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Olivia thought her life was going to be perfect after she was adopted at a legal age by the Brookes couple, who were well-known businessmen in New York. She later found out that the reason for her adoption was only for a marriage agreement because the Brookes couple only had a male child and needed a female child to fulfil their end of the bargain. Things got worse for Olivia when she realized her fiance, Kellan hated her to the core and had another woman in his life, and she had no choice but to go through with the marriage. Will Olivia be able to survive all the troubles she would go through in the hands of Kellan and his girlfriend who would do anything to get rid of her?
"You are called in the matron's office," Jane, one of the new intakes at the orphanage said to me."Do you know the reason why you were called?
I shrugged in response
"Are you not curious??" she asked again.
Smiling at the short but lovely girl in front of me I asked her, "Why should I be curious?"
Rolling her eyes, she said, "You are the least curious person I have ever known,"
Glancing and smiling at the girl as she dangles on the chair. My phone buzzed again with a text, it was a request to come to the matron's office as well.
Packing my books together, I waved to Mr Bars, our library attendant.
The stroll across the orphanage library to the matron's office only took me a few minutes. When I arrived, the secretary had told me to wait a moment.
I looked at some of the art paintings the children had made on the orphanage walls while waiting and smiled; they were talented. 'pft..unlike you, right?' my subconscious said to me.
The door to the matron's office opened, and the cool and always collected Victoria Wyatt presented herself. A beautiful yet bold woman, at the age of fifty-something years, she still had a lovely figure and warm eyes.
She remains unchanged just like she had been when I was brought to the orphanage fifteen years ago.
"Livia, how are you today?" she asked me.
"I'm good, Mrs Vicky," I replied to her with the same energy.
She had always preferred the nickname.
Adjusting her eyeglasses she continued, "I want you to meet Mr John Brooke and Mrs Eva Brooke. They own the famous Queens construction company."
I stopped in my tracks noticing for the first time that there had been more than two people in the office. I looked over at two people sitting across the matron in shock.
Queens Construction is one of the largest construction companies in London, and they only work on high-end projects from construction to designing buildings.
They had branches in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles as well as African countries.
Indeed it was John!!.
Skipping the woman emitting warm and motherly vibes I lunged for the man, clinging unto him and damping his clothes with my tears.
Oh God! it's too hard to control my emotions... The tears were coming in waves. I noticed the woman had also joined the hug. the matron must have noticed the look of surprise on my face.
"Well, I think this is an emotional moment," Mrs Vicky flustered, adjusting her glasses once again, she continued, "Livia, Mr Brooke here has been sponsoring your education for the past three years."
The Brooke's are very generous. They are the main reason we can keep our doors open for more children. They have been the orphanage's biggest sponsor and supporters.
"He wanted to keep it anonymous from you which is why we didn't tell you about him before now."
Shocked and blanked is what can describe my feelings at the moment.
"The Brookes became our sponsor ten years ago, but now it is a family affair; their son also helps with raising our annual fundraiser."
I couldn't make out all that Mrs Vicky was saying, and all I could mutter was, "Huh...yes...oh."
"The Brooke's are here to adopt you legally now that you are of legal age."
Then, at that moment, I knew I did not want to live in the past anymore..what more hurt would it do?
Everyone at the orphanage knows it is very uncommon to be adopted at eighteen; yes, at legal age, it's indeed not.
Most of us get to attend college through scholarships or sponsorship.
Looking at the signed legal papers in front of me with bold letters of my new name, OLIVIA BROOKE, I knew it was either the warm woman looking at me with glassy yet exciting eyes or John, whom I had never felt safe with, even if it was for a short moment that made me did it.
I looked across the table at my new parents, and I felt unexplainable emotions overwhelming me.
Not knowing how to start any conversation with the woman yet. Would it be ok to call her my mother now?
I cleared my throat..and coughed. "Hmm, Mrs Brooke?"
She replied, "Don't you think Mrs Brooke sounds too old for me darling? I don't want my mother-in-law's name." She chuckled. "Call me mom okay?" She held my hand. giving it a gentle and loving squeeze.
She looked like a mother hen.. lifting my eyes back at her I smiled.
"Hmm...do you want to adopt me?" I asked again, rubbing my ears, a habit of mine when I'm nervous.
Silence descended after asking her the question without saying anything; she stood up and rounded the seat to where I was and sat beside me.
"Olivia, I would do anything to have a smart girl like you as my daughter...and now you are not only a Brooke by name, you have an amazing father too as well as an elder brother who would always protect you," she started.
"John had told me to keep things simple so as not to overwhelm you, and I can say I am very proud of you, and of course, you are a beauty just like me, your mother."
That was the confirmation I needed before I signed my name on the papers and left with them.
I stepped out of the car with my new parents at the restaurant I was told we would be dining at. Looking at the exterior design of the restaurant there is no doubt it is one of the Queens' investments.
Dressed in a sky blue free gown that had a cowl neck revealing one shoulder and pink peep toe heels that accented my legs and my hair had been done in soft waves that fell on my shoulders. The look created an image of youth and innocence, making me look soft, classic, and pampered.
I knew I needed all the confidence I could get, dining in a restaurant filled with billionaires and first-class citizens of the country, and dining with one as a family.
"Your mother has pictures of you throughout the house," John said, looking at Eva as she settled down beside him in the booth.
"Oh stop it John..are you exposing me now?" she replied teasingly
"Livia, I can tell you that none of these pictures did Justice to your beauty. Your Grandmother also said we look alike." She grinned from ear to ear.
"Really?" I said, amazed at the piece of information. Is that even possible? I muttered slowly.
"Livia, I think we should go shopping tomorrow, do you have anything in mind? Just tell me whatever you want, mommy will get it for you."
"Huh..i...hmmm," I stuttered not knowing what to say
"Eva, take it easy with the girl," John replied, taking a sip of the champagne in the glass cup. I didn't even remember when the waitress had come back with our orders.
Taking a sip of the cold chilled drink, I know not its name myself ...I looked around the restaurant and noticed for the first time that we were in one of the private booths of the restaurant.
Sitting here together with people to call my parents still feels surreal.
But then, nothing could go wrong this time right??
Lorena Calvino Alessandro Moravia was the devil and I've caught his eye.i was supposed to marry his son Alessandro Moravia She has no business in my world,I have too many enemies.The Moravia crime family had status,power and wealth,she was the only thing I wanted.
In a union of benefit,Ronald Hoffman weds Emily Adair to secure his family's inheritance but under the guise of their arranged marriage , Ronald and Emily harboured secrects His hidden past and she, an unyielding taste for power. As they tackle the treacherous terrain of family opposition and their own desires, they must face the darkness of their own motivation . Will their marriage of benefit become alove match?
22 years old Zara Klein was forced to marry, and produce an heir for 41-year-old Kai Adler, who has three months left to live; to save her father's company from bankruptcy. She had to keep up with Kai's inhumane treatment, got pregnant with his child and quietly anticipated his death. But their lives took a drastic turn when Kai miraculously got cured of his illness.
"Do you Aria Carter Stephenson take Dave Micheal Mendez to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish in times of good health and bad health, rich and poor till death do you part?" My fingers tightened on my gown as I turned to the side, searching through the crowd. I locked eyes with my brother who had a blank expression. "Aria?" The priest called my attention. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to look at Dave. "No, I don't." Aria Stephenson is a small-town girl who got an opportunity to work as a fashion designer in a big clothing company with the hope of making a name for herself in the fashion industry. Dave Mendez is a playboy who was given the chance to take over his father's company which happens to be the same company Aria got employed in. Instead of trying to impress his father, Dave got distracted by a certain hazel-eyed girl. They ended up falling in love like every other love story but what happens when a buried secret comes out and breaks them apart?
What do you do when your sister's ex-boyfriend whom she dumped turns out to be a Spanish prince and chooses to marry to get revenge on her?
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."
⚠️ 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?
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
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!"
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.