One last time
/1/127579/coverbig.jpg?v=2ea34f2e2c2f3053a637d5acfe2fbf25)
His Unwanted Wife, The Hidden Genius
I flew back to New York on my twenty-fifth birthday, carrying vintage gold cufflinks I spent weeks finding for my billionaire husband, Declan. But when I walked into our townhouse, I found him throwing a massive victory party with Sloane, a glamorous socialite, standing by his side as the proud hostess. "Don't cause a scene. Go upstairs." Declan coldly dismissed me in front of his guests. Even Poppy, the rookie player whose shattered ankle I had painstakingly rebuilt, rolled her eyes and ignored me to suck up to Sloane. Hiding in the shadows, I heard the maids gossiping that everyone thought Sloane was the future Mrs. Hartford. To make matters worse, I discovered Sloane had stolen my anonymous, groundbreaking medical algorithm and was planning to present it as her own. First my husband, then the girl I mentored like family, and now the scientific foundation I had built with my own hands. Declan even texted me to cancel our birthday breakfast without a single apology, treating me like an annoying afterthought. My tears vanished, replaced by a freezing clarity. I signed the divorce papers, leaving them on his desk with zero demands for his money. Then I packed my bags, booked a one-way ticket to Boston, and prepared to destroy them on the global stage.
Chapter 1
Aurelia Vance POV:
I had been married to Declan Hartford for three years.
Today was my twenty-fifth birthday, and I had flown back from Boston in secret, hoping for one quiet evening with my husband.
I'd spent a week carefully picking out a pair of gold cufflinks as a gift for my husband.
But the laughter spilling from the front door told me I was already too late: the woman who had taken my place at his side was already inside.
The heavy oak door swung open before I reached the porch. Three young players from the New York Titans, Declan's NHL franchise, stumbled out with crystal tumblers of scotch, laughing loudly. They barely glanced at me as they passed.
I stepped into the grand foyer. The heat hit me instantly,expensive champagne, roasted tenderloin, cigar smoke.
Dozens of people filled the double parlor: executives, scouts, wives in designer dresses.
In the center stood Declan, tall and broad in a bespoke charcoal suit. Beside him, laughing into his ear, was Sloane Whitfield, her backless silver dress catching the chandelier light. Her hand rested on his forearm like she belonged there.
Before I could take another breath, a blur of blonde hair darted past my elbow.
"Sloane!" Poppy Delacroix cried, throwing her arms around Sloane's slender waist. "You were completely right about the catering! This is literally the best victory party the team has ever had!"
Poppy is fourteen, a junior elite forward prospect.
I scouted her two years ago from a crumbling youth league, back when she was at her lowest.
Her parents had once shown me great kindness, and I knew they had already passed away, leaving her all alone in the world.
Declan and I adopted her together.
I rebuilt her shattered ankle with a custom rehabilitation plan.
I had always loved and cared for her as both a mother and a sister.
Now, she did not even glance in my direction.
Declan turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until his eyes locked onto mine. The easy grin on his sharp jaw vanished instantly. His brows drew together in a hard, irritated line.
He excused himself from Sloane, cutting through the throng of players with long, impatient strides.
"Aurelia," Declan said, stopping two feet in front of me. His voice carried zero warmth. "What are you doing here?"
My throat felt like sandpaper.
"I took the four o'clock flight from Boston," I whispered, clutching the strap of my bag until my knuckles turned white. "It is my birthday, Declan. I thought we could—"
"We are celebrating the division win," he cut in, his tone sharp enough to draw blood. "The board is here. The sponsors are here. Sloane spent four consecutive days coordinating this event so the organization could project stability."
He did not look at me. His gaze slid past my shoulder to the bar, like I was a waitress who had wandered into the wrong room.
"Don't cause a scene," he added quietly. "Go upstairs."
A soft, mocking murmur rippled through a cluster of players' wives standing near the grand staircase. Two women with platinum blowouts exchanged knowing glances over their flutes of Dom Pérignon.
"I didn't know," I said, my voice barely audible over the swelling music. "I am sorry."
I turned toward the staircase, my legs trembling beneath my wool trousers.
Near the landing, Poppy was adjusting her designer jacket in the hallway mirror.
"Poppy," I said softly, pausing beside her. "How is your ankle feeling after Thursday's third period? Did you complete the isometric sequence I sent?"
Poppy rolled her eyes, sighing loudly as she pulled out her phone.
"Aurelia, please, not right now," she muttered without looking at me. "Sloane is introducing me to a marketing director from one of our partners. I don't have time for your spreadsheets."
The dismissive edge in her voice hit me harder than Declan's coldness. I had stayed up until three in the morning reviewing her biomechanical scans while she was recovering from surgery, and now I was just an annoyance in the way of her social ascent.
I walked up the rest of the stairs and entered the primary suite—the massive, sterile bedroom allocated to me under our prenuptial agreement.
I sat on the edge of the mattress and pulled out the velvet box. The gold cufflinks gleamed under the bedside lamp, cold and useless.
Downstairs, cheers erupted. The sound vibrated through the floorboards.
I walked to the French doors overlooking the rear garden. Down on the illuminated patio, Sloane was directing two servers by an ice sculpture. Declan stood beside her, his head bent down as he listened to her speak, his hand casually brushing the small of her back.
They looked like the couple the city expected them to be.
My phone buzzed in my coat pocket. I pulled it out, hoping against hope.
It was an email notification.
"Happy Birthday, Aurelia. Remember that true science requires patience and solitude. You are meant for greater arenas than New York boardrooms. -Dr. Edmund Sterling."
My mentor at Harvard was the only person in the world who had remembered.
I typed a brief "Thank you, Professor" and shut off the screen.
Hours passed. The bass eventually quieted, replaced by the occasional clatter of glassware and slamming car doors. My throat burned with thirst.
At two in the morning, I padded downstairs in my stocking feet to fetch a glass of water from the butler's pantry.
As I rounded the corner near the service hallway, the voices of two newly hired catering maids stopped me dead in my tracks.
"Miss Whitfield is stunning," the first girl whispered, scraping dessert plates into a bin. "Mr. Hartford's girlfriend carries herself like royalty."
"A girlfriend?" the other asked, pausing. "But isn't Mr. Hartford rumored to be married? Is it inappropriate to be this close with Whitfield?"
"Married?Where did that come from? Even if there was one, they must have split long ago. I've worked three events here this month, and Miss Whitfield is the only woman hosting by his side. Everyone knows she's the future Mrs. Hartford."
I shrank back into the cold shadow of the archway, my blood turning to ice.
In the home where I held a legal marriage certificate, my presence had already been wiped clean.
/0/24861/coverbig.jpg?v=046e8d2cca5e3807feb00ed25b009c51)
Alpha's Last Minute Bride
Evangeline was blackmailed to marry a ruthless Alpha in replacement of her sister. Anything she hated in her life was the werewolves. She had seen her father leaving her mother for another she-wolf. Why? Because her mother was a human and so is she!! Though her father loved her a lot despite her being a human, she never forgave him for the things which he did to her mother and stayed away from pack and werewolves community. Little did she know that she had to marry an Alpha just because her sister ran away from her wedding at the last moment. Daniel Grint was the ruthless, heartless and fearless Alpha. He never believed in mate or mate bond because of the circumstances he faced in his life. But he had to marry a stupid alpha daughter to strengthen his pack. He hated that idea from the beginning but he agreed for the sake of his pack. He was finding himself hard to control his anger and frustration when he came to know that his stupid bride flew away before the wedding and he was offered a human as his last minute bride, who also happened to be an Alpha’s daughter and…..his mate.
/0/21388/coverbig.jpg?v=546da4acc00995b19a1e11b421580932)
The Rebel
"Lower your eyes mate" He said with a hint of warning in his tone. She didn't flinch under his cold fingers coiled around her neck, instead with a smirk on her bruised lips,she looks back at him. Daring to defy him. "Submit!" He growled at her this time, frustrated with her ability to infuriate him to the extent of forcing him to hurt her. "Many have tried mate" The word mate leaving her lips sounded more of a mockery, making his grip on her neck to tighten slightly. "I am not others Vera. I am your mate. Your superior. Submit this instant!" She again smiled, managing to roll her eyes at him. "You can try . But remember,you will never succeed in it" He could end her with just a little more pressure on her neck, having the fate as many others who have dared to defy him,but something in those eyes was stopping him. He wanted to extinguish that fire in them., to see them rolling over as he thrusted inside her, to see them begining him to continue as he denied her. He wanted her to submit.Badly. Completely to him in all respects. Body and soul both. To let him be her protector,her punisher, her dominant,her lover her mate. Her everything. But little did he knew that his mate was not an ordinary Luna who happily submits to her mate's whims and needs. She was who they all popularly call as "The rebel" The mysterious protector of good and savior of women. The man who gives justice to the inequality created by men. If only they knew he was a women instead. .................................................... "The day I submit to a man will be the last day of my life mate. Vera Red was born as a rebel, will live as a rebel and will also die as a Rebel. With or without a cause"
/0/67813/coverbig.jpg?v=4cb887a596385f45451de3532c509d2f)
One Last Chase
Heartbroken, Charleigh Wrylee, a charming and driven associate architect, dedicates her life to her career. She grabs the opportunity when a new project promises her a promotion. Bryce Chase is a tough daddy and a great baker with only two goals in life-raising his child and managing his cake shop.
/0/83694/coverbig.jpg?v=8e50a1720b655a8919411b4da3e88b67)
One Last Bet
The roar of the South Philly sports bar was music to my ears, the cheers for my "Oracle" predictions ringing hollow as I saw the smiling faces of my childhood friends. Just one week from now, in a life I' d already lived, these same friends would lose everything on my predictions and leave me for d
/0/19289/coverbig.jpg?v=390e488769579d408ada69732b44b2a1)
Granting One Last Wish
Abby King is living a simple life for three years after the horrific incident. When her mother passed away, Abby is left no choice but to agree to the terms is the will. And one thing she’s not prepared for is to marry the extremely handsome Hughes Industries CEO Seb Hughes, but he has a reputation
/0/50473/coverbig.jpg?v=6b7b22cb8d42cd0db8273c1492deea52)
Love Me One More Time
when will I come back, Jov? Govan and I are here at the airport. Why... Why did you change your mind? You want to leave me here first?” I asked my wife from the other line. I looked at my son that I was carrying now. This is the day I've been waiting for. The day we were going back to the Philippin
/0/11781/coverbig.jpg?v=8e18d9e6e28df4757a36ad7f9ee3ec25)
/0/24298/coverbig.jpg?v=20221107101715)
ONE LAST CHANCE ONE MORE CHANCE
Messy Evangelista came from a happy family. Their state in life is in the middle-class. But she met Miguel Hernandez, the man who has intimidating eyes,handsome and mysterious. The man she loved even though she didn’t know him fully yet.And the man who changed her life. How would she accept when she
/0/26345/coverbig.jpg?v=2058ab33c20255ef51f92283b0673b3e)
The One Time Rejected Omega
"I Liam Gorenzo, The Alpha of the LOCK HEART PACK reject you Arielle Dawn as my mate and Luna of my pack" These were the words that shattered Arielle into pieces but at the same time made her more stronger. Being rejected by the entire pack you called your family is something you can cope with bu
/0/67933/coverbig.jpg?v=2b793624b9bcd863836e7a481d280021)
Falling For The Last First Time
For Claire Evans, love has always been a secondhand emotion. After a string of heartbreaks, she's convinced herself that forever isn't in the cards. Instead, she pours her energy into her thriving career as an interior designer. But when her latest project brings her back to her small hometown, she'
/0/24002/coverbig.jpg?v=34b96c572e50ebd2cbdc58c2a3621981)
The Last Alpha King - MIsts of Time
At 28 Rosalie Summers has still not found her mate, she has all but given up looking. With her brother now Alpha of the pack, Rosalie is free to follow her own path. But when her path takes her to the heart of the rugged English countryside her life changes in more ways than one. Has her mate been h
/0/90175/coverbig.jpg?v=1848e5446a0fad9d8223a7d0a0abf396)
Eight Losses, One Last Hope
Eight times, I had felt the flutter of life inside me, a secret joy shared only with Aidan. And eight times, he had taken it away, whispering that our love was too fragile. This ninth time, a faint blue line on a plastic stick, I promised myself would be different. But then, he walked in with Gisel
/0/85449/coverbig.jpg?v=ecf6b0d7841088b50e909f7d5da5cf94)
Nine Divorces, One Last Stand
Five years. Nine court dates. One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five days of a marriage on trial. Today, my husband, Mark Thompson, filed for divorce for the ninth time. As if his infidelity with Sarah Miller wasn' t enough, he stood in court, tears in his mistress' s eyes, dramatically presen
/0/59766/coverbig.jpg?v=ea1ad7d4d9f9ca2eb8a5dcabf081e897)
One more time to make it right
One night of passion. A secret baby. A second chance at love. Alice never meant to fall for billionaire Carson MacPherson,the only son of the rich family she worked for as a maid. Now, she's raising their child alone as Carson is arranged to marry his childhood fiancee. When Carson comes back into
/0/43850/coverbig.jpg?v=97057578120fedf2f50c68f8ea5ec9bd)
HONEY, Love Me One More Time
Estelle’s life was once a fairy tale, filled with love and promise. However, tragedy struck on the day of their wedding. Estelle’s father and Cristofer’s parents were involved in a car accident that took their lives instantly. The loss was devastating for Cristofer, causing him to sink into deep sor
/0/23379/coverbig.jpg?v=68a73604f8bb5e52c28bb067016ef804)
Until My Last Breath - Book One
Tyler Moore is the Sheriff of a small town far out from the city. With a body that is carved to perfection, this soft-spoken man should not be underestimated. Even though he is elegant and yet powerful, there is far more than lives underneath the façade that he brings. Jenna Davis, a girl that deci
/0/73966/coverbig.jpg?v=a79f73b555d235e48fdeec715320fd1f)
My Mfia Target: One Last Job
Juliette Moreau is the deadliest assassin in the underground world-silent, precise, and utterly untouchable. When she's given the contract of a lifetime-to eliminate the ruthless and untouchable mafia boss, Luca DeLuca-she expects it to be just another job. But from the moment she crosses his path,
/0/40281/coverbig.jpg?v=81deffd631c696f7938fe2a1c4485fd3)
One Last Night With My Son's Daddy
After working several end jobs. A taxi driver, Naomi was desperate and finally found a job that could pay for her mother's hospital bills. As an escort for a high-profile successful billionaire, Salah. And not to her expectations, she not only ends up falling in love with him. But gets pregnant wit
/0/20332/coverbig.jpg?v=8ac2efb674e10a9a5810909d0620eb18)
Time
"There's something so fascinating about your innocence," he breathes, so close I can feel the warmth of his breath against my lips. "It's a shame my own darkness is going to destroy it. However, I think I might enjoy the act of doing so." Being reborn as an immortal isn't particularly easy. For Ros
/0/18690/coverbig.jpg?v=bd8699fec2e98992d187e326a1ff9ac0)
Remarry My Ex-wife: First and Forever Love
Their marriage was a union, not for love, but for monetary benefits. It came to no one's surprise that it ended in a divorce. However, before they could even come to terms with the divorce agreement, Jennifer ran away with his unborn child. What she didn't expect was for him to use her family's bu
/0/22971/coverbig.jpg?v=20211228145000)
Time Pause
During their past life, they already know that will come to an end, this two soldier didn't confess or yet express their feelings with each other even it seems that the love is in the air, even though they fallen in love, due to some rules of being a soldier it became impossible. a bad luck they end
/0/80349/coverbig.jpg?v=1891923504b623d754480e07988ceb48)
Reclaiming Her Crown, One Step At A Time
Noelle was the long-lost daughter everyone had been searched for, yet the family brushed her off and fawned over her stand-in. Tired of scorn, she walked away and married a man whose influence could shake the country. Dance phenom, street-race champ, virtuoso composer, master restorer-each secret
