Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
It was a hot summer day. The downpour seemed to make the climate more humid. The bus was teeming with people.
Janet Lind got out of the bus with her luggage. As she looked around, her gaze landed on Bernie Lind -- he was standing at the exit of the bus station. He looked much older now, and his hair had turned grey. "Dad," she called, biting her lip.
"Come on, let's go home. Your mom has cooked all your favorite food because you're coming back." Bernie smiled, the corner of his eyes creasing with wrinkles. He took the suitcase from her hand and put it into the trunk.
Janet's breathing faltered.
Bernie and Fiona Duncan weren't her biological parents. She was only adoptive. The couple had stopped caring about her like their own after giving birth to a daughter.
She knew Bernie was kind and enthusiastic to her today because he and Fiona were expecting her to marry in place of her sister.
The car drove through the bustling downtown and entered a luxurious villa community.
Seacisco had changed a lot in the past few years.
Bernie opened the door and entered the villa with Janet's suitcase.
Janet followed him in. As soon as she stepped on the carpet, she heard a maid screaming, "Oh, God! Step out! You're dirtying the carpet. I just changed it today. Look at your shoes! They're covered in mud. You've ruined everything."
Janet flinched back at the deafening voice.
She stepped out of the house and looked at her shoes. A frown lined her forehead when she realized they weren't dirty.
The maid was deliberately insulting her.
Just then, the sound of soft footsteps reverberated across the villa.
Jocelyn Lind descended the stairs, twirling a strand of hair around her finger as she happily looked at the door. The smile on her face froze the moment she saw Janet.
She hadn't seen her sister for several years -- her parents had left Janet in the countryside to be raised by other people. She felt a pang of jealousy because Janet had become more beautiful now. Jocelyn had always been jealous of Janet and despised her for being the prettier child. The gap between the two had grown bigger over the years.
Jocelyn quickly faked a smile and looked at the maid. "Why didn't you let my sister in?"
"Her shoes are covered in mud," the maid said with disgust.
"It doesn't matter. You will have to let my sister into the house even if she has turned into a homeless beggar. Otherwise, how can we discuss business?"
Jocelyn's words dripped with mockery. She turned around and sashayed into the living room, not bothering to look at Janet.
The maid quickly strutted to the shoe cabinet, pulled out a pair of shoe covers from the drawer, and threw it at Janet. "You think too much of yourself, don't you?" she snapped viciously. "Wear them before setting foot into the house!"
The maid's insults pierced through Janet's heart. She put on the plastic shoe covers and looked up, anger blazing in her eyes.
She couldn't argue with them before getting the money.
Janet had lost her appetite, so she couldn't stomach the food.
Fiona sat beside her, dazzling as ever, even in her fifties. "Since you have made up your mind, the wedding will be held tomorrow. Is that okay?"
Janet put down the knife and fork and looked at her. "I want to confirm something first. Will you give me the money right after I get married in place of Jocelyn tomorrow?"
She was going to trade her marriage for the money. It was a life-altering decision. Therefore, she wanted to be sure of everything before agreeing.
Bernie and Fiona didn't have children for several years after their marriage. Thinking they would never be able to conceive, the couple had adopted Janet. However, a few years later, Fiona got pregnant and gave birth to Jocelyn.
Fiona started despising Janet and became more partial toward her own daughter. She didn't feel the need to have an adoptive daughter since she had given birth to a beautiful girl. Therefore, she asked Bernie to leave Janet in the countryside where she could live with their old maid, Hannah.
Hannah had been the Lind family's faithful servant before retirement. She had raised Janet all by herself, and the two were like grandmother and granddaughter. Three months ago, Hannah was diagnosed with advanced liver cirrhosis. Now, she needed to have a liver transplantation. The procedure was expensive, and they needed a large sum of money to cure her. Time was limited. They couldn't delay the operation anymore.
"We are family. Why are you always talking about money? Don't worry. I will give you all the money you need. You only have to get married soon." There was a trace of impatience in Fiona's gentle tone.
She hated Janet. Back then, she had adopted Janet only because she was under great pressure. The Lind family taunted her, and Janet's presence was living proof of her infertility. The mere sight of Janet infuriated her.
Later, as time went by, Janet grew up to be a better woman than her daughter in every aspect that seemed to intensify her hatred for Janet even more.
If it weren't for the engagement between her own daughter and the illegitimate son of the Lester family, Fiona wouldn't have brought Janet back from the countryside. She believed such an outcast deserved to stay in the countryside.
"We say we'll give you the money, and you'll get the money, alright? Stupid beggar!" Jocelyn snorted.
"You pay me, and I do the job. Fair and square," Janet frowned.
Although she seldom showed her anger in front of the Lind family members, Janet wasn't a pushover.
She had also heard about the man she was going to marry tomorrow. His name was Ethan Lester, the illegitimate son of the Lester family. He had been engaged to Jocelyn ever since they were children.
Jocelyn was a conceited woman. She would never marry an illegitimate son. Moreover, it was said the Lester family had driven him out several years ago. He didn't even have a decent job and had been struggling to make ends meet.
Although Janet looked calm, the thought of marrying such a man frightened her. However, she had to do this to save Hannah's life. "Don't worry. I will marry him tomorrow."
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
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."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
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.”
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?