"Alexander, this isn't right," Valentina whispered, her voice shaky as his hand traced the line of her jaw. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "It doesn't matter what's right," he said, his voice low and commanding. "It matters what's mine." Her breath caught as his fingers slid to the back of her neck. "And you think I'm yours?" "I don't think, Valentina," he murmured, a dark smile curving his lips. "I know." --- Valentina never expected her life to take such a dangerous turn. After her husband demands a divorce to marry his mistress, she finds herself entangled with Alexander-a powerful mafia Don whose reputation is as lethal as the man himself. Alexander doesn't just want Valentina; he needs her. When he discovers she's the daughter of Nico Vance, the man responsible for the tragedy that destroyed his family, his rage burns hotter. But instead of killing her, Alexander makes a chilling decision: Valentina will become his late wife, down to the last detail. Caught between desire and danger, Valentina must decide if she'll run from Alexander's dark world-or step willingly into it. Because once she does, there's no turning back.
Valentina's POV
The sound of the ticking clock seemed to echo faintly, yet it was all I could hear as I drifted into an agonizing daze.
What did he say? He must be mistaken. It couldn't be true.
"Mrs. Laurent." The monotone voice snapped me back to reality, and I blinked, staring at the man in the white coat.
"Mrs. Laurent, are you listening to me?" I blinked again, trying to focus on his words, but they seemed to slip through my mind like water through my fingers. The room felt smaller, the air thicker, as if everything was closing in around me.
Breathe, Valentina. Breathe.
"Repeat what you just said," I finally found my voice and demanded, but it was quieter than I intended-just barely above a whisper, yet sharp with a desperate edge I didn't recognize.
The doctor's eyes softened, but he didn't hesitate. "Mrs. Laurent, I'm afraid you have brain cancer. The prognosis is... very serious. You have only about a year to live."
A chill ran through me, the world shifting in a way I couldn't comprehend. His words echoed louder in my mind than the ticking of the clock.
"You're telling me... I'm dying?" I whispered, barely able to keep my voice steady.
He nodded solemnly. "Yes. The cancer has spread too far. Surgery isn't advisable in your case-it could do more harm than good. The best we can offer now is palliative care to make you as comfortable as possible."
The room spun as the weight of his words settled on my chest, suffocating me. Only a year. How could this be happening?
The signs-the signs I thought were pregnancy-were actually those of cancer?
"Is there really nothing that can be done? With all the advancements in medicine and technology, there has to be a cure-there should be!" I pleaded, my voice trembling as tears threatened to spill. Desperately, I searched the doctor's face for a glimmer of hope, but his silence was all the answer I needed.
"Mrs. Laurent, I advise you to come with your husband and get started-" I didn't wait for the rest of his words. I bolted for the door, my legs unsteady beneath me. The world spun, and for a moment, I almost collapsed, but I steadied myself, pushing through the dizziness. I managed to walk out of the consultation room, each step feeling heavier than the last.
I didn't know how I did it, but somehow, I made it into the backseat of the car. My heart hammered against my chest, and I could feel the driver's gaze on me, but I couldn't bring myself to look up. I didn't want to-not with the tears that kept falling despite my best efforts to keep them hidden.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" the driver asked, his voice soft with concern, but I was only able to shake my head, unable to form the words.
"Take me home, please," I whispered, my voice breaking as more tears spilled down my cheeks.
I could hear the car engine start, and as it began to move, I closed my eyes, trying to process the doctor's words. The throbbing pain in my head made it hard to focus. This morning, on my way to the hospital, I had been excited. I thought, after a year of grief from my miscarriage, I was finally pregnant. I had hoped for good news-something that might heal my relationship with Damien. But instead, I was told I had only a year to live, and I was slowly dying.
"Mrs. Laurent, we're here," the driver's voice broke through the silence, and I slowly opened my eyes, staring at the grand villa. Though lavish and filled with wealth, it felt cold-just like it had the day she returned.
I got out of the car and leaned against it, trying to steady myself. When I felt strong enough to walk, I made my way into the mansion. Mrs. Agatha, the housekeeper who had always been like a mother to me, bowed and gently took my coat from my shoulders.
"Is Damien around?" I asked weakly, and Mrs. Agatha nodded in response. She was about to say something else, but the loud sound of laughter from the sitting room caught my attention.
"Who else is here?" I turned back to her, but she looked down, unable to meet my gaze.
"The Laurent family, Madam, and-"
"Oh, isn't it the madam of this house?" a high-pitched voice interrupted, and I immediately recognized it.
"Tessa, you're here?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice. She scoffed, placing her hands on her hips, her gaze filled with disdain.
"What? Can't I visit my brother? Mom is here too, and you're just showing up now? You can't even respect your in-laws anymore. But I suppose I shouldn't expect anything from someone who can't even give birth to a child."
Her words hit me like a slap, and I frowned, swallowing the bitter sting. It was a surprise to see them here, especially since I hadn't been told they would be, but I said nothing. I simply offered an apology.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware. Damien didn't mention anything."
"Keep your useless apology to yourself," another voice cut in, sharp and condescending. I looked up to see my mother-in-law standing there, drink in hand, her eyes blazing with pure hatred as she spoke.
Not long ago, she had been laughing, but the moment she saw me, her expression soured. She looked at me like I was nothing more than dirt beneath her feet. I knew the reason. An illegitimate woman like me was beneath her son, unworthy to even share the same air.
"Look at you," she sneered, her gaze dripping with disdain. "Why would you be aware of anything? You can't do anything but eat and drink all day. You're just useless. I regret the day I allowed my son to marry someone like you."
"Even with all the food she's eating, she looks skinny-ill, even." Tessa snickered at her mother's words, and I could only close my eyes, trying not to let their words affect me.
Normally, I would apologize, even when they degraded me, but today, I had neither the strength nor the patience to endure it.
"Where is Damien?" I ignored them and turned to Agatha, who looked visibly shocked but quickly responded.
"In the bedroom, Madam."
I nodded and started to leave, but Tessa grabbed my hand, her nails digging into my flesh, making me flinch.
"Are you ignoring us?! How dare you-" Tessa began, but her mother cut her off.
"Let her go. Don't waste your breath on useless people," she sneered, pausing to eye me with a smirk. "There's a pleasant surprise waiting for you in that bedroom."
I raised an eyebrow, tempted to ask what she meant, but Tessa finally let go of my hand. I didn't want them to change their minds, so I walked toward the bedroom, but with each step, a dread settled in my chest, a gnawing feeling that something was terribly wrong.
As I approached the door, faint moans reached my ears. My stomach turned. I opened the door slowly and froze in place.
There, sitting on Damien's lap, was Caelina-his first love, the woman who had caused my miscarriage a year ago. My eyes drifted to her protruding belly, and I felt my world crumble around me.
"Lock the door." Isla hesitated, her pulse racing. "Alaric-" "Now." His voice was pure dominance. Her fingers fumbled with the lock just as he spun her around, pressing her back against the cold mahogany desk. His hands skimmed her thighs, pushing up her skirt, his eyes dark with hunger. "You've been running from me all week, little rose." His fingers trailed higher, teasing. "But we both know you want this." "We can't," she whispered, her breath hitching as his lips brushed her neck. He smirked, slipping his hand between her legs. "We already did. And now, I'm going to ruin you all over again." ___ Betrayed. Humiliated. Abandoned. On her wedding day, just as she was about to say "I do," Isla world shattered. Her fiancé's mistress crashed the ceremony, dragging every dirty secret into the light. Heartbroken and furious, she did the one thing she never thought she would-she drowned her pain in the arms of Alaric Vance, her father's best friend. One night. No names. No strings. But when morning came, she realized the man who had ruined her in every sinful way wasn't just only her father's friend-he was now her new boss. Alaric is powerful, ruthless, and twice her age. And now that he's had a taste, he wants more. Working under him is impossible. The tension is suffocating, the chemistry undeniable. He's everywhere-watching, teasing, owning her. And no matter how much she tries to resist, she knows the truth: She's already his.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
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."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!