Introduction

Aiden Thorn

  In the world of high finance, Aiden Thorn's name commands both fear and respect. Born into privilege, Aiden was raised with the expectation that he would one day take over his family's vast empire. But it wasn't just wealth that shaped him; it was the cold, relentless environment in which he grew up. His father, a man of ruthless ambition, taught Aiden that trust was a weakness, emotions were liabilities, and power was the only currency that mattered. Under his father’s watchful eye, Aiden learned to control every aspect of his life with an iron fist.

  Now in his thirties, Aiden has surpassed even his father’s expectations. He is a billionaire with a reputation for being cold, calculating, and utterly ruthless. In the boardroom, Aiden’s word is law. He manipulates markets, bends competitors to his will, and crushes anyone who dares to stand in his way. His need for control extends to every corner of his life—his employees are terrified of disappointing him, his business rivals dread crossing paths with him, and even his personal relationships are dictated by his insatiable need to dominate.

  But beneath this impenetrable exterior lies a man haunted by his past. Aiden's obsession with control is fueled by a deep-seated fear of vulnerability, a fear that stems from a betrayal that scarred him in his youth. He trusts no one and guards his emotions as fiercely as he guards his wealth. To Aiden, people are either assets to be used or threats to be neutralized. And when his company faces the threat of a hostile takeover, Aiden's instinct for survival kicks in. He is willing to do whatever it takes to protect what is his—even if it means entering a marriage of convenience with a woman he barely knows.

  Evelyn Hart

  Evelyn Hart has always been the quiet one. The youngest daughter of the Hart family, she grew up in the shadows of her more outgoing and accomplished siblings. While her sisters dazzled in social circles, Evelyn found comfort in solitude, preferring the company of books and nature over the glittering world of high society. Her father, a shrewd businessman, often overlooked her, seeing her as little more than a pawn in his strategic games. Evelyn’s mother, a woman of delicate health, doted on her, but even that could not protect Evelyn from the expectations placed upon her by her family.

  Raised to be obedient and submissive, Evelyn has always done what was expected of her. She was the dutiful daughter, the perfect student, and the quiet companion at family events. But beneath her shy and timid exterior lies a woman with a heart full of dreams—dreams of a life beyond the gilded cage she has always known. Evelyn yearns for independence, for a chance to live life on her own terms, but she has never had the courage to defy her family’s wishes.

  When her father informs her of the arrangement he has made with Aiden Thorn, Evelyn’s world is turned upside down. She never imagined that her future would involve marrying a man like Aiden—a man whose reputation for ruthlessness precedes him. But to save her family’s legacy, Evelyn agrees to the marriage, even as fear and uncertainty grip her heart.

  Thrown into Aiden’s world of power and deception, Evelyn struggles to navigate the treacherous waters of her new life. She is naive to the ways of the corporate world, and Aiden’s controlling nature only adds to her sense of isolation. Yet, as she begins to see glimpses of the man behind the mask, Evelyn finds herself torn between her fear of Aiden and a growing desire to understand him. But the more she learns, the more she realizes that their marriage is not just a union of convenience—it’s a dangerous game that could cost her everything, including her heart.