Amanda Luxford-Allen thought marriage would bring her a fresh start-a chance to find love, happiness, and a family of her own. Instead, she was thrown into a world of heartbreak, cruelty, and cold indifference. Her husband, Ethan Allen, treats her like nothing more than an inconvenience, a pawn in a game she doesn't understand. He humiliates her, torments her, and reminds her every day that she means nothing to him. But Amanda refuses to break. Carrying his children, she is determined to fight for the love she believes exists beneath his icy exterior. She will endure, she will hope, and she will make him see her. Yet just when she starts to believe Ethan might be changing-when he begins to show her warmth, passion, and devotion-she learns a painful truth. Ethan Allen doesn't love her. He never did. And now that she's fallen for him, he's ready to destroy her. A story of pain, obsession, and an all-consuming love that defies reason-"Cruel Devotion" is a dark romance where love is both a weapon and a curse. Will Amanda survive the storm that is Ethan Allen, or will she lose herself in the process?
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Chapter One – Unwanted Vows
Amanda Luxford sat in front of the mirror, staring at the flawless bride reflected back at her. The ivory lace gown hugged her body perfectly, her hair cascaded in soft waves, and her emerald-green eyes-eyes he hated-shimmered under the soft glow of the vanity lights.
She was beautiful. A rare gem, they called her. But not to him.
Behind her, the heavy doors of the bridal suite creaked open. Ethan Allen. The man she was about to marry. The man who made it painfully clear-he didn't want her.
His deep voice cut through the silence like a blade. "It's time."
Amanda swallowed the lump in her throat and rose to her feet. This wasn't a wedding.
It was a sentence.
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Chapter One – Unwanted Vows (Ethan's POV)
Ethan Allen stood at the altar, his jaw tight, his mind cold and detached. The lavish ballroom was filled with powerful elites, the kind of people who thrived on appearances. To them, this was a perfect match-a union between wealth and status.
To him, it was a trap.
Then the doors opened.
Amanda Luxford walked in, a vision in white, her beauty undeniable. But all Ethan saw were her emerald-green eyes-eyes that reminded him of everything he hated.
She looked nervous. Good. Let her be.
She was nothing but a means to an end. A pawn in a game she didn't even realize she was playing.
And once she was his...
Blurb Myra never meant to fall for Alexander Ife. He was her best friend's cousin, her godmother's son-the man she was never supposed to want. But after a heartbreaking breakup and months of slow-burning tension, Alex became impossible to resist. Falling for him was easy. Loving him? Even easier. But Alex is a man of control, and Myra-sweet, teasing, and utterly tempting-keeps pushing his limits. She plays with fire, testing the obsession he tries so hard to contain. And just when he's ready to claim her completely, a single mistake threatens to destroy everything. Now, guilt eats him alive, and Myra, the girl who set his world on fire, is slipping through his fingers. He swore he'd never lose her. But what if loving her means losing himself? Welcome to Heartbreak High Where Love hurts.
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Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...