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Some secrets bind us, others set us free,but all of them come with a price. Victoria Sterling has built her life on control: a successful career, a carefully guarded heart, and a determination never to let her past define her. But when her ex-husband Alexander resurfaces with scandalous claims, and billionaire Sebastian Kane, the man she swore she'd never fall for returns to London unexpectedly, her perfectly constructed world begins to unravel. Caught in a whirlwind of speculation, betrayal, and buried emotions, Victoria is forced to confront the truth she's kept hidden not just from the world but from herself. A shocking revelation leaves her questioning everything: her decisions, her desires, and the life growing inside her. As the media spirals into a frenzy and past lovers collide, Victoria must navigate treacherous waters of love, lies, and redemption. Will she find the strength to face her fears, or will the weight of her secrets crush her? In a world where passion and power collide, Hearts Unveiled is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for a second chance.
Victoria's Pov
Alexander's hands wandered over my body as his lips traced down my private place with practised ease; I shut my eyes, wanting to reconnect to my fanatic and horny self. His hands carelessly traced my skin, clutching my breast before shaking them; he was no longer the loving husband I had gotten married to, and he handled me ruggedly without any trace of love. His touch used to set my skin on fire, but tonight seemed different; it barely sparked. I sucked it up silently, closing my eyes, obligated to fulfil my duty as his wife.
"Tessa" he moaned against my neck, his voice breaking through the connection I was having.
I froze trying to assess what I had just heard...Not Vicky'..
"Did you just ..." I paused for a moment, my voice cutting through the silent rhythm that had just rained on us.
"What?" lifting his head away from my neck, with his brows arched through confusion.
"Did you just say, Tessa?" I whispered, my heart pounding in shock.
The clear view of blood left his face, leaving him pale as he nodded in disagreement.
"No!, I didn't say such, I guess you heard wrong"
I pushed him off before sitting up against the headboard, clutching the sheet to my chest.
"Don't lie to me, Alex. I knew what I heard, I am not stupid"
He let out a large sigh before running his hands through his head.
"Are you sure you are alright Vicki, you are imagining things already. You know I love you so much and won't do anything to hurt you"
"You should stop being paranoid," he says before bringing me into his bosom.
Paranoid!! He said it like I was the problem, literally turning the whole situation into me being crazy.
I didn't bother pressing further about the issue. But laying beside him that night, staring at the ceiling, my troubled mind drifted into a depth of thought, our vow exchange and happy years together. Tessa, my stepsister, her name echoed so loud I tussled as the voice refused to go away
The next week was meant to be our anniversary, I had planned a quick surprise for Alex.
The sound of the door creaking open, my keys making their jiggly sound as I laid them on the counter I had clocked out early from the office; I brought along with me a bottle of wine as it was our anniversary. I wanted it all to be a surprise, but the sound of cackling laughter welcomed me, and this made my heart pound further.
I felt a shivering coolness wash over my body as I stepped softly into the hallway. Alexander's fresh cologne filled the air with the mix of a strangely familiar flowery scent. Alexander's voice caught my attention.
"Tessa, I've missed you so much", his voice was low and tuned with an unfamiliar thing. It was filled with passion, but it wasn't for me.
My heart dropped, my hands and feet going numb with every step I took closer to the room door.
I knew better not to eavesdrop, but I could not help my curiosity. I clearly shouldn't have done so.
"Tessa!!.. The name hit so clearly I recalled him whispering her name the last time we were getting intimate, a flashback of our lives together filled my senses.
A silent scream was let out in my chest.
I was unable to breathe, nor could I scream, nor could I navigate my surroundings; I froze at the spot. My fingers held tightly on the door frame, and before I could stop myself, my eyes traced down from the shelves till they landed on them.
Alexander, the man I had cherished for the past four years, as today was supposed to be our anniversary. He had his lips locked with that of my sister; they were both sprawled across the bed.
I felt the world go into a quick pause; the Earth stopped in its orbit. My head is spinning filled with so many emotions. Everything got blurred around me but not the image before me.
I watched them tangled up In each other's grip, his hands roamed over her like he used to do with me, but he was different, the way he worshipped her, to arching her back, her moans and how he devoted his all to her, It was too much to contain.
An overwhelming, uneasy feeling overshadowed me, twisting into a fist filled with betrayal.
"Am I interrupting something?" I asked, walking into the room, my voice cutting through their romantic, silent meeting.
Tessa let out a loud gasp out of shock as she scrambled to cover herself up with the sheets, but Alexander? He felt unbothered, and neither did he flinch. He sat up, staring at me with a gaze filled with annoyance.
"Oh, Vicki!! I didn't expect you to be home so soon," he said, almost driving me to the hedge of laughing and going crazy sideways.
"Victoria, I didn't..."
"Save it, Tessa," I said, immediately cutting her off her statement; her face was drained, as pale as it was; I watched her fidget as she picked her things up to jolt as she was held back by Alexander.
My brows raised in shock at what I had just witnessed; I quickly found a chair to sit on as I tried to digest this experience.
"I can't hide it anymore, Victoria; I am in love with Tessa", he says, his bare, sweaty chest watching me wonder if air got restricted from the room.
"Since when Alex?!!" I whispered. My posture crossed like I was watching a play unfold before me.
"Alex!!"
"Let's not make a big deal out of this. You have refused to give me an offspring, and clearly, this is your fault", his historical tune mocking me to my bones.
"How is it my fault, Alex? Today is supposed to be our anniversary, or have you forgotten?"
"Oh, don't act like you have been the perfect wife, darling. You are never around, always up for work, but have no time for your dear husband. Do you recall the last time we wanted to have a romantic night?" he says, running his hands into his hair.
"You pushed me off!!" he yelled
I felt my heart crack at every word he spilt.
I watched him explain and toss the fault at me with a less expressive face.
I let out a hysterical laugh as he explained how it all started.
"We can both put this behind us as you should forgive me, or do you want to end it all because of my one-time mistake," he says, walking towards me, smiling hysterically.
"I want a divorce, Alex.!!"
His face gets twisted, and for the first time, I see a genuine emotion through his face.
Their marriage was nothing but for the benefit of the two families. He could choose anyone to be his bride, but the moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew she was the one he wanted. However, their marriage didn't last for a long because of her indifference. Until the moment he signed the divorce agreement, he finally witnessed her true colors. It turned out that she also took advantage of him. Their divorce was not an end but the start of the real love game.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Blurb "Part your legs for me, princess" Alpha Damian humored huskily like he was intoxicated, I whimpered as he voice sents a jolts of emotions round my body. An emotion that I wasn't supposed to feel. Selene was 18 years old when she found out that Alpha Jasper of the Silver Crescent pack was her mate at her Awakening ceremony. Being a reject with no parents she lived with him for over one year as a slave and he never acknowledged her as his mate because he couldn't accept a reject as his mate. On her 20th birthday, her mate not only rejected her and chose her best friend; Imogen, as his new mate, but he also sold Selene to the most feared Alpha; Alpha Damian of the Crimson Moon pack whom everyone referred to as a beast. Not knowing why Alpha Damian chose to buy her, she can only resign herself to fate. What has the moon goddess installed for me again? Is this the freedom she solely crave for? Will she be tied down with the shackles of the unknown?
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
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."