How does a man have breakfast with a girl and go out for an engagement dinner, his engagement dinner, with another girl? Sophie's world was turned upside down when she heard about Ethan's engagement news. Everywhere she turns people are whispering about how she is a gold digger and then praising Ethan for finally choosing substance over superficiality. Sophie wondered if the three years she spent with Ethan had meant nothing to him. Anyway, she wanted to pick her life up after all it was a contract so she decided to end it. But Ethan refuses and says he is the only one who can call off their relationship. Will Sophie be able to navigate this puzzle and get back to her life?
The early morning sun was streaming gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ethan's penthouse, casting a warm glow over the modern, sleek kitchen. Sophie stood in the kitchen, expertly flipping pancakes while the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The clinking of cutlery and the sizzling of the skillet were the only sounds, creating a peaceful morning symphony.
Ethan walked in, looking as dapper as ever in his tailored suit. His presence filled the room, but it was his smile that caught Sophie off guard every time. She returned the smile, feeling her heart flutter.
"Good morning, Sophie," he greeted, his voice smooth and warm.
"Good morning, Ethan. Breakfast is almost ready," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the surge of emotions.
Ethan approached the kitchen counter and leaned in, peering at the golden pancakes. "This smells amazing. You're spoiling me," he teased.
Sophie laughed. "Well, someone has to make sure you eat a proper meal. You're always so busy."
Ethan's eyes softened as he looked at her. "I appreciate it more than you know."
They sat down to breakfast, the table laden with pancakes, fresh fruit, and a pot of steaming coffee. Sophie poured Ethan a cup, their hands briefly touching, sending a spark through her.
"So, what's on your agenda today?" Sophie asked, cutting into her pancake, trying to keep the conversation light.
Ethan took a sip of his coffee, savoring it before answering. "Meetings, as usual. And you? Any plans?"
Sophie hesitated, looking into his eyes. This was the moment she had been building up to, the moment she wanted to tell him how she felt. "Actually, I've been thinking... Ethan, I-"
Ethan's phone buzzed on the table, breaking the moment. He glanced at it, his expression shifting to one of annoyance. "I'm sorry, Sophie. It's urgent."
Sophie's heart sank. "Of course. You should take it."
He picked the call and then listened for some minutes before saying "I will take care of it."
Ethan ended the call and placed it back on the table, giving her his full attention again. "What were you saying?"
She took a deep breath, her courage wavering. "I just wanted to say... Thank you. For everything you've done for me and my mom. It means the world to us."
Ethan reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "You don't have to thank me, Sophie. I'm happy to help."
She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Well, I should get going. I have a lot of studying to do." She stood up and started packing the dishes.
"Of course." Ethan nodded, releasing her hand. She stood up and went to the kitchen, taking the dishes with her. She washed the dishes, because she doesn't like piling dirty in the sink. Besides, she still has a few minutes to spare before she gets to school.
"Do you want me to drop you off at the campus?" he asked.
"No thank you. Lisa is picking me up." she answered while rinsing a cup in the running tap.
He put a hand around her waist and drew her close to him. "You should be the one picking your friends up. In your car!"
She shook her head.
"You are my girlfriend, you should have your own car."
"Nope," she said smiling.
"What brand do you want? Ferrari, Masararti, Limousine?" he asked while gently nibbling at her ear.
"Stop it!" She told him, giggling.
"Let me get you a car," he persisted.
"No, but you can get me one for my graduation next year." He turned her around and placed a peck on her nose.
"Okay," he said while releasing her.
"What will we have for dinner tonight?" he asked.
She turned around to finish her work. "It's a surprise. And you should go, you are running late already." He turned her around again and placed a light kiss on her lips.
"Have a great day, Sophie."
"You too, Ethan."
Oh the dinner is not much of a surprise because he has eaten it before. The first time she prepared it, he finished the whole plate and demanded for more. It was her father's favorite. A sad demeanor clouded her face as she remembered her father.
No, don't get sad, it's in the past.
She wanted to make the Chicken Alfredo pasta for Ethan because she was feeling really grateful today. After her lectures, she will go visit her mother before coming home.
When she had tidied everywhere, Sophie gathered her things and left the penthouse, her heart heavy with unspoken words.
She nearly confessed her feelings to him this morning, that was a close call. Who knows what he would have done to her. I mean it's against the 'Terms' and she knows it. Yet...
She is grateful to have Ethan in her life, he's been so helpful. But sometimes she wishes he can go further in their relationship, that he will... "Oh Sophie stop dreaming," she chided herself.
As she walked to the elevator, her phone started ringing. She pulled out her phone, and saw Lisa's name, 'maybe she is already in the basement'. She decided to answer her call and let her friend know she is close by.
"Sophie, did you see the news?" Lisa's voice was frantic.
"What news?" Sophie asked.
Lisa took a deep breath, "It's about Ethan."
Sophie laughed. "He's always in the news, most times against his wishes."
"This time it's different," Lisa insisted, almost screaming.
"Girl, what's wrong?" Sophie has begun to sense the emergency in her friend's voice.
"Check your Instagram."
Sophie ended the call and opened her Instagram and scrolled through the feed and her notifications. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw it.
In screaming letters was the headline: "Billionaire Ethan Grant Engaged to Heiress Vanessa Kingsley."
Her world spun as she read the article, detailing the engagement party scheduled for that evening, complete with photos of Ethan and Vanessa looking every bit the perfect couple. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to process the news.
Isabelle thought she had left her past behind when she moved to Paris until she found out she was pregnant. She decides to raise the child alone but an unexpected call brings her back to the USA. When her child falls sick with a genetic condition, she has to go to the father of her child for help. What happens when she discovers that the man she had a one-night-stand years ago is the husband of her best friend? How will she convince Alex to save her daughter?
āYou need a bride, I need a groom. Why donāt we get married?ā 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. āShe keeps asking for a divorce, but I donāt want that! What should I do?ā
I received a pornographic video. "Do you like this?" The man speaking in the video is my husband, Mark, whom I haven't seen for several months. He is naked, his shirt and pants scattered on the ground, thrusting forcefully on a woman whose face I can't see, her plump and round breasts bouncing vigorously. I can clearly hear the slapping sounds in the video, mixed with lustful moans and grunts. "Yes, yes, fuck me hard, baby," the woman screams ecstatically in response. "You naughty girl!" Mark stands up and flips her over, slapping her buttocks as he speaks. "Stick your ass up!" The woman giggles, turns around, sways her buttocks, and kneels on the bed. I feel like someone has poured a bucket of ice water on my head. It's bad enough that my husband is having an affair, but what's worse is that the other woman is my own sister, Bella. ************************************************************************************************************************ āI want to get a divorce, Mark,ā I repeated myself in case he didn't hear me the first timeāeven though I knew he'd heard me clearly. He stared at me with a frown before answering coldly, "It's not up to you! I'm very busy, don't waste my time with such boring topics, or try to attract my attention!" The last thing I was going to do was argue or bicker with him. "I will have the lawyer send you the divorce agreement," was all I said, as calmly as I could muster. He didn't even say another word after that and just went through the door he'd been standing in front of, slamming it harshly behind him. My eyes lingered on the knob of the door a bit absentmindedly before I pulled the wedding ring off my finger and placed it on the table. I grabbed my suitcase, which I'd already had my things packed in and headed out of the house.
**This book contains a trigger warning. Mention about rape and torture in this book. Please read with caution** "Our marriage is nothing but a deal," he said looking at the girl, her green eyes met his cold silver eye, and both of them glared at each other. "For any rules you break, I will claim any part of your body," his gaze grew dangerously darker at his word. Ashley Harlow was at the top of the world, living the perfect and luxurious lifestyle as the legitimate daughter of the well-known Daniel Harlow. But sadly, a one-night stand put an end to that and brought her life upside down and that of her family's name to the ground. To restore his family's reputation, she was forced into marrying Damien Albrecht, a young, ruthless, obnoxious, brutal billionaire and the head of a mafia gang in exchange for her father's company.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"