Once regarded as the height of wealth, Charlotte Hartley was ignored as the wife of wealthy CEO of Martinez Swimming Club Leonard Martinez. Her life changed when Leonard made three terrible decisions that resulted in their breakup after he was heartbroken by the club's performance in the elite golden swimming competition. His extreme loss, the attraction of a more successful and glitzy companion, and the evil whispers of a rival devious competitor who considered Charlotte as a threat drove him to reject her. Unknown to Leonard, Charlotte's estranged mother was the only swimmer ever to surpass all of Martinez's marks. After three years of seclusion and self-discovery, Charlotte has come to be a champion swimmer in her own right. Her comeback could jeopardize Leonard's dominion, much as it deals with fresh dangers from merciless enemies seeking to wipe it from within. Charlotte must balance the terrible past with her newly acquired power as Leonard searches for Charlotte's comeback to rebuild the club's lost glory and save his failing reputation. Will she allow the ghosts of her past define her future, or will she grab this second chance to rewrite her story and face the forces that aim to separate them in a world of high stakes of betrayal and atonement?
Charlotte's POV
I vividly recall the day things turned around. The sun was setting in an orange and pink blaze that fit the end of what had begun as an average afternoon. As my father got ready to head to the office, his laughing rang in my ears. He was gone after a peck on my forehead, a promise of ice cream following practice.
The crash was absolute, explosive, and instantaneous. Just eight years old, I held my mother's hand while she wept in the waiting area. Once vibrantly colored and laughing-filled, my world became gray right away. My mother's eyes reflected the emptiness created by my father's absence; I could sense her sorrow. Her hopes for him had passed with him; now, those dreams landed on me.
Over the years, my mother's concentration turned totally onto swimming. In the realm of competitive swimming, her career had been extraordinary, a glittering legend. Her records remained intact, her accomplishments honored. Her only child, she poured all her dreams into me and pushed me to live up to the expectations originally associated with my father.
Every morning I was swimming while other children slept in or played. My world grew out of the chilly water, the never-ending laps, the rhythmic sound of splashing. My constant friend was the strong, forceful voice of my mother. "Focus, Charlotte," said "You are acting for him, she would remind me. Though there was great pressure, I flourished under it. Swimming turned from a hobby into a means of commemorating the memory of my father.
Years later, my commitment paid off when I was hired at the esteemed Martinez Swimming Club. The club was well-known for its elite standing and flawless reputation, hence my position there presented both opportunities and challenges. I met Leonard Martinez there.
Leonard embodied all I had dreamed of. Tall, striking, and with a smile that could brighten the worst of rooms. He was the king of the water as the CEO of Martinez Swimming Club, and I, a secret passion swimmer, felt like a little ripple in his world. Our first talk was charged. His eyes gleamed with ambition, and when I mentioned my aspirations he listened with real interest.
Our bond grew rapidly. I loved him more the more I knew him. Our relationship seemed natural, and soon the swimming scene was talking about us. Leonard's energy and charm fit my own. We seemed to be creating something rather amazing together.
Our wedding was a large-scale event honoring love and prosperity. We were the power couple, loved and jealous of. Still, behind the surface a storm was building. Approaching came the golden swimming tournament, the most important event for the club, and with it a crucial assessment for Leonard and the team.
The day the tournament arrived was clearly exciting. Leonard's typical assurance was replaced with a tightness in his jaw, a nervous energy that made me uncomfortable. The competition did not go as scheduled. Once untouchable, the club lost and Leonard suffered greatly from that loss.
Leonard altered in the next weeks after the tournament. He was far-off, overwhelmed with frustration and loss. Something darker now darkened his formerly ardent eyes. He started to distance himself physically and emotionally. The loss seemed to have destroyed our relationship in addition to the team.
Next arrived the treachery. Leonard started seeing someone else, younger, more beautiful, and more accomplished. It was the emotional desertion as much as the physical isolation caused damage. Accusing me of being a distraction, he blamed me for his mistakes. One adversary who saw me as a liability convinced him. Leonard's icy rejection was a blade to the heart. The man who had loved me now considered me as a sign of his failure.
The suffering was nearly intolerable one evening as I sat by myself in our empty house. My mirror view revealed a woman I hardly knew. Leonard's new mate was often in the news, a sobering reminder of what I had lost. The club's reputation seems to slide farther away every day. I had to gather the fragments of my broken life.
I disappeared from view and into obscurity. I stayed to myself for three years, concentrating on my training and working on rebuilding my self-worth. I came across a fresh feeling of direction and learned more about the legacy of my mother. Driven by a need to recover my identity as much as to prove myself, my training was rigorous.
As luck would have it, the possibility for a comeback materialized. The news of a forthcoming tournament buzzed the swimming world, and I decided to sign up. It was a chance to present everyone-including Leonard-who I had grown to be.
Stepping onto the pool deck, the familiar scent of chlorine and the din of the crowd set off a mixture of exhilaration and fear. There was considerable tension as Leonard's protégé was competing. Leonard was in the stands staring at me, a mixture of hope and desperation.
As I dove into the lake, my heart surged. Every breath and every stroke served as a reminder of what I had battled. There was intense rivalry and great strain. The chance of success looked just out of my grasp as I approached the last stretch.
However, then something unanticipated occurred. I was almost done when I saw a dark man murmuring into Leonard's ear close to the pool's edge. The appearance seemed foreboding, and I sensed something was wrong. My focus wavered; I almost lost my lead.
The gathering cheered as I touched the wall. I had prevailed, but the intrusion of the enigmatic man eclipsed my triumph. Leonard's eyes locked with mine, begging an unsaid query. What was going on? The stranger wanted what? And who were they?
The responses have to wait. The weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future collided as I stood on the podium. Leonard's comeback into my life and the participation of the enigmatic person set the scenario for a confrontation I wasn't sure I was ready for.
Though my journey was far from done, the championship was gone. I had taken back my position in the swimming scene, but obstacles lay ahead. Just the beginning were Leonard's treachery and the mysterious presence of the figure.
The tides of destiny had changed, and regardless of their turbulence, I was ready to meet whatever came next.
Amanda, a hardworking maid at a prestigious New York hotel, never expected her life to take a dramatic turn. What happens when she crosses paths with Chris Montenegro, heir to the biggest hotel chain in the country, a total ladies' man and not to mention, he is also her boss. What happens when her ex-boyfriend storms in on the two of them and knocks him out? In an attempt to save her job, she cares for him throughout the night. But there might be a problem, he wakes up with a splitting headache with no memory of the previous night, not to mention, she is laying next to him half naked. He thinks of her as a floozy who is only after his money and fires her from her job. What happens when the two of them meet again two weeks later and she spits out the words: "I'm pregnant." This might lead to many problems she never expected, not to mention, a shot at falling in love. Will Amanda and Chris find a way to navigate their complicated relationship, or will secrets tear them apart? Can true love ever survive amongst so many lies?
Erica Davidson just wants to start afresh. No worries about love. She just needs a breeze of fresh air. An opportunity presents itself when Erica Davidson finds out about Beaumont, one of the biggest money companies in the US, who are searching for another accounting assistant. Miraculously, she was hired the day she got interviewed, even if it was a bit too easy in her opinion. They had warned her about the new position and her boss, however, she hadn't understood why. Until she met him. Mr Beaumont isn't only a tyrant, a brooding and yelling boss who hates tardiness and self-doubt, but also the most handsome man Erica Davidson has ever laid eyes on. Imposing, tall and handsome, the soon 30-year-old has already forced his way into her life. Cold, too witty for his own good, stern and unpredictable, this CEO is causing Erica Davidson way more trouble than she had anticipated - Mr. Beaumont makes her working day a living hell, makes her face countless obstacles and plays with her mind as he pleases. All of a sudden she couldn't stop thinking about her boss who has been strangely nice to her, even though she can't stand him ... or is she just lying to herself?
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
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!
Eliana was framed by her best friend and her fiance into sleeping with a boy toy in the club and getting impregnated by him. Five years after she had given birth to twins, she returned home and worked under the Moran Group, where she met the CEO-- Maurice. Maurice was a brilliant businessman who did his job well. But in order to stay under the radar, he lived a double life. One as Maurice, and one as Preston. Fate brought the two together again, roping them in on an exciting love story. It all became more complicated when Eliana faced Preston, the man she had slept with before, once again. Now that she was being pursued by two men, how could she ever choose? When would Eliana uncover the secret of Maurice's identity? When was Maurice going to know that he already had two children of his own? How would Eliana face this man when the truth came to light one day? Come and find out.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ This Book Contains Matured Contents, reader's discretion is advised. *** "Do you have any idea how much I want to be inside you right now?" he asked as he stood to his feet. "Then why aren't you?" I responded, loving the feel of him pressed so close, my back to the mirror, my front to him. But even still, in some far corner of my lust-fogged mind, I realized that we were still in a bathroom. Anyone could walk in and see us. The thought of getting discovered was scary and erotic at the same time. "Oh, we're not done. Spread your legs a bit for me, Kitten." He commanded. When I did as he instructed, he settled between my legs again. "Now close your eyes. And try not to move." Dominic Rutherford murmured. I drew in a sharp breath as his fingers slipped into me with a silky, wet ease. First one. Then another. A feverish tide rose inside me, and I groaned. I jerked in response, causing me to unconsciously move my hips towards his teasing, clever hand, seeking more. "Ohh-" My body trembled under his touch. "Please..." *** Ruby escapes a stifling marriage filled with betrayal, eager to reclaim her freedom. At a masquerade ball, she meets Dominic, a mysterious older man always wearing a mask and has a complex past. Their intense attraction ignites a passionate and dangerous affair. Dominic, who was tasked by Ruby's unknown brother to find her, is captivated by her defiant spirit. As Ruby gets entangled in Dominic's dark world and faces threats from her vengeful former husband and an enemy within, she struggles with her fear of love. Will Ruby and Dominic overcome their pasts and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart? Can Ruby submit to love even after the truth is revealed?