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Anthea Nicholas was known as an audacious woman who stole her elder sister's husband, Raymond Dennis. His resentment toward her was not too profound, for he was a seasoned player. But his pride was trodden underfoot when he discovered that she had not virgin pure before their marriage. He loathed her, and he demeaned her. Every day, Raymond would submit a divorce request, while Anthea, inextricably tied to the family business, couldn't decide to divorce. Choosing the right person to marry is correct, but marrying someone who doesn't love you is a mistake. This marriage deeply hurt Anthea, and she decided to step back. "Recognize your mistake and correct it. Let's get a divorce!" Anthea said to Raymond, a husband who had never loved her. After all, they were only hurting each other. By setting him free, she was also liberating herself! But after the divorce, she found out she was carrying his child... A broken marriage, the return of an old love, everything was in the past...
The loud screech of tires gripped the pavement as Raymond Dennis's car skidded to a halt in the garage. In his eyes burned twin fires, feral and demanding, as he pulled the supple body towards him, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. He leaned in, passionately kissing her lush, red lips.
It was a kiss devoid of tenderness, reflecting the hunger of a beast, relentlessly nipping and biting.
Yet, Alva Mary seemed not to mind. On the contrary, she reveled in it, responding with equal enthusiasm. She parted her lips, her tongue twining with Raymond's. Her hands were not idle either, skillfully unbuttoning his dress shirt.
Feeling her confidence, Raymond pushed her onto the car's dashboard, transitioning from exchanging heated kisses to nipping at her neck.
Her throat released soft, suppressed moans.
Simultaneously, in the heart of the city, a broadcast station stood. Unbeknownst to her, the leaves of the Indian Lilac outside her window had sprouted a fresh, tender green. The biting chill of the previous winter was gone.
Anthea took a sip of her coffee, glancing at her watch. Her show was about to begin.
She was the host of the Morning Welcome program. However, last month, the radio station reassigned her to develop a new segment: Midnight Heart-to-Hearts.
Accustomed to her early bedtime and wake-up, she relied on coffee to stay alert while working. She reviewed the script one last time before entering the recording room. This was a live radio show, combining personal stories with listener interactions. She didn't want any mishaps, however small. A non-script piece of paper caught her attention in her pile of documents.
"DIVORCE PAPERS." The two bolded words leaped out at her. She instinctively took a large gulp of her bitter coffee.
That afternoon, again, Raymond Dennis's lawyer - her husband, in the name - had sent over divorce papers. He was always like that. Even with such a significant matter as filing for divorce, he delegated it to his lawyer. She often wondered if he would have sent a representative to their wedding if the law had permitted it.
Anthea sighed deeply, her gaze drifting out the window. She lost count of the calls she had received from the lawyer. They all carried the same message: Divorce. She could never comprehend why her husband was so hell-bent on divorce. Or perhaps they were a couple in name only, so understanding each other's feelings was a moot point for the incapable.
With his professional and familiar tone, the lawyer would start the conversation: "Is this Mrs. Anthea Nicholas's phone? I am Raymond Dennis's attorney. I am calling to discuss my client's wish for a divorce with Mrs. Anthea here...."
And the conversation would conclude with the divorce papers delivered to her workplace, the radio station. Their marriage of several years had fewer interactions with her husband than with his lawyer.
Right after their wedding, he had used work as an excuse to leave early and return late, under the scrutinizing gaze of their families. Eventually, this pattern morphed into him not coming home at all. Being apart for ten days to two weeks was commonplace.
Before transitioning to her evening shifts, several days had elapsed since she had last seen his face.
In the aftermath, she was preoccupied with familiarizing herself with her newly assumed responsibilities, thus barely noticing his absence. One telling sign was his perennially vacant parking spot in the garage.
"Ms. Anthea, the director instructed me to call you. The show is about to start in a few minutes." the young technician's voice tore her away from her reverie, nudging her back to reality.
Nodding, she set her stone-cold coffee cup on the table and walked towards the recording studio. She slipped on her headphones, adjusted the microphone, and signaled to the technician.
A countdown commenced.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...
The technician then hit the button for the jingle: "Hello, dear listeners. Welcome to 'Heartfelt Conversations with Anthea,' broadcasted daily at twenty-one forty-five hours on FM 98.8 MHz. I'm Anthea, always here to listen to your innermost thoughts. Holding a warm cup of tea this morning and listening to the weather forecast, I was taken aback by the advent of a new season. I'm curious if my inattentiveness is to blame or if the absence of someone reminds me of the changing seasons. And what about you, dear listeners? Let's connect with our first caller and hear what they wish to share."
Meanwhile, Raymond and Alva were in a car, immersed in each other's embrace. Their movements inadvertently triggered the radio button on the dashboard. They both froze in place, for Anthea's familiar voice filled the car's compact space.
"...I hope that the young lady and her boyfriend will resolve their misunderstanding and not part ways over trivial matters. Dear listeners, finding one another amidst this bustling world is incredible. I hope you always know how to love and cherish those dear to you. Now, let's connect with our next caller. 'Heartfelt Conversations with Anthea' is broadcasted daily on FM 98.8 MHz. I have successfully connected with our next caller. Hello, could you please introduce yourself first.."
An ominous silence swept over them.
Raymond disentangled himself from Alva, sat upright, and adjusted his shirt collar. He grabbed a water bottle, unscrewed the cap, and drank half of it in a single gulp. Any man engaged in an intimate moment with a woman in a car would lose his mood upon accidentally tuning into his wife's live radio show, just as he did.
Alva awkwardly resettled on the passenger seat, cautiously peeking at Raymond, and upon seeing no sign of his anger, she secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
But why should she be blamed? She hadn't done anything wrong. He didn't respect Anthea. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so openly unfaithful time and time again. If she wanted to win him over, making Anthea uncomfortable seemed the way to go.
Having decided, Alva flashed a seductive smile and cooed at him: "Raymond... do you want me to provoke her?"
Raymond squinted at her and asked: "What can you do?"
She took his hand and placed it on her ample chest: "Just feel here, and watch what I can do..."
The taste of temptation was so irresistible there was no reason to resist. He complied with her suggestion while watching closely to see what she would do next.
As the son-in-law of a middle-class family, Alexander Reynolds lived a life no different from that of a servant. His wife's family despised him and forbade his daughter from calling him "dad." They humiliated and demeaned him daily, with only his wife standing by his side, providing him with emotional support. When his daughter fell seriously ill, the Marshall family pressured him to divorce Eleanor Marshall, hurling insults and declaring him unworthy of his beautiful wife and precious daughter. Little did they know that Alexander was the heir to the powerful Reynolds family. If his mother hadn't taken him away years ago, he wouldn't have ended up in such an impoverished state. Alexander made up his mind. He would claim his inheritance. Once he accepted this power, no one would be able to stand in his way!
Tricked into a wealthy man's bed as a means to settle a debt, Isabella was swept into a hasty marriage soon after. She knew she was nothing but an accident in Theodore's life, and she knew he already had someone else in his heart. Yet, despite everything, she couldn't stop herself from falling for him-her love was fragile, humble, and too timid to be voiced. She kept telling herself that everything would eventually be fine, but... After three years of lonely nights spent on an empty bed, Isabella discovered that the woman Theodore had always loved had returned. The divorce papers were signed. The feelings were supposed to be gone. But why... Why did Theodore keep reappearing in her life? When they were husband and wife, he was nowhere to be found. Now that it was over, she ran into him at every turn. The man seemed to have a thousand schemes to capture her attention. But every time she faced him, there was only one thing she wanted to say: "Ex-husband, we're divorced!"
After her second resurrection, Savannah Lewis no longer naively clung to the male lead, a man who had caused her immense suffering. She constantly sought ways to avoid him, a man who had inflicted pain on her in two lifetimes. But no matter how she tried to escape, she couldn't evade the domineering male lead, who persistently sought her out, followed her, and never left her side. He authoritatively called her name: "Aunt..." Indeed, in this life, she had become the sugar baby of the male lead's uncle, and he had to address her as 'aunt'. "My good nephew," Savannah smirked inwardly, knowing that now the male lead could no longer torment her life. But why... is the male lead's uncle even more domineering than the male lead himself!!!!
Jonathan Wang was a young man from distant lands who ventured to the city of San Francisco to forge his own destiny. After years of ceaseless toil and dedication, he successfully established a business empire valued in the multi-millions of dollars. Following his triumphant rise, he united in matrimony with one Orla William. Before long, however, his brother-in-law, Harding William, conspired to enact a most unsavory plot involving Adela Kyle - the youngest heiress of a wealthy family. Yet, rather than act upon his own malevolent intentions, he administered an aphrodisiac, leading Jonathan to share the bed with Adela unwittingly. Consequently, Jonathan was wrongfully sentenced to over six and a half years of incarceration on charges of rape. Upon his release, he discovered a truth that cut him to the quick: his child had been sold to the Thomas family by Orla, his wife, who harbored intentions of betrothing another man. This time, emerging from the cold confines of the prison, Jonathan returned with an unshakeable resolve to reclaim what was his and bring the William family to heel, along with the Thomas family, and indeed any house that dared oppose him. For he was now the reigning lord of Top-Sky House: the most formidable alliance in all spheres of commerce, military, and healthcare. He stood unchallenged at the helm, a titan fearing no one!
Benjamin Arnold was a recently discharged soldier with no job or stable life. However, one day, a man named Bahjat Taylor appeared and insisted that Benjamin marry his daughter, Isabella. Without money and his sister gravely ill, requiring costly medical treatment and surgery, Benjamin had no choice but to agree to a marriage of convenience with Isabella. Unbeknownst to Benjamin, Bahjat's motivation for arranging the marriage was discovering a yin-yang koi fish tattoo on Benjamin's left chest. This tattoo contained immense supernatural powers capable of transforming the universe and even granting immortality. Therefore, Bahjat arranged the marriage for his daughter to manipulate Benjamin easily. As for Benjamin, after becoming a son-in-law to the Taylor family, he was constantly belittled and humiliated by his mother-in-law and sister-in-law. His wife would always yell at him, act irrationally, and even openly date other men in front of him. Benjamin's life continued to spiral with one misfortune after another. His father passed away, his sister's illness worsened, and more mysteries unfolded, revealing the truth behind his identity. Would Benjamin be able to rise from these depths of despair? Where would the tattoo on his chest lead him? Benjamin Arnold, the hidden heir of the dragon lineage, is emerging from the void and awakening his true power!
Since the first time met Wolfgang, Emily had fallen in love with him. He treated her well and was handsome and gentle, making her infatuated with him. However, he was both intimate and distant, sometimes being very friendly towards her but other times being cold and distant. But Emily wouldn't give up, she loved him and was determined to flirt with him until she won him over. Then one day, on a full moon... she saw him transform into a... werewolf! Her destined love, Wolfgang, was a werewolf! What was Emily to do?
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
In the eyes of the public, Elijah was ever the gentleman, always distant and reserved. But behind closed doors, he was an animal who relentlessly ensnared Ashley in a web of lust. No one knew of their secret relationship, yet at the same time, no one dared to bully her again. Then one day, she was hit with morning sickness right in front of everyone. To everyoneās shock, the aloof and domineering Elijah quickly knelt in front of her and caressed her pregnant belly. āBabe,ā he crooned, āletās go public with our relationship. I will give you my everything.ā