Milo Hope is trapped in deep depression and hopelessness since the death of his wife. He lives as a synonym for misfortune and sadness, until one night his pain plunges him into an even deeper pit. In a moment of agony, Milo lets himself be carried away by his emotions and meets Maya Hart, the antithesis of his existence. As their relationship grows, Milo begins to question his view of life and finds a ray of hope in his dark world. His relationship with Maya, which begins as if she were his enemy, little by little becomes a deep desire, until they are unable to continue deceiving themselves and give free rein to their passions.
Epigraph
You don't find love, love finds you.
It has a little bit to do with fate, luck
and what's written in the stars.
Anaïs Nin.
Preface
Ariana has remained motionless lying on the bed for what seems like an eternity, although in reality, only a few minutes have passed. Anxiety eats away at me and I despair; however, I try to remain as calm as I can. Deep in my heart, I know that the unwanted talk must be done, and it can't be postponed any longer.
I get up from the recliner, which remains, on one side, of the bed, and squat down next to her to face her; a small tear rolls down her eye, as she tries not to burst into tears. I brush the bangs off her forehead and then place a tender kiss, just like when we were children.
Her skin is smooth to the touch of my lips, I feel her shudder at the tenderness of a simple act.
"I am here, princess; I am with you. You are not alone. "At my words, she takes my hand, cradling it to her chest, and bursts into tears.
I hug her.
Two days ago, the doctor told us that there were no more tests to be done. That all we had to do was wait for the definitive moment. He advised us to go home, to put everything in order and to enjoy our last days together, so we did.
"I'm scared, Milo," she confesses with sadness in her voice. Then he sniffles as he pulls away and meets my gaze. I don't want to die yet.
"I know baby... "I try to be strong and not cry, to be strong for her" "Don't be afraid, I'm here with you. You're not alone.
"I know I'm not alone, but I don't want to leave you either. "She puts her needle" scarred hand on my cheek and looks at me as if the words are piling up on her tongue. Remember all the plans we had? To go to Ireland, to see the Iguazu Falls..." "She pauses for breath before the crying stops her" "to have children.
The tears fall from her beautiful eyes like water in the rainy season, her perfect eyebrows turn red and so does her nose, and then I hug her. I hold her at this moment so hard, so cruel, so merciless. Whoever said that "there is no medicine that cures what happiness cures", lied. Neither the greatest happiness, nor the most advanced medicine, have been able to narrow that bridge between destiny and life for the woman I love.
Now, the only thing left for me to do is to love her and give her the peace she needs in these desperate times. No matter what I feel, no matter the helplessness, the frustration, the pain, the sadness, the only thing that really has priority in my life, in this life, is her, Ariana.
"Don't think about that, love. Don't torture yourself supposing what could have been, reflect on the now. "I take her hands and kiss them gently, "That we are together, that no matter what happens, if there is one thing you must be sure of, it is not tomorrow, but my love for you. Why I loved you even when I barely knew you, I love you despite seeing your scars and I will love you always, even if you are not by my side. Well, even if everything becomes unbearable, you must be sure that at the end of the road, when you look back, you will see that everything you lived, everything you did, the people you helped, the smiles you had, the tears you shed and everything, all the love you gave me was not in vain. You have marked many lives, you have marked my life, sweetheart, forever.
She holds my gaze with hers, she feeds on my words that little by little are soaking into her and transmitting the peace she needs to calm her fears. She needed me to remind her that I love her, not to tell her that she will not die, for she would be lying, and it is inevitable, but to soothe those waves that rise before her calm, she needed me to remind her that, for love, nothing is in vain.
Arya, needs money for her mother's surgery. Ayden, needs a surrogate mother so as not to lose her company. The only requirement is that she never touches him. “Are you a virgin?” “I mean, if a vibrator counts.” She notices how Ayden swallows hard and struggles to pass the water. “Number of sexual partners?” “Well I've only had a couple of dildos, turns out the latex ones are very sturdy” she replies smiling. Ayden stands up in annoyance and breaks the good mood in the room. “This is not a fucking game, Miss Arya” says the millionaire threateningly. “Get out.” “No, wait, I was just kidding” she clarifies seriously. “I said, what, get out!” he punctuates each word and slams the table. Arya, who sees her only chance, shattered, regrets having joked as she did, she never thought it would have such consequences. She walks devastated to the exit without expecting anything, now she doesn't know what to do or whom to turn to. She sees many cabs coming and tries to hail one, but instead a dark-colored Aston Martin pulls up in front of her. It is Ayden Emory. “Get in,” he asks, but she ignores him. “Is she always so hard-headed? Get in or no deal.” The hope that it wasn't all overtakes hold of her, and she gets into the sexy millionaire's car.
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."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
"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?"
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!