Temptation of a Billionaire's Heart

(A NOT-SO-ACCIDENTAL PROPOSAL) The moment Nathan Williams dropped to one knee, Natalia Millwright knew her life was about to be destroyed. Or saved. She wasn’t sure which. Hundreds of people filled the city’s largest luxury mall. Cameras flashed. Social media went live. And in the center of it all, the most powerful billionaire in the country looked up at her with something dangerously close to desperation in his eyes. “Natalia Millwright,” he said, opening a velvet box that held a blue diamond worth more than her entire future, “will you marry me?” Gasps rippled through the crowd. Natalia couldn’t breathe. Seven years. Seven years since she had walked away from him. Seven years since he had shattered her heart. And now he was here—richer, colder, more devastatingly handsome than ever—asking her to be his wife in front of the entire world. This wasn’t love. This was war. “Are you out of your mind?” she whispered, forcing a polite smile for the cameras. “You don’t even love me.” Nathan’s lips curved slightly. “That’s where you’re wrong.” His Nordic blue eyes locked onto hers, and for a terrifying second, she saw the boy she had once trusted with everything. “I’ve never stopped.” Her heart skipped—and she hated it. They both knew the truth. This was a contract. A deal. A marriage meant to benefit them both. She needed protection. He needed a wife. But the way he was looking at her… it felt nothing like business. “You should choose someone better,” Natalia said. “Someone who won’t disappoint you.” “I don’t want better,” he replied softly. “I want you.” The crowd was holding its breath. His twins stood behind him, staring at her with hopeful eyes. The world waited for her answer. Natalia swallowed the fear rising in her throat. If she said yes, she would get everything she needed: safety, power, and the perfect revenge against the man who ruined her. If she said no… she’d lose everything. Slowly, she extended her hand. “Yes,” she said. And the devil smiled.