Trapped in an arranged marriage, Amelia gets nothing but insecurity, abuse and constant scenes of violence. She was forced to marry Lorenzo, a dangerous mafia by her father, in exchange for one week surveillance during his campaign. When Neil, the new alpha of Castros pack and CEO of Berg oil summoned Amelia for an interview at his company, he found out Amelia is his second-chance mate. Will Neil go ahead to claim Amelia given she's already legally married? Or will he lose this second chance of claiming his mate? Will the mafia, Lorenzo sit back and watch his wife being taken by another man?
My world comes crashing down and my heart feels heavy as I stare at the man I once called father. 'Once' because he doesn't deserve to be one anymore. I used to think he would change but no, he is proving me wrong this moment. I can only cry.
"You can't just marry me off. I'm not a commodity!" I scream but my voice is just croaky.
"It's for the best Amelia. I have so many enemies. Marrying you off is one of the best, easiest way to ensure your safety and-mine as well," my father says as he grabs a bottle of wine from the table.
"The local police, the FBI, you can hire them. You have the money. Am I only worth one week surveillance to you?"
"You are my asset! All women are assets to their fathers!" My father's raging voice resounds through the whole room but he chokes from the wine in the cup he was drinking. He coughs and takes a seat.
I search the room for my mother to at least intervene and speak up for me but that woman who is always dominated by my father is somewhere in the master bedroom crying. Father had hit her when she tried to argue out my course.
"I choose what I do with you and this is the best so far..."
"Yes. Just like you had my sisters married off to political opponents way older than they are just to gain their political connections and trust. Is this a game to you?"
"Lorenzo will protect you..."
"A mafia demon that the whole FBI has sworn to lynch? Father can't you just consider my feelings? I do not feel anything for him."
"You'll feel something for him when you start spending time together. You'll learn to love him. You're young and you'll adjust with time. This is the best option for you. Amelia, I'm sick of trying to talk sense into you..."
"And I'm sick of you being selfish and conceited! Sometimes I wonder if you're actually my father..." a slap across my face throws me to the floor and shuts me up. I almost black out. It feels like a whole alp just descended on me. I curl my body and try to cover the part I know he would hit again, my head. I have already grown accustomed to his style of beating.
"I do not want freckles on your body when Lorenzo would come to pick you up. He has to get you whole. Go. Pack your things. Your mother will help you. Lorenzo will come to pick you up this evening and get your mind set, your wedding is in two days time."
I hear the thudding of his black leather shoes against the wooden stairs as he heads to his room. "Don't keep Lorenzo waiting," he says as his steps grows more louder above me.
I sit up and hold my burning cheek where I was hit, feeling a bit feverish. I sob. It's not the first time he's hitting me. I wouldn't feel it if it were to be a different case but, marrying the cold mafia of Chicago whose occupation is nothing but violence is a death sentence. How do I stay with a man I feel nothing for, the rest of my life?
I think of running away. The only thing holding me back being the wooden door at the other end but to where? Chicago is a large city and it would take my father not less than three hours to find me let alone Lorenzo who has eyes and ears everywhere. I tried it before and the result landed me in a hospital.
I gulp.
My mother comes rushing down. She grabs my hands and helps me up, straightening my clothes at the same time.
"Lorenzo will be here soon. We have to pack."
"Mum, you also think this is right? You-I don't want this," I say to my mother while holding my burning cheek.
"I'm sorry," she whispers, tears forming in her eyes. I just don't know what to do."
"Talk to father, there are other ways to ensure his safety than using me," I plead.
"Your father, he... doesn't listen to reason," mother says, her voice barely above a whisper. "He has his mind set on this and I don't know how to stop him."
Tears begin to line my cheeks and mother quickly wipes it away. "Lorenzo will protect you. It's not as bad as you think," mother says as she tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"Letting someone I have no feelings for do it with me?" One of the things that scares me the most is letting a total stranger do it with me and take my virtue. This will be my first time and I've always pictured how romantic my first time would be but now this...
"Do what?"
"I-nevermind." I sigh. "Please don't let father do this to me. Krith and Emily are already in hell."
"I know its your first time but I promise you'll love it after two times."
Love what?
"Mother, I know you're not in support of this. I know."
Mother only sighs. She picks my hand and begins to drag me with her. "Don't get hit again Amelia. Please just do as he says."
Mother helps me pack my clothes while I only sulk at the corner. I smooth the helm of my shirt when mum makes eye contact with me. "Mother, please..."
"I can't do anything," mother says weakly. "Lorenzo will soon be here. Just respect and obey him and you won't feel bad. You'll be fine," mother sniffs back her tears.
"What about my freedom?"
Just as mother's lips part to reply, the door push open and father walks in dressed in dark Italian suits and his favourite dark leather shoes. He always likes exuding that funeral aura with his dark attire.
"Lorenzo is here."
He didn't say anything more, he just turns and walks out of the room.
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!
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
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."
Blurb: Nina Morrison's life is a relentless struggle, torn between caring for her bedridden father and enduring her stepfamily's cruelty. But her world is shattered when a near-fatal encounter with Lucien Gray-the ruthless, untouchable head of a global consortium-pulls her into a nightmare of possession. Lucien is captivated by Nina's fiery defiance, determined to possess her at any cost. But Nina's will to rebuild herself is stronger than his obsession. As their paths collide, desire and revenge intertwine, forcing them to confront the darkness within themselves. Can Nina reclaim her life? Will Lucien's obsession destroy them both, or will they truly fall in love and live happily ever after?
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."