Nora James was supposed to get married to her long-time fiancé Finn Clayton, but what happens when she gets involved in a one-night stand with a stranger and Finn happens to know about it? Will Finn forgive her, and will they end up married, or will Nora end up pregnant without anyone by her side?
Nora's POV
It was the eve of New Year's Day. I entered the city of New York via car. I haven't been here in three years. The honking of the car at the careless drivers.
"I'm finally home," I said to myself.
I was supposed to be back by the first half of the month, but I had told nobody that I was returning this soon. Probably to surprise them.
"We're here, Madame." The Uber driver had said something to me, bringing me out of my deep thoughts.
"Finally." My eyes widened as I looked at the tall building in front of her. It was her family gathering, apparently the birthday of her grandfather.
"A perfect time and opportunity to surprise them all," I said to myself as I took out her suitcase from the back of the car, laid off the Uber driver, and went to the door.
I took a deep breath as I pulled the door open.
*Happy birthday to I heard everyone's chorus and then turned in her direction.
Whoa! I exclaimed, clapping my hands and getting ready for a hug, but nothing came of it.
Everyone stood there in shock as they watched me make a fool of myself. I was lost. It was not what I had anticipated.
"No hugs?" I asked but got no answer.
"Why are you back so soon?" My mother squeezed her face into a light frown.
"What? Am I supposed not to be back?" Her heart clenched in pain. I was expecting a hug or kiss or anything at all, but they stood there transfixed for a moment, confused as to whether I was the one standing there.
The door creaked open, and Finn walked in with a bouquet. Seeing the long brown hair and model-like physique, he knew instantly that it was me.
"Nora?" His mouth fell open in shock as he yelled for her to turn and obey his instructions.
"Why are you home so early?" He asked, confusing her more.
"Is everyone here not happy to see me?" "I can equally return to school," I murmur. I was so angry and hurt that I kicked the table and started to climb the stairs, crying all the way.
"Were they not happy to see me? I knew they had always been strict with me, but I figured they must have softened a little bit if I returned home earlier.
I had a twin sister, Kora, who seemed to be my nemesis growing up, but I still, in fact, missed her.
"Why are you back so early?" A voice said it by the door, making me flinch. I raised my head.
"Kora? What are you doing there? You scared me." I asked, looking at Kora, who stood by the door, looking at me.
Kora James was the splitting image of me, or you could say we were identical twins. Growing up side by side with each other, Kora was always the loved one, while I faced a lot.
"You showed up unannounced, and you expect everyone to welcome you with open arms?" Kora questioned.
The look on her face gave it away to me that, as usual, I was not welcomed here anymore. It was more like her presence was not needed.
"Did I spoil the surprise they had for me?" He asked herself, but got no answer.
"Am I no longer welcome here?" I asked, my gaze fixed on Kora in confusion.
"You know what?" Kora plastered a fake smile on her face.
I am in fact happy to see you here." She says this with her lips curling into a small smile.
I felt relaxed, and at least one out of everyone was happy to see me.
"You know what would lighten up those moods?" Kora asked as I looked at my sister with much enthusiasm.
"No, do you?" I asked,
"A little bit of partying, you need to distress. You could go with me. Kora said, glancing at me.
The look on my face was my reply to the suggestion. I didn't want to go, but my wild sister was making an effort to make me feel comfortable; I just couldn't turn her down. Besides, it's not like I was wanted at home anyway.
Waiting for my final answer, I looked at Kora before sighing.
"Fine, if you say so." I finally consented.
"Great!" She says, hugging me tightly,
"This is going to be a great time," Kora grinned, and I relaxed.
"But no alcohol. You know I have zero tolerance when it comes to alcohol." I reminded her, but I was not sure if she heard me.
"Sure." She says she was dragging me outside; she had already booked a ride for us both. For some reason, I was not comfortable with the sudden likeness of Kora.
"Are you sure you're okay?" She looked at me and smiled when I asked again.
"I'm definitely okay." She replied,
......
We got to the bar, and the loud music and dim lights fitted perfectly with the decor of the bar. People were dancing and rocking themselves.
"Hey girls!!!" While her friends were dancing across the bar, Kora called out to them.
"Oh goodness gracious," I breathe out, rubbing my forehead.
Heaven knows this is not my kind of space at all.
I went over to the counter, and the bartender looked at me with a warm smile on his face, which I found awkward.
Let me have a glass of apple juice, please. He gave me a look when I said something to him. "You look tired," he says. I gave a weak smile. Why wouldn't I be tired? I just returned from school, and boom! I was dragged to a party.
He served my drink, which I gulped down in one go. I sat there as I searched the room, looking for Kora with my eyes, but the room was too dim. Just then, I began to feel lightheaded.
"Ouch!" I rubbed my head. It began pounding, and just then my vision became blurred. I looked up to see Kora walking up to me.
"Hey, how are you doing, Nora?" She asked at that moment, and I gradually became black.
Trapped in an empty office late at night, Ella is certain no one will come to her rescue until a mysterious stranger appears. That man is Jason Theal, a seductive billionaire with a dark past and dangerous secrets. Drawn into his world of wealth and shadows, Ella discovers a sinister underbelly of betrayal and power. But as she unravels Jason's deadly ties, she realizes her own life is at stake in a game where trust is a luxury and survival is everything.
The Billionaire Betrayed Wife follows Rachael Morgan, an orphan whose search for love leads her into the ruthless world of the Blackwood family. Betrayed by her husband and tormented by her adoptive sister, Rachael's life spirals into chaos when she's cast out and left to survive on the streets, pregnant and alone. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious savior from her past rescues her, giving her the chance to heal and rebuild. Years later, she returns stronger, armed with a fierce desire for revenge. With her son by her side, Rachael will stop at nothing to destroy those who shattered her trust-even if it means risking everything to reclaim her life and her power.
"The entire wealthy circle in Seattle knew how much Stella Carlson loved Aaron Malone. People watched the childhood sweethearts grow from inexperience to maturity, finally getting married in a grand wedding ceremony. On the day of the wedding, despite the alliance between the Carlson and Malone families, the groom ran away. Stella knew that Aaron had rushed to L.A. to take care of his ex-girlfriend, who had attempted suicide. Unwilling to become the laughingstock of all Seattle, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number of her adversary, her tone almost commanding, "Ethan, come and marry me now. This is your only chance for revenge." On the other end, Ethan Powers raised an eyebrow as he gripped his phone, staring at the floor littered with cigarette butts. "Did the groom run away?" he asked. "My darling."
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.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
Compelled by her dad's dilemma and the looming fate of their business, Irene agreed to become Braydon's lover. To outsiders, Braydon seemed invulnerable, yet only Irene was privy to the tempestuous passions he unleashed behind closed doors. Gradually, Irene found herself tangled in the intricate emotional snare Braydon had woven, her heart craving more, only to be shattered by the revelation of his engagement. Devastated, she left and soon encountered Braydon's archrival. It was then that the formidable Braydon confronted the esteemed surgeon Dr. Mitchell, all in a fierce struggle over Irene.
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"