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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.
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"You're mine now," Kieran growls as he presses her against the wall, his body holding her in place. His fingers trail across her skin, making her shiver. "Your mother's debt will be paid-with your body and your obedience." His lips brush her ear as his hand moves lower, making her gasp. "You can fight me, little human, but my wolf has already claimed you." He grabbed her from her waist and pushed her to the bed, "I'll fuck you as much as I want.... because You're mine forever." One night changed Lena's life forever. Lena, a college student, is kidnapped and sold in an auction to creatures with glowing eyes. Just as all hope seems lost, a powerful stranger steps in and saves her. His silver eyes and the strength in his voice are unforgettable. They call him the Alpha King. Weeks later, Lena's mother surprises her with big news-she's engaged to a rich man and they'll be moving to his grand estate in the mountains. But when Lena arrives at the mansion, her heart stops. Her mother's fiancé is the same man who saved her at the auction. Kieran Volkov isn't just a rich man. He's the Alpha King of the werewolves, creatures Lena never even knew existed. And every time he looks at her, Lena feels his intense, burning desire. When Lena's mother runs away before the wedding, stealing valuables and leaving her behind, Kieran gives Lena a terrible choice. She must take her mother's place as his bride-or he'll track her mother down and make her pay. He doesn't just want her out of revenge-he believes she's his true mate, the one woman who can calm the beast inside him.
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.
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
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."