After their mother's untimely death, Ashley Foster was tasked with being a mother to her younger sister, Jane. She fails however when Jane's friends led her into robbing a jewelry store belonging to The Sebastian family. Dominik Sebastian proposes that Ashley marries him and give him a child, so he can finally become the legitimate owner of the Sebastian business. All goes well until Dominik's home is threatened by enemies, and the life of his wife and unborn kid is in danger.
"Ash, Ashley, I'm in deep shit" I bolted to my feet after hearing what my seventeen year old sister had just said. I didn't react the way I did because of what she said, no, Jane was a troubled teenager and as such, she'd been in plenty of deep shits, but never have I seen or heard her cry, and she was doing so right now, on the other end of the phone.
"Who is it" Jeff asked, trying to pull me back into bed, but I shoved his hand away, furiously
"It's Jane, she's in trouble"
"She's always in trouble" he said, drowsily and stretched his hand again "She's old enough to deal with her own shit"
I glared at him before moving to the bathroom of his small apartment and locking the door.
"Jane, Jane can you hear me?" I asked, my voice taking on a worried note
She sniffled before answering "Yes, Ash"
"Good, can you come over to Jeff's, lets talk?"
"I... I can't, Ash. I'll be locked up soon"
My heartbeat faltered "What? Where exactly are you?"
I bolted out of the room, put on the faded, blue crazy jean I'd worn to Jeff's place, and one of his black oversized shirt before fumbling for my car key in my purse, then dashing out of the apartment, ignoring every word that came out of Jeff's mouth. I wasn't ignoring him on purpose, it was more like after hearing Jane say that she was being held at a police station, my brain refused to process anything.
My hands trembled greatly, and I struggled to put the key into the ignition. I got it after a while, and as I drove to where my little sister was being held, my head kept pounding with the same four words. THIS IS MY FAULT.
Ever since we were kids, my mother had always tasked me with looking after Jane. Our dad had abandoned us right after my got pregnant with Jane. I was six when it happened, but I could clearly recall my father asking my mother who the child she was carrying belonged to.
I remembered my mom's face, soaked with tears, her knees touching the ground as she pleaded and swore that the child belonged to him. He called her a liar and left, and he never returned. I had vowed that day that I would never put myself in a position where I had to beg any man like that, and so far, I've followed that vow thoroughly.
My mother raised us both by herself. I found myself looking up to her as my role model. She was beautiful and strong, and despite the numerous attempts from men, she refused to be anybody's wife. She was an independent woman and she raised us to be exactly like her.
She got a job after some time at the highschool I and Jane attended, as a history teacher and the pay helped ease our suffering a bit, we were comfortable, until my mom got sick and had to be admitted to the hospital. She spent over a month there and she never got better.
We'd visit her everyday, after school, I and Jane, with foods, and we'd do our home work with her, tell her about our day and what boy confessed to us at school.
On the day she was to die, she called just me into the room, and begged me, with tears in her eyes that I do all in my power to take care of my sister. I'd promised her while hugging her and crying.
I failed her. It dawned on me as I burst into the police station and found Jane, eyes swollen, mascara ruined, cheeks flaming red, and face streaked with tears, seated on the floor, behind iron bars.
My heart broke and tears threatened to spill from my eyes.
"J... Jane?"
She raised her head to look at me and then she cried "Oh, Ash" she got to her feet and I grabbed her hand through the bar
"Ash, I'm so sorry. I... I didn't mean to... they said we were only going for a stroll... they left me, Ash, they left me" she cried some more and I had to wrap my arm around her neck to soothe her
"Who left you?"
She hiccuped and blew her nose before answering "My friends. They took me to a jewelry shop and then they broke in and said to help them load their bags or they'd put it all on me, I did and they left me still. I'm so sorry, Ash, I really am"
"Shh, just calm down, alright. Don't cry, I'll be back" I let go of her and moved to stand in front of the desk of an officer. He was a fat man with a bald head and a funny moustache, with a mouth stuffed with sandwich.
"How can I help ya?" he said intelligibly
"I... uh... I'm here for my sister, Jane"
The officer looked at me with what appeared to be boredom as he took his time chewing and then swallowing before deciding that it was time to answer me. "I need to inform you that the jewelry store your sister targeted is one of the many branches of Sebastian Luxe."
At the mention of the company's name, I felt a jolt of panic. I'd heard of Sebastian Luxe. It was one of the world's leading brand for fashion design and accessories, and it was owned by Richard Sebastian-billionaire, fashion mogul, and a man known for his ruthlessness in business.
"Why is that important?" I asked, my voice growing weak.
The officer took a bite from his sandwich and repeated the slow process of chewing and swallowing before speaking "Mr. Sebastian himself has taken an interest in this case. He's instructed that whoever comes for your sister must meet with him first."
Shocked and greatly worried, I asked, "Why? What does he want?"
"Don't you think that's something you'll have to find out from him?" The officer stated with a sneer. "As for now, your sister stays here. Here's the address of the head office where you'll be meeting Mr. Sebastian."
My heart dropped to my stomach as I collected the piece of paper the officer slid to me. I had the sinking feeling that whatever I was going to the office for, the result would not be good. I walked back to the cell Jane was being held in.
"I have to go meet with the owner of the store, alright? I'll have you released in no time" I said for the sake of wanting to reassure her and not because I was certain I could do it. I had no idea what had been stolen and the repercussions of it, or what I might hope to meet when I see Mr. Sebastian, but I didn't want her crying.
She nodded, tears still spilling down her cheeks "I'm sorry, Ash. I really am"
"It's fine. I patted her head before she let go"
Hayley Brooks, now ex-wife to Scott Brooks and also the mother of his son, travels to a different city, Georgia, after a painful heartbreak which led to their divorce. In Georgia, she's helped by a stranger turned friend, Brynn Shane, who happens to be a bartender with feelings for her and because of that, he helped her to acquire a job as a secretary in Willow Industries. Settling in Georgia, she was determined to rebuild her life and also to give her son, Ethan, who was only three, the best she could afford in life even without the presence of his father. But, she also struggled to let go of the past.
Lyra, abandoned at birth, fled an orphanage at age eight and ended up at the King's castle in Zurik, where she became a maid and bonded with Princess Thalia. At fourteen, she became Thalia's personal maid, but Thalia grew jealous of Lyra's connection with her betrothed, Xander Blackstorm, and tried to have her killed. Lyra escaped to Tiluk, ruled by Alpha Draven Darkmoon. Draven saw Lyra's desire for revenge and made her his ally against the SilverMoon Pack. She returned disguised as Iza and infiltrated the Blackstorm household. Despite Selene's warnings, Xander didn't suspect her. Draven realized Lyra was his Dionesa, a rare mate with control over him, and though he planned to kill her to avoid this, he had already fallen in love with her. Now Draven has to choose between killing Lyra or letting her have control over him.
Alexandra was sold by her father Martin to the cruel Mafia Lord Leo popularly known as the devil. Her mother died giving birth to her but her father never forgave her as he saw her as the reason why his beloved wife died. In his plan for revenge, he sold her to Leo but he is betrayed in the process by his friend. Leo the Mafia Lord was as handsome as he is ruthless, known as the devil, he is also a vampire. He knew he was in need of Alexandra when he found out that she was pure blood. Love was not supposed to be in the equation as his original plan was to use her to his own advantage. And Alexandra cannot deny the attraction she feels towards Leo. But what will Leo do when she becomes his only weakness that his enemies could use against him? And what will Alexandra do when she discovers the darkness of her handsome captor who had not only captured her physically but had also captured her heart.
In the town of Silverwood, where legends of supernatural creatures hold sway, Luna, a kind-hearted werewolf with the rare ability to control her transformations, finds herself torn between loyalty to her pack and her growing love for Ethan, an adventurous human. As their forbidden love blossoms, the unexpected shorten their love story even before it began. Meanwhile Blake, Luna's step brother, harbors a deep-seated resentment towards the throne and is ready to take great lengths just to keep Luna by his side. Can love be controlled when obsession crawls in? Find out in this mind blowing novel!
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
I pressed my lips against his and stole his sweet, savory taste, not ready to end the sweet moment. I licked my lips seductively and whispered. "Despite your age, I love you." Sarah was obsessed with the man of her dreams, despite knowing that their love was forbidden and would be disapproved by her father and others. She held onto the many beautiful dreams she had of being with him, wishing for them to come true. She found herself in love with her father's best friend, a very handsome man who had been rejected by his wife. Her desire was to show him what true love really meant. When her father received a job transfer,Sarah saw it as a perfect opportunity to be with him. The situation improved even more when she realized they would be living under the same roof.
**This book contains a trigger warning. Mention about rape and torture in this book. Please read with caution** "Our marriage is nothing but a deal," he said looking at the girl, her green eyes met his cold silver eye, and both of them glared at each other. "For any rules you break, I will claim any part of your body," his gaze grew dangerously darker at his word. Ashley Harlow was at the top of the world, living the perfect and luxurious lifestyle as the legitimate daughter of the well-known Daniel Harlow. But sadly, a one-night stand put an end to that and brought her life upside down and that of her family's name to the ground. To restore his family's reputation, she was forced into marrying Damien Albrecht, a young, ruthless, obnoxious, brutal billionaire and the head of a mafia gang in exchange for her father's company.
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.
Leanna's life had been full of hardships until her Uncle Nate, who wasn't related to her, offered her a home. She fell deeply in love with Nate, but as he was about to get married, he ruthlessly sent her abroad. In response, Leanna immersed herself in the study of andrology. When she came back, she was renowned for her work on solving problems like impotence, premature ejaculation, and infertility. One day, Nate trapped her in her bedroom. "Seeing various men every day, huh? Why don't you check me out and see if I have any problems?" Leanna laughed slyly and quickly unbuckled his belt. "Is that why you're engaged but not married? Having trouble in the bedroom?" "Wanna try it out for yourself?" "No thanks. I’m not interested in experimenting with you."