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Some secrets bind us, others set us free,but all of them come with a price. Victoria Sterling has built her life on control: a successful career, a carefully guarded heart, and a determination never to let her past define her. But when her ex-husband Alexander resurfaces with scandalous claims, and billionaire Sebastian Kane, the man she swore she'd never fall for returns to London unexpectedly, her perfectly constructed world begins to unravel. Caught in a whirlwind of speculation, betrayal, and buried emotions, Victoria is forced to confront the truth she's kept hidden not just from the world but from herself. A shocking revelation leaves her questioning everything: her decisions, her desires, and the life growing inside her. As the media spirals into a frenzy and past lovers collide, Victoria must navigate treacherous waters of love, lies, and redemption. Will she find the strength to face her fears, or will the weight of her secrets crush her? In a world where passion and power collide, Hearts Unveiled is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for a second chance.
Victoria's Pov
Alexander's hands wandered over my body as his lips traced down my private place with practised ease; I shut my eyes, wanting to reconnect to my fanatic and horny self. His hands carelessly traced my skin, clutching my breast before shaking them; he was no longer the loving husband I had gotten married to, and he handled me ruggedly without any trace of love. His touch used to set my skin on fire, but tonight seemed different; it barely sparked. I sucked it up silently, closing my eyes, obligated to fulfil my duty as his wife.
"Tessa" he moaned against my neck, his voice breaking through the connection I was having.
I froze trying to assess what I had just heard...Not Vicky'..
"Did you just ..." I paused for a moment, my voice cutting through the silent rhythm that had just rained on us.
"What?" lifting his head away from my neck, with his brows arched through confusion.
"Did you just say, Tessa?" I whispered, my heart pounding in shock.
The clear view of blood left his face, leaving him pale as he nodded in disagreement.
"No!, I didn't say such, I guess you heard wrong"
I pushed him off before sitting up against the headboard, clutching the sheet to my chest.
"Don't lie to me, Alex. I knew what I heard, I am not stupid"
He let out a large sigh before running his hands through his head.
"Are you sure you are alright Vicki, you are imagining things already. You know I love you so much and won't do anything to hurt you"
"You should stop being paranoid," he says before bringing me into his bosom.
Paranoid!! He said it like I was the problem, literally turning the whole situation into me being crazy.
I didn't bother pressing further about the issue. But laying beside him that night, staring at the ceiling, my troubled mind drifted into a depth of thought, our vow exchange and happy years together. Tessa, my stepsister, her name echoed so loud I tussled as the voice refused to go away
The next week was meant to be our anniversary, I had planned a quick surprise for Alex.
The sound of the door creaking open, my keys making their jiggly sound as I laid them on the counter I had clocked out early from the office; I brought along with me a bottle of wine as it was our anniversary. I wanted it all to be a surprise, but the sound of cackling laughter welcomed me, and this made my heart pound further.
I felt a shivering coolness wash over my body as I stepped softly into the hallway. Alexander's fresh cologne filled the air with the mix of a strangely familiar flowery scent. Alexander's voice caught my attention.
"Tessa, I've missed you so much", his voice was low and tuned with an unfamiliar thing. It was filled with passion, but it wasn't for me.
My heart dropped, my hands and feet going numb with every step I took closer to the room door.
I knew better not to eavesdrop, but I could not help my curiosity. I clearly shouldn't have done so.
"Tessa!!.. The name hit so clearly I recalled him whispering her name the last time we were getting intimate, a flashback of our lives together filled my senses.
A silent scream was let out in my chest.
I was unable to breathe, nor could I scream, nor could I navigate my surroundings; I froze at the spot. My fingers held tightly on the door frame, and before I could stop myself, my eyes traced down from the shelves till they landed on them.
Alexander, the man I had cherished for the past four years, as today was supposed to be our anniversary. He had his lips locked with that of my sister; they were both sprawled across the bed.
I felt the world go into a quick pause; the Earth stopped in its orbit. My head is spinning filled with so many emotions. Everything got blurred around me but not the image before me.
I watched them tangled up In each other's grip, his hands roamed over her like he used to do with me, but he was different, the way he worshipped her, to arching her back, her moans and how he devoted his all to her, It was too much to contain.
An overwhelming, uneasy feeling overshadowed me, twisting into a fist filled with betrayal.
"Am I interrupting something?" I asked, walking into the room, my voice cutting through their romantic, silent meeting.
Tessa let out a loud gasp out of shock as she scrambled to cover herself up with the sheets, but Alexander? He felt unbothered, and neither did he flinch. He sat up, staring at me with a gaze filled with annoyance.
"Oh, Vicki!! I didn't expect you to be home so soon," he said, almost driving me to the hedge of laughing and going crazy sideways.
"Victoria, I didn't..."
"Save it, Tessa," I said, immediately cutting her off her statement; her face was drained, as pale as it was; I watched her fidget as she picked her things up to jolt as she was held back by Alexander.
My brows raised in shock at what I had just witnessed; I quickly found a chair to sit on as I tried to digest this experience.
"I can't hide it anymore, Victoria; I am in love with Tessa", he says, his bare, sweaty chest watching me wonder if air got restricted from the room.
"Since when Alex?!!" I whispered. My posture crossed like I was watching a play unfold before me.
"Alex!!"
"Let's not make a big deal out of this. You have refused to give me an offspring, and clearly, this is your fault", his historical tune mocking me to my bones.
"How is it my fault, Alex? Today is supposed to be our anniversary, or have you forgotten?"
"Oh, don't act like you have been the perfect wife, darling. You are never around, always up for work, but have no time for your dear husband. Do you recall the last time we wanted to have a romantic night?" he says, running his hands into his hair.
"You pushed me off!!" he yelled
I felt my heart crack at every word he spilt.
I watched him explain and toss the fault at me with a less expressive face.
I let out a hysterical laugh as he explained how it all started.
"We can both put this behind us as you should forgive me, or do you want to end it all because of my one-time mistake," he says, walking towards me, smiling hysterically.
"I want a divorce, Alex.!!"
His face gets twisted, and for the first time, I see a genuine emotion through his face.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
After a painful breakup with her boyfriend of two years who coldly told her to her face that he couldn't keep dating her because she was too uptight--In a moment of anger and defiance, Anna decided to throw caution to the wind for one reckless night. She headed to the wildest club in Texas, determined to lose herself in the chaos. But fate had other plans. To her shock, she ran into her ex-boyfriend at the club. Desperate to save face, she made a split-second decision and approached a stranger, pretending he was her new boyfriend. What she never anticipated was the magnetic pull she would feel towards him or the fact that she'd end up going home with this mystery man. Soon enough, the real surprise hit her--this stranger wasn't just anyone; he was her new boss. What begins as a night of rebellion spirals into a whirlwind of forbidden attraction, societal pressure and hidden affairs. And now there are so many things at stake. Find out how this story unfolds.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."