Each person is born with a predetermined destiny. When she was just born, due to a doctor's mistake, she went from being a wealthy heiress to an orphan. Although Charlotte was found by the Watts family three years ago, things did not turn out as she had hoped. She couldn't integrate into this new family; everything was too different. She didn't feel any love from the people she called father and mother. Charlotte had to live carefully, suppressing her individuality and enduring her days. She thought that by doing so, she might gain a bit of affection, but no. They only saw her as a commodity. Charlotte's life took a different turn when she erased her name and replaced her sister to get married... "If you don't consider me your daughter, then later, please don't blame this daughter for being heartless!" Charlotte stood up abruptly, with not a single tear in her eyes. It was they who plotted against her first, they who pushed her into a marriage full of schemes, they who wronged her...
Every girl dreams of marrying the man she loves.
I am no different.
Today, I got to marry the man I've loved for twelve years, but under the name of my sister, Anna...
Although my sister and I look alike, because of a mix-up at the hospital when we were young, I was sent to an orphanage.
It wasn't until three years ago that I returned to the Watts family.
As a brash girl, I was entirely unfamiliar with such a grand family as the Watts, but having grown up without parents, I was always careful, hoping to integrate into the family and gain the love of my parents.
When my parents and sister pleaded with me to marry Ricard William instead of my sister, I almost immediately agreed.
First, because I loved Ricard, and second, because it was the first time my family needed me, and I didn't want to disappoint them.
It's already midnight. After the wedding ceremony ended, Ricard hurriedly left without even a word to me.
Looking at the diamond ring on my hand, I couldn't help but feel heartbroken.
The sound of a car engine starting echoed from downstairs, showing Ricard had returned. I stood before the mirror, hastily fixing my hair before nervously stepping out of the bedroom.
Downstairs.
Seeing Ricard enter, I gave a happy wife's smile, placing slippers by his feet and calling out, "Honey, you're... home."
Before I could finish my sentence, I caught the overwhelming scent of alcohol mixed with strong perfume in the air...
My nose stung with bitterness.
Where had he been all night?
The answer was obvious.
But I knew my role; I married in a place of my sister, and my relationship with Ricard was crucial to the cooperation between the Watts and William families.
Thinking of this, though I felt deeply saddened, I forced a smile.
Ignoring the man's disdain, I followed him upstairs, calling out once more, "Honey."
Looking up, I saw the man had already taken off his shirt, his muscular physique strikingly handsome under the dim bedroom light.
My face flushed red to the tips of my ears, and I spun around, about to apologize when I felt a strong arm wrap around me from behind.
Before I could react, someone threw me onto the bed. By the time I realized what was happening, I was already lying on the mattress, which, though soft, caused pain in my back from the top fall.
I saw Ricard standing by the bed, looking down at me. His sharp features were backlit, making it hard to discern his expression, but I could feel his deep coldness.
Suddenly, the man asked me, "What's your name?"
"Me?" The question startled me, but I replied, "Anna Watts..."
My name isn't Anna; I'm Charlotte Watts.
But I couldn't reveal my true name.
The moment I responded, the man leaned closer, forcefully grabbing my hair and demanding once more, "Anna, Watts?""
It was only then that I clearly saw his face. His deep eyes held no warmth, only...
Bone-deep hatred!
When he said my sister's name, his dark eyes carried a hidden rage.
Even though it was summer, cold sweat covered my forehead, and I felt extremely anxious.
He gripped my hair, making it impossible for me to look away. I could only nod as best as I could.
Fear already suspended my heart.
Ricard's gaze turned even colder when he saw my acknowledgement. He said, "Since you're here, be aware that I'm not a good person!"
As soon as he finished, I heard my red wedding dress being torn apart!
Immediately, he disregarded my struggles and moved swiftly...
In the morning, my lower body ached as if torn apart. Last night's violent events unfolded like a nightmare.
My first time, my wedding night, and Ricard treated me like an enemy.
Shattering all my previous fantasies.
The spot beside me on the bed was already cold.
The stark and glaring blood stain stood out on the snow-white bedsheet.
I got up, went to the bathroom, endured the pain to wash, changed my clothes, and replaced the bedsheet.
I went out and stood at the top of the stairs, looking at Ricard, who was reading the newspaper and eating breakfast.
The morning sunlight entered through the window, providing warmth and a sense of sanctity.
In the twelve years I've loved him, the dream of marrying him and having breakfast under the same roof had always been my unattainable dream.
Now that it had come true, I didn't dare approach him.
His beastly behavior last night constantly reminded me I never truly understood this man.
"Miss Watts, you're awake."
As I was staring at Ricard, the housekeeper noticed me and greeted me courteously from downstairs.
She no longer called me 'madam' as she did yesterday.
Instead, she called me Miss Watts.
My heart trembled, feeling both upset and frightened. I recalled last night's terrifying ordeal, went downstairs, and sat opposite Ricard.
The housekeeper served breakfast, but I politely ate only a few bites as I wasn't hungry.
Looking up, I noticed Ricard, like me, hadn't touched his food.
Whether out of a desire to ease the atmosphere or improve the uncertain future of our marriage, I gently said, "I'm sorry for waking up late today. Starting tomorrow, I'll wake up early to make breakfast for you."
I excelled at cooking.
Hoping for a response, I was met with Ricard throwing down his cutlery and coldly standing up, saying "Let's go. The car is waiting outside."
"Go where?" I asked nervously, worried about making a mistake.
Normally, I'm not introverted. However, in Ricard's presence, even breathing feels humble.
He was already at the door, putting on his shoes, and without looking back, he replied, "Visiting your family."
I rode in Ricard's car to the Watts' house.
Before entering, I thought Ricard's cold treatment was because of dissatisfaction with the marriage, not because he had discovered I wasn't my sister.
But when I followed him inside, I saw Anna, whom I had sent to the airport yesterday, standing in the living room with our parents.
Her eyes were swollen like peaches, clearly indicating that she had cried for a long time.
My parents stood beside her, their faces showing anger.
I glanced at Ricard. My first thought was... He had discovered the marriage swap and had someone bring Anna back.
His feelings for her were love at first sight. Ricard William took care of her when she was only six months old. His domineering nature meant that from the beginning, he was determined to live with her, never leaving her side. Throughout this process, anyone she had feelings for, he killed. There was even a time when he broke her leg for trying to escape. Ricard, being a lonely person, realized he needed someone to warm his heart. Only she made him feel less lonely and happier. He knew her from when she was six months old, easily recognizing her uniqueness, and decided to raise her, making her life entirely under his control. No one was allowed to interfere in his and her matters. Because of her youth, she wanted to be free, and once when she tried to escape, he threatened her without mercy. Will she find happiness with this man?
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. Letâs 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 companyâs 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?
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
"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."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
After a heated confrontation with her husband and mistress, Brianna was pushed down to stairs. She thought she would die but when she woke up again, she realized that she traveled back two years ago, when it was not late for her to correct her path. The first thing she needed to do when she was reborn was divorce that scum. She saved from the darkest time but he lied to her and murdered her in the end. This time, she would not repeat the same mistakes anymore. She would bring the glory of her family back and make those people who betrayed her pay the price! However, in the process of climbing up to the peak of her career, she met a very intimidating and handsome man who kept on messing with her head through his bold attitude. Brianna doesn't want to be involved with another man again, for she has proven to herself that they will just drag her down, but her constant incidents with him are slowly breaking the wall she built to protect her heart. Brianna will surely choose her career over a man this time, but it's possible to choose both, right? What if he hurt her too? No! She won't risk it but. "You have to run away from me, Bree. Coz I'm done running away, I'll chase you now."