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Here is a two-passage snippet: In the rich town of Westbrook, Olivia Summers faces a stunning gathering with Ethan Blackwood, the tech head honcho who once broke her heart. Yet again a decade after the fact, Ethan's declaration of a billion-dollar humanitarian drive shakes Olivia's reality - and she's startlingly in charge. As they explore the tricky scene of their past, Olivia should face the mysteries Ethan's kept covered up the unsettled energy that actually stews between them. As Olivia becomes entangled in Ethan's high-stakes world, she's compelled to defy the shadows of her own past. With her affections for Ethan revived, she should pick either absolution and self-conservation. In any case, as reality with regards to Ethan's inspirations starts to disentangle, Olivia understands that the best test lies not in rejoining with her most memorable love, but rather in recovering herself. Will their love be rekindled, or will the secrets of their past forever sabotage their future?
Olivia Summers remained at the edge of the packed assembly hall, her emerald eyes examining the ocean of creator outfits and custom fitted suits. The yearly Westbrook Noble cause Occasion was going full bore, champagne woodwinds clunking and chuckling reverberating off the vaulted roofs. Yet, Olivia hadn't arrived for casual banter or champagne. She was hanging around for one explanation in particular: to defy the one who had broken her heart a decade prior.
The crowd fell into a hushed silence, as though summoned by her thoughts. Olivia's breath trapped in her throat as she saw him enter. Ethan Blackwood. Tycoon tech magnate, altruist, and the kid who had once guaranteed her the world.
He now appeared different. Gone was the thin youngster with chaotic hair and timid grins. In his place stood a man who talked about each step. His dull hair was impeccably styled, his jaw adequately sharp to trim glass. The custom tailored suit he wore most likely cost more than her whole closet.
Olivia's fingers fixed around her grasp as recollections overflowed back. Sneaked kisses behind the seats. Late-night concentrate on meetings that transformed into something else. The manner in which he'd taken a gander at her on prom night, similar to her, was his whole universe.
And afterward, the day everything came crashing down.
She constrained herself to turn away, just to get the attention of another recognizable face. Sophia Chen, her previous closest companion, was advancing towards Ethan. A similar Sophia who had been there to get the pieces when Ethan left. A similar Sophia who currently wore a precious stone ring that shone under the light fixtures - a wedding band from Ethan Blackwood himself.
Olivia felt a natural hurt in her chest. She shouldn't have come. What had she been thinking? That she could waltz maneuver into town following 10 years and request replies? that any change would occur?
"Liv? Is that you?"
The voice made her freeze. She turned slowly to face the source.
Jackson Hayes. Her secondary school sweetheart after Ethan. The protected decision. The person who had cherished her genuinely, in any event, when she couldn't completely adore him back.
She managed to force a smile, "Jack." It's been some time."
His blue eyes crinkled as he smiled, maneuvering her into a warm embrace. " Somewhere around nine years, eleven months, and fifteen days. In any case, who's counting?"
In spite of herself, Olivia giggled. The same Jack.
"What takes you back to Westbrook?" he asked, letting her out of the embrace yet keeping a hand on her arm. " Last I heard, you were vanquishing the design world in New York."
Before Olivia could reply, a disturbance close to the entry grabbed their eye. Now, Ethan Blackwood was tapping a microphone on stage.
"Lovely people," his voice blasted through the speakers, sending a compulsory shudder down Olivia's spine. " I appreciate everyone's presence tonight. As you most likely are aware, the Westbrook Establishment has forever been committed to rewarding this local area. Yet, this evening, I have a declaration that will take our main goal to a worldwide scale."
Olivia ended up drawing nearer to the stage, attracted by the attraction of Ethan's presence.
"We are sending off another drive," Ethan proceeded, his eyes clearing the group. " A program that will give state of the art innovation and training to oppressed networks all over the planet. Additionally, I am contributing one billion dollars from my personal wealth to the cause of launching this initiative."
Heaves and acclaim occupied the room. Olivia's psyche dashed. One billion bucks? What game was Ethan playing?
"Yet, that is not all," Ethan's voice slices through the commotion. " To guarantee the progress of this program, we want the best personalities in the business. Which is the reason I'm excited to declare our new Head of Worldwide Drives."
Olivia's chest tightened. She knew, with a sureness that unnerved her, what was coming straight away.
"If it's not too much trouble, go along with me in inviting back to Westbrook," Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, a test in their profundities, "Ms. Olivia Summers."
There were muddled murmurs and scattered applause as the room erupted. Her thoughts were racing as Olivia remained fixed to the spot. She hadn't gone after any job. She hadn't even addressed Ethan in 10 years. What in blazes was going on?
As though in a fantasy, she ended up moving towards the stage. Ethan stretched out a hand to help her up, his touch sending power through her veins.
"Welcome home, Liv," he murmured, for her ears as it were. " We have a great deal to examine."
Furthermore, very much like that, Olivia realized her painstakingly built life was going to collapse. Since notwithstanding everything, in spite of the aggravation and the long stretches of quietness, one investigate Ethan Blackwood's eyes told her that the fire between them had never really gone out.
The only thing it had been waiting for was the right time to explode.
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
"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.
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."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."