Prologue
Standing in a church with my husband by my side was the dream I had always longed for. Of course, who doesn’t want a loving partner and a family? But like every other dream of mine, this one too has been shattered by fate. The day I thought would be the best of my life had turned it upside down, leaving me empty-handed with nowhere to go.
My biggest business rival—and ex—stood before me, smirking. The blood in my veins boiled, but I couldn’t form a single sentence. His eyes alone told me everything I needed to know—he was here for a reason, and it wasn’t good for me.
We faced each other, locked in a silent battle of inner conflicts. After what felt like an eternity, I clenched my teeth and finally broke the silence, “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Wrong question,” he said immediately, his smirk deepening. He glanced at the ring he had just shoved onto my finger moments ago and continued, “You should be asking why I married you.”
“Marriage?” I spat, feeling the anger surge through my veins. “Or another one of your devilish plans—one you're so damn good at?”
“Wow! At least now you know I’m a pro,” he said, his tone light, as if none of this was strange to him. He stepped closer, his hand wrapping firmly around my waist. In a swift motion, he pulled me against his body.
I was about to shove him away, but before I could, I felt his hot breath against my ear as he murmured, “And let me remind you, Mrs. Maya Stone, I’m a pro in bed too. You’ll see that tonight.”
“What?” I gasped, staring at him in shock. Before I could react, he scooped me up into his arms.
I yelled, “Put me down! What are you doing? You’re not my husband!”
He ignored me completely, carrying me out of the church with an iron grip as if my struggles meant nothing. The guests stood frozen, watching the spectacle unfold with wide eyes.
Once we were outside, I continued yelling, “I said, put me down. Now!”
Without warning, I was thrown into the back of a limousine. I screamed at him, “Damien!”
“Maya,” he yelled back, his tone as sharp as mine, as he climbed in after me and slammed the door shut behind him.
