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On the cusp of their anniversary, Sophia Blake senses the widening gap between her and her billionaire husband, Julian Sterling. What she thought was the pinnacle of love and security reveals itself as a fragile dream. When she stumbles upon questionable dealings and deep-seated betrayal, it ignites her resolve to break free. In her quest to redefine herself, she embarks on creating a visionary tech startup-"InnoBliss." Meanwhile, Julian struggles to reconcile professional obligations and the emotional distance that has hardened around his heart. A cunning rival emerges, tangling them further in corporate battles. But from heartbreak's embers arise second chances-if both can confront buried feelings, unearth honest intentions, and decide what truly matters.
"Do you ever wonder, Sophia?" Nathan Clarke's voice cut through the air like a knife's edge. " Does he even notice you anymore?"
Sophia Blake tensed her fingers on the stem of her champagne flute as she froze. She looked at her husband, Julian Sterling, and the shiny marble underfoot felt suddenly wobbly. He shone in the light from the enormous chandelier across the room in his well-fitting suit, a tall, graceful, and influential figure. Isabella Caldwell stood by his side, wearing burgundy in a way that demanded attention.
Isabella touched Julian's forearm while Sophia took a deep breath. Although it appeared to be a public declaration, it was a casual, private gesture. Julian took no action.
Instead, at Isabella's whisper, he tilted his head and nodded.
Then Julian's eyes met Sophia's for a moment. Her heart stupidly believed that he would excuse himself and approach, causing her breath to catch in her throat. His gaze swiftly returned to Isabella, but he remained silent.
Beside her, Nathan chuckled yet sharply. That clarifies my query.
Above, pieces of the chandelier glinted on the polished marble-like shards of glass. The clinking of crystal glasses and the murmur of talk around her sounded like a distant roar, mocking her silence.
She spoke calmly and sweetly, even as a knot formed in her breast, "Not everyone craves the spotlight, Nathan."
"No," said Nathan, his smile widening. "However, not everyone finds being invisible enjoyable either."
Sophia's eyes returned to Julian, and her lips tensed. The golden cage that had previously felt like a haven was being created by the weight of her three-year marriage. It was meant to celebrate Sterling Enterprises' most recent success. Still, it served as a reminder of everything she had lost, including her voice, her dreams, and her position in Julian's world.
"Once more, Sophia, lingering at the edges?"
Her thoughts were interrupted by Edward Sterling's well-known, commanding voice. With his silver hair shining in the chandelier light, Julian's father looked as commanding as ever. He looked at her scornfully, his eyes opaque, then turned to Isabella and Julian.
Sophia smiled emotionlessly and said, "I would rather watch."
Edward's eyebrows went up. "A Sterling bride should be by her husband's side rather than becoming just another wallpaper."
The remark made her cheeks boil, but she remained calm. "Julian appears to be busy."
With contempt, Edward remarked, "He's doing what's necessary for the company." "You ought to follow suit."
Edward turned and rushed toward a group of investors before Sophia could reply, leaving her standing with a tight stomach.
Sophia looked back at Julian, still paying close attention to Isabella's speech. Leaning closer, she could hear Isabella's words reverberating throughout the room. The merger of Sterling Enterprises and Caldwell Holdings might redefine the market. Do you disagree?
Julian's businesslike smile remained fixed as he nodded. "It's a possibility worth investigating."
Sophia gripped her glass of champagne tighter. That smile was one she knew. Years before, when he was still attracted to her, he had given her the identical one. It was now only available to Isabella, investors, and anybody else who wasn't her.
Sophia caught a glimpse of Nathan observing the talk from the corner of her eye, his smile always present. His eyes shifted to her, and he made a fake salute with his glass. The gesture was hurtful, but she didn't want to acknowledge it.
When the sight became unbearable, Sophia fled the crowd. She sought refuge in a peaceful alcove close to the magnificent windows. She could see the city skyline ahead of her, its lights gleaming in the darkness. As the music from the gala faded into the background, she stopped to gather her breath.
She started thinking about InnoBliss. Her escape, her dream, the tech concept she had worked on many nights. The notes she took late at night as Julian worked on Sterling Enterprises and the designs on her laptop had gone unnoticed. Edward, too? He would chuckle at the idea, seeing it as insignificant compared to the Sterling legacy.
An insatiable longing throbbed in Sophia's breast. She had waited so long for acceptance, affection, and her voice to be heard. But as she stood alone in the darkness of her husband's world tonight, she realized that waiting was no longer an option.
The ovation increased as Julian concluded his succinct message and the overhead lights went dark, signaling that the evening was ending. Sophia moved lightly but deliberately in the direction of the exit. Before she could get too far, Julian caught her.
"Going?" he asked in a slightly annoyed tone. "The press will be here soon. You must accompany me.
Sophia responded calmly but firmly, "I've done my part." "You were busy tonight, and I'm not needed now."
Julian's mouth clenched. "Theatrics are not necessary at this time."
Edward appeared behind him, his presence as dominant as ever. He asked coldly, "Does a Sterling bride act like this?" "These are not trivial instances. Your absence has a detrimental effect on Julian.
Sophia's heart pounded, and her hands shook slightly. For years, she had avoided controversy because she preferred to be quiet rather than argue. But something exploded inside her.
She said, "Mr. Sterling," in a voice that was shaking yet determined. "That the business had a successful evening makes me very happy. But I can't do this anymore.
With her heart pounding in her ears, Sophia turned and walked away before either man could say anything. There was a lingering sense of Julian's dissatisfaction, and she felt burdened by Edward's criticism.
Sophia paused at the top of the marble steps outside, the chilly night air filling her lungs. The city lights reflected off the concrete below, lighting the way ahead. For the first time in years, she felt clear.
Whispering to herself, "I can no longer remain invisible," she said.
"InnoBliss is more than just a fantasy. It's how I escape.
She looked back, half expecting Julian to follow. However, he didn't. Instead, she saw Isabella's triumphant smile as they merged with the crowd, Nathan's derisive look, and Edward's shadow close to the doorway.
Sophia's resolve stiffened as she looked back toward the city. She would prove herself to the world if Julian didn't think she was valuable. Tonight, she would battle for herself as much as for her goals.
Change was coming. And she wouldn't wait any longer.
Savannah Carlisle was marrying a billionaire heir for security, or so she thought. Yet on her wedding night, she finds herself waking next to the wrong twin - and her signature is already tied to the Pennington dynasty's deepest secrets. Now imprisoned in a mansion of lies, Savannah learns that she's been seeded with an heir long before she says, "I do." Her womb isn't hers. Her name has been rewritten. And the man who really possesses her is ringless - he wears her silence. By then, with a fabricated contract, a lost memory, and a media empire built on illusion, Savannah must untangle a legacy where love is leverage, and escape may cost everything, including the child she didn't sign up to bear.
"I was raised to be a queen. But I was sold to be a concubine." Lois Frazer was born a member of House Valtara and grew up believing the throne was her birthright. But on the day of her coronation, Steve Reynolds, a former childhood friend and avowed protector, turns brother with a bloodless coup. Instead of killing her, Steve holds Lois in the palace - but not as a queen. He demotes her status by calling her a concubine, a trophy to be bent to his will and make his claim. But Steve's perverse kind of devotion conceals a deeper, ambivalent hunger - he doesn't just want her throne; he wants her. Unwilling to give up, Lois engineers her own resurrection to power, forging flimsy alliances and using even her captor's affections against him. In a kingdom swirling with political turmoil, forbidden desires and shifting loyalties, will Lois win back the crown - or will she ruin herself and the man who betrayed her?
Vesper Bloodmoon is a princess hidden away from her own kingdom, cursed with the mythic power of the Devouring Moon, the goddess that devours the wolf gods themselves. Both feared and shunned, she is reduced to secrecy until her father's death launches a maelstrom of political ambition, divine wrath and romantic entanglement. As the kingdom's devoted High Priest, Draven Nightfang knows the gods' laws better than anyone, and when he learns the truth about Vesper, their bond could shatter aeons of divine dominion or unleash a fierce power beyond anyone's control. In a world of worship, war, and fate, their love crucibles the one hope-or the final curse-to swallow gods.
"You left us," muttered Lucas, his eyes ablaze with betrayal and fury. "You should have stuck with us." As she stood there in the moonlit clearing during the Bonding Ceremony, her heart broke, and Lucas chose the other girl, casting Anya aside, forever forsaken. Her heart was aflame with pain and resilience as his words resounded through her. The Blackwood Pack was paralyzed by terror as evil Alpha, Elias of Shadowfang, unleashed evil to destroy their beloved home. In the chaos, Anya discovered her unique powers shining like a beacon. Driven to flee her splintering household, Anya sets out for Hidden Sanctuary, a mystical realm of refuge and knowledge. She meets Caleb, a noble warrior of the neutral pack with a mysterious past and a secret ambition. Anya and Caleb try to figure out what they want from each other as they expose secrets that could break their reality, even though they don't completely trust each other. Anya's most trusted confidantes, including her closest friend Lila, betray her, risking their mission. Anya digs into her ancient lineage and the prophecy inextricably tied to her fate. Both occur simultaneously, and both conclude the world. As Elias' wrath intensifies and the fate of every werewolf pack lies in the balance, Anya must harness her power, foster deep bonds, and face her darkest demons. Anya and Caleb have a life-defining decision: will love prevail over the ultimate sacrifice as the final battle approaches? Will Anya overcome her rejection and lead her people to victory, or will betrayal and war swallow them both?
Lyra, the mortal researcher, hopes her life will run out, so she presents the enigmatic Dragon King Kael as a sacrifice bride. Instead, she discovers that Kael intends not to let her escape; her blood carries the key to an ancient curse that seals dragons to death. Lyra had to choose between the human kingdom that turned on her and a celestial revolution designed to wipe out the planet. Either she would become a puppet in their hands or revolt against gods and dragons to help define her own fate.
Learning about a magnificent, magical treasure, Ethan Draycott-a spiteful tech millionaire with a secret heart-accidentally summons forth Seraphina, the dethroned and cursed queen of the fairies. Having to stay in his universe until she finds her "true love," Seraphina hates depending on Ethan. But when two worlds meet, Ethan's commercial sense and Seraphina's lost magical skill present an interesting team-building challenge. Negotiating corporate backstabbing and the resurgence of long-standing magical enemies, the two learn perhaps that love is the strongest skill of all.
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
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.
"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?
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
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."