Samantha Green never imagined her life would change with a single decision. A hardworking and independent woman, Sam is accidentally thrust into a world of wealth and privilege when she agrees to marry Luke Ashford, a charismatic business tycoon, to save his family estate from a scandal. Initially a temporary arrangement, their marriage of convenience begins to blossom into something real as they discover shared values, vulnerabilities, and an unexpected connection. Following their second, heartfelt wedding, Sam and Luke navigate the complexities of married life under the public eye. While their love grows, so do the challenges. Sam struggles to adapt to the expectations of high society while holding on to her individuality and dreams. She proposes turning a neglected section of the Ashford estate into a community center, a project met with initial resistance from Luke due to financial constraints. Despite the tension, the couple learns to compromise and support each other's ambitions. Their life takes a turn when Clara, Luke's childhood friend and former fiancée, returns unexpectedly with news of her pregnancy and a plea for help. While Luke offers Clara a place to stay, Sam grapples with feelings of insecurity and jealousy. Clara's presence adds strain to their marriage, but Sam's compassion and determination to protect her bond with Luke shine through. At the same time, Luke faces a scandal as a journalist uncovers allegations of financial misconduct tied to his late father. The media frenzy threatens to tarnish the Ashford name and Luke's reputation. With Sam's unwavering support, they uncover the truth: a rival business tycoon orchestrated the false claims to damage the family legacy. Together, Sam and Luke clear his name and emerge stronger as a couple. Clara, realizing she must carve out her own path, decides to leave the estate and start anew, inspired by Sam's grace and integrity. Her departure marks the resolution of lingering tensions, allowing Luke and Sam to fully embrace their future. As they continue to build their lives, Sam's community center becomes a symbol of her dedication to creating a meaningful legacy. The project also reflects the couple's growth as a team, balancing personal dreams with shared responsibilities. The story culminates in a health scare that forces Luke to confront his fears about vulnerability and fatherhood. The experience deepens their bond and inspires them to embrace the possibility of starting a family. Through scandals, family tensions, and personal struggles, Sam and Luke transform their accidental marriage into a profound partnership built on love, trust, and resilience. Their journey highlights the power of taking risks, the strength of vulnerability, and the beauty of finding love in the most unexpected places. "Against All Odds" is a story of transformation, second chances, and a love worth fighting for-a reminder that sometimes, life's most meaningful moments are born from the accidents we never saw coming.
The chapel was a vision of elegance, every detail carefully curated to perfection. Garlands of white roses cascaded down the pews, flickering candles added a golden glow, and soft music from a string quartet filled the air. For Samantha Reed, it was supposed to be another successful event-just one more wedding she could add to her spotless portfolio.
Instead, she stood in the bride's dressing room, staring at a wedding gown draped over a chair while the actual bride had vanished into thin air.
"Sam, what do we do?" Jasper, her assistant, asked, pacing nervously behind her. His hands fluttered to his hair, disheveling the neatly gelled strands.
Sam's pulse was racing. She clutched her clipboard tightly, as though it could provide answers. "We find Clara. She can't have gone far."
Jasper snorted. "She sprinted out of here like her dress was on fire. Do you really think she's coming back?"
Sam turned on him, desperate. "We can't just let this happen. Luke Ashford is expecting a bride. So are two hundred guests. And so is every society reporter in the city."
Jasper sighed, crossing his arms. "Even if we did find her, she made it pretty clear she's not walking down that aisle."
Sam opened her mouth to argue but stopped short. He was right. Clara's panicked declaration, I can't marry him, Sam!, had been definitive. There was no talking her down.
A knock at the door made both of them jump. "Miss Reed?" called a smooth voice from the other side.
Sam recognized the voice of Richard, Luke's personal assistant. Her stomach sank.
"Yes?" she called, trying to keep her voice steady.
"The groom is asking for an update. Are we ready to begin?"
"Almost," she said quickly. "Just a few final touches. Tell him we'll be ready in five minutes."
There was a pause. "Understood," Richard replied before his footsteps faded down the hall.
Sam let out a shaky breath and turned to Jasper. "We need more than five minutes."
"We need a miracle," he muttered.
His eyes drifted to the wedding dress again, and this time, Sam followed his gaze. She shook her head before he could even suggest it.
"No. Absolutely not."
"It's not the worst idea," he said, shrugging.
"It's insane."
"So is leaving the groom at the altar!" Sam hesitated, her mind spinning. Was it possible to pull this off? She was about Clara's height and build, and the veil would obscure most of her face. She could stand in for the ceremony, buy them time to figure out what to do next.
"No," she said again, but her voice wavered.
Jasper stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Sam, think about it. Luke Ashford is one of the most influential men in this city. If this wedding falls apart, it won't just ruin your reputation-it'll ruin your career."
She hated that he was right.
"Fine," she said finally, snatching the dress off the chair. "But this is temporary. As soon as the ceremony is over, we tell him everything."
"Of course," Jasper said, though his sly grin suggested he was just relieved she was going along with his plan.
Twenty minutes later, Samantha stood at the chapel doors, her face hidden beneath a lace veil. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest.
The wedding march began to play. The doors swung open.
Luke Ashford turned to face her, his expression softening as his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. For a moment, Sam forgot to breathe.
Luke was even more striking up close-broad shoulders, a strong jawline, and an air of confidence that bordered on intimidating. But beneath his polished exterior, there was something else. A vulnerability. A man hoping for a connection.
"You look beautiful," he murmured as she approached.
Sam managed a weak smile, grateful the veil hid her face. "Thank you," she whispered.
The officiant began the ceremony, but Sam barely registered the words. Her mind was a whirlwind of panic and guilt. What was she doing?
"Do you, Luke Ashford, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Luke said, his voice steady.
"And do you, Clara Hathaway, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Sam froze. Her tongue felt like lead. Jasper, seated in the front row, gave her a barely perceptible nod.
"I do," she said finally, her voice barely audible.
The officiant smiled. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Sam's eyes widened. Oh no.
Luke lifted the veil, revealing her face. His brow furrowed for a split second before he leaned in and pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her lips.
The crowd erupted into applause.
Sam's cheeks burned as she avoided Luke's gaze. This was a disaster waiting to happen.
And it had only just begun.
In a land ruled by the oppressive Order, where fear and tyranny have reigned for generations, a young woman named Lyra becomes the unexpected leader of a rebellion. Armed with the ancient and mysterious Shattered Star, a powerful artifact capable of shaping destiny, she must navigate a world of fractured alliances, brutal battles, and political intrigue to topple the Order. As Lyra fights to unite a divided land, she faces not only the threat of the Order's relentless soldiers but also the heavy weight of leadership and sacrifice. Alongside her loyal companions-Thorne, Kaera, and the fierce southern clans-Lyra leads the charge toward the Order's stronghold in a final, desperate push for freedom. But victory comes at a cost. With the death of the Order's leader, a new wave of chaos rises. The question remains: can Lyra rebuild a fractured world, or will the same darkness rise again? A tale of heroism, betrayal, and the struggle for a better future, The Shattered Star explores the complexities of leadership, the price of freedom, and the courage it takes to fight against seemingly insurmountable odds.
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.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.