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Alaric Montgomery is a woman-hater, heartless, and an arrogant playboy. The word 'marriage' isn't in his vocabulary. However, because of a letter and Zephyrine Calista's grandmother's last will and testament, he found himself in a chaotic situation. He needed to marry her, and that didn't sit well with his system. With no other options in mind, he made a deal with the woman. But Alaric didn't expect that it would lead them to a private room. How could he escape the situation? Would he be able to turn away from the woman who first made him experience a unique kind of happiness? And what if one day he wakes up realizing he loves Zephy, but someone else already owns her, his own twin brother, Leopold Montgomery?
Zephy had never had the chance to meet her parents as she grew up in the squatters. However, at the age of seventeen, her life took an unexpected turn. An elderly woman helped her and brought her to London, where she was sent to school and provided with everything she needed in exchange for staying by the woman's side.
On the day the elderly woman passed away, her family lawyer spoke to Zephy about her last will and testament. It was almost unbelievable that all the properties had been put in her name. However, there was a condition attached. Zephy had to return to New York to find one of the Ravenshaw quadruplets, Alaric Ravenshaw.
At the age of twenty-three, she was supposed to marry this man and have a child with him. The last will stipulated that she could only inherit everything once she turned twenty-six. If the conditions were not met within the specified time frame, everything would go to charity. The lawyer handed Zephy a sealed envelope, instructing her not to open it until she had fulfilled the conditions in the last will.
Five years later,
"Welcome to JFK Airport," echoed several times over the plane's PA system as Zephy arrived from London to New York.
As instructed by the lawyer, she headed straight to the domestic airport to check in. Zephy had a connecting flight to Ithaca, followed by a boat ride to Ravenshaw Private Resorts. She couldn't afford to waste any time because her time was limited to accomplish the mission.
Zephy repeatedly tried to figure out the best approach to the man. She had no idea who he was or what he looked like. All she had was his address and full name. She woke up from the flight attendant's announcement. They were about to land on Ithaca Island, one of the famous beaches in New York. Zephy smiled as she felt the cool breeze on her face as they disembarked the plane.
She wore a simple white loose shirt and rubber shoes, with shades covering her face and her long hair cascading down, some strands framing her face. After retrieving her two average-sized luggage bags, she exited the arrival area. Zephy couldn't understand the man who approached her. So, she decided to ask if he understood some Local language or English since she knew Ithaca was part of Greece.
"Can you speak Greek or English please?"
"Ah, yes, Ma'am, I mean, where is your destination?"
Zephy turned to look at him because of the oddity of his question.
"I'm alone, Mister, and I'm going to Ravenshaw Private Resorts."
"Sorry, Ma'am. Please come with me. You need to take a boat to get there."
"Okay, can you send me there, please?"
He didn't reply but nodded in response. He silently escorted her to the location. Once he had delivered her to the boat and she had paid, Zephy was overwhelmed with gratitude to God. A crew member greeted her.
"Welcome, Miss," he said with a broad smile, radiating warmth as he welcomed her.
"Thank you. By the way, how long is the trip?" She asked.
"It's more than an hour, Ma'am," he replied, smiling and remaining quiet for the duration of the journey.
...
Zephy couldn't understand why she felt so nervous. She kept wondering what the man would look like. Was he young or old, kind or gruff, handsome or ugly? She shook her head, scolding herself for overthinking. All she needed was for him to agree to marry her so she could claim the fortune left to her. An hour later, they arrived safely at their destination. She gaped at the beauty of the place; it felt like paradise.
"It's a paradise! Oh my God, this is heaven," she exclaimed.
She almost forgot her two pieces of luggage, but the crew member called her back to get her luggage. She hurriedly dragged her bags, thanking him before turning away. But someone else approached her and asked. She mentally slapped herself as if she was about to go through an interview before reaching her destination.
"Excuse me, Miss. Who are you, and what do you need?"
She looked around because she was alone, but it felt like she had a crowd with her based on the way the man questioned her.
"Excuse me, are you talking to me? Because I'm alone, and yeah, I want to check in here for some important matter."
"Sorry, Ma'am, but this resort is private and does not accept outsiders unless you are a friend or family of the owner."
She felt embarrassed by what he said.
"I mean, I know the owner of this resort, Mister. I want to stay here because of Mr. Alaric Ravenshaw."
However, before the man could respond, his boss suddenly appeared, and just his voice alone was intimidating.
"Who are you?!"
She became nervous and pale upon hearing his deep, and thunderous voice. Perhaps he was angry at her for trespassing into the resort. Maybe the staff was right, and outsiders weren't welcome here. Nevertheless, she needed to stay strong because she had a mission, and that's why she was there.
She slowly turned to face the man, even though she was scared, and forced herself to stand her ground, despite his intimidating seriousness. In her mind, it didn't matter because her mission was more important.
"I said who are you?" he asked once again. That baritone voice.
She had to muster up her courage and put on a brave face. She couldn't let this all go to waste and the reason why she was there.
"Hi, I'm Zephyrine. I-i j-just want to check in h-here," her voice quivered.
"Leave! This resort is exclusive for Family. As my staff mentioned, outsiders are not allowed here!" He turned his back on her and took big steps away from where she stood.
"Please allow me in. I-I don't know anyone else here!" she shouted.
"I don't care! Now leave!" he retorted, yelling, and quickly left.
She was about to say more, but the man was already far away. She felt like crying in her situation. She was left standing alone while her eyes scanned the beach. Darkness was falling, and she began to wonder where she would sleep. That man was heartless. She had no choice but to retrace her steps to where she left her suitcase. She pulled it along and started walking away from that place.
She walked through the area, looking around. She hoped to find some shelter for the night, even if only for that evening. But almost thirty minutes of walking, she found no place. She felt exhausted, having come straight from London without rest. She hadn't eaten or slept yet, and tears welled up in her eyes. Wasn't she loved by God at all? She had suffered and struggled since childhood. She had briefly experienced comfort when the lady brought her to London at the age of Seventeen. Now, she was back to her old life. She had some money, but it was just enough, and she had to be frugal.
It was almost pitch black, and she could barely see her surroundings. She decided to sit on a rock and began arranging her luggage. She hoped there were no bad people around because this was a private resort. She thought it would be safe. She opened her backpack and took out her phone, but to her dismay, there was no signal in the area.
As it got colder, she opened one of her suitcases and pulled out something to keep herself warm. She didn't have a jacket because the climate in New York was warm. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way. She wiped away her tears, thinking about where she could sleep. She considered herself lucky that there didn't seem to be any malicious people around. She decided to lie down on a large stone and used her backpack as a pillow.
She was awakened by heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. She didn't know where to go. Her tears welled up again, and she felt hopeless. Suddenly, she heard a noise. She stood up, and in the distance, she saw someone carrying a flashlight. She shouted and asked for help. Her spirits were lifted when she saw them approaching in her direction.
The flashlight was pointed towards her, but her heart sank when she heard what they said.
"Wow, jackpot! She's all alone, and she's pretty."
She shivered in fear upon hearing this and immediately started running away from them.
She thought she was safe when suddenly she tripped and fell. She didn't have time to react as the men chasing her quickly caught up.
"Please, have mercy!"
"Shut up, your voice is hurting my ears!"
She screamed as the two men grabbed her. They were yelling at each other as the rain poured down, making it hard to hear who would have their way first.
She still tried to resist, but she couldn't do anything.
Alpha Rocco and three other powerful Alphas, rulers of a mafia kingdom, arrive in Switzerland to expand their territory. Confident and ruthless, these Castellano wolves never expected to find their destined Lunas in the fierce, rebellious Bianchi sisters-a family of mafia women determined to protect their independence. As the possessive Alphas attempt to claim them as their queens, the Bianchi sisters refuse to submit, shattering the Alphas' pride and hearts. What will happen when love is mixed with rejection, and egos collide? And when Alpha Rocco discovers that his Luna is not only bound to him but also fated to his worst enemy, Nikolai Drakov-the bloodthirsty vampire-how far will he go to claim what is his? *** My Luna clutched Nikolai's arm, speaking to him in a hushed tone. His golden eyes flared with anger, so intense I feared he would reveal his true nature. Their words were too low for me to hear, but I caught Nikolai's lips moving, whispering only one thing: "You are mine."
With all her heart, Rachel devised a bold plan during a drunken night to deliver herself to Declan, her best friendās brother. Harbored feelings for him for a long time; she believed that getting pregnant by him would make him hers. But her plan took an unexpected turn. Instead of Declan, she mistakenly gave herself to someone else. Devastated, she went home without her carefully guarded femininity, and she encountered a shocking incident upon arriving at their house. She lost her family and got impregnated by a man she didnāt know. Left without her familyās support and carrying the child of a stranger, Rachel faced a daunting challenge. How would she find the strength to persevere without anyone to lean on? And what would Rachel do when she discovered that the father of her baby was already engaged and about to get married? How could she reveal the truth to him? Would this unforeseen twist of fate bring about redemption or deepen the heartache for everyone involved? *** āC-Christopher, Iām in pain!ā I shouted at him, but he continued to drag me until we reached the living room. He leaned me against the wall. āAh!ā I winced in pain. āI never thought I would hurt a woman, but this is all I can do.ā My heart raced with fear as he looked at me from head to toe. My eyes widened as he suddenly choked me. āC-Chrisāto...ā I could barely utter his name due to the intensity of his grip on me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at him, hoping he would have mercy on me. I could only close my eyes. But I opened them wide when I felt his lips forcefully press against mine. It was a punishing kiss. He bit my lower lip, and I tasted the rustiness on my own lips. I wanted to beg him to stop, but I couldnāt. He didnāt want me to speak. He didnāt let go of my lips. His lips pressed harder against mine. I flinched when I felt his hand forcefully squeezing my breast. āHow did I get you pregnant? Is it like this? Did I do this? Help me remember how I got you pregnant!ā He angrily demanded as he released my lips. His eyes were burning with intensity. But it lasted only a moment before he kissed my lips again, simultaneously squeezing my left breast. āP-please, s-stop.ā
Loving a man who doesnāt want to marry you is the most painful thing in the world. He is the devil who can kill you and throw you out like a piece of garbage. Hearing the news of Hunterās marriage left Adeline devastated. Until one night, Adeline had made the mistake of delivering herself to a man who would soon be someone elseās. āDonāt you have a little me in your heart, Hunter Bennett?ā Adeline asked softly. āNo, you donāt. You were never in my heart. To me youāre just like every other woman Iāve slept with,ā Hunter replied sharply. That night made Adeline realize that Hunter was a man she could never reach. An unrequited love made Adeline choose to leave and disappear forever from the man. After years of disappearance, the universe reunites them again. So how will Adeline and Hunter continue when Adelineās love has been shrouded in hatred?
To pay for her mother and sisterās medical bills, Daphne Laurel was forced to accept an offer to become the pretend wife of a sickly old tycoon in her care. She also suddenly had to perform the role of the stepmother to a hot young man who had a million charms, who unfortunately hated her very much. Hector Andino vows to do everything in his power he can to prove that his fatherās young wife is nothing but a gold-digger slut and that she must get rid of his family for forever. But the more he tries, the more he becomes entangled in a forbidden enchantment until there is no other woman he wants but the one woman he must never touch, his stepmother.
In the eyes of the public, Elijah was ever the gentleman, always distant and reserved. But behind closed doors, he was an animal who relentlessly ensnared Ashley in a web of lust. No one knew of their secret relationship, yet at the same time, no one dared to bully her again. Then one day, she was hit with morning sickness right in front of everyone. To everyoneās shock, the aloof and domineering Elijah quickly knelt in front of her and caressed her pregnant belly. āBabe,ā he crooned, āletās go public with our relationship. I will give you my everything.ā
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."
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!"
Despite being an illegitimate daughter, Lena bore a striking resemblance to the young lady of the Evans family. Faced with their threats, she was forced to take her half-sisterās place and marry Dylan. As an act of defiance, Lena seduced Dylan night after night, until she had him completely wrapped around her finger. Using his affections to her advantage, she set out to undermine the Evans family. Over time, Dylan began to notice something odd about his beloved wife...
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
Traversing back to the ancient Prime Martial World from modern age, Austin finds himself in a younger body as he wakes up. Yet, the young man he possesses was a miserable dimwit, what a bummer! But it doesnāt matter as his mind is sound and clear. Possessing this younger and stronger body, he will fight his way to become the God of martial arts, and rule the whole Martial World!