A delicate taste
His Unwanted Wife Is A Genius Director
For ten years, Kinsley played the perfect, invisible wife to billionaire Christian Decker. She lived on a meager allowance, secretly pouring her heart into earning first place for a prestigious Hollywood directing fellowship. But on the day her gold-stamped acceptance letter arrived, she stood outside his study and heard him give her hard-earned spot to Blair, his live-in mistress. Christian casually dismissed Kinsley's months of grueling work, claiming a mere housewife didn't need industry resources. He threw an unlimited black credit card on the desk, telling her to go buy some jewelry and stop throwing a tantrum. That same night, he paraded Blair at a Wall Street gala wearing the Decker family's heirloom sapphire, letting Manhattan's elite look at Kinsley with pity and mockery. When Blair boldly moved into their master bedroom, Christian fiercely defended the mistress, warning Kinsley not to cause a scene over nothing. Ten years of quiet devotion were trampled for a fake heiress's vanity. Kinsley looked at the man she had loved, her heart turning completely to ash. She finally understood that in this massive estate, there was never any room for her. She took off her platinum wedding ring, left all his luxury gifts behind, and walked out of the mansion empty-handed. Then, she calmly dialed a private number to her production team. "Scrap the fellowship transition. I'm taking the director's chair directly." She was going to make Blair audition for her on a global live stream, and let Christian watch his precious investment burn.
Chapter 1
"Cross out Kinsley's name. Give the Barnett fellowship to Blair."
Christian Decker's deep voice was smooth, flat, and unwavering. It cut through the quiet second-floor hallway of the Manhattan penthouse.
Kinsley Carney stood frozen outside the mahogany double doors. In her right hand, she gripped a carefully wrapped velvet box containing a vintage tie clip she had spent half a year tracking down for her husband's birthday. In her left, her knuckles turned white around the thick parchment envelope from the Eric Barnett Studio, the gold-foil seal biting painfully into her palm.
Inside the study, paper rustled. Armani Sims, her husband's executive assistant, cleared his throat with obvious hesitation.
"But Mr. Decker," Armani said carefully. "Mrs. Decker earned first place in the blind evaluation. She prepared for three months, staying up consecutive nights until she was hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer. If we strip her of her own achievement now..."
"Her achievement?" Christian Decker interrupted. His tone dripped with aristocratic disdain. "She's a married woman. What is she going to do? Run off to Hollywood and make a fool of herself on a film set? She belongs at home. She can't even manage a dinner party without complaining of exhaustion, let alone direct a film. Blair, on the other hand, actually has a future in this industry. She needs this pedigree."
The words felt like physical blows. Kinsley's breath hitched, her chest tearing with a suffocating agony.
She hadn't just "prepared." She had bled herself dry for this evaluation. For three years, she had been the secret ghost-director behind his media empire's most profitable projects, sacrificing her own name and spotlight to quietly build his throne. She had almost killed herself for this open evaluation, desperate to finally step into the light and hoping—just once—to win her husband's respect.
But to Christian, her agonizing labor wasn't just worthless; it was an embarrassment. He didn't just refuse to support her career—he was casually robbing her of her hard-earned fruits, handing her life's work to Blair as if it were a cheap trinket. In his arrogant eyes, she was nothing but an incompetent, useless housewife who couldn't do anything right.
"Christian, please don't be so harsh on Kinsley." Blair Johnson's soft, fragile voice drifted through the door. "She tried so hard. Even if the evaluators only passed her because they knew she was your wife... if she finds out you gave her spot to me, she'll hate me."
Blair was a charity ward the Decker family had sponsored since childhood. Kinsley had always treated her with genuine warmth, yet Blair's innocent reliance had morphed into something subtly provocative, a secret intimacy that Christian indulged with exclusive favoritism.
"Let her be mad," Christian replied with that terrifyingly gentle patience he reserved only for Blair. "Giving a masterclass slot to a housewife who has zero talent is just throwing resources into the garbage. Our marriage was a three-year business arrangement to save her family's bankrupt company. I pay for her luxurious life; her only job is to stay out of the public eye and not embarrass the Decker name. If she throws a tantrum, I'll just buy her another limited-edition Birkin. She'll quiet down."
Kinsley did not turn away. She did not cry. The burning hope in her chest simply turned to ash.
She placed her palm against the heavy mahogany door and pushed it open.
The door hit the wall with a dull thud.
The three people inside stopped instantly.
Blair was perched on the armrest of Christian's leather chair. Seeing Kinsley, Blair immediately shrank behind Christian's broad shoulders, her hands twisting the hem of her cashmere cardigan. But Kinsley caught it—the fleeting, triumphant smirk dancing in Blair's teary eyes, a silent, mocking declaration of victory.
Christian sat behind the massive walnut desk. His icy blue eyes lifted, scanning Kinsley's pale face. There was not a trace of guilt on his face, only a flick of annoyance.
"You don't knock anymore?" Christian demanded, his voice sharp and condescending.
Kinsley walked across the room, her leather heels clicking against the polished oak floor. She tossed the thick envelope and the velvet birthday box onto the desk. They slid across the surface and stopped right against his platinum cufflinks.
"Since you heard, Armani doesn't need to brief you," Christian said, loosening his silk tie with a slow tug.
Blair peeked out from behind his shoulder, stepping slightly closer to Christian so their arms brushed.
"Kinsley, I'm so sorry!" Blair's voice shook with practiced innocence. "I just mentioned to Christian that I really wanted to study under Eric Barnett, and he... he just insisted. Please don't be mad at him. If you want, I can let you be my assistant when I go to LA?"
The sheer audacity of the provocation hung heavily in the air.
Kinsley looked at her. Her gaze was as flat and cold as a sheet of winter ice.
"Save the performance, Blair. There are no cameras in this room."
Blair flinched and grabbed Christian's sleeve, burying her face in his arm. "Christian, she's glaring at me..."
Christian stood up. At six-foot-two, he towered over the desk, casting a broad shadow that swallowed the warm lamp light. He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out an all-black titanium credit card, and tossed it toward her. It landed on the carpet directly at Kinsley's feet.
"That is enough, Kinsley," Christian snapped. His tone was laced with disgust. "The slot goes to Blair. You have no business playing pretend career-woman anyway. You'd fail in a week and drag my company's reputation down with you. Pick up the card. Go to Fifth Avenue tomorrow and buy whatever shiny things you want. Be a good Mrs. Decker and stop embarrassing yourself."
Kinsley stared at the black card on the floor. It was the ultimate insult—a bone thrown to a beggar whose lifeblood had just been drained.
A bitter, beautiful smile touched the corner of her lips, clean and devoid of warmth. She knew she didn't have the leverage to fight him openly yet. But she didn't need to. It simply wasn't the right time.
She took a step back, putting clear space between them.
"No need," she said, her voice even. "If she wants my spot, I hope she can actually survive it."
Christian froze. A flicker of startled irritation crossed his face as if he was unequipped for her silence.
His thumb moved to his left hand, tracing the platinum band on his ring finger.
"Watch your tone," he warned, his jaw tightening. "Don't mistake my patience for an excuse to throw tantrums."
Kinsley didn't blink. She turned around and walked out of the study, her back straight and her steps measured.
She crossed the corridor and entered the master bedroom, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. Leaning against the dark wood paneling, she let out a long, slow breath. The tiny thread of hope that had tied her to this house snapped cleanly in the dark.
Walking over to the king-sized bed, she picked up her private phone and dialed Julian Foster.
Julian, one of the most powerful producers in independent cinema, answered on the second ring.
"Kinsley? Did Barnett's office send the confirmation?"
"Forget the fellowship, Julian," Kinsley said, her voice dropping into the cold, surgical cadence of a director in pre-production. "Activate the backup plan. I'm taking the director's chair on Crossing River directly."
Julian drew a sharp breath over the line.
"Are you sure? Taking total creative control means putting yourself right in front of the firing line."
"I've stayed in the shadows long enough," she said. "Draft the contracts tonight. It's time to take back what belongs to me."
She hung up, tossed the phone onto the velvet duvet, and turned toward the bathroom vanity to remove her earrings.
Before her fingers touched the diamond studs, the bedroom door flew open.
Christian stepped across the threshold, his eyes burning with controlled fury.
A Taste From You
You might say it's poor form to throw the bride over your shoulder caveman-style and run off with her, especially if it's not your wedding. Whoops. It's her wedding day. I'm not the groom. Oh, but I'm going to be... The world may call me a King and a gentleman, but there's nothing gentle about me. I
A Taste For Trouble
Seth Black isn't your average man. He may wear a tailored suit, but don't let that fool you-he doesn't play by society's rules. He makes them. He lives untamed, unapologetic, and entirely in control. A man of sharp edges and sharper appetites, Seth has no patience for innocence. If you're single, l
A Taste Of Seduction
Anastasia is a ravishing beauty that once you set your eyes on her, you'll lust her body. Her charm only triggers a man's sexual urge that seems irresistible. Fate makes her cross paths with Arthur, is a prince who neglects his Royal duties and disguises himself as a merchant to carry out a mission
Delicate Love
She spun the bottle and it faced Charles. "Truth or Dare?" "Dare." Charles responded. She smirked and dared; "I dare you to kiss Rose." Rose was shocked at the dare and her heart started beating frantically, butterfly erupted in her stomach as Charles moved closer to her, closer and closer till th
A Taste Of Billionaire's Temptation
The moment Adirga Al Kenaro-the first love who left her long ago-returns, Naira Jeir Scott knows her life is going to be full of shit. On a business deal that reunites them, they get caught in a situation that leads to a relationship contract. That's when the veil of Naira Jeir Scott's destiny begin
Billionaire 's Delicate Wife
Alice is betrayed by the two people she loves most in her life, they both betrayed her. Left with no choice, Alice decides to end her life till she meets with a man. Arnold is rich and capable but cold and ruthless, a contract marriage is all he wants and he found her. Right from then he swore she
The billionaire's delicate wife
The tiny cord holding unto Alice's joy and sanity got tampered with; and broken on one of her supposed to be happiest day of her life. After seeing her few hours to-go husband to-be, banging her sister on their wedding day. Out of hurt, she involves in a one-night-stand with a stranger; Arnol
The CEO's Delicate Wife
It is said that before anything good happens, everything falls out of place. Erica Wright was forced into a mental institution by her step sister. She suffered endless abuse and torture before suffering a miserable death. Reborn into a new life, she vouched to take revenge. Erica's new life to
My Delicate Wife Is A Medical Genius
I was the legitimate daughter of the Hutchinson family, brought back from the mountains after years of living in poverty. But my biological parents didn't love me. They only brought me back to take my sister's place and marry a dying man for a 300 million dollar capital injection. In that house, I
Bitter Taste
Two young girls, Darren and Chloe make their way into an educational institution with the hopes of chasing their dreams. It soon becomes a race for safety when they discover their admission was an arrangement and they were in danger. They are faced with the choice to give up their lives or fight for
A Twisted Love: Betrayal's Bitter Taste
On my husband Heath's birthday, I sent him a gift: the preserved embryo of the child I had just aborted. It was my revenge. He had framed my father, driving him to prison and my mother to her grave, all for his mistress, Ember. When he stormed into our apartment, his face twisted with rage, he sla
Remarriage: Get A Taste Of Love
Sophia was the heiress of one of the richest families in the entire city, but she wasn't the happiest in her marriage life in the last three years—all because she was tied to an ungrateful wretch of a man. To make matters worse, he even set her father up. Unable to pay off the heavy debts, her fath
ONE TASTE..
Ivy Bennett,a 22year old girl born with a heart disease is told that she has less than six months to live. She feels sad about her boring and painful life and wishes she lives a more adventurous life. She meets Ishmael, a vampire who has lived for a millenial and has come to see life as boring. Ishm
Personal Taste
Sitting at a corner of the clubbing house, and watching the dancers, while sipping from my wine glass, two young men passed in a flash, and I couldn't help taking another look at them. My eyes caught one of them, who was looking all innocent and from the look, I could tell that he had never been to
Red Lace Christmas: A Taste Of Sin
A holiday of raw, dirty pleasures. A collection of forbidden desires brought to life. A Christmas spent in Sin and dirty fantasies. It includes steamy sex from coworkers that love dirty talk and sex, Travelers and tourists that want to experience bliss, holiday pleasures in small towns, brides
A Kiss Would Taste Even Better
Put it in. I'm ready." The sound that came from Kit's throat wasn't compliant, but he fed her without further comment. A dense, smooth and very cold cake melted on her tongue. "Mmm, that one's powerful," Sabrina said. "Chocolate fondant cake. I thought we could make them in bite-size molds so the gu
Taste of Revenge
Betrayal can turn love into hatred, and Elizabeth Turner learned that the cruelest way. Deceived by the people she loved most, her world collapsed the very night Nathan Kingston was sent to silence her for good. Raised among power, secrets, and broken loyalties, Nathan embodies everything that d
Taste of the Dark - A Mafia Romance
I tried to quit. My boss said no. When you work for billionaire restaurateur Bastian Hale, every day is an exercise in endurance. He screams at you in front of half the staff? Endure. He tears your work to bits and tells you to start again? Endure. He surprises you shirtless in the office late one
Get A Taste Of Your Delicious Love
Cherry, an ideal woman, a big star manager, and an excellent cook. Jacob, an upright doctor, who always hid behind a cold mask. The two were unlikely to fall for each other, but fate had other plans. The first time they met was because of a car accident. The second time she saw him, she was robbed
LAGACY REVENGE: A SECOND TASTE OF VENGEANCE
Yiso Kenoly, has lived a life of luxury from her teenage years after her dad's food business finally made the news headlines. After her studies in the United States , she took over her father's business as the new president but her world took a different look when her father, insisted that she got
