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Myla Calloway thought she'd found her forever with Damien Brooks–until her wedding day revealed a soul- crushing betrayal by her mother, Vanessa Calloway. Humiliated and heartbroken, Myla vows never to trust again. In the chaos of heartbreak, she had a one-night stand with her boss, Jaxon Brooks, Damien's elder brother. A single night of forbidden passion leaves her with a secret that binds her to Jaxon forever. But Vanessa Calloway isn't done wreaking havoc. Determined to control Jaxon and claim the Brooks family's immense fortune, Vanessa's manipulative schemes turn deadly. Can Myla and Jaxon overcome the lies and deceit that threaten to destroy them? Or will Vanessa's ruthless ambition tear them apart for good?
Myla POV:
At twenty-three, I knew exactly what I wanted: to marry the love of my life and start my own family. Today was my wedding day-a day I had dreamt of since I was a little girl.
I stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the lace of my wedding dress. My hands trembled, not with excitement but with a feeling I couldn't explain. I had dreamt of this moment for years -walking down the aisle to the man I loved, the man I was about to marry. Today was supposed to be perfect.
My fiancé, Damien Brooks, is the love of my life. We met three years ago, and it was love at first sight for the both of us. In a few hours, we will finally be husband and wife.
My breath hitched as I looked at my reflection. The dress was breathtaking, hugging my curves perfectly, with the train flowing behind me like soft waves. My dark hair was styled elegantly, framing my face, and the veil rested gently over my head. For a moment, I felt like a princess.
" Are you ready, darling?" my mother's voice interrupted, pulling me from my thoughts. Vanessa Calloway stood in the doorway, her eyes gleaming with joy. She wore a bright smile, though it trembled slightly as she fought back her tears.
I nodded, forcing a smile. " Ready as I'll ever be."
She stepped into the room, inspecting the dress. "It's beautiful, Myla. You look just like I did on my wedding day. Damien will be blown away when he sees you."
I swallowed hard, trying to push the knot of nervousness from my chest. " I just want everything to be perfect."
Vanessa reached out, adjusting the veil, her fingers gentle. " It will be, darling. Don't worry."
But as I stared at my reflection, a strange feeling settled over me. It wasn't my dress or the ceremony that made me scared-it was something deeper, a feeling in my guts that today was not going to unfold as planned. But what could possibly go wrong?
~~~
We arrived safely at the church. The wedding arrangements were in full swing. Guests were beginning to fill the church, the flowers were arranged in beautiful patterns, and soft music played in the background. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation.
My Father, a tall, handsome figure, walked beside me with a proud smile on his face. He held my hands, reassuringly, but his eyes flickered with a hint of nervousness. We both felt the tension; it had been building for days. I wish Cynthia, my best friend, was here, but she had traveled out of town for a business trip.
My heart pounded hard in my chest as I made my way down the aisle. I glanced at the empty seats where Damien's parents- his father, Michael, and his mother, Susan- were supposed to sit in the front row, smiling proudly as they watched their son marry the love of his life. But they weren't there. I swept my gaze over the empty chairs again, fear creeping in instantly.
" Why aren't Damien's parents here?" I muttered under my breath, feeling uneasy.
My father noticed my hesitation and stepped closer. " It's strange," he admitted quietly. " I spoke to Damien's father last night. He said they'd be here on time."
" Did he say anything else?" I asked, my voice trembling.
" He sounded... distracted. But he didn't mention anything that would indicate they wouldn't show up today. You know how they are, Myla. They are always quiet, reserved, but never late."
I couldn't shake off the fear knotting in my stomach. Why haven't Damien's parents come? Michael Brooks had always been a man of his words- his punctuality was something I admired about him. So why did they disappear without a word?
"Did they know something I didn't?" I wondered, as fear slowly began to settle in.
My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Damien's face. But he wasn't here either.
I stood at the altar, waiting, feeling the weight of the deafening silence pressing down on me. The guests whispered among themselves. The priest waited patiently, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Damien and his family were always punctual. So why haven't they shown up yet?
Minutes passed, and the tension in the air grew. My father, trying to keep up appearances, leaned in. " They'll be here soon. Calm down, Myla."
I forced a smile, but inside, the knot in my stomach tightened. I glanced at the wall clock - they were late. Very late. My heart hammered in my chest. Was something wrong? Were they having second thoughts?
Minutes turned into hours, and still, Damien didn't arrive.
" Damien, where are you?" I whispered under my breath, the question slipping out before I could even stop it.
But no one had an answer.
Finally the priest cleared his throat. " Shall we proceed?"
My chest tightened. " No," I whispered. "I can't."
I turned, glancing at my father. " Where's Damien? Why isn't he here yet?
He opened his mouth, but no words came. His face turned pale, his lips pressed into a thin line. The truth could no longer be denied. Damien and his family were no longer coming. My hands began to tremble, my fingers slipping nervously against the fabric of my dress.
Minutes turned into agonizing hours. Every tick of the clock was a hammer to my chest. The whispers among the guests grew louder. Why wasn't Damien here? Was he stuck in traffic? Was he hurt?
A thousand terrible thoughts raced through my mind.
I excused myself from the altar, my legs trembling as I walked toward the back of the church. The whispers grew louder, and I could feel every pair of eyes following me.
" Dad," I whispered, my voice barely audible, and overwhelmed by fear.
"Damien isn't coming. And mom... She's still not here."
My father, who had been trying to maintain his calm demeanor, furrowed his brows as he exchanged a glance with the ushers nearby. His jaw tightened. " I'll go find her," he said sharply, already taking a step toward the door.
" No," I interrupted, stepping in his path. " Dad, wait."
His eyes softened slightly, but his concern was obvious. " Myla, this is your wedding day. You shouldn't be running around like this. Let me handle it."
"Dad, please," I interrupted.
"Damien isn't here, and I need to find him. And mom's probably just running late."
"Myla..." He hesitated, his tone softening. "Are you sure? This is your wedding day. Let me-"
"I'm sure," I said, cutting him off again. "I have to do this."
He looked at me for a long moment, his lips pressing into a thin line before he finally sighed. "Fine." He handed me the keys, his grip lingering for a second. "Be careful. And call me if you find anything-anything at all."
"I will," I promised, though the knot in my stomach told me I wouldn't be calling with good news.
I stepped out of the church, the warm air outside feeling suffocating against my skin. Sliding into the car, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white.
Why hadn't Damien shown up? My mind raced, desperate to piece together a reason that didn't involve the worst.
I started the engine, the sound matching the rapid beat of my heart. Whatever was going on, I had to find him. I drove through the streets of the city to Damien's townhouse, each second of the journey felt like an eternity.
When I arrived at Damien's townhouse, my hands were shaking so violently, I almost couldn't unlock the front door. Finally, I managed to push it open.
" Damien?" I called softly, unsure of what to expect.
No answer.
My footsteps echoed as I entered the house, the place we had picked out together-the place I had imagined our future.
The silence was suffocating.
" Damien?" I called again, my voice breaking. Still, there was no reply.
I hurried up the staircase, each step echoed like the ticking of a time bomb. My eyes scanned the dimly lit hallway, but it was the noise from his bedroom that caught my attention.
A soft moan.
My heart stopped. No!. This isn't happening. My blood ran cold. I didn't bother to knock, I pushed open the door.
The moment I walked into the room, my heart felt like it was ripped apart.
There, in the dimly lit room, I saw my mother-Vanessa-on top of Damien,her hands gripping his shoulders, and her head thrown back in pleasure.
My breath was knocked out of my lungs.
My mother's mouth opened in a gasp, her fingers gripping Damien's hair as she rode him. Damien's face, the face that should have been standing at the altar, was contorted in pleasure.
The room seemed to blur around me as the crushing reality hit me hard.
A soft gasp escaped my lips, but neither of them stopped. Not until Vanessa turned her head, her eyes meeting mine.
My legs gave out as I stumbled back, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't move.
Vanessa's eyes flickered towards me and the time seemed to stop. There was no apology, no regret in her eyes.
I sobbed uncontrollably until my chest ached, and my breath came in ragged gasps. Tears spilled freely, blurring my vision.
This could not be real.
But it was.
" Mom... how could you?" I wailed, my voice hoarse with disbelief.
Vanessa, still straddling Damien, turned to face me. Her lips parted, but there was no shame in her eyes-just a coldness that froze me in place.
"You should have known better, Myla," my mother said, arching her eyebrows. "I've always wanted him. You were just a stepping stone."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
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.
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
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."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"