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As I walked down the aisle, bouquet in hand, I scanned the crowd-the very people I'd paid to attend. My heart raced, searching for my husband, but he was nowhere in sight. Panic set in. Was I about to be abandoned on my wedding day? I could already picture the headline: Daughter of Late CEO of Nova White Robotics abandoned at the Altar. Not only would I be humiliated, but my chance to take over the company would slip away, and my enemies would jubilate in my defeat. Just as I was drowning in my sea of doubt, I heard the sound of a hasty footsteps. The crowd turned and gasped in shock as Mason appeared, looking dashing in a sharp three-piece suit. His smile met my gaze, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. "Sorry I'm late. My suit didn't arrive on time," he said with an apologetic smile. I nodded and the priest began reading the vows, he turned to me and asked, "Will you take Mr. Mason Anderson as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and protect?" I tried to speak, but the words stuck in my throat. I just stood there, lost in confusion, unsure if this was the right choice. * * Determined to secure her place as CEO, knowing marriage is the key to winning over the shareholders, she's ready to do whatever it takes to take control of her father's company. But can she overcome the evil forces that threatened to destroy her family , or will they succeed in eliminating her for their own gain? And as for the contract marriage, will it turn out to be her worst mistake or will it blossom into something real, especially when undeniable feelings start to arise?
Chapter One
Emily
I had that dream again.
The one where I was thirteen again, sitting in the backseat, engrossed in my favorite game, Sniper Assassin, on my tablet while my parents laughed and shared jokes in the front.
"You turn me on!"Esther chortled in excitement, her laughter filling the air as she and my father sang along to Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel"-my mother's favorite song. She always said it reminded her of him.
Though my dad focused on the road, he still managed to dance in his seat to the beat.
It was a lovely sight to behold, one I would never forget anytime soon. I could smell the familiar scent of lavender and cinnamon that clung to her clothes. Her laughter resounded in the car.
The time was almost ten o'clock, my parents loved late-night drives. The only light on the street was coming from the headlights and billboards. I was supposed to feel scared but being with my parents made me feel loved and protected, nothing in the world would harm me as long as I was with them.
All of a sudden the car stopped moving. My mom and dad exchanged a look before my mum reached out to unbuckle my seatbelt, her hands trembling. " Hey Emmy," She whispered, her voice barely audible. " Me and Daddy are going out on a little vacation and we need you to stay with Uncle Rob and his family for a little while, okay?"
I looked up at her in confusion, " Why can't I come along?"
"Honey, children are not allowed, it's an adult thing."
"I'm not a child anymore mom, I'm thirteen,"
My dad stared back at me, smiling at me in amusement."You are still my baby girl."
I rolled my eyes, my mum leaned closer to kiss my forehead. " I promise we will come back soon okay? Uncle Rob is going to take care of you and also you would be with Maya, your best cousin."
" don't argue with your Aunt Gianna either!" my dad added
"I'm not a troublemaker, I just want to be around you and Mom, why must I always stay back?"
She kissed my forehead, her eyes glowing in the dark. "Sometimes, honey, we have to do things we don't understand. You'll be safe. Just remember that we love you. Always."
I got out of the car, finding myself in front of my uncle's house a frown spread across my face. My parents were in the car and they waved at me.
Then, suddenly, they were gone. I watched the car pull away, my heart racing as I stood there, alone. It was only a few minutes later that I heard the screeching of tires and the metallic crunch, a sound that still haunted me. I ran toward the scene, screaming for them, only to see the car catch fire.
I sat up in my bed, gasping, soaked in my sweat. My heart was thumping in my chest, and it took me a moment to remember where I was. I was no longer that helpless little girl. I was twenty-one, and today I had to catch a flight to New York City to see my mom and my uncle Robert.
I took a quick peek at the clock, and I froze. I was an hour late.
"Emily! You idiot!" I muttered to myself as I leaped out of my bed dragging my feet to the bathroom, splashing after on my face, then brushing my teeth. I hit the shower and in record time I was done.
I slipped into a black dress and a brown leather jacket, tying my brown hair back in a ponytail. Within minutes, I was ready to head to the airport. Glancing in the mirror, I smiled. "Today's a good day. I'll finally see my mom after so many years. I hope Dad's proud of me up in heaven." I checked out of my hotel room and, luckily, made it just in time to board.
Once the plane took off, I tried to settle down, the roar of the engines and the steady hum around me oddly comforting. I closed my eyes, as my mind began to drift back to the nightmare I had earlier this morning, my parents' laughter fading in and out in my memory, like whispers carried away by the wind.
No matter how much time has passed by, they were still with me in a way, I could feel their spirit hovering around protecting me from evil incidents.
No matter how much time passed, they were still with me in a way, haunting the quiet spaces of my mind.
When the plane touched down in New York City, I took a deep breath as I looked around the streets of New York City, and instantly it felt nostalgic, it felt like home.
This was it-the beginning of a new chapter. I was going to start a new life just like I promised my father. I pulled out my phone and dialed Uncle Robert's number.
"Hello, uncle!"
"Emily! You made it safely?" He asked, his tone not very excited.
"Yes uncle, I just landed," I replied trying to sound cheerful. " A Lot has changed here, you said the chauffeur would pick me up right?"
"Oh yes, dear!"
"Where is he?" I asked impatiently.
"He is on his way. You will see a white Porsche 911 waiting outside arrivals."
I smiled to myself in satisfaction. " Okay, thanks, Uncle Robert." I glanced around and spotted the Porsche along the side of the road. " Oh, I think he is here. I'll see you soon!"
I hung up immediately and hurriedly made my way to the car. The driver got out of the car, he was a tall, thin man with dark shades, and he gave me a curt nod as he helped me arrange my luggage in the booth of the car. While I hopped into the back seat.
I had barely settled in when the car sped off down the busy road of New York streets.
As we drove the city blurred by, its high buildings and flashing signs overwhelmed me. I took in a deep breath letting myself relax for the first time all day. I can't wait to finally meet up with my mom and set a new life here
I was excited about becoming the CEO of White Nova Robotics, a smile spreading across my face as I remembered that I had fulfilled my dad's dream to take over the company and carry on his legacy.
But as we picked up speed, something felt... wrong. The driver's hands were tight on the wheel, and I could see him struggling to control the car, his knuckles turning white from the tight grip. His jaw was clenched, his clothes soaked with sweat.
"Is everything okay?" I asked in a confused manner.
He didn't say anything, his eyes were fixated on the road.
Suddenly he began to press the brakes but instead of slowing down the car seemed to speed up.
A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he tried again, harder this time, but the brakes still wouldn't respond.
"Driver, what the hell is happening?" I asked my tone rising in fright.
"Brake failure ma'am," he muttered, barely sparing me a glance. "Hang on, I'm going to fix it!"
"You better fix it!" I blurted out feeling fear eating me deep. I gripped the seat belt tight, feeling the car veer wildly into an isolated area, the driver was still trying to control the car but nothing changed.
"Can't you do something?!" I shouted, clutching the seat in front of me.
"I'm trying ma'am !" he yelled back, his voice strained.
" well try harder or else we are both going to die,"
The car suddenly careened off the road and ran towards a line of trees along the edge of the street.
Would I die the same way my dad died?
This car was going to hit a tree and there was nothing either of us could do to stop it.
And just like I predicted.
It happened, and the impact was brutal. I hit my head on the window and everything around me spun; it was like the world had come to an end.
My vision turned to a blur, fading to black and I could feel myself passing out. The last thing I felt was the shattered glass around me And the distant sound of footsteps.
Somewhere in the darkness, I felt strong arms pulling me from the car. I tried to open my eyes, to see who was there, but I was too weak. I was slipping in and out of consciousness, my mind foggy and distant.
"Hey ma'am please, stay with me."
The voice was masculine, yet comforting, i wanted to respond, to thank whoever was there, but my mouth wouldn't form the words. I felt myself being lifted and carried carefully, and despite the pain, I felt a strange sense of safety.
"Hang on," My savior murmured.
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.