Name: Arima's Choice: The Cursed Love"
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Chapter 1 The First Encounter

Arima stood at the top of her class, not only in academics but also in determination and character. At nineteen, she was known for her stubbornness, kindness, and unwavering obedience to her parents. These traits defined her, setting her apart as a young woman with a bright future.

Every morning, her alarm rang at six. By six-thirty, she was dressed and ready, the scent of breakfast wafting through the house as she helped her mother in the kitchen. By seven, she was out the door, her backpack slung over her shoulder, making her way to university. This was her routine, and she embraced it with the quiet resilience that had come to define her.

One particularly warm evening, after a grueling day of classes and a long shift at the bookstore, Arima decided to take a detour through the park on her way home. The cool breeze and rustling leaves provided a welcome respite from her hectic day. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, and the tranquility of the park was a balm to her weary spirit. Little did she know, this detour would alter the course of her life.

As she strolled along the winding path, Arima's thoughts wandered to her future. She had always been so focused on meeting her parents' expectations that she rarely allowed herself to dream. What did she truly want? The question hung in the air, unanswered, as she rounded a corner and noticed an elderly woman sitting on a bench.

The woman's clothes were tattered, and her face was etched with worry. She seemed lost in thought, her eyes fixed on something distant and unseen. Arima's heart ached at the sight, and without hesitation, she approached the woman.

"Excuse me, ma'am, are you alright?" Arima asked softly.

The woman looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. "Oh, my dear, you are too kind. I have been in this park for hours, unable to find my way back home."

Arima listened attentively as the woman recounted her predicament. She had come to the city to visit her daughter, but they had an argument, and she left in a hurry. Now, she was alone, with no way to contact her daughter or find her way back.

"I'll help you," Arima said firmly. "Let's find a place where you can rest for the night."

They walked together, the elderly woman leaning on Arima for support. As they walked, the woman's story unfolded. She spoke of her daughter, her life, and the regrets that had weighed her down. Arima listened with a sympathetic heart, her resolve to help growing stronger with each step.

"I'm so sorry you're going through this," Arima said. "Family can be difficult sometimes, but it's important to stay together."

The woman nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You are wise beyond your years, my dear. I can see that your heart is pure."

As they reached a nearby shelter, the woman's demeanor changed. Her eyes seemed to sparkle with a mysterious light, and her voice took on a melodic tone. "Arima, your kindness has not gone unnoticed. I am more than just an old woman. I am a guardian of fates, and I have the power to bestow gifts upon those who show true compassion."

Arima blinked in surprise. "A guardian of fates?"

The woman nodded. "Yes, and today, I offer you a choice. You can choose to find true love in the future, but be warned, this love will come with a great misfortune. To avert this misfortune, you must never confess your love. On the day you do, your lover's fate will be sealed. Alternatively, you can choose to become powerful and wealthy, but your life will be filled with loneliness and misery."

Arima was stunned. "I don't want any rewards. I just wanted to help."

The woman's expression softened. "I understand, but the fates demand a choice. If you do not choose, they will, and their choice will bring even greater misfortune."

Arima hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. Her mind raced as she considered the implications of each choice. True love sounded like a fairy tale, but at what cost? Could she live with herself if her love brought misfortune to someone she cared about? And what about wealth and power? It seemed tempting, but a life of loneliness and misery was a heavy price to pay.

She thought about her parents, their dreams for her, and the life she had envisioned. Was she ready to make such a monumental decision?

After a long silence, Arima took a deep breath. "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I choose to live a life of love."

The woman smiled sadly. "You are brave, Arima. The fates have heard your choice." She raised her hands, and a soft light enveloped Arima. "May you find true love, but remember the curse. Never confess your love, or your lover's fate will be sealed."

As the light faded, Arima felt a strange sensation wash over her. The woman's words echoed in her mind, but as she made her way home, the encounter began to feel like a distant dream. By the time she reached her doorstep, she had nearly forgotten about it entirely, unaware of the destiny that awaited her.

Years later, Arima would often look back on that night with a sense of wonder and unease. She had made a choice, one that would shape her future in ways she could not yet comprehend. But for now, as she lay in bed, exhaustion overtaking her, the memory of the old woman and the fateful choice she had made faded into the recesses of her mind, leaving her to drift into a restless sleep.

The park, now silent and still, held the secrets of that night. The guardian of fates watched over Arima, a silent witness to the beginning of a journey filled with love, sacrifice, and the haunting specter of a curse. And so, the wheels of fate began to turn, setting in motion a story that would test the limits of love and the strength of the human spirit.

You'll also like

Jilted Ex-wife? Billionaire Heiress!

Jessica C. Dolan

3.9

Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.

Reborn And Remade: Pursued By The Billionaire

Cancan

3.8

In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."

Scars Of A Broken Bond

Calv Momose

4.8

Dear readers, this book has resumed daily updates. It took Sabrina three whole years to realize that her husband, Tyrone didn't have a heart. He was the coldest and most indifferent man she had ever met. He never smiled at her, let alone treated her like his wife. To make matters worse, the return of the woman he had eyes for brought Sabrina nothing but divorce papers. Sabrina's heart broke. Hoping that there was still a chance for them to work on their marriage, she asked, "Quick question,Tyrone. Would you still divorce me if I told you that I was pregnant?" "Absolutely!" he responded. Realizing that she didn't mean shit to him, Sabrina decided to let go. She signed the divorce agreement while lying on her sickbed with a broken heart. Surprisingly, that wasn't the end for the couple. It was as if scales fell off Tyrone's eyes after she signed the divorce agreement. The once so heartless man groveled at her bedside and pleaded, "Sabrina, I made a big mistake. Please don't divorce me. I promise to change." Sabrina smiled weakly, not knowing what to do...

One-Night Stand: Accidental Surrogacy for Billionaire

Rashmi

4.9

"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...

Pregnant After One Night Stand With Billionaire

Feoma

5.0

6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!

The 5-time Rejected Gamma & the Lycan King

Stina‘s Pen

4.9

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?

Arima's Choice: The Cursed Love"

About

Contents

Chapter 1 The First Encounter

Other books by Toni Cherry

Flame of Shadows