A cold-hearted billionaire. A headstrong florist drowning in debt. A contract that binds them in a marriage of convenience-with no room for love. Xavier Harrington is a man who controls everything-his business, his reputation, his emotions. When a billion-dollar deal requires him to appear as a devoted husband, he does what he does best: he makes an offer no one can refuse. Mia Brooks never imagined she'd sign a contract to be a billionaire's wife, but with her flower shop on the verge of collapse, she has no choice. The rules are simple-no feelings, no attachments, and absolutely no falling in love. But behind Xavier's icy demeanor lies a scarred past and a desire he can't control. And behind Mia's defiance is a heart that refuses to be tamed. As passion blurs the lines of their arrangement, secrets surface, enemies close in, and a betrayal from the past threatens to destroy everything. When the contract ends, will Xavier let Mia go... or will he risk everything to make her stay?
Chapter 1 1
The low hum of New York City traffic filled the air as Mia Brooks locked up her flower shop for the night. The scent of roses and lilies still clung to her fingertips, a stark contrast to the suffocating weight of the debt hanging over her head. She pulled her coat tighter against the chilly autumn breeze and let out a long breath.
Tomorrow, the bank would officially repossess Bloom & Ivy.
The reality settled like a stone in her stomach. She had tried everything-discounts, promotions, even begging her landlord for an extension-but nothing had worked. The bills had piled too high, the debts too deep. All she had left was a handful of wilted daisies and an eviction notice.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Unknown Number.
Mia hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
A smooth, commanding voice met her ear. "Mia Brooks?"
Her grip on the phone tightened. "Who's asking?"
"I'm calling on behalf of Xavier Harrington. He wishes to meet with you. Tonight."
Mia nearly tripped over her own feet. Xavier Harrington? The Xavier Harrington? The billionaire tech mogul whose name was practically engraved on half the skyscrapers in Manhattan? Why the hell would someone like him want to meet her?
She swallowed. "There must be a mistake. I don't-"
"No mistake." The voice remained impassive. "Mr. Harrington will see you in one hour. I'll send a car."
The line went dead before she could protest.
Mia stared at her phone in disbelief.
This had to be a prank. Or a scam. Or something equally absurd. But a flicker of curiosity wormed its way through her skepticism. She had nothing left to lose-what was one mysterious meeting compared to the ruin already looming over her?
An hour later, she found herself stepping into the sleek interior of a black Bentley.
The driver didn't say a word as the city blurred past in streaks of neon and steel. Mia's fingers curled into fists in her lap, her mind racing through every worst-case scenario.
By the time they pulled up in front of a towering glass skyscraper, her pulse was a hammer against her ribs.
The elevator ride to the penthouse felt endless. The doors slid open to reveal a breathtaking office-floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering city, a sleek mahogany desk, and walls lined with books that looked untouched. The air smelled of expensive leather and something darker-power.
And then she saw him.
Xavier Harrington stood by the window, his back to her. The city lights cast long shadows over his broad frame, the sharp cut of his tailored suit doing nothing to soften the intensity that radiated from him. When he finally turned, Mia's breath caught.
He was gorgeous-all chiseled angles and dark intensity. But what stole her attention was the scar that slashed down his left cheek, a mark that only added to his air of untouchable authority. His icy blue eyes locked onto her, assessing, calculating.
"Mia Brooks." His voice was rich, smooth, but laced with something unreadable.
Mia lifted her chin. "That's me. And you are?"
The corner of his mouth twitched, not quite a smile. "You know exactly who I am."
She crossed her arms. "I know of you. I don't know why I'm here."
Xavier studied her for a long moment before gesturing toward the chair in front of his desk. "Sit."
Mia hesitated, then sank into the plush leather, keeping her posture rigid.
"You own Bloom & Ivy," Xavier said, settling into his own chair.
Her stomach twisted. "Not for much longer."
"I know." He steepled his fingers. "Which is why I'm making you an offer."
Mia frowned. "An offer?"
His gaze didn't waver. "Marry me."
Silence.
Mia blinked. Did he just say...
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me." Xavier's expression remained unreadable. "A marriage. In name only. A contract between us."
Mia let out a sharp laugh. "You can't be serious."
"I don't joke."
Her heart hammered. "Why the hell would you want to marry me?"
Xavier leaned back in his chair, watching her. "I need a wife. You need money. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Mia gaped at him. "You need a wife? You're a billionaire. I'm sure women are lining up for the job."
His jaw tightened. "This isn't about love. It's about business. I'm finalizing a deal that requires me to present the image of stability. Investors prefer men with a family."
She shook her head, still trying to process. "And you picked me why?"
"You have no ties to my world. No ulterior motives. You're drowning in debt, which means you have incentive to uphold the contract."
Mia let out a breathless laugh. "So you want a desperate woman."
"I want a woman who understands the terms."
She stared at him, searching for any sign of amusement. But Xavier Harrington didn't look like a man who ever joked.
"I'd pay off your debts," he continued. "Settle your financial problems. And when the contract ends, you'll walk away with a generous settlement."
Mia's pulse pounded. The logical part of her screamed to run. This was insane. This was dangerous. But then she thought about her shop, her mother's legacy slipping through her fingers.
And she thought about what it would mean to be free.
Still, she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "And what do you expect from me in return?"
Xavier's blue eyes darkened.
"You'll be my wife. In public. You'll attend events, play the role." He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle between them. "And in private, you'll belong to me."
Mia's breath caught.
His meaning was crystal clear.
He wasn't just asking for a contract marriage.
He was demanding everything.
Chapter 1 1
02/02/2025
Chapter 2 2
02/02/2025
Chapter 3 3
02/02/2025
Chapter 4 4
02/02/2025
Chapter 5 5
02/02/2025
Chapter 6 6
02/02/2025
Chapter 7 7
02/02/2025
Chapter 8 8
02/02/2025
Chapter 9 9
02/02/2025
Chapter 10 10
02/02/2025
Chapter 11 11
02/02/2025
Chapter 12 12
04/02/2025
Chapter 13 13
04/02/2025
Chapter 14 14
04/02/2025
Chapter 15 15
04/02/2025
Chapter 16 16
04/02/2025
Chapter 17 17
04/02/2025
Chapter 18 18
04/02/2025
Chapter 19 19
04/02/2025
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