She ran away from her wedding, which ended in her own demise and became her forever nightmare. She eloped with another man over the one who loved her. She was cheated on by that person who lured her into leaving her husband and driving her to death. She came back to life and lay on their matrimonial bed. A firm but gentle hand closed around her wrist and guided her hand back to the front of his pants. She looked at her small, pale hand next to his large, tanned fingers and let him press her palm into him. It would be easy to let him take her, easy to submit to him. She wanted it. She wanted to feel his large hands on every inch of her body. "Wait," she gasped. "We have to stop. This isn't talking." "It's better than talking," he said, pressing his lips to her neck. "No, we need to talk," she said. "Get off me, let me put my clothes on." "You can't make love with clothes on," he said, biting her earlobe. "Listen to me," she said. "I'm trying to be serious, okay? I know I shouldn't have run away." "What is this about?" he asked in a cold tone. "I just want to work things out," she sincerely looked into his eyes. Disgust flitted across his face, and his mouth curled down, "I see what's happening. You think I'll forget your betrayal if you let me fuck you."
Catherine Stewart was in a lot of pain. Her throat ached and burned, and her head throbbed. She raised a hand and touched her throat-the skin felt hot and swollen beneath her fingers. She pushed gently, and a sharp pain seized her. Her hand fell down to her side, and she groaned.
For a moment, she wondered if she was dead. She was sure she'd been on the brink of death. A hazy, glimmering light had appeared in the corner of the dark prison cell, filling her body with burning pain. The light got brighter and brighter, and she shut her eyes.
But if she was dead, why was she in such pain? Had the prison director decided to save her at the last minute? She groaned and tried to move her body. Besides the pain in her throat and the aching in her head, she felt okay. The burning fever was gone, and her heart thumped a steady rhythm in her chest.
"You should have let me die," she moaned.
"Die?" a deep voice asked. "Never."
She blinked, trying to see the speaker. The voice sounded a lot like Sean Blair, but that was impossible. What would he be doing in prison? She closed her eyes. Maybe she was still hallucinating, maybe death took longer than she'd realized.
"Open your eyes, Catherine," the deep voice said. "You're not dying, and you're certainly not in prison."
She groaned-without realizing it, she'd been talking aloud again. The prison was lonely and too quiet. Talking to herself filled the dark emptiness and kept her from losing her mind in the silence.
Her eyes flickered open. A handsome face hovered just inches from hers, and she found herself staring up at Sean Blair. Though it had been years, he looked exactly the same as the last time she'd seen him: powerful jawline, smooth and shaven skin with icy blue eyes.
His face was severe and angry, but a sudden warmth flooded her. She raised a trembling hand and stroked his cheek-touched by his presence. She hadn't gotten a single visitor since arriving in prison. Sean hated her more than most but had somehow decided to visit her.
A hot flood of embarrassment rushed through her body. She knew she looked terrible. During her weekly trips to the prison showers, she managed to catch her reflection in the polished metal mirror bolted to the wall. Though she was six years younger than Sean, she knew she could pass as his mother.
"Thank you for coming to see me, Sean," she whispered. Her throat ached with each word, but she continued, "I'm so happy to see you-it means so much to me."
The icy blue eyes narrowed, and Sean asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Sorry," she whispered. "The ramblings of a dying woman filled with regret."
"What are you talking about?" he asked. "Why do you keep saying that you are dying?"
"I am," she whispered. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please, would you hold my hand for a moment?"
A large, warm hand closed around hers, and she smiled and drifted into blackness.
***
Sean stared down at Catherine's face. Her eyes were closed, and her long eyelashes brushed against the tops of her cheeks. Though her skin was pale, she still looked lovely and beautiful. Her delicate features looked peaceful when she slept-when she was awake, they were usually twisted in anger and disdain.
"Get me a doctor," he hissed.
Within minutes the house doctor stood by the bedside checking Catherine's vitals, took her pulse, and listened to her heart while Sean kept her hand in his.
"She's not dying," the doctor said. "Her neck is injured, but she'll recover."
"She thinks she's dying," Sean said. "She's hallucinating and keeps talking about prison."
"She's just exhausted," the doctor said. "She's been through a lot today. Let her rest."
Sean looked down at her face. There were deep, purple circles beneath her eyes, and a hideous blue bruise spread across her delicate neck. He sighed and released her small hand from his.
He stroked the soft skin on her cheek, and her eyes flickered open. Her pupils widened with surprise.
"Oh, you're really here," she whispered. "I thought I was dreaming."
Sean's heart thudded in his chest-she was happy to see him. He closed his eyes and willed the strange, hopeful feeling to go away. She was confused and hallucinating. The gentle smile on her lips was not shown for him.
"What do you want, Catherine?" he asked. "Is this place really a prison for you? Do you still want to escape?"
"Escape?" she laughed bitterly. "What hope do I have to escape? I'm dying, Sean. I've paid for my mistakes, and I just want it to end."
"You want to die?" Sean asked.
"I do," she groaned. "Everyone lied to me, Sean. The people I trusted betrayed me, and I have nothing left to hope for. Death would be merciful. You should have finished the job."
He pulled his hand away from her face and leaped up from his seat. His chest ached. She'd rather die than be with him. She wished he'd killed her. He was a fool for even letting himself hope.
"Keep an eye on her," he ordered a servant as he strode out of the room.
***
Catherine jerked upright as the door slammed shut. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. The room was dark but not as black as her prison cell. A thin beam of golden sunlight filtered through a gap in the curtains. Curtains? There weren't curtains in prison-just a thin slit of a window, three feet tall and one foot wide. She blinked, willing her eyes to focus.
She wasn't in her prison cell. Instead of damp concrete walls, she saw golden fleur de lis wallpaper. Her narrow prison bed had disappeared, and she found herself in a soft king-size bed wrapped in a down duvet. She looked around the room and found surprisingly that it was familiar-it was one of the guest rooms in Sean Blair's family estate. She'd spent fifteen days here many years ago.
She raised her hands above her head, surprised by how easily and lightly they moved. Moving slowly, she swung her legs out from the bed and padded barefoot across the soft, silk carpet. She crossed the dim room to the antique vanity and stared into the mirror.
She couldn't believe what she saw-she was beautiful and young again. The fine lines around her eyes and mouth had vanished, and her skin was smooth and plump. She touched her own face, amazed at how soft it felt beneath her fingers. Hardly daring to believe her eyes, she leaned closer to the mirror and looked again. There were dark circles under her eyes, but her lips were full and round. Most miraculous of all, her hair was long and dark and full again-not graying and brittle and short.
She was distracted by her young face, she almost didn't notice the horrible purpling bruise on her neck. She slid her fingers down from her face to the bruise and gasped-the bruise was shaped like a hand. Someone had tried to strangle her.
"Hello?" she asked, sure there was a servant somewhere in the large room.
"Yes, Mrs. Blair?" a servant replied from the corner of the room.
Catherine froze-Mrs. Blair? She must have heard wrong.
"What day is it?" she asked.
"Now, really, Mrs. Blair, you should know that," the servant scolded. "It's your wedding day-though you've done a fine job ruining that."
"My wedding day?" she stammered.
"I think you should lie down to rest," the servant said. "Or I'll have to tell Mr. Blair you've been up and out of bed."
Catherine nodded and padded back to the large bed. She sank down onto the soft surface and wrapped herself in the warm duvet. Her head spun. The last thing she could remember was burning with a fever in her small prison bed. How was she in Sean Blair's house? And why did she look young again?
"Are you sure it's my wedding day?" she called across the room.
"Positive," the servant said. "Are you sure you're well, Mrs. Blair?"
"I don't know," she said.
She closed her eyes and tried to make sense of it all. Her wedding day had happened ten years ago-what was the servant talking about? And why had the servant called her Mrs. Blair? She had never married Sean.
Though it had happened ten years ago, she remembered it all so clearly: preparing to escape with Marco Jacobs and Madison Stewart, running across the wooded estate, the dogs chasing after her. She shuddered and ran through the rest of her memories, wondering if she'd made them all up. She shook her head-she could never have made up that much pain and suffering.
In the corner of the room, she heard the servant whisper, "Yes, Mr. Blair is awake."
A few minutes later, the door crashed open, and Sean Blair stalked into the room.
"I hope you're well enough to have a talk now," he said. "Because we need to get a few things straight."
Marry a billionaire after a one-night stand: “We have agreed to leave each other to our own business. I hope you have a good reason for coming here.” “Yes, we agreed to that, but not to a sexless marriage. Sex is essential for a lasting marriage.” Selene chuckled. Clint also smiled, then sneered. “Do you like sex without love? Did you marry me because you enjoyed the sex that much?” Selene frowned, aware of the implications of his words. But she did not know why he said it. And the unopened file named “HER” appeared in her mind again. “I believe it’s important for a healthy relationship.” “Only the sex?” “I thought we agreed on it.” “Nonsense!” Clint exploded with anger. After thinking for a while, Selene replied, “Okay, sorry for disturbing you. I’m going to bed.” Before she went back to the bedroom and lay on the bed, Clint suddenly caught up with her and pushed her onto the bed. “What are you doing?!” Selene was frightened. Clint was violently tearing Selene’s home dress and groaned. “Fulfilling my obligation as a husband!”
Arianna’s family was falling apart and facing a tragic demise; however, her heart sank when she clearly saw Travis Cooper’s name on the acquisition papers. She had no choice but to negotiate with him. Arianna lowered her head and relaxed her shoulders to ease the tension. She should show him gratefulness to make him happier, she thought, but she just couldn’t do it. “How would you be willing to leave my grandfather alone?” He casually poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her before replying, “I think the correct person to ask is the judge, no? The offenders are usually punished. This is a matter of justice, isn’t it?” Arianna was beginning to grow tired of his mood swings. “He is old, and his body is failing him. He would not last long in prison.” Arianna continued to try to sway him. “What can I do? I always admire devoted children.” His voice carried some ridicule, “But I’m not a charity. I only do transactions with interests. What would you do in exchange for the freedom of your grandfather?” Travis intertwined the fingers of his one hand with the other and rested his hands on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair once more. His expression was a bit lazy, “Since you entered this door, I’ve been waiting for the drama of you selling your body and soul to me in order to save your family member.” When Arianna didn’t reply, Travis explicitly said, “Maybe I’m just bored. I’d like to try something fun.” Arianna’s stomach felt like it had flipped. She looked at the handsome face that was now showing evil.
To obey his grandfather’s order, the playboy tycoon Seth Cohen had to marry the socialite and sole heiress Evonne Largent. They tied the knot and lived together under a loveless matrimony. She was obliged to marry the hottest CEO, Seth Cohen, to save their fallen business empire after her father fell into compulsive gambling, driving them to the verge of bankruptcy. Seth had no plan of getting entangled with his stunning and sexy wife, but every time he glanced at her, his body throbs, and he was drawn away. Evonne will do everything to stay away from him and pretend she’s not affected by the oozing sex appeal of her hot billionaire husband; however, her heart beats faster every time he is around. **** She saw the muscles move in his jaw, and she knew he was pissed. “Care to explain? Make sure it’s believable.” Seth’s voice carried a hot temper. There was a picture of her dancing on the tabletop, and Toby beside her was shirtless while Sally poured beer bottoms up straight to their mouths. “What’s there to explain?” “You’re married now,” He growled at her, throwing sharp glances. “Miss me with that bullshit.” She stood up and barely contained her anger. “There is a certain public image that needs to be maintained. You need to understand that.” He muttered sternly. “Oh please, I’m not going to stand here drinking the dirty water you give me as you indulge yourself in the purest of wines.”
A woman’s beauty is a man’s weakness. She was his great temptation, yet he hated her weak appearance. A dashing military general rushed in front of her, shaking her frail body when he ordered, “KILL HER!” Her frantic reaction is to trade her own body to survive. She must survive to return to her own world. But what she didn’t expect was the tough training to become the youngest space warrior. Her life journey began when she woke up on an unknown planet. Facing danger and trouble. She trades her body and freedom to survive. She felt abused. She learned to hate him. The unknown planet became her prison. Two desperate souls fighting to survive. One is fighting to feel loved. The other is fighting for freedom. Passion Anger Lust Danger Devotion For them, their love is worth suffering! Would she survive days and nights on the battlefield when her frail body dragged her gradually? What secret lies behind his dangerous appearance?
Cercei's eighteen years of existence were marred by excruciating pain and suffering solely because of her uncanny resemblance to Vienna, the Alpha's daughter. Cercei found it unbearably cruel that she possessed the same beauty as Vienna, which made Vienna feel insecure, leading her to subject Cercei to relentless torment. Despite the numerous hardships, Cercei received love and care from her parents, and she remained humble. Although their Alpha never respected them and treated them as mere servants, her family found happiness. However, everything changed dramatically on her eighteenth birthday when their Alpha ruthlessly killed her father without a valid reason and mercilessly crushed his heart underfoot after digging it out. Enraged and seeking revenge, Cercei felt powerless until she encountered the King Alpha of the North, whom she slept with. This chance encounter changed her life abruptly, cracking all the hidden secrets and lies her mother had carefully concealed for eighteen years. The revelation shattered Cercei's belief in her perfect family and parents, leaving her questioning everything she had ever known.
Estelle’s life was once a fairy tale, filled with love and promise. However, tragedy struck on the day of their wedding. Estelle’s father and Cristofer’s parents were involved in a car accident that took their lives instantly. The loss was devastating for Cristofer, causing him to sink into deep sorrow and anger towards Estelle. One tragedy comes after another, and she finds herself battling cancer, heartbreak, and deceit. In a world where all seems lost, Estelle must dig deep to find the strength to fight for what she loves most. **** Cristofer’s magnetic yet cold voice wrenched her mind back to reality, “Sign the divorce paper now!” Estelle laid down her legs, sat up, and asked, “Did you drink?” “It’s none of your business.” “Drinking is bad for your stomach.” “I need to drink so that I won’t feel disgusted when having sex with you.” “You couldn’t wait to divorce me?” Her voice sounded weak. She turned her back on him as the smoke nearly smothered her, and she started coughing again. “You know that, don’t you?” Cristofer deliberately breathed out a stream of smoke in her direction and felt inexplicably pleased to see her coughing and trembling.
When they met again, Jason cast aside his paranoia and pride, warmly embracing Chelsey. "Please, come back to me?" For three years, she had been his secretary by day and his companion by night. Chelsey had always complied with his requests, like an obedient pet. However, when Jason declared his plans to marry another, she chose to stop loving him and to let go. But life took unexpected turns. His unyielding pursuit, her pregnancy, and her mother's greed gradually pushed her to the brink. Eventually, she endured tremendous suffering. Five years later, when she returned, she was no longer the woman she once was. Yet he had spiraled into five years of chaos.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
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."
My family was on the poverty line and had no way to support me in college. I had to work part-time every day just to make ends meet and afford to get into the university. That was when I met her—the pretty girl in my class that every boy dreamt of asking out. I was well aware she was out of my league. Nevertheless, I mustered all my courage and bravely told her that I had fallen for her. To my surprise, she agreed to be my girlfriend. With the sweetest smile I had ever seen, she told me that she wanted my first gift for her to be the latest and top-of-the-line iPhone. I worked like a dog and even did my classmates’ laundry to save up. My hard work eventually paid off after a month. I finally got to buy what she wanted. But as I was wrapping my gift, I saw her in the dressing room, making out with the captain of the basketball team. She then heartlessly made fun of my inadequacy and made a fool out of me. To make things worse, the guy whom she cheated on me with even punched me in the face. Desperation washed over me, but there was nothing I could do but lie on the floor as they trampled on my feelings. But then, my father called me out of the blue, and my life turned upside down. It turned out that I was a billionaire's son.
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Scarlett was left betrayed and broken beyond repair when her best friend Megan set her up with the male escort who stole her virginity...Or at least, that's what she thought he was. There was something odd about the strong and strikingly beautiful man that she spent a night with. Despite the pure hatred she felt for him, the deals he ended up offering wasn't one she could refuse. Scarlett always thought she'd marry her soulmate but turns out, that won't be the case for her. But could her mysterious husband make his way through her broken heart and fix it? It's hard to imagine but love has funny ways to manifest in places where it's least expected....