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?
The morning sun filtered through the lace curtains of their quaint Parisian apartment, casting a warm glow over the cozy living room. Isabelle hummed softly as she prepared breakfast, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filling the air. Her daughter, Aria, a lively and curious five-year-old, bounded into the kitchen with a burst of energy.
"Bonjour, maman!" Aria chirped, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Bonjour, ma chƩrie," Isabelle replied, smiling as she set a plate of croissants on the table. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes! I had a dream that I was a princess in a magical castle," Aria said, climbing onto a chair. "And there was a dragon, but he was nice and helped me find a treasure!"
Isabelle laughed, her heart swelling with love for her daughter. "That sounds like a wonderful dream. Maybe you can draw a picture of it later."
Aria nodded enthusiastically, taking a bite of her croissant. "I will! And then we can hang it in the living room with all the other drawings."
"Of course, sweetheart," Isabelle said, ruffling Aria's hair affectionately. "Now, finish your breakfast. We need to get ready for the day."
After breakfast, Isabelle helped Aria get dressed for school. They walked hand-in-hand to the nearby school, enjoying the crisp morning air and the sounds of the bustling city. Isabelle cherished these moments with her daughter, knowing how precious their time together was.
At the school gate, Isabelle knelt down to give Aria a hug. "Have a wonderful day, ma chƩrie. Remember to listen to your teacher and be kind to your friends."
"I will, maman," she promised, hugging her tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too, Aria," Isabelle said, watching as her daughter ran off to join her classmates.
With a final wave, Isabelle turned and made her way to her job at a prestigious art gallery where she worked as an art director. The gallery, nestled in the heart of Paris, was a vibrant hub of creativity and culture. Isabelle walked through the grand entrance, greeted by the familiar scent of oil paint and the sight of canvases adorned with brilliant colors.
"Good morning, Isabelle," greeted Camille, the gallery's receptionist, with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Camille," Isabelle replied, returning the smile. "Any updates for today?"
"Mister Dupont wants to see you about the upcoming exhibition," Camille informed her. "He's in his office."
"Thank you, Camille," Isabelle said, heading towards the office of Jacques Dupont, the gallery's owner and a well-respected figure in the art world.
Monsieur Jacques Dupont is more than her boss. He is her friend and was the one who helped her find her feet when she came to France. When she found out that she was pregnant and unemployed, she thought about quitting school and going back home, a home where she was rejected.
But then she met Monsieur Dupont and everything changed. He is a 45-year-old man with a warm, friendly, and outgoing personality. He has a contagious smile and laugh that instantly puts people at ease. Dupont has a positive attitude and sees the best in everyone he meets. He is known for his great sense of humor and ability to make others smile, even in difficult situations.
Isabelle knocked on the door and entered. "Good morning, Jacques. You wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Isabelle, come in," Jacques said, looking up from his desk. "I wanted to discuss the final preparations for the exhibition. Your work on this project has been outstanding as always."
"Thank you, Jacques," Isabelle replied, taking a seat. "I've finalized the artist line-up and the layout of the gallery. Here are the details."
She handed him a portfolio, and they spent the next half-hour discussing the finer points of the exhibition. Isabelle's expertise and passion for art were evident in every suggestion she made, her keen eye for detail ensuring that everything would be perfect.
"You've done an excellent job, Isabelle," Jacques said, impressed. "I'm confident this exhibition will be a great success."
"Thank you, Jacques," Isabelle said, smiling. "I'm excited to see it all come together. I'll oversee the final installations this afternoon."
Monsieur Dupont has a wealth of knowledge and experience from his 30+ year career. He takes great pride in sharing his wisdom with younger colleagues and helping them grow professionally. Jacques is always willing to lend an ear, offer advice, or provide guidance to anyone who needs it. He is patient, understanding, and genuinely cares about the success of those he mentors.
As she left the office, Isabelle felt a sense of accomplishment. She loved her work, and her dedication to the gallery was unwavering. Balancing her career and motherhood wasn't always easy, but moments like these made it all worthwhile.
Returning to her office, Isabelle took a moment to glance at a photo on her desk ā a picture of her and Aria, smiling and happy. She wondered if she would ever see 'that' man again (Aria's father that is). And if she sees him, how will she explain Aria to him?
Well, Aria is her beautiful daughter. She touched the frame gently, feeling a surge of love and determination. For Aria, she would give the world. And in her work, she found a way to channel that love and passion, creating something beautiful and lasting.
Isabelle was in the midst of reviewing the final layout for the upcoming exhibition when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw her mother's name. With a slight furrow in her brow, she answered, "Good morning, mom."
"Isabelle," her mother's voice was strained and trembling, "you need to come home. Your father... he's very ill. The doctors say he doesn't have much time left."
Isabelle felt a pang of shock and a flood of emotions she hadn't confronted in years. "What happened?" she asked, her voice wavering.
"He had a heart attack," her mother explained, her voice cracking. "He's asking for you, Isabelle. He regrets everything. He wants to see you before it's too late."
Isabelle's mind flashed back to the incident that had driven a wedge between her and her father. She was eighteen, a free-spirited young woman with dreams of becoming an artist and had just gotten her diploma in Arts. Her father, a stern and traditional man, had always disapproved of her artistic ambitions, insisting she follow a more conventional path.
But the last straw that broke the camel's back was when her parents discovered that she'd been dating a married man. All her pleas that she was not aware of his status fell on deaf ears. Her father was disappointed in her and let his displeasure show.
It got worse when the man in question claimed that it was Isabelle who seduced him and wanted him to divorce his wife and marry her. Her father's highly religious and disciplined demeanor turned sour and he screamed at Isabelle.
"You are a disappointment to me and this family. I don't ever want to see you again."
How does a man have breakfast with a girl and go out for an engagement dinner, his engagement dinner, with another girl? Sophieās world was turned upside down when she heard about Ethanās 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?
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Warning! Mature Contents! ***Excerpt*** "You belong to me, Sheila. I alone am capable of making you feel this way. Your moans and body belong to me. Your soul and your body are all mine!" *** Alpha Killian Reid, the most dreaded Alpha in all of the North, wealthy, powerful and widely feared in the supernatural world, was the envy of all other packs. He was thought to have it all... power, fame, wealth and favour from the moon goddess, little was it known to his rivals that he has been under a curse, which has been kept a secret for so many years, and only the one with the gift of the moon goddess can lift the curse. Sheila, the daughter of Alpha Lucius who was an arch enemy to Killian, had grown up with so much hatred, detest and maltreatment from her father. She was the fated mate to Alpha Killian. He refused to reject her, yet he loathed her and treated her poorly, because he was in love with another woman, Thea. But one of these two women was the cure to his curse, while the other was an enemy within. How would he find out? Let's find out in this heart racing piece, filled with suspense, steamy romance and betrayal.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."