Melissa, a beautiful and gifted artist and fashion designer, was swept off her feet by Davies, a powerful and charismatic businessman. Their chance encounter ignited an intense, all-consuming passion within her - it was love at first sight. Defying her family's objections, Melissa embarked on a whirlwind contract marriage with Davies, fueled by her determination to captivate his heart. But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Melissa's fairy tale romance began to unravel. The depth of her emotions surprised even herself - she wasn't head-over-heels in love with Davies as she once thought. Melissa's world came crashing down around her, leaving her shattered and heartbroken. Yet, she refused to let despair consume her. Clinging to the fragile threads of hope, she summoned the strength to rise above the ashes of her failed marriage. Just when she thought love had forsaken her forever, fate brought her face-to-face with a man who would shatter the walls she had built around her heart and transform her life in ways she never thought possible.
Melissa's POV
"Melissa, what are you still doing up there?"
"I'm coming. .I'm coming."
"You're the celebrant, how can you keep your guests waiting."
"Mom don't pin this on me I never wanted any 9f this, no how I pushed against it you double down and insisted on having this party."
"How do you expect me not to throw a coming of age party for you. This is your eighteenth birthday, we need to celebrate you becoming an adult."
Like that changes anything.
I wonder why my mom was making a fuss about my eighteenth birthday, it's not like anything will change. I had to give in just to make her happy and I ended up regretting the morning I woke. The whole house was buzzing with activities.
As I walked down the stairs to the hall I could feel everyone's gaze on me without needing to look up. I had to force a smile and greet my guest warmly.
When everyone was focused on catching up and socialising, I looked for a quiet corner to enjoy a piece of cake.
Cough
Halfway through I heard someone Coughing. Before then I didn't notice that there was someone else there and when he coughed it scared me so much that I ended up dropping my cake on the floor.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." The man said in a deep frail voice.
"It's okay. Are you sick?" I asked when I saw him all wrapped up and even had a mask on.
"I'm fine. I'm just not used to crowded places."
"Really, let's go for a walk, I'm not a big fan of crowds."
He chuckled as he stood up and left the hall with me. I led him to the garden.
"Ah, nice. So are you a family friend or a business partner."
"I'm a family friend, you don't remember, I used to come over to your house to play with you brother when you were little."
"Oh! Why are you wrapped up like this? Don't you feel hot." He was covered from head to toe. I could barely see his eyes.
"Let's just say I'm sick."
"What kind of sickness would make you wrap yourself up like a dumpling?"
"I have a rare condition and I react to many things and people."
"Whoa, that must be frustrating?"
"It's indeed frustrating. But hopefully I'll get a cure for it soon."
"So you spend your days wrapped up like this?"
"I live in seclusion so I only dress like this when I'm living in the house."
"I see so..." I was just about continuing the conversation when a guard walked over.
"I guess it's time for me to leave. Oh before I forget, here's your gift. Happy birthday Melissa."
"Thank you, you haven't told me your name."
"I'm Richard."
"Goodbye Richard, I hope they find the cure soon."
"I hope so too. Goodbye Melissa." I felt bad for him, how difficult would it be for someone to live his life like that.
I stared at him until he was out of sight. I felt bored staying outside on my own so I returned to the party.
"Melissa, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Went for a walk. You know I'm not a big fan of parties."
"That doesn't mean you should abandon your guests."
"I didn't abandon them, I just accompanied one for a walk."
"Where's the guest you're claiming to have accompanied."
"He is gone. I came back after he left."
"Don't tell me you don't know his name."
"His name is Richard, he said he was a childhood friend of ours."
"Oh." I could swear I saw my mom's eyes glow with excitement when I mentioned Richard but it disappeared quickly.
"Can I go now?"
"Of course not. It's almost time to start seeing your guest off."
"can't you and dad just do that? I'm tired."
"You're tired. You did nothing the whole night and now you're telling me you're tired. Quickly go to the door and see your guests off."
"Mom, no more parties. Atl least not for me."
I begrudgingly walked to the door with the best smile I could mutter and bidded farewell to the guest. After everyone left I rushed straight to my gifts and started opening them.
I loved the present but not the party, if I could receive gifts without having to host a party that would be perfect.
That was the last birthday party my mom ever held for me, but I would still receive gifts from family and friends including Richard. I couldn't help wondering what Richard would look like without his mask on. After my nineteenth birthday I wasn't the one who personally received his gifts, so I slowly forgot about Richard.
I once heard that love could mess with your head and if you're not careful it would lead to your doom. When I heard those words I sneered, I believed I was clear headed and would never fall victim but things don't always go as we plan. University life was filled with love bubbles in the air. You would all always see a couple at every corner, I alway sneered when I saw them as I could not understand what was wrong with them. It's not as if they would die if they stayed apart for a few hours.
Well that was not my problem, I spent most of my time in school or in my hostel, sometimes at competitions organised by the school though I never participated. I don't like competing so I attend to gain more knowledge.
As usual I decided to go to watch one of the competitions held by the school and this was where I thought my love bloomed. This competition changed a lot in my life.
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?"
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
"Please trust me, I didn't do anything." "I don't believe you. I am rejecting you as my Queen and giving you the punishment of death." Alina was living outside her pack for five years. Her parents didn't try to contact her and always ignored her. Her best friend convinced her to go back to their pack and she agreed. But she had never imagined what was waiting there for her. She never thought she would meet her mate and had to face betrayal from everywhere. She had to pay for the crime which she never committed. Aaron Robertson is the king of Lycans. He is a very dominant and powerful King who not only rules Lycans but also rules other ranks of werewolves. Everyone is afraid of Lycans and he is the king of them. But who knew that he would get a mate who was just a simple Omega with no powers and strengths? He called her weak all the time but little did he know that his weak Omega would give him the biggest betrayal of his life for which he had to give her the sentence of death.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."