In the middle of the night, he sent me a message: "What else are you being picky about? How old are you now? In two more years, you'll only be able to find divorced men with kids..."
My name was Linda, and I had just graduated from school when I joined a decent company.
I expected to have a rough start at work, but instead, I was immediately surrounded by colleagues eager to introduce me a boyfriends.
They enthusiastically asked if I had a boyfriend, and upon hearing my negative response, my WhatsApp was flooded with over a dozen male contacts.
I shook my head, feeling like I had stumbled into a Dating agency instead of a workplace.
The colleague next to me said, "You have great qualities and you're beautiful with fair skin. Your family background is good, and you're a master's graduate from a top university. So naturally, everyone wants to become relatives with you."
I nodded, somewhat confused.
Looking at the variety of men in my WhatsApp, I closed my phone.
I knew I should focus on my career.
I always believed that when the time was right, love would come naturally.
However, a week later at lunch, while eating with colleagues in the cafeteria, the finance manager, Eva Anderson, sat next to me.
She cheerfully showed me her phone, "Linda, I have a nice young man from my family. How about you two meet up?"
Seeing Eva enthusiasm, I couldn't refuse.
After lunch, I couldn't help but vent to my colleague next to me.
She smiled lightly, "Eva means well. Why not give it a try?"
I thought about it and realized she had a point. If I met someone suitable, I would have to thank her for the introduction.
That afternoon, I received a friend request from the guy she mentioned.
I hesitated for two seconds before accepting.
Little did I know, adding him on WhatsApp would leave such a bad and lasting impression on me about blind dates.
After connecting, he quickly greeted me: "Hello, I'm Josh James."
Out of courtesy, I replied, "Hello, I'm Linda Howard."
After work, we chatted for a bit, and he invited me to dinner the next evening.
I found Josh to be quite nice, with a humorous and engaging conversation style, and he seemed like a decent guy.
Eva mentioned he was a graduate from a prestigious university, working in a government office, with an above-average appearance and height of 1.8 meters.
His family background was modest, with parents who were farmers.
But my parents always told me that choosing a partner wasn't just about conditions. As long as the person was good and responsible, it was enough.
So, I took this date seriously.
Moreover, he thoughtfully picked an upscale restaurant for our dinner, which was near my company.
I felt he valued this meeting and respected me.
So, even before meeting, I had a good impression of him.
But when we met that evening, it wasn't what I expected.
As soon as we met, he couldn't stop boasting about himself, how well he did in school, how smoothly he got into his job, and how impressive he was. He didn't miss a chance to belittle women, specifically me.
He enthusiastically said, "What's the use of you women having such high education? In the end, your parents still want you to find a man with a good job to marry and live a stable life. I'm the only one in my class who got into this government office."
I was left speechless in dismay by his unwarranted arrogance about his job.
Later, he started probing about my family's situation: "By the way, since your family is from the city, you must have a few properties, right?"
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
In Lothlann Continent, talent in martial arts won cultivators respect. Darren Chu, a mediocre talent in martial arts, was deemed a loser by everyone. His status changed when a fireball fell from the sky and hit him on the head. He cheated death. Empowered with the ability to assimilate other creatures' talent, Darren sought to better himself and seek vengeance against those who had wronged his family, including his little sister. "You will kneel in front of me one day," swore the future lord of martial arts.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
Caught in a web of betrayal, Nicole's life shatters in a single evening when her mother-in-law, Veronica, sets her up in an elaborate scheme. Blindsided, Nicole faces her husband Taylor's cold rage as he casts her out of his life and home, accusing her of infidelity and theft. As she tries to defend herself, her best friend, Sarah, adds another blow by denying their loyalty. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me!" Nicole pleads, her voice breaking, but his icy response is a dagger to her heart. "I don't hate you, Nicole," he sneers. "I despise you." When Nicole reveals she's pregnant, she hopes for compassion, but it only fuels Veronica's determination to rid the family of her. After signing the divorce papers, a dejected Nicole wanders alone, where a brutal attack leaves her bleeding, helpless, and desperate to protect her unborn child. Six years later, Nicole returns from the ashes to inflict seven times the pains upon those who humiliated her and left her to die. "I'll make them pay so dearly that they'd regret ever been born!" She declares. This is a story of romance and revenge you don't want to miss!
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!