After running away from home seven years ago to escape a loveless arranged marriage, Karina Wilder has finally mastered up the courage to be back in her small town of Ruthwell in Washington DC. She's ready for a second chance with her parents and the people who used to be her friends back in High School and most of all, she's ready to tell her parents that she's about to become a bride. But the small town hasn't changed as much in the past seven years and no one seems to have forgotten her betrayal or seem anywhere near ready to forgive her for her past mistakes. Everywhere she goes, she's met with hostility and anger and it's thinning out her chances of redemption ever second. Now, how does she tell her parents and her friends that not only has she moved on in her life, further than anyone had ever anticipated, but she's happy and successful in what she does? Most of all, how does she tell everyone that she isn't marrying a man, but the woman of her dreams?
"Hey, babe!" Gabriella's cheerful tone was the only thing keeping me from turning my car around and heading back the way I came. "I know you're immensely stressed right now, and I wish I could be there with you to take the blow, share some of your pain, but you know I can't. It's going to make matters worse and you've done enough running away already. Just be careful, baby. And promise to call me at least ten times every day! I love you! And you know I'm always with you. Bye."
I removed the phone from my ears and stared at the screen for a good five minutes. Gabby's smiling face stared back at me. Her dark hair was blowing back from her diamond shaped face in the wind, highlighting a thousand shades of blue and her electric blue eyes were filled with joy and laughter. Her smile was contagious; it made the corner of my lips tilt upwards. But then my eyes shifted to the two storied Victorian styled house looming in the background of my phone, and my smile faltered.
This was a mistake. A huge, big, fat, fucking mistake. I was so glad to have left all this behind me when I ran but now I'm back again in dreaded Ruthwell and I have no idea what I should say or do to make everything better again. What could I possibly do to make this better?
Was there anything left to redeem? And why should I be the one feeling miserable and haunted when none of this had been my fault to begin with?
Dear God! It really has been seven years hasn't it? Seven years since I'd felt my brothers affectionate embrace; seven years since my mother had served me her delicious home cooked meals and seven years since my father had given me an affectionate pat on the head for achieving something for myself and making the family proud.
But...has it really been just seven years?
The last time my brother had given me a hug had been when he had been going off to college twelve years ago. The last time my mom even remembered to cook me my favourite meal was on my sixteenth birthday when all of my friends from school were coming over to celebrate. And the last time my dad had given me an affectionate pat on the back was when I was in sixth grade and had won the inter-school dance competition and the prize money worth five hundred dollars.
My brother had always been the gem of the family while I'd been the unwanted offspring, the disappointment and a surprise child they never wanted. Which was why my dad hadn't even thought twice before setting up an arranged marriage between me and his best friend's son, without even bothering to ask me first if I wanted to get married at eighteen. Or even get married at all?
I would never forget the day that he decided to tell me his decision; it's forever etched into my mind. Because he hadn't asked...he had just decided...just went ahead and made the biggest decision of my life for me.
He wouldn't listen to my pleas, nor did he even want to consider sending me to the New York Dance Academy first and develop a career before my wedding. I'd won a scholarship at an inter-state dance competition and I had been so excited to tell my parents that I'd finally made my dream come true, but instead I'd gotten the biggest shock of my life.
After that I had been forbidden to go outside of my house, even to dance classes; my father had thought that my dance teacher was putting ideas in my head. He's always been one of those firm conservative men who believe that a woman's place was in the kitchen and on her husband's bed.
The next few days before the wedding, I had tried my hardest to convince him to send me to New York. I had promised to return all the money he had spent on my education and dance lessons if he did so, but he had refused all logic and reason. I was to be wed in a week and that was his final verdict.
Neither my mother, nor my brother had been of any help. My brother had straight out refused to talk to me and my mother had bowed her head and agreed to everything my dad had to say. It was on my wedding day that I'd finally decided that enough was enough and I'd taken matters into my own hands. I couldn't stand being underestimated and treated like an object any longer.
Being married off would mean the end of my dance career and that felt like dying a thousand painful deaths before death actually came for me.
So I'd run away from home, taking whatever money that I'd made from the dance competitions that I'd participated in so far and made it to the bus station without getting caught. From there I'd called Miss Lydia Stonewall, my dance teacher, and she had arranged for me to go to New York and fulfil my dream by not only providing me monetary support, but mental support as well. It was easy to say that she had been the one to change my life completely.
But that had been seven years ago. Now, I was finally back in town, thanks to Gabby's persuasion; sitting in the driver's seat of the car that I'd rented from the hotel and debating whether or not I should go say 'hi' to my parents.
If only things were that easy. Ruthwell was the least forgiving town I've ever known and I highly doubt anyone was going to be as accepting of me as Gabby's parents had been.
'None of it was your fault, you know that and so do I. But from what you've told me of your hometown, they're going to be very hard on you.' Gabby had warned me.
'Then why are you forcing me to go back there? You know I hate that place!' I'd shouted, not understanding why she was doing this. We'd had a big argument that night but Gabby, not for the first time, had been my voice of reason.
'Because I know you miss them, Kiki.' She'd spoken calmly, without raising her voice for one single second. 'And don't you dare try to deny it. My parents love you, sometimes even more than they love me, but they're not the people who gave birth to you. It's unconditional love, Kyra. Make amends with them. You haven't spoken to them for seven years now. You've changed so much and so have they. Show them how much you've grown; show them how much you've achieved! Make them see you.'
And I'd ended up listening to her just like I did every time. And that's how I ended up here...in front of the house that I was born in, in the same town that I had never thought about returning to in the last seven years.
I sighed for the millionth time and rubbed at my eyes. I hadn't been able to sleep properly for the past week just thinking about how I would face my parents. I had stayed up all night while Gabby had slept peacefully next to me. At least she was a good pretender.
I knew she'd been awake too, worrying about me, but she still hadn't made me take back the promise I'd made to her about seeing my parents before our wedding. So I'd packed in silence, kissed her goodbye as she pretended to sleep and left our apartment as quietly as possible as the sun rose in the horizon.
Gathering all the courage that I could master at the moment, I got out of the car and locked it behind me. The cool autumn breeze ruffled my blonde hair back from my face and I pulled my jacket tighter around my body to keep me warm. My hands and legs were freezing by now, not so much from the cold as it was from nervousness and I rubbed my hands together as I forced my legs to move towards my house.
The white picket fence was spotless as I crossed the threshold and my dad's old Mustang was still shining bright red through the open garage door. Nothing seems to have changed at all, this place looked frozen in time. And that's how I was expecting the people inside the house to be as well.
Well...at least I was trying. At least I was trying to be the better person.
I climbed up the couple stairs to the patio and rapped my knuckles three times on the wooden door. I remembered my mother always liked it when people did that, knock instead of ring the bell, but I never really knew the reason why. But maybe...now that I was here, I could ask her about it. Ask her all the things that I had missed out on all these years.
It wasn't long before I heard her soft footfalls from the other side of the door. It wasn't long before I heard her soft, melodic voice muffled through the mahogany wood.
"Coming!"
A wave of nostalgia hit me as I felt my stomach churn with nerves. This was it. I was finally going to see my parents, my brother, after seven whole years!
How many times had I stood in this same spot, knocking on my door as I'd come back from school? How many nights had I sat on the patio stairs with my best friend and gazed at the stars in the sky? How many nights had my mother sat on these same stairs as she watched me and my friends run amuck in the gardens as she smiled her sweet smile?
It was all coming back to me now. The emotions were so overwhelming that I felt my eyes cloud with tears and then, before I could even prepare myself-
"Who is i-"
My mother stood facing me, the door partially open and a rapidly fading smile on her face as soon as she saw me.
Her hair was shorter now, just below her ears and she looked older that I could remember her. She was also a foot shorter than me in heels and her face had several wrinkles and fine lines that hadn't been there before.
She'd ages, gotten older while I was away. And I had missed all that. I'd missed her so much!
"Mom!" I chocked out and raised my arms to embrace her-
SLAM!
Kai Hunter is H University’s biggest player and heartbreaker. Known for his good looks and for being one of the brightest students on campus, he is one of the most eligible bachelors that everyone wants to ‘tame’. However, everything changes when freshman Night Winters becomes his new dorm mate. Kai is instantly attracted to the hot, young freshman who he had caught having a one-night stand at a bar and hasn’t been able to get out of his mind ever since. Night is openly gay, but Kai has been into girls his whole life…or so he thought. Can he let go of his pride and accept Night for who he is? Or will Night forever be forced to be just his dirty little secret, under the sheets, inside the closed doors to their dorm? However, Night is hiding secrets that can break the fragile foundation of their relationship at any time, and if Kai waits any longer…he just might end up losing the only person precious to him.
Kimhan, Kim, needs to produce an heir in order to rule over the empire that his father built from scratch, but since he can’t change what’s in his heart, he will need to change ways to produce an heir. So the only option left is to ask his best friend, Kanya, to become his surrogate. She’s the only one who had always understood him and accepted him for who he was. However, when Kanya’s younger brother Kit decides to follow her to the mafia household for her protection, Kim is instantly drawn to the boy at first sight. From the moment both of them laid eyes on each other, it’s the beginning of their endgame. But being a part of the criminal world is full of dangers. Is Kim willing to let Kit enter his world despite the fear that he could lose his life at any moment? Or will he let go of the only ray of light he has left in his dark, dark world.
Mikalya Carnell, a woman born into a cursed pack where women are nothing but birthing machines. The first female alpha in the world. But to become the Alpha, she had to commit a crime that haunts her an eternity later. Now she a lone wolf, a rogue that has no place but the one she made on her own and she’s happy being left alone. But an Alpha can’t stay alone forever without forming a pack and inevitably, she begins drawing wolves to her. Abhay Raichand is a photographer who meets this mysterious woman in the deserts of Rajasthan, who looks like a foreigner and is instantly drawn to her. But whenever he is around her, he feel the chill of the mountains and a reoccurring dream of his impending death. However, despite the sense of danger, he cannot help but continue to fall in love with her. Will Mikalya finally settle down and let Abhay into her life? And will Abhay be able to convince her that she was chosen as the Alpha for a reason?
Miaka Von Speltsper, the myth, the legend and the daughter of two Gods. Miaka, the Demon King and the head of the Dark Council is the most powerful demon ever known to mankind, but she has a secret. She’s a hybrid. And the world she lives in has hunted down and eliminated every single hybrid in all the dimensions. But now…someone knows her secret, someone who has the power to destroy her. However, the world is changing and one of those changes is Kaleb Takeshi, the man with extraordinary eyes who has stolen Miaka’s heart with just one glance. But there is something about Kaleb that Miaka can sense but can’t describe. And not only is he human, he’s an enemy who has decided to give his loyalty to her. In this world of lies, deceit and betrayal; can Miaka trust her heart or will she have to choose century’s old traditions to stay alive? Because if she dies, it will truly be the end of the world.
No one can escape the Moon Goddesses wrath…and Clay and Flora had been no exception. Torn apart and their memories completely erased, Clay and Flora are now living separate lives, completely unaware of each other. But things have changed drastically. Clay is no longer the Alpha apparent to the ReedStone pack, but a Rogue Alpha, while Flora is at Lindersay, working as a healer and a worshipper of the Moon Goddess. But even though fate isn’t on their side, destiny has tied them together forever as they meet once again, but this time as enemies. Will Clay and Flora be able to go back to the way they were and fall in love all over again? Or will the power of the Moon Goddess prevail over their undying love?
Sia Milton is in desperate need of a bodyguard. Once she was no better than a slave, sold to an older man by her father to do as he pleased, but after she had her freedom, she had promised her son to always protect him. But when the threat returns, she has no choice but to turn to Julian Turner. Julian is a proud playboy with a disastrous reputation that might very well lead to the end of his career. Rightfully nicknamed Hades, he's a devil of a bodyguard and an even bigger devil in bed. But he now had one chance to redeem himself or say goodbye to his inheritance. Imagining an easy job, he accepts to help Sia, only to be smitten by her the very instant he lays eyes on her. But with danger lurking at every corner, will Julian and Sia be able to realize their love for each other before it is too late? Or will danger strike before they have a chance to be together?
For seven years, Claudia allowed herself to live under Eddie's shadow. She thought that devoting herself to him would eventually win his heart, but it turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking on her part. When they finally cut ties, Claudia did not argue or ask for any compensation. Instead, she chose her peace and left without looking back. She never imagined that Eddie would suddenly appear on her wedding day, furious and wild-eyed. He glared at her groom and declared, "I was here first!"
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."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."