Jessica Thomas meets Nate Evans for the first time on their wedding day, a moment she never imagined would be so surreal. Her initial impression of him is a mix of fascination and wariness; he is undeniably cunny, self-absorbed, and shrouded in an aura of mystery. His billionaire status only adds to his intimidating allure. Jessica's reasons for going through with the wedding are far from romantic; she desperately needs the money to pay for her mother's mounting medical bills. Despite her predicament, Jessica resolves to keep her heart guarded. She swears she will not fall in love with this man she barely knows, nor will she allow herself to get caught up in the shadows of his mysterious past. But as they navigate the complexities of their arranged marriage, Jessica begins to see glimpses of a different side of Nate-a side that challenges her initial perceptions and stirs unexpected emotions within her. As secrets from Nate's past slowly unravel, Jessica finds herself drawn deeper into his world, facing dangers and dilemmas she never anticipated. Her resolve to remain detached wavers as she uncovers the vulnerabilities hidden beneath Nate's confident exterior. Their bond grows stronger, and Jessica must confront her own fears and desires, ultimately discovering that love and fate have plans far beyond her control. In a story of unexpected love and uncharted paths, Jessica and Nate's journey unfolds with twists and turns that test their limits and redefine their destinies.
Jessica POV
I take slow steps down the aisle, each one heavier than the last. I dread every step, but I know it's necessary. As a little girl, I always imagined a fairy-tale wedding-an enchanting day filled with festivities and vibrant decorations, where I'd be treated like a queen by my handsome Prince Charming, and we'd ride off in a horse-drawn carriage to a luxurious hotel suite.
But today is nothing like that dream. Instead, I'm in a rundown venue, about to marry a cocky, self-absorbed, and mysterious billionaire whom I'm meeting for the first time. And instead of a grand carriage, my 2004 Ford Taurus will take me back home afterward, because there's no way I'm spending the night with him.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" my mom whispers beside me.
Ever since my dad passed away when I was six, it's been just my mom and me. She took care of me all these years without any help. Even now, at twenty-three, she still sees me as her little girl with pigtails and a colorful bow in her hair. Now, it's my turn to take care of her.
Snapping out of my daze, I realize my face probably looks upset, maybe even angry. And why wouldn't it? I am upset and angry. But I promised myself I wouldn't let my mom see that.
"I'm fine," I say simply, swallowing hard. "Just the usual wedding jitters."
"You know, you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to. We can find another way to get the money."
"I said I'm fine," I reply, a bit more harshly than intended. My mother winces. "I'm sorry. It's just been a lot for me lately. But I really don't mind marrying him. He seems... like a nice guy."
My mother falls silent. We continue down the aisle until we reach the front. She turns to me and plants a big kiss on my cheek. "Oh, you look so beautiful! Your father would have been so proud."
"Thanks, Mom. And thanks for walking me down the aisle. I don't know if I could've done it alone." She gives me a quick hug and shuffles back to her seat, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
I draw in a long, deep breath. His back is turned, and he hasn't looked at me once since I started walking down the aisle. But now he slowly turns. He is even more imposing than in his Tinder profile picture. But damn, he is gorgeous.
He has cropped, dark brown hair spiked ever so slightly in the front, matching eyes, and a firm jaw that stays clenched as he looks me over. His tan skin and height-at least six feet-make him stand out even more. His muscles bulge through his very expensive Italian leather tuxedo. Then he smiles at me with that crooked half-smile, and that's when I know I'm in trouble.
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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Chapter 16 16
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Chapter 17 17
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Chapter 18 18
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Chapter 19 19
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Chapter 20 20
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