"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.
Emerald's husband of two years, Liam Westmore had completely forgotten their second wedding anniversary, making her doe eyes welled up with frustrated tears.
She had meticulously fitted her slim figure in a velvet sapphire dress and styled her rich brown hair into an intricate chignon at the bottom of her nape, all in an effort to present herself at her absolute best. Yet, the man she had exerted so much effort to impress barely glanced at her.
Even the panoramic window, framing the bustling nightlife of Ashtone City like a work of art, couldn't lift her spirits.
Nonetheless, she couldn't let the hurt consume her entirely. She needed to confront her husband. Nervously smoothening the wrinkles from her dress, she turned to him.
"Liam, do you remember what today is?"
His piercing blue eyes lifted, locking with hers for a moment before they flitted away to something else.
"Uh, Sunday?" He replied with a nonchalant shrug.
The reply felt as sharp and unforgiving as an iceberg, crashing into her with brutal force, causing her heart to shatter in between like the Titanic sinking beneath the waves.
She had hoped for a second he would remember but he was completely clueless. This wasn't the first time he had forgotten something important, but on their anniversary, it stung even more.
"No... It's our second wedding anniversary..."
A moment of understanding lit up his handsome face before it vanished, giving way to a vacant look.
"Sorry. I've been so busy with work and stuff, it slipped my mind."
Sorry? She had heard those words too many times before, and each excuse had chipped away at her fragile hopes for him to change, even care for her.
She had always been the one to forgive, to mend the broken pieces in their relationship, but tonight something had shifted within her. The years of neglect and emotional distance had finally taken their toll.
Anger welled up inside her, ready to burst forth and disrupt the fragile peace she had struggled to maintain
"I have given you numerous chances, Liam. I have remained loyal to you, stood by your side, and made efforts to be a devoted wife. But - but why!" She choked on her words. "Why have you persistently treated me like an outsider?"
She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. She was determined not to let her husband take pleasure in witnessing her vulnerability.
However, beneath the surface, she secretly longed for him to recognize the immense pain he had caused, hoping that it might soften his stone-cold heart.
"Please stop acting like an emotionally battered wife. You're well aware that I had no love for you before we tied the knot. Mother's illness is what compelled me to marry you."
"Do you think I wanted this either?" I am trapped in a family marriage tradition, and marrying you was the only way to prevent my adoptive father from disowning me!"
"Liam, all I'm asking for is to be treated as your wife, to be shown respect, and for you to remember our anniversary. Is that too much to ask?"
Liam's sharp gaze pierced her.
Fists curled into tight fists, she fought his gaze back with equal ferocity.
"I refuse to pretend that everything is fine when it's clearly not. If you're willing to pretend that our marriage is happy, that's your choice, but I will not partake in that charade."
"So, that's why you're seeing someone else behind my back?" The words slipped out of her mouth before she could even register them.
She couldn't ignore the evidence that had been piling up - the lipstick stains on his shirt collar and the lingering scent of a woman's perfume on his skin each time he went home. All signs pointed towards him having a mistress, and it was tearing her apart inside.
He didn't even look surprised nor did he make an effort to deny it.
"So what?"
His words felt like a slap to her face, stinging her already broken heart. She was his wife. How could he treat her like this?
The anger she felt overshadowed the pain.
"So what?" she heaved. "Are you seriously asking me that? You've been cheating on me, and you have the audacity to act like it's no big deal?"
"I had made it clear to you before we got married that I will marry you but I will never be faithful," Liam clenched his jaw, "I thought you understood and accepted that."
"I can't believe you!" her lips trembled. "I gave you everything, and yet I'm still nothing for you?"
"You can give your heart, body and soul but you'll never be good enough for me, and you never will be, Emerald."
"Why? Is it because of Victoria?"
Liam's expression became taut at the mention of his ex-lover's name. Swiftly rising from his chair, he leaned in with a threatening whisper, "Don't bring her into this."
"Am I right?" She stood up from her chair, displaying no hint of fear, her chin jutting forward. "She's the reason why, despite marrying me, you never truly loved me all these years.
"I thought we had something going on, something worth battling for, at the very least yet how wrong I was."
Liam let out a cold laugh.
"You were simply a wife of convenience on paper. You may indulge with my wealth, take pleasure in my body, but my heart will never truly be yours."
His words pierced through her like a blade, hitching breath in her throat.
She had given her heart and soul to this man, believing one day he'll learn to love her a little. But now, his cruel words shattered any trace of hope she had left.
"How could you be so heartless, Liam? I deserved to be treated better than this!"
"Deserved?" He spat. "You don't even come close to deserving anything, Emerald. You were nothing but naive to believe that I could ever harbor any hint of love towards someone so utterly beneath me. It's your fault that my lover married my best friend-not me!"
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 day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
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?"
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"