Five years ago, Haunted by the tragedy, Anise embarked on a journey to unravel the mystery behind her mother's untimely death. Little did she know that this quest for justice would intertwine with the complexities of her heart and the magnetic pull she felt towards the handsome Detective Jake. Detective Jake had known it was unprofessional to form that sort of relationship with the victim of the case he had been assigned to work on. But somehow found himself ready to lose it all, to be with her. It is not only shocking but heartbreaking when Anise ups and leaves without a trace, after the conclusion of the investigation. Now, Anise has returned after Five years, with a child he never even knew he had. Jake would go to any length to gain custody of his child, while Anise would go to any length to win Jake's love back. The question is... Can they love again?
SEPTEMBER 2023
ANISE POV
I braced myself and walked ahead to the door, before knocking lightly. I asked myself if I knocked lightly because I was nervous, or because the right thing to do wasn't to go hitting hard on people's doors. After a few seconds, I knocked again and waited to be answered. Finally, the door opened to reveal Jake, and I could tell he was more shocked than surprised to see me.
"Anise?" he uttered, his voice barely audible. It was clear that my unexpected presence had caught him off guard. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, trying to comprehend why I was standing at his doorstep. I had left for years before making this decision. He probably thought he wasn't going to see me again for the rest of his life. Little did he know I was here to torment him in the worst possible way. I wasn't happy about that, but I had no choice as well. I couldn't keep my daughter away from her father any longer.
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts as I looked into his eyes. There was a myriad of emotions swirling within me, but determination fueled my words. " Hey." I smiled, but he couldn't bring himself to reciprocate it. Instead, he asked the question I had been expecting, though not so quickly.
" What are you doing here?" He asked. Even in his state of shock, I still couldn't help but notice how broader his shoulders had become. How he appeared taller, and the way he towered over me, made me feel so small.
"yeah...ermmmm..I ermm...."
"Anise, just tell me what the issue is." He rushed out impatiently, looking back to see if someone was coming. Was there a woman in his house? Why was he acting so fidgety?
He stepped aside, feeling the need to be lenient, and silently invited me into his home.
We settled into the living room, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. I began to carefully put my words together. Wondering the right time to let them out. I knew I had a lot to say but that was before I showed up at his doorstep unexpectedly. Now, my words began to fail me making it difficult to start a conversation.
" why did you leave?" He asked with his gaze fixed on me. His words hung in the air, heavy with longing and a hint of pain. I searched his eyes, seeing the raw vulnerability within them, and I knew that I owed him an honest answer.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts and began to speak, my voice trembling slightly. I shared the reasons behind my departure and the complexities of life that had led me down a different path. I spoke of the internal battles I had fought, the doubts and fears that had consumed me.
"well..... I had been away." I sniffled, letting one stray tear fall. " I had been away because I felt I didn't deserve to be here, I was away because I had lost it all; my mother, my father, my brother, and myself in the process. I had nothing left for me here. I feel so sad that you weren't present to watch and see your daughter grow.
The room seemed to spin as the weight of my revelation settled upon us. The silence was deafening, broken by the sound of our ragged breaths. I could see the storm of emotions raging within him. and I braced myself for his response.
"what?..... I have a child?" He exclaimed, his voice filled with pain and hurt. I nodded with my heart aching from the pain I had caused. Olivia is five years old. I had her a few months after I left.
Jake's face contorted with anger, confusion, and a hint of longing. He took a step back, his hands trembling as he tried to process the magnitude of the news. " How... how could you keep this from me?" He whispered with tears glistening in his eyes.
Tears streamed down my face as I reached out to him. "I thought I was protecting you, protecting our daughter. I didn't want to burden you with my struggles, my pain. I wanted to give Olivia a chance at a better life and with your job, you already had a lot on your plate."
"my work does not have anything to do with my child or my responsibilities as a father, Anise. If you so claimed to be what she needs, where were you all these years? Huh? You kept my child away from me and expected me to be happy about it? How am I even sure that she's mine in the first place." He screamed in my face and I tried my best to keep the tears at bay.
"oh please! don't be ridiculous, Jake. You think I would come all the way to make up lies about my child.. your child?" I scoffed.
"I never kept her away from you intentionally. Life got complicated, and I made mistakes. Jake, I never thought anyone would mean so much to me as much as Olivia does. I love her and I realized that trying to keep her away from you is not the best. She has been asking about her father and I can't keep avoiding her questions anymore. I'm so sorry Jake. I am. I know I can't change the past but I am here now, ready to make amends. I want you to be there for our daughter. To make up for lost time. I want you to be the parent she deserves."
"Oh, so if she had not kept asking of her father you wouldn't be here right now? Was it even your intention to be here? Five years! And you are just telling me?" He said with rage written all over him.
" I am going to get full custody of my child, no matter what it takes." Anise, you need to leave"
"Jake, I only came here for us to discuss rationally. Not for you to steal my child. I know I was wrong to keep this from you for so long but you need to understand....." I managed to say before Jake interrupted.
"understand what? You? What is there to understand? That you kept my child away from me for five years! Five good years, Anise. Please leave, I do not want to lose my temper."
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."