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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.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
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."
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
"We are divorced, Adams." She sighed and wanted to walk away, but he held her. "It doesn't matter." He answered, his voice laced with determination. "I don't love you anymore." "That doesn't matter either. What matters is that I want you, and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it." ***** Alicia's life has been a series of ups and downs. She suffered abuse from her husband and his family because she couldn't give him a child. She thought she had seen it all, but not until the day she returned home only to receive the divorce papers from her husband's parents. She pleaded with them, but was met with deaf ears, and so she signed the documents and left. Little did anyone know that she was pregnant. She returned six years later with her baby girl only to find her Ex-husband craving her once more. How will she take this, and what other surprises does fate have in stock for her?
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .