STILL LOVING YOU

My knees are trembling, and I feel anxiety deep in my heart. I steady my breath and try to calm the panic. I'm being subjected to Auntie Dolly's terrifying gaze, as if I could escape at any moment. I bite my lower lip. If only that incident last week hadn't happened, I would be peacefully living in Auntie's house while cleaning the large windows. "Wow. Your niece is so beautiful. I had no idea that someone as ugly as you had such a pretty relative, Dolly," the newcomer says, tauntingly. I feel the tension between my aunt and the sophisticated woman. My aunt is in her 40s, while the other woman is refined. She catches my gaze with her eyes. She smiles at me and approaches. "Are you Lucy? Thank goodness God didn't make a mistake in making you look like a witch," she sarcastically remarks, glancing back at my irate aunt. She starts doing my makeup. It's clear that they don't get along, but when they do this, it's all sarcasm and passive-aggressive remarks. I turn to the vanity mirror upon hearing a few laughs. The door opens, and Gyra, accompanied by some of her friends in revealing outfits, walks in. She raises an eyebrow when she sees me being prepared and flashes a condescending grin. "Couldn't stand working my job before, and now it looks like you're going to steal it from me," she lazily comments as she slowly approaches. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In just one night, I became the property of someone I didn't know. Or better put, I was bought by someone I never expected to see again. "Is that her?" My heart pounded when I heard that baritone voice. It's familiar. The butler nodded and presented me to his master. I examined the broad shoulders of the tall man. My throat dried up when even his back seemed so familiar. My heart froze, and my stomach turned to ice. S-sh*t. What kind of brutality have I gotten myself into? Unconsciously, I stepped back, my legs trembling in fear. The eyes that were full of concern and love for the child back then were as cold as ice when they gazed at me now. I felt Auntie Dolly's grip on my waist. It hurt, but I didn't mind because of what she said afterward. "I've transferred the deposit and the full payment for that man to your bank account. Perhaps I should remind you of the expensive frame you broke?" I swallowed hard at her threat. I just hung my head. Am I ready to accept the twists of destiny? Did destiny bring me here just to be bought by the incumbent mayor?

Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"

On the day of the wedding, Brendan left me and went to find his true love. When I called him, he, who had always been gentle to me, showed impatience for the first time, saying, "It's just a wedding, I'll make it up to you when I get back." Feeling disheartened, I suggested calling off the wedding. Brendan thought I was just being stubborn, and in the face of friends' advice, he said, "It's okay, when she calms down, she will come find me." It wasn't until Edrence, the prince, posted our marriage certificate that Brendan suddenly went crazy and came knocking on my door. When he saw the man who opened the door, he was slightly stunned. And I, standing behind the man, with a blush still on my face, leaned forward and asked, "Nephew, what brings you to see your auntie so late?"

Cathryn, an orphan with no family ties to Grayson, regarded him only as family. He, however, valued her as a precious jewel.  From their very first encounter, Cathryn's destiny was intertwined with his.  Once lonely and desiring affection, she was ensnared by his love, unable to break free. Eventually, she managed to escape his emotional clutches. Shockingly, she had fallen for someone else.  Grayson confronted her sharply. "How could you feel for another?"  Unable to meet his eyes, she whispered, "You're family. I can't..."  Looking down, he pressed further. "You can't, or you wouldn’t dare?"

Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.

Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."

After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."