Jessica Smith is ready for a break following her brief marriage to aloof and conceited millionaire Christopher Clark. In an attempt to relax, she meets Brian brown, another affluent millionaire. She has no idea that she's going to face a completely different set of difficulties. Christopher Clark never acts in a random manner. The decision to wed a poor employee of his company was not made at random; rather, it was made to preserve his family's prestige following the defection of his sweetheart. And the reason he breaks off his relationship with Jessica after less than a year of marriage is to protect her from something that even he finds difficult to understand. Will Christopher and Jessica ever be able to genuinely understand each other, or will they always be entangled in a web of lies, treachery, and love that seems to be waiting around every corner when they're together? Will they ever be able to forgive each other and give themselves the second opportunity they both may very well deserve? [EXCERPT] She muttered, almost beseeching him, "This is not the right time," her voice faltering in spite of her determination to remain solid. She felt the firm muscles beneath his shirt as her hands were pressed up against his chest. Fighting him was a lost strategy. Christopher's lips grazed her earlobe again, his fingers twirling around her waist as his warm breath made her tremble. "There's never a right time when it comes to us," he whispered, his deep voice a low, alluring whisper.
"Madam, dinner is ready!"
Jessica was reminded by Suzzy, the head maid, who came into her room. With a worried expression on her face, the late forty-year-old maid softly knocked on the door.
Jessica gave a nod. She had just finished getting ready for her early-morning trip. Still, the bag the Clark s had given her contained nothing. Although Jessica's mother-in-law welcomed her and showered her with gifts and love, Christopher's cold-heartedness served as a constant reminder that Jessica was merely a stand-in. She didn't own anything that anyone handed her when she became his wife.
She questioned whether Christopher would be present to wish her go.
Then she gave a headshake. Why was she allowing her mind to be filled with such ridiculous hopes? He was glad to see her go, if his response this morning was any guide. All he wanted to do was get over her as soon as possible.
"I'll arrive there shortly. Have you conversed with Christopher? He must be at his-"
"Madam, Sir has already departed. He mentioned having dinner outside."
"Oh!" That was not anything that was unexpected. The next day she had an early flight. Spending the final dinner with her was the least he could have done.
It seems that she was also undeserving of that.
Ahh!
Jessica held back the hurtful tears that were on the verge of welling up in her eyes. The only way she could prevent this wave of prickling feelings from leaving her was to breath through her mouth.
Now that I think about it...
"I'm not that hungry either," she muttered, confident that she wouldn't look foolish for having decided not to cry in front of the maid. How about if you all get started without me? Before I go to bed, I need to make a few phone calls."
The maid, Suzzy, knew why Jessica's appetite had faded so quickly. While Madam was enjoying her breakfast, their owner, Christopher Clark, slammed divorce papers on the table while she was in the kitchen.
He told her she could take everything she wanted from the house and he had already made reservations for an early flight. Looking at the small amount of clothes the woman had packed, it seemed she was leaving almost everything behind.
She didn't deserve to be treated this way, poor madam. She had consistently shown Sir her charming and polite demeanour. The maids and other house employees had become fond of her because of her tenderness and generosity. She even smiled while handling the master's regular mood swings. Why do decent people experience terrible things? The maid ruminated in silence.
After Suzzy went, Jessica sat on the bed and let a few tears run down her cheeks. She would probably go insane if she kept them any longer. Right then, every emotion she carried around was causing chaos. They asked to be set free. Carman cried silently, hoping that the anguish in her heart and the disappointment she was carrying would go.
* * *
In the middle of the night, Jessica suddenly woke up, gasping for breath. A nightmare that scared and left her gasping for air. But she slid out of bed and proceeded down the stairs, not thinking back on the terrifying experience. She checked on Christopher out of habit, but she also failed to take her medication since she refused to eat dinner.
She was shocked to see a woman peeking through the refrigerator when she came downstairs via the spiral stairs and into the large kitchen. The only light coming from the windows was the moonlight, which made it almost impossible to identify the person. But Jessica didn't have to wait long since the woman quickly turned back and discovered what she was looking for-an apple.
The moment the pale light of the moon fell on the woman's face, Jessica knew who she was.
blonde hair. Smooth skin. Gorgeous pink lips. And appearances that could make the Victoria's Angels blush.
Rivera Hannah . Who else might it be?
the man Christopher's ex-fiancee and, presumably, current girlfriend. The same woman who nine months ago left him at the altar. She was the reason Jessica was forced into this miserable marriage. Her husband's refusal to see her as anything more than a piece of furniture or a commodity that he brought in to beautify his home was solely due to this same woman.
She hated Hannah Rivers, and that's not even a word. However, hating her wouldn't make her life any simpler, would it?
Jessica concluded that the woman should be ignored.
Knowing that Christopher was eager to bring his sweetie home made it hurt even more. The following morning, Jessica was heading out. Why the rush? The least he could have done was honour her as his wife while she remained at home.
God, she had also detested Christopher. That man's nerve. Oh no.
"Oh, no-did we wake you up?" With an unrepentant air of innocence that Jessica could see right through, Hannah questioned. "It is impossible for us to be that noisy, is it? I apologise for disturbing your sleep, though. Is that right, Jessica?" The woman was so arrogant as to boast in front of her own face that she had slept with her spouse. Whoa, would it be acceptable if she gave her a good, hard punch to the face right now?
Jessica just let out a sigh and turned to walk away. She hadn't done anything to deserve her respect. In actuality, Hannah was conceited and rude from the beginning of their marriage. Even so, she had an affair without telling Christopher.
Christopher was so enraged to find out that she had been seeing someone else. But then, like butter melting on a hot griddle, this crafty woman wept a few pathetic tears. Christopher had to have loved this woman too much to overlook such a blatant act.
Jessica, however, was unable to forget. At the time, she was just a menial staffer working for Clark Enterprises' CEO, Christopher Clark, but she had witnessed all the deceit and intrigue this woman was capable of. Maybe they were meant to be together. As if they were meant to be together?
She growled behind Jessica's back, "Dude, you're rude!" "I'm not sure what Christopher perceived in you. Even your attractiveness isn't that great. What a waste of cash and time!"
"At least I have the courtesy to stick to one man at a time!" Jessica grew irate and hissed. Even though the woman's actions were dubious, she couldn't allow her to talk poorly of her.
With her back facing Hannah , Jessica could still feel her getting agitated. "What did you say?" snarled the woman.
Before Jessica had a chance to respond to this woman, she noticed the sombre figure in the shadows who was observing the entire conversation with composure.
Jessica swallowed her words.
"Christopher, baby!" The first to run towards him and fling herself into his arms was Hannah . "Jessica is really impolite, my dear. She referred to me as a liar. How could she?"
Jessica did, in fact, imply that. Furthermore, Christopher would have heard it if he had been standing there for longer than a minute. She didn't need to defend or justify herself. Jessica wasn't feeling up to any of them.
Without a word, Jessica grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and headed upstairs.
"Will you refrain from speaking with her? She made me feel ashamed!" As Jessica made her way upstairs to her room, Hannah objected.
"I told you not to leave the room!" In his deep voice, she heard Christopher say, no guilt-nothing.
"But-but I was hungry and you-"
"Hannah , enough is enough. Come on, I'll be in the room waiting for you."
Before Jessica entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her, it was the last she had heard of him.
"You're such a jerk!" she muttered angrily, losing the ability to control her hurt and annoyance. "You stupid, stupid man!"
After sliding through the wooden door, Jessica knelt down and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Christopher Clark, you will never win my forgiveness. I hold you accountable for living a miserable and unloved existence."
It is two nights after Emma Carter discovered her boyfriend was having an extramarital affair with her best friend that she learns she is engaged to the youngest millionaire in New York in order to preserve her father's failing business. When she eventually meets him, her anger just grows as she still feels betrayed by the news of their engagement. The most conceited, haughty, and heartless man she will ever meet is Cole Russell. Although he is not as interested in being with women, he needs a bride to appease his parents and be seen as a responsible adult. Emma makes the decision to seize the opportunity in order to keep her father's business intact and enrage her cheating boyfriend. She proposes a MARRIAGE CONTRACT, and Cole is setting the guidelines.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?