The last time Mike and Christine saw each other, one of them walked away with a broken heart. Mike turned around to see her standing in a maroon suit, holding a briefcase, her eyes filled with hurt and exhaustion. He took a step forward. Longing swept over Mike, and he moved to draw Christine into his arms, his lips fiercely claiming hers. * * * * * * * * Mike Russo's life was perfect-until his ex-girlfriend, six teens, and a little girl moved into his mansion.The last thing Christine Frank wanted was to move in with her ex, the man who broke her heart to pieces. Christine Frank's life is turned upside down when a fire destroys the Foster home she runs, leaving her and seven kids without a place to call their own. Then, Mike Russo, her ex-boyfriend and billionaire hotel owner, offers them shelter in his estate. But Mike has a different motive: using Christine and the kids to boost his hotel's image. As they live together, sparks fly; they can't resist each other. Mike is going crazy from each kid's personality. Can Mike's deceitful plan ruin their second chance at love, or will they find redemption and forgiveness?
"Get out," I spat; my voice shook with rage as I stepped back, creating a distance between my boyfriend and me.
Mike hesitated, his voice pleading. "Please Christine-"
"Hurt me? You cheated on me with your secretary." A lump formed in my throat, and tears spilled down my cheeks.
Mike's hands rose, palms up, in a defense gesture. "She came onto me," holding my shoulders, he continued. "You caught us at the wrong moment. Look, I swear to you, Christine, I would never dream of hurting you."
I stepped away from him and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "You have hurt me for the last time, Mike Russo."
Mike licked his lips with a resigned expression. "I love you, but you need to trust me on this one, baby."
"Love?" I burst into a bitter laugh. "The only person you love is yourself. I never want to see you again."
Then I slammed my front door shut and leaned by it, my body shaking as I broke into a sob, feeling my heart shatter to a million pieces.
A year later, I clipped my ID badge to my jacket. I took a deep breath, pushing away thoughts of Mike's betrayal from my mind.
I stepped onto the porch and rang the doorbell to Mrs. Smith's Group Home, in the suburbs of Seattle. I loved my job as a social worker, and inspections like this one were my favorite part. I got to see the kids and ensure they received the best care possible.
When the door opened, Mrs. Gladys Smith, the manager, greeted me without her usual warm smile. "Hi, Christine. Right on time, as always."
I creased my brows together, pulling out my clipboard and my pen. "Let's get started, shall we?"
The living room space was tidy, and Kimiko, aged six, was sitting in front of the TV watching a popular preschool cartoon.
She turned to face me with a bright gap-toothed grin. "Hi, Ms. Frank."
"Miko, ah, enjoying the fine entertainment TV has to offer, I see?" I asked.
Kimiko shot me a confused look and shrugged. "I guess."
Gladys led me through the usual routine: medication, security alarm, food plan. I checked through my list as I glanced through the fridge contents. The sound of a ball bouncing echoed through the walls as Jayden and Tommy burst through the kitchen back door.
I lifted a warning finger as they froze. "Uh-uh, take it outside, boys. No dunking in the kitchen."
Jayden frowned. "Aw man."
Tommy snatched the ball and ran out the door, followed closely by Jay. Annabeth played hula hoops with Daphne and Millie in the backyard. Meanwhile, Noah was likely playing video games in his room.
"And another perfect record, Gladys, as usual. Thank you for making my job easier." I turned to face her.
Her expression turned serious. "Christine, can I talk to you for a minute in my office?"
My curiosity rose, and I nodded, following her to the office. But as I sat behind her desk, Gladys dropped the bombshell: "I'm dying, Christine."
I widened my eyes and waited for a laugh and a 'just kidding.' "Oh God, Gladys." I gave a nervous chuckle. "Save the spooky talk for Halloween."
Her green eyes remained serious. "It's terminal lung cancer, and the doctor. Damn the man says I have about six months to get my affairs in order before I die. It's the result of my smoking habit."
I bit back a smile. Gladys was about sixty-five, still agile for her age, but I suddenly noticed her cheerfulness was gone. Tears formed in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away.
"Do the kids know about..." I whispered.
She sighed. "Just Noah, he, uh, found me passed out in the bathroom, called nine-one-one. Listen, you know my kids don't particularly like this job, and I have no one to hand the home to."
If no one would take the job, then it would be a problem; group homes were in shortage... and there was a possibility of separation.
Gladys' eyes locked onto mine. "I know you're thinking about the system. You can't let them be separated; they're a family, and even when they fight, hell, they always find a way."
Mrs. Smith's coughing fit sent a jolt through me. I leapt from my seat, my pulse racing, as I rushed to her side. "Gladys!" I took a stride towards her by the window.
She lifted a hand as I helped her sit on the leather sofa. "I'm...fine." She wheezed.
I filled a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Listen, I'll do my best to convince the authorities. They'll be together," I said, sitting next to her. "The house may need a temporary manager."
She looked at me with precision. "Or a permanent one."
I felt a surge of surprise as Mrs. Smith's words sank in. "You're suggesting... me? As the permanent manager?"
Mrs. Smith nodded, her gentle smile filling me with a sense of wonder. "Who better to care for them than someone who already loves them like family? I've watched you interact with them better than anyone, Christine," she said, her eyes really believing.
I thought back to all the moments I'd shared with the kids-the laughter, the tears, the quiet moments of connection. I had grown to love them, but taking on the responsibility of managing the group home was a great task ahead.
"But Mrs. Smith, I... I don't know if I'm qualified," I stammered, my doubts creeping in.
As she sipped the water, I processed her words. Becoming the permanent manager would change my life, but I couldn't bear the thought of the kids being separated.
She took my hands in hers. "I put my faith in you, Frank. This is my final wish."
"Gladys, I'll do everything I can," I promised.
She smiled weakly. "I knew I could count on you, Christine."
I swallowed as I heard the kids' voices from outside. How would they cope without her? Six months later, Gladys passed away in her sleep.
Book One in the Spinelli Chronicles Fiona Higgins' life is shattered when. She uncovers the shocking truth about her family's dark legacy: she's the daughter of a ruthless Mafia king, Don Spinelli. As she fights for her freedom from the Mafia, she's drawn to Kane McGregor, the billionaire who saved her life one fateful night. But as they surrender to their forbidden love, they will risk everything to escape the deadly world that binds them. ★ ★ ★ "If you want a war, I'll give it to you," Kane's blue eyes blazed with intensity. "I won't rest until your father, your brothers, and anyone else in that gang rots in jail for the rest of their natural lives." I let out a slow sigh. "I'm not here to compare firepower; I'm just a businesswoman trying to make a deal." Kane's laughter was low and mocking. "Right, and just to be clear, you're not exactly a skilled 'businesswoman.' I almost took you to my bed, and I'm glad it didn't happen." One of my brows arched. "I'm curious, though, would you?" "Would I what?" Kane asked. I leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "Would you still take me to your bed if I wasn't a Spinelli?" The silence that followed was deafening, and I knew I had my answer.
The last time Mike and Christine saw each other, one of them walked away with a broken heart. Mike turned around to see her standing in a maroon suit, holding a briefcase, her eyes filled with hurt and exhaustion. He took a step forward. Longing swept over Mike, and he moved to draw Christine into his arms, his lips fiercely claiming hers. * * * * * * * * Mike Russo's life was perfect-until his ex-girlfriend, six teens, and a little girl moved into his mansion.The last thing Christine Frank wanted was to move in with her ex, the man who broke her heart to pieces. Christine Frank's life is turned upside down when a fire destroys the Foster home she runs, leaving her and seven kids without a place to call their own. Then, Mike Russo, her ex-boyfriend and billionaire hotel owner, offers them shelter in his estate. But Mike has a different motive: using Christine and the kids to boost his hotel's image. As they live together, sparks fly; they can't resist each other. Mike is going crazy from each kid's personality. Can Mike's deceitful plan ruin their second chance at love, or will they find redemption and forgiveness?
After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary—but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.
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?
Becky endured three years of marriage to the cold-hearted Rory. In all that time, she naively reasoned that one day, he'd gradually come to like her. But the second he forced her to kneel down and humiliate herself, she knew she had been wrong about him. This man had no feelings for her at all. So why should she still love him? When Rory gave her the choice between kneeling down and divorcing, she didn't miss a beat and chose the latter. After all, why should she waste her youth on this scumbag? Wouldn't it be nicer for her to just have fun every day with her billion-dollar family fortune?
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."
Aria Wilson agrees to her step- sister offers to have a one night stand with an old man interchange for large amounts. It will be use for his brother’s operation. What they don’t know is the man she had sex with is turned out to be Jake Thomson! The most powerful man in Golden City, a multi-billionaire. Her step- sister Ayah, pretended that she is the one he was with that night so she is the on who gained wealth. Aria got pregnant and walked away but after five years she came back and her children…
"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."