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When we got hurt as children, we went running to our parents, they would scold us and treat the wound until it was cured. As we became older, we realized that the wounds we showed our parents were the ones that healed quickly because some wounds never completely heal. Rather they remain as unpleasant scars that serve as constant reminder of the trauma we endured, the strength that we possess and the love we have left to give.
PROLOGUE
"Good things come in three" - was something I hated hearing from other people. It served as a constant reminder of my entire life and my birth.
You know how triplets are formed when a fertilized egg divides into two and one of the two splits into another two while the other does not?
I know, I know-I was the egg that didn't crack.
1. { when summer is over}
Dear Juniper,
After several reconsideration, we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission into the program.
... and we hope to see you again next year.
As I reopened the mail, I tossed and turned, hoping for it to be a hallucination. I had been anticipating this day for months, the day I would be able to leave my miserable life behind.
I had to wait another year?
It was my chance to leave the twins behind. Anyone could tell I didn't belong here; I was the accidentally cracked egg, I didn't match the other two. I was not one of the triplets, rather a sibling to the absolutely perfect set of twins. I was despised and blamed for destroying the stereotype, and I loathed myself for it.
Now that my chance of finally leaving them behind for the sake of education had vanished, I knew the entire universe betrayed me. The cumulative anticipation of finally leaving exploded and washed over my entire body with a feeling of sorrow, intense sorrow.
Everyone knew I was supposed to travel after the summer, what would I say to them if the summer ended and I did not travel?
Thanks to the twins, the whole school knew I was skipping year 12, how would I go back to that school? My parents were happy that I was happy to do this one thing, what was I going to tell them, I was supposed to be the smart one.
"Jade! Jace! Breakfast," I heard my mother's yelling voice from downstairs. And after some seconds, I heard, "June, breakfast!"
I switched off my phone and hauled myself out of bed. I had been lying on the bed rechecking the mail hoping for it to change each time I rechecked it but I knew there wasn't a chance in hell that was happening.
In fact, from the moment I comprehended the content of the mail, I knew that was the reality I had to accept.
I walked out of my room, joined in on the table, greeted my mother and started to eat.
"Jace, do you want to go see Black Panther with the girls today?" I heard Jade turn to him as he was sat directly beside her. Although, it was my mother's rule to not talk on the dining table, I had no idea why she had no objection to it today.
"I have a game to watch with the boys today," he replied her, munching on a bite of his chicken. Seeing the look of disappointment on her face, he continued "but I could get them to watch it with you guys tomorrow." and that made her smile.
"Okay cool, I'll just go to Ella's today then," she responded with a smile.
I only concentrated on my food, I wasn't a part of that life and I've lived and survived with that fact so it bothered me when my mother chose to ask the question,
"Have you seen the movie, June?"
I froze and then looked up from my plate and shook my head aggressively as I replied, "I'm not into those kinds."
That was a big fat lie.
I'd seen the MCU movies hundreds of times already and I already planned to watch the black panther until I received the university mail today.
"Of course, she's the smart one, totally not into the whole concept of life," Jade chipped in, with a dragging fake smile plastered to her face.
As my father joined the table and greeted all of us, I looked up to scan his face. He'd be the most disappointed if I told him about the mail.
That day when I decided to take the state exams by year 11, he advised me not to in order to gain more experiences before joining the outside world. I insisted, because clearly I wasn't after experiences, all I wanted was to get out.
"Have you heard from the university, June?" He suddenly popped the question and I couldn't not choke on the water I was drinking.
After I got better, I looked up to find my father's face anticipating a response so I wondered for a bit. If I told him about getting rejected, I'd face the whole humiliation right here and right now. If I told him, that means I was ready for the whole rollercoaster ride.
If I didn't, he'd get even more disappointed when he finds out. And I'll give my siblings a better chance at eating up on my insecurities.
"No, they haven't sent in anything recently," I faked a smile and responded.
It's not a lie, it's a secret.
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
He told her to call him Daddy. Not because he earned it, but because he fucking owned her. The moment she signed that contract, she stopped being a woman with dignity and became his filthy little plaything. His holes to use. His mess to ruin. He didn't just fuck her, he rewired her. Stripped her clean of boundaries and filled her with sin. Every punishment made her scream. Every game dragged her deeper into his twisted world. And the way he praised her... Good girl. She should've run the first time he said it. But Daddy doesn't let his toys leave. He breaks them until they beg to stay. ** Mia's life changed the night she let a stranger ruin her. One night. She never expected to see him again. Until she walked into her new job... and her boss turned around. Ace.Her one-night sin in a thousand-dollar suit. Only this time, he wasn't asking her to be his assistant. She was to be his wife.