"Four years ago, you killed a woman." he thrust her away, turning his back, as he tried to hide the pain in his eyes. "The woman you killed that night was no other than my ten-hour-old wife!" ......................... "I didn't call you here to solicit sympathy. You will replace what you brutally tore from my life." Her mind reeled with fear and remorse at his intended words as he laid limp on the floor. "You will replace her." She scrambled to her feet, her mind racing as she struggled to comprehend his words. "What...what do you mean?" she stammered, her voice trembling... "You shall become my wife." He declared. "My ten-year-contract wife." he added, his voice dripping with emphasis. Natalia froze. His ultimatum hung in the air like a death sentence. ........... "Natalia Holmes' life was forever changed when she was responsible for a tragic accident that claimed two lives, including the wife of ruthless billionaire, Mavros Konstantis. In a selfless act, Natalia took the blame to save her fiancé from a lengthy prison sentence. But her sacrifice came at a steep price - years of imprisonment, a shattered reputation and much later, her fiance's betrayal and rejection. Now, Natalia is unexpectedly released, but her freedom comes with a condition: she must take the place of the wife she unintentionally killed and marry Mavros. Will she continue to pay dearly for a crime she didn't even commit? Or will she reclaim her virtue and autonomy, making the real culprit pay? And what becomes of Mavros when he eventually finds out the truth? No longer bounded, will he be able to win her back with his newfound love and devotion? Or will Natalia embrace her hard-won liberty, determined to never again be trapped by the chains of guilt and obligation?
"Kevin, slow down!" Natalia urged, her voice tight with fright and worry.
Kevin's eyes wavered as he gazed at the winding road ahead, the dashboard lights blurring together.
His fiancée, Natalia, clutched the door handle, her knuckles white with tension.
"I'm fine, babe," he slurred, swaying slightly in his seat. "Just need to get us home quickly. It's a great day! Woohoo!"
As they rounded a curve, a pair of headlights suddenly appeared in the opposite lane, barreling towards them.
Kevin's heart skipped a beat as he jerked the wheel to the right, but it was too late.
"Oh God, Kevin!" Natalia screamed, bracing herself for impact.
Their car smashed into the other car with a deafening crash, sending glass shattering and metal crunching.
Kevin's head whipped forward, his vision blurring.
"Holy shit!" Kevin groaned, the drunkenness clearing from his eyes almost immediately.
Natalia struggled to free herself from the airbag and hurried to the other car in panic, Kevin following suit.
On reaching there, she let out a terrified gasp at the sight before her. Both passengers, a man and a woman, were unmistakably dead.
She shivered and shrieked back, overwhelmed by the grotesquery of blood, glass, and shattered steel splattered all over. It was her first time seeing dead bodies, and the gruesome sight added to her horror.
Kevin's face paled at the scene. He stood completely numb for a while, trying to take in what had just happened.
"They... they are not dead, right?" She stuttered, her voice trembling in denial.
Her question pulled Kevin out of his trance. He ran his hands over his head, his face contorted in distress. "What do we do now? The police will be here any minute."
Dead silence followed, as if time itself had frozen.
Natalia started wiping imaginary sweat from her face. Her heart hammering, "We can explain...it wasn't intentional."
"No! Do you think they will buy that? We just broke the rules and murdered---"
"We?" Natalia interrupted, quite puzzled.
Kevin rushed over to her and held her hands in both of his. "Natty, I can't afford to go to jail. What will happen to my potential and my dreams? I just got my dream job today. That was the reason we went out to celebrate, remember? I'm my parents' only hope."
He tightened his hold on her, shaking her slightly. "You love me, right? We have known and loved each other since childhood. And today our love is being tested."
"What are you trying to say, Kevin? I'm quite confused." Her face was etched with bewilderment.
"I am asking you for a huge favor," he paused, searching for any change in her expression. "Please take the fall, Natalia."
Her eyes widened in terror. She winced, as if his words struck her physically, and forcefully snatched her hands away from his.
"What--"
He ate her words, "Please, babe. I have so much more to lose than you. I drove in a drunken state. I've been driving for years, and the company just entrusted me with a meticulous--"
He knelt down before her. "My punishment will be far worse than yours. Please, you are the only one that can save me now. Pleaseee," he whimpered.
She stared down at him blankly. Her voice, low and deflated.
"What about me? Who will save me? What about my own dreams? I'm just 20."
Kevin scrambled to his feet, hope flashing in his eyes. He cupped her face, saying, "Me. I will save you. My dreams are big enough for us both. I promise to take care of you and support your dreams. Trust me to do that, Natty."
Another dead silence.
She thought for a while, weighing everything. Her dreams were quite simple; to be a school teacher and start a family with the man she loved. None of these would be achieved if Kevin were to be imprisoned.
She doubted she could last long in the teaching department as she would be spending all her thoughts and time on trying to get him released.
Her dreams would be invalid without him present.
Kevin had the upper hand in thoroughly sorting things out more than her. She would do this for them, for their love, for their future. It couldn't be so bad, could it?
Natalia took a deep breath and signed in resignation, "Alright, I'll do it."
He crushed her into a hug, his face washed with relief. "Thank you so much, babe. I love you so much. And I know for sure, you love me truly."
Natalia just stood still without returning the hug, her eyes hollow.
Just then, they heard the police siren not so far away. Kevin hastily released her and scooted her into the driver's seat, his heart pounding. And then, he headed to the passenger's seat and settled in.
The police officers arrived shortly, investigated the scene, and questioned them. Natalia took the blame without further ado.
She was taken into detention, and after a few trials, she was found guilty and sentenced to a minimum of fifteen years imprisonment with no bail.
Kevin tried all he could but to no avail. It seemed the victim's acquaintance was quite powerful and influential.
On hearing this, her parents officially disowned her, scared to lose their honorable prestige in town due to her illicit act. To them, status was more important.
Natalia withered in prison as years passed by. At first, Kevin came to visit her frequently, but as months went by, his visits became infrequent, and then they stopped.
She understood his career was booming, and he was trying to gain affluence and influence to appeal. He was her only hope.
Her only family member who had cared enough to visit was her younger sister, Natasha.
However, her parents threatened to get her arrested themselves if they found her anywhere near her again.
She was deserted, and even though it killed her inside, she knew she had to stay strong and overcome it all, no matter what.
She held onto the glimmer of hope that one day she would walk out of these cold, gray prison walls, feeling the warm sun on her face and the gentle breeze in her hair.
Kevin would be waiting to embrace her with open arms and begin their life together once it's all over.
Chapter 1 Prologue
28/05/2024
Chapter 2 You will replace her.
28/05/2024
Chapter 3 The devil she knew was indeed better than...
28/05/2024
Chapter 4 You're intoxicating me too.
28/05/2024
Chapter 5 Is...is that his late wife's initial
28/05/2024
Chapter 6 You need to hear me out!
28/05/2024
Chapter 7 Scum!
30/05/2024
Chapter 8 I am the mistress of this mansion
30/05/2024
Chapter 9 Your cup is filled now.
30/05/2024
Chapter 10 Love can make a man do strange things.
04/06/2024
Chapter 11 Some people are just generous with their husband's fortune.
04/06/2024
Chapter 12 A press conference
04/06/2024
Chapter 13 More than a massage.
19/06/2024
Chapter 14 Rule 1: Never cross Mavros Konstantis.
19/06/2024
Chapter 15 Something died that night - He should do his worst!
19/06/2024
Chapter 16 The press conference
19/06/2024
Chapter 17 You have a choice: stand with me, or against us.
19/06/2024
Chapter 18 A strange note on the bouquet: Missed my call, but not this...
19/06/2024
Chapter 19 THE EX-CONVICT SCANDAL I
19/06/2024
Chapter 20 The Aftermath.
22/06/2024
Chapter 21 An Unexpected Contender!
22/06/2024
Chapter 22 After all this time
23/06/2024
Chapter 23 Hands off!
30/06/2024
Chapter 24 The mysterious gifter is finally revealed!
30/06/2024
Chapter 25 Escaping him.
03/07/2024
Chapter 26 Wildest of all nights
03/07/2024
Chapter 27 Why did you do it
11/07/2024
Chapter 28 Was he just about to say forever
11/07/2024
Chapter 29 'All for giving her that benefit of doubt!'
22/07/2024
Chapter 30 You really think I'd fall for that again
22/07/2024
Chapter 31 I will make you mine again, no matter the cost.
22/07/2024
Chapter 32 Parting ways at last.
22/07/2024