Erik, three years into his marriage, scarcely spared Stephanie a glance. She harbored hopes of rekindling their love, but Erik's intentions darkened towards her very life. Stephanie, entangled in the complexities of love, found her desire for it fading. When Erik unexpectedly encountered Stephanie once more, he was unprepared to find her transformed into the world's wealthiest woman. "Miss Gilbert, how did you achieve such success at a young age?" someone asked. Her reply was sharp. "Avoid men; they're nothing but trouble." The next day, the paparazzi shadowing Stephanie were stunned to see Erik Palmer, notorious for his cold nature, eagerly joining their throng. "Miss Gilbert, I have a proposition for you," Erik declared. "What's on your mind?" Stephanie asked, her curiosity piqued. "Let's think about getting remarried," he suggested.
The aroma of a delicious dinner hung heavy in the air, but the mood at the Palmer household was anything but savory. Stephanie Gilbert, the hostess, had just finished setting the table when a sight curdled her stomach-her husband, Erik Palmer, strolling in with Vivian Howard, his lover, on his arm.
Three years into their marriage, the love Stephanie held for Erik felt like a wilting flower, neglected and thirsty in the shadow of his indifference.
Vivian's provocative messages to Stephanie, including her intimate pictures with Erik, were designed to twist the knife in Stephanie's already wounded heart.
Like a wilting flower struggling for sunlight, Stephanie's marriage had barely survived these three years, leaving her drained and heartbroken.
Leaning on Erik like a vine clinging to a trellis, Vivian cooed, "Stephanie, so sorry to crash your dinner party! Did you do all the cooking? You're quite skilled in the kitchen! Unlike me, I've always struggled with my health. That's why Erik takes such good care of me and never lets me cook."
Stephanie's pursed lips betrayed a brewing storm within. Vivian's mere presence was a stark reminder of the love lost, the void etched where Erik's affection should have been.
"So, can a mistress just stroll into my home now? It's utterly absurd."
"Stephanie, don't jump to conclusions!" Vivian pouted, a hint of mock hurt in her voice. "Erik and I are nothing more than friends. My doctor recommends strict diet due to my delicate health, you see. So, when I learned of your exceptional cooking skills, I practically begged Erik to bring me here. Surely, you wouldn't deny a poor soul a healthy, home-cooked meal, would you?"
Stephanie clenched her fists. "Hold on, Miss Howard. We hardly know each other, so don't talk like we're friends. This meal was for my husband, not uninvited guests."
"Come on! What's the drama? You're supposed to be hospitable! It's just a meal. Relax."
"Honestly, get over yourself. It's just dinner. You've been hosting us ever since you married my brother. Don't act like Vivian's presence is some huge tragedy!" Lacey Palmer impatiently chimed in as she descended the stairs.
"And to be honest, Vivian might have married my brother if you weren't in the picture," Lacey said as she habitually sat down at the table, motioning for Vivian to join her.
They sat in tense silence, Lacey and Vivian's chatter a jarring contrast to the strained air between Stephanie and Erik. Their averted gazes and tense postures spoke volumes, painting a stark picture of a fractured marriage.
The phone rang.
Erik hastily answered it, exchanging a few words before abruptly hanging up.
"I have some business matters to attend to at the company. Stephanie, please take care of things here. I won't be back tonight," Erik announced hurriedly before leaving.
Pushing aside her untouched plate, Stephanie met the remaining women with a steely gaze. "I'm done here. Enjoy your meal."
With that, she stood and ascended the stairs.
"What did I do? Is Stephanie upset because I'm here?" Vivian fluttered her eyelashes, feigning concern.
"Leave her be, Vivian. Try this..."
Lost in thought, Stephanie traced the quilt's pattern, three years of memories swirling in her mind.
Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to be swept off her feet by someone during a campus speech. Yet, there she was, completely captivated by Erik's every word and gesture.
From that moment on, marrying him wasn't just a desire, it was an inscription etched onto her soul.
However, her Mr. Right turned out to be Mr. Not-So-Right-After-All, and her dreams unraveled like a rom-com gone awry.
He did possess the gentleness she had envisioned, but it was not directed towards her.
He possessed the strength and influence she had believed in, but he proved unwilling to shield her.
Caught in a gilded cage, she smothered her own needs, serving the Palmers with a heart both resentful and hopeful for a love that seemed to fade with each sacrifice.
Despite the obstacles Erik's mother and sister threw her way, she endured everything without causing any trouble for him.
With a fragile hope clinging to her heart, Stephanie vowed to persevere, hoping it would finally open his eyes to her genuine love for him.
The invitation was a slap in the face, a blatant disregard for her feelings as Vivian, the source of her insecurity, waltzed into their home.
Was his next step to make her give up her place to Vivian?
Knock knock!
There was a knock at the door.
Stephanie opened it to find Vivian looking remorseful. "Stephanie, I'm sorry. I didn't realize today was your third wedding anniversary with Erik. I didn't mean to intrude."
"Erik isn't here. You can drop the pretense," Stephanie replied bluntly, not in the mood for conversation with Vivian.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."