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Scarlett Woods assumed her life would always be dismal, drab, and unwelcome. She was lonely and silent, haunted by the painful recollections of her terrible past. But she had no idea there was a guy out there. A guy who was smitten by the rain Xavier Thorn is every woman's fantasy and every man's nightmare. CEO, billionaire. He has everything, yet he is nothing. When he compares himself to his name, he sees his existence as unpleasant and unwelcome as a thorn. He had no idea that roses required their thorns to defend them. And one day, he discovered his rose. He also pledged to be her thorn. He would defend her even if it meant putting his damaged heart in danger. What happens when a beautiful, lonely girl meets a dark, strong man? Will a lethal Thorn be able to defend something as fragile as Scarlett? Will Scarlett be able to surrender whatever remains of her broken heart to Xavier? Will they put everything on the line or let it go? Follow Scarlett and Xavier as they go on a journey filled with stunning revelations, painful pasts, betrayals, and grief, only to discover that love awaits those who persevere long enough to attain it.
"Anyone who claims sunlight makes people happy has never danced in the rain."
The brown-eyed girl giggled as she read this phrase, browsing through her feed while chewing on her cocoa pebbles in the morning. She'd just gotten out of bed and showered, preparing to work. But this statement made her giggle, not because the remark was nice or motivating, but because it was a lie.
"Who could like rain?" She murmured this as she shook her head, her laughter fading. She laid the empty dish of cereal down after finishing the chocolaty milk. She grabbed her luggage and exited the flat, repeating something that ran through her mind all the while.
"Who could fall in love with Scarlett?"
* * *
Today was a leisurely and well-attended day at the coffee shop. Cathy's Cakes & Coffee was in a great New York City site, surrounded by numerous large enterprises and office buildings. On weekdays, the café was so crowded that there was a lengthy queue of hurried workers eager for a cup of the finest coffee in the neighborhood. On weekends, though, the café was as desolate as a desert. This was, in reality, the whole financial district of this metropolis. On weekends, people try to avoid work stress as much as possible. Instead, they spend their time traveling downtown or hanging out in the city.
Scarlett was clearing up the tables in the café and wiping the sticky floor from yesterday's coffee spills. She dipped the mob in soapy water and traced it around the floor, forming patterns while gently singing.
Scarlett had just started working at Cathy's Cakes & Coffee. Though working as a server at a small coffee shop was not her ideal job, her alternatives were limited, and she needed money.
Today was a calm and peaceful day. Mike, the register operator, was counting and sorting the cash register. Mike was a blond with brilliant green eyes who had just graduated from a community college. He had always intended to attend university and pursue a career as a business major, but although dreaming was free, following through on those aspirations was not. Universities are expensive, and Mike lacked the necessary funds. Despite the hurdles, he remained determined to achieve his goals. And to do so, he worked two jobs: the café during the day and as a server at a fine dining restaurant at night.
How many times will you count the money, Mikey?" Scarlett mocked, seeing that this was his third time going through the cash register.
"Is there anything more you want me to do?" Mike replied with a bored grimace on his face.
"Daisy is probably inside baking her famous Spiced Pumpkin Cookies. She could always use an extra pair of hands." Scarlett grinned as Mike's face lit up at the mention of Daisy's name. She is the cafe's baker and is in charge of the kitchen. Daisy is the mother of Cathy, the proprietor of Cathy's Cakes & Coffee.
Cathy opened the coffee business ten years ago when the surrounding neighborhood was nothing more than a building site. However, as time passed, the region became more industrialized, and it was now home to several top corporations worth billions of dollars. Unfortunately, Cathy's health was deteriorating, and she was forced to leave the café. Instead of selling it to the highest bidder, she gave it to Daisy, who was obsessed with baking. Daisy joined the café two months ago when Cathy eventually stepped down, and her baking abilities have helped the business become even more popular.
Mike anxiously stroked the back of his skull. "I suppose I can go assist her. Could you please manage the register while I'm in the back? In any case, I doubt anybody will come here. This town is usually deserted on weekends, particularly on Sundays." With hope in his eyes, he inquired. Daisy had grabbed his attention the moment she stepped into the diner as their new supervisor two months ago.
"Don't be concerned. I have your back. I'll take care of it." Scarlett responded with a real grin. She was never weary of assisting others.
"Thank you, Scarlett." Mike flashed her a kind grin before leaving behind the cafe's rear doors. Scarlett shook her head and resumed cleaning the tables and arranging the spoons, stir sticks, and paper napkins on the counter next to the order line. She was singing to herself when a blast of wind swept into the café, and the doorbell sounded.
Scarlett hurriedly completed putting the paper napkins into the dispenser and was heading back behind the bar when her foot slipped on the recently swept floor and fell to the ground.
Scarlett closed her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the impact of the tiled floor. However, the cool surface of the still damp floor did not strike her body. Instead, she was pulled up in the middle and felt a set of muscular arms wrap around her little waist. Scarlett slowly opened her eyes, unaware that what she saw would steal her breath away.
Her eyes opened to face the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. The eyes were as blue as a summer sky and deep as the ocean. They returned her gaze with interest as if looking for answers to his millions of unspoken inquiries.
Her gaze was drawn to the possessor of those beautiful eyes. Those alluring eyes belonged to an even more alluring guy. She observes his dark brown hair, which was pushed back with gel and appeared as light as a feather. His piercing blue eyes and his brows pulled together in perplexity. His lips were rosy and velvety, enticing her in. He was tall and powerful, his arms around her waist. Saving her, nearly saving her from falling.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Scarlett straightened up and took a step back, away from the frightening but intriguing guy.
"I-I...I..." Scarlett faltered, her face heated with pink tints on her cheeks, unable to articulate words.
"Are you all right?" The blue-eyed guy inquired, his voice concerned. He examined Scarlett, looking for injuries or symptoms of discomfort. His gaze returned to Scarlett's brown eyes, waiting for her to reply, but she was at a loss for words. Scarlett was lost in the depths of his gaze. She was struck by how well-dressed the guy was. The ideal black suit, paired with a white shirt and blue tie. His outfit accentuated his eyes, highlighting them as they shone on his face.
"Um....yeah, I'm sorry about that." The guy fixed his gaze on her while she talked quietly and thoughtfully. The guy seemed scary, and the last thing Scarlett wanted to do was add to her problems. She already had plenty to worry about, and an angry young guy would make everything worse.
"Don't be concerned." A grin appeared on the enigmatic man's face for the first time. Scarlett felt the temperature in the café abruptly rise as heat streamed to her cheeks.
Scarlett went behind the counter, leaving the guy by his side who had his gaze fixed on her the whole time, realizing he was nothing more than a client. "U-uh....can I assist you?"
Nothing in life is certain. Nobody can guarantee you sunshine, rainbows, and happiness. Nobody said life would be simple. When life becomes difficult, you learn to survive. Emily Jane Lockett is no stranger to the working world. Dreaming of a brighter future and a better life for herself and her brother is what motivates her every day. Daniel Steven Rhiner has it all. He never had to labor for anything. When Daniel's father's firm wants to combine with a competing company, the only way for that to happen without a contract is for Daniel to marry the daughter. Daniel has no interest in this; he wants a lady who would love him for himself, not for his money or social standing, or for a business transaction. The only way out is to marry within the next six months before the competitor company's father returns to consummate the deal. This makes him sign a marriage contract with Emily Lockett, who is in desperate need of cash. Will Emily regret this decision, or will Daniel fall in love in the process?
He bent down to meet mine, his fingers gripping my chin, still unsatisfied with our physical touch. "Fiancée?" he inquired, his voice soft. As the stress from our physical touch increased, I nodded. I locked my gaze on his attractive features. "Do you consider yourself my fiancée?" I nodded once more. Of course, I was his fiancée, and I'd keep it no matter what. "Let's see whether you truly are," he said gently between breaths. His tone conveyed a threat, and I shuddered. "A fiancée is allowed to kiss her boyfriend. Let us see if you can—-" In the blink of an eye, he mashed his lips on mine. *********************** He is my only true love. I've loved and admired him from the first time I lay eyes on him, and becoming his wife is the ultimate fantasy of my life. But he despises me. He has despised me from the first time he saw me, and he is determined that shattering my heart and driving me away will be his crowning accomplishment. Despite all the turmoil, heartache, and heartbreak he has given me, I am still engaged to him —- this cold, distant, and cruel guy. Yes, he is my only true love. But he is also my greatest obstacle. Will I be able to give my heartless heartbreaker a heart?
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
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."