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Odin gently pushed a strand of hair from Ophelia's face, smiling as he looked down at their baby. "I will always take care of both of you," he vowed. Ophelia Hawthorne's world is turned upside down after a night of passion with Byron Carmichael, orchestrated by his manipulative sister, Lauren. Pregnant and threatened by the powerful Carmichael family, Ophelia escapes to seek refuge with Odin Berkshire, Byron's estranged half-brother. As they uncover shocking truths about their pasts, including Ophelia's hidden parentage and Odin's true heritage, they forge a bond of trust and determination. Together, they face the unravelling Carmichael empire and the jealous schemes of Byron. In a tale of love, resilience, and redemption, Ophelia and Odin must navigate their complex histories to create a future where they and their child can thrive.
Ophelia's POV
I lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, each crack and shadow more familiar than my own reflection. The alarm on my phone began its relentless beeping, a grim reminder that another day of drudgery awaited. My life had become a grey haze of chores and routine, and even sleep, my one escape, had turned traitor, evading me for days now. With a sigh of exhaustion, I sat up, feeling the weight of another monotonous day settle on my shoulders.
I dragged myself out of bed, the cold floorboards biting at my feet as I got dressed. Opening my door, I shrieked at the sight of Amelia, the house manager, standing stoically outside.
"Would you stop creeping around?!" The words slipped out before I could restrain them.
Amelia's face, as usual, was an emotionless mask. She was a machine of efficiency, committed to perfection-though in her eyes, perfection was never truly achieved.
"And good morning to you too," she replied, completely ignoring my outburst. "I don't like having to come find you."
I glanced at the time on my wristwatch, another one of Amelia's mandates. "It's not even five yet."
Amelia pointed down the corridor towards the kitchen. "I want to see you get there in less than a minute."
Usually, her stern demeanour would intimidate me. Today, I felt a flicker of rebellion. I shrugged off her demand, a small act of defiance bubbling within me.
Approaching my twenty-fifth birthday, a gnawing sense of unfulfillment shadowed my every thought. My life, dictated by choices not entirely my own, felt like a script I was forced to follow.
I walked into the kitchen to find my fellow helps already immersed in preparing breakfast.
Normally, I was on dish duty, but Amelia stopped me. "Miss Carmichael told me last night that she wants her breakfast made by you. You know the usual."
I had to bite back a smile. Every time Miss Lauren Carmichael, the only daughter of the Carmichael family, asked me to make her breakfast, it was a welcome break from my monotonous routine. Initially, I was suspicious of her friendliness, but over time, our conversations had become a cherished part of my day.
Lauren was very particular about her breakfast, which meant it took time and care to prepare. And frankly, I loved the distraction.
"On it." I nodded, feeling a small spark of joy as I set to work.
Just as I finished, Amelia appeared again. "Take the breakfast to her room," she ordered. Even better.
I knocked softly on Lauren's door. "Good morning, Miss Carmichael. I have your breakfast right here." I opened the door slowly, careful not to intrude on her privacy.
"Finally," she replied, her voice tinged with excitement. She rose from her bed, her short silk nightdress shimmering in the morning light as I placed the breakfast on the designated coffee table.
"I'll leave you to-"
"Have you ever thought of doing something other than this job?" Her question caught me off guard.
Hope flared inside me. Was she offering me a chance to do something different? Anything different?
"Absolutely!" The excitement in my voice was palpable, but Lauren's slight frown dampened my enthusiasm.
"What can you do apart from cleaning?" Her condescending tone stung, and I wondered what she really wanted from me.
After years at the Carmichael Manor, I had come to understand that the elites were always seeking new ways to amuse themselves, ways to pump up their dopamine levels.
It was a game to them, a game of excess and extravagance. And I, as one of the servants, was their pawn.
"I do a lot around here. I know a little about everything," I replied, striving to keep my tone steady.
"Hmm... Have you ever planned an event for the elites?" Lauren asked as she sat down, picking up her coffee from the tray I had set down.
I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope as I spoke to Lauren. Maybe, just maybe, this could be my chance to break out of my role as a servant.
The reality was beginning to dawn on me. While I had seen our interactions as forming a bond, I was still the help, and she was wealthier than I could ever imagine.
"Yes, I can."
"Good. I'll be taking you with me today," she said nonchalantly. "I'm organizing an event for some friends and family tomorrow evening, and I need someone to help with the finishing touches."
"I don't think Amelia would allow that."
Lauren paused, the cup hovering near her lips. A wave of panic surged through me-had I just ruined my chance for something different?
She took a sip, and I exhaled, shoulders relaxing. "You'll never get far with that attitude," she stated. "If you ever want to get out of this situation, you need to take things. Just because you ask nicely doesn't mean it will be given to you."
Easy for you to say, having grown up with rich parents, I thought, but I forced a smile. "We leave in two hours," she said, waving me off.
I was about to leave when she stopped me. "Come by in an hour so I can see what you're wearing. I don't want to be walking around with you looking like I picked you off the street."
She picked up a piece of bacon, the crunch echoing in the room as she took a bite. "I'm done. You can go."
I scurried out the door, a mix of excitement and anxiety churning inside me.
Excitement buzzed through me, and I found myself glancing at my wristwatch, counting down the minutes. My wardrobe wasn't exactly brimming with nice clothes, but I still had a few pieces from when I naively thought I'd go to university. Alfred Carmichael, the patriarch, had deemed it a waste of money, asserting I'd never be more than just the help.
Sometimes, I wondered why I was still here. But today wasn't a day for self-pity.
I did my usual work for an hour, then went to get ready.
I settled on a casual black floral sundress and an old pair of black flats. Ready to leave, small purse in hand, Amelia walked into my room without knocking. Her expression wasn't as severe as usual.
I was about to explain why I wasn't in uniform when she raised her hand to stop me. "I'm just here to warn you. Lauren Carmichael is up to no good. Be careful around her."
Caught off guard, I could only nod.
"If you need me to pick you up, just call me," she added before leaving.
I stood there, trying to process what had just happened. She cares about me? Shaking off the surprise, I hurried to avoid being late.
When I entered Lauren's room, she looked me up and down. "Not bad, but the shoes need to go." She walked to her closet. "You look like a size six, right?"
I nodded.
She handed me a pair of wedged heels. "You can keep those."
I spent the next hour helping her get ready, fetching things at her beck and call. I knew I was the help, but her enjoyment of it was palpable. At least she put a little makeup on me. It didn't transform me, but it certainly enhanced my features.
On this day, I didn't feel like the help and I wanted to enjoy every moment of it.
We walked into a hotel that Lauren's father owned. Of course, it would be here, I thought, rolling my eyes.
As we stepped into the conference room, I was surprised to see Byron Carmichael. "And here I thought you hated me too much to show up," Lauren said, smiling as she hugged him.
"And hello to you too, little sister."
Lauren hit his arm as she pulled back from the hug. He turned his attention to me. "I see you decided to do a little makeover with the help?"
"Ah," Lauren said, glancing at me as if she'd forgotten I was there. "We need some wine for the party. They're in the cellar. Could you go get them?"
I wanted to help, but I had never been here before. Where was the cellar?
Byron chuckled. "I'll take you."
I expected Lauren to object, but she smiled instead. "Good to see you can do something."
And off we went with Byron.
"Can you tell me what you gave me?" I inquired as I attempted to stand, but my feet buckled and I fell. "You gave me no choice Kathleen," Gordon rushed to my side. I'll never let you go again so that others can hurt you. You'll see that I can make you happy." He claimed that as he carried me, my vision became blurry and I passed out. Kathleen Hopkins, the owner of a new coffee shop, enjoys music and was drawn to it while riding the subway. The handsome man with grey eyes and a fantastic voice. She hires him to work in her new cafe without knowing who he is. What will happen when Kathleen discovers Lorenzo's true identity? Will she be able to forgive him for deceiving her? Lorenzo Turner, the humble and down-to-earth billionaire, is head over heels in love with the redhead beauty and wouldn't pass up the opportunity to spend time with her. He lied to her, and when she found out, she ended up in the hands of a psycho stalker. Will Lorenzo be able to save her from Gordon's clutches?
Marceline Silver never thought that she could be able to be the same as her family. She was soon turning sixteen and it was her last chance for her to be able to know whether or not she would be a vampire like the rest of her family, what no one expected was for her to be a hybrid. On the other side of the world, Anton Wilde was tired of being the good son who follows daddy's rules and he decided to go to the city to stay with his brother, a decision that brought them together.
Sophia Wyatt had a perfect life that shattered in a split second. An accident that left her in a rehabilitation clinic and an arrangement that would completely turn her already complicated life upside down. The name of the person behind it, Luke Middleton.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
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?