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Trapped in a loveless marriage, Isabella Cruz thought she could survive Alejandro Santiago's cold indifference. But when he hands her divorce papers and tells her his first love is returning, her heart shatters. Pregnant with his child and unwilling to beg for love, Isabella walks away, determined to never look back. Two years later, Isabella has transformed into a powerful and breathtaking heiress, catching the eye of every eligible bachelor at a prestigious gala. When Alejandro spots her across the room, he's floored by the woman she's become and devastated by the realization that he never truly knew her. But as secrets unravel and passions ignite, Alejandro must fight not only to win Isabella back, but also to claim the family he never knew he had. Can Isabella trust the man who once broke her heart, or will she choose a future without him? In a world of power, wealth, and betrayal, love might be the ultimate risk.
The grand chandelier cast a warm, soft glow across the sprawling living room of the Santiago penthouse. Every piece of furniture had been chosen with a meticulous eye, from the marble floors that gleamed beneath Isabella's feet to the plush, custom-made Italian sofas arranged in perfect symmetry. To anyone else, it would have felt like a dream, the pinnacle of luxury, but tonight, the opulence suffocated her.
Isabella sat on the edge of the velvet armchair, her spine straight, hands folded tightly in her lap. She didn't dare look up at the man pacing in front of her, his footsteps heavy with frustration. Alejandro Santiago-the man she had loved, married, and spent the last three years trying to please-was in a rare state of unrest.
"I can't keep doing this, Isabella," Alejandro finally said, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. He stopped in front of her, towering over her with an intensity that sent a chill through her. "This charade... this marriage."
Her heart clenched, but she didn't let the pain show on her face. She had grown used to his coldness over the years, though it never stopped hurting. Every day she told herself that maybe, just maybe, today he'd see her for who she really was. That he'd see her love, her dedication. That he'd love her back.
But today wasn't that day.
Isabella lifted her eyes, meeting his dark, stormy gaze. "What are you saying, Alex?"
He flinched at the name-'Alex'-as if it stung to hear her say it. It wasn't the formal 'Alejandro' he preferred, the name everyone else used in his world of high-powered business deals and boardrooms. No, 'Alex' was a name meant for a different kind of intimacy, one they had never truly shared.
"I'm saying," he bit out, his jaw tightening, "that this needs to end. Our marriage. Us."
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Isabella felt the ground beneath her shift, as though everything she had been standing on, every piece of hope, was crumbling beneath her.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "Is this because of Vicky?"
Alejandro's eyes flickered for a split second-a hint of something, perhaps guilt, perhaps regret-but it was gone as quickly as it came. His face hardened once more.
"This has nothing to do with her," he lied, his tone devoid of any emotion. "This marriage was a mistake from the beginning. You know that. It was just... it was just for my grandfather's sake."
Isabella's throat tightened. She had heard this line before, the same excuse that had been used to justify everything between them. Their marriage had never been about love-at least not for him. It had been a contract, a duty to his family, to his grandfather's dying wish. But for her, it had always been real.
"And what about us?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What about the last three years?"
Alejandro's gaze was cold, unyielding. "There is no 'us,' Isabella. There never was."
She flinched, his words like a physical blow, and her hands clenched tightly in her lap. How could he stand there, so composed, so distant, when her entire world was shattering at his feet?
"You're wrong," she said softly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm. "I loved you, Alex. I've always loved you."
His expression remained impassive, as though her confession meant nothing to him. As though her love was a burden he couldn't wait to discard.
"Love isn't enough," he said flatly. "I need more than this. I need someone who understands me, someone who can stand by me in the way I need."
Isabella's heart twisted painfully. "You mean someone like Vicky."
Alejandro didn't deny it this time. He simply looked away, his jaw tightening again. "Vicky is coming back," he admitted. "We have a history, something deeper than... whatever this was."
There it was. The truth, laid bare. Vicky Soriano-the woman who had left Alejandro years ago, chasing her career in Paris, had always been the ghost in their marriage. No matter how much Isabella tried to convince herself that Vicky was in the past, she had always known that she was living in another woman's shadow.
"And what about me?" Isabella asked, her voice breaking. "What about us?"
"There is no us," he repeated, his tone final. "This was always temporary, Isabella. We knew that from the beginning."
A lump formed in her throat as she stared at him. How could he be so cold, so detached, after everything they had shared? Didn't he see how hard she had tried to make this work, to be the wife he needed, the partner he never asked for but had?
"I'm filing for divorce," Alejandro said, his voice slicing through her thoughts. "I've already spoken to my lawyer. You'll get everything you need. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
The words were supposed to be comforting, but they felt like a death sentence. He was dismissing her, casting her aside like a business transaction that had run its course.
"I don't want your money," Isabella said bitterly. "I never wanted your money."
Alejandro's eyes darkened, and for a moment, something flickered in his gaze-doubt, hesitation, regret. But it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared.
"That's not what it looked like," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Isabella stood, her hands shaking as she faced him. "You really think I married you for your money? After everything?"
He didn't answer, but the silence spoke volumes.
Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not here, not in front of him. Not when he was so willing to believe the worst of her.
"I never wanted your money," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I wanted you. But clearly, that wasn't enough."
Alejandro's jaw clenched, and for the first time, he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "This is for the best, Isabella."
"For who?" she demanded. "For you?"
"For both of us," he said quietly, his voice barely audible.
Isabella took a step back, her heart breaking with each word. She had tried so hard, given so much, and in the end, it had all been for nothing. He didn't love her. He never had.
"I'll sign the papers," she said finally, her voice hollow. "But know this, Alejandro-one day, you'll realize what you've lost."
She turned and walked away before he could respond, before he could see the tears that finally spilled down her cheeks. The world outside the penthouse was a blur of city lights and noise, but Isabella felt nothing as she stepped into the elevator, her body numb with pain.
As the elevator doors closed, she placed a hand on her stomach, the weight of her secret pressing down on her like a stone.
He would never know. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Not now. Not ever.
Alejandro stood in the center of the living room long after she had left, staring at the door as if expecting her to return. But she didn't. The silence that followed her departure was deafening, and for the first time in years, he felt something unsettling-something that gnawed at the edges of his carefully controlled world.
Regret.
He clenched his fists at his sides, trying to shake the feeling. This was what he wanted. This was what needed to happen. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not with Vicky coming back. His life was moving forward, and Isabella-Isabella was just a remnant of the past, something he had to let go of.
But then why did it feel like he was the one being left behind?
Alejandro's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, grateful for the distraction. It was a message from Vicky.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Missed you so much. xx
He stared at the words, but they didn't bring him the comfort he expected. Instead, his thoughts drifted back to Isabella-her face, her eyes, the way she had looked at him before she left.
She had loved him. He had seen it in her eyes. But love was messy, unpredictable, and Alejandro couldn't afford messes in his life. He needed order, control, and Vicky... Vicky was the one who fit into that picture.
Still, as he walked toward the window, staring out over the city skyline, the image of Isabella's tear-streaked face lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.
The divorce papers would be filed. The chapter would be closed.
But something told him it wasn't the end.
Not yet.
A cold-hearted billionaire. A headstrong florist drowning in debt. A contract that binds them in a marriage of convenience-with no room for love. Xavier Harrington is a man who controls everything-his business, his reputation, his emotions. When a billion-dollar deal requires him to appear as a devoted husband, he does what he does best: he makes an offer no one can refuse. Mia Brooks never imagined she'd sign a contract to be a billionaire's wife, but with her flower shop on the verge of collapse, she has no choice. The rules are simple-no feelings, no attachments, and absolutely no falling in love. But behind Xavier's icy demeanor lies a scarred past and a desire he can't control. And behind Mia's defiance is a heart that refuses to be tamed. As passion blurs the lines of their arrangement, secrets surface, enemies close in, and a betrayal from the past threatens to destroy everything. When the contract ends, will Xavier let Mia go... or will he risk everything to make her stay?
Sebastian Hale is a man who gets what he wants-until his father, Gregory Hale, threatens to destroy everything he's built unless he agrees to a marriage of convenience. Trapped in his father's ruthless game, Sebastian's only option is to marry Ivy Collins, a fiery journalist with secrets of her own. For Ivy, the marriage is a means to an end. Marrying Sebastian gives her access to the Hale family empire-and the chance to expose their darkest secrets. But what begins as a cold business arrangement soon ignites into a fiery passion neither of them can resist. As the lines between love and betrayal blur, Ivy discovers the truth about Sebastian's family, including a devastating secret that could destroy them both. With Gregory pulling the strings, Ivy and Sebastian must decide whether to fight for each other-or lose everything in the process.
Grace Parker has dedicated her life to helping others, but when her nonprofit is on the verge of collapse, she's forced to strike a deal with the last man she ever wanted to rely on: Sebastian Cole. Cold, calculating, and devastatingly handsome, Sebastian offers to save her charity but only if she agrees to play the role of his fiancée in a high-stakes business negotiation. What starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals out of control when a single night of passion leaves Grace with a life altering secret. As their fake relationship begins to feel all too real, Grace and Sebastian are drawn together by more than just their shared goals. But standing in their way are Sebastian's manipulative ex, Natasha Blake, and his ruthless rival, Henry Adler, who will stop at nothing to destroy everything Grace and Sebastian have built. When lies, betrayal, and secrets threaten to tear them apart, Grace and Sebastian must confront their deepest fears and decide if the love they've found is worth fighting for.
Lucas Sterling has everything money, power, and a reputation as the city's most eligible bachelor. But behind the charm and billion-dollar smile lies a man scarred by betrayal and convinced love is nothing more than a liability. Emily Harper is his complete opposite a spirited schoolteacher with a passion for helping others and no patience for arrogant playboys like Lucas. When fate throws them together, sparks fly, and Lucas finds himself captivated by the one woman who refuses to fall for his charm. As Emily challenges Lucas to confront his demons, a shadow from his past resurfaces. Isabella Royce, his cunning ex-lover, is determined to reclaim him at any cost even if it means destroying everything Lucas holds dear. Can Emily's love tame the heart of a man who's built walls around it? Or will Isabella's schemes shatter their fragile bond before it has a chance to bloom?
Trapped in a marriage she never wanted, Lily Hart is thrust into the cold, calculating world of billionaire CEO Adrian Blackwood. He married her only to claim her father's company, and his resentment is as intense as his possessiveness. Behind his mask of power and wealth, Adrian harbors a dark affection for his mistress, Celeste. a beauty with a vengeful soul and her sights set firmly on destroying Lily. In Adrian's world, love is as elusive as freedom, and for Lily, it's nowhere to be found. She's nothing but a pawn, forced to endure his cruelty and trapped in a twisted game of control and desire. But as the walls close in and secrets unravel, Adrian's indifference begins to shift into something else, something possessive and obsessive that even he can't deny. Lily must find the strength to survive in a world built to shatter her and face the question: will she ever escape Adrian's ruthless grasp, or will she be forever bound to a man who will do anything to keep her?
Emilia Rosemont never expected her life to turn into a gilded cage. Forced into a marriage with billionaire CEO Alessandro DiLaurentis, she becomes a pawn in a twisted game of family legacy and cruel ambition. For Alex, the marriage is nothing more than an obligation one he despises and resents. His heart belongs to another, and he doesn't hide his disdain for the wife he was forced to marry. Trapped in his world of wealth and power, Emilia endures his coldness, his cruelty, and the haunting knowledge that her husband will never love her. But as Alex's possessiveness grows, so does his conflicted desire, leaving Emilia ensnared in a web of hate, obsession, and forbidden attraction. With his seductive mistress, Vanessa, pulling the strings from the shadows, Emilia realizes that escape might be impossible. In this dark billionaire romance of love and betrayal, Emilia must find the strength to survive a man who both despises and craves her, in a world where everyone has a price and love is the ultimate sacrifice. Will she ever be free, or is she destined to remain the Surrogate Wife forever?
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
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?
To the public, Arabella was Owen's trusty secretary who catered to all his needs and served as the primary blood donor of his beloved, who was in a coma. Behind closed doors, she was Owen's submissive wife. Arabella was quiet and obedient, and she endured every humiliation without a word of protest. Rumored to be a neat freak, Owen had tossed the last woman who had dared to kiss him into the river. Yet he pinned Arabella against the wall and demanded, "Give me a child, and I’ll let you go!" Arabella pushed him away and flashed him a cold smile. "You are not worthy!"
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
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.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!