Chapter_One . Anna's POV . 10:05 PM. Staggering a little less than normally, I made my way home, no, to the house, and knocked on the door. Gently. Though slightly drunk, I wasn't stupid to go about banging the door. That alone will earn me punishment from my foster parents, Linda and Joseph Matthew. Not that it mattered. They always found the littlest thing to use against me. Taking in a deep breath, I waited for them to open the door. I turned the knob after hearing a 'click' and stepped into the house. For wicked and heartless people, Linda and Joseph were quite neat. Cross that, they made sure I kept the house neat. They were average classed people, living in the suburb part of the city. Affording complete and rich meals each day, with a good dose of alcohol on the side. I waited a minute or two, and when I saw no sign of them, I proceeded to run to my room. "And where do you think you're going?" the menacing voice stopped me in my tracks. Joseph. "And in such a hurry?" Linda added, a sneer evident in her tone. I turned around slowly. They were sitting on a sofa, in the dark parlour. No wonder I didn't see them. "T--to my room," I said with a slight stutter. Linda cackled, like the witch she was. "Did you hear what she just said, honey?" she asked Joseph who guffawed in response. "But mom I--" Before I knew what was happening, her palm connected to my cheeks with a loud 'WHAM!!!' sending me sprawling to the floor. I'd forgotten; they insisted I never call them mom or dad, unless the social workers were around. I screamed from the pain and saw stars in my peripheral vision. Like an explosion had gone off in my head. "I'm not your mother, you stinking daughter of a bitch!" she hissed, pulling my hair and hitting it on the ground. Joseph knelt down beside me, with one knee on my abdomen, and he grabbed my small wrists in his big hand. "Shut up, bitch," he growled and used his other hand to muffle me. I was already quiet, because I couldn't breathe. And soon all my struggles slowed down because of expending energy without breathing. When he noticed my lack of resistance, he got off me, and I immediately drew in a deep breath, clutching my hurting abdomen and stinging cheeks while blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall. I'm a strong girl. I won't cry. "We're never going to be your parents, damned girl," Linda spat, kicking me in the side, "because you're worthless to everyone. Even your real parents didn't want you! You're a curse!" "A worthless piece of trash," Joseph added as he squatted and pulled my hand to him forcefully. "And if one word about this leaks out to the social service, you're dead. Understand!?" I nodded my understanding. "Good." He kissed his wife, and then laughing, they moved to their room while doing disgusting things. When I heard their door lock, I picked myself up, lifted my backpack and headed to my mouse sized room, where I ran a hot shower to treat the bruises on my cheeks and wrists. After that, I applied a balm and crawled onto my bed. It was when I got my pillow to my face that I let out a long agony scream and allowed the tears to flow.
"The Will of Late Leonetti Salvatore, edited according to his demands and conditions." Mr Cannavaro cleared his throat. "There's nothing much to say or share, as it is quite obvious that my son, Emilio Salvatore, will inherit everything I own, ranging from the vineyards, the companies, the industries. And he is to do with it as he pleases."
I smiled at this and smirked to Portia, who just sat expressionless.
"And the Mafia. He is the heir, the one I've chosen to succeed me. But this condition I attach; that he must be married before he can resume full responsibility. And that, that marriage must be to none other than ..............................
10:05 PM.
Staggering a little less than normally, I made my way home, no, to the house, and knocked on the door.
Gently.
Though slightly drunk, I wasn't stupid to go about banging the door. That alone will earn me punishment from my foster parents, Linda and Joseph Matthew. Not that it mattered. They always found the littlest thing to use against me.
Taking in a deep breath, I waited for them to open the door. I turned the knob after hearing a 'click' and stepped into the house. For wicked and heartless people, Linda and Joseph were quite neat. Cross that, they made sure I kept the house neat. They were average classed people, living in the suburb part of the city. Affording complete and rich meals each day, with a good dose of alcohol on the side.
I waited a minute or two, and when I saw no sign of them, I proceeded to run to my room.
"And where do you think you're going?" the menacing voice stopped me in my tracks. Joseph.
"And in such a hurry?" Linda added, a sneer evident in her tone.
I turned around slowly. They were sitting on a sofa, in the dark parlour. No wonder I didn't see them.
"T--to my room," I said with a slight stutter.
Linda cackled, like the witch she was. "Did you hear what she just said, honey?" she asked Joseph who guffawed in response.
"But mom I--"
Before I knew what was happening, her palm connected to my cheeks with a loud 'WHAM!!!' sending me sprawling to the floor.
I'd forgotten; they insisted I never call them mom or dad, unless the social workers were around.
I screamed from the pain and saw stars in my peripheral vision. Like an explosion had gone off in my head.
"I'm not your mother, you stinking daughter of a bitch!" she hissed, pulling my hair and hitting it on the ground.
Joseph knelt down beside me, with one knee on my abdomen, and he grabbed my small wrists in his big hand.
"Shut up, bitch," he growled and used his other hand to muffle me.
I was already quiet, because I couldn't breathe. And soon all my struggles slowed down because of expending energy without breathing.
When he noticed my lack of resistance, he got off me, and I immediately drew in a deep breath, clutching my hurting abdomen and stinging cheeks while blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall.
I'm a strong girl.
I won't cry.
"We're never going to be your parents, damned girl," Linda spat, kicking me in the side, "because you're worthless to everyone. Even your real parents didn't want you! You're a curse!"
"A worthless piece of trash," Joseph added as he squatted and pulled my hand to him forcefully. "And if one word about this leaks out to the social service, you're dead. Understand!?"
I nodded my understanding.
"Good."
He kissed his wife, and then laughing, they moved to their room while doing disgusting things.
When I heard their door lock, I picked myself up, lifted my backpack and headed to my mouse sized room, where I ran a hot shower to treat the bruises on my cheeks and wrists. After that, I applied a balm and crawled onto my bed.
It was when I got my pillow to my face that I let out a long agony scream and allowed the tears to flow.
Roman Volkov: Isla Bennett. The daughter of my bitter adversary, she was supposed to be nothing more than a pawn in my elaborate game of vengeance. I intended to break her, to turn her world into ashes just as her father did to mine. Yet, she dismantled my resolve with her fearless gaze, her sharp tongue, and the gentleness of a single, unexpected kiss. I despise her... but my longing for her is relentless, consuming me like wildfire. Isla Bennett: Roman Volkov. The man my father warned me about, a merciless foe cloaked in danger and power. But I've always been drawn to forbidden paths, and Roman is the ultimate risk. I vowed to conquer him, to thaw the ice around his guarded heart, and leave him yearning for me. I looked into his piercing eyes and saw something raw, something broken-and I wanted to own it. Now, we are locked in a battle of wills and desire, where surrender feels like betrayal, but resistance could destroy us both.
Andria, a spirited and quirky commoner, resides in a secluded area with her parents. She's an orange vendor with dreams of being in a relationship with the world's most handsome man, the former Mr. World. Austin Brown is a remarkably attractive young man who is an international supermodel and former Mr. World. He's also a prominent figure in the world of acting and music. Being born into wealth has contributed to his somewhat infuriating, proud, and haughty demeanor. During a movie shoot in Andria's community, their paths cross unexpectedly. Without her glasses, Andria fails to recognize Austin as her long-standing crush. A heated exchange and a brawl follow their chance meeting. In a surprising turn of events, Andria ends up stealing both his money and his heart. Austin, returning to his opulent lifestyle, remains captivated by thoughts of the commoner he encountered. His search for her, however, proves futile as she vanishes from his sight. Fate takes an unexpected turn when Andria reappears in Austin's life, now as a maid. As she grapples with the realization that her new boss is the same person she insulted on the road, and that he is also her celebrity crush, questions arise. Could this be the start of a genuine connection? Is it possible that love is in the air? Will she be able to fit into his world?
The setting of this novel is Benue State north central Nigeria . Based on a true story of a young man from Ohimini local government area , who grew up with his uncle at Gboko local government area, he fell in love with a charming beautiful Tiv church girl , he lured her into bed and all hell broke loose . What would happen when her father who was a big pastor finds out of her pregnancy? What would John's parents do when they find out who their son got pregnant? How would that action affect the lives of the two young people? Read on to find out.
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
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.