.....I stood in front of the big nursing school. Finally I'll be able to pursue something I really love without anyone giving me conditions or telling me what to do. And as for love...I've left all that behind. Love is not for me. It didn't exist with Liam, it won't exist with anyone else. There's only one person I love with all my heart and that's my son. However, there is one whose kindness was slowly seeping into my shielded heart. ****** Audrey is given out for marriage to her childhood crush but things don't exactly go the way that she expects. The married life only brings tears and pains and her heart-throb and crush only crushes her heart and her dreams. Through it all, Audrey remains strong for her and her son but just how long can she hold it more forces that will test her, will arise. Will Audrey be able to pull through or will she succumb to the cruel hands of fate? The one who has caused her immense pain returns and she finds her heart wavering, just what will Audrey do to save herself, her heart and her son? Find out in this thrilling book of self discovery, love and deception.
AUDREY'S POV
"This is for the good of our family, Audrey. You must never lose sight of your duty as my only daughter." My father said,
"And beside I know that you have a secret crush on Liam. This is finally your opportunity to be with him. Don't blow it." He says and leaves me to my raging thoughts.
I sighed after the door to my room closed.
Yes! I did have a crush on Liam but that was when I was so little. Mother wasn't alive to help me out of this situation. My eyes was stinging at this point and a lump seemed to erupt in my throat.
I felt very sad that my life would experience nothing fun because sadly I would be married off very early. I was just twenty-three for God's sake.
"It can't be so bad." I thought to myself, after I had fought back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes earnestly.
I used this to make myself feel a lot better.
I slept that night thinking about how the next day would be. I could not understand why my father would so easily throw me off into a marriage I have never anticipated.
The next day, Liam came by. He was looking a lot better now. He had broad shoulders compared to the times when I had known him as a child.
He was scrawny and small but now he looked manly and very handsome. Butterflies flew around in my stomach when I saw him. His father came out of the limousine behind him.
My father had made me wait at the door to welcome them into the house. His father smoked when he saw me,
"Dear Audrey, you're now so grown. That's really wonderful. You'll make the most beautiful bride." His father says.
I smile in response.
Liam remained mute not showing any expression. I could not even see his eyes because of the black shades he had on.
"Your father?" He asks.
"Please follow me." I said to them,
We got to the front porch where father was waiting for his friend, Liam's father, Robert.
"I'm glad you chose to honor me with your visit." My father exclaims and engulfs his friend in a very tight manly hug.
A mini feast was held in front of our house on the front porch.
"It will be the best the city has ever seen, I will make sure of it." Robert, Liam's father says.
"I can't wait." My father chip in
"When do you want it to be held?" My father asks Liam.
Liam clears his throat and replies, "In the following week from now."
His voice sounded so sweet in my ears but I wasn't very happy that he had made that decision without me.
I cleared my throat to signal my presence which they all seemed to ignore. I was the one who they were marrying off for goodness' sake.
"I believe that I did not agree to that." I said with a smoke plastered on my face.
"Audrey!" My father called my name.
"No dad, he can't come to this decision without telling me about it. You all are planning a wedding I never agreed to in the first place at least give me this." I said to both of them.
Robert sighed and looked at my father who looked at me, "enough of this Audrey, you're getting married in one week."
My father said with a tone of finality. My heart sank.
"Father!!" I exclaimed but he said nothing.
I scoffed and angrily went inside.
Just breathe Audrey. It really can't be that bad.
My father opened my door and shut the door quietly behind him.
"Look Audrey, don't spoil my hard work alright." He said.
"I wish mom were here, she would never have agreed to this." I yelled
"Don't ever talk about your mother again. I won't talk about this again either. Come back downstairs. " He instructed.
My mouth gaped. How could he just tell me to do that?
I was rooted to that spot without moving because I was so scared and angry. I was feeling a lot at that point. My father then held my hands and pulled me towards where he was hosting his mini feast.
He plastered a smile on his face ,"I'm so sorry, she didn't mean to he disrespectful."
"It's fine. We can't stay for long anymore. We will send her all she needs to start getting ready for the wedding." Robert says.
My father stands up and stretches his hands out to Robert who took it in glee.
"We shall see once again. I can't wait for this perfect union." He says and then looks at me ,
"I know how you must feel but it's normal to feel that way . Please, take good care of yourself ." He said to me and then turned to leave.
Liam also stands but doesn't say a word as he follows suit behind his father.
Few days later, my father came up to meet me. He was holding a box in his hands. Ever since that mini feast, all he ever does is complain and tell me how I'm going to be a terrible wife.
He knocked and then peered his head through the open space.
"You're still awake." He said but I didn't reply.
Our relationship has been strained ever since.
He sat down beside me and placed the box in front of me.
"Look I know that this has been really hard for you but also consider how hard it is for the one who will be getting married to you." He started.
"Since you know then why are you subjecting me to this father?" I asked him frankly
"It's for the good of our family and I wish I didn't have to but I believe that you will be in good hands ." He said.
"And how can you be so sure about that?" I asked him.
He smiled, "Robert promised me."
"I'm not getting married to Robert, father, I'm getting married to his son ." I had to remind him .
He sighed, "there's nothing else we can do. Just prepare for the wedding tomorrow."
He said and dropped the box in front of me.
A wedding or a funeral, I wouldn't know what kind of marriage im getting into until I've had a taste of it.
SYNOPSIS: Struggling to make ends meet, Kate Grey has all but given up on her dream of becoming an actress-until a mysterious billionaire, Jared Cole, offers her a deal too tempting to refuse. If she agrees to pose as his companion at glittering galas and high-society events for three months, he'll bankroll her career. The catch? Jared isn't just looking for a pretty face, he's trying to save his shattered reputation, and Kate is his ticket to redemption. Jared's polished charm conceals a world of secrets, and as Kate steps into his opulent and wealthy life, the lines between business and desire blur. Beneath his polished exterior lies a man grappling with loneliness, guilt and an unfulfilled need for genuine connection. For Kate, it's a chance to finally chase her dreams, but the deeper she's pulled into Jared's world, the more she realizes his offer isn't as simple as it seems. As the events grow increasingly elaborate, Kate finds herself drawn into Jared's opulent yet mysterious world-a place where wealth hides deadly secrets, and power comes with a price. But when she discovers the real reason behind Jared's generous offer, she's faced with a choice, walk away and protect her heart, or risk everything for a man who's learning to love for the first time, and how does she explain her name on a marriage certificate signed four years ago? In a whirlwind of passion, betrayal, and self-discovery, THE COST OF LOVE AND PASSION explores the question: Can love bridge the gap between two lives built on secrets?
"...Even after everything I do to you, you still want me?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "More than you can imagine," I replied, breathless. His hand slid up my body, pausing at the back of my neck. He pulled me closer, his voice a low growl. "You do know what that means, right?" I stiffened, my heart racing. I was his pet, after all. And I was ready to take my chances. *. *. *. *. *. *. * Rose Carlton's life is a shattered puzzle. After a devastating accident robbed her of half her memories, she thought nothing could feel more incomplete-until she's sold to Grey Manchester Moretti, the city's most feared mafia boss. What begins as captivity quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. As Rose navigates Grey's dark, violent world, secrets from her forgotten past resurface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew. Blood will be spilled, boundaries will be crossed, and passion will ignite in ways she never imagined. But when she learns the truth about her life-and her connection to Grey-Rose will face an impossible choice: surrender to the man who holds her heart or fight for the freedom she's never truly had. Can Rose survive the chaos of her tumultuous life, or will she surrender to the darkness?
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
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.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."