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"You were just a tool, Imogene." Her heart stopped. "And I was foolish enough to believe you cared." *** Imogene Scott had always known her place-by Damien Shaw's side, even when his love was a distant dream. Marrying her only because of an unexpected pregnancy, Damien's affection never blossomed. Instead, her devotion turned him from a mere sales manager into the billionaire CEO of IMU, one of Europe's most powerful tech empires. But her sacrifices weren't enough. After losing their baby, Damien's coldness deepened, sealing their marriage with an unspoken "no meddling" rule. Imogene's reward? Watching Damien parade countless mistresses, all while she buried her own dreams to fuel his. She believed, naively, that one day he'd see her worth. But when he fell in love with her stepsister and served her with divorce papers, Imogene's world shattered. Realizing she was nothing more than a pawn in Damien's game, she vanished-pregnant and determined to protect her unborn child. Three years later, Imogene returns, not as the broken woman who fled but as a renowned artist and mother to their two-year-old daughter. Now, Damien realizes what he's lost and wants her back. But this time, Imogene is ready to fight, and she's not making the same mistake twice.
Imogene Scott
People do crazy crazy things for love. But what most people don't do, is let their husband get with other women just because they think he'll someday realize they're the only one for him.
As I say this, I feel totally stupid. I'm sitting in the lounge of Haven's hotels and Suites and I can't help but feel uneasy. I'm waiting for my husband to walk out with one of his many flings or at least get his room number.
I've always known about Damien's affairs for the past five years. Our marriage has been like that. He married me because I was pregnant with his child but after losing the baby, he completely changed.
Then the multiple affairs began and we both made a deal not to meddle in each other's lives. I was hurt, but one part of me has always reassured me that one day, he's going to get tired of the affairs and love me properly. That one day, he'll realize he's never going to find a woman like me in any of those occasionally flings.
Unfortunately, I think he just did.
He's been seeing this blonde woman for over five months. A blonde woman whose identity he has succeeded in hiding so far. Most of his flings usually don't last this long. He even stopped coming home too, claiming to be busy at the office.
To top it off, yesterday was our five years marriage anniversary and we were supposed to fly out to Los Vegas last night. But my husband left me waiting and only dropped a text claiming he had to fly out to Seattle for a business meeting. My intel however, told me he isn't in Seattle but at this very hotel with that woman.
My face begins to heat up again and I drag in a laboured breath. I should at least get home first before wallowing in self pity again. I brought this upon my self. My stupidity has led me thus far.
"Ma'am, can I help you with anything?" a concierge says, walking across the lobby to where I am sitting.
I'm in a short floral dress and hat with a pair of sunglasses. He probably thinks I'm a tourist, wondering why a woman is wearing sunglasses indoors. But can't help it, my eyes are all puffy from crying myself to sleep last night, hence the glasses.
I put on my best fake smile. Most people can tell it's fake from the way my lips always twitch, but this good looking concierge seems clueless.
"Damien Shaw. Can I get his room number?" I ask politely.
He gives me a long hard look. "I'm afraid not, Ma'am."
I open my purse and pull out a wad of dollar bills. Considering the fact that the grand opening of my first art gallery is in two days and this money is supposed to go into the payment for the studio's lighting, I'm not supposed to be throwing wads of dollar notes around. I shouldn't even be here, I should be preparing for the grand opening.
I'm finally pursuing my own dreams after spending five years of helping Damien pursue his.
"How about now?"
"Room 2672." the concierge says almost immediately, taking the wad of notes from me.
By the time I get to the fifth floor, I'm already starting to regret my decision. Shit, did I just give five thousand bucks to that man just to get a room number?
Five thousand bucks shouldn't be a problem if you're the wife of Damien Shaw, the CEO of IMU. But I have decided not to spend Damien's money and start out my own business on my own without his help.
Ding!
The elevator door opens when I finally arrive on the floor I'm headed. My feet go cold. I'm not sure what I'll find but I at least know what to expect. I take a deep breath and propel my legs forward.
My heart aches. How did my marriage even get to this point? I have been overlooking the signs and hoping on something that's never going to happen. I have been so stupid.
Standing by the door of room 2672, my fingers tremble as I raise my hand to the door, hesitating for just a moment before I force myself to knock. Three sharp raps that seem to drain all the warmth from my hand.
I wait for a response. A few seconds later, the door swings open revealing Damien in a white robe.
He's stunning as ever, looking the same as the man I fell in love with five years ago. The man I knew didn't love me but I still married anyway.
Maybe because I haven't been constantly see him these past few days, but he suddenly looks like he belongs in an Armani photoshoot. Or modeling Calvin Klein underwear.
Those sharp, deep-set gray eyes, sculpted cheekbones and full, firm lips are being wasted. He's tall, too, easily six-three or six-four with broad shoulders. And the robe he's wearing fails to hide the power of his body. What woman wouldn't want this man for herself? What the hell have you done to yourself, Imogene?
My breath seizes for a moment as I meet Damien's cold gaze. This is definitely the rule number one of meddling-showing up to places uninvited.
"What are you doing here, Imogene?" his voice is sharp and condescending.
He leans against the door like he's blocking the way. My heart churns, why's he trying so hard to hide this woman? Has he finally given his heart to her?
"You told me you were in Seattle! You missed our anniversary dinner, Damien." I say, my voice steady.
It's the opposite of the storm brewing inside me. I can feel the tears welling up again, but I blink them away, refusing to let them fall. Not here. Not now.
Shit, I thought I already exhausted all the tears in me last night.
"I just got back this morning." he replies, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Why are you here?"
The last part of my heart breaks. Lies, more lies. He's here with his woman right now, and we both know it. I don't know how I've been able to bear this for years but there's only so much I can take.
This woman has to go!
I try to peer over Damien's shoulder into the room, but he shifts, blocking my view. But with surge of strength fueled by all the emotions I have kept to myself for half a decade, I shove the door open, forcing Damien to stumble back. I storm into the room, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps.
My eyes darts around. It's empty. The bed is neatly made, the curtains are drawn, and there is no sign of anyone else. For a moment, confusion clouds my anger. Have I been wrong? Have my suspicions twisted reality into something worse than it is?
But then, just as I'm about to turn back to Damien, I hear it. The sound of running water, the faint click of a bathroom door unlocking.
I freeze, my heart plummeting into a cold, heavy knot in my chest. I don't want to turn around, don't want to see what I've always known was coming. But I can't stop myself either. Slowly, almost mechanically, I turn my head toward the bathroom.
The door opens, and there she is. My stepsister.
Teasingly, his fingers slides out of my entrance and I can feel that pulse between my legs. The pulse that comes with the endless need for him to be inside of me. His eyes on mine, he sucks on his fingers and gives me a masculine smile of satisfaction. I sag against the wall breathlessly. Then he grabs my body, hugging me to him as I try to catch my breath. "You see, Peaches." he whispers to my ear, his breath hot on my neck. "You love the things I do to you." --- All her life, Peach Salinger has always played by the rules. She's 23 and graduating college in a few months. She also just landed an internship with Acker Investments which can secure her a permanent job after graduation. But she's determined to get some sexual experiences before stepping into the professional world. In a bid to loose her virginity before she graduates, she hooks up with a hot stranger from a dating app. But that hot stranger turns out to be her new boss, Rhys Van Acker. An arrogant multi-billionaire who's nine years older than her. They both clash at first but Rhys cannot deny the mutual sexual tension between them. Rhys Van Acker wants Peach Salinger in his bed again, but Peach is determined not to succumb to the temptation. But how long can she be able to control herself when all she can think about is the one night stand she had with the older man?
Ryder grabbed Regina's chin firmly, his fingers curling around her jaw as he pulled her closer, his eyes burning into hers. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "You belong to me, Bunny. Every inch of you. No one else gets to touch you, to claim you like I do. You're mine to control, to possess." ***** In a shocking turn of events, Regina Flynn, a young and talented fashion designer, agrees to a marriage of convenience with Ryder Steele, the ruthless businessman responsible for her family's downfall and her father's tragic death. Regina seeks to expose Ryder's corrupt empire and bring him to justice. But unknown to her, Ryder is more than he presents himself to be. He's a possessive man who likes to be in control. He also has an ulterior motive for the marriage - to acquire a property worth millions, that's secretly in Regina's name. As they engage in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, a passionate night together leads to an unexpected pregnancy, further complicating the situation. Regina is about to find out soon that Ryder's true nature can be more complex, darker, and more intriguing that she has ever imagined.
She's Sia Jenkins He's Alexander Luis-Diaz She's a failed junior reporter. He's a real estate multi-billionaire. She's the accidental one night stand he can't seem to get out of his head. He's the beautiful mistake she made that faithful night. What happens when a scandal breaks out and he's forced to introduce her to the world as his fiancé? How did a failed junior reporter become the contracted finance of a multi-billionaire? Because they found something together; LUST.
When Jenna Brooks's family goes bankrupt, she's forced to move in with the Declan family in Houston for her senior year. Getting to Houston, Jenna quickly realizes that things have changed since she last saw them. The Declan brothers, once innocent little boys, now have now grown up to be hot and attractive guys. What Jenna doesn't know is that, her life is about to be changed. She is soon thrown into the world of heartbreak, boy kisses, make outs and school scandals. But will Jenna make it through senior year without losing herself in the chaos? Jenna's life is about to be forever changed, and the choices she makes will determine her fate. Prepare yourself for a journey filled with unexpected twists, as Jenna discovers just how far she's willing to go to find her place amidst the chaos.
"Did you think you could just leave like that after getting married to me?" Blaine Sinclair's voice cut through the air, freezing the room. Yazmin's heart raced as his gaze locked onto her. "We are married, Yazmin, and you cannot walk out of this marriage unless I let you." … In the glistering world of the affluent, celebrity wedding planner, Yazmin Collymore is used to orchestrating love stories that shimmer like diamonds. When she gets her biggest clients ever, one that could change her life for the better, she is determined to make the wedding a success and find her place in the world. But when an ill-timed advice leads to the bride eloping with someone else hours before the wedding, Yazmin sees all her career goals turning to dust. Determined to salvage her reputation and not ruin the wedding, Yazmin takes on a daring alternative. Posing as the bride, she steps into a marriage of convenience with Blaine Sinclair, a cold, heartless and ridiculously hot billionaire mogul who is only getting married because of a merger. What was meant to be a facade, becomes a trap when Blaine refuses to let Yazmin off the hook. He askes her to remain his wife for a year so he can be able to secure his company merger with his grandfather’s, or jeopardize her career and future by revealing the truth about her. As their tangled lives intersect, the glamour of wealth and the weight of duty collide. In "The Billionaire’s Trapped Wife," bonds form, secrets unfold, and love's unexpected journey reveals that, in the world of the affluent, true connections are the ultimate treasure.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
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!”
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
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?"
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.