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"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?
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!"
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
"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."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.