In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
"From Urgent News Flash, there was a rear-end collision on Highway 257. A drunk truck driver collided with a taxi in front, causing it to flip over. The extent of injuries is not yet known, but witnesses say a pregnant woman about to give birth was inside."
The sounds of sirens, screams, and traffic were deafening.
The noise battered Kimberly Holden's ears, and the air reeked of blood.
Barely conscious, she managed to grab her phone and dialed a number.
Just as the call was about to drop, someone picked up.
A familiar female voice responded, "Kimberly, Declan is in the shower and can't come to the phone. What's the matter? Is it urgent?"
At that moment, Kimberly's heart sank.
It was Valerie Walsh! Of course!
Always Valerie, the beloved adopted sister Declan Walsh had grown up with, the one who made him neglect her, block her number, even on her due date.
With her eyes closed, Kimberly felt a warm stream beneath her, signaling the life inside her fading. Despite her agony, she begged, "Help me... Highway 257... Save my child..." Her words were hard to speak.
The sudden accident had knocked down the barriers on both sides, completely blocking the highway. Cars couldn't go forward or backward, and rescue vehicles were trapped outside.
The process of deploying a helicopter was too complicated. However, Kimberly knew that the Walsh family owned a private chopper. If Declan could send it over right away, there was still a chance for hope.
"I'm sorry, Kimberly. Declan is busy with my birthday preparations today and can't address this," said the voice, sounding naive yet harsh.
Then the line went dead.
Kimberly fell to the ground, the smell of gasoline urging her to escape before an explosion.
But she felt a sudden acceptance of her fate.
In her last moments, she thought about her twenty-five years, half spent loving a man who didn't love her back.
From the spoiled heiress of the Holden family, she had become a disgraced figure, publicly embarrassed.
She had gambled everything of the Holden family's property, yet failed to gain even a shred of Declan's genuine love.
She was exhausted and had lost the will to love him again.
This life taught her about poor judgments, and she promised herself not to make the same errors in another life.
"Mrs. Walsh, are you really going to wear this pink couture dress to the charity auction tonight? Even though Mr. Walsh..." Maggie, the housekeeper, paused, then gently continued, "This short dress seems too casual. Maybe choose something different?"
After her suggestion, she watched anxiously for the woman's reaction in the mirror.
Having worked for the Walsh family for many years, Maggie understood Kimberly's deep love for Declan. To win his approval, Kimberly carefully matched her lifestyle to his preferences.
Kimberly looked at the familiar reflection, her heart racing.
Wasn't she supposed to be dead? Wasn't the charity auction three years ago? Could it be that... she had been reborn?
"Mrs. Walsh?"
Maggie's pressing voice snapped Kimberly back to reality.
"Mr. Walsh will be here to pick you up in an hour. You should get ready! How about this white dress? It's more elegant..."
Kimberly's eyes sparkled, and a subtle smile appeared on her lips.
This auction was organized by the most mysterious and ancient family in Javille, the Howard family. On the surface, it seemed like a high-society event, but in truth, it was a way for families to showcase themselves to the Howards.
The Howards placed a high value on family unity, which was why Declan needed to bring her.
Previously, she had been jealous of Valerie for capturing all of Declan's attention. To win him over, she had mimicked Valerie in every way.
Her careful efforts to please him only made him resent her more.
At this charity auction, Declan had taken her emerald necklace without her permission to impress Valerie, allowing the latter to flaunt it at the event.
When Kimberly attempted to take back the necklace, Declan accused her of being jealous, turning her into a mockery among the elite.
Given another shot at life, she vowed to recover everything that was hers!
Reflecting on her past experiences, Kimberly stated calmly, "I plan to wear the made-to-order beige dress. It will complement my emerald necklace beautifully."
After years of imitating Valerie, she almost lost sight of her true identity as a dignified lady of the Holden family, brought up with rigid discipline.
It had been foolish of her to vie with an adopted member of a merely affluent family.
Maggie said worriedly, "But Mr. Walsh usually doesn't favor such formal outfits, and the emerald necklace, a gift from your grandmother, wasn't even worn at your wedding. Isn't it a bit too grand for an auction?"
"I'll fetch the necklace. You sort out the dress," Kimberly commanded as she rose, disregarding Maggie's worries. "And clear out all the dresses in the wardrobe. We're replacing them with new ones."
Maggie looked on in astonishment as Kimberly headed towards the inner room, paused briefly, but then carried out the orders.
Instead of waiting for Declan to pick her up, Kimberly took a Lamborghini from the garage and drove directly to the event.
The charity auction was hosted at a private estate by the water.
Under the setting sun, Kimberly looked stunning in her custom-made beige dress.
The tailored fit showcased her elegant figure, and her sleek, modern hairstyle paired with refined makeup enhanced her allure.
As she handed her car keys to the valet, her phone rang. The caller ID displayed "Declan" over and over.
Kimberly scoffed, and upon answering, an angry voice blasted from the other end. "Who authorized you to take the emerald necklace?"
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
"You're pathetic!" Brenden sneered, each word cutting deep into Corinna's heart. Years of emotional wounds had drained every ounce of love she once held. "I've wasted enough time on you. If there's a next life, I hope we never meet again." Her words severed the bond between them like a blade. From that moment on, Brenden was haunted by her absence—unable to sleep, longing for the warmth he took for granted.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Becky endured three years of marriage to the cold-hearted Rory. In all that time, she naively reasoned that one day, he'd gradually come to like her. But the second he forced her to kneel down and humiliate herself, she knew she had been wrong about him. This man had no feelings for her at all. So why should she still love him? When Rory gave her the choice between kneeling down and divorcing, she didn't miss a beat and chose the latter. After all, why should she waste her youth on this scumbag? Wouldn't it be nicer for her to just have fun every day with her billion-dollar family fortune?
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?