of Ownership Chapter) "Julia, I now realize that I have always loved you. Do you know that I think of you all the time? I married her just so I could have a secure footing in the company." Her ex-boyfriend, gripping her hand, whispered this soft confession of his misguided actions in the past. Before she could react, a strong hand appeared out of nowhere, fiercely grasping her ex-boyfriend's wrist. He cried out in pain, causing a stir among the guests at the wine party. He stood by her side, one arm draped across her shoulders, gently and passionately smiling while saying, "Wife, tell him, who am I to you?" Gazing at his handsome appearance, noble aura, and two bodyguards following him, her ex-boyfriend's face quickly drained of color, as if he had just realized something. (Cherishing Her Chapter) "Young master, the young mistress said something strange today." The housekeeper, trailing behind him, was reporting her daily activities. "What did she say?" "The young mistress said she wonders if snow flying in June would be beautiful." The housekeeper finished his report and carefully observed his reaction. After all, how could it be possible for there to be falling snow in the scorching heat of June? Once again, he pursed his lips in silence, then silently went upstairs. The next day. As soon as she stepped out of the main house, she was stunned. The sunrise filled the high sky while the expansive courtyard was covered in white snow. It was a vast expanse of white, as if it were midwinter, and countless snowflakes were dancing in the sky. The snowstorm was of extreme beauty.
Gu XingLing · 436.7k Views

Contract Marriage: Billionaire and His Deaf Wife

Recommended new novel: A heartwarming story set in the '90s, "Back to 1990, She Set the Surgical World on Fire" When Xie Wanying returned to 1996 and said she wanted to become a doctor, many laughed. "A phoenix begets a phoenix, a dog begets a dog. If a truck driver's daughter can become a doctor, then pigs can climb trees." "Not only do I want to be a doctor, but I also want to be a female thoracic surgeon," Xie Wanying declared. When medical relatives sarcastically told her, "There is not a single female leading thoracic surgeon in the country—who do you think you are!" After the college entrance exams, Xie Wanying entered the top surgical class in the country with the highest provincial science score, began as an intern in a top-tier capital hospital, and was fought over by the heads of surgery departments. She performed the world's first minimally invasive heart valve repair, marking the first surgery in the female surgical field! The Overseas Returnee Faction senior brother was a hot bachelor in the capital's circle and changed his QQ profile picture to one with his junior sister Xie. The young boss was a handsome man who came to the hospital every day to bring flowers and offer diamond rings. Not to mention the horde of well-wishers that had practically broken down the door of old Xie's house... —————— "No woman loves a man who's not a little bit bad." When a woman married him, everyone said, "This woman must be a bad woman who would stop at nothing to curry favor with him." Everyone was curious about what kind of person Mrs. Xiao was when they heard that Mr. Xiao had gotten married. "My wife has overshadowed me. Everyone knows she is deaf, so they blatantly speak ill of her in front of her and openly discuss the bad things they plan to do to her," Host: ............
Fatty Mom is kind-hearted · 570.6k Views

Accidental Groom of the Substitute Marriage

On the day of her wedding, Evie Yong’s world shattered before her very eyes as her soon-to-be husband trashed all their past eight years of relationship by denying her at the altar, in the presence of everyone. Forced to watch her fiancé stolen, Evie couldn't believe her stepmother and stepsister dared to plot such a scheming plan to ruin her completely. Devastated and feeling betrayed, Evie had to come up with a quick option to save herself from all this mess, and that was when she had to flee away from her wedding in shame and soon figured out a plan to strike back in such a way that her enemies would be put into ruins, just as they once did to her earlier. ... “Mr. Lu, it seems we're both victims of circumstance. My groom has abandoned me for my sister, and your fiancée has run away. Why don't we turn this awkward situation into an opportunity?” She smiled boldly. “Let's get married, right here, right now!” Westley’s expression remained unreadable, but briefly, a hint of intrigue flickered in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow, “You're suggesting we marry each other, and also we are complete strangers?” Evie nodded in confidence. “Why not? We're both clearly compatible, and this way, we can both save face and gain a partner, except for the fact that this will be a contract marriage of six months.” Westley's gaze lingered on hers as if sizing her up. Then, he nodded slowly. “Very well, let's do it.” ... “You're either very brave or very reckless to make such an attempt in picking me as your husband in public,” he said after the marriage. “If I didn't try, we wouldn't have figured out a way to get this opportunity.” She responded. …. He's an almighty giant of entrepreneurship, standing high among moguls. She was born out of wedlock and denied by her family. She's been fighting tooth and nail to make a name for herself in the cutthroat world of entertainment, refusing to let her illegitimacy define her destiny. Two strangers are brought together under one roof, but their newfound connection has dangerous people lurking around. There are evil people scheming and eagerly waiting for Evie’s downfall, and they are never going to stop until they successfully get her kicked out of the door. But what they did not know was that the seemingly "worthless" person they targeted was, in fact, the anonymous genius behind the mysterious bigshot shaking the entire world… And this time, she was about to unleash hidden capabilities beyond their wildest nightmares! #Sweetheart #1v1 #Secretidentity #Genius #Quicksweetsatifyingrevenge #faceslapping
Honey_Dream · 705 Views

The Wife He Never Wanted:When The Stand-In Bride Becomes Irreplaceable

"Congratulations, Miss Winters. You're now Mrs. Sterling. Try not to embarrass the family." Grace Winters accepted the marriage contract with open eyes. She knew the truth: Ethan Sterling loved Charlotte Hayes, the woman who vanished three days before their wedding. Grace was the convenient replacement her older sister's best friend, available and desperate enough to agree. The terms were clear: one year of marriage to satisfy his dying grandmother's wish. Separate bedrooms. No expectations. And absolutely no falling in love. Grace signed without hesitation she'd spent three years adoring Ethan from the shadows, believing proximity might turn his indifference into affection. She was wrong. For six months, Grace played the perfect wife. She attended his business functions, memorized how he took his coffee, learned to read his silences. She endured his family's contempt, society's whispers, and worst of all watching him light up whenever Charlotte's name appeared on his phone. Every small act of service, every quiet sacrifice, every attempt to be what he needed went unseen. Then came the night that shattered everything. The charity gala where Charlotte returned from Paris, radiant and apologetic. The moment Ethan left Grace standing alone at their table to chase after her. The private garden where Grace heard him promise Charlotte he'd fix his "mistake" of marrying someone else. But as Grace finally stops performing the role of devoted wife, something unexpected happens: the husband who never noticed her begins to see what he's losing. The small considerations he showed making sure she ate, the coat he'd drape over her shoulders, his subtle interventions when his family attacked her weren't duty. They were the unconscious acts of a man falling in love with his own wife. Unfortunately for Ethan, Grace is done being second choice. She's remembered who she was before she dimmed herself for his approval: the hidden heiress to the Winters empire, the brilliant strategist her father groomed to take over. She's not running away from their marriage—she's taking back her power within it. As Grace transforms from shadow to force, as she stops shrinking and starts shining, Ethan realizes the devastating truth: he was so busy mourning the woman who left him that he fell in love with the one who stayed. But by the time he understands what he has, Grace has already decided what she's worth. Now he's not just fighting to keep her. He's fighting to deserve her.
isaackuya21 · 875 Views

Sold To The Frost Alpha

Selene Jameson has always been the family stain, unwanted daughter, shadow to the golden children. The night her mother dies saving her life, Selene loses the only person who ever loved her. When Atlas D'Angelo, the boy she gave everything to, betrays her in the cruelest way possible, she vows never to beg for love again. But fate has darker plans. On the night Selene finally tastes freedom, fame, money, a future of her own her family sells her to a supernatural auction. She's thrust into a hidden world ruled by lycans who see humans as nothing more than commodity. Then he buys her. Mikhail Morozov, Wintercrest Alpha and High Alpha of the Onyx Concord. Feared across Nocturna, Lycan Realm. With a shattered past, a missing sister, and a throne built on blood and betrayal, the last thing he needs is a defiant human girl with a sharp tongue and darker humor than his sins. But Selene isn't human. She bears the Crescent, a mark of ancient power that could save the Nocturna or destroy it. When Kustav Volkov, a rival ruthless Alpha, is revealed to be Selene's father, he lays his claim on her. Mikhail offers Selene a choice: marry him in a blood-bound pact that grants her protection under lycan law. But this marriage of convenience will be anything but convenient. *** "And you smell good," I interrupted, words tumbling out before I could stop them. "Really good. Like winter but not the terrifying kind. The beautiful kind. With snow and—" I scrunched my nose, grasping for the description. "Those delicate frost patterns that appear on glass." Mikhail produced a sound deep in his chest that could've been a growl or a chuckle or something caught between. "Why are there two staircases?" I blurted suddenly, fixating on the duplicated grand stairway looming before us. "Is this intentional? Seems ridiculously excessive." "There's only one staircase, moya." "Are you certain? Because I'm definitely seeing two. Perhaps you require vision correction. Do lycans need glasses? That would be hilarious. Tiny spectacles perched on a massive terrifying wolf—" "Selene." His voice emerged strained, taut in a manner that penetrated even through my fog. "You need to stop talking." I peered up at him, hurt piercing through the pleasant haze. "Why? Am I irritating you? I'm sorry. I'll stay quiet." "No." The word escaped sharp, nearly anguished. "You're not irritating me. You're—" He severed the sentence, jaw clenching so viciously I witnessed the muscle twitch. "Just... rest." But I didn't want rest. I wanted to comprehend why his expression appeared like that—all rigid and ravenous and something else I couldn't identify. "Are you alright?" I asked, raising my hand toward his jaw. He intercepted my wrist before contact, his hold gentle yet unyielding. "Don't." "Why not?" "Because I'm barely maintaining control as it is, and if you touch me right now—" He halted abruptly, eyes compressing shut momentarily. "Just don't." That should've frightened me. The ferocity in his tone, the way his restraint appeared to unravel at the seams. But intoxicated-me simply smiled, inexplicably pleased. Then I caught the way his gaze dropped. Just for a fraction of a heartbeat. To my mouth. Heat bloomed through my chest, spreading like wildfire. "You want to kiss me," I breathed, the revelation making me giddy. His eyes snapped back to mine, glacial blue turned predatory. "Kissing," he said slowly, voice dropping an octave, "doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what I want to do to you." The air left my lungs. His grip on my wrist shifted, thumb finding my pulse point. Pressing there. Feeling the frantic rhythm he'd caused. "Kissing is gentle," he continued, leaning in just enough that his breath ghosted across my lips. Close enough to take. Close enough to claim. But he didn't. "Kissing is sweet. What I want?" His eyes dragged down my face, my throat, lower then back up with deliberate slowness. "There's nothing gentle about it."
Lilac_Everglade · 16.9k Views