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Ecliptic Exodus

THREE-YEARS CONTRACT MARRIAGE WITH THE HOT BILLIONAIRE

Ashley Ray

"Sign the contract, or lose everything." I stared at the papers that would seal my fate-a three-year marriage to Julian Blackwood, the ruthless billionaire they call the Ice King. My family didn't ask. They demanded. My father's company was drowning, my stepsister's engagement had exploded, and I was the replacement bride they could sacrifice. Just another transaction. Julian made it clear on our wedding day: "Don't expect affection. Don't expect companionship. Certainly don't expect love." He refused to kiss me at the altar. He gave me a bedroom down the hall and told me to stay out of his way. I was Mrs. Blackwood in name only-a contract, a convenience, a means to an end. I accepted it. I had survived twelve years of abuse in my own home. I could survive three years of indifference in his. But then Nate, Julian's best friend, showed me kindness, and suddenly my cold husband became possessive. When my sister attacked me, he became protective. Now the man who promised me nothing is fighting his own father to keep me. The marriage that was supposed to be fake is becoming terrifyingly real and the secrets about my mother's death are threatening to destroy everything. They said Julian Blackwood destroys everything he touches. What they didn't tell me... is that sometimes destruction is exactly what you need to be reborn. With a pregnancy involved, how was I going to end this three-year marriage peacefully?

Romance Family Modern Forced love CEO Contract marriage Twist Enemies to Lovers Female-Centered

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3RD PERSON POV.

"Hey, Mary." A guy called, entering a restaurant.

"What are you doing here, Frank?" Mary asked him, with eyes on him as if he was a ghost.

Frank sighed, walking up to the counter. "I know we are not supposed to be meeting each other randomly." He paused then look around in fear.

"But these days I have been having bad dreams about before."

Mary furrowed her brows, then shook her head, realizing what he meant. "Don't go there, Frank. It's just your fear. That is the past we are all trying to forget, so please you need to leave. I've got to start my work."

He nodded. "But, you can serve me still, right? It is the early morning."

She sighed and nodded. "Okay. I'm just doing my job."

Frank went to sit on one of the chairs, as he waits.....

••••••

ARIA'S POV

"Detective Carson!" Someone called me.

I turned around from my desk to see it was officer Brandon.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Captain Reynolds calls for you."

"Why?" I asked with a raised brow.

He shrugged. "Don't know."

I nodded. "Okay. I'm coming."

He left with a nod.

"Are you shuddering to see the captain?" My partner Detective April Hale asked me.

I and April have been partners for three years, and equally friends.

She's black and beautiful, and we always got each other's backs.

I can't say the same for my first partner.

I scoffed. "Why should I be? I just don't know of any reason he should be calling me."

"I can actually think of one. Ever since you ran into that old town, you've been so obsessed with finding out more about it." April said.

"But he doesn't know about it," I told her as a matter of fact.

She looked at me like I was crazy. "You don't know your boss, do you? You have been here for 5 years, and you still don't know nothing can be hidden from the eyes of our Captain."

I narrowed my eyes in thought. "Seriously? You think he knows?"

She nodded. "Yeah, and it's high time anyways. After all, you'll need his permission."

Of course. I hope he allows it.

"I'd better get going, then," I told her, and she nodded.

I got into my Captain's office.

He looked up from his desk, and at me. "You're here."

I nodded.

"Have a seat." He told me, pointing at a chair.

I sat down quietly.

"So, you have something to tell me. Don't you?" He asked.

I sighed. Does he have to start it this way?

"I do, Sir, and I'm sure you know," I told him.

He scoffed. "You're damn right I do, but why?"

I gulped. "Well, being a detective is all about mystery solving, isn't it?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Yeah, only when it becomes our concern, but you in particular have a reason." He said.

"Well, don't know. I just... I just want to know the mystery behind it." I stuttered.

"I just don't think I should take that as an answer, and besides this is not a case, Carson."

I nodded. "I understand Sir, but please grant me this. It is highly possible, that there might be something involved, probably even death. We just need to investigate what happened that sent a whole town away from their home."

"That place has been there, and no one has cared to find out what happened." He argued.

"But we can, after all, it's under our jurisdiction."

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