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Ashley Smith finds herself at a crossroads after losing her job and facing eviction. Desperate for stability, she crosses paths with Owen Dalton, CEO of Dalton Empire-a man whose cold exterior hides a tumultuous past. Owen, struggling to connect with his mischievous twins reluctantly hires Ashley as their nanny. As Ashley settles into her role, spark flies between her and Owen but their romance faces challenges from manipulators and frenemies. Amidst the turmoil, Ashley uncovers shocking ties to Owen's family history, raising questions about their intertwined fate. Secrets unravel as they confront deceit and danger, testing their newfound trust and love. With the twins mother back to take what belongs to her, Ashley and Owe must navigate the shadows of their pasts to forge a future together. But will it be possible, when danger lurks from both ends? P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(LOVE BEYOND NUMBER), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!
Her heart pounded against her chest as she fought back the tears while Mr. Chan continued talking.
"Ashley, you've been a great help to me and this Cafe, but home calls," he said with a sad smile.
He just told her about his Cafe's closure. She had worked her ass out there since she settled in Washington.
The cafe had been her main source of income since graduating from college.
Mr. Chan had been sick and on medications for months until his children urged him to come home for proper treatment, so he had to sell the Cafe.
"I'm sorry about the sudden dismissal. I know this Cafe means a lot to you, but I need to go home. Even if I were to die, I would prefer to die in my homeland."
She forced a smile despite the turmoil in my head, "Don't talk about dying. You will get well, Mr. Chan. I can always find another job. I wish you the fastest recovery."
Mr. Chan gave her a sad smile and patted her on her back. "I know you can pull out anything you want, Ashley."
She leaned in and dropped my apron on the counter. With trembling hands, she gave Mr. Chan a quick peck on his cheek. "Goodbye Mr Chan. Please take care of your health. Until we meet again."
"Bye Ashley" Mr. Chan's voice trailed off as I gently shut the door behind her.
She cast a final glance at Whispering Woods Cafe, my haven. Tears threatened to fall but I composed myself.
She remembered that morning, happily brewing coffee while Mr. Chan rested in the inner room. She was happy she would soon raise my share of the rent.
Once she closed the door behind me, tears of frustration threatened to slip down.
She sniffed and headed to the State Library just a few miles away.
She always went there to escape the harsh reality of life, and now was when she needed it the most.
Scanning the shelves and running her fingers along the crests of the books, she searched for the perfect escape from reality.
She finally settled on a copy of Cinderella and made her way to my quiet corner, she was the only reader in the library .
She loved fantasy novels because I could always pretend to be a princess who had all the work done for her rather than the reality of life.
As she engaged herself in the story, a strong scent of cologne drew her attention and she glanced up.
Her gaze landed on a tall, broad man in a suit, standing in the business section opposite her.
Curiosity gnawed at her. She tried to catch a glimpse of him and he turned. It was Owen Dalton, it felt like a dream.
She had seen him at my university business event four years ago and developed a crush on him.
Owen Dalton, the CEO of the Dalton Finance and Investment Empire. She wondered if he remembered that chance meeting.
They had never spoken, but she had harbored a secret crush on him since seeing him on the podium.
She observed him from a distance as he sorted through the section and finally picked a book.
He found a seat adjacent to her, his brows furrowed in concentration as he turned the pages of the book with focus.
Those piercing brown eyes. She wondered what stories hid behind them.
She momentarily forgot that she had no job and should be heading home, to explain what happened to her roommate, Jessica.
Owen sensed someone looking at him and he turned just in time to catch her gaze.
Caught in the act, she looked down nervously, her fingers tracing patterns on the book cover.
He averted his gaze and continued reading. His phone beeped and he returned the book to the shelf and left the library.
She heaved a sigh of relief, his gaze was so commanding. Memories of her ex, Kelvin, disrupted my thoughts.
They met when she first started at Crestwood University. She liked him because he was quite popular and handsome, unlike her who had an introverted nature.
She often caught him cheating and every time, he apologized. She always forgave him until a week ago.
She decided to pay him a surprise visit after work only to get surprised instead.
She entered the apartment with her key and immediately sensed something was off.
Her heart raced as the sound of a moan caught her ear, and she walked toward the direction of the sound that was coming from the bedroom.
There, in the bed was a blonde moaning under the sheets. Kelvin was constantly thrusting inside her and their moans filled the apartment.
"F**k me harder, Kelvin, fill my c**t" the blonde moaned through clenched teeth.
"F**k it, Avi," Kelvin's voice pierced my already cloudy ears. "You are so sweet, I could go all day long."
At that moment, she finally ended things with him and poured all her energy into working at the cafe. Enough red flags.
She shook her head back to reality, there was no point in pretending to read. She had real-life issues to address.
Returning the book to the shelf, she made my way out of the library. With the final wages from Mr. Chan in her purse, she headed to the grocery store.
After purchasing a few groceries, she rummaged through her purse and realized she had just enough money for the trip home and possibly the next day.
As she contemplated her next purchase, the voices of some kids at the coffee shop next to the grocery store drew her attention.
She approached two schoolchildren in a heated argument, they were arguing in Spanish, and asked what was wrong.
Growing up in Chicago, Ashley happened to be cast in several languages, she was hoping to get a job as a translator later in the year.
The younger one wanted a milk candy, but the older one didn't have the money. She bought them both milk candies and then showed them to the bus.
She returned back to the coffee shop to get her groceries and decided to wait for the free bus. Just as she stepped out of the cafe, she locked eyes with someone.
Anya Petrova has always lived life her way-strong, fearless, and in control. But when she's bought by Viktor Romanov, the most dangerous man in Moscow, everything changes. He says he owns her now, but Anya has never been one to bow to anyone. Viktor wants more than her obedience-he wants her to give in to him completely. But Anya is not the kind of woman to back down, and the tension between them is as dangerous as it is irresistible. Viktor is used to getting his way, and Anya's defiance only makes him want her more. But she's not someone he can easily control. The more she fights, the deeper Viktor falls, and soon, what started as a battle for power becomes something much more dangerous. But Viktor doesn't know everything-Anya has secrets even more dangerous than his own. As desire clashes with control, they're drawn into a world of secrets, betrayal, and a passion they can't deny. But with enemies everywhere, trusting each other might be the most dangerous risk of all. Warning: Mature content, blood, fights, and explosions.
Falling in love with Adrian Sterling was never part of Katherine's plan. Not when he was younger. Not when he was her boss. And certainly not when he belonged to someone else. But love doesn't follow logic. From stolen moments in the office to whispered confessions in the dark, their connection grows stronger-until it becomes impossible to ignore. But with betrayal waiting at every corner, an ex-husband who won't let go, a daughter who loathes her, and a world that refuses to accept them, they have only one choice: Walk away or risk everything. I guess you'll just have to read the story to find out the one they chose! P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(A NANNY FOR HIS KIDS AND HEART), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!
"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?"
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
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."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.