Hazel Ellsworth was born frail and plagued by frequent illness. Her father, Count Clairmont, considers her a disappointment, incapable of advancing the family business or enhancing its reputation. As a result, he arranges for Hazel to marry a billionaire Duke known for his coldness and cruelty. Hazel braces herself for a life of misery, only to discover that her husband is far from the monstrous figure she expected. Instead, the Duke is unexpectedly captivated by her. How could this be?
Hazel was reading an old book while lying on her bed. She was deeply absorbed in the world created by the author, taking her to places she had never explored before. Occasionally, her frail fingers turned the pages. In the quiet room, the only sound was her steady breathing. Outside, life went on without her, and Hazel had grown accustomed to the oppressive solitude.
As she was lost in her own world, the door to her room creaked open. A young servant stood at the door, hesitating before stepping inside. "Miss Hazel," she called softly. "Count Barnum requests your presence in the hall."
Hazel looked up from her book, her eyes filled with confusion. "Father wants to see me?" she asked in disbelief. It had been a long time since she last saw her father.
"Yes, Miss," the servant replied, bowing her head slightly. "Count Barnum is waiting in the hall."
Hazel carefully closed her book and put it aside. She struggled to gather the strength to rise from her bed; the pain that always accompanied her made every movement difficult. The servant stepped forward and extended her hand to help, but Hazel shook her head, trying to get up on her own.
"I can manage," she said weakly but firmly. "Thank you."
With unsteady steps, Hazel left her room, feeling the cold marble floor beneath her feet. Each step felt like a tremendous effort, but she kept moving toward the living room where her father awaited. When she reached the door to the living room, Hazel took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She slowly opened the door and stepped inside. There, in the middle of the large room, stood her father, Barnum Ellsworth, with an expression that was hard to read.
"You finally came," Barnum said coldly. His eyes pierced through Hazel, as if searching for something long lost.
"Why did you call me, Father?" Hazel asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"There's something we need to discuss," Barnum replied bluntly. "You know, Hazel, I've tried to understand what you could contribute to this family. But as time goes on, I realize more and more that you're of no use to us."
In the large but silent hall, Count Barnum Ellsworth paced back and forth with quick, agitated steps. His face was flushed, showing the burning anger within him. Hazel slowly walked toward the sofa and sat down, her frail body draped in brown satin, contrasting with her perpetually pale face. Her large, teary eyes looked at her father with deep fear.
Barnum stopped right in front of Hazel and looked at her with a gaze that could pierce the heart. "You are utterly useless!" he shouted with a trembling voice. "Look at yourself, Hazel. You've been nothing but a burden for years! No nobleman, merchant, or high society would even glance at you. You're alive, but it's like you're already dead. You're like an invisible ghost!"
Hazel lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. Her father's words felt like daggers stabbing directly into her heart. "I... I never asked to be born like this," she whispered, barely audible.
"You're right. I wanted a daughter who was healthy, intelligent, and beautiful. At least if you were healthy and beautiful, a prince would consider you as his wife. Your marriage would have a significant impact on the family business. But look at yourself-weak and useless," Barnum sneered. "Unfortunately, you were born as my daughter, becoming an obstacle to all the plans and profits I could have achieved. You are the greatest failure of my life."
"I... I'm so sorry, Father..." Hazel's tears flowed even more.
"Look at your brothers! At least they can help me manage the company. And you? What do you do, you worthless trash!"
The hall, once silent, now echoed with Barnum's anger. The air around Hazel felt toxic, and every breath she took became more suffocating. She tried to summon the courage to defend herself, but her frail body did not grant her enough strength.
"All you do is read useless romance novels. At the very least, attend the noble gatherings, attract young men with your beauty. Oh, I forgot. You're sickly. No sane man would want to marry you, because you would only be a burden to them," Barnum continued with a mocking tone. "Tell me, why are you still alive, Hazel? What else can you offer this family besides the burden of taking care of you without anything in return?"
Hazel's hazel-green eyes could only stare at her father with tears welling up, her lips trembling as she held back sobs. She knew deep in her heart that there was nothing she could say or do to change her father's opinion. Barnum Ellsworth was a man who only valued profit and money, and unfortunately, Hazel had no place in his calculations.
"Couldn't there at least be one or two wealthy men willing to marry you?!" Barnum shouted again, his voice shaking with anger. "Look at yourself, Hazel! You're just a burden. In this country, our noble status should be highly valuable. And you? No businessman, young tycoon, or billionaire wants to marry you!"
"Father, please forgive me. Tell me what I should do," Hazel begged, her voice hoarse.
Barnum took a deep breath, filled with anger and frustration. "Do you know what bothers me the most, Hazel? You're a countess, but you can't do anything useful. You just sit here, sick and pale. What's the point of all this?"
Hazel felt her world collapsing. The outside world seemed like a dream she could never reach. The family that should have been her refuge had become a source of suffering. Every day, Hazel was trapped in this miserable situation, only able to hope that someday a miracle would happen to free her from all her suffering. Until that day came, she had to make do with the strength she had left, even though that strength was dwindling day by day.
Suddenly, the door to the hall opened, and a servant rushed in. "Count Barnum," she called out quickly. "A messenger from Duke Kingsley's family is waiting at the front. He has an important message."
Barnum frowned, clearly annoyed. "Duke Kingsley?" he muttered, trying to grasp the situation. "Okay, bring him in."
Soon after, the messenger, a young man dressed in a suit and tie that looked quite expensive, entered with respect. He carried a white envelope sealed with the Kingsley family crest. Barnum looked at him with curiosity.
"What is your business here?" Barnum asked, his voice still firm.
The messenger bowed respectfully before speaking. "Count Ellsworth, I have a formal request from Duke Rainhard Kingsley to propose to Lady Hazel Ellsworth."
The room suddenly fell silent. Hazel and Barnum's eyes widened, not believing what they were hearing. Known for his bravery and cold demeanor, Duke Rainhard Kingsley proposed to Hazel? Barnum looked shocked but tried to remain calm.
"A formal request?" Barnum repeated, as if to make sure he heard correctly. "A marriage proposal from Duke Rainhard Kingsley to my daughter?"
"Yes, Count Ellsworth," the messenger replied firmly. "Duke Rainhard Kingsley sees the potential and elegance of Lady Hazel and feels she would be perfect for him."
Hazel felt the world spinning. How could the Duke, known for his cold and ruthless nature, be interested in her, someone her own father deemed worthless? Her vision blurred with tears, filled with both fear and hope.
Barnum, still in shock, took a deep breath. "I will consider the offer," he finally said, his voice calmer but filled with consideration. "Inform Duke Kingsley that we will give you an answer as soon as possible."
The messenger bowed once more before turning and leaving the room. Barnum looked at Hazel, his expression now full of amazement.
"Hazel," he said slowly, "perhaps this is the opportunity we've been waiting for. You must prepare yourself. Duke Rainhard Kingsley is no ordinary man."
Hazel could only nod slowly, still stunned by this sudden development. In her heart, she felt a flicker of new hope but also a deep fear of what her future might hold with the Duke, who was notorious for his cruelty. One thing was certain: her life would never be the same again.
"This time, don't mess anything up, and don't disgrace the family again!"
***
Ashley Richard has been in love with Zion Thompson since childhood. Their parents agreed to an arranged marriage between them. Ashley was quick to accept it as it has been her long time dream. However, Zion was against it. He has grown and wanted someone else. Ashley did everything she could to be the perfect wife. Even putting her ambition of becoming a doctor. After three years of trying, what she got In returned was a divorce papers from her husband. Saying he wants her out of his life. Years passed and Ashley became the doctor she has always wanted to be. One day, she came across a strange patient, who happened to be her ex-husband. "Doctor Ash, I need your expertise." "What is wrong with you, Mr Thompson?" She asked. His eyes grew soft as he spoke. "My heart is broken and only you can mend it." "You see, Mr Thompson. I am a doctor, not a love expert. I can only treat your bear when it is failing. I cannot mend it with desire."
For two years, Bryan only saw Eileen as an assistant. She needed money for her mother's treatment, and he thought she'd never leave because of it. To him, it seemed fair to offer her financial help in exchange for sex. However, Bryan didn't expect to fall for her. Eileen confronted him, "You love someone else, yet you always sleep with me? You're despicable!" The moment she slammed the divorce papers down, he realized she was the the mysterious wife he married six years ago. Determined to win her back, Bryan lavished her with affection. When others mocked her origins, he gave her all his wealth, happy to be the supportive husband. Now a celebrated CEO, Eileen had everything, but Bryan found himself lost in another whirlwind...
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
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.
Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart. Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly. *** Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. *** Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. *** Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?
"Get undressed and wait for me in bed. Keep your legs open until I finish my shower," he commanded with the power of his Alpha status and as her mate. She wanted to resist. "Do you think I'm the same Luna you forced in the past? I refuse to submit to you. I won't let you touch me." He growled softly, feeling a hot desire for her. She was no longer the unattractive Luna he remembered - she was gorgeous. He wanted to devour her with his tongue. He pulled her close and pushed her onto the bed, licking the back of her ear, making her moan in pleasure. He whispered, "I won't touch your body. Just your p*ssy until you beg for more." He used to be next in line for Alpha and was under the control of his grandfather, the Alpha king. He had to accept mating with the woman he disliked the most - the daughter of one of the most powerful Alphas in the werewolf kingdom. If he didn't, he might lose his chance at being Alpha king after his grandfather's death. He thought he was mateless at the time. He didn't choose to mate with the unattractive woman, so he cheated on her day and night. But, one drunken night, he lost control and slept with her. Later, he forced her to break their mating bond. But, he discovered she was carrying his triplets. He forced her to be his mate again, or she wouldn't see her children again. Six years later, he was no longer weak. He was the Alpha king of werewolves.