The Mafia Stepbrother Who Stole My Heart

The Contract Bride

Arielle Blake never imagined her life would come down to a signature.

She sat in a mahogany office, surrounded by the suffocating scent of power and leather. Across from her was Damien King - cold, commanding, and as dangerous as the rumors said. His silver watch gleamed as he slid a contract toward her.

"Marry me. One year. No questions asked."

Arielle blinked, her heart pounding. "Why me?"

"Because you're desperate," Damien said smoothly. "And I'm impatient."

Desperate wasn't even the word. Her brother, Jamie, was in the ICU, and the bills were mounting. No one would loan her a cent. No one except the devil in a custom suit.

"And what do I get?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Your brother's full treatment, paid in advance. Plus five million dollars in a trust under your name."

Arielle wanted to say no. But the truth was... she had no choice.

Arielle signed the contract with trembling fingers. Forty-eight hours later, she was Mrs. Damien King - on paper, anyway.

The wedding was a private, chilly affair in Damien's penthouse. No guests. No cake. Just a glass of champagne and a kiss that never happened.

But it got stranger.

That night, someone walked into their shared bedroom - and it wasn't Damien.

He was shirtless, inked, and smelled like danger. But the smirk on his face was softer, teasing.

"You must be the wife," he said, voice husky. "I'm Darian. Damien's twin."

Arielle's breath caught. The resemblance was uncanny. Same sharp jawline. Same stormy eyes. But Darian's were filled with mischief.

"I didn't know he had a twin," she said.

"Few people do," Darian replied, his gaze dropping briefly to her bare shoulder. "He doesn't like people knowing he's replaceable."

That was the night Arielle realized this contract marriage came with shadows - and maybe secrets that Damien never planned to share.