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"The only crime I ever committed wasn't murder, Robert. It was simply loving you. I don't think anyone has ever loved you the way I did. I loved you to the point I was willing to sacrifice myself for your happiness. But not anymore. I'm over all that shit now. Sooner or later, you'll regret what you've done, and you'll realize what a huge mistake you made. And by then, it might just be too late." Lily had once believed she could endure anything for love-even a loveless marriage. Bound by a contract to her high school crush-turned-husband, Robert, a cold and distant billionaire, she sacrificed her dreams, her desires, everything for his success. But when she became pregnant-a violation of their marriage agreement-her world shattered. Betrayed by Robert, who chose his ex-lover over her and accused her of a crime she didn't commit, Lily was sentenced to years in prison, losing everything, including her freedom and even giving birth while in prison. After escaping her past, Lily fought to rebuild her life, creating a future for her children far away from Robert's shadow. Just when she thought she had found happiness, Robert reappears, desperate for a second chance. Now, Lily faces an agonizing choice: forgive the man who broke her heart to a thousand pieces or protect the new life she's worked so hard to build without him. Will love be enough to heal the wounds of the past, or will her scars run too deep to ever truly heal?
***The chapters of the book are written from the Lily's point of view except stated otherwise***
CHAPTER 1
"Congratulations Mrs. Wilson," the nurse said with a soft smile. "The test came out positive, you're a month pregnant."
I felt a cold wave of shock wash over me as though someone poured a bucketful of ice water on me. My heart jolted painfully in my chest and my lips parted involuntarily as the memories that led to this unexpected event came rushing back at me like a violent wind.
Robert, my childhood crush and husband who I was in a contract marriage returned that night drunk and overjoyed, the reason being the advertising company landed a huge advertising deal with one of the biggest luxury establishments in the city.
I knew he was drunk. I knew he wasn't in control of his actions. I shouldn't have let that night happen. But I have loved him dearly for a very long time and was unable to resist him. I was willing to do anything for his satisfaction and happiness.
For a long time, I have craved to have such intimate moments with him. Since we got married two and half years ago, that was the most intimate he's been with me, so I lost myself in that thought. Lost myself in the heat of the passionate moment, both of us forgetting to use protection.
"Here," the nurse said, handing me the test reports.
I swallowed a lump that formed at the back of my throat, my hands trembling as I reluctantly collected it, still struggling to believe it to be true.
"Are....are you sure this is correct?" I tried to confirm as I said to the nurse awkwardly, unable to keep myself from stuttering. "Perhaps there was a mistake somewhere....maybe the test wasn't properly conducted?..."
A single night of mistaken passion couldn't have led to something as life-changing as pregnancy. It was just a quick one-time something. Perhaps this was another woman's pregnancy report mistaken as mine. But my name, Lily Wilson boldly inscribed on it as I took a quick peep at it betrayed that little hope.
"Yes," the nurse said, nodding firmly. "The pregnancy test was properly conducted. Every health worker here is a professional. We do not joke with something as serious as this."
On hearing that, the remaining pieces of my heart dropped in my stomach. The day started as any other, but now everything has changed. This pregnancy will change everything.
"Good luck on your pregnancy Mrs. Wilson," the nurse said, holding my shoulder and giving me a small smile. "You are in a delicate state now. Don't overwork yourself and make sure to be coming regularly for your prenatal checkups."
She said before leaving me to roast in the flame of misery and despair she ignited.
Jane, my best friend since childhood who had come with me to the hospital for the checkup burst into the room and took the reports from me.
Going through the contents, she gasped as she looked at me, her eyes widening and sparkling with excitement. "Oh my God, Lily! This is wonderful news! A baby! It's just what you and Robert need. A new beginning! I'm so happy for you!!"
Jane's smiles reached her ears. Her joy was infectious but I couldn't bring myself to share in it.
I managed a smile, stiff and unnatural. My mind was elsewhere, grappling with the harsh reality of this situation. My marriage to Robert wasn't built on love; it was a contract, a cold, formal agreement with clear and strict terms. One of which explicitly forbids children.
As Jane continued to gush about baby names and nursery decorations as we stepped out into the hallway of the hospital, my mind drifted to the harsh cold words of the contract the day I signed it "NO BABIES NO MATTER WHAT."
Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes but I quickly blinked them away, forcing myself to keep smiling as I maintained a happy demeanour. This wouldn't have happened if Robert hadn't returned home drunk that night. Now I'll have to pay the price for it.
I couldn't let Jane see me in such a miserable state. She'll raise a brow and feel bad because she was caring and always shared in my emotions. She didn't know my marriage to Robert was based on a contract. I never told her. And I didn't plan to anytime soon.
She kept assuring me that this pregnancy would bring an end to my unhappy marriage and make Robert finally love me as I deserve. Little did she know this pregnancy would produce the opposite effect. Little did she know it would be the bane of my existence.
I was breaching the contract agreement with this pregnancy and if Robert finds out, I will have to suffer severely for it. I must not tell him. He must not find out. I will keep it from him for as long as I can no matter what I have to do.
Halfway through the hallway, we unexpectedly ran into Robert. I was shocked to see him with another woman who was in a hospital gown as if also going for a medical check-up.
A broken Omega. A powerful Alpha King. A dangerous obsession. Brianna, a beautiful and fragile Omega, is betrayed by the man she trusted and sold at a cruel slave auction. Bought by Sebastian, the Alpha King, she's thrust into a life of fear, pain, and confusion. At first, he treats her kindly, but his obsession turns dark when she tries to escape, leaving her trapped in a nightmare. As enemies close in and secrets unravel, Brianna struggles to survive in a world where trust is dangerous and love feels impossible. But even in her darkest moments, sparks of hope and forbidden feelings fly. Can she escape her past and find freedom, or will her heart give in to the man who both saved and destroyed her? Warning: Contains mature and dark contents!
What happens when a hook-up gets complicated by a baby? Can she hide the secret from him? Or will he show her how possessive he can be when he learns she's carrying his child? "Seven years ago, I had a one-night stand with my brother's best friend, who also happened to be my lifelong crush. The next day, he vanished leaving me pregnant. Now, I am a single mom raising our son in the same small town. Recently, he returned to attend my brother's wedding and the truth about our son was finally revealed. As he reclaims his place in our lives, the sparks between us reignite. However, danger from his past threatens to shatter our newfound connection. I am torn between my love for him and my fear of getting hurt again, especially now that I have two hearts to protect - our son's and my own."
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
We've been married for three years, but I've never truly had his love. When his childhood sweetheart returned, just as promised, all I was met with were the cold, glaring divorce papers. "If I were carrying our child, would you still choose to divorce?" I asked, holding onto the faintest glimmer of hope, making one last desperate plea. His response, as expected, was just as cold as ever. "Yes." I closed my eyes, choking back tears, and finally chose to let go-to honor his decision. Years later, my heart had turned to ash. Lying in a hospital bed, I trembled as I signed the divorce papers. "Alexander, from this moment on, we owe each other nothing..." What I never saw coming was the ruthless, decisive CEO kneeling at my bedside, his voice hoarse, almost broken, as he pleaded, "Vivienne, don't divorce me... please."
Traversing back to the ancient Prime Martial World from modern age, Austin finds himself in a younger body as he wakes up. Yet, the young man he possesses was a miserable dimwit, what a bummer! But it doesn’t matter as his mind is sound and clear. Possessing this younger and stronger body, he will fight his way to become the God of martial arts, and rule the whole Martial World!
Lucien Gray, the young and powerful head of an international consortium, has always had everything within his reach-wealth, influence, and any woman he desires. But when the unassuming Nina Morrison crosses his path, something unexpected happens. She doesn't fall at his feet, nor does she seem impressed by his status. Her indifference sparks an irresistible challenge in Lucien-a desire to conquer her at all costs. Determined to make Nina his, Lucien's pursuit becomes relentless. But Nina's fiery spirit and refusal to be controlled push Lucien to his limits. With every struggle and defiance, the tension between them grows, threatening to shatter the boundaries Lucien has always maintained. Now Lucien vows to claim her as his own. Will Lucien's obsession break Nina's spirit, or will she force him to confront his deepest vulnerabilities? In a game of power and desire, who will win-and at what cost?
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.