To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
"Ms. Wright, congratulations! Your baby's very healthy."
Jenessa Wright walked out of the hospital in a daze, clutching the pregnancy test result close to her chest.
Looking down, she absentmindedly caressed her still-flat belly and broke into a smile.
She was pregnant with Ryan's baby!
Grinning like silly, Jenessa hurriedly took out her phone to call Ryan Haynes, her husband, excited to share the wonderful news. However, just as she was about to dial his number, her phone buzzed. Speak of the devil-it was a message from Ryan.
It read, "Come to Imodon Hotel right now."
Imodon Hotel? Why'd he want her to go there all of a sudden? Jenessa was puzzled, but she didn't hesitate for long. She hailed a cab and headed straight to the hotel.
Since Ryan wanted to see her, she figured she might as well tell him the good news in person.
In the backseat of the cab, she smiled to herself, wondering idly how Ryan would react to the news of her pregnancy.
With her heart pounding in anticipation, Jenessa arrived at the hotel. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she noticed the lobby was adorned with flowers and a brand-new red carpet, clearly prepared for a celebration.
Jenessa paused, momentarily stunned, before remembering that today was their wedding anniversary.
Could it be that Ryan had asked her to come here to surprise her?
The hotel lobby was bustling with guests, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
Jenessa wove her way through the crowd, her plain attire blending into the festive scene unnoticed.
It didn't take long for her to spot the dazzlingly handsome man, who easily stood out among the crowd.
He was none other than her husband, Ryan Haynes, the father of their child.
Just as a smile started to form on her lips, she spotted the woman standing next to Ryan, and her smile froze.
That woman was Ryan's first love, Maisie Powell!
Since when was Maisie back in town?
Jenessa stood glued to her spot, paralyzed as she watched Ryan and Maisie entertain the guests like a perfect couple.
Friends surrounded the two, and they seemed to be offering them their congratulations.
"Maisie, you're finally home. This deserves a toast!"
"Ryan, after all these years, you and Maisie have finally reunited. Doesn't that call for a celebratory drink?"
Gradually, the teasing grew louder.
Maisie, dressed to the nines in a sexy red dress and exquisite makeup, chuckled graciously. "Quit teasing us, you guys. Ryan already has a wife."
At the mention of Jenessa, the people around showed disdain.
"Jenessa? Please! Ryan only married her to appease his grandma!"
"Exactly! Ryan has always wanted to marry you. Right, Ryan?"
Ryan, looking like a prince in his custom-tailored suit, radiated a cool, unique charisma.
"Alright, enough already; stop teasing Maisie," he said coolly. "She can't drink; let me drink on her behalf."
As soon as he said this, his friends' laughter and teasing grew even more intense.
"Hey, Ryan, what the heck? You're being so protective of her, aren't you? Fine! If she can't drink, then you'll have to drink her share! And you're not allowed to leave until you've finished!"
Amidst the boisterous teasing, Ryan remained cool and collected, but there was an unmistakable hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Next to him, Maisie lowered her head and blushed shyly.
This loving scene was so glaring that it pierced Jenessa's heart.
She didn't know when or how, but she somehow ended up outside the hotel, only realizing it when the cold raindrops hit her face.
The chilly wind and drizzling rain enveloped her, and in no time, a fierce storm broke out, soaking her to her bones.
Still, she didn't move an inch and simply stared blankly at the rain. Why had Ryan called her over? Was this all just a ploy to make her witness their affection and gracefully surrender her place as his wife to his beloved Maisie?
Jenessa's breathing grew heavy. Looking around in a daze, she figured there was nothing she could do but leave this wretched place.
With stiff, deliberate steps, she trudged home in the rain. Standing at the doorway, she gazed at the familiar house, her thoughts drifting.
Two years ago, when her family was on the brink of bankruptcy, they tried salvaging their situation by marrying her off into the Haynes family.
Ryan was initially unwilling, but because his gravely ill grandma kept pressuring him, he reluctantly agreed to the arranged marriage.
Now that his grandma's health had improved and Maisie was back from abroad, Jenessa thought maybe it was time for her to pack her things and leave Ryan.
Jenessa didn't know how long she stood in front of the house before the sound of a car engine reached her ears.
Then, Ryan's deep voice spoke beside her. "Jenessa, why are you standing here, out in the rain?"
"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?"
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
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."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.