Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
It was dark outside.
Laughter erupted from the living room of the Bryant family's villa from time to time. Different voices could be heard chatting heartily.
In the kitchen, the air was so hot. Loraine Torres was cooking alone. Her face was flushed and sweat dripped down her forehead as she stared at the boiling soup in the pot. Soon, her vision became blurry.
She had been down with a fever since morning.
However, she was yet to go to the pharmacy to buy some medicine or have a good rest. She had been doing chores around the house since the crack of dawn.
"Hey, is dinner ready yet? Gosh! You are still not done. I can't believe that my brother married lazybones like you!" Marina Bryant shouted at her, standing at the kitchen door.
Loraine licked her dry lips. She was used to her sister-in-law's mean attitude.
"It will be ready soon."
Marina hissed. "Get it over with. My brother and Keely are waiting for the meal. Keely is different from a bumpkin like you. She had been receiving treatment abroad before coming back this time. Her health needs to be monitored well. We can't starve her. Otherwise, my brother won't let it slide."
Loraine's hand that was holding the cooking spoon tightened. She froze as her heart ached severely.
Since she was married to Marco Bryant three years ago, she had been nothing short of a dutiful wife. But he never appreciated her efforts. She was nothing in his eyes. To him, she couldn't hold a candle to Keely Haywood.
Marina sneered.
"Listen to me, Loraine. You wouldn't have been able to marry my brother if our grandma hadn't been in a hurry to have a great-grandchild. Had Keely been in the country at that time, my brother wouldn't have married you. You are just a useless woman. Three years have passed, but you haven't given birth to a child."
Tears welled up in Loraine's eyes at this moment. She fought them back as she watched Marina leave.
Just then, she heard a faint voice from outside.
"Marco, am I disturbing you and Loraine? Is she angry?" This female voice was so coquettish.
"No. Your welfare is the most important here," a deep and pleasant male voice said with tenderness.
Never had Marco spoken to Loraine with such loving care. It was what she longed for throughout the past years.
Loraine stood alone in the kitchen, and her aching heart sank. Her eyes fell on the candles and gift box in the trash can. The pain in her heart increased.
She had been trying to make this marriage work all these years.
Her so-called husband whom she always showered with love didn't remember that today was their third wedding anniversary.
Despite her sickness, she prepared a big dinner to celebrate. But it soon turned into a welcome dinner for Keely.
Everything seemed like one big unfunny joke. All her efforts, forbearance, and hope were reduced to nothing tonight.
"Miss Torres, I'm sorry to bother you guys. Let me help you." Keely walked into the kitchen with an apologetic smile.
With her face void of any expression, Loraine stared at the beautiful and feeble woman in front of her. "You should address me as Mrs. Bryant, not Miss Torres."
The apologetic smile Keely had disappeared in the blink of an eye. She eyed Loraine and said arrogantly, "Let me get this straight, Loraine. I'm the only woman in Marco's heart. He only married you because of his grandmother. Three years is enough for this sham of a marriage. Now that I'm back, I will take my rightful place in this household. Don't get your hopes up that you will win Marco's heart. How about you save yourself the shame and leave?"
Intense hurt tugged at Loraine's heartstrings. However, she still put up a strong front in the face of her rival.
"For your information, I'm still Marco's wife. I'm Mrs. Bryant. You are the outsider here."
Horror was written all over Keely's face as soon as she heard those words. They pierced her heart like a thousand knives.
"Stop being so complacent. The title of Mrs. Bryant isn't your birthright. It can be revoked. Besides, you will be in trouble if anything happens to me because of you. Just wait and see!"
An ominous premonition rose in Loraine's heart.
"What do you intend to do?" she asked, squinting her eyes.
Before Loraine knew what was happening, Keely grabbed a knife from the chopping board and tried to stab herself in the abdomen.
Loraine tried to stop her. Holding Keely's wrist, she roared, "Are you crazy?"
Keely shook off her hand.
During the struggle, the sharp blade slit Loraine's arm. She groaned in pain.
It was then she saw blood seeping through Keely's clothes.
Keely smiled at her evilly. The next second, she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Marco, help! Loraine wants to kill me!"
Loraine's eyes almost bulged out of the sockets. A second later, Marco came rushing into the kitchen.
She tried to explain what happened, but no words came out. It seemed like her throat was blocked.
Loraine suddenly felt dizzy. Blood was gushing from her arm and her head was banging.
As she grew unconscious, she saw Marco walk past her. He picked up Keely and rushed out, leaving his wife on the ground unconscious.
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.
Sophia Drake braced herself for the worst when she was forced to move across the country in the middle of her junior year. Desperate to escape her shattered home as soon as she turns eighteen, her plans are disrupted by the enigmatic and captivating Ashford twins. Sophia can't fathom the intense attraction she feels for the twins and tries to avoid them at every turn. As she's thrust into an unfamiliar world, her past demons resurface, making her question her true identity. Will Sophia flee from her past's secrets, or will she embrace her destiny and take control of her future?
WARNING : Matured contents !!! 18+ This book contains a lot of steamy content. I suggest readers should be at least 18+ to read. "I'll never be your plaything," my voice cuts through the tension. "Your father's debt was paid with your life. You belong to me now," he declares, grabbing me by the arm. ________________________ Enzo Saviano, a formidable Italian mobster abducts Gabriella Diaz as payment for the debt of her father who is desperate to settle his gambling debt. For Enzo she is just like every other girl he has slept, a easy fuck or is she?
For seven years, Jillian pursued Bryan with unyielding passion, but he remained distant, his emotions tightly sealed. Disheartened, she left for overseas after graduating from college. Three years later, Jillian, now a successful attorney, sat provocatively on the lap of Bryan's competitor. She flashed Bryan a playful smile and taunted, "What's wrong, Bryan? Are you impotent?" Bryan's restraint shattered in an instant. In a swift motion, he scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. The next morning, as Bryan woke up, Jillian flashed a mischievous smile. "Let's keep things casual, okay?"
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?