He was the billionaire everyone feared. She was the one woman who refused to bow to him. Adrian Blackwood had everything money could buy—power, influence, and a reputation that made people tremble. Love was never part of his plan. Until Elena Rose walked into his life. She was supposed to be nothing more than a temporary solution to a problem that threatened his empire. One contract. One year. One fake marriage. No feelings. No questions. No falling in love. But Elena soon discovers that the ruthless CEO has secrets darker than his reputation—and Adrian discovers something far more dangerous than any enemy... He can't let her go. When buried secrets connect their families, enemies begin closing in, and the contract marriage turns into an obsession neither of them can escape, Elena is forced to choose between walking away from the man who broke her trust... ...or risking everything for the man who would burn the entire world to keep her. Because Adrian Blackwood doesn't know how to love gently. He only knows how to love ruthlessly. And once he claims Elena as his... there is no way back.