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I felt trapped, like I was living in a prison. I was sure that if I had the courage to run away, I could find a rich man who would be willing to pay for my college tuition. I believed that my attractiveness would add advantage in my job search. But, why should I settle for someone who didn't value girls like us, who didn't have any family or history? On the other hand, I felt attached to the kids at the orphanage, as if they were my own siblings. I wanted to be there for them, to guide them and share my knowledge as much as I could. When I was summoned by the orphanage manager, I was curious. "You asked to see me, ma'am?" I asked, uneasy from her serious tone. She asked me to sit, her eyes filled with concern. "Is everything alright?" I asked her. "Did something bad happen?" She shook her head and sighed, telling me, "You're 18 now Carla, and as per the orphanage rules, you either have to leave and find a home and a job or you can stay here and work." Her words left me breathless. I had believed my agreement to stay and work in the orphanage was understood.
Carla
I felt trapped, like I was living in a prison. I was sure that if I had the courage to run away, I could find a rich man who would be willing to pay for my college tuition. I believed that my attractiveness would add advantage in my job search. But, why should I settle for someone who didn't value girls like us, who didn't have any family or history?
On the other hand, I felt attached to the kids at the orphanage, as if they were my own siblings. I wanted to be there for them, to guide them and share my knowledge as much as I could.
When I was summoned by the orphanage manager, I was curious. "You asked to see me, ma'am?" I asked, uneasy from her serious tone. She asked me to sit, her eyes filled with concern. "Is everything alright?" I asked her. "Did something bad happen?"
She shook her head and sighed, telling me, "You're 18 now Carla, and as per the orphanage rules, you either have to leave and find a home and a job or you can stay here and work." Her words left me breathless. I had believed my agreement to stay and work in the orphanage was understood.
"But we cannot offer you a fancy job or a high salary," she further explained, "Given you haven't graduated college, I can't offer you a position as a teacher. My hands are tied." She paused, a strange shift in her tone, before stating, "Thus, I am offering you a job as a nanny instead."
Shock took over me. "A nanny!?" I exclaimed, "You want me to clean, do laundry, and care for the children?"
"Yes, but remember Carla, you always have the choice to decline and look for another job," she reminded me. Suddenly, I felt lost and helpless.
Out of despair, I asked, "Why?" I thought she saw me as her own daughter. "You promised me a good job!"
She sighed, "I am helpless, Carla. I thought you loved the kids, and wanted to help them."
I tried to gather my thoughts as the harsh reality of the situation dawned on me. She broke the silence by stating, "I do want to help, Carla. I have a plan, but you'll have to follow my instructions strictly."
Intrigued by her confidence, I agreed to comply with her instructions. "Of course, I will. What is the plan?" I asked.
She came closer, placing her hand on my shoulder and said, "Tomorrow, the billionaire alpha king Thunder is visiting the orphanage. I thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate the children's birthdays together. I would like you to sing at the party, and take care of the children throughout. I will make sure to show the alpha king Thunder your dedication, and I will request him to pay your college tuition or at least, offer a good job at his mansion. What do you think?"
Even though I hated the man, I couldn't pass this opportunity if he was my ticket out of the orphanage and my path to a normal life.
I confidently stood up and nodded. Despite of everything, I agreed, "Sure. I promise to do my best."
I was feeling trapped, as though I was living in a prison. I was certain that if I could muster the courage to run away, I could find a rich man willing to pay for my college tuition. I had faith that my good looks would help me in securing a job. But why should I settle for someone who didn't value girls like us, girls with no family or history?
On the other hand, I felt a strong connection to the children at the orphanage. I saw them as my own siblings and wanted to be there for them, to guide them, and share the knowledge I had with them.
When I was called by the orphanage manager, curiosity washed over me. "Did you ask for me, ma'am?" I questioned, feeling a bit anxious at her stern tone. She signalled for me to sit, her eyes expressing worry. "Is everything alright, ma'am?" I asked. "Has something gone wrong?"
Shaking her head and releasing a sigh, she said, "You've turned 18 now, Carla. As per the rules of the orphanage, you either have to leave and find a home and work, or you can stay and work here." Her words hit me with a surprise. I thought it was understood that I'd stay and work at the orphanage.
"But we cannot offer you a prestigious job or a high salary," she continued, "Considering you haven't graduated college, I can't offer you a position as a teacher. My hands are tied." She paused, a noticeable shift in her voice before stating, "So, I'm proposing a job as a nanny for you instead."
I was taken aback. "A nanny!?" I exclaimed, "You want me to clean, do laundry, and take care of the children?"
"Yes, but remember, Carla, you always have the option to decline and find another job," she reminded me. Suddenly, I felt lost and helpless.
Out of desperation, I asked, "Why?" I thought she saw me as her own daughter. "You promised me a good job!"
She sighed, "I'm being cornered, Carla. I thought you loved the kids and wanted to help them."
I tried to gather my thoughts as the stark reality of the situation unveiled itself. Breaking the silence she mentioned, "I want to help you, Carla. I've a plan, but you have to follow my instructions strictly."
Her confidence intrigued me and I agreed to comply with her instructions. "Of course, I will. What is the plan?" I asked.
Coming closer, she put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Tomorrow, the billionaire, Thunder, is visiting the orphanage. I thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate the children's birthdays together. I want you to sing at the party and take care of the children throughout. I will make sure to show Thunder how devoted you are, and I will request him to pay your college tuition or at least, offer you a good job at his mansion. What do you think?"
Even though I disliked the man, I couldn't pass this opportunity if he was my ticket out of the orphanage and a chance at a normal life.
I confidently stood up and nodded. Despite of everything, I agreed, "Sure. I promise to do my best."
But just when I was about to excuse myself and go back to the kids, she stopped me by the door and said, "Wait. You need to wear this dress tomorrow if you want to make a good impression on the billionaire and his team."
When I turned around, I saw a large box; she handed it to me with a wide smile and said "Open the box."
I was pleasantly surprised to see a fitted, short red dress, black heels, and even a small box of make-up.
Doubtful, I asked, "Really?" Wondering if it was for me.
She responded with a nod and a motherly touch to my cheeks, saying, "Yes. In all honesty, I had another plan in mind for you. If the billionaire isn't interested in helping you, perhaps one of his team members or investors may become enamored by your charm and decide to support you."
I was caught off guard and teared up; I never thought she would go to such lengths for my sake. I hugged her tightly and said, "Thank you so much. I appreciate everything you've done for me."
"Now, take a break for the rest of the day. Make sure you're prepared and primed for tomorrow. It needs to be a day as bright and beautiful as the sun," she added.
Little did I know, she was using me as a pawn in a tactical game plan. Sadly, her objective was to exploit my beauty for her professional gain.
But it was too late to understand what was going on. I was an innocent and naive young woman who had always thought of her as part of my family, my surrogate mother.
?
When the infamous mafia boss Vincenzo Moretti is assassinated on his wedding day, chaos descends upon the world he built. His young widow, Elena, and her daughter, Alessia, are left vulnerable and alone, thrust into the dangerous shadows of the criminal underworld. But protection comes from an unlikely source-**Luca Moretti**, the new mafia king and Vincenzo's cold, calculating son. Luca is a man hardened by loss, power, and the weight of his father's legacy. When he takes Elena and Alessia into his estate, it's not out of kindness-it's out of duty. Alessia, however, is no stranger to judgment. Luca sees her as nothing but a gold-digger, a parasite feeding off his late father's wealth. But Alessia refuses to cower under his sharp gaze, and their fiery clashes ignite a tension neither of them can ignore. As Luca hunts the enemies who killed his father, he finds himself distracted by the one woman he shouldn't want. Alessia is everything forbidden-his step-sister by marriage and a symbol of a past he resents. But the more he tries to push her away, the deeper he falls into her orbit. Alessia, meanwhile, is drawn into a world of betrayal, danger, and impossible choices. When a wealthy and charming suitor offers her a way out of the mafia's deadly grasp, she is torn between the promise of safety and the magnetic pull of Luca's dark, dangerous love. In a world where loyalty is everything and love is a liability, Luca and Alessia must face their deepest fears and darkest desires. But as enemies close in and secrets unravel, will their forbidden bond survive the firestorm-or destroy them both? Love. Power. Betrayal. In the end, nothing is off-limits when the heart is on the line.
Amelia Hart's wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Dressed in a gown fit for a fairy tale and poised to marry Ethan Cole, the billionaire tech mogul every woman dreams of, she has everything she's ever been told she should want. But as she stares at her reflection-a stranger in a dazzling white cage-she can't ignore the truth clawing at her chest: she doesn't love him. With the weight of expectations, family pressure, and a room full of glittering guests waiting for her grand entrance, Amelia makes the decision to do the unthinkable-run.
Trigger Warning: This novel contains themes of sexual violence, abuse, and manipulation that may be distressing to some readers. Carla never dreamed of becoming the Luna, but when the ruthless Alpha King claimed her as his mate, she was thrust into a life of power, pain, and impossible expectations. To secure her place as Queen, she must accomplish one task: conceive an heir within the next twelve months. Failure means a fate worse than death-being discarded as a slave, handed over to the warriors for their pleasure. But there's one devastating problem: the Alpha King is infertile. Desperate to survive, Carla turns to the Beta-the only man who shows her kindness-and seduces him into her bed. As their forbidden affair ignites, Carla concocts a bold and dangerous plan: if the Beta kills the Alpha, they can be together, and she can finally claim the freedom she craves. Yet in the tangled web of lies, lust, and betrayal, Carla begins to question her own heart. Does she truly love the Beta, or is he just a pawn in her carefully crafted scheme? And as the walls close in, will she sacrifice him, herself, or the kingdom for the chance to be with her true mate?
Aria never wanted to marry Kael, the arrogant playboy her father forced her to accept as her fiancé. But Kael had his own twisted motives-he only wanted her because she was the one girl who refused him. When Aria rejected his demand to sleep with him a week before their wedding, Kael tried to take what he wanted by force. His drunken pursuit ended in tragedy when he was struck by a car, leaving Aria caught in the crossfire of blame. Zander, Kael's elder brother and the soon-to-be Alpha King, believed Aria was responsible for his brother's death-and promiscuous to boot. To prevent war between their packs, Zander agreed to marry her, but only for revenge. His plan? Ruin Aria's life for a year, then cast her aside and divorce her. But Zander's scheme begins to unravel when his ex-best friend Asher returns, determined to take Aria for himself. As secrets from the past resurface, Zander discovers betrayal, lies, and truths he never wanted to face. Was Aria truly guilty, or was she just another pawn in a deadly game of power and revenge? Asher laugh and say, "You're a fool; she never wanted to come. I told her you were with Lyra, so she came. And now I've achieved my goal: I ruined your marriage." Zander feel foolish, asking, "But why? I never did anything to you! You were my best friend. I should have killed you when you slept with my ex fiancée, Lyra!" Asher respond, "You knew I loved her, but you stole Lyra from me. She was my true mate, but she refused to marry me because you were soon to be the Alpha King! She never loved you. She loved me but wanted to be the queen of werewolves; that's all." Zander would realize how foolish he was. Yet, he still believed Aria wasn't innocent because she slept with his deceased brother before the wedding.
She spent eighteen years in an orphanage, but it was time to get out. According to the orphanage rules, once a child reaches legal age, they must depend on themselves. Celine didn't know what to do; luckily, she met her savior that day. If only she had known what she was getting herself into, she would never have gone with him. Celine found herself caught in a life of addiction, living in his house, where he was ready to sell her organs to get his fix. To save her life, she had to help him sell drugs. Her innocence became a liability. Soon, she found herself targeted by the king's men-kidnapped, bound, and tortured for selling drugs without their permission. But sometimes, what we fear the most might turn out to be the best for us. Celine found herself trapped in the king's palace, drowning in his love and married to him by force.
"Please, let me go," she begged, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice shaking with fear. Struggling to breathe, she felt trapped in his overwhelming embrace. He ignored her pleas, seemingly unaware of the pain he was causing, driven by jealousy that clouded his judgment. With all her strength, she pushed against him, desperate for even a moment of freedom. But he held her down, his voice low and threatening as he said, "No, I want you now." In that moment, everything changed for her. She was his younger brother's fiancée, and this encounter marked the beginning of a dark path. In an instant, her innocence was shattered, but she would eventually seek justice.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?