THE CEO'S UNEXPECTED BRIDE (SHORT STORY)

"Then let me help you," he said, stepping closer. "Let me prove to you that I'm worth the risk." Her heart ached at the vulnerability in his eyes, but she couldn't ignore the doubts that lingered. "Ethan, what if this doesn't work? What if we both end up hurt?" "Then at least we'll know we tried," he said, his voice steady. "But I can't walk away without giving this a chance. Can you?" She stared at him, her resolve wavering. She wanted to say no, to protect herself from the pain she feared. But deep down, she knew the truth. "I don't know," she whispered. Ethan reached out, gently cupping her face. "That's enough for me." Before she could overthink it, he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. For a moment, the world fell away, and all that mattered was the feel of his lips against hers. But as the kiss deepened, a rush of emotions flooded her-desire, fear, and an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. ----- Ethan Thornton, the charismatic, successful CEO of a multinational corporation. Ethan is known for his charm, good looks, and reputation as a notorious womanizer, someone who is never without a beautiful woman by his side.  Eva Brooks, his new assistant, knowing the reputation that precedes him, is determined to keep things professional. She's not interested in his advances, particularly because she believes that behind his suave exterior, he's just another playboy who is incapable of a serious relationship. However, Ethan is intrigued by Eva. Her cool demeanor, intelligence, and beauty captivated him. For the first time in a long while, he finds himself wanting something more than just a casual fling. The narrative traces their evolving relationship, filled with tension, desire, misunderstandings, and ultimately, love. Little does she know, she's about to become part of his personal life in ways she never expected.

Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?

Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”

Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.

Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."

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."

"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.