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"You have two weeks. Divorce Sean Blackwood," Hawke's usual cold demeanor replaced by an intensity she had never seen before. "You're carrying my baby, Nora or I swear to God I'll end your sham marriage myself." Nora Sterling's heart raced as fear gripped her. Terrified for her family's future and bound by the constraints of her marriage contract that seeks to take away everything her inheritance, she seeks solace in a reckless one-night stand with a stranger-only to discover he's none other than Hawke, her husband's buisness rival. As forbidden desires ignite between them, Nora must navigate the treacherous waters of passion and deceit, risking everything for a chance at true love. But when she discovers she's pregnant from the one night stand, the stakes are higher than ever, and Nora realizes that her journey to freedom may come at a price she never dared to imagine.
As Nora Sterling scrubbed away at the marble floor, her stepbrother Phillip Sterling, strutted over with a wicked grin, glass in hand. He didn't waste a moment before slowly tipping his glass of orange juice all over Nora's white blouse, the liquid dripping from her hair down onto the floor.
"Oops, looks like you missed a spot, Nora," he taunted, his voice dripping with spite as she gasped, he laughed as he watched her struggle, while humiliated, to clean up the mess without a word of protest.
From the living room, Nora's step-sister Stephanie Sterling let out a mocking laugh. "Come on, Phillip, don't be so mean," she teased, her voice filled with mock sympathy. "Can't you see our dear elder sister Nora trying her best?"
Nora gritted her teeth, swallowing her frustration as she continued to mop up the spill. She should be used to this life– this kind of treatment from her step-siblings. They never missed an opportunity to make her life miserable.
Nora Sterling, the only child of Dan Sterling and major heiress to the Sterling fortune and now modern-day Cinderella, used to have a good life until her mother's tragic death. Then he married Olivia Sterling who became her stepmother.
Her dad was the sweetest man alive then he married Olivia because he was lonely and felt Nora needed a mother figure. Her father passed away two years ago on her 21st birthday of a stroke.
Nora had been nothing more than a servant in her own home since then. Her stepmother Olivia and her obnoxious children treated her like dirt, their cruelty a constant reminder of her position in the house.
But despite the bitterness and anger that clawed at her heart, Nora refused to let them see how much they hurt her. She had learned fast that it only made things worse.
She'd done well in college with a business and marketing degree from Yale, hoping to take over or at least run the reins alongside someone competent to keep the Sterling name but Olivia was paranoid. She did her best to keep Nora out of executive meetings, so she spent her days doing chores and trying not to upset Olivia so she didn't find a way to kick Nora out of her rightful inheritance.
As she finished mopping the floor, Nora wiped off the juice on her shirt and shot a glance at her step-siblings on their phone, scrolling through TikTok. Stephanie was noisily chewing gum and laughing obnoxiously. Nora sighed. She'd gotten used to a life of resignation and this was just another regular day for her. Or so she thought.
***
Two hours later, Nora was seated in front of Olivia who requested an urgent meeting with Nora. Whatever this was, it couldn't be good news.
"Good afternoon, stepmother."
"I asked you to call me Mom in public."
Olivia Sterling sat like the queen of England at the head of the table, her scornful eyes watching Nora as she walked in. Beside her was someone Nora recognized immediately–Sean Blackwood. Rich, popular, handsome, and eligible. He owned a fashion line and worked with only the best. He was relaxing in his chair, his arrogant smirk irritated Nora almost immediately. She knew all too well the kind of man he was-a ruthless predator disguised as a charming billionaire.
"Sit down, Nora," Olivia commanded, her voice like ice as she gestured to the empty chair at the opposite end of the table.
Reluctantly, Nora took her seat, her hands clammy as she tried to still herself for what was to come. She had a sinking feeling about what this impromptu meeting was about.
"Now, Nora darling, we're not here to hurt you, so you can drop that mean face," Olivia chuckled, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "We just want what's best for the company."
Nora clenched her jaw, her nails digging into the soft flesh of her palms as she fought to keep her emotions in check. She was now sure she knew what they wanted-they wanted her out of the picture so they could seize control of the company for themselves.
"And what's best for the company, according to you?"
Sean chuckled, addressing her directly for the first time, "What's best for this wonderful company of course, sweetheart, is for you to sign these papers," he said, sliding a stack of documents across the table towards her.
Nora's heart sank as she glanced down at the papers, her stomach churning with a mixture of fear and anger.
As she read through the documents, disbelief and rising anger climbed. A temporary contract lasting one year where she would get married to Sean to ensure her shares were transferred to his company. If there was a child, the shares would go to the offspring. The purpose of the contract was to merge for mutual profit and a marriage was necessary.
The contract also stated that if the marriage did not yield a specific amount of shared profit, Sean would pay full price and the contract and marriage would be terminated.
But Nora wasn't stupid. She knew what they were-a contract that would effectively strip her of her access to the family's company, leaving her at the mercy of her scheming stepmother and her slimy business partner.
"A marriage contract?"
"Yes. I looked up to Mr. Dan Sterling while he was alive, I'd hate to see his legacy go to waste," Sean said smoothly with a predatory grin.
"I won't do it," Nora got up, slamming the table, her voice took on a slight tremble. "I won't sign away my birthright just to line your pockets."
Olivia's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits as she leaned forward. "Nora dear. You will sign these papers," she hissed, her voice like venom. "Or you will regret it for the rest of your miserable life."
"Now, Mrs Sterling, we don't want to seem like we're threatening her, she should take her time making this kind of decision," Sean said with a smirk.
Nora's breath caught in her throat. She knew she was trapped, with no way out but to do as they demanded.
The company's shares were falling fast and Olivia was going to run the company down in 3 months if they were lucky. An idea struck her; something so ridiculous anyone would have laughed at it. Of course, the answer was so obvious now, she just had to Play along.
Nora reached for the pen, her hand shaking as she prepared to sign away her future temporarily.
As the expensive ink dried on the paper, Sean leaned back in his chair, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face. "There, darling," he said smugly. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?"
Nora gritted her teeth, forcing a plastic smile.
"I'll be your wife for a year in exchange for my shares. I hope we enjoy our blissful time together."
Sean's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I do not doubt that, Nora, but for now, let's focus on the matter at hand. We have a business to run, after all."
Nora nodded, trying to take control of the situation. In truth, the act of signing away her only bargaining chip was making her nauseous. What would her father think of her now? Giving up everything to the slimy bastard sitting beside her?
"Okay Sean, please walk us through what you're going to be doing," Olivia said, her hand reaching out to caress Sean's, sending a flash of disgust through Nora. Her stepmother was at least 30 years his senior yet she was flirting with him.
As Sean laid out his vision for the future of the company-talk of mergers and acquisitions, of transforming it into something new and innovative-all BS, Nora knew. Her thoughts drifted to the marriage contract they had agreed on. Just like that, she was going to be a wife? Her formulated plan was a risky move, but it was a gamble she was willing to take if it meant regaining control of her family's textile company.
"That's it then? I don't pay a lot of attention to the details but I'll leave you with your ... new wife," Olivia's flirty tone brought Nora back to reality.
Olivia left the office, high heels clicking behind her with a triumphant smile, leaving Nora and Sean alone to talk, Nora felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She'd never met Sean Blackwood in person before but she'd read stories of his ruthlessness. She couldn't show fear here.
"Ah, my dear Nora," Sean purred, breaking the tense silence, his eyes glinting with a predatory gleam as he turned his gaze on her. "You truly are a vision of beauty. Even plainly dressed. I heard of how your family treats you. Don't worry I have a better life waiting for you. You will have to dress better though, can't look this sad with my arm wrapped around yours
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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."
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
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!
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...