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No 2024-10-03 02:12 active 1566 0 đŸ”„ïžclick here to read more FREE chapters! Maxwell arrived home well past 11:00 pm. The villa was eerily quiet, with only a night light switched on in the living room. Jennifer sat on the couch, seemingly waiting for him. As Maxwell took off his coat and loosened his tie, he spoke impatiently, "Didn't we agree on the divorce? I won't shortchange you when it comes to assets. You can rest assured about that." He thought she wanted a larger share of the assets. Jennifer's voice was hoarse when she asked, "Maxwell, did you want a divorce because of that woman?" Maxwell's expression faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He didn't want to hide anything from her, nor did he care to. "Yes. I owe it to her. That's something I must do," he admitted frankly. Jennifer chuckled bitterly. "I only discovered today how hypocritical you are. You played the victim, making me feel guilty and pushing me to get a divorce. I bet you were secretly pleased, weren't you? You finally caught me making a blunder, and you're now forcing me to leave so you can be with her." Maxwell furrowed his brows. His tone was chilling as he replied, "Jennifer, let's make things clear. Rachel and I were together in the first place. You know very well how you ended up marrying me. Now that you have someone else, we're even. Let's spare each other, shall we?" "No!" Jennifer's words were sharp. "I hate being deceived. You and her have been playing me like a fool for the past two years. Do you think I'll let you off?" Maxwell rubbed his temples, suppressing his irritation. With gritted teeth, he demanded, "Then what do you want?" "I won't get a divorce." With that, Jennifer went to the bedroom. Almost as soon as she turned around, her tears surged out. For two whole years, she had been waiting for him to return her feelings. Before her mother passed away, she was told that most marriages in this world were built on growing affection over time. Love at first sight was just infatuation, like what she felt for Maxwell. But marriage ultimately relied on tolerance and patience. Jennifer thought her perseverance would eventually warm his heart. Now she realized how wrong she was. LEARN_MORE https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=12134 Free BOOKS https://www.facebook.com/61560779513133/ 496 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 mn.ikkly.com DCO https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=12134&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448810168_508013721795463_5680667871745428556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tJASrXdDvikQ7kNvgFC63Rn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ab3RoqLrko3bAfbJtLf5ij5&oh=00_AYDUFXXavVA0-SXc4uThlQ_LUw4zrezYV9BU_WmzLoR8iw&oe=67042AF5 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Free BOOKS 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:11 active 1566 0 đŸ”„ïžclick here to read more FREE chapters! Maxwell arrived home well past 11:00 pm. The villa was eerily quiet, with only a night light switched on in the living room. Jennifer sat on the couch, seemingly waiting for him. As Maxwell took off his coat and loosened his tie, he spoke impatiently, "Didn't we agree on the divorce? I won't shortchange you when it comes to assets. You can rest assured about that." He thought she wanted a larger share of the assets. Jennifer's voice was hoarse when she asked, "Maxwell, did you want a divorce because of that woman?" Maxwell's expression faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He didn't want to hide anything from her, nor did he care to. "Yes. I owe it to her. That's something I must do," he admitted frankly. Jennifer chuckled bitterly. "I only discovered today how hypocritical you are. You played the victim, making me feel guilty and pushing me to get a divorce. I bet you were secretly pleased, weren't you? You finally caught me making a blunder, and you're now forcing me to leave so you can be with her." Maxwell furrowed his brows. His tone was chilling as he replied, "Jennifer, let's make things clear. Rachel and I were together in the first place. You know very well how you ended up marrying me. Now that you have someone else, we're even. Let's spare each other, shall we?" "No!" Jennifer's words were sharp. "I hate being deceived. You and her have been playing me like a fool for the past two years. Do you think I'll let you off?" Maxwell rubbed his temples, suppressing his irritation. With gritted teeth, he demanded, "Then what do you want?" "I won't get a divorce." With that, Jennifer went to the bedroom. Almost as soon as she turned around, her tears surged out. For two whole years, she had been waiting for him to return her feelings. Before her mother passed away, she was told that most marriages in this world were built on growing affection over time. Love at first sight was just infatuation, like what she felt for Maxwell. But marriage ultimately relied on tolerance and patience. Jennifer thought her perseverance would eventually warm his heart. Now she realized how wrong she was. LEARN_MORE https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=12134 Free BOOKS https://www.facebook.com/61560779513133/ 496 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 mn.ikkly.com DCO https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=12134&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448810168_508013721795463_5680667871745428556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tJASrXdDvikQ7kNvgFC63Rn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ab3RoqLrko3bAfbJtLf5ij5&oh=00_AYDUFXXavVA0-SXc4uThlQ_LUw4zrezYV9BU_WmzLoR8iw&oe=67042AF5 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Free BOOKS 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:51 active 1567 0 🌾TRá»°C TIáșŸP - BS CÆŻá»œNG GIáșąM Má»  THáșŹT NHANH GỌN🌾 ✅Chỉ lĂ m 1 láș§n ✅KhĂŽng cáș§n gĂąy mĂȘ ✅KhĂŽng cáș§n pháș«u thuáș­t ✅KhĂŽng đau khĂŽng sÆ°ng ✅KhĂŽng để láșĄi sáșčo ✅KhĂŽng lo ráșĄn da ✅Hiệu quáșŁ ổn định ✅BỄng gọn, sáșĄch mụ đŸ‘‰ÆŻu đãi 50% tiáșżt kiệm chi phĂ­ đŸ“©Inbox ngay để Ä‘Æ°á»Łc tÆ° váș„n miễn phĂ­ báșĄn nhĂ©! ---------------- #giammo #giamcan #lipoultrasound #lamdep #gangnam #thammyviengangnam ☎HOTLINE: 0907.600.002 - 0931.530.190 - 0937.287.549 đŸ’’Äá»‹a chỉ: 388 Đồng Khởi, P. TĂąn Hiệp, BiĂȘn HoĂ , Đồng Nai 🌏Web: https://thammyviengangnam.com/ 🌏Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thammyviengangnam MESSAGE_PAGE Tháș©m Má»č Viện Gangnam https://www.facebook.com/thammyviengangnam/ 79,841 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send message 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461766094_1081059572944635_3042536505580318286_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Qjtk5dS9T_QQ7kNvgGnPCkl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AYlyGR3Ia7z8BJFFjDYj9hH&oh=00_AYDYSQd1tPsC0iSvBqd_VU1BYP92oxae7I9tnRyFfEjEuw&oe=6703FB91 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Tháș©m Má»č Viện Gangnam 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:51 active 1567 0 Brattleboro News Recap Show: we play the best videos from the week and I discuss behind the scenes details. Sponsored by the best: Brattleboro Ford King's Electric Vermont Roadworks Stripe it Seal It Zico's Haircuts Home Security Sevice Peter Havens West River painting & Carpentry Renegade Property Maintenance Kresge's Alignment Cherokee Diversified DR Roofing Solutions LLC #BrattleboroNews #brattleboro #vermont #news #cops #comedy LIKE_PAGE Planet Hank https://www.facebook.com/100063548589558/ 14,083 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Like Page 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461783109_525708136880625_7663369808962809981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jw9tXvb_pXQQ7kNvgHJ9Lvm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AYlyGR3Ia7z8BJFFjDYj9hH&oh=00_AYAm2aG3C4RvCp6XdVkQwxUyRaKIWJCzpYjUEWMoB0F_tA&oe=67042645 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Planet Hank 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:49 active 1567 0 Mark Normand Live ‱ Sat. 10/12 ‱ Oakland Hey hey Oakland! I'm coming to Fox Theater on Saturday, October 12th. All new jokes folks. I'm a material girl. Limited tickets left, so get on it! Comedy! ORDER_NOW https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00608AD7D3486 Mark Normand https://www.facebook.com/marknormandcomedian/ 706,059 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Order Now 0 ticketmaster.com DCO https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00608AD7D34866 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461868242_1035750991368135_8516422097702975824_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uX_Bj5fYA10Q7kNvgHtgYLi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AbglM88ETBOY9yM-rUrLGWP&oh=00_AYCBw_J7UIZ7zwAkR5bBtCCFr3UQZoAZqLqK9SI2ycCWEg&oe=67040C07 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Mark Normand 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-01 19:21 active 1565 0 🔞Attention! Do not read in publicïŒđŸ‘‰ Debra gasped and opened her eyes. Everything in front of her was strikingly familiar. This place was Juan and her home. They had been married for a month, but Juan had rarely visited her. She remembered that Juan was attending a land auction, and due to the occasion, he had to bring her along. But this was all five years ago. 'How could it be? ' she thought, deeply confused, 'Am I reborn?' " Mr. Nichols has never stayed overnight before. You should seize this opportunity." a maid’s voice brought Debra back to reality. She picked out a white gown, hesitating. "How about this one, Madam?" Looking at it, Debra gave a self-deprecating smile. It was well known that Juan favored Shelia. Shelia liked white dresses. In the past, she often dressed like Shelia to please Juan. For this auction, Juan didn't inform her of the change in companion and brought Shelia instead, making her look ridiculous in a white dress similar to Shelia's. The thought of the past made her laugh. "No, I'll wear that one," she said, picking up a red dress. Debra never liked plain clothes. Shelia was just a poor college student. Debra felt that she must have lost her mind to dress like that for a man. "But Mr. Nichols likes white dresses," the maid said hesitantly. Debra simply ignored her hints. "I'll wear this one," she said. "Throw away all those white dresses. I don't like them." The maid sighed and complied. Debra looked at herself in the mirror, still vibrant and beautiful. But in a few years, she would be worn down by Juan's torment. Before that happened, she would end it all. In the evening, Debra appeared in a burgundy dress that accentuated her curves. Her delicate makeup, curls, and a mole under her eye made her mesmerizing. She looked like a painting, untouchable. Not far away, a man in a white shirt and black leather combat boots saw her. Marion Houston asked, "Who is she?" "You don't know her? She's Debra, the daughter of the Frazier family and Juan's wife," said his friend, Randy Osborne. "I just saw Juan entering with another woman. Maybe we'll witness a showdown between the mistress and the wife. It will be fun." LEARN_MORE https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1 Random Reading https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ 146 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 thebvhwysgng.com DCO https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13914&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461326695_1040510124435025_5317424030811283259_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nUe9Hv0gky0Q7kNvgEXhKel&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AXYUCd30NSEN5yQ3kFjXINc&oh=00_AYAFTLeuj1IV70nVS6JlHpBmWITOcoxaV3CQH7rr5qifZQ&oe=67025A33 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Random Reading 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:49 active 1567 0 đŸłïžâ€đŸŒˆ The Most Sickening Gay Self-Love Box is Here đŸłïžâ€đŸŒˆ Celebrate your authentic queer self with the #1 Gay Subscription Box 🌈 Unleash your inner unicorn with premium grooming products and designer underwear that shows off just how fab you are! And as a sweet lil gift... ✹ Receive a bonus pair of Designer Underwear when you join today!✹ I promise it’ll have him absolutely gaaaagging henny đŸ„” Simply use code ‘FreeGiftUndies’ when you checkout. https://www.nextgaything.com/ Join the squad and shine brighter than a rainbow! 🌈Designer Premium Underwear 🌈 Full-size Skincare & Lifestyle Products 🌈 Up to 5x Retail Value in Every Box 🌈 Cancel Anytime, No Strings Attached 🌈 Free Tracked Shipping Worldwide 🌈 Special Bonus Gifts & Limited Edition Products https://www.nextgaything.com/ Live your best life with a surprise box filled with gay goodies you never knew you needed. P.S. Over 96% of our slay community order again and again. Join now and see why we are the #1 Gay Subscription box worldwide! https://www.nextgaything.com/ SHOP_NOW https://www.nextgaything.com/ Next Gay Thing https://www.facebook.com/nextgaything/ 11,746 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop Now 0 nextgaything.com DCO {{product.description}} https://www.nextgaything.com/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461878399_1576074863326188_1549508491390427917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NMm2q_QSLLoQ7kNvgFFFOtl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Amibx6UrQMn2Jv_Pop_QPMY&oh=00_AYBOdoZoBGh3Q4Qr0E-KbA3HJ7-220c3J6tm_QWaVk2QWg&oe=67041A77 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Next Gay Thing 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:51 active 1567 0 Gilbert O'Sullivan - 'Songbook' Out Now "Songbook" also features new stripped-down versions, including "Alone Again (Naturally)", "Clair", "Nothing Rhymed", "Happiness Is Me And You" & more. LISTEN_NOW https://gilbertosullivan.lnk.to/Songbook Gilbert O'Sullivan https://www.facebook.com/gilbertosull/ 73,885 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Listen Now 0 gilbertosullivan.lnk.to DCO https://gilbertosullivan.lnk.to/Songbook 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461597553_891867319269292_1917373277048407628_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=J7lOfXYoHXcQ7kNvgFFLaH7&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AnSMmDtbAIN3TvGWaWmuz-b&oh=00_AYDWxNFFoOfEBzdnJPWkyubHy5_SQarNXjgF7vAZJOnR4Q&oe=67042EB7 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Gilbert O'Sullivan 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:11 active 1566 0 đŸ”„ïžclick here to read more FREE chapters! Maxwell arrived home well past 11:00 pm. The villa was eerily quiet, with only a night light switched on in the living room. Jennifer sat on the couch, seemingly waiting for him. As Maxwell took off his coat and loosened his tie, he spoke impatiently, "Didn't we agree on the divorce? I won't shortchange you when it comes to assets. You can rest assured about that." He thought she wanted a larger share of the assets. Jennifer's voice was hoarse when she asked, "Maxwell, did you want a divorce because of that woman?" Maxwell's expression faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He didn't want to hide anything from her, nor did he care to. "Yes. I owe it to her. That's something I must do," he admitted frankly. Jennifer chuckled bitterly. "I only discovered today how hypocritical you are. You played the victim, making me feel guilty and pushing me to get a divorce. I bet you were secretly pleased, weren't you? You finally caught me making a blunder, and you're now forcing me to leave so you can be with her." Maxwell furrowed his brows. His tone was chilling as he replied, "Jennifer, let's make things clear. Rachel and I were together in the first place. You know very well how you ended up marrying me. Now that you have someone else, we're even. Let's spare each other, shall we?" "No!" Jennifer's words were sharp. "I hate being deceived. You and her have been playing me like a fool for the past two years. Do you think I'll let you off?" Maxwell rubbed his temples, suppressing his irritation. With gritted teeth, he demanded, "Then what do you want?" "I won't get a divorce." With that, Jennifer went to the bedroom. Almost as soon as she turned around, her tears surged out. For two whole years, she had been waiting for him to return her feelings. Before her mother passed away, she was told that most marriages in this world were built on growing affection over time. Love at first sight was just infatuation, like what she felt for Maxwell. But marriage ultimately relied on tolerance and patience. Jennifer thought her perseverance would eventually warm his heart. Now she realized how wrong she was. LEARN_MORE https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=12134 Free BOOKS https://www.facebook.com/61560779513133/ 496 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 mn.ikkly.com DCO https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=12134&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448810168_508013721795463_5680667871745428556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tJASrXdDvikQ7kNvgFC63Rn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ab3RoqLrko3bAfbJtLf5ij5&oh=00_AYDUFXXavVA0-SXc4uThlQ_LUw4zrezYV9BU_WmzLoR8iw&oe=67042AF5 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Free BOOKS 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-01 19:21 active 1565 0 😍Read the next chapters👉 Chapter 1 "You'll have the test results in about an hour." The nurse's smile was gentle and reassuring as she took the vial of blood from Madeline Sanders. Madeline held a cotton swab to her arm and settled into a chair in the waiting area. She was a bit pale, but her eyes sparkled with hope. She had a hunch she was conceived, and that hospital visit was just to make sure. Three years ago, Trevon Gibson was involved in a terrible car crash that left him comatose, with doctors saying he would never wake up. Lydia Sanders, Trevon's high school sweetheart and Madeline's half-sister, did not waste any time and jetted off abroad for her studies. Somehow, Trevon's grandmother—Edith Gibson—figured that Madeline was Trevon's lucky charm and insisted she marry him. The Gibson family promised to care for Madeline's mother, who was lost in her own world of madness. Madeline felt trapped but agreed to the marriage. Little did everyone know that Madeline was secretly in love with Trevon for years. To everyone's surprise, Trevon woke up after the wedding. However, Madeline's joy was short-lived. Trevon's first words to her were icy and calculated. "Out of respect for my grandmother, I'll take you as Mrs. Gibson for three years. When Lydia returns in three years, I will marry her." Madeline had braced herself to play along with that deal, ready to step aside when the time came. However, life threw a curveball a month and a half ago. Trevon stumbled home after drowning his sorrows in wine that day, and Madeline single-handedly managed to drag him inside. Supporting a drunken Trevon was like moving a boulder—each step a battle of strength. Madeline and Trevon could no longer keep themselves upright and crumpled to the floor just inside the front door. Their lips brushed together in the fall, an accidental kiss that sent Madeline's heart racing. Trevon was a notorious germaphobe, avoiding physical contact like the plague. However, that unexpected kiss seemed to unlock something in him, and he leaned in for another. Madeline was caught off guard, but she did not resist. Later, in the quiet aftermath, Madeline could not bear to stay in the bed they shared. She tiptoed around the sleeping Trevon, erasing any trace of what had happened between them. The hospital was a hive of activity, but Madeline felt alone in the crowd. With trembling hands, she opened the lab results. 'Early stage of conceive. Recommend a follow-up ultrasound.' Joy flickered across her face, quickly hidden behind her hand to muffle her giggles. Regardless of the state of her marriage, that baby was a precious gift. She was eager to tell Trevon, her fingers hovering over her phone. However, she hesitated. Trevon's germaphobia was not just about objects—it extended to people. She had seen him scrub his hands raw after a mere handshake. However, wine had loosened his inhibitions that one night. Would he believe the baby was his? Doubt clouded Madeline's mind, bringing a headache and a wave of nausea. She was jostled as a group of doctors in white coats rushed by, nearly sending her phone flying. "Emergency! Please step aside," a nurse said, flashing Madeline a quick, apologetic smile before dashing off. Madeline took a deep breath, watching the commotion unfold. Her gaze drifted to the emergency room doors without much thought. However, in a heartbeat, her eyes widened in shock. Trevon was there, shielding Lydia as they stepped down from the ambulance. He guided her gently onto a stretcher and, with a team around them, made a beeline for the VIP suite. A chilling shiver sliced through Madeline, her knees buckling as she clung to the nearby railing for support. Lydia was back. In the hospital room, the doctor briefed Trevon. "It seems like a mild concussion, but we'll need the test results to be sure." Trevon's expression was serious. "Speed it up. Use the VIP route." Lydia, stretched out on the gurney, smiled weakly at Trevon. "You're always so kind to me." Lydia pouted as she continued, "I wasn't paying attention. Who would've thought a bike bump could lead to a concussion? In Ameristan, people usually slow down on their own." Trevon gave her a fleeting, detached look. A flicker of worry crossed Lydia's face. "Trevon, with Skylandia's tight deadlines, isn't my accident going to set us back a lot?" Skylandia was the latest venture from Trevon's gaming empire, Xystos Tech, and Lydia had returned to lead the art on it. "I won't stay here. I have to get back to work," she declared, attempting to get out of bed. Trevon was quick to intervene, his hand on her shoulder easing her back down. "Don't be childish." As the tender scene unfolded, Madeline watched them outside the VIP room with gritted teeth. Trevon was notorious for his meticulous ways, but he did have a soft spot. He was not always distant. He just saved all his warmth for Lydia. Madeline felt a wave of emotion as she teared up. She touched her nose and fought the tears. Without really knowing why, she found herself pulling out her phone and calling Trevon. In the sterile silence of the hospital room, Trevon's face froze for a moment as he checked his phone, then casually handed it off to his assistant, Simon Taylors. "Tell her I'm tied up in a meeting." Madeline's heart clenched as Trevon's annoyed expression flickered across his face. Simon, moving to the side, answered Madeline's call softly. "Hello, Mrs. Gibson. Mr. Gibson is busy in a meeting. Is there something you need?" Madeline's lips twitched with a defeated smile. "No, it's nothing. I just hit the wrong button." Simon frowned. "Mr. Gibson's schedule is packed. Please be more careful in the future, Mrs. Gibson." The future? Was there even a future to speak of? Lydia, overhearing Simon, gave Trevon a subtle glance. She casually showed off the pink Hello Kitty bandage on her hand. Trevon's eyes snapped to it, his voice laced with a hint of longing. "You still haven't kicked that old habit, I see." Lydia forced a smile. "Well, you know I've always been fond of Hello Kitty." Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to soften. Madeline could not stand it any longer. Clutching her phone, she turned around and left. She thought one night could change things, but it was just wishful thinking. Despite the autumn season, Redenbaugh City was sweltering, and the hospital's air conditioning was cranked up, sending chills down her spine. She felt light-headed, as if she were floating on air. Suddenly, a little boy darted into her path, bumping into her. Madeline's face went pale as she caught the little boy, but in doing so, she lost her footing and tumbled to the ground. The fall sent a chill up her spine, and she held her belly, too afraid to move. The boy, however, started wailing, drawing curious glances from passersby. His mother rushed over and gave him a quick once-over. When she found him unscathed, she pulled him into a tight embrace before turning to Madeline with fury. "Can't you watch where you're going? You ran into my baby! How will you make this right?" Madeline, her mind on the baby she was carrying, bit back her pain and chose not to retaliate. Instead, she made her way to the maternity ward upstairs. The mother was not having it, yanking on Madeline's arm. "You think you can just hit someone and leave?" Madeline, nearly tripping over, turned slightly and offered calmly, "Should we review the security footage?" The woman, clutching her son, stormed off. Madeline felt her vision darken as she clutched her chest. She leaned against the railing, immobilized. In the VIP ward, Lydia gazed at Trevon longingly and leaned in for a kiss. Trevon, who was aloof, felt a wave of nausea as she got close. His vision blurred, and his chest tightened. He flinched and shoved Lydia away. Chapter 2 "Here's the divorce agreement. Take a look." Trevon, fresh from the hospital, confronted Madeline with a request for divorce. The image of Lydia's hurt look lingered in his mind, leaving him with a sense of resignation. His rejection was not just about his aversion to germs. It was also the sudden sickness and weakness that overtook him. He dismissed it as a one-off, which was not worth worrying about. However, faced with Madeline, the discomfort was undeniable. Madeline, still reeling from her hospital visit, was blindsided by the divorce papers laid out before her. It took a moment for her to find her voice, and when she did, it quivered. "Do we really have to end this?" "Yes." Madeline's grip tightened, and the question she could not suppress spilled out. "Is it because Lydia's back?" Trevon loosened his tie, his face turning to stone. "Didn't I make myself clear three years ago?" He had, and she had accepted it. However
 "If... Just if..." Madeline hesitated, biting her lip. Trevon was impatient. "Madeline, you can't always want more." She looked up sharply, disbelief etched on her face. Did he think she was haggling over the divorce terms? With several deliberate taps on the table, Trevon continued, "Indeed, you've done everything required of being a wife these past three years. There's a modest place near Johnsrud. It's yours now. That's the best I can do. Don't make me lose respect for you." Madeline's response was trapped in her throat as she smiled bitterly. Three years of marriage, and her reward was a house. Should she be thankful? He was determined to get the divorce over with, by any means necessary. There was no need to mention the baby. It would only complicate how he saw her. She did not need a man whose heart belonged to another. Madeline felt nauseous, feeling like she needed to purge immediately. She crouched down to clutch the bin and gagged, but nothing came up. Trevon watched, his brow furrowed in disbelief. Why did her sickness stir something in him? Was it a mere coincidence? Seeing her ashen face, it was clear she was unwell. Trevor gave Madeline a questioning look. "Are you sick? When did it start? What's wrong?" Madeline felt the urge to throw up but could not, which only intensified her discomfort. Clinging to the trash can seemed like the only thing she could do. At the sound of his question, her fingers tensed uncontrollably. She forced a casual response. "Maybe it's just a cold. No big deal." "Answer me!" His voice turned sharp, sending a jolt through Madeline, and she murmured almost without thinking. "This afternoon, when you were
 I'm just feeling a bit of chest tightness, weak limbs, and a touch of nausea. Typical cold symptoms." She did not bring up the hospital visit, quickly labeling it a cold to avoid any wild guesses. The timing and the symptoms lined up perfectly. 'So, it's because we caught a cold at the same time?' Trevon wondered. Madeline finally let go of her resistance. She deliberately avoided the divorce papers on the table and fetched the sour orange she had bought earlier from the fridge. Her mouth was unbearably uncomfortable, and she craved the relief of something sour. After all, she would need some strength in her hand to sign those papers. The moment she took out the sour orange, its tangy scent filled the room. Catching a glimpse of Trevon standing to the side, watching her with a frown, she hesitated before offering, "Want one?" Trevon looked away, clearly uninterested. Madeline chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, it slipped my mind. You're not into sour stuff." However, as she sliced into the vibrant sour orange and its juicy interior burst with a potent tangy aroma, Trevon seemed unable to look away. Madeline was about to take a bite when she noticed Trevon approaching. His towering presence felt like a wall closing in, making the kitchen feel smaller by the second. Instinctively, Madeline stepped back. "If you don't like it, then I'll just..." Before she could finish, Trevon was at the sink, lathering up with soap, washing his hands with deliberate care three times before reaching for a piece of the sour orange. He scrunched his forehead, eyeing the orange for a long moment before popping it into his mouth. Madeline's jaw dropped in astonishment. However, Trevon did not spit it out. He chewed thoughtfully and swallowed before looking at her seriously. "Next time, make sure the knife's washed three times, okay?" The urge to bite into that tangy orange slice was irresistible. Sure enough, the sour kick seemed to soothe his queasy stomach. It was not just some bug. His nausea had kicked in right after Madeline's, as if he was only sick because she was. What was up with that? Trevon made a mental note to get to the bottom of it. Madeline gave a simple "Oh" in response. They finished the orange together, a moment of closeness they had not felt in three years. After washing her hands, Madeline looked up at Trevon. Sharing that sour fruit seemed to have bridged the gap between them, if only a little. However, their journey together was nearing its end. She murmured, "I'll sign the divorce papers." It was like cashing out after three years. A million and five hundred thousand, and a house to her name. She was coming out ahead. When she was about to sign, Trevon snatched the papers away. "We'll add another house to the deal. Wait for the lawyer's final draft." Madeline nodded, still in a daze. Suddenly, Trevon's phone buzzed and Lydia's whiny voice came through as he picked up the call. "Trevon, when are you coming? I'm bored." Madeline gripped her pen so hard her thumb whitened, nearly snapping it. Trevon ended the call, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. Madeline stepped forward, her voice tinged with concern. "How am I supposed to explain this to Grandma?" "We'll talk when I'm back," Trevon replied before the door slammed shut behind him. The house, once filled with life, echoed with emptiness. Madeline chuckled at herself, shook off the silence, and went to the kitchen to whip up some noodles. After all, she had to think about the little one growing inside her. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Expecting Trevon, who might have forgotten something, she swung the door open only to be greeted by unwelcome faces. Madeline's warmth vanished. "What are you two doing here?" Cilix Sanders, her father, smiled and said, "You weren't picking up, so your mom and I thought we'd drop by." Her phone did show a string of missed calls. Ignoring their calls was nothing new, but their sudden visit was unexpected. "My mom's lost her mind, locked up in Sunshine Psychiatric Hospital. Did you forget to visit her, or did you forget she's there?" Skylar Lowe, Madeline's stepmother, stood beside Cilix in her flawless outfit. She looked nothing like someone who had toiled in the fields. However, her sharp and calculative eyes matched her biting tone. "Such disrespect! Where are your manners?" Madeline was furious. If she truly lacked manners, Skylar would have been long gone. It was Skylar's appearance, after all, that had tipped her mother over the edge. However, Madeline had been biding her time, collecting proof. They would all pay, eventually. Pushing down the bile, she asked coolly, "So, what brings you here?" "Let's talk inside," was all they said. Once they were in, Madeline poured water into two glasses, her hands steady as stone. Madeline's calm and compliant facade only fueled Skylar's ego. With an arrogant head tilt, she announced, "Your sister's back in town. It's time you end things with Trevon and give up your title as Mrs. Gibson to her!" Madeline fought the impulse to douse Skylar with water as she gripped the kettle firmly. "Give it up? I'm not following you." Madeline's gaze shifted to Cilix. "You told me when Trevon was in that coma, the company was strapped for cash. Marrying Trevon was the only way to afford my mom's medical bills. I married into the Gibson family for the sake of the Sanders family. How did Lydia end up taking my place as the daughter-in-law of the Gibson family?" Chapter 3 "I was looking out for the Sanders family too," Cilix said as he sipped his water. "The Sanders-Gibson family alliance is crucial. Three years by Trevon's side, and what? No kids, no hold on his heart, no benefits for the Sanders family. Now that Lydia's back, along with her bond with Trevon, these issues will vanish. I can even afford better care for your mother." Cilix's duplicity struck Madeline once more. Madeline countered, "Did you forget why Lydia left the country? Or do you think the Gibsons have forgotten too?" "That's why we're asking you to initiate the divorce with Trevon," Cilix replied. Madeline saw right through their plot. She would step aside, letting Lydia take the lead, and the Sanders family would reap all the rewards. After a tense silence, Madeline broke the ice. "I'm willing to divorce Trevon, but on one condition. I want my mom's shares—the ones she's entitled to." Cilix instantly became furious. Once upon a time, the Sanders family was a picture of unity. Cilix, who came from nothing, married Bella Ziegler—Madeline's mother—and quickly turned his fortune around with a garment factory. However, Bella paid a steep price, severing ties with her own family. It was not until Skylar—previously 'Jolene', with her kids in tow—showed up that Bella realized the magnitude of her mistake. She battled depression for years, and the strain of the revelation only deepened her illness. That was when Cilix dropped the divorce bomb. He played the bankruptcy card during the split, claiming all assets were tied up. Bella was left with scraps. However, once the divorce papers were signed, Cilix's business miraculously bounced back. Ever the opportunist, Cilix kept footing Bella's medical bills, basking in the glow of his newfound reputation. Madeline only pieced it all together as she grew up—her mother had been played. She had been nursing a plan to set things right ever since. The meeting ended with frosty treatment all around. Madeline shut the door behind them, collapsed onto the couch, and lost herself in the darkness outside the window. 
 Dawn's light crept into the room. Madeline shielded her eyes and took a moment to adjust before getting up reluctantly. Nausea washed over her in an unforgiving wave. Trevon had not come home all night. Madeline's emotions were a mess—resignation laced with a hint of disappointment. However, above all, there was relief. It was as if her decision to let go the day before had freed her from hope. Madeline sank back into the pillows. The click of the electronic lock signaled an arrival at the door. Madeline glanced up, and there was Lydia, swathed in designer elegance, striding in with a smile that could light up the room. "Madeline, it's been ages." Rising slowly, Madeline perched on the edge of the couch, her eyes a storm of loathing. "Who said you could come in? Leave!" Lydia's smile only grew. "Trevon sent me, of course. He spent last night at the hospital with me, then dashed off to work at dawn. He asked me to pick up a suit for him." A shadow crossed Madeline's face. So, Trevon was with Lydia last night. She had waited like a fool on that couch all night long, clinging to his promise. 'We'll talk when I get back.' "You're just like your mother, always the homewrecker," Madeline spat. Lydia's laughter rang out. "Who's the real homewrecker? It's the unloved one. Even the lock's code is my birthday. Trevon's heart is still with me. Madeline, you've been using my birthday to open this door for the past three years. That must sting, doesn't it?" Madeline's eyes flickered, her grip tightening on the blanket. She inhaled sharply before smiling mockingly. "Is technology that archaic where you come from? We've moved on to facial recognition, or fingerprints at the very least. Key codes are a thing of the past." Lydia's smile faltered, her composure slipping for a split second. "Outdated or not, Trevon's word is law." Madeline could not be bothered with petty squabble. Her nausea was getting worse. She gestured toward Trevon's bedroom. "His stuff's in there. Help yourself." With a smug grin, Lydia disappeared into the room and emerged moments later, a bundle of clothes in her arms. Before she took off, she sauntered over to Madeline, flashed her hand, and there it was—a dazzling diamond ring. There was also that cutesy pink bandage on her finger. "My mom says you're dragging your feet on the divorce—kinda funny, don't you think? Trevon's put a ring on it, so why embarrass yourself? Time to get a clue." She leaned in, whispering to Madeline, "Face it, you've never been able to outdo me in anything since we were kids." Old memories came rushing back. Her favorite things, her mentors, her dad, her very home—Lydia had snatched them all away with just a few words. Madeline squinted and swiftly yanked the bandage off Lydia's hand. "You've always been into taking my stuff, huh?" She eyed Lydia's pristine hand and tossed the bandage into the bin with a look of disgust. "Bandages are disposable. Get a new one, and it's as good as ever. However, you know what's really scary about a guy who's been down the aisle twice?" Madeline rose to her feet, locking eyes with Lydia as she smiled slyly. "It's the lingering lessons from his ex. His style, habits, tastes, thoughts—they're all tinged with the ghost of the woman before you. Chew on that. Good luck." "Madeline!" Ignoring her, Madeline grabbed a bag of clothes and thrust it into Lydia's arms. "So long, no need for goodbyes!" Behind the wheel on her way to work, Lydia smacked the steering wheel, Madeline's parting shot replaying in her head. The phone buzzed. Lydia answered with a huff. "What's up with the wake-up call?" Wren Naylor, Lydia's assistant, hesitated before speaking up with caution. "Ms. Sanders, the planning team wants to add an illustrator to the project. They've already picked someone out." "They've what now? Since when does planning get to call the shots on art hires? They really need to stay in their lane." Wren stayed quiet. Lydia bit back her frustration. "Alright, I'm heading to the office soon. I'll sort it out with them." Instead of going to her department when she arrived at the office, Lydia went to the top floor to drop off some clothes for Trevon. Trevon accepted the clothes, but his brow creased in confusion. Lydia felt a twinge of worry. "Something wrong with the clothes?" They were definitely not his usual brand. Madeline would not slip up like that. "Madeline wasn't there when you picked these up?" Realizing the brand mismatch, Lydia understood her mistake. Madeline's earlier words echoed in her head. Lydia bit her lip, looking hurt. "Madeline just handed me these and shooed me out when I arrived. You know she's never been fond of me." She sighed resignedly and continued, "Typical Madeline, knowing you're in a rush and still acting petty with me. Should I run to the store and grab you a new set?" Trevon cut her off. "Don't bother. You've got work to do." Lydia clammed up, stepping back into silence. Trevon let out a quiet sigh. "Don't sweat it. It's not your fault. Clothes are the least of our worries. We've got the Skylandia project to focus on." In just a week, Skylandia would unveil its magical realms to eager eyes, with artistry at its heart. Lydia, fresh from her hiatus, was steering that ship—the crown jewel of the year for Xystos Tech. She knew the drill, but duty called, and she stepped out with a promise to return for lunch. Madeline, alone then, rinsed a handful of cherry tomatoes, trying to quell the unease bubbling inside her. She scrolled through her phone, the barrage of prenatal check-ups looming large and daunting. Midway through her meticulous note-taking, the doorbell chimed. She opened the door to find Simon pulling a long face. Chapter 4 "Mr. Gibson sent me some clothes." Madeline raised an eyebrow. "Again?" Simon's eyes flickered with annoyance as he asked, "Why'd you send Mrs. Yagle's clothes?" Simon referred to Trevon's mom, Riley Yagle—a woman whose kindness was only matched by her absentmindedness. Madeline recalled the ill-fitting, off-brand clothes that Trevon probably ditched without a second thought. "Mr. Gibson says, 'Don't get snippy and hold things up,'" Simon relayed with a hint of sternness. Madeline could not help but chuckle, amused by his blind trust. "Lydia told Trevon I picked out the clothes?" Did Trevon need to believe everything Lydia said? Simon rushed her along. Madeline handed him a fresh set of clothes, but her grip lingered as she responded steadily. "Simon, you've been Trevon's right-hand man for what, three, four years now? Do you realize why you're still at the bottom rung, just an assistant? You're good at sizing people up by their titles, but that's not really a skill an assistant needs. Why don't you take a page from Mr. Harris's book?" Trevon did have a star assistant—Daniel Harris—who was so capable that he was sent overseas to handle big deals. That was when Simon got the call to step in. Simon's face went through a mixture of pale and flushed as he absorbed her criticism. Madeline, who was usually quiet, had just thrown shade in his face. He bit back his retort, finally huffing in annoyance and storming off. Madeline let out a soft laugh, brushing off the encounter. With visiting hours ticking closer, Madeline headed to Sunshine Psychiatric Hospital to see Bella. It was more of a wellness retreat than a hospital, nestled right next to Redenbaugh City's fanciest private clinic. Getting in was not easy, but thanks to the Gibson family pulling strings, Bella got a spot. Madeline wheeled her mom out into the courtyard, catching her up on the week's gossip and happenings. Bella was her usual self—unresponsive and staring off into space. Madeline sighed and took her mom's hand, resting it gently on her belly. "Mom, right here, there's a little one on the way. Even with Trevon talking about divorce, I'm keeping this baby. You've got to come back to us. Who will help me with this little one if you don't?" She nestled against Bella's legs, craving the comfort of her mother's presence. Unseen by Madeline, Bella's eyes flickered—a brief, almost missed flutter. "Madeline?" A voice, laced with surprise, called out for her. Madeline looked up to see a man in a lab coat looking her way. The sun was blinding, and Madeline squinted without recognizing the figure before her. There was something oddly familiar about the silhouette. It was not until he was close that she could see it was Caleb Jabs, her old college friend. With a warm smile, Caleb teased, "Madeline, can't you recognize an old friend after just three years?" He opened his arms for a hug, like nothing had changed. Madeline hesitated, then offered a hand for a handshake instead. Caleb's smile faltered, then returned. "Right, we're not on campus anymore." He shook her hand before releasing it, stealing a glance at the wedding ring on her finger. Through their chat, Madeline learned that he had just returned from overseas and that his uncle was running the local private hospital. Caleb nodded toward Bella with a slight smile. "And who is this?" Madeline's smile vanished. "My mom. She's been like this since she had a breakdown three years ago." A breakdown? It looked serious, as if she had lost all touch with the world. What could have caused it? Caleb pushed down his questions, his heart aching for Madeline. "These past three years must've been tough on you." Madeline seemed more grounded than in her college days, but her eyes were shadowed with concern. Madeline shook her head. "It's time for us to head back." She was not one to bare her soul to just anyone. As she rose to leave, she wobbled slightly. Caleb reached out to steady her. "You're looking a bit pale. Maybe you should get checked out." Madeline steadied herself and took a step back. "It's just low blood sugar. I'm fine." Caleb watched Madeline sidestep with a calm smile, not the least bit ruffled. "Back in college, you were always dealing with low blood sugar. Still battling that, huh? Skipped breakfast today?" He was already taking the wheelchair's handles as he spoke, and Madeline allowed it. They got Bella settled and swapped numbers. Then, Caleb pressed a chocolate bar into her hand. "For your sugar levels, have a bite." Madeline's laughter bubbled up. "Caleb, you still keep chocolate on you after all this time?" "Just a habit," he said with a chuckle. That little piece of chocolate seemed to bridge the gap that had grown between them. "How about lunch? It's already noon." Madeline bit her lip, uncertain. However, Caleb was already tugging her along. "There's this great little place I know nearby. You'll love it." Trevon managed to swing by the hospital after his meeting wrapped up. The doctors gave him a clean bill of health. They suggested bringing Madeline in, thinking she might be the key to why he felt off. He left the hospital with that thought, only to see Madeline and Caleb, all smiles, heading into a cozy diner. Madeline's smile was something new, something he had never seen, and it stopped him in his tracks. He took a moment before climbing into his car. From the driver's seat, Simon caught Trevon in the mirror. "Mr. Gibson, wasn't that Mrs. Gibson? Should we pick her up?" Trevon watched them disappear into the diner, a place he would never dream of entering. "No, let's not," he murmured. Simon arched an eyebrow, shot a look of faint scorn at the diner, and sped off. Trevon was reclining in the back seat, eyes closed, soaking in a moment of peace. A few minutes in, a wave of relief washed over him, leaving him feeling surprisingly refreshed. It took him a moment to realize that he was embodying Madeline's happiness. What could possibly be so special about that little shop to make her that cheerful? However, that sour beef and cabbage soup with noodles they served was exceptional—tangy and invigorating. It had been days since Madeline had enjoyed a meal so thoroughly. She even decided to get an extra serving to go. Caleb chuckled. "Noodles never taste as good reheated. Wait, didn't you love spicy food? What's with the switch?" Madeline smiled. "I haven't really switched. This is just that good." She was known for her love of spicy dishes, and even Trevon, the health nut, had found his tastes swayed by her. It was hard to argue with Madeline's culinary magic. Her cooking was irresistible to most. Back home, Madeline had barely set down her takeout when her phone rang. It was Yeneth Collins, her best friend. "Madeline, I've got some good and bad news." Feeling a bit worn out, Madeline sank into the couch. "Go on." "The good news is that you've been chosen to draw the new character for Skylandia. They've sent the contract over to you already." A spark of excitement flickered across Madeline's face as she reached for her laptop to check her email. "And the bad news?" Yeneth sighed heavily. "Lydia is the new art director for Skylandia. She just got the job today. I wouldn't have pushed you to take this gig if I'd known." Since marrying Trevon right after college, Madeline had not returned to the workforce, finding solace and passion in her art. Her style was distinctive, not exactly mainstream, with a focus on creating captivating illustrations. When Yeneth got involved with Skylandia, she thought Madeline's artwork was a perfect fit and put her name forward. Madeline smiled. "No way. The contract's terms are decent. Can't miss an opportunity of making money just because of her." She was always hustling for cash, especially with Bella's medical bills piling up. It meant biting her tongue whenever the Sanders family got tight-fisted. "Are you sure you're okay with this?" "Totally. I freelance under the name 'Lily Mora'. Who will connect the dots?" Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a door swinging open as Trevon walked in. Chapter 5 Madeline's instinct was to snap her laptop shut. "Give me a second." She quickly ended the call and turned to face Trevon. "What's got you home at this hour?" Trevon eyed her hurried movements and washed his hands before replying, "Just needed to pick something up." Madeline responded with a noncommittal hum. His gaze landed on a nearby takeaway box. It was the sour beef and cabbage soup with noodles. It looked just like the one she had had for lunch. Was it really that tasty? A jolt of panic hit Madeline, and she blurted out, "It's for Yeneth, not me." Back when they were newlyweds, Madeline had grabbed some street sausages, and Trevon had gone into a tailspin, bombarding her with articles about the filth of street vendors and the dangers of eating out. Since then, she had avoided eating street food around him. However, she had slipped up and forgotten to stash the evidence. Trevon's chuckle was detached as his eyes drifted to a notebook on the table. Madeline's heart was pounding, and she pushed aside the wave of nausea to dash toward the notebook—her secret journal of conceive appointments. The last thing she wanted was for Trevon to find out she was expecting. However, Trevon was quicker. He stretched out his arm and lifted the notebook from Madeline's reach. Without regard for her protests, he calmly flipped it open. The 'Prenatal Appointment Schedule' header stared back at him. He raised an eyebrow, his cool gaze landing on Madeline. Madeline felt her heart jump into her throat. "Is this for Yeneth, too?" Trevon asked. "Huh?" Caught off guard, Madeline quickly nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Yeneth's getting married, thinking about having kids, so I was helping her research." Trevon's suspicion did not wane. "So, why the panic?" Madeline's forehead creased. She let go of the notebook and looked away. "I didn't want you to think I was up to something." Madeline's beauty was marred by her recent illness. Her pale face was then tinged with the flush of sickness, making her look even more vulnerable. Trevon felt a twinge in his chest, and his annoyance grew. Her cold was messing with his work. He tossed the notebook back to Madeline. "I don't have time for this. You should be resting, not running around. If you show up to a divorce proceeding looking like this, people will think I'm the bad guy." Madeline silently clutched the notebook with her head bowed. 
 At the steakhouse, Lydia stared at her barely touched steak, her mood souring by the minute. When she heard Trevon returned to the Angelic Garden Residence, her annoyance turned to outright anger. "Madeline, that witch!" She whipped out her phone and dialed Skylar's number. Madeline had just reviewed the casting call from Skylandia, wrapped up her draft, and was stretching after a long day when Skylar's call came through. "Get over here tonight. If you don't show up, I'm tossing your mom's stuff." The line went dead. Madeline thought she had taken care of all Bella's things, so what could possibly be left at the Sanders' place? She could not risk it, so she hailed a cab and headed over. The Sanders' mansion was ablaze with lights, screaming new money from every gilded corner. Madeline stood at the entrance, taking in the garish display, and figured Skylar was behind it. Skylar greeted her with a grin, tugging her inside. "I just knew you'd come." Madeline jerked her hand away. "Cut the act, Skylar. There's no one else here. I did what you asked, so where's my mom's stuff?" Chapter 6 Before Skylar could answer, a sharp snap echoed from the side. "Madeline, watch how you talk to my mom!" It was Yale Sanders, Lydia's little brother. With his shoulder-length purple hair and arms sleeved in tattoos, he looked every bit the wannabe gangster. He had been coddled by Skylar all his life, and with the Sanders' wealth, he had gathered a gang of street toughs to back him up. Madeline did not expect him to be there but gave him a cool look and brushed him off. Just then, Cilix descended the stairs, his voice cutting through the air. "Yale!" Yale sulked, his lips puckered as he flopped onto the sofa, clearly annoyed. Cilix motioned for Madeline to take a seat at the dining table. "It's not every day we get your sister back home. I figured a family dinner was in order. Have a seat, will you? I had Mom whip up your favorite fish tacos." Skylar quickly dished some out for her. The oily sheen and the subtle fishy scent made Madeline wrinkle her nose and push the plate away. "I caught a cold and lost my appetite. I'm just here to grab a few things, and I'll be out." Cilix squinted, and Skylar, unable to contain herself, plopped down next to Madeline. "When are you planning on divorcing Trevon, huh? Your dad and I have already scoped out a new guy for you. He's ready to tie the knot and won't wait forever." A resigned feeling washed over Madeline. With a mocking smile, she murmured, "Really? Who's this wonderful match?" Skylar perked up and replied, "He's from a solid family. One of your dad's business partners. The guy owns a string of factories. Marry him, and you'll be the boss. They wouldn't even look twice at a divorcee if it wasn't for your dad's connections." She made it sound like a fairy tale. Madeline cut to the chase. "The owner of these factories? How old?" Skylar hesitated, then chuckled. "Not too old. He's just a bit over forty and in the prime of his life. It'll be your second marriage, so you can't afford to be choosy. Plus, they've promised to cut your dad a deal if you marry in. Consider it a tribute to your mom." Three years had passed, and Madeline's disdain for her family's ways was as strong as ever. She glared at Cilix. "Over forty? You're okay with this, being not much older yourself?" Cilix looked pained as he spoke, "Skylar's just trying to do what's best for you. Remarrying and bringing your mom into the mix, finding someone okay with that wasn't easy. Skylar really went out of her way for you." Skylar nodded earnestly. It had indeed been a challenge. Madeline needed to be married off and kept far away to avoid causing Lydia any more headaches. "Don't worry, the guy doesn't have kids. Everything in the future will be yours and your children's. It's a real stroke of luck." Madeline suddenly chimed in, "It's true. These kinds of terms are hard to come by. You've really outdone yourself, but
" Breaking from her usual composure, Madeline locked eyes with Cilix. "I was clear yesterday. I just want what my mom is entitled to—her shares. Those shares are peanuts compared to being Mrs. Gibson of the Gibson family." Cilix remained expressionless, but his eyes were calculative. "Your mom's shares?" Thinking she had swayed Cilix, Skylar piped up in a shrill tone. "What shares does her mother have? The Sanders family fortune is all thanks to me and Cilix. It's got nothing to do with your loony mom." Madeline's glare whipped towards Skylar, sharp enough to shut her up. "Apologize." "Why should I? Your mom's the crazy one." Without warning, a cup of scalding water splashed across Skylar's face, and she let out a scream. However, before Madeline could react, she was yanked back forcefully. A second later, she was punched in the face. "You owe her an apology!" Chapter 7 Each word Yale spat was accompanied by a punch landing on Madeline. Madeline shielded herself with her purse, narrowly avoiding a serious injury. Blinded by anger, she had not thought things through, never imagining Yale would actually hit her. Conceived had left her weak, and she could only dodge Yale's vicious blows in a clumsy dance of desperation. The Sanders family seemed petrified by the spectacle, each too scared to even twitch. Cilix wanted to speak, but Skylar cut him off. "What's Yale got, a little muscle? Let her take a hit. It might teach her to listen." Cilix's face darkened as he sat back down. She had written her dad off long ago, but the sting of disappointment was as sharp as ever. As Yale moved in again, Madeline knew she was on her own. With a swift kick, she toppled a chair and snatched a fruit knife from the table, aiming it straight at him. "One more step, and I swear I'll stab you!" Yale, thrown off by the chair, nearly slipped. He wiped his mouth and sneered. "You think you've got the guts?" Knife in hand, Madeline's face was ghostly, but her eyes blazed with defiance, "Try me. I'm still Mrs. Gibson of the Gibson family. If I take you down, they'll make sure it never sees the light of day." Her gaze flicked to Cilix. "You think our dad's got the spine to cross the Gibsons for you?" Yale did not budge. Skylar stepped forward with a nervous chuckle. "Come on, we're family. Knives? Really? Madeline, put it down." Madeline looked at Skylar icily and aimed the knife at her. "Stay back." Skylar froze, then looked pleadingly at Cilix. Cilix broke the silence. "Madeline, what's going on?" Madeline stood there with a cold expression, ignoring the blood that had started to drip from the corner of her mouth. She bit her lip, refusing to say a word. The recent scuffle had taken a toll on her, leaving her with a heavy feeling in her chest. She was afraid she would throw up if she opened her mouth. However, she was determined not to let them see her weakness. Amid the tense moment, the nanny burst in with unexpected joy. "Mr. Gibson and Ms. Sanders have arrived!" The pair entered the room. Trevon's face was a mask of seriousness, his lips pressed into a thin line. Lydia, catching sight of the knife in Madeline's grip, let out a sharp cry. "Madeline! Why are you holding a knife? What are you planning to do?" Cilix rose swiftly to welcome Trevon. "Mr. Gibson, please come in. Let's sit and talk. Madeline, put that knife down now." With a glance at Trevon, Madeline reluctantly set the knife aside. Skylar exhaled in relief and grumbled, "This is all Madeline's doing, causing a scene for no reason. Since when do we bring knives into family disputes?" Madeline inhaled deeply, pushing down the wave of nausea, and retorted with a frosty laugh. "So, now it's all my fault, just like that? I'm trying to do the right thing here, and I'm still the one to blame?" "Is this enough for you?" Trevon's voice, frosty and laced with anger, cut through the room. He had been feeling sick to his stomach the whole way there. That sensation had become all too familiar in the last couple of days, and he did not need to guess—it was Madeline's doing again. He had warned her just at lunchtime to take it easy, but what did she do? She ran off to her family's home to pick a fight, knife in hand. She might not be bothered by it, but he was fed up. The room fell silent. Madeline looked at him in disbelief. Was he really going to blame her without even asking why? Trevon had no interest in dragging out the conversation. He grabbed Madeline's hand and led her away with urgency. Madeline stumbled as he pulled her along, a sharp pain throbbing in her heart. Lydia tried to keep up, her voice tinged with concern. "Trevon, you haven't eaten yet." He barely paused, his voice dismissive. "Some other time." With that, he ushered Madeline into the car and shut the door behind her. LEARN_MORE https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=10922&ut Random Reading https://www.facebook.com/61560831098071/ 20 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 beokn.com DCO https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=10922&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449437764_2559123607604310_3298283948021123177_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qxZB3ZJoDIUQ7kNvgHVWugf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBjw87TV-44q_LoyDMoZv9srwqWFAgVJDO6N5oMwO86ig&oe=670258DF PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Random Reading 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:50 active 1567 0 Để láșĄi SĐT - Săn Æ°u đãi khủng >>> 😍 ThÆ°ÆĄng cĂŽ khĂŽng háșżt, nụ lĂČng nĂ o con láșĄi dỄ láș„y tiền củacĂŽ! Em Hiáșżu ráș„t đồng cáșŁm với những khĂĄch hĂ ng đi lĂ m đáșčp mĂ  khĂŽng may gáș·p những cÆĄ sở khĂŽng uy tĂ­n dáș«n tới máș„t tiền mĂ  váș«n khĂŽng đáșčp. Mega Gangnam vĂ  em Hiáșżu luĂŽn đáș·t chữ TÍN lĂȘn hĂ ng đáș§u, nĂȘn cĂĄc khĂĄch hĂ ng cứ yĂȘn tĂąm giao trọn niềm tin nÆĄi em. ---------- LáșĄi Minh Hiáșżu - ChuyĂȘn gia sáșŻc đáșčp táșĄi Mega Gangnam ☎ Hotline: 093 227 8888 🏩 TĂČa nhĂ  Mega Gangnam 68 đường 3/2 (cuối vĂČng xoay DĂąn Chủ), P.12, Q.10, Tp HCM MESSAGE_PAGE LáșĄi Minh Hiáșżu Mega Gangnam - ChuyĂȘn Gia Tráș» HĂła Da Số 1 Việt Nam https://www.facebook.com/100094735405425/ 49 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send message 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461700026_1174422520301748_7751359307758095025_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GgOzpObHBs8Q7kNvgFG8tNQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AEdIg1m3JMu1F0Cxfn5b2x9&oh=00_AYDbo6d0XjlTqT7KU_L25wvRWPPD9UJFXHpBValeyfPU7g&oe=67042FFF PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 LáșĄi Minh Hiáșżu Mega Gangnam - ChuyĂȘn Gia Tráș» HĂła Da Số 1 Việt Nam 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:51 active 1567 0 45 Odd Rules Hells Angels Members Have to Follow This Is the Craziest, Most Controversial Hells Angels Rule Ever! LEARN_MORE https://drivepedia.com/trending/hells-angels-rules FabCrunch Express https://www.facebook.com/61561020704899/ 24 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 drivepedia.com DCO From ‘Property of’ patches to ruthless loyalty tests, explore the terrifying rules that keep the Hells Angels in line and everyone else living in fear https://drivepedia.com/trending/hells-angels-rules-syn/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=Hells%20Angels%20%7C%20V8%20%7C%200110%20Dynamic%20PHS%201%20CMB%20ba11%20-%20Mobile%20WW%20FB%20CMB&network_code=CMB&utm_term=content&v=4 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461797332_557189233434378_7207762837161406122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cFLoysQPxd8Q7kNvgFYrJHi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AdKpheKQyifJld_GXXXRbT6&oh=00_AYAtfF4oHEHlGi8YTIShXWfxRhtXRenPsiEZ0ibTsT2YWg&oe=67041CF1 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 FabCrunch Express 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:50 active 1567 0 Gay Board Game €39 Game night will never be the same. Discover "Make it To Monday". A brand new gay board game made by gays, for gays and people who love them đŸłïžâ€đŸŒˆđŸ˜˜ Shop now online. Delivery to all of Germany đŸ‡©đŸ‡Ș LEARN_MORE https://www.makeittomonday.fun/product-page/make-i Make It To Monday https://www.facebook.com/makeittomondayfun/ 43 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 makeittomonday.fun IMAGE Payments in EUR đŸ‡©đŸ‡Ș https://www.makeittomonday.fun/product-page/make-it-to-monday?currency=EUR 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461430311_1249377246406254_1327769327826909663_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jaO78hba0LIQ7kNvgFs2QGz&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AoYeXf8oRC0Svqgk5KY_La1&oh=00_AYDlozJ41uxylwkluTg_9oQzqCre61H62idOtLC6p9Ap9w&oe=67041571 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Make It To Monday 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:49 active 1567 0 👇👇 Chỉ CÒN 39 SáșąN PHáșšM SALE 45% >>> Đáș·t Ngay đŸ”„KHÔNG RA SALON MÀ TÓC VáșȘN MÆŻá»ąT MÀ, ÓNG áșą 💋MĂĄi tĂłc mềm mÆ°á»Łt ngay táșĄi nhĂ  chỉ 10 phĂșt với tinh cháș„t dÆ°á»Ąng duỗi tĂłc UROSE HĂ n Quốc 👉CĂŽng nghệ Keratin cĂŽ đáș·c ĐỘC QUYỀN giĂșp tĂĄi sinh nang tĂłc lĂȘn tới 18.6 láș§n bĂŹnh thường, đáșŁy lĂči quĂĄ trĂŹnh lĂŁo hĂła, báșĄc tĂłc ✅ TĂłc khĂŽng tháșłng Ä‘ÆĄ nhÆ° duỗi truyền thống ✅ KhĂŽng cáș§n chăm sĂłc, chỉ sáș„y khĂŽ tĂłc tá»± cĂł náșżp ✅ Độ bền cao, tĂłc mềm mÆ°á»Łt hÆĄn, háșĄn cháșż khĂŽ sÆĄ ✅ Cung cáș„p đủ độ áș©m, giĂșp tĂłc khĂŽng cĂČn sÆĄ rối, cháș» ngọn, trÆĄn mÆ°á»Łt mềm máșĄi ✅ PhỄc hồi tĂłc hÆ° tổn, khĂŽ xÆĄ, cháș» ngọn, gĂŁy rỄng... ✅ NuĂŽi dÆ°á»Ąng tĂłc mọc dĂ i, dĂ y hÆĄn ✅ Tinh dáș§u Jojoba, tinh dáș§u Argan, Collagen tÆ°ÆĄi thủy phĂąn vĂ  vitamin giĂ u dÆ°á»Ąng cháș„t giĂșp mĂĄi tĂłc suĂŽn mÆ°á»Łt bồng bềnh ✅ Cung cáș„p dÆ°á»Ąng cháș„t giĂșp tĂłc vÆ°á»Łt qua hÆ° tổn ----------------------------------- đŸ”·SáșŁn pháș©m cĂł sáș”n táșĄi kho USA, NHáșŹN HÀNG SAU 3-5 ngĂ y 🕧 ✅ĐáșąM BáșąO QUYỀN LỹI: KhĂĄch hĂ ng mua hĂ ng luĂŽn Ä‘Æ°á»Łc đáșŁm báșŁo quyền lợi tốt nháș„t táșĄi USA websize cĂŽng ty : https://hapoly1.com/ Địa chỉ: 1632 N Texana St, Hallettsville, TX , Hoa Kỳ Hotline cĂŽng ty 24/7: +1 940-468-7988 MESSAGE_PAGE Ị TĂłc TĂĄi Sinh UROSE - CĂŽng nghệ phỄc hồi tĂłc Keratin hĂ ng đáș§u Hoa Kỳ https://www.facebook.com/UroseHoaKy/ 44 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send message 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461922479_1263508611733225_2967201323176311685_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vjQBmeb1QboQ7kNvgFgGvRR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADfGIy12cAqwxCZem_w-cLd&oh=00_AYCrZxlGNU4KU_-e3bKfBhTqUNiT_daBbhBmOZvI1r8ykw&oe=67042C59 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Ị TĂłc TĂĄi Sinh UROSE - CĂŽng nghệ phỄc hồi tĂłc Keratin hĂ ng đáș§u Hoa Kỳ 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:49 active 1567 0 Đào tháșŁi tới gáș§n 13ki mụ đen kịt, chị khĂĄch tỄt luĂŽn 3 size quáș§n ĂĄo! MuĂŽn kiểu giáșŁm mụ nhÆ°ng 0 báș±ng 1 láș§n tới DongBang, U35 giáșŁm luĂŽn tới 13kilo. Chỉ cĂł thể lĂ  liệu phĂĄp Dongbang Fatloss Booster 0 dao kĂ©o. --------------------------------- GIáșąM Má»  CAM KáșŸT HIỆU QUáșą Báș°NG VĂN BáșąN â–ș Đội ngĆ© bĂĄc sÄ©, chuyĂȘn gia HĂ n Quốc 25 năm kinh nghiệm â–ș MĂĄy mĂłc, thiáșżt bị tiĂȘn tiáșżn, nháș­p kháș©u 100% â–ș CÆĄ sở váș­t cháș„t, dịch vỄ tiĂȘu chuáș©n 5 sao â–ș HÆĄn 150.000 khĂĄch hĂ ng thoĂĄt bĂ©o thĂ nh cĂŽng --------------------------------- HỆ THỐNG GIáșąM BÉO CÔNG NGHỆ CAO KOREA ìČšë‹šì˜ëŁŒ 디바읎슀 읎용하는 ìČŽì§€ë°©â€ąëȘžë§€êŽ€ëŠŹ ì „ëŹž ìČŽìžì  â–ș ThĂĄng 4/2023 Viện Tháș©m Má»č Korea trở thĂ nh thĂ nh viĂȘn thứ 73 trĂȘn toĂ n tháșż giới, chĂ­nh thức sĂĄp nháș­p vĂ o Táș­p đoĂ n Dongbang Medical HĂ n Quốc vĂ  đổi tĂȘn thĂ nh TáșŹP ĐOÀN GIáșąM BÉO DONGBANG MEDICAL HÀN QUỐC ChĂșng tĂŽi luĂŽn đề cao chữ “TÂM”, chữ “TÍN” vĂ  TrĂąn trọng Sức khỏe, Tiền báșĄc của QuĂœ khĂĄch hĂ ng â–ș TP. HĂ  Nội: TĂČa nhĂ  100 Triệu Việt VÆ°ÆĄng, Q. Hai BĂ  TrÆ°ng â–ș TP. Hồ ChĂ­ Minh: TĂČa nhĂ  149B TrÆ°ÆĄng Định, P9, Q3 â–ș HĂ n Quốc: 30, Saneupdanji-gil, Ungcheon-up, Boryeong-si, Chungnam HOTLINE: 0911 85 9999 TỔNG ĐÀI TÆŻ Váș€N 24/7: 1900 0361 - 078 71 22222 Giờ mở cá»­a: 8h30 - 20h00 GET_QUOTE https://fb.com/messenger_doc/ Cong Nghe Giam Beo Chuan Y Khoa - Vien Tham My DongBang Korea ìœ”ëŠŹì•„ ì„±í˜•ì™žêłŒ https://www.facebook.com/DongBangKorea06/ 2,357 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Get quote 0 fb.com VIDEO đŸ„°Má»ȘNG SINH NHáșŹT 15 TUỔI🎁QUÀ KHỊNG VỀ TAY - DINH NGAY DÁNG ĐáșžP😍 LÀM 1 VÙNG Táș¶NG 1 VÙNG + GIáșąM 50% VÀ Táș¶NG NHáșȘN VÀNG🧹🧹🧹 https://fb.com/messenger_doc/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461804424_550140367422510_123574362002255931_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ufbKTs7YRYgQ7kNvgEAhDev&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AByk9fDv_JhSZsVKgyg58RT&oh=00_AYBBIG1ZGoMVWG0D5g-scUrJsVZmmxWosEXop60vMO-Fpw&oe=670427F8 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Cong Nghe Giam Beo Chuan Y Khoa - Vien Tham My DongBang Korea ìœ”ëŠŹì•„ ì„±í˜•ì™žêłŒ 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-10-03 02:08 active 1566 0 😍Read the next chapters👉 Chapter 1 I looked at the clock on my bedroom wall. I think I have delayed the inevitable for as long as I physically can. I should go to the packhouse to go and wish our pack's upcoming Alpha a happy birthday. The bane of my life. My brother's best friend. One day to be Alpha Miles. Today he will turn 17, and meet his Alpha wolf. In all honesty, he was egotistical enough, thinking the world revolved around him, without him adding to that by finally gaining his wolf. Not your run-of-the-mill werewolf either. Oh no, Miles Davenport was destined to be an Alpha, so he would have a strong and powerful Alpha wolf, only adding to his arrogance and strength. The crazy thing is, Miles had once upon a time been one of my closet friends too. In my younger childhood... Friends, that kind of thing comes when your father is the Beta to the Alpha. The children spend a lot of time together, and become friends. My older brother, Jordan, became the wing-man to Miles. His closest friend and ally, who as his Beta when the time came, was only right. But as the years went on, the friendship between Miles and I changed. Friendship faded as he grew into a more popular sports star of our school. At the end of the day, he was always going to be popular, he was the upcoming Alpha after all, but as one of the top sports stars too, he was idolized. As was my brother. All the girls in school flocked around them like they were pop stars or something, and it was bizarre. I was nothing more to him now but a source of amusement for him and his sports buddies. A geek. Not one of the beauty queens who followed him around. Simply someone to make fun of. I had gone from enjoying time with my one-day Alpha, to hating him, in the space of a school year. He thought he was god's gift, and in all honesty, if he was, he is a gift I would return
 "Bailey!" I heard my Mum call from downstairs, telling me I was definitely running it close now for time. I know Jordan had already headed over to the packhouse a while ago with my Dad to meet his friend and our Alpha. "I know." I yelled back, looking at the books on my desk, desperate to continue with the assignment I was working on. I would so much rather continue working on the assignment and gain the additional credit available, work toward going to the college I want to go to instead of going to a party for the big-headed bully, I got to consider almost family, considering he was the son of my Dad's best friend. I stood from my seat, and walked to my mirror, adjusting my black skater dress I had chosen to wear today. Something plain and simple, easy to blend into the background, but a dress all the same if anyone asked why I hadn't made an effort. Along with my chunky black sandals, I looked presentable, not that anyone would be looking at me. Today, all eyes would be on the birthday boy, as they always were. He would make sure of that. I flicked back my curly brown hair, before I walked out of the door, already dreading the hours that lay ahead
 My Mum pulled the car into the parking spaces outside the packhouse, while my younger sister Morgan was flicking at the curls around my head, simply trying to irritate me. She knew I would rather be anywhere but here right now, and was loving every last moment of it. "Aww, you want to go home Bailey-boo?" she teased. "Stop you two, come on, your Dad is waiting inside. Let us go and find the birthday boy." Mum says, sounding cheerful, completely oblivious to the fact how horrendous this party had the potential to be. She, too, worshiped Miles. Having seen him grow up alongside my brother, she seemed to think the sun shone out of his rear-end. It had always driven me insane. "He won't even notice us there." I muttered under my breath as I followed her up the steps of the back house, shaking my head at my sister and how overdressed she looked. She definitely looked like she was out to impress someone today. A small part of me wondered if she hoped she might be the fated mate of Miles. After all, he was meeting his Alpha wolf today. He will have shifted for the first time today, and today could potentially be the day he can sense his fated mate out there waiting for him! There had been so much buzz around school about this, so many of the girls were excited about the potential possibility they could be his fated mate. The one chosen for him by the moon goddess. The one destined to be with him. So many of them are desperate for it to be them. While there I was desperate for anything but. I could think of nothing worse! Yet, looking at the amount of effort my younger sister had made today, I am beginning to think she was one of the many she-wolves that was holding out that hope
 We walked through the corridors of the packhouse, and it was filled with various pack members. Today was a day of celebration within pack, the birthday of the upcoming Alpha. And not just any birthday, the day he came of age. The day he met his Alpha wolf. The walls of the packhouse were adorned with decorations, music was blaring from various speakers dotted around the multiple rooms. "Ooff, sorry!" a giggling she-wolf said to me as she nearly knocked me off my feet as she knocked into me. I would rather be anywhere but here right now. This was far too hectic and far too loud for me. I simply glare at the back of the girl as she moves away from me, not a care in the world. I followed my Mum and my sister, who was almost skipping as she walked, toward the main lounge area. I can only assume my Mum had mindlinked my Dad to let him know we had arrived, and he said they were there, or else we could spend all day looking around for them! It appeared almost every member of the pack had turned up to celebrate the birthday of Miles. The lounge area was laden with people, music truly blasting, and everyone seeming to have a good time. Everyone but me. I caught the eye of my brother, leaning against the wall of the lounge, the furthest away from the door we had just walked into. He nodded in my direction before simply turning away. 'Could have made an effort, Bailey.' he mindlinked. 'It is a birthday, not a funeral, you know?' I felt my heart sink at his words. Great, the insults were starting already, which meant it would only be a matter of time until Miles started too. The two of them seemed to like working together like that. Finding great enjoyment in harassing me. I was only a year younger than both of them, and had desperately hoped the name-calling and insulting would ease off as they got a little older, but if anything, they seemed to get worse. All because I wasn't like the girls they were interested in, I was sure of it. I wasn't like the other girls. Made myself an easy target, my Mum told me, all because I enjoyed studying. Liked reading and learning. Said, I only made it harder for myself. The plan was to make it easier for myself by finding a way out
 "Jordan says your dress looks like you are going to a funeral, Bailey." Morgan teased, fluffing up my curls again. My long brown hair fell in thick, unruly curls down my back. They drove me mad at times. Especially when my brother and sister decide to mess with them. "Oh well, I wore a dress, like you asked." I snapped, moving away from them, feeling angry already, so tempted just to turn around and walk home, only to be pulled back by my Mum. "We are going to wish Miles a happy birthday. You will stay for a while at least. I do not need to be explaining to your Aunt and Uncle yet again why you have walked out on a social event, Bailey." Mum warned me, her tone sounding grumpy, I swear she had to have read my thoughts on leaving the party already. I am sure she hated having me as a daughter, likely wishing for one that was more sociable, and one that enjoyed being a part of everything, instead of one that would rather have her head in a book. "Awww, Happy Birthday, Miles!" I heard my sister squeal from by my side. I swear she spoke at a pitch so high only dogs could hear. Goddess knows why she is so excited. It is only his birthday. He likely doesn't even care, he never normally does
 As I looked up, his blue eyes were locked on me, I raised my gaze to meet his, and could see his eyes shift to a darker blue
 was that his wolf? I see a snarl across his face as he suddenly storms from the room. What was that about? 'Get out here.' Miles is suddenly mindlinking me, and I have to say he sounded far from impressed. That, combined with the angry expression on his face, told me something was off. Would he have rather I had not come? Well, he was not the only one
 'What?' I questioned, completely confused. Was he annoyed over how I had dressed too? Jeez, it was just a dress. Does it really matter? I would go home if it was. 'Outside now.' He demanded once more, sounding even more irritated this time, making me realize I had little choice but to follow his command, so I snuck away from the ongoing party back to the doors of the packhouse. Only to find Miles pacing along the end of the steps, looking a mixture of confused and angry. So why did he need me here? Someone to take his anger out on? I was not willing to be that, I was sure about that
 Just as I was about to walk away, he looked up. “It took you long enough." He snapped. I frowned, unsure what this was all about, but it was making no sense to me as I looked down toward him from where I stood at the top of the packhouse steps. His blue eyes shifted to the dark blue once more, like they had inside, taking me by surprise. His wolf is clearly lingering
 "What is wrong, Miles? Do you want me to get Jordan?" I asked. "No I do not! I do not want anyone knowing this." He snarls, a growl slipping from his mouth, though whether that was aimed at me or whether his wolf was angry at him, I do not know
 "I don't think I understand
" I began. "You soon will." He sneers, and I simply look to him in confusion. Nothing he says makes sense to me. Until he continues. "Only today did I realize. The thought makes me sick. Why our own moon goddess would play a trick like this on me, I don't know. I am an Alpha. I deserve a strong mate. A beautiful mate to be proud of. Not some feeble pathetic wallflower." My body trembles at his words. No. I had yet to gain my wolf. I did not know this yet. Why
 Why him of all people? "I am your fated mate?" I question with a shaky voice. "Are you sure?" "Are you doubting me?" he yells. "And you won't be. The moment you have your wolf, I will decide when the time is right to reject you." My heart twists and contorts at the thought. Rejection was meant to be the most painful thing possible. Why would he want to reject the mate chosen for him by our own moon goddess? Am I truly so repulsive? Chapter 2 A Year Later Yet another birthday party for our beloved upcoming Alpha. Ha. Not my beloved upcoming Alpha. I hated him. Breaking my heart without a second thought. What I had done to deserve that I had never got a proper explanation from him. Other than the frequent insults, of why would he want to be with someone like me? Did I look like Luna material to him? I had no clue. What did Luna material look like in his eyes? Some blond bimbo, no doubt. They were the she-wolves he tended to spend his time with within our pack. The ones who worshiped the ground he walked on. That would do anything he asked of them. Ones that I highly doubted read much more than the work set of them at school. "Bailey!" my Mum yelled at me from the stairway of our family home. "Will you hurry up?!" "Do I really need to come to the party?" I responded. "I am telling you, Miles will not be bothered if I am not there!" "Your Aunt and Uncle will be though. And I am not explaining to them again why you are missing." My Mum continues yelling. "Do you not realize just how many events you have missed this year, all because you have your head in a book?" "Yeah Bai-Bai. Such a geek. No wonder you have no friends." My sister Morgan giggles from outside my bedroom door. I hissed. "I have friends." I stormed from my room, and down the stairs toward my waiting family. I planned to greet the birthday boy, not that he would care in the slightest. I know that he would rather not see me at all. And then I would sneak home. "Ew, are you wearing that?" Morgan asked. I looked down at the skinny black trousers I had on and the white tank top. Great. Nothing I wear is approved of by my sister, evidently named the fashion queen without my knowledge. Oh well, I am dressed and wearing it. I think it looked good with my chunky black sandals I had on
 I scowled at my sister and walked out of the door. "Are we going or not?" I snapped at them all, truly not able to wait for the following month when I leave to go to university. Get away from them, and this pack! The party was well underway when we arrived, music pounding from the speakers as couples made out in every available space, so I averted my eyes as we walked through the corridors of the packhouse to the lounge where we would no doubt find Miles reigning over his people. Being all important, like he was partial to considering himself. 'Why are you here?' Miles's voice filled my mindlink, before I had even fully got into the room behind my parents. Great. 'I didn't get a choice. Trust me, I would rather not be.' I snapped back. I was getting more than a little tired of the way he would treat me. Yes, he planned on rejecting me. Decided I was not for him, but he could have left it at that. I didn't need treating like I was some sort of social pariah because of the fact he decided I was not right for him. I do not think I deserved that. I had endured enough bullying through my time in high school, for the fact I enjoyed my education. 'Oh. Excuse me? Are you implying you were not going to come to the party of your next Alpha?' Miles links with some serious attitude. 'Miles, you just asked why I had bothered coming. Now you are asking if I was not going to come? Make your mind up.' I argued. 'Remember who I am Bailey. You are not above me. Never will be. Could have been equal to me at most had I seen you as suitable to be my mate, but no. You were beneath that honor.' He sneers. I felt anger racing through me. 'And you think I would not have rejected you?' I snapped, moving back toward the exit, not wanting to be here anymore. Until I felt a hand grabbing the back of my tank top, yanking me back. My eyes darted upward to see the dark eyes of Miles. Sneering down at me. Our Pack's upcoming Alpha. The most arrogant man I think I have ever met. One, thankfully, I did not have to be mates with any longer as he had chosen to reject his own fated mate before even giving her a chance. "Going somewhere Bailey?" he asked, his voice full of spite. "Well, I do believe you asked me why I was here, so I assumed you wanted me to leave." I told him. Miles bows his head down so it is level with mine, he inhales deeply, like he still enjoys the scent of me. He has done this numerous times of late, which I find quite bizarre. But, I ignore him as he tilts his head to look at me, "Hmm, I think my Mum and Dad may have something to say if you leave. Their clever little Bailey. Heaven forbid." He presses his forehead against mine. "Just stay away from me, and do not spoil my fun." I shake my head in disbelief at him, as he stalks away. Did he even think for a moment I would be going near him if I could avoid it? I would rather be anywhere but near him! "Bailey, why are you harassing my friend for?" I heard my brother, Jordan demand, as he suddenly approached, causing many people to turn around and look at me. Wonderful. Nothing like starting pack gossip is there. I am sure Miles would appreciate that! "I wasn't harassing him, he came to speak to me. Asking why I had come." I told him, and my brother laughed. He is as much an idiot as Miles. Any of my friends who have big brothers hate how protective they are. Me? No, my big brother is the one leading all the bullying and being cruel to me. He finds great embarrassment in the fact his younger sister is far from being one of the popular group, and is, in his words, 'far too into her books'. I think, in all honesty, my entire family found me, in one way or another, a huge embarrassment. "Well, he has a point. Not like you will be joining in with the celebrations. You will probably be sitting in a quiet corner somewhere reading." He teases. "Well, it is certainly more intellectually pleasing than any of you would be." I smirked at him as I walked away from my brother who was standing looking confused. I am sure he had no clue what I meant. The scary thing is he will be the next, pack Beta. Heaven help our pack. Between him and Miles they only had one brain cell between them, and that was one that they shared, I am sure of it! And even then, I think it was rechargeable and started losing power and knowledge at a rapid rate! They only graduated high school because they paid people to do their work for them. As I snuck away, out of the busy lounge to the top of the stairway, where I hoped to hide out for as long as possible, I heard footsteps behind me. I quickly turned, hoping it was simply someone on their way to their bedroom or even to one of the spare bathrooms on this floor. But, sadly, luck was not on my side tonight. No. Miles was following me. Eyebrows raised and looking quite irritated. "Oi. I want to talk to you." he demanded. "You asked me to go away a minute ago, didn't you?" I asked him. "Don't think so, think it was more a case of why you were here." Miles says with a smirk. Sitting on the top step with me. "Miles, you have the whole pack here for your birthday, I am sure whatever you need to speak to me about can wait." I shrugged, desperately craving peace, which, considering the pounding beat of the music playing, would be difficult. "No. Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" he questions, like he is irate at the fact I had not let him know. Why would I let him know? "Why would I? We aren't friends, Miles. You also are not my Alpha yet. It was arranged with my parents, me and your Dad, as Alpha." I explained to him, unsure why this would even bother him. If anything, I would think he would be glad to get rid of me. "You are going away though." he murmurs. "That is generally what happens when you go to college or university. Yeah." I said with another shrug. "There wasn't one closer to home?" he hisses. "Because it seems to me you picked the one furthest away." "What does it matter to you? You hate me. I won't be here, You get your wish of being rid of me." I snapped, truly sick of him trying to dictate to me what I should and shouldn't be doing. I had worked hard in school, so I could do this. My parents had spoken to my Aunt and Uncle, the Luna and Alpha of our pack to allow me special permission to go to a university out of state to study, saying it was what I had dreamed of. I had nothing holding me back. And, with the fact Miles did not want me for his mate, or his Luna, I truly did not. Not that any of them knew of that. That was our own secret. Even despite the pull to him as my mate since my wolf had arrived, I still found him truly repulsive. He sickened me. Though, the pains when he slept with the many she-wolves that visited his bed, made it even easier to detest the man that he had become. I still had no clue what I had done to deserve this treatment from this man, other than not being one of the popular group. But, I knew I deserved better than him. Miles glanced at me, momentarily a thoughtful look passed over his face, almost caring, before a hardness replaced it. "That much is true. No more having to see the disappointing failure the moon goddess made of mating me to you. At least not for a few years. Who knows, perhaps you will meet someone while there. I suggest you do. That way you won't have to come back, because, I, as Alpha, will be looking for my Luna." "Miles, I honestly do not care if you find someone else." I told him, going to stand and head home, not wishing to spend another moment in the same place as him. As I went to move away, he grabbed my hand, pulling me to him, so I was once more sitting level with him on the top step of the first floor landing of our packhouse. "Always so righteous aren't you Bailey? You say you don't care? We will see. Well, this will be on my terms. I, Miles Davenport, reject you, Bailey West, as my fated mate
" he began, and my head began to whirl as his words sunk in. The realization and excruciating pain of what was happening becoming too much for me
 Chapter 3 Three Years Later I drove the long road down to pack. I hated this drive. Lotus Shadow Pack. Though, three years away, studying had been truly amazing. Transforming myself into the woman I should always have been. Confident. Self-assured. Brave. Just me. And now a fully qualified teacher. As a she-wolf, you spend so many years of your life being told your focus is finding your fated mate. Settling down with them and creating a strong matebond. A love. A family. Well, once I had come to accept that my naïve, teenage dreams would never surface, thanks to the moon goddess pairing me with a mate so incapable of loving anyone other than himself, I decided that my focus would be my career. My education had always been something I took great pride in. I loved to learn, and I had decided that I wanted to pass that gift along. I no longer cared what others thought of me. And, while at university, it felt so wonderful to be surrounded by others who felt the same way. I finally felt like I fit in somewhere. And, I believe that is what allowed me to become the person I was meant to be. However, now, I had to return to my pack, at their requirements. The agreement was, once I had completed my degree, I would return home. Unless, of course, I had found my fated mate. But, I knew within my heart, that was never to happen. For, my fated mate sat at home. Lording it over our pack. Acting like he was the best thing since sliced bread. Sleeping with any she-wolf that came near him, from what I heard, having rejected me. I pulled up at our guarded pack gates. Harley, one of our pack warriors, currently on guard duty, stepped forward to my car window. "ID" he asked. I frowned at him. I do not think I have been asked for ID before when returning home, even in all the times I have visited home, though in all fairness, those visits have been few and far between. My visits were only when they were required of me. I had grown to loathe this place, and coming back had become less of a priority for me over the time I was away... "Harley, it is me. Bailey." I explained, trying not to smile at his mistake. Harley looked at me closer. "Sorry Bailey, didn't really recognize you there. You changed your hair. And you aren't wearing your glasses. You look good." He says with a shrug, quickly looking away, clearly embarrassed by his faux-pas. I smirk at his response. Yes, my hair is somewhat tamer than it used to be. The curls straightened out, and my hair now neat and sleek down my back. My glasses I had worn for reading had been long gone. Having got my eyes fixed with laser eye surgery whilst away. Plus, I now wore a little simple make-up to accentuate my features. Nice to know somebody has noticed a difference
 "No problem. You still need ID?" I asked him. He grins at me. "I think I know who you are. Nice to see you." he nods at me in acknowledgment as the gate opens for me. "Maybe catch you around while you are back." He adds as I begin to drive away. I smiled in response, I guess there would be nothing to stop me catching up with any guy I wanted to now. Not that I was really bothered right now... but it was not like I had a fated mate to wait for any longer. And it wasn't like Miles was making a point of staying single. Every time I had returned home, he had had a different she-wolf on his arm. Parading them through pack like a prized possession, only to have traded her in by the time I returned on my next visit. He was turning into quite the lothario. And quite a joke in my eyes. I set off along the quiet, familiar roads of our sweet old pack. The evening sun was settling in the sky as I moved my car down the route to my family home. No doubt my Mum would be there waiting for me, perhaps my Dad, if he was in from work by now. My brother and sister, I was unsure. They still both lived at home with my parents, but were back and forth to friends' homes and my brother was looking to move into the Beta suite in the packhouse soon enough, in preparation for taking on the role from my father when the time came. Either way, they rarely bothered to rush home to see me when they knew I was returning. I don't think seeing me was at the top of their priority list
 I pulled my car up on the street in front of my familiar family home. I could not believe I was home. Stuck back here. The dread within my stomach churned heavily at the prospect of many years stuck here. Miserable and unhappy, with no way out, now my fated mate had rejected me. Not that anyone other than Miles and I knew of that. No. He had decided he would be considered weak if others knew an Alpha had gone against the powerful Moon Goddess's choice. So, this was our secret. Or he would make me pay in ways I did not want to imagine, apparently. And, in all honesty, I did not want to think of it. He had allowed me to go away to do my degree. Doing the final bit of convincing when my Uncle, the current Alpha, and Miles's father, along with my parents were on the fence. Or, so he said. How true that was, I would never likely know the truth, but it had been for that reason, and that alone I had chosen to do as he had asked. If he had done the things he said, then he had allowed me to fulfill my dream of gaining my degree of teaching away from pack. To allow me to be just me, not the daughter of the pack Beta. And I have thrived because of it. But, now, I had to return. Back to where I belonged. And, while I may have gained my degree, I had no real future prospects. I was likely stuck here. I stepped from the car, determined more than ever to find work, as I heard my Mum's voice. "Bailey!" she greeted me from the porch steps, a big smile upon her face. "You look beautiful sweetheart." I smiled back at her, as I moved toward the front door. Only to see Miles leaving the house next door to ours. The Alpha home. Could I have timed my arrival home any worse? His eyes met mine, giving me a dark stare before looking at my Mum. "Hi Aunt Brianna. You didn't say she was home today." Mum smiled at Miles like she thought the world of him, though most of the time she generally did. "Ah, I think it slipped my mind. Bailey is home for good now, Miles. How wonderful is that?" Once more, Miles gave me a dark stare. "Hmmm. Truly wonderful." he said with some serious contempt in his voice. 'You stay out of my way unless I say otherwise, you understand?' Miles mindlinks me, as he moves toward his car. "Are you not going to speak to him Bai?" Mum tries. "He will be Alpha this time next year, you know?" "Oh it doesn't matter, Aunt Brianna. Bailey will be excused this time. I am sure she is tired from her drive back home. But no doubt I will be seeing her around. And yes, she will have to get used to me as her senior. Her Alpha." He says with a sneer, and at his words my stomach twists into knots. I don't think I can stay here
 I not only need to find work, I need to find work away from my pack, so I can move away to get away from my psychotic Alpha and ex-mate! Chapter 4 I sit out in the garden drinking my morning coffee, with my laptop open scrolling desperately through the work vacancies, when I hear a deep growl to my left, causing me to swirl my head to look. Miles was resting his head on the garden fence from next door, overlooking our back garden, to where I was sitting. Watching me intently, the look upon his face was one of sheer disgust... I had no clue how long he had been standing there, or what had angered him to the point of growling, but he had made me jump. "Miles." I snapped, giving him a dark scowl. I had done well the past week since arriving and stayed out of his way. Managing to ensure I avoided all pack events, and ensuring I dodged any places he was likely to be. Yes, it meant I spent an awful lot of time in my bedroom at home, but I would rather do that than have to copel with him. Today, the sun was glorious, and I thought it would be nice to take my breakfast outside while I looked for jobs online. Sitting on the patio furniture we have in the back garden, under the warmth of the morning sunshine, my coffee was enjoyable, all until he disturbed me. I shook my head in his direction, wondering why he had snuck up on me. He had so many more places he could be... "Who do you think you are cursing at?" Miles snarled. "The creep who did exactly that. Crept up on me out of the blue for no good reason." I rolled my eyes at him in disgust, only to see this seemed to anger him further. Though, I think anything I did would anger Miles. He seemed to hold some serious resentment towards me at the moment, but should I really expect anything less? "I will come over there for you, Bailey." He hissed. "For me?" I questioned his choice of words. "How? You asked me to stay out of your way. That is what I am doing." "What are you doing?" he chose to ignore my words, and looks to my laptop screen instead, so I slowly shut the screen down, so he would be unable to see. I do not want him knowing I am applying for work outside the area. I would not put it past him to stop it from happening. He seems to be being deliberately nasty of late, so I truly do not know what he would sink to, to be nasty towards me
 "Nothing of your concern." "I am your Alpha. So, all that goes on in my pack is my business." He tells me with a smirk. I shook my head with a smirk back, "Hmm, not quite Miles, you are not. Your Dad is still Alpha, so don't be getting ahead of yourself." An angry look flared across his face once more. His handsome features contorted in fury. He did not like having people disagree with him. But I was not about to have him dictating to me... "Just because you were my mate once upon a time does not give you the right to talk to me however you please, you know." Miles snarls. "She is your mate?" a voice questions, causing us both to whip our heads round, only to see the unexpected face of Miles's younger brother Ellis. I look at Miles with despair now, my heart pounding and my palms becoming sweaty. Wondering what he planned to do now the secret we had kept between us for so long was out now
 how had neither of us heard him coming? "No she is not. She rejected me." Miles said coldly, looking at me as if daring me to disagree with him. Wait... he was making it out like I had rejected him? I looked at Miles in shock, but the look within his eyes was like he dared me to argue. "You rejected your Alpha? What kind of fool are you?" Ellis asked as his eyes looked me up and down like a piece of dirt. Sadly, a look I am more than used to. "Do Mum and Dad know?" Miles shakes his head. "No. I don't want them to either. It would worry them too much, Els, please do not say anything. Bailey and I were never a good match, so perhaps she made the right choice. Please for me?" Miles is pleading with his brother, and part of me wonders if he is worried what his family would do if they learned of his decision to go against the Moon Goddess. As an Alpha, this was almost unheard of. Blaming me was gutless. But, if that is what he wants to do, then let him. 'Do not even think of saying anything different.' Miles's voice reverberates through my mind via the link. 'Or you will learn to regret it. That degree you love so much could easily be destroyed.' I took in the words Miles had said, and the sad thing is, I do not doubt them. I would not put it past him finding a way to have my degree removed. Having me stuck within our pack. He would be Alpha soon enough, and he would be the one able to dictate what I did... I had little choice but to do as he asked. Yet i felt anger racing through my veins... I lifted my laptop and stood from my seat. "I will talk to you however I like Miles. When you seem to think you can treat me however you like." and with that I walked away from the two brothers, both looking at me, walking away in shock. I know I would come to regret what I had just said, but I truly no longer cared
 Chapter 5 I pace the corridor of the packhouse for yet another night. Sleepless nights are becoming the most repetitive thing for me now. Almost tiresome
 or they would be if I could actually sleep! Nightmares plaguing my dreams were the thing stopping my sleep
 making me fear sleep
 visions of that night
 reoccurring time and time again
 the rogues invading our pack lands
 us losing control
 and them hurting my precious Isla. My beautiful Isla. Fate had barely brought us together
 life could be cruel
 and it made me relive that night, time and time again through my dreams
 the pain as her life ebbed away
 the inability to be able to save her
 the pain in her eyes
 the fear
 it made me hate life
 hate fate. And now, now it makes me fear sleep. Which is what found me pacing these godforsaken corridors every night
 "Alright Beta!" Marc, one of our young warriors, greeted me enthusiastically, telling me he had likely been out spending time with friends. Especially returning to his room at this early hour of the morning. "Hey Marc." I smiled, raising my eyebrows questioningly at him as he stumbled toward the stairs. He was barely able to walk in a straight line. "I not been dinking, honest boss." He mutters with a chuckle. These guys make me smile. How could they not? Barely past shifting age, and newly trained warriors. They clearly decided to drink themselves to the point of stupor. Which, considering we are werewolves and drink has little to no effect on us in small doses, they had to have been drinking excessive amounts! Likely coming up with new and different drinking challenges to see who could drink the most, that was what they so often did. But, I can't say I had not done the same when I first shifted and on many a younger night with friends. It was all part of growing up for many, wasn't it? Especially for our warriors, I knew that, having helped many a drunken warrior home in the past. And I am sure they had had a good night and many good memories to look back on
 if they could actually remember any of them, of course! "I never said a word Marc." I gave him a nod as he fell up the stairs. I continued my pacing of the corridor only to hear a few more drunken voices approaching, I assume likely Marc's drunk friends. And, I, not in the right frame of mind to have to cope with anyone else tonight, ducked into the short corridor off the main hallway of the packhouse. Leading to my office. I could sit in here until they passed and then make my way back to my room, and hopefully, I could attempt to gain at least a few hours' sleep tonight, so I would be at least partially functionable tomorrow
 "What are you doing down here?!" a voice made me jump awake from my sleep, making me stir, and realize just how uncomfortable I was. My whole body ached. The crick in my neck felt like it had been locked in a vice... Though, as I moved, it was only then I realized I had fallen asleep sitting at my office desk. I had been asleep collapsed over my office desk since the early hours of the morning when I came in here to hide from the drunken warriors
 I sleepily raised my eyes upward, only to see my best friend, and the pack Alpha, standing next to my desk looking more than a little concerned, looking down over me. "Asher?" he questioned. "Why are you sleeping down here? This has to be the third or fourth time in a matter of weeks. And don't get me started on all the time prior to that." I sighed. Just what I need, him on my case. The third degree once again. Am I ok? Do I need some help? Support? That is likely what Caleb was about to start with
 like always. He couldn't help it. Though, I didn't want to sound ungrateful. He was my closest friend after all, and he did just care. But, sometimes, some people just needed their space! It wasn't like he could help
 he couldn't stop my suffering
 this has been going on too long now
 "Was struggling to sleep, so I came down to work. I am guessing I must have crashed." I told him. Not quite the truth, but it would do
 Caleb didn't need to know that my sleep was so badly disturbed that I struggled to sleep every night. That my nights were so messed up I hadn't slept properly since Isla had left
 "Is everything okay, Asher?" Caleb asked, and I could hear the concern dripping from his voice, like it so often does of late. "Eden said she has been worrying about you
 that you just haven't seemed yourself since the rogue attacks began. She said you seem so distant. So withdrawn." I shook my head with a disgusted roll of my eyes. So, they had been discussing me? Do they think that is acceptable? Yes, Eden may be his mate, and the Luna of the pack, as well as my friend, but I do not need to be some sort of sympathy case that needs to be sat and discussed between them over their evening meal! I am fine! I am the pack Beta. I focused my eyes upon my friend, a dark glare hopefully saying all I needed to. "Caleb, you may be a friend, but please, for the love of god,I am fine. Tired, yes. Stressed, yes. We have been coping with rogue attacks regularly until lately. We need to work on improving the pack, which is what we are working on doing. It doesn't come easily. It takes time. It takes energy and effort. So yeah, I am stressed and tired. Is that not my duty?" I snap, knowing I am already overstepping the mark talking to my Alpha in that way. He knew I had lost my mate because of these rogue attacks too, so you would think he would have shown at least a little understanding
 but I wanted to continue going
 needed to keep functioning or else I had nothing
 Caleb looks to me with a shake of his head. "Fine. Go get showered. We have a meeting in half an hour." I sighed. There was no other way to describe it. I think I almost enjoyed the pain I felt. I enjoyed the darkness that lingered over me now. It was who I had become. The Asher I had been was gone. He was gone the moment Isla’s life was taken from her. The moment she was taken from me. The young, carefree, happy, joker always laughing and joking with pack members was long gone. Replaced with a withdrawn, isolated, lonely guy who felt down most of the time. Avoiding interaction with pack members whenever he could, and now had a reputation for being moody and snappy
 Gone was the happy, handsome Beta, leaving more a moody monster that nobody wanted to be around
 LEARN_MORE https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13438&u Galaxy in the Story https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ 1,368 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 wwwedb.com DCO https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13438&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455962258_511401484779370_8208488173847941736_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2peHZbtDJJQQ7kNvgEyb1Lt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZHunWkxg4X0RHxb9rme8kY&oh=00_AYAm-GExxq3bP2VUkCI5ZFngN_I4PjRN9qvCM_lBKiScuA&oe=670410A9 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Galaxy in the Story 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:52 active 1567 0 Click To Read More👉 “You’re soaked,” Alpha Aden groans, kneeling between my legs. My wolf is clawing and clawing at me, desperate for his touch. But I can’t
 Because he’s my boyfriend’s father. === I’d just about given up hope on ever feeling my heat. By the time most she-wolves were my age, they’d already settled down and had at least one pup. Instead, I felt like I was dead inside until I met Hudson a few months ago. He ignites a spark in me, something I think could be more. My love life is looking up, and I think I’m finally ready to take the next step. Not just because things were
awakened
today. But because Hudson is perfect. He’s sexy, thoughtful, attentive
. We can talk for hours about the books we love. And when I said I didn’t want to go too far too fast, he was okay with that. He’s never pushed for more than kissing. When I told him I wasn’t ready to sleep with him yet, he was okay and didn’t try to make me feel guilty. It made me like him even more. Today
today I’m ready. And I’m going to tell him. I take a sip of my cappuccino as I look at him. Goddess, he’s handsome. Tall and muscular but not too bulky, and I love how his curly chestnut hair falls into his green eyes. Hudson catches me staring at him as he reads, looking up and flashing me that sexy, playful grin of his. He sticks a receipt between the pages to mark his place, sets the book beside him on the couch, and then shifts his body to turn toward me. “Whatcha thinkin’, lovely?” My cheeks flush. “Do you really want to know?” “Always,” Hudson replies, placing a warm hand on my leg right above my knee. “I think I’m ready.” All of the air leaves my lungs as I finally say the words. Hudson’s eyes widen, and his fingers tighten on my leg. Before he can answer, movement over his shoulder catches my eye. One of the biggest dudes I’ve ever seen is standing at the end of a row of books, staring at us. Intently. He looks
scary. There’s something about him that dings my radar, even though I’m used to seeing criminals in the prison. He’s well over six feet tall, and his professional suit does nothing to disguise how bulky he is. My eyes are drawn to the cruel scar that runs diagonally over his face, almost splitting his nose in two. I sniff the air. Definitely a wolf shifter, too. So how does he have a scar like that? I can’t fathom what would have happened to permanently mark him like that. A shudder runs through me at the thought. “Hudson
 There’s
a guy over there. And he’s staring right at us,” I say quietly. Hudson turns to look directly at the brawny guy, and I want to sink into the floor when the guy starts walking toward us. “Don’t worry about him,” Hudson answers, frustration in his voice. “Hudson, he’s looking right at—” “He’s with me. That’s Preston. He’s
my bodyguard.” Hudson shoots a glare at the huge guy, his brow furrowing. The guys stops walking toward us. “He usually does a better job of keeping out of sight.” Wait, what? He needs a bodyguard? My eyes go to the fancy watch he’s wearing today. I’d always assumed it was a knock-off, but now I’m not so sure
 The questions are stacking up, and my wolf is on edge. What else is Hudson hiding? And why has none of this ever come up before on our dates? More importantly, how did I miss all of this? I’m a trained professional. Reading people and evaluating them is literally my job right now. If I can’t even read my own boyfriend, how will I ever succeed in my chosen profession. My stomach twists. “Just ignore him. My dad gets overprotective.” Hudson rolls his eyes. “Honestly, he’s so stressed out about safety that he could use a shrink like you to give him some counseling.” He laughs, then winks at me playfully. I can tell the conversation is over and I’m not going to get anything else out of him. “Anytime,” I mutter, nervously playing with my long red hair, worrying about the mismatch between Hudson’s apparent wealth and my poor grad student status. I’ve never met anyone who has a bodyguard. “Can I get you anything else?” Hudson and I look up at the barista smiling down at us, a handsome blond-haired guy with an apron tied around his waist. The guy’s timing couldn’t be worse. “No thanks, Chase,” I say, giving him a big grin at the same time Hudson smiles and says, “Can we both get refills?” “Oh, actually
” I look up at the clock and push my hair back behind my ears. If I don’t leave now, I’m going to be late for my job doing psych evaluations at the state prison. “She’ll take hers to go then,” Hudson says, rising from our sofa. He follows Chase back to the coffee counter to grab our drinks. I start to pack up my bag so I can grab the next train, when I notice Hudson’s phone vibrating on the table. When the number disappears, his home screen shows a family photo. The tall man in the back is certainly his dad, the other maybe an older brother? As I’m staring at the picture, the phone rings again—the same number. Must be important. I grab the phone and sling my bag over my shoulder, heading towards the coffee counter. But there’s no one here. I look around, confused. I definitely just saw Chase and Hudson head this way
 There’s a noise from the back room, a strange and muffled thump and a moan. I take two steps forward and peek around the door. Maybe they both— Oh my god. Not two feet from me, my boyfriend presses Chase up against the wall of the storage room. One fist is wrapped in the fabric of Chase’s shirt, the other down Chase’s pants. He’s kissing him passionately, hungrily. Chase’s eyes are closed, his hands fumbling at the button and zipper of Hudson’s pants—whispering my boyfriend’s name. My heart stops for a few seconds as I stare at the scene in front of me. Then, rage takes over—masking the hurt starting to unfurl in my chest. “Are you kidding me!?” I’m not even thinking as I chuck the phone at Hudson and his lover. The guys jump, leaping apart. “Brooklyn— I—” Hudson’s face is full of shock. Tears in my eyes, I run from the room and from the coffee shop. “Brooklyn!” Hudson spills out onto the street behind me. “You don’t understand!” He grabs my arm, pulling me back to him. If ever I forgot he was a male wolf more powerful than me, I’m reminded of his strength now. “I really like you,” he says, his eyes filled with apology. “You’re amazing
 It’s just that my family wouldn’t understand, wouldn’t approve—” He scrubs a hand over his face. “You know how some wolves are about this kind of thing. How some packs are. This
me and Chase
 It’s complicated.” “So, what? You just want me to be your pretend girlfriend!?” I rip my arm from his hand. “Not interested.” “Please. I can make this right! How much do you want? One million? Three million?” He pulls out his phone, and I see him tap on a banking app. “I don’t want your money.” Hudson blinks in confusion, and I turn away. “I’ll keep your secret, and you don’t need to pay me off. I just don’t want to see you again.” Just like that, my possible fairy tale with Prince Charming was over. I hurry down the street, my eyes filling with angry tears. My wolf, Lena, is struggling to take over. She wants to go back and tear Hudson to shreds. His bodyguard would probably keep that from happening, though. But a girl can dream. I manage to make it on the train in time, sinking onto the bench and closing my eyes. My head falls back to rest against the window, and I take deep, calming breaths to re-center myself. Today couldn’t have gone any worse. No wonder I’m still a vergin
my instincts were so off that I’ve been dating a gay man. Nope. Not gonna wallow. Lena chuffs in agreement. *** Two hours later, I’m seated at a plastic table in a cinder-block cell, my hands are resting on my paperwork in front of me, and my hair is tied back in what I hope is a professional look. My leg jitters with nerves. I need to shift, to run off this excess energy, these raging emotions. But I straighten up in my seat, taking a deep breath. I have to concentrate on my job now, and I’m incredibly tense about my next assignment. I’ve only been assigned basic white-collar criminals thus far. Some human, some wolf, none of them dangerous. But today I have to make an assessment of Aden Kenwood. He’s not just a formidable wolf; he’s a mafia king, too. His unmatched cruelty and the unbelievable lengths he’ll go to in order to protect his power are infamous in Grayling City. As a psychology grad student working on my real-life work assignments here at the prison, they typically assign me all of the easy psych evals. But the guy who handles the werewolf inmate evals is out today, and everyone else on staff is human. The last thing they are going to do is put a human in the room with such a notorious and dangerous wolf shifter. So
I’m up to bat. And the incident with Hudson? Not helping my nerves one bit. The hallway door clangs open, and I quickly stand, pulling down on the hem of my blazer to straighten it. This is by far the most nervous I’ve been since I started this gig. The guards bring Kenwood around the corner, and I’m surprised. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting this. He looks nothing like what I could have ever pictured. This man is muscular and tall, moving with a kind of dangerous grace. My eyes follow the way his shoulders shift beneath the fabric of his orange prison uniform, the way that the guards flinch a little as they unlock the silver cuffs on his wrists. This is one powerful wolf shifter. No doubt about it. I can see why everyone fears him. His mere presence ignites something in me I’ve never felt before, and I have to squeeze my thighs together to quell the rush of desire between my legs. I stifle a gasp as my eyes finally fall on Kenwood’s face and take him in, my mouth going dry. His dark hair falling over his forehead, his square jaw, the deep frown lines etched over green eyes
 Oh goddess. Is this what a she-wolf’s heat feels like? I gasp as my eyes finally fall on Kenwood’s face and take him in, my mouth going dry. His dark hair falling over his forehead, his square jaw, the deep frown lines etched over green eyes
 Oh my god. I’ve seen this man before. I saw him today—on my boyfriend’s phone. And I’ve seen a younger version of him etched in the features of my boyfriend’s face. Hudson isn’t just some rich kid. He’s the son of the mafia king. Aden I follow the guards to a cinder-block cell at the end of the hallway, noting that my lawyer is standing outside the door. He rolls his eyes at me and points at his watch, indicating that he’ll have me out of here in no time. I nod, then focus my attention on the door. I’m surprised to see a girl. No, not a girl. A young woman—twenty-three, at the most. She stands up, clearly anxious, biting her lip and playing with the long red ponytail that drifts over her shoulder. Her mouth falls open, just slightly, as she takes me in. God dammit. My body tenses at the sight of her—those long legs, knocked at the knees with anxiety, her short white skirt, that ridiculous blazer that she wears so people like me will take her seriously. If my wrists weren’t bound in silver, my canines would be dropping right now, my wolf anxious for a taste of her. I can tell from a single glance that she’s pure as the driven snow—ambitious but poor, eager to prove herself. My eyes rove over her
 What would she look like if I ripped that unflattering blazer off her? I focus again on those red lips, slightly parted. My breath hisses from my mouth at the sight of those lips, at the thought of what I could do with them—of what I could make them do to me. There’s a low rumble in my chest as I hold back my growl, and my pants tighten as I get hard. “Um,” she says, hesitant. I snap my attention back to her jewel-blue eyes. “My name is Brooklyn Knox? I’m here to do your preliminary interview for state psychological assessment?” I grit my teeth, denying the urge to smile slowly at the fact that her statements are presented as questions. God, she’s perfect, this little angel. The feral, leashed part of me wants to know what she’d look like with a little bit of the underworld’s grime smeared all over her. I want to ruin her, put her on her knees for me. I want to own her in every way imaginable, destroy her for any other man. They don’t call me a monster for nothing. “Hello, Brooklyn,” I say, my voice low and hungry as I move forward and settle into the chair across from her. “Where do we begin?”Brooklyn I hesitate, settling down in my chair across from Aden. He’s all feral wolf, and instead of feeling like the strong she-wolf I am, I feel like a doe waiting to feel his teeth sink into my neck for the kill. His wolf flares in his eyes as he stares at me, almost as if he could leap across the table at any moment and gobble me up. Images flash through my mind of my skirt hiked up around my waist while Aden Kenwood buries his face between my thighs, literally gobbling me up
 I give myself a mental shake. Nope. This is Hudson’s father—mafia king, powerful shifter, and bad, bad news. That’s why Hudson has a bodyguard, that’s why he has so much money. I quirk my head to the side, still staring at Kenwood, realizing that this is also why Hudson is hiding his secret. Many of the powerful wolf packs and crimes families in Grayling City are notoriously conservative, and family is everything. A gay son would never be accepted in some packs—especially a son that is expected to provide an heir. I can’t imagine being Hudson
having to hide who I loved, pretending to love someone else. Pulling myself back to the here and now, I realize that the man in front of me is smiling, just slightly, his eyes moving over me as I stare at him like a deer in the headlights. My body’s response to him, thinking about his head buried between my legs
there’s no way he doesn’t smell how turned on I am. I clench my jaw, reminding myself that he is the villain. No matter how much of a traitor my wolf and my body are right now. There is NO way I’m feeling my heat for this man. Not at all. “So.” I turn back to my papers, nervously swallowing. You’ve done this a thousand times, Brooklyn! I remind myself. You could do this in your sleep! “Can you please state your name and place of birth?” I ask, trying to regain control of the assessment. “I believe,” Kenwood says slowly, “that you’re already aware of my history.” He leans back, studying me. I lift my eyes to glare at his boldness—he’s so rude. But, unfortunately, he’s right. Everyone in Grayling City knows this information. I quickly fill out the form. I glance up at him, struck once again by the grim, lethal quality to his face. Aden Kenwood is all jagged edges and rough shards
and some dark part of me wants to cut my teeth on them. I drag my gaze away from him, feeling a shiver pass through me, tapping its fingers down my spine. Somehow, I imagine that they’re Aden’s fingers
 I quickly dismiss the thought and try to focus on what I’m supposed to be doing. My wolf, Lena, whines at me, and I shush her. I’m so off-kilter that I actually have to look down and read the words I’d long ago memorized. “The rest of the questions that I ask you today will be of a personal and psychological nature,” I say, giving the canned speech I’m required to say to all inmates. “The state does require that you answer all questions fully and honestly as part of the assessment. Do you understand?” Aden is silent in response, and I look up at him, a knee-jerk reaction to an unresponsive patient. He’s smirking at me, unblinking. “Little girl,” he says, slowly leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, “what gives you the right to ask me anything about my history and my mind?” I sit straight in my chair, unnerved by such a question. “The state has hired me to administer these examinations—” “Do you have a degree?” he cuts in. “Some kind of
certificate?” The final word is heavy with derision. I frown at him and reach down to rifle through my bag, producing the certified paperwork from the state that qualifies me for this position. “Here. If you’re so curious.” I reach across the table to hand it to him. A second before he grabs my wrist, I realize my mistake. He snatches my hand, fully capturing it in his, pulling me forward against the table, careful not to let the silver binding his wrists touch my skin. It doesn’t quite hurt, but, surprised, I drop the paperwork as I gasp, looking up at him. I’m terrified as he brings my hand close to his face, and then— Oh my goddess— Slowly, indulgently, he runs his nose across the ivory skin of my wrist. “Chamomile, lavender,” he murmurs, closing his eyes, taking in my scent. “So fresh and clean
untainted by the scent of another wolf.” Then he opens his eyes and stares into my bewildered face, wanting to see my reaction as he says, “You must be a vergin.” My lip trembles. His eyes eat me up, savoring the quiver of my lips, my wide, terrified eyes. I swear I feel his tongue flick over my pulse point, hear a low groan. “So innocent, so pure
” His grip tightens, and even confined by silver that should keep it from happening, his wolf flashes in his eyes. “Two of my favorite things to destroy.” Brooklyn A guard flies through the door. “Hands off!” he yells, but Aden has already released my wrist, raising his hands over his head, perfectly calm. “Sorry,” he says, back to smirking, his eyes on me. “Won’t happen again.” I blink at him, sitting back in my chair. I straighten my shoulders, unable to take my eyes off him. “Are you all right, miss?” the guard says, leaning forward to look me over. “I’m fine.” I rub my wrist with my other hand. I’m not hurt, just
shocked? Turned on? Confused? I clear my throat and look back down at my papers. “We will
we will proceed.” I work to steel myself, determined to regain control, to finish this interview. Failure isn’t an option if I want to graduate. I give Kenwood a steady glare, raising my chin. I’m tougher than he thinks I am. Picking up my pen again, I’m grateful that my hands aren’t shaking. “Please,” I say, focusing again on the paper. “Can you tell me about the crime for which you were imprisoned? I see—” “Your little skirt,” he says, grinning wolfishly at the fact that he’s riled me so easily, “is also very precious. You have beautiful legs, and that skirt’s the perfect length to—” “Please, Mr. Kenwood,” I repeat, surprised to hear it come out with a little growl. “I demand your respect during this process. Please be aware that what I report today will affect the rest of your time in prison, as well as your chances for early release. So I suggest that you take this process seriously.” Kenwood’s response is to laugh at me. “Darling,” he says, leaning forward again. “I couldn’t take you seriously if I tried.” I blink at him, stunned, but it quickly turns to rage. I clench my fist, my knuckles almost white, working to keep Lena’s temper at bay inside of me. The last place I can shift is here. Aden looks down at my fist and grins. “Now, now, Doc. No fair teasing. I like it a little rough.” “Mr. Kenwood,” I bite out, “if you aren’t interested in cooperating with me, I’d rather not waste my time. I’ll just let the guard know you’re being combative.” I stand up with bravado I don’t feel, and raise my hand, waving to the guard standing right outside the door. In a flash, Aden’s demeanor changes. Gone is the relaxed, playful wolf who’s been teasing me. Instead of the mischievous twinkle in his eyes at knocking me off-kilter, all the sharp edges and darkness are back. I can’t look away, overwhelmed, almost hypnotized by his glare. Finally, I dart my eyes away, staring down at the floor—anywhere but at him. “You looked away first.” He studies me. “Didn’t your parents, your Alpha teach you not to show weakness? Not to take your eyes off the enemy? In the battlefield, you’d have died by my hand—or my wolf’s teeth. Pitiful.” Riled, I raise my eyes to stare him down, determined not to look away first. “Good,” he laughs. “I like my girls with a little fight in them.” My face goes pale and red at once. I’m enraged, mortified to have fallen for his trick. I know better! But also—god dammit—I feel my nepps go hard under my blazer. His steely gaze moves to my chest, as if he knows it, the rumble of a growl in his chest deepening. I grab my pen again, scrawling words across the paper as fast as I can. Constantly defiant, ruthlessly sociopathic, no remorse. Recommend continued imprisonment, without parole. “This is finished.” I gather my papers as fast as I can, shoving them, crinkled, into my bag. He’s laughing softly as I hurry. I take a breath, throw my shoulders back, and then give him what I hope is a withering glare as I move towards the door. I pound twice on the metal, and the guard lets me out. I don’t look at Kenwood again as I start to leave. “Oh, Doc
” his voice echoes behind me. My cheeks burn and I grit my teeth as I turn to hear his parting words. “I’ll see you on the outside,” he says, giving me a dark smirk. “You can count on it.” “Not if I have anything to say about it,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I storm out, the guard shutting the door behind me. My paperwork recommends his eternal imprisonment. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll never see him again. And good riddance. However, when I return, I get on my laptop and open a search engine. My cheeks grow red for what feels like the millionth time today and I find myself typing “Aden Kenwood” into the search bar. I’m surprised by the results. The news channel that Dad watches every night calls Aden Kenwood the Werewolf Mafia King—or just “the Wolf King” sometimes, to appeal to the human demographic and pearl-clutchers. They are always detailing his dirty deeds, but the sites I’m looking show him standing in front of a tech company in Silicon Valley, calling him the CEO. Another site lists positive reviews of his many businesses, with employees suggesting that he’s a great boss. Still another
 God, is that Brad Pitt he’s shaking hands with in that photo? Scrolling farther down, there are reports and articles about packs wanting to form and make him their Alpha. It appears he always declines
 I gather my hair in my hands, passively starting to braid it as I look through the results, trying to match what I’m seeing here with the man I met in the prison the other day. “Whatcha looking at?” my sister, Jolie flops onto the couch, grabbing the laptop out of my hands. “Hey!” I squeal, snatching at it. “Jolie, give it back!” “Oooohhhh,” she says, scrolling through the photos of Aden. “Now this is a hottie who could light a little fire under me, for sure.” She nods appreciatively. “Who is this?” “Aden Kenwood,” I say, hugging my knees to my chest. “I had to interview him at the prison the other day because the shifter who usually does it was out and I was their only other shifter. He was
unnerving.” Jolie flicks her eyes to me, considering. “Did he scare you?” I shrug. “A little.” She narrows her eyes a bit, snapping the laptop shut. “Okay, that’s it. You’re coming out with me tonight, baby Brooklyn,” she says, sliding across the couch to give me a big hug. “You’ve had a hard time with your gay boyfriend and the scary Mafia King. You’ve got to have some fun!” I laugh, letting her wrap me up. “Okay, okay! Geeze, I’ll come.” Little did I know how much these separate aspects of my life would collide in just a few hours. *** The music pounds in the club and, I have to admit, I’m really starting to have fun. Lena is even loosening up a little bit, and she’s not as on edge as she has been the past few days. Though, she absolutely keeps throwing up images of Kenwood in my mind. Jolie dressed me tonight, which would usually make me uncomfortable, but for once, I let her take charge and decided to step out of my comfort zone and just go with it. What she calls a “dress” is more a sheet of silver fabric that falls across my front and then wraps low around my hips. It’s strapped together across my shoulders with a spiderweb of silver strings. Gotta give it up to that wolf shifter metabolism
I’m showing a lot of skin, but I know I look good. Despite spending the last couple of days drowning myself in Ben & Jerry’s. She also curled my long red hair into waves and gave me shadowy makeup and full red lips. Looking at myself in the club’s mirrored walls, I feel
well, I blush to admit it, but I feel really sexy. It’s a strange feeling. I’m not sure what I expected when Jolie took me to one of “her” clubs, but this feels nothing like a strip club. In fact, so far every woman dancing on the stages is fully clothed. I look around from my spot in a round corner booth, curious as to where everything else happens. Jolie sits down next to me then, laughing. She waves goodbye to the man she had been talking with, then turns her attention to me. Her eyes are a little glazed. “You having fun, baby Brooklyn?” She gives me a wide, inviting smile. I can’t help but smile back. “Yes,” I say, laughing. “Though I’m curious
where does
all the oth—" Jolie stiffens next to me, and I stop talking. Lena scents fear. I follow Jolie’s gaze. There’s a man standing across the VIP area, his arms crossed, staring at her. When I look, he starts to walk over. Jolie quickly jumps to her feet, reaching out her arms to wrap this big fat potato of a man in a hug. I grimace a little—he looks like he hasn’t showered in a while. Smells a bit like it, too. Definitely human. “Davis!” she says, and I can tell her voice is falsely cheerful. “How you been, gorgeous?” “Jolie,” he says, wrapping his hands around her upper arms and pushing her way from him. “We’ve got to talk.” “Have you met my little sister, Brooklyn?” She gestures towards me with a big smile. “Brooklyn, this is Miguel Davis, an old friend. He’s the manager of the club.” Davis’s eyes rove over me, taking in the generous portion of my thigh exposed by the little dress I’m wearing. I wasn’t uncomfortable before, but now I try to tug it down lower with my fist. Lena growls low inside me at this creep, but I have to keep her leashed. We’re not allowed to shift at all in establishments where humans go. “Um, hello,” I say, hesitant. He takes Jolie by her elbow. “Come on. We’re going to talk around back.” “Okay,” Jolie murmurs, suddenly serious. She leans down to whisper to me. “It’s just work stuff, don’t worry. Plus, wolf versus human. I got this.” I give her a little smile and nod, even though I’m not sure what her wolf can even do for her right now. Between the laws we have to follow and how glazed her eyes are from
whatever she took
 Jolie follows Davis into the back. They’re gone for a long time. Anxiously, I run my hand over the underwire of my bra, feeling the tiny switchblade hidden there. The only possession my mother left to me in her will. I tucked it into my bra tonight, just in case. Without the ability to use my razor-sharp claws or my wolf, I like having it with me. I don’t really know how to use it, but it calms me to know that it’s there. Half an hour more and the door opens. My stomach drops. There’s Davis, but where’s my sister? Davis’s eyes catch on me as he starts to move farther out into the club. I see him mouth the word “shit,” and then he walks over to me. “Jolie’s sister, right?” “Yes. Where is she?” “She got sick. She’s just throwing up, but she’s a little green around the gills right now,” he says, gesturing towards his own neck. Alarm bells ring in my head. Wolf shifters don’t just get “get sick.” I stand and turn towards the staff door, intending to go find my sister, but he stops me. “No, listen,” he says. “She won’t want you to see her like this. Come with me, I’ll take you someplace where you can wait more comfortably.” He pulls me forward. I follow him, confused and worried as he pulls me quickly across the club to a black door, pushing it open. The inside is barely lit—a dark room with mirrors on the ceiling and tiny pinpricks of light coming up from the floor. A wide velvet bench wraps itself around the room with little black cocktail tables lined up in front of it. I blink, trying to let my eyes adjust, as Davis settles me into a little table by the door. “Wait here for a bit,” Davis says, looking beyond me. “I’ll have someone bring you a drink. Your sister will be fine soon.” Then, he walks away. Someone does bring me a drink, and I take a sip of it. But then I realize that it’s laced with something. My head starts to spin and I push it away from me. As my eyes adjust, I look around the room and realize that I’m not alone in here. Bodies, mostly in couples, writhe together on the black velvet seating. Some of them are dancing, but some
 Well, that girl is on her knees. My eyes go wide as I realize what she is doing. I jump to my feet, blushing and heading for the door. As soon as I reach it, Davis comes back in. “Whoa whoa whoa!” he says, putting up hands to stop me. I shrink in front of him. “Where you going, baby?” He rubs a hand up and down my arm. Instinctively, I jerk my arm away from him. Davis keeps moving towards me, but for every step he takes, I take one backwards. Soon, I feel myself bump into a table behind me. He presses up against me. There’s nowhere else to go. “You’d better be a good girl for me,” Davis whispers, his hot breath on my face. “Or else your sister’s gonna pay. She owes me a lot of money. Tonight, you’re going to work some of it off.” I want to push him away but somehow I lose all my strength now. I’m scared to death, a little whimper escaping my mouth. “Do you mind?” The voice drawls from behind Davis. “That’s my doctor you’re harassing there.” I feel Davis’s weight lift off me as he turns towards the voice. I peer behind him, shocked. I recognize that deep, chocolate tone, and it sends a rush of heat straight between my legs. It can’t be
 LEARN_MORE https://stardusttime.com/kiss/booksAdvPage2/?id=66 KISS - Good Romance Novel APP https://www.facebook.com/100091286708165/ 3,013 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 stardusttime.com VIDEO https://stardusttime.com/kiss/booksAdvPage2/?id=66bdbe31e8071b2b5d03038d&mode=6&mediaType=fb&px=756695679720479&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461945455_840749128259474_4496507827669400836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jB-u05OnyW0Q7kNvgHML1uh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AFQLs_fsYADVbP_lvWNrHUe&oh=00_AYD2KtHoIBYs4PMC0-MbDVF_At2PML3to7IN8O7sL0maUQ&oe=67042176 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 KISS - Good Romance Novel APP 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-10-03 02:52 active 1567 0 Start Your Free Trial Forgery, sabotage, and audacity - join Stephen Fry as he explores the remarkable story of the Dutch Resistance that saved thousands of Jews from death camps during WWII. Stream Stephen Fry: Willem and Frieda - Defying the Nazis WATCH_MORE https://www.bbcselect.com/watch/paid33/ BBC Select https://www.facebook.com/bbcselect/ 13,166 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Watch More 0 bbcselect.com DCO {{product.description}} https://www.bbcselect.com/watch/paid33/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461786565_547038844528126_8411100385681682335_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DpZvthJj9fkQ7kNvgH01Ubn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AvuucuIKtLauTSD-EsO91jl&oh=00_AYC8Ivx4YfNC4svBAefXrSOUZ2Fm17hsXXOZCETYdUKu5A&oe=67043134 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 BBC Select 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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