She never imagined love would begin with a marriage she didn't want. Forced into a union to save her family, Elena promised herself one thing, she would never love her husband. But the man she hated was nothing like she expected... And the heart she tried to protect slowly betrayed her.
I never thought my life would change on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.
The hospital corridor smelled of antiseptic and fear. I sat on the cold bench, my fingers trembling as I stared at the medical bill in my hands. The numbers blurred through my tears.
It was too much.
"Miss Moore," the nurse called softly. "Your mother needs the surgery within the week."
I nodded, even though my heart was breaking. How could I tell her I didn't have the money?
That was when he appeared.
Adrian Blackwood.
Tall. Well-dressed. Calm in a way that made everyone else look noisy. He stood in front of me like someone who belonged to a different world-one where bills didn't destroy families.
"I can help you," he said quietly.
I looked up, shocked. "Help me?"
"Yes. I'll pay for the surgery."
My heart skipped. Hope rushed in-then fear followed.
"There's a condition," he continued.
I should have known.
"What condition?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He paused, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Marry me."
The world stopped.
"I don't understand," I said quickly. "We barely know each other."
"This marriage will be in name only," he said calmly. "One year. After that, we go our separate ways."
I stood up, shaking my head. "That's impossible."
But when I thought of my mother lying helpless on that hospital bed... my strength faded.
That night, I cried until my eyes hurt.
And the next morning, I signed the papers that changed my life forever.
As I stood beside Adrian at the small registry office, I felt nothing but emptiness.
This wasn't love.
This was sacrifice.
And I promised myself one thing as I said I do-
I would never fall in love with my husband.
Little did I know... my heart had other plans.
Chapter 1 The Marriage I Never Wanted
02/01/2026
Chapter 2 The First Night
02/01/2026
Chapter 3 A Small Gesture
02/01/2026
Chapter 4 Moments Between Us
02/01/2026
Chapter 5 A Surprise of Care
02/01/2026
Chapter 6 When Silence Speaks
03/01/2026
Chapter 7 Standing Beside You
03/01/2026
Chapter 8 The Weight He Carries
03/01/2026
Chapter 9 When the World Notices
03/01/2026
Chapter 10 Where I Belong
03/01/2026
Chapter 11 Learning to Stand
03/01/2026
Chapter 12 When Standing Alone Hurts
03/01/2026
Chapter 13 The Weight of Silence
07/01/2026
Chapter 14 After the Noise
07/01/2026
Chapter 15 The Quiet Tests
07/01/2026
Chapter 16 The Cost of Being Seen
07/01/2026
Chapter 17 The Question of Legacy
07/01/2026
Chapter 18 The Body Keeps the Score
08/01/2026
Chapter 19 The Space Between Yes and Goodbye
08/01/2026
Chapter 20 Preparation
08/01/2026
Chapter 21 Departure Without Leaving
08/01/2026
Chapter 22 Fault Lines
09/01/2026
Chapter 23 Negotiation
09/01/2026
Chapter 24 Echoes
09/01/2026
Chapter 25 Thresholds
09/01/2026
Chapter 26 Conditions
09/01/2026
Chapter 27 Waiting Rooms
Today at 04:53
Chapter 28 Decision Theory
Today at 05:14
Chapter 29 Aftermath
Today at 05:31
Chapter 30 Maintenance
Today at 05:34