Trapped in an empty office late at night, Ella is certain no one will come to her rescue until a mysterious stranger appears. That man is Jason Theal, a seductive billionaire with a dark past and dangerous secrets. Drawn into his world of wealth and shadows, Ella discovers a sinister underbelly of betrayal and power. But as she unravels Jason's deadly ties, she realizes her own life is at stake in a game where trust is a luxury and survival is everything.
The early sun shone through the gaps in the ancient wooden shutters, struggling to light up the dim attic space. Emma moaned and turned around, dragging the worn-out blanket over her head in a hopeless effort to shield herself from the persistent daylight. All she desired was a few extra minutes of sleep. However, it was not meant to happen.
Young lady! "Stop being a couch potato and get up, there are tasks waiting for you!" Downstairs came the loud and condescending voice of Mrs. Wilson.
Despite being a twenty three years old woman with a full time job at a news network, you might expect her to have the weekend off to relax, but that's not the case in the Wilson household. In the eyes of the rest of her family, she was simply a household helper responsible for maintaining the house in perfect condition.
Emily let out a sigh. Ella stated that she was facing another day of exhausting work ahead, without any breaks in sight.
Reluctantly, she threw the blanket aside and sat up, wincing from her bruised muscles protesting the movement. God, when will this horrifying experience come to an end?
With daylight slowly entering through dirty windows, Emily hastily washed and got dressed, preparing herself for whatever the new day may bring. Below, a tired young couple sat with worn-out expressions at the tiny kitchen table, hardly noticing her cordial hello. Eager to get away from the oppressive atmosphere of her new foster home, she grabbed some stale cereal for herself.
Her foster mother enjoyed finding reasons to punish her, whether they were actual or perceived offenses. A week ago, Ella accidentally burned the toast and as a result, her foster mother punished her by giving her lashes on her back, which were just starting to heal.
After putting on the same worn-out dress she wore yesterday, Emily headed downstairs.
Ella noted to herself that the aroma of sizzling bacon drifting from the kitchen caused her stomach to rumble with hunger.
However, she was aware that it was hopeless to expect anything more than a stale crust of bread for breakfast. Luxuries like those were not intended for unwanted children such as her.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Wilson was cooking eggs and toast as her children sat enjoying their breakfast. Ella's foster brother, John Wilson, glared at Ella as she came in, his cold eyes filled with malicious amusement.
"He sneered through a mouthful of food, acknowledging the person who had finally decided to show up,".
Mrs. Wilson turned towards Ella. "You've been lazy for too long, girl. It's time to get moving!" I need all the laundry in the backyard taken care of before sunset or there will be consequences. And don't try to be lazy, I will be monitoring your progress as well.
She nodded quietly and went to fetch the large wicker basket overflowing with soiled clothes. While carrying it outside, she listened to her foster brother sarcastically shout, "Make sure you don't overexert yourself, we wouldn't want you keeling over from the strain!"
"Where is that dumb girl?", a husky voice called from upstairs, causing fear to cross Ella's face. The only person who was aware was none other than Mr. Wilson, the Man of the house.
"Why hasn't my laundry been done yet? Tomorrow is Monday and, unlike you, we as men in society need to dress professionally."
"I apologize, I will ensure it is prepared by tomorrow," Ella stated, avoiding making eye contact with her foster father.
Ella spent hours scrubbing and beating clothes clean against the washboard in the hot summer sun. By noon, she was in immense pain in her back and her hands were sore and bleeding, yet she continued on.
Around noon, there was a short break when the neighbor's dog Carl came over, wagging his tail hopefully.
She stopped to rub the dog's ears, smiling sadly. Carl, you are my only friend. I desire to escape with you to the countryside and not turn back.
However, it did not happen. As the sun started to go down, Mrs. Wilson stepped outside to check on how well Ella was doing. It's about time you completed it, you lazy girl. Bring the basket in and start supper before relaxing your tired arms.
She pulled the heavy basket inside, feeling weighed down by despair in her heart. For how much longer could she continue to exist in this never-ending horror? While chopping vegetables for the stew, she noticed a glint outside the kitchen window.
Moving nearer, she gazed into the approaching darkness. She briefly believed she glimpsed a red blur among the dark corners of the garden. However, when she blinked and glanced once more, there was nothing present.
Could tiredness be making my brain deceive me? Was there something or someone lurking in the dark shadows observing me? She questioned herself. As the evening was getting more darker, Ella actually felt a shiver run down her back. Without her knowing, the small life she led was on the verge of transforming beyond her own wildest dreams...
Ella finished the laundry as night approached and then began preparing dinner in the kitchen. Mrs. Wilson and her children were in the next dining room, loudly evaluating all of Ella's actions.
Finish cooking the stew quickly.
"Quickly finish preparing that stew, young lady!" A man toils the entire day and expects his dinner to be served promptly. Mrs. Wilson expressed her annoyance abruptly.
I apologize, ma'am, it will only take a few more minutes. Emily responded in a hushed tone while she stirred the pot.
John sneered as he turned to his younger brother Mark in the dining room and bet him five bucks she would burn it again. I can smell something that seems to be on fire already!
She attempted to disregard the teasing and concentrate on her assignment. While getting vegetables from the pantry, she saw a mouse quickly run past her, making her gasp in shock.
This caused the Wilsons to burst into a fresh round of giggles."Unable to deal with a small mouse, so weak!" John mocked. It's not surprising that no one desired a girl who was so worthless.
Her fists tightened at her sides, but she stayed silent, aware that any response would only escalate the situation. She told herself that in just a couple more years, she would finally be able to escape from this place. If she could make it through that period of time.
At last, the stew was cooked. While Ella was scooping food into bowls, Mrs. Wilson came into the kitchen with a stern look in her eye. Show me your arms, young lady.
Her slender arms, sore and pink from the day's work, were stretched out. Mrs. Wilson firmly held one, her thumb pushing into a new blister, making Emily gasp from the pain.
Not firm enough yet. We need to focus on making you stronger. Mrs. Wilson spoke with cruelty before letting go of her arm. "Quickly eat your food before it cools down."
During the tense meal, she followed instructions and kept her head down while enduring the family's taunting. As the night covered the world around her, she imagined about the uncertainties of tomorrow and questioned if she had the strength to face whatever challenges may actually come her way.
Ella got a text from an unknown sender asking, "Do you want to be a billionaire?" Ella was confused and in doubt. She wondered if her brothers were playing a prank on her or if it was just a text mistake. Regardless, she was determined to uncover the truth, feeling a glimmer of hope in her otherwise bleak life.
Nora James was supposed to get married to her long-time fiancé Finn Clayton, but what happens when she gets involved in a one-night stand with a stranger and Finn happens to know about it? Will Finn forgive her, and will they end up married, or will Nora end up pregnant without anyone by her side?
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
"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?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
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!
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."