A night to remember, of drifting snow, and raging feelings. Nora would never forget it. The soft-touch of Murphy's hand as he proposed to her. "Will you be my girlfriend?" That soft voice would still tickle her today. But fate had other plans. Three years later, Nora is a single mother and worked as Murphy's assistant, who has lost his memories in a car accident. With no recollection of his past, or her, life was going to be hard.
An advertisement was playing on the high-speed train. A handsome man flashed into the screen from time to time.
"Woah! He's so handsome." "Murphy!" "He's the male star who just got a ticket to Hollywood." "My friend met him before. She said that he was so handsome and sweet!"
In a trance-like state, Nora Su lowered her head and tried her best not to listen to their ongoing chatter. However, she couldn't help but feel heavy inside. Although her heart ached at the sound of his name, she knew that she had absolutely nothing to do with him – at least, not anymore.
The little boy in her arms began to cry, as if hearing the sorrow of her heart. He was just about two to three years old with dark eyes and long eyelashes. He was a pitiful sight.
Nora Su patted the boy on his thigh, coaxing him to quiet down. He later followed suit.
She closed her eyes, feeling her head pounding more deliberately. It was because of the cold. She could already feel her eyes drooping, but she forced herself to stay awake, worried about the baby in her arms.
After a while, Nora Su let her mind wander to what had happened two years ago.
In the four years when they were together, he would always buy her breakfast in cold winter mornings and wait for her downstairs in her dormitory building. He would stay up all night to study with her when she failed her exams. He would accompany her to the activities she liked to participate in, even if he had no interest in them. And if she was jealous, he would do his best to put an end to those gossips and assure her that he was hers.
She would never forget the night on the rooftop. In a night of drifting snow, he held her hand and asked, "Nora, I've always wanted to be with you. Would you be my girlfriend?"
That night, she felt like a princess who finally found her prince. At that time, they thought it was them against the world.
"The train is about to reach Beijing. Please get ready." The steward's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Nora Su rubbed her eyes sleepily, shaking her head.
'Time had really changed us. Fortunately, even if I'm still struggling here, you're turning brighter and brighter. It's better like this... It's better that we forget about each other.'
Outside the window, it felt as if she was in another world covered in snow. Although it was still October, the city had experienced few bouts of snow along the month.
As soon as she got off the train, a gust of wind blew on her face. She helped the child in her arms close his jacket before zipping up her own.
Nora Su quickly found the nearest bank and grabbed the only card in her wallet. She inserted it into the ATM. Staring at the miserable number on the screen, she couldn't help but sigh.
A chill rushed up her chest. She covered her mouth and coughed a few times.
"Ring!" Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and didn't answer.
When her phone rang again, she sighed and answered the phone.
"Nora, what are you doing? Why the hell didn't you tell me you're going to Beijing?" A woman's voice came from the other end of the line. It was her best friend, Grace Gao.
"I didn't want to bother you," Nora said bitterly.
There was a moment of silence before her friend answered helplessly,
"Look, even if you don't care about yourself, won't you think about Hugh? It's so cold outside. Are you going to make him suffer with you? Don't let your pride get to you!"
Nora squatted down and held Hugh's frozen face. She sighed. "Where do you live, Grace? I'll give you a visit."
Grace Gao immediately hung up. Within half a minute, she sent Nora her address.
Nora smiled, but she still felt bitter in her heart. Sometimes, she felt like a porcupine. Although she felt lonely, when someone would try to get close to her, her needles would start poking out.
However, her needles didn't protect her from the danger two years ago. Instead, those who did care about her had all suffered from her needles the most.
No matter Murphy Jiang, Grace Gao or her mother, they had done nothing wrong. They just felt sad and worried about her. She couldn't afford that, not anymore.
Even as her life had gotten wretched over the years, she had never bore any ill will against others. After everything she had gotten, God must've thought it was fair to give her hardships in exchange for her extravagance.
She had always hated herself. There were times when she wanted to leave the world countless of times, but she always backed out of it. Hugh Su was still so young. What would he be without his mother?
"Mom, I'm cold," he called out softly.
She gently ruffled his hair. "We'll see your godmother in a moment."
What Grace Gao said was right. She should cheer up for Hugh Su. She came to Beijing to escape from reality, but it was only then did she realize that she had to live a better life.
For Hugh Su and the people who cared about her.
Grace Gao didn't do well in Beijing. Although she was three years older than Nora, she was still single. She had become a supervisor in a small company, but it didn't pay much.
It was her dream to buy a suite in the capital, but reality didn't allow her to do so. Beijing had exhausted her. That was why Nora didn't want to ask for her help.
In a dark and damp rental basement, Grace Gao helped Nora with her luggage. "I'll move to a new place in a few days. I live here since it's near the company. You could let Hugh stay here for a few days."
Hearing that, Nora felt a lump in her throat. She bowed her head.
"Grace, thank you so much."
Grace Gao rolled her eyes. "Please, as if we aren't best friends! You're being too polite!" she snapped.
Nora plastered a smile on her face and hugged the woman in front of her.
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?
Due to her father's untimely death, Elara Harrington, 24, was named CEO of Harrington Industries. She had no idea that the business was experiencing financial problems, which led to Ashford Industries, her rival, acquiring Harrington Industries. Sebastian Ashford, the CEO of Ashford Industries a 26-year-old playboy billionaire, is a self-centered, wicked person who believes that everything revolves around him. He is left to clean up Harrington Industries' mess and baggage after his company acquired the corporation. Elara used to be the CEO of her own company, but now she is a secretary to the most selfish and egotistical billionaire. Elara eventually starts to see the true him as they become closer and barriers fall away. Will she be able to get past the billionaire's secret once his dark secret is revealed, or will the damage be too great to undo? *18+ *Includes mature content, slightly graphic scenes, and cursing*
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Vanessa was about to get engaged when she discovered that her groom-to-be was cheating on her with her own sister. Instead of creating a scene, she went to the club and hired the most desirable gigolo she found. After a wild night of passion, she gave him a generous check. "Thanks. I may require your services in the future." The gigolo was mad at her for being heartless, but Vanessa dismissed his words as an attempt to get her attention. It was only later, when she had to seek out the renowned Mr. Fuller to help with her business, that she realized the man she had slept with was no gigolo at all.
Ashley Richard has been in love with Zion Thompson since childhood. Their parents agreed to an arranged marriage between them. Ashley was quick to accept it as it has been her long time dream. However, Zion was against it. He has grown and wanted someone else. Ashley did everything she could to be the perfect wife. Even putting her ambition of becoming a doctor. After three years of trying, what she got In returned was a divorce papers from her husband. Saying he wants her out of his life. Years passed and Ashley became the doctor she has always wanted to be. One day, she came across a strange patient, who happened to be her ex-husband. "Doctor Ash, I need your expertise." "What is wrong with you, Mr Thompson?" She asked. His eyes grew soft as he spoke. "My heart is broken and only you can mend it." "You see, Mr Thompson. I am a doctor, not a love expert. I can only treat your bear when it is failing. I cannot mend it with desire."