She signed a contract to save her family. Now, she belongs to him. When Kayla Marshall agrees to a two-year marriage with the ruthless billionaire Adrian Knight, she knows she's making a deal with the devil. Cold, dominant, and dangerously powerful, Adrian doesn't just own businesses-he owns people. And now, Kayla is one of them. But she isn't the obedient wife he expects. She fights him at every turn, refusing to be just another pawn in his game. And the more she defies him, the more he's drawn to her fire. Just when Kayla starts to uncover the dark secrets behind Adrian's empire, a storm of betrayal, power struggles, and deadly enemies threatens to destroy them both. And at the center of it all? A past that refuses to stay buried. She was supposed to be his temporary possession. But in a world of control and chaos, who will end up owning whom?
Kayla's pov
The silence between us feels so loud that I can feel my heart pounding. My father is sitted across from me, his face blank of any expression . One can tell that he is really apprehensive as he keeps sighing and tossing around . I don't even what to say because he was warned not to do what he did.
"How much do you owe him exactly dad" I ask,breaking the silence
He looks up at me but quickly drops down his gaze. "I owe him a lot, too much"he mutters. "Too much for me to even pay back. Oh God, what have I done"he questions himself
I clenched my fists but immediately releases them because I must remain calm.Deep down my heart, I'm so pissed. Of all the people to owe it's Adrian Lockwood?,the man whose name strikes terror in the heart of the people even most powerful and influential men do not want to mess with him or be in his bad book.
Before I could say anything else, there's a loud knock on the door, like the other person is deliberately trying to break it. My father jolts in fear."It must be him, he's here for his money", he whispers, his voice shaking.
My heart begins to pound so fast and loud. Adrian Lockwood is behind that door, if what my dad is true then we are in serious trouble.
The door breaks open and there he is. Adrian walks in majesticly like he owns the place. Dressed in an expensive black suit adorned with little beads of diamonds, he's aura feels the room. He's steps are like that of a predator. Very calm, calculated and precise.
"Mr Marshall", he says calmly,his deep voice echoing in the room." It's safe to say that you know why I'm here"
I look at my father and he could barely look at him. "Please" he beguns, clasping his hands together and went on his knees. " I just need more time, I will definitely pay you back, I swear, I just --"
Adrian begins to laugh, cutting of my father's pleas. " Time" he arches his brows,and his voice is filled with disdain. " I've given you too much time already, Marshall. I don't remember telling you I run a charity organization."
I can see my father shaking under Adrian's stare. My father, who was once a successful man now cowering at the feet of Adrian like a begger. Though the debt might be much but it's more than financial. It's life threatening.
"I will pay back.... I can..." My father stammers " but I just need more...."
" More??" Adrian's growled, his voice cold. " I'm not here to listen to all ur cock and bull excuses, I just need my money and I will get it today because I always do". His eyes darts to me, I instantly feel chills running through my spine. His eyes linger on me like he's searching for something.
" I'll make this simple and fast", he says as he steps closer towards me. " Your father's debt is too much and I doubt he can pay me immediately. And I'm sure you know that I don't show mercy..." He pauses and smirks like a predator. "There's only one option left.
I swallow hard, my heart beating and my stomach knotting. " What's the option"
Adrian's eyes didn't leave my body. " You. Marry me for two years. During that period you must make sure you pay me back after that you can walk away freely. If not..." He leans in slightly towards my face," I'll have to collect in other ways"
I gasped for air. It's a way out but at what cost. My life?
"What!!!, marry you?, no I can't do that, there must be some other way please" I plead
"There isn't." Adrian syays calmly. " You know your father can't pay me . I need my money now but if I'm willing to let it go on longer then u must accept, if not you either pay me now or die. So this is the only way except you prefer the other way" he grins
My father breaks down in tears. Nooo, you can't take my daughter. I'll do anything. She will only become your slave and I can't bear to watch that happen"
"Then both of you die?" Adrian asks coldly
" But why me?" I ask tearing up
" Because you are the valuable thing he has"
"Thing???, I'm not a thing . I'm a person just like you "
" Ahh, never you are not a person like me", he says adjusting his suit
" Ohk, so what's it gonna be"
It's happening. It's real. Is this how I'm gonna end up?
I look at my father, he looks back with guilt written all over his face
" I give you twenty four hours to respond else I'll assume you have my money and send my boys. God help you if you don't. You don't want to know what I'll do" he says as he steps out of the door. He stops and takes a good look at me then leaves finally.
"I'm doomed"
Chapter 1 The Debt
09/02/2025
Chapter 2 Unhappiness and reassurance
09/02/2025
Chapter 3 Terms and conditions
09/02/2025
Chapter 4 Expensive joke
09/02/2025
Chapter 5 The rules of control
09/02/2025
Chapter 6 Submission training
09/02/2025
Chapter 7 Lesson three: training intens
09/02/2025
Chapter 8 Secrets in the shadows
09/02/2025
Chapter 9 Shadow of victor cane
09/02/2025
Chapter 10 Unseen shadows
09/02/2025
Chapter 11 Dangerous game of curiosity
09/02/2025
Chapter 12 Shadows of danger
09/02/2025
Chapter 13 Out of the blues
09/02/2025
Chapter 14 Breaking point
09/02/2025
Chapter 15 From frying pan to fire
09/02/2025
Chapter 16 Unspoken ties
09/02/2025
Chapter 17 Evil from the past
09/02/2025
Chapter 18 Betrayal from the past
09/02/2025
Chapter 19 Alliances of betrayal
09/02/2025
Chapter 20 Growing feelings
09/02/2025
Chapter 21 sweet love
05/03/2025
Chapter 22 Sweet love
12/03/2025
Chapter 23 A warning and a plan
15/03/2025
Chapter 24 Dangerous proposition
18/03/2025
Chapter 25 The trap is set
18/03/2025