For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, "Either you or the baby survives!" Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, "I'm sorry, men no longer interest me."
"It's been ages since we've had a moment like this..." Shane Brooks' lips brushed lightly against Yvonne Burton's ear, his voice as smooth as velvet.
"Shane, I need to go to the hospital now..." Yvonne turned her head away, avoiding the kiss Shane tried to steal.
"Just this once!" Shane insisted.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, like a taut string ready to snap.
It wasn't until Yvonne felt the world around her spinning, faintness threatening to take over, that Shane finally let her go.
"Did I hurt you?" His voice, rich and deep, carried a blend of concern and teasing. "How about I make it up to you with the latest designer bag?"
Yvonne's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze locking onto him.
The man before her was breathtakingly handsome, with features so refined they could have been sculpted by an artist. His usual cool and distant demeanor was still there, though now tinged with a faint, lingering passion-proof of their recent intimacy.
After three years of marriage, Yvonne had come to recognize this look. It was his tell, a sign that he was satisfied.
That was why he was being so generous to her.
Yvonne's lips curved into a bitter smile. "Did you forget? I haven't completed my sentence."
"Then you can use the bag when you're out," Shane replied casually as if discussing the weather.
Yvonne's chest tightened painfully.
Shane had said it so nonchalantly, as though serving time was just a mundane inconvenience.
"You will be released from prison soon, right?" His fingers trailed along her cheek with practiced ease. "I told you before, one year would fly by in the blink of an eye."
Yvonne swallowed the lump in her throat, her hand clutching his as desperation seeped into her voice. "The hospital called me... They said my grandmother wasn't doing well. Could you come with me to the hospital to visit her?"
Since she was still serving her sentence, she couldn't leave here freely.
But she had earned a day of temporary release due to her good behavior in prison.
Initially, her plan had been to go straight to the hospital. Yet, she had hesitated, worried her frail grandmother, Maggie Thomas, might be unsettled by her disheveled appearance. Returning home to freshen up had seemed like the right choice, but unexpectedly, she had run into Shane at home, who had just gotten back from a business trip overseas.
She had really wanted to rush to the hospital, yet Shane had stopped her. He had been adamant, demanding his needs be met first, leaving her spending the entire morning here.
Still, she thought, maybe this was good. If Shane accompanied her to the hospital, it would make her grandmother happy.
But the next second, Shane pulled his hand away.
Yvonne's heart sank like a stone tossed into deep water.
"I've got something to do this afternoon. You can go on your own." Shane's words came out without hesitation. Standing up, he retrieved a card from the bedside drawer and held it out. "Use this to buy something nice for your grandmother."
This wasn't unexpected for Yvonne-she had seen this play out before. Shane's preferred method of problem-solving always involved money.
But she knew Maggie didn't need fancy gifts. What Maggie needed, what she longed for, was to see Shane and her being happy together as a family.
Shane showered, got dressed, and left without so much as a goodbye.
Yvonne rose slowly, her legs still weak and trembling as she got out of bed.
She then busied herself with packing some homemade food to bring to the hospital-something Maggie would appreciate more than any store-bought gift.
When she entered Maggie's hospital room, the sight before her made her blood run cold. The bag with the food slipped from her fingers, hitting the floor as she cried out, "Grandma!"
Though Maggie had endured numerous hospital stays throughout her illness, she had never needed to use a ventilator. This really shocked Yvonne.
Yvonne rushed to Maggie's bedside, her voice quavering with worry. "Grandma, I'm here! Open your eyes and look at me, Grandma!"
Maggie's weathered eyelids fluttered open, a dim spark of recognition lighting her aged eyes. "Yvonne, you're here..."
"Grandma, what happened?" Yvonne's words tumbled out in a panic. "The nurse said you were just feeling a bit unwell and missed me. Why does your condition look so severe?"
"I asked the nurse not to worry you too much. Yvonne, I think I don't have much time left," Maggie replied.
"No! That's not true!" Yvonne's trembling hand flew to Maggie's face. She then assessed Maggie's condition.
Soon, her fears were confirmed-Maggie indeed had not much time left.
Tears carved burning paths down Yvonne's cheeks as sadness threatened to tear her heart asunder.
"Yvonne, life and death walk hand in hand. Don't cry." Maggie's papery fingers brushed Yvonne's wet cheek. "Having such a great granddaughter, I am satisfied with my life. I am just concerned about how you will live your life after I am gone."
"Grandma, please stay with me!" Yvonne hastily scrubbed away her tears, forcing brightness into her voice. "I'll be out of prison in a month. Then I'll never leave your side. Remember how you longed to return to our hometown? Once you recover, we'll go back together."
"That would be lovely." Maggie's gaze held infinite tenderness. "Bring Shane along, too."
Though her heart knew otherwise, Yvonne nodded fervently. "Of course. Shane wanted to be here today, but urgent business matters demanded his attention."
"Work always comes first." Maggie withdrew a half-moon pendant from beneath her pillow, pressing it into Yvonne's palm.
The pendant was made of high-quality jade and was carved with a bird.
"Yvonne, keep this safe. It's your-" The door's sudden opening cut short Maggie's words.
Shane's commanding presence filled the doorway, his dark suit emphasizing his statuesque frame. He looked elegant with every move.
Joy illuminated Yvonne's tear-stained face. "Grandma, look! Shane came to see you!"
But as Shane approached, there was something amiss about his expression.
His customary mask of cool detachment had cracked; he looked uncharacteristically anxious and worried. "Yvonne, Jayde needs an immediate blood transfusion."
The words stabbed through Yvonne's momentary happiness. She had thought Shane was looking worried because of her grandmother, but it turned out he was just concerned for Jayde Davis.
Of course. In Shane's world, no one could eclipse his childhood sweetheart, his eternal flame, Jayde. All others paled in comparison.
Yvonne fought to suppress the familiar ache in her chest. "My grandmother lies here, critically ill. I must stay by her side. Can't Jayde use blood bank supplies?" she said.
"The rare blood type isn't available here, and the nearest bank is an hour away. Jayde can't wait that long." Shane's fingers closed around Yvonne's wrist like steel bands. "Yvonne, her life hangs in the balance. You need to come with me now."
"I won't leave my grandmother! Let go of me!" Yvonne's struggles proved futile against Shane's strength.
"Yvonne..." Maggie's frail voice called out, her hand reaching toward her granddaughter. "I never told you about your parents. The truth is, you..."
"Grandma!" Yvonne cried out, but Shane had already dragged her out of the room before she could hear the rest of her grandmother's words.
Though protocol limited blood donations to 400 milliliters, Shane demanded double that amount from Yvonne.
This left Yvonne ghost-white and trembling after the donation.
Despite her weakness, she forced herself upright, using the wall for support as she stumbled back to Maggie's hospital room. The sight that greeted her sent her world spinning-the silent ventilator, Maggie's still form covered by a white cloth...
Yvonne's legs betrayed her, sending her collapsing to the floor.
Grief had stolen even her tears. She crawled forward on trembling limbs until she reached the bedside.
"No... Grandma... Don't leave me..." She clutched Maggie's lifeless hand, drowning in waves of desolation.
"My condolences, Yvonne." Shane's deep voice cut through her anguish with detachment. "Jayde is stable now. Thank you for your help... By the way, the prison requires your immediate return."
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.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Daisy is the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Hubert. His company went bankrupt, so he asked for help from Drkov's house. They agreed to help Mr. Hubert but with one condition. One of his two daughters must marry their nephew - Atlas Drkov. Atlas Drkov is a billionaire but he is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Yaretzi - daughter of Mr. Hubert's official wife - does not accept marrying a disabled man. She and her parents made a plan. They kidnapped Daisy's mother, threatened her, and forced her to marry Atlas. To save her mother, she accepted. However, after getting married, she fell in love with this man, and so did he. Difficulties start from here.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Amy didn't expect that her husband whom she had loved and trusted earnestly for many years would be cheating on her by having sex with his secretary. When she confronted him, he and his secretary mocked and ridiculed her, they called her barren to her face, afterall, she had not conceived for the past three years that she had been married to her husband, Callan. Terribly Heartbroken, she filed for divorce and left to the club, she picked a random gigolo, had a hot one night stand with him, paid him and dissapeared to a small city. She came back to the country six years later with three identical cute boys and three identical cute girls of the same age. She settled and got a job but soon find out that her CEO was the gigolo she had sex with six years back at the club. Will she be able to hide her six little cuties from her CEO, who happens to be the most powerful man in NorthHill and beleived to be infertile? Can Amy and the most powerful man in NorthHill get along considering the social gap between them.