In the summer of 2039, as World War III rages on, young lovers Mary Ellen and Don find themselves torn apart by the draft. Just before Don is sent overseas, they marry in a heartfelt backyard ceremony, determined to cling to their love amidst the chaos. Left behind, Mary Ellen struggles to make ends meet, cleaning houses while anxiously awaiting news from the front lines. With the support of her sister Eloise, who has her own heartbreak to bear, Mary Ellen holds onto hope through letters and dreams of reunion. "Through the Flames of War" is a poignant tale of enduring love, resilience, and the strength found in family during the darkest times.
It was the summer of 2039, and the world was embroiled in the chaos of World War III. The air was thick with uncertainty and fear, and the draft was in full swing, pulling young men from their homes and thrusting them into the front lines. For Mary Ellen and Don, high school sweethearts from the small town of Harpersville, this summer marked the end of their carefree days and the beginning of a journey neither of them had anticipated.
Mary Ellen, with her long blonde hair and big brown eyes, had always been the spirited one, full of dreams and laughter. Don, with his dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, was her anchor, steady and dependable. They had spent their high school years planning their future together, but now those plans were being torn apart by the draft notice that had arrived in the mail.
They sat together on the porch swing at Mary Ellen's house, the letter between them, as if acknowledging it would make it less real. Don held her hand tightly, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. "I don't want to leave you," he whispered, his voice breaking.
Mary Ellen blinked back tears. "I don't want you to go either, but we have to be strong. We'll get through this, Don. We have to."
As the reality of their situation sank in, they made a desperate plea to their parents: to let them get married before Don had to leave. There were practical benefits to being married, especially during the war. Mary Ellen would be provided housing and other benefits, and in the worst-case scenario, she would be better protected if Don didn't return. After much discussion and heartfelt persuasion, their parents agreed, with the condition that Mary Ellen would house her older sister, Eloise, as well.
The next two weeks passed in a blur of preparations and goodbyes. They decided on a simple wedding in Don's parents' backyard. Mary Ellen wore her mother's wedding dress, its delicate lace and ivory fabric complementing her natural beauty. She wove light purple flowers into her wavy hair, matching the bouquet she held. As she walked down the makeshift aisle, her heart pounded with a mix of love and fear. Don stood at the altar in a gray suit with a black bow tie, his eyes never leaving hers, his expression one of awe and adoration.
Their best friends, Alice and Cody, stood by their sides as maid of honor and best man. The ceremony was short but filled with heartfelt vows and promises. When the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Don kissed her with a tenderness that brought tears to everyone's eyes.
The reception was a modest affair, filled with laughter, tears, and the bittersweet knowledge that this was both a beginning and an ending. They danced under the stars, holding each other close, trying to memorize the feel of each other's embrace.
Two days later, Don left for basic training. Mary Ellen stood at the train station, watching as the train pulled away, taking her heart with it. She clutched the locket he had given her, a small picture of them together inside, and whispered a silent prayer for his safety.
Back home, Mary Ellen threw herself into her work, cleaning five different homes a week to make ends meet. It was exhausting, but it kept her mind occupied. Eloise, who had lost her fiancé early in the war, moved in and provided much-needed support. The sisters leaned on each other, finding solace in their shared grief and determination to survive.
Every day, Mary Ellen checked the mailbox, hoping for a letter from Don. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, with only a few letters making it through. Each one was a lifeline, filled with his love and reassurance.
One crisp autumn morning, a knock came at the door. Mary Ellen's heart leapt as she rushed to answer it, hoping against hope it was news from Don. A young soldier stood there, holding a sealed envelope. Her hands trembled as she took it, the world narrowing down to the piece of paper in her hands.
She opened it and saw Don's familiar handwriting. He told her he was safe and missed her more than words could express. He asked her to stay strong and promised he would come back to her. Tears streamed down her face as she read the letter, a mixture of relief and longing filling her heart.
She looked up at the soldier, her voice breaking as she said, "Thank you."
The soldier nodded and left. Mary Ellen stood in the doorway, clutching the letter to her chest. For the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope. Don was alive, and as long as he was, she would keep fighting. She would make it through this war, one day at a time, until they could be together again.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
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!
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?