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

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐀 𝐃𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐘 *** "In today's lesson," Blaze breathed out just a centimetre from her ear, his large hand moving to her thigh and parting them, "we will be learning how to open up." Ellie's heart pounded against her ribcage. She waited with anticipation for what Blaze would do next, swallowing the saliva that was lodged in her throat. She never felt a rush the way she did whenever Blaze touched her, and he knew that as well as she did. "So, tell daddy," he gently ordered, a small smirk pulling at his lips at the whimper that fell from Ellie's swollen lips. "What is it that you really want, baby?" **** Ellie Mason was the type of girl that was quiet yet strong. Ambitious about anything she took part in. She never had to be told twice to do something but she would never go down without an argument first. But she was incredibly shy, closed-off from anyone and everyone, and had extremely low self-esteem. She never spoke to anyone unless she had to, she kept herself distant from many people, and she was easily frightened and/or intimidated by people. Her closest friend was her fraternal twin sister, Gemini, and no one else. Her life was simple until her father's dark past crept up on her and her family before his passing, where she has no choice but to meet Blaze Arrowood who, at first, wanted nothing to do with the girl. She was simply a temporary toy that he would soon discard once he was given what he wanted from the Mason family. But there was something about Ellie that made him intrigued. Why was this timid yet feisty girl stuck in his mind every night before he went to sleep and the second he woke up every morning? And why in the hell did he want to make her completely his? *** HIGHEST RANKS: #1 - selflove #1 - blaze #1 - control #1 - development #2 - insecure #2 - conflict

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.