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Lily Tang once believed that love could conquer anything-even a cold, indifferent husband. Bound by a contract marriage to Daniel Zhang, the powerful CEO who barely acknowledged her existence, Lily spent three silent years devoted to a man who never looked her way. But when his first love returned, Daniel didn't hesitate. He brought her into their home and left Lily with nothing but a divorce contract and a shattered heart. Determined to start fresh, Lily walked away, hiding the one secret she carried: she was pregnant with his child. Now, five years later, Lily is back in Shanghai, no longer the timid wife but a successful CEO with a confidence that turns heads and a little boy who looks just like his father. When their paths collide at a high-stakes business event, Daniel is struck by her transformation-and the child by her side. Haunted by the past, Daniel is desperate to win back the woman he lost. But Lily is no longer willing to be his second choice. This time, she's fighting for herself, and she's not letting her heart be broken twice. In a world where power and passion clash, will Daniel prove himself worthy of a second chance, or will he lose her forever to the life she built without him?
Rain drizzled softly against the expansive windows of Lily Tang's penthouse suite, casting a silvery glow across the dark cityscape of Shanghai. She stood there, hands resting lightly on the cool glass, staring out at the blurred neon lights of the city below. But her mind wasn't on the busy streets, nor on the empire she was now helping run. Instead, it drifted back, back to the moment that had changed her life forever.
Three years ago.
The day she married Daniel Zhang.
It had been the wedding of the year-a blend of elegance and opulence befitting two of the wealthiest families in the city. She could still see the grand chandeliers, hear the soft murmur of guests congratulating her, and feel the weight of Daniel's indifferent gaze as they exchanged vows. He had worn a mask of polite charm for the guests, but she had seen the coldness in his eyes, felt the chill of his detachment. For him, their marriage was simply a business deal, nothing more.
Yet for Lily, it had been so much more. She'd harbored a quiet love for him since childhood, a love she thought could withstand anything-even his indifference. She had walked down that aisle with hope in her heart, a hope that had withered with every dismissive look, every silent dinner, every reminder that his heart was somewhere else.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her reverie. Lily turned, smoothing the crease of her blouse, regaining her composure. She didn't have time for memories tonight.
"Come in," she called out.
Her assistant, Mei, slipped into the room, her steps quick and precise. "Miss Tang, Mr. Zhang has arrived."
Lily's heart gave a reluctant lurch. She hadn't seen him in almost a year-not since she had signed the divorce papers, leaving behind the life she had fought so hard to hold onto. Yet, here he was, back in her world, summoned by the unbreakable ties of business. Tonight, their families would meet to discuss a new venture, one that could determine the future of both companies.
"Thank you, Mei," Lily said, keeping her voice steady. "I'll be right there."
Mei hesitated. "Are you all right, Miss Tang?"
Lily offered a small smile. "I'm fine."
But as she walked down the hall to the private dining room, she knew that nothing about this night would be easy.
The room was warm and filled with the aroma of gourmet food, a stark contrast to the chill settling in her bones as she entered. Her family's executives were seated on one side, while Daniel's entourage took the other. At the head of the table, Daniel sat, looking as impeccable as ever in a tailored black suit, his dark eyes scanning the room with a practiced detachment that sent a shiver through her.
He looked up as she entered, and for a brief second, their eyes met. She felt a flicker of something in his gaze, something that might have been surprise or even admiration, but it was gone as quickly as it came.
"Lily," he said, inclining his head slightly in a formal greeting.
"Daniel." She nodded, matching his impersonal tone.
She took her seat across from him, folding her hands in her lap, willing herself to stay calm. She was here for business, nothing more. The past was a closed chapter, a wound that had healed-mostly.
As the meeting progressed, discussions of stocks and revenue projections floated around her, but her focus was on Daniel. He spoke with his usual confidence, his voice smooth and unyielding as he outlined his plans for the merger. She watched him, noting the way he commanded the room, the way others hung on his every word. This was the Daniel she had fallen for-the powerful, ambitious man who knew what he wanted and how to get it.
But he had never wanted her.
"Lily, what do you think?"
Her father's voice jolted her from her thoughts. She blinked, realizing that everyone was looking at her, waiting for her input.
She cleared her throat, gathering her thoughts. "I think it's a solid plan," she said smoothly. "However, I'd recommend a gradual integration. Rushing could destabilize both companies."
Daniel's gaze flickered with interest. "An interesting perspective," he said, his tone cool but respectful. "And why do you think that?"
She met his eyes, refusing to let him see the unease simmering beneath her calm exterior. "Because merging two giants isn't just about numbers. It's about people. And people need time to adjust."
A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Wise words, as always."
The meeting continued, but now, there was a subtle tension between them, an unspoken awareness of their shared past that seemed to hang in the air. Lily felt the weight of it, a silent reminder of the years they had spent as strangers in each other's lives.
When the meeting finally ended, the executives filed out, leaving her and Daniel alone. She stood, gathering her things, hoping to slip away before he could approach her.
But he was faster.
"Lily," he said, his voice low and unexpectedly gentle. "Can we talk?"
She hesitated, her heart beating a little faster. "There's nothing to talk about, Daniel."
"Please." His tone softened, a hint of vulnerability seeping through. "Just a few minutes."
She clenched her jaw, weighing her options. Part of her wanted to walk away, to leave him standing there with the words unsaid. But another part, the part that still held onto a faint trace of the girl who had loved him, needed closure.
"All right," she said finally.
They walked out onto the terrace, the night air cool and tinged with the scent of rain. He stood beside her, his gaze fixed on the city below.
"You've changed," he murmured, almost to himself.
She glanced at him, surprised. "Have I?"
He nodded. "You're... different. Stronger."
She swallowed, fighting back a wave of emotions she didn't want to feel. "I had to be," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
A silence stretched between them, heavy and charged.
"Lily..." His voice was rough, as though he were struggling to find the right words. "I know I hurt you."
She looked away, her eyes stinging. "That's an understatement."
He reached out, hesitating before placing a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry."
She laughed softly, a hollow sound. "Sorry? After everything, that's all you have to say?"
He flinched, but his gaze remained steady. "I made mistakes. I see that now."
She pulled her arm free, stepping back. "Mistakes? You think bringing another woman into our home was a mistake? You think handing me divorce papers while I was carrying your child was a mistake?"
He froze, his face paling. "You... were pregnant?"
The words hung in the air, a truth she had kept buried for years.
"Yes," she said, her voice trembling. "I was. And I lost him because of the stress, because I was alone, because I meant nothing to you."
He stared at her, shock and regret etched across his face. "Lily, I... I didn't know."
"You didn't care," she snapped, the pain of that memory sharp and fresh. "You were too busy with Vivian, too busy with your perfect life to notice that your wife was breaking."
He reached for her, but she stepped back, shaking her head. "Don't."
"Lily, please," he whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I was blind. I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn't realize..."
She laughed bitterly. "Didn't realize what, Daniel? That your wife might actually have feelings? That I might have loved you?"
He fell silent, his gaze dropping. "I was a fool."
"Yes," she agreed, her voice steady. "You were. And now, it's too late."
She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Lily, give me a chance to make it right."
She paused, her heart twisting painfully. She wanted to believe him, wanted to think that maybe, just maybe, he had changed. But the scars he had left ran too deep.
"I don't think you can," she whispered, without looking back. And then, with a final glance at the man she had once loved, she walked away, leaving him alone on the terrace, a shadow among the city lights.
Aria Kensington has always been the forgotten one the illegitimate daughter of a powerful family, overshadowed by her perfect sister and despised by her stepmother. When her long-time boyfriend betrays her for her sister, Aria's world shatters. But the real blow comes when she's forced into an arranged marriage with a man she's never met a cold, reclusive billionaire rumored to be disabled. Damon Blackwood is no ordinary billionaire. His disability is a ruse, and beneath his icy exterior lies a man who controls an empire built on secrets and power. When Aria is thrust into his world, she becomes more than just his wife she becomes his obsession. Trapped in a marriage of convenience that feels more like a gilded cage, Aria soon discovers the dark side of Damon's love. As their fiery passion ignites, she must decide whether to embrace the man who claims her body and soul or risk losing herself in his dangerous game. In a world where love is power and trust is a luxury, can Aria break free of the chains that bind her or will she fall deeper into Damon's seductive grip?
When Lila Monroe's ex-boyfriend, Julian Sterling, announces his engagement, she drowns her sorrows at an upscale bar, waking up in a stranger's bed the bed of none other than Ethan Sterling, her ex's ruthless and dangerously alluring brother. Lila's life takes a devastating turn when her father is imprisoned, his fate orchestrated by Julian's cruel schemes. With no one else to turn to, she strikes a risky deal with Ethan. He'll save her father and restore her family's honor, but only if she agrees to a marriage of convenience...and an heir. Caught between her lingering heartbreak and Ethan's intense, possessive nature, Lila must navigate a world of betrayal, passion, and family secrets. Yet the more she resists Ethan, the more undeniable their attraction grows, sparking a dangerous game neither is prepared for. But when she discovers she's carrying his child, Lila must decide if she's willing to risk everything even her heart for a man who may only see her as a pawn in his deadly rivalry.
In the dark heart of Everglen, Lyra Blackwood once ruled as a celebrated heiress until betrayal stole everything. Set up by her best friend, disowned by her family, and forced into exile, she's spent years rebuilding her life in shadows, raising her young twins with fierce independence. But when fate pulls her back to the city she once called home, she's armed with one mission: revenge. Her target? The ruthless, possessive Alpha Damien Silverclaw Evergreen's wealthiest CEO, and the man who unknowingly fathered her children. Yet Damien is no ordinary man; he's her fated mate, and his power both tempts and terrifies her. As she edges into his dangerous world, their passion ignites under the guise of a contract marriage, but secrets soon threaten to unravel everything. Now, tangled in a bond she didn't choose, Lyra must decide: is her revenge worth risking her heart? Or will she surrender to the dark allure of the one man who could break her... or save her?
Eliana was framed by her best friend and her fiance into sleeping with a boy toy in the club and getting impregnated by him. Five years after she had given birth to twins, she returned home and worked under the Moran Group, where she met the CEO-- Maurice. Maurice was a brilliant businessman who did his job well. But in order to stay under the radar, he lived a double life. One as Maurice, and one as Preston. Fate brought the two together again, roping them in on an exciting love story. It all became more complicated when Eliana faced Preston, the man she had slept with before, once again. Now that she was being pursued by two men, how could she ever choose? When would Eliana uncover the secret of Maurice's identity? When was Maurice going to know that he already had two children of his own? How would Eliana face this man when the truth came to light one day? Come and find out.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."