The will read by the lawyer makes Vienna's life a nightmare. She never imagined that she would marry Ray - a cousin who was allegedly the son of her father's murderer. She wanted to run away from the harsh reality, but when she saw her mother her guts shrank and she ended up accepting the reality in front of her eyes. The girl vowed to avenge her father's death even at the expense of herself. Vienna's plan is certainly not easy considering that her cousin is also tough and has always been cold and cruel to her. Moreover, the man also has the support of a lover who is a partner of their family company. Who would have thought that love never chooses who it falls on. Vienna realizes that inside the hatred and resentment she nurtures, there are beautiful feelings for the man who has the title of her husband now. What will Vienna do this time? Will she continue her grudge or give up on Ray in the name of love?
The burial ground was still wet. Even the mourners were still at the funeral home. Still, the presence of a lawyer made the family members inevitably gather, including Vienna who left the crowd with hasty steps.
The girl walked half-run towards the living room. The place where the whole family was waiting for her. Her tanned eyes were fixed on her aunt's family who was only accompanied by her son. While the uncle who was the family's archenemy was not there. He obviously felt suspicious.
"One moment. Where did Uncle Zafar go?" interrupted Vienna before deciding to sit beside her mother.
Mrs. Farah bit her lower lip as she shook her head slowly. "Your uncle is out of town on an assignment, Win. He'll probably be back here the day after tomorrow. I'm sorry, son. There's something that can't be avoided."
"It's not because you're afraid that the contents of the will won't match your wishes, is it?" she asked.
"Vienna, watch your language!" snapped her mother, who immediately put a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Okay. Since everyone who is expected is already here, I, as the lawyer for the Bisma Kesuma family, will read out the will mandated by the deceased," the lawyer started his sentence. "Since Mr. Adi Kesuma, who is his son, has passed away as well, the remaining family is Mrs. Farah, his daughter," he continued.
Vienna's family and her aunt were still silent while listening to point-by-point about the division of her grandfather's family inheritance from her father's side. Until arriving at the very end, the middle-aged man who read the contents of the letter was silent for a moment.
"The distribution of shares worth 50 percent above will occur if ...," The speech was paused for a moment because the lawyer glanced at Mrs. Farah as the last family member left behind. " ..., one of the daughters of the late Mr. Adi marries Mr. Ray, who is Mrs. Farah's son," the lawyer continued.
Suddenly, everyone listening to the story was shocked. No wonder the arrival of Vienna, Ray, and their respective mothers was highly anticipated. It turned out to have something to do with them.
"Wait a minute, sir. Why do you have to read the will now? Why not after Grandpa dies?" protested Vienna with a sharp look in her eyes.
"Yes, sir," Ray replied a few seconds later.
"I'm sorry, this has been decided long ago. Your late Papa and Mrs. Farah also knew about the contents of the letter."
"What?" said Vienna and Ray simultaneously.
Within seconds, both of them glanced at Mrs. Farah, the living witness to the making of the will.
"Why did you and Uncle Adi agree, Mom?" asked Ray, already out of breath.
"I'm sorry, son. This is all your grandfather's decision. We love you so much that we couldn't refuse," Mrs. Farah replied, trying to calm her son down.
"So why is our family involved? Didn't you ever think about Rani's feelings?"
"Rani? Why does it have to be with Rani?" interrupted the lawyer with an astonished look on his face.
Mrs. Farah looked at Vienna with a surprised look. The next second she signaled Mrs. Arista Vienna's mother to give an explanation. Meanwhile, Wina who saw the scene looked at them in turn with a question mark on her head.
"There's no way Ray is marrying your sister Rani, Win. She's still in middle school. Even your father never said that," said her mother.
"You know that too, don't you? So why didn't I just set you up with Septi?" protested Vienna.
"It's not them, it's ... you."
No. That wasn't the answer Vienna wanted to hear. She swore that she still had a lot of dreams that certainly wouldn't be realized anytime soon. Her gaze now glanced at Ray who was still frozen in place.
"Me? Married to him?" she pointed at Ray with a sharp glance and a lopsided smile.
"Hey, arrogant girl. I wouldn't want to have a wife like you either. Not my type at all," Ray retorted, no less arrogant than the girl.
The two of them were at each other's throats with no one willing to budge. It left both their mothers and the lawyer shaking their heads. Meanwhile, the rest of the family excused themselves to greet the mourners who had returned to fill the front room. Leaving the chaotic situation behind.
"You can't do that, Mom. It's better to set him up with Rani. They're only ten years apart in age. Just like Mama and Papa when they got married."
"Your late Papa already made a decision. You were the one chosen to marry Ray," her mother explained.
"Why do I have to be the one who gets pounded? Is it because I often don't obey Papa and Mama's words?" asked Vienna with overwhelming emotion.
The lawyer who was there immediately got up from his seat. He excused himself because he felt he had done his job.
"I suggest the wedding take place immediately, madam," he told Madam Farah and Madam Arista. "In two weeks there will be an inaugural meeting of the elected directors following Mr. Adi's death. So before that happens, Mr. Ray should be able to lead the company after marrying Miss Vienna."
"I-yeah, sir. Thank you," Mrs. Arista said.
"You're welcome, ma'am. Excuse me."
Now it was just the four of them who began to look at each other in an awkward situation. Vienna was still adamant about her stance. The same was true for Ray. There was no agreement between them.
"Come on, kiddo. You have to help our family company. Don't let everything go to foreigners. We'll be the losers," Mrs. Arista said to Vienna.
"Yes, Ray. Your major is also in line with the company. Economic management. I'm sure you can do it," coaxed Mrs. Farah.
Both of them were still staring at each other indifferently. It had never occurred to Vienna that she would marry her own cousin. In 23 years of living in the world, she had never once reconciled with Fidell Ray Gautama. She was obviously in shock after hearing this strange decision.
"Mom, I'm going back home. I'm tired," Ray said, getting up from his seat.
"You can't do that, Ray. You have to say yes before you can disperse," snapped the mummy.
Vienna grunted in annoyance and searched for information on her phone screen. Her brain started surfing for ways to reject her strange arranged marriage. Until her eyes lit up when she found an article about inbreeding and the like.
Shortly after downloading the file, she showed it to her mother and aunt. Hoping her efforts would pay off.
"Have you seen it?" she said later. "We still have many ways to save the company. Ray can still lead the company without being married to me. After all, the proceeds can be shared equally."
The two middle-aged women turned to each other with bitter smiles. It made Vienna feel like there was something to hide. Meanwhile, Ray just stood there as if he knew what they were going to say.
"What do you think? Do you still love me and Ray? It's clearly written that marriages with cousins can give birth to offspring with abnormalities. Even though the incidence is small, it's still not good, right?" said Vienna.
Her mom shook her head slowly with a smile. "If that's the reason you don't have to worry, Win."
"Yes," agreed her aunt.
"Wait. What's that supposed to mean?" asked Vienna with her breath catching.
"Aziz? The stern man I've heard about from the neighbors' gossip? A 38-year-old widower with two teenage kids? Oh, it doesn't make any sense if it's really him." Alena couldn't wrap her head around her mother's order just now. She hoped it was just a dream, but unfortunately, it was about to become a reality soon. How could her peaceful life as a college student suddenly turn 180 degrees into a forced marriage with a widower?
"When are you coming home, baby?" "Do I have to answer that question?" If I could choose my destiny, I'd like to live a simple life as long as I could see my husband every day. However, regrets always come too late. Mas Ares will never be able to come home because...
The first marriage ended because the husband could not provide mental support. The second household was also forced to run aground due to a gambling case. Even after the third time as a wife, Namira could not feel happy. Moreover, the sad memories of that first night made her traumatized to reopen herself. So, how will she live her life again?
Amanda's return to the country was greeted by sad news. She lost her beloved sister. The grave was still wet, but her papa urged her to get married. Not with the man she loved. However, with a widower who was none other than her late sister's husband. She wanted to ask for his blessing to marry her lover, but the situation made things complicated. Amanda never expected to be presented with such a surprising request. Marry a former brother-in-law and become a birth mother to a month-old baby girl? It was both ridiculous and sad considering their ages. But how could she refuse? "Everywhere there is a sugar baby or sugar daddy, while I'm a sugar mommy. Radit is too young to be my husband. This is crazy!"
"I'm willing to be a daddy to your son, but don't ever expect me to treat you like a wife." To realize her son's dream of having a daddy, Lily is willing to enter into a contract marriage with Keenan, who also happens to be desperate to find a wife to inherit his family's company. An agreement was made where the relationship between the two would appear harmonious only in front of the child. However, they cannot resist the fate that has fostered unusual feelings. Unfortunately, the appearance of a past figure is also inevitable. Making it hard for both of them to go further. Will Lily and Keenan stay together? Or will each of them choose to give up when there is no more reason to survive?
After being diagnosed by a doctor that she got MRKH syndrome, the content of which is not getting pregnant and bearing a baby, Serena Queen Adhisty is going to be frustrated. She decided to go away from Barra, her boyfriend. And eleven years later destiny made Serena and Barra meet in the same company. She was shocked and did not know that her ex-boyfriend was the general manager there. Serena wants to move from the company. Unfortunately, she is trapped by Barra.
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
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."
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?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!