When the arrogant stranger Bess is forced to marry unexpectedly becomes a duke, she'll find herself at odds with her growing feelings as he hunts for a killer. ***** Sharp-tongued Elizabeth 'Bess' Jones is perfectly content living on her lonesome in a tiny village south of Derbyshire. She works as a nurse, owns a small home, and finds the label of 'spinster' an agreeable trade for her independence. But when her entire life is uprooted in an instant, she only has one person to blame: her new husband, Emmett Wilde, who was caught in a compromising situation with her. And now, despite his promise to fake a death certificate after their wedding--to free her of any duty to him or their marriage bed--he sends for her in the dead of night with startling news: his father has been murdered, and he is now the Duke of Ascot with a wife he can no longer deny... [[Word Count: 60,000-70,000 words]] [[Cover designed by Ren Tachibana]]

"I always have my eyes on my target, Ms. Burgess." He spoke as he leaned closer to me, resting both hands on the table trapping me in between. "Do you?" I questioned and intentionally bit my lips. He smirked and said "I understand what you are trying to do. Do not, I repeat do not do it again." "Why? Are you scared?" "Scared of?" It was my time to smirk "Of me being a distraction to your focused self." "I like your confidence but you can't be a distraction to me." Saying he moved away from me. I held his shirt, pulling him towards me. He rested his hand on the desk again to stay still "What are you-" "Shh." I placed my index finger on his lips, his eyes once travelled to my hand then back on me. I whispered "I think I am already being a distraction to you because you are more engaged with me than with RJ." ∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆°∆ Zayn Miller, the enigmatic male lead, is in love with his girlfriend- who is none other than the sister of Kiara Burgess, the fierce and independent female protagonist. But when a devastating lie turns their world upside down, Zayn is forced into an unexpected marriage with Kiara. Bound by a web of deceit, loyalty, and unspoken emotions, their lives collide in ways neither could have imagined. Will this forced union shatter their lives, or could the lie that brought them together reveal truths neither dared to face? Dive into a tale of love, betrayal, and the unexpected twists that destiny has in store.

With marrying Tina a couple of years ago, Ben's life blossomed into a dream. A strong woman and three kids later, his mother still feels otherwise. She had always taught him to stick with his own kind-but when she sees he is happily married she tries anything to break them apart. She has tried to harm the kids in the past but nothing as severe as this. What happens to the children? And will this break Ben and Tina or make them stronger?