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"Marriage was never on Ariana's mind. Living a lifetime with a man, residing in the dream home, having children who resembled her, and a partner - these were all beautiful daydreams that other girls might entertain, but not her. Ariana decided to live a single life and enjoy the rest of her days alone. However, what if she was compelled to step into her twin sister's shoes, who disappeared right before the wedding, and marry a man she didn't know? While some might consider her lucky to marry the CEO of an international venture company, Ariana didn't feel that way. So, will the marriage proceed as planned by the people pressuring her? Or will it turn out differently?"
I stared at that luxurious house. The house that caused my mother to leave me and my father. A house like a palace but filled with monsters inside. I smiled bitterly. If only my father hadn't forced me to come here to deliver the wedding gift. I didn't want to come on my own.
I exhaled and got out of the car. How long had it been since I last saw the woman who was supposed to be my mother? A year? Two years? Ah, yes. Fifteen years. Once again, I smiled bitterly. I didn't hate my "mother," or more accurately, my father forbade me from hating her. A wicked woman who took my sister and left my father just because he went bankrupt and hit rock bottom.
My father, a good man, always forgiving but ultimately abandoned. Sorry, I'm not a gentle-hearted girl like my father. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Because even though my father instilled goodness in me, I grew up to be a cunning girl like my mother.
The servants looked at me with their mouths agape. Why? Are you surprised? Of course, they would be shocked to see me, the famous bride-to-be known for being gentle, loving, and ethical, walking freely. Hmm, one more fact I need to tell you. My sister and I are twins. Identical twins. I, the older one, was born five minutes before her, the obedient and gentle girl.
Ugh. I even want to spit on her. Like mother, like daughter. See, even when we were ten years old, my younger twin knew what would benefit her more. Living with a poor and miserable father or choosing to leave with her mother and prepare for a more comfortable life. Hate? No. My father said I shouldn't hate. "It will only rot your heart," he always said.
Okay, I won't hate. But if I feel disgusted? Is that okay?
My stiletto tapped the marble floor with a resounding echo. Only in my ears, of course, given the crowd's noise; it couldn't possibly be quiet, right?
The large teakwood door with intricate carvings swung wide open, and the bustling sounds of servants moving around with their decorations filled the air. With confidence, I entered the magnificent house, searching for someone I hoped I could still recognize after not seeing her for nearly a third of my life.
"Mommy, that's Karen!" A young boy pointed towards me. I glanced in his direction. Judging by his stature, he might be around 10 or 11 years old. His shout made several adults turn their gaze towards me. Smile? I'm not a friendly person. Sorry about that. My smiles are expensive.
"Sorry, I'm not Karenina," I replied cynically. "I'm here to find Mrs. Caitlyn," I said flatly.
A beautiful woman with a well-maintained face, an undoubtedly expensive and sleek dress, looked in my direction. "Ariana..." she whispered softly. Apparently, she still remembered my name. Should I smile? Or laugh?
With a quick yet graceful movement, the woman approached, extending her arms as if to hug me. But I recoiled. Sorry, it's just a reflex. To me, she was more like a germ to be avoided than a 'Mother' to be loved.
"Don't. Dare. Approach. And touch me," I said, enunciating each syllable. The woman froze. So did the people around. "I didn't come here to be warmly welcomed. I just came to deliver this." I handed over a gift, a check left by my father for my sister. Where's my twin? I didn't see her.
The woman in front of me reached for the paper, then began to cry softly. Sad? My heart had gone numb a long time ago. That's why I didn't feel touched at all. "Alright. My business here is done. I have to go." I turned to leave.
"Wait," she pleaded. I paused for a moment. "Please, Ariana. Please, Mama." She begged softly. I turned to look at her. She gazed at me with hopeful eyes. "Ka-Karen. She's gone. Please help Mama." She asked again.
"Gone?" I asked cynically. "Your daughter is missing? So, what's that got to do with me?" I turned away again, but someone held me back. I tried to push them away roughly. There was a crash and gasps of surprise filled my ears. Then something bumped into me. I stumbled, but luckily, I had good balance. I only staggered a couple of steps.
"Why are you being rough with Mommy!" the boy shouted angrily, looking at me. I saw a man already helping the woman.
"Can't you see they're fine, your Mommy, I mean. Instead of bumping into me like an angry rabbit, why don't you help her stand? Good child?" I replied with sarcasm. The boy looked at me with fear. Sorry, I'll say it again; I'm not a gentle girl. And I don't like troublesome things.
"Ariana. I beg you, please help me. Just this once." She begged with a whimper.
"Why should I help you? You were gone for fifteen years, and now, shamelessly, you're asking for my help? 'I have no connection with you and your father anymore. My daughter is only Karenina. Whatever happens to your father, I no longer care.' Those were your words back then, Madam. So, I'm sorry. I have no business with you and your daughter." I turned and walked away. But once again, someone held me back. This time, they grabbed my leg. What was this? The selfish woman was begging to me now? What kind of drama was she trying to pull off?
"I beg you. Please help me. Karenina is gone. She ran away while her wedding is tomorrow. Ariana, please help me. I begs you"
"I've already told you that I'm nobody to you. You have no right to ask anything of me. Not even the smallest help is appropriate."
"I will pay you, whatever you want," the voice came from the man who had helped the woman and was now being begged by her.
"How much can you pay?"
"Whatever you want. Or whatever you ask for," he replied confidently. A smile appeared on his face.
"Anything?" I challenged. The man's face lit up even more, nodding eagerly. "Anything," he replied assuredly.
"What if I ask for your child's heart as a replacement for the request your wife made?" I asked. The man furrowed his brow. The woman's grip on my leg weakened. "Why? You said you were willing to give 'anything,' right? Doesn't that mean you'd ask for something important to you? So, in return, I'm asking for something you consider important as well," I replied with a warm smile I could offer.
"Ariana..." my mother sighed. I crouched in front of her, aligning my face with her beautiful yet age-weathered face, which still appeared youthful due to expensive treatments.
"Why should I help you? You said 'anything' to me. Doesn't that mean you'd ask for something important to you? So, in exchange, I'm asking for something you consider important too." I answered with a warm smile I could muster.
She turned to look at me with her golden eyes, exactly like mine. I offered the warmest smile I could muster. "I'm sorry, ma'am. But I'm not the poor girl you abandoned back then. So, if you offer money to me, it means nothing to me. Even if I'm still poor right now, I won't accept a single cent you offer." I stood up, letting my voice grow louder. "Dignity?" I shifted my gaze to the man in front of me and the woman now crying at my feet. "To hell with dignity. We lost that when you left us, begging and pleading for you to come back. And your dignity? It's your business. Not mine." And without further ado, I chose to leave.
"Believe me, destiny won't run away. Even if you drown in the Congo River and parts of your body are eaten by Goliath Tigerfish, if she's meant for you, she'll accept you just the way you are." ~ Gladwin Hampton ~ "If it's truly meant to be, it won't go anywhere. Even if we run to the ends of the earth to avoid it, God will always provide a way to bring His creatures together. But... we can choose to avoid it if there's a chance." ~ Bella ~
To fulfil her desire to study in Manhattan, Elara Fulton is forced to accept her mother's condition to stay at Adaline Quirino's residence while Elara hates Adaline's youngest son Rayyan Quirino. Rayyan, Elara's step-uncle who is seven years older than Elara, is a playboy. He changed lovers as easily as he changed clothes. Elara hates and curses her uncle's behaviour and believes that she will get a husband with a good and loyal character, not a playboy like Rayyan. But the problem arises when Rayyan deliberately mentions that Elara is his fiancée. Initially, Rayyan used that status to stay away from the woman who was pursuing him. But who would have thought that Rayyan's words would make Rayyan and Elara's family decide that they should get married as soon as possible. How is their story? Don't forget to rate and comment positively.
Altezza Quirino, a young Italian-American billionaire, desired to have offspring. However, his girlfriend of the past six years consistently rejected his marriage proposals, providing various reasons that eventually led Altezza to give up and decide to part ways. Adaline Scott, a young woman facing difficulties due to her mother's ailing health, sought a loan from the company to save her mother's life. However, the loan offered was too substantial, leading her superior to propose an alternative: borrowing directly from the Chief Operating Officer, Altezza Quirino. Altezza agreed to assist Adaline, but with the condition that she must marry him and provide him with unlimited offspring. "I will help you by saving your mother's life, and in return, you will give me another life, a child for me." - Altezza Quirino
Ignazio Quirino's first marriage had to end because his wife Gretta died not long after giving birth due to cancer. Gretta's death broke Ignazio's heart, so he chose to run away from his family, leaving behind a baby he never even named. Five years it was passed. Due to Ignazio's father's health condition, Antony Quirino, Ignazio finally returned. Still, he did not dare to show himself because he felt too ashamed of his selfish actions in the past. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claire Quirino asked Olivia Grint, the girl she had trusted to look after her grandson, to help Ignazio get close to Gianna, whose biological daughter is now five. But who would have thought that Ignazio and Olivia would be attracted to each other? Not to mention the presence of the late Gretta's sister, who suddenly claims she is more suitable as a mother for Hanna, a new problem for Ignazio and Olivia's love, which has just grown. Who will Ignazio choose? Olivia or his late wife's sister?
One Side Love Story Nathaniel Chayton is Haisley Smith's first love and teenage obsession. For Nathaniel's sake, Haisley studied hard to follow Nathaniel to the country where the man lived. Years passed, and Haisley managed to achieve her dream. When she was able to live under the same roof as Nathan, instead of successfully getting the man's love and attention, Haisley was disappointed because it turned out that Nathan was in a serious relationship with a beautiful woman named Loretta. Nathan's attitude seemed cold and evil towards Haisley, and Haisley's pessimism about being able to conquer Nathan made her give up. But when she said that, Nathan suddenly became impulsive as if he didn't want Haisley to leave him, but at the same time, the man also couldn't leave his girlfriend. How does the story end? Keep reading because you will get lots of surprises in it.
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.
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."
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."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
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?"
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.