I'm now the 'WHORE OF THE CENTURY'?" Arabella Angelstone had everything in life; beauty, power, and money. But shortly after her cunning, twin sister she'd never met before arrived, her life took a downward spiral. The Envious twin sister hires an assassin to kill her. Barely surviving the encounter, Arabella falls into a coma and awakens to the news her twin had stolen her inheritance. But not only did her sister steal her life, she also married Lucas Alexander, the man she loves. With her life in tatters, she left the country. Five years later, she returns to take back her inheritance and the man she loves from her psychotic twin sister, unexpectedly a car accident leaves her amnesiac! Forced to believe that she's her universally despised sister, Arabella bears all the insults, death threats and beatings, vowing to set things right with everyone she has ever hurt - and the first on her list? Her husband. Lucas Alexander, a business tycoon. Without her memories, Arabella believed she deserved his hatred for cheating on him, for running away with her lover the night of their wedding anniversary. She would do anything to make amends. But what happens when her sinfully gorgeous twin sister's husband falls in love with her?
The cold summer night air caressed my cheeks as though greeting me a grand welcome as I descended the stairs of the plane with my hand securely clutching at the handle of my small suitcase. Bright, glittering lights sparkled right in front of my eyes, reminding me of the night I left the country. It was summer that time too and though five years had passed, I still recalled the events as though it happened just yesterday.
Forcing my thoughts back to the present, I held the knitted cardigan securely into place before my high-heeled stiletto moved across the lobby, right in the middle of skittering passengers.
"Miss Arabella Angelstone?" A man called my name, pulling me into an abrupt stop. Adjusting the rim of my fashionable eyeglass, I looked at him inquiringly. Racing my voice just enough for him to hear, I warily replied, "Yes?"
"I'm from the car rental company." He said, slightly bowing his head in a polite greeting before showing me his company ID. "Your car is waiting in the parking area. I'll lead the way. Please follow me."
I fell into steps beside him.
Upon reaching the car, he handed me the key, then he was gone.
Placing my small suitcase on the car's trunk, I climbed into the driver's seat. The sharp roar of the engine shattered the stillness of the night as I maneuvered the car to the highway.
Moments later, the car smoothly glided under the picturesque star-studded sky.
The city had changed so drastically over the years. I thought to myself, throwing the side of the road a brief glance, finding cramped buildings in a neat line up instead of a long array of healthy trees. Tall and wide digital billboards flickered, their vibrant colors adding life to the night. One particular billboard took my attention by surprise. Automatically, I have to pull the car to the side of the road to calm myself down.
It only took one look at his picture on the towering billboard, and my heart hammered violently inside my rib cage. For a moment, I found myself watching him until the overwhelming emotions were too much to bear and I thought I would burst into tears.
Five years had changed everything and yet the man who makes my pulse jitter and my knees buckle remained the same.
Lucas Nicholas Alexander aged well. The years had been so good to him. He's a man now, not the boy who had my first kiss when I was eighteen. As I continue to look at him, I think of what he has which others didn't have, that I can't seem to replace him in my heart. The answers were right in front of my eyes now. No one had ever made me feel alive the way Lucas Nicholas Alexander did. Though countless men had expressed their love and devotion over the years, my heart never opened to anyone. It remained faithful to one man who never knew Arabella Angelstone existed.
Wiping the tears at the edge of my eyes, I pulled myself together and drove away. Summoning all the strength I could muster, I looked away and maneuvered the car on the road. But instead of making a beeline straight for the Hotel I'm staying at, I turned left when I reached the intersection and found my car traversing the way to where the biggest church in the city was located.
Here is when it all began, I thought to myself as I pulled the car into a stop and lifted my gaze upon the colossal white church.
I could still remember the echoes of wedding bells and the glorious sound of the orchestra. I could still imagine in clear, vivid detail as the large mahogany door flinging open, light bursting inside the church, and an ethereal beauty stepping inside with slow, graceful movements of a Queen.
I could still recall how the bride looked. She was a tall, slender woman with exquisite red copper hair and soft amber eyes that looked as if they're glowing against the light. She was so beautiful and she is my twin.
At that moment, I realized what betrayal feels like. Betrayal that wounded not only my heart but also carved a deep scar on my soul as well.
Lucas Nicholas Alexander promised to marry me. But he broke that promise by marrying my twin instead of me.
My stupid self remained seated on the pew, watching the holy matrimony unfold in front of the altar. Only the scarf covering my hair and half of my face conceal the indescribable pain showing in my expression.
Then the priest spoke. "Now that you both have committed yourselves to one another and to your Holy Union through the sacred vows that you have taken and by the giving and receiving of these rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
"Those whom God has joined may, he generously bless forever."
"You may now kiss the bride. "
The groom claimed the bride's lips and my world came crashing on my feet.
The memories were cut short by the sound of a wretched sob tearing from my lips. I let the tears flow freely to ease the grief I kept hidden within me for five years. The years didn't dull the pain. Instead, it intensified. I poured the pain out, knowing after this I will never allow myself to be weak and cry again.
I cried and cried until the tears wouldn't come out of my eyes anymore. Somehow, after pouring my heart out, my chest felt much lighter and better.
Exhaustion draped over my shoulders, making me hold on tight on the steering wheel for support. My back leaned on the leather backseat as I let my eyes flutter close to let it rest for a while.
I hadn't been in that position for long when a knock sounded on the window. Startled out of my wits, my eyes fluttered open. A glimmer of light reflecting into something smooth caught my eyes.
A horrified gasp escaped from my lips as the man pressed something hard and metallic to my neck.
"Do just what I say. Open the door and get out of the car. Now." He had spoken the words calmly, but I knew better. He wouldn't think twice of using the weapon against me.
Terrified for my life and gasping for air, I did what he said. Obediently unlocking the door, I emerged from the driver's seat.
The silvery moonlight illuminated his face, revealing the familiar face of a man. If it weren't for his eyes-the shade of warm honey-I wouldn't recognize him.
"Did you miss me?" He whispered sweetly, sending chills down my spine.
“You're simply my wife on paper. You may indulge in my wealth, take pleasure in my body, but my heart will never truly be yours.” — Emerald Smith has come to the difficult decision to end her two-year arranged marriage, realizing that no matter how hard she tries to earn his affection, her husband Liam Westmore will never feel the same way for her. However, she was devastated when Liam quickly settled in with Victoria Quinn, his best friend's ex-wife, in their shared home just a week after she had moved out. Now, as a heiress at the helm of a prestigious designer jewelry empire, Emerald returns to Ashford City after disappearing for three years. Her ex-husband appears at her doorstep saying, "I want you back," while wielding concrete evidence that they were never legally divorced.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."