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"Fuck it, Amery, I can't let him touch you, you know that. The thought of you with my brother pisses me the fuck off!" His eyes blazed with lust, his voice low and urgent. "What will you do then?" I smirked and enjoyed seeing his outburst. "I will stop this wedding from holding, I'll do anything to have you in my bed again" _____________________________________ Amery Everson's world was shattered when her father passed away, and her estranged mother returned, taking everything Amery held dear. With no choice but to save her family's property, the only thing her father had left for her. Amery was forced by her mother to agree to an arranged marriage with a stranger. The day she lost everything, she met a mysterious man who she ended up having a passionate night with, but it only left her longing for more. Little did she know, her wedding was about to bring them together again - but as brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Torn between duty and desire, Amery must decide: resist the attraction or give in to her heart's desire. Read on to find out...
Amery's POV
My eyes blazed with anger as I watched my mother shed fake tears as she said her eulogy during my father's funeral.
I tried to shut out her words, but they pierced through my soul like a dagger. I wished I could lash out at her, and make her feel the pain she had caused us.
"..If I'm feeling this sad, God knows how much pain our daughter will be in. After all, you raised her while I went away to get a better life for us.."
Oh God, this bitch!
I had to leave before I did something crazy. As I stormed out of the church, I could feel the eyes of the congregation on me, their whispers and gasps following me like a shadow. I didn't care. I had to get out of there, away from my mother's hypocrisy and lies.
As I opened the entrance door of my father's house, I couldn't help but break into tears. Everything reminded me of him: the way the house smells, every single thing has his memory still in it.
I walked into his small winery at the corner of the house, this was where he spent most of his time when he got back from work.
My father loved wine so much that he used to own a vineyard where he met Mom, who was a wine distributor.
Unfortunately, when they got married, his company went bankrupt and my Dad was forced to stop. But he still kept his best collection of wine.
I grabbed his favorite off the rack, opened it, and grabbed a glass cup. I poured it in, and took a sip, taking my time to savor the taste. It smelled and tasted so good, now I know why this was his favorite.
Just then, I heard the front door open. I stood up to check hoping it was my boyfriend, Atlas. I didn't see him at church, and he had promised to come.
Instead, I saw my mother looking so elegant, she was clad in a black dress that stopped two inches below her knee. Her blonde hair was curled and styled elegantly. I didn't miss those diamond necklaces and rings and the heavy makeup she had on.
My mother was no doubt beautiful, and she still looked so young even though she'd clock fifty years in a bit.
"What are you doing here?" I snarled.
How dare she come here? When she arrived, she had gone to a fancy hotel to sleep in. Now she had the audacity to come into my home.
"Amery, what is wrong with you? Why did you leave the church like that?"
My anger boiled over. "You know exactly why, Mother! You're such a hypocrite! You didn't even care when Dad was sick and now you're pretending to grieve? How can you be so disgusting!"
"Pretending? He was my husband and you are my daughter!"
"No, I stopped being your daughter when you left, when you said we were a stumbling block to your career. Congratulations, you made it, together with your billionaire sugar daddy and your stupid daughter," I spat.
Her expression turned cold, the next thing I saw was her hand flashing out to strike me. I felt the sting of her slap on my cheeks, but I didn't back down.
"How dare you speak to me like that? Didn't your father teach you good manners?" she yelled.
As she mentioned my father, I flared up, unable to control my anger. I grabbed her hair, pulling her towards me as I spat out my anger.
"You dare mention my father, you bitch!"I growled, my body shaking with rage.
"Jesus! What are you doing?"
Jane, my step-sister, who has a striking resemblance with my mother, ran towards us and tried to get her mother away.
I released my grip on her as Jane pushed me causing me to lose my balance as I fell on the floor.
"Gosh, you're such a bitch. I would have beaten you up, but you're already miserable enough for today. If you cross my path tomorrow, I'll tear you apart! Hear me?" Jane threatened.
"Let's go, Mom." She grabbed her mom's hand and helped her up.
"Get your things ready, you are moving back with us to California. I can't have people call me a bad mother for leaving my daughter on the street. Even though, you're not worth the stress"
I scoffed. "I'd rather die than follow you anywhere "
As they left, I collapsed to the floor, my tears finally finding their release.
"Dad!" I wailed, hoping that he would appear and that this was all just a cruel joke.
This is my reality now, I admit.
The woman who just left is Christina Luther, a woman I detest so much.
I left my house to find my boyfriend, I was starting to get worried. Atlas wouldn't have left me alone on this day if something didn't happen to him.
I knocked on his door, and his mother was the one who opened it.
Instead of a warm smile, she'd always welcome me every time I visited. She was glaring at me. I expected her to give me a hug and offer me her condolences. Instead, she turned and left, closing the door on my face.
What?
I stood still in shock. What's happening?
Just then, the door opened and Atlas appeared. I sighed in relief and opened my mouth to speak, but a gasp came out instead as he grabbed my wrist, pulling me away from his house.
"What the hell is going on with you and your mom. What's this about?".
"Leave now!" He said looking down at his feet.
What?
"Why are you avoiding my gaze, look at me. I was expecting you at the burial but..."
"Let's break up. I can't do this again!" he dropped the bombshell.
I stood there in shock, my mouth hung open.
"Atlas.."
"Your Mom came here last night. And you know your mom and mine despise each other"
"Yeah, but what has this got to do with us?"
"She offered me money to stay away from you Amery, two million dollars. How dare she?"
"And..? Did you collect it?"
"What? Why would you even think that? Your Mom disrespected us, offering us money like we were some paupers"
"You know how my mom is, she's a bitch. You know I never liked her "
"She's your mom, and my Mom is my Mom. I have to listen to her"
"Babe.."
"I think you should follow your Mom's wishes as well. She's your cross, carry it and don't involve others," he said and walked away, leaving me in a frozen state.
I stood still in a daze. Pondering on our conversation again.
What just happened?
Three years of relationship is gone? Just like that.
I started walking, and to be honest, I was exhausted emotionally. To think I'll find solace here with my boyfriend, but I just got the shock of my life. I didn't know when I reached my workplace. Mrs Meyers, my boss, saw me as I entered the cafe.
"Amery, what are you doing here? You're supposed to take the day off sweetheart"
"I'm sorry, I just don't want to be alone at home. Do you mind if I stay here for some time?"
"No problem, take your time, dear." She pulled me into a quick hug and went on with her business.
"Amery!" I heard a familiar voice and my eyes widened as I saw my best friend enter the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?" Joey asked.
"I should be asking you" I glared at her.
Joey had told me she wouldn't be attending my Dad's burial because her aunt got sick, and she had to travel home to take care of her.
"I can explain.." she blinked at me.
"Then start!" I was starting to raise my voice.
Why is everyone doing this to me today?
"I'm sorry, I really wanted to come 'cause I knew you'd need me. But your mom came and offered me.."
That woman again. I should have known.
"And you chose the money over me?"
"I'm sorry, but that money will change my life. My aunt is really sick. I have to take care of her" she tried to defend.
"Good for you," I said and grabbed my bag from the counter.
"I think you should just listen to her and follow her back. It doesn't look like she'll stop tormenting you anytime soon and you know what's at stake if she digs deeper," she said, giving me a knowing look.
"I can't believe you have the nerve to say that to me right now. When you're helping her" I huffed angrily.
"I'm sorry Amery, I'm not planning to stop being friends with you. I promise we'll still be friends"
"If your friendship is what I'll need to be alive, I'd rather die. Goodbye, Joey," I said to her and stormed out.
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
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."
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
⚠️ 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?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
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."