In a twist of fate, Jared is coerced into a marriage with Colleen, a fragile soul battling against time. With a long-term girlfriend, Stacey, already in his heart, Jared finds himself trapped in a web of emotions he never expected. As Colleen faces a life-threatening illness, Claire, Jared's mother, is drawn to her unwavering optimism and selflessness. Hidden secrets about Stacey's infidelity weigh on Claire's conscience, but she hopes that time will heal all wounds. Unexpected events force Jared and Colleen to see each other in a new light, leading to a delicate dance of unspoken feelings. Colleen's pregnancy adds a layer of complexity to their relationship, further testing Jared's commitment. As tensions rise, a threat from Stacey's past puts Jared's life in jeopardy, leading to a heart-wrenching separation on a crucial day. Colleen's battle for survival takes a tragic turn, but she leaves behind a heartfelt plea for Jared to find happiness and love once more. This emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, and second chances will tug at your heartstrings and leave you breathless.
Colleen
"Hubby, can you lend me some money?" I asked my husband, Jared, my voice filled with uncertainty. His gaze bore into me with a mixture of anger and frustration.
"Why would I give you money? Do you think just because I agreed to marry you, I will give you what you want just like that?" he retorted, his words laced with resentment.
That moment had taken place two years ago, not long after we had gotten married. At that time, I was battling a severe illness, and my doctor had just delivered the news that a compatible heart was available for me. The prospect of extending my life through surgery had filled me with hope, but there was a significant hurdle: the cost. So, I turned to my husband, desperately seeking his support. However, he met my plea with stubborn silence, his resentment unabated.
I understood his anger all too well. Our marriage had been orchestrated by his mother and sister, leaving him with no choice but to marry me against his will. He didn't love me; he loved someone else-Stacey, the woman he had been with for four years and had envisioned marrying before I disrupted their plans.
Jared had been clear about his feelings. He professed his love for Stacey and insisted that nothing I did could change that. I couldn't help but hope that they had parted ways after our marriage, although I didn't delve into their relationship. My hope wasn't born out of selfishness but rather a desire for my husband not to be emotionally entangled with someone else. After all, who would want their spouse to be involved with another person? I imagined no one would.
For the time being, I was relieved that Stacey hadn't come knocking on our door claiming to be pregnant with Jared's child. I shuddered to think about how I would react if that ever happened. While I didn't love him, I still respected the sanctity of our marriage, and I hoped he did too. Though, deep down, I knew he didn't, as long as he kept his relationship with Stacey discreet, hidden from everyone but the two of them, I was content to look the other way.
I couldn't help but wonder why I had acceded to my mother and sister-in-law's insistence on this marriage. They had been incredibly kind to me, showering me with affection. Yet, the marriage had brought me nothing tangible. Well, almost nothing. I had gained a family of sorts-a far-from-conventional one. Still, I cherished my mother and sister-in-law, whom I had come to regard as my own. They loved me deeply, as if I were their biological daughter and sister. Their care for me was palpable, and I knew that if Jared ever wronged me, they would be unforgiving.
My own family had been fractured long ago. My parents divorced when I was eight, embroiled in bitter fights over money, or rather, the lack thereof. I had grown to resent money, regardless of how shiny or enticing it appeared. The divorce didn't materialize until I was sixteen, marking the end of their tumultuous relationship.
Both my mother and father had embarked on new families, seemingly content with their newfound happiness. You might think I'd be happy too, free from their constant bickering. Initially, I was. However, their newfound bliss came at a cost-they both seemed to forget about me, leaving me in the lurch. I couldn't fathom anyone being pleased about such a fate.
My mother declared that she didn't want me in her new family because I reminded her of my father's irresponsibility, while my father harbored a similar sentiment. He wanted nothing to do with me because I brought to mind my mother's alleged greediness. I was particularly disheartened by my father's rejection because, as a child, I had been a daddy's girl, seeking solace in him.
As a result, I lived alone, fending for myself for eight years. During that time, I managed to carve out a modest existence. I never asked for anything beyond having a roof over my head and consistent meals on my table. I worked while I pursued my studies, grateful that, despite the corruption plaguing our government, I was afforded a free college education. I dedicated myself to my studies, aiming to secure a future for myself in this harsh world.
My path to a college degree was longer than most, but I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Balancing work and studies had not been easy. I steered clear of unnecessary expenditures, limiting my purchases to essentials. Even when I finally secured a job, I remained focused solely on work, paying no heed to any potential suitors vying for my attention.
However, life could be unforgiving. Despite my hard work and self-reliance, a routine check-up due to breathing difficulties plunged me into despair. It was then that I received the harsh revelation that my heart was weakened, demanding utmost caution in everything I did. Dr. Gerard guided and advised me relentlessly to safeguard my health, but it seemed as though the damage was already done.
All those times when I had ignored and brushed aside my shortness of breath had proven to be a grave mistake. Dr. Gerard's diagnosis was stark-I had three years to live unless I underwent the expensive surgery. I was left with no choice but to accept my fate.
I had married Jared for the sake of his mother, whom I had grown to adore-Mommy Claire. She was a loving mother, a stark contrast to my own. She was also unwell, and I yearned to bring her happiness. Thus, I had reluctantly agreed to the marriage.
Now, two years later, Jared's indifference toward me was as palpable as ever. We rarely interacted, despite living under the same roof. He would leave before dawn and return home after I had already retired for the night. Nevertheless, I remained committed to my role as his wife. I diligently prepared everything he needed for work and more. His suits were laid out for him, ready to wear, although he had stopped adhering to my choices after nine months of marriage.
Even though he seldom dined at home, I ensured that there was food waiting for him should hunger strike in the middle of the night or upon his return. I had discovered his untouched plates in the kitchen sink on many occasions. To most, it would seem like a small gesture, hardly worth mentioning, but to me, it was significant.
If, after two decades, Jared came to accept me, I would cherish it. I was content with our situation, harboring no desire for him to love me. Such a sentiment would only inflict pain on him, especially if I were to leave him after a brief period. I was content to love him alone, to motivate myself to hold on for one more year.
I considered myself fortunate to possess the capacity to love someone, having yearned for that emotional connection since my faith in my parents had been shattered. For years, I had been solely concerned with my own well-being. Yet, now, I felt truly alive, despite the emotional pain Jared's detachment caused me.
I wanted to believe that he could change, but I refrained from entertaining such thoughts. I didn't wish to hurt him in the end. So, I had come to terms with my reality-I loved him while he loved someone else. At least, when I was no longer here, he would find happiness with Stacey, the woman he yearned for and loved.
Ashley woke up one day realizing that she loved her brother-in-law. He is her sister's husband, but not just any sister; she is her own twin. She feels guilty and hurt every time the couple is sweet with each other, but she can do nothing because she has no right. She knows she doesn't own her brother-in-law, so she is content with the stolen moments they share. How far will their betrayal go? What will she do if she discovers everything she believes isn't true?
Serendipity or Serene was a smart and strong woman and was actually a mafia leader. She came back to her father to get what was rightfully hers that her step mother and half sister together with her own father was trying to take. In her mother's will, she had to marry a wealthy man for her to be able to get her mother's shares which is equal to 57% company share. Her father's business partner wanted Serene for his son but her father insisted to let him marry her another daughter because Serene grew up in a rural region so she was stupid and not worthy of his son. His friend agreed and they plan to make Serene's share become null and void by making her marry a poor guy. Alexander McGregor was a billionaire who had no plans on getting married. But because his father and mother wanted him to get married to stop the board who wanted him out of his position from attacking him, he decided to look for someone whom he will be able to work with as a wife. Just for convenience, they agreed to marry each other, But because marriage was something important to Alexander, he told Serene not to cheat on him and do her duty as a wife but Serene, who had no faith in marriage, didn't like the idea at all. She planned on leaving Alexander after she got her inheritance. What would happen if Alexander found out about Serene's true identity? Will he still let her stay or will he let her go just as she wanted? Serene's grandparents wanted a great grandchild as well which made it hard for her to leave Alex who had no plans of letting her go either. Find out who will win against two dominant married couples. Who will dominate and who will submit. The mafia or the Billionaire?
Chloe married Ethan Wilson, a ruthless billionaire, to pay for her grandmother's medication. She planned on being committed to him and doing all he asked, but she had no idea that the treatment she would receive from him would be worse than a wh**e. Even if it was like such, she attempted to go through it for her grandmother's sake. But after a year, when he took her by force and her grandma died the next day, she decided to divorce him and flee. What she didn't anticipate was for Ethan to go out of his way to find her and make her return. Will she accept him, or will she succumb to the rage she had towards him? How will Ethan persuade Chloe to stay and fall for him when she has never felt anything for him to begin with?
"What the--?" Rose exclaimed when she saw Sean walk out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. "Can't you put on a robe? You know you are not living here alone," she said after calming herself. Who wouldn't gasp at the sight of water dripping on Sean's six-pack's olive-skinned body? "Just look the other way," he replied with a stoic face. "Unless you really want to see me like this," he added, spreading his arms that showed his beautiful body, which made Rose roll her eyes at him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, the last woman who rolled her eyes at me was when I made her cum when I finger f***ed her. Do you want to try?" Sean asked, which made Rose's face turn red and her eyes widen. "Pervert!" she shouted and turned her back on him. She rushed back to her room and locked her door while Sean laughed, which irritated her even more.
Lycan King Alder Volcik had been waiting for his mate for over a hundred years. What would happen if he found his mate in a pack he was to visit because of the Luna challenge that occurred and he found out that she was also the same Luna who lost the challenge and was rejected by her mate, who was the Alpha. Cindy Mills is the daughter of a billionaire who was betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend and killed her after. But it did not end there. She was reborn in the body of the lost Luna named Clover, who died because of the rejection? What will King Alder do when Clover doesn't want to accept him because of her past rejection from Alpha Vlad and, at the same time, lose her title to another she-wolf and, as Cindy, who was betrayed by the two people he trusted and cared for other than her father? As Alder tries to get Clover's trust, they will both discover Cindy's true identity. She, on the other hand, will do everything to get her revenge on her ex-boyfriend and best friend that killed her and her father. Once Cindy accepts Alder, will she give up herself and live as Clover for the rest of her life?
After 3 years, he came back and I heard him talking about divorce. Even after he took my innocence before he left, he didn't say a word. I was deeply hurt, he never gave me a chance to be a wife to him and yet he wanted to divorce me. It's not that I love him, it's just that I thought I had been loyal to him while he enjoyed himself with his mistress and yet he has the audacity to complain as if I had him on his neck. I was furious, I will see to it that he will have a hard time convincing me with the divorce.
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.
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?
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Ivy Rosalia Jones, a young and beautiful doctor working at a suburban hospital, is determined to marry a man she met through a blind date, even though he is paralyzed. Actually, the marriage was meant to be symbolic, with both of them intending not to interfere in each other's affairs after the wedding. However, Ivy never expected that she would end up marrying the most influential man in the world. Shawn Dyxon Tate, Ivy's husband, has no intention of letting his beautiful wife go. Once she entered his life, he made a decision to spoil her and gave her the world she never had.
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?"
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"