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Ashley Smith finds herself at a crossroads after losing her job and facing eviction. Desperate for stability, she crosses paths with Owen Dalton, CEO of Dalton Empire-a man whose cold exterior hides a tumultuous past. Owen, struggling to connect with his mischievous twins reluctantly hires Ashley as their nanny. As Ashley settles into her role, spark flies between her and Owen but their romance faces challenges from manipulators and frenemies. Amidst the turmoil, Ashley uncovers shocking ties to Owen's family history, raising questions about their intertwined fate. Secrets unravel as they confront deceit and danger, testing their newfound trust and love. With the twins mother back to take what belongs to her, Ashley and Owe must navigate the shadows of their pasts to forge a future together. But will it be possible, when danger lurks from both ends? P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(LOVE BEYOND NUMBER), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!
Her heart pounded against her chest as she fought back the tears while Mr. Chan continued talking.
"Ashley, you've been a great help to me and this Cafe, but home calls," he said with a sad smile.
He just told her about his Cafe's closure. She had worked her ass out there since she settled in Washington.
The cafe had been her main source of income since graduating from college.
Mr. Chan had been sick and on medications for months until his children urged him to come home for proper treatment, so he had to sell the Cafe.
"I'm sorry about the sudden dismissal. I know this Cafe means a lot to you, but I need to go home. Even if I were to die, I would prefer to die in my homeland."
She forced a smile despite the turmoil in my head, "Don't talk about dying. You will get well, Mr. Chan. I can always find another job. I wish you the fastest recovery."
Mr. Chan gave her a sad smile and patted her on her back. "I know you can pull out anything you want, Ashley."
She leaned in and dropped my apron on the counter. With trembling hands, she gave Mr. Chan a quick peck on his cheek. "Goodbye Mr Chan. Please take care of your health. Until we meet again."
"Bye Ashley" Mr. Chan's voice trailed off as I gently shut the door behind her.
She cast a final glance at Whispering Woods Cafe, my haven. Tears threatened to fall but I composed myself.
She remembered that morning, happily brewing coffee while Mr. Chan rested in the inner room. She was happy she would soon raise my share of the rent.
Once she closed the door behind me, tears of frustration threatened to slip down.
She sniffed and headed to the State Library just a few miles away.
She always went there to escape the harsh reality of life, and now was when she needed it the most.
Scanning the shelves and running her fingers along the crests of the books, she searched for the perfect escape from reality.
She finally settled on a copy of Cinderella and made her way to my quiet corner, she was the only reader in the library .
She loved fantasy novels because I could always pretend to be a princess who had all the work done for her rather than the reality of life.
As she engaged herself in the story, a strong scent of cologne drew her attention and she glanced up.
Her gaze landed on a tall, broad man in a suit, standing in the business section opposite her.
Curiosity gnawed at her. She tried to catch a glimpse of him and he turned. It was Owen Dalton, it felt like a dream.
She had seen him at my university business event four years ago and developed a crush on him.
Owen Dalton, the CEO of the Dalton Finance and Investment Empire. She wondered if he remembered that chance meeting.
They had never spoken, but she had harbored a secret crush on him since seeing him on the podium.
She observed him from a distance as he sorted through the section and finally picked a book.
He found a seat adjacent to her, his brows furrowed in concentration as he turned the pages of the book with focus.
Those piercing brown eyes. She wondered what stories hid behind them.
She momentarily forgot that she had no job and should be heading home, to explain what happened to her roommate, Jessica.
Owen sensed someone looking at him and he turned just in time to catch her gaze.
Caught in the act, she looked down nervously, her fingers tracing patterns on the book cover.
He averted his gaze and continued reading. His phone beeped and he returned the book to the shelf and left the library.
She heaved a sigh of relief, his gaze was so commanding. Memories of her ex, Kelvin, disrupted my thoughts.
They met when she first started at Crestwood University. She liked him because he was quite popular and handsome, unlike her who had an introverted nature.
She often caught him cheating and every time, he apologized. She always forgave him until a week ago.
She decided to pay him a surprise visit after work only to get surprised instead.
She entered the apartment with her key and immediately sensed something was off.
Her heart raced as the sound of a moan caught her ear, and she walked toward the direction of the sound that was coming from the bedroom.
There, in the bed was a blonde moaning under the sheets. Kelvin was constantly thrusting inside her and their moans filled the apartment.
"F**k me harder, Kelvin, fill my c**t" the blonde moaned through clenched teeth.
"F**k it, Avi," Kelvin's voice pierced my already cloudy ears. "You are so sweet, I could go all day long."
At that moment, she finally ended things with him and poured all her energy into working at the cafe. Enough red flags.
She shook her head back to reality, there was no point in pretending to read. She had real-life issues to address.
Returning the book to the shelf, she made my way out of the library. With the final wages from Mr. Chan in her purse, she headed to the grocery store.
After purchasing a few groceries, she rummaged through her purse and realized she had just enough money for the trip home and possibly the next day.
As she contemplated her next purchase, the voices of some kids at the coffee shop next to the grocery store drew her attention.
She approached two schoolchildren in a heated argument, they were arguing in Spanish, and asked what was wrong.
Growing up in Chicago, Ashley happened to be cast in several languages, she was hoping to get a job as a translator later in the year.
The younger one wanted a milk candy, but the older one didn't have the money. She bought them both milk candies and then showed them to the bus.
She returned back to the coffee shop to get her groceries and decided to wait for the free bus. Just as she stepped out of the cafe, she locked eyes with someone.
Anya Petrova has always lived life her way-strong, fearless, and in control. But when she's bought by Viktor Romanov, the most dangerous man in Moscow, everything changes. He says he owns her now, but Anya has never been one to bow to anyone. Viktor wants more than her obedience-he wants her to give in to him completely. But Anya is not the kind of woman to back down, and the tension between them is as dangerous as it is irresistible. Viktor is used to getting his way, and Anya's defiance only makes him want her more. But she's not someone he can easily control. The more she fights, the deeper Viktor falls, and soon, what started as a battle for power becomes something much more dangerous. But Viktor doesn't know everything-Anya has secrets even more dangerous than his own. As desire clashes with control, they're drawn into a world of secrets, betrayal, and a passion they can't deny. But with enemies everywhere, trusting each other might be the most dangerous risk of all. Warning: Mature content, blood, fights, and explosions.
Falling in love with Adrian Sterling was never part of Katherine's plan. Not when he was younger. Not when he was her boss. And certainly not when he belonged to someone else. But love doesn't follow logic. From stolen moments in the office to whispered confessions in the dark, their connection grows stronger-until it becomes impossible to ignore. But with betrayal waiting at every corner, an ex-husband who won't let go, a daughter who loathes her, and a world that refuses to accept them, they have only one choice: Walk away or risk everything. I guess you'll just have to read the story to find out the one they chose! P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(A NANNY FOR HIS KIDS AND HEART), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!
P-please, I beg you. Come let's go tell Christian I had no hand in whatever happened, p-please." I clutched the lapel of his jacket desperately. "Let's go. You need to tell my husband you were paid." "Young lady, you're harassing me." His tone was cold and his stare granite. But I could care less. "You harassed me first! You had sex with me without my consent, my husband knows and now I'm pregnant with this child he doesn't want. You ruined my marriage! I-I hate you!" ************************************ Caught by her husband with another man on their matrimonial bed the morning after her birthday, Hailey Codza could not defend herself. As though it's not enough, she gets pregnant. Her enraged husband decides to pay her back for her infidelity by having an affair with his ex-girlfriend - Denise Kellers, the family Hailey never knew she had. Losing her family's wealth and company to her husband and his ex (now girlfriend), she is devastated, homeless and penniless as all her credit cards are blocked by her husband. She sees the man who is responsible for her pregnancy. The man she has no idea how he'd found his way to her matrimonial bed - Jared Johnson. Jared is annoyed when this strange woman disrupts his meeting and accuses him of ruining her life, marriage and impregnating her. It affects his business deals and having no choice, he marries her to calm the public whilst engaged to someone else. But he loathes her and allows his family treats her badly. Hailey who has fallen in love with Jared is broken when she can no longer take the humiliation. She signs the divorce papers and leaves, only to arrive six years later to the country as a self-made, secret billionaire and a mother of twins. Now her two ex-husbands are begging to have her back...
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?"
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."
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
"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!
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."