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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.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
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.
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
"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?"
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”