When Arianna marries billionaire Zach Price to save her family, she doesn't expect to fall in love with a man who'd always consider her a second choice. An unexpected turn of events brings the couple closer together, but can a marriage based on lies and deceit ever survive? ***** When Arianna's older sister, Olivia, decides to run away on the day of her wedding, Arianna is forced to take her place to save her family from ruin. But her new husband is angry, heartbroken, and seems to hate her guts. The cold, elusive billionaire Zach Price has never quite struck Arianna as the kind of man she'd want to spend her entire life with. She was more than content with her sweet, thoughtful boyfriend Noah, but when circumstances force them together, Zach and Arianna's hearts get entangled in a way she never saw coming. As the couple grows closer, they must battle the demons of their past and of the lives they left behind - especially when Olivia returns and decides she wants Zach all for herself. Content/Trigger Warning: This story contains scenes of violence and sexual abuse, and mentions abortion and miscarriage. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]] Cover designed by Ren Tachibana

Aarohi frantically looked around, dazed and scared, surrounded by sleek black cars and a wall of bodyguards armed with guns. They formed an impenetrable circle, leaving her trapped. Heart pounding, she watched in terror as Reyansh strode towards her, his steps deliberate, his eyes locked onto her like a predator nearing its prey. Tears blurred her vision as she whispered a desperate plea, "Please, let me go." Unaffected, he stopped inches away, his face morphed into a dark smile as he leaned close and murmured smoothly, "Checkmate." Before she knew it, strong hands were dragging her away, as everyone watched in silence. ~~~~ Caught in Reyansh Kashyap's obsessive web, Aarohi Singh fights tooth and nail to escape his grip. But defying the city's most powerful man, a man who holds its very pulse in his hand, may prove an impossible feat. With Reyansh willing to go to any lengths to ensure she has nowhere left to run, freedom seems further away than ever. ~~~~ Note: The story is set in an Indian background, use of regional language will be provided with English translation.