Penelope Lorenzo, a woman who'd just lost everything and in utter shambles. She had never imagined that life would bring her to this point. Brayden Giovanni, the big, masked mafia who shouldn't be trifled with. Billionaire by day and Don by night. Thrust in each other's worlds by circumstances beyond their control and some that seemed to be in his control. But with danger lurking from their forgotten pasts, including a serial killer on the loose, choices must be made or consequences abound. What happens when their cocoon is threatened by forces they can't seem to identify? What happens when she leaves after unraveling his secrets and almost gets trafficked? Will she embrace he who would raze the underworld for her or will she leave with the fruit of their passion?
Penelope Lorenzo's POV
"Please help me!" My voice cracked as I dropped to my knees, clutching at the hem of a nurse's scrubs. "Please, I'm begging you! My father... he's dying! Do something!"
The nurse took a hesitant step back, her face full of pity but devoid of action to render any sort of help. "Miss, I-I'm so sorry. There's nothing-"
"There's Nothing?" I screamed at the top of my voice, my voice echoing down the cold hospital hallway. I just didn't care!
"He's having a stroke! A heart attack! Do you understand? My father, He's in pain! You have to save him! He is all I've got, please!" I yelled more on seeing no one was ready to help me out.
"We're doing all we can," another nurse murmured, but her words felt hollow. Her gaze darted away from mine, as if she couldn't bear to look at me.
Was I looking so terrible that everyone kept avoiding my gaze? Why wouldn't they just help me save my father? That's all I'm pleading for!
"No, you're not doing anything!" I yelled and burst into more tears. The tears streamed down my face like raindrops.
"Please! Someone help him! You've got to help him!" I turned to the room full of medical staff, their white coats and scrubs blurring together. "Why are you all just standing there? Just do something! Anything at all, is fine!"
"Miss, please calm down," a young male doctor said, stepping forward cautiously. "Crying this much isn't going to help matters. Rather, you're hurting yourself! We understand your distress, but the specialists are in surgery, and-"
"I don't fucking care about your surgery!" I cut him off, slamming my fists on the cold tile floor. "My father is in a life and death situation! He is dying right now! Please, I'll do anything! Just save him!"
My cries turned into deep, heaving sobs as I pressed my forehead to the ground. My body shook violently, the weight of helplessness crushing me. "He is all I have," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Please, don't let him die..."
The hallway grew silent, save for my broken sobs. For a moment, I thought no one would come forward.
Then, a deep, calm voice broke through the tension. "Hey, Miss."
I looked up to see an elderly doctor stepping out of one of the rooms. His silver hair glinted under the fluorescent lights, and his eyes bore into mine. He adjusted the glasses on his nose as he crouched down to my level.
"I'm Dr. Harry," he said softly. "I'll do everything in my power to save your father."
A gasp escaped my lips. "Y-you will?" I clutched his hand tightly, desperation laced in my grip.
He nodded. "Yes. But there's one condition."
"Anything," I blurted out, my voice hoarse. "I'll do anything!"
"You'll need to pay the deposit first," he said, his tone gentle but stern.
The word 'deposit' hit me like a punch to the stomach. My chest tightened as I stared at him, wide-eyed. "How much is the deposit?"
"Five thousand dollars," the nurse beside him interjected, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Five thousand... what!" I repeated, my voice trailing off. My fingers slackened off his hand as my mind raced. "I don't-I don't have that kind of money!"
Dr. Harry placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, but it's hospital policy. Without the deposit, I can't proceed. Go find the money. I'll do my best to stabilize him while you're gone."
My lips trembled as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
"Thank you," I choked out, bowing my head. "Thank you so much! I promise, I'll get it."
I staggered to my feet, wiping my tears with trembling hands.
My legs felt like they were made of lead as I ran down the hospital corridor. The sound of my labored breaths echoed around me.
"Where do I find five thousand dollars?" I whispered to myself, my voice shaking. "Who do I even contact?"
As I rounded a corner, the strap of my right slipper snapped. "No, no, no!" I cried out, stumbling forward. My knee hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Blood pooled beneath me, but I didn't care. "Get up," I muttered, forcing myself to stand. "Keep moving."
"Miss, are you okay?" a nurse called out, rushing toward me.
"I'm fine!" I snapped, dragging my injured leg as I pushed forward.
"Miss, wait! You're bleeding!"
"I don't care!" I screamed over my shoulder, my voice cracking.
Pain shot through my leg with every step, but I refused to stop.
As I ran, I bumped into a hospital bed parked at a side in the hallway. The sharp metal edge jabbed into my ribs, knocking the air out of me.
"Arghh!" I cried out, clutching my side. Warm blood trickled down my arm from where the bed had scraped my skin.
"Miss, stop! You're hurt!"
"Leave me alone!" I yelled, tears blinding my vision.
The hospital exit loomed ahead. I stumbled toward it, my heart hammering in my chest.
The cool evening air hit my face as I burst outside. The world around me was chaotic-cars honking, people shouting-but it all felt distant. My only focus was getting across the road to find help.
"Hey, stop right there!" someone shouted behind me, but I didn't look back.
Why should I spare them a glance? Were they going to help me sort out my father's hospital bill?
I stepped off the curb, my swollen eyes fixed on the opposite side of the street.
The screech of tires filled my ears, but it was already too late.
The car slammed into me with a force that sent my body flying through the air.
Time seemed to freeze as I twisted and tumbled, my arms flailing helplessly. Pain exploded in every part of my body when I hit the ground.
The sound of car doors slamming and people shouting faded into the background. My vision blurred, the edges darkening.
And then, everything went black.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
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.
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
PERMISSION IS TAKEN FRIM THE ORIGINAL, BE WARNED!! Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha. Warning: This werewolf trilogy is not intended for anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who doesn't enjoy a good spanking. It will take you on adventures around the world, make you laugh, fall in love, crush your heart and possibly leave you drooling.