THE PRICE OF FAME

“We are not meant to do this…” I gasped, breathless under the heat of his kisses. “It’s not part of the contract.” “Screw the contract. I want you,” Ethan cut in, passion burning in his eyes. “Right now.” Ariana Cruz never thought her life would fall apart so fast. Once a celebrated relationship therapist with millions of followers, she had built her career on giving people love advice. But everything came crashing down when her longtime boyfriend exposed her deepest insecurities during a live broadcast. The humiliation went viral. Overnight, Ariana lost her reputation, her career, and the fans who once adored her. Broke, broken, and desperate to rebuild, she swore never to trust another man. Until Ethan Vale walked into her life. Ethan wasn’t just any man. He was the billionaire CEO of Vale Resorts. Powerful, arrogant, and one of her harshest critics. Their paths should never have crossed again, but fate had other plans. One reckless night of drinks and pent-up anger led to a scandalous one-night stand. When the tabloids got wind of it, Ethan made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. A contract marriage. One year. No strings attached. Ariana knows she should walk away. Ethan is dangerous, unpredictable, and controlling. But she signs the deal, believing she can keep her heart out of it. She was wrong. Now she’s caught in a storm of jealousy, betrayal, and sabotage. An ex who won’t let go, a rival who wants her ruined, and a family secret that could shatter everything she thought she knew. The biggest danger of all isn’t the contract or the enemies circling them. It’s the way her heart betrays her every time Ethan touches her. Is he her captor… or the only man she has ever truly loved?