Caroline believed she had it all-a devoted husband, adorable twin boys, and a promising future. But her world shatters when she discovers her husband's secret affair with his first love, a woman whose presence threatens to steal not just her husband but her children's affection. When her sons, innocently swayed, yearn for the mistress to be their "new mummy," Caroline is left questioning her worth and role in the family she built. Torn between fighting for her fractured home and reclaiming her dignity, she finds solace in an unexpected place-a man who offers her love without conditions and a chance at happiness she never thought possible. As her heart is pulled in two directions, Caroline must navigate betrayal, loyalty, and the fragile ties that bind family. In a storm of broken promises and stolen love, can she rebuild a life worth living, or will she lose everything she holds dear?
Chapter 1: The Death
I never saw it coming, that was my biggest mistake of my life.
That's what haunts me the most of all, the fact that I remained blind in love while all the signs were there blaring neon lights in front of my face but I refused to see it.
I could remember all the signs vividly that showed me something was wrong- it started with David working later than usual, the secretive phone calls that he always has at odd times of the day and never in my presence, the way he'd pull away from my touch when I reached for him.
But I'd refused to see it, convinced myself it was just a rough day at work, that it had nothing to do in our marriage.
Until I felt the cold sharp end of the knife in my stomach.
It was a Tuesday evening when I was killed in my house. I remember how it happened. I had been standing in the kitchen after making dinner which was already set out on the table cooling, , the twins were upstairs in their room playing video games.
David had texted me that he'd be late again and I shouldn't wait up for him. No surprise there.
The doorbell was pressed alerting me that someone was at the door while I was pouring myself a glass of wine.
I wasn't expecting anyone except if David managed to finish earlier and had returned, I doubted that thought because he had a home key, but I answered anyway.
Jessica was standing on my front porch, smiling that smile of hers like we were best friends and knew each other intimately. I'd only met her a number of times before, if I remembered correctly she was David's "old friend from high school" who'd recently moved back to town.
She was everything I wasn't, young, gorgeous, with a career while I was a mere housewife.
"Caroline! Sorry to drop by without seeking an invite before hand," she said, as she walked inside without waiting for an invitation from me. I closed the door like that and walked in after her as she continued speaking
"I just needed to talk to David about something. Is he home?"
"He's working late," I answered as I held on tight to my wine glass, my only support system now. "Again."
Something was on her face, but it passes away too quickly for me to see it. Was it amusement? Pity? I couldn't tell at all.
"Oh, that's too bad," she said, following me to the kitchen, as I narrowed my eyes but kept quiet.
"I guess I'll just have to talk to you instead."
I should have noticed that something was wrong there. I should have seen how she kept looking around, making sure we were alone. I should have noticed why she was blocking the door preventing anyone from entering and leaving the kitchen.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, turning to look at her after I dropped my glass down on the kitchen counter.
Jessica's smile shifted from something cheery to something cruel and hard as she scoffed loudly.
"You know, Caroline, I've tried to be patient. I really have, more than you know. But this is getting ridiculous."
"What are you talking about?"
"David and I have given you so many chances to just walk away from this marriage," she said, moving closer towards me as she continued shaking her head in pity. "But you keep hanging on to this marriage...this farce, pretending everything's fine when it's not. It's pathetic."
She laughed seeing the genuine shock on my face as I tried to understand what she was talking about.
"Oh my God. You didn't know?" She shook her head in disbelief and happiness as if she was amused by this situation.
"After all this time, you still had no idea?" She said bringing out the knife from her purse.
"David doesn't want you anymore," she said, her voice suddenly sounding very calm and collected as I took a step back out of fear trying to understand what was going on. I looked around but there was nothing that I could use.
. "The boys already love me more. You're just in the way now." She said as I backed up against the counter scared as I tried to reason with her. "Jessica, whatever you think is happening-"
"What's happening is that I'm taking your life," she interrupted me, as she got angry and snapped. "Your husband, your kids, your house. All of it should have been mine from the beginning."
I reached for the phone, but she was faster. The pain was burning as the knife found its mark. I remember gasping, looking down at the spreading red stain on my shirt with disbelief.
"Mom? Who's at the door?"
Ethan's voice was loud enough to be heard from upstairs, sounding so innocent and unaware of what was going on. Jessica's eyes moved to the ceiling, then back to me.
"Tell them everything's fine," she said, pressing the knife harder.
"Everything's fine, honey!" I called out, my voice breaking from pain and fear. "Just talking with Jessica!"
"Is Jessica staying for dinner?" Liam asked loudly this time.
Jessica smiled, as she twisted the knife deeper. "Tell them yes."
"Yes, she's-" I couldn't finish as pain was too much for me as my body seemed to be lagging from pain.
I remember falling, feeling the cold tile against my cheek.
Jessica was standing over me, watching without any guilt on her face as she watched me dying.
"You should thank me," she whispered. "David was going to leave you anyway. At least this way, the boys won't have to deal with shared custody."
I tried to speak, but only blood came out. My last thoughts were of my boys-would they even miss me at all? Or would Jessica simply step into my place, becoming the mother they wanted?
As I was beginning to lose consciousness , I saw someone at the back door. A man's face, familiar somehow, his eyes widening in horror.
The last thing I remember thinking was: I wish I had known. I wish I could go back and save myself.
Then nothing.
Blurb Celeste was married to a Mafia Don, by the name Xenois Kingston on a contract marriage, that would last 6 years. The deal was that Celeste would give him children during that period and after the end of the 6 year contract, he would offer her $100,000,000,000, divorce her and keep the children as his. Celeste, an orphan, abandoned by the orphanage she grew up in at the age of 18 had nothing to lose and agreed to the deal. 6 years later, Celeste is now 24 years and mother to triplets boys; Lake, Troy and Soren. The contract is coming to an end this month and rumors has it that Xenois true love Claudia Hale is returning back to the city after 6 years of absence. Xenois handed her the divorce papers that morning only for him to get into a car accident on the way to the hospital and suffers from amnesia. To Xenois, he's in love with his wife and kids and a very attentive father and husband and is surprised to find out that Celeste planned on divorcing him. He is determined to make his wife fall for him and be a better father to their children. Things seem like a fairytale for Celeste who is desperate to hold on to this illusion after she had fallen for her husband in their third year of their marriage and stayed with an unrequited love. She knows what she's doing is cruel but she wants to enjoy it while it lasts. But Claudia Hale won't rest until she gets rid of the obstacle named Celeste and marries her heartthrob Xenois. Will Xenois recover his memory and better yet, once he does, does Celeste still stand a chance at winning the heart of her husband or would she be accused of having a hand in his amnesia.
Luna has tried her best to make her forced marriage to Xen work for the sake of their child. But with Riley and Sophia- Xen's ex-girlfriend and her son in the picture. She fights a losing battle. Ollie, Xen's son is neglected by his father for a very long time and he is also suffering from a mysterious sickness that's draining his life force. When his last wish to have his dad come to his 5th birthday party is dashed by his failure to show up, Ollie dies in an accident after seeing his father celebrate Riley's birthday with Sophia and it's displayed on the big advertising boards that fill the city. Ollie dies and Luna follows after, unable to bear the grief, dying in her mate's hands cursing him and begging for a second chance to save her son. Luna gets the opportunity and is woken up in the past, exactly one year to the day Sophia and Riley show up. But this time around, Luna is willing to get rid of everyone and anyone even her mate if he steps in her way to save her son.
Damon Shaw was a father of a very brilliant genius 6 year old Ollie Shaw and a doormat for his wife Audrey. Audrey hated her husband and son because they were the reason she could not be with her high school boyfriend David after she accidentally slept with Damon thinking it's David and got pregnant. Six years later David returned with his son Charlie as a single father and Audrey treats them better than her husband. Tired of this, Damon gives his wife two chances to try and make their marriage work. Audrey misuse it and ends up dying in an car accident while trying to stop her husband and son from leaving. As luck would have it, she is taken back to the past two months prior to her demise with a second chance to make things better. Would Audrey be able to change her ways or will it be too late?
BLURB "Was I that bad in bed that you have to leave town the next day without even dropping me a note?" The brunette with the hazel eyes whipped around and yelled right in the middle of his meeting in front of the board directors as the playboy CEO looked up stunned. "What...are you...talking about?" He said as his blue eyes locked on the angry woman who just composed herself and said, "Never mind, I have a wedding to prepare for. Bye" With that word she walked out of the office slamming the door shut and in that moment she had pushed him out of her life and slammed the door shut too. Wealthy Billionaire Jay Harley moves back to Los Angeles after a decade of being away mostly for two reasons; first was to reunite with his classmates at the Decade Reunion Anniversary and the second was to inherit his father's company as the only legitimate son which he was thinking of rejecting, because he wasn't interested in fighting over it with his half brothers. But when he runs into a blue eyed boy at the reunion with chubby cheeks and a killer dollar smile with the lady Amber Swift who he had been crushing on for years, Jay might have found something that will make him rethink his decision.
"Be Mine, And I'll make sure that he pays for all the maltreatment he gave to you." He said, his voice hard as his hand gripped my wrist tight. "He's your Brother!" I whispered furiously scandalized by what I was hearing. "And I hate you." I added glaring at him as he smirked cockily and said in a haunting voice. "But that wasn't what you said when my dick was deep inside you and you were screaming for more. Tell me, does he know....the child in your belly isn't his....but mine." He asked as I pulled my hand away from him. "That's a lie. It's not yours. It's my husband's." I said fear creeping into my voice. "Not anymore. You signed the divorce papers that night, too bad you don't remember it."
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."
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone-including her own mate-she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed-a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous-he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
A twist of fate bound Allison to Derek in marriage-she, a powerful heiress with countless hidden identities; he, the city's most admired man, now lying silent in a coma. For three years, Allison used her unmatched medical skills to heal him, all while quietly falling in love. But when Derek's long-lost love returned from abroad, he handed Allison divorce papers without a second thought. Resolved to stop chasing shadows, Allison signed the papers and turned her back on love-rising to fame as a dazzling force in business, medicine, and more. Only when she stood high above the world did Derek finally see her worth. He knelt before her, eyes brimming with regret. "Will you take me back?" he whispered.
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"