Carmen Wade thought she had it all-a perfect job, a loyal best friend, and a husband she adored. Everything was perfect! But her world shatters the night she discovers her husband's ultimate betrayal with her best friend, Millie. Fearing Carmen will expose their affair, the two decide to kill her, forcing her into an oncoming truck. She bleeds to death. But when Carmen opens her eyes, she's no longer in her own world. She's been reborn as Lady Daphne Vasquez-The infamous villainess from her favorite fantasy novel, destined to meet a brutal end in the hands of her fiancé. Determined to change her fate, Carmen (now Daphne) shocks the kingdom by first calling off her engagement with Lord Michael Ruiz, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her treacherous husband, Cody Wade. Her actions draw the attention of King Rafe Crowe, a powerful ruler from a neighboring land who becomes suspicious of Daphne's sudden transformation. As Carmen navigates a world of greedy nobles and magic, she must use her knowledge of the story's end to outsmart those who would see her fall, including her former fiancé and the heroine of the novel-who eerily mirrors Millie. But her greatest challenge may be resisting the charm of King Rafe, whose keen eyes seem to see right through her facade and changing the narrative of the story she once knew it's end. In a world where allies and enemies blend together, Carmen's second chance at life becomes a high-stakes game of survival, vengeance, unexpected romance and avoiding a dark prophecy.
Carmen sat at her glass-topped desk, fingers flying over her keyboard as she finalized the figures in her quarterly report. Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting a golden glow on her sleek, modern office. Manhattan's skyline stretched before her, a proof of her success as a finance director at one of the city's top investment firms. She was composed, impeccably dressed in a fitted ivory blouse and tailored skirt, her dark locs pulled into a low, neat bun.
Just as she was about to move to the next task, a sharp sound broke her focus. "Delivery!" A file landed on her desk, sliding a few inches across from her 'Espresso yourself' mug which she never failed to bring to work and take back home everyday. It's been three years and the mug was still too precious to her. Carmen glanced up, startled, to see one of her colleagues, Jenna, smirking down at her, holding a bunch of files.
"Jesus Christ, Jenna!" Carmen jolted a bit, chuckling, before letting out a playful sigh."You scared me!"
"Sorry, didn't mean to! But seriously, Carmen, three years married to The Cody Wade?! What's it like being with such a dreamboat?" Jenna smirked, nudging her with a wink.
"Don't be dramatic now, Jenna. There's still plenty of work left." Carmen replied with a smile.
Jenna's face fell slightly , only to be replaced by a mischievous grin. "Oh, come on, Carmen! You can't keep all the details to yourself now. Tell meeee, pretty please! What's it really like living with Cody?"
Carmen's face softened, her heart warming at the thought of Cody. "Well, Cody's been just...Cody" she shrugged, only for Jenna to shoot her a disappointed look."
"Carmen, you know what I'm asking..." Jenna whined.
Carmen chuckled. She wasn't too keen on sharing too much about her personal life, especially not to Jenna Mcclarke-Roldwells' secretary and unofficial gossip queen. But when it came to talking about her husband, Carmen couldn't help it.
"Alright, fine," Carmen sighed, a dreamy look crossing her face. "I can't say it's been anything less than incredible, Jenna. Cody's...everything," she glanced at the wedding ring on her finger, smiling softly. "Tomorrow's gonna make it three years. Cody has something special planned, apparently."
"Of course he does," Jenna teased, causing Carmen to blush "You're married to Manhattan's golden boy. The guy's a millionaire and still looks like he just stepped out of a Calvin Klein ad. Ugh, you're so lucky! Talk about living the dream.
Carmen laughed, shaking her head. "Don't worry too much Jenna. One of these days, you'll find someone who knocks you off your feet."
"Well I doubt that," Jenna rolled her eyes. "All the guys around here are either taken, broke, or totally clueless. I need a 'Cody' in my life."
"Well, it's not all designer suits and gala events," Carmen replied with a laugh. But as she spoke, her mind took her back to the life they'd built together. How they went from being best friends to a happily married couple.
Jenna shot her a knowing grin, tapping at the files she threw on Carmen's desk. "Hey, lover girl, this is for you. The boss needs it reviewed by the end of the day. Email the edited copy to him."
"Got it, thanks," Carmen nodded, pulling the files closer. Jenna lingered for a moment, giving her a final wink before sauntering off, leaving Carmen alone with her thoughts.
What was it they said about marrying your best friend?
Three years ago, at exactly 8:59 p.m., Cody proposed to Carmen in a way that still played through her mind like a scene from her favorite movie. They'd been best friends since childhood, with Carmen always standing by his side, supporting him through countless late nights as he pursued his dream of making video games.
She'd been there when he was broke, listening to his frustrations and cheering him on, even celebrating with him in her small apartment when he sold his first game to an indie company. Over time, Cody's talent gained recognition, and he eventually made his first million.
She thought back to the sheer joy she'd felt when she saw him going down on one knee under the city lights, and every precious moment since. Tomorrow marked three years of marriage, and Cody had hinted at a surprise. She was curious, but had managed to hold back from prodding him for the finer details of his plan.
Cody was thoughtful, yes. But he had a flair for the extravagant stuff. She remembered one particular occasion where he'd filled her workplace with two thousand peonies, along with a romantic note and an array of different dishes she eventually shared with her colleagues and those in need on the streets. Oh, and there was also the brand new car he gifted her that day. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of surprise Cody had in store for their anniversary this time.
Before she could get too caught up in her memories, her phone buzzed, and she saw Millie's name flash on the screen. Millie was her best friend, a no nonsense model with a big heart and an endless supply of sass and fun.
Carmen answered with a smile. "Millieee,"
"Hey bestie, are you done with work yet?" Millie asked, her voice bright and unusually chirpy.
Carmen glanced at her laptop and the files on her desk. "Not really. Why?"
"Because we're going shopping!"
Carmen sighed "Millie...."
"You're not going to spend your whole day in that office, are you?" Millie's voice teased through the phone.
"I still have a few things left to wrap up for the boss, Mills." Carmen replied, groaning. She knew her best friend. And there was no way she was getting out of this. But she could try. "Besides, I don't really need anything."
"You're not getting out of it, Carmen."
"Well, I could try." Carmen chuckled
"Oh, come on. It's your three year's anniversary tomorrow. Don't you want to pick out something extra special for Cody? If he's surprising you, you should surprise him back, don't you think?" Millie prodded, "And I need...something for me. For work."
"Millie," Carmen laughed, "I've already got him a gift!"
"Yes, but you can never have too many surprises for the man you love, Cam." Millie argued, refusing to take no for an answer. "Gurrrlll, please? I'm dying for an afternoon with you outside the office."
Carmen paused, looking around at the incomplete work on her desk, and then sighed, smiling. "Fine, you win. I could really use a break right now. An hour or two would do."
"Yayyy"
"I'll meet you in ten."
"I'm downstairs already, I'll-"
Carmen raised an invisible brow, "Wait. So you're downstairs? And you're calling?"
Millie chuckled "Okay, see you in ten, Cam, bye."
"I Love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul" There is no greater atrocity than falling in love with your younger sister's husband. When Nayan agrees to move in with her younger sister, Naomi, to assist during the final month of her pregnancy, she devotes herself to caring for her soon-to-be-born niece. However, after the baby is born, Naomi begins to act irresponsibly, frequently going out and returning late at night, leaving her newborn at home for Nayan to care for. Despite initially being unprepared for this role, Nayan steps up to take responsibility for her niece and, in the process, inadvertently falls in love with Naomi's husband.
Madison Hartley never expected to inherit her family's struggling business empire at just twenty-four. With debts piling up and no lifeline in sight, she's willing to do whatever it takes to save Hartley Corporation -even if it means marrying Manhattan's most ruthless billionaire. Alexander Grayson is a man who always gets what he wants. Cold, calculating, and irresistibly handsome, he accepts the contract Madison proposes that promises to solve both their problems. For Madison, it's a lifeline; for Alexander, it's the perfect cover for his own hidden motives. But as their fake marriage blurs into something dangerously real, Madison discovers that love may come at a higher cost than she ever imagined. Will she rush her heart to save her legacy, or will the secrets between them destroy everything? In a city where power and passion collide, nothing is what it seems.
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
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.