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Emerald Sterling's perfect life crumbles when her husband of two years, Liam Westmore blindsides her with divorce request. Devastated but determined to move on, she lets him go. But a week later, she is rocked to her core when she discovers her husband has replaced her with none other than Victoria Quinn, his best friend's ex-wife. - Now, as a heiress at the helm of a prestigious designer jewelry empire, Emerald returns to her hometown after two years and her ex-husband appears at her doorstep saying, "I want you back," while wielding concrete evidence that they were never legally divorced.
Liam Westmore, her husband of two years, had forgotten completely that it was their second wedding anniversary.
Emerald's doll-like green eyes welled up with tears but she fought them back with clenched fists.
She had meticulously fitted her slim figure in a velvet sapphire gown and styled her long blonde hair into an intricate chignon at the bottom of her nape, all in an effort to present herself at her absolute best. Yet, the man she had exerted so much effort to impress barely glanced at her.
The expansive glass window loomed before like a colossal painting, showcasing the vibrant nightlife of Ashtone City.
Yet, despite the romantic ambiance and the mesmerizing backdrop of a sky adorned with shimmering stars, none of it managed to salvage her desolate mood.
Emerald inhaled deeply to steady her nerves. She couldn't let the hurt consume her entirely; she needed to confront her husband. She smoothed the wrinkles from her dress and opened her lips.
"Liam, do you remember what today is?"
He finally lifted his head from his phone, his piercing blue eyes locking with hers briefly before they flitted away to something else.
"Uh, Sunday?"
Emerald's heart sank.
She had hoped for a moment he would remember but he was completely clueless. This wasn't the first time he had forgotten something important, but on their anniversary, it stung even more.
"No, Liam. It's our second wedding anniversary."
A flicker of realization crossed his dashing countenance before it faded, replaced by a vacant expression.
"I'm sorry. I've been so busy with work and stuff, it slipped my mind."
Anger welled up inside her, ready to burst forth and disrupt the fragile peace she had struggled to maintain.
Emerald had heard those words too many times before, and each excuse had chipped away at her fragile hopes for him to change.
She had always been the one to forgive, to mend the broken pieces in their relationship, but tonight something had shifted within her.
The years of neglect and emotional distance had finally taken their toll.
"I have given you numerous chances, Liam. I have remained loyal to you, stood by your side, and made efforts to be a devoted wife. But - but why!" She choked on her words. "Why have you persistently treated me like an outsider?"
Tears welled up in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to hold them back. She was determined not to let her husband take pleasure in witnessing her vulnerability.
However, beneath the surface, she secretly longed for him to recognize the immense pain he had caused, hoping that it might soften his stone-cold heart.
"Please stop acting like an emotionally battered wife. You're well aware that I had no love for you before we tied the knot. Mother's illness is what compelled me to marry you."
"Do you think I wanted this either?" I am trapped in a family marriage tradition, and marrying you was the only way to prevent my adoptive father from disowning me!"
Emerald clenched her fists. "All I'm asking for is to be treated as your wife, to be shown respect, and for you to remember our anniversary. Is that too much to ask?"
Liam's sharp gaze pierced her.
"I refuse to pretend that everything is fine when it's clearly not. If you're willing to pretend that our marriage is happy, that's your choice, but I will not partake in that charade."
Emerald fought back his gaze with equal ferocity.
"So, that's why you're seeing someone else behind my back?" The words slipped out of her mouth before she could even register them.
She couldn't ignore the evidence that had been piling up - the lipstick stains on his shirt collar and the lingering scent of a woman's perfume on his skin each time he went home. All signs pointed towards him having a mistress, and it was tearing her apart inside.
He didn't even look surprised nor did he make an effort to deny it.
"So what?" Liam sneered, lips curled in disdain.
His words felt like a slap to her face, stinging her already broken heart. She was his wife. How could he treat her like this? Anger bubbled up inside her, overshadowing the pain.
"So what?" she heaved. "Are you seriously asking me that? You've been cheating on me, and you have the audacity to act like it's no big deal?"
"I had made it clear to you before we got married that I will marry you but I will never be faithful," Liam clenched his jaw, "I thought you understood and accepted that."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I can't believe you," her lips trembled. "I gave you everything, and yet I'm still nothing for you?"
"You were never enough for me, and you never will be, Emerald."
"Why? Is it because of Victoria?"
Liam's face tightened at the mention of Victoria's name and rose from his chair.
"Don't drag her name into this."
Emerald rose from her chair too, her chin thrust forward.
"Am I right? Is she the reason why you keep hurting me like this?" Her voice trembled pitifully. "I thought we had something going on, something worth battling for, at the very least..."
He let out a cold laugh, "You were nothing but a distraction, Emerald. A temporary amusement that I grew tired of. You were never meant to be anything more."
Breath hitched in her throat, the pain of his words piercing through her like a blade. She had given her heart and soul to this man, believing one day he'll learn to love her a little. But now, his cruel words shattered any trace of hope she had left.
"How could you be so heartless, Liam? I deserved to be treated better than this
"Deserved? You don't even come close to deserving anything, Emerald," he snarled. "You were nothing but naive to believe that I could ever harbor any hint of love towards someone so utterly beneath me. It's entirely your fault that Victoria ended up marrying my best friend! If only you had the decency to call off our marriage, I would have had the opportunity to marry her - not you!"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
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?
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”