Ads for Sweeps on 2024-10-26
| Id | Vlad | Saved | Scrape Time | Status | Scrape Result | Original Ad | Adarchiveid | Creative Links | Title | Body | Cta Type | Link Url | Pageid | Page Name | Page Profile Uri | Page Like Count | Collationcount | Collationid | Currency | Enddate | Entitytype | Fevinfo | Gatedtype | Hasuserreported | Hiddensafetydata | Hidedatastatus | Impressionstext | Impressionsindex | Isaaaeligible | Isactive | Isprofilepage | Cta Text | Pageinfo | Pageisdeleted | Pagename | Reachestimate | Reportcount | Ad Creative | Byline | Caption | Dynamic Versions | Effective Authorization Category | Display Format | Link Description | Link Url | Page Welcome Message | Creation Time | Page Profile Picture Url | Page Entity Type | Page Is Profile Page | Instagram Actor Name | Instagram Profile Pic Url | Instagram Url | Instagram Handle | Is Reshared | Version | Branded Content | Current Page Name | Disclaimer Label | Page Is Deleted | Root Reshared Post | Additional Info | Ec Certificates | Country Iso Code | Instagram Branded Content | Spend | Startdate | Statemediarunlabel | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,298,409 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-11-05 05:00 | active | 1695 | 0 |
|
š„š„Click to read the next chapter for freeš | 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 returnā¦ "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 aheadā¦ 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 hopeā¦ 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 outā¦ "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 doesā¦ 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 blueā¦ 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 oneā¦ '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 thatā¦ Just as I was about to walk away, he looked up. āIt 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 lingeringā¦ "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 knowā¦ "I don't think I understandā¦" 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. Whyā¦ 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 onā¦ 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 mateā¦" 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 meā¦ 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 naĆÆve, 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 differenceā¦ "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 listā¦ 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 hereā¦ 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 meā¦ "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 nowā¦ 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 caredā¦ 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 tiresomeā¦ or they would be if I could actually sleep! Nightmares plaguing my dreams were the thing stopping my sleepā¦ making me fear sleepā¦ visions of that nightā¦ reoccurring time and time againā¦ the rogues invading our pack landsā¦ us losing controlā¦ and them hurting my precious Isla. My beautiful Isla. Fate had barely brought us togetherā¦ life could be cruelā¦ and it made me relive that night, time and time again through my dreamsā¦ the pain as her life ebbed awayā¦ the inability to be able to save herā¦ the pain in her eyesā¦ the fearā¦ it made me hate lifeā¦ hate fate. And now, now it makes me fear sleep. Which is what found me pacing these godforsaken corridors every nightā¦ "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 onā¦ 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 tomorrowā¦ "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 warriorsā¦ 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 withā¦ 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 helpā¦ he couldn't stop my sufferingā¦ this has been going on too long nowā¦ "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 doā¦ 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 leftā¦ "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 youā¦ 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 understandingā¦ but I wanted to continue goingā¦ needed to keep functioning or else I had nothingā¦ 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 Islaās 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 snappyā¦ Gone was the happy, handsome Beta, leaving more a moody monster that nobody wanted to be aroundā¦ | LEARN_MORE | https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12547&u | Indulge in story | https://www.facebook.com/61552702618591/ | 830 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | befant.com | DCO | https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12547&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/t39.35426-6/450591794_453918090782531_5253337171849473144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=85Uj2IToTGEQ7kNvgGyPyH0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AE9TtOXjkbWhVhx9aCmMcYI&oh=00_AYAc-dF7P8pzDc-1YR7fqmyVJVlxh4EwJJWUBJXbZukBjg&oe=672FB1A6 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Indulge in story | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,298,623 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2298621}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 05:00 | active | 1695 | 0 |
|
šRead the next chaptersš | Chapter 1 It's her wedding anniversary. Lexi had come to the hospital to remove her baby. Several married couples sat around her. In contrast, Lexi seemed pitiful because she was about to remove her child, and she was there alone. Lexi had accompanied Zachary on a business trip two months ago. They attended a party, which caused her to get drunk. She was alone in the hotel room when she awoke the next day. The smell of a wild night had filled the room while crumpled clothes were scattered on the floors by then. Among the items were Lexi's garments and Zachary's white shirt. Lexi's heart beat wildly and exuberantly with delight at that moment. Zachary had finally accepted her romantic feelings for him after all those years. ā¦ Alas, Zachary practically chopped Lexi's happiness into pieces with a cleaver last night. Lexi had tested the waters by asking him what would happen if she were expecting their child. Zachary touched her stomach without much care while lightly scoffing. "Remove it, then. Also, I would never let you have my baby." Those steely, candid words caused goosebumps to prickle all over Lexi's body. She had been his secretary for five years, loved him for numerous years, and had become his wife for two years. Even a dog would have developed feelings for someone after all that time! Lexi never imagined Zachary could utter such relentless words after all the time they had been together. ā¦ Lexi smiled disparagingly as she recalled the conversation with Zachary last night. Before her smile faded away, she saw Zachary strolling toward her with one arm around the other woman. She tensed and lowered her head out of instinct almost immediately. "Isn't that Ms. Loyle?" said the woman, Yvonne Xenos. She removed her face mask, raised her eyebrows in surprise, and tugged at Zachary's shirt. She motioned at him to go toward Lexi. "I'd like to speak with Ms. Loyle real quick." "You should go and see a doctor first." Zachary's tone wasn't as unyielding and as cold as usual. Instead, there was a trace of gentleness in his voice. "I haven't seen Ms. Loyle in ages. I just want to say a few things to her. That's all." Yvonne blinked her round, doe eyes at Zachary. "You don't have to worry so much. I only fainted because of menstrual pains and low blood pressure." Lexi soon noticed that someone was standing in front of her. She looked up and saw her employer and husband on paper. He stood unashamed as he hugged the woman around the waist. Lexi froze, and the cogs in her brain were unable to turn like they usually did. "Long time no see, Ms. Loyle. My, how pretty you've become!" Yvonne spoke with a delighted lilt. Meanwhile, Lexi bitterly wondered when Yvonne, Zachary's first love, had returned to the country. Unable to smile, Lexi pursed her lips. She spoke politely. "Indeed, it's been a while." Yvonne pressed her lips together, too. She let out a dainty laugh before commenting, "Thank you for going through the trouble of looking after Zach these past few years. Only you could tolerate his nasty temper." "Zach. Why's she talking as if she's close with him when they broke up four years ago!" Lexi thought. Despite that thought, Lexi put on a slight smile. "It's no trouble. After all, Jenkins Corporation pays well." That was when the nurse brought a wheelchair over. Then, Zachary gingerly helped Yvonne, whom he was hugging this entire time, into the wheelchair. It was a surprising sight to Lexi, who realized Zachary only treated certain women with such gentleness. Lexi's smile was thin. At the same time, she felt suffocated. Yvonne gazed up at Zachary to thank him before she looked back at Lexi again. "Are you here to see a doctor, Ms. Loyle?" "No, I've already seen a doctor and am about to leave." Yvonne pouted, tugged Zachary's sleeve, and leaned against his arm. She spoke with a honeyed voice. "I'm craving chocolate all of a sudden. I really want some." "Go and see a doctor first." Zachary sounded helpless. In the next second, his bland gaze shifted in Lexi's way. "Ms. Loyle, please get a box of chocolates and deliver it to the fifth floor later." The hairs on Lexi's neck stood straight as she wanted to let out a self-deprecating scoff. She couldn't believe Zachary was making his wife get chocolates for his ex-girlfriend. Lexi's lips curled up out of the blue. She figured it was fine to get an surgery in another hospital. Yvonne gave a gentle tap on Zachary's arm. She rolled her eyes as if she couldn't believe him. "Ms. Loyle must be unwell since she came to the hospital today. How could you request her to buy some chocolates? Gosh!" "It's her job to do what I tell her to." Those words rolled off Zachary's tongue like he couldn't care less. Even so, Lexi agreed it was her job to do as told. Upon hearing Zachary's response, she lowered her head to disguise the sorrow in her eyes. The pride in her veins prevented her from looking too much like a loser in front of her competitor. So, she flashed a faint smile. "That's indeed my job as a secretary, Ms. Xenos." After giving the two a respectful nod, she clutched her bag tight and hurried away. ā¦ Lexi went to a supermarket near the hospital to buy a box of chocolates. Then, she returned to the hospital and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Once the bell rang and the doors opened, she saw Yvonne hugging Zachary's waist as the duo kissed. Lexi's stomach turned at once. She covered her pale lips and couldn't help dry-heaving while placing a hand against the mirrored walls in the elevator for support. The duo's eyes met hers in that instant. Yet, the elevator doors soon shut. Tears gathered in Lexi's eyes, and she was still dry-heaving in the elevator. Fortunately, she was the only person in the elevator. Yvonne's eyes widened at the closing elevator doors. She had heard some hurling sounds, so she asked, "What's wrong with Ms. Loyle?" Zachary's eyes were dark and solemn by then. He was deep in thought and reflecting on how Lexi had abruptly asked about expecting a child last night. ā¦ Lexi handed the box of chocolates to the nurse. She asked the nurse to take it to Zachary, who was on the fifth floor. She drove home, and the first thing she did was pack her suitcase to move out the next day. As Lexi expected, her and Zachary's two years of marriage were so flimsy that they crumbled after one blow. She accepted her fate. She knew it was time to end this dream she had been living in. Zachary's grandma, Martha Inman, wanted to see Zachary get married while she was still alive. At the time, Zachary casually asked Lexi if she wanted to get married with a prenuptial agreement. He even offered to pay Lexi a great sum to get married. Lexi had a crush on Zachary for forever. Not to mention, she urgently needed the money back then. So, she agreed to the marriage contract. Despite it being a contractual marriage, Lexi still gave her utmost sincerity to it. She figured her genuine love could one day win over Zachary. Yet, Yvonne had returned to the country now, which made Lexi realize how ridiculous her former optimism was. She snorted at herself for being so naĆÆve. ā¦ Lexi forced herself to remain calm while waiting for Zachary to come home that night. She wanted to resolve the situation once he returned. So, she waited from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and even called Zachary several times. Alas, he never answered. Zachary didn't go home that night. Lexi received a message from Zachary's younger sister, Mary Jenkins. Mary had forwarded a post from Yvonne's social media account. In the photo, Zachary donned a bathrobe as he helped blowdry Yvonne's hair. It was late at night. Yet, he was elsewhere in a bathrobe. He was even helping to dry his ex-girlfriend's hair. Lexi's gaze hardened at the photo. Her eyes burned as she blinked a few times. Then, she scoffed. Emotionless, Lexi opened the drawer and searched for the marriage contract she signed two years ago. Once she located it, she read the last clause in the contract. "The party who initiates a divorce before the five years of contractual marriage ends must pay the other party 200 million as compensation for liquidated damages." When they got married, Lexi asked for 30 million as her dowry. To her surprise, Zachary transferred 100 million to her bank account right away. Lexi calculated her bank savings. She had 90 million left after deducting her younger brother's chemotherapy costs. She didn't have enough for the 200 million compensation if she initiated a divorce now. That caused Lexi to squish her cheeks with both hands in frustration. Eventually, she put away the marriage contract, got changed, grabbed her keys, and headed out. ā¦ There were many bars in Sootfort City. Lexi had never been to such places before. Today, she came to a bar and get drink, but she didn't drink it. After thinking about the child in her stomach, she put down her glass. She pursed her lips bitterly. She was frustrated that she couldn't even vent her anger by drinking. Lexi exited the bar and sniffled. She felt like an idiot for crying. Despite loving him for all those years, she ended up all alone. A taxi was parked in front of her, its roof sign still illuminated. Thinking that it was vacant, Lexi opened the door and got in before speaking in a nasal voice. "Please take me to Flowerhill Estate." The taxi driver looked at the man and woman in the backseat through the rearview mirror. He assumed the two were an arguing couple and offered some advice out of kind intent. "Sir, from one man to another, you should be more patient with women." Then, the driver started the engine and drove ahead. That was when Lexi snapped to her senses. She whipped her head to the side. Her red, swollen eyes blearily snapped toward the man beside her. The man wore a face mask, which prevented her from seeing his full face. "Sir, please stop the car. I'm so sorry. I got into the wrong taxi," she said. Speechless, the driver stopped along the road. Lexi apologized several times before getting out. Then, her wandering eyes caught sight of the man in the backseat, who was also looking at her. ā¦ Zachary only came home the next morning to change into a fresh set of clothes. He had noticed the few suitcases in the living room when he returned. So, he casually asked about it in his hoarse voice while taking off his shirt. "Who's the guest that's staying over at our place?" "Those suitcases are mine." Lexi's gaze snapped toward the lipstick stain on Zachary's white dress shirt. She pointed at it while stating, "That's a woman's lipstick." Zachary pulled his collar lower and examined it. To his surprise, there was indeed a lipstick stain. For a split second, his features tensed. Yet, he quickly resumed his usual frosty demeanor and didn't bother explaining himself. "I knew he'd react like this," Lexi thought while scoffing. A frown marred Zachary's forehead. "What's with the laugh?" "Oh, it's nothing. I merely read a joke earlier this morning. I'm going to work now." Lexi picked up her handbag and subconsciously changed into a pair of flats while heading out the door. Meanwhile, Zachary headed upstairs to the bedroom. He stripped and went into the bathroom but soon realized Lexi hadn't left a change of clothes for him in there. It was odd because Lexi would always prepare a fresh set of clothes for him beforehand if he wanted to shower. His eyes narrowed as he left the bathroom. He phoned Lexi while walking to the closet. "I forgot to ask you something." He opened a drawer and continued, "You're carrying a child, are you?" His voice lacked warmth as it rang into Lexi's ear, and it made her heart race fervently. Chapter 2 Lexi parked her car by the roadside. She calmly denied Zachary's assumption by saying, "I'm not. It's just that my stomach hasn't been feeling well these past few days." Zachary leaned against the closet. His eyes were steely as he sneered. "You'd better not be lying to me, Lexi. It's no longer popular for women to secure their position as a wealthy man's wife just by bearing the man's child." Lexi's heart sank to her stomach. She couldn't believe that was what Zachary thought of her. While caressing her still flat stomach, she spoke calmly. "How could I be a mother, Mr. Jenkins? We used protection that night." Zachary rise a brow. He was speechless at her response. ā¦ After half a day of meetings at the office, Lexi delivered a cup of freshly made coffee to Zachary's office around noon. She also placed the documents he had asked her for a few days prior on his desk. Her gaze swept past the information on the document just then. Jenkins Corporation owned businesses. However, they had never been involved with the entertainment industry. Yet, the company stated on the documentāTundratide Entertainmentāwas a major company in said industry. Lexi had also just seen the news and learned Yvonne had officially signed with Tundratide Entertainment today. Yvonne was now one of their contracted artists. With that in mind, Lexi wondered if Zachary planned to acquire Tundratide Entertainment and become the company's main shareholder for Yvonne's sake. Lexi didn't leave the office. Instead, she was determined to discuss what happened last night with Zachary. "I see that Ms. Xenos is back in the country." Zachary stopped working and leaned against his chair at once. A frosty stare radiated from him. "You shouldn't poke your nose into places it doesn't belong, Mrs. Jenkins." He had called her "Mrs. Jenkins" as a warning. Lexi paused for a few seconds. It would be a lie to say she wasn't upset. Still, she was determined to ask what was necessary. "Are you planning to divorce me now that she's back?" Zachary glanced at her impassively. "You may continue being Mrs. Jenkins since Grandma likes you." He knew there was one other thing Lexi was good atāmaking Martha happy. Lexi's hands balled into fists once she heard his response. Sorrow and disappointment weighed down her. From what Zachary said, he still wanted to continue their marriage only because Martha liked her. He was willing to stay married to her longer to keep Martha happy in the latter's last years of life. But what about her? Was she to continue existing as a joke between Zachary and Yvonne? Zachary's phone was on the table, and it rang at that moment. Lexi saw the name "Yvonne" on the caller ID. Zachary had always saved Lexi's contact as "Ms. Loyle." Meanwhile, he had saved the name of his first love and ex-girlfriend on his phone. Lexi remained emotionless as she waited for Zachary to finish his phone call. Then, she informed him that the Zox family's banquet was tonight. Zachary flipped through Tundratide Entertainment's documents. At the same time, he responded to Lexi without bothering to raise his head. "I have something else to do tonight. I want you to deliver my gift to Mr. Zox Senior on my behalf." "Understood." Lexi turned to leave the office. Zachary peered at her. He watched her leave before going back to browsing the document. ā¦ Tonight was Harold Zox's 66th birthday celebration. His family, the Zoxes, had organized the banquet to be at Mullaby Hotel. Lexi donned a blue custom-made gown when she brought Zachary's present to the hotel that night. "Welcome, Ms. Loyle. And thank you for coming." A smiling Harold Zox shook hands with Lexi. Jenkins Corporation only made big business and was Zox Corporation's biggest client. Not only that, but Lexi was also one of Zachary's most capable secretaries. With all that in mind, Harold was respectful toward Lexi. "Mr. Jenkins couldn't make it since something came up at the last minute. On his behalf, I wish you a blessed and happy birthday, Mr. Zox Senior." Lexi's lips curved into a polite smile as she dedicated a toast to him. Harold nodded understandingly. He admired Lexi's capability to execute her job well. "I'm happy enough that you made it hereā" He froze after saying that, and the atmosphere around them became tense. Lexi noticed the brief awkward look from Harold. She instinctively turned around, only to see Yvonne in a white dress. The latter held hands with Zachary as they entered the banquet hall. Lexi's faint smile turned stiff. So, this was what Zachary meant by he had something else to do tonight." "Happiest of birthdays, Mr. Zox Senior!" Yvonne's eyes twinkled with delight as she beamed at Harold. "Thank you." "Happy birthday, Mr. Zox Senior." Zachary picked up a wine glass from a waiter's tray. He then raised it to clink glasses with Harold. Yvonne glanced at Lexi and greeted her. "Ms. Loyle." A soft smile appeared on Lexi's face as she nodded. "Ms. Xenos." The band hired to be in the banquet began playing a tune for a classical ballroom dance. Some male guests had invited other female guests to dance by then. "Did you come here alone, Ms. Loyle?" Yvonne asked. "My companion got into a car accident on the way here," Lexi answered. With widened eyes, Yvonne exclaimed, "Is he alright?" Harold joined in to ask about Lexi's companion with concern. After all, it was his birthday banquet. It would seem like bad luck if his guests got into a car accident. Lexi explained with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Zox Senior. His and someone's car scratched each other from being too close on the road. He's merely held back because the other party is insisting on getting compensation." A noticeable sigh of relief came from Harold. "Oh, that's good to hear." Once Harold went to mingle with the other guests, Lexi's friendly countenance dropped. She marched away with her back straight. Her expression was frosty, and her heels clicked on the floor as she paced away. She wanted to go home and type her resignation letter at once. A confused Yvonne whispered, "Doesn't Ms. Loyle seem unhappy?" Zachary's attention was on Lexi as she left. That was when he noticed Harold's oldest son, Xavier Zox, inviting Lexi to dance. With his eyes narrowing slightly, he remarked, "She's not unhappy." "How could she feel unhappy? She was in the mood to dance with another man." Zachary thought. Zachary couldn't believe Lexi would dare dance with Xavier, a womanizer. He wondered if she had a death wish. On the flip side, Lexi never imagined Xavier would grab her arm and force her onto the dance floor. She didn't want to cause a scene by resisting him since they were at a banquet. So, it left her in an extremely foul mood. The stench of liquor wafted into her nostrils, causing her brows to knit. "Please unhand me, Mr. Zox." Xavier had one arm around her waist. He held her tighter after she said that, and his lips curved with determination. "Why don't you consider working at Zox Corporation instead, Ms. Loyle? The pay is double what you earn at Jenkins Corporation. What do you think?" With disgust, Lexi pointed out the facts indifferently. "You won't be in control of Zox Corporation anytime soon." Despite getting smacked in the face by Lexi's harsh rejection, Xavier wasn't upset. He was always patient when dealing with beautiful women. So, his hand continued to linger on Lexi's waist as he caressed it. Lexi's expression darkened as she raised her leg and stomped hard on Xavier's leather shoe. Her tall heel pierced through the leather and landed on the top of Xavier's foot. Pain shot throughout Xavier's foot. His features twisted into a hideous scowl as he released Lexi's arm. Lexi spun on her heel to flee at once. She left the banquet and exited the hotel. "Hold it right there, Lexi Loyle!" Xavier barked. Lexi frowned and regretted not stomping harder on his foot. Xavier grabbed her hand. "Watch yourself, Mr. Zox," said an impatient and frosty Lexi. Xavier focused on her unfriendly yet alluring face. Excitement bubbled up within him. A woman with such unapproachable energy but also tempting curves was attractive. As such, he had long desired Lexi. A chuckle left his lips as he commented, "Must you do this, Ms. Loyle? Why bother with this act of sternness? I'm sure Mr. Jenkins has gotten tired of toying with you by now." Lexi inhaled sharply but still flashed a smirk. "You can ask Mr. Jenkins if he's grown tired of me." She lifted her chin and motioned for him to look behind them where Zachary and Yvonne stood. Lexi saw how Zachary watched her get harassed by another man. He didn't do anything about it. Chapter 3 Zachary stood there with his ex-girlfriend, who he linked arms with. Meanwhile, he watched Xavier attacking Lexi. It was ironic because someone once said that a man would show some possessiveness over a woman if he truly loved her. As she stood beneath the warm lights, Lexi felt like her heart had been ripped to shreds. Xavier thought Lexi was trying to lie to him, so he chuckled viciously. "Mr. Jenkins is keeping a beautiful lady company. Don't even think about fooling me. Shall we take this conversation elsewhere, Ms. Loyle? What do you think?" Lexi held Zachary's gaze and spoke with a bland tone. "Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Zox is asking whether you've grown tired of toying with me." She then watched him in silence while waiting for his response. Zachary held Yvonne's hand as they walked past Lexi. In that instance, Lexi realized that Zachary's answer no longer mattered. Yvonne turned around just then. She shot a megawatt smile at Xavier while clarifying things. "Zachary and Ms. Loyle are merely employer and employee. Watch your words, Mr. Zox. Otherwise, I'll be mad at you." Xavier chuckled and nodded. "Alright, alright. I won't utter any nonsense." Once Zachary and Yvonne walked away hand-in-hand, he forced Lexi into his car and kissed her cheek. "I'll call the cops on you, Xavier!" Lexi screamed as she shoved Xavier off her in disgust. Alas, her strength was no match for a man whose stature was bigger than her. Xavier held her slim waist while guffawing. "Cry out all you want, Ms. Loyle. I'm not afraid. Also, there's no use in you calling the cops. I'm merely touching and kissing you, not screwing you." Rage brimmed in Lexi as she felt offended by the former's shamelessness. Xavier was about to kiss her again. Lexi's striking eyes morphed into a vicious glare as she kneed him. "Argh!" Xavier hunched his back. ā¦ Later in the dead of night, Lexi followed Quinton Shaw out of the police station. Like Lexi, Quinton was also one of Zachary's secretaries. "Please take me to Watton Hotel, Mr. Shaw. Thank you for helping me tonight," said Lexi. Quinton peered at her from the corner of his eye before looking ahead to say, "Mr. Jenkins was the one who asked me to pick you up." Lexi's lips tugged into a thin line as she coldly responded, "I see." Zachary was nowhere to be seen when she was being harassed by Xavier. Because of that, she didn't feel any hint of gratitude toward Zachary. Quinton hesitated to speak but ultimately explained, "Ms. Loyleā¦ Mr. Jenkins wanted to pick you up himself." "Oh? So where is he? Why isn't he here." Quinton closed his mouth. He felt it was too awkward to continue. Lexi looked down at her phone and saw another text from Mary. The latter had forwarded Yvonne's latest post. That was when Lexi discovered why Zachary hadn't picked her up from the police station in person. Zachary had accompanied his ex-girlfriend to the hospital yet again. A low chuckle rumbled from Lexi as she replied to Mary's text. She asked Mary to invite Yvonne out for a meeting tomorrow on her behalf. ā¦ Quinton's car soon arrived outside Watton Hotel. Lexi told Quinton not to send her inside since it was unnecessary. Exhausted, she exited the car and get into the hotel. The lobby was mostly quiet at that hour. When she made it to the elevator, there happened to be a tall and fit man talking on the phone there. He get into the elevator once its doors opened. Lexi went in, too. She had just gone inside when her heel slipped, and she subconsciously reached ahead to grab the man. The man held her arm and supported her from stumbling. Lexi's palms grew clammy. She was still rattled. After regaining her footing, she apologized to the man. "S-Sorry. I didn't mean toā¦" The man wore a mask, so she could only see his dark gaze. He looked like the man she had encountered in the taxi that one time. He had dropped his phone because he had reached out to support Lexi. Not only that, but the man was also holding a coffee cup in his left hand, which had also fallen. That caused the coffee to spill onto his white shirt. "Did you burn yourself, sir?" She worried the cup he held earlier contained hot coffee. The man glanced at her with his brows slightly furrowed. He bent forward to pick up his phone from the ground. Then, his voice rang out lazily as he told the person on the other end that he was ending the call. Lexi spoke with sincerity. "I'm so, so sorry. I'll reimburse you for the damages." The man's name was Claude Quall. His eyes glanced over Lexi again. He took in her formal dress, slender waist, and curvy figure. He didn't say much except, "That won't be necessary." His voice was low and gravelly. He turned sideways. Then, he casually stepped back to put some distance between him and Lexi. Lexi feigned a calm demeanor as she pressed the button to her floor. She stayed on the tenth floor while the man's room was on the 12th. Claude's gaze shifted downward while he fell into deep thought. He had found Lexi oddly familiar when he saw her in the taxi last night. It felt like she was the woman who got into his bed and beded him for two months. "Let's discuss the details of your compensation," he said. Lexi paused midway while exiting the elevator when she heard that. ā¦ The two soon stood in the hallway on the 12th floor. Claude had already taken off his coffee-stained dress shirt, and his sculpted abs were exposed. A frown creased his forehead, making it obvious he was uncomfortable. He would take off his shirt if Lexi weren't here. Lexi dared not stare past Claude's shirt and to his bare body. She could only force her attention to remain on Claude's eyes. "How much should I compensate you for the damages, sir? I'll transfer it." "I've changed my mind," Claude abruptly stated. He had only stopped Lexi from leaving because he wanted to see whether she was the woman from before. Lexi's brows arched with slight confusion. She watched the man swipe his card on the door's scanner before disappearing into his hotel room. Then, she left the 12th floor. ā¦ Light jazz music played in Nullem Cafe. Yvonne sat opposite Lexi. Since she was a big-time celebrity, she wore a hat and mask to conceal her face. With a slight smile, she asked, "Did you ask to meet me because you needed something from me, Ms. Loyle?" Lexi nodded. A half-smile flickered on her face. "There is something I need." She held herself with reticence while sternly staring at Yvonne. It felt like a scene in a movie where the wife confronted her husband's mistress. It was clear to Lexi that the only way to get Zachary to initiate a divorce was by provoking Yvonne. So, she said, "Ms. Xenos, I don't want you to interfere with me and Zachary's life. Since you chose to leave him back then, you shouldn't seek him out after returning to the country nowā" Everyone in the industry knew Zachary once had an ex-girlfriend he loved dearly. However, Martha disliked Yvonne, so the latter could never marry into the Jenkins family. Yvonne didn't want to give up on her singing career at the time either. Because of that, she chose to break up with Zachary and go abroad to study music. Lexi continued in a gentle voice, "Since you've given up on your relationship with Zachary, please cut off all ties with him for good. Can you do that?" Yvonne's eyes snapped wide open in disbelief. "You and Zacharyā¦? Are youā¦" Lexi nodded. "Zachary and I have been married for two years." After Lexi said that, Yvonne stiffened in utter shock. Her eyes reddened almost instantly. "You and Zachary are married?" Lexi felt like the wicked villain who got in between two lovers in every story. "Yeah, we're married." Just then, Zachary sat in the booth behind the women's. He heard Lexi revealing their marriage to Yvonne. Right away, a thunderous expression shrouded his face, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes narrowed to pinpricks. The cafe was designed well. All the tables came with partitions, which created private booth seating for everyone. Zachary and Lexi had agreed not to tell anyone about their marriage. It seemed that Lexi had grown arrogant and possessive, even though they were only in a contractual marriage. Yvonne frowned. She was still in disbelief. "You're lying to me, aren't you, Ms. Loyle?" A brief pause passed before Lexi answered, "I'm not. I can show you our marriage certificate." She had come prepared, so she fetched the marriage certificate from her bag and showed it to Yvonne. Yvonne removed her mask and revealed her pretty face. She had a sweet, innocent beauty. It was the kind of beauty that most movie characters' first loves had. Meanwhile, Lexi possessed a more striking, gorgeous appearance. "Zachary didn't tell me you two are married when he was with me last night, Ms. Loyle. I could've sworn I felt he was still in love with me." Yvonne's expression dulled as she mentioned that. She hinted to Lexi that she and Zachary were together last night. Lexi maintained her smile as if unbothered. "Men are the same in bed. He says he loves me too, when he's bedding me." A hostile energy oozed from Zachary, who suppressed his anger when he heard this from his booth. He already had the desire to choke Lexi to death. On the other hand, Yvonne covered her lips upon hearing that. Tears even streamed down her eyes. However, Lexi wasn't satisfied and wanted to take things further. She was doing everything in her power to make Zachary initiate a divorce. "Ms. Xenos, I can't stop you if you're that determined to be a mistressā" "That's enough!" A man's infuriated voice rang out. Lexi whipped her head around, only to be startled by a seething Zachary. He was trying hard to suppress his fury. Lexi was stunned. Chapter 4 Zachary first had Quinton send Lexi back to Flowerhill Estate. Once Lexi got into the car, she looked through the window and saw Zachary hugging Yvonne. He seemed to be comforting her. The corners of Lexi's lips curved upward with a hint of bitterness yet relief. When she asked Mary to invite Yvonne out last night, she knew Mary would rat her out to Zachary. None of this was surprising to her. Everything had gone according to her plan. Quinton soon drove ahead. Upon stopping for a red light, he turned around to look at Lexi. "You're intelligent, Ms. Loyle. Why did you have to upset Boss?" He and Lexi had worked together for five years, so he witnessed how Lexi looked after Zachary with the utmost care. Lexi even took cooking classes every night after work to better care for Zachary's stomach. She trained her cooking skills until they were comparable to an award-winning chef's. She looked after Zachary with great attentiveness. Lexi tucked her loose strands of hair behind her ears and rested her arm against the car window frame. Her eyes glistened with clarity like never before. After all, why insist on winning over a man's affections when he never loved her? She tilted her head with a playful wink at Quinton. "It's because I'm incredibly intelligent, Mr. Shaw." That rendered Quinton speechless, but he soon scoffed. "How can you be in the mood to joke around at a moment like this?" What he meant by that was, "How can you still joke around when Zachary's already angry?" A soft chuckle came from Lexi, who was in a good mood. Then, the two no longer spoke. ā¦ There were bodyguards stationed outside Flowerhill Estate. Because of that, Lexi couldn't flee even if she wanted to. Quinton dropped Lexi off at Flowerhill Estate before driving off. Lexi couldn't leave the villa in the estate if Zachary didn't allow it. She fell asleep on the couch for the rest of the night. Meanwhile, the living room television was tuned to a boring channel. Zachary stared down at the slumbering Lexi when he came home. There was a relaxed, welcoming energy to her when she was asleep. It was unlike her aloof demeanor when she was his secretary in the daytime. Zachary's forehead creased as he frowned. He bent forward. Lexi awoke from her sleep when she felt someone pinching her chin. Zachary had used brute force when doing it, so Lexi was in immense pain. It struck her hard and snapped her out of her bleary state. She was more alert now. Her eyes opened wide to see a cold Zachary staring at her. She could even smell Yvonne's perfume lingering on him. Lexi's forehead creased, and her stomach turned in disgust. The lights inside the villa weren't on, save for one desk lamp and the light from the television. Those light sources faintly illuminated the darkness. Half of Zachary's attractive face was hidden in the darkness. Only an icy tone rang out when he spoke. "Who gave you the nerve to blabber nonsense to Yvonne, Lexi?" Lexi was lying on the couch, and she lowered her gaze. She did not say anything because anything she said would be wrong. "Did a cat get your tongue? Speak!" He gripped her chin without mercy. He exerted so much strength that he forced Lexi's slender neck to curve as he made her look at him. Lexi was forced to raise her head. Her striking eyes soon settled on his cold expression. Her jaw hurt so badly that tears naturally flowed from her eyes. Still, she responded calmly, "I only told her the truth. You and I are indeed legally married. Did I say anything wrong?" Zachary held her chin in a tight grip while spouting venomous words. "It's only a marriage certificate, Lexi. Have you forgotten about our marriage contract? You were despicable enough to sign the contract just because you needed money." Lexi knew she likely looked pale then. She blinked while processing his words. So, he thought she was despicable, huh? She soon gritted her teeth, snorted, and spoke up. "I'm not despicable. It's that we were both only using each other." Sheer loathing echoed in Zachary's voice. "What silver tongue you have, Ms. Loyle. Only you could do something as vile as bartering your body off." "What do you mean by 'barter'?" A frown marred Lexi's face. Zachary let out a low chuckle. He drew a strong finger from her chin to her slim, frail neck and continued downward. Lexi froze at once. "You've got a decent body. It's no wonder that brat, Xavier, wanted to lure you to his company with a high salary," he said with a low growl. Then, he lifted the hem of her top and reached beneath it. That took Lexi by surprise. She held his hand in place and prevented it from advancing. Zachary suddenly pinched her plump skin, causing her to glare at him with red eyes. An uncaring look came from Zachary. Lexi noticed that his other hand was also moving downwards. She looked at him with a dark expression but spoke sardonically. "For you to be interested in my body means you don't love Yvonne as deeply as I thought." It was hard to discern the meaning behind Zachary's smile just then. With a scoff, he commented, "You think too highly of yourself. I wouldn't have slept with you if I hadn't had a fever and been drunk that night." Zachary's hand still lingered on Lexi's skin. His eyes narrowed with hatred but also confusion. They supposedly bedded for the first time two months ago, but he couldn't remember it at all. He figured it could have been because his fever left him delirious, and Lexi seized the chance to do it with him. Regardless, the way he spoke about it now sounded like he was utterly repulsed by that night. Lexi took a deep breath. She stood, linked an arm around his neck, and leaned into his ear while chuckling lightly. "But you seemed very into me that night. We had a second round." She brazenly traced one of her fingers around his leather belt. Zachary's expression soured while his gaze deepened with even more detestation. He pried Lexi's arm off his neck and stood. "Don't waste your time doing unnecessary things, Lexi. If Grandma didn't like you so much, I wouldn't mind giving you to Xavier after the stunt you pulled today." Upon hearing that, Lexi felt like a true and complete failure. Since Zachary could say something as cruel as giving her away to someone, it meant he never once had feelings for her these past few years. "Remember to visit Grandma at the hospital tomorrow. Don't tell her anything you shouldn't." Zachary coldly straightened his shirt before glaring daggers at Lexi and hurrying off. ā¦ Martha beamed brilliantly when her precious grandson and granddaughter-in-law held hands and entered the hospital. "Come and sit here with me, my darling Lex." Only a gentle look filled her eyes as she gazed at Zachary. "I dreamt you two gave me an adorable great-grandbaby last night, Zachary. It was the cutest little baby." Zachary gave her a faint smile. It was a rare moment when he tried to cheer Martha up. "I promise we're trying hard, Grandma." Martha's cancer cells had begun spreading in her body, so she only had one to two years left to live. Zachary usually let his grandma down when it came to topics like marriage and children. So, he'd always tell white lies to appease her. "You two have been married for two years! Why hasn't there been any good news yet?" Martha was inexplicably obsessed with getting a great-grandchild before her death. Lexi didn't say a word and only lowered her head while pretending to be shy. Martha only nagged at Zachary briefly before turning to comfort Lexi. "There's no need to worry, Lex. I'm only bringing it up casually. It's not time for us to meet your future baby yet. You two are still young, after all." "I know, Grandma." Lexi suddenly felt uncomfortable. Her expression shifted as she sprinted to the bathroom to puke. Excitement coursed through Martha's veins when she heard the sounds of Lexi hurling. She held Zachary's hands at once, asking, "Could Lexi expectingā¦ a baby?" A light snort came from Zachary while his gaze darkened. "She's just having an upset stomach, Grandma." Chapter 5 "Are you sure? Did you take her to the hospital to get checked up?" Martha refused to drop the topic. That was when Lexi exited the bathroom. Only she knew how unnerved and panicked she was in that instant. "Lex, are you carrying a baby?" Martha asked with delight while gazing at the former's stomach. Lexi flashed a faint smile while shaking her head. "Grandma, I've already gone for a check-up at the hospital. I just have an upset stomach, is all." Martha was a little disappointed. "You must take care of your health. Pay more attention to your recent eating habits." Lexi nodded. Zachary left the room to answer a phone call while Lexi fed Martha some sliced apples. Lexi also chatted with Martha and tried to lift her spirits. After chatting for a while, Lexi left the ward with the empty fruit bowl. As she passed the private lounge area, she heard Mary's voice. It sounded like Mary was mocking her. "Zach, I was outside the ward earlier. I overheard Grandma nagging at you to give her a great-grandchild." Mary sounded annoyed as she continued, "Grandma's probably lost her mind now that she's old. How's Lexi worthy of birthing our family's great-grandchild?" Zachary's dead-eyed stare flickered toward her. He was warning her not to continue. He didn't mind it if Mary insulted Lexi, but he refused to let Mary show any disrespect to Martha. Mary cowered before sticking her tongue out playfully. "Sorry, Zach. I was only venting about how unfair it is for you." "She won't have my baby," said Zachary, his voice bland. "I knew you'd be sensible." Mary merrily left once she got the response she wanted. She opened the door and saw Lexi standing outside. One of her brows arched almost immediately. "A woman Zachary bought for 100 million doesn't deserve to give birth to our family's children. You'd best know your place, Lexi. Got it?" Mary loved mocking Lexi for being the bride that cost 100 millions. That was when Lexi lowered her voice and spoke with a gentle, soothing tone. "Oh, sweet Mare, your brother can't do it. So he and I won't have any children. Do you understand?" "Why, you!" Mary scowled at Lexi. "Quit spewing lies, you vile brat!" Lexi smirked. "I'm not lying, dear sister-in-law. I'm speaking based on my experience." Mary's face grew harder when she heard that. "You shameless woman! You're unworthy of being my sister-in-law and can never match up to Yvonne!" "Indeed, you're right. I'll never compare to your precious Yvonne, but the undeniable truth is I'm Zachary's wife." A smug grin spread across Lexi's face. "How dare you?" Mary raised her hand and wanted to slap Lexi's face, which she felt was unnecessarily charming. She believed Lexi's beauty was what allowed Lexi to seduce men everywhere. Lexi lifted the empty bowl in her hand and promptly blocked the incoming slap. Mary's delicate hand slammed against the bowl, causing her to shriek in pain. That was when the private lounge door opened, and Zachary appeared at the doorway. "Zach, she hit me with her bowl! Look! My hand's all red now!" Mary pouted pitifully while lying. She claimed that Lexi had attacked her first. "She's the one who hit the bowl," Lexi calmly explained. Zachary's indifferent gaze swept toward Lexi. "Be aware of your place." "What is my place?" Lexi asked. "Mary is a Jenkins family memberā" Zachary had just started speaking, but Lexi reached up and slapped her right cheek hard. It was a resounding slap. Lexi's face reddened in seconds, proving how merciless she was to herself. Zachary was baffled for a split second. He never imagined that Lexi would slap herself. A triumphant smirk smeared all over Mary's face as she peered at Lexi. She then snickered and said, "I'm heading off now, Zach." Her heels clicked as she strolled off pridefully. Not a trace of emotion showed on Lexi's face as she was about to leave to wash the empty bowl. "Wait," Zachary called out. His eyes narrowed to pinpricks as he studied her. Lexi took one step back. She watched as Zachary took out his phone and made a call. Her heart sank with dread once she heard what he said on the phone. Zachary later hung up and told Lexi, "Let's go to the gynecology department now to perform a check-up on your body. Are you okay with that, Ms. Loyle?" Lexi's mind went blank just then. She felt Zachary would undoubtedly blame her for having a baby and say she was trying to secure her position as his wife forever. The irony was she had planned to get a surgery. At that point, Lexi had no clue what to do. All her senses had shut down, save for the uneasy, tingly sensation she felt on her scalp. Zachary first entered the elevator but noticed Lexi wasn't moving. So, he snapped, "Ms. Loyle?" Lexi lied. She said she needed to use the washroom because her stomach was hurting. She did so, hoping to stall for time. Lexi placed a hand on her stomach, ran to the toilet, and thought about how to resolve this situation. The dire circumstances left Lexi with no choice. She texted Yvonne. "Ms. Xenos, Zachary is accompanying me to the gynecologist for a body check-up now. We're planning to conceive a baby through IVF treatments." Lexi sent that text before emotionlessly putting away her phone. She refused to believe Yvonne could remain unbothered by that text. She waited in the stall for about 15 minutes. During that time, she received a call from Zachary, who rushed her. Lexi clutched her stomach. Her breathing sounded weaker as she spoke. "I've been having stomach issues lately. Everything I eat won't stay in my stomach for long." She pretended to awkwardly describe her "diarrhea" in a less jarring way. "You'd better not be up to something, Lexi." Zachary frowned. His gaze sharpened. Lexi figured it was time to head outside, so she washed her hands and left the washroom. Following that, she took the elevator to the gynecology department. Zachary was already waiting outside for her. "Let's head in." Yvonne didn't show up. That left Lexi nervous but helpless. She gradually calmed her emotions and convinced herself everything would work out. If the truth about her baby had to be revealed now, then so be it. They were about to open the door to the gynecology department when Zachary's phone rang. "Slow down, Yvonne. What's happening? Okay, I'll be right over." Zachary snuck a grim glance at Lexi as he answered the phone. He froze when he noticed her still swollen cheek, but it didn't last long. He soon walked off without hesitation. Lexi interpreted Zachary's grim look as him warning her not to pull any tricks. Only after she exited the hospital and saw the entertainment news online did she learn Yvonne had encountered a psychotically obsessive fan. The male fan had pushed Yvonne over and broken Yvonne's hand. It was no wonder Zachary went to her in such a hurry. ā¦ Once Lexi returned to the hotel, she encountered the man she had bumped into at the elevator last night. He was also holding a coffee cup today. Lexi could sense the man was staring at her swollen right cheek. It didn't seem like he would take his eyes off her anytime. Although she felt flustered, she didn't avoid his stare. Instead, she maintained a stoic expression and spoke sarcastically. "I know I'm so pretty that people can't help but gawk at me." Claude's lips curved up. As he sipped his coffee, his Adam's apple bobbed attractively. Eventually, he said, "You look very familiar." Lexi's eyes remained on the climbing numbers on the elevator's digital display. "That's a tacky way to hit on someone." "I've never needed to hit on anyone." Claude flashed a reticent smile. "I'm only stating the truth. There was a laziness and silkiness to his voice. Lexi looked ahead at the elevator's mirrored walls and took in Claude, who stood to her left. She didn't recall ever interacting with him, much less meeting him. To her surprise, Claude suddenly approached her. His intimidating presence overwhelmed her so much that she took a few steps back. "Can I help you?" she questioned with a stiff voice. At the same time, she met Claude's intense gaze. Claude stared into her eyes as he removed the mask and revealed his dashing face. Lexi held her breath. They were so close to each other that she could smell the faint pine scent from his body. "Do you really not recognize me?" Claude asked. "I don't." Claude straightened his back and peered down at her. When the elevator door opened on the tenth floor, he stepped aside. Lexi left right away. Doubt gnawed at her heart. She could have sworn she didn't know the man, but why did he seem to know her? ā¦ Lexi had just finished showering when someone rang the doorbell to her room. It was the hotel's employee. He said, "A gentleman on the 12th floor instructed us to pass this facial cream to you, Ms. Loyle." "Thank you." Lexi accepted the tube of cream but was even more perplexed by the situation. She didn't end up using the facial cream, of course. Claude was a stranger, after all. That night, Lexi had a dream. She dreamt of the night from two months ago. The wild night left her all sweaty. Zachary held her waist and tried out several positions with her. It left Lexi limp with barely any energy left. Not to mention, she was so drunk that she was in a daze. When Lexi woke, she massaged her forehead. The dream she had turned out to be a tad frightening. The man she slept with two months ago was Zachary. Yet, for some reason, he got replaced by the man from the elevator in her dream. Chapter 6 Lexi never expected that she would be implicated in the incident of Yvonne being assaulted by a fan. She was eating lunch when one of Zachary's bodyguards came to the restaurant and brought her to Royaltree Estate. This property belonged to Zachary as well. However, their marital home was Flowerhill Estate, which was a gift from Martha. That was why she rarely came over to this particular property. As she get into Royaltree Estate, she saw that Yvonne was there too. Instantly, an ominous feeling washed over her. Half an hour later, Lexi was standing in the same spot while Zachary fed Yvonne meticulously and tenderly at the dining table. Yvonne had broken her right arm, and she was not used to using her left hand to hold the cutlery. So, Zachary fed her. "I'm full, Zach. I can't eat anymore." Yvonne leaned in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Ms. Loyle arrived a while ago." Zachary handed Yvonne a napkin to wipe her mouth. Then, he looked at Lexi, "Bring him in." Following his command, a bodyguard brought in a bald middle-aged man. Lexi looked on, feeling puzzled. Zachary asked coldly, "Ms. Loyle, do you know this man?" Lexi glanced at the man and shook her head. "I don't." "What about you?" He turned to the middle-aged man. "Do you know her?" The middle-aged man shook his head vigorously, "No, I don't." Zachary sneered. The bodyguard holding the man kicked the back of his knee. Lexi pursed her lips and watched as the scene unfolded. "Ms. Loyle, I've decided not to interfere between you and Zachary anymore. Yet, you got this man to harm me. You're so wicked!" Yvonne accused angrily, glaring at Lexi. Lexi looked up and stared back at her. "Harm you? I don't even know this man." Yvonne looked disappointed. "Are you still going to deny it?" "Deny what? I don't even know what's going on," Lexi replied calmly. Zachary stared at her frostily and requested for a woman to be brought in. As soon as she entered, Lexi recognized her. It was her classmate from collegeāLayla Zimmer. Upon seeing the bodyguard bringing his daughter in, the middle-aged man suddenly cried out, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done such a thing! This has nothing to do with my daughter. I'm sorry! I just wanted to help Ms. Loyle." Lexi frowned and asked, "Help me with what?" Yvonne sighed helplessly. Her voice was tinged with anger. She said, "Ms. Loyle, you instructed this man to pretend to be my fan and molest me in public. You made me the subject of ridicule in the entertainment industry. I can't believe how cruel you are!" "I never did such a thing." Lexi finally understood what was going on. She looked at Zachary and stated, "I didn't do it. I would never do something like this." Zachary retorted emotionlessly, "I only believe in evidence." His words made Lexi feel stifled. It was clear he didn't believe her. She straightened her back and challenged, "What evidence?" As soon as she finished speaking, the bodyguard grabbed Layla's hair roughly and started to drag her out to beat her up. "No! Dad, help me! Lexi, please save me!" Layla cried out while holding her scalp in pain. "It was Ms. Loyle who put me up to it! It has nothing to do with my daughter," Owen Zimmer whimpered as he tried to stop them from hurting Layla. In a steady tone, Lexi said, "Just because you claim I put you up to it doesn't mean it's true." "Ms. Loyle, you transferred 200 thousand to my daughter previously. I was very grateful about that and agreed to do your bidding." Owen then apologized profusely, "I'm sorry, Ms. Loyle. I owe you one for this." Lexi looked at the silent Layla, and then at Owen, who kept apologizing. She said with a sneer, "You two owe me one indeed. Never did I imagine the fable of the Snake and the Farmer would resonate so strongly with me one day." Lexi had never met Layla's father before, but his face would be etched in her mind after this. Some people could turn around and betray those who helped them before without conscience. Half a year ago, Layla had been hospitalized and needed to undergo surgery. However, her family had no money, so they sought help on a crowdfunding platform and borrowed money from everyone they could reach out to. Lexi came to know about it. Since they were roommates in college and were good friends, she lent Layla 200 thousand. She never expected that she would be famed by lending Layla that money. Layla suddenly looked up and said, "Lexi, I'm very grateful for the money that you have lent me, but you shouldn't have asked my father to do something like this. I will repay your money." "You can't just say whatever you please to slander me." Lexi turned around to look at Yvonne. "Ms. Xenos, I lent Layla 200 thousand for her treatment, but that doesn't mean I instructed them to do anything." "Well..." Yvonne looked at Zachary and said hesitantly, "Zach, Ms. Loyle has a point. I just broke an arm. So, let's leave it at that." Hearing this, Lexi felt a lump in her throat that nearly suffocated her. Zachary poured Yvonne a cup of water. He had a stern look in his eyes as he said, "Take good care of your hand. I won't let anyone who harms you get away. I'll handle this." Yvonne blushed and smiled at those words. Lexi, on the other hand, felt a chill run down her spine. The bodyguards took Layla and Owen away as Zachary went to the balcony to make a call. Yvonne approached Lexi and said in a lowered voice, "Ms. Loyle, you may have a marriage certificate, but does it hold any value? Besides, Zachary told me your marriage is purely contractual." Lexi couldn't believe that Zachary had told Yvonne about their contractual marriage! Her expression turned glacial. "Even if we're in a contractual marriage, the marriage certificate is real. As long as we're not divorced, you'll always be the homewrecker." Yvonne shook her head helplessly. "Ms. Loyle, Zachary doesn't love you. Why hold on to him? You should let go." "Make him divorce me, then," Lexi replied with a smile. She didn't have enough money to pay the compensation for breaching the contract. Yvonne responded to her smile with an amused smirk in return. "Ms. Loyle, come over and visit me here. This is where I'm living now." Zachary had even let his ex-girlfriend move into Royaltree Estate. The next moment, he came back in and asked Lexi to go to the study with him after finishing his call. Yvonne watched Lexi go upstairs with a gleeful grin. She was thinking of something else. She wondered if Lexi would go mad if she found out that she had slept with a stranger. At that thought, her grin turned into a wide smile. ā¦ The silence was stifling inside the study. Lexi clenched her hands into fists while feeling slightly nervous. "I didn't instruct Mr. Zimmer to harm Ms. Xenos. I will investigate this and give her a satisfactory explanation," Lexi said. Investigating the matter would be difficult. The other party had set her up by accusing her of something hard to disprove. No matter what, she was in trouble. Lexi suspected that Yvonne had framed her. She was not likely to be a kind person. Four years ago, Lexi had seen Yvonne crush a kitten to death with her high heels. Martha had witnessed it too. Perhaps that was why she was so strongly opposed to Zachary marrying Yvonne. In the silent study, Zachary walked up to Lexi. As he neared her, she could feel the pressure mounting on her. Finally, he said, "I will have someone investigate this matter." This showed that he didn't believe her at all. He then asked, "Where have you moved to?" He only realized she had moved out of Flowerhill Estate after she had been gone for a few days. "A hotel." "Why did you move out?" After a moment of silence, Lexi took a deep breath. "You have gotten back together with Yvonne. I don't feel like staying there." Flowerhill Estate was their marital home and a gift from Martha. Staying there was torture for her, and she didn't want to put up with it. Zachary stared at her with his deep-set eyes. "Do you think you have the right to talk about this?" When they signed the contract two years ago, she lost the right to do as she pleased. Lexi laughed in exasperation. "I just want to live somewhere else for a change. Are you telling me I can't do that?" "If Grandma finds out about you moving out, you won't be able to handle the consequences," he said with a cold smile. "Don't try to be clever with me, Lexi." He tapped her head lightly with his cool fingers. "Don't play with fire." Chapter 7 Lexi felt her stomach churn and couldn't help but vomit right onto Zachary, who was in front of her. Zachary's expression stiffened with disgust. He looked at the vomit all over himself and glared at her with widened eyes filled with rage. Lexi covered her mouth in apology, though she felt a trace of satisfaction inside. "Sorry. I've been feeling unwell for the past few days." Utterly disgusted, Zachary took off his soiled clothes and threw them into the laundry basket. His lean but muscular physique was exposed. Before he left the study, he warned Lexi coldly, "Move back to Flowerhill Estate. If Grandma finds out you've moved out, I won't let you off." Lexi couldn't move back to Flowerhill Estate now. She had something very important to do. She had to find a safe place to get an surgery. Otherwise, the fear of Zachary finding out about the truth would loom over her constantly. Once Lexi made up her mind, she acted swiftly. She booked a flight to a small city. She caught a plane that took her there that very night. Next, she took a taxi to a small town and booked a room at a motel near Adstrum Hospital. At dawn, she arrived at the hospital to see a doctor at the gynecology clinic as soon as the doctors started their shifts. Feeling a bit self-conscious, she requested to see a female doctor. The nurse responded impatiently, "If everyone made such requests, how would we manage? Only Dr. Quall has a slot available. Do you want it or not?" Lexi flinched at the nurse's irritable tone. She hesitated for a second and replied meekly, "Yes." She then made her way to the clinic on the first floor. When there were two numbers left before it was her turn, there came a phone call from Quinton. "Ms. Loyle, why didn't you come to work again?" he asked. "I've submitted my resignation letter. I'm on annual leave now," Lexi replied. She then added, "I'm traveling now, Mr. Shaw. I'll be back in a week to hand over my work. Please handle things in my absence." She hung up decisively. Quinton was left speechless. He relayed Lexi's message to the busy Zachary. "Boss, Ms. Loyle is traveling. She said she will return in a week to hand over her duties." Zachary frowned and sipped his coffee. He found the taste unsatisfactory. "Who made today's coffee? Go make me another." Quinton took the coffee away and instructed the assistant secretary to go and brew Zachary a fresh cup. It took four attempts before their boss reluctantly accepted the coffee presented. Seeing this, Quinton surmised that Zachary must have gotten accustomed to the coffee Lexi made. "Book a table at the Cadorian restaurant for tonight. I have a date with Yvonne. Order a bouquet of roses as well." Zachary's request surprised Quinton, who started to doubt his initial guess. Could it be that Zachary's true love was still his ex-girlfriend, after all? Quinton collected his thoughts and replied, "Sure. I'll see to it." Before he left, he turned to Zachary and said, "Zach, Lexi has always done her job well. You... Don't regret this in the future." He and Zachary were college mates. Right now, he was speaking to Zachary as a friend. Zachary looked up, and his eyes were cold. "Why would I regret it? I've always loved Yvonne." Why would anyone think he would regret it? Zachary sneered and didn't think much of it. ... Lexi was unaware of the conversation that had taken place between Quinton and Zachary. The nurse opened the door and called out, "Ms. Loyle." Lexi nodded and entered. As she walked in, she overheard another nurse saying coquettishly, "You're so mean, Dr. Quall." The nurse's voice was overly sweet and coy. It made Lexi cringe. She glanced at the doctor, who was enjoying this attention, and realized that it was the man she'd encountered in the elevator. It didn't occur to her that he could be a doctor when she saw him. The tall man with broad shoulders was standing at the sink and washing his hands meticulously. He was wearing a white coat. With his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his strong arms were exposed, revealing the tattoo of a black mamba coiled around a rose. Lexi didn't know what to make of this. This was her first time seeing a doctor with such scary tattoos on his arms. Claude, who was wearing a surgical mask, noticed Lexi and raised an eyebrow. He wondered why she had come to such a remote town to seek treatment. He sat down and dried his hands leisurely. Then, he asked in a laid-back tone, "What's wrong?" After waiting for some time, he didn't hear any answer from Lexi. Claude asked again, "Is your throat so sore that you can't speak?" Doing her best to maintain her composure, Lexi whispered, "I'm hereā¦ to get a surgery." Claude fell silent. Lexi blinked at him and stayed quiet too. He had not expected this. "Have you given birth before?" "No. This is my first time." "When was your last period?" "I think it was around the end of April." After inquiring about her medical history, Claude said, "Let's do an ultrasound." Lexi nodded. She had come this far, so she didn't want to waste her time and effort. She followed the nurse and walked to the back of the curtain. After taking off her shoes and lying on the hospital bed, she pulled her shirt up to reveal her body. With gloved hands, Claude applied some gel to her. As she took in rasped, nervous breaths, her belly moved up and down rapidly too. "Relax," Claude reassured her. When he noticed her shaky fingers, Claude raised an eyebrow. "The procedure can be done tomorrow afternoon." Lexi wiped the gel off her stomach with some tissues. "Okay." Claude noticed that her hands were trembling even more now. For once, he decided to be kind and advised, "You should keep it." "The father is abusive. It would be cruel for me to keep the child," Lexi replied indifferently while tidying her clothes. "That's unfortunate." Lexi agreed, "Yes, it's very unfortunate." Claude stepped out from behind the curtains. As she looked at his broad shoulders, Lexi recalled the dream she had a few nights ago. She pondered that maybe she had it in her to become a promiscuous woman. While keying Lexi's information into the computer, Claude explained the precautions for surgery in detail. Lexi listened to him attentively. When Claude saw her name, he paused for a moment. Finally, he knew her name. | LEARN_MORE | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11845&ut | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61560831098071/ | 21 | 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=11845&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/t39.35426-6/449435803_659439016397015_7610005717476457356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfJBXgiX2uwQ7kNvgF7hvtn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AUXMUrSLjPQIa5LU2xgG02A&oh=00_AYATtN8VwEqepu3sfO8ANmk8ItAzJAfdYFYnyC3hDKMshg&oe=672FCE58 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,298,510 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2298408}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 05:00 | active | 1695 | 0 |
|
šRead the next chaptersš | I hear the rumors being spread about me by his relatives; the whisper that Iām barren. I look down at the little pink plus sign on the test and I smile. Itās all going to change now. On the anniversary night, I caught my husband cheating on me with my best friend in our bed. āHe never loved you, Iām always his true love. He met me first. ā my best friend says, āHe's only with you because he wants an heir, a baby. ā āDid you ever love me?ā I ask. "Love is too strong of a word.ā He laughs out loud as if he has heard something ridiculous. āYou have good breeding, your parents assured me you would be an obedient wife, and all along you've done well. Why don't you keep it up? Accept the reality and move on, before I run out of patience." His tone reminds me of the new racehorse he bought last month. A new, premium racehorse, presentable, brings him victories and can be bred to produce foals again. He never sees me as a wife, or even as a person. āI want a divorce,ā I say with a broken heart. āRemember your prenup? If you don't give me an heir, you will be ruined. Your family will be in debt for the rest of their lives. Think twice, Hazel. ā His pupils dilate like that of a wild animalās. I dug out my prenup from when Dad told me not to worry about anything, that they would protect me and all I had to do was sign it, and so I did. But now, I realize that my parents sold me into marriage. They didnāt care about me, at all. āGet over yourself and fulfil your duty to me. I'm the only one who can stand you in bed, you know how boring you used to be in bed?ā He stares at me with those cold eyes. The eyes I once loved. Heās finally stopped pretending. "I donāt know why you are fighting this so hard. We had a good time, didn't we? We can still live the life we had before. Itās not like you donāt enjoy the things we do together,ā he boasts. I wonāt let him gaslight me anymore. āDonāt flatter yourselfā¦ā I whisper between my gritted teeth. āIām leaving you, one way or anotherā¦.ā The look on his face is absolutely worth it. I may have to pay the consequences later. But for now, I feel free for the first time in my life. I will leave Carter, no matter the cost. | LEARN_MORE | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12972&u | Indulge in story | https://www.facebook.com/61552702618591/ | 830 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | redtgb.com | IMAGE | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12972&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/t39.35426-6/453414586_1169248981030580_4390153713711596294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iR6C2dP_iuIQ7kNvgF4EvKl&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-rFWU-bSsZ7VOVz3XaTNyo&oh=00_AYCVtfBOr_ttHc8uf9ZsP5y2DDO8Ns54ujZBijmQ41tGkw&oe=672FC91B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Indulge in story | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,301,119 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2300611}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 05:15 | active | 1696 | 0 |
|
šRead the next chaptersš | Two years of marriage, and I'd never set foot in my husband Elijah's office. Today was the first time I went to his company. After all this time, why was I suddenly entrusted to deliver these important documents? Could it be possible that theyāre finally learning to accept me? Taking a deep breath, I gently placed my hand on my stomach. The emptiness from losing my baby lingered, even though it had been a long time since that accident. I still felt lost and fragile, wishing for solace that never came. I missed my husband's presence, longing for a comforting word or touch. But he and his family remained distant and uninvolved, leaving me to recover on my own. Now, I was about to step into Elijahās world ā his beloved company. My heart skipped a beat as I entered Elijah's large, elegant office. The room was tastefully decorated, with rich mahogany furniture and a large sign that said Sinclair Realty Group. But what made me stop in my tracks was the sight of my husband huddled with an attractive blonde over some papers. Their shoulders were touching, their cheeks almost brushing against each other. What is going on? I thought in alarm. Suddenly, the woman whispered something in Elijahās ear while she gently laid her perfectly manicured hands on his arm. My heart jumped. I heard a loud thud on the floor and realized Iād dropped the folder I was holding. They both looked up, startled. And thatās when my gaze locked with that of the woman. I felt a shudder creeping through my skin. Serena Foster! She used to be a classmate of ours at Fairview University. She also happened to be Elijahās ex-girlfriend. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. So this is why my evil mother-in-law asked me to deliver this document! Morgana had probably known that Serena was here now. My husband rose from his chair, abruptly pulling away from Serena who was throwing me daggers with her eyes. āYou remember Serena, right? She works here now.ā I nodded, my heart leaping into my throat and my thoughts raging in a storm. Theyāre just colleagues, nothing else, I thought, but not with full conviction. Elijah wouldnāt cheat on me, would he? All this time, Iād remained hopeful that he could still fall in love with me. But now, with Serena in the picture, time might just be running out for us. āSo why are you here?ā Elijah asked, a frown creasing his brow. āYour mom asked me to deliver this,ā I explained, hastily picking up the folder and handing it to him. Then narrowing my eyes at Serena, I waited for him to explain why they were working closely, or to at least introduce me as his wife. But much to my dismay, he didnāt. It felt as though my heart was being squeezed tightly, as it dawned on me that heād never really introduced me to anyone as his wife. Ever. āSophia, you look shaken up. Didnāt you know Elijah hired me to work here?ā Her voice dripped with sarcasm. āApparently, we make a great team. Funny, I donāt recall seeing you here before.ā She was purposely rubbing it in my face, and I wanted to slap that smile away from her face. She then added, āOh, right, you donāt know anything about business. You might just mess things up.ā āI take care of our home,ā I said bitterly, looking down on the floor for a bit. I felt belittled, and my husband couldnāt even defend me. Serena looked at me with disbelief and laughed. Just then, Elijah said, āNext time, Sophia, just contact me and Iāll have my assistant come over.ā "Fine," I murmured, my voice barely audible, wishing the ground would swallow me up. The weight of hurt and embarrassment pressed down on me, crushing my spirit. My heart thudded as I blinked back tears. He doesn't want me here. Suddenly, Elijahās secretary came in. āAlice, please prepare coffee for the ladies,ā he instructed. āJust black for Serena. No sugar.ā Serenaās eyes lit up. āHey, you remembered!ā she exclaimed, obviously delighted. Elijah nodded at her. āOf course.ā I watched the exchange with a sinking feeling in my heart. Serena gave me a smug look as if she was reveling in some secret victory. I couldnāt help but feel more depressed. Here was my husband, effortlessly remembering Serena's coffee preferences, yet he couldn't recall something as simple as my allergy to caffeine. āJoin us, Sophia,ā Serena invited with a devilish grin. āJust like how we used to hang out together in college.ā I struggled to contain my emotions, not wanting to break down in front of them. āI have to go,ā I managed to say, my voice slightly cracking. āIāll see you at home.ā Elijahās expression remained unchanged, and my heart felt heavy with the realization of how little I meant to him. The way he treated me had only gotten worse after losing my baby. What did you expect? a small voice hissed in my head. He only married you because he got you to have a baby. Youāre the one who keeps hoping heāll eventually fall for you. As his assistant Connor Hayes drove me home, I thought about how my husbandās mother Morgana had begun ignoring me after I lost the baby. Then one day, she started talking to me again, only to treat me like a housemaid. I fought back tears as the heaviness in my heart escalated. My marriage was falling apart so fast that I couldnāt seem to catch up. When we pulled up the spacious driveway of the Sinclair mansion, a feeling of dread and loneliness engulfed me. Iām back in this prison. Trapped. Helpless. I want to escape this prison! I screamed in my head, glad that Morgana was nowhere to be found. Yet. Running to my room and throwing myself on my bed, sobs wracked my body. And as I cried my eyes out, I felt something with my hand that made me sit up. A small portion of a brown envelope was peeking from under the pillow. My heart tightened, and more tears filled my eyes. I knew exactly what it contained ā the papers Iād prepared before. I pulled them out and stared at the title that blurred before my teary eyes. It read: Divorce Agreement. CHAPTER 2 The divorce agreement was written after I accidentally lost my baby. During that time, I couldnāt even look at Elijahās face without thinking about our baby. The pain was unbearable, so I believed divorce was my salvation. Looking back, preparing the divorce agreement was not a mistake, now that leaving was my only option. My hands shook as I held the papers in my hand. I could hear Morganaās voice outside. āSophia!ā she called in a sharp tone. She probably heard me come in and was now wondering where I was. Quickly, I hid the divorce agreement and washed my face in the bathroom. Thatās when the door swung open. I dried my face with a towel and looked at my mother-in-law. She responded with a cold gaze. She immediately instructed me to do the housework, her tone full of disdain. As I began my chores, she stood there taunting me. āElijah told me not to ask you to deliver things in the future,ā she said with a scoff. āYou canāt even be relied on for such a simple task.ā Her words cut deep. āWhen you first came to our house carrying a baby in your belly, it was okay that you couldn't do anything,ā she continued. āThen you had lost your baby and you had to spend months recovering and regaining your health. Now you can't even deliver a document, so what's the meaning for Elijah of having you as a wife?" Her words were like daggers, each one piercing my heart. And then, in a cruel twist, she added, āMy son would be better off with Serena. She's prettier, smarter, and she even managed to land a job at his company! Unlike you... You can't even perform simple housework that well.ā Sure enough, she already knew that Serena worked at Elijah's company. She asked me to deliver the papers today just to make a fool of me. The room felt suffocating, the burden of her words pressing down on me. I felt utterly alone, realizing that no one had ever been on my side. I clenched my fists, struggling against the wave of tears threatening to spill. Sweeping the floor became a mechanical task, a facade to hide my turmoil. The repeated humiliations and frustrations drained me of the energy to fight back or explain myself yet again. I donāt deserve this, I thought sourly. Itās time for me to escape, to save myself. With bitter tears streaming down my cheeks, I rushed to my room and grabbed the papers Iād hidden. Staring at me from the front page were the words: Divorce Agreement. Iāve had enough. Flashbacks of how Elijah and Morgana had been treating me filled my mind. Despite my efforts to be the dutiful wife and daughter-in-law, Iād always seemed invisible to them. Iāve been obedient, helpful, and hardworkingā¦ But no one cares. Not even my own husband. Iām nothing to him. He doesnāt love me and he never learned to. Thatās the most painful of all. My heart tightened. His indifference cut deeper than any overt cruelty could. And now, with Serena back in the picture, their attention gravitated toward her. I felt more isolated than ever. This is the last straw! I must get out of here, or Iāll lose my sanity! That evening, I hadnāt realized Iād already fallen asleep when I heard the bedroom door open. Something made a loud, clattering noise. I quickly sat up and saw Elijah staggering toward me. He mumbled something about a dinner party as he plopped on the bed and started sliding his fingers down my bare arm. I hastily moved backward, giving him a look of disbelief. He was obviously drunk. If he wasnāt, he would have just ignored me and gone straight to bed. āHey, playing hard to get, arenāt you?ā he said in a slurred manner, his bloodshot eyes becoming more intense. Then without warning, he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. I didnāt have time to react, though, because he suddenly started unbuttoning my oversized nightshirt. āWhen did Serena start working at your company?ā I asked him coldly. He shrugged, but didnāt stop what he was doing. āNot sure. Probably recruited by HR.ā His lips traveled down and then his tongue followed. Finally, the last button on my sleep pajama surrendered. āSerena is such a talented addition to our team,ā he remarked with admiration. As I reminisced about the scene I witnessed at the company, my husband and his ex-girlfriend Serena were closely nestled together, sharing laughter and conversation. But I couldn't muster the courage to confront her and ask her to keep her distance from him. Jealousy and pain gripped my chest. I couldnāt believe he was saying all this while undressing me! I knew then that he still had feelings for her. āYou know,ā he said, oblivious to my disappointment, āshe's even outperforming many of the senior colleagues who've been with the company for years.ā Even as we locked eyes, there was something in his gazeāa kind of infatuationāthat he never seemed to exhibit when it came to me. Heās probably picturing me as her! I thought with disgust. I was so disappointed in him, and didnāt want him anywhere near me. But when I pulled away, he threw me an irritated look. āWhatās wrong with you?ā he asked, taken aback that I was saying no to his advances unlike before. I didnāt answer. He narrowed his eyes at me. āYouāve been down in the dumps for months now! I thought youād snap out of it, but youāve only gotten worse. Itās depressing to even see you.ā I cringed at his words, the searing pain crushing my heart. He couldnāt even see how my spirit was being shattered because of him. āMaybe itās because of the baby we lostā¦ā he mused. Sliding his fingers down the surface of my cheek and then my neck, he added in a drunken slur, āWhy donāt we just make another baby?ā I couldnāt believe my ears. I knew that whenever he was drunk, he spoke without inhibitions. He was often brutally honest in this state. Hence, he meant every word and that only showed how much he didnāt understand me or the problem we had in this marriage. My whole body was shaking as the misery and fury Iāve been keeping inside rose to the surface. He doesnāt get it. Or maybe he just doesnāt care. I was totally pissed off. And thatās when I blurted it out. āI want to divorce you.ā CHAPTER 3 I could sense his mind reeling from the unexpected news. He opened his mouth as if to say something. I expected him to respond, to react, to ask questions. Anything at all! But he never said anything. My heart thumped hard as we gazed at one another ā strangers whoād been forced to live together. I had tried so hard to make this marriage work even after we had lost the baby. But it takes two to succeed at this, I realized. āI want a divorce,ā I repeated, keeping my voice steady. āIām serious.ā Slowly he nodded. āYes, sure,ā he answered before getting up and disappearing into the bathroom. My heart felt like it was about to explode. I pulled my open shirt around me, desperately covering myself up, as I coiled into a fetal position with my head throbbing. A tear dropped down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. This is it. Iām going to be free. And yet somehow, I didnāt feel that ecstatic. His reaction only confirmed my worst suspicions. Now I know the truth ā he never loved me at all. Heās not even upset about the divorce! I sighed. Itās time for me to move on. The next day, after eating breakfast on my own, I mustered up all my courage and called Elijah to the study. āWe should sign this,ā I said without any emotion, showing him the divorce papers. He sat on the sofa across from me, looking at me quietly. His gaze always made me feel a little nervous, but today was different. I signed the papers and urged him to do the same. āElijah, please,ā I whispered, making sure my voice wouldnāt break. āLet's end this.ā His face contorted in a horrible expression as he ruthlessly grabbed the agreement from me. But he didnāt sign immediately. He took a long time going over each page while I waited impatiently. Then his phone suddenly rang. I saw it light up with Serenaās name, making my heart tighten. I canāt believe this womanās timing! But Elijah only glanced at it before returning to reviewing the papers. Perhaps he didnāt want to answer it because I was in the room with him. A myriad of emotions threatened to engulf me. I stood up and positioned myself in front of him with my arms crossed against my heart. āWhy donāt you just hurry up and sign those so you can get going? Someone might be waiting for you in the office.ā He glanced at me warily, then took out his pen and signed everything. With an angry grunt, he threw the papers down on the sofa and stormed out of the room. Watching him go, I was filled with overwhelming feelings ā relief, frustration, anger, sadness. āIām finally free,ā I murmured to myself incredulously. While I was packing my bags in the bedroom, Morgana suddenly charged inside. In her usual bossy voice, she said, āThe morningās almost over, Sophia! Go do the laundry now.ā With a sarcastic huff, I turned around to face her. āSorry, but Elijah and I just signed a divorce agreement. I will no longer do any housework for you.ā Her face reddened in anger. I could almost see steam coming out of her ears as she crossed her arms on her pit and scolded me angrily. "You married into our family for two years, no children, and now you want a divorce," she spat out bitterly. I scoffed, not bothering to respond. It doesnāt matter anymore. I can finally ignore her completely! But then, almost as quickly as her anger had surfaced, her mood changed. āYou know what? It's actually quite nice,ā she said, her tone almost mocking. āElijah can finally marry someone better, like Serina. Every single day that I see you hanging your head in despair, it just makes my blood boil. Anyone would make a better wife than you!ā Her words infuriated me. I wanted to slap away that haughty look on her face, but it would just be a waste of energy. Iām done here. Iām done with all this. Suddenly, memories flooded back of a time when Morgana had shown kindness, especially during my pregnancy with her grandchild. She had been caring and considerate. However, after I lost my baby, her demeanor changed drastically. She began treating me like a mere servant rather than a member of the family. I could never understand why she became so hostile all of a sudden. Sometimes I wondered if it had more to do with herself than with me. That afternoon, I went home to where I grew up. As I settled in, I felt relieved that at least I had a place I could call my own. āLuckily I hadnāt sold it,ā I muttered, looking around the living room and remembering my adoptive father. This house is the only connection I have left with him. Night swept in quickly. I was worn out and exhausted. Climbing onto my old bed, I was ready to relax when I received a message from my best friend Kayla. It showed a secretly taken photo of Elijah and Serena in a club, sitting intimately close and laughing together. A chill ran down my spine as I read the angry message from Kayla: That Elijah! You have no idea what I saw! Elijah was out partying and flirting with that Serena, which he never did with you! My heart sank, anger and sadness clouded my mind as I realized he was indeed getting back together with Serena and flaunting her around. Forcing back my tears, I told Kayla: Itās over between me and Elijah. We were divorced. CHAPTER 4 āAaarrgghh! I so hate that guy for doing this to you!ā Kayla hissed. āIf I had known heād treat you like that, I wouldnāt have allowed you to even come near him during our grad celebration! And I wouldnāt have kept pushing you to hook up with him, no matter how gorgeous he was!ā Being the daughter of Raven Mediaās renowned CEO, Kayla Davis always hung out with high society. She saw Elijah a lot at parties since they belonged to the same circle. We also all happened to attend Fairview University where Kayla and I had majored in Interior Design. Hence, she not only knew Elijah but Serena too. āYou should have seen them at the party last night!ā she cried out, causing some people to give us a dirty look. Lowering her voice, she leaned forward with a repulsed look. āThey didnāt even care that I was there! They were justā¦ Aaahhh! I really couldnāt take it, so I went over there and gave them a piece of my mind. I told them they ought to be ashamed of themselves!ā āOh, wow,ā I uttered in disbelief. āBut itās over now, Kayla. Iām doing my best to move on.ā Kayla was still fuming. But then, she eventually smiled and leaned over to squeeze my hands. āIām always here for you, Sophia. You know that.ā āThanks so much. Iām really grateful to have someone who really cares about me,ā I responded with a fluttering heart. āWell, youāve always had my back even in high school. So now itās my turn to return the favor.ā Kayla and I became best friends during our freshman year in high school. We came to know each other well when we first worked on an art project together. Weād hit it off at once, and the rest was history. āAnyway, I can see that Elijah never loved you and he doesnāt deserve you, Sophia,ā she went on. āSo what are you planning now?ā āWell, Iāve been giving it some thoughtā¦ā I began, suddenly feeling excited for the future. āA few weeks ago, I applied for this postgraduate program at Goldwell Institute of Art in Franceāā āYou did not!ā she interrupted me, her lips turning up into a huge grin. Suddenly, she jumped up from her seat and gave me a hug. āThis will surely be your big break!ā I laughed. āI havenāt been accepted yet, you know.ā āOh, but you will be!ā Kaylaās enthusiasm was so contagious that I could already picture myself studying there, exploring France, and enjoying myself. But then, my mood suddenly changed again when I heard my phone ringing and saw Elijahās name popping up on the screen. I froze up. Kaylaās eyes narrowed when she saw it too. āGo ahead and answer it. See what he has to say.ā As soon as I accepted the call, I heard Elijahās sharp tone of voice on the other end. āYou filed for our divorce, and now your family wants cash from me?! Unbelievable!ā āWait, what do you mean?ā āYou know Iām busy in the office, then here comes your brother with another excuse for needing financial help! He had the nerve to barge into the conference room and disrupt our meeting!ā Elijah railed angrily. I felt mortified and helpless. āIāll talk to Troy.ā āGood. Make sure he doesnāt come back again ever.ā Then he hung up. I was so shocked that I couldnāt speak for a while. My family's constant demands for cash had reached a tipping point. No matter how many times I tried to set boundaries, they continued to use me and interrupt Elijah. It felt like I had no control over the situation, and it was greatly upsetting. āSorry I have to go now, Kayla,ā I said, bravely deciding to act immediately. She nodded in understanding and we said goodbye. I immediately rushed to the house where my adoptive mother and brother had moved to after my adoptive father Tom Bennett passed away. Heād left me the original house where heād taken care of me like his real own child. But the rest of the inheritance had been taken by his wife and son. Theyād bought a bigger house and I never heard from them again. Not until they learned of my marrying a wealthy man in the famous Sinclair clan. Brenda was certainly not pleased to hear what I had to say. āWhat did you say?! You divorced Elijah, the billionaire CEO of Sinclair Realty Group?!! Are you out of your mind?!!ā Behind her, my brother Troy looked as if he wanted to punch the wall. āIt was never going to work out,ā I said, trying to maintain my composure. āJust please stop bothering him. Weāve cut our ties. You canāt ask for anything from him anymore.ā āOh, man!ā Troy exclaimed with frustration. Two years ago, after I married Elijah, Brenda and Troy came back and pretended like we were a tight-knit family. At first, Elijah was kind and understanding of their needs. But when he noticed how abusive they had become, always asking for financial support, he became impatient and angry. One time, they even borrowed cash in my name and never paid it back. It had become one of the reasons why Morgana was so angry with me. āDid you fight? Maybe you can still fix it!ā Brenda said, looking desperate. Troy scoffed. āWhen I went to his office, I saw him talking to this beautiful, sexy blonde. Iām guessing thereās a third party involved! People who donāt know better would think that woman is his wife!ā CHAPTER 5 My heart felt like it would explode any time now. āIt doesnāt matter,ā I eventually said to Troy. āItās none of my business now. I donāt care what he does with that woman or with whomever.ā Then staring hard at him and my foster mother, I said sharply, āWeāre definitely not getting back together, so the two of you should just stop going to him for anything! Just stop!ā āButā¦ā Brenda began to protest. I raised my hand to stop her. āElijah and I are over. Besides, Iāll soon move to France and study there. And since you only contacted me again because of Elijahās wealth, then now you wonāt have any more need for me, right?ā They were both shocked at my words because I had never spoken like that in the past. But it was time for me to step up and put myself first for once. āAll thing that you swindled out of my ex-husbandās pocket, consider it as your payment for raising me,ā I went on in a steady voice. āWe donāt have to see or talk to each other ever again.ā On the way home, I began to feel a migraine coming. I closed my eyes and massaged my temples as I sat in the back seat of a cab. All of this dramaās taking a toll on me, I guess. But as I neared the house, I felt increasingly queasy and unwell. I realized my health hadnāt fully recovered since the loss. āCould you please take me to the hospital?ā I asked the driver, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rising nausea. He nodded and quickly changed course, navigating toward the nearest medical facility. The ride felt endless, each bump in the road exacerbating my discomfort. By the time we arrived, I could barely contain the churning in my stomach. I burst through the hospital doors, a wave of dizziness threatening to overwhelm me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled forward, nearly colliding with a figure in front of me. Before I could hit the ground, strong hands gripped my arms, steadying me. Gasping for breath, I looked up and found myself staring into the concerned eyes of a very handsome and familiar-looking man. āAre you okay? You look like you're about to faint,ā he said, his brows furrowed with worry. With our eyes locked on each other, before I could even reply, a look of recognition crossed his features. āOh, wait! Itās you. Sophia Bennett from Green Valley High, right?ā I was surprised, looking at him closely. His features reminded me of someone I knew a long way back. āUh, Daniel?ā I eventually said, recalling his name. We had gone to the same high school, but he was a year older than me. āYes, yes. Wait, let me bring you to our family doctor. You look really pale.ā I felt too sick to pretend I was fine, so I just let him lead me through the corridor and into one of the clinics. He quickly introduced me to the doctor whom he seemed to know well. As the doctor greeted me, concern etched across his face, I explained how I'd been feeling. He listened attentively, nodding as I spoke. After a brief discussion, he led me to an examination room, asking Daniel to wait outside. The examination was thorough, and I appreciated the doctor's calming demeanor. Afterward, he suggested some basic tests to determine the cause of my symptoms. āHow are you feeling now?ā Daniel asked kindly once I sat down beside him in the waiting area. āA little better, but still kinda dizzy,ā I answered honestly. āThanks for the assistance, but itās okay if you have somewhere to be. Youāve already done too much for me.ā āOh, itās okay,ā he said with a smile. āUnless you donāt want me here.ā āItās nothing like that, of course!ā I quickly replied. āThanks for accompanying me. It feels good to have someone to talk to while Iām here.ā āWell, Iām all ears. People say Iām a good listener.ā I beamed at him, his presence a comforting anchor in the sterile hospital environment. Chuckling, I said, āI donāt really know you, Danielā¦ā āYou know my name. Thatās a start.ā His grin seemed to brighten up the surroundings, and I just felt immediately comfortable with him. I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity and trust wash over me. We hadn't been close in high school, but something about his calm demeanor and genuine concern made me want to open up. āI rememberā¦ Daniel Pierceā¦ā I began, smiling. I could feel my headache and nausea diminishing. āHigh school jock, but a bit geeky and always at the top of the class.ā He laughed. āYouāve got a good memory, Sophia Bennett. I remember you too ā the smart, quiet, very talented artist whom all the boys noticed but never had the nerve to approach.ā I laughed too at his astonishing description of me. āYouāre joking!ā āNo, itās trueā¦ Really! Iām sure youāve managed to get yourself a very good-looking husband. Let me guess, a CEO?ā He was kidding, but hitting close to home made me frown as I remembered Elijah. āGood-looking, yes. CEO, yes. But husband? Not anymore.ā āOh.ā His expression changed immediately. āIām sorry to hear that.ā āYou know, it's been a rough few months,ā I began tentatively, twiddling my thumbs in my lap. āI'm actually going through a divorce, and my family... they keep asking for cash from my ex-husband, which just complicates things even more.ā Daniel's expression shifted to one of empathy, and he nodded, encouraging me to continue. āAnd then I lost my baby...It's been tough, physically and emotionally. I just feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, you know?ā He nodded in understanding. āIām so sorry to hear all that, Sophia. But you seem like a really strong woman. Iām sure you can get back on your feet in no time. Usually, it helps to be in a change of environment. Have you considered that?ā āYeah, starting anew in a foreign land,ā I answered, thinking about my application in France. āHmmā¦ sounds like a pretty bold move," Daniel remarked, his eyes reflecting admiration and amusement at the same time. āIt takes courage to make such a big change.ā I smiled weakly. āActually, I've applied for graduate studies in France. It's something I've always wanted to do.ā Daniel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. āReally? That's incredible! I recently got accepted at the Goldwell Business School in Parisā¦ā My jaw dropped. āWhat? Iām planning to go to the Goldwell Institute of Art!ā He looked at me with astonishment. āWhat are the odds, huh? Looks like weāll be seeing more of each other. Those institutions share practically the same campus.ā I couldn't believe the coincidence, though I was still feeling down. āThatās reallyā¦ something else.ā āSurely youāll get in. Where do you plan to stay in Paris?ā āThe Latin Quarter, of course. Iām looking at an apartment there, since itās where most students live.ā Daniel chuckled. āAnd it looks like weāll be neighbors too. I think we were meant to cross paths again right now, right here.ā He gave me a lopsided grin. āWho knows? Maybe weāre destined to explore France together! When you book your plane ticket, let me know. Letās fly together. I mean, if thatās alright with you?ā His offer warmed my heart, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. āThank you, Danielā¦ā Suddenly, I heard my name being called by the assistant, motioning for me to come back into the clinic. āMiss Sophia Bennett?ā she informed me. āYour test results are here.ā CHAPTER 6 Daniel followed me into the doctor's office, providing support. The doctor smiled warmly at us, his expression giving nothing away. āWell, Sophia,ā he began, his tone measured, āthe results are in. Congratulations to you both.ā I felt a rush of confusion and disbelief. āYouāre going to be parents. Congratulations!ā the doctor added. Iāmā¦ pregnant?! How could that be? My last baby had left me only months ago. Even I just signed divorce papers with Elijah, and now I'm carrying his child? The room spun around me as embarrassment flooded my cheeks. Probably because he was mistaken for the baby's father, Daniel looked surprised but did not contradict the doctor. āOther than that, youāre perfectly healthy, Sophia,ā the doctor assured me. He went on to discuss some things with Daniel, but I hardly heard them talking. My heart pounded crazily, and my mind felt fuzzy. Once again, I felt like I was caught up in a weird dream. None of it was real. Daniel was quiet as we left the hospital. I didnāt know what to say either. āLet me drive you home, Sophia,ā he offered once we were outside. His eyes were filled with concern for me. I was just too tired and confused to say no, so I simply nodded. He did not ask any questions, and I was glad. What am I going to do? I asked myself in silence while in the car, feeling the panic rising in my throat. This is the worst timing ever. Elijah and I just got divorced, and Iām supposed to have a whole new life ahead of me. Anxiety took over me. Everything was about to change again. If I have this baby, it wonāt have a father, I thought bitterly. And how can I take care of it on my own while living in a different country where I donāt have anyone to help me? My hand moved toward my tummy. There was no baby bump yet, but knowing that there was a little one growing inside gave me chills. Suddenly, I remembered how painful it had been to lose my baby before. This is a blessing, a second chance for me to become a mother. Would I want to risk losing another baby? Slowly I began to calm down. I took deep breaths until my head began to clear. This is a miracle, I told myself. I should be grateful. As I rubbed my belly, I spoke in my mind. Iām so sorry, baby. Itās just all too sudden. But I know that Iām going to take care of you and love you with all my heart. Days flew by, bringing a welcomed calm without Elijah, Brenda, and Troy in the picture. However, internally, I remained in turmoil. Then, the news I had been eagerly awaiting arrivedāI had been accepted into my dream university to study art and design once more! Despite the uncertainty of juggling studies with a baby, I couldn't let this opportunity slip away. In just a weekās time, I found myself waving goodbye to Kayla at the airport. āCall me when you get there!ā she said, her eyes gleaming with tears. It was the first time we would be apart for a long time, and we were like sisters. As I settled into my seat on the airplane, bound for Paris, excitement and nervousness mingled within me. The prospect of starting a new life in a different country threatened to overwhelm my senses. The plane began its ascent, lifting off the ground. I felt a wave of panic wash over me. Beside me, Daniel sensed my unease and reached over, gently squeezing my hand. āEverything will be okay,ā he reassured me. āI'm here. We'll do this together.ā His words were a comforting balm to my anxious soul, and I found great comfort in his presence. As we chatted throughout the plane ride, ate together, fell asleep, and then chatted some more, I began to relax and come to terms with the situation. I can do this, I thought with more confidence. Then touching my tummy, I silently whispered, Youāre my lucky charm, my baby. By the time we landed safely, Daniel and I were like old buddies. I was truly grateful that he was with me. As the cab wound through Paris, iconic landmarks flashed pastāthe Eiffel Tower dominating the skyline, the majestic Louvre in the distance, and quaint streets bustling with cafes and shops. Despite my worries, the beauty of the city had me momentarily elated, filling me with a sense of excitement and wonder. Beside me, Daniel seemed entranced, his eyes wide with wonder. Soon, we were unloading my bags at my new apartment. It was semi-furnished, and I was immediately drawn to the light blue walls and the inviting white sofa. But my favorite part of all was the large window that gave me a fantastic view of the busy city street below. This was itāthe start of my new life in Paris. I turned to Daniel, who was looking around the apartment with a satisfied smile. āLooks like you've got yourself a nice little place here,ā he remarked, glancing back at me. "Yeah, I think I'm going to like it here," I replied. Daniel chuckled. āJust remember to take it easy, okay? You've had a long journey.ā I rolled my eyes. āI'm fine, Daniel. I'm not going to keel over from exhaustion.ā He raised an eyebrow, and then grinned. āI'm just saying, youāll be too heavy for me to carry if you collapse!ā I threw the throw pillow at him jokingly. āOh, shut up.ā We both laughed. He added, āYou need to get some beauty sleep, Sophia. I'm sure you'll want to look your best when you meet your new classmates.ā āOh, so now you're concerned about my appearance?ā Daniel grinned. āHey, a little rest never hurt anyone. And who knows, maybe you'll meet a cute French guy who'll sweep you off your feet.ā I playfully nudged him. āI think I'll pass on that, thank you very much. I'm here to focus on my studies, not my love life.ā He appeared pleased with that statement. āFair enough,ā he answered with a teasing smile. āBut you never know what could happen. Paris is the city of love, after all.ā I felt a little flutter in my heart, wondering if I could learn to look at him as more than a friend. Perhaps it's more accurate to say he's akin to a brother rather than just a friend. The assistance he's provided far exceeds anything I've received from Elijah in years. Sighing, I went over to my bags. āCome on, just help me unpack already so we can check out your apartment next.ā As we were unpacking, my phone rang. I figured it was Kayla so I asked Daniel to answer it, showing him that my hands were full at the moment. āHello?ā I heard Daniel say. He put the call on speaker mode. āWho the hell is this? Where's Sophia?ā a very familiar male voice demanded, his tone aggressive and impatient. My heart felt like it had just plummeted to the ground. I felt my whole body trembling when Daniel handed the phone to me. I didn't have to hold the phone to my ear to hear Elijah's furious growling, "Sophia, YOU CAN'T just walk away like this! Where the hell are you now?! Without my permission, you are not allowed to go anywh...." I pressed the button to end the call without hearing his entire words, calming my quivering heart with a big and deep breath. It's true that Elijah has never been very considerate or tender with me, but he hasn't really stepped on me rudely either. It's just that lately, he's been indifferent to me. Anyway, he'd never been as emotionally cranky as he was now. Did my leaving make him care? No, don't be silly, Sophia, he can be with Serena again now. He's free. How do you expect that he would care about you, a woman he had never loved? Daniel noticed my paradoxical anxiety. "Who is he?" Daniel inquired. But I could see in his eyes that he clearly knew the answer to that question. I sighed, "My husband. No, ex-husband." | LEARN_MORE | https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid= | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 290 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | thebvhwysgng.com | DCO | https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=12887&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-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457564230_551374980564117_5159278282504693424_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LNNxbF5sKJIQ7kNvgFF-2m9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AjEx87YQnuEecx66P6GykT4&oh=00_AYCX5z3gj9tH2z2x9Z0mdSz4zbaxecOvytdO1tAwZLVw6Q&oe=672FBA8F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,297,676 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2297677}'
|
Yes | 2024-11-05 05:00 | active | 1695 | 0 | ććććÆćŖććÆćć¦ē”ęć§ćčŖćæćć ććļ¼ | ććć¤å½¼å„³ćØé¢å©ććć®ļ¼ć å室ć®äøć§ć儳ć®åćÆęę ć«ęŗć”ćē³ć§ē®ć®åć®ē·ę§ćč¦ć¤ćć¦ććć å°ę¾éé¦ćÆå室ć®å¤ć«ē«ć£ć¦ćć¦ćęč¶³ćå·ćć¦ććććć®å„³ć®åćØåćććå°ę¾éé¦ćÆē·ć®ē¾ććå³ććé”ćč¦ć¤ććé”č²ćÆéććć¦ććć ē·ćÆ彼儳ć®å¤«ćäŗå®®é ä¹ć§ććć å£ććććŖćé ä¹ćÆććć®ćÆć©ćć§ć¦ć§ć¤ćæć¼ćØćć¦åćć¦ćććéé¦ćÆä»ę„ä»äŗćēµćć¦äøē·ć«åø°ćććć«ę©ćć«ćć£ć¦ę„ććććććŖå “é¢ć«ééćććØćÆäŗę³ćć¦ććŖćć£ćć ē·ćÆčćåćč»½ćéććä½ćć¦åæå°ćć声ćēŗććććć§ććć ćę©ć彼儳ć«č©±ććć éé¦ćÆē®ćéććčćåććć 話ćććć ć ććććććŖē“ ęµćŖ声ć ć£ććŖćć¦ć ććć«ćć¦ćććć£ćØčććå½¼ć®ęåć®čØčćé¢å©ć ć£ććŖćć¦ćäŗę³å¤ć§ććć äŗŗéćć ć£ćć®ććØéé¦ćÆå°ćč«ē¶čŖ失ćć¦ććć ćć®äøåć§ćÆć¼ć«ćŖē·ę§ććé ä¹ć ćŖćć¦ćććå¾ćŖćć é ä¹ćé¢å©ćåćåŗććÆćććŖćć ćÆć©ććåŗććØććå¤ćÆéØćéć£ć¦ćććććć«ęæ”ćć¦ćć¾ććéé¦ćÆęŗåøÆćåćåŗćć夫ć®ēŖå·ć«ćć¤ć¤ć«ćć¦ćæćć å室ć®ēŖć¾ć§ę©ćć¦č”ććéØć§ćććć č¦éćéćć¦äøćč¦ććć é ä¹ćÆēćåÆććŖććęŗåøÆćęć«åććē”č”Øę ć§é話ćåć£ć¦ćććć”ćć»ć¼ćøćęć”å§ććć ć”ćć»ć¼ćøćććć«å±ććć ćć©ććć¦é»č©±ćććć¦ććć®ļ¼åć話ććŖćććØćåæćć¦ćć®ļ¼ć éé¦ćÆć”ćć»ć¼ćøćč¦ć¤ććć¾ćć§ćć¤ćć§åŗććććć®ććć«åæčćēććŖć£ć¦ććć ćŖćåćć¤ćļ¼ ćć¤åććććć«ćŖć£ćć®ćļ¼ ćć®å„³ć®åćØćÆććć¤ē„ćåć£ććć ććļ¼ ćć¤é¢å©ććććØćę±ŗćććć ććļ¼ čøć«ę¹§ćäøććē”ę°ć®ēåćä»ććć¶ć”ć¾ććććØęć£ćććå½¼ć®å·ććč”Øę ć«ęććć„ćć¦ćć§ććŖć£ćć 1幓åćčØę¶åŖ失ć§å£ććććŖćé ä¹ć家ć«é£ćć¦åø°ć£ćęćå½¼ćÆčŖåć®ååć®ęøćę¹ć ććč¦ćć¦ćć¦ćä»ć®ćć¹ć¦ćåæćć¦ććć ćććŖé ä¹ć«čŖćæęøćććę話ć¾ć§äøććęććććć«äŗŗćęććććØććå¦ć°ććć®ćÆå°ę¾éé¦ć ć£ćć ćć®å¾ćäŗäŗŗćÆēµå©ććć ēæę £ćčŗ«ć«ć¤ćć«ćÆ21ę„ććććØčØććć¦ćććć1幓éäøē·ć«ćććØćé ä¹ćØććē·ć®ååØć«ććčŖåćøć®åŖććē¬é”ć«ććć£ććę £ćć¦ććć ć ćććććÆćć£ćØåć«éććŖććé ä¹ćÆé¢å©ćåćåŗććÆćććŖććØäæ”ćć¦ććć éØć«ęæ”ćć¦å®¶ć«åø°ććØćéé¦ćÆćé¢Øåć«å „ććé ä¹ć®ććć«ęēćēØęćć¦ćé£åć§éćć«å¾ ć£ć¦ććć ęčØćå¤ć®10ęćęćććØćććć¢ćéććåÆę°ćć¾ćØć£ćé ä¹ć家ć«å „ć£ć¦ććć é ä¹ćÆćć§ć«ć¦ć§ć¤ćæć¼ć®å¶ęć«ēęæćć¦ććć ēē±ććŖćåæćēććŖć£ćć ę„äøć«č¦ćē·ć®å§æćå¹»ćŖć®ćć©ććććććŖćć£ćć ćéé¦ćć©ćććć®ļ¼ć é”ćéćććć¼ććććØććč”Øę ć®å¦»ćč¦ćé ä¹ćÆćåæé ććć«ę話ć§å°ććć å½¼ć®ē«Æę£ćŖé”ē«ć”ć«ćÆäøå®ćć«ććæćęćē³ć«ćÆē¦ććå®æć£ć¦ćććć éé¦ć®é ć®äøć«ęµ®ććć§ććć®ćÆćå·ććē®ć§ć”ćć»ć¼ćøćęć”č¾¼ćæćŖćććå„ć®å„³ę§ćØę„½ćććć«ä¼č©±ćć¦ćć夫ć®å§æć ć£ćć ćŖćć¦ē®čćŖćć®ć ć ćé¦ę°“ć®åććććććä»ć®å„³ę§ć®ć éé¦ćÆå½¼ć«č§¦ććććć®ćéæććŖććčØčćēŗććć é ä¹ć®é”č²ćäøå¤ććę話ć§ēććććä»ę„ćå室ć§ę„客ććéćć客ę§ć®é¦ę°“ć®åććć¤ćććććććŖććććć«ć·ć£ćÆć¼ć굓ć³ć¦ććććć é ä¹ćē«ć”äøćć£ć¦ćć¤ć¬ć«č”ććØćććć«ę°“ć®ęµććé³ćčććć¦ććć ē·å¼µććŖććčŖ¬ęććę§åćÆćåćććč¦ććŖćć£ćć éé¦ćÆē«ć”äøććććć®ć¾ć¾ęµ“室ć«å „ć£ć¦ćęæ”ććčŗ«ä½ćę°ć«ććććØćŖćé ä¹ćę±ććććē®ćéććććä»ę„ććÆć©ćć«č”ć£ć¦ććć®ć ē·ćÆåććę¢ćććć°ćććć¦ćććććććć£ććć ććććØććęÆćć¤ććć ćć®ęć«čćććå½¼ć®å£°ćÆćé³ę„½ćØę··ććåć£ć¦ćć¦ćććć»ć©é®®ęć§ćÆćŖćć£ćć ćććŖć®ć«ćä»ć®å½¼ć®ä½ć声ćÆéé¦ć®é ć®äøć§é³“ćéæćć¦ććććć®é®®ęć§åæć«éæć声ć«ćéé¦ćÆęÆćåćć»ć©čøćēćć ć é ä¹ćÆ話ććććć«ćŖć£ćććå½¼ćÆććć«ćć®ććØćä¼ćć¦ćććć©ććććé¢å©ćåćåŗćććØćć¦ććć ćććÆę¬å½ćŖć®ć ćććć ć©ććć¦é¢å©ćŖćć¦čØćåŗćć®ļ¼ ććč³Ŗåćććę°ęć”ć§ćć£ć±ćć ć£ćććęę ¢ććć ćć®1幓éćå½¼ć«åƾćć¦ęŖćććØćććč¦ććÆäøåŗ¦ććŖćć®ć«ćé¢å©ćåćåŗćććć®ćŖććććć¦ēē±ćē„ćććć åæćÆå·ććęććććå½¼ć®ä½ęø©ć«ęććéé¦ćÆććć£ćØå¼·ć夫ć®ä½ćę±ććććć ććććčŖ°ććØ話ćć¦ććć®ćčććććć©ćä½ć話ćć¦ććććÆććććŖćć£ććę¬å½ć«ē“ ęµć ć£ćććć¾ćććć®å£°ć ććčØććŖćććå½¼ć®čäøć«ćć¹ćććć ć¾ćććć ćć®å¼ć³ę¹ćÆćäŗäŗŗć ćć®ćć©ć¤ćć¼ććŖęć«ä½æćē¹å„ćŖćć®ć ć ććå¼ć°ćććć³ć«ćé ä¹ćÆććć«ę ē±ēć«åæćć¦ćććć ććććä»å¤ćÆéć£ććéé¦ćÆę¼ćę»ććć¦ćć¾ć£ćć ćē²ććććØé ä¹ćčØć£ćć éé¦ćÆé”ćéććć夫ć®ē«ę“¾ćŖčäøćč¦ć¤ććŖćććēŖē¶ęććę¹§ćäøćć£ć¦ććććć ććę¬²ććć£ć¦čØć£ć¦ćć®ćé ä¹ćÆē§ć®å¤«ć§ćććļ¼å¤«ćØćć¦ć®č²¬ä»»ćć”ćććØęććć¹ććććŖćć®ļ¼ć ē²ćććØčØć£ć¦ććććć¾ććä»ć®å„³ćØåÆćććć§ćÆćŖćć ćććļ¼ ä»ććē¢ŗčŖććŖććć°ļ¼ ēŖē¶å¼·ę°ć«ćŖć£ćéé¦ć«é©ććć®ććéé¦ć®ęćććęćä½äøćéććØćé ä¹ć®ęÆćÆć¾ćć¾ćčććŖć£ć¦ćć£ćć ä½ćÆę£ē“ćŖćć®ć§ććć®ē·ćÆćć¤ćéé¦ć®čŖęć«å¼±ćć é»ćē³ć®äøć«ęćč²ćć”ćććØå ććé ä¹ćÆéé¦ć®é”ćć¤ććæćåćå„Ŗć£ćā¦ | LEARN_MORE | https://mmplm.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=14806&ut | 儳ć®åćčŖćæććå°čŖ¬ć大ē¹é | https://www.facebook.com/61559954921868/ | 103 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | mmplm.com | DCO | https://mmplm.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=14806&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/t39.35426-6/465212100_897429978668628_9056086323662448835_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=skR6pAxCUs4Q7kNvgHyN-Dv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-1cANB70lwcKjx6Q1i8vzh&oh=00_AYDLWzLYvvuMfio5VV0xwvkHrIUuhm3W_I81VGwklViOsQ&oe=672FCCB9 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 儳ć®åćčŖćæććå°čŖ¬ć大ē¹é | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,296,177 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 04:21 | active | 1693 | 0 |
|
OurFren | š GIVEAWAY ALERT! š Want to win a giant 18-inch plush? š§ø Weāre celebrating with an exclusive giveaway for our subscribers! For every 100 new subscribers, weāll hold a raffle and one lucky winner will bring home an adorable, limited-edition plush friend! How to Enter: āØ Just visit ourfren.com and subscribe ā itās that easy! The sooner you subscribe, the better your chances! Donāt miss out on your chance to win a plush that helps support wildlife conservation. šš Ready to bring home your new best friend? Head to ourfren.com now and subscribe! | SIGN_UP | http://www.ourfren.com/ | OurFren | https://www.facebook.com/ourfren/ | 3,389 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sign up | 0 | ourfren.com | IMAGE | OurFren | http://www.ourfren.com/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent.fagc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465699159_504033235971811_3076148096941233077_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xVf5UKDfCDsQ7kNvgEqE2hM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-2.fna&_nc_gid=AlNnPViLW3q6KpPwhEg0mGe&oh=00_AYBYVVtA4z_128Zf0CAqvwk9QBsrazz7oD77sPAUspsUiA&oe=672FBA7E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | OurFren | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,295,159 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-11-05 04:21 | active | 1693 | 0 | WIN $1,000 'NXTZEN Starter Pack' | š„ NXTZEN GIVEAWAY š„ Who else is attending this year's SEMA Show? NXTZEN is!! Come check out some cool products, live demonstrations, and meet the team! Oh yea! And also enter to WIN a 'NXTZEN Starter Pack' (valued at $1,000) for FREE. š¤Æ We're giving away a Starter Pack every day for four days! The 'NXTZEN Starter Pack' Includes: āļø GSO2 Kit āļø 365 Pro Kit āļø Graphene Serum Kit āļø Ceramic Professional Kit āļø L-Coat Leather & Vinyl Kit āļø Prep Solvent 500ml āļø Elite Ceramic Coating Kit This includes everything you need to get started with NXTZEN in your shop. Whether you're just getting started in offering Ceramic Coatings or looking to upgrade to the industry's highest standard, NXTZEN has you covered! Register at our booth or visit our website for a chance to become one of four lucky winners! āļø | LEARN_MORE | https://us.nxtzen.com/pages/sema | Nxtzen USA | https://www.facebook.com/nxtzenusa/ | 681 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | us.nxtzen.com | VIDEO | NXTZEN Giveaway | https://us.nxtzen.com/pages/sema | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent.fagc3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650096_522437437437695_8751132239060636398_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x8B4gkC7p4kQ7kNvgH8svy3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-1.fna&_nc_gid=AO61H4AGjuDsdz_Zt0Y9YZW&oh=00_AYAjF-dgZfTAEXyQH_-yX_PDM6LWIUiGUlw8DywMCuk8jw&oe=672FA3BE | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nxtzen USA | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,301,050 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2300501}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 05:15 | active | 1696 | 0 |
|
š„š„Click to read the next chapter for freeš | Haley hadn't seen her husband William for a week and when she finally called him in the evening he seemed annoyed. "I have a meeting now. Excuse me." He brushed hang up the phone before she could say a word. Haley felt a little disappointed since tonight marked their third anniversary. Anyway, she decided to stay awake until he got home. Bored, she picked up her phone, checking into her tiktok to kil-l time. Just then, a piece of news popped up, featuring NK Enterprise, her husband's company. Excited, Haley tapped into the news; "William Nash, Famous CEO of NK Enterprise, Checks Into Hotel With his Mystery Girlfriend, Relationship Revealed" Her William? Haley's eyes glued to her phone's screen, shock and disbelief taking over when she saw the image of her husband entering the Hotel, his arm snaked around a woman's waist. Haley couldnāt believe her husband was with a woman. She must be mistaken. Sinking in confusion was pointless. Haley dialed his number. On her third trial, he finally picked up. āWhat's up?ā he asked coldly. Haley inhaled deeply, controlling her emotions. āLiam, where are you? Today's our 3rd anniversary, remember?ā āSo?ā he said through his careless tone, āNot coming home. Sleep by yourself.ā His voice holding no remorse, a gut-wrenching punch to her pride. Just then, a female voice, soft and seductive, came on the phone. āWilly, I'm thirsty.ā Willy? Even Haley wasn't allowed to call him that. He truly was with a woman! The phone beeped. He hung up the call. Haley sank onto the bed, her thoughts spinning and that voice echoing. It was Leah! Liamās secretary who looked a lot like his Ex. Dazed, Haley's gaze fell on the decorations; her hard work. Tears blurred Haley's vision. Suddenly, a message notification appeared. [I'm pre-gnant. It's time for me to become the new Mrs. Nash.] Haley gripped the phone, her body trembling. It was from Leah. She'd been having second thoughts whenever she wanted to leave the man, but now she gave up her last hope. Haley stood up and retrieved the document she'd hidden in a corner of the closet and signed her name on it. Tears that reminded her of how weak and helpless she'd reduced herself to all in this marriage. Never again. | LEARN_MORE | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12277&u | Indulge in story | https://www.facebook.com/61552702618591/ | 830 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | redtgb.com | DCO | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12277&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/t39.35426-6/449525230_1517807349133217_6430272564784193668_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iXhiShRimyIQ7kNvgHy8vH5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AjEx87YQnuEecx66P6GykT4&oh=00_AYDdxfVDIx13KET8LHHGOLA9VCilbeyy8XVGZQhWv8_5pg&oe=672FCC3E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Indulge in story | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,295,922 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-11-05 04:21 | active | 1693 | 0 |
|
Now is your chance to win this giveaway! - Amazing Spider-Man 252 in a CGC 9.6 grade! - How to enter the giveaway: - Create an account on our site - Follow us here on IG - Leave a comment naming your favorite heroā¦ or villain - Click āENTERā for the giveaway on our site: collectorscomics.com/giveaway Itās that easy! Doing this will enter you for a chance to win. The winner will be chosen once this Featured Auction has concluded! #collectorscomics #comicauction #comicmarketplace #igcomicfamily #comicsforsale #giveaway #spiderman l | LEARN_MORE | https://collectorscomics.com/#/giveaway | Collectors Comics | https://www.facebook.com/collectorscomicsmarketplace/ | 708 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | collectorscomics.com | IMAGE | https://collectorscomics.com/#/giveaway | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent.fagc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465816747_1259683938609017_1987124905926039882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EH4MIc50MFIQ7kNvgHHpeIw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-2.fna&_nc_gid=A-UOtz8fT80j1H7-ubMa4pr&oh=00_AYC7K_WBfNXj8SkabPWYalFsH9F8J9Geg2qKaWRjHXwkkg&oe=672FA781 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Collectors Comics | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,295,970 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-11-05 04:21 | active | 1693 | 0 |
|
Three winners, three luxurious prizes! š Weāre celebrating the release of our new body butter and bath & shower gels with an exclusive Tim Blaqk Giveaway. Each winner will be gifted one of the following: Golden Goddess Body Butter - 1 winner Velvet Bloom Bath & Body Shower Gel - 1 winner Crimson Bliss Bath & Body Gel - 1 winner Hereās how to enter: 1ļøā£ Follow [@TimBlaqk] 2ļøā£ Like this post 3ļøā£ Tag 3 friends who deserves a little extra self-care this season šļø Giveaway ends 11/8. Each winner will be contacted via DM by 11/11. š Open to US residents only Enter for your chance to win and pamper yourself with Tim Blaqkās finest! āØ Good luck! #TimBlaqkGiveaway #GoldenGoddess #VelvetBloom #CrimsonBliss #SkincareGiveaway #BodyButter #BathAndShowerGel #SkincareEssentials #SelfCare #LuxurySkincare #SkinCareRoutine #PamperYourself #bodycaregiveaway | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | http://instagram.com/timblaqk | Tim Blaqk | https://www.facebook.com/Timblaqk/ | 75 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visit Instagram profile | 0 | instagram.com | IMAGE | http://instagram.com/timblaqk | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent.fagc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465875157_401282783054947_1833236274263906644_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4Fa5M2YPGNwQ7kNvgEjaNiw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-2.fna&_nc_gid=AjQhXuNqUYeoIY6Jdx5-nJF&oh=00_AYDfdNcFQ7221shoM9dGeafQZ5LTjWs8ra5E1j8amyUeng&oe=672FCAC8 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tim Blaqk | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,296,396 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-11-05 04:39 | active | 1694 | 0 |
|
Seguir leyendošš | Ella decidiĆ³ divorciarse de su marido, que siempre habĆa estado enamorado de su primer amor. Inesperadamente, Ć©l se negĆ³ a dejarla ir. Para empeorar las cosas, su hermanastro diabĆ³lico tambiĆ©n intervino al mismo tiempo de manera dominante, Ā”queriĆ©ndola para Ć©l! ===== ĀæLo habĆa oĆdo bien? ĀæEstoy embarazada? Ā”Estoy embarazada de un bebĆ© de Pierce! Ā”Mi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --QuĆ© bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebĆ©, seƱorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecĆ³logo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquĆ© el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebĆ© acostado allĆ. Cuando salĆ del hospital, no podĆa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebĆ©. Me preguntaba cuĆ”l serĆa su reacciĆ³n. ĀæGritarĆa de felicidad? ĀæMe b**arĆa y todo eso? Ā”Dios! No podĆa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomĆ© mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentĆ el frĆo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazĆ³n que latĆa salvajemente se calmĆ³. Casi olvidaba que Pierce no estaba interesado en tener hijos, menos considerando que nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Por supuesto, Pierce era un completo caballero, como amigo y como marido. Cada vez que tenĆamos relaciones s**uales, Ć©l era considerado y cauteloso, y decĆa que no era necesario agregar mĆ”s ataduras si no estĆ”bamos listos. Este bebĆ©, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --SeƱora, ĀæestĆ” todo bien? ĀæNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntĆ³ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceƱo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querĆa contarle porque querĆa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. Ćl era el padre de mi bebĆ©. --No --dije y neguĆ© con la cabeza, dĆ”ndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. EstĆ” en el vuelo. HablarĆ© con Ć©l mĆ”s tarde --y asĆ verĆa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrĆ© los ojos y recordĆ© el dĆa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecĆa un prĆncipe. Me enamorĆ© de Ć©l a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiĆ©ramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sĆ³lo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabĆa bien. En ese instante, bajĆ© la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrĆ© nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenĆ³ mi pecho una vez mĆ”s... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mĆ”s que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demĆ”s, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiĆ©ramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mĆ aumentaron, disfrutĆ© estar cerca de Ć©l y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querĆa ser sĆ³lo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegĆ³ a su vida. SacudĆ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquĆ© el frĆo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habĆa pasado. Pierce dijo que habĆan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. SĆ, yo era su esposa y ademĆ”s estaba embarazada de su bebĆ©. Pronto, me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrĆ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazĆ³n se calmĆ³ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. SĆ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habĆa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los Ćŗltimos tres aƱos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirĆ© el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberĆa haberse bajado del aviĆ³n. Estuvo mĆ”s de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lĆder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaƱĆa. No sĆ³lo Ć©ramos compaƱeros de vida, sino tambiĆ©n buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraƱaba. De inmediato, marquĆ© su nĆŗmero, pues tenĆa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuĆ”ndo llegarĆa a casa. Le prepararĆa una buena comida y Ć©l me premiarĆa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrĆamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidĆ© que estaba embarazada. DebĆa contarle eso primero y luego podrĆamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniĆ³n, pero mi corazĆ³n dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzĆ³ la lĆnea. --ĀæHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejĆ© caer mi telĆ©fono, que se rompiĆ³ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezĆ³ a temblar incontrolablemente. Ā”NO! Ā”No podĆa ser ella! Ā”No podĆa ser Lexi! Ā”Ella ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! DebĆ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrĆ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquĆ© la botella de v**o, recordĆ© las palabras del mĆ©dico sobre mi bebĆ©. DebĆa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebĆ©, asĆ que solo agarrĆ© una caja de leche y caminĆ© hacia el sofĆ”. En ese entonces, no sabĆa quĆ© me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tĆpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvĆan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con Ć©l que una nerd como yo, Āæverdad? No me sorprendiĆ³ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportĆ³ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asĆ que una vez intentĆ© alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negĆ³ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecĆa en mi puerta invitĆ”ndome a salir. No podĆa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podĆa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultĆ© mi corazĆ³n roto y desempeƱƩ en silencio el papel de su mejor amiga, siempre a su lado y observando su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente, cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi, me armĆ© de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarĆa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvĆ a toda prisa sĆ³lo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habĆa herido gravemente el corazĆ³n y el mĆo sufrĆa por mi amado. EmpecĆ© a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habĆa entregado a mi amado hombre, Ā”cĆ³mo se atreviĆ³ a hacerle tanto daƱo! Ā”Esa bruja! Pierce no le contĆ³ a nadie lo que pasĆ³, excepto que habĆa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglĆ³ nuestro matrimonio. No entendĆ por quĆ© estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dĆa lo escuchĆ© decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serĆa lo mismo para Ć©l. Aquello me doliĆ³ mucho, pero aun asĆ me casĆ© con Ć©l sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querĆa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mĆ en el proceso. Me quedĆ© dormida sintiĆ©ndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertĆ© en medio de la noche cuando sentĆ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrĆ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habĆa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantĆ³ del sofĆ” e inmediatamente reconocĆ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceā¦ --Hmm --murmurĆ³ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ĀæPor quĆ© te dormiste en el sofĆ”? Yo solo me quedĆ© mirĆ”ndolo a la cara y luego me dejĆ³ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciĆ³ mi cabello y besĆ³ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. LlevĆ”bamos mĆ”s de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraƱaba y mi corazĆ³n lo anhelaba. --ĀæDĆ³nde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, Āæes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asĆ que cerrĆ© mis labios entreabiertos y traguĆ© la verdad para devolverla a mi estĆ³mago. MaƱana, tal vez maƱana tendrĆa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudĆ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenĆa sueƱo. Ćl se riĆ³ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razĆ³n entrĆ© en pĆ”nico. RĆ”pidamente lo agarrĆ© y lo b*sĆ© con toda mi pasiĆ³n... Lo extraƱaba y lo querĆa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. PensĆ© que habĆas dicho que tenĆas sueƱo y que necesitabas descansar. --SĆ, pero te extraƱo --exclamĆ© y lo mirĆ© con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciĆ³ de pronto y yo no comprendĆa por quĆ©. SolĆa āāāāponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiĆ³n, se riĆ³ entre dientes y me pellizcĆ³ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darĆ© una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestĆ³. Yo solo asentĆ y lo mirĆ© mientras caminaba hacia el baƱo. Pronto la somnolencia volviĆ³ a atacarme, asĆ que cerrĆ© los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maƱana cuando abrĆ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --Ā”Ey! --lo saludĆ© y sonreĆ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habĆa hecho. Me habĆa preparado el desayuno para llevĆ”rmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. Ćl sonriĆ³ y se sentĆ³ en la cama. --Buen dĆa. Le devolvĆ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrĆ³ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantĆ© una ceja e inclinĆ© la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrĆ³n oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. ParecĆa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarĆa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenĆa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ĀæQuĆ© es esto? ĀæUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. Ćl no se riĆ³. ExhalĆ³ un suspiro y colocĆ³ con suavidad mi cabello detrĆ”s de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentĆ que mi corazĆ³n se aceleraba y pensĆ© en nuestro bebĆ© en mi Ćŗtero. TenĆa algo que decirme, yo tambiĆ©n tenĆa algo que contarle. --ĀæQ-QuĆ© cosa? --preguntĆ© con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzĆ³: --Sabes que eres importante para mĆ, Āæverdad? AsentĆ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenĆa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. TenĆa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroā¦ --prosiguiĆ³. Mientras hablaba, escondĆ mis puƱos cerrados debajo de la sĆ”bana. No sabĆa por quĆ© me decĆa todo esto, pero ya podĆa sentir las lĆ”grimas acumulĆ”ndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrĆ³ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceā¦ --exclamĆ© y sentĆ que mi corazĆ³n se apretaba. Ćl sonriĆ³. --SĆ© que tĆŗ tampoco sientes nada por mĆ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegĆ³ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oĆrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ĀæDe quĆ© estĆ”s hablando, Pierce? --inquirĆ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. CapĆtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantĆ© de la cama e intentĆ© irme, pero Pierce me agarrĆ³ la mano. RĆ”pidamente me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que Ć©l pudiera verlas. Luego, se parĆ³ frente a mĆ y me mirĆ³ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. SentĆ que mi corazĆ³n se rompĆa en pedazos. Pensabaā¦ pensaba que podrĆa hacer que se enamorara de mĆ en esos tres aƱos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarĆan y me verĆa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estĆŗpida por tener esperanzas y soƱar tan alto. FallĆ©. Sin importar cuĆ”nto lo intentara, su corazĆ³n pertenecĆa sĆ³lo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyā¦ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguĆ© el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingĆ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero Ć©l me mirĆ³ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabĆa que Ć©l me conocĆa demasiado bien, asĆ que tratĆ© con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreĆ. Finalmente, suspirĆ³ y soltĆ³ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarĆ© aquĆ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ĀæJuntos? ĀæPor quĆ© era tan cruel? ĀæQuerĆa que nos siguiĆ©ramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ĀæQuerĆa que nos quedĆ”ramos como estĆ”bamos justo despuĆ©s de decirme que su primer amor habĆa regresado y querĆa divorciarse de mĆ? Oh Pierce, ĀæquĆ© estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podĆa obligarme a mĆ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenĆa ese coraje despuĆ©s de los tres aƱos que habĆamos compartido. No habĆa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebĆ©. El bebĆ©... en un principio pensĆ© que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serĆa mĆ”s bien una carga para Ć©l. Una carga que le impedirĆa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabĆa muy bien cĆ³mo crecĆa un niƱo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolĆa muchĆsimo. Por eso no querĆa que mi bebĆ© experimentara lo mismo que yo sentĆ, asĆ que debĆa mantener a mi bebĆ© alejado de Ć©l. --No podemos --dije mientras fingĆa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiĆ³n de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosā¦ --IrĆ© contigo. --No --contestĆ© y apartĆ© su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estĆ”n organizados, Āærecuerdas? --Peroā¦ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. EstarĆ© bien sola --afirmĆ©. Finalmente, suspirĆ³ y asintiĆ³ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrĆ© al baƱo. Inmediatamente abrĆ la ducha y me parĆ© bajo el agua frĆa. Las lĆ”grimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrĆa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensĆ© en mi bebĆ©, traguĆ© saliva y tratĆ© de calmarme. Luego me limpiĆ© la cara y acariciĆ© mi vientre. DebĆa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podĆa arriesgar la vida de mi bebĆ© sĆ³lo porque me habĆan roto el corazĆ³n. TenĆa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuĆ©s, tomĆ© un respiro profundo y terminĆ© mi ducha. Cuando salĆ del baƱo, me sorprendiĆ³ ver que Pierce todavĆa estaba allĆ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. TambiĆ©n notĆ© un par de zapatos y un vestido mĆos sobre la cama. --Ā”Ey! ElegĆ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pĆŗblico, Pierce dijo que harĆa pequeƱas cosas para mĆ como marido. De hecho, lo habĆa hecho bien y yo solĆa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentĆa que eso mismo me m**arĆa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrĆ© el vestido y entrĆ© al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguĆa. VolvĆ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegĆ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirĆ© hermosa con este vestido --expliquĆ© con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenĆa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmĆ³. Al final asintiĆ³ y caminĆ³ hacia mĆ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayĆŗdame a arreglar esto --me pidiĆ³. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencĆ© a arreglarle la corbata. PodĆa sentir sus ojos mirĆ”ndome intensamente y eso hacĆa que mi corazĆ³n latiera muy rĆ”pido. RespirĆ© hondo y me mordĆ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiĆ³n se volviĆ³ borrosa otra vez. Ā”MaldiciĆ³n! --Kellyā¦ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ĀæMmm? --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? --preguntĆ³. Lo mirĆ© y sonreĆ: --SĆ. --Tengo algo mĆ”s que decirte. En ese instante, terminĆ© de arreglarle la corbata y le quitĆ© rĆ”pidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirĆ© antes de pasar junto a Ć©l y dije: --Hablaremos despuĆ©s. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchĆ© suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestĆ mientras Ć©l estaba detrĆ”s de mĆ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --DeberĆas desayunar antes de irte --comentĆ³. Un segundo despuĆ©s, me parĆ© frente a Ć©l y asentĆ. --Lo harĆ©. DeberĆas irte ahora --respondĆ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pĆ”gina, Āæverdad? --preguntĆ³. Lo mirĆ© fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pĆ”gina. SĆ³lo fueron mis estĆŗpidas fantasĆas. Pensaba que sentĆas algo por mĆ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. SĆ© lo que tengo que hacer. SĆ³lo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirĆ©. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sĆ³lo por mĆ. TambiĆ©n lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. SĆ© que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiĆ©n quieres encontrar al hombre que te mereces. Alguien que realmente te ame, no yo. No alguien indiferente. --Entiendo lo que tratas de decir, Pierce --dije y tratĆ© de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, Ć©l me sujetĆ³ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiĆ³. Su mirada era de preocupaciĆ³n. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasā¦ --Lo sĆ© --lo interrumpĆ con frustraciĆ³n. ParecĆa sorprendido, asĆ que me calmĆ©--. Ya lo sĆ©. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiĆ³ lentamente y soltĆ³ un suspiro. Luego, caminĆ³ hacia mĆ y me congelĆ© cuando besĆ³ mi frente con dulzuraā¦ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrĆ³. Al oĆrlo, mi corazĆ³n se apretĆ³. HabĆan pasado tres aƱos pero todavĆa era una cobarde. Ā«ĀæPor quĆ© no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? Ā”Ćl es tu esposo y estĆ”s llevando su bebĆ©! Ā”DĆselo y tal vez cambie de opiniĆ³n!Ā» pensĆ©. Con eso en mente, traguĆ© saliva y estuve a punto de decĆrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telĆ©fono sonĆ³. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmĆ³ y se rascĆ³ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. LlamĆ© a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ĀæsĆ? Con eso, saliĆ³ de nuestra habitaciĆ³n. De repente, las lĆ”grimas que habĆa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ĀæPor quĆ© habĆa pensado que podrĆa tener una oportunidad? Ćl tomĆ³ su decisiĆ³n en el momento en que me pidiĆ³ el divorcio, Āæverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. CapĆtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura EntrĆ© al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centĆmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciĆ³n cuando entrĆ© caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociĆ³n alguna. La conversaciĆ³n de esa maƱana con Pierce todavĆa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podĆa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podĆa fallar en mi trabajo despuĆ©s de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirĆ© profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuĆ©s, cuando entrĆ© a la sala de la sesiĆ³n de fotos, notĆ© que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --Ā”No podemos! No responde las llamadas. ĀæQuĆ© debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarĆ”. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --Ā”No lo serĆ” con esta situaciĆ³n, Lily! Nos va a regaƱar... --ĀæQuĆ© estĆ” pasando aquĆ? --preguntĆ© mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirĆ³ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habĆa un problema. --B-Buenos dĆas, seƱorita Monroe. SeƱorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabĆa que Pierce y yo estĆ”bamos casados āāexcepto nuestras familias. SentĆ como si pellizcaran mi corazĆ³n con esa verdad. DolĆa. RĆ”pidamente, la mirĆ© sin comprender. --ĀæQuĆ© ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seƱorita Monroe. La seƱorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchĆ³ que Ćbamos a cambiar de modelo asĆ queā¦ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazĆ³ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. DespuĆ©s de decir eso, inclinĆ³ la cabeza. Yo apretĆ© los dientes y recorrĆ el lugar con la mirada. --ĀæDĆ³nde estĆ” la directora de marketing? --inquirĆ. --E-Ella todavĆa estĆ” tratando de convencer a la seƱorita Chen, seƱorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeĆ© la frente y cerrĆ© los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuĆ©s, me agarrĆ© del pelo y gritĆ© de ira. SentĆ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirĆ© y tomĆ© una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --SeƱorita Monroe... --ĀæQuĆ© es todo esto, seƱorita Hayley? TĆŗ eres la directora de marketing, ĀæquĆ© estĆ” pasando? --SeƱorita Monroe, no sĆ© cĆ³mo sucediĆ³, pero la seƱorita Chen escuchĆ³ que usted cambiarĆ” de modelo. EstĆ” a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ĀæCambiar de modelo? ĀæCĆ³mo es que yo no sabĆa nada al respecto? La seƱorita Chen siempre habĆa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiĆ³n comercial con tan poca antelaciĆ³n sĆ³lo causarĆa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirĆa un error como este. --Yo no pedĆ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpĆ para ahorrar tiempo--. Ā”Arregla este desastre o tendrĆ© que despedirte! --SeƱorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiĆ³ que la cambiĆ”ramos --explicĆ³ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenĆ³ ayer tan pronto como regresĆ³ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeĆ³ con fuerza. ĀæFue orden de Pierce? ĀæPor quĆ© no me lo dijo? SolĆa āādiscutir conmigo cada decisiĆ³n importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamĆ© confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciĆ³n entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razĆ³n por la cual siempre tuvo Ć©xito. Y esa fue tambiĆ©n la razĆ³n por la que decidiĆ³ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --SĆ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-SeƱor Presidenteā¦ --saludĆ³ Hayley y se inclinĆ³ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciĆ³ de repente detrĆ”s de mĆ. --Pierce, Ā”creo que me debes una explicaciĆ³n sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. Ćl sabĆa perfectamente cuĆ”nto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dĆas sin dormir y la seƱorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, Ć©l tambiĆ©n estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraā¦ simplemente cambiĆ³ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciĆ³n. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --ContinĆŗen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararĆ© --le indicĆ³ Ć©l al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --Ā”ContĆ©stame, Pierce! ĀæPor quĆ© cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. Ćl simplemente me tocĆ³ el hombro y me susurrĆ³: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarĆ© en el auto. En ese momento, mirĆ© a mi alrededor y notĆ© que los demĆ”s nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitĆ© sus manos de encima y caminĆ© hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentĆa mi corazĆ³n cada vez mĆ”s pesado. TenĆa la sensaciĆ³n de que su explicaciĆ³n no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dĆmelo --exclamĆ© ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirĆ³ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartĆ© la mirada de nuevo. No podĆa soportar sus miradas, no podĆa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querĆa. Ćl no sentĆa nada por mĆ y eso me dolĆa mucho. --Yo-yoā¦ --hizo una pausa y suspirĆ³--. ReemplacĆ© a la seƱorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiĆ©n encaja en el proyecto, asĆ que estuve de acuerdo... --ĀæQuĆ©? --preguntĆ© con incredulidad. De pronto, apretĆ³ los labios y mirĆ³ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviĆ³ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiĆ³ un favor, no pude decirle que no. RĆ”pidamente, retirĆ© mi mano y lo mirĆ© con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asĆ que preferiste daƱar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuĆ”nto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oĆrlo, cerrĆ© los ojos con dolor. Ā«Oh sĆ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demĆ”s. Si ella te frunce el ceƱo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demĆ”s. Eres tan cruel, PierceĀ» pensĆ©. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tĆŗ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarĆ© en la oficina --indiquĆ© con frialdad mientras abrĆa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyā¦ En ese instante, lo mirĆ© a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. CapĆtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habĆa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavĆa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habĆa vuelto, probablemente ya no veĆa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. QuĆ© gracioso. TodavĆa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrĆan cambiar si le hablaba del bebĆ©, pero este bebĆ© estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrĆ© el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maƱana cuando mirĆ© el reloj de la pared. IntentĆ© marcar su nĆŗmero nuevamente, pero seguĆa sin responder. ĀæEn quĆ© estaba tan ocupado? ĀæEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? DebiĆ³ haberla extraƱado mucho, Āæverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuĆ”ndo, me quedĆ© dormida. Cuando sonĆ³ el despertador, inconscientemente toquĆ© la almohada a mi lado. FrĆo como anoche, no habĆa vuelto a casa todavĆa. Me burlĆ© de mĆ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cĆ³moda. Los cĆrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veĆan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecĆa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nĆ”useas inundĆ³ mi estĆ³mago y me di cuenta de que no habĆa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentĆ mal otra vez y rĆ”pidamente corrĆ hacia el lavabo y vomitĆ©. EscupĆ un lĆquido amarillento que sabĆa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavĆ© la boca y mirĆ© mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudĆ la cabeza y tomĆ© mi frente en cuanto sentĆ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. VolvĆ a escupir el lĆquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentĆ una cĆ”lida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantĆ© la cara y me encontrĆ© con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travĆ©s del espejo. DetrĆ”s de mĆ con cara de preocupaciĆ³n estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? ĀæTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirĆ© a travĆ©s del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestĆ©. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciĆ³ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. TenĆa cosas que hacer. Me quedĆ© en la oficina toda la noche --afirmĆ³. RĆ”pidamente, me limpiĆ© la cara y pasĆ© junto a Ć©l. Pierce me siguiĆ³ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsā¦ --Me despertĆ© tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentĆ© evitar sus ojos. SentĆa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningĆŗn momento sentĆ su egoĆsmo tan claramente como ahora. DecĆa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habĆan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntĆ© eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ĀætodavĆa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejĆ© de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travĆ©s del espejo, otra vez. ĀæDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ĀæDespuĆ©s de que me pidiĆ³ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? Ćl decidiĆ³ por su cuenta sĆ³lo porque su primer amor habĆa vuelto. No podĆa creer lo que hacĆa. Al final, fingĆ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuĆ©s, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultĆ³ sorprendente porque sabĆa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sĆ me sorprendiĆ³ fue que hacĆa todo esto despuĆ©s de enterrar una daga en mi corazĆ³n. --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? --preguntĆ³ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ĀæEstĆ”s enferma? Dime cĆ³mo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecĆa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentĆ© evitarlo, pero me agarrĆ³ de la muƱeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. HabĆa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ĀæQuĆ© te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asĆ desde ayer. ĀæEs por Lexi? ĀæO porque no volvĆ a casa anoche? --inquiriĆ³. Yo lo mirĆ© a los ojos, molesta. --Ā”TĆŗ fuiste quien pidiĆ³ el divorcio! Te pedĆ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ĀæPretendĆas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuĆ©s de eso, Pierce? --respondĆ. Al escucharme, apretĆ³ la mandĆbula y sacudiĆ³ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuĆ©s del trabajo. --Ā”Kels! --me llamĆ³ y me agarrĆ³ de los hombros. La confusiĆ³n y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ĀæEstĆ”s... enamorada de mĆ? Aquello me desconcertĆ³. ĀæEnamorada? Ā”SĆ! Desde que estĆ”bamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiĆ³ en mi mejor amigo. ĀæQuiĆ©n no se enamorarĆa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraā¦ lo estaba perdiendo. PerdiĆ©ndolo irremediablemente. DecidĆ darle a nuestro matrimonio una Ćŗltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueƱo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciĆ³n. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabĆa bien que siempre habĆa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazĆ³n. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los Ćŗltimos tres aƱos era solo un hermoso sueƱo cuando Pierce pidiĆ³ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresĆ³. Ella sĆ³lo podrĆa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebĆ©. ĀæPor quĆ© no merecĆa ser amada? ĀæQuĆ© sucederĆ” en adelante? ĀæCĆ³mo podrĆa Kelly salvar su corazĆ³n en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capĆtulos disponibles son limitados aquĆ, haga click el botĆ³n abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mĆ”s contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederĆ” a este libro) &5& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc | Happy reading | https://www.facebook.com/61566043183664/ | 168 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.manobook.com | IMAGE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=2029568687383448&rawadid=120214044473050700 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465232197_573171061826983_6072194344750131909_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n05mlYaPe5oQ7kNvgEe0zda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ASiMMB777vvuViCO8Chkzo1&oh=00_AYBpLrPt48pi1arqTsHXFXfAbJMWXHl5_pn-HcsFNpql5A&oe=672FC3BC | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Happy reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,296,465 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-11-05 04:39 | active | 1694 | 0 |
|
Seguir leyendošš | Ella decidiĆ³ divorciarse de su marido, que siempre habĆa estado enamorado de su primer amor. Inesperadamente, Ć©l se negĆ³ a dejarla ir. Para empeorar las cosas, su hermanastro diabĆ³lico tambiĆ©n intervino al mismo tiempo de manera dominante, Ā”queriĆ©ndola para Ć©l! ===== ĀæLo habĆa oĆdo bien? ĀæEstoy embarazada? Ā”Estoy embarazada de un bebĆ© de Pierce! Ā”Mi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --QuĆ© bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebĆ©, seƱorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecĆ³logo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquĆ© el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebĆ© acostado allĆ. Cuando salĆ del hospital, no podĆa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebĆ©. Me preguntaba cuĆ”l serĆa su reacciĆ³n. ĀæGritarĆa de felicidad? ĀæMe b**arĆa y todo eso? Ā”Dios! No podĆa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomĆ© mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentĆ el frĆo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazĆ³n que latĆa salvajemente se calmĆ³. Casi olvidaba que Pierce no estaba interesado en tener hijos, menos considerando que nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Por supuesto, Pierce era un completo caballero, como amigo y como marido. Cada vez que tenĆamos relaciones s**uales, Ć©l era considerado y cauteloso, y decĆa que no era necesario agregar mĆ”s ataduras si no estĆ”bamos listos. Este bebĆ©, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --SeƱora, ĀæestĆ” todo bien? ĀæNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntĆ³ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceƱo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querĆa contarle porque querĆa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. Ćl era el padre de mi bebĆ©. --No --dije y neguĆ© con la cabeza, dĆ”ndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. EstĆ” en el vuelo. HablarĆ© con Ć©l mĆ”s tarde --y asĆ verĆa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrĆ© los ojos y recordĆ© el dĆa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecĆa un prĆncipe. Me enamorĆ© de Ć©l a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiĆ©ramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sĆ³lo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabĆa bien. En ese instante, bajĆ© la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrĆ© nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenĆ³ mi pecho una vez mĆ”s... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mĆ”s que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demĆ”s, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiĆ©ramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mĆ aumentaron, disfrutĆ© estar cerca de Ć©l y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querĆa ser sĆ³lo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegĆ³ a su vida. SacudĆ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquĆ© el frĆo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habĆa pasado. Pierce dijo que habĆan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. SĆ, yo era su esposa y ademĆ”s estaba embarazada de su bebĆ©. Pronto, me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrĆ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazĆ³n se calmĆ³ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. SĆ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habĆa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los Ćŗltimos tres aƱos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirĆ© el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberĆa haberse bajado del aviĆ³n. Estuvo mĆ”s de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lĆder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaƱĆa. No sĆ³lo Ć©ramos compaƱeros de vida, sino tambiĆ©n buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraƱaba. De inmediato, marquĆ© su nĆŗmero, pues tenĆa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuĆ”ndo llegarĆa a casa. Le prepararĆa una buena comida y Ć©l me premiarĆa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrĆamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidĆ© que estaba embarazada. DebĆa contarle eso primero y luego podrĆamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniĆ³n, pero mi corazĆ³n dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzĆ³ la lĆnea. --ĀæHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejĆ© caer mi telĆ©fono, que se rompiĆ³ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezĆ³ a temblar incontrolablemente. Ā”NO! Ā”No podĆa ser ella! Ā”No podĆa ser Lexi! Ā”Ella ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! DebĆ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrĆ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquĆ© la botella de v**o, recordĆ© las palabras del mĆ©dico sobre mi bebĆ©. DebĆa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebĆ©, asĆ que solo agarrĆ© una caja de leche y caminĆ© hacia el sofĆ”. En ese entonces, no sabĆa quĆ© me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tĆpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvĆan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con Ć©l que una nerd como yo, Āæverdad? No me sorprendiĆ³ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportĆ³ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asĆ que una vez intentĆ© alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negĆ³ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecĆa en mi puerta invitĆ”ndome a salir. No podĆa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podĆa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultĆ© mi corazĆ³n roto y desempeƱƩ en silencio el papel de su mejor amiga, siempre a su lado y observando su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente, cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi, me armĆ© de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarĆa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvĆ a toda prisa sĆ³lo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habĆa herido gravemente el corazĆ³n y el mĆo sufrĆa por mi amado. EmpecĆ© a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habĆa entregado a mi amado hombre, Ā”cĆ³mo se atreviĆ³ a hacerle tanto daƱo! Ā”Esa bruja! Pierce no le contĆ³ a nadie lo que pasĆ³, excepto que habĆa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglĆ³ nuestro matrimonio. No entendĆ por quĆ© estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dĆa lo escuchĆ© decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serĆa lo mismo para Ć©l. Aquello me doliĆ³ mucho, pero aun asĆ me casĆ© con Ć©l sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querĆa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mĆ en el proceso. Me quedĆ© dormida sintiĆ©ndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertĆ© en medio de la noche cuando sentĆ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrĆ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habĆa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantĆ³ del sofĆ” e inmediatamente reconocĆ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceā¦ --Hmm --murmurĆ³ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ĀæPor quĆ© te dormiste en el sofĆ”? Yo solo me quedĆ© mirĆ”ndolo a la cara y luego me dejĆ³ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciĆ³ mi cabello y besĆ³ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. LlevĆ”bamos mĆ”s de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraƱaba y mi corazĆ³n lo anhelaba. --ĀæDĆ³nde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, Āæes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asĆ que cerrĆ© mis labios entreabiertos y traguĆ© la verdad para devolverla a mi estĆ³mago. MaƱana, tal vez maƱana tendrĆa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudĆ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenĆa sueƱo. Ćl se riĆ³ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razĆ³n entrĆ© en pĆ”nico. RĆ”pidamente lo agarrĆ© y lo b*sĆ© con toda mi pasiĆ³n... Lo extraƱaba y lo querĆa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. PensĆ© que habĆas dicho que tenĆas sueƱo y que necesitabas descansar. --SĆ, pero te extraƱo --exclamĆ© y lo mirĆ© con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciĆ³ de pronto y yo no comprendĆa por quĆ©. SolĆa āāāāponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiĆ³n, se riĆ³ entre dientes y me pellizcĆ³ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darĆ© una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestĆ³. Yo solo asentĆ y lo mirĆ© mientras caminaba hacia el baƱo. Pronto la somnolencia volviĆ³ a atacarme, asĆ que cerrĆ© los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maƱana cuando abrĆ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --Ā”Ey! --lo saludĆ© y sonreĆ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habĆa hecho. Me habĆa preparado el desayuno para llevĆ”rmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. Ćl sonriĆ³ y se sentĆ³ en la cama. --Buen dĆa. Le devolvĆ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrĆ³ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantĆ© una ceja e inclinĆ© la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrĆ³n oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. ParecĆa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarĆa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenĆa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ĀæQuĆ© es esto? ĀæUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. Ćl no se riĆ³. ExhalĆ³ un suspiro y colocĆ³ con suavidad mi cabello detrĆ”s de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentĆ que mi corazĆ³n se aceleraba y pensĆ© en nuestro bebĆ© en mi Ćŗtero. TenĆa algo que decirme, yo tambiĆ©n tenĆa algo que contarle. --ĀæQ-QuĆ© cosa? --preguntĆ© con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzĆ³: --Sabes que eres importante para mĆ, Āæverdad? AsentĆ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenĆa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. TenĆa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroā¦ --prosiguiĆ³. Mientras hablaba, escondĆ mis puƱos cerrados debajo de la sĆ”bana. No sabĆa por quĆ© me decĆa todo esto, pero ya podĆa sentir las lĆ”grimas acumulĆ”ndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrĆ³ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceā¦ --exclamĆ© y sentĆ que mi corazĆ³n se apretaba. Ćl sonriĆ³. --SĆ© que tĆŗ tampoco sientes nada por mĆ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegĆ³ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oĆrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ĀæDe quĆ© estĆ”s hablando, Pierce? --inquirĆ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. CapĆtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantĆ© de la cama e intentĆ© irme, pero Pierce me agarrĆ³ la mano. RĆ”pidamente me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que Ć©l pudiera verlas. Luego, se parĆ³ frente a mĆ y me mirĆ³ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. SentĆ que mi corazĆ³n se rompĆa en pedazos. Pensabaā¦ pensaba que podrĆa hacer que se enamorara de mĆ en esos tres aƱos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarĆan y me verĆa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estĆŗpida por tener esperanzas y soƱar tan alto. FallĆ©. Sin importar cuĆ”nto lo intentara, su corazĆ³n pertenecĆa sĆ³lo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyā¦ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguĆ© el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingĆ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero Ć©l me mirĆ³ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabĆa que Ć©l me conocĆa demasiado bien, asĆ que tratĆ© con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreĆ. Finalmente, suspirĆ³ y soltĆ³ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarĆ© aquĆ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ĀæJuntos? ĀæPor quĆ© era tan cruel? ĀæQuerĆa que nos siguiĆ©ramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ĀæQuerĆa que nos quedĆ”ramos como estĆ”bamos justo despuĆ©s de decirme que su primer amor habĆa regresado y querĆa divorciarse de mĆ? Oh Pierce, ĀæquĆ© estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podĆa obligarme a mĆ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenĆa ese coraje despuĆ©s de los tres aƱos que habĆamos compartido. No habĆa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebĆ©. El bebĆ©... en un principio pensĆ© que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serĆa mĆ”s bien una carga para Ć©l. Una carga que le impedirĆa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabĆa muy bien cĆ³mo crecĆa un niƱo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolĆa muchĆsimo. Por eso no querĆa que mi bebĆ© experimentara lo mismo que yo sentĆ, asĆ que debĆa mantener a mi bebĆ© alejado de Ć©l. --No podemos --dije mientras fingĆa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiĆ³n de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosā¦ --IrĆ© contigo. --No --contestĆ© y apartĆ© su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estĆ”n organizados, Āærecuerdas? --Peroā¦ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. EstarĆ© bien sola --afirmĆ©. Finalmente, suspirĆ³ y asintiĆ³ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrĆ© al baƱo. Inmediatamente abrĆ la ducha y me parĆ© bajo el agua frĆa. Las lĆ”grimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrĆa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensĆ© en mi bebĆ©, traguĆ© saliva y tratĆ© de calmarme. Luego me limpiĆ© la cara y acariciĆ© mi vientre. DebĆa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podĆa arriesgar la vida de mi bebĆ© sĆ³lo porque me habĆan roto el corazĆ³n. TenĆa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuĆ©s, tomĆ© un respiro profundo y terminĆ© mi ducha. Cuando salĆ del baƱo, me sorprendiĆ³ ver que Pierce todavĆa estaba allĆ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. TambiĆ©n notĆ© un par de zapatos y un vestido mĆos sobre la cama. --Ā”Ey! ElegĆ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pĆŗblico, Pierce dijo que harĆa pequeƱas cosas para mĆ como marido. De hecho, lo habĆa hecho bien y yo solĆa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentĆa que eso mismo me m**arĆa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrĆ© el vestido y entrĆ© al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguĆa. VolvĆ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegĆ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirĆ© hermosa con este vestido --expliquĆ© con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenĆa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmĆ³. Al final asintiĆ³ y caminĆ³ hacia mĆ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayĆŗdame a arreglar esto --me pidiĆ³. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencĆ© a arreglarle la corbata. PodĆa sentir sus ojos mirĆ”ndome intensamente y eso hacĆa que mi corazĆ³n latiera muy rĆ”pido. RespirĆ© hondo y me mordĆ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiĆ³n se volviĆ³ borrosa otra vez. Ā”MaldiciĆ³n! --Kellyā¦ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ĀæMmm? --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? --preguntĆ³. Lo mirĆ© y sonreĆ: --SĆ. --Tengo algo mĆ”s que decirte. En ese instante, terminĆ© de arreglarle la corbata y le quitĆ© rĆ”pidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirĆ© antes de pasar junto a Ć©l y dije: --Hablaremos despuĆ©s. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchĆ© suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestĆ mientras Ć©l estaba detrĆ”s de mĆ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --DeberĆas desayunar antes de irte --comentĆ³. Un segundo despuĆ©s, me parĆ© frente a Ć©l y asentĆ. --Lo harĆ©. DeberĆas irte ahora --respondĆ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pĆ”gina, Āæverdad? --preguntĆ³. Lo mirĆ© fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pĆ”gina. SĆ³lo fueron mis estĆŗpidas fantasĆas. Pensaba que sentĆas algo por mĆ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. SĆ© lo que tengo que hacer. SĆ³lo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirĆ©. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sĆ³lo por mĆ. TambiĆ©n lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. SĆ© que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiĆ©n quieres encontrar al hombre que te mereces. Alguien que realmente te ame, no yo. No alguien indiferente. --Entiendo lo que tratas de decir, Pierce --dije y tratĆ© de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, Ć©l me sujetĆ³ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiĆ³. Su mirada era de preocupaciĆ³n. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasā¦ --Lo sĆ© --lo interrumpĆ con frustraciĆ³n. ParecĆa sorprendido, asĆ que me calmĆ©--. Ya lo sĆ©. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiĆ³ lentamente y soltĆ³ un suspiro. Luego, caminĆ³ hacia mĆ y me congelĆ© cuando besĆ³ mi frente con dulzuraā¦ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrĆ³. Al oĆrlo, mi corazĆ³n se apretĆ³. HabĆan pasado tres aƱos pero todavĆa era una cobarde. Ā«ĀæPor quĆ© no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? Ā”Ćl es tu esposo y estĆ”s llevando su bebĆ©! Ā”DĆselo y tal vez cambie de opiniĆ³n!Ā» pensĆ©. Con eso en mente, traguĆ© saliva y estuve a punto de decĆrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telĆ©fono sonĆ³. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmĆ³ y se rascĆ³ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. LlamĆ© a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ĀæsĆ? Con eso, saliĆ³ de nuestra habitaciĆ³n. De repente, las lĆ”grimas que habĆa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ĀæPor quĆ© habĆa pensado que podrĆa tener una oportunidad? Ćl tomĆ³ su decisiĆ³n en el momento en que me pidiĆ³ el divorcio, Āæverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. CapĆtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura EntrĆ© al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centĆmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciĆ³n cuando entrĆ© caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociĆ³n alguna. La conversaciĆ³n de esa maƱana con Pierce todavĆa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podĆa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podĆa fallar en mi trabajo despuĆ©s de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirĆ© profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuĆ©s, cuando entrĆ© a la sala de la sesiĆ³n de fotos, notĆ© que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --Ā”No podemos! No responde las llamadas. ĀæQuĆ© debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarĆ”. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --Ā”No lo serĆ” con esta situaciĆ³n, Lily! Nos va a regaƱar... --ĀæQuĆ© estĆ” pasando aquĆ? --preguntĆ© mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirĆ³ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habĆa un problema. --B-Buenos dĆas, seƱorita Monroe. SeƱorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabĆa que Pierce y yo estĆ”bamos casados āāexcepto nuestras familias. SentĆ como si pellizcaran mi corazĆ³n con esa verdad. DolĆa. RĆ”pidamente, la mirĆ© sin comprender. --ĀæQuĆ© ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seƱorita Monroe. La seƱorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchĆ³ que Ćbamos a cambiar de modelo asĆ queā¦ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazĆ³ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. DespuĆ©s de decir eso, inclinĆ³ la cabeza. Yo apretĆ© los dientes y recorrĆ el lugar con la mirada. --ĀæDĆ³nde estĆ” la directora de marketing? --inquirĆ. --E-Ella todavĆa estĆ” tratando de convencer a la seƱorita Chen, seƱorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeĆ© la frente y cerrĆ© los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuĆ©s, me agarrĆ© del pelo y gritĆ© de ira. SentĆ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirĆ© y tomĆ© una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --SeƱorita Monroe... --ĀæQuĆ© es todo esto, seƱorita Hayley? TĆŗ eres la directora de marketing, ĀæquĆ© estĆ” pasando? --SeƱorita Monroe, no sĆ© cĆ³mo sucediĆ³, pero la seƱorita Chen escuchĆ³ que usted cambiarĆ” de modelo. EstĆ” a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ĀæCambiar de modelo? ĀæCĆ³mo es que yo no sabĆa nada al respecto? La seƱorita Chen siempre habĆa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiĆ³n comercial con tan poca antelaciĆ³n sĆ³lo causarĆa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirĆa un error como este. --Yo no pedĆ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpĆ para ahorrar tiempo--. Ā”Arregla este desastre o tendrĆ© que despedirte! --SeƱorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiĆ³ que la cambiĆ”ramos --explicĆ³ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenĆ³ ayer tan pronto como regresĆ³ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeĆ³ con fuerza. ĀæFue orden de Pierce? ĀæPor quĆ© no me lo dijo? SolĆa āādiscutir conmigo cada decisiĆ³n importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamĆ© confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciĆ³n entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razĆ³n por la cual siempre tuvo Ć©xito. Y esa fue tambiĆ©n la razĆ³n por la que decidiĆ³ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --SĆ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-SeƱor Presidenteā¦ --saludĆ³ Hayley y se inclinĆ³ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciĆ³ de repente detrĆ”s de mĆ. --Pierce, Ā”creo que me debes una explicaciĆ³n sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. Ćl sabĆa perfectamente cuĆ”nto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dĆas sin dormir y la seƱorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, Ć©l tambiĆ©n estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraā¦ simplemente cambiĆ³ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciĆ³n. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --ContinĆŗen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararĆ© --le indicĆ³ Ć©l al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --Ā”ContĆ©stame, Pierce! ĀæPor quĆ© cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. Ćl simplemente me tocĆ³ el hombro y me susurrĆ³: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarĆ© en el auto. En ese momento, mirĆ© a mi alrededor y notĆ© que los demĆ”s nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitĆ© sus manos de encima y caminĆ© hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentĆa mi corazĆ³n cada vez mĆ”s pesado. TenĆa la sensaciĆ³n de que su explicaciĆ³n no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dĆmelo --exclamĆ© ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirĆ³ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartĆ© la mirada de nuevo. No podĆa soportar sus miradas, no podĆa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querĆa. Ćl no sentĆa nada por mĆ y eso me dolĆa mucho. --Yo-yoā¦ --hizo una pausa y suspirĆ³--. ReemplacĆ© a la seƱorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiĆ©n encaja en el proyecto, asĆ que estuve de acuerdo... --ĀæQuĆ©? --preguntĆ© con incredulidad. De pronto, apretĆ³ los labios y mirĆ³ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviĆ³ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiĆ³ un favor, no pude decirle que no. RĆ”pidamente, retirĆ© mi mano y lo mirĆ© con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asĆ que preferiste daƱar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuĆ”nto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oĆrlo, cerrĆ© los ojos con dolor. Ā«Oh sĆ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demĆ”s. Si ella te frunce el ceƱo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demĆ”s. Eres tan cruel, PierceĀ» pensĆ©. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tĆŗ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarĆ© en la oficina --indiquĆ© con frialdad mientras abrĆa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyā¦ En ese instante, lo mirĆ© a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. CapĆtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habĆa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavĆa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habĆa vuelto, probablemente ya no veĆa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. QuĆ© gracioso. TodavĆa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrĆan cambiar si le hablaba del bebĆ©, pero este bebĆ© estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrĆ© el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maƱana cuando mirĆ© el reloj de la pared. IntentĆ© marcar su nĆŗmero nuevamente, pero seguĆa sin responder. ĀæEn quĆ© estaba tan ocupado? ĀæEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? DebiĆ³ haberla extraƱado mucho, Āæverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuĆ”ndo, me quedĆ© dormida. Cuando sonĆ³ el despertador, inconscientemente toquĆ© la almohada a mi lado. FrĆo como anoche, no habĆa vuelto a casa todavĆa. Me burlĆ© de mĆ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cĆ³moda. Los cĆrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veĆan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecĆa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nĆ”useas inundĆ³ mi estĆ³mago y me di cuenta de que no habĆa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentĆ mal otra vez y rĆ”pidamente corrĆ hacia el lavabo y vomitĆ©. EscupĆ un lĆquido amarillento que sabĆa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavĆ© la boca y mirĆ© mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudĆ la cabeza y tomĆ© mi frente en cuanto sentĆ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. VolvĆ a escupir el lĆquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentĆ una cĆ”lida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantĆ© la cara y me encontrĆ© con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travĆ©s del espejo. DetrĆ”s de mĆ con cara de preocupaciĆ³n estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? ĀæTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirĆ© a travĆ©s del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestĆ©. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciĆ³ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. TenĆa cosas que hacer. Me quedĆ© en la oficina toda la noche --afirmĆ³. RĆ”pidamente, me limpiĆ© la cara y pasĆ© junto a Ć©l. Pierce me siguiĆ³ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsā¦ --Me despertĆ© tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentĆ© evitar sus ojos. SentĆa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningĆŗn momento sentĆ su egoĆsmo tan claramente como ahora. DecĆa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habĆan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntĆ© eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ĀætodavĆa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejĆ© de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travĆ©s del espejo, otra vez. ĀæDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ĀæDespuĆ©s de que me pidiĆ³ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? Ćl decidiĆ³ por su cuenta sĆ³lo porque su primer amor habĆa vuelto. No podĆa creer lo que hacĆa. Al final, fingĆ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuĆ©s, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultĆ³ sorprendente porque sabĆa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sĆ me sorprendiĆ³ fue que hacĆa todo esto despuĆ©s de enterrar una daga en mi corazĆ³n. --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? --preguntĆ³ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ĀæEstĆ”s enferma? Dime cĆ³mo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecĆa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentĆ© evitarlo, pero me agarrĆ³ de la muƱeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. HabĆa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ĀæQuĆ© te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asĆ desde ayer. ĀæEs por Lexi? ĀæO porque no volvĆ a casa anoche? --inquiriĆ³. Yo lo mirĆ© a los ojos, molesta. --Ā”TĆŗ fuiste quien pidiĆ³ el divorcio! Te pedĆ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ĀæPretendĆas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuĆ©s de eso, Pierce? --respondĆ. Al escucharme, apretĆ³ la mandĆbula y sacudiĆ³ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuĆ©s del trabajo. --Ā”Kels! --me llamĆ³ y me agarrĆ³ de los hombros. La confusiĆ³n y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ĀæEstĆ”s... enamorada de mĆ? Aquello me desconcertĆ³. ĀæEnamorada? Ā”SĆ! Desde que estĆ”bamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiĆ³ en mi mejor amigo. ĀæQuiĆ©n no se enamorarĆa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraā¦ lo estaba perdiendo. PerdiĆ©ndolo irremediablemente. DecidĆ darle a nuestro matrimonio una Ćŗltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueƱo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciĆ³n. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabĆa bien que siempre habĆa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazĆ³n. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los Ćŗltimos tres aƱos era solo un hermoso sueƱo cuando Pierce pidiĆ³ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresĆ³. Ella sĆ³lo podrĆa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebĆ©. ĀæPor quĆ© no merecĆa ser amada? ĀæQuĆ© sucederĆ” en adelante? ĀæCĆ³mo podrĆa Kelly salvar su corazĆ³n en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capĆtulos disponibles son limitados aquĆ, haga click el botĆ³n abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mĆ”s contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederĆ” a este libro) &5& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc | Happy reading | https://www.facebook.com/61566043183664/ | 168 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.manobook.com | IMAGE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=158964247257618&rawadid=120216661870570492 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465043134_535283126101152_5608516312931622226_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sc5OK8DKQ3IQ7kNvgGflgOh&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ABJAoAHWCAVCBERBCrw1TJ4&oh=00_AYCPkw9WlRrcLapN3W6JYUK8Mu8AeJbMaYNcFUUcKIFgEw&oe=672FC7C7 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Happy reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,300,461 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2299137}'
|
Yes | 2024-11-05 05:15 | active | 1696 | 0 |
|
šAttention! Do not read in publicļ¼š | "Get the defibrillator! Increase the voltage!" "Doctor! The patient is experiencing massive bleeding, and the A-type blood from the blood bank was just urgently taken away." The intern nurse's hands were covered in blood, and she trembled. The operating room reeked of blood. She had never seen so much blood before. At that moment, a thought flashed through her mind. 'Who would suddenly take away A-type blood from the blood bank?' The woman lying on the bed was pale. Her lips were dry, and her eyes started to lose focus. "Juan..." "What?" "Juan Nichols..." The intern nurse made out the name murmured by Debra Frazier. Juan Nichols was the most influential businessman in Seamar City. The doctor was on the verge of collapse. He dialed the wrong number three times before finally getting it right. He quickly pleaded with the person on the other end of the phone, "Mr. Nichols, your wife is experiencing massive bleeding, but the blood from the blood bank has been taken away. Please, come and see her for the last time." But Juan's voice was filled with indifference. "She's still alive? Call me when she's dead." With that, he hung up the phone. All the light disappeared from Debra's eyes. 'Juan, do you hate me so much? Even at this point, you wouldn't come to see me.' The machine emitted a flat, cold beep, indicating the patient's vital signs had disappeared. Debra felt her soul leaving her body. Her withered, frail body collapsed weakly on the bed. Debra felt exhausted. At just twenty-seven, she passed away because of postpartum hemorrhage in the hospital. In her lifetime, she loved Juan dearly. As the only daughter of the Frazier family, she should have enjoyed the best life. But to marry Juan, she sacrificed herself and her family. In the end, she met a tragic fate. Debra slowly closed her eyes. Given another chance, she would never make the same mistakes. ... "Madam, Mr. Nichols wants to take you to the auction. Which outfit would you like to wear?" Sophie asked. 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 his family 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." Sophieās 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. In the past, she often dressed like Shelia to please Juan. Shelia liked white dresses, so she followed suit, just to earn a little favor from 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 wear cheap clothes for a man. It only lowered her status and self-esteem. "But Mr. Nichols likes white dresses," Sophie 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." Sophie 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." Marion made no comments. Randy clicked his tongue. "Juan's taste is just terrible, preferring a skinny woman to his beautiful woman. Don't you think?" Randy turned around, but Marion was nowhere to be seen. He cursed, quickly catching up with Marion. Shelia, in a white dress, held Juan's arm timidly. "I've never been to such an event before. Maybe I should go back." "You'll get used to it. You'll be attending these events frequently in the future," Juan said. Shelia nodded. Juan was about to enter with Shelia when Joe spoke up. "Sir, won't we wait for Mrs. Nichols?" Juan frowned. "Didn't I ask you to tell her not to come today?" Joe glanced at Shelia, and she quickly said, "It's not Joe's fault. I told him not to inform Debra. With my status, I'm afraid of gossip, so I thought it would be better for Debra to accompany you in." Shelia lowered her head like a scared hare. Juan rubbed his temples. He didn't want Debra to show up at all. "Mr. Nichols," Shelia murmured. "It's alright." Juan patted Shelia's head and said to Joe, "Go intercept her and send her away." In the crowd, there were murmurs of surprise. Joe looked over and was also shocked. "I'm afraid it's too late." Chapter2 Juan also looked over. A red figure stood out in the crowd. Debra, clad in a burgundy dress, seemed to captivate hearts with every gesture. Cameras flashed at her like she was a reigning superstar walking the red carpet. 'Debra?' Juan took a moment to recognize her. In the past, Debra preferred light makeup and plain dresses. This was the first time Juan had seen her like this. Seeing Debra for the first time, Shelia was filled with jealousy. Compared to the alluring Debra, she seemed too plain. "Debra looks stunning." Shelia's tone carried a subtle envy. Debra spotted them and walked over. Shelia thought Debra, unaware of her relationship with Juan, would be surprised or awkward, but Debra was poised and smiling. "Mrs. Nichols is here. Who's the lady beside Mr. Nichols?" whispered a reporter. Debra approached, linking her arm with Juan's, and extended a hand towards Shelia. "You must be Shelia mentioned by Juan. Nice to meet you! I'm Debra. You can call me Mrs. Nichols." Shelia withdrew her hand from Juan's and shook hands with Debra. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Nichols," Shelia said awkwardly. "Juan told me that he sponsored you. You're going to study abroad, right?" Debra said. Shelia glanced at Juan. "Shelia excels in her studies. She's planning to go abroad this year, but she's a bit timid, so I brought her here today to broaden her horizons," Juan said. He had brought Shelia here to see the world of the upper class. Juan hadn't completely fallen for Shelia yet. It was only after Shelia returned from abroad that Juan fell in love with her. Even so, Juan attended all kinds of events with Shelia, to the point where everyone in Seamar City knew that Juan liked a college girl. But none of this mattered to Debra anymore. She came to the auction not to compete with Shelia but for a more important purpose. "Well then, take good care of Miss Miles. I'm going in," Debra said, letting go of Juan's arm. Juan was stunned. He hadn't expected these words to come from Debra's mouth. By the time he realized it, Debra had already get into the venue. Juan frowned. 'When did the unruly Debra become so agreeable?' Debra sat in an inconspicuous corner. The auction venue was filled with influential figures. If she remembered correctly, an abandoned piece of land that nobody wanted was bought by an obscure merchant at this auction. Later, because of the upscale developments around it, the land became valuable. The successful investment elevated the merchant's status, making him a commercial magnate. Since she had decided to leave Juan, Debra wanted to build up her own assets. After sitting down, Juan searched for Debra's figure. Beside him, Shelia asked, "Mr. Nichols, do you really want me to bid on your behalf?" Juan's attention returned, and he said, "Yes, I trust your judgment." Shelia blushed. She had studied finance for so long at school, just for this day. On the second floor, Debra watched them chat happily. Shelia indeed had some talent, which was one of the reasons why Juan would be attracted to her. In her last life, Shelia had once identified a prime piece of land, which impressed Juan. But that piece of land was valuable, to begin with. The Nichols Group's properties were around it, and Shelia inflated the price with Juan's money. In the end, the value of the land and the surrounding properties all increased, so Juan couldn't lose. Even without Shelia, Juan would have secured that piece of land. As the auction started, Shelia began to bid. She successfully won the first three prime pieces of land. Juan sat beside Shelia like a guardian. "The price of Crescent Manor starts at one billion." "Two billion." Debra's bidding caused a collective gasp. Juan frowned. What's gotten into this woman? Shelia whispered, "This piece of land isn't worth much. Debra's going to lose money." Juan texted Debra. [What are you doing?] Debra read the message and ignored it. "Two billion once!" "Two billion twice!" ... "Is Debra crazy? Two billion for this piece of junk?" On the second floor, Randy was flabbergasted. "Three billion," Marion bid. Randy nearly flipped the table. "Marion! Are you insane too?" Across from them, Debra frowned. She wanted to know who was crazy enough to compete with her for this wasteland, only to see Marion. She vaguely remembered Marion was doing gray business. 'When did he start real estate development?' "Four billion!" Debra raised the stakes. Downstairs, Juan furrowed his brow and texted her again. [Debra, shut up!] Debra simply turned off her phone. "Five billion," Marion said. His provocation annoyed Debra. 'Alright, you want to play? Let's play.' "Ten billion!" she bid. "What! She's gone mad!" Randy exclaimed. Juan stood up, losing his composure. He couldn't quite grasp Debra's intentions. To him, this piece of land wasn't even worth one billion. Yet Debra was offering ten billion. Marion smiled at Debra and made a gesture of concession. "Ten billion!" The auctioneer exclaimed, "Any further bids? Ten billion, going once, going twice. Sold!" As the gavel fell, a weight lifted off Debra's heart. The land was finally hers, but she had unnecessarily spent an extra eight billion. It was all because of Marion. She glared at him. Randy nudged Marion, "Hey, Debra's glaring at you. If I were her, I'd probably be plotting your demise." Marion shrugged indifferently. Downstairs, Shelia tugged at Juan. "Mr. Nichols, Debra is going to make you bankrupt." "She set her own price. No one will help her pay the bills," Juan said. Chapter 3 Due to this episode, Juan's attention was solely on Debra. Shelia's performance was completely ignored. When the auction ended, Debra was about to leave when she bumped into Juan and Shelia. "Debra, if you don't understand real estate, don't mess around," Juan said bluntly. Shelia chimed in, "Yeah, Debra. Your actions have cost Mr. Nichols ten billion." Debra chuckled, "Miss Miles, you misunderstand. This piece of land is mine to get. What does it have to do with Juan?" Shelia blurted out, "But that's ten billion." "It's just pocket change for me, not to mention for her." From not far away, Randy's voice came. "Isn't that right, Ms. Frazier?" Debra caught sight of Marion and said, "It's just a plaything for purchase." Shelia blushed with embarrassment. Ten billion meant nothing to Juan and Debra. In front of these people, Shelia felt inferior. "Heard Mr. Nichols got married. Is the lady beside him Mrs. Nichols?" Marion chimed in. Shelia blushed, stammering, "N-no." "This is my wife, Debra," Juan said, pulling Debra close. Debra tried to shake off Juan's hand, but he held on tight. Since earlier, he had felt Marion's gaze on Debra. Men understood men best. He could see through Marion's thoughts. "So, Ms. Frazier is Mrs. Nichols. It's my bad. I saw Mr. Nichols chatting with this lady in the venue earlier, thinking she was Mrs. Nichols." Randy slapped his head. "Then this lady must be Mr. Nichols's secretary. No wonder she was holding up signs for Mr. Nichols earlier." Debra almost burst out laughing. Though she didn't care about Shelia and Juan anymore, hearing Randy's words still made her pleased. Shelia was totally embarrassed. "Joe, take Shelia home," Juan requested. "Yes, sir," Joe agreed. Randy grinned, "We'll get out of your hair. Bye!" After Randy and Marion left, Debra shook off Juan's hand. "Had enough?" Juan didn't expect Debra to pull away. Before, Debra couldn't wait to touch him. She seemed different tonight. "If you're trying to get my attention, you don't need to do this," Juan said. Debra was speechless. She wanted to argue, but she couldn't find the right words. Considering how much she cared about Juan in the past, she might have done so. But she wasn't that person anymore. "Whatever!" Debra shrugged. "Wait." Juan stopped her. "What now?" "What's your relationship with Marion?" "I don't even know him." Juan spoke coldly. "No matter what your relationship is with him, you are Mrs. Nichols in public. You better watch your identity and keep your distance from other men." Debra scoffed, "Before you demand anything from others, how about demanding it from yourself? Did you consider your status and my reputation when you brought Shelia here today?" "I had Joe inform you today." "Oh? Is it to tell me not to come?" Juan remained silent. He knew he was in the wrong. "Even Marion, an outsider, mistook Shelia for Mrs. Nichols. If you like her, let's get a divorce," Debra said. "Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?" Juan frowned. Although he didn't love Debra, it didn't mean he wanted a divorce. Their marriage was based on interests. It was not something one person could dissolve. From Juan's serious expression, Debra could tell that he wasn't thinking of divorce now, but it was only because of her family. In a few years, when she became worthless, he would discard her like trash. Thinking of the miserable end of her last life, she'd rather end it now than wait for that moment. "I said, let's divorce." The next day, news of Debra's extravagant purchase of wasteland swept through major platforms. Debra was the sole heiress to the Frazier family, and ten billion was just a figure for her. However, with her family's businesses operating, she had limited liquid assets. It was not easy for her to raise the money. Debra lay on the bed, rubbing her brows. 'Should I find Juan? No.' He left without a word yesterday when she proposed a divorce. She couldn't understand. She was even willing to relinquish the Frazier family's wealth to him, yet he still didn't want a divorce. But besides Juan, who else could she turn to? Suddenly, Debra sat up. She had an idea. "Marion!" People in high society were in one circle. Debra managed to contact Marion through her connections. Debra remembered that Marion's influence was overseas, but in recent years, he had stationed himself in Seamar City. Others might not know why, but she did. In the coming years, Marion would rapidly take over local enterprises, competing head-to-head with Juan. In the conference room, Marion played with his lighter. Debra got straight to the point. "I want to borrow eight billion from you." Randy spat out his tea. He'd seen straightforward, but never this blunt. "Ms. Frazier, that's a large amount of money." Debra blinked. "Last time you said ten billion was nothing." "I just rolled the logs for you, and you're giving me a hard time." Randy shook his head. Beautiful women were always a bit sick in their heads. Marion flicked his lighter. "Why should I lend you any money?" "I could've secured Crescent Manor with two billion, but because of your meddling, I have to pay an extra." "Not a convincing reason." Debra fell silent for a moment before saying, "Your industries are all overseas, but for the past two years, you've been frequenting Seamar City. I guess you want to launder your overseas money here. Am I right?" Randy paused his tea-drinking motion, subconsciously glancing at Marion. He didn't expect Debra to understand these things. Chapter 4 The room fell silent for a moment. Marion smirked and said, "Mrs. Nichols, you can't wrongly accuse good people." "Yeah, we're all legitimate businessmen," Randy chimed in. "In the realm of legitimate business, it's not up to me to judge. But I think Juan might be interested," Debra said. "I'm just a clueless rich girl, while Juan isn't. If I tell him what happened, I wonder if he'll take notice." "You're sneaky!" Randy couldn't contain his frustration. Debra looked at Marion seriously. "Lend me eight billion, and I'll pay you back with interest in three years." Randy's eyes widened. "Are you kidding? Do you know how much interest that'll be? If you can't pay it back, we'll lose eight billion. You're Juan's wife. Who can hold you accountable?" "I know the interest. I'll sign a contract with you. If I can't repay, I'll give you my family's properties and stocks, and I'll work for you for the rest of my life." Randy paused and continued, "And besides, my marriage with Juan might not last three years. Even if I'm still his wife then, he won't protect me." Marion looked up and stared at Debra for a while. Randy's ears perked up as he smelled gossip. But he quickly composed himself. "No, I disagree!" But Marion agreed, "Okay, I'll lend it to you." "What?" Randy jumped up from his chair. "Have you gone mad?" "I'll have the finance department transfer the money to you. We'll draft the contract later," Marion said. "Marion!" Randy stomped his foot. "Thank you, Mr. Houston." Debra stood up, saying, "I'll await your message. Happy cooperation." She smiled and left the office. Randy ground his teeth. "That's eight billion! Are you out of your mind? She's Juan's wife! Why would you lend her money?" Marion grinned. "She's pretty." "Why should you get the girl while I pay?" Randy exclaimed. Marion stood up, tossed a bank card to Randy, and said, "I pursue the woman I fancy. It's only right that I foot the bill." "What? Foot the bill? She's Juan's wife! What bill are you talking about?" Randy ranted. Ignoring his protest, Marion walked out of the office. "Both of you are insane!" Randy muttered. Debra had just stepped into the Nichols family's mansion when she saw Juan sitting in the living room. She frowned. In her last life, Juan rarely came home. 'When did he become so attached to home?' Assuming he was just lounging around, she turned to go upstairs. "Debra!" Juan called out. Debra halted. "What is it?" Juan felt uneasy about Debra's recent coldness. "The auction house is pressing for payment." "I know," Debra replied coolly. "If you don't have enough money, you can tell me," Juan said. "No need. I've sorted it out," Debra said dismissively. "Where did you get the money from?" Ten billion wasn't a small amount, and Juan knew every movable asset under the Frazier family's name. She couldn't produce such a sum on short notice. "It's my business. You don't need to concern yourself," Debra replied. "Don't forget that I'm your husband," Juan said. Debra chuckled bitterly. 'Husband?' Juan always considered it a disgrace. When did he remember he was her husband? "You're so anxious because you're afraid I'll lose money and drag down the Nichols family," Debra said. Juan fell silent. Seeing his reaction, Debra knew that she had guessed right. "I won't drag you down. I understand our marriage is a business alliance. We rise and fall together. You don't have to come home often," Debra concluded. Juan was speechless. He used to think that way, so after getting married, he was cold towards Debra and didn't even touch her. But after hearing those words from Debra, he suddenly realized his excessiveness. Juan was about to say something when suddenly a remittance message came on Debra's phone. She didn't expect Marion's actions to be so fast. In just an hour, the money arrived. With the matter resolved, Debra gave a smile. Juan pursed his lips, suddenly remembering how Debra used to follow him. She showed him the same smile, but he never cared. "There's a party tonight. You're coming with me." "Me?" Debra frowned. Juan asked, "Don't want to?" "Why don't you bring Shelia with you?" Debra was puzzled. In her last life, whenever there was a banquet, Juan would take Shelia. If her memory served her right, it was an international banquet that night. She insisted on going, but Juan brought Shelia in the end, indirectly paving the way for Shelia. For such an important occasion, why would Juan suddenly think of bringing her? "You're my wife, so naturally, you should come to such occasions with me." Debra didn't get it, thinking it was only because Shelia had something else to do. Then again, she should go to such occasions more often. To start her own business, she needed connections. "Alright then, I'll go get ready." Juan breathed a sigh of relief. At least, Debra was still willing to be the nominal Mrs. Nichols. Perhaps she wasn't completely disappointed with him yet. Shelia was in the dormitory, arranging the dress sent by Juan's secretary. Her roommates looked at Shelia with envy. "Shelia, your boyfriend is so sweet, giving you such a beautiful dress." Shelia's cheeks turned rosy. "Shelia, when will you introduce us to your boyfriend?" "Yeah, your boyfriend is so rich, and he takes you to various banquets all the time. We're curious." Shelia shook her head and said, "He's very busy. I'll introduce you to him when he's available." Shelia's phone rang. Seeing that it was a call from Juan's secretary, she answered the phone happily. "Joe, did Mr. Nichols send you to pick me up? I'll come down right away," she said. "Mr. Nichols said you don't need to come today," said Joe. Chapter 5 Shelia's smile froze. "Why?" "Mr. Nichols is taking his wife tonight, so it wouldn't be convenient for you to attend." Shelia forced a smile. "Oh, so he's taking his wife. That's great. I didn't want to go anyway." "That's good." Shelia held her phone and bit her lip. Her roommates exchanged glances. "Shelia, did your boyfriend stand you up?" "I heard this event is international. Didn't your boyfriend organize it to introduce you to some foreign entrepreneurs?" Facing their skeptical looks, Shelia managed a weak smile. "He has an important client to accompany. I shouldn't disturb him." Shelia glanced at the dress in her hands, her expression dimming. 'Juan never likes Debra. Why did he suddenly...' She tightened her grip on the dress. She had looked forward to tonight's event for so long. She couldn't just give up. As the night fell, Juan had a splendid black dress sent to Debra. He had been waiting downstairs for a while when he saw Debra descending the stairs. Though he had seen Debra in a burgundy dress the other day, seeing her in this outfit still took Juan by surprise. He hadn't realized how beautiful Debra could be. "I'm ready," Debra said, lifting her head. Juan pursed his lips. "I'll have my secretary bring the car around." Debra opened the door to see Joe waiting outside. Seeing Debra in the black dress, Joe was amazed. "Mrs. Nichols, you look stunning in this dress, better than Miss Miles." Juan glanced at him. Joe realized his mistake and quickly shut his mouth. "It's okay." Debra didn't care, and she got into the car. Juan glared at Joe and muttered, "You won't get your bonus this month." Joe felt wronged but dared not say more. That was what he got for being too talkative. Outside the club, Juan helped Debra get out of the car. People around them cast admiring glances at them. "Who's the lady with Mr. Nichols?" "Seems to be Mrs. Nichols." "I don't recall seeing Mr. and Mrs. Nichols together before. They make quite the power couple." ... Juan took Debra's hand. Debra wanted to retract her hand, but with so many people around, she had to go along with Juan. Debra glanced around and saw many faces she had encountered in her last life. Juan had a certain prestige in the business world. To be able to attend such a high-level international event, the people here were all top entrepreneurs, philanthropists, or real estate tycoons. Debra had studied finance to impress Juan, but it never paid off. Suddenly, the sound of shattered glass grabbed everyone's attention. A gardener accidentally broke a vase of roses, and the manager scolded him. "Where did this old man come from? Get him out of here!" the manager barked. "Hold on." Debra stepped forward, picking up the roses from the ground. She noticed they were carefully pruned and rare. "This man ruined Mr. Houston's flowers and startled the guests. Let me have him removed," said the manager. "If it's broken, just ask him to prepare a new one," Debra said. "These roses were brought by Mr. Houston for everyone's enjoyment. How about each lady take one to appreciate his gesture?" Debra suggested. Everyone nodded, and the manager waved off the gardener. Juan stepped forward, lowering his voice. "I didn't expect you to liven up the atmosphere here." Debra shrugged. "Just trying to please Mr. Houston." Outside the club, Shelia stepped out of a taxi in a black dress, feeling strange gazes around her. She ignored them and tried to get into the club. The security guard glanced at the taxi and stopped her. "Miss, do you have an invitation?" Shelia was taken aback. She didn't know about invitations. With Juan, she could go anywhere. It was the first time she had been stopped by a security guard. "Sorry! No invitation, no entry." "I'm here to see Mr. Nichols. I'm his companion," Shelia lied. Squinting at her, the guard asked, "Mr. Nichols is already inside with Mrs. Nichols. Who are you?" Feeling the stares all around, Shelia blushed with embarrassment. Joe saw her and hurried over. "Excuse me, she's our company staff." The guard nodded, allowing Shelia through. Shelia breathed a sigh of relief, but Joe asked sternly, "Miss Miles, why are you here?" "I just wanted to broaden my horizons. Mr. Nichols always said I was too timid. I'll be going abroad in a few months, so I wanted to experience this kind of event. Joe, could you take me in?" Joe hesitated. "I'll return from studying and help Mr. Nichols. The piece of land Debra bought cost billions and was a loss. She probably doesn't understand finance. So many financial elites are here. I'm worried Mrs. Nichols won't be able to handle it," Shelia pleaded sincerely. Joe nodded in agreement. In the past, it was always Shelia by Juan's side because Debra knew nothing about finance, and Joe respected Shelia, who was talented in this area. Shelia joyfully entered the club and spotted Juan conversing with some guests not far away. She lifted the hem of her dress to run over, but she accidentally collided with an old man. The gardener's vase slipped, and the water splashed on Shelia's dress. She instinctively exclaimed and freaked out when she saw the stain. "What's wrong with you? Can't you watch where you're going?" Chapter 6 Her cry pierced through the room. All eyes, including Juan's and Debra's, turned to her. In their eyes, Shelia was a rude and uncultured woman. The old gardener bent down to pick up the scattered roses and apologized profusely. Feeling the stares around her, Shelia quickly changed her attitude. "I'm sorry. I was in haste. Are you okay, sir?" Debra watched from nearby. Even though Shelia tried to fix it, it only came off as insincere. Shelia also noticed Debra beside Juan. "How did she get here?" Juan frowned. Given his expression, he seemed clueless about Shelia's arrival. Debra wondered if Shelia came on her own. Debra stayed silent. This plot was different from that of her last life. Juan brought Shelia to the party, where Shelia impressed Caleb Houston. It led to a smooth path overseas and success after graduation with support from Juan and Caleb. Debra thought that Shelia would not show up this time. Yet here she was. "Mr. Nichols!" Hearing the commotion, Joe rushed in. Juan's tone was curt. "Who let her in?" "It was me." Joe bowed his head. "I thought Miss Miles could help you." Juan rubbed his temples. He used to be very tolerant of Shelia. But in this situation, Shelia shouldn't have appeared. "Miss Miles isn't familiar with the place. Go check on her," Debra said, taking a sip of champagne. Juan saw Shelia's scared looks, and he couldn't bear to leave her alone to handle the situation. "I'll be back in a moment." Debra said nothing. That was expected. He could never let go of Shelia. Juan went over and asked, "How did you come here?" Shelia lowered her head, looking pitiful. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to see the event." Seeing her tear up, Juan couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh. In a sense, Shelia was trained by him, and he had seen all her efforts. "I'll have Joe take you back." Seeing Juan about to leave, Shelia hurriedly grabbed his sleeve. "Mr. Nichols, can I stay?" Juan frowned. In the past, Shelia was always obedient and aware of her identity, never crossing that boundary. Shelia felt his displeasure and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Nichols. I..." Juan relented in the end. "You can stay. This event could be helpful for your overseas studies." Shelia finally broke into a sweet smile. "Can I stay with you?" Juan glanced at the surrounding crowd, concerned about leaving Shelia alone here. "Yeah." Shelia was delighted. Joe couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what about Mrs. Nichols?" "Go accompany her. Don't let her cause trouble like last time." Juan knew that Debra often attended such events, but as someone unfamiliar with finance, she was here merely to pass the time. As long as she didn't cause trouble like last time, it was fine. Debra watched as Joe approached her. Before he could say anything, she asked, "He's gone to accompany Shelia?" "Miss Miles is a key candidate for the company, so..." "I understand." Debra looked as if she was not bothered at all. Joe breathed a sigh of relief. But somehow, he felt that Debra had changed. Shelia followed Juan and confidently conversed with some bigwigs, which was noticed by Debra. Although Shelia had good grades at school, she was still just a student. In front of these seasoned businessmen, what she said wasn't very insightful. They were only praising Shelia out of respect for Juan. However, soon Shelia faced difficulty with a foreign elderly gentleman. Debra recognized that man as a financial tycoon from Dawnreach. He only spoke his native language and didn't know any foreign languages. And his translator was absent. "Mr. Nichols..." Shelia bit her lip, glancing at Juan. Juan was pondering how to defuse the awkwardness when Debra approached and fluently conversed with the man. The man seemed quite pleased with what Debra said and shook hands with her. Shelia finally noticed Debra, dressed in an identical black dress. Compared to her, Debra seemed like a refined lady, while she looked like a street vendor. Shelia clenched her fists and forced a smile. "Debra, that's impressive. You can speak the Dawnreach language." Debra smiled without saying anything. Juan remembered that Debra could speak foreign languages, but Dawnreach language wasn't widely used. Not many people knew it, so he was surprised that Debra was fluent in it. "What did you say to Mr. Stephen? He seemed quite pleased," Shelia asked. "I told him that the piece of land he bought near the southeastern sea is going to get a good prince, so he's happy," Debra replied. "That piece of land will get a a good price?" Shelia looked puzzled. The land didn't seem extraordinary. "Maybe," Debra replied casually. In her last life, that piece of land did get a considerable sum. The area suddenly developed into a tourist destination, making a hefty profit from tourism. Mr. Stephen probably foresaw its development, hence his purchase. Shelia lacked that foresight. Juan stared at Debra, which made her uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Debra asked. "How did you know that the land would get a good price?" Juan said. Chapter 7 Given his expression, Juan knew that this plot of land would fetch a hefty sum. Yet he chose to let Stephen have it as a favor. That was just Juan's style. "I was just paying a compliment. You're reading too much into it," Debra replied. Juan furrowed his brow, assessing the sincerity of Debra's words. It made sense. Given Debra's intelligence, how could she see the future value of that land? Juan realized he was overthinking it. "Hope so." Juan turned away, leading Shelia to meet other people. Shelia glanced at Debra. Debra managed to capture the hint of triumph in Shelia's eyes. She downed a glass of champagne. In the eyes of others, she was just a failed woman abandoned by her husband. Her husband left her and took another woman to meet business partners. Could anything be more of a joke than this? Debra felt disheartened. She had planned to mingle with the business elites, but with Juan gone, it became difficult. How could she approach those entrepreneurs without seeming intentional? Debra scanned the surroundings and spotted a piano not far away. A smile played on Debra's lips as she got an idea. With graceful steps, Debra approached the piano and exchanged brief greetings with the pianist before sitting down. As the heiress to the Frazier family, she had to learn many things, though she never thought she'd use them. But now they had come in handy. It had been a while since Debra played the piano, so she was a bit rusty. But soon enough, the piano keys followed her fingers, producing a melodious tune that perfectly matched the atmosphere of the party. The guests were captivated by the unexpected piano music. Many turned to look in her direction, and after she finished playing, applause filled the room. Seeing Juan and the businessmen stop their conversation, Shelia kept her eyes on Debra and said, "Debra is amazing. She can play the piano." "She is a pro," Juan remarked casually. Among these people, many could play the piano, and passing relevant exams was quite common. The fact that Debra received so much applause showed her musical talent. It was then that Shelia realized the gap between her and Debra. She used to think Debra was just lucky and pretty, but utterly useless. Now she was proven wrong. She was dead wrong. After Debra finished playing, many wealthy ladies approached her for conversation. While she couldn't directly approach those business magnates, getting close to their wives made it easier to reach them. "I didn't expect Mrs. Nichols to be so talented at the piano," Randy remarked from a corner. "Not bad," Marion agreed. "You don't know music, do you?" Randy teased. "I don't, but I like it," Marion replied. He didn't understand music, but because it was Debra playing, it felt different. When she went to the restroom, Debra was pulled into a secluded corner. She tried to cry out, but the man behind her covered her mouth. "Don't make a sound," the man whispered. Feeling the warmth of his body, Debra adjusted her breathing and bit down on the man's hand. "Ouch!" he grunted in pain. "You bit me?" The man released her. Debra quickly put some distance between them and was surprised when she saw his face. "Marion?" "Who else did you think it would be?" "Why the cloak and dagger?" "I sneaked in. Don't want to be seen." "What kind of joke is this? Caleb is your..." Before Debra could finish her sentence, she immediately shut her mouth. Marion raised an eyebrow. "Hm? What were you going to say?" Debra averted her gaze. In her last life, Caleb left all his assets to Marion. It was only after that she found out the truth. But so far, no one knew Marion was Caleb's grandson. "I mean, Caleb is kind-hearted, and you're a dominant owner of overseas enterprises. Even if you snuck in, no one would dare say anything." "Maybe, but I prefer to play it safe," Marion said. "Don't tell me you snuck in here just to say these things to me." She didn't think Marion would be so boring. "This is for you." Marion handed Debra a contract. Debra looked down and saw the contract for her borrowing. "Just for this?" she asked. Marion nodded. "Boring!" Debra signed the contract and threw it back to Marion. It was crazy that he found her to sign the contract at the door of the ladies' room. "As your creditor, can I ask you a question?" "Go ahead." "Why spend ten billion on that land?" Marion's voice was low, tempting her to answer his question. "I can't tell you now," Debra said. "What if I insist?" Marion could tell Debra had other plans. But he couldn't figure out what could be worth ten billion there. It was a loss-making business, but Debra's actions made him believe the land would be worth far more than ten billion. "If I told you this land would be worth a lot in six months, would you believe me?" Debra asked. "No." Marion couldn't see any signs of it yet. "What if I said high-end properties around that wasteland are about to come into the market?" Debra asked. "What high-end properties?" Marion frowned. He had never heard of that. "You'll find out soon enough," Debra smiled, walking past Marion into the restroom. Frowning, Marion walked to the lobby, where Randy asked, "Done signing?" "Yeah," Marion said. "Why the long face?" Randy asked. "Is there any high-end property near the wasteland Debra bought?" "There aren't any." "Check who owns the land around that wasteland." "That wasteland is in the sewage area. There's nothing to check. Forget high-end properties. No one would even build a basketball court there," Randy said. "Sewage area?" Marion was surprised. Chapter 8 Moments later, Shelia emerged from the restroom, her face looking grim. She was now dressed in a white gown. "What's wrong?" Juan asked. "I just changed in the restroom and thought I saw Debra." "Debra?" Shelia nodded. "I saw Debra with that man. They seemed intimate." Shelia observed Juan's expression and quickly added, "But I might have been mistaken. How could Debra know someone like Marion? I heard he's a desperado." "Debra..." Juan's tone turned cold. He had noticed Marion's interest in Debra last time. 'Doesn't she know how to avoid danger? Even getting close to someone like Marion.' Juan felt upset. Debra emerged from the restroom and was puzzled about Juan's dissatisfaction. "Where did you go?" Juan whispered. "Me? I went to the restroom." Debra was confused. Shelia stepped forward, pretending to be affectionate, as she grabbed Debra's hand. "Debra, I saw it just now. Marion is not a good person. Don't let him deceive you." Debra instinctively withdrew her hand. Shelia's hand hung in mid-air, and she looked aggrieved. "I didn't tell Mr. Nichols about it on purpose, but Marion is really not a good person." "I know what kind of person Marion is. I don't need others to judge," Debra huffed. "I..." Shelia bit her lip, looking hurt. "Shelia is looking out for you. Don't be oblivious and offend the wrong people," Juan warned. Shelia tugged at Juan's sleeve, as if to imply he was being too harsh. If other people saw it, they might think that Shelia was Juan's wife. "In any case, it's best not to get close to Marion. You're a woman of high standing, while he's a man without upbringing. How could you have any ties with him?" Shelia said. Suddenly, the sound of a cane hitting the ground came. Everyone turned to see an elderly man with gray hair standing in the center of the hall. Debra turned around, feeling a sense of familiarity. Soon, she recognized the old man as the gardener who had been arranging vases in the hall earlier. Now, the old man was dressed in a suit, flanked by two bodyguards. His stern gaze carried a hint of ruthlessness, making people wary. "This is Mr. Caleb Houston," one of the bodyguards introduced. Everyone in the vicinity raised their glasses respectfully to the old man. Only Shelia was pale. The old man she had scolded just now turned out to be Caleb. Shortly after, Marion emerged from behind Caleb and stood by his side, supporting him. Debra suddenly had a bad feeling. Marion looked at Debra and slowly smirked. "Ladies and gentlemen, I invited you all here today to declare that Marion is my grandson, the sole heir of the Houston family." Caleb coldly glanced at Shelia. Shelia felt a chill. "He is not some wild man without upbringing," Caleb said. Everyone in the room was astonished, and Debra's heart was pounding. 'Something is not right. The timeline has changed. How could this happen?' | LEARN_MORE | https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1 | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 290 | 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-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460723184_1095471925484796_4129625463197719825_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MWt8KUIK7lwQ7kNvgGtRXot&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AFCVv81XkfHJjtmwSc0L3Ge&oh=00_AYDNOQFcCBEOnPdM4NSRk-4XuqYod7gImWBK8_ofYRnHIg&oe=672FB289 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,296,670 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-11-05 04:39 | active | 1694 | 0 | New & Used INFINITI Dealer in Melbourne, FL | INFINITI of Melbourne | Swimming with sharks? Thatās risky. INFINITI OF MELBOURNE IS RISK FREE! Come see us today and take home your risk free vehicle! šINFINITI OF MELBOURNE | 321.728.8880 | www.infinitiofmelbourne.com | SHOP_NOW | https://www.infinitiofmelbourne.com/searchused.asp | INFINITI of Melbourne | https://www.facebook.com/INFINITIofmelbourne/ | 1,888 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop now | 0 | www.infinitiofmelbourne.com | VIDEO | https://www.infinitiofmelbourne.com/searchused.aspx | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465649452_419552191032372_3805729405481535046_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S3nU-ey0dvcQ7kNvgFcCuPF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AAI3OslWnuIAqBVTkHvaNOH&oh=00_AYBZVfB4qMy9EYF91BkMSTeoWX1EJI2KJIzH2PvcVVdXpw&oe=672FD5F7 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | INFINITI of Melbourne | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,299,251 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2299254}'
|
Yes | 2024-11-05 05:15 | active | 1696 | 0 |
|
šAttention! Do not read in publicļ¼š | As the daughter of Alpha, I have been abused by my brother Alpha Trey and the pack, all because of an unforgivable mistake I made at 6. Ouch! Beta Kyle rudely kicks me to the floor in front of the office door and yells, āUseless Stupid Wolf! Clean the office asap! Our guest, Alpha Dane will be arriving soon!ā Alpha Dane, I had only ever heard rumours about him. He was a ruthless man, a Wolf feared by others. He didnāt mess around and he had the largest pack. āHe is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!ā Beta Kyle continues. He digs his nails into my thinning skin before he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean back against it, observing the already clean office. There was nothing out of place, it looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned 18, I could finally escape, but 4 years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. āUhheemā Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that donāt quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. āIs this the way you greet all Alphaās?ā His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. āIām sorry.ā I whisper, getting to my feet. āIā¦I thought I was alone.ā I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. āCome forward.ā He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey was going to kill me. I step around the corner, doing as Iām told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. āYou smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?ā I nod, though I couldnāt tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. āI would prefer it if you spoke to me.ā He growls, āIām not in the mood to play games.ā āYes.ā I whisper. I couldnāt help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? āWhy do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me.ā āIā¦ā I hated the question. āSpit it out, I havenāt got all day!ā His deep voice sends a shiver through me, āYou should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Itās rude to not look at them.ā Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact. āMy Wolf abilities were bound,ā I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasnāt interested in that part. He leans forward, carefully placing his glass on the small table next to the chair. I could feel him staring at me, āWhy would someone do that?ā If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. āIt was a punishment.ā I whisper. It wasnāt far from the entire truth but it was the simplest answer I could give. Thereās a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldnāt tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me āNeah, what the fuck are you doing in my office?ā He turns to the crimson eyed man. āI am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane.ā Crap, it was him. My brother spins around, his hand stretching out to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. āI wouldnāt do that if I were you.ā Alpha Daneās voice rumbles through the room. Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He was taller than my brother, more muscly too. āNeah,ā My name rolls off of his tongue, āwas kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested. I was lucky someone was present, at least someone understands the importance of this deal.ā What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, clenching his jaw tight. I was going to pay for this later. I would have to try and steal some food. āGet out now!ā Alpha Trey seethes. I nod my head and hurry from the room, the last thing I wanted was to be caught between bickering men. I try to keep myself busy to stay as far away from the office as possible. My peace is short-lived when I hear my brother calling out for champagne and some glasses. Quickly finding what he asked for, I bow my head as I re-enter the office. I can feel Alpha Dane watching my every move; even the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. No one has ever watched me this closely. Approaching the small table by Alpha Danes chair, I start to fill the glasses. He takes the champagne bottle from me, telling me he is more than capable of filling his own glass. I feel my cheeks flame, not from embarrassment, but because I knew that I would be punished for this. I should have been quicker. I should have filled the glasses before entering the office. I should haveā¦. My brain freezes when I see my brother glaring at me. āNeah is your sister, correct?ā Alpha Dane questions my brother. āShe is.ā Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. āWhy do you treat her like shit?ā Straight to the point, my brother wouldnāt like that. No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didnāt know what to do. I couldnāt move but I knew I had to get out of there. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. āShe's an unforgiven murderer.ā Alpha Trey spits I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. āMurdered who?ā Alpha Daneās voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. āOur parents.ā | LEARN_MORE | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783& | New world publications | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 3,751 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | wwwedb.com | DCO | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&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/t39.35426-6/463716564_849071077033660_7419585111381032995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yHQnnONsj9oQ7kNvgHpYP8P&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AKdK5y9FyB6F_QnN9Q_AaJU&oh=00_AYB9l8CxOU8t8INjHscrPs4xcYSNi6ezTjOug733fpBDJw&oe=672FBA34 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | New world publications | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,299,127 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-11-05 05:15 | active | 1696 | 0 |
|
šRead the next chaptersš | 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 grandmotherāEdith Gibsonāfigured 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 boulderāeach 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 objectsāit 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. Howeverā¦ "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 wereā¦ 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 sharesāthe 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 ZieglerāMadeline's motherāand 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 Skylarāpreviously 'Jolene', with her kids in towāshowed 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 upāher 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. ā¦ 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 messāresignation 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 wasāa dazzling diamond ring. There was also that cutesy pink bandage on her finger. "My mom says you're dragging your feet on the divorceākinda 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 homeāLydia 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, thoughtsāthey'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 shipāthe 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 Yagleāa 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 assistantāDaniel Harrisāwho 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 selfāunresponsive 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 flickeredāa 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 exceptionalātangy 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 notebookāher 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. ā¦ 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, butā¦" Breaking from her usual composure, Madeline locked eyes with Cilix. "I was clear yesterday. I just want what my mom is entitled toāher 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 guessāit 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/ | 21 | 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-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449688956_1121940968889821_4588828897944407849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WLwJMY4rojgQ7kNvgH0wSvM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A0ukuxvZahhltHHpZBcYs_S&oh=00_AYBEGKNX-ygLPn6gW1TLCZ4jqIAvJkU_kz3np3vSIuEr1Q&oe=672FE1FB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,299,676 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2299191}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 05:15 | active | 1696 | 0 |
|
šAttention! Do not read in publicļ¼š | After a tragic accident left Emily Yates without her memories, she fell in love with her savior, Justin Yates, unaware that he was hiding the truth and using her as a stand-in for his first love. For three long years, Emily poured everything into the relationship, hoping he would love her back. But on the day Justin proposed, he held his "one true love" in his arms and left Emily stranded on a foreign street, still expecting her to remain his secret mistress. * āDidnāt I tell you to go home? Why are you still here?ā Justinās voice dripped with disdain and impatience, as if his irritation had taken on a life of its own. Emily stood her ground, unafraid. She needed answers. āYou proposed to me in Merika State just 16 hours ago, but now youāre holding another woman and completely ignoring me. And youāre not even coming home? Staying out all night?ā āStop being unreasonable. Leave. Now,ā he ordered, his voice cold and commanding, his gaze on her as though she were an unruly employee who had crossed the line. Emily wasnāt leaving without answers. āYou think Iām being unreasonable? Iām your fiancĆ©e. You left me on the street in a foreign country to carry another woman away without a second thought. Did you ever consider how I felt? āIāll go, but only if you leave the hospital with me. There are doctors and nurses here to care for that woman. Right now, youāre coming home with me.ā Desperate, Emily reached out to grab Justinās arm. But before she could make contact, her arm was blocked by Justinās personal bodyguard, William Carter. Emily was stunned, unable to believe what she was seeing. It felt as though her heart was being torn in two. āWhat do you mean by this?ā Emilyās voice trembled, mirroring the unease in her heart. Justin didnāt respond. He stared at her with cold, detached eyes, as if she were a stranger and not the fiancĆ©e he had just proposed to. Finally, he spoke, his words sharp and emotionless. āDonāt be childish.ā Childish? Once, he had said he loved how she depended on him, how she claimed him for herself. And now he was calling her childish? āIf you want to stay here with her, then what about our marriage? You proposed to me just today!ā | LEARN_MORE | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15056&ut | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 290 | 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=15056&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/t39.35426-6/464524242_869324355322502_5461206031477697920_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Iii-I8HN3XQQ7kNvgGcimjI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AECRfM5c0GA81ZGKbNKC6B1&oh=00_AYDLzNrJWq0N6ECprQfPeSJowBXc1-dhWSHZOH2wPHSASw&oe=672FDF2A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,298,158 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-11-05 05:00 | active | 1695 | 0 |
|
Read next chapterš | She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup! ============= Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom." Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?" Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. Just then, Mitchelās phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. He was something to see now. "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. What? He was on his way out? At this hour? Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late." Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up." With that, he headed for the door. "Mitchel." Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. "What's the matter?" There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?" Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today." Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. Mitchel was the man in the picture! So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. "Hello!" It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks. At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel? Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?" The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?" "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. "You know what, forget it!" The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. They were talking about her as if she were an object. Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?" "Yes." "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her." Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..." Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. The woman was indeed Lauren! Absence made the heart grow fonder! Every word drove a knife into her heart. Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. "Raegan?" Chapter 2 One-sided Love Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!" Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it." Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?" Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. In the elevator. Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. Several employees were chatting inside. "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back." "And who is that?" "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!" "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?" "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!" Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. The love was one-sided. "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?" A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?" Raegan said nothing to that. Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe itās time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool." Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself." "You..." Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?" It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..." Tessa was silenced by Raeganās shove. Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!" Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness." Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?" These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. "That's enough!" Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. The entire room fell silent. "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me." The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?" His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. No one dared to make a sound at this moment. Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. Raegan could understand why he took this stand. However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. Was she truly insignificant to him? Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you." Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..." "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. "You..." Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!" Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson." "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. Tessa trembled at once. With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone." The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..." Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards." Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here." Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please." It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. Closing hour soon rolled by. Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home." Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. Did he come to pick her up? At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. Chapter 3 Let's Divorce Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. She was Lauren. Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?" Raegan was stunned for a moment. She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay." She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. Love could move mountains, they said. Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. Raegan froze for a moment. Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. There were five missed calls from Mitchel. This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring." Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours." After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. Would they have a future? Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?" The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce." "What do you mean?" Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon." Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. "We will be strangers?" Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?" His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again." After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. It was high time she stopped being a fool. Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..." "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now." A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. "Stop this, will you?" A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. "You have a fever?" Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. This made the whole situation complicated. Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?" The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. He then headed for the elevator. In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?" "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course." "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital. Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!" &32& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e | Hello reading | https://www.facebook.com/61552535188096/ | 49,466 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.moboreader.net | IMAGE | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=798859118295947&rawadid=120216695362250091 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465178365_2635550999965542_3225289515324235575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dh1-RgUknugQ7kNvgEIGdZa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A1tUc6XLTEJ_oOG7xXUmEsR&oh=00_AYDlHQR7p_1ZNvPzDx3V-KqceQZ_rJxP-V8tQRljl1PUvQ&oe=672FCD4B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hello reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,294,862 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-11-05 04:21 | active | 1693 | 0 |
|
Home for the Holidays Giveaway | š Home for the Holidays Giveaway! š Imagine starting 2025 with your Mortgage or Rent PAID! š Or getting $200 off any major appliance to upgrade your home this season. šāØ Kellenberger Appliance is spreading the holiday cheer with this incredible giveaway, and entering is easy! Just click "Learn More" for your chance to win. Brought to you by Kellenberger Appliance ā making your home even cozier this holiday season. ā¤ļø Click āLearn Moreā to enter now! | LEARN_MORE | https://kejoam.com/radio-events/win/ | KRKT | https://www.facebook.com/999krkt/ | 17,038 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | kejoam.com | IMAGE | https://kejoam.com/radio-events/win/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent.fagc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465542130_530663223121799_1092970953878223851_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DjkRh2FjOMYQ7kNvgExn8_5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-2.fna&_nc_gid=AjjeeIfMP2JyF_eT9apS21M&oh=00_AYBkt9PB7TgL6ixPpYNA_xTAqJQ9kKRCmhTPhQDwM5PlLA&oe=672FA436 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | KRKT | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,295,109 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2295256}'
|
No | 2024-11-05 04:21 | active | 1693 | 0 |
|
š£LAST CHANCE ALERT! š£ Youāve got šØONE WEEK LEFT šØto grab your ticket for NFFDās āLucky 13āļøā Ultimate Giveaway on November 9th. šļøStop by the station this week or buy online to get your ticket(s)! šļø š»Online sales: https://nffdultimategiveaway.square.site Tickets are $100 each. Every ticket has four numbers with three chances to win per number for a total of TWELVE CHANCES TO WIN PER TICKET!! ($5 service fee applicable for purchases made using credit/debit cards) | NO_BUTTON | Nutter Fort Fire Department | https://www.facebook.com/NutterFortFire/ | 10,698 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No button | 0 | IMAGE | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent.fagc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465413719_1584223799137870_8172647750776021674_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t7z3dS3-kkoQ7kNvgGnH8iA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc3-2.fna&_nc_gid=Az-EqW9LmxdEi9xWHzLOgW_&oh=00_AYDyiyJ6qJnDDsnA8N-wpboIjdsazTygRfqhlighYvsWUw&oe=672FC039 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nutter Fort Fire Department | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete |
Page 113 of 356, showing 20 record(s) out of 7,116 total