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--- Title: After the Vows Genre: Contemporary Romance / Drama / Erotic Romance Trope: Arranged Marriage, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Desire, Forced Proximity Theme: Passion vs Duty, Breaking Free, Healing from Betrayal, Unveiling True Love Setting: A luxurious private island resort owned by a powerful family dynasty. --- Synopsis: He married her for power. She vowed never to fall in love. Isla Monroe is the scandal-ridden daughter of a disgraced politician, trying to stay invisible in a world that feeds off reputation. When her father strikes a deal with billionaire resort mogul, Ares Lancaster, Isla is forced into an arranged marriage to save her family's name. Ares, cold and ruthless, never planned to care for his bride-she was just a pawn to gain more control of the Monroe empire. But he never expected the fire in her eyes, the sting of her defiance, or the way her touch haunts him. Now stuck together on a private island for six months due to a stipulation in the marriage contract, passion becomes their battlefield. Lust turns into obsession. Secrets unravel. And somewhere in the tension-filled nights and scorching kisses, love begins to bloom in the most forbidden way. But the truth about Ares' deal could ruin everything-and Isla may never forgive the man who made her fall in love, only to break her heart. --- Exposition: Isla learns she must marry Ares or her family loses everything. Ares is shown as dominant, closed-off, with a hidden vulnerable past. The wedding is cold, but the chemistry is fiery. Inciting Incident: They're flown to the private island with staff who obey Ares without question. Isla discovers she's essentially trapped. Their first heated confrontation turns into an explosive, hate-fueled kiss. Rising Action: A series of sensual, charged interactions. Ares begins to soften, though he hides it behind control. Isla starts to fall, but also uncovers parts of Ares' past that don't add up. Spicy scenes woven with emotional intimacy-piano playing, slow dancing, shared nightmares, jealousy. Climax: Isla discovers Ares made a secret deal with her father to control her. Heartbroken, she leaves the island. Ares realizes he's in love, but doesn't know how to win her back. Falling Action: Ares publicly rejects the business deal and exposes her father's corruption. He begs Isla to give him a chance-not as a contract, but as a man in love. Isla struggles between pride, heartbreak, and lingering desire. Denouement: Isla returns on her own terms. They remarry under the stars, not out of obligation-but out of pure, burning love. - Characterization: Isla Monroe: Age26,Fiercely independent, sharp-tongued, emotionally guarded but secretly yearning for love. Once a socialite, now infamous after her father's political scandal. She agrees to the marriage out of loyalty to her younger sister and to escape the media storm. Trust, her loss of identity, and letting someone in again. Learns that love doesn't have to come at the cost of self-respect. Ares Lancaster: Age 32,Male Lead. Dominant, strategic, emotionally unavailable but deeply passionate beneath the surface. Billionaire resort owner with a hidden traumatic childhood. Marries Isla to gain control over Monroe's land-but his motives start to change. Vulnerability, guilt over his past, and fear of loving someone who could leave him. Breaks down his emotional walls and chooses love over power. Callie Monroe: Age 19,Isla's younger sister. Sweet, naïve, artistic Isla's motivation to protect her family; she becomes close to Ares as a younger sister figure, which surprises Isla. Senator Gerald Monroe: Age: 58 Isla's father Manipulative, power-hungry, emotionally cold He's the reason behind the marriage; used Isla as a bargaining chip to salvage his legacy. Theo Lancaster: Age: 30 Ares' estranged half-brother Charismatic, reckless, charming but hiding secrets Brings complications and mystery. He flirts with Isla to get under Ares' skin, but later proves useful in helping uncover their father's dark past. Veronica Lancaster: Age: 57 Ares' cold and calculating stepmother. Elegant, ruthless, ambitious. Tries to push Ares into marrying someone "suitable" and threatens to reveal secrets from his past if he doesn't comply with her. A manipulative villainess. Marcellus Crane:Age: 45 Ares' right-hand man and personal lawyer Personality: Stoic, professional, loyal A confidante to Ares, but keeps his own moral compass-tries to guide Ares to do the right thing. Sofia Lane: Age 28 Isla's best friend and ex-roommate Witty, supportive, and always says what she means Offers emotional grounding for Isla and helps her escape after things explode with Ares. Damian Voss: Age 40, he's a Investigative journalist. Ambitious, clever, relentless Obsessed with exposing the Monroe and Lancaster families. Provides twists when he reveals truths both Isla and Ares didn't see coming. ---
Chapter 1 THE BRIDE WHO WOULDN'T CRY
€€€€€¥¥¥€¥¥€¥¥¥......
He married her for power. She vowed never to fall in love.
Isla Monroe is the scandal-ridden daughter of a disgraced politician, trying to stay invisible in a world that feeds off reputation. When her father strikes a deal with billionaire resort mogul, Ares Lancaster, Isla is forced into an arranged marriage to save her family's name.
Ares, cold and ruthless, never planned to care for his bride-she was just a pawn to gain more control of the Monroe empire. But he never expected the fire in her eyes, the sting of her defiance, or the way her touch haunts him.
Now stuck together on a private island for six months due to a stipulation in the marriage contract, passion becomes their battlefield. Lust turns into obsession. Secrets unravel. And somewhere in the tension-filled nights and scorching kisses, love begins to bloom in the most forbidden way.
But the truth about Ares' deal could ruin everything-and Isla may never forgive the man who made her fall in love, only to break her heart.
¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥>........
A luxurious private island resort owned by a powerful family dynasty.ππππππππππ
They were marrying her off to cover the sins of powerful men.
Isla Monroe stared at her reflection in the mirror, suffocating under the weight of ivory silk and stitched expectations. She looked like a bride from a fashion spread-flawless, serene, sculpted-but inside, her pulse raced like a prisoner hearing the cell door lock.
The room behind her buzzed with soft voices-makeup artists, stylists, her father barking into a phone as if it were any other day in his empire of control. He hadn't so much as looked at her. Not since the night he told her she'd be marrying Ares Lancaster.
"You'll do this," he'd said. "For your sister. For our family name. For your own damn survival."
And Isla had said nothing. Not because she agreed, but because fighting Gerald Monroe was like arguing with gravity. He was the disgraced senator who'd dodged prison by selling his daughter's future.
The Monroe family's legacy was in ruins. Political donors had fled, headlines screamed scandal, and Gerald's remaining influence hung by a thread. The Lancasters-old money, untouchable and viper-sharp-had offered him one final lifeline.
Ares Lancaster.
Billionaire hotel tycoon. Known for luxury resorts, ruthless business plays, and a smile that never quite reached his eyes. Marrying his heir to the Monroe name would silence whispers of impropriety on both ends.
And what did Isla get?
A ring she didn't want, vows she didn't believe, and six months trapped in the orbit of a man she couldn't read-but already didn't trust.
"Stand straight," her father barked, as he passed behind her.
She stiffened. "I'm not a prop, Gerald."
"Today you are."
He adjusted his cufflinks with the care of a man preparing for camera flashes. "You'll do what's required. Smile. Obey. Appear in public when Ares tells you to. You'll keep your mouth shut about what you know, and in return, your sister gets her scholarship back, and this family gets one last chance to rise from the ashes."
"I'm not for sale," she said.
He smirked. "You were the day you were born to me."
The doors to the ceremony opened before she could spit back the fury rising in her throat.
A hush fell over the gathered elite. The aisle stretched out before her, built over glistening turquoise water, leading to a glass altar perched at the edge of Ares Lancaster's private island.
Her heels clicked with each step, echoing like a countdown. Whispers swirled from the crowd-some pitying, some curious, most just bored rich people watching another high-society merger dressed up as love.
At the end of the aisle, he waited.
Ares Lancaster.
Sharp suit. Sharper jaw. Eyes like obsidian glass. The breeze teased his jet-black hair, but he stood as still as a statue. Watching her. Measuring.
Their gazes locked. Not warmth. Not tenderness. Just fire and ice, locked in a silent dare.
She reached him. He held out his hand. She hesitated-just long enough to make him notice-then gave it to him, cool and steady.
"You look exquisite," he murmured.
"You look like a warning."
His lips curved, barely. "Fair enough."
The officiant began.
Isla drifted through the words, each sentence like a tick on a bomb. Her mind screamed with everything unsaid: This isn't real. This isn't right. You should've run.
But she didn't.
When Ares placed the ring on her finger, she didn't flinch. When it was her turn to say "I do," she said it with her chin high.
And when he leaned in to kiss her-
She turned her head, offering her cheek.
A flicker of reaction crossed his face. Surprise, amusement, something darker.
He kissed her cheek anyway, lingering half a second too long, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, "Bold move, Mrs. Lancaster."
She smiled through her teeth. "Get used to it."
**
Later, in the honeymoon suite, the air between them was heavy with unspoken truths.
The room was made for seduction-candlelight, a king-sized bed, champagne sweating in a silver bucket. Isla stood by the windows, arms crossed, ignoring the view. Ares sat across the room, unbuttoning his cuffs like this was just another business meeting.
"I assume you have questions," he said.
"I don't care enough to ask."
He glanced up. "You're not what I expected."
"Good."
He stood, slowly. "We're married now. Let's agree to certain terms."
"Terms?" she scoffed. "You already own my schedule, my image, and apparently my body, by contractual obligation. What else is there to define?"
Ares crossed the space between them in three slow steps. His presence was magnetic, and infuriating.
"I don't want your body, Isla," he said, voice low. "Not unless you give it freely."
She blinked. That... threw her.
"I want your cooperation. Appearances. Public unity. In private, we stay out of each other's way."
"Fine," she said, trying to mask the twist of disappointment in her gut.
"But let me be clear about one thing." He moved even closer, until the scent of expensive cologne and stormy seas surrounded her. "Betray me, and there won't be a quiet divorce. There will be ruin."
She tilted her head. "That almost sounded like foreplay."
His mouth twitched.
Then, without another word, he walked out onto the balcony and left her alone with her reflection again.
**
The next morning, Isla found a sealed envelope waiting on the breakfast table.
Her name was scrawled across the front in Ares' unmistakable handwriting.
She opened it.
Inside was a contract. A buyout clause: five million dollars, payable at the end of six months, if she fulfilled the "duties" of a wife in public, but required no intimacy in private.
So that was the game. He wanted obedience, not affection. A six-month performance, then silence and a payout.
Beneath the contract was a second item.
A photograph.
Her fingers froze.
It was grainy. Black and white. Taken at night.
It showed Isla-six months ago-stepping into a dark parking garage. Meeting with a man. Heads close. Urgent posture.
The man was Damian Voss. Investigative journalist. Whistleblower. The man who had been compiling a file on the Lancaster empire-before vanishing three months ago.
There was a note, paper-clipped to the photo, written in Ares' hand:
"Tell me, Isla-how well did you know him?"
She dropped the picture, heart slamming against her ribs.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
She spun.
Ares stood in the doorway, casual in an open-collar shirt and linen pants. His expression was unreadable. But his eyes? Razor sharp.
"You followed me," she whispered.
"No." He walked slowly toward her. "I protect what's mine. And you, Isla, just became very, very interesting."
"I didn't betray you."
"Not yet."
"Damian Voss contacted me," she blurted. "He was digging into your family. I didn't ask him to. I told him to stop."
Ares stopped inches from her. His presence pressed against her like a storm front.
"Then where is he now?" he asked.
"I don't know."
He leaned in. His voice, when it came, was almost gentle.
"But you do know something."
She didn't answer.
He smiled darkly.
"You're playing a dangerous game, wife."
"And you're not?" she shot back.
He reached out. Brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch made her tremble, despite herself.
"Let's see which one of us survives it."
**
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A Night, A Secret, A Billionaire's Baby
RomanceSynopsis Title: A Night, A Secret, A Billionaire's Baby After a magical one-night stand at a charity gala, Emily Carter, a hardworking interior designer, finds herself pregnant by a man whose last name she doesn't even know. That man is Damon Blackwood - a reclusive tech billionaire and heir to the Blackwood empire. Three years later, fate throws them back together when Emily lands a major design contract for a luxury resort... owned by Damon. As secrets unravel, sparks reignite, and a little boy with Damon's blue eyes brings everything full circle. But can love grow from one passionate night and a long-hidden truth? Genre: Contemporary Romance Trope(s): Secret Baby,Billionaire Romance,One Night Stand to Lovers,Second Chance,Workplace Romance Theme: Love that withstands time and secrets,Redemption and vulnerability,Found family and healing Setting: New York City (Emily's business) Aspen, Colorado (Luxury resort project site). Characterization: Damon Blackwood(ML): Age 34 Billionaire tech entrepreneur, Emotionally guarded due to childhood betrayal,Charismatic, brilliant, protective once he lets his guard down Emily Carter(FL): Age 28, an Interior designer with her own small firm. Resilient, nurturing, determined Single mother to a 3-year-old boy Leo Carter: Emily and Damon's 3-year-old son Sophie Chen: Emily's best friend and business partner Charles Blackwood: Damon's controlling father Veronica Hale: Damon's ex and socialite trying to get him back Maria Alvarez: Nanny and mother figure to Emily Jake Morgan:Contractor on the resort project Racheal: Damon's Assistant Eli: Damon Business Partner and Longtime friend. Exposition: Emily meets a mysterious, handsome man at a masquerade-themed charity gala. They share one unforgettable night. When he vanishes before morning, she's left with nothing but the memory... and a positive pregnancy test. Inciting Incident: Three years later, Emily's firm lands a high-profile design contract for a new luxury resort. When she arrives for the site tour, she comes face-to-face with Damon - her one-night mystery man, now her client. Rising Action: Emily keeps Leo's paternity a secret, unsure if she should reveal the truth. Damon is drawn to her, still haunted by that one night. Their chemistry reignites during late work nights and shared meals. Damon meets Leo and feels a strange bond he can't explain. Veronica tries to sabotage Emily's position in Damon's life. Charles pressures Damon to marry for business, not love. Climax: Damon accidentally discovers Leo's birth certificate and realizes the truth. Feeling betrayed, he confronts Emily in anger, while Emily defends her reasons for keeping the secret. Denouement: After soul-searching and a heartfelt talk with Leo, Damon realizes he wants to be a father and a partner. He fights to earn Emily's forgiveness and proposes - not just for love, but for the family they've become. Emily accepts, and they begin their happily-ever-after together.
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