A drunken night in Vegas. A reckless decision. A marriage that was never supposed to happen. Eleanor Carter was just trying to escape rock bottom when one wild night led to an unexpected marriage with Jack Sinclair-the cold, ruthless billionaire who has never lost a battle. The next morning, reality crashes down. Jack believes she's after his money. Eleanor wants nothing to do with him. But walking away isn't an option. Jack's powerful father sees their union as a golden opportunity, forcing them into a six-month marriage deal. The rules are simple: play the perfect couple in public, keep their distance in private, and then go their separate ways. But rules were meant to be broken. What starts as a war of wills soon turns into something dangerously real-stolen glances, electric touches, and a night that changes everything. But when Eleanor discovers she's pregnant, she rushes to tell Jack... only to find him in the arms of another woman. Heartbroken and betrayed, she vanishes without a trace. Eight years later, Eleanor returns as a powerhouse in the design world, engaged to a man who seems perfect. But secrets refuse to stay buried, especially when Jack sees her again-this time, with twin boys who look just like him. Now, Jack is determined to uncover the truth, reclaim his family, and win back the only woman who ever made him feel something. But as dark secrets unravel and betrayals come to light, Eleanor and Jack must face the ultimate question: Can love survive when it was built on lies?
Chapter 1 Luna's Mirage
The neon lights outside Luna's Mirage, a very quiet Las Vegas bar flickered softly.
Unlike other busy bars on the streets, this place was very calm and private, a hidden spot where people could escape their worries while avoiding the eyes of the public.
The dim lighting and warm atmosphere made it a safe space for those seeking solitude, a place to soothe their headaches without judgement.
Eleanor leaned against the mahogany bar table, her fingers drawing random patterns on her empty shot glass of tequila.
Eleanor was not here to gamble or be mesmerized by the beauty of the tranquility which the bar pose to its visitors.
She came here to drink away her sorrows and numb her pains with the burn of the alcohol.
With a sigh, she signaled the bartender for another shot of tequila.
"Another," she murmured, pushing the shot glass towards the bartender.
The bartender, an older gentleman with grayish hair and weary eyes, paused before getting another bottle.
He had seen his own share of troubled people always coming to the bar, and he could see the pain in Eleanor's eyes. "Are you sure you want another drink, ma'am?" he asked gently.
Eleanor barely glanced up. "Strongest tequila you've got."
The bartender sighed but poured anyway, the amber liquid filling the small glass like a promise of temporary relief.
The bartender sighed, but still filled up her glass with whiskey.
Eleanor raised the shot glass, gazing as the dim light passed through the liquid. Then she tilted her head backwards and swallowed.
The tequila burnt down as it went down her throat, numbing the pain that almost ruined her career.
It seemed as if the drink was washing away her old life, leaving her empty and vulnerable.
Today, her biggest client had walked out, taking with them her years of effort and hard work.
The loss of this client has put her job at risk, and she was now on the brink of unemployment.
Despite every effort to persuade them to stay, nothing worked.
The corporate world does not need failures, and based on he boss's reaction, Eleanor felt she might really lose her job and become a warning for others.
She signaled for another shot. Then another. And another.
By the fourth drink, Eleanor thoughts began to dull, becoming dizzy and numb. Her mind was turning cloudy as the weight of her worries began to fade.
"You okay?" the bartender asked, sounding a bit worried.
Eleanor blinked slowly, her eyes a bit blurry. She nodded absently. "I'm fine."
Eleanor quickly reached for her drink before he could ask any more questions.
The last thing she wanted was explaining how she had gone from being one of the promising designers to a lonely woman getting drunk in a bar on a Wednesday night.
Across the room, someone was watching her.
For the past twenty minutes, Jack Sinclair has been taking a sip from his whiskey glass, but his focus was in the woman at the end of bar.
She has been drinking tequila shots one after another, like she was trying to erase herself from the world.
Jack could not help but push his interest on who this woman was.
She was not like other women who usually wandered into Luna's Mirage, looking for an easy life or someone to latch themselves for the night and escape their loneliness.
She was different.
She seemed like she was on the brink of losing herself.
Jack was used at reading people, a skill he had developed over the years as a business man.
And this woman? Her sadness did not come from just having a bad day. It was a deep emotional pain.
Jack could see her vulnerability and sorrow like a silent cry for help, and he found himself wanting to get close to her.
Jack watched as she tilted her head backwards, revealing her smooth neckline for a moment before setting the empty glass down.
The bartender gave her a glance but still refilled her glass. It was clear he was worried about her, but decided not to intervene.
Jack smirked.
That was the thing with people like her. They don't want to be saved. They just want to hit rock bottom.
Jack stood up from his seat and walked slowly across the room to where she was.
He was not really sure what drew him to her, maybe it was the way she appeared oblivious to her surroundings.
Eleanor did not notice anyone coming.
Not until he stood right next to her, so close that the rich scent of his cologne mixed with the smell of the tequila on her skin.
"Rough night?" he asked, his voice sounding smooth.
Eleanor turned to face the stranger, her eyes blinking as she looked at his towering figure and broad shoulders, with his piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into her.
He had the kind of presence that would demand attention, and for a moment, Eleanor felt like she had forgotten how to breathe.
She was definitely not expecting any company.
And she sure as hell was not expecting her heart to react the way it just did.
The way he kept his eyes locked into hers, as if he already every single secret about her, has left her feeling both unsettled and intrigued.
"Who is asking?" she murmured, her voice a little rough from drinking.
Jack chuckled softly, "Just a fellow sinner also having a wild night."
Eleanor sighed, shaking her head. "Well, unless you can magically fix my problems and save my career, I don't think you will be of any help"
Jack raised a brow, intrigued. "Terrible decisions can be fun."
Eleanor scoffed. "Not this one."
Jack leaned against the bar, his eyes never leaving her. "Try me."
For a moment, Eleanor wanted to ignore him.
But the way he looked at her, like he could see straight through her defenses and secrets, like he knew she was definitely into something crazy and wanted to see how far she would really go.
So instead of answering, Eleanor picked up her glass shot, her gaze still on him, as she downed it all in one go.
The burn Eleanor felt was not from the tequila. It was from Jack.
From this moment, and from the way everything seemed to turn quiet as she placed her empty glass down and looked at him.
"Try and keep up, stranger," Eleanor murmured, smirking.
Jack's smirk deepened.
Oh, he planned to.
And something tells him that tonight was going to be an unforgettable night for both of them.
Chapter 1 Luna's Mirage
13/02/2025
Chapter 2 Corporate Failure
13/02/2025
Chapter 3 Drunk Marriage
13/02/2025
Chapter 4 Who is the Mystery Bride
13/02/2025
Chapter 5 Welcome to my world!
13/02/2025
Chapter 6 His legacy!
23/02/2025
Chapter 7 Publicly announce the marriage!
23/02/2025
Chapter 8 Madeline Royce!
23/02/2025
Chapter 9 Marriage Contract!
23/02/2025
Chapter 10 Public appearance!
23/02/2025
Chapter 11 Banquet!
24/02/2025