Mia Thompson, a strong-willed woman is forced into a contract marriage with a man she has never met in order to clear a debt her family has. Afraid of the rumors about him being an ugly disabled man she runs away on the day of the wedding. Afraid of the consequences of breaching the marriage contract, Charlotte Thompson is forced to step in for her identical twin sister and pretend to be her. Will she be able to fool him? Or will he figure it out and make them pay?
"You better not mess this up for us," Mr. Thompson said as he led Charlotte to the altar. "We cannot afford to offend such a powerful family."
Her heartfelt heart as she looked around, hoping Mia would change her mind and return. Her eyes met her mother's, who was wiping away tears. To an outsider, she might have seemed like a heartbroken mother sending her daughter away, but Charlotte knew better. Her mother didn't care about her; she only cared about Mia. Unfortunately for Charlotte, Mia had run off, leaving her to bear the burden of getting married instead. The fact that they were identical twins was a big help.
That morning, when Charlotte informed her parents about Mia's disappearance just minutes before the wedding, her father had slapped her hard. Now she stood at the altar, a veil covering her face as she awaited her future husband.
"He's not coming," Mr. Thompson said, approaching Charlotte. A smile began to form on her face at the thought of the wedding being called off. "Our family may not be as important as theirs, but they can't disrespect us like this," he fumed. Sending his driver? How could he send his driver to stand in? I'm glad this isn't happening to Mia. I'm glad she ran off, and I just hope she's safe wherever she is. I wouldn't want my daughter to be married to a man who wouldn't even show up to his wedding, he said, wiping sweat from his face.
Charlotte's smile vanished as she processed her father's words. She realized she was still expected to marry in her sister's place. The wedding proceeded, appearing normal to the outside world.
"Make sure you get him in bed tonight," Mrs. Thompson instructed before sending Charlotte off. If you can get pregnant before the contract ends, you might have to get married for real. That would be the best thing you can do for this family, so I advise you to do it well, she said, walking away. Ever since Jasper died, his mother hadn't looked her directly in the eyes; they both still blamed her for his death, and the anger remained.
How was she supposed to lie with a man she didn't know? She thought. Maybe Mia should have stayed; she had a knack for getting men into bed within minutes of meeting them. It was both a blessing and a curse and, in this case, it would have been a blessing.
"Ma'am, it's time to leave," the driver said, opening the door for her. Charlotte got into the car, wondering what life had in store for her. She remembered Mia's anger at their parents for wanting to send her off to a man she knew nothing about. Was Mia right? She wondered. What if he was indeed a wrinkly old man? She wouldn't be surprised, as her parents cared only for wealth.
*****
The house was gigantic, with a big garden at one end of it. Even though it was late, there were workers around doing a thing or two. They all stopped to greet her immediately when they saw the car come in. He led her in as some other workers lined up to greet them. She wondered how rich the family was to have maids everywhere.
"This is Penelope, the head maid," he said, pointing at an older woman. "Trust she'll provide you with whatever you need before your husband gets back," he said, looking at Penelope as she gave a reassuring nod.
"Wait," she said, grabbing his hand as he attempted to leave. "He's not home?"
"No, ma'am, he had some urgent business to attend to," he replied with a bow and turned to leave.
Charlotte turned around to look at the household staff who had their heads all bowed, except Penelope. "How long has he been away?" she inquired.
"Two days, ma'am," Penelope replied. "I'll show you to your room now, ma'am," Penelope said, and sent the other housekeepers away.
Feeling a sense of relief that she wouldn't have to get in bed with him that night, she followed Penelope into her room, which was beautifully decorated with everything she needed. "He really prepared to have a woman in the house but didn't bother to show up?" she thought.
"Is your master usually not home?" Charlotte inquired, and Penelope nodded.
"Okay, you can leave now," Charlotte said, trying to get out of the wedding dress.
"No, it's fine, I can handle it." Charlotte said as Penelope came closer to help. She always hated letting people see her body because of the scars on her back. Whenever her parents got angry, they pulled out needles and pushed them into her back until she passed out. She knew they would kill her if people found out about it. She was lucky enough to not get punished when Mia ran away, so she couldn't afford to ruin everything now.
You can call on me anytime, ma'am. Just press that button on the wall, Penelope said, pointing to the button. She bowed and then exited the room.
*****
Unable to sleep that night, Charlotte decided to take a shower to calm her nerves. Suddenly, she heard a loud bang outside followed by unfamiliar footsteps. Her heart raced at the thought of a break-in. When the bang sounded again, even louder, she panicked and ran out screaming.
She opened her door and saw a man attempting to walk up the stairs. He looked at her in confusion. Hearing the bang once more, she panicked further and ran to him, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. Her breasts pressed against his face as she clung to him for protection.
"Ma'am? We heard you scream, Penelope said as she ran over with some other maids. "Master Chase," she added, bowing immediately upon seeing him. "You are back."
"Mas... Master Chase? Charlotte asked, still in shock. "This is your master?" she asked, and Penelope nodded. Embarrassed by her behavior, she tried to get down but realized she was naked and quickly clung back.
"Get me a blanket!" she screamed, immediately regretting coming out of her room.
I should have known." Teresa burst into laughter. "Mom, what's wrong?" Irene asked curiously. Teresa's grip on my hands was too tight. I tried to remove her hands but she pulled me back . " Natasha Blake here is pregnant." My eyes widened at Teresa's words. "WHAT!!" Irene growled. "Aunt...you..are.. mistaken." I shook my head. I can't be pregnant, this is not supposed to happen to me not now!! "WHO IS THE FATHER!!" Teresa growled in annoyance. "I'm not...pregnant Aunt Teresa." I tried to deny it. "You wench!!" Irene slapped me across the face. "I'm...saying...the truth." I tried reasoning. "Fine." Aunt Teresa stopped Irene from hitting me again. Natasha finds her mate on the mating ceremony day but is rejected and threatened. Fate seems to be playing tricks on her, and she gradually loses everything she has, but the moon goddess has left her a bigger surprise.......
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
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. What’s 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 couldn’t 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 doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s 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?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
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.