The Substitute Wife is a captivating romance that blends intrigue, power, and love in a complex, emotional journey. Arielle is a woman who, through no fault of her own, is thrust into a dangerous and high-stakes situation when her stepmother forces her to marry Damien, the heir to one of the wealthiest families in the city. But there's more to this marriage than meets the eye. Damien, though incredibly handsome and successful, is cursed with a mysterious illness that prevents him from getting close to women without triggering painful and dangerous physical reactions. As Arielle enters the world of wealth and power, she's treated coldly by Damien, who views her as nothing more than a pawn in his family's game. But something unexpected happens when they touch-Arielle, unlike other women, doesn't trigger his illness. Despite the tension and the presence of Damien's long-time fiancée, a beautiful and calculating woman named Clara, the dynamics between Arielle and Damien begin to shift. What starts as a contract marriage to save both Arielle's life and Damien's family legacy soon evolves into something more. As secrets unravel, power struggles intensify, and hidden emotions surface, Arielle and Damien find themselves caught between family expectations, corporate warfare, and a love neither of them was prepared for.
Rain lashed against the grand glass windows of the Lancaster estate as Arielle Brooks stood before the heavy oak doors, her slender fingers trembling inside white lace gloves. The cold wind whipped her veil, reminding her with every sharp gust that she did not belong here-not in this mansion, not in this designer wedding dress, and certainly not at the altar waiting inside.
She was never supposed to be the bride.
"You'll marry him instead," her stepmother Marilyn had said that morning, brushing imaginary dust from her silk robe like it wasn't the most absurd thing a woman could say. "Cecilia has run off. We have no choice."
Arielle's voice had caught in her throat. "What do you mean, no choice? He's expecting Cecilia. You can't just-"
"I can, and I will," Marilyn snapped. "Do you think I'm going to let the Lancaster family cancel this marriage? This union is our golden ticket. No one will notice. Just keep the veil down. Say your vows. Then you can live a quiet life in the shadows of his wealth while we enjoy the privileges."
And now, here she was. An imposter in her stepsister's dress, moments from marrying the most feared and powerful man in the city-Damien Lancaster.
The first young master of the Lancaster Empire. Cold. Handsome. Untouchable.
Literally.
Damien had a strange illness, a condition that made his skin react violently to women's touch. Hives, rashes, difficulty breathing-no doctor had found a cure. His engagement to Vanessa Hart, a powerful heiress, was arranged years ago, but rumors swirled that even she had to keep her distance.
"Miss Brooks." A butler opened the door. "You're late."
Arielle swallowed her panic. "Let's get this over with," she muttered.
The hall inside was lined with crystal chandeliers and white roses. Guests sat in hushed confusion-none had seen the bride's face, and Damien stood at the altar, his expression carved in ice. Tall, dark-haired, dressed in a sharp black suit, his face was unreadable. Dangerous.
The ceremony was a blur. Her knees barely held her weight, and her voice cracked as she said, "I do." Damien didn't even glance at her as he muttered his vows with robotic disinterest.
The moment the officiant declared them husband and wife, Damien turned and offered his arm. She took it, heart pounding.
No rashes.
No reaction.
Damien looked down at their joined arms in mild surprise, then cold indifference returned to his face.
"Follow me," he said, voice like steel wrapped in silk.
They left the guests behind, entering a side hallway that led toward the private quarters of the estate. Damien said nothing until they reached the room-lavish, cold, and clearly untouched.
He turned to her, eyes sharp. "Take off the veil."
Arielle hesitated.
"I said take it off."
With shaking fingers, she removed the lace veil and lifted her chin. She expected him to shout, maybe even strike her.
Instead, he stared.
"You're not Cecilia."
"No."
His jaw clenched. "Who the hell are you?"
"Arielle Brooks. Her stepsister." She met his gaze. "She ran away this morning. I was forced into this."
"By who?"
"By Marilyn. My stepmother. She didn't want to lose the marriage alliance."
Damien laughed-low and humorless. "So they sent the family's backup plan?"
"I never wanted this."
"Good," he sneered, "because you're not wanted."
Arielle flinched, but forced herself to stay calm. "I understand. I'll stay out of your way."
"I don't care what you do-as long as you don't embarrass me. I'll deal with your family later." He turned his back to her. "You'll sleep in the guest wing."
"Fine."
"One more thing." He turned back, eyes narrowing. "You touched me."
Her heart skipped.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"No reaction." He stepped closer, his gaze scanning her face. "How?"
"I... I don't know."
He reached out suddenly, taking her hand.
Still nothing.
No rashes. No redness. No pain.
Damien's brow furrowed for the first time. Confusion replaced disdain-just for a second. Then he let go and turned away.
"Stay out of my sight."
The door slammed behind him.
Arielle sank into a chair, her hands still tingling from his grip. She hadn't expected his touch to feel so... warm. For a man known for his coldness, Damien's skin had felt strangely human.
A knock on the door startled her. An older woman with a kind, lined face stepped in. "I'm Madam Ava, the housekeeper."
"Nice to meet you," Arielle murmured.
The woman gave her a once-over, then said, "You're not the girl we were expecting."
"No."
"But you didn't hurt him." Ava's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Fascinating."
Arielle's brows pulled together. "You know about his condition?"
"I've worked for this family for thirty years. I know more than anyone."
Ava stepped closer, voice low. "You might be the answer we've been waiting for, child. Don't give up-not yet."
Before Arielle could respond, Ava disappeared through the door, leaving behind only a whisper of hope.
Lena, a young woman abandoned by her father and tormented by her manipulative stepmother and stepsister. Struggling to make ends meet, Lena faces an uphill battle when her life is shattered by the need for urgent, expensive surgery. With no family to turn to and her father too weak to challenge the controlling grip of his new wife, Lena is left feeling hopeless and alone. Enter Adrian Blackwood, the city's most eligible bachelor and CEO of Blackwood Industries. Scarred by a devastating betrayal by his ex-fiancée, who slept with his worst enemy, Adrian is determined to put the past behind him. When Lena's desperation intersects with his need for a fresh start, Adrian offers a lifeline in the form of a contract marriage. In exchange for her agreement to a fake union, Adrian promises to finance her surgery, providing the only way out of her dire situation. But as the two navigate their new life together, the boundaries between business and pleasure blur. Adrian's cold exterior slowly cracks as he becomes captivated by Lena's strength, vulnerability, and resilience. Meanwhile, Lena, who has spent her life fighting against her family's emotional abuse, begins to open her heart, torn between her duty to her family and the powerful attraction she feels for Adrian. The stakes rise as Lena's stepmother continues to make decisions without consulting her father, wielding her power over the family with unrelenting control. With every passing day, Lena and Adrian's marriage-initially a business arrangement-grows more complex, filled with passion, emotional turmoil, and the threat of painful betrayals that could destroy everything they've built.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
She was the notorious Alana Wilson, a shameful daughter of the Wilson family. Her reputation went downhill after she broke her engagement with her fiance, Albert Harris. They pointed finger at her, calling her a cheater. However, in truth, who was the cheater here? Alana would do anything she could to have her engagement with Albert broken, even if it meant sacrificing her own reputation. Ten years of abuse she endured in her last life was enough. She made sure that in this life, she would never marry that cheating bastard again. As her previous crush, as well as her brother's best friend, Lorenzo Miller is now back to the country, what would happen to her already messed up life? Especially when her ex-fiance also didn't want to leave her alone. Sequel is out now! Rebirth of the Billionaire's Vengeful Actress Wife
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
He told her to call him Daddy. Not because he earned it, but because he fucking owned her. The moment she signed that contract, she stopped being a woman with dignity and became his filthy little plaything. His holes to use. His mess to ruin. He didn't just fuck her, he rewired her. Stripped her clean of boundaries and filled her with sin. Every punishment made her scream. Every game dragged her deeper into his twisted world. And the way he praised her... Good girl. She should've run the first time he said it. But Daddy doesn't let his toys leave. He breaks them until they beg to stay. ** Mia's life changed the night she let a stranger ruin her. One night. She never expected to see him again. Until she walked into her new job... and her boss turned around. Ace.Her one-night sin in a thousand-dollar suit. Only this time, he wasn't asking her to be his assistant. She was to be his wife.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"