Freya Barrett's life was turned upside down when her father forced her to marry her late sister's husband, Mason, just days after her sister's tragic death. Despite her reservations, Freya had no choice but to accept the arrangement. But things took a dark turn when Mason began to accuse her of murdering her own sister. As the truth slowly unravels, Freya must navigate the secrets landscape of her new marriage and confront the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. But as the tension between them builds, so does an undeniable attraction. Can Freya and Mason overcome their painful past and find love in the ashes of tragedy?
Freya's heart pounded in her chest as tears rolled down her eyes. The words of her father echoed through her ears, creating a livid expression on her body.
What her father had just asked her to do was the most terrible and forbidden thing to do. Mr Barriet looked at his daughter in pity; he regretted what he was asking her to do and wished he didn't have to do it.
"My dear daughter, you must understand that this is beyond my will. Mason is not a bad person. He's been married to your sister for years, and now that your sister is dead, you have to take her place as his wife."
Freya shook her head, her dark brown hair falling across her face with a thud. "I can't marry Mason, Father. It's only been one week since Isabella's death." Freya's voice quivered as she spoke, the emotions swirling within her were too overwhelming. "I can't get married to her husband; people will think I killed her just because I wanted Mason."
Mr Barriet rubbed his hand against his forehead. He knew he was putting a lot of pressure on his daughter, and it was taking all of his strength to convince her. "Freya, you don't have to care what people have to say. This is more than you think; this is for our family."
Freya took a shaky breath before responding. "Father, why do I have to do this? I don't love Mason. How can I spend the rest of my life with him?"
A tear escaped from her eye as she let out a shaky sob. She felt so angry that she could barely speak, but her voice still sounded shaky. "Father, this means more to me than to the family."
She wiped her tears away with her fingers before standing up and turning away from her father, who sat on the bed.
Mr Barriet felt bad for his daughter. He wished there was another way he could do things. He wished his first daughter hadn't died. But there wasn't another way for their family.
"I know how this must be for you, but if there were another way, then I would have done it. This family had an agreement with the Wayne's family," Mr Barriet explained.
Freya turned toward her father, her anger dissipating slowly. Her blue eyes now held concern instead of anger. Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach when she saw concern in her father's eyes; the last time she had seen them like this was at her sister's funeral.
"What deal, Father?" Freya whispered.
Mr Barriet lowered his gaze. "Before you were born, the Wayne's family and this family made a business deal. The Wayne's family were the first to discover the marketing method behind the creation of new products that can sell more efficiently."
Mr Barriet sighed and continued. "I decided to partner with them to make the production in our company effective and unique. It was the best. Mr Wayne and I became close friends, and because of that, the company is where it is. Mr Wayne was pleased and asked if we could be partners forever, and the only way that could be possible is if we passed it on to our children."
"Mr. Wayne suggested that our agreement for being partners should be something that would last forever, so he put it on the paperwork that our children should get married."
Mr Barriet paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "The deal is sealed, and so are the papers that confirm the agreement. That means no one is permitted to talk about it or even read it until Mr Wayne and I decided to do so."
Mr Barriet paused for a moment and stared into Freya's eyes. "But this agreement is what made the company where it is today. I can't change that agreement or everything we have will be taken away from us."
"This is more than I thought," Freya said quietly.
"Everything was alright until your sister died, and now this family's only hope is you."
Tears rolled down Freya's eyes. She couldn't believe she was about to throw away her hopes and dreams just for her family's sake, plus the fact that she had to live with a man she didn't love.
"I believe Mason is a good man; he'll love you, and Flora will take you as her mother," Mr Barriet said, trying to comfort his daughter.
"But I'm not her mother," Freya stated firmly. She tried to keep her voice strong and steady but failed miserably.
Mr Barriet's facial expression changed from one of guilt and regret to one of joy and gratitude, making Freya smile. "I know she will. All she needs now is a comforting hand."
Freya took in a deep breath, deliberating if she should do what her father asked her to. She knew there was nothing she could do. She was all their family had. She had to do it. She had to marry the man she didn't love.
"Father, this is the toughest decision. My life is at stake. What if the people who killed Isabella come after me? What if they come after Flora?"
Freya pleaded with her father, hoping that he would find some other solution besides marriage. She didn't want to marry Mason, and she was certain that if there were other solutions, things wouldn't be difficult.
Mr Barriet placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder, giving her a gentle smile. "If anything ever happened to either of you, then there would be nothing left to live for. Your mother and I will always be here for you."
Freya gave her father a reassuring smile. "Yes, Father, I know. I believe you, but what if they are really that powerful?" Freya questioned, her fear evident in her voice.
"They're humans; they have weaknesses, and they will always have flaws, and that's their weak point."
Freya nodded in understanding, her eyes glistening as more tears began to fall. She wiped her tears away with the back of her hands and stood up straight, facing her father. "Alright, I'm going to do this."
"Good, I know you can do it." Mr Barriet rose off the bed with an exhausted sigh.
Mackenna never imagined her husband would divorce her on their wedding anniversary or throw her out of their home. When it happened, her heart shattered completely, leading her to a suicide attempt that resulted in memory loss. Years later, she found happiness again with her new husband. Then she met Olivia, a child who looked strikingly like her and wouldn't stop calling her mother. Warren was overjoyed when he saw Mackenna, hoping to beg her to come back. But his shock was immense when he realized she couldn't remember him—and even more so when he discovered she was now married to his friend. What will happen now? Is Mackenna pretending to have lost her memory, or will the little bundle of cuteness continue to call her mother?
"You're my wife, Charlotte. That means I have the right to touch you how I want," he whispered, his body still pressed against mine. ♥ ♥ ♥ Charlotte Fisher's life was turned upside down when she was forced into a loveless marriage. Her husband's infidelity and subsequent abuse pushed her to escape, but instead of finding freedom, she fell into the arms of the last person she expected. As she began to rebuild her life and find happiness, her past came back to haunt her. Her ex-husband was determined to track her down, and Charlotte was forced to confront the demons she thought she'd left behind. Will she be able to overcome her past and build a new life with the one who has captured her heart?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
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?
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.