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Bella has loved Alex since college, but all she ever got in return was cold rejection. Born into wealth and privilege, Alex was destined to marry Linda-the perfect match for his elite bloodline. But on the day of their grand wedding, Linda vanished, leaving him humiliated at the altar. Desperate to protect the family's reputation, Bella did the unthinkable-she stepped in as his bride. Three years of devotion, three years of being the perfect daughter-in-law, three years of trying to earn love from a man who never wanted her, and three years of enduring the Hayes family's cruelty. Bella finally snapped out of her reverie when the Hayes sweetheart Linda returned, determined to claim Alex back. Bella demands a divorce, but strangely, Alex refuses to let her go. He proposes a deal with her, to keep her trapped by his side. But will he be able to melt her already icy heart and keep her for long?
The elegant chandelier above spilled soft golden light over the well-furnished and exorbitant dining room, where the Hayes family sat in high spirits and laughter.
The room was filled with the savory aromas of roasted meats, garnished sauces, and steaming vegetables, served by professional chefs, that teased the senses and heightened the evening's celebration.
It was that time of the month again when every member of the family had to come together, away from their busy schedules, to catch up as one big family and bond over dinner. But tonight, something made this one spectacular.
The center of the excitement was Linda, the family's sweetheart, Alex's first love, and their most desired daughter-in-law, not the riffraff of a wife, Bella, seated opposite Alex.
Linda was the one they adorned, the one with class and vigor. She had been away for three years, and her presence tonight had ignited a spark of joy within the family. They talked animatedly about her great achievements in the past years, their voices filled with admiration and enthusiasm.
Yet, amidst the jubilation, Bella's isolation was palpable. Her silence was a stark contrast to the vibrant atmosphere, a clear reminder that she was overlooked and unappreciated.
Bella's P.O.V
I sat quietly, slicing a piece of meat on my plate cos that was the least I could do: eat and remain irrelevant, as I've forcefully learned within these past years. I kept my eyes buried on my plate as I tried to ignore the pangs in my chest seeing how close together Linda and Alex sat as they chattered on.
I'd never sat so close to him in all the three years we've lived as husband and wife because he would never permit it. But here she was, not just sitting close to my husband but encircling her hand around his arm, right in my face, and he did nothing. Nobody did.
They were all blinded by the aura of Linda, a child born with a golden spoon that reciprocated and aligned well with their status as the formidable Hayes. Since I was short of that class given my poor upbringing, I was nothing but a ghostly creature nobody noticed, a naive girl lost in a world of fantasy through art and a despicable mistake Alex brought to the family.
Just when I lifted a chunk of meat to my mouth, Linda reached out for the bowl where the vegetables were served pushing aside her meat. "This is more healthy, Bella". She said, lifting the bowl to my face. All eyes turned to me, something I had dreaded all through the night and I froze. I felt like crawling under the table, away from their suffocating gazes. "You're adding a lot of weight already. Don't you think it's time to go on a diet and cut back on the food?" She asked, with a sarcastic, concerned look.
My mouth suddenly felt dry, and for a thousand and one reason, my heartbeat accelerated. I looked around, smiling nervously to mask the sting of embarrassment while I did a mental ransack for the right words. "Yeah, I.....I should. I just-"
"Oh Linda, that's so thoughtful of you. No wonder you're still in shape after all these years, look at you!" Mrs Caroline, my mother-in-law praised Linda, cutting me off rudely like I was babbling. She turned to me, and all the smile on her face turned to hateful scorn, "You can as well empty the refrigerator while going home. We have enough meat to last you for a month, so you can eat non-stop. I guess that's what you're good at after all".
They all laughed heartily like it was the entertainment they had anticipated all along. "Oh, mummy!" Linda pleaded jokingly, still laughing. "She is still my lovely friend from college and a foodie as always. But I can help her since I'm back now. She can try to be like me".
I bit my lower lip at her words, so hard that I felt the metallic taste of blood down my throat. It pained me so much that her words were getting to me. That was a big, fat lie. But who was I to challenge Linda in front of everyone?
That has always been the basis of her friendship with me in college. I was always the one to be degraded in front of others for her glory to shine bright. How could I have been a foodie for someone who barely ate three square meals as a child raised by a struggling single mum?
And what in God's name was wrong with my weight? Nobody ever complained about it but because Linda pointed it out tonight, they all bobbled their heads in agreement. I looked at Alex for some help, for him to defend me at least and salvage the situation, but he didn't spare me a glance and just sat there mindlessly while she said those hurtful things to me.
"What help can you render to something already damaged. That's a waste of time darling. You know this unworthy riffraff can never be like you, Linda. She is way out of your league". Sophia, Alex's sister, chimed in, shooting me a soul-crushing glare.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at them, simultaneously contributing, in turns, to my ordeal, their voices fading away into the background as my thoughts trailed off. Why was it so easy to forget a good did than a bad one? Why had they forgotten so soon that this unworthy riffraff was the same three years ago that saved their faces from shame when their darling Linda ditched their son on his wedding day and ran to God knows where? Had they forgotten so soon?
I was obliged to marry Alex despite his cold gesture and demeanor toward me. I loved him to a fault. I had my hope alive that one day he would see my worth and fall for me. But he never did. Linda had always been the one in his heart and there was no space left for me. Not even the thinnest.
The atmosphere seemed to mock me as hot sweats formed on my temples, a tip of the heat brewing in my insides, as reality dawned on me. Linda's return screamed only one thing, clear as crystal: My services as Mrs Alex were no longer needed.
Lewis, who was my right-hand man, finally spoke, scratching his forehead for God knows why. "But, sir, she doesn't have any educational qualifications in-" I cut him off, sounding as firm as I could "I don't care about that right now, Lewis. I need someone to take care of things around here, and I need her now! Are you trying to disobey my order?" Lewis swallowed hard. "No, sir, of course not. I just want to make sure we're making the right decision." My eyes flashed with impatience. "The decision is made, Lewis. Invite her tomorrow". "Okay, sir," He replied and was about to leave. "One more thing" He turned back to face me. "Yes sir". "You still have all the rules and regulations outlined, right?" "Yes sir" "And the contract file intact?" "Yes sir" 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. "Alright, Sophia will handle her when she comes tomorrow," I said, "Ask her to see me in my office now". I concluded, asking him out by waving my hands in the air. Within a few minutes, I was face to face with Sophia. "I'm sure Lewis has done a little briefing on what to do concerning tomorrow, right? "Yes sir" "Excellent, just one thing though" I gestured for her to move closer. And she did. Then I said in almost a whisper, stressing the last part, "Make sure she signs the contract; very, very important." Louis was at the time of his life when he was desperate for somebody who could help him overcome his nightmare. All these years, he struggled with a curse he thought was caused by the moon goddess, which turns him into an uncontrollable beast at full moons. His bother, Amber, disrespected him for this and even turned his mate, Annie, against him. Out of rage, he left his birthright as the next-in-line alpha to his brother in their werewolf pack to live in the human world, thinking he could outrun his misery. But alas! He barely survived during full moons and therefore started his search for a capable hand, someone, who could help him during those periods of his transformations, to keep his secret hidden from others. Especially a woman, he could lose his body in her warmth to free himself from the tension that had been building up in him. It sounds crazy, but that was like his antidote. He settled for a 23-year-old hybrid, Isha, who was unaware of her identity out of desperation. But this decision soon turns into something more. She soon learns of her boss's secret; he was cursed to turn into a beast on full moons. Unknown to her, she was destined to break the curse on the night that she was claimed as well as discover her true nature. Soon, his brother, Amber, joins forces with dark powers to take hold of the great powers Isha possesses as a hybrid. Will he discover the true reason behind his curse? Will Louis be able to protect the woman he loves from the dark forces or will his decision tear them apart? Dive into this intriguing novel, let's go on an exciting adventure to find these 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!
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
"I'm going to tell you what I have in mind," he murmured. "First you're going to strip down until you're completely naked," he whispered against her ear. "Then I'm going to tie you up so you're completely powerless and subject to my every whim." "Mmm, sounds good so far," she murmured. "Then I'm going to insert a plug to prepare you for me. After that I'm going to spank that sweet ass of yours until it's rosy with my marks." She shivered uncontrollably, her mind exploding with the images he evoked. She let out a small whimper as he sucked the lobe of her ear into his mouth. God, she could cum with just his words. She was already aching with need. Her nipples tingled and hardened to painful points. Her clit pulsed and twitched between her legs until she clamped her thighs together to alleviate the burn. "And then I'm going to f**k your mouth. But I won't cum. Not yet. When I'm close, I'll flog you again until your ass is burning and you're on fire with the need for relief. And then I'm going to f**k that ass. I'm going to take you hard and rough, to the very limits of what you can withstand. I won't be gentle. Not tonight. I'm going to take you as roughly as you can stand. And then I'm going to cum all over your ass. Are you ready to be completely and utterly dominated?"