Katelyn endured a marriage of cold stares and crushing silence. Ethan despised her, yet she convinced herself that if she loved him enough, he'd love her back. But everything changed the day an accident struck. She nearly lost her life, and their son was in danger-yet Ethan stayed by another woman's side. That was the final blow. Shattered but resolute, Katelyn drafted the divorce papers, relinquished custody, and walked away with her head held high. She cut ties with Ethan and threw herself into her career, rising from the ashes to build a billion-dollar empire. Just as Katelyn begins to reclaim her life, Cayden enters-a man almost too perfect to be real. His warmth is intoxicating, his charm disarming. He makes her feel again, something she vowed never to do. But is his kindness genuine, or is there something darker beneath that perfect smile? Caught between a painful past and an uncertain future, Katelyn must decide: will she give her regretful ex-husband a second chance or risk everything for a man shrouded in mystery?
Katelyn's POV
I arrived at the airport to pick up my older brother, Derek. Last night, I called him to tell him about our mother's death. He had been working abroad and booked the earliest flight back. Now, as I stood near the arrival gate, arms crossed, I scanned the crowd.
Derek's flight had just landed when I spotted him in the crowd. His shirt was half-tucked, half-untucked-a far cry from his usual neat appearance. He always had everything under control, always well dressed and composed.
But now, he looked different-frazzled. Mother's news must have had completely thrown him off balance. He walked quickly, his suitcase swinging at his side, with worry clear on his face.
We locked eyes. There was no relief, no comfort. Just obligation.
"Derek," I said.
"Katelyn," he replied.
That was it. No embrace. No condolences. Just our names, exchanged like strangers making an acquaintance. No one would believe if I told them that this is how two siblings, meeting after years, greet.
Without another word, I turned and led the way to the car. He followed. The moment we stepped outside, the cold air pressed against my skin, yet I felt nothing. The wind howled around us, but inside, I was empty.
Derek broke the silence as soon as we reached the car. "Why weren't you with my mother?"
I didn't react, only unlocking the car doors. He threw his suitcase in the trunk and got in.
"She was fine last time I saw her," he continued, voice tight. "She was in good health. And now she's gone? Just like that?"
I sighed and started the car. "She was robbed on her way home. The thief stabbed her. Once in the lungs, once in the abdomen. She died before she reached the hospital."
A heavy silence followed. I kept my eyes on the road. The weight of his stare pressed against me, but I refused to meet it.
Derek exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "How did this even happen?"
I gripped the wheel tighter. "It happened. That's all."
"You should have been there," he snapped.
I clenched my jaw. "I had to pick up my son from school, Derek. I have responsibilities."
"She was dying, Katelyn."
"And where were you?" I shot back, my voice flat. "Abroad. Working."
Silence.
I pressed my foot on the accelerator, watching as the city lights flickered past us in the dark.
"And Scarlett? I have no idea where she is," I said, my voice flat. "We haven't spoken in years. And Dad? He's hopeless. He spent his whole life just following Mom's lead. Every decision he ever made was hers. Now that she's gone, he's completely lost. He can't decide a thing on his own."
Derek rubbed his temples. "I just can't believe it."
I didn't reply. Derek was always Mom's favorite, and he loved her deeply. They shared a bond I never had with her. But deep down, I mourned her death too. I hadn't cried yet-maybe because I couldn't bring myself to do it in front of my family.
When I heard the news, Mom's face flashed in front of me. She didn't like me much, but a mother is still a mother. We were a family, no matter how distant we had grown. Sometimes, you feel things you never thought you would.
I wasn't close to her, but even I wished she had lived longer. No one should die far away from their family.
The journey was quiet, as we were lost in our thoughts. Derek grieved sometimes, I wished to comfort him, but just couldn't do it.
The only sound was the hum of the engine. The streets stretched endlessly ahead, and yet I felt no sense of direction.
"This is too much for me to handle. I'll stay at Dad's for a few days," Derek said finally.
I nodded. "He's at the old house."
Derek spoke again, softer this time. "I just hope he stays strong through this."
I didn't look at him. "He will. You're here now."
"Have you been working anywhere lately?" he asked, watching me.
I glanced at him briefly. "No."
Derek paused, then continued, "So, everything's still the same. How's... your relationship with Ethan..."
"We'll be at Dad's soon," I cut him off before he could finish. It was enough to stop any more questions about Ethan.
The rest of the drive passed in silence. Neither of us spoke. And, I again drifted back to the turmoil inside me about my family. The constant push and pull against the sentiments and the way I had been treated by them.
Mom had always adored Derek. Dad had always preferred Scarlett. And me? I had been the forgotten one, the extra piece in a family that never needed me. No matter how much I tried, I was never enough.
The memories came flooding back. The whispers, the accusations, the blame. How they turned their backs on me. How I learned to stop expecting anything from them.
Derek could blame me all he wanted, but he had never been there either. He had always been the golden child, the one who could do no wrong. He never had to fight for their love. He never had to hear them sigh in disappointment when he walked into the room.
As we passed familiar streets, I thought about what awaited us. The funeral. The mourning. The forced condolences from people who never really cared. And Scarlett. She would have to come back.
That thought settled in my mind, heavy and unshakable.
Scarlett would come back.
The sister I hadn't seen in ten years.
And now, she was coming back.
The woman my husband had loved for ten years was coming back.
When Harland discovers that Bailey is not his daughter, she is abandoned. When Harland learns that her poor father is the king of the werewolf kingdom, who rules over all the werewolves, Harland is filled with remorse and demands $50 million in compensation. She uses her powers to mercilessly expose the Harland family's ugly face. The man who abandoned her returns to haunt her, but she rejects him outright. Chole, who bullied her, now begs, "I'll do anything you want to save us." Alpha King doted on Bailey. She drives the luxury cars she chooses and runs the family business. In addition, the powerful Stephano is also courting her. It was later revealed that Bailey was an incredibly gifted werewolf. She was skilled in healing and spells, and was deservedly strong.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
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.
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
A man like Travis Sinclair wants nothing more than a woman who matches his sexual prowess and is used to getting everything he wants. A cold-hearted billionaire ,he lives by one rule - no love, no commitment. Ayanna Davies isn't looking for a relationship. She's focused on her work and the financial security it brings. As a high end escort, her client is full of filthy rich men who are willing to pay handsomely for her services. But when Travis Sinclair becomes one of her clients, she begins twice about mixing work with pleasure. Not knowing that he is an old acquaintance whom she despises.
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?"