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Elizabeth's life was never easy, but she worked hard to turn things around-until her fiancé, Daniel, betrayed her. Teaming up with her childhood friend, Stephanie, he cheated, stole her wealth, and left her to die. But fate gave Elizabeth a second chance. She wakes up in the body of Aurellia Blackstonne, America's wealthiest heiress, and finds herself with the means to destroy the people who wronged her. Armed with beauty, influence, and newfound confidence, Elizabeth begins her quest for justice. Yet Aurellia's life wasn't as perfect as it seemed. As Elizabeth uncovers the dark secrets of her new identity, she learns that revenge might come at a higher cost than she imagined. They thought they buried her. But Elizabeth is back-and she's not the same.
I held my books tightly against my chest, praying to stay unnoticed as I made my way through the chaotic school hallway. Not that I really needed to try. Most people didn't even know I existed-except to make fun of me.
Thanks to my parents' rules on extreme modesty, I was "Elizabeth, the nerd"-the quiet girl with oversized glasses that slid down her nose, braces that glinted under the fluorescent lights, and skirts so long they nearly swept the floor.
A group of girls strolled past, their laughter sharp and cutting.
"Hey, Saint Elizabeth!" one of them called, eyeing my skirt with a sneer. "Love the skirt-very fashionable in 1910!" Her voice rose in a mocking laugh.
Heat rose in my cheeks, but I kept walking, my gaze fixed on the floor. I had learned the hard way that ignoring them was easier than trying to fight back.
When I finally reached my classroom, I slipped into my usual seat near the window-safe, distant, and just out of the teacher's direct line of sight. I pulled out my notebook and pen, determined to focus on the lesson. But the bell rang, and then he walked in.
Daniel.
My heart skipped, and I ducked my head, pretending to be busy. But I didn't need to look to know exactly what he looked like. I'd memorized every detail. His warm golden skin always caught the light just right, and his perfectly trimmed dark hair never seemed out of place. But it was his smile that got me every time-effortless, dazzling, the kind of smile that left every girl giggling and made even the guys envy him.
"Morning, everyone," he said casually, his deep, honeyed voice washing over the room like a spell.
"Good morning, Daniel!" a group of girls chorused, their voices overflowing with adoration.
I glanced up quickly, catching sight of his dimpled grin before he slid into his favorite seat in the middle of the room. My heart pounded as I turned my eyes back to my notebook, doodling little spirals in the margins.
He didn't even know I existed.
But what if he did? What if he smiled at me, or leaned over and asked me to borrow a pencil? My thoughts spun faster than I could control. It was ridiculous, really. Someone like him noticing me? Impossible. And yet, the fluttering in my chest refused to stop.
"Elizabeth!" The teacher's voice cut through my daydream like a knife.
I jumped in my seat, my pen slipping from my hand and clattering to the floor.
"Are you paying attention?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.
"Y-yes, ma'am," I stammered, quickly straightening in my seat.
The class erupted into muffled laughter, and I felt my face grow hot.
By the time the bell rang, I was ready to escape, but as I stepped into the hallway, a familiar voice called out behind me.
"Elizabeth, wait!"
I froze. Was that-?
I turned slowly, tightening the grip on my books to ease my racing heart, and there he was-Daniel, standing a few feet away, holding out a pen.
"You dropped this," he said, his easy smile lighting up his face.
"Oh, t-thank you," I mumbled, my fingers brushing his as I took the pen. The touch sent a jolt through me, my chest tightening with a mixture of nerves and exhilaration.
"No problem," he said with a nod before walking off, disappearing into the crowd as if nothing had happened.
I stood there for a moment, frozen, my pulse thrumming in my ears. It was such a small moment, a simple exchange, but to me, it felt monumental. For a brief second, I wasn't invisible. Daniel saw me.
But the glow didn't last long.
"Better not faint next time Daniel talks to you!" a girl's voice jeered as she walked past, her laughter echoing down the hallway.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to move. The hours ticked by unnoticed for the rest of the day. I replayed the moment over and over, wondering if I could have said something different, done something to make him pause just a little longer. Maybe next time. Maybe . . .
~•~
At home, the air was heavy with the aroma of mac and cheese. My father's voice boomed from the living room, reciting scripture with the fervor of a preacher.
"The devil is as conniving as he is patient," he declared, his finger pointed like a warning, his voice as sharp as the creak of our old wooden floors. "That's why the Bible says, 'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'"
I nodded automatically from my spot on the couch. "Yes, Father," I said, my hands folded in my lap.
"Good," he said, snapping the Bible shut with a finality that made me flinch. "Remember, Elizabeth, the world is full of traps. You must guard your heart. Stay disciplined. The moment you stray, you invite destruction into your life."
To be honest, I'd heard this sermon every day since I could talk. At this point, I could recite it in my sleep. Still, I forced myself to nod, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.
Mother's voice chimed in from the kitchen. "And don't forget to continue meditating on Psalm 119. You need to memorize all 176 verses."
"Yes, Mother," I replied softly, even though I knew I wouldn't have time. Between school and chores, there was barely time to think, let alone study.
After dinner, I retreated to my room-the only place I could breathe. My bedroom was a cozy space with a comfortable bed, a cluttered desk, and a window that overlooked the quiet suburban street outside. Posters of my favorite gospel bands covered the walls, and a worn-out rug stretched across the floor. On the desk sat my Bible, untouched, and hidden beneath my mattress was the notebook that held my real dreams.
I pulled it out and flipped through the pages, smiling faintly at the lists and doodles. Places I wanted to visit: Paris, New York City, Tokyo. Things I wanted to do: ride a rollercoaster, laugh without worrying who was listening, wear jeans.
At the very back, in bold, block letters, I'd written one word: FREEDOM.
I traced the letters with my finger, letting myself imagine what it would feel like to escape this life, to step outside without my father's voice in my head.
"Elizabeth!"
Mother's voice snapped me out of my daydream. I shoved the notebook under the mattress and rushed to the kitchen.
"Have you done the dishes?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not yet, Mother," I admitted.
"Then why are you just standing around?"
"I'm sorry," I said quickly, hurrying to the sink. As I scrubbed the plates, I thought about Daniel's smile, about the way my heart had fluttered when he'd called my name.
Maybe one day, I'd be free to chase dreams like that. Maybe one day, I'd be free to chase anything.
But for now, freedom was just a word I wrote in secret, hidden away where no one could see.
In a world where soul-bonding allows true lovers to share thoughts and emotions, Sylvia Hopkins possesses a unique ability-she can read anyone's mind with just a spark of attraction. A gift like hers is rare, but it's also dangerous. Born an orphan, Sylvia learned early that life isn't fair. She ran from the oppressive walls of an orphanage and survived the streets by becoming a master con artist. For years, she stayed ahead of the law, scamming the rich, outwitting criminals, and dodging the FBI. But everything changes when she makes the mistake of crossing Evans Alberto-a ruthless mafia boss on the verge of entering politics. She cons him out of $170 million, only to find herself hunted. When he catches her, he gives her a choice: death or a contract marriage. Forced into his world, Sylvia is no longer just a lone thief-she's a weapon. Her mission? To infiltrate Evans' biggest rival, seduce their heir, and bring the entire family down from the inside. But as the lines blur between duty and desire, Sylvia faces a bigger danger than the mafia, the FBI, or even Evans' wrath. She's falling for him. And worse-he might be the only man whose mind she can't read.
One law keeps the peace in Parlem, where the undefeated Sky Border separates the territories of werewolves and human mages. And that is that hybrids born of both species are forbidden-even by the gods. Jade Ishola doesn't know she's a hybrid. All she knows is that a wild, uncontrollable creature lives inside her. One night, it takes over. When she wakes by a stream, bruised and aching, the villagers are already hunting her for a crime she doesn't remember-something inhuman, something monstrous. She's saved by Kema, a golden-eyed warrior who offers her a way out: to hide what she is, she must train with the Watchers, the warriors who guard the Sky Border. Having little choice, Jade agrees. But as she sharpens her awakened fire magic under Kema's watchful gaze, forbidden feelings rise between them-dangerous, undeniable. Then, the truth of her birth is revealed. A secret dark enough to reignite the Great War between humans and werewolves. Her hybrid nature is exposed, and soon, she is being hunted-not just because she is forbidden, but because werewolves can gain immense power from consuming her kind. With time running out and enemies closing in, Jade must decide: will she fight for the love she sees with Kema, for control over the curse of her kind, or will the beast within her destroy everything she loves?
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
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."
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.
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
Veronica is an eighteen-year-old omega who falls into an emotional breakdown when her Mate, who was soon to be the Alpha of the Sun crest pack, turns against her, hurls hurtful words at her, and rejects her on the night of the full moon festival because he and everyone in the pack, including her, thinks she is an omega. As if the pain of rejection, helplessness, and worthlessness wasn't enough, she lost her best and only friend to the cold hands of death when rogue wolves attacked their pack. Right in the presence of her mate, she was tagged as someone who always attracted problems and calamities anywhere she went and he turned a blind eye and watched as she was banished from the pack. With hatred for her life, she runs deep into the woods that were off-limits and jumps off to end her life, but in a turn of events, something else happens. What would her mate do when he finds out that Veronica is not who he thinks she is? Will she be able to forgive him? What fate lies ahead for them?