“Marry me, Kayley Hart.” His voice was smooth and calm, like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb.

“Become my wife… and I’ll help you destroy every single one of them.”

He was close. So, so close.

My heart raced feeling his hot breath on my skin. Our lips were almost touching and the intensity in his gaze held me in place.

Just a little closer and…

My stomach fluttered at the thought. It took me all I had in me not to lean in and…

I blinked. Wait, what on earth am I thinking?

“No!” I yelled, snapping back to my senses. I caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes as I shoved him away, putting as much distance between us as I could.

“Excuse me?” I managed to breathe, my heart pounding so hard it echoed in my ears. “What did you just say?”

“I don’t repeat myself,” He said, leaning back with an infuriating calm. “You want revenge. I want a wife. We can help each other.”

A dry laugh escaped my throat. “You’re insane.”

“Maybe,” He replied. “But you’ve got nothing left to lose, and everything to gain.”

His words hit harder than I expected. Because he was right.

I had lost everything—my family, my home, my future.

But that didn't mean I would run into the arms of a complete stranger.

“I have no reason to marry you.”

“You must marry me

I scoffed, “Are you crazy? Go get your marriage done with any other woman. Why does it have to be me?”

His gaze darkened. “Because none of them are you, Kayley Hart.”

My confused eyes stared back at him. “What?”

“Look,” His face was masked with seriousness “I need you to secure my inheritance and you need me to get back at those who’ve hurt you. It’s a win– win situation, isn’t it?”

“No.” I replied almost immediately. “I am not going to marry you.”

“You are going to regret this.”

I leaned back, “I doubt. I never regret anything.”

“Very well then. I’ll give you two more minutes to think about it.“

My jaw dropped. What sort of a man was this?

“Did you hit your head somewhere? Don’t you understand? I don't want—“ I stopped mid sentence and took a deep breath.

Why was I even engaging the crazy man in a conversation?

“Look mister,” I sighed and bit down on my lips, a gesture I always did when stressed. “I have no idea who you are, I don’t care either. I’m not interested in marrying you so I’ll appreciate it if you’ll kindly leave—“

“My offer still stands.” He cut me off and turned to walk away. “I bet you’ll change your mind before I walk out that door.”

I scoffed.

I was the one in an accident but it was clearly this stranger who needed to get his head checked.

I rolled my eyes, and that was when I saw him.

The man I was once head over heels in love with.

A small frown made its way up my face, my full attention now on the TV I hadn’t noticed till now. I quickly grabbed the remote from the desk beside me and increased the volume.

“…and with the launch of his newest tech company, Bryan West once more proves why he remains one of youngest billionaire in the whole of New York City...”

“Bastard!” My fists clenched, watching the footage of Bryan in a press conference being played.

The only man I dared to trust with my heart only to get betrayal in return.

Tears blurred my and I blinked hard to stop them from

falling. My grip on the remote tightened.

What wouldn’t I give to wipe the smile off the damned jerk’s face?

My eyes moved to the dark haired man about to exit the hospital room, and before I could stop it, my mouth moved.

“It’s a deal” I blurted. He stopped. The turned.

“What?”

“It’s a deal!” I repeated, my tone a louder this time.

His lips curved into a knowing smile. “I knew it. You made the right decision.”

Stupid bastard.

“I will marry you.” I said instead, my voice breaking. He made his way to me. “Just make sure you keep your end of the deal.”

“I sure will.” He whispered, his thumb wiping off a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen.

“You’re mine now, Kayley Hart. No one messes with something of mine and goes scot free.”

The intensity in his eyes made me shudder but I knew there was no going back.

Less than an hour later, our marriage was registered. My…. husband got me fresh sets of clothes and a new phone before we flew back to NewYork.

I inhaled deeply the moment I stepped out the jet, taking in the scent of the one city that once snatched everything away from me.

Now, it was my turn.

A black Cadillac Escalade was waiting by the time we exited the airport. I still couldn’t believe I was unconscious for two years, everything was just like I remembered.

I didn’t even feel different. It felt as if I just woke up from a long sleep.

“You’ll bear the name Kayla from now on. Kayla Steele.”

“Kayla?” I looked over at the man whose eyes were closed. His head was resting on the backseat and creases on his forehead showed he was deep in thought.

Not even in my wildest dream could I have imagined ending up married to the richest billionaire in NewYork.

Dominic Steele, a billionaire whose reputation preceded him, A cold business man who rarely appeared in public. He was know as one of the youngest and most eligible bachelor in the whole of NewYork.

“Are you listening?”

“Huh?”

His jaw twitched. I smirked. I knew he hated having to repeat himself.

“I said,” He gritted, “You will answer the name Kayla from now on.”

I frowned.

Dominic informed me earlier I would be meeting with his family the moment we arrived but he never mentioned anything about a new name.

“My name is Kayley. Why should I —“

“Because it’s in the contract.” His blunt reply cut me off. “Didn’t you read it?”

I went over the document in my hands which sealed my fate and indeed, it part of the agreement mentioned that I’ll bear the name Kayla.

How did I miss it earlier?

I scoffed.

Getting me to sign a one year contract wasn’t enough, he had to give me a new identity too?

“Kayley Hart is no longer alive. You’re now Kayla Steele, wife of Dominic Steele.” He reminded as the Cadillac Escalade we were in pulled to a stop in front of a huge mansion.

“Yeah, whatever.” I rolled my eyes and opened the car door when he grabbed me.

“Remember, you owe no one any explanation. You don’t answer to anyone apart from me. Don’t ask any questions and don’t meddle in my family business— no matter what.”

Something in his voice made me swallow but I nodded anyway.

I wasn’t one bit interested in Dominic or his family.

By the time we approached the mansion, an older-looking man stood by the entrance. He bowed slightly seeing Dominic.

“Welcome home, Mr Steele. We’ve been wait—”

The man’s gaze fell on me and he froze, eyes widening in horror.

“Miss K-Kayla?“