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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!
Elisa watched as the most important people in her life showered the evil imposter-The fake heiress, with love. Elisa, the lost daughter of one of the most wealthiest family was found 18 years later and was brought back to her rightful home. However, someone had already taken her place. A fake heiress, the pampered little princess. Her coy acting and innocent façade made Elisa's real mother love her more than Elisa, her real daughter. That made Elisa, though, the true daughter end up as an adopted child. "Elisa, could you try not to appear in front of her too much as it could trigger her insecurities." Her parents had told her because of the fake heiress. "Elisa, You've taken everything away from her. Why can't you give her a little more?" Her fiancé had ordered her. Because of an unfortunate accident plotted by Isabelle-The fake heiress, Elisa was sent to prison and her family cut ties with her without a second thought. Four years, after much torture which led to her being crippled and blind on one eye, she was released, but got hit by a truck. While laying on the pool of her blood, she wanted to question, Why? Why had they all treated her so cruelly, while they love Isabelle unconditionally? She badly wanted to rip off Isabelle's mask of innocence, to reveal the fake, manipulative woman beneath. She was full of hatred. But after her death, she woke up back to when she was 18 years like all that happened were all nightmare. She was elated. She was reborn to re-live all that had happened in her last life, but now, her mission was to reveal mask beneath that woman and make everyone that made her suffer in her past life pay. It was her time for revenge! And definitely, she won't mess this up!
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?
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…"
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
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."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."