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Clara Stones is a 23-year-old average lady who lived a normal life since childhood. However, she encountered a few tragic experiences such as her sister being murdered by someone, and her Father falling in and out of numerous sicknesses. Eventually, her life began to take a different turn when she encountered the sons of a billionaire, the Brutes. It was then she realized that the twists and turns of fate linked her up with someone she never imagined. Consequently, she would have to deal with bitterness and grief and work towards following her heart. Williams Brute, a 25-year-old businessman, the elder brother to Daniel Brute and the son of the billionaire business tycoon and Mafia boss; Albert Brute. As the son of a billionaire, he had a lot of leverage and saw it as a reason to follow his heart from the beginning. Unlike his brother, he never wanted to please his Father and tread in his path as he saw him as a crook. Submitting to the pressures of his parents to get married he went into a contracted marriage as the lady he wanted to marry was never approved by them. After a while of being married, he realizes he is gradually falling in love but discovers horribly that she is not in love with him. Rather, she was in love with his brother. Eventually, he would have to accept his fate and move on. After a strained relationship with his brother, he is reunited with him at his marriage, his contract marriage. Unfortunately, he falls in love and realizes that the lady is someone from his past who he had hurt deeply. He had to take the journey and pain of seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and restitution to hold on to his newfound love.
"Make sure you pack up the files when you're done for the day" Madam Mina said to me at the office "I'll be leaving to pick up my son from school and I won't be back to the office. Take care"
"Alright ma" I replied "I will do all the necessary things and send in memo's and meetings that will be scheduled for Monday".
"It's alright. I trust you" she said and walked out of the office. I sat back on my chair and continued working on my laptop.
I worked at a mini firm, M and M. It dealt with goods packaging and shipment. The firm was established ten years ago so it was still considered a small firm though it has been moving quite well.
I was working on filling an invoice to a logistics company for the delivering of goods to customers made the previous week. Since I was Madam Mina's secretary, I was directly responsible for most duties in the office. The rest were customer service representatives, dispatch riders and many more.
A rap on my desk brought me out of work mode, I raised up my head and smiled. It was Nick, my best friend and colleague.
"Hey Nick" I beamed and pushed up my glasses. "How you doing?"
"Hey Clara. How you doing?" he responded and mimicked me, I chuckled. "Really C, you're going to keep doing this?" he raised a brow at me.
"What? I'm working" I shot back.
"Yeahhhh" he stressed on the word, suspicion written all over his face. He rested his upper body on my desk, peering intently at my face. "Come on, cut it out C, Mina is not here anymore and she won't be back today. Cut yourself some slacks".
"So it's now Mina to you right? Wonderful" I shook my head and continued working on my laptop, He blocked my view and continued.
"Clara take a break. You don't have to keep pretending all the time" I hissed.
"If that's what it is to you, fine. But I have to get the shit done, you know today is Friday"
"Shit" He looked away and mumbled. I looked into his face surprised.
"What?! You forgot?"
"Chill" he scratched his head "So where are we going this time around?" He asked to ease the tension.
Friday was I and Nick's hangout to chill from the stress of the week. Most times we hung out alone and other times, with other friends and family.
"Well, this time around you have to bring a plus one because" I paused and stared at him, "I have a date with my boyfriend" I smiled sweetly.
He groaned "why does it have to be on our night?"
"I don't know why you don't like Ted, he's really a nice guy when you get to know him better" I explained.
"I'm not gay C. I'm not meant to like him, can't you see he is putting a separation between us?" he rolled his eyes in exasperation. "You know what? Have fun with your boyfriend, I won't tag along"
"Stop being a pussy Nicky boy. And stop saying he's separating us, hold up, are you in love with me?".
"Of course darling, I love you to the moon and never coming back, you know that already" he dramatized, not the reaction I was expecting though but I felt at ease.
"Then stop saying that"
"Why won't I? Before Ted is, Nick was. They should not be any form of asunder....." he continued blabbing on and on.
"Nick please! Let me concentrate. Come on, to your desk now. You also have work to do" I stood up from my sit and made an effort to push him away.
"Oh darling. I'm done with my work for the day, and now, I want to keep my sweet beautiful best friend, company" He replied holding on to me.
"It's almost closing time, please, let me concentrate and round up" I begged.
"So I am now a distraction?" he asked feigning being offended. I pouted and walked back to my desk, ignoring him.
"Hey come back here! I'm the one meant to do that!" he ran after me.
Nick and I were childhood friends. Our families did everything together, we were so inseparable. Though Nick's parents were well to do than my parents, he still decided to work at my workplace to uphold our best friend's mantra.
'Wherever you go, that's where I'll be'.
******
William's POV
"Will baby, you would be turning thirty by next year and no woman in your life, not even a crush. You know your dad, I have tried to hold him down for so long and I can't do that anymore" My mom's voice boomed, filling the office immediately she walked in.
"And I appreciate your help mother. But is this the urgent discussion you talked about?" I looked at her amused.
"Isn't it urgent enough?" she spat "Besides I am definitely not getting any younger. I need tiny feet all over my big lonely home" she gave me puppy's eyes.
I breathed in and out, completely blown out by the pressure mounted on me by my parents to get married. What's the freaking point of it by the way?
"Mom I have a woman you know that"
She laughed sarcastically "which one, Porsha? Oh please, you know how your Father sees her. I don't even like her"
"Why does everything have to go in Father's direction? I'm getting tired of it, can't I leave my own life?"
"I'm really sorry baby. Your father has done a lot for you, and what do you do in return? You defy him every single time. This is the only chance you have at pleasing him"
My mind was taken back to the past. I was always the bad sheep and I still am. My younger brother is the family's sweetheart, he always obeys and does whatever my commands.
My father had asked me to go for football in my high school, I chose tennis. He requested I go to Cambridge, I chose Harvard. He wanted me to be a medical doctor, I chose to be a businessman. I even ran away from home to achieve it.
That's not even the crime. I always brought out my father's dirty secret outside to whoever cared to listen. I made sure I soiled his name wherever we went. Name it, I did a lot of nasty things one could never imagine. I showed them the William who was calm and kind on the outside but on the inside was an evil strict man who never cared about his family.
Till now, my dad and I are not in talking terms, whatever he had to say to me, he related it through my mom. Wondered what my mother saw in him.
I was jolted out of the reverie by my mom calling my name.
"What are you thinking about son?" I love my mom so much and even wanted to save her from my father, but she never gave me a reason for her saving even when he abused and maltreated her.
"Uh, nothing. You were saying?" I said scratching the nape of my neck.
"Your Father gave you an ultimatum. He is giving you six months to bring a bride home or you forfeit your business" her face creased, worry lines etched on her face.
"What the?!
In the heart of the ancient and mystical Heartwood Forest, Lydia; a young woman burdened by a tragic past, discovers her extraordinary lineage as a werewolf with unique abilities. Haunted by the brutal murder of her family at the hands of the ruthless alpha Lucas, Lydia's quest for vengeance ignites a journey that will test her courage, loyalty, and heart. As Lydia joins forces with Ethan, a fierce and loyal wolf driven by a personal vendetta against Lucas, and Seraphina, a wise and enigmatic witch with deep ties to the forest's ancient magic, they form an unlikely alliance. Together, they seek to unite the scattered packs and stand against Lucas's oppressive rule. When a desperate plea from Clara, a survivor of Lucas's latest attack, reaches them, Lydia and her companions realize that time is running out. Lucas's dark ambitions threaten not only the werewolf community but also the very essence of the Heartwood Forest. The key to stopping him lies in the Heart of the Forest, an ancient relic of immense power guarded by spirits of the forest. Guided by a seer's prophecy, Lydia and her companions embark on a perilous journey to find the Heart before Lucas can harness its power. Along the way, they face treacherous challenges, forge powerful alliances, and uncover hidden strengths within themselves. As Lydia's bond with Ethan deepens into a passionate romance, they must navigate the complexities of love amidst the looming threat of war. In a climactic showdown, Lydia's newfound abilities and the strength of her allies are put to the ultimate test. With the fate of the forest and the werewolf packs hanging in the balance, Lydia must harness the Heart's power to confront Lucas and put an end to his reign of terror.
In the story "Bond by circumstance" Ella who was a free and independent woman ends up marrying Ben, a rich and influential boss of the mafia. Though they had arranged sexual relationship that form the basis of the novel, their form of his contract and her work based relationship is filled with conflict, mistrust and manipulation. Ella's experience is survival in the hands of Ben who is no less than an antagonist – a cold person with a hidden agenda of wielding power and control over the lives of people around him. But then the couple is faced with a stormy path full of such incidents as betrayal, a secret enemy, and sudden death which brings them together not only by the marriage contract but with feelings as well. The gentle stamina of Ella is slowly eroding the rigidity of Ben's character and by so the relations between them started to evolve. The characters are Ella and Ben who along with uncovering secrets end up facing their histories and having to reconsider their future. Nonetheless, every challenge makes them come closer and they start a new life as they anticipate the arrival of their firstborn child, and find solace in each other's embrace.
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
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."
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."
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
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.”