Since she was little, Arini felt different. Her parents, although kind and loving, always felt like strangers to her. She never felt like she was truly part of the family. And now, with the evidence of the DNA test results she found a few weeks ago, all her past questions were answered. She was not their biological child.
When a woman named Arini opened her eyes that morning, the white ceiling of the hospital room was her first sight. The distinctive smell of antiseptic stung her nose, making her head dizzy even more. She was still trying to understand the situation. In the corner of the room, a nurse was writing something down on her clipboard.
"Mrs. Arini, how are you feeling?" the nurse asked gently.
Arini just nodded slowly. Her body felt weak. She knew that everything was over. Everything she had ever believed in, everything she thought was true, had fallen apart.
Since she was little, Arini felt different. Her parents, although kind and loving, always felt like strangers to her. She never felt like she was truly part of the family. And now, with the evidence of the DNA test results she found a few weeks ago, all her past questions were answered. She was not their biological child.
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. Feelings of disappointment and hurt flooded her heart. She felt abandoned and unwanted. She thought hard, but there was no one she could ask for help. It all felt like an endless nightmare.
With the remaining strength, Arini lifted her body from the bed. The nurse quickly helped her stand.
"Thank you," Arini whispered softly.
The nurse smiled slightly, handing me a piece of paper with someone's address and phone number on it. "The doctor suggested you see a counselor. It might help."
Arini just stared at the paper expressionlessly. What could a counselor do? Restore a lost identity? Erase the pain of feeling unwanted?
After leaving the hospital, Arini decided to walk aimlessly. Her feet took her to a small park on the outskirts of town. A place she used to visit often when she felt chaotic. This place always gave her peace. There, under a large shady tree, she sat and looked into the distance.
Among the crowd of people passing by, Arini's gaze fell on a familiar figure. Her heart was beating fast. A man about 180 cm tall, wearing a white shirt and black pants. The man walked closer, and his firm face became clearer. His neatly arranged black hair, sharp eyes that radiated confidence, and a faint smile.
Arini gasped. It was Bimo, the man she had hurt in the past. A man whose relationship with Arini had ended so badly. They had both been involved in a small business together, but because of Arini's misunderstanding and selfishness, the business fell apart, and Bimo lost a lot. At that time, Bimo promised never to forgive her.
"How are you, Arini?" he greeted coldly.
Arini was silent. Various feelings were mixed in her heart-shock, fear, and maybe a little guilt.
"Bimo... I..." Arini tried to speak, but her voice was choked.
"You look different," Bimo said, squinting. "What's wrong? Why are you here?"
Arini swallowed. She wanted to get out of there immediately, but her legs felt heavy. "I... just want to be alone," she finally answered.
Bimo nodded. "Me too," he said as he sat down next to Arini, keeping his distance. They were both silent, lost in their own thoughts. Bimo stared ahead, at the trees swaying gently in the wind.
"I heard about your family," Bimo said finally, his voice low but firm.
Arini turned her head in surprise. "How did you know?"
Bimo shrugged. "News like that spreads fast, especially among people we know."
Arini felt her chest tighten. She didn't want to remember any of that. "I don't need sympathy from anyone, especially from you," she said defensively.
Bimo smiled thinly, a little cynically. "I'm not here to give you sympathy, Arini. I'm here for something else."
"What?" asked Arini in a suspicious tone.
"I need an assistant," Bimo answered briefly.
"Assistant?" Arini laughed wryly. "You're kidding, right? You think I'll work for you after everything that happened?"
Bimo stared at Arini with sharp eyes. "I'm not kidding. You need a job, and I need someone I can trust, even a little. And you're the best choice I have right now."
The atmosphere in the auction room was electric, thick with tension and anticipation. Spotlights illuminated the faces of the bidders, but all Isabella Blake could focus on was one man-Marcus Hale. She had been kidnapped and sold like a piece of property, and now, the highest bid echoed ominously in her ears. "Seventy million dollars!" shouted a man in a black suit, and Isabella felt a chill run down her spine at the staggering figure. She never imagined her life would end up like this, trapped in a brutal auction for her own freedom.
Aruna is a new secretary at a leading technology company in Jakarta, TechSage Corp. It was only a few weeks ago that she accepted this job, an opportunity that she believed would open many doors in her career. However, today felt different. There was anxiety that had been hanging over her since she woke up this morning, as if a bad feeling was waiting for her.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
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.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!