#Completed
Janette's world is shattered the day she walks into her home, fresh from her graduation, only to find out the people who raised her aren't her real parents. Her true identity? The long-lost daughter of wealthy millionaires, Robert and Julia Stark. Just as she grapples with this shocking revelation, her cousin suddenly claims her as his sister, and before she can even catch her breath, she is forced into a marriage with Asher Norman-the dangerously arrogant billionaire with a vendetta against her newfound family.
Bound by duty and deception, Janette must navigate a world of power, secrets, and betrayal, where love seems impossible, but desire burns bright. Asher's thirst for revenge threatens to consume them both, but Janette isn't the helpless pawn everyone believes she is. She'll have to decide if she can break free from her past-or if loving the one who wants to destroy her is the most dangerous game of all.
♥♥♥
"You're free to go, Janette. If you want, I'll pretend everything that happened between us was just a fleeting dream," Asher said, his voice strained as he gently took her hand. His fingers traced the outline of her wedding ring, lingering on it.
"You've done so much for me. Can't I do this one thing for you?" he added softly. "If you want, you can sell it or throw it away. But please, don't ask for the wedding band back-the one you made me wear. I want to keep it... as a souvenir, Janette."
His voice faltered as he turned his head away, wiping the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. "Please," he whispered, almost desperately.
"Go... before I change my mind and force you to stay with me forever," he said, his voice breaking as he stood up. Janette saw the tears he was trying to hide, and a pang of disappointment twisted in her heart. She knew-he was hurting just as much as she was.
#Edited
"Annabeth, I-"
"SHUT UP!" I yell. I take the ring off and throw it at him. "I hate you! Do you know that? I hate you. I will never marry you. Ever. Why do you think I would marry you?" I start crying. "I don't want to be with you. I don't want to see you again. I don't even like you!"
I look at the ground as tears overtake me.
How could he do that? Why did he do it in front of so many people? 'Witnesses', he said. That belongs in a court case, not a marriage proposal. I can't believe anyone would think I want this...
He comes up to me and puts his hands on my cheeks, forcing me to look in his eyes. "You must act excited about this, Annabeth. You can't tell anyone your true feelings about this, especially Alexander." So that's what this is about. He saw me being friendly with Xander and has to keep me for himself. I always thought he liked me... "If you tell anyone I forced you into this, I'll have you killed, and it will look like an accident."
***
Annabeth Hutcherson just wanted to find a job so she could see what life was like outside her town. When a handsome gentleman approaches her and offers her the one thing she needs to stay, she accepts. Everything would be provided for her? It was too good to be true. She wasn't aware of the consequences that came with the position, like having to leave all her friends and family, being held prisoner, and... get married?
And then she meets Alexander Matthews, and he changes her whole world. Can he help her get away or will she be stuck forever?