/0/45799/coverbig.jpg?v=ad3bf1f5553d1975421ccd617deb00f1)
Ava Mitchell's life takes an unexpected turn in a world of luxury when her father's successful business empire collapses due to an overwhelming burden of debt. With limited options, he forges a malicious deal with the captivating and enigmatic billionaire, Nathaniel Brooks to marry Ava. Despite her initial reservations, Ava strives to make the most of the circumstance, even as her heart remains entangled with her former boyfriend, who unexpectedly resurfaces as a manipulative third party. A second chance at love becomes possible as their chemistry returns. Ava faces a critical decision – whether to follow the desires of her heart or honor her duties to both family and husband. Ava was faced with betrayal by her father as she discovered a secret about him. What is this secret ? Will she uncover true love amidst this arrangement? Will she rekindle her past romance? Will her husband ever find out about the ex-boyfriend? Will she ever forgive her father?
Ava summoned the courage to confront the undeniable tension that hung thickly in the air between them. She lifted her gaze to meet Nathaniel's intense stare head-on.
"Nathaniel," she began, making an effort to control her emotions, "it's been days since you mentioned having something to discuss regarding our marriage."
He shunned her.
Her curiosity grew, and moisture gathered in her palms, causing her hands to tremble. "Does it go beyond just the arranged marriage?" she questioned.
An awkward silence lingered between them.
"Okay! This arrangement feels suffocating. We barely know each other, and yet we're expected to act as if we're in a genuine relationship. How do I achieve that when the so-called husband is cold to me?"
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, his confidence unwavering in his expression. "It was your father who pushed for this arrangement, not me. I have my benefits, and he has his," he replied coolly.
Ava's heart sank at his unapologetic response, but she refused to back down.
She giggled.
"You are callous. Do you have human feelings at all? What about me? What would I gain from all of these?" she inquired, trying to convey her discontent.
Nathaniel's response was filled with arrogance as he said, "You have the honor of being associated with someone of my figure. Do you know what that means? I doubt you know how much influence and power I control. I can provide you with a life of luxury and comfort that you could never have dreamt of."
She shook her head in disgust and disbelief. Her frustration grew, like a brewing storm eager to be unleashed.
"But I had a life before this," she insisted, her voice a crescendo of emotions breaking against the shores of his indifference. "Dreams, plans-they all vanished into thin air.
Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, stretching forth his legs.
"Sometimes in life, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Your father made his decision, and now you must live with the consequences," he stated firmly.
Her eyes widened "Consequences?"
Her fists clenched tightly with her face showing how frustrated she was. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him that she was more than just a puppet in his business game.
She unfisted and calmed her nerves, she knew deep down that her efforts would be in vain.
***
Under the gentle moonlight that flowed through the room, Ava lay there, her heart heavy with the weight of an arranged marriage.
She had married Nathaniel out of duty and structure, but deep down, her heart yearned for something more profound.
Love was what she truly desired. It consumed her thoughts, this longing for intimacy and a connection that transcended the formalities of their marriage.
"Nathaniel," she whispered, her voice barely audible, her vulnerability laid bare. "Can we talk?"
He turned to her, his eyes meeting hers with a distant look. "What is it again, Ava?" he replied, his tone guarded.
Taking a deep breath, she felt her fingers glide over the smooth silk bedspread, tracing invisible patterns. "I... I know this marriage was arranged. " she began, her words hesitant. "Something beyond a mere transaction."
Nathaniel let out a sigh, his face displaying traces of frustration. "Woman, we knew what we were getting into when we agreed to this marriage," he said, his voice tinged with detachment. "We have our roles to fulfill."
"I understand," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her emotions. "But I've always yearned for a marriage filled with love. A marriage where I truly feel cherished, where I'm not just a presence or commodity, but genuinely seen and heard."
She felt her throat tighten, and she swallowed hard.
"The truth is, we barely even know each other. All I want is to be seen. You don't talk to me. You don't even see me. It's as if I exist in your world as nothing more than a shadow.
Her words hung in the air, vulnerable and raw. But he chose to ignore her, his attention fixed on his phone, dismissing her feelings without a word.
There was a moment of silence, heavy with her words hanging in the air. Then, without looking up, he muttered, "You're exaggerating."
She turned to face him, an expression of pain and annoyance visible in her eyes. "Can you even deny it?"
Her voice wavered slightly, but her resolve held strong. "I'm here, right in front of you, and yet I feel invisible. It's like my feelings don't matter."
He finally tore his gaze away from his phone, a mix of irritation and frustration. He responded dismissively, "This is pointless," his tone dismissive. "We have more important things to deal with than your emotions."
Her heart sank at his words, the weight of his arrogance and indifference pressing down on her.
"Remember, this is an arranged marriage. Your dad exchanged you."
"I wonder if there's even anything special about you for your father to have traded you" he mumbled.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her heart aching for his statement and for a connection that seemed out of reach. "I heard you. But that does not mean we can't have a real partnership, a genuine connection?"
He looked away, avoiding her gaze. "I don't know, Ava," in Insolence, his words heavy with uncertainty. "Perhaps it's better this way, to keep things separate."
Her heart sank, and the ache of longing grew stronger. "But I want more," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I want to know you, to be more than just a stranger in your life."
The arrogance in his conduct was obvious as he scoffed. He responded dismissively, "This is the way things are, we're bound by duty, not by some romantic notion of connection."
A profound sense of longing enveloped Ava as if the connection she so desperately desired was slipping forever from her grasp.
"But what about my happiness, your happiness?" she asked, her voice filled with desperation.
"Don't we deserve to find it together? Maybe we can find a way to make this work, to find some common ground." Her voice was desperate. "To have some understanding, some vulnerability between us?"
Nathaniel's expression remained unchanged, his walls seemingly impenetrable. "I do not need vulnerability," he stated coldly. "It's a weakness I don't indulge in."
She felt a pang in her chest as if her heart was on the verge of bursting out. Amid her astonishment, an inner thought reverberated "What sort of a man is this?"
With a fire in her eyes, she uttered, "Nathaniel, you may view vulnerability as weakness, but I believe it is the foundation of true connection.
Nathaniel's gaze bore into hers, "'You're more daring than I thought," he mused, his usual composure faltering momentarily.
"Ava met his gaze, her heart throbbing with a newfound strength. 'I refuse to be a puppet in this marriage,' she affirmed. 'If we're going to make this work, we need to find a way to bridge this gap, to understand each other beyond our roles.'"
"Nathaniel's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. 'Very well,' he said, his tone carrying a hint of challenge. 'Let's see if you can truly handle what you're asking for.'
I fell in love with the man I had always hated. Williams Davis was supposed to be my enemy-the man who destroyed my life, the one I vowed to never forgive. But fate has a twisted sense of humor. Now, that the universe has decided to pull us closer, I found myself trapped between love and hatred. How do you love someone who's broken everything you hold dear? When the truth comes out, will love be enough to heal the wounds, or will it destroy us both forever?
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
Marriage was a bed of thorns for Stella. She lived like an overworked and unhappy slave for six years in her matrimonial home. One day, her uncaring husband, Waylon said to her, "Ayla will be back soon. You have to move out tomorrow." "I want a divorce," responded Stella. She left without shedding a tear or trying to change Waylon's stone-cold heart. Days after their divorce, they met again. Stella was in the arms of another man. Waylon's blood boiled at the sight of her looking so happy. "So, you couldn't even wait a while before jumping into another man's arms?" he queried distastefully. "And who are you to question my decision? It's my life, so I call the shots. Stay out of my business!" Stella fired at him before turning to look at her new man with shiny eyes. Waylon immediately lost it.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."