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.
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.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."