Synopsis

Ashley is the daughter of former millionaire Ethan, who over the years has lost all his fortune in gambling. Abandoned by his wife and completely bankrupt, Ethan is home sunk in addiction and despair of getting his money back. On a hot Los Angeles night, Ethan, bets his 18-year-old daughter and loses to Oliver, a petty and superb man. Ashley finds out two hours after her father lost her in a gambling bet, and now has to marry Oliver, her father’s former partner.

It was a busy night in the city of Las Vegas. Ethan hurriedly put on his coat and left the house before Ashley arrived. Sometimes he had to sneak away so that his daughter wouldn't see him. She always got upset because she knew Ethan would spend what he no longer had on gambling.

He entered the casino with hurried steps. His blood boiled as much as his mouth watered when he thought about the amount of money he could win that night. Ethan was addicted, and he knew it. He had lost his wife and almost all of his fortune. He was a nearly bankrupt man, but he bet daily that luck would be on his side.

He bought some chips, sat down at a table with four other guys, and just as the game was about to start, a man Ethan knew well sat down, joining them.

"What are you going to bet tonight, Ethan?" Oliver, his former business partner who had stolen a large portion of his fortune, sat in front of him, wearing a mocking smile.

"Are you here to steal from me again because you didn't succeed the first time?" Ethan didn't look him in the eye.

"We're in a casino," Oliver spread his arms, "come on, make your bet."

Ethan thought about it. If he bet something highly valuable, he would have a chance to recover much of what Oliver had stolen from him. The problem was that Ethan didn't think about the consequences.

"I bet my house," he said.

Oliver laughed. He was one of the richest men in Las Vegas. Properties were something he had all over the state of California.

"I want a significant bet," Oliver shouted, "come on, raise the stakes. I bet every part you say I stole."

But Ethan had nothing of value to bet except the house and the car. He also couldn't let this big chance slip away from his hands so easily.

"What do you think about your daughter?" Oliver suggested, "how old is she? Eighteen, nineteen?"

"I would never bet my daughter," Ethan stood up agitated, "not to a man like you."

"Think about it, Ethan," Oliver insisted, "if you win, you can reclaim your inheritance. If you lose, your daughter will marry me, and you'll have a reasonably good life again."

It seemed like a good deal, Ethan thought. Because deep down, he was already tired of living that life. He was getting old, and Ashley wouldn't be by his side forever.

"Are you going to marry Ashley?" Ethan couldn't think straight anymore.

"And that would make her very happy," he said with great certainty, "in this bet, you have nothing to lose."

Oliver used all his weapons to convince Ethan that this was the best choice.

"I accept," he said, feeling his legs tremble, "if you win, promise me you'll give my daughter a decent life."

"She will have a princess's life," Oliver said, but Ethan didn't know if he could trust him.

Then they started the first round. Ethan sweated, trying not to lose concentration. Every time he sat there, he played his games believing he would win. Ethan rarely won a game, and he hoped that this time luck would be on his side. The players were showing their hands, and Ethan's hope was ignited every time a card was revealed. But Oliver would be the last; Ethan would only be fortunate if he had the best hand. He showed his cards and watched his opponent's face carefully, but he couldn't decipher it. When Oliver revealed his cards, a cry of joy filled the casino.

Ethan could hardly believe it; he had lost the bet, and now Ashley would have to marry Oliver.

"Today is my lucky day," Oliver shouted, "I have a wife."

But Ethan didn't seem happy. Sadness invaded his heart, and he immediately thought about undoing the agreement.

"Bet canceled," he stood up, ready to leave, "I don't want my daughter to marry you."

"Don't be foolish, Ethan," two men surrounded him, preventing him from escaping, "go home and tell Ashley to prepare for our wedding. Tomorrow, I'll come to pick her up."

"Tomorrow?" Ethan seemed incredulous, "why would a man like you, capable of having any woman he wants, marry an eighteen-year-old girl?"

"As you said yourself, it's my desire."

"But..." he tried to convince Oliver that it seemed like a bad deal.

"Do as I ask," Oliver interrupted, "tomorrow I will marry your daughter."

Ethan left the casino, regretting his decision almost entirely. He bet because he genuinely believed he would win that bet. Like every other time, Ethan was mistaken; he always lost.

He arrived home and saw Ashley at the door, sitting on the stairs. She had a worried expression on her face, and as soon as she saw her father, she ran towards him.

"Don't tell me you were at that casino again," Ethan didn't say anything, "When will this end, Dad?"

"It's over," she whispered, seeking strength within him to tell Ashley the truth.

"You always say that," Ashley said, "and the next day, you're there again, spending what little you have left. This way, we'll end up homeless."

"I have already lost everything I had," Ethan said as he walked back to the house.

Ashley had to run after him.

"How did you lose everything you had?" she walked behind him, her heart pounding in her chest, "please don't tell me you bet our house, Dad."

She was afraid of what she would hear from his mouth. He was afraid to tell her the truth. Ethan stopped, still on the stairs, took a deep breath, and turned to look into his daughter's eyes.

"I bet I did," he finally confessed.

"What?" a smile of disbelief formed on her lips.

"I bet on you, and I lost," he confessed again.

"You can't be serious," Ashley, at first, didn't believe it, but when she saw the desperation on her father's face, she began to tremble.

"You'll have to marry Oliver White," he revealed at last, "he'll come to get you tomorrow."

"That's illegal," Ashley was nervous.

"It's not, Ashley," Ethan shouted, "if I don't give you to him, we'll lose everything."

"Then we'll lose," she shouted too, "because I won't marry him."

Ashley entered the house, slamming the door behind her. The next day, before the sun rose, Oliver was already at Ethan's door to pick up his future wife.

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Ashley felt as if her body were on fire. She entered her room and slammed the door, a scream of despair echoing in her throat. This could only be a nightmare, she thought. Just as Ashley was getting ready to go to college, to get a good job and be happy, her father gambled on her and her happiness with a man like Oliver.

Ashley knew Oliver well. He was her father's partner when Ethan still had a company, but she despised him because he was arrogant and felt like he owned the world. If Ashley could choose someone to marry someday, it certainly wouldn't be Oliver White.

She thought about running away and even rehearsed an escape, hiding her clothes in a suitcase, but she gave up minutes later when she thought about her father. As irresponsible as Ethan was, he didn't deserve to live on the streets. It took a while for her to fall asleep, but when she woke up, the sun hadn't even risen yet. A knock on the door made Ashley jump out of bed, her heart pounding uncontrollably in her chest. It wasn't even seven in the morning, and Oliver was already there to pick her up.

She heard Ethan's voice, filled with desperation, mixing with her own despair, but there was nothing they could do about it. Ashley was thrown onto the sidewalk with brutality, and when she looked up, she saw those well-polished black shoes. Ashley found herself in a humiliating position, kneeling in front of Oliver. She raised her head, still lying on the ground, looking directly into the eyes of her future husband.

"We're off to a good start," Oliver said, "you're already at my feet."

A smile of pleasure formed on his lips, but Oliver didn't try to help Ashley up. She placed her hands on the ground and lifted herself, coming face to face with him.

"If you think I'm going to marry you, you're sorely mistaken," she was resolute, and Oliver delighted in her defiance.

"You have no choice," he said, shifting his gaze away from Ethan.

Ashley also looked at her father, who had tears in his eyes and desperation written all over his face.

"I will give your father a decent life," he continued, "I promised him that. And I'll give it to you too. Otherwise, you'll be living on the streets starting today."

Desperation began to gain strength within Ashley. Ethan was already old and wouldn't survive for long living on the streets.

Ashley looked at Oliver and said, "I want him to come live with us."

Oliver laughed. "You're not in a position to demand anything from me," he said, looking at his watch, "I can offer one of my houses for him to live out his days in peace, as long as you do as I say."

"I will," she said without thinking.

"Great," Oliver grabbed her by the arm, opened the car door, and threw her inside. Ashley groaned at his brutality. She looked out the window, asking the man to at least say goodbye to her father, but Oliver didn't allow it. Soon the car drove off, leaving Ethan behind, and Ashley's dreams as well.

The journey was silent. At one point, she wanted to give up, open the door of the car, and jump out, trying to convince herself that it wouldn't be so bad to marry a man she detested.

They soon arrived at a registry office. Oliver grabbed Ashley's arm again, pulling her out of the vehicle.

"You're going in there, you're going to wear the dress I bought for you, and we're going to get married."

Ashley felt her legs trembling.

Oliver ordered one of his guards to accompany her to the bathroom, and when Ashley was dressed, the man directed her to the registry office. She could see a glimmer of satisfaction in Oliver's eyes as he watched Ashley enter the office. He took the woman's hand, her head still lowered, and the ceremony began. Ashley would never remember what the judge said, except for the part where she agreed to marry this man. Her body was there, but her mind was elsewhere. She also remembers holding the pen between her fingers and leaning over to sign the papers, reluctant to commit to this madness. But when she finally realized it, she was already married to Oliver.

There was no celebration, no happiness, just a frustrated woman heading to her new home with a man who was now her husband.

Of course, Ashley's eyes filled with tears when she saw the mansion where Oliver lived. There was a nice table with delicious food to eat. Ashley was hungry. Oliver directed her to the table, and they had the most delicious breakfast Ashley had ever tasted.

"Imagine that you almost rejected having this queen's life," Oliver said, taking a sip of his juice.

Ashley didn't say anything.

But just as ceremoniously as Oliver arrived, he also left. The man, who was looking at the time on his wristwatch, stood up, straightened his tie, and prepared to leave.

"Be ready for my return," he directed his gaze at Ashley, "we'll have our honeymoon today."

Ashley's eyes widened. She hadn't thought about that part, the obligations that marriage brought. She stood up impatiently.

"Oliver, I..."

"I don't have time right now, Ashley," he said, already leaving the mansion.

For the second time that day, Ashley cried. Out of despair, regret. What would she do to convince Oliver not to touch her?

The day passed quickly, and Ashley's eyes were fixed on the main entrance of the house. She waited in terror for Oliver's return. When it was already dark and the stars shone in the sky, Oliver arrived, walked toward her, and took her hand, dragging her upstairs.

Did this man only treat people this way, with brutality? she wondered. Then he opened the bedroom door and threw Ashley onto the bed. He began undressing, and she screamed.

"I can't do this," her body trembled.

"You can't?" Oliver looked her straight in the eyes, unable to believe what the woman was saying, "Why did you think I would marry you?"

He seemed insatiable.

"I'm a virgin," she said between tears.

At first, Oliver was speechless, then he smiled. He could hardly believe how good life was to him. He had married a beautiful, virgin woman.

"That's great!" He undressed again. "I promise I won't hurt you."

And Ashley only saw the man enveloping her in his arms, kissing her passionately.

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The sun was already high in the sky when Ashley woke up in the room, alone. The messy and empty bed reminded her of the pain she felt and the disgust every time Oliver touched her body. Even though Oliver was a handsome man, Ashley felt no attraction towards him.

She descended the stairs still in her nightgown. She walked through every room of the immense mansion, but Oliver wasn't there. Ashley hurried back to her room, dressed, and left. Her stomach growled with hunger, but she needed to see Ethan and find out if he had kept his promise to give her father a more comfortable life.

She left the mansion without the security guards noticing and walked on foot to the old house, which wasn't far away. She caught sight of the old house, and her eyes teared up. Her life had completely changed in less than forty-eight hours. One day she celebrated her graduation, the next she was forced to marry and abandon her dreams. How would Ashley get out of this situation? She still didn't know.

She climbed the stairs, and the door was open. She entered the living room and saw Ethan sitting in front of the kitchen counter. The man looked worn out.

"Hi, Dad," Ashley spoke from behind him, causing Ethan to jump out of his seated chair.

"Ashley," his eyes widened when he saw his daughter, "What are you doing here? Oliver won't like to hear this."

"Oliver doesn't control me," she approached and hugged her father. "I never thought I would miss him so much. How are you? Why are you still here?"

"Oliver's henchmen came here yesterday afternoon to inform me that you were already married," there was a lot of resentment in his voice, "I hope one day you'll forgive me for this terrible mistake."

"There's no point in crying now, Dad," Ashley scoffed, "It's already over."

"Did you sleep with him?"

"What choice did I have?" she knew she had a choice, "I just want to know if he will fulfill what he promised and give one of his houses to you."

"He asked me to wait," Ethan didn't want to explain these things to Ashley, "I'll be leaving soon."

But Ethan didn't seem happy with that possibility. The regret of losing his daughter in a gambling bet was evident on his face.

"I think it's best for you to go back home, Ashley," Ethan pleaded.

"I'm not Oliver's prisoner," she snapped, "There's no specific agreement in this fake marriage saying I'm obliged to be locked up in that mansion."

"This house isn't the same without you, my daughter."

"I miss it too," she lamented, "I wanted to go pay my college tuition, but now I don't know what to do with my own life."

Silence hung between them. While Ethan blamed himself on one side, Ashley searched for a way out on the other.

Meanwhile, in the White mansion, Oliver returned home two hours later, accompanied by his mother, Madalyn.

"You married that useless Ethan's daughter?" She seemed displeased. "We had an agreement, Oliver. You were supposed to marry Stefany."

"I couldn't wait any longer, Mom," he snapped at her. "My time was running out, and if I didn't get married, I wouldn't secure the partnership."

"So, you married someone else?"

What Oliver and Madalyn didn't know was that Ashley was behind the door, listening to the entire conversation. Horrified to learn that Oliver had married her as part of a contract, she became even more horrified. That's why he was in such a hurry to carry out this marriage.

"Besides, this marriage has an expiration date," Oliver continued, "In two years, I'll ask for a divorce so I can marry Stefany. Isn't that what you want so badly?"

"We all know that Stefany is the love of your life," Madalyn said, "Besides, she's wealthy and can help you expand your business."

"Things aren't that easy, Mom," he groaned.

On the other side of the door, Ashley was already preparing to leave and go back to her room when she heard Madalyn speak.

"Bring that woman you married here, because I want to meet her."

Ashley heard hurried footsteps approaching the door and almost jumped when she came face to face with Oliver.

"Eavesdropping?" she hadn't noticed how muscular Oliver was, not even last night.

"I heard a different voice and came to see who it was," Ashley shrunk back.

"Spare me your excuses," he grabbed her arm and dragged her into the office, "This is Madalyn, my mother, and this is..."

"The poor girl you married," Madalyn said, looking at Ashley with disdain. "How old is this girl, Oliver?"

Madalyn scrutinized Ashley from head to toe. Every detail of the girl went through her stern gaze.

"Nineteen years old, twenty," he replied, but he wasn't sure, "I have no idea."

"You married a girl without even knowing her age?" Madalyn seemed horrified, "What kind of irresponsibility is this, Oliver?"

"Does her age matter?" he snapped.

"I'm eighteen," Ashley replied, interrupting the two of them who were discussing her life without realizing she was also present.

Of course, Madalyn wanted to stay there prolonging the subject and asking questions about Ashley, searching for ways to criticize her in the future, but Oliver ended her intentions when he informed Madalyn of his plans.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mother," he looked at his wristwatch once more, "But Ashley and I have an engagement, and we can't be late."

"We do?" Ashley asked, casting a doubtful look at Oliver.

Once again, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged the woman up the stairs. Ashley could already feel her arm hurting from the times Oliver held and dragged her whenever he felt necessary. He opened the bedroom door and ordered her to take a shower and put on the dress he had bought for her.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"None of your business. Just obey me."

"Are you going to fulfill your partnership now that you're married?" she cornered him.

Oliver looked into Ashley's dark eyes before rushing towards her and pressing her against the wall.

"From today on, you'll learn your place in this house, Ashley," he pressed his face, leaving his fingerprint marks on her soft, pale skin. "Didn't your father teach you that it's ugly to eavesdrop on other people's conversations behind closed doors?"

Ashley struggled to push him away, pushing Oliver back.

"I can file for divorce today," she said, wiping her face.

"You can't," Oliver said, "Those papers you signed yesterday force you to stay married to me for two years."

"That's impossible," she couldn't believe it.

"You really thought I married you because you attract me or something?" he was rude, "Look at yourself, Ashley, you're still a girl, you're not my type."

She thought about questioning him, fighting against the facts, but she had no strength.

"Do as I told you and get ready immediately," he pointed his finger in her face, "Be ready in one hour."

"I hate you, Oliver White," she shouted through the tears already streaming down her face.

"What a beautiful conscience," he looked at her one last time, "I don't like you either."

And the slamming door was all Ashley heard from him.

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