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?"
After a passionate night, Verena left some money and wanted to leave, but was held by her companion. "Isn't it your turn to make me happy?" Verena, always disguising herself as ugly, slept with her fiance's uncle, Darren, in order to escape her engagement with her unfaithful fiance. Darren had respect and admiration. Word of his romantic escapades circulated, some saying they saw him kissing a lady against a wall and others calling it gossip. Who could ever tame Darren's heart? Then, shockingly, Darren was caught bending down to help Verena with her shoes, all to score a kiss from her!
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
The Lloyds' family had only one son, Xavier. He was a billionaire businessman. He was dubbed the "contemporary Midas." They call it the Xavier touch since every firm he owns succeeds. All of his business rivals would do anything, if not everything, to see him lose his touch. His father demanded that she marry soon, or he would find him a wife. But he had no desire to marry. Eunice Dawson, an illegitimate kid, has been living with her father and his family since her mother died. She stated that she intended to lead a normal life. However, things are growing more difficult. Her stepmother and half-sister are not fond of her. Her boyfriend, whom she thought loved her, abandoned her in favor of Irene, her step-sister. Her father was never angry with Irene, instead telling her to just let things go. that her lover was more interested in Irene than in her. She felt lonely and heartbroken. What is Xavier's reason for not desiring a wife? What would happen if Eunice ran away from her father's home?
The night before her engagement, Valerie was tricked by her boyfriend and stepsister into spending the night with a stranger. After the night together, the man vanished. Later, her boyfriend accused her of cheating, revealing his affair with her stepsister. Pressured by her father, Valerie married an unconscious man in place of her stepsister. Valerie exposed the scheme, sabotaged her father’s ambitions, and transformed herself. When her husband woke and chased her to the airport, she calmly refused him, saying, "It's over between us." He held her firmly. "You married me, so you must commit."
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...