The Cost of Forever
/1/132429/coverbig.jpg?v=de1b7835f16310818c236b092793e8c1)
Falling For My Cheating Boyfriend's Uncle
"I'm badly injured. Get over here right now!" Fresh off a grueling twelve-hour open-heart surgery, I received a frantic call from my boyfriend, Derik. Without even changing my scrubs, I rushed through Boston's freezing autumn rain to the bar. But the moment I pushed open the VIP room door, my blood ran completely cold. Derik was sitting perfectly unharmed on the sofa, with a scantily clad, third-rate model straddling his lap. Seeing me soaked to the bone and looking like a mess, the model didn't get off him. Instead, she leaned into his chest with fake innocence: "Sorry to bother you, sis. I just twisted my ankle, but Derik was so worried he insisted a top doctor like you come take a look." The cold rain dripped from my hair. Swallowing the sharp pain in my chest, my voice trembled: "I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon. I can't treat an ankle." "If you can't even look at a twisted ankle, what use are you?" Derik interrupted impatiently, looking at me like I was a cheap object. "Don't forget, my family funded your medical degree. You're nothing but a free maid we took in out of charity! As long as you behave, I might still let you keep the title of my girlfriend." In that instant, my four years of walking on eggshells and compromising felt like a massive joke. Instead of crying and begging like he expected, I looked at him coldly. "You're right, I can't treat it. So I'm officially giving up the position of your girlfriend to her." Leaving Derik staring in shock, I turned around, walked out of the room, and rushed straight into a restroom stall. Just as I was about to let out a sob, the door was violently kicked open. A towering, blood-soaked man forced his way in, pinning me hard against the wall. The overwhelming scent of fresh blood and dangerous masculinity instantly enveloped me. "Keep your mouth shut if you want to live." Hearing the assassins' footsteps approaching outside, my doctor's instinct kicked in. I yanked his belt loose, grabbed his collar, and kissed him fiercely. I thought I had just saved a stranger, until a few days later when Derik's grandmother suffered a severe heart attack. Her life was hanging by a thread, and the surgery required the signature of the family's ultimate patriarch. Outside the ER, Derik arrogantly showed up with his arms around that model. "She's already carrying my child! Once my grandmother wakes up, I'm kicking you out of this hospital!" he yelled at me. Suddenly, the temperature in the hallway seemed to drop below freezing. Flanked by two rows of bodyguards, a terrifyingly powerful man strode out. Derik, who was acting so high and mighty a second ago, instantly turned pale. He shrank like a frightened mouse, trembling as he bowed his head: "U-Uncle..." My mind completely short-circuited, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. The dangerously lethal man I had fiercely kissed and stripped to bandage in that dirty restroom late that night... was actually Derik's most feared and revered billionaire uncle?!
Chapter 1
Gracelyn POV:
Fresh off a grueling twelve-hour coronary bypass surgery, I received a frantic call from my boyfriend, Derik Mccarthy, claiming he was badly injured and needed me immediately.
I rushed through Boston's freezing autumn rain and burst into the VIP room of the sports bar he had texted me, only to find a blonde woman with her pale, slender legs draped shamelessly over Derik's thighs, her eyes rimmed with red.
It was Krystle Paul, a minor model desperate to claw her way into the NHL WAG circle.
"Gracelyn, you're finally here. Krystle hurt her ankle. Hurry up and look at it," Derik ordered. There wasn't an ounce of guilt in his voice, just impatient entitlement.
Soaked to the bone by the freezing rain, my heart plummeted.
So he had panicked me into rushing over in a storm just to treat his new fling's ankle?
Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I crouched down anyway. But just as my hand reached out, before my fingers even brushed her skin—
"Ah! It hurts!" Krystle let out a shrill, agonizing gasp, burying her face into Derik's neck.
"Gracelyn, are you blind? Can't you be gentle?!" Derik snapped, his eyebrows knotting together in furious annoyance.
I froze. "I haven't even touched her yet."
"If you didn't touch her, why would she cry out in pain?" Derik glared at me, his large hand gently rubbing Krystle's back to soothe her.
Looking at the man in front of me, the extreme contrast felt like a scalpel slicing straight into my chest.
I had been his girlfriend for four years, but before that, we had known each other for twelve years. We went to the same private schools. Every off-season, I meticulously managed his diet. When he ran a fever during his rookie season, I stayed awake for forty-eight hours straight, applying cold compresses so he wouldn't miss a game.
He had known this girl for what? Four days? Yet he chose to believe her cheap tears over me.
I slowly stood up, my spine perfectly straight. "I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon, Derik. I can't treat this."
"Can't treat it?" Derik sneered. "The Mccarthy family fed you and funded your medical degree, and you can't even look at a twisted ankle? What use are you?"
The undisguised contempt in his voice completely shattered my last illusion of him.
Twelve years ago, my mother—a maid at the Mccarthy estate—died in a fire while shielding Derik's mother, Hedy. The Mccarthy family took me in out of so-called "charity." They let me attend school with Derik, and he naturally assumed I was just an obedient maid his family had bought and paid for.
In his eyes, my identity had never changed.
"You're right. I can't treat it," I said, looking down at them. "And I apologize for taking up the position of your girlfriend for the past four years. We're done. The spot is officially hers."
A brief flash of shock crossed Derik's eyes, but an arrogant smirk quickly replaced it. "Are you throwing a tantrum and breaking up with me? Perfect. I was just thinking about giving Krystle a proper title anyway."
His tone was so painfully light. It was as if... he had been waiting for me to say those exact words.
"Enjoy your new title, Krystle," I said calmly. "I'm leaving."
When the heavy VIP room door clicked shut behind me, the suffocating weight of the past twelve years came crashing down.
I had no family left. Every memory I had of growing up was tied to Derik. He had once announced I was his girlfriend in front of his whole team. He had even bought me a promise ring.
Those memories twisted with the image of him holding Krystle, acting like an invisible hand crushing my heart. I couldn't breathe.
Tears uncontrollably spilled from my eyes. Shivering, I dragged my heavy steps down the hallway, rushing straight into the women's restroom and locking myself in the furthest stall.
Just as I was about to let out a sob and release all my grievances, the stall door was violently shoved inward, snapping the latch. A towering figure forced his way in, locking the broken door behind him.
The overwhelming scent of fresh blood, mixed with cold peppermint and cedar, instantly suffocated me. I opened my mouth to scream, but a large, rough hand wearing a half-finger leather glove clamped over my lips, pinning me against the wall.
In the dim light, a pair of ice-blue eyes glared down at me like a cornered beast.
"Keep your mouth shut if you want to live," a deep, gravelly voice rasped against my ear. "Cooperate with me."
/0/64549/coverbig.jpg?v=960981b9f8aa6992a30770145dc98cd6)
The Cost Of Forever
Evangeline Harper never wanted to be rescued, especially not by a billionaire like Alexander Sterling. With her art struggling to sell and her sister's life slipping through her fingers, Eva's only choice is to rely on herself until Xander steps in with an offer she can't refuse.But behind his irres
/0/91926/coverbig.jpg?v=721fd651413b05ec1fc31cef3e9a8228)
The Cost of Betrayal
Seven years ago, Rhett's company was on the brink of bankruptcy. It was Lorna, the wealthy heiress, who offered her steadfast support, allowing Rhett's company to narrowly escape disaster. Afterward, Rhett and Lorna tied the knot and embraced wedded bliss. Yet, on their wedding night, Rhett
/0/93756/coverbig.jpg?v=f94986b2512bfeb832d6471b70f21b02)
The Cost of Deception
I was the little princess cherished by my brother Derek Walton, the most well-behaved girl in our family. The boldest thing I ever did was hide my identity and date Lucas Morrison, my brother's sworn enemy, in secret for three years. Over those three years, I let him record countless sex video
/0/88680/coverbig.jpg?v=94b4296085ed6dba143368aa61b4b8b3)
The Unseen Cost of Love
For ten years, I gave up everything for my boyfriend, Damien. After a family scandal left him ostracized and broken, I worked two jobs to send him to a prestigious university, believing in the genius everyone else had abandoned. But the moment he became the tech innovator I always knew he could be,
/1/103177/coverbig.jpg?v=d6e4705838fddd3569ec47788420e68c)
The Price Of Forever
Gigi Jasmine swore never to love a man who wore wealth like armor. The ruthless games of billionaires destroyed her family, and she learned the hard way: power is poison. Then came Jason Jae. Magnetic. Untouchable. Dangerous. The kind of man every woman wanted-and the very man she should have hate
/0/80427/coverbig.jpg?v=5cd9331f9d749d51785b2b3bbc15da04)
The Cost of Their Lies
I woke up in my own bed, my familiar floral comforter, my slightly messy room. The sun was too bright, and a wave of nausea hit me. Then, Jessica’s sickeningly sweet voice drifted from the kitchen, "Emily? You up?" My digital clock flashed 7:32 AM, April 12th – the day before my world ended. Just t
/0/81765/coverbig.jpg?v=ac3f030eae4b276f7169e9b4d7d2482a)
The Cost of Nine Stars
My entire life revolved around a sacred power that cost me a piece of my soul every time I used it. Nine star-like birthmarks on my forearm, each fading after I resurrected Ethan, the adoptive brother I believed had saved me. I had brought him back from the dead nine times, from drug overdoses to
/0/1458/coverbig.jpg?v=5a61e276365353b7420de2c0105da4f7)
The Cost
Pauline Gardiner joined us on the day that we, the Second Reader class, moved from the basement to the top story of the old Central Public School. Her mother brought her and, leaving, looked round at us, meeting for an instant each pair of curious eyes with friendly appeal.
/0/80217/coverbig.jpg?v=f40d86eafba3ada02e4736e352ffd22a)
The Cost of Love: Abandoned and Broken
My life was perfect: a star quarterback, engaged to my high school sweetheart, Chloe, and surrounded by a loving adoptive family who always put me first. Then Liam appeared, claiming to be my long-lost biological half-brother, weaving tragic tales that instantly captivated everyone around me. One
/0/86871/coverbig.jpg?v=56e47b4af0eb72170f059880a2fd6415)
The Cost of His Clean Slate
For ten years, I was Liam O' Connell' s shadow, the architect of his dark web empire. I chose him over everything, believing our bond was unbreakable, forged in the fires of the underground world. Today, he was going legitimate, hosting a party to celebrate his new beginning. I waited, expecting to
/0/86447/coverbig.jpg?v=1211c709c85a73d98b0596469632e902)
The Price of Family, The Cost of Love
The university acceptance letter, a full scholarship, felt like my ticket out of our forgotten town. I was Chloe Davis, and for eighteen years, I' d studied, dreamed of this escape. But when I showed it to my father, Robert, his eyes didn' t gleam with pride, but with a calculating hunger I knew t
/0/70706/coverbig.jpg?v=19b4de990a7b3b5fed309594b2282721)
THE COST OF LOVE AND PASSION
SYNOPSIS: Struggling to make ends meet, Kate Grey has all but given up on her dream of becoming an actress-until a mysterious billionaire, Jared Cole, offers her a deal too tempting to refuse. If she agrees to pose as his companion at glittering galas and high-society events for three months, he'll
/1/123721/coverbig.jpg?v=44c0d5fdc77807b5e10d05e0bc0a8a85)
The Cost of a Crash: The Billionaire's Pretend Wife
After crashing into billionaire Darius Rothwell's brand-new car, Arielle thought her life was over. She didn't expect him to demand something far worse than money. A marriage. Three months. One contract. No feelings allowed. But pretending to be the wife of a cold, calculating CEO is dangerous, espe
/0/86897/coverbig.jpg?v=416bccf163c96e8b0806d853484a9f08)
The Affair That Cost Everything
My heart sank when I heard, "Three million dollars has been withdrawn from your joint savings account." Gone. The money, our life' s work, our shared dream, was gone. I knew instantly where it went: to Summer Reed, Liam' s high school sweetheart, the ghost of our marriage. Last night, I overheard
/1/134187/coverbig.jpg?v=037b2de0766eaf8169b05f3f4b3f6863)
Cost Of His Cruel Billionaire Game
When the wealthy Whitfield family finally found their biological daughter, my eighteen years as their adopted child instantly meant nothing. My adoptive parents and my fiancé handed me an invoice for $12.4 million in back child-rearing costs, demanding I repay it by selling my memories to the Memor
/0/34004/coverbig.jpg?v=5149a9cf2bf4f4c0c4d73f70fe752e74)
Forever
"You must be punished, Eleanor." He rasped, his deep rich voice sending tingles down her spine. Pulling her away from the wall, he hoisted her up on his shoulder. A squeal of horror escaped her lips as she immediately clutched his shirt from back in her tiny fists, eyes looking at the floor in terro
/0/39144/coverbig.jpg?v=700dfd53e96dae46ccd74570be345e32)
Forever Broken: Chronicles of Araxx
The room around Jay was engulfed in a bright red fire just as he was about to open his mouth and let out another torrent of rage. When Lee's house burned down and she was the only one still alive, her life spiraled out of control. Lee finally broke free from her captors after being held captive for
/0/83817/coverbig.jpg?v=69f4748dda9feedf1c764c10d1fcd589)
The Cost of a Crown: A Mafia Princess's Ruin
My life as a mafia princess ended the day Dante Moretti, the new Don, killed my family and seized our home. Now, I was a prisoner, a humiliated servant scrubbing floors in what was once my mansion, enduring his cruel torment day and night. He swore my family had destroyed his, and his vengeance wa
/0/80454/coverbig.jpg?v=18411a1ebfc155a5ee76ce197729ab34)
The king's forever
This is a story of a girl from the village of mura.An old traditional village.Her name is Alai. Alai lives with her mother,who is her only family.She goes to the land of viron only dominated by creatures she hates with her life .She has no choice but to go to find the rare moon flower that will h
/0/82850/coverbig.jpg?v=2083256652c894464fc37701fe3466db)
Too Late, Mr. Maxwell: The Cost of Betrayal
My life as Ava Thompson, the perfect society wife of real estate mogul Ethan Maxwell, seemed perfectly gilded. Our anniversary gala on a dizzying New York night was a dazzling spectacle under blinding flashbulbs. Then, a dark van, masked men, and my screams echoed as the world went black. I woke
