Taraji Inez Monroe was going through the toughest time of her life. Her mother had been diagnosed with a serious heart condition and needed emergency surgery to get a stent put in. The only problem was that the surgery cost a fortune, and Tara was desperate to find a way to save her mother's life. She had been blessed with good looks and a banging body, and she knew that there was only one thing she could sell to raise the money her mother needed. And what better place than a high-end club to kickstart her plan where she knew the highest bidders would be? As she made her way through the swarming mass of people, her gaze fell upon a man who emanated an aura of mystery. He was ruggedly handsome, with sharp features and a firm jawline. His eyes were deep-set and piercing. Despite his captivating appearance, there was an air of arrogance about him that made her hesitate and before she knew it, she was in his hotel room bent over. Antonio Nikos Valioso, the bipolar heir claimed her virtue in the most brutal way possible and then announced that he would marry her as tradition demanded. ...
Tara left her office, feeling a sense of exhaustion washing over her. It had been a long day of schmoozing clients and fielding endless phone calls. All she wanted to do was take a shower, be a couch potato, and veg out in front of the TV with her mother. She opened the door to her apartment carrying a bag of takeout, her feet aching in her heels.
She kicked off her shoes and sighed in relief. She saw her mother's coat was still hanging on the coat rack meaning she was home.
"Mom! I'm home!" she called out, expecting to hear her mother's warm voice.Silence was the only response.
"Mom?" she called out again louder so her mom could hear.
Again, there was no answer. The house was eerily quiet and her heart began beating faster.
"Mom?" she called out, this time a little bit softer. When she didn't get an answer, she started to get worried. She set down the bag of takeout on the counter and flicked on the light, and her heart sank. Her mother was lying on the floor, completely still.
She rushed to her side, fear gripping her heart. "Oh, my God!" she exclaimed. "Mom!" She knelt by her mother's side, "Mom, can you hear me? Mom!" she yelled. "No, no, no!" she cried.
Her mind was racing and her thoughts were a jumbled mess. How could this be happening? Her mother had been fine just this morning. She was supposed to be watching her favorite TV show right now, not lying on the floor. "I have to call 911," she cried aloud. She fumbled for her phone, her hands shaking as she dialed the number.
"911, what's your emergency?" the dispatcher asked.
"My mother!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking. "She's not breathing!
"Okay, I need you to stay calm," the dispatcher replied. "What's your address?"
Tara rattled off her address, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
"An ambulance is on the way. In the meantime, I need you to try to resuscitate your mother." She replied.
Tara's heart was pounding in her chest. "What? I... I can't..." she stammered.
"I know it's scary, but you have to try," the dispatcher assured firmly. "What's your name?", the dispatcher asked in a soft voice. "Tara", she whimpered.
"Alright Tara, I'm going to walk you through it. First, I need you to check if your mother is breathing. Do you see her chest rising and falling?"
Tara leaned over her mother's body, terrified of what she might find, she held her breath and observed, to her relief, she saw her mother's chest rising and falling ever so slightly.
"Yes," she said, her voice quivering. "She's breathing, but very shallowly."
"Okay, that's good. Now, I need you to check her pulse," the dispatcher instructed. "
Her breath shook as she fumbled around with her mother's hand, "How... how do I find her pulse?.
"Take a deep breath, Tara. Place two fingers on your mother's wrist, just below her thumb and feel for her pulse."
Her hands shaking, she placed two fingers on her mother's wrist. She waited a few seconds, and then she felt it, a faint, but steady pulse. Relief washed over her, and for a moment, she felt like she could breathe again. "I found her pulse!" she exclaimed. "She has a pulse!"
"That's wonderful!" the dispatcher acknowledged. "Now, I need you to start CPR. Can you do that?"
"Yes," Tara replied, steeling herself. "Tell me what to do."
"Okay, first I need you to put your hands together, palm to palm,"
"Next, I need you to place the heel of your hand on your mother's breastbone, in the center of her chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand, and then interlace your fingers."
Tara did as the dispatcher instructed, her heart racing as she prepared to start CPR.
"Now I need you to press down hard and fast," the dispatcher instructed. "Push down at least two inches, and do it about 100 times a minute. Ready?"
"Yes," Tara affirmed, taking several calming breaths.
"Okay, on my count," the dispatcher said. "One, two, Three!" the dispatcher counted.
Tara placed her hands on her mother's chest and began pushing down hard and fast, just as the dispatcher had instructed. She tried to block out the fear and panic and just focus on the task at hand. As she pushed down on her mother's chest, she prayed for her to wake up.
"Good," the dispatcher encouraged. "Keep going. How are you holding up?"
"I'm... I'm okay," she said between breaths. "I'm just scared."
"I know this is scary," the dispatcher replied in a soothing voice. "But you're doing a great job," she continued. "And the paramedics are on their way. They're going to take over for you soon, so just keep going for as long as you can. I know it's tiring, but it's so important."
Tara nodded, even though the dispatcher couldn't see her. She kept pushing down on her mother's chest, her arms beginning to ache. But she pushed through the pain, knowing that her mother's life depended on it.
"You're doing so great, just a little longer," the dispatcher continued. "How are you feeling?"
"I can... I can do this," she replied, her voice trembling. "I'm... I'm not giving up."
"That's the spirit!" the dispatcher responded encouragingly. "You're doing such a wonderful job. Can you tell me your mother's name?"
"Sure," Tara replied, her breath coming in gasps. "Her name is... Mary."
"Okay, Mary," the dispatcher called out. "Keep fighting, Mary. You're doing so well. Your daughter is doing a great job."
"Thank you," Tara responded, tears streaming down her face. She kept pushing down on her mother's chest with all the strength she had left. "I love you, Mom," she whispered. "Please don't leave me."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "The paramedics are here!" the dispatcher exclaimed. "They're going to take over for you now. Just tell them what you've been doing, and they'll take it from there."
Tara heard the paramedics enter the apartment, their voices calm and reassuring. She stumbled to her feet, letting them take over. As she watched them work on her mother, she sank to the floor, the adrenaline leaving her body.
As she sat there, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw a paramedic kneeling beside her, a kind smile on his face. "You did a great job, young lady," he said. "Your mother is lucky to have you."
Tara nodded, unable to speak. She watched as the paramedics loaded her mother onto a gurney and wheeled her out of the apartment. One of the paramedics came over to her and placed her hand on her shoulder softly, "are you going to come along with us on the ambulance or will you be driving behind us?" She chose the former as she couldn't think of being away from her mum.
She followed the ambulance all the way to the hospital, her heart pounding and her breath catching in her throat. As the paramedics wheeled her mother into the emergency room, she watched with a sense of helplessness, praying to whatever deity might be listening to spare her mother's life.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
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.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
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!"
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.Â