Dave Francis was the richest banker in the country. I was supposed to marry someone else but he won me in the auction. I had no choice but to marry him. I didn't know how long he would treat me like trash. How many times would he crush my soul? He made me believe that I was worthless. He saw me as worthless. I was a waste of his money. I was a waste of his time. He was my husband but in the name only. Join the beautiful love story of Ava and Dave.
Ava
Present
I stumbled into the mirror.
"God, Ava..." Mom came to my side and grabbed my forearm, helping me stand properly on my feet. "How much have you drunk, darling?" She stared into my eyes, worried. "Today is your wedding day, do you remember that?"
I clenched my hands into fists as anger rolled through me. "I'm fine, Mom. I know how to handle it."
She cupped my face, looking into my eyes. "You know, I'm afraid of your father, Ava. I'm afraid of your brother. I'm afraid of everyone but you..." She swallowed hard. "But you're the only person who understands me, who supports me, who cares for me. You have always been there for me, honey. Don't do this to yourself, please don't do this..."
I grabbed her hands, and my eyes watered seeing my mother in sadness. I love her so much that I could do anything for her that was why I was marrying a stranger because I wanted her happy. I sacrificed my life for her. I agreed to an arranged marriage so my father would not divorce her. If he divorced her it would kill her.
I shook my head, trying to be brave in front of her. I wanted to be fearless for her and us. "I'm so happy today, Mom. Don't you remember I wanted to be a bride since childhood?" I smiled at those memories when I dreamed of becoming Henry's wife. Henry Robinson, the most popular fashion designer in the country, and my ex-boyfriend. He was my first love and childhood sweetheart. I cherished that man with all my heart, but he never felt the same. He never fell for me. He never loved me back. He broke my heart into a thousand pieces. And when he left me, I fell in love with alcohol, smoking, and drugs. My only world swirled around them. "You know very well that I can't live without smoke and alcohol. I needed it every day if I had it a little bit..." I forced a smile. "But I'm sober today." It was half a lie because my vision was blurry because of a bottle of hard liquor I had taken half an hour ago.
********
I walked down the aisle with my father. I couldn't see things clearly because of the veil hanging in front of my face, but despite that, I could figure out what was going on. The church buzzed with excited chatter, but once I stepped in, it fell silent. "You told me they would do a small ceremony but here I could feel hundreds of people," I murmured to my father.
He squeezed my arm in warning. "Just keep your mouth shut and do what you said." He gritted his teeth out, I could practically feel his ugly snarl carved his wrinkled face.
Though my insides were crumbling in anger I kept quiet and did what he said. After all, I had no right to speak. He snatched it a long time ago. He might be showing a perfect father figure in front of the public but in reality, he was selfish, heartless, and vicious. He sold me off like cattle. He wanted to save his company, so he used his daughter to take back all his shares. I was just a pawn in his plan. Anyway, he had never considered me his daughter; he had never loved me once, he never cared about me. I was just a girl who was a burden on him. Now he would get rid of me and get his company back.
I was going to get married to a man I had never seen before; he was a stranger to me. He was the man who won me at the auction.
Auction? Oh yeah, my father just auctioned me.
Disgusting.
"Ava," Father whispered in my ear while throwing a fake smile. "Be an honorable wife, honey."
I didn't reply to him and kept quiet because I wasn't sure if I was going to be a good wife.
When we reached the altar, he lifted my veil, revealing the man I was marrying. I froze. I stared at the tall and muscular man in a dark suit, he was staring at me with his stunning gray eyes. He had dark hair that was thick and lustrous. His facial features were hard, slender nose, prominent jawline, and sharp cheekbones. He was the man of dreams. Why did he want to marry me? Why did he win me? Why did he spend millions of dollars on me? He would get any beautiful woman.
He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips as his eyes ran down the length of my body and that made me weak at the knees. He extended his hand in front of me asking for my hand. My father handed him my hand. When his skin touched mine, a shiver ran down my spine. His palm was cold so cold. I was 5'8 inches tall excluding the three-inch heel I had worn, but despite this, he was a few inches taller than me.
The priest began. "Friends and family..." He continued his prayer.
I tried not to tremble, but my body couldn't help it. I had consumed half a bottle of liquor in the morning and here the man standing in front of me kept staring at me. It made me feel self-conscious.
The priest's voice rang out. "Do you Dave Francis take Ava Miller to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forevermore?"
Dave's jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed. "I do." He said through his clenched teeth, causing me to frown.
It was my turn to say 'I do.' For a moment I considered saying no, but I looked at my mother who was sitting beside my father, smiling at me and I said, "I do."
After that, we exchanged a ring. I couldn't believe I had become someone's wife. When we asked to kiss, "You may now kiss your bride." Something happened that I never expected.
Dave spun around and walked down the aisle. He stopped next to an attractive brunette in a blue dress. He grabbed her hand gently. "Let's go, baby," he said and headed for the church exit.
What the hell is this?
A tall and muscled man approached me. His dark and terrified eyes met mine. "Fuck you, Ava Francis! Welcome to our world, Mrs. Francis." He mocked and turned around before following Dave.
Another man approached me, he was tall and slender with a hint of boyish vibes. "To be honest, I feel sorry for you." he sighed and followed his friends.
I stood there shocked, cold, and confused. What was that? My husband left me here alone like an idiot. Why did he marry me when he already had a beautiful girlfriend? My mind was unable to process anything as I blinked once, twice, and thrice as tears gathered in my eyes. Everyone watched me and waited for my next move. I didn't move from my place because I knew I would not be able to walk in that state.
Is this my fate? Would I never get happiness? Do I even deserve happiness?
********
"Miss Camille Davidson, what a small world?" A chill went through me when I heard his dark, yet sexy, voice. I lifted my chin to look at him. Once my eyes locked with his, I couldn't stop myself from shivering. He was no longer the man he was eight years ago. He appeared to be formidable and cruel. His blue eyes nearly looked dark due to rage. As I gripped the serving tray, I retreated my steps, my cheeks burning from humiliation. Everyone was watching us with keen interest. There was a time when Scott Martinez used to work for me, and now I am working for him. I was fully aware of his intentions. I knew why he was there and what he wanted from me. This time he would never let me go after all I was the one who had destroyed his small world. I murdered his brother.
He kneeled next to me and grabbed my bruised elbow roughly. Tears broke through my eyes as the sharp pain shot through my hand. “You have no fucking idea who you’re messing with and what I’m capable of doing with you and your poor family!” he snarled, squeezing my elbow harder, giving me unbearable pain. “Don’t you dare to raise your fucking hand ever again! And If you dare do it again, I’ll do something you’ve never imagined in your entire life!” He whispered threateningly, making my breath hitch in fear. “Now, get the fuck out of my sight!” I grimaced at the pain. I hate him fiercely! ___________ Henry Robinson is the most famous fashion designer in the country. He has every single quality that every girl dreams of; handsome, rich, and powerful. But he is also the second name of the devil; arrogant, cruel, vicious, and most importantly, he has no heart for the people who come into his path. Alice Bennett is a simple, hardworking, and kind-hearted girl. She has dreamed of becoming a successful fashion designer. But what will happen when Alice Bennett accidentally comes into the path of Mr. Henry Robinson? Will he let her go or will he keep her in his golden cage?
His hand wrapped in her hair, yanking her face up to him to look into his angry eyes. "Tell me where the fuck is he?" He growled, making her shudder in fear. "Tell me now!" "I..I..won't..." she whimpered due to a sharp pain shot through her skull. He grabbed his pistol and pressed it right on her temple, snarling, "Are you going to tell me or do you wish for death?!" "I want to die…" she cried out. Anger roared through him, he pressed the gun in her temple wanting nothing more than to kill that bitch right that moment but something snapped inside him when his eyes fell on her body, and a cruel smile curved his lips. "Not before getting a taste of you!"
He kneeled next to me and grabbed my bruised elbow roughly. Tears broke through my eyes as the sharp pain shot through my hand. "You have no fucking idea who you're messing with and what I'm capable of doing with you and your poor family!" he snarled, squeezing my elbow harder, giving me unbearable pain. "Don't you dare to raise your fucking hand ever again! And If you dare do it again, I'll do something you've never imagined in your entire life!" He whispered threateningly, making my breath hitch in fear. "Now, get the fuck out of my sight!" I grimaced at the pain. I hate him fiercely! _________ Henry Robinson is one of the most famous fashion designers in the world. He has every single quality that a girl could dream of; handsome, rich, and powerful. But he is also the second name of the devil; arrogant, cruel, vicious, and most importantly, he has no heart for the people who come into his path. Alice Bennett is a simple, hardworking, and kind-hearted girl. She has always dreamed of becoming a successful fashion designer. But what will happen when Alice Bennett accidentally comes into the path of Mr. Henry Robinson? Will he let her go or will he keep her in his golden cage?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."