Betrayed by her fiancé and abandoned by her family, Mandy Gates was ready to disappear-until Damian Black, her ex's powerful billionaire uncle, makes a bold offer to help her seek her revenge. Though it started as a calculated alliance but it quickly ignites into something neither of them expected. However, in a world of secrets and betrayal surrounding them, can they trust the fire between them, or will it consume them both? Find out in this thrilling story.
Mandy's POV
The hospital room smelled faintly of antiseptic, a sharp, sterile scent that clung to everything. I hated it. And the IV drip attached to my arm made a soft clicking sound every few seconds, which was a constant reminder that I was stuck here. My head felt heavy, my body weaker than I cared to admit, but my fingers still swiped across my phone screen.
Though, I wasn't even sure why I opened social media-habit, maybe. Or just something to distract me from the endless hours stretching out in front of me. As I scrolled through photos of smiling couples, vacation snapshots, and perfect lives, I saw it.
Nathan.
My fiancé.
He was in a picture with a woman I'd never met, but she looked familiar. Her arm was looped through his, their faces were close, and they were smiling like they shared some private joke with the caption which stated. "My love is true, couldn't be happier."
My stomach twisted viewing the caption and to think it was my adoptive parents who posted it and even tagged her as Mia, their biological daughter.
I stared at the photo, my chest tightening as I began wondering he never mentioned her to me. Not once.
He had even told me he was too busy to visit me in the hospital. "Work is insane," he'd said. "I'll come as soon as I can, babe. Just rest, okay?" But here he was, smiling with her like he didn't have a care in the world.
Instantly, I clicked on his contact and pressed the call button before I could overthink it. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Then it went into voicemail.
But that didn't stop me as I tried again.
And again.
Still nothing.
The silence on the other end of the line felt louder than the drip of the IV or the hum of the hospital machines.
My mind raced as flashes of the last seven years began hitting me like punches. The way he used to hold me after a long day, whispering promises about our future. The way he'd laugh at my jokes, even the bad ones. How he'd sworn he'd always be there for me. But lately, he'd been pulling away-brushing me off, working late, forgetting things he never used to forget.
I told myself, perhaps I was overthinking it. I had to be.
But when I got home that night, something felt... off, too off to be precise as the apartment was quiet than usual. It was the kind of quiet that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. So, I dropped my bag on the couch and froze as something sparkled on the floor near the edge of the rug.
Only to discover a pair of earrings and they weren't mine.
My heart started pounding as each beat echoed in my ears. I picked them up, turning them over in my hand to have a proper look. They were elegant, expensive and definitely not the kind of thing I'd ever wear.
With that, I stood there for a moment, staring at them, as my thoughts turned a tangled mess. Then I marched to the bedroom. Only to find Nathan's suit jacket hanging on the back of the chair, just where he always left it. My fingers trembled as I reached into the pocket and found a condom box opened.
At that point, I couldn't breathe as my hands shook the minute I threw the jacket back onto the chair. Though the earrings were still clutched in my hand, digging into my palm.
I couldn't wait for him to be back as I had so many questions brooding on my mind, I was so furious and felt like I was played but I had no option but to wait for him.
After some hours later, I saw Nathan walking through the door, and the minute he saw me sitting on the couch with my arms crossed with the earrings on the coffee table in front of me like evidence in a trial.
He froze.
"What's this?" I asked, my voice low.
As he glanced at the earrings, then at me. H
Though, his face didn't change. Not guilt. Not surprise. Just... indifference.
"They're earrings," he said, like I was stupid for even asking.
"They're not mine."
He shrugged, walking past me toward the kitchen. "So? Maybe they're yours and you forgot."
I stood, my voice rising. "Don't do that. Don't act like I'm imagining things. Who do they belong to, Nathan?"
He didn't answer.
"And what about this?" I grabbed the condom box from the table, holding it up.
Nathan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Can we not do this right now? I've had a long day."
"No," I snapped. "We're doing this right now. Who is she?"
He turned to face me, his expression cold. "Mia," he said finally. "Your parents' daughter. I've been seeing her."
Hearing this, my chest tightened. "Seeing her? What does that even mean?"
"It means I'm done pretending, okay?" His voice rose, sharp and defensive. "You're boring, alright? You've changed. You're always tired, always complaining. I need someone who actually excites me."
His words hit me like a slap.
"Excites you?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "After everything we've been through? Seven years, Nathan. Seven years."
He shrugged again, his face blank. "Things change, okay."
"Things change," I murmured silently as I felt something break inside me. The love I had for him, the trust, the hope-it all shattered in that moment.
Then, my voice turned steadier than I felt as I said to him. "Fine, we're done."
Nathan smirked, like he didn't believe me. "You'll regret this," he said, his tone almost mocking. "You think you can do better?"
But I didn't answer as I grabbed my bag,
with my heart pounding as I walked past him.
Reaching outside of his house, the night air hit me like a shock which was cold and sharp against my skin.
And as I stood there for a moment, staring up at the dark sky. I felt empty. Numb. But beneath it all of that, there was a flicker of something else.
Determination.
As I wasn't going to let Nathan-or anyone else-make me feel small no matter what.
Not now.
Not ever.
*"I had a one-night stand with a stranger who turned out to be my boss, oh my goodness what have I done,"* Valerie Skye is a young and hardworking woman, who finds herself entangled in a web of love, lies, and unexpected twists, after getting dumped by her ex-lover. She ends up having a one-night stand with a total stranger, Dante Blaze, who turns out to be her boss. This becomes complicated for Valerie, as she tries every possible way to avoid Dante. But as a charming playboy and her boss, Dante takes this as a challenge to clip Valerie's wings and make her his. Will she be able to stand his charm? Will he succeed in making her submit? Will love end up overruling Dante's Playboy's nature? Or will Valerie continuously live in shame of her night with him?
"My mom was always right, you're a cheap whore who sells her body for money!" Richard yelled in anger Gabriella's easygoing life takes a turn for the worse when her boyfriend catches her in bed with another man who turns out to be his arch nemesis and the most powerful CEO, Simeon Grey. No one including her boyfriend believes her innocence and Simon takes advantage of this and forces her to be his wife against her wishes with no way of escape. What happens when Gabriella finds out that she is just a pawn in Simon's game to destroy Richard? Will she be able to escape Simon's clutches or does fate have other plans in store for her?
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.