Sohla Kim has everything you could want in life. Born rich and smart, to a family that has status, money, and power, while dominating the investment world. A pre-set betrothment to her childhood best friend, Jyeon Park. The handsome, equally wealthy, and smart, future heir of OLO, their joint family company. An unbreakable bond between two families, a future that looks bright and rosy. Only the perfect picture is only that, and ten years on, alone, holding her head above water, in a loveless marriage laced with tragedy, her entire world is turned upside down. Everything she thought she had and knew comes crashing down one fateful night. New waters, new faces, and a denial of the past will bring her back full circle to really question everything she was born for. Was it always about money? Was she always a tool to elevate Jyeon to higher levels? Did none of them really love her?
"Jyeon, take her hand." Jyeon's mother picks up his hand by the wrist and forces it into mine, stopping me from venturing into the open doorway of the ballroom where she's standing guard for our arrival. I squirm, hating that we are always forced to interact this way, pushed together, and made to act like young sweethearts. My face flushes with heat and I chew on my inner lip.
"Yes, mother." Jyeon does as he's told, his blank tone and non-reaction, sliding my tiny hand into his and holds it loosely. His obvious coldness in his manner, like always, since we got into our young teen years, and my heart sinks. His skin contact and warmth don't remove the chill from the air between us and I look away from him, gazing at my feet in downhearted depression. I cannot remember the last time he looked upon me affectionately or gave me any kind of kindness even though I've known him since I was born.
"Sohla, lift your chin, smile. You two look beautiful together, as always." She chirps at us, tweaking his bow tie and smoothing his lapels before turning to me and fixing a strand of my hair.
"Yes, mother." I do as I'm told, lifting my face up to meet Jyeon's mother's eyes on mine. Calling her the title she prefers, given one day I will be her daughter in law. I try to correct my posture and stand tall because I know she hates my slouching. She's stern as a mother figure and doesn't tolerate slackness.
"Where's your brother, Jyeon?" She turns back to him, irritation in her tone evident and then glances over us at the hallway that's filling with guests arriving.
"Following. He'll be here shortly." Jyeon doesn't move, just awaits her approval before we get set free to join the others inside.
"That boy. You need to get him in hand. You're older and should be showing him how to behave."
"Yes, mother." Jyeon answers robotically, knowing fine well his brother is not a handful at all and his lateness will definitely not be his fault. He's a sweet and caring boy who looks after me continuously, even though he's a year younger. I miss him right now, standing here with this awkward tension.
"Okay, go inside. Remember to keep Sohla on your arm. All eyes are on our future heirs. Enjoy your birthday." She leans in and air kisses him and then finally let's us move past her. My body sagging slightly with relief, and I catch Jyeon giving me side eye.
"I hate that dress."
It's all he says to me. Looking down at the overly childish, sequin dress his mother bought for me and although I agree, it wounds me to the core. My heart aches and I swallow a knot that forms in my throat, nodding his way without showing him that his words always hurt me. He leads me into the crowded room with reluctance and our appearance causes minor reaction from the guests.
Some rush forward to say hello, some smile and raise glasses, but the whole affair is completely fake. I grin and bear it and play the part of young rich daughter of the Kim family, knowing my place well.
"The big sixteen.... Your parents are really going all out for this one." Bryant, Jyeon's best friend slides between us from behind, shoving me aside while unlatching our hands. "Don't worry, I'll save you both from forced romantics. Your parents really like to shove it in everyone's faces that the Parks and the Kims will be continuing their joint supremacy by marrying off their kids to keep their corporation undented."
"Please tell me there's an escape route." Jyeon relaxes his stiff posture, loosening up his naturally wide shoulders and quickly darts a glance around for his father or other watchful eyes. I find myself drawn to watching his mannerisms, that over the past year or so have changed from awkward child into more of a bro type of demeanour. He's grown taller, filled out and his naturally handsome dark looks have lost their puppy fat. Next to a smaller and fairer Bryant, Jyeon is mysterious and suave and is starting to look a lot like his father.
"Bide your time. Hang out here for an hour or so until the old folks get drunk and push off to their VIP lounge upstairs, and then we young uns can get a party started." Bryant winks, moving to stand in front of us and turns to face us. Eyeing me up and frowning with instant dislike.
"Sohlly bolly .... What are you wearing? You look like a ten year old in that." He disapproves as much as Jyeon does and I glare back.
"I didn't pick it..... Jyeon's mom did and I'm thirteen, not ten." I stick my tongue out at him and slap him on the shoulder. Sassy initiated from deep inside when away from the watchful eye of the seniors and Bryant leans in and pinches my cheek. Grinning at me before rubbing my head and messing my hair. He's always been like an older sibling that loves to rile me at every opportunity.
"Oooh, attitude, missy. And here I thought all these lady lessons you were getting had culled the tomboy spirit and turned out something tolerable." Bryant tries to poke me in the face, and I slap his hand away with instinctive impulses.
"Stop it." Jyeon elbows me and nods towards the far right of the room where my own parents have turned this way. My eyes following his gaze and I catch my father's cold and intense stare. That I'm behaving in a manner he doesn't approve of.
"Yeah, Sohlly. Your dad will send you away to reform school if you don't behave. Listen to your husband." He jests at me and then sticks his hands in his pockets and looks at his feet when Jyeon glares coldly, right at him. Visually shutting him down and making it clear he doesn't find that term amusing.
Jyeon hates this whole arrangement, although he's never verbally said it to me, or around me. Ever since we were told, when I turned eleven, that our future had already been mapped out and we would be officially engaged when I turn seventeen, he's turned aloof and cold towards me. What used to be a warm and sometimes fun sibling relationship turned sour and he avoids me now when not forced into close proximity.
I can feel his efforts to keep us apart. The lack of emotion when he's close and the rebellious aura when he's made to take my hand. He's obedient to a fault though and would never refuse what's expected of us. Our family decided when we were born that they would put us together for the sake of our company, to keep the shares and money as one, even when our parents are no longer here. Jeon will obey.
"Where's Yoonie, anyhow? Isn't he late to your formal soiree?" Bryant changes the subject fast and looks around for him, taking the icy hint. "It's not like him to be AWOL when there's cake."
"He got side-tracked by my grandfather. He's twelve now and that means he's expected to start shouldering some responsibility of being a Park son." Jyeon moves to a passing waitress and picks up two fruit cocktails, handing one to me first and the other to Bryant, before picking up his own and we stand cradling them.
"Sixteen and on the juice..... being rich sucks. The housekeeper's kid had a blow out sixteenth at a skateboard park where half of them had to be carried home because they smuggled out half their father's liquor cabinet. How come we have to wear tuxedo's and hang out with your family's business associates. This isn't a birthday party, it's a social engagement to create beneficial contacts." Bryant has always been a little bit rough and ready, not suited to high society life and I giggle at him. He is the most annoying person I know, but he's fun and Jyeon acts half human when he's around. Despite appearances, I really like Bryant.
"You're shocked by this? I'm sure even my twenty first will benefit my father in some way. It was never about his eldest son's birthday." Jyeon's tone is bitter, and he raises his glass to his mother across the room who has now taken her place among the glamorously dressed grown ups who are swarming around the hall nearer the band.
This is the lifestyle I'm accustomed to so it's nothing new or intimidating, and I'm bored.
"Hey.... Did I miss anything?" Yoonah slides in beside me and immediately pushes his arm through mine and leans his head against my shoulder despite my being a foot taller than him still. He's slower to hit puberty than Jyeon ever was and still looks like a cute little tanned and pudgy Park boy. All big brown eyes, and pouty lips, and he has a softness that melts your heart. This is the baby brother of my life, even though I'm an only child and I adore him more than anything in the world.
"Your brain?" Bryant jests and pokes him in the forehead.
The unexpected death of Rose’s beloved aunt ends up being a driving force in her uneventful life. She gives up her lonely, unfulfilled big city existence for the country home and life from cherished childhood memories. But can it live up to them? All she wants is to find her place in the world; the happiness and independence she has been searching for. With her little dog Muffin by her side and a much needed new friend, it does seem possible - until an encounter with the handsome local Laird of the Munro Estate sends her spiralling from young professional woman to hormonal bundle of goo. Their chemistry is undeniable, but with him not seemingly on the market, this might not be the place for her after all. Thrust into the world of country living, will Rose ever find true love? In this roller coaster of emotions and a whole lot of country charm, one thing is for sure: Rose is certainly not going to be bored anymore!
Leyanne Cruden is a very old yet powerful witch in present day who is dissatisfied with the world as we know it. An immortal who stopped ageing in her late twenties. She has lived through so much and lost so many that it has jaded her personality and she no longer knows if she is good or bad. A vision leads her on a purpose to find an awakening hunter who threatens the existence of all supernatural beings. Like her he's young, immortal and everything that can destroy her. His creation was purely for the purpose of wiping the earth free of supernaturals. To prevent this tragedy she must assemble a coven of mixed creatures and figure out how to avert the destruction of magic before it's too late. They do say that sometimes the one thing which is the worst for you is the one thing you want the most - Dante Torres, a hunter with the ability to end her life. She will need to let people in if she has a hope of succeeding, as even a witch as powerful as her can not do it alone. With a collection of supernatural characters, love and heartbreak.
Emma Anderson has everything in her life worked out. She has her perfect job in a Manhattan empire allowing her to live a quiet and organised safe existence. A necessity to her, after a childhood filled with bad memories, abuse, and a mother who was less than useless. But, with it comes a problem, one that could derail everything she thought she needed in her life. Her promotion sends her straight into the close employment of young, gorgeous, playboy billionaire, Jacob Carrero with his formidable reputation for being a player. Stuck as his right-hand man, every waking moment of every single day, she realises he is exactly the type of person who could drive her crazy, and not in a good way. Like chalk and cheese, he is everything she's not. Compulsive, confident, laid back, dominant and fun, with a seriously laid back attitude to casual sex and dating. Jake is the only one with an ability to steamroll over her manicured ice maiden exterior, who is not phased by the closed in demeanour and cool manners, but as much as she wants to, letting him in is another thing entirely. A past that made her man wary and no desire to ever let one close enough to hurt her again, Jacob Carrero has his work cut out. He is not someone who takes NO for an answer and will have to learn how to break through if he wants more than the mask she shows the world. Jake needs to show her that even some one like him can change when that one girl that matters breaks through. Love-able sexy characters and deep emotional topics.
TangShi is a girl without much luck in the world. Despised by her father after her mother died giving birth to her, she has grown up in a cold and unloving environment and hated by her stepmother. Blamed for things she could never control and treated as an outcast by her own blood. Forced to come home after finally escaping to school on a self achieved scholarship abroad, she is promised to the son of the Leng family. To create a beneficial business alliance to further her own father's greed in the corporate world. Only YuZhi Leng is as unwilling as she is, with a girlfriend already in place that he adores and no desire to honor the contract put in place - to produce an heir in the first year of marriage and solidify the two families union. TangShi must bear living as a third wheel in this unwanted life and accept or be thrown aside by her family. Until upon meeting, she realizes that YuZhi may not be the stranger to her she thought he was and recognizes him on sight. Could he be the man she met eight years ago at a masked ball, who swept her off her feet and made her feel alive, and yet left her heartbroken that fateful night? A rollercoaster of a marriage is about to be embarked upon.
Alora Dennison is an orphaned child from a shamed bloodline, surviving in her family's old pack.On the dawn of her transition pushing her into adulthood, in an unexpected turn of fate, she imprints on the mate she will be bonded to for eternity. Only he isn't the man of her dreams. He is the only one in the entire state she would never have wanted to bond to. Colton Santo is the arrogant, dominant son of the Alpha from a rival pack, which is set to unite the packs and reign in one kingdom. In years gone by, his disdain for her and any from her bloodline has been prominent. Her treatment by his pack has pushed her to live in near isolation, fearful for her existence. And now, on the dawn of her awakening, before all those assembled, they see her imprint on their future leader. Fate has decreed it, but everyone around her is about to try and stop it. Fate isn't about to make it easy on her either, as a long-forgotten war erupts in their lands, bringing an age-old enemy with a thirst for blood back into the forefront of Lycanthrope life.Will she survive long enough to ever find out why she has borne a black mark on her lineage her entire life? And why Colton's father is so eager to see her dead. Will Colton step up and honor the bond, or will he be the one to deliver the final blow?
Renea was trying the wedding dress, when suddenly the man rushed in the dressing room and held her neck tightly... “Bitch! Are you still trying to pretend innocent!” Jasper said as he tightened his grip on her neck and choked her harder. Then he used his other hand and took out the phone from his suit pocket and played the video of two people having sex in front of Renea… However, what was even more shocking, was that the woman in the video was, Renea Morris, however, the man in the video was not Jasper. Renea struggled to take a phone away from Jasper’s hand and tried to explain, “Jasper, it was not what you think… I… I can…” Jasper looked at Renea with his eyes full of disgust, as he said, “Let’s call of the wedding. I can’t marry a woman like you.” After saying that Jasper walked out of the shop Renea chase after Jasper... But then she sees Jasper passionately kissing her sister Kailey. And she hears everything, that her sleeping with strange men was all a plan of the vipers of the last two days, and that their goal was to get out of this stupid marriage. Even her adopted parents were also involved in this matter... They all do this with her because of the inheritance left by her grandfather... Renea heart was filled with anger and she wanted to expose their true colors to the public... However before she could do anything, Kailey had pushed her in front of the car and she got killed... However, when Renea open her eyes, she found herself sitting in the car with Kailey... She realized that she was reborn and went at the time when everything started... Renea looked at the people who had hurt her in her previous life and her lips curled up in a cold smile... She was back... However, this time... she was back for revenge...
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
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!
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?
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!