Reina Halls thought her marriage to billionaire Ethan Brooks would lead to love, but instead, she found herself trapped in a cruel, loveless union. After enduring years of humiliation, she walks away from Ethan-hiding a secret that could change everything. Now, with her newfound independence, Reina has rebuilt her life. But when Ethan discovers her whereabouts and the truth she's been hiding, he will stop at nothing to bring her back. As old flames ignite and hidden desires resurface, Reina must decide if she can trust the man who once broke her heart or if she's better off without him. His Rejected is a captivating tale of second chances, passion, and redemption.
Chapter One: The Beginning of the End
Reina Halls sat at the long, gleaming dinner table, surrounded by the polished members of the Brooks family, but feeling more alone than ever. The weight of the evening pressed down on her like a suffocating cloak. Her husband, Ethan Brooks, sat at the head of the table, his attention fixed elsewhere. Beside him, Anna Wells giggled, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, her gaze locked on Ethan.
Reina's heart twisted painfully. The humiliation was a familiar sting by now, but tonight it was worse-far worse. Every sideways glance from the Brooks family felt like a dagger to her chest, a reminder that she didn't belong. She was the outsider, the unwanted wife.
"Reina, darling, why don't you serve us some drinks?" Anna's voice cut through the room like a whip, dripping with false sweetness.
Reina blinked, her stomach knotting. Serve them? She hesitated, glancing at Ethan, hoping for a word of defense. But he didn't even look her way. His cold indifference had become her reality. His betrayal, constant.
Without a word, Reina rose from her seat, her bruised body protesting every movement. She'd been in a minor accident earlier that day-knocked down by a car as she ran from the same house, overwhelmed by the hurt and rejection that had become routine. Yet here she was, back in the thick of it. How foolish she had been to think he would care. Even after the doctor had told her the news...
Her hand trembled slightly as she poured the wine, and her mind drifted to the secret she carried now. She hadn't told Ethan yet. She had hoped, against her better judgment, that the news might change something. That telling him about the baby might make him see her differently, might soften that hard look in his eyes that seemed permanently fixed.
But no-he was as distant as ever, if not worse. Reina placed the glasses in front of Ethan and Anna, who continued to flirt shamelessly. Anna's hand brushed his arm, and he didn't move away. Reina felt the familiar burn of jealousy mixed with deep-seated pain.
She clenched her fists by her side. This couldn't continue. Not anymore.
"You're looking a bit pale, Reina," Anna said, her lips curving in a smirk. "Are you feeling alright?"
Reina's jaw tightened, but she refused to give Anna the satisfaction of a reaction. She sat back down, her hands in her lap, and stared at her plate. She felt sick, the pain inside her chest twisting tighter. This wasn't the life she imagined when she married Ethan. She had loved him-truly loved him-and all she ever wanted was for him to love her back. But now, after everything he had done, after the countless nights of loneliness and tears, she knew it was never going to happen.
The sound of laughter brought her back to the room. Anna was laughing again, a mocking sound that grated on Reina's nerves. She couldn't sit through this any longer.
"I think I'll head to bed," Reina muttered, standing abruptly.
"Leaving so soon?" Anna quirked a brow. "But the night is just getting interesting."
Reina ignored her, moving toward the hallway, but just as she reached the doorway, Ethan's voice cut through the room.
"Reina."
She paused, her heart skipping a beat. For a moment, hope flickered. Maybe, just maybe, he would ask her to stay, to talk to her, to care.
But when she turned around, she saw nothing in his eyes but contempt. "Don't come back down," he said, his voice flat. "You're not needed here."
Her heart shattered. Without another word, she left the room, her mind racing. How had she become so invisible, so worthless in his eyes?
As she ascended the stairs to their bedroom, the weight of the day finally caught up with her. She was done being treated like this. Done hoping for a man who only ever wanted to break her.
Inside the bedroom, she sank onto the bed and reached into her purse, pulling out the pregnancy test she had taken earlier that day. She stared at the two pink lines, feeling a mixture of fear, sadness, and... a small spark of hope. This baby was hers, no matter what Ethan wanted.
Reina clutched the test to her chest, her tears falling freely now. She had tried so hard for so long. But it was time to stop trying. She had to think of herself-and now, the life growing inside her.
Tomorrow, she would pack her things and leave. She couldn't stay in this house, this marriage, any longer. Ethan Brooks had made it clear that she wasn't part of his world. But that didn't mean she had to stay a part of his cruelty.
And as the tears streamed down her face, she made a silent promise to herself: No more waiting. No more hoping. I'm leaving, and this time, I'm not coming back.
Becky had started to rethink everything that had happened in a short period of time . Knowing fully well the war between the two rivals Sophia and Mr Dickson wouldn't end , she made up her mind to save up in order to open a business for herself .Sophia tries as much as possible to test Becky for her loyalty, after getting some thought over her action .Mr Dickson had been bothered , After his secret documents were exposed and his company personal information was used out of the company , the mind to trust anyone baffles him .He tries as possible to test most of his close employees , making them do bigger tasks while he observes them .
Five years after her father's illegal empire crumbled, Mercedes is determined to reclaim what's rightfully hers. Her mission: seduce Jayden, the son of the commissioner of police and her father's enemy. But things get complicated when Jayden asks for her help as a math tutor, and Mercedes finds herself falling for him. Torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing feelings for Jayden, Mercedes must decide: will she follow her heart or seek revenge? CHARACTERIZATION:
**Blurb:** Marie, a youthful lady burdened by devastating obligation after the appalling misfortune of her guardians, finds herself snared in a web of duplicity and crave when she acknowledges a profitable suggestion from the persuasive Stone family. Their mission change Marie into the culminate seductress for their child, John, a very rich person CEO famous for his frosty mien and revolution to commitment. John, scarred by a past disloyalty, has built a domain of steel and glass, reflecting his possess solidified heart. But as Marie navigates his requesting world and the tenacious interest of a desirous equal, she starts to chip absent at his resistances, revealing a covered up defenselessness underneath his cold outside. Be that as it may, their burgeoning association is undermined by a merciless competitor looking to devastate John and claim his realm. With privileged insights, lies, and double-crossings hiding around each corner, can Marie dissolve John's solidified heart and produce a cherished solid sufficient to resist the storm?
The warm sunlight of late spring danced across the rolling hills of Willow Creek, casting a golden glow over the quaint town. The air was alive with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers and the gentle hum of bees as they flitted from petal to petal. Amidst this serene backdrop, Emily Wilson stepped out of her family's grand estate, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement. Emily's raven haired beauty and graceful demeanor commanded attention, but her kind heart and compassionate nature had earned her the love and respect of the townspeople. At twenty years old, she was on the cusp of womanhood, with dreams of making a difference in the world beyond Willow Creek's borders. "Good morning, Emily!" called out Mrs. Jenkins, the Wilsons' loyal housekeeper, as she bustled about the garden. "Good morning, Mrs. Jenkins!" Emily replied, her voice melodious. "Isn't it lovely today?" As Emily strolled through the gardens, her thoughts turned to the upcoming town fair. She had spent weeks preparing her entry for the baking competition, perfecting her signature lemon lavender pie. The prospect of winning the coveted Golden Whisk award motivated her to create something extraordinary. Suddenly, a horse's thundering hooves echoed through the streets, followed by the sound of wheels scraping against the gravel driveway. Emily's curiosity piqued, she hurried toward the entrance. A sleek black carriage, adorned with elegant silver trim, came to a stop before the estate. The door swung open, and a tall, dark haired stranger stepped out. His piercing green eyes scanned the surroundings, locking onto Emily with an unmistakable spark of interest. "Welcome to Willow Creek, sir," Emily said, her cheeks flushing. The stranger's charming smile and chiseled features left her breathless. "James Parker, at your service," he introduced himself, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. "I'm here on business, seeking investment opportunities in the area."
Vincenzo knew he had to act fast. He couldn't let Sophia use him like this. He quickly assessed the situation, looking for any Advantage he could use That's when he saw it – a small detail that Sophia had overlooked. A detail that could change everything. With a surge of adrenaline, Vincenzo made his move. He lunged at Sophia, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. "You're not the only one who can play games, Sophia," Vincenzo hissed, his eyes blazing with determination. Sophia's eyes widened in shock as Vincenzo revealed his trump card. He had discovered her secret ally – a traitor within the Gambino family. With this new information, Vincenzo had the upper hand. He could take down Sophia and her ally, and save the Gambino family.
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?"
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."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
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.
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"