Avery never wanted to marry David, the arrogant heir who thrived on dominance. But after a deal gone wrong, she was forced into an unwanted union. Neither of them had expectations for their marriage, and Avery was already plotting her escape-until something unexpected happened. Can they find a way to accept each other, or will the manipulations of the vengeful Alexander Park and Emily Downs tear them apart? Would there be room for love to blossom? What would happen to their relationship when they find out that they may share the same ex-lover?
"Do you, David Park, take Avery Downs to be your wife, pledging to stand by her side through all the triumphs and trials of life? Will you cherish her, nurture her dreams, and walk beside her as an equal in every moment of this journey?"
The priest's voice echoed across the picturesque wedding venue, drawing all eyes to the groom. David's gaze locked on Avery, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed felt suffocating, a weight pressing down on everyone as they waited for his response.
David took a deep breath, his voice low but steady.
"I, David Park, wholeheartedly choose Avery Downs as my partner, my friend, and my equal. I vow to cherish her, support her, and-"
Avery's heart hammered in her chest, barely hearing the rest of his words.
"This is ridiculous," she thought. 'We met barely a week ago, and he's giving me a speech about love and commitment?"
Her mind raced, bitterness twisting inside her. She was here, at this altar, not because of love, but because her mother had orchestrated it. An arranged marriage.
David's vow went on, filled with promises she doubted he would even remember a week from now. Avery's eyes flicked briefly over the crowd. There were impressed smiles, nodding heads. She finally found her mother's face, smug and satisfied.
"This is your doing," she thought bitterly.
Her lips curved in a practised smile as David finished his speech. He looked proud, sincere even. But all Avery could think was, "A simple 'I do' would have sufficed." She inhaled sharply, forcing the bitterness down.
'How did I even get here?'
***Two Weeks Earlier***
Avery lay tangled in warm sheets, her fingers brushing through Tiffany's soft hair. The quiet of the room wrapped around them like a cocoon, the aftermath of their lazy morning together. The world outside didn't exist for them here.
"I missed you," Avery whispered, leaning in to kiss Tiffany's bare shoulder. "A whole month without you felt like forever."
Tiffany sighed, rolling over to face her.
"I missed you too. But... there's something we need to talk about." Her voice had a strange edge to it, one that instantly put Avery on alert.
"Go on," Avery said, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Tiffany bit her lip, hesitating.
"I've been struggling, Avie. Business is slow, and the bills are piling up. My siblings' tuition, my mom's medical expenses... It's all too much."
Avery blinked, surprised. Tiffany had never asked her for anything like this before.
"You need money?" she asked, her tone soft but cautious.
Tiffany nodded, eyes filling with unshed tears.
"I hate asking you for this, I really do. But I don't know where else to turn. I'll pay you back, I swear-"
Avery silenced her with a kiss, pulling her close.
"Stop. You don't have to explain yourself. You're my partner, Tiffs. What's mine is yours. Don't ever feel like you need to ask for my help."
Tiffany's breath hitched, her eyes searching Avery's for reassurance. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden..."
"You could never be a burden to me." Avery smiled, stroking her cheek. "Transfer what you need. We'll figure it out together."
Relief washed over Tiffany, her eyes glistening with gratitude. She wrapped her arms around Avery, holding her tight. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Avery smiled, feeling the familiar warmth of love bloom inside her chest. But that warmth would soon be replaced with a chill she hadn't seen coming.
Later that day, her phone buzzed in her pocket while she was grocery shopping. Glancing at the screen, it was her dad calling.
It was unusual for her father to call during the day, but what really caught her attention was the second name flashing beside his-Mom. She frowned.
"What does she want now?"
She didn't answer both calls and a few minutes later, her phone buzzed again, this time with a text from her father:
"I just wanted to check on you. Call me when you can."
Before she could even process that, her mom's message followed: "Be home by 6 PM. We have important matters to discuss."
Avery groaned inwardly, already dreading whatever confrontation her mother had in store for her. Her mother only called for "important matters" when she was plotting something.
"It hasn't been up to three months, has it?"
*
"Why are you late?" Mrs. Downs asked sharply as Avery walked into the dining room.
Avery shrugged. "I'm here now. Isn't that what matters?"
"Good evening, Daddy," she greeted her father, ignoring the rest of her family.
Her father's face lit up. "How are you, my girl?"
"I was fine... until now," Avery sighed, her gaze briefly resting on her mother before turning back to her father.
His smile faltered. "My poor baby. Come, have a seat, eat, and you can leave soon."
Mrs. Downs scoffed. "Of course, she can leave after gracing us with her presence."
"Really?" Robert sneered, unable to resist. "Late and dressed like you rolled out of bed. What are you even wearing?"
Avery glanced down at her black cargo pants, white t-shirt, and black flats.
"Something comfortable. Maybe try it sometime, Robert. Or go knock your head on a wall, whichever works for you."
"More like hiding who you really are," Robert shot back. "You're still a loser who's into girls?"
Avery's heart tensed, but she didn't let it show.
"My daughter's sexuality is none of your business," Mr. Downs snapped. "One more word and you're leaving this table."
"Don't shout at my son!" Mrs. Downs interjected. "Why shouldn't he speak his mind? A girl with another girl... it's unnatural."
Avery cut in before her father could react.
"Dad, let them talk." She turned to her mother. "Now, what do you want? You said there was something important."
Dinner arrived, and Avery noticed her plate-broccoli and cauliflower salad, while the rest of the family had pasta.
"Seriously?" Avery muttered, glancing at her mother. "You know I hate this stuff. What's the game now? Mocking me?"
"Grass for the goat," Robert quipped.
"Robert!" Mr. Downs warned.
"Leave him," Avery said, staring at her mother. "You wanted to talk, so talk."
Mrs. Downs smirked, savoring her control. "One word-Tiffany."
Avery stiffened. "And what about Tiffany?"
"We had a deal. I told you if she proved unworthy, I'd intervene. It hasn't even been three months, but it's clear now."
Avery narrowed her eyes. "What did you do?"
Mrs. Downs signaled to her assistant-and Avery's ex-Simon. Avery's stomach twisted as Simon handed her his phone. On the screen were photos-Tiffany kissing another man.
Avery's heart sank, but she kept her expression cool. "So?"
"So?" Robert mimicked. "Looks like she found what she was missing."
"These mean nothing," Avery said, her voice steely. "That could be her ex for all you know."
Robert barked a laugh. "Please. You're delusional."
Avery stood, her patience gone. "I don't care what you think. I trust Tiffany and your games won't change that."
Mrs. Downs' voice turned cold.
"As per our agreement, Tiffany has failed. Your match has been arranged. Expect my call soon."
***
Back at her house, Avery immediately called Tiffany and asked that they meet at a coffee shop, saying she missed her.
Avery arrived at the coffee shop first, her nerves frayed. She was sipping a drink when Tiffany walked in-wearing the exact same outfit from the photos.
Her heart clenched.
"What is it? Who sent it?" "It's the usual," Lucy replied with a shrug. "Ah," Adrienne took the package from Lucy and opened it. Inside, there was a red, sexy dress and matching heels, along with a note. The note read, "Wear this tonight ~ BOSS." ***** Adrienne is a woman who has it all - brains, beauty, money, power and a heart that's been closed off for years. Adrienne's past has left her crippled emotionally, and the only constants in her life are her successful business and personal assistant, Daniel. But when Ryan, the heir to a conglomerate, enters her life, she feels a spark of curiosity, not love or infatuation. As their relationship develops, Adrienne is confronted with the painful reality of her past and the people responsible for it. She's faced with a choice: to follow her heart or seek revenge. Will she find peace or further heartbreak?
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
"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?
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."