Nicholas stood at the altar, unaware that his bride-to-be, Mia's supposed friend, had orchestrated their marriage solely to drain his wealth and vanish. Tired of her parents' constant pressure and enticed by Nicholas's wealth, Mia reluctantly agreed to take her friend's place. But as she locked eyes with Nicholas, her heart sank - he was the same person who had bullied and tormented her in high school, her bitterest enemy.
**Mia's POV**
I found myself lost in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, seeking refuge from the incessant ringing of my phone-an unwelcome reminder of the pressures awaiting me at home. It seemed like every time I sought solace with Charlotte, her world of carefree indulgence stood in stark contrast to the turmoil I faced.
"Mia! Mia!" Charlotte's voice sliced through my reverie, snapping me back to the present moment.
"What is it now? Why are you shouting my name? Do I owe you something?" I snapped back, my frustration bubbling over like an unchecked storm.
"Seriously? Your phone's been buzzing non-stop since you got here yesterday, and you haven't picked up once. Please tell me it's not your parents again," Charlotte's voice held a note of concern, her eyes searching mine for answers.
"Why are you asking me? Did they send you here too? Why is everyone in my life so damn irritating?" I groaned, rising abruptly from the couch and pacing across the living room.
"I get it now! Another showdown with your parents about marriage?" Charlotte followed me, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips.
"Yes! I'm fed up with their constant badgering. Is marriage some kind of compulsory life sentence now? I refuse to be trapped by some guy hiding behind that institution. Once I save enough for my own place, I'm out of that damn house. Let's see if they continue their silly marriage talks then," I spat out bitterly, my words laced with defiance and the pent-up anger of years.
"I understand why they're pushing you. If only you had a boyfriend, they might be more patient," Charlotte offered tentatively, her voice softening as she tried to bridge the gap between us.
"I can't do that. I've sworn off guys after what my ex did to me," I admitted quietly, the memory of past heartbreak casting a long shadow over my resolve.
"I hear you. Been there, burned by that. But maybe if you just pretend, find a guy like mine to toy with, it might appease your parents," Charlotte suggested cautiously, testing the waters with her unconventional advice.
"No way. You're braver than I am, and I have a conscience. If I tried that, guilt would eat me alive. Pretending is not my forte," I shook my head firmly, knowing my principles wouldn't bend even under parental pressure.
Before our conversation could delve any deeper, Charlotte's phone buzzed insistently, breaking the tension between us.
"Who's that? I hope it's not my mom trying to check up on me through you," I asked sharply, wary of any intrusion from my own family.
"No, it's the devil himself-my ATM, my boyfriend," Charlotte grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling with amusement at the nickname she had bestowed upon him.
"Really? Answer it. Let's hear what he has to say," I urged, curiosity getting the better of me as I wondered what kind of person could earn such a title from Charlotte.
"Nope, not in the mood for his mundane chit-chat," she dismissed casually, waving off the call with a flick of her hand.
"Mundane chit-chat? Then why bother? Just dump him. You've got your own job and money," I said, a twinge of envy seeping into my voice as I contemplated Charlotte's seemingly carefree attitude towards relationships.
"Sure, I have a job. What about you? Still depending on your parents for everything?" Charlotte countered, her tone sharpening as she defended her choices.
"At least I'm not tied down. Anyway, answer it and spare the poor guy," I sighed, the contrast between our lives weighing heavily on my mind.
"Fine," she relented reluctantly, picking up the call with a half-hearted smile that failed to reach her eyes.
As Charlotte delved into conversation, I wandered off, seeking a moment's respite from the chaos of our discussion. Eventually, I found my own phone, its screen aglow with a text from my mom. Reading it aloud, the words carried both a glimmer of hope and a tinge of futility.
"'Please, do whatever you want. We miss you and won't pressure you anymore. Come back home,'" I recited aloud, the familiar plea stirring up a mixture of guilt and longing within me.
I let the phone slip from my fingers, sinking onto the nearest chair, overwhelmed by the weight of my own decisions. My mother's promises felt hollow, echoes of previous assurances that had crumbled under the weight of familial expectations.
I couldn't think straight. Returning home now meant enduring more lectures about my career prospects, enduring endless dinner table discussions about marriage. Perhaps leaving for good was the solution, despite their apologies and empty promises.
"Mia! Mia!" Charlotte's voice pierced through my thoughts once more, drawing me back to the present.
"She's probably coming to brag about what her billionaire boyfriend said. I'm tired of hearing about everything he does," I thought bitterly, my frustration mounting once again at the stark contrast between our lives.
"What now? Why are you calling my name again?" I snapped at Charlotte, my patience wearing thin under the weight of my own insecurities.
"Guess what?" Charlotte's eyes danced with excitement, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"What? Is your billionaire boyfriend buying you another car? Why should I care when I've got my own problems?" I retorted, unable to hide the bitterness that crept into my voice.
"Nope. Get ready, we're going to a party. Nicholas, my human ATM, is planning a surprise bash for me," she giggled, her excitement infectious despite my reluctance.
"What? Why is he throwing a party if there's no special occasion?" I frowned, bewildered by the extravagance of Nicholas's gestures.
"This is why I tell you, find a wealthy guy who'll pamper you like a princess," she teased, her words stinging with a hint of truth that I couldn't ignore.
"Whatever. I'm not going anywhere. I have my own life to figure out," I muttered defiantly, retreating into Charlotte's room to collect my thoughts away from her relentless optimism.
New story Alertđđđ The rejected prince You are not my son!!! This is what the king always says to his first son all because he is blind, Even though he is blind he have the power to read people's mind....He has been blind since birth. King Xander is known to be wicked and fierce.... Liam has been suffering, even though he is a princeâŠ.his mother is dead while he has a step mother and step Brothers,they always lock him up in a room all because the king does not want people to know he has a son who is blind. His step mother really hated him,she has tried severally to kill Liam but all was in vain because Liam is not an ordinary human. Will his step mother still be able to conquer him? Find out in this intriguing story.
Meet Annabelle orlando she is from a poor family,one day she got into trouble with Daniel,and Daniel told her before she can be free from him he must get married to him. Daniel Carter is from a wealthy family,he is the most popular in town,and his parents told him he must get married before his next birthday,so he met Annabelle and told her to marry him. Will Annabelle agree to marry a stranger?? Find out in this mind blowing story. And don't forget to grab your popcorn
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
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?"
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. Whatâs worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldnât thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesnât seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that heâs different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
âGabriel Bryce, how can you stand being so shameless?â Leonica asked, staring daggers at her atrocious husband and his mistress. âThis is the house gifted to my by grandmother, yet you dare bring another woman into it? Arenât you afraid that grandmother would be disappointed with you actionsâŠ?â Leonicaâs words remained unfinished as an enraged Gabriel swung his hand through the air, smacking his palm clean on her left cheek. Leonica held her throbbing cheek, eyes wide and teary as she stared at her husband who glared down at her ferociously. âThe nerves of you to mention my grandmother. You have no right to do so!â He spat, taking a step forward and jabbing his index finger painfully into her shoulder, making her take several steps back. âBare this in mind, Leonica Romero, if not for the wishes of my late grandmother, Iâd much rather be dead than associate myself with somebody like you.â *~*~* *~*~* Leonica Romero has always had a long time crush on Gabriel Bryce, CEO of Bryce Empire and Norwayâs Business tyrant. Fortunately, at the request of his Ill grandmother, her familyâs long time friend, Leonica gets the chance to marry her beloved. Feeling elated, she abandoned her position and dream job in the Romero household and becomes a humble housewife for Gabriel. However, Three years later, on the day of Gabrielâs grandmotherâs funeral, Leonica is stunned speechless when he demands for a divorce, as his ex girlfriend Angelina Fernandez had suddenly returned, proclaiming her undying love for him. But that wasnât the only shock Leonica received that day. Hours after Gabrielâs declaration for a divorce, Leonica wakes up in the hospital to a shocking news. She was two months pregnant. And Gabriel knew nothing about this!
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didnât know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.