/0/53776/coverbig.jpg?v=2351df62731368a496bd970674d027b8)
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
[Heather]
I was so tired from my day's work and hoped to find peace at the mansion. But when the butler opened the door, I felt the cold air of the residence. I had lived here for a year but had never felt the warmth of being at home.
Blaze had been busy with the hospitality venture he started last year. Therefore, he was rarely at home and had many business trips to meet his colleagues. Knightley Group added to his list of achievements after successfully growing Knightley Corporation, his construction company.
As his wife, I was very proud of him. I hoped after that business trip, he would be home more often. I now understand Mom's feelings, living for many years with Dad, who was very busy with his work.
"Good evening, Ma'am. There was an important document delivered by a special courier this afternoon. I put them in the study," the servant reported politely.
"Really!? Thank you." I curbed my urge to go to my bedroom and walked towards the rarely used office. There must have been a gift from my husband. Today was our wedding anniversary.
Seeing a large envelope on the desk, I approached. There was no description on the front of the folder. Did he give me a building or land? I opened the cover and read the letterhead on the first page: divorce agreement. I looked at it once more to make sure I read it correctly.
My hands were shaking, making the letters even more impossible to read. My eyes heated up, and my vision blurred. My heart was beating so fast that it was suffocating my chest. What was this? Why did he suddenly file for divorce? He had even put his signature on it.
I took my cell phone out of my bag and dialed his number. Waiting for a while, he didn't answer my call. I tried one more time while climbing the stairs. Finding his bedroom empty, I wasn't surprised. He was planning to come home tomorrow morning.
But realizing the atmosphere was a bit different, I checked his wardrobe. "No way," I said quietly, seeing the condition of the spacious room.
He had already brought all the personal items that were in his closet. His favorite watch collection wasn't even left behind. He seriously wanted to walk away from my life and this marriage.
"Good evening, Miss Bailey," Blaze's secretary greeted me when I called him on his cell phone.
"Kyle, do you know where my husband is?" I asked without replying to his greetings.
"As far as I know, he's in his room after dinner with his colleagues," he replied politely.
He wasn't busy, so why wasn't he answering my calls? Was he deliberately not answering my calls? I knew he didn't have friends and would be alone in his suite after work.
"Is there a problem, Miss Bailey? Would you like me to go to his suite and give him this phone?" he sincerely offered.
"No. No need. Thank you," I declined.
I couldn't ask him to do something that wasn't his job. He'd been working all day, and this was his break. Blaze would get angry if interrupted during his downtime because I would if my assistant contacted me outside of working hours.
I decided to send a voice message through an app. "Blaze, I know you're holding your phone. We need to talk, please answer my call. You didn't mean it, did you? Today's our first anniversary. H-how could you give me divorce papers on our wedding anniversary?"
I tried to call him again, yet he didn't answer. I wanted to send another voice message but canceled it. He might have a problem with his company or the meeting earlier. I should wait when he was ready to talk.
My cell phone alarm vibrated in the morning for the umpteenth time, waking me up. If it weren't for today's big event, I'd want to lie in bed all day. I was exhausted after trying to sleep last night but to no avail.
A surprise was waiting for me when I walked out of the front door. A black Audi was in the front yard. The butler opened the door for me so that I could see the driver.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get in," Blaze said impatiently.
My heart was beating rapidly, happy that the person I was expecting was right before my eyes. I thanked the butler and then got into the car. I fastened my seat belt before greeting him cheerfully, but he was silent.
"I thought you weren't coming," I said, not hiding my surprise.
"He's still my father-in-law," my husband replied coldly.
"And will always be your father-in-law," I said firmly, giving him the signal that I didn't want the divorce. "Happy anniversary, honey."
Blaze did not reply. Seeing his cold stare, I decided to keep quiet. His being here with me was enough. I was sure we could talk about the misunderstanding between us later, just like before. I had to focus on the event at Dad's house first.
In addition to keeping my feelings in check, I needed to keep his mood under control. I didn't want him to be upset during the event. Throughout our marriage, I never let anyone know we were quarreling. We were never fighting or arguing in public.
The guests had already filled the side yard. My husband held my hand since I got out of the car. I was right. Everything was fine. He couldn't be serious about divorcing me. I reached over and took his arm with my free hand.
"Blaze, Heather! Welcome!" greeted Mom kindly. She hugged and kissed our cheeks in turn. "Come on, sit down quickly! The party is about to start!"
"Okay, Mom." I approached my father. "Happy birthday, Dad!" I hugged and kissed the middle-aged man on the cheek.
"Thank you, my princess." He caressed my cheek gently, then turned to Blaze. "I'm glad you guys took the time to come."
"We wouldn't miss this event. Happy birthday," Blaze said as he shook his father-in-law's hand. He didn't mention Dad, a change that didn't escape my hearing.
After greeting Dad and Darcy, we took our seats. I looked around us in surprise. The event had already begun, but Darcy sat alone. I didn't see Cullen come, sitting in the empty seat next to her.
Until the short celebration of Dad's fiftieth birthday was over, her husband was not present. He was never absent from our family events. Darcy did not look anxious without him by her side either.
"Before we start feasting, there's one more celebration we need to commemorate together," Dad said. He turned to me and Blaze. "Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary!"
Everyone else joined in and raised their glasses. I was happy to see that. The employees at my shop forgot about my special day yesterday. So I thought my family did, too. It turned out that Dad remembered it and even made a remarkable time to celebrate.
I turned to Blaze, hoping he would kiss me. But he wasn't looking at me. I looked in the direction he was staring and was surprised to find out who he was watching with those loving eyes, the gaze he had given me a year ago.
My chest suddenly ached. I turned at my husband again, and I was not mistaken. He looked at Darcy as if no one else was nearby but my sister. Darcy didn't hesitate to return his gaze when she thought no one was watching. No way.
"Darcy, where is your husband?" asked Mom, starting the conversation at our table. She looked around us. "Is he still out of the city?"
"He's not coming, Mom," Darcy replied, glancing at Blaze before looking at Dad. "I'm sorry if this news ruins Dad's day. We were officially divorced yesterday."
I stopped chewing at the shocking news. Dad and Mom were also suddenly silent, trying to digest the information they just heard. Only Blaze remained calm and cut the steak on his plate casually.
Oh my. Did Blaze file for divorce because he and Darcy...? I had never seen them talk alone or look more intimate than in-laws. But seeing the way they were exchanging glances right now, my chest felt like it was being torn apart. It hurt like hell.
"What happened?" Dad asked a moment later. He managed to speak calmly. "Did Cullen cheat on you? Did he hit you?"
"Is it about a child?" added Mom.
"No, it's not. We decided to part ways amicably. Cullen was so busy with his project that we never had time to be together anymore. It's the best way," Darcy replied diplomatically. There was no disappointment, sadness, or anger in her voice.
I accidentally dropped the spoon when I was about to pick it up from the plate. My family didn't care about my carelessness. Dad, Mom, Darcy, and even Blaze were busy with their thoughts. I sighed softly, then looked down to pick up the spoon from the grass.
A movement caught my attention, so I turned my head. I saw a foot wearing a high heel rubbing my husband's foot. My hand instantly clenched into a fist, recognizing the owner of the foot and shoe. Outrageous! How could I have been blind all this time!?
"Excuse me, I'm going to the restroom," I said as I put the napkin on the table.
I couldn't take it anymore, so I needed to flee from that place for a while. I climbed the porch steps to the inside of the house. The servants were pacing back and forth, delivering snacks to the guests.
Once in the restroom, I approached the sink and placed my hands on the counter. I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. There was no way. Blaze couldn't be cheating on me behind my back. He loved me so much.
The restroom door opened. I quickly straightened up, not wanting anyone else to see me in my beaten state. But inhaling the scent of her signature perfume and the way she walked from my peripheral vision, I recognized the woman who had just entered.
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze."
My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice.
"Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?"
Crystal Dachbourne lost her twin sister in a tragedy, leaving her with a difficult choice. She must prepare to become queen and her substitute to marry Boaz Braelord, the strongest Alpha in their kingdom. The marriage started as a duty and slowly turned into a romance. However, Crystal's happiness was only momentary. Someone challenged her to a Game of Mate, with Alpha Boaz as the grand prize.
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."