This Dark story contains raw and unfiltered mature contents. Strictly R18+. Read with caution.


Ella had lost everything. After her mother’s accident, her father married someone else and pushed her aside, choosing his new family over her. Her friends slowly left, and she was left to deal with everything alone. She spent all her money to keep her mother on life support. Now, she was broke, exhausted, and barely holding on.

Then Nicholas showed up.

He was a stranger—handsome, confident, and calm. But what shocked her most was the marriage certificate he brought. According to him, they got married in Vegas. The problem? Ella doesn’t remember it at all.

She already has too much to deal with—her sick mom, the hospital bills, and her fiancé, who has been her only support. She can’t afford to lose him now.

But Nicholas won’t go away. He says he’s her husband, and he wants her to come with him. Ella feels drawn to him in a way she can’t explain. He sees through her like no one else does.

She knows she should walk away. She knows she should stay with the safe life she’s trying to hold on to. But something about Nicholas pulls her in—and she’s scared he might break her in the end.

TW: DOMESTIC ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH SCENES, ROUGH SEXUAL ACTS.

The headlines hit the internet before the night even ended:


"Ella Marquez SLAPPED by Father at Gala—Nicholas Carter Defends Her and Breaks His Wrist in Public Scuffle"


"Tears, Violence, and Revenge: The Fall of the Marquez Dynasty?"


"Nicholas Carter Seen Comforting Tearful Ella After Shocking Incident at Clara Marquez's Charity Gala"


Clips of Richard Marquez screaming in pain, Nicholas standing over him like a storm, and Ella's trembling face with a red mark on her cheek circulated every platform—from tabloids to business gossip pages. #EllaMarquez trended overnight. Most of the reactions weren't what Vanessa and Clara expected.


"She looked so heartbroken. No daughter should be treated like that."


"That slap? That scream? My god, protect Ella at all costs."


"I never believed those old stories about her. Now I'm sure she was telling the truth."


Chapter 56 - Hope