On the night of their three-year anniversary, Anita finds her boyfriend cheating on her with another woman. Feeling heartbroken, she drowns her sorrows in a reckless night of passion with a mysterious stranger. The next morning, she wakes up to an insane offer from him, marriage. When she loses her job and her mother is in need of surgery, Anita, desperate and with nowhere to turn, signs the contract. Only to discover after that her new husband is none other than her ex-boyfriend's uncle. Anita quickly finds herself caught in a web of family drama with a marriage that was never meant to be real. But secrets have a way of surfacing. And when Anita's past collides with her present, the once quiet life she had is about to erupt in flames. ~ "You weren't acting like that when you were moaning my name in that hotel room" Heat shot through my body at his teasing remark. I gulped, trying to stay strong. "That was a mistake and you know it" Nathan chuckled, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "Was it? Because I remember you clinging onto me... begging me not to stop" "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I whispered, almost breathless as he trailed his fingers down to my jaw, tilting my face upwards. "What I enjoy is knowing that no matter how much you try to fight it, your body remembers me" The last words were a whisper against the skin of my neck. My breath caught in my throat. "My mother is in the next room" Nathan smirked. "Then you better keep quiet."
It was my third anniversary with my boyfriend. I was busy preparing to get to his place and surprise him. Harry had grown somewhat distant because of how busy his work was keeping him. He'd had to cancel our plans for the evening last minute because he'd be working really late.
So I decided to bring our plans to him. I got a taxi and drove to the rich side of town. I had a key to his apartment and I went in. He wasn't home yet so I busied myself with cooking and setting up his surprise.
A few hours later, I heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. He was a bit earlier than I'd expected. I quickly tidied up and rushed into his bathroom to freshen up.
Soon, I heard him enter the room. I smiled, preparing to go out to meet him, when I heard something else and my hand paused on the doorknob. A giggle. It was loud and piercing at the same time and it was followed by kissing sounds and soft moaning.
My hand tightened around the know and I opened it slightly, giving me a view of what was going on.
Harry was with another woman. Some bimbo had her hand curled in his hair as he kissed down her barely covered chest. He pinned the other woman to the wall, quickly slipping off her skimpy clothing. Her moans filled the room and I felt myself growing sick.
My heartbeat quickened as I watched my boyfriend of three years about to fuck some other woman. I didn't know what to do, how to react. But the minute he carried her towards the bed, I lost it.
I opened the door all the way and stepped out.
They both turned to me, startled. Harry's eyes grew wide while I just stared back at him.
"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"
"Yeah, you kind of are" The bimbo spoke while laying down.
"Anita, wait. J-just listen"
"How could you cheat on me Harry? And on our anniversary? With some slut"
"Hey!" The woman called out but I ignored her.
"Is that how much regard you have for me?" The words rushed through my lips. My thoughts spun around in my brain as I struggled to wrap my head around the picture before me.
Harry stood up, adjusting his pants. He had several lipstick marks lining his face and neck.
"Calm down Anita."
The more he spoke, the more I felt like I was losing it. I stormed out of his room, practically flying the steps down to his living room where my bag was. Harry came running after me.
"Anita, would you quite overreacting?"
"Overreacting? Really Harry? I catch you in bed with some bimbo after you cancelled our anniversary dinner but I'm overreacting?"
"That doesn't mean anything, I love you. I'm just with her for the sex"
My chest tightens as I realise this has been going on for longer than I could imagine.
"How long Harry?"
"What?"
"How long have you been cheating on me?"
"You know what? You're lucky to even have me. You're just a low earning waitress. You shouldn't be getting so worked up. This is your fault, if you hadn't insisted on being celibate I wouldn't have been forced to sleep with other women"
Harry's words a like sharp needles, priking my heart. This man never loved me, I realise that now and it makes my chest hurt.
"So this is my fault?" The disappointment is evident in my tone. My is barely a whisper now as I struggle to regulate my breathing.
Harry doesn't respond. He just stares back at me.
"Three years Harry. Three whole years and you spent them fucking other women. You told me you were fine with being celibate. We were supposed to get married next year!"
"I think you need some time to calm down. When you realise that you'll be nothing but a pretty face without me, give me a call and we can talk" He anxiously looks back towards the room like he can't wait to get this conversation over with and return to his bimbo.
His absolute lack of sensitivity towards me wad shocking. I found it hard to believe he was the same man I'd been with since college.
"I'm glad to know that this what you really think of me. Goodbye Harry and don't expect that call. I'm never coming back"
With that I picked up my bag and headed out the door. Harry's screams followed me. "You'll see! You're nothing without me Anita. Nothing! You'll be back!"
I left his place and walked down the street till I got a cab. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't want to go home because I knew the complete melt down that awaited me. But I didn't have anywhere else to go.
The cab was pulling up towards one of the Hotels around and I just told him to stop. I got out, questioning my choices. It had a bar and lounge and since it was closer to the rich side of town, I knew the drinks would be pricey.
But I didn't care. I just wanted to forget everything Harry had said to me.
I got directed to the lounge and I went straight for the bar. I requested a couple of drinks and I downed them all. With each one I reminded myself of Harry's betrayal and with each drink, I made myself forget him.
"I hope you have someone to take you home" A deep masculine voice spoke from beside me. I turned to see a man in a grey suit. He had wavy brown hair which framed his face, blue eyes and a sharp jawline. He was striking and his aura was intoxicating, more than the drinks I'd taken.
"Nope. I'll probably fall asleep at the corner of a streewalk then head home when I wake up in the morning"
The man sat on the stool next to me and motioned to the waiter. "Put her drinks on my tab"
"But there's no... need for that" my speech slurred as the alcohol took over.
"I insist"
The rest of the night was a blur. I remember the man asking the bartender to cut me off... then he asked if I had a place to stay or something like that. Then I remember walking somewhere and the next thing I remember was being alone in a dimly lit room with him.
The night was electric. Somehow I remember everything, every detail. The structure of his muscles, the feel of his lips on my skin, and how'd he'd felt inside of me as my walls contracted to give him entrance.
I remember grabbing onto the sheets and making the most sinful sounds. Somehow, it felt like I'd been temporarily transported to heaven.
But the next morning was a completely different story.
I woke up next to man I knew nothing about. Not when his name. The alcohol cleared and I suddenly realised just how crazy this was. I'd given my first time over to a stranger!
I looked beside me to see the man still sleeping. He looks so charming even in the morning. But I know I can't face him and I have to get out fast.
I rush to my feet, pulling my clothes back on. Before I can even try to leave, I hear his voice.
"Good morning, are you going somewhere?"
"Yes. Home"
I avoided his gaze but I could see him staring at me. Then he looked at the sheets next to him and back at me.
"You're a virgin" He said
"Well I was, until last night. So thank you for that" I said as I bent down to wear my shoes.
I looked up to see him standing and he was still completely naked. I freaked out and turned away from him.
"What are you doing?!"
I felt him draw closer to me. "I have a proposition for you"
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Marry me"
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…"
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."
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.