For Emma Montgomery, life as the pampered daughter of Manhattan's elite carried the weight of impossible expectations. Groomed from birth to lead her family's corporate dynasty, genuine love seemed an elusive dream amid the superficial trappings of wealth. That is, until a shocking proposal opened doors to an unexpected future.

When her father arranges for Emma to enter a marriage contract with James Reynolds, the charismatic heir to a powerful political family, she sees it as an escape from her turbulent past. But neither Emma nor James could foresee the firestorm of passion and betrayal that would be sparked by their convenient union. 

As the one-year countdown on their sham marriage begins, Emma finds herself falling for James's unexpected depths and charm. But James has his own demons - bound by duty to fulfill his father's Machiavellian ambitions while his own heart belongs to another. As cordial pretenses melt into smoldering intimacy, their worlds collide in a maelstrom of corporate greed, political ambition, and star-crossed desire.

In this sumptuous tale of love among New York's upper echelons, Emma and James become delicious pawns in a high-stakes game they never imagined playing. With every blistering secret revealed, every heart-wrenching choice posed, they must decide whether to surrender to the inescapable lure of power and privilege, or burn it all to the ground for a love too intoxicating to deny.

Twisted Fate: Power Plays

Emma sat alone at the expansive dining table, pushing her food around the plate. The clink of her fork against the china echoed in the silent room, each sound amplifying her loneliness. Across from her, James's seat remained empty, as it had for the past week. The sight of the vacant chair sent a pang through her heart, a stark reminder of the growing distance between them. 


The door swung open, breaking the oppressive silence. James strode in, his tall frame filling the doorway. He was impeccably dressed in a crisp suit, his phone pressed firmly to his ear. He barely glanced at Emma as he grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, his eyes never meeting hers. 


"Yeah, I'll be there in twenty," he said into the phone, his voice warm and animated. The tone was a stark contrast to the cold indifference he'd shown Emma lately. "Can't wait to see you." 


48: Just Forget It