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'What do you want from me?' she finally managed to ask, her voice trembling. Logan's lips curled into a dark smirk. 'Since you were the one who took those photos that damaged my reputation,' he said, his voice dripping with disdain, 'it's only fair that you face the consequences.' Alessia's heart beat wildly as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind Logan's words. Before she could gather her thoughts and ask what kind of punishment he had in mind, Logan's hand clamped down on her jaw, holding her firmly in place. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath caught in her throat. In an instant, Logan lowered his head, capturing her lips with his own in a possessive and demanding kiss. *************** After a fateful night, Alessia awakens to the realisation that she has given her virginity to a stranger. With only a note and a bundle of money as clues, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and motherhood. Years later, Alessia finds herself navigating the cutthroat world of paparazzi reporting while raising her genius son, Milo. Her quest for a scandalous scoop leads her to the enigmatic billionaire CEO, Logan Wilde, whose face bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. As she dives deeper into Logan's world, she can't deny the magnetic attraction between them. Logan, suffering from a haunting secret, feels the same way. Determined to know her, he makes an unexpected proposition. As they explore the complexities of their newfound connection, they discover shocking revelations that bind them together in unimaginable ways. Amidst misunderstandings and prideful clashes, their love is put to the ultimate test. Alessia and Logan each hold a secret that could shatter their fragile bond. Will they find the courage to reveal the truth and embrace the love that fate has brought into their lives? Or will Logan's unexpected encounter with a woman long presumed dead threaten to tear them apart once and for all?
It was the crack of dawn, barely half-past four in the morning.
The scenic woodland retreat, Lovestruck Haven, in the breathtaking hills of Barsay Mountains, lay sprawled with alluring tents, enticing couples seeking a romantic escapade.
'Ahh-'
The tranquillity of dawn was shattered by an unexpected scream.
Startled awake, Alessia bolted upright, her heart pounding. 'Who the heck's making all that noise?'
Outside, the sound of a heated argument was faintly audible, then quickly hushed.
Alessia cautiously got up, her head throbbing, and her body aching as if she had been in a wrestling match.
'That was something,' she thought, smiling with a tinge of satisfaction.
Last night, after the grand bonfire event organised by the charming hunk, Brayden Scott, Alessia had finally crossed the line into intimacy.
Brayden had been planning to confess his feelings to her, and her older sister, Connie, had congratulated them both with a knowing grin.
Alessia had downed a drink Connie handed her and then blissfully drifted into slumber.
But in her dreams, she had taken the initiative with Brayden.
The transformation from an innocent girl to a passionate woman had been a rollercoaster of sensations.
He was an absolute beast in bed, in the best way possible.
'I don't know-' Connie's distressed voice suddenly echoed from outside. 'Brayden, I honestly didn't mean for this to happen.'
'Shh! Lower your voice, Connie. We can't let Alessia hear this,' Brayden's voice sounded urgent.
Curiosity piqued, Alessia got up and, throwing on some clothes, stepped out to investigate.
Her heart sank when she saw Brayden in a dishevelled state, storming out of an adjacent tent-Connie's tent, with no shirt on and faint scratches on his muscular back.
'Brayden, what are you doing there?' Alessia asked as she approached him.
But the words got stuck in her throat when she saw through a gap in the tent's flaps, her sister Connie, also in a state of undress, bearing certain marks that could only mean one thing: she and Brayden had been intimate.
Alessia stood there, dumbstruck.
'I was drunk and thought it was you, but-' Brayden began to explain, but the guilt was evident in his eyes.
'So, you two slept together?' Alessia's voice trembled. 'You and my.sister?'
Brayden looked ashamed, and Connie was quick to defend herself, 'Alessia, it was an accident, I swear!'
Alessia's mind raced.
If Brayden and Connie slept together, then who had she been with?
Fear and confusion clouded her thoughts, and she rushed back to her own tent.
There, she found a wad of cash beside her sleeping bag and a bloodstained note on top of it: 'If the money isn't enough, you can find me at the Whispering Pines Estates.'
There was no signature, just a phone number, scrawled in a man's bold, assertive handwriting-handwriting she'd never seen before.
Clutching the money tightly, Alessia couldn't believe what had happened.
Did she somehow end up selling herself?
It was beyond mortifying.
When Alessia emerged from the tent on shaky legs, Brayden and Connie were waiting for her.
Connie approached, grabbing her hand apologetically, 'Lexy, I'm so, so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.'
Still dazed, Alessia stood there in disbelief.
Connie's eyes fell on the hickeys on Alessia's neck, and she gasped. 'Lexy! These marks on your neck...'
Alessia stiffened, her dark eyes meeting her sister's shocked gaze.
Brayden rushed forward, his eyes wide, examining Alessia's neck as if searching for confirmation.
In an instant, his hands grabbed her shoulders with agitation. 'Tell me, who were you with last night? What happened?'
Alessia wanted to say, 'I thought it was you.'
But now, what good would an explanation do?
She said nothing.
Unable to bear her silence, Brayden growled, 'Tell me, who was it?'
'Does it really matter now?' Alessia replied nonchalantly, though her voice quivered. 'Brayden, we can't go back now. Not after you and my sister.Let's just forget it.'
She forced a smile. 'I wish you both happiness.'
***
Fifty days later.
The ultrasound room at St Catherine's Hospital was bustling with activity.
Alessia lay on the examination bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, while the ultrasound technician carefully glided the probe over her exposed belly.
After missing her period twice and, for the past month, experiencing relentless nausea, weakness, and an inexplicable need for sleep, Alessia had reluctantly dragged herself to the hospital.
The doctor, upon seeing her symptoms, wasted no time and directed her to the gynaecology department.
A positive result from the urine test left her anxious and apprehensive.
Now, lying in the examination room, Alessia tried to make sense of the technician's murmurs to her intern counterpart. 'Posterior positioning of the uterus, enlarged, regular shape, well-defined contours. Within the uterine cavity, two gestational sacs are observed, measuring approximately 26 by 20mm and 28 by 19mm. The sac walls are thick, and both contain visible embryonic buds and yolk sacs. Primitive cardiac pulsations observed.'
Alessia's head spun as she struggled to comprehend the technical jargon.
Before she knew it, the examination was over.
Leaving the ultrasound room with the report in her hand, Alessia made her way back to the gynaecologist's office.
The doctor, after reviewing the report, delivered the life-altering news with a bright smile. 'Congratulations, Miss Jansen. You're pregnant-with twins.'
'What?' Alessia's initial disbelief quickly transformed into a daunting reality.
She couldn't help but question herself-pregnant with babies whose father remained a mystery.
And.twins?
For real?
Feeling lost and bewildered, Alessia clutched the report tightly and left the doctor's office.
She had no idea how she got home.
As she pushed open the front door, her eyes fell upon Connie, who was ecstatically admiring a collection of dresses.
Hearing the noise, Connie glanced up from the sofa and locked eyes with Alessia.
In that moment, a sudden stiffness washed over Connie's face. 'Oh, Lexy, you are home early.'
Ever since that day, Connie had been awkward around her.
Every time Alessia approached, Connie's blissful smile as a newly betrothed woman would quickly fade.
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.
'Callie,' he began, his voice husky, 'crying over your ex-boyfriend won't solve anything.' Confusion etched across her face, Callie furrowed her brows. 'Then what will?' she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. Elias leaned closer, his warm breath caressing her cheek. 'You need to show him what he's lost. Find a man who's more handsome, more powerful, and richer than him. Then, make a grand entrance into his life with your new partner.' Callie scoffed, her eyes rolling in disbelief. 'Where am I supposed to find someone like that?' Elias's fingers gently lifted her chin, locking their gazes together. 'I can be that man,' he said. 'If you agree to be with me, I'll protect you from any harm, including your ex-boyfriend.' ********************************************** Elias Westwood, billionaire heir turned professional solider, a commanding presence on the battlefield, conceals a tender heart that beats for only one woman--Callie Hawthorne, a fearless surgical resident, possesses an innocent charm and wields her skills like a warrior in the operating theatre. Their first encounter thrusts them into a dangerous game of deception. Elias uses Callie as a pawn, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, fooling his pursuers. In that moment, Callie feels the allure of the enigmatic soldier, and a strange connection sparks between them. An impulsive decision seals their fate-a hasty marriage to escape an arranged union and prove Callie's readiness to move on from a past love. Little did they know, this act would propel them onto an unforeseen path. Amidst the chaos of war, Elias risks his life for his countrymen, while Callie tends to the wounded and shelters refugees. In the midst of battle, a tender love blossoms. Elias's strength and haunting scars captivate Callie, who shares the pain of being an orphan. She admires his unwavering bravery, finding solace in their shared experiences. Yet, their bond faces relentless challenges. Women vie for Elias's attention, while men yearn for Callie's affection. Sinister forces within the army conspire against Elias, and false accusations threaten to tear Callie away from the man she loves. And Elia's search for the truth about his parents' deaths leads him to confront one of the country's most powerful families. Passion collides with suspense, and love battles against those who seek to tear them apart. Will Elias and Callie emerge unscathed from the shadows, or will their sacrifices shatter their dreams forever? Discover their fight for a future filled with hope, trust, and the promise of a happy ending.
The kiss grew more passionate as he felt her warm supple body pressing against his chest. He couldn't believe how soft she was. He was gentler this time, making love to her with a slow, languorous pace, pausing now and then to check the expression on her face. Kira was. transported. She no longer felt the fabric of the sheets underneath her. One moment, she was floating in the air, cuddled by cotton candy clouds. The next, she'd become one with a dinghy, bobbing up and down with the undulating waves. His scent enveloped her. He was on top of her, using his arms to support his weight and avoid crushing her. She snuggled up closer to him, safe and snug, cocooned in his warmth. Kira had always marvelled at Austyn's stamina, but he outdid himself tonight. In the midst of overwhelming rapture, Kira still had the presence of mind to broach the subject she'd been meaning to bring up. 'My dad's medical bills.' Austyn paused. He frowned as he looked into those beseeching eyes. 'It'll be taken care of by the end of business day tomorrow,' he said with a bit of an edge in his voice. Kira breathed out. ****** She is a 21-year-old college student who dreams of becoming a journalist. He is the heir of the McCarthy family and president of a business empire. She is bright-eyed and vivacious, a glass-half-full kind of gal. When life throws her a curveball, she knocks it out of the park. He is the archetypal alpha male, aggressive and domineering. Endowed with both brains and brawn, he steamrolls over his enemies and rules his company with an iron fist. The two would never have crossed paths if not for a cruel twist of fate. Kira's world was turned upside down when her father was hospitalised after a car accident. The medical bills were astronomical. Austyn McCarthy offered her a way out. The price: becoming his contract wife. At night, he consummated their marriage but called out another woman's name. Who was she? Why did Austyn marry Kira if he was in love with someone else? Kira was his lawful wife, but she had no right to ask these questions. Then one day, the woman showed up in front of her.
Joanna was sabotaged by her sister and ended up in a stranger’s bed. Despised by her boyfriend and pressured by her family, she was forced to marry a wealthy scoundrel, Rhys. Rhys’ young adoptive father was the richest man in town, but was also said to be violent. Everyone thought Joanna was doomed, but Owen favored her and condemned her bullies. Joanna secretly loved Owen, but after a night of passion, he began to withdraw from her. Heartbroken, she entertained other men. She was on a date when Owen suddenly barged in. "You said you loved me!" Joanna smirked. "Too late. You’ll have to get in line."
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Daisy is the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Hubert. His company went bankrupt, so he asked for help from Drkov's house. They agreed to help Mr. Hubert but with one condition. One of his two daughters must marry their nephew - Atlas Drkov. Atlas Drkov is a billionaire but he is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Yaretzi - daughter of Mr. Hubert's official wife - does not accept marrying a disabled man. She and her parents made a plan. They kidnapped Daisy's mother, threatened her, and forced her to marry Atlas. To save her mother, she accepted. However, after getting married, she fell in love with this man, and so did he. Difficulties start from here.
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
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?
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.