After being betrayed by her fiancé and stabbed in the back by her own family, Elora lost everything overnight. Her home, her trust, and her hopes-all shattered. Just when her life hit rock bottom, a mysterious man began appearing in the most unexpected moments to help her. His name-Kaelan Drake. Unbeknownst to Elora, the calm man who once offered her a ride during a heavy rainstorm was actually the CEO and owner of the company she worked for. But what shocked her even more was the morning he called her into his office. With a sharp gaze and a cold voice, Kaelan gave her an ultimatum she couldn't ignore: marry him that very day... or be fired from her job.
Chapter 1 The Ultimatum
The rain wouldn't stop. It had been falling since midnight, drenching the city in a cold, gray wash that mirrored the storm inside Elora's chest. Her shoes were soaked, her coat clung to her frame like second skin, and her hands trembled as she gripped the coffee cup that no longer warmed her fingers.
Three days ago, she'd had a fiancé. A family. A life that, while far from perfect, at least felt real.
Now? Nothing.
The apartment she used to live in belonged to her ex-fiancé, Marcus. He'd thrown her out without hesitation after she caught him in bed with her own stepsister. Her mother hadn't even picked up the phone when she called in desperation. Her stepfather, the one who always smiled a little too long, had simply texted: You brought this on yourself.
She hadn't slept. She hadn't eaten. But she'd come to work-because work was all she had left.
"Elora Vance?"
The receptionist's voice startled her. She looked up, blinking fast. "Yes?"
"Mr. Drake wants to see you. Now."
Her heart stuttered. Kaelan Drake? The CEO? He never interacted with employees personally. The man was a legend-silent, ruthless, and terrifyingly brilliant. She had only seen him once, from afar, when he walked through the office flanked by bodyguards.
"Did he say why?" Elora asked cautiously, already rising.
The receptionist simply shook her head and offered a sympathetic look. "Better not keep him waiting."
The elevator ride felt eternal. Her pulse throbbed in her ears, louder than the quiet hum of the floors ticking by. By the time the doors slid open to the top floor, Elora's stomach was in knots.
His office was massive-floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the city drowning in rain. He stood by the glass, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in black, as though mourning something the world didn't deserve to understand.
He didn't turn when she entered.
"You're late," he said coolly.
Elora's throat went dry. "I-I wasn't aware I had a meeting with you, Mr. Drake."
Now he turned. Sharp jawline, dark eyes like storm clouds. Kaelan Drake wasn't just powerful-he was magnetic in the most dangerous way. The kind of man you couldn't look away from, even if your instincts screamed at you to run.
"I'm making you aware now," he said, walking toward his desk. He didn't sit. "I've reviewed your file. You're intelligent, loyal, underutilized. But emotionally... unstable."
Her face flushed. "I'm going through personal-"
"I don't care," he interrupted, voice like ice. "What I care about is that your department is failing. I've already fired three of your colleagues. That leaves you."
She swallowed hard. "Are you... firing me?"
There was a silence that stretched far too long. He tilted his head slightly.
"No. I'm giving you a choice."
Elora's heartbeat quickened. "A choice?"
He walked around his desk and stopped just inches from her. His presence was suffocating.
"You're going to marry me."
The words landed like a slap. Her breath caught.
"What?"
"You heard me."
She stepped back. "Is this some kind of joke?"
Kaelan's expression didn't shift. "Do I look like the kind of man who jokes?"
"No," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You look like the kind of man who ruins people for fun."
He smirked. "Not for fun. For necessity."
She stared at him, trying to make sense of the madness. "Why would you ask someone like me to marry you? You could have anyone-"
"Exactly. And none of them would agree to disappear afterward."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"This marriage will be for appearances. Three months. That's all I need."
"For what?"
He didn't answer.
"I-I don't understand. You don't know me."
"I know enough. You're desperate. Alone. No family to interfere. Clean record. And most importantly-" He leaned in, his voice dropping. "You owe me."
Her stomach flipped. "I owe you?"
"I've helped you three times, Elora. Once when I stopped to offer you a ride and you refused it. Once when I paid your rent anonymously so you wouldn't be evicted. And once when I silenced Marcus."
Her legs nearly gave out. "That was you?"
Kaelan nodded slowly. "Did you think men like Marcus just walk away without a push?"
Elora was silent, mind reeling.
"You're not the only one who's been betrayed," he said, voice lower now. "And I need someone I can control."
"So you chose me," she whispered, trembling.
"I chose the one person with nothing left to lose."
She looked at the door. Her instincts screamed to run. But where would she go? Back to the streets? Back to begging her mother to answer the phone?
"If I say no?"
"You'll be terminated today," he said calmly. "Blacklisted from every major company in the city. And trust me-my influence doesn't end at these walls."
Elora's jaw clenched. "You're a monster."
He smiled faintly. "Perhaps. But I'm offering you a lifeline. One signature. One lie. And in three months, you'll be free-with enough money to rebuild your life anywhere you want."
"And if I sign, what happens now?"
He moved to a drawer and pulled out a velvet box. Inside-an engagement ring.
"We announce the engagement by noon. And the wedding will be held... tomorrow."
Elora staggered back a step. "You're insane."
"Maybe. But I always get what I want."
He placed the box in front of her, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Decide, Elora. Right now."
Chapter 1 The Ultimatum
13/04/2025
Chapter 2 The Ring and the Cage
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Chapter 3 Dinner with the Devil
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Chapter 4 Terms of Control
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Chapter 5 Polished Lies
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Chapter 6 The Truth Beneath the Ashes
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Chapter 7 Unraveling Threads
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Chapter 8 calculating
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Chapter 9 The Strain of Loyalty
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Chapter 10 The Choice That Haunts
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Chapter 11 The Ties That Bind
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Chapter 12 Kaelan's office swung open
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Chapter 13 The Storm Brews
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Chapter 14 The First Step Into Fire
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Chapter 15 It was surreal
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Chapter 16 Ashes of Silence
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Chapter 17 manipulated comfort and stolen trust
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Chapter 18 Beneath the Marble Lies
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Chapter 19 The room was dim
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Chapter 20 Letters from the Dead
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Chapter 21 The Man in the Warehouse
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Chapter 22 The Lion's Den
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Chapter 23 one constant in the storm
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Chapter 24 The city outside the skyscraper glittered
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Chapter 25 The Choice Between Love and Survival
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Chapter 26 Betrayal's Edge
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Chapter 27 unremarkable building in a neighborhood
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Chapter 28 The hours in the dim
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Chapter 29 The unknown had never been so suffocating
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Chapter 30 We're here to talk
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Chapter 31 Just thinking
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