Caroline believed she had it all-a devoted husband, adorable twin boys, and a promising future. But her world shatters when she discovers her husband's secret affair with his first love, a woman whose presence threatens to steal not just her husband but her children's affection. When her sons, innocently swayed, yearn for the mistress to be their "new mummy," Caroline is left questioning her worth and role in the family she built. Torn between fighting for her fractured home and reclaiming her dignity, she finds solace in an unexpected place-a man who offers her love without conditions and a chance at happiness she never thought possible. As her heart is pulled in two directions, Caroline must navigate betrayal, loyalty, and the fragile ties that bind family. In a storm of broken promises and stolen love, can she rebuild a life worth living, or will she lose everything she holds dear?
Chapter 1: The Death
I never saw it coming, that was my biggest mistake of my life.
That's what haunts me the most of all, the fact that I remained blind in love while all the signs were there blaring neon lights in front of my face but I refused to see it.
I could remember all the signs vividly that showed me something was wrong- it started with David working later than usual, the secretive phone calls that he always has at odd times of the day and never in my presence, the way he'd pull away from my touch when I reached for him.
But I'd refused to see it, convinced myself it was just a rough day at work, that it had nothing to do in our marriage.
Until I felt the cold sharp end of the knife in my stomach.
It was a Tuesday evening when I was killed in my house. I remember how it happened. I had been standing in the kitchen after making dinner which was already set out on the table cooling, , the twins were upstairs in their room playing video games.
David had texted me that he'd be late again and I shouldn't wait up for him. No surprise there.
The doorbell was pressed alerting me that someone was at the door while I was pouring myself a glass of wine.
I wasn't expecting anyone except if David managed to finish earlier and had returned, I doubted that thought because he had a home key, but I answered anyway.
Jessica was standing on my front porch, smiling that smile of hers like we were best friends and knew each other intimately. I'd only met her a number of times before, if I remembered correctly she was David's "old friend from high school" who'd recently moved back to town.
She was everything I wasn't, young, gorgeous, with a career while I was a mere housewife.
"Caroline! Sorry to drop by without seeking an invite before hand," she said, as she walked inside without waiting for an invitation from me. I closed the door like that and walked in after her as she continued speaking
"I just needed to talk to David about something. Is he home?"
"He's working late," I answered as I held on tight to my wine glass, my only support system now. "Again."
Something was on her face, but it passes away too quickly for me to see it. Was it amusement? Pity? I couldn't tell at all.
"Oh, that's too bad," she said, following me to the kitchen, as I narrowed my eyes but kept quiet.
"I guess I'll just have to talk to you instead."
I should have noticed that something was wrong there. I should have seen how she kept looking around, making sure we were alone. I should have noticed why she was blocking the door preventing anyone from entering and leaving the kitchen.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, turning to look at her after I dropped my glass down on the kitchen counter.
Jessica's smile shifted from something cheery to something cruel and hard as she scoffed loudly.
"You know, Caroline, I've tried to be patient. I really have, more than you know. But this is getting ridiculous."
"What are you talking about?"
"David and I have given you so many chances to just walk away from this marriage," she said, moving closer towards me as she continued shaking her head in pity. "But you keep hanging on to this marriage...this farce, pretending everything's fine when it's not. It's pathetic."
She laughed seeing the genuine shock on my face as I tried to understand what she was talking about.
"Oh my God. You didn't know?" She shook her head in disbelief and happiness as if she was amused by this situation.
"After all this time, you still had no idea?" She said bringing out the knife from her purse.
"David doesn't want you anymore," she said, her voice suddenly sounding very calm and collected as I took a step back out of fear trying to understand what was going on. I looked around but there was nothing that I could use.
. "The boys already love me more. You're just in the way now." She said as I backed up against the counter scared as I tried to reason with her. "Jessica, whatever you think is happening-"
"What's happening is that I'm taking your life," she interrupted me, as she got angry and snapped. "Your husband, your kids, your house. All of it should have been mine from the beginning."
I reached for the phone, but she was faster. The pain was burning as the knife found its mark. I remember gasping, looking down at the spreading red stain on my shirt with disbelief.
"Mom? Who's at the door?"
Ethan's voice was loud enough to be heard from upstairs, sounding so innocent and unaware of what was going on. Jessica's eyes moved to the ceiling, then back to me.
"Tell them everything's fine," she said, pressing the knife harder.
"Everything's fine, honey!" I called out, my voice breaking from pain and fear. "Just talking with Jessica!"
"Is Jessica staying for dinner?" Liam asked loudly this time.
Jessica smiled, as she twisted the knife deeper. "Tell them yes."
"Yes, she's-" I couldn't finish as pain was too much for me as my body seemed to be lagging from pain.
I remember falling, feeling the cold tile against my cheek.
Jessica was standing over me, watching without any guilt on her face as she watched me dying.
"You should thank me," she whispered. "David was going to leave you anyway. At least this way, the boys won't have to deal with shared custody."
I tried to speak, but only blood came out. My last thoughts were of my boys-would they even miss me at all? Or would Jessica simply step into my place, becoming the mother they wanted?
As I was beginning to lose consciousness , I saw someone at the back door. A man's face, familiar somehow, his eyes widening in horror.
The last thing I remember thinking was: I wish I had known. I wish I could go back and save myself.
Then nothing.
Damon Shaw was a father of a very brilliant genius 6 year old Ollie Shaw and a doormat for his wife Audrey. Audrey hated her husband and son because they were the reason she could not be with her high school boyfriend David after she accidentally slept with Damon thinking it's David and got pregnant. Six years later David returned with his son Charlie as a single father and Audrey treats them better than her husband. Tired of this, Damon gives his wife two chances to try and make their marriage work. Audrey misuse it and ends up dying in an car accident while trying to stop her husband and son from leaving. As luck would have it, she is taken back to the past two months prior to her demise with a second chance to make things better. Would Audrey be able to change her ways or will it be too late?
BLURB "Was I that bad in bed that you have to leave town the next day without even dropping me a note?" The brunette with the hazel eyes whipped around and yelled right in the middle of his meeting in front of the board directors as the playboy CEO looked up stunned. "What...are you...talking about?" He said as his blue eyes locked on the angry woman who just composed herself and said, "Never mind, I have a wedding to prepare for. Bye" With that word she walked out of the office slamming the door shut and in that moment she had pushed him out of her life and slammed the door shut too. Wealthy Billionaire Jay Harley moves back to Los Angeles after a decade of being away mostly for two reasons; first was to reunite with his classmates at the Decade Reunion Anniversary and the second was to inherit his father's company as the only legitimate son which he was thinking of rejecting, because he wasn't interested in fighting over it with his half brothers. But when he runs into a blue eyed boy at the reunion with chubby cheeks and a killer dollar smile with the lady Amber Swift who he had been crushing on for years, Jay might have found something that will make him rethink his decision.
"Be Mine, And I'll make sure that he pays for all the maltreatment he gave to you." He said, his voice hard as his hand gripped my wrist tight. "He's your Brother!" I whispered furiously scandalized by what I was hearing. "And I hate you." I added glaring at him as he smirked cockily and said in a haunting voice. "But that wasn't what you said when my dick was deep inside you and you were screaming for more. Tell me, does he know....the child in your belly isn't his....but mine." He asked as I pulled my hand away from him. "That's a lie. It's not yours. It's my husband's." I said fear creeping into my voice. "Not anymore. You signed the divorce papers that night, too bad you don't remember it."
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?
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
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."
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."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."