Rosalie Walton, as a stand-in bride for her cousin sister, was coerced into getting married with Josiah Schmidt, the disfigured young master of the Schmidt family. She was willing to call him husband at their wedding night, but when seeing that hideous face and grumpy character, Rosalie became regretful. Honestly, she wouldn't be able to cope with this husband of hers. However, Josiah seemed to be sticky to her stubbornly, even though he insisted that he had no feelings for Rosalie. "Mr. Schmidt, you can take a horse to the water but you can't make her drink." She said. "Whatever, someday she will be thirsty and want some water." He smiled.
February 3, 2011
Vancouver, B.C.
I slumped as I listened to my professor's lecture about the beginning of numeracy.
The class was nothing but a bore. I never really liked history subject but I had to take the course since a Natural Science was mandatory to finish my program. For three hours, the professor would go through about fifteen slides and talk about numbers passionately.
I had known a bit about passion. I'd seen it.
I was raised in a humble home. My father was a street artist, and only because it was not secluded in an art gallery, people discouraged him because they perceive his kind of art as vandalizing.
Had it not been for wealthy socialites with too much money to spend on paying art, dad would not make ends meet.
My mom had told me stories about my dad; how excited he was to finish a mural. At that time, he had dreams and hopes for me. He even sold a piece and named it "Emerald". Unfortunately, he had passed away even before I was born.
Mom believed that dad's love and talent in painting somehow transferred to me. At age six, I begged my mom to buy me colors and small canvas at the dollar store instead of Barbie toys and new clothes. She'd even let me paint to my heart's content.
In eighth grade, I began getting compliments from acquaintances and especially my art teacher. They loved my paintings. They'd say they'd buy them for few dollars and I felt like the happiest kid in the block.
As soon as I turned sixteen, I worked part time so I could buy a better set of brush that would last longer and wouldn't break after little use, a wide array of shades of colors, and bigger canvases. It was when I realized how fervent I was with painting.
Mom allowed me to use the storage room where she kept all of dad's painting. Inside the small room which she kept locked for years, I witnessed the embodiment of hard work and perseverance. He had so many pieces that ended up in the trash; some were covered in dust and white cloth, and some were unfinished.
My heart ached every time I looked at them. I could almost envision my father's frustration to make the pieces happen. He must've ran out of inspiration while the industry pushed him to do more, to create more art.
But in the end, it cost my father to take his own life.
Mom said she was about to have me when "that" had happened. Dad's death was a taboo around mom so I never really pried some more. In fact, I couldn't imagine even the heartache mom had gone through when dad passed away.
Mom initially opposed my decision to make a career out of painting. She feared I'd end up like my dad. But I reassured her that whatever happens, I'd still stay sane and in contact with my sensibilities.
"Let's end the discussion here. I'll see you next class," everybody sighed in relief as the professor beamed and said those magic words.
I guess it's not just me who wants to get out of this class, pronto. I thought.
I glanced at my wrist watch to check the time. Noreen could be waiting in the cafeteria right now.
I wouldn't say that I considered her as one of my closest friend, but we kind of ended up hanging out together between classes since we were attending the same program.
I was planning on postponing today's meeting with Noreen since it was my birthday. Jack, my long term boyfriend of four years, had planned a special dinner with me.
Just the thought of meeting with Jack brought butterflies in my stomach.
He was a year older than me. Back in high school, he was the popular guy who kept his grades straight A and was active in sports. His eyes were of the most beautiful clear blue eyes I have ever seen. His chiseled jaw was my weakness along with his perfect smile. Girls were swooned by his charm and wit. He never failed to paint my cheeks bright red whenever he gave me kisses and warm hugs.
Many believed we would not last. but Jack and I thought otherwise.
So, here we were- staying strong and we even attended the same university so we could be together as much as possible.
I passed the main cafeteria in no time despite the congestion in the hallways. It was about lunch time. While some late students made a mad dash to their classes, the rest were all heading to the cafeteria to study.
Soon enough, I was in the cafeteria and spotted her in our usual table. She turned her head and I called out her name and she only answered in a faint smile.
Did she and her boyfriend have another fight? I wondered to myself.
I rested my landscape canvas that I'd been carrying around all day. I needed an extra one for a painting I need to finish in Art History class.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
Noreen looked pale and a little stressed out. Her usual shiny chestnut hair had lost its polish and her dark circles were more prominent. She might've been taking the midterms too seriously.
Her eyes seemed dead, breaking me inside. She pressed her lips as she fought back the urge to break down in front of me.
"Did something bad happen?" I asked sincerely, patting her back to soothe her.
She sniffled. "Em, I have a problem."
"Okay, I'm here to listen."
Tears then fell down her cheeks. "Em, I'm eight weeks pregnant."
I held back a breath, unsure of how to react. I looked around me, sighed in relief that nobody heard what she said.
"What did Brandon say?" I was fuming. How could a guy get his girl pregnant and not take a responsibility?
Noreen only shook her head; tears began rushing out of her eyes and broke her eye contact with me.
"The baby's not his," she said, her head shaking from side to side as she buried her face in her palms.
My eyebrows furrowed, shooting her quizzical looks.
"It's Jack's, Em."
The moment she mentioned the name of the love of my life, only God knew what I felt- the heaviness that dropped on my head was unbearable, enough to suck the life out of me. My limbs softened and my vision blurred. Although her voice was faint, the sound of his name only brought me excruciating pain in the chest.
"Pardon me?" How silly of me. I heard her. But somewhere in my heart, I wished for her to take back what she had said and claim that it was a prank.
Oh, that must be it.
Although I was breaking internally because of this horrible joke, I managed to crack a smile. "Come on. Is this a prank? Seriously? On my birthday?"
Instead of an answer, Noreen just shook her head while her tears continued to flow down her face. "Em, I swear it was just a one-time thing and I think the condom broke and-"
"Please, tell me this is just a prank." I continued.
"Brandon and I are constantly fighting and Jack gives me comfort and... and I felt comfortable around him. I'm really sorry." Noreen's voice was low yet I could hear other students chatter behind me.
Jack and Noreen? Since when? Of all the guys she could find comfort with, she chose Jack. She knew how much I loved him.
"I need your help Em. He doesn't want to take responsibility. He loves you and we made a mistake but please! I don't want to raise the child alone," Noreen pled some more, her voice trying very hard to keep it low but the students around us were curiously glancing at us.
I couldn't breathe. There was too much happening, too much information for me to process. I wanted to call her a lot of mean names, but my brain couldn't function.
In my head, I was screaming at her but in reality, I just wanted to get the hell out and pretend none of this ever happened. I gathered my stuff as quickly as possible and left the cafeteria in a rush and pain I couldn't fathom. I bumped a few people on the way but I didn't give a damn.
What was I supposed to do? I loved Jack too that I could see myself in the future with him. I didn't want anybody else to have him!
My head was about to burst from thinking of the most logical way to end my misery.
Vera Bethric didn't expect her marriage to end like this. All her affection for Nord Lemming was smashed into pieces by a divorce agreement. "We're done. Don't do anything meaningless." His voice was cold as ice. At last, she agreed. She signed her name and broke free from that cage. A beautiful, shining cage that was never made for her. However, she didn't expect him to become a troublemaker. He smiled wickedly. "You're not going anywhere!"
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
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."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."