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I've loved Alfred from the first day I saw him in university. Alfred did not notice my existence for years. Alfred was also into a lady which made me so jealous. Just when we were about to graduate, I heard Alfred had broken up with his girlfriend. Could I say that that was a chance for me? Well...maybe. Turned out Alfred had actually noticed me. His vulnerability led us into a one-night stand. And this incident results in marriage. I know that Alfred isn't in love with me. He got married to me because of his family. Four years after our loveless marriage when our daughter was three. Alfred suddenly brought a divorce document and urged me to sign it. I disagreed but when I realized why he wanted a divorce, I agreed and fled, leaving my daughter with him. Alfred will never love me because he loves that woman. Two years later, I returned with a better status, only because of my daughter. But I don't know what's happening because Alfred is acting strange and lovingly to me. Is he perhaps in love with me? If so, then it's unfortunately late because I already have a fiancee.
That afternoon was calm and warm. The refreshing autumn air flowed in through the windows, creating a low-humidity atmosphere that made one feel a little lazy.
The atmosphere at the time significantly improved my mood, making me feel more at peace as I helped my daughter with her lunch. Julianna, my three-year-old daughter, sat in her chair at the side of the dining table and served herself from the food I had prepared.
I fed my daughter before feeding myself. We did share a tight bond even though she loved her father more.
I am Penelope Patridge. After marrying Alfred Grayson, I became Penelope Grayson. I am twenty-eight years old.
There is more to know about me, but I'll reveal it gradually.
My husband, Alfred, came home while I was having lunch on October 15, 2020. How can I ever forget that day?
I had put my daughter to bed as she typically nodded off after lunch, a common behavior for children her age. After ensuring she was sound asleep, I proceeded to have my lunch.
Alfred walked in while I was eating. His demeanor and the way he entered the house carried an unmistakable aura that day. I felt a sense of unease as he came in, with his expression clearly indicating irritation and dissatisfaction.
I suspected that he had a rough day and was in a foul mood, a really bad one. Concerned, I stood up to attend to him. I thought that perhaps removing his suit jacket and loosening his tie might help ease his tension, but when I tried, he pushed my hand away.
"Alfred," I called out to him that afternoon.
If only Alfred knew how deeply I loved him. If only he understood the sacrifices I was willing to make because of that love.
The way he had treated me in the past four years of our marriage wasn't that bad. Even when he was kind to me, I could sense that he wasn't in love with me, but I endured.
At least, I loved him. Did it have to be mutual?
Yes, it had to be. One-sided love hurt and made a person too blind to see themselves.
Before I could ask what might be wrong with him, Alfred dropped a file on the table and opened it, revealing some documents.
"I know you'll have to take a share of my property, but I'm ready for the divorce. I just need your signature, Penelope," he said, his voice harsh.
Hearing his words and realizing the purpose of the documents in his hands, I wanted to cry.
I wanted to cry and ask him why he would want a divorce. We were doing fine. I never begged him to love me, so why the sudden need for a divorce?
"Why?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper, as I stared at the documents he'd brought out.
"We never discussed this. How long have you been planning to divorce me?" I asked again.
"Since the very first day of our marriage. It should never have happened. I was foolish. I was emotionally distressed, and I didn't know what was going on around me. When I sobered up, I just wanted you out of my life, but I couldn't. I was lonely, and you were there. I took advantage of you, Penelope, and I think it's time we stop pretending. I'll also take custody of our child. We should go our separate ways, and you'll be a free woman, Penelope."
Alfred's words and actions were cruel, and it was even crueler when I realized what was going on. I couldn't believe how he could look into my eyes and admit to taking advantage of me. I was naive and foolishly in love with him.
With a heart full of pain and grief, I addressed him.
"You sound so happy to tell me this, knowing how much it'll hurt me. You just don't understand or appreciate my feelings for you," I said and turned away from him.
"I don't want to sign the divorce. You can't force me, can you?" I added.
Upon hearing my words, Alfred abruptly seized my wrist and pulled me closer to his body. It happened so swiftly that I couldn't resist.
"Sign this document, Penelope. You have to!" Alfred's desperation was palpable in each word and visible in his gray eyes.
"Why the sudden desire for a divorce?" I asked him once more.
"I never loved you, Penelope!" He yelled, releasing his grip on my wrist. It hurt-both my wrist and my slowly breaking heart. What did he mean by this? Why was he suddenly saying all of this after all these years with a child, and why now?
"I saw how you looked at me, how you must have been fantasizing about me. When I was broken, I found you just when I needed someone, and it was all a mistake..."
"Don't tell me, Alfred," I said, covering my ears, unwilling to hear any more. I hated that he was revealing and reminding me that the lovely night I cherished was a mistake.
It crushed my soul, and I found it difficult to breathe.
He knew he had taken me as his woman. He knew he had made me his. He knew he was the first man. Alfred knew that I had never loved anyone the way I loved him, but he neglected everything and pushed me away.
I understood Alfred. My heart loved him, but he wasn't in love with me. I forced-no, I naively entered his life as his wife.
Honestly, I was the foolish one because I was aware that Alfred didn't love me, but I let him show me a new world, a new experience. I allowed him to lift my legs and take me.
It was lovely and so much more. It was the most beautiful night of my life, but apparently, it was just a normal one-night stand to my husband.
When I found out that his family wanted me because of my baby, I didn't think twice before entering the marriage. They all took advantage of me.
I was a fool. I was too naive and desperate to be with him. I was blinded by love. I restrained myself and stayed locked with the people who only wanted to take advantage of me."
Surprisingly, I didn't regret anything. People often feel that when they get hurt by others, they should have never been there, but I didn't feel that way.
There were dark moments, but I chose to remember the beautiful times I had spent with Alfred and his family. The cheerful lunches, the wonderful trips, the fun games we played together, and every positive moment.
I wiped my tears and returned to eating. Alfred was glaring at me for being stubborn, but I ignored him. I hated ignoring him because I knew how it felt to be ignored.
It hurt, and I didn't want to hurt Alfred, but it seemed he didn't care whether I was hurt or not.
Alfred had never considered my feelings, and he had never understood how I felt. If he couldn't understand, there was no way he would care.
Eventually, Alfred left the table, giving off the vibe that he'd be back and that he'd keep trying until I signed the documents.
Would I ever agree to this?
For three years, Nathan and his family treated me like I was an empty can because I wasn't able to conceive a child. I watched Nathan get close to my cousin but I couldn't do anything. He wanted her first. When I finally received the news about my pregnancy, I wasn't happy about it but I hoped it would save my marriage. However, just when I was about to tell Nathan, my husband, I found out that my cousin was also carrying his child. Nathan divorced me and I chose to keep the baby a secret from him and started a new life after the divorce. Five years later, I am now a famous fashion designer in London. Seeing this and my daughter, Nathan wants me back desperately, apologizing for all he has done but I can't think of accepting him because I am now into a man who I eventually learn is his uncle. Mateo is my savior and sponsor, but when things become very intense, I see myself wanting him, but my ex-husband returns, and now I'm stuck between a hard place and a rock. I want to be with Mateo, but Nathan shows that he has really changed; who...who now?
After finding out that her sister and fiance were having an affair, Tabitha fled and attended the party her best friend invited her to. In pain, she got heavily drunk and blacked out only to wake up in bed with a man. At first glance, Tabitha recognized the man as the second son of one of the most prominent companies in State Z. However, that night was a mistake, and Tabitha left with the intention of putting it behind her. Tabitha arrived home, only to find herself locked in her room by her family, forced to marry her fiance. But what happens when the second son of BlueDiamonds Enterprise comes to claim Tabitha as his own? Even more, this man, Silas, isn't just a billionaire, but a powerful person who is the future Alpha of Cerulean Moon Park.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.Â
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
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."
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!