Nick crossed his arms and reclined casually in his chair, his eyes involuntarily wandering across Rachel's striking appearance. He couldn't deny it; she was breathtaking. And he had always been drawn to stunning women, and Rachel was no exception. Her long, lustrous blonde hair framed her incredible figure, and her captivating hazel eyes held his attention. Yet, what he found most enticing were her full, rosy lips. They practically beckoned him to kiss them. Nick couldn't help but groan softly as he closed his eyes, momentarily lost in the thought of their lips meeting. "Are you even listening to a word I'm saying?" Rachel's voice dripped with anger as she noticed Nick's inattention. Nick's gaze snapped back to her, his eyes locked onto hers. He admitted, "No, I was lost in a fantasy about kissing those lips of yours." Rachel was initially at a loss for words, unsure if Nick was joking or being serious. Her wide-eyed stare seemed to amuse him, and his lips curled into a sly smile...... At the age of 22, Rachel's world shattered when she discovered she was bound to the notorious Nicholas Hill in an arranged marriage, a cruel twist of fate that neither party desired. Forced into a union neither envisioned, one question lingered: will love manage to bloom?
Rachel stood in disbelief as her parents dropped the bombshell of her betrothal. The shock and fury welled up within her, and she couldn't fathom how such an archaic arrangement could exist in the 21st century, let alone be imposed upon her without consent. Her emotions overflowed as she confronted her parents.
"This can't be happening," Rachel exclaimed, her voice laced with incredulity. "I won't allow myself to be married off like this. It's my life, my choice."
"Believe me, Rachel, this is happening. The betrothal has already been set in motion." Her father responded with stern resolve, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Desperate for support, Rachel turned pleading eyes toward her mother. "Mom, please tell me this isn't true."
Her mother, wearing a warm smile, tried to assuage Rachel's concerns. "Darling, I understand your frustration, but it's a long-standing family tradition. Your aunt Maria was married off through this arrangement, and she found happiness."
Rachel retorted with bitterness, her anger unabated. "Aunt Maria is a widow. And let's not forget she married for wealth and ultimately killed her husband. That's not happiness, Mom."
Unfazed, her mother confidently pressed on, seemingly disregarding the gravity of her own words. "Well, yes, that did happen, but it doesn't change the fact that she's content with her life now."
Fury surged through Rachel's veins, but before she could voice her objections, her father interjected with finality. "Rachel, there will be no further discussion. You will honor this betrothal. We have chosen a suitable partner for you. It's for your own good, and it secures a better future for you."
Rachel's forehead wrinkled in defiance. "Just like Aunt Maria, right? No, I refuse to accept this. I am 22 years old, capable of shaping my own future."
Her parents were taken aback when she boldly declared, "Besides, I already have a boyfriend."
The shock on their faces was palpable as they gasped in unison.
"A Boyfriend?"
Rachel seized the opportunity to elaborate. "Yes, a boyfriend. I didn't want to reveal it before because I was uncertain of your reaction. But our love is genuine, and we share a deep commitment to each other."
Her mother swiftly dismissed her revelation as a lie. "You're merely fabricating this story."
Rachel's determination solidified as she met her mother's gaze. "It's not a lie. In fact, he's eager to meet you both, to prove the authenticity of our relationship. Please, give him a chance."
Her father's unexpected response both shocked and heartened her. "Very well, Rachel. We will meet your boyfriend, but on one condition."
Hope and apprehension mingled within her as she cautiously inquired, "What condition?"
"You must honor your betrothal and meet the person we have chosen for you," her father stated, his voice tinged with firm resolve.
Rachel's world crumbled as she shouted in disbelief, "What?!"
*********
Nick reclined in his opulent office, a woman perched on his lap, her soft touch and tender kisses distracting him as she playfully toyed with the buttons of his shirt.
But the tranquility shattered when an unexpected intrusion disrupted their private moment-his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hill, unceremoniously barged into his domain.
"Mum?! Dad?!" Nick exclaimed, his surprise evident as he hastily stood up, pushing the lady away, desperately attempting to regain composure.
His father, Mr. Hill, delivered a disapproving glare. "So, this is how you spend your time when you claim to be too busy for family matters?"
"Dad, let me explain. This is Nora," Nick began, but his mother interjected, dismissing Nora with a dismissive gesture.
"We are not interested in her, son," she stated icily.
Nora. Nick's assistant feeling humiliated hastily made her exit from his office, leaving a tense atmosphere behind.
Nick struggled to fasten his shirt buttons, attempting to regain composure. "What are you both doing here, anyways?"
"Since you couldn't find the time to visit us, we decided to pay you a visit instead." His mother responded with a smirk, sending a shiver down Nick's spine.
Sarcasm tinged Nick's response. "Oh, what a brilliant idea. Flying all the way here just to see me."
"Yes, because we have someone of utmost importance for you to meet," Mr. Hill declared.
"And who might this important person be that it compelled my parents to fly from London to meet me? You didn't even bother when I fell ill," Nick countered.
"Your future wife," Mr. Hill replied seriously.
Nick laughed heartily, assuming it was a joke. However, the solemn expressions on his parents' faces swiftly wiped the amusement away.
"This is all a ridiculous prank, right?" he asked, taken aback.
"Do we appear to be jokers to you, son?" Mr. Hill retorted, his voice serious and unyielding.
"No, Dad. But last I checked, I didn't recall being engaged."
"Check again, son. Because you are," his mother added, her words leaving no room for doubt.
Nick's laughter died in his throat.
"You can't make such decisions for me. I am a grown man, capable of choosing my own spouse. It's my life."
His father's response was resolute. "Unfortunately, you have shown a lack of judgment in managing your own life. We can't trust you to make this decision. You need guidance."
"I run your companies, Dad. Every day, I make significant decisions," Nick argued, his voice firm.
Mr. Hill's anger flared as he scrutinized Nick's disheveled appearance. "Yes, you excel at running my companies, but you have miserably failed at managing your own life. Look at yourself."
Nick's messy hair and undone buttons became a poignant symbol of his perceived shortcomings "Just because I have a playboy reputation doesn't mean I'm incapable of settling down. Those allegations-"
His mother's voice dripped with disappointment. "We expected better of you. This is not the son we raised."
"Mom, I didn't know those women were married. It's not entirely my fault," Nick protested, his defense tinged with desperation.
His father's voice grew resolute, leaving no room for negotiation. "You've caused enough damage, son. It's time for you to find stability."
Dread coiled within Nick as he dared to voice his fears. "And if I refuse?"
"Then your rights as my heir will be relinquished, passed on to another deserving candidate," his father declared, his words a crushing blow.
Nick, stunned by the revelation, struggled to comprehend the consequences. "But who? I am your only son."
Mr. Hill's gaze hardened, his resolve unyielding. "Yes, but not my only child. Your sister will inherit everything, and you will be permanently cut off."
Nick's confidence wavered as he questioned his father's resolve. "You wouldn't truly abandon your only son like that."
"Watch me," his father replied with steely determination. "You have 48 hours to make your decision. Your mother and I will be waiting."
With that final pronouncement, his parents departed, leaving Nick alone in his office.
It begins with King Aric, the just and honorable monarch of the powerful kingdom of Evaria. He leads a disciplined life, but his heart is restless, for he has fallen in love with his beautiful maid, Alia. Despite the risks, they indulge in an affair that results in a pregnancy. The King is unaware of this, but Queen Nadia, his wife, discovers the truth about Alia and her unborn child. Queen Nadia is a powerful sorceress, who has long harbored dark secrets and ambitions. She practices dark magic and is in league with a malevolent entity Dagon that seeks to enslave the world. The news of the pregnancy enrages her, for she believes the child in Alia's womb is a threat to her plans. She unleashes her powers on Alia, but the maid manages to escape with the help of a shape-shifter named Kael. Kael reveals to Alia that she is carrying a special child, who will be known as the Chosen One. He will possess immense powers and be destined to save the world from an impending doom. But first, he must be protected and his identity kept secret from the agents of evil, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Thus begins Alia's perilous journey, as she traverses the kingdom, seeking refuge, while evading the Queen's henchmen. As Alia races to protect her son, The Chosen One, the Queen amasses her forces, unleashing dark magic and creatures upon the land. The kingdom plunges into chaos, as battles rage, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. And in the end, the Chosen One must face his ultimate challenge, as he confronts the evil being that seeks to enslave him and the world. Will Alia succeed in protecting the Chosen One and help him in fulfilling his destiny? Or will the Queen and her dark master triumph, plunging the world into an age of darkness and misery? Find out in "The Chosen One's Journey", a tale of magic, love, betrayal, and redemption.
MR NOBODY What lies beneath the surface of a man who grew up abandoned by his birth parents? A childhood marred by the trials of an orphanage, only to be thrust into a world of even greater adversity after adoption—where he found himself entangled in a web of struggle and darkness, culminating in the ultimate act of taking a life. Jeremy became a mere shell, a living corpse, his existence a mere obligation. Even amidst wealth and power, his heart remained shrouded in sorrow and despair. Until he encountered Melissa Williams—the epitome of boundless optimism, radiating humor and cheerfulness. Will she become the catalyst that breathes life into his weary soul? Can Melissa turn Jeremy's world upside down and chart a new path filled with hope and redemption? Embark on a captivating journey as these two individuals collide, their lives intertwining in unexpected ways. Unveil the transformative power of human connection, and discover if Melissa holds the key to unlocking the depths of Jeremy's tormented existence.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
"Please trust me, I didn't do anything." "I don't believe you. I am rejecting you as my Queen and giving you the punishment of death." Alina was living outside her pack for five years. Her parents didn't try to contact her and always ignored her. Her best friend convinced her to go back to their pack and she agreed. But she had never imagined what was waiting there for her. She never thought she would meet her mate and had to face betrayal from everywhere. She had to pay for the crime which she never committed. Aaron Robertson is the king of Lycans. He is a very dominant and powerful King who not only rules Lycans but also rules other ranks of werewolves. Everyone is afraid of Lycans and he is the king of them. But who knew that he would get a mate who was just a simple Omega with no powers and strengths? He called her weak all the time but little did he know that his weak Omega would give him the biggest betrayal of his life for which he had to give her the sentence of death.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
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?”
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."