Damian McBride was wealthy. Ella Sullivan was poor. However, their lives intertwined with each other when his father took her to live with them. She was raised by his father so it was illegal to be infatuated with him. However, she couldn't resist the temptation of wanting her foster brother. When he announced his plan to marry his fiancée, Ella discouraged him. Then, she proposed to Damian and he was too stunned to speak. He scolded her, however, she did her best in winning his heart by flirting with him.
Ella woke up at five o'clock in the morning, but it was evident that she hadn't slept well due to her longing to see Damian again. It had been five years since he left his job as a pilot. Despite not needing the money, he had been fully immersed in his work, resulting in infrequent conversations and quick video calls. Ella missed him dearly.
"Good morning, Rebecca! Did you sleep well?" Ella greeted Rebecca, the middle-aged woman who had been serving her foster father for a long time. Rebecca played a significant role in raising Ella after Damian's father took her under his care. At times, Ella wondered if Rebecca and Jack McBride, Damian's father, were secretly involved.
"You must be excited to see him," Rebecca said, understanding Ella's emotions.
"I am. It's been five years since he celebrated Christmas with us," Ella replied, blushing at the thought that her excitement might reveal something more than Damian's homecoming.
"Indeed, it has been a long time. Well, why don't you sit down now, Miss Ella? I'll get you a cup of milk," Rebecca offered.
"Milk? I'm old enough for coffee," Ella protested, not wanting to be treated like a child.
"Twenty is not old enough, Ella. Now, stop complaining and sit down!"
Ella shook her head in disbelief but complied, waiting for the glass of milk that Rebecca prepared. She couldn't go against Rebecca's wishes when it came to such matters. After her real mother passed away, Rebecca acted as her second mother, and Ella was grateful for her love and care.
"Here's your coffee, Madame," Rebecca teased, handing Ella the cup. "You might be allowed to have coffee now, but for Jack and Damian, you're still a child. Do you want to upset them?"
"Jack would never be angry with me, but I'm not so sure about Damian. But who knows? Maybe he's more open-minded than his father," Ella reasoned, though Rebecca just snorted.
"Maybe if you got rid of that mug, they might see you differently and consider you more mature," Rebecca suggested.
Ella smiled, holding her favorite pink mug with her name written on it. "This mug is innocent," she defended playfully.
"Would you like a sandwich?"
"Yes, please. With the chocolate spread," Ella replied, and Rebecca quickly prepared the sandwich. The whole family treated her like a princess, even though they occasionally complained about her stubbornness.
After finishing her coffee and sandwich, Ella left the house. As expected, Jack McBride was enjoying his coffee by the pool, engrossed in a newspaper. Ella approached him and kissed his cheek.
"Good morning, Pop," she greeted him. Though Jack had encouraged her to call him Daddy, she preferred calling him Pop. But soon, when she became Damian's bride, she knew she wouldn't hesitate to call him Daddy.
"It's still early, Ella. Why are you already awake?" he asked, but before she could respond, he added, "Damian called last night. He can't come home this year."
Ella waited for Jack to smile and take back his words, hoping it was a joke. However, Jack didn't smile. "You're kidding, right?"
"Am I? Well, you're right. I'm just kidding," he said, trying to dodge her playful pinch.
"You're mean, Pop!"
Jack took a deep breath and sighed. "You're not as funny as you used to be, princess. Why did you grow up so fast?"
"Still, you've just told me he canceled his plans. You know how much I miss Damian," she pouted, expressing her disappointment.
"Don't you think it's time to move on from your infatuation with my son? You're already twenty, my dear, and sooner or later, Damian may marry someone else. You'll get hurt," he warned, concerned for her well-being.
Ella had always confessed her feelings for Damian to Jack, and Damian was likely aware of them too. Perhaps, she was the reason he didn't enjoy staying at home and instead preferred to travel with friends or even girlfriends.
"Don't worry, Pop. I assure you it's just a passing infatuation. I might find a boyfriend of my own sooner or later," she stated, noticing Jack's frown at her announcement. "Enjoy your coffee, Pop. I'll go back to my room now and take a shower," she said, leaving him to his thoughts.
"Go ahead."
However, instead of taking a shower, Ella found herself lingering in her room, anxiously awaiting Damian's arrival. Her bedroom was on the second floor, but from her window, she had a view of the gate.
Damian was supposed to arrive on the 23rd, but he hadn't made it. It was already the 24th, and Ella was losing hope that he would come. Sighing with disappointment, she sat by the window. Suddenly, a commotion downstairs caught her attention. Rebecca hurried toward the gate, and Ella's heart skipped a beat when she recognized the man who had just arrived.
Without a second thought, she rushed downstairs, unable to contain her excitement. She shouted Damian's name as soon as he entered the main door. "Damian!" she called out, even though she was still on the staircase. He smiled at her, making her heart flutter. Running towards him, she hugged him tightly. "I missed you! I missed you so much, Damian!" She no longer cared if Jack and Rebecca were watching.
"Hmm, what's up, kiddo?" he asked, taken aback by Ella's sudden embrace. His eyes widened in surprise, and he felt slightly embarrassed when he glanced at his father, who merely shrugged. Rebecca did the same. He was even more taken aback when she kissed his cheek, feeling it was inappropriate. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. Ella was a woman now, and he was a man. Her actions felt risky, but he couldn't scold her. He looked at her intently and said, "I missed you too."
"How long are you staying this time?" she inquired eagerly.
"Longer than before," he replied.
"Really? I'm glad," Ella beamed at Damian.
"Welcome back, son. Now that you're here, I'm sure our Christmas celebration will be fantastic!" Jack exclaimed, brimming with excitement.
Damian smiled at his father, grateful that Ella had become a part of their family. Despite her beauty, he hoped it wouldn't distract him too much. "Dad, are you genuinely happy to see me or not? You seem sad," he remarked, approaching his father.
"I was expecting you to bring someone with you tonight," Jack said.
"Mmm, don't worry. I will bring her later," Damian replied.
"Who?" Jack inquired.
Damian glanced at Ella before answering, wanting to spare her any hurt. Sensing her true feelings despite her attempts to hide them, he was aware of her emotions. "My girlfriend," he replied.
"You have a girlfriend?" Ella asked in disbelief, her heart shattering into small pieces when Damian nodded. She hadn't expected to be hurt on Christmas Eve!
It started with a one-night stand but it led to an unexpected twist of fate - a contract marriage between a playboy and a wealthy heiress. Collin was known for his carefree lifestyle but he didn't imagine he would become a temporary husband to a wealthy heiress named Aubrey through a contract marriage when she became pregnant after their one-night stand. Aubrey was desperate to have a baby and because of her desperation, she ended up sleeping with a handsome stranger. Everything went according to her plan when she became pregnant, but the stranger suddenly showed up in her house. As he messed up everything, they ended up in a contract marriage, and she got a temporary husband just to avoid any scandal about them. However, as they spend time together, Aubrey finds herself falling in love with Collin, and she can't deny the magnetic pull between them. Will Collin realize that love can transcend the boundaries of a temporary arrangement? And will Aubrey find the courage to follow her heart even if it means breaking the contract? How would she react if she learns that Collin wasn't just an ordinary man but also a billionaire and the only son of her business partner?
Haisley Jefferson, daughter of the Alpha of The Ashen Crescent Pack, finds her life far from fulfilling. She yearns to meet her mate so she can finally escape the hellhole she once called home. Instead of meeting her mate and escaping, fate takes an unexpected turn on her 21st birthday. Rather than a mate, she's given a husband – Hades Stone, the future Alpha of The DuskBane Pack, and a man she has secretly loved for years. The only problem is he has his eyes set on Alice, her adopted sister. In the face of this dilemma, Haisley rejects the marriage, but destiny seems to have its own plans beyond her control. Haisley finds herself at a crossroads. While she wishes for her mate to rescue her, she's also entangled in a deep affection for Hades. A forced marriage to him was not her desire, but it seems destiny has other plans.
"The entire wealthy circle in Seattle knew how much Stella Carlson loved Aaron Malone. People watched the childhood sweethearts grow from inexperience to maturity, finally getting married in a grand wedding ceremony. On the day of the wedding, despite the alliance between the Carlson and Malone families, the groom ran away. Stella knew that Aaron had rushed to L.A. to take care of his ex-girlfriend, who had attempted suicide. Unwilling to become the laughingstock of all Seattle, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number of her adversary, her tone almost commanding, "Ethan, come and marry me now. This is your only chance for revenge." On the other end, Ethan Powers raised an eyebrow as he gripped his phone, staring at the floor littered with cigarette butts. "Did the groom run away?" he asked. "My darling."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
For three years, Jessica endured a loveless marriage while her husband pretended to be impotent. His lies unraveled when a pregnant mistress surfaced. After six months of secretly collecting proof, Jessica threw him out and built her own billion-dollar empire. After the divorce, she transformed into an irresistible figure, attracting admirers. As she left her office one day, she met Kevan, her ex-husband's brother. He stepped in, confronting her. "Was I just a tool to you?" Jessica's lips curled into a calm smile. "How much compensation do you want?" Kevan's voice softened. "All I want is you."
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"