The rich Alexander Grayson has a son, which Natalie Reed has been keeping a huge secret for the past six years. After their brief affair ended abruptly, Natalie was devastated and made the decision to raise their child alone, away from Alexander's cruel world of betrayal and power. However, Alexander learns the truth-he has an heir-when fate brings their paths together once more. He desires a place in his son's life because he feels deceived and angry, but there are restrictions and issues attached. Secrets are revealed and old emotions are rekindled as Natalie and Alexander manage co-parenting. Although the barriers Alexander erected around his heart start to come down, Natalie is aware that danger still exists in his world. Can she risk her heart once more to defend her son? Natalie and Alexander must choose whether their family is worth fighting for or if their pasts will permanently separate them in this story of love, redemption, and second chances.
Sunlight streaming through the transparent curtains filled the little Brooklyn apartment with the aroma of cinnamon pancakes. As she flipped the final pancake onto a plate, Natalie Reed stood at the stove and looked at her six-year-old son Liam, who was lying on the floor of the living room. He rolled a toy vehicle down a makeshift racetrack of couch pillows, his dark locks bobbling.
With a gentle yet strong tone, Natalie said, "Liam, breakfast is ready."
As the automobile sped down the last stretch, he said, "Just one more lap, Mom!" with glowing green eyes.
After laughing and using a dish towel to wipe her hands, Natalie placed the plates on their tiny circular table. The flat was small, with well-worn, mismatched furnishings, but it was home. With Liam's crayon drawings pinned to the refrigerator, art materials on the counter, and a few framed pictures of the two of them strewn around, every nook and cranny represented their life together.
"The race is over. As she sat down and poured him a glass of orange juice, Natalie taunted, "Your pancakes might disappear if you don't hurry."
With a stumbling gait, Liam climbed into his chair and began to eat his stack of pancakes, smiling. "You wouldn't allow them to vanish, would you?"
She sipped her coffee and shrugged playfully, "Maybe."
Natalie's eyes strayed to the living room corner where a lone cardboard box was sitting while Liam was eating. Even though it was sealed, she knew what was inside-a collection of memories she had stored away years before-without having to open it. Letters, pictures, and one baby blanket. Things that made her think of the man she had once imagined spending the rest of her life with.
Grayson, Alexander.
The name itself made her heartache. She had put a lot of effort into burying the hurt and concentrating on raising Liam without allowing her past to interfere. She had been able to provide them with a steady, peaceful life for six years. Occasionally, however, the memories came back, persistent and unwanted.
"Mom?" She recoiled at Liam's voice. "After you finish working today, is it possible for us to visit the park?"
Natalie dismissed the ideas with a smile. "My dear. However, only if your assignment is completed beforehand.
Liam shoved another pancake mouthful into his lips while nodding and letting out a loud grunt.
After breakfast, Natalie arranged Liam at the little desk in the living room corner and washed the dishes. While she opened her laptop at the kitchen counter, he concentrated on spelling words with his pencil scratching the paper.
The majority of the emails that inundated her inbox were from clients who needed last-minute design adjustments or alterations. Although she was proud of the little graphic design company she had started from the ground up, there were days when it seemed like she was trying to balance too many things at once.
Her phone buzzed on the counter as she was in the middle of answering a client. Glancing at the notification, Natalie wiped her hands on a dish towel.
Her stomach churned. She had remembered that Alexander's business was one of her most important clients, of course, but it felt heavy to see his name in her email.
After a moment of hesitation, she opened the email.
To Ms. Reed,
In appreciation of your contributions to our branding campaign, we are pleased to extend an invitation to you to attend the Grayson Technologies Annual Charity Gala.
Natalie glanced over the facts, her heart pounding. The gala was Alexander's event, not simply another one. Her promotional materials, from the large digital banners to the elegant black-and-gold invites, were emblazoned with his name. She had been able to plan everything without ever giving him any thought, but suddenly she could feel her carefully constructed barriers coming down.
With a sharp exhale, Natalie leaned against the counter and closed the email. She was unable to go. She shouldn't leave.
Her gaze then strayed to the bills that were neatly piled next to her laptop. More than just a chance to network, the event offered the possibility to earn further work with Grayson Technologies, a customer whose contract covered Liam's tuition and kept them afloat.
"Are you okay, Mom?"
Natalie turned to see Liam observing her with an inquisitive tilt of his head. His big green eyes penetrated right through her, much like Alexander's.
She tried to grin. "I'm all right, my love. Simply considering a job.
"Work is boring," he said, turning back to his assignments.
Despite her quiet laughter, Natalie's chest continued to sag.
As promised, Natalie took Liam to the park once he completed his homework. As Natalie watched Liam go toward the playground, she found herself unwinding to the sound of youngsters laughing in the cold fall air. With limitless enthusiasm, he easily scaled the jungle gym.
Natalie took out her sketchpad, sat on a nearby bench, and started drawing absently. She was calmed by the sound of the pencil's familiar scrape on paper.
Her mind, however, kept returning to Alexander.
He used to stare at her as though she were the only one in the room, and she recalled that. His ambition had been addictive, and his charm had been magnetic. She hadn't realized the storm was coming until it was too late since she had fallen for him so deeply and carelessly.
She was left with nothing but heartache and a secret that would change her life when their relationship ended.
"Look, Mom!" Her daydreaming was interrupted by Liam's voice.
He was waving enthusiastically at the top of the slide when she looked up. "Look, buddy, I'm watching!"
Natalie felt love fill her heart as he slid down with a victorious laugh. Liam was her compass in any situation. She had worked so hard to restore her life, to make it secure and solid, because of him.
But a familiar uneasiness began to creep in as she watched him play. Could she hide her secret any longer? As he grew older, Liam's inquiries about his father increased. Furthermore, if Alexander ever learned the truth...
Natalie dismissed the idea with a shake of her head. She was unable to consider that at this time.
After playing all day, Liam was sound asleep on the couch when he got home. With her laptop open in front of her, Natalie sat at the kitchen table. From the screen, the gala invitation gazed back at her.
She was aware that she would eventually have to make the choice. She would run the chance of bumping into Alexander and revealing everything she had battled to keep safe if she attended. But she may miss her chance to give Liam the future she desires if she stays away.
As she hovered her fingers over the keyboard, she mentally formed the RSVP's wording.
With a sinking heart, she said to herself, "Yes."
After pressing the button, she shut down her laptop.
Ignorant of the tempest that was building inside of her, the city lights outside glowed against the night sky.
Powerful, unyielding, and cold-hearted, billionaire heiress Isabella Hamilton has never trusted a man-especially not after her father's tragic betrayal took her mother's life. Her life is a fortress, guarded by disdain for the opposite sex, and she shows no mercy to those who try to cross her. But when she humiliates a rich and arrogant businessman in front of the world, little does she know that her life is about to change forever. Devastated by the public embarrassment, Dominic West vows revenge. He hires a charming, attractive man, the perfect weapon to break Isabella's walls, steal her fortune, and crush her heart. But as the plan unfolds, things go awry. The hired man, Lucas Hart, finds himself falling for the very woman he's meant to destroy. Torn between duty and love, Lucas must make an impossible choice: complete his mission and break Isabella's heart, or risk everything to protect her from the vengeance that has already claimed so much. In a world of power, deception, and broken trust, will love survive? Or will revenge and regret tear them apart forever?
Her perfect life crumbled the moment she discovered her husband's betrayal. Fueled by heartbreak and rage, she sets her sights on revenge, determined to destroy the woman who shattered her marriage. But her plan takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Nicholas, the woman's fiercely protective brother. Drawn together by a volatile mix of passion and animosity, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted. As secrets unravel and danger looms, their connection deepens, challenging her desire for vengeance. Torn between love and retribution, she must make an impossible choice: risk everything for a chance at happiness or let the past consume her forever. Sweet Vengeance is a sizzling tale of betrayal, redemption, and love that defies all odds.
"Everyone has secrets in the glitzy world of the elite, but his could cost her everything." Emily Chase, a struggling writer, never anticipates being thrown into the perilous orbit of elusive tech magnate and billionaire Damien Blackwood once she discovers a clue about him. Damien, who has a reputation for charm and cool control, has defended his kingdom and his emotions from the outside world for many years. However, Emily finds herself torn between telling the truth and falling in love with the man behind the mask after learning of rumors of a past argument that could ruin him. Emily discovers that Damien's secrets are more complex than she initially thought, drawing her into a web of treachery, passion, and peril as enemies press in and her inquiry reveals even more sinister facts. Their unquestionable chemistry creates a bond that has the potential to either break her determination or bring about her redemption. However, each step she takes toward Damien puts her own weaknesses in jeopardy and forces her to face her worst fears. Emily has to choose how far she will go for love as the stakes are high and her allegiances are put to the test. Will she be freed by discovering the truth, or will everything she has battled to defend be destroyed?
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
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."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."