Five years. I wasted five years of my life in a damn cell! The reason? For a crime, I didn't even commit! I will always remember that day, that day that changed my life so much. It was my wedding, I was so happy, but someone had to ruin this wonderful time in my life that only lasted a few minutes. The lifeless body of my sister-in-law, Paulina, will forever be etched in my memory. She was so sweet and kind. So why kill her? Why kill such an innocent girl? I was devastated after discovering her lifeless body in my room lying on the floor. There was blood everywhere. Everywhere. But what hurt me the most was that everyone I trusted didn't hesitate to point fingers and call me a murderer. I was devastated. My parents disowned me, my friends turned their backs on me, and my fiancé spat hurtful words in my face that I will never forget. Words that pierced my heart. Words finished me off. I also remember the surprise I wanted to surprise him and my family and friends. However, I lost it after Leo hit me hard. A tear rolled down my cheek thinking back to that night. I had lost everything. All. I was so naive at the time that I didn't see it coming. But all that is over! Yes, it's over! I spent five years of my life surviving in the hell they call prison. I was beaten by many prisoners day and night. And thanks to that, I became stronger! Stronger than I've ever been!
Five years. I wasted five years of my life in a damn cell! The reason ? For a crime I didn't even commit!
I will always remember that day, that day that changed my life forever. It was my wedding, I was so happy, but someone had to ruin this wonderful time in my life that only lasted a few minutes.
The lifeless body of my sister-in-law, Paulina, will forever be etched in my memory. She was so sweet and kind. So why kill her? Why kill such an innocent girl?
I was devastated after discovering her lifeless body in my room lying on the floor. There was blood everywhere. Everywhere.
But what hurt me the most was that everyone I trusted didn't hesitate to point fingers and call me a murderer. I was devastated. My parents disowned me, my friends turned their backs on me, and my fiancé spat hurtful words in my face that I will never forget. Words that pierced my heart. Words that finished me off.
I also remember the surprise I wanted to surprise him and my family and friends. However, I lost it after Leo hit me hard.
A tear rolled down my cheek thinking back to that night. I had lost everything. All. I was so naive at the time that I didn't see it coming. But all that is over! Yes, it's over! I spent five years of my life surviving in the hell they call prison. I was beaten by many prisoners day and night. And thanks to that, I became stronger! Stronger than I've ever been!
After begging for some money, I stop at a phone booth and call the only person who can help me. Mary, my grandmother.
"Hello ?
- It's me, Emily.
-Oh my God ! Emily! How are you ?
-I'm fine granny but I have a little problem and I need your help.
- What do you want my darling?
-Actually, I just got out of jail and I have nowhere to go. Can you host me for a while?
- But of course sweetie! You can come live with me all the time you want.
-It's true ?
-Yes. I'll even prepare your favorite little dish.
- Yes, thank you very much Grandma! I love you !
-You're welcome my dear."
I hang up smiling. She was the only one who supported me and the only one who visited me when I was in prison. However, my smile disappears immediately when I notice that I no longer have any panties on me.
When I arrive in front of his magnificent villa, I run as fast as I can, then enter the house without bothering to knock.
I see grandma in the kitchen preparing food.
"Granny!" I shouted
She jumps and turns around, staring at me.
"You scared me silly!"
I take her in my arms and she hugs me back. I missed her so much.
"Sorry to scare you grandma."
I apologized
-It's nothing. But the next time you do that to me again, I'm going to spank you."
I laugh at his remark and help him cook. She told me everything that happened during the last five years.
I don't hide that I had a little twinge in my heart when I learned that Léo, my ex-fiancé got married to Melina, his so-called "childhood friend". My parents meanwhile are still busy working, while my brother, Steven married a certain Hannah and as for my sister, Elisa, she left home without giving any sign of life for five years now. Grandma says she left when I got arrested.
"And you? She asked me
-What, me ?
-How are you ?
-I'm fine, Grandma.
- No, you're not well! Stop lying to me Emily. I know you and I can see the pain in your eyes. It's because of Leo isn't it?
Only by hearing his first name, I stop crying. How could he do this to me? Why didn't he believe me? Yet it was he who promised me never to turn his back.
My grandmother caresses my back while I cried on her shoulder.
After a few minutes, I calm down, but it was short-lived when my grandma speaks.
"Emily, I have to tell you something."
Oh oh. I don't feel it at all....
"What do you want to talk about grandma?
- Sit down first, I want you to eat and then we'll talk about it okay? I don't want to spoil your appetite, darling."
I nod and sit down at the table. I help myself and savor my favorite dish with relish. I missed it so much!
I help my grandmother clear the table and then we head to the living room. I sit on the chair and she does the same.
"So? What did you want to talk to me about?
-From Leo.
- We already talked about him, grandma. You told me he got married and...
-That's what I wanted to talk to you about Emily. Did she cut me off
- About his marriage to Melina?
-In effect.
-I don't want to talk about that grandma.
- But you have to!
- Grandma! You know I still love her and it hurts me to talk about it so why do you insist?"
She immediately shuts up and avoids my gaze. I have the impression that what she is going to tell me is not going to please me.
"Grandma? What is it?
-The day the police took you away, Leo was really mad at you. He was out of control. He said he wanted to be alone, I disagreed but he insisted. So I went home."
She breathes before continuing.
"But I had a bad feeling. I knew it was not a good idea to leave him alone so I went back to his place. When I entered the house, I..."
She doesn't finish her sentence and just stares at me. What has the gift to annoy me.
"You?
-I caught him with Melina trying to... De... Well, you see."
My heart skips a beat. What ? What is this story ?
"Don't tell me he banged Melina when I got arrested.
-That's what happened Emily. But that's not all. she told me
-What else has he done?
-Leo proposed to Melina the next day where I surprised them and even partied the same night to celebrate their engagement with your so-called friends and...your parents.
My parents ? Is this a joke?
A tear runs down my cheek. How could they? They were never close to me when I was a child, of course, but how can parents do that to their own child?
"My parents ?
-Yes my darling. I cut ties with your parents when they disowned you. And when I found out they were at Leo's engagement party, I caused a huge scandal. But the worst part is that your parents were really happy for them.
-The bastards !
- But there is even worse.
-And what's worse?
She looks at me sadly before continuing.
"Honey, was Leo really in love with you?"
But she is completely crazy or what? What is this stupid question?
"Sure, what question."
She looks away as I try not to swing the vase next to me on a wall. I need to calm down before the beautiful villa in my grandmother looks like a dump.
"Sweetheart, I know it's hard for you but you had to know.
-I know Grandma and I thank you for telling me everything." I whispered. "I'm going to take a shower.
-Okay, you will sleep in one of the free rooms."
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”