I met the devil when I was fourteen years old. Just a kid himself, he was hellbent on making me miserable. By fifteen I hated him. When I was sixteen, I moved as far away as I could. Since I've left, my life has been simple-peaceful and still. I had no intention of ever returning to Skull Creek. Until tragedy struck and I was called back. It's been two years since I saw my step-brother. I hoped he had changed. But the devil is still the same. He's arrogant and ruthless. Rules the town with an iron fist. Where he walks, crowds part. Now his blame is set on me, along with his dark orbs of hate. It's time to show him I'm not the same girl I was back then. If he pushes, I'll push harder. Where I bend, he will break. As long as he doesn't find my weakness, I can survive this. Even if my weakness has become the devil himself. ******BONUS STORIES ADDED*****
FOURTEEN YEARS OLD
IT'S TOO SOON. How can someone who claimed to be madly in love with another person, marry someone else only six months later? Not to mention, making that hellish boy a part of our family. He breathes fire and I swear his eyes change from brown to as black as coal when he's angry. He scares me, he really does.
Now, I'm supposed to live in this monstrosity of a mansion with him? I've got no idea what Mom is thinking. Sure, my new stepdad is loaded, but that's about all he is. His son is his spawn and these men are a different breed of human. They lack empathy and knowledge of personal space. Part of me thought my parents would be together forever. Even if I heard the arguments and the desperation for a better marriage in their voices. I'm starting to feel naive to think that happily ever afters exist. Then again, I'm only fourteen, so what do I know?
"Penelope," Mom hollers from down the long stretch of hallway. My door is cracked open just enough to let her words flow into the room.
"Coming," I yell back. I set my brush down on the new vanity that Richard, my soon-to-be stepdad, bought me. He
purchased everything in this room. Everything is brand new. Pink and white walls, matching bedding, and wall art. Nothing like the room I had back in Portland. I'd give it all up to be back there with Dad-to have my family whole again. My insides prick with pain at the realization that we will never go back to that happy place, because none of us are the same people we were back then.
They'll tell me it's not my fault. People fall out of love, blah, blah, blah. It doesn't make me feel any better, though.
One last look in the mirror, and I'm ready to go to the church where my mom will take a new last name, and I'll be the outcast in this family.
Just as I step away from the vanity, my door flies open. At first I expect to see Mom, but since it's not her, I backstepped, almost tripping over the stool behind me. "Go away!" I shout at Blaise. He stands there silent but rooted to the spot, like he just came in here to try and scare me again. He's got wide eyes and a blank expression. "I'm not scared of you," I tell him, hoping he doesn't see through the lie.
Slow, but heavy steps bring him in front of me. Face to face with my new brother. "You should be." He smiles devilishly. There's something so dark about this boy.
"Why aren't you dressed for the wedding?" I ask, gripping the sides of my peach-colored dress. Mom picked it out to match all the other girls in the wedding. She said I'm too old to be a flower girl, but the perfect age to be a junior bridesmaid. Blaise and I are set to walk together, since we're the same age. I begged Mom not to make me, but she brushed away my pleas and told me to suck it up.
"Because I don't want to. And I only do what I want."
I swear, the devil lives inside of Blaise. My body shivers every time I'm near him. He even visits me in my dreams and turns them into the worst nightmares. One night, I woke up to a loud bang in my room, and I swear he was in there watching me sleep. Another time, he lit my math textbook on fire because he didn't like that I was in the same class as him and his friends. Just grinned at me, opened it up, and took the flame of a lighter to it. Then he laughed. Who does that?
I turn on my white heels to walk away, but Blaise grabs my arm. "Let me go." I try to jerk away, but it does no good. He grabs a fistful of my perfectly curled hair and pulls. When I go to scream, he slaps a hand over my mouth.
"If you don't stop this wedding, you'll live to regret it. I don't want a stupid sister."
With the little space between his hand and my mouth, I open, then push forward and bite down on the skin of his thumb.
Blaise screeches, then shoves me aside like a ragdoll. I trip over the stool of my vanity and fall on the floor, bumping my head on the footboard of my new bed on the way down.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Blaise threatens before walking out.
I'm left lying there with a gash on my head that's sure to leave a scar and a small rip in the side of my new dress. Tears stream down my cheeks as I push myself to the floor.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."