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๐Read the next chapters๐ | Chapter 1 Lottieโs POV "So, who is coming tomorrow?" I asked my best friend Lilly, who was twirling in the mirror, the expensive satin of her wedding dress swishing around her ankles. Tomorrow was her big day, and ever the perfectionist, she just had to check everything still fit perfectly. "Umm, the usual: our pack, Daddy's business partner, bordering packs, and their alphas. It's only a small gathering." She mumbled, brushing her hands over her tiny waist. "Small." I nodded sarcastically; we clearly had a very different understanding of what small meant, but as the daughter of the ruthless Alpha of the Crimson Moon packs, I guess this was small. "You know your mating ceremony will be just like this!" Sage chuckled, watching Lilly through my eyes. "Not a chance!" I barked, looking over at Lilly and her lavish dress, fake lashes and tan. I loved her and her confidence, but I was definitely more subtle than Lilly, never one to bask in the limelight but hide in the back! So this sort of opulence wasn't for me. "Your dad and Alpha Leigh won't accept any less than an extravagant ceremony! You are screwed, as they won't allow you a low-key event! You are the Beta's daughter. You must represent the pack; you know Mike will want all this too! Frills and all!" Sage teased, making me groa-n, shutting her out. I looked at Lilly warmly, smiling at her; she was truly beautiful! "You look beautiful, Lilly, very skinny," I added, knowing it was what she wanted to hear, but the truth was she did! She was the kind of girl that would look beautiful in a garbage bag. โYou think? โ her li-p twisted into a smile, I knew she was satisfied with my answer. โYes!โ I stated firmly. Clapping giddily, she gasped, running to the dressing table; she returned with a box, placing it in my lap. "I got you a gift to thank you; I know I have been a bridzillar the last few months preparing for the wedding." Taken back, I glanced between her and the beautifully box in my lap. I look at her, remembering why I love her so much! She may be spoiled, a danmed princess and an insane drama queen, but she never ceased to make me feel special and appreciated! "You shouldn't have." A polite smile painted my li-ps. "Go try it on; Mike will die when he sees you in it!" She laughed, pulling me to my feet, nodding for me to open the box. Rolling her eyes, she ushered me into one of the fitting rooms to try it on. "Wait, what?" I asked nervously as she pushed me into the fitting room, winking at me as she closed the door. "Lilly, what have you done?" I asked, but curiosity was getting the better of me. "You will thank me later when he can't keep his hands off you!" She laughed. Biting my li-p, I pulled the ribbon, svcking in a breath, seeing the racy lingerie staring back at me challengingly, silently daring me to be bold. "Oh, My God!" I moaned, shaking my head! "I can't wear this!" I laughed, feeling the blush spread across my cheeks. Fifteen minutes later, I stood up on the podium, Lilly staring at me proudly. "Fck! I'd totally do you if I weren't getting married tomorrow!" Lilly winked, circling me. "I don't understand why you don't see how hot you are!" She groa-ned. Looking in the mirror finally, I svcked in a breath; my slim figure was encased in an icy blue crot-chless cami suspender set that left nothing to the imagination. A lace embroidered halter neck with mesh panels barely covering my booobs ran down my body in a slim V. "Seriously, it's like wearing a piece of dental floss!" I shouted, ignoring Lilly's giggles. "No pain, no gain, Lottie! Go, show Mike!"she grinned knowingly. "You can tell me all about it later!" She giggled mischievously. With a final look in the mirror, I admitted she was right. It did look good! Sexy even! Rolling my li-p between my teeth, I blushed, deciding to take her advice; Mike and I had not had much alone time lately; he was always working, Alpha Leigh had been keeping him busy with safety preparations for tomorrow. "Well, this was an excellent way to get his attention." My wolf Sage cackled as I slipped my dress over Lillyโs gift. Getting to the apartment I shared with Mike didn't take long; my father had insisted we stay close to the pack house; being the Crimson Moons beta, he, like Lilly, was used to getting his way. Seizing my keys from my bag, I froze, hearing the muffled sound of talking from behind our apartment door. Mike was home! "Is he watching por-n?" My wolf Sage laughed, hearing the barely audible moans from within the apartment walls. Concentrating on the sounds coming from the other side of the door, I laughed, hearing the distinct sound of mattress springs, breathy moans and... "Mike ! Don't stop! Oh my god, Mike harder!" A female panted as the familiar sound of a headboard pounding a wall fluttered up to my ears. MY headboard! Swallowing the bile that assaulted my throat, I quietly walked into the apartment, numbly stumbling to our bedroom; the closer I got, the more I understood. "As you wish, baby girl!" MY boyfriend moaned as the squeaking got quicker, more desperate. "The fvck you are!" I roared, opening the door with a bang. "Shiiit!" Mikeโs panicked voice spluttered as I flicked the light on. "Hey honey, I'm home!" I mocked, locking eyes with the guy I loved, who was balls deep in a female... a female who wasn't me! Chapter 2 "I didn't think you would be back till later?" Mike dares to say, looking at me like I had grown two heads and was somehow in the wrong. "Clearly!" I mutter, walking over to the closet, grabbing my overnight bag and aggressively shoving things into it. "Baby girl...Come on..." He has the audacity to sound hurt; glancing into the mirror, I lock my eyes on him. "I am sorry, who are you talking to ... Me? Or Her?" Seeing the puzzled look on his face, I continued. "Just two seconds ago, I heard you call her 'baby girl'." I spat, knowing I was being petty over the pet name, but given that I had just walked in on him banging some chick in our bed, I felt I had earned the right to be a little childish! "No, you are mistaken." He shakes off. Spinning around, I glare at him. Is he seriously trying to make ME feel like I am going insane! "As you wish, BABY GIRL!" I yelled, repeating what I had heard him say not two minutes ago, to the who-re in his bed... Our bed! "It's not what it looks like, I promise." "Oh?" I roll my blue eyes and look at the she-wolf pulling the sheet around herself sheepishly. "Did he slip and accidentally land in your vargina?" Seeing her try to slip from the bed, I shook my head. "Stay! He is ALL yours!" I dismissed, returning to throwing the first things I could grab into my travel bag. "Charlotte, come on." Mike pushed, getting from the bed. "Work has been tough lately, and well..." Before he finished the sentence, I knew he would make this my fault somehow, just like I knew I would punch him in the face in the next thirty seconds. "You have put a little weight on, and you never dress up for me anymore." His body was flush against my back. My body tightened at the irony, given the blue lace I had on under my dress, grabbing my make-up and ramming it brutally with my other things. Zipping my bag with shaky hands, I tried to remain calm as he continued. "You could try a little harder to entice me. I wouldn't have to look elsewhere then." Spinning around in his hold, I pulled my fist back and, with no warning, plunged it into his eye; satisfaction washed over me hearing the fragile bone in his nose break, blood splattered my dress; looking down at it in astonishment, I laughed in disbelief. Mike's curses were barely audible over the sound of my blood rushing through my body. "Yeah, we are done." I declare my mind made up as Mike tried to pull my elbow. โBabygirl..." He uttered, regretting it the second my eyes glared with the cold blue of Sage, who seized control and, before I could gasp, had delivered her own source of justice. Knocking Mike out cold, his body hurtled back and dropped to the floor, his limp body resembling a pretzel all limbs and bruised ego. "When he wakes up, you tell him to stay away from Lottie!" Sage growled at the quivering she-wolf, who was nodding, frozen by fear. ******* "Another?" I requested, tapping the rim of my empty glass; the handsome bartender looked between Lilly and I, concern washing over his face. Apparently, our father's made him nervous. "I just caught my boyfriend shagging someone else; I think another drink is needed, don't you!" I asked, arching a brow, ignoring Lilly's sigh. Seeing him reluctantly fill my glass, a smirk pulled at the corners of my li-ps. I had spent the last few hours getting a little tipsy, dancing and trying to forget my heartbreak. But seeing Lilly look down at her phone with a frown, I knew the night was over. "Charlotte, I have to sleep." She only used my full name when she was trying to be serious, "I have to look my best tomorrow." She grinned, pulling me up from my chair. "Come on, let's go home." "I can't... I .. Can't go.. back there... HE.. is there!" I slurred, spinning around on wobbly legs; I eyed her helplessly, dramatically throwing my hands in the air. "Can I stay at yours, please!" Laughing, she nodded, pushing me towards the door. "Yeah, but I swear if you snore, I will kil-l you!" She laughed. Twenty minutes later, we pulled up at the pack house. "I will grab water; you go on up!" She laughed, waving me up the stairs as she disappeared into the kitchen. I felt like it took forever to get to her bedroom; pushing the door open, I paused, looking around the room. "I don't think I have ever seen this room THIS tidy." I laughed, pulling my dress over my head. I threw my dress aside, picking up a photo frame with a picture of Lilly's older brother standing proudly with his arm around his dad, smiling into the camera, without a care. It was his graduation day. I remember it well. He made me call him master all day. "Jackass!" I cursed, turning the frame around, not wanting his eyes on me while I slept, or at all! "Looks like this lingerie will be getting some action tonight!" I laughed bitterly while looking in the full-length mirror, thinking about how different this night could have been. Mike's cruel words about my weight were eating at what little confidence I had. Lilly's brothers had made my life hel-l growing up until they left for training a few years back, so I was used to being the but of jokes, taunted and teased, but coming from Mike, it hurt. Svcking in a breath, I froze, the sound of running water finally hitting my ears. I had left Lilly downstairs, had she slipped in while I walked around her room? Pushing the door to the ensuite open, I froze, my feet rooted to the spot; through the glass panel of the shower, Lilly's brother stood, hand pressed up against the marbled tiled wall, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, his body ripped with even more muscles then he left with. Tattoos wound the whole of his body, trailing my eyes across them giddily; I tensed seeing his tattooed hand gripping his thick steeled rod, easily 9 inches of heaven. My eyes locked on his diick as he pumped his hand around it, pleasuring himself in what I knew was meant to be a private moment. "Either join me or get out!" He rasped, looking over his shoulders at me; the second our eyes met, I felt like I had been punched, knocking me to my knees, the floor disappearing from under me; somewhere in the distance, I heard Knox's panicked scream, it was genuine concern, not laughter, I was hearing from him. Why? Confusion bled through me wildly, just before everything went black. Chapter 3 Distant memories of the annual pack ball danced across my vision; Lilly and I were expected to go as we had come of age; we had both expected the twins to try to sabotage the whole evening! But they hadn't! Lilly and I had assumed it was because our fathers had insisted we attend, and they outranked the twins! Something we knew grated on the boys! The guy I had been crushing on at school had asked me to be his date; I was beyond excited! I had gone all out and had my hair, nails and make-up done. I had worked overtime to save up for a dress, I had spent a small fortune, and for once, I felt beautiful! He treated me like royalty, something I was not used to, given how the twins liked to control everything Lilly I did behind the walls of the pack house, but the twins had not said anything about me going with the young male wolf; I thought they had finally allowed me some freedom. We danced and laughed, and I thought he would kiss me! I never wanted the night to end; it had been perfect until I found the twins laughing about how desperate and pathetic I was and how they couldn't believe I had actually thought HE would like ME! Unable to watch anymore, I turned to leave only to see other classmates recording me, laughing at me and my tears. It didn't take long for it to be uploaded to social media and sent around school, making me a laughingstock! I had never understood why they were so obsessed with what I did! I got that they protected Lilly, but I was not kin! And this behavior was unwarranted! I tried to speak to my father about it, but since my mother had died, he had checked out, leaving Luna Louise to raise me; his only care was the pack and keeping it safe! And I could hardly go to her and moan that her precious sons were making my life hel-l! So I had no choice but to put up and shut up! Only when they left at 16 did things get easier; I finally knew peace, friendship, and fun! And somewhere in between, I met Mike. Opening my eyes slowly, the memories faded only to be replaced by the concerned face of Knox, staring down at me with such warmth my stomach flipped. His fingers traced my cheek as relief spread over his features. "Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me!" I seethed, slapping it away aggressively, my eyes narrowing on the ice blue hues of Knox, forcing myself to ignore the flicker of hurt that slipped across his face. "Hush, baby, let me check you over. You hit your head hard." He cooed, and my eyes widened in disbelief at the sincerity in his tone. "Get your STI-riddled hand off of me before I break it the fck off!" Snapping my mouth closed, feeling the light touch of his fingers on my li-ps. "You have a filthy mouth, do you know that!" His brows knitted together as he looked my face over, his gaze locking on my li-ps, making me uncomfortable. "I should teach you a lesson!" He mused a smirk split his face, seeing the shock wash over mine. "You're disgusting!" I spat, pushing myself up, looking around confused, seeing I was not on the floor but instead laid out carefully on the bed, Knox beside me. He had apparently swept me up and taken care of me, but I could not think why for the life of me. Shoving him aside, I attempted to climb over him. But his hands gripped my waist, locking me mid-stride over his torso. "I have to admit, you have changed a lot!" A grin slowly slipped across his face, his fingers trailing up the soft fabric of my new lingerie. Lingerie meant for Mike. "Not the whiny brat I left behind, huh" Shoving his che-st hard, framing my face in a wall of glowing white. I didn't want to admit that he had changed, too; he had grown into a gorgeous male. "And buffed up!" Sage added to my inner thoughts, bringing me back to reality. Ignoring her lude comment with a groa-n, my hands covered his that were rubbing up my sides. "Seriously, stop touching me!" Pushing his hands off me with a snort, "Dicck!" I grunted. "Hmmm, yeah, I have one... wanna see?" He taunted, his hands returning to my waist with supernatural speed. "YES, I wanna see!" Sage purred excitedly. "Seriously! Do you remember all the shiit he put us through" I snapped, trying to pull away from his grasp. "God's", A gasp escaped my li-ps, feeling his solid length rub against my core. "Crotc-hless!" He smirked up at me. "Not so innocent, it seems!" "UGH!" I growled, trying to lift off of him, but he forced me along him again, making me cry out as my pusssy clenched needily, loving the sensation of pain mixing with pleasure. "Let me make this crystal clear for you, Knox! I do not want you!" "Really? Sage seems game!" He grinned slyly. "She's a sluut!" I announced, angry at Sage's betrayal! "Mmm, My sluut?" He beamed, his hands sliding up my back;his solid length was millimeters from my core, but he was waiting for me to give him the green light. "Beg me, Knox!" I challenged! Chapter 4 "Beg?" He scoffed, eyes narrowing on me; I could see the inner fight between Knox and his wolf. He was a son of an Alpha. He had probably never begged for anything, let alone a female! But if he wanted me like he claimed to, he would beg! "Yes, Beg! Or let go of me." I declared with a newfound boldness. I was so over being weak and vulnerable, done being pushed around by those around me, and that included Mike and the danm twins! His hands released my hi-ps. Evidently, he refused to dance to my tune. "You are so danm perfect, but I won't beg!" He maintained. For once, he looked weak! The desire in his gaze filled me with a new sense of power; it had been such a long time since I felt this heat, and it was scrambling my brain. "There, that wasn't so hard, was it!" I laughed, rising onto my knees, an idea quickly springing to my mind. Years I had put up with his taunts, teasing and humiliation. It was time to return that favor. "Do it, I dare ya!" Sage encouraged. I slipped the straps off my shoulders, letting the delicate lace slide down, my booobs bouncing fre-e. "Please, Charlotte. Let me taste your pretty body; let me make you feel every inch the Queen you are!" Shiit! โ I will beg too! Let him do it! Please!" Sage wailed in my head, but she needn't! I hated myself for it, but I wanted it. I wanted him, and given the look on his face, he bloody well knew it! Nodding, I watched as he did just that, his li-ps pressed to my body in turn. Gripping his hand in mine, I tutted at him; even when drowning in lust, I refused to let him take control of the situation! "Char??" I heard Lilly call from the hallway. "Where the fck did she go?" She moaned as she walked past Knox's room; the fact she didn't even think to check in here told me everything and brought me back to the startling realisation that I had fcked up! I was lying on my best friend's brother's bed, between his legs! "Get off!" I growled, pushing Knox off; my lust turned to hate quickly. "This shouldn't have happened!" I spat accusingly at him, but I knew I had been a willing participant, and if Lilly hadn't interrupted, I hate to think just how willing of a participant I would have been! "Come on, it's fine!" He laughed as I scrambled out from under him, pulling my straps back in place while searching for my dress and pulling it on. "Where is that blood from?" Knox growled, making me jump; looking down at my blood-stained dress, I frowned- I liked this dress! How had I not noticed Mike's blood all over it? "None of your danm business!" I huffed, grabbing my shoes and glaring at him one last time. "THIS never happened!" I snapped, slipping from the room as quietly as I can, tiptoeing down the hall to Lilly's room. Seeing she was still roaming the corridors looking for me, I took the opportunity to slip into the shower. Desperate to wash the embarrassment off me. "You smell of him... Of Knox!"Sage announced as she rubbed up against the walls of my mind. "What?" I gasped, inhaling sharply, hoping the smell of the shower gel would erase not just his smell but the memories too!However, all I could smell was the heavenly scent of Knox and his danm arousal! "Fck!" I cursed, scrubbing myself raw, until I heard Lilly return. "Where the fck have you been?" She snapped as she pulled herself up on the counter in the bathroom, watching me skeptically. Making a split-second decision, I decided to lie! "I got lost and ended up in your brother Knox's room! I didn't realize he was back!" I started sxcking down a breath, groa-ning, smelling Knox STILL. "A little heads up would have been good!" I moaned, giving her an irritated half-smile. "You thought they would miss my big day?" She laughed, rolling her eyes! "They got back this evening." "No shiiit!" I sighed, giving her a 'you think' look as I bull shited her with another lie; Sage and I were both disappointed at how easily the lie left my li-ps. Giggling with my best friend on the night of her mating ceremony should have been the highlight of my night, but instead, I was left with an uneasy feeling eating at my stomach, something telling me my life was about to get a he-ll of a lot more complicated! And there was nothing I could do about it! Chapter 5 "Get your lazy as-s up!" Lilly demanded, her shrill voice making me sigh; flopping onto my stomach, I pulled her pillow over my head, hoping to silence her. "No!" I grumbled, images of Knox and I last night still floating around my head, making my thi-ghs ache. "Char! Come on!" Lilly said, pulling the sheet off me; the cold air assaulting my body. "It's my big day! I need my best friend at my side!" She complained, but the edge to her tone told me she was not about to give up any time soon. "Fine! I am up!" I grumbled, throwing the pillow in the direction Lilly's voice came from while pulling myself up. Smelling strong coffee, I smiled sleepily over at Lilly, the last remnants of my dream and her sexy brother slowly fading from my mind as I took the coffee she handed me. "I can't get sick today, Char!" Lilly moaned, watching me as she handed me a mirror to show me how red-faced I was, dropping it on the bed, not needing to look to know I was blushing. "Charlotte! Are you ok? You're shaking?" Lilly inhaled, taking the coffee cup from my hands before I dropped it. Her hand pressed to my forehead sympathetically. "Charlotte?" "Do you think he will be as skilled with his tongue as you imagine him to be?" Sage added, making me blush further. "Enough!" I screamed at my wolf, cutting our link off so I could focus and calm my trembling hands and racing heart. The concern on Lilly's face startled me back to reality. "I am ok! Honestly!"I muttered, shaking my head at the images Sage had interjected into my mind on a loop. "I should tell her! In the 18 years we have been friends, I have never lied to her! I don't feel right doing so now!" I stated guiltily to Sage. It seemed since we left Knox's room, it was all she could think of! And a certain male's dicck in particular. Sxcking down my breath, seeing Lilly's frantic eyes searching my face needily. Today was her big day! She had been dreaming of this day for as long as I had known her, finding her mate, making it official and making her family and pack proud. I, on the other hand, needed more! I needed the rawest form of love, trust and security, all of which was something Knox could not offer me! The thought cemented what I already knew; It was a one-off! Sighing, I softened my features, ignoring the aching between my thi-ghs. "I think the last 24 hours have caught up with me, seeing Mike and that trollop in my bed! That's all!" I expressed lying to her face for the second time in a few hours. "I'm sorry, Char; he really is a piece of shiit! Want me to ask Knox and Kane to give him a good hiding." Shaking my head dramatically with a nervous laugh, I gripped her hands and pulled her onto the bed, ignoring her protests. "NO!" It's embarrassing enough that I caught them having sax in my bed; I don't want the whole pack talking about it." I sighed, grabbing the pillow and throwing it at her with an arched brow. "Hmmm, yeah, I understand that!" She chuckled, throwing the pillow back at me as she got back off the bed, holding her hand out to pull me up. "But if he becomes a bother! I will tell them! I know you think they don't care about you, Charlotte, but they see you as a little sister! They won't stand for his bullshiit!" She expressed, looking at me in the mirror as she fixed her hair. "Lord, I hope they don't see you as a sister! Not sure how I feel about ince-st!" Sage grunted, working her way through the barrier I had put up. "Although... I am up for calling Knox Daddy if you are?" She added with a wiggle. "Way to lower the tone, sage!" I huffed, ignoring her like before as I helped Lilly prepare for her big day! Two hours later, we were making our way through an empty pack house; Alpha Leigh had seen to it that no one would see his daughter until the ceremony, so not a single person remained in the pack house but Lilly and I. "Are you not nervous?" I asked; standing at the back doors, I squeezed her hand. "No, just excited!" She whispered, pushing the doors open to peek out at the beautifully decorated garden with its subtle nod to the pack's colours. "Wow, it's stunning." I gushed as the door heaved open, and Alpha Leigh stepped in, his eyes falling on his daughter and blurring with tears instantly in a way only a proud father could. "Told you, you looked beautiful!" I grinned, nudging Lilly's waist with mine seeing him try not to cry at the sight of his daughter in her ceremonial dress. "You like Daddy?" She screeched, turning slowly to show him what his money had brought. It was an exquisite dress, floor length, made with the softest of silk. "You look like a princess!" He gushed, straightening no doubt in an attempt to control his emotions; his eyes scanned me with a warm smile, looking at my dress with a chuckle. "I half expected you to turn up in yoga pants and a hoodie Charlotte!" He teased with an affectionate wink. He was right, of course; I lived in training and gym clothes. When your Father was the Beta, you tended to spend the majority of your time training. "Daddy!" Lilly scolded, "Don't encourage her! It took me weeks to bribe her into the dress!" She scoffed, giving me a firm stare. "Charlotte, can you excuse us a moment, I would like a minute with my baby before...." He whispered, his voice cutting off as his eyes locked on his daughter with such love. "She will always be your baby girl!" I whispered, leaning up on my tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my alphas cheek; he was like a second father to me and seeing him so overwhelmed at the sight of Lilly was very out of character for him, even behind closed doors he always seemed to favour the twins. Winking at my best friend before slipping out the doors and into a solid form and familiar scent, I groa-ned audibly; even Sage was finally waking up, sensing the danger. Chapter 6 "What are you doing here!" I questioned, trying to keep my tone neutral, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing my upset. Allowing my eyes to roam over a dark blue pin-stripped tailored suit that barely fit the muscular form of Mike. His dark eyes trained on me, his li-ps pulled into a scowl as he looked down my body. "Nice to see you too, baby girl!" He sighed, having just referred to Lilly as 'baby girl' to her father; hearing it slip from Mike's li-ps felt wrong, but I couldn't be bothered to argue with him about his pet name for me now, not when Alpha and Lilly are on the other side of the door. "Lottie?" He huffed, waiting for me to say something, but I had nothing to say, trying to hide his frustration by running a hand through his dark hair. "I missed you last night." He tried again, clearly trying to engage me in conversation. "I wish I could say the same!" I grunted, annoyed at myself for acknowledging him, I crossed my hands across my che-st. A part of me wished he would turn and leave me alone, go back to the she-wolf he had allowed to keep him company last night, but the stu-pid, naive part of me wanted to cling to him and ask him to fight for me! "Your father sent me to find you!" He grinned a pearly smile that had my stomach fluttering; I hadn't told my father about the breakup, so he meant well, I assured myself. "I can make my own way to the ceremony." I snapped, lowering my eyes from Mike's face; the displeasure washing across his face made me feel self-conscious enough. "Lottie!" He tried as I pulled my elbows closer, hugging them around myself, his cruel remark about my weight last night still raw, even if I hadn't let him know it had hurt me. "You took forever!" He stated. "Probably putting all that slap on your face!" Pulling on my elbow, he half dragged me down the beautifully styled pathway towards the old church grounds at the back of the property. "You're hurting me!" I winced, a burn rising to my cheeks at the mention of my make-up! "Yes!" He sneered, not even looking at me. "No! You look beautiful!" Sage interjected, lending me some of her strength to try and pull my arm back from his iron-tight grip. "You don't even have time to change! The guests have all arrived!" He grumbled, ignoring me and shoving me forward so hard I slipped on one of the petals lining the old cobbled path. "Fck sake, Lottie, you always have to show me up!" He hissed, looking down at me with contempt. "Get up then!" He snarled, his eyes lingering on the deep V neckline that barely held my booobs in place. Left speechless, I sat on the floor, looking up at my so-called mate, feeling the cold stone through the thin fabric. "I can't believe you, today is an important day for the pack, and you turn up dressed like... that! Representing me! Are you trying to destroy my reputation?" He snarled, shoving his hand out and grabbing my elbow again, yanking me up by it painfully and shoving me forward. "You look like a who=re!" He growled from behind me, shaking his head angrily; I could feel Sage's anger rising, and as much as I was grateful she had my back, now wasn't the time to cause a scene. It was Lilly's big day and an important day for the pack. "Well, you'd know all about whor-es!" I seethed quietly, spinning to face my so-called mate, "How many of them have you had in our bed?" I scoffed, looking at him with pity but unable to stop. "Tell me did they fake it like I did? They must have because there is no way your .. little.. friend could have satisfied them! Lord knows it never did me!" I blurted out angrily, narrowing my eyes at him challengingly. The darkening in his iris had my heart skipping a beat, and not for the right reason. He was angry! "That's your problem, Charlotte; you have never known your danm place." He grinned manically, taking a step toward me before I had a chance to react; he pulled me non to gently into an alcove of the garden, hidden by the white Jasmine vines. "But that's ok; I will teach you now!" He breathed into my ear as he slammed my che-st against the stone wall, knocking the air from my lungs and leaving me unable to cry out even if I wanted to. Gripping my hands again, he yanked them above my head, holding them together with one of his large hands. "I can smell your arousal!" He moaned into my ear huskily. Despite my compromising position, my body was throbbing, desperate for attention! I wanted to scream at Mike, to tell him the wetness between my thi-ghs wasn't for him but leftover remnants of my time with Knox last night. "I know that you, Lottie, will always be MY who-re!" Hearing the familiar sound of his zipper, I knew what was coming and as much as I hated to admit it! I wanted it! | LEARN_MORE | https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12849&u | Galaxy in the Story | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 1,476 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | befant.com | IMAGE | https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12849&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/t39.35426-6/452379621_1661645344626663_3099883609232702660_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1sGIKV1vmGAQ7kNvgEP4GoT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A0EShSxRQNETKx2Oz2SVbij&oh=00_AYCwd8hE9Jw52N4d7Cihzt_-EOOhTjdDyJU7NEUJDY2ubg&oe=6730310B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Galaxy in the Story | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-11-05 10:39 | active | 1710 | 0 | SAVE UP TO 65% + FREE GIFTS ๐ฅ | "Thought I was doing everything right with my old toothbrush, but then I learned about how many germs it might have. With Tao Cleanโs UMMA Diamond Sonic Toothbrush, it's a whole new level of clean. It's not just about brushing โ it's about knowing that brush is germ-free every time it reaches my mouth. What a relief!" - Kelly B. โญโญโญโญโญ | SHOP_NOW | https://www.taoclean.com/pages/reserve-toothbrush- | Discover Weekly | https://www.facebook.com/discoverweekly001/ | 1,447 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop Now | 0 | www.taoclean.com | DCO | Last For A Lifetime | https://www.taoclean.com/pages/reserve-toothbrush-65-1 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464222646_573315528713437_6766813896788355653_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mRE-GkcjiqkQ7kNvgGewQ9L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AOD_-bCOmX5fwybxV4-FYYX&oh=00_AYCJXmyqJVgzlAFr85sOs761-2YG_3OLBqMG3pjCj8L3Nw&oe=67302161 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Discover Weekly | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2024-11-05 10:35 | active | 1710 | 0 | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | http://instagram.com/kellyhurrellfitness | Kelly Hurrell Fitness LLC | https://www.facebook.com/100063707463913/ | 421 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visit Instagram Profile | 0 | instagram.com | CAROUSEL | http://instagram.com/kellyhurrellfitness | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465907083_1258933545133882_8704468060371509033_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UZXStvc6qXsQ7kNvgFE79Py&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX13hDzqeAD9KcjhpG_UGoj&oh=00_AYBuVv3OGCL1A1pi5YHqTLu6OYDJEDUupmVpeQSMPLCp7g&oe=67301176 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Kelly Hurrell Fitness LLC | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2024-11-05 11:09 | active | 1712 | 0 |
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๐Attention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐ | Carissa Sinclair sat on a chair with her hands folded in her lap. She looked at the man before herโher husband whom she had spent a year waiting for. "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for this marriage. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it," said Barrett. Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has said that General Yates is a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she be willing to be a concubine?" Barrett's eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "No, she wonโt be a concubine. Sheโll be my legal wife and equal to you." "Calling her that doesn't change anything. Ultimately, sheโs really just a concubine in disguise," Carissa replied, remaining indifferent. Barrett frowned. "What does it matter? Aurora and I developed feelings for each other on the battlefield. We earned this marriage through our achievements. I donโt need your approval." Carissa smiled mockingly. "Developed feelings, huh? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for war?" On their wedding night a year ago, Barrett had left to lead reinforcements on an expedition. Before leaving, he had lifted his wifeโs veil and promised her, "Carrisa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love in my life. I will never take a concubine!" Feeling awkward, Barrett turned away. "Forget what I said. When I married you, I didnโt understand love. I thought you were a suitable match for a wife until I met Rory." Carissa felt a lump in her throat. "Is she currently in the mansion?" Carissa asked, lifting her brow. Barrett spoke of Aurora Yates with a softness in his voice, "Yes, sheโs talking to my mother." Carissa blinked away the tears in her eyes and sharpened her gaze. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her." "There's no need. Sheโs a general, and she's above the usual household squabbles. If she meets you, she might say things you wonโt like. Why put yourself through that?" Barrett refused instantly. She calmly said, "Itโs fine. If she says anything unpleasant, Iโll ignore it. Understanding the bigger picture and acting with dignity are essential virtues for any matriarch. Don't you trust me?" | LEARN_MORE | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831& | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 290 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | shgjfh.com | DCO | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831&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/t39.35426-6/459038346_1199616938012951_330058451446706531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RFLmulLba6QQ7kNvgHd7Gqj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AKap6RnYfBBJ21aUUq1nuer&oh=00_AYBjutNgSX7T8m4EGiezk26qeAh2IbwN0hLalrY81bJIng&oe=6730308B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2024-11-05 10:32 | active | 1710 | 0 | Seguir leyendo๐๐ | Ella decidiรณ divorciarse de su marido, que siempre habรญa estado enamorado de su primer amor. Inesperadamente, รฉl se negรณ a dejarla ir. Para empeorar las cosas, su hermanastro diabรณlico tambiรฉn intervino al mismo tiempo de manera dominante, ยกqueriรฉndola para รฉl! ===== ยฟLo habรญa oรญdo bien? ยฟEstoy embarazada? ยกEstoy embarazada de un bebรฉ de Pierce! ยกMi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --Quรฉ bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebรฉ, seรฑorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecรณlogo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquรฉ el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebรฉ acostado allรญ. Cuando salรญ del hospital, no podรญa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebรฉ. Me preguntaba cuรกl serรญa su reacciรณn. ยฟGritarรญa de felicidad? ยฟMe b**arรญa y todo eso? ยกDios! No podรญa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomรฉ mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentรญ el frรญo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazรณn que latรญa salvajemente se calmรณ. 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 tenรญamos relaciones s**uales, รฉl era considerado y cauteloso, y decรญa que no era necesario agregar mรกs ataduras si no estรกbamos listos. Este bebรฉ, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --Seรฑora, ยฟestรก todo bien? ยฟNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntรณ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceรฑo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querรญa contarle porque querรญa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. รl era el padre de mi bebรฉ. --No --dije y neguรฉ con la cabeza, dรกndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. Estรก en el vuelo. Hablarรฉ con รฉl mรกs tarde --y asรญ verรญa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrรฉ los ojos y recordรฉ el dรญa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecรญa un prรญncipe. Me enamorรฉ de รฉl a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiรฉramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sรณlo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabรญa bien. En ese instante, bajรฉ la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrรฉ nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenรณ mi pecho una vez mรกs... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mรกs que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demรกs, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiรฉramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mรญ aumentaron, disfrutรฉ estar cerca de รฉl y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querรญa ser sรณlo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegรณ a su vida. Sacudรญ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquรฉ el frรญo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habรญa pasado. Pierce dijo que habรญan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. Sรญ, yo era su esposa y ademรกs estaba embarazada de su bebรฉ. Pronto, me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrรญ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazรณn se calmรณ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sรญ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habรญa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los รบltimos tres aรฑos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberรญa haberse bajado del aviรณn. Estuvo mรกs de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lรญder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaรฑรญa. No sรณlo รฉramos compaรฑeros de vida, sino tambiรฉn buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraรฑaba. De inmediato, marquรฉ su nรบmero, pues tenรญa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuรกndo llegarรญa a casa. Le prepararรญa una buena comida y รฉl me premiarรญa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrรญamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidรฉ que estaba embarazada. Debรญa contarle eso primero y luego podrรญamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniรณn, pero mi corazรณn dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzรณ la lรญnea. --ยฟHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejรฉ caer mi telรฉfono, que se rompiรณ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezรณ a temblar incontrolablemente. ยกNO! ยกNo podรญa ser ella! ยกNo podรญa ser Lexi! ยกElla ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! Debรญ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrรญ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquรฉ la botella de v**o, recordรฉ las palabras del mรฉdico sobre mi bebรฉ. Debรญa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebรฉ, asรญ que solo agarrรฉ una caja de leche y caminรฉ hacia el sofรก. En ese entonces, no sabรญa quรฉ me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tรญpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvรญan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con รฉl que una nerd como yo, ยฟverdad? No me sorprendiรณ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportรณ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asรญ que una vez intentรฉ alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negรณ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecรญa en mi puerta invitรกndome a salir. No podรญa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podรญa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultรฉ mi corazรณn roto y desempeรฑรฉ 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 armรฉ de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarรญa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvรญ a toda prisa sรณlo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habรญa herido gravemente el corazรณn y el mรญo sufrรญa por mi amado. Empecรฉ a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habรญa entregado a mi amado hombre, ยกcรณmo se atreviรณ a hacerle tanto daรฑo! ยกEsa bruja! Pierce no le contรณ a nadie lo que pasรณ, excepto que habรญa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglรณ nuestro matrimonio. No entendรญ por quรฉ estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dรญa lo escuchรฉ decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serรญa lo mismo para รฉl. Aquello me doliรณ mucho, pero aun asรญ me casรฉ con รฉl sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querรญa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mรญ en el proceso. Me quedรฉ dormida sintiรฉndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertรฉ en medio de la noche cuando sentรญ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrรญ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habรญa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantรณ del sofรก e inmediatamente reconocรญ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceโฆ --Hmm --murmurรณ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ยฟPor quรฉ te dormiste en el sofรก? Yo solo me quedรฉ mirรกndolo a la cara y luego me dejรณ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciรณ mi cabello y besรณ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. Llevรกbamos mรกs de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraรฑaba y mi corazรณn lo anhelaba. --ยฟDรณnde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ยฟes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asรญ que cerrรฉ mis labios entreabiertos y traguรฉ la verdad para devolverla a mi estรณmago. Maรฑana, tal vez maรฑana tendrรญa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudรญ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenรญa sueรฑo. รl se riรณ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razรณn entrรฉ en pรกnico. Rรกpidamente lo agarrรฉ y lo b*sรฉ con toda mi pasiรณn... Lo extraรฑaba y lo querรญa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. Pensรฉ que habรญas dicho que tenรญas sueรฑo y que necesitabas descansar. --Sรญ, pero te extraรฑo --exclamรฉ y lo mirรฉ con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciรณ de pronto y yo no comprendรญa por quรฉ. Solรญa โโโโponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiรณn, se riรณ entre dientes y me pellizcรณ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darรฉ una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestรณ. Yo solo asentรญ y lo mirรฉ mientras caminaba hacia el baรฑo. Pronto la somnolencia volviรณ a atacarme, asรญ que cerrรฉ los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maรฑana cuando abrรญ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --ยกEy! --lo saludรฉ y sonreรญ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habรญa hecho. Me habรญa preparado el desayuno para llevรกrmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. รl sonriรณ y se sentรณ en la cama. --Buen dรญa. Le devolvรญ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrรณ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantรฉ una ceja e inclinรฉ la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrรณn oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Parecรญa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarรญa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenรญa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ยฟQuรฉ es esto? ยฟUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. รl no se riรณ. Exhalรณ un suspiro y colocรณ con suavidad mi cabello detrรกs de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentรญ que mi corazรณn se aceleraba y pensรฉ en nuestro bebรฉ en mi รบtero. Tenรญa algo que decirme, yo tambiรฉn tenรญa algo que contarle. --ยฟQ-Quรฉ cosa? --preguntรฉ con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzรณ: --Sabes que eres importante para mรญ, ยฟverdad? Asentรญ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenรญa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. Tenรญa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroโฆ --prosiguiรณ. Mientras hablaba, escondรญ mis puรฑos cerrados debajo de la sรกbana. No sabรญa por quรฉ me decรญa todo esto, pero ya podรญa sentir las lรกgrimas acumulรกndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrรณ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceโฆ --exclamรฉ y sentรญ que mi corazรณn se apretaba. รl sonriรณ. --Sรฉ que tรบ tampoco sientes nada por mรญ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegรณ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oรญrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ยฟDe quรฉ estรกs hablando, Pierce? --inquirรญ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. Capรญtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantรฉ de la cama e intentรฉ irme, pero Pierce me agarrรณ la mano. Rรกpidamente me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que รฉl pudiera verlas. Luego, se parรณ frente a mรญ y me mirรณ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. Sentรญ que mi corazรณn se rompรญa en pedazos. Pensabaโฆ pensaba que podrรญa hacer que se enamorara de mรญ en esos tres aรฑos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarรญan y me verรญa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estรบpida por tener esperanzas y soรฑar tan alto. Fallรฉ. Sin importar cuรกnto lo intentara, su corazรณn pertenecรญa sรณlo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyโฆ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguรฉ el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero รฉl me mirรณ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabรญa que รฉl me conocรญa demasiado bien, asรญ que tratรฉ con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreรญ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y soltรณ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarรฉ aquรญ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ยฟJuntos? ยฟPor quรฉ era tan cruel? ยฟQuerรญa que nos siguiรฉramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ยฟQuerรญa que nos quedรกramos como estรกbamos justo despuรฉs de decirme que su primer amor habรญa regresado y querรญa divorciarse de mรญ? Oh Pierce, ยฟquรฉ estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podรญa obligarme a mรญ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenรญa ese coraje despuรฉs de los tres aรฑos que habรญamos compartido. No habรญa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebรฉ. El bebรฉ... en un principio pensรฉ que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serรญa mรกs bien una carga para รฉl. Una carga que le impedirรญa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabรญa muy bien cรณmo crecรญa un niรฑo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolรญa muchรญsimo. Por eso no querรญa que mi bebรฉ experimentara lo mismo que yo sentรญ, asรญ que debรญa mantener a mi bebรฉ alejado de รฉl. --No podemos --dije mientras fingรญa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiรณn de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosโฆ --Irรฉ contigo. --No --contestรฉ y apartรฉ su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estรกn organizados, ยฟrecuerdas? --Peroโฆ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. Estarรฉ bien sola --afirmรฉ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y asintiรณ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrรฉ al baรฑo. Inmediatamente abrรญ la ducha y me parรฉ bajo el agua frรญa. Las lรกgrimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrรญa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensรฉ en mi bebรฉ, traguรฉ saliva y tratรฉ de calmarme. Luego me limpiรฉ la cara y acariciรฉ mi vientre. Debรญa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podรญa arriesgar la vida de mi bebรฉ sรณlo porque me habรญan roto el corazรณn. Tenรญa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuรฉs, tomรฉ un respiro profundo y terminรฉ mi ducha. Cuando salรญ del baรฑo, me sorprendiรณ ver que Pierce todavรญa estaba allรญ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. Tambiรฉn notรฉ un par de zapatos y un vestido mรญos sobre la cama. --ยกEy! Elegรญ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pรบblico, Pierce dijo que harรญa pequeรฑas cosas para mรญ como marido. De hecho, lo habรญa hecho bien y yo solรญa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentรญa que eso mismo me m**arรญa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrรฉ el vestido y entrรฉ al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguรญa. Volvรญ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegรญ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirรฉ hermosa con este vestido --expliquรฉ con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenรญa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmรณ. Al final asintiรณ y caminรณ hacia mรญ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayรบdame a arreglar esto --me pidiรณ. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencรฉ a arreglarle la corbata. Podรญa sentir sus ojos mirรกndome intensamente y eso hacรญa que mi corazรณn latiera muy rรกpido. Respirรฉ hondo y me mordรญ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiรณn se volviรณ borrosa otra vez. ยกMaldiciรณn! --Kellyโฆ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ยฟMmm? --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ y sonreรญ: --Sรญ. --Tengo algo mรกs que decirte. En ese instante, terminรฉ de arreglarle la corbata y le quitรฉ rรกpidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirรฉ antes de pasar junto a รฉl y dije: --Hablaremos despuรฉs. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchรฉ suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestรญ mientras รฉl estaba detrรกs de mรญ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --Deberรญas desayunar antes de irte --comentรณ. Un segundo despuรฉs, me parรฉ frente a รฉl y asentรญ. --Lo harรฉ. Deberรญas irte ahora --respondรญ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pรกgina, ยฟverdad? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pรกgina. Sรณlo fueron mis estรบpidas fantasรญas. Pensaba que sentรญas algo por mรญ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. Sรฉ lo que tengo que hacer. Sรณlo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirรฉ. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sรณlo por mรญ. Tambiรฉn lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. Sรฉ que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiรฉn 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 tratรฉ de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, รฉl me sujetรณ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiรณ. Su mirada era de preocupaciรณn. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasโฆ --Lo sรฉ --lo interrumpรญ con frustraciรณn. Parecรญa sorprendido, asรญ que me calmรฉ--. Ya lo sรฉ. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiรณ lentamente y soltรณ un suspiro. Luego, caminรณ hacia mรญ y me congelรฉ cuando besรณ mi frente con dulzuraโฆ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrรณ. Al oรญrlo, mi corazรณn se apretรณ. Habรญan pasado tres aรฑos pero todavรญa era una cobarde. ยซยฟPor quรฉ no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? ยกรl es tu esposo y estรกs llevando su bebรฉ! ยกDรญselo y tal vez cambie de opiniรณn!ยป pensรฉ. Con eso en mente, traguรฉ saliva y estuve a punto de decรญrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telรฉfono sonรณ. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmรณ y se rascรณ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. Llamรฉ a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ยฟsรญ? Con eso, saliรณ de nuestra habitaciรณn. De repente, las lรกgrimas que habรญa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ยฟPor quรฉ habรญa pensado que podrรญa tener una oportunidad? รl tomรณ su decisiรณn en el momento en que me pidiรณ el divorcio, ยฟverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. Capรญtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura Entrรฉ al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centรญmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciรณn cuando entrรฉ caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociรณn alguna. La conversaciรณn de esa maรฑana con Pierce todavรญa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podรญa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podรญa fallar en mi trabajo despuรฉs de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirรฉ profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuรฉs, cuando entrรฉ a la sala de la sesiรณn de fotos, notรฉ que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --ยกNo podemos! No responde las llamadas. ยฟQuรฉ debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarรก. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --ยกNo lo serรก con esta situaciรณn, Lily! Nos va a regaรฑar... --ยฟQuรฉ estรก pasando aquรญ? --preguntรฉ mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirรณ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habรญa un problema. --B-Buenos dรญas, seรฑorita Monroe. Seรฑorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabรญa que Pierce y yo estรกbamos casados โโexcepto nuestras familias. Sentรญ como si pellizcaran mi corazรณn con esa verdad. Dolรญa. Rรกpidamente, la mirรฉ sin comprender. --ยฟQuรฉ ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seรฑorita Monroe. La seรฑorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchรณ que รญbamos a cambiar de modelo asรญ queโฆ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazรณ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. Despuรฉs de decir eso, inclinรณ la cabeza. Yo apretรฉ los dientes y recorrรญ el lugar con la mirada. --ยฟDรณnde estรก la directora de marketing? --inquirรญ. --E-Ella todavรญa estรก tratando de convencer a la seรฑorita Chen, seรฑorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeรฉ la frente y cerrรฉ los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuรฉs, me agarrรฉ del pelo y gritรฉ de ira. Sentรญ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirรฉ y tomรฉ una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --Seรฑorita Monroe... --ยฟQuรฉ es todo esto, seรฑorita Hayley? Tรบ eres la directora de marketing, ยฟquรฉ estรก pasando? --Seรฑorita Monroe, no sรฉ cรณmo sucediรณ, pero la seรฑorita Chen escuchรณ que usted cambiarรก de modelo. Estรก a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ยฟCambiar de modelo? ยฟCรณmo es que yo no sabรญa nada al respecto? La seรฑorita Chen siempre habรญa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiรณn comercial con tan poca antelaciรณn sรณlo causarรญa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirรญa un error como este. --Yo no pedรญ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpรญ para ahorrar tiempo--. ยกArregla este desastre o tendrรฉ que despedirte! --Seรฑorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiรณ que la cambiรกramos --explicรณ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenรณ ayer tan pronto como regresรณ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeรณ con fuerza. ยฟFue orden de Pierce? ยฟPor quรฉ no me lo dijo? Solรญa โโdiscutir conmigo cada decisiรณn importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamรฉ confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciรณn entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razรณn por la cual siempre tuvo รฉxito. Y esa fue tambiรฉn la razรณn por la que decidiรณ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --Sรญ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-Seรฑor Presidenteโฆ --saludรณ Hayley y se inclinรณ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciรณ de repente detrรกs de mรญ. --Pierce, ยกcreo que me debes una explicaciรณn sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. รl sabรญa perfectamente cuรกnto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dรญas sin dormir y la seรฑorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, รฉl tambiรฉn estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraโฆ simplemente cambiรณ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciรณn. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --Continรบen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararรฉ --le indicรณ รฉl al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --ยกContรฉstame, Pierce! ยฟPor quรฉ cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. รl simplemente me tocรณ el hombro y me susurrรณ: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarรฉ en el auto. En ese momento, mirรฉ a mi alrededor y notรฉ que los demรกs nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitรฉ sus manos de encima y caminรฉ hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentรญa mi corazรณn cada vez mรกs pesado. Tenรญa la sensaciรณn de que su explicaciรณn no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dรญmelo --exclamรฉ ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirรณ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartรฉ la mirada de nuevo. No podรญa soportar sus miradas, no podรญa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querรญa. รl no sentรญa nada por mรญ y eso me dolรญa mucho. --Yo-yoโฆ --hizo una pausa y suspirรณ--. Reemplacรฉ a la seรฑorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiรฉn encaja en el proyecto, asรญ que estuve de acuerdo... --ยฟQuรฉ? --preguntรฉ con incredulidad. De pronto, apretรณ los labios y mirรณ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviรณ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiรณ un favor, no pude decirle que no. Rรกpidamente, retirรฉ mi mano y lo mirรฉ con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asรญ que preferiste daรฑar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuรกnto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oรญrlo, cerrรฉ los ojos con dolor. ยซOh sรญ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demรกs. Si ella te frunce el ceรฑo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demรกs. Eres tan cruel, Pierceยป pensรฉ. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tรบ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarรฉ en la oficina --indiquรฉ con frialdad mientras abrรญa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyโฆ En ese instante, lo mirรฉ a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. Capรญtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habรญa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavรญa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habรญa vuelto, probablemente ya no veรญa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. Quรฉ gracioso. Todavรญa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrรญan cambiar si le hablaba del bebรฉ, pero este bebรฉ estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrรฉ el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maรฑana cuando mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Intentรฉ marcar su nรบmero nuevamente, pero seguรญa sin responder. ยฟEn quรฉ estaba tan ocupado? ยฟEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? Debiรณ haberla extraรฑado mucho, ยฟverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuรกndo, me quedรฉ dormida. Cuando sonรณ el despertador, inconscientemente toquรฉ la almohada a mi lado. Frรญo como anoche, no habรญa vuelto a casa todavรญa. Me burlรฉ de mรญ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cรณmoda. Los cรญrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veรญan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecรญa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nรกuseas inundรณ mi estรณmago y me di cuenta de que no habรญa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentรญ mal otra vez y rรกpidamente corrรญ hacia el lavabo y vomitรฉ. Escupรญ un lรญquido amarillento que sabรญa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavรฉ la boca y mirรฉ mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudรญ la cabeza y tomรฉ mi frente en cuanto sentรญ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. Volvรญ a escupir el lรญquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentรญ una cรกlida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantรฉ la cara y me encontrรฉ con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travรฉs del espejo. Detrรกs de mรญ con cara de preocupaciรณn estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ยฟEstรกs bien? ยฟTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirรฉ a travรฉs del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestรฉ. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciรณ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. Tenรญa cosas que hacer. Me quedรฉ en la oficina toda la noche --afirmรณ. Rรกpidamente, me limpiรฉ la cara y pasรฉ junto a รฉl. Pierce me siguiรณ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsโฆ --Me despertรฉ tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentรฉ evitar sus ojos. Sentรญa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningรบn momento sentรญ su egoรญsmo tan claramente como ahora. Decรญa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habรญan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntรฉ eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ยฟtodavรญa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejรฉ de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travรฉs del espejo, otra vez. ยฟDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ยฟDespuรฉs de que me pidiรณ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? รl decidiรณ por su cuenta sรณlo porque su primer amor habรญa vuelto. No podรญa creer lo que hacรญa. Al final, fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuรฉs, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultรณ sorprendente porque sabรญa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sรญ me sorprendiรณ fue que hacรญa todo esto despuรฉs de enterrar una daga en mi corazรณn. --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ยฟEstรกs enferma? Dime cรณmo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecรญa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentรฉ evitarlo, pero me agarrรณ de la muรฑeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. Habรญa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ยฟQuรฉ te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asรญ desde ayer. ยฟEs por Lexi? ยฟO porque no volvรญ a casa anoche? --inquiriรณ. Yo lo mirรฉ a los ojos, molesta. --ยกTรบ fuiste quien pidiรณ el divorcio! Te pedรญ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ยฟPretendรญas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuรฉs de eso, Pierce? --respondรญ. Al escucharme, apretรณ la mandรญbula y sacudiรณ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuรฉs del trabajo. --ยกKels! --me llamรณ y me agarrรณ de los hombros. La confusiรณn y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ยฟEstรกs... enamorada de mรญ? Aquello me desconcertรณ. ยฟEnamorada? ยกSรญ! Desde que estรกbamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiรณ en mi mejor amigo. ยฟQuiรฉn no se enamorarรญa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraโฆ lo estaba perdiendo. Perdiรฉndolo irremediablemente. Decidรญ darle a nuestro matrimonio una รบltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciรณn. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabรญa bien que siempre habรญa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazรณn. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los รบltimos tres aรฑos era solo un hermoso sueรฑo cuando Pierce pidiรณ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresรณ. Ella sรณlo podrรญa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebรฉ. ยฟPor quรฉ no merecรญa ser amada? ยฟQuรฉ sucederรก en adelante? ยฟCรณmo podrรญa Kelly salvar su corazรณn en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capรญtulos disponibles son limitados aquรญ, haga click el botรณn abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mรกs contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederรก a este libro) &5& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc | Happy reading | https://www.facebook.com/61566043183664/ | 197 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.manobook.com | VIDEO | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=158964247257618&rawadid=120216661904720492 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465168111_479261561108408_3694223069777712843_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qCcKKcnjQQsQ7kNvgEf4jSp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AbFkBE93AoikAvhEeltqAyv&oh=00_AYD82oOCSYosiZdf6DpSU2_UfwCEAayvD8LqQZNVhSIZVQ&oe=6730261E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Happy reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-11-05 10:51 | active | 1711 | 0 | The Vampire And His Blood Wife๐๐๐ | The Vampire And His Blood Wife ONLY on Drama Time.๐ฌ Don't miss out! Watch the series you've been wanting to see. No regrets, just pure entertainment! #Must SeeTV #No Regrets #Watch Now | WATCH_MORE | https://fblp.drama-time.com/DT-yrccXV-0905-EN-2240 | Romantic Love | https://www.facebook.com/61557838064349/ | 343 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Watch More | 0 | fblp.drama-time.com | DCO | https://fblp.drama-time.com/DT-yrccXV-0905-EN-224087.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=1749262542004264962 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459408362_885997656778257_5014858774284751676_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nzHZ1qPq3QsQ7kNvgFNSta-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AXQDy2Lat7SgPYnT9DNrDUi&oh=00_AYCyh1UhA8xA0R0jriI6TIx3YZmB5TNR3-d7u6tz7pEJ6w&oe=67302DE8 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Romantic Love | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-11-05 10:51 | active | 1711 | 0 | Get 21 Days for JUST $21 ๐ฅ | ๐ฅ Hey Mamaroneck! Unleash Your Potential at UFC Gym! ๐ Join us for an exclusive 21-day journey for just $21! ๐ Why UFC Gym? Here's What We Offer: 1๏ธโฃ Exciting Coach-Led Workouts: Our 60-minute sessions are never the same, keeping you engaged and motivated every step of the way! 2๏ธโฃ FREE PARKING: Convenience is key! Enjoy hassle-free parking every time you visit. 3๏ธโฃ 24-HOUR ACCESS: Fit your training into your busy schedule with round-the-clock access. 4๏ธโฃ Multiple Programs: With over 70 classes a week, you can choose the program that suits your interests and goals. 5๏ธโฃ Unlimited Classes: Get the most out of your membership with unlimited access to all our classes! ๐ช Why MMA for Adults? ๐ช โ Increased Focus and Body Awareness โ Improved Discipline and Mental Toughness โ Enhanced Physical Fitness and Stress Relief At UFC Gym, we're more than just a fighting gym โ we're a community dedicated to fitness and growth. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, we'll take you to the next level! ๐ Don't Miss Out! Limited Spots Available โ Enroll Now! ๐ | LEARN_MORE | http://fb.me/ | UFC GYM | https://www.facebook.com/UFCGymMamaroneck/ | 1,662 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fb.me | VIDEO | http://fb.me/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450955525_1229272351574817_3987636162053635914_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4P7cmtPZ_HcQ7kNvgH5Fwhv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Av8VBnZ0Sz2I02uSjy6Mrl-&oh=00_AYAJ7g9y3B_roBpmyubehSdqptX04RaecYGk-gV7z7VjNw&oe=673026E5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | UFC GYM | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2024-11-05 10:25 | active | 1709 | 0 | It has been so rewarding and so much fun doing the weightloss giveaway that I have decided to do another one for LASER HAIR REMOVAL! The entry rules are the same. You can enter daily & the winner will be drawn โ December 6th, 2024 โ To enter you must: 1. Be following my IG 2. Tag 3 friends who would also be interested in the comments 3. โLikeโ this post 4. For an EXTRA entry, add this post to your story (tag us please, so I can keep track of the notifications) Good luck! ๐ . . . . . #TampaHairRemoval #TampaLaserHairRemoval #RiverviewLaserHairRemoval #RiverviewHairRemoval #BrandonHairRemoval #BrandonLaserHairRemoval #TampaLaser #RiverviewLaser #BrandonLaser #RiverviewWeightLoss #TampaWeightLoss #ApolloBeachWeightLoss | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | http://instagram.com/bbeauty.aesthetics.wellness | Better Beauty Aesthetics & Wellness, LLC | https://www.facebook.com/BetterBeautyAW/ | 109 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visit Instagram profile | 0 | instagram.com | VIDEO | http://instagram.com/bbeauty.aesthetics.wellness | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465667677_915582813841373_7040360580885344409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o2aFcILBhFgQ7kNvgFwkt2n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A0j4DIxr4ERKgap5NhclaaO&oh=00_AYAW3aeQ81ngXzPdN_gDpp4MRaWbKlfO5nL1GHY5FsyQrw&oe=6730114E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Better Beauty Aesthetics & Wellness, LLC | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SIGN_UP | https://laylo.com/ssbdfest/hH6zn | Same Same But Different Festival | https://www.facebook.com/ssbdfest/ | 7,321 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sign Up | 0 | laylo.com | CAROUSEL | https://laylo.com/ssbdfest/hH6zn | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465732245_1906965023129044_5078471477511965832_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0Wf8Iyc8QuIQ7kNvgGGu7e-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-li5P0NdLOjrAscnNfIgGp&oh=00_AYBldse0AfLXGNhMyTOlK2wjxHftq1b__MHRhBNeD-HTVw&oe=67301B27 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Same Same But Different Festival | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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๐Attention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐ | At Grace Mansion, the lanterns in the corridors cast intricate shadows on the window frames, resembling beasts looming on the walls. Carissa Sinclair sat on a chair with her hands folded in her lap, her slender body hidden beneath plain clothes. She looked at the man before herโher husband whom she had spent a year waiting for. Barrett Warren was still wearing his slightly-worn battle armor. Standing under the dim light, he looked commanding and handsome. His face showed a mix of determination and a touch of regret. "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for this marriage. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it," said Barrett. Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has said that General Yates is a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she be willing to be a concubine?" Barrett's eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "No, she wonโt be a concubine. Sheโll be my legal wife and equal to you." "Calling her that doesn't change anything. Ultimately, sheโs really just a concubine in disguise," Carissa replied, remaining indifferent. Barrett frowned. "What does it matter? Aurora and I developed feelings for each other on the battlefield. We earned this marriage through our achievements. I donโt need your approval." Carissa smiled mockingly. "Developed feelings, huh? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for war?" On their wedding night a year ago, Barrett had left to lead reinforcements on an expedition. Before leaving, he had lifted his wifeโs veil and promised her, "Carrisa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love in my life. I will never take a concubine!" Feeling awkward, Barrett turned away. "Forget what I said. When I married you, I didnโt understand love. I thought you were a suitable match for a wife until I met Rory." Talking about the woman he loved, his eyes softened and filled with deep affection. He turned back to Carissa and added, "Sheโs unlike any woman Iโve ever met. I love her deeply. I hope you'll agree to this." Carissa felt a lump in her throat. Despite feeling a mix of disgust and unwillingness, she still asked, "What about your parents? Do they agree?" "They do. It was a royal edict. Besides, Aurora is straightforward, cheerful, and lovable. She visited my mother a while ago." They agreed? Hah... How ironic! Everything Carissa had done over the past year had all been for nothing. "Is she currently in the mansion?" Carissa asked, lifting her brow. Barrett spoke of Aurora Yates with a softness in his voice, "Yes, sheโs talking to my mother. Sheโs made her very happy. Even her health seems to be improving." "Improving?" Carissa felt a whirlwind of emotions. "When you went to war, your mother was seriously ill. I brought in the best physician to treat her. I managed the estateโs affairs by day and stayed up nights by her bedside. It was only because of this that her condition started to improve." Carissa wasnโt seeking praise. She was stating the facts of her exhausting year. "But seeing Aurora has made my mother feel even better," Barrett said earnestly. "I know this is unfair to you, but for the greater good, please support Aurora and me." Carissa pressed her lips into a thin line as she blinked away the tears in her eyes and sharpened her gaze. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her." "There's no need for that. Carissa, sheโs different from any woman you know. Sheโs a general, and she's above the usual household squabbles. She wouldnโt want to meet you," Barrett refused instantly. Carissa retorted, "What kind of women do I know? What kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm also the daughter of a noble family. My father and my six brothers died on the Southern Frontier three years ago-" "Thatโs them," Barrett interrupted. "But you're a delicate woman suited for the comforts of home. Aurora has no respect for such women. Sheโs straightforward and unrestrained. If she meets you, she might say things you wonโt like. Why put yourself through that?" As Carissa looked up, the striking beauty mark under the corner of her eye became more evident in the light. She calmly said, "Itโs fine. If she says anything unpleasant, Iโll ignore it. Understanding the bigger picture and acting with dignity are essential virtues for any matriarch. Don't you trust me?" Chapter 2 Barrett sighed in frustration. โWhy put yourself through this? There was a royal edict for this marriage. Even when Aurora moves in, youโll be in separate wings. She wonโt compete with you for control of the household. She doesnโt care about those things.โ โDo you really think Iโm attached to managing this household?โ Carissa countered. Running this mansion was no easy task. Just the monthly medicine for Barrettโs mother cost dozens of silver coins. Then, there was food, clothing, and social obligationsโall these things required money. This household was practically a hollow shell. Over the past year, Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep things running. And this was her reward. โEnough, I wonโt argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing,โ said Barrett, his patience wearing thin. As Carissa watched him leave in a huff, she felt even more bitter. โMy lady, my lord was too much!โ said Lulu, Carissaโs maid, wiping her tears away. โDonโt call him that!โ Carissa gave her a stern look. โWe never consummated the marriage. Heโs not your lord. Go fetch my dowry list.โ โWhy the dowry list?โ Lulu asked, puzzled. Carissa tapped her on the forehead. โSilly girl, why would we stay in this house any longer?โ Lulu held her forehead and gasped. โBut your mother arranged this marriage, and your father wanted you to marry and have children.โ Tears finally welled up in Carissaโs eyes at the mention of her parents. Her father had stayed loyal to her mother, never taking a concubine. They had six sons and one daughter. All her brothers followed her father to the battlefield. Three years ago, none returned from the Southern Frontier. Though she was a girl, Carissa came from a family of warriors and started training as a child. At the age of seven, she was sent to study under a master, where she also learned military strategy. When she returned home at fifteen, she learned her father and brothers had died a year earlier. Her mother, who had gone blind from crying too much, held Carissa close and said, "You must live like the noble girls in the kingdom. Find a good husband, marry, have children, and lead a peaceful life. Youโre the only child I have left.โ Carissa felt like someone had gouged her heart out. The pain she felt was so intense she couldn't even bring herself to cry. Determined to please her mother, she spent a year mastering the traditional values and duties expected of a noblewoman. She also learned accounting and how to manage a household. Not only was Carissa the Marquis of Northwatch's daughter, but she was also known for her beauty. So, suitors flooded their doorstep. Her mother had chosen Barrett because he had sworn he would never take another wife if he married Carissa. But six months ago, tragedy struck. All the residents of Northwatch Estate were murdered. No one was spared, not even the children or servants. Each victim suffered numerous knife wounds, and their bodies were brutally dismembered. Carissaโs youngest nephew had been only two and a half years old, born after the death of her third brother. The local authorities and garrison unit captured a few of the assailants. After further investigation, they were discovered to be spies from an enemy kingdom, Westhaven. The war at the front line was raging, yet these spies didn't hesitate to reveal themselves just to annihilate her family. The manner of the murder suggested it was more of a personal vengeance than anything else. When Carissa received the news, she rushed home, only to find her grandmotherโs and motherโs gruesomely dismembered bodies. Blood stained every corner of the residence, and the dead were left in agonizing states. Now, Carissa was the lone survivor of the marquis' family. The idea of restoring her familyโs former glory seemed impossibleโat least to outsiders. They saw her merely as a delicate, fragile woman. However, Aurora was different. She had earned military merits for her contribution to the war and became the first female general in history. Even the queen dowager had high praise for her. With Aurora supporting Barrett, his future would be more secure. That was the reason the Warren family readily agreed to the marriage. Chapter 3 Lulu brought over the dowry list and explained, "This year alone, you've spent over six thousand silver coins to support the household. However, the shops, houses, and estates remain untouched. All the bank savings, along with the property deeds and land titles your mother left, are locked up in the chest." Carissa glanced at the list. "Alright." Just looking at the list put her in a melancholy mood. Her mother had given her such a substantial dowry, fearing she would suffer hardships in her husband's home. "My lady, where can we go? Are we returning to Northwatch Estate? Or should we go back to Meadow Ridge?" Lulu asked, looking distressed. Images of the bloodstained estate and the tragic deaths of her family members flashed through Carissaโs mind, causing a sudden pang of pain in her heart. "Anywhere is better than staying here." "If you leave, youโll be giving them exactly what they want." "So be it. If I stay, Iโll spend my whole life suffering as I watch those two be affectionate. Lulu, I must live well to give my parents and brothers peace in the afterlife," Carissa replied calmly. "My lady!" Lulu wept bitterly. She had been born and raised in Northwatch Estate. The murder had claimed the lives of everyone, including her own family. The images still haunted her, and returning there seemed unthinkable. "Is there no other way?" Lulu asked desperately. Carissaโs eyes grew cold. "There is. I could confront the king and use my familyโs achievements to force him to reverse his edict. If he refuses, Iโll take my own life in protest." Lulu was terrified and immediately protested, "My lady, you can't!" Carissaโs expression softened, and a sly smile appeared on her face. "Do you think Iโm that silly? If I manage to reach the king, Iโll only request an edict for an amicable divorce." Barrett was able to marry Aurora because of a royal edict. So, Carissa should also be issued an official edict to leave. She shouldn't have to sneak away like she was being cast out. The wealth from Northwatch Estate was more than enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. She wouldn't degrade herself unnecessarily. Just then, someone called from outside, "Madam Carissa, the matriarch has requested your presence!" "Itโs Jade, Madam Rebecca's maid. It seems like Madam Rebecca wants to try and persuade you," Lulu whispered. Carissa straightened up, her expression serious. "Then, letโs go." The evening sun glowed like blood, and the autumn wind was chilly. The late king had bestowed the Warren family's current residence, Valor Estate, upon Barrett's grandfather. Though once prestigious, it had fallen into decline. Most of the Warren family's men were warriors who fought on battlefields. Only a few were civil servants who worked in the palace. Barrettโs father, Jonathan, didnโt fare well in his official career. His second uncle, Gregory, only held a minor post in the Royal Citadel. Barrett and his eldest brother, Benjamin, were somewhat successful in the military. But before their recent victory, they were only fourth-ranked majors. Both families still lived together in Valor Estate. Splitting the family would only hasten their decline. Accompanied by Lulu, Carissa arrived at Rebeccaโs room. Rebecca's complexion looked a bit better, and she was sitting up in bed. She smiled warmly when she saw Carissa. "Youโre here." Benjamin and his wife, Amelia Morgan, were also in the room. Barrett's sister, Serena, and the other children of the concubines were present as well. Barrett's second aunt, Charlotte Lewis, was also seated nearby. However, her expression was cold and somewhat disdainful. "Hello, Mother. Aunt Charlotte, Benjamin, Amelia," Carissa greeted them politely. "Carissa, come here." Rebecca gestured for her daughter-in-law to sit by her bedside. The older woman held Carissa's hand affectionately and happily said, "Now that Barrett is back, you have someone to rely on. This year has been so hard on you, especially with what happened to your family. Youโre the only one left of the marquis' family. Fortunately, all of that is behind you now." Rebecca was shrewd. She made it clear that Carissa would need to depend on the Warren family in the future, since her family was gone. Carissa pulled her hand away and calmly said, "Mother, I heard you met General Yates today." Rebecca hadnโt expected Carissa to be so straightforward. Her smile froze for a moment before she replied, "Yes, I did. Sheโs rather rough around the edges and doesnโt compare to you in terms of looks." Carissa gazed at her mother-in-law steadily. "So, are you saying you don't like her?" Chapter 4 Rebecca forced a smile. "How can I decide that after meeting her only once? But since the king has arranged the marriage, itโs a done deal. In the future, she and Barrett will earn military merits together, while you manage the household and enjoy the benefits of their hard work. Isnโt that nice?" "Yes, I'm sure," Carissa replied with a smile. "But itโs quite unfair to make General Yates a concubine." Rebecca laughed. "You silly child, how could she be a concubine? The kingโs edict makes her Barrett's legal wife. Also, sheโs a military officer who holds an official rank. Officials canโt be concubines. She'll be a legal wife like you. There won't be any distinction between ranks for the two of you." "No distinction? Is there such a custom in our kingdom?" Carissa asked. Rebeccaโs expression grew a bit colder. "Carissa, youโve always been sensible. Now that youโve married into our family, you should prioritize us. According to the Defense Minister, Auroraโs contributions in this battle were greater than Barrettโs. With you managing the household, they'll be able to work together as husband and wife and focus on their military service. In the future, they'll surely become famous generals like his grandfather." Carissaโs tone remained chilly as she said, "If theyโre husband and wife, then I have no role here." "How can you say that? Arenโt you still in charge of the household?" countered Rebecca, displeased. "I only managed the household because Amelia was unwell. Now that she has recovered, she should resume her duties. Iโll go over the accounts tomorrow and hand everything back to her," Carissa replied. Amelia quickly interjected, "Iโm still not fully recovered. Besides, everyone is satisfied with how youโve been managing things. You should continue doing it." Carissa smiled mockingly. Everyone was satisfied because she had spent her own money to support them. Most of it went towards Rebeccaโs medical expenses. Sebastian Dalton was a renowned physician, and his medicine was costly. Only a few could afford his services. Rebeccaโs medicine cost over a hundred coins a month, amounting to more than a thousand coins a year. As for the other household expenses, Carissa occasionally subsidized them. For example, she would sometimes use fabrics and silks from her familyโs business to make new clothes for everyone throughout the year. She didnโt mind it before, as she had really wished to spend her life with Barrett. However, circumstances had changed. She no longer wanted to be a fool. Carissa stood up and said, "Thatโs settled, then. Iโll hand over the accounts tomorrow and wonโt be involved in household matters anymore." "Stop right there!" Rebecca's face darkened with anger. "Carissa, youโre being unreasonable. Men having multiple wives and concubines is normal. If you can't accept that, people will say you're narrow-minded and jealous." Carissaโs compliance over the past year had made the Warren family think she was easy to manipulate. They believed a few harsh words would always keep her in line. Carissaโs expression was calm, a stark contrast to her usual docility. "People can say whatever they want. I'm not concerned about their opinions." Rebecca was so angry that she struggled to breathe and coughed harshly for a long while. In the past, Carissa would have rushed to help her. She would pat the older woman's back and try to soothe her. But now, Carissa remained where she was. The soft evening light from the doorway highlighted her delicate, almost ethereal beauty. "Carissa, look how badly you've upset Mom," Serena said as she stepped forward. Her round, youthful face puffed with anger as she glared at Carissa. "This isnโt even about you. Do you think your family is still as prestigious as it once was? Your parents and brothers are gone; you're the only one left. Aren't you afraid that Barrett will divorce you if you keep putting on airs like you're a young lady from a prestigious family?" Carissa looked at her sister-in-law, who was dressed in a pale yellow outfit that Carissa had procured for her in early autumn. Now, wearing the clothes Carissa had provided, Serena dared to question her authority. How utterlyโฆ unsensible of her. "Take off that dress youโre wearing before you try to lecture me," Carissa said coolly. Serenaโs cheeks flushed with anger. "I didnโt beg you to get this dress for me. You can have it back if you donโt want me to have it." "Fine. And donโt forget the jewelry youโre wearing. I expect it all to be returned to me." After Carissa said that, her gaze swept across the room. The only one who seemed pleased with the situation was Charlotte. Everyone else looked grim. "If thereโs nothing else, Iโll be leaving." With that, Carissa turned and walked out decisively. Chapter 5 The Warren family members exchanged puzzled glances. None expected the usually agreeable Carissa to stand her ground so firmly this time. She even defied Rebecca, the matriarch of the family! โSheโll come around. She doesnโt have any other choice,โ Rebecca said coldly. That was true. With Carissa's family gone, she had no one to rely on except the Warren family. Besides, she was still Barrett's rightful wife, and it wasnโt like she had been mistreated. - Early the next morning, Carissa and Lulu returned to Northwatch Estate. The estate was bleak and covered in fallen leaves. After just half a year of neglect, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds that were taller than a person. Stepping back into the estate, Carissaโs heart ached fiercely. Six months ago, she had collapsed upon hearing that her family had been murdered. She had wept when she saw the lifeless bodies of her grandmother and motherโtheir corpses cold and devoid of warmth. Every corner of the estate had been stained with blood. Memorial plaques for her ancestors and mother had been placed at the estateโs family chapel. Carissa and Lulu prepared flowers to place on the plaques, their tears unceasing. Carissa knelt before her parentsโ memorials. Though her eyes were swollen from crying, they held a determined gaze. โDad, Mom, if you can hear me from heaven, please forgive your daughter for what she is about to do. Itโs not that I donโt want a peaceful life with a husband and children, but Barrett is not someone I can trust with my life. Rest assured, I promise Lulu and I will live well.โ Lulu knelt beside her, sobbing uncontrollably. After they were done, they boarded a carriage and headed straight for the palace. It was noon by the time they arrived. Under the scorching autumn sun, Carissa and Lulu stood like statues in front of the palace gates. They waited for a full hour, but no one came to let them in. Lulu was distressed and said, โMy lady, the king might not see you. Maybe he thinks youโre here to oppose his edict about the marriage. You didnโt eat last night or have breakfast today. Are you holding up okay? Should I go get you something to eat?โ โIโm not hungry.โ The only thing Carissa felt was the unwavering resolve to dissolve her marriage and return home. โPlease donโt be so hard on yourself. Itโs not worth getting sick over. Why donโt we just let it go? After all, youโre still the rightful wife and the lady of the Warren family. Even if General Yates is to be a legal wife, sheโll just be a glorified concubine at best. Maybe we should just endure it?โ Lulu pleaded. Carissaโs gaze was cold. โLulu, if youโre going to talk like that, donโt speak at all.โ Lulu sighed, feeling lost and unsure of what else to do. She had hoped that once Barrett returned, Carissa would find some peace. But the situation had only worsened. - In the palace's study, Derek Walker had already reported Carissaโs arrival to the king three times. โYour Majesty, Mrs. Warren is still waiting outside the palace gates,โ he repeated. The king, Salvador Quinton, set aside the document he was reading and rubbed his temples. โI canโt see her. The edict has been issued, and I canโt take it back. Tell her to go home.โ โThe guards tried to persuade her, but she refused to leave. Sheโs been standing there for over an hour without moving.โ Salvador felt a pang of guilt. โBarrett requested the marriage as a reward for his military service. I didnโt want to agree, but not granting it would embarrass both him and General Yates. They have made significant contributions.โ โIf we speak of military achievements, the Marquis of Northwatch and General Sullivanโs contributions surpass all others,โ Derek countered. Salvador remembered the Marquis of Northwatch, Hector Sinclair. When Salvador was a crown prince who had recently joined the military, it was Hector who had guided him. Carissa was a familiar face from those days, though she had been a delicate child. He still remembered her fair skin and endearing looks. Salvador had fought a bloody path to the throne, paved with death. He understood the struggles of military officers. When Barrett requested marriage as a reward, Salvador had hesitated but eventually agreed. Apart from his brother who was known as the Devil Monarch on the battlefield, the kingdom had no other capable generals. In the recent war with Westhaven, Dominic Sullivanโs third son had lost an arm. Dominic's seventh son had been murdered, though this had been kept secret. But Derek was right. In terms of military merit, Barrett and Aurora were far inferior to Hector. โAlright, let her in. If she agrees to this marriage, Iโll grant her whatever she wants. I'll even give her a noble title or an official rank,โ said Salvador. Derek breathed a sigh of relief. โAs always, you're wise, Your Majesty!โ Chapter 6 Carissa knelt in the study with her head bowed. Salvador remembered the Sinclair family. Knowing that Carissa was now the only one left stirred a feeling of pity in him. "Rise and speak," he commanded. Carissa bowed deeply with her hands clasped. "Your Majesty, I know it's presumptuous of me to seek an audience today. But I also wish to implore for your grace." "I have already issued the edict. It's impossible to revoke it," Salvador said. Carissa shook her head gently. "Your Majesty, I implore you to issue another edict. I want to divorce General Warren." The young king was taken aback. "What? You want a divorce?" Salvador thought she had come to ask him to rescind the marriage edict. He never expected a plea for a divorce. Holding back tears, Carissa pleaded, "Your Majesty, General Warren and General Yates sought the marriage edict with their military achievements. "Today is the death anniversary of my father and brothers. I wish to seek an edict to divorce my husband based on my late family's military merits. Please, Your Majesty, I'm begging you." "Carissa, do you know what you'll face after the divorce?" Salvador asked, a complicated expression on his face. Carissa hadn't heard Salvador call her by name in a long time. When he was still the crown prince, he used to occasionally visit Northwatch Estate. He would always find some interesting little gifts to give her when he did. After Carissa later went to Meadow Ridge to study under her master, they never saw each other again. "I do," she affirmed. There was a hint of a smile on Carissa's stunning face. But no matter how one looked at it, the smile seemed tinged with irony. "I'm sure you know the saying that a true gentleman appreciates and helps others to fulfill their aspirations, right? Even though I'm not a gentleman, I don't want to hinder General Warren and General Yates from being together," Carissa added. "Carissa, there's no one left at Northwatch Estate. Are you really going to go back there? Have you thought about your future?" Salvador asked. "I returned to the estate today to visit my family's memorial plaques. Seeing how the estate has fallen into disrepair made me want to live there again. I'll adopt a son for my father's sake, so there will still be someone to honor his memory," Carissa explained. Salvador had thought she was being impulsive; he hadn't expected her to be so considerate. "You're Barrett's legal wife. Aurora can't undermine your position. You really don't need a divorce." Carissa looked up with tear-filled eyes that were firm with resolve. "Your Majesty, that's meaningless. I don't want to waste my life like this. I'm the only one left from the Marquis of Northwatch's' family. My father and brothers lived honorably and bravely throughout their lives. I don't want to settle for a life of mediocrity." "I know you have feelings for Barrett. Are you willing to let go?" Salvador asked. Feelings? Not really. Carissa simply admired military men, and her mother had wanted her to marry and lead a stable life. That was why she had agreed to the marriage. Carissa smiled. At this moment, she looked like a strong woman who would be able to flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. "If he can let go of me, then I can let go of him," she declared. Beneath her delicate appearance, she possessed an unyielding backbone. This stunned Salvador. He had never seen such a woman before. He felt a pang of confusion, remembering the carefree little girl who used to smile all day long. Now, she was married and soon to be abandoned. To the world, divorce still meant abandonment. This was especially true in Carissaโs situation, as Barrett had publicly sought the marriage edict. Being a woman was already difficult, and she would have it even harder. How would she negotiate future marriages? There was no one left in her family to do it for her. Thinking of this, Salvador recalled Hector's merits, especially how they had saved each other on the battlefield, and his heart softened towards Carissa. "Alright, I agree. You may leave now. In a few days, the edict of divorce will be sent to the general's residence," Salvador said. Carissa breathed a sigh of relief and bowed her head. "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" As Salvador watched her, he was suddenly reminded of when she was a little girl, and his heart softened further. "Carissa, if anyone mistreats you in the future, come to the palace and see me." "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Carissa bowed once again. | LEARN_MORE | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831& | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 290 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | shgjfh.com | DCO | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831&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/t39.35426-6/459497241_1365969727707455_8385084210198722521_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tnuOpRPTlAYQ7kNvgEkPRxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A0EShSxRQNETKx2Oz2SVbij&oh=00_AYBfukCP88KgbdGQnH5ATeFhBUz_lc9S7h5_DSP0oR_VRg&oe=67301034 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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๐Attention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐ | Carissa Sinclair sat on a chair with her hands folded in her lap. She looked at the man before herโher husband whom she had spent a year waiting for. "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for this marriage. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it," said Barrett. Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has said that General Yates is a model for all women in the kingdom. Would she be willing to be a concubine?" Barrett's eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "No, she wonโt be a concubine. Sheโll be my legal wife and equal to you." "Calling her that doesn't change anything. Ultimately, sheโs really just a concubine in disguise," Carissa replied, remaining indifferent. Barrett frowned. "What does it matter? Aurora and I developed feelings for each other on the battlefield. We earned this marriage through our achievements. I donโt need your approval." Carissa smiled mockingly. "Developed feelings, huh? Do you remember what you said to me before you left for war?" On their wedding night a year ago, Barrett had left to lead reinforcements on an expedition. Before leaving, he had lifted his wifeโs veil and promised her, "Carrisa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love in my life. I will never take a concubine!" Feeling awkward, Barrett turned away. "Forget what I said. When I married you, I didnโt understand love. I thought you were a suitable match for a wife until I met Rory." Carissa felt a lump in her throat. "Is she currently in the mansion?" Carissa asked, lifting her brow. Barrett spoke of Aurora Yates with a softness in his voice, "Yes, sheโs talking to my mother." Carissa blinked away the tears in her eyes and sharpened her gaze. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her." "There's no need. Sheโs a general, and she's above the usual household squabbles. If she meets you, she might say things you wonโt like. Why put yourself through that?" Barrett refused instantly. She calmly said, "Itโs fine. If she says anything unpleasant, Iโll ignore it. Understanding the bigger picture and acting with dignity are essential virtues for any matriarch. Don't you trust me?" | LEARN_MORE | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831& | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 290 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | shgjfh.com | DCO | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831&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/t39.35426-6/459038346_1199616938012951_330058451446706531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RFLmulLba6QQ7kNvgHd7Gqj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AKap6RnYfBBJ21aUUq1nuer&oh=00_AYBjutNgSX7T8m4EGiezk26qeAh2IbwN0hLalrY81bJIng&oe=6730308B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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๐Read the next chapters๐ | This wasnโt the first time I received photos of Owen cheating on me. The blonde hair and slender build of the woman kissing him reminded me of my best friend Josie. But it couldn't be herโฆ Right? With trembling fingers, I dropped my phone. How could he do this to me? I thought he cared. I thought I was the most important person in his life. I was like a sister to him, and now I am his wife! After losing my parents, I was adopted by Owenโs family. I saved Owen's life when we were young. His family was so grateful that they decided to take me in. I grew up with Owen. We used to be inseparable. At first, he was like a brother to me. But as we grew older, things changedโฆ He went from an awkward, geeky boy to a tall, handsome young man. I changed with the years, too. Puberty transformed me from a skinny little girl into a fit, voluptuous young woman. My dark brown hair grew long and wavy, spreading on my shoulders like seaweed. My bright green eyes with soft sight were framed by long black lashes. My fair skin and slim figure let me win the admiration of many Suitors. Owen always said he loved my eyes. He said my eyes were as charming as a clear lake. Since we were teens, we felt a strange, forbidden attraction to one another. But neither of us ever dared to admit it. Until that one fateful night, when we shared our first kiss. We got married when we were 22 years old. I couldnโt believe that was almost 3 years ago now. I always thought we knew each other best. I thought nothing could ever come between us. But Owen had been acting very strange recently. These photos seemed to explain whyโฆ I had to confront him. โOwen?โ I called out. โOwen, where are you?โ He didnโt answer. He must be upstairs. I walked up the stairs and heard him talking to his friend Simon on the phone. As I was about to knock on the door, I overheard: โNo, I donโt think I love her anymore.โ His words gave me icy chills. โYou should be happy, Simon. I know you like Noah. If we get a divorce, you can have her.โ Owen continued. โHe said...what?โ I couldnโt believe my ears and cried in my heart, โHow dare he talk about me like that? I wasn't just some object he could give away! โ Hearing Owenโs frivolous talk with his friend, I felt sick. I grew up with him and got married for so many years. But he recently acted like a stranger. Did he have a new love? Why he treated me in such a cruel way?! I was almost to open the door to question him, but suddenly I hesitated, โQuestion him and then what? Owen may not love me love before. Do I want divorce? No, I donโt think so. Anyway, I have to calm down. At least I need to have a talk with him first. I need to know what happened to our marriage.โ So, I quietly made my way back downstairs. I tried to forget about what I heard by preparing dinner. As I was dishing up our pasta, the delightful scent of italian herbs drifted through the house. I heard Owen come downstairs. โJust in time for your dinner, hun!โ I said, trying to sound normal. But he was wearing his coat and gelled hair. He looked handsome as ever and ready to leave. I could smell his aftershave - my favorite smell in the world. โWhere are you going? Itโs getting late and dinner is ready.โ I said. โDinner with a client. Donโt wait for me.โ Owen replied and left without hesitation. I sat alone at the table, looking at the food Iโd carefully prepared for him. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I listlessly turned the spaghetti round and round with my fork. I wasnโt hungry. After storing away the leftovers, I stared at the TV for a while. Nothing could get my mind off of Owen and whoever that blonde tramp was. I made my way to the bathroom. I washed my mascara stained face and looked at myself in the mirror. Why did he stop loving me? Am I not beautiful enough? Did I not do enough to make him happy? I gave my body a scrutinizing glance, suddenly seeing all the parts of me that werenโt perfect. My belly wasnโt as flat as it used to be. Maybe I shouldโve had my lips done, like my friend Josie. Mine always used to be fuller than hers. But now she had the plump, luscious lips of a model. After washing up, I went to bed. Dropping my face into my pillow, I felt miserable. I tried to fall asleep, but my mind kept wandering. Where was Owen? And with who? Will he even come home tonight? At 1 am, I finally heard the key turn in the front door. From all the stumbling I could hear Owen was very drunk. I swiftly made my way downstairs to help him to the bedroom. He started kissing me and said a blurry name. I tried to identify what it was. After he repeated it for many times, I was shocked. It sounded like... โJoiseโ! โJosieโฆ? Were you with Josie?โ I asked with panic in my voice. I helped his heavy body into bed. He grunted some words I couldnโt understand. I couldnโt believe my husband cheated on me with my best friend. I cried and pleaded with him to see that it was me, not Josie. He pushed me away. As his head hit the pillow, he started snoring right away. Looking at my husband - completely drunk - I didnโt recognize the man I knew and loved. I tried to sleep next to him. But it felt like I was lying next to a stranger. I went downstairs and sat on the sofa all night, wide eyed, thinking about what happened between us. The next morning, Owen came downstairs after a shower. I wanted to ask him how he was feeling. He must be hungover. When I got up from the couch, I felt very weak and feverish. The sleepless night must've made me sick. โOwen, are you OK?โ I asked as I struggled to walk over to him. I really wanted to hug him. If only for a sense of comfort. He swept my arms away and told me to leave him alone. I was so weak and dizzy, his push made me fall. Owen was stunned for a moment. Then he said coldly, โIf youโre sick, go see a doctor.โ I scrambled up to my feet, and looked at him with a shocked expression. Suddenly, his phone rang. As he lifted it to his ear, the screen lit up. I could clearly see who was calling: โJosieโ. Chapter 2 - Hope Noah My heart sank when Owen picked up the phone. The screen clearly said โJosieโ. He answered: โHello? Yes, of course, sir. I can take a look at those documents for you.โ I couldn't believe Owen was lying to my face. He glanced at me, then quickly walked over to the kitchen. When he thought I couldn't hear him, his voice softened. He sounded so sweet. Although I couldnโt hear his words, the way he spoke to Josie reminded me of the beginning of our romance. Owen was still trying to hide his betrayal from me. He must have forgotten that he gave away his secret last night, when he called me Josie. Those pictures on my phone left no doubt. He was cheating on me, with my best friend. I leaned up against the wall. I felt weakened by my fever and this emotional rollercoaster. I stared at my husband as he came back inside the living room. He avoided my eyes. It felt as if he had become a stranger. In the past, he wouldโve never let me suffer like this. โIโll pick you up later.โ Owen said, ready to go. I grabbed his hand and begged him to stay with me. โPlease, donโt leave. I'm sick, Owen. I need to see a doctor. Iโm too weak to be all by myself.โ He was very impatient. He said he had some important business to deal with. I couldnโt help crying as I watched him leave. My husband and my best friend were betraying me, behind my back. I walked up the stairs slowly, carefully holding on to the railing. I was so weak and fragile. Bed rest was my best option right now. I really needed my husband to take care of me. When we got married, he vowed to me: โIn sickness and in health, in good times and badโ. This was definitely a bad time, and he was nowhere to be seen. When I woke up from my nap, I felt even worse. In my feverish haze, I reached for my phone and tried to call Owen. I opened my recent contacts and found that Owen had not had any calls with me these days at all. I had to open the contact list to look for him, few minutes later I dialed out with a headache and dizziness. Almost immediately I heard: โHello, Noah?โ The voice on the phone sounded very deep. I figured Owen got a cold after his late night out. โIโm so sick, Iโm so weak. I need to get to the hospital. Please, come back, pleaseโฆโ I pleaded, my voice weak and trembling. โIโll be right there.โ Said the voice on the phone and hung up right away. His voice sounded different from before. And his tone was a little urgent. Whatโs wrong? I didnโt have enough energy to think about it. At least he might still care about me. That comforted me a lot. Before long, there was a heavy knock on the door. Did Owen leave his key? I opened the door, expecting to look into Owen's gray eyes, but found Raymond's kind, hazel brown eyes instead. What was he doing here? Raymond was Owenโs uncle. He was only several years older, but very mature. He was tall, tanned and handsome. His chocolate brown hair matched his eyes. With his strong, square jaw and muscular body. I always thought Owen was one of the most attractive men I knew. It wasn't until Raymondโs appearance that I realized how dominant the handsome genes in this family in terms of good looking. After living in Australia for most of his life, he had come back 10 years ago to take over his familyโs business. By now, he was the most successful CEO in the city. Although all women admired him, he remained single. โDoes Owen know youโre sick?โ Raymond said, looking concerned. โHow did you know I'm sick? Do I look that terrible?โ I asked, suddenly aware that I was only wearing my little nightgown, had no make-up on and had my hair up in a messy bun. Raymond smiled. โDon't worry, Noah. I got your call earlier.โ Oops, I must have pressed the number of โOwenโs Bossโ instead of โOwenโ. I apologized for the inconvenience. โYou are a member of our family, Noah. Itโs my duty to take care of you. And you are never an inconvenience to me.โ Raymond said as he took me by the arm to support me. He led me to his streamlined, dark gray Mercedes to drive me to the hospital. I sat down on the cream colored leather seat. His car smelled brand new. The seat was heated, which helped warm me up, but I was still shivering. Raymond took off his suede blazer and handed it to me. His simple act of kindness made me feel warm, inside and out. โThank you, Raymond. This means a lot to me.โ I said with a relieved sigh. โOf course, Noah. Whenever you need me, Iโll be there.โ He responded. He still had a slight Australian accent. He asked me what happened. I wouldnโt have shared my familyโs private problems with another man who I didnโt even know him very well. But at that time, I was on the very edge of a breakdown. I really needed someone to talk to. Yet when I lost two of my closest persons on the same day, my husband and my best friend, who else could I talk to? โI donโt think Owen loves me as much as before. It seems that he has some secrets with another woman, who used to my best girlfriend. I couldn't sleep all night. I think that's what caused my fever.โ I concluded. I was in tears again by the time I finished the story. โHow could they do this to you? You are the best thing that's ever happened to Owen. If he can't see that, he is an even bigger idiot than I thought!โ Raymond shouted out. His shocked, angry expression showed me how much he cared. โPlease, don't say a word about this to Owen. I haven't confronted him yet. I need to do this myself.โ I responded. We sat quietly for a while, his hand resting very close to my thigh. I felt so weak and miserable. But his presence helped. When we seeing the private doctor. I tried to get out of the car but almost fell. Raymond flung an arm around me, just in time to catch me. I blushed as I looked up to him. My face was very close to his. His piercing eyes looked at me with an intensity I hadnโt seen before. I smelled something fresh. It might be his aftershave. I remembered Owen also used it, and I always told he that I love what he smelled. But I found Raymondโs aftershave smelled a little special. โRaymond? Noah? What are you doing?!โ I suddenly heard Owenโs angry voice. Chapter 3 - Truth Noah Raymond quickly let go of me as Owen approached us. Just before taking a step back. I stumbled over to my husband. I wanted to lean on him for support, but he didnโt seem to care about me at all. All I could read on his face was anger. I tried to be strong and stand by myself, shivering with fever. โSo, youโve got a new love, huh? I saw you flirting with my uncle!โ Owen spat his angry words at me. I turned pale. How could he say this to me? Especially after what he had done? I wasnโt the one who couldnโt be trusted! โOwen! How dare you talk to her like that! Itโs not our familyโs manner!โ Raymond berated him. He was fuming with rage at the injustice. He also knew about Owen's betrayal. Owen was a little timid when Raymond got angry. Although Raymond was only 31 years old, he had become a successful CEO. He had idolized Raymond when he was a child. And now, Raymond was also his boss. Owen had recently started working at his company. Raymondโs fists were clenched and his tense muscles were visible through his buttoned up shirt. He looked like he was about to hit Owen. I didnโt want them to fight over me, so I tried to calm them both down. โRaymond, itโs okay. Owen will take me in to see a doctor. Thank you for driving me here.โ I said gratefully. โPlease, donโt say anything about Josieโ, I tried to tell him mentally through the look in my eyes. He nodded slightly, as if he understood. He relaxed and his eyes softened when he looked at me. I turned back to my angry husband. I couldnโt detect any sign of trust in his eyes. I supposed he should he should be concerned about my health rather than the relationship between me and Raymond. โOwen, I can explain. I tried to call you, but I was so sick I accidentally dialed Raymondโs number. He brought me to see the doctor. You should be grateful to him. Without him I would still be miserable in bed, all alone.โ Owen grabbed me and said, โWell, I was just on my way to come and get you. Then I saw you get out of uncle Raymond's car and โfallโ right into his arms.โ He looked at Raymond with an arrogant smirk. โYou can go back to your important job now, uncle. Iโll look after my wife.โ Raymondโs eyes were cold, but he respected my wishes. He didn't object. After warning Owen that heโd better take good care of me, he got back in his car and drove off. Although I was glad I could lean on Owen, something didn't feel right. I realized I was still wearing his suede jacket. It was so soft and warm, protecting me from the cold autumn wind. When the doctor dealt with my fever, Owen didnโt want to speak to me, let alone look at me. He was engaging himself in typing on his phone. The doctor told me I shouldn't have waited much longer. My fever was so high I could have fainted. After getting examined and taking medicine for my fever, Owen drove me home. We sat next to each other in our car that held many memories. All our road trips and getaways together. Those times were over now. After an uncomfortable silence, I decided to address the elephant in the room. โOwenโฆ What is going on? Do you still love me? Do you still regard me as your wife?โ I asked. โSo what? Whose wife do you want to be?โ Owen hissed. I couldn't believe how horrible he was to me after what he had done. โI know you cheated on me, Owen.โ I uttered with pain in my voice. โYouโve been seeing Josie, right?โ Owen stopped the car with a jerk and pulled over. We sat in silence for a while as he processed my words. โWhat do you know, Noah?โ he pressed, looking me in the eyes at last. I finally confronted him about all the things that had been weighing heavily on my heart. I explained: โSomeone sent me photos of the two of you together. The first time, they didn't show your face. So I didnโt want to believe it. But in the ones I received yesterday, it was clearly you. All those nights, when you told me you had to leave town for business... You lied to me. You spent them at a hotel with another woman! Then, last night, you kissed me and called me Josie. And this morning, I saw it was her calling you. You pretended it was a client. โOwen, we have grown up together since we were kids. I always thought we know each other the most and could trust each other. I canโt believe you would cheat me like that!โ I cried, โOwen, did you fall in love with another woman... Is she my best friend Josie?!โ His eyes showed a moment of doubt. Then, resolution. His mouth tightened as he clenched his jaw. Just when I thought he wouldnโt answer, Owen said: โItโs true. I love her. I love Josie.โ Chapter 4 - Hurt Noah I just couldn't accept it. I loved him so much. How could he cheat on me? โWhy, Owen? I thought we loved each other. I thought we would be together forever. Did I do something wrong?โ I cried. Owen didn't respond. He drove us home in silence. His cruelty was too much for me to bear. I stared at the raindrops on the window. I felt more depressed than ever. That afternoon, Owen left again. I tried having some food and a nap, hoping that would help me heal. But I just couldn't fall asleep until Owen came back home in the early evening. I had to talk to him. I got out of bed and met him at the top of the stairs. โOwen, we need to talk about what happened. You can't keep going out and avoiding me.โ He was obviously drunk again. All he said was, โI donโt have anything to say to you. I am moving out, Noah. I supposed our years of marriage is a mistake!โ I took his hands in mine and begged him to stay and try to work it out. But he shook off my hands and pushed me away. I was standing right on the edge of the staircase. His push made me lose balance, and I tumbled down the stairs. I managed to grab onto the railing so I didnโt fall all the way down. But my head hit the wall when I tried to break my fall. I felt my forehead was bleeding. It was so painful that I couldnโt get up. I thought Owen would help me, but only heard: โYou lost your footing. Itโs not my fault.โ There was a sudden knock on the door. Owen stumbled past me down the stairs. โRaymond? What are you doing here? Now is not a good time.โ โI came to ask you what is going on. You need to give me an explanation. You havenโt โฆ Noah?โ Raymond suddenly saw me sitting on the stairs behind Owen. He pushed Owen aside and ran over to me in alarm. Seeing my messy hair and injured forehead, he instantly knew what happened between us. He punched Owen in the face. โThis is how you treat your wife?! I donโt believe you. Donโt you see Noah is bleeding? Did you hurt her? What a disgusting thing you smelled! You drunk idiot!โ Raymond raged at his nephew. I didnโt even have time to explain. Raymond immediately wrapped me up in his suit jacket and took me to see the doctor. โTwice in one day? That must be a record.โ The doctor said wearily. I gave her a wry grin and answered, โNot by choiceโฆโ The doctor took care of my wounds. I needed a couple of stitches and had some pretty bad bruises, but I would be okay. Thankfully, I didn't break any bones. It was getting dark outside. The autumn breeze was busy blowing the leaves off the maple trees surrounding the hospital parking lot. Raymond and I made our way back to the car. Our feet rustled through the thick carpet of yellow, brown and scarlet red leaves. After my second - and hopefully last - doctor's visit of the day, we sat next to each other in silence. We were back in his beautiful Mercedes. I could get used to these comfortable, heated seats. I felt a bit embarrassed. Raymond kept on having to save me. At least this time, I was wearing clothes and make-up, and my brown hair was neatly tied in a long, wavy ponytail. โI donโt normally need so much help, you know.โ I broke the ice. โI happen to be a strong, independent woman most of the time.โ Raymond laughed heartily. โJokes aside, I'm really grateful for everything you've done for me.โ I continued. โWhy did you come over tonight, Raymond?โ โOwen hadnโt come to work at the company for days. And I wanted to speak to him about what happened this morning, with you. I tried to call him, but he never answered. I decided to come over. To see for myself what was wrong with him.โ Raymond explained. โI just canโt believe what he did to you!โ He continued. โIf he ever does anything like that again, please tell me. Iโll teach him a lesson.โ His stern face showed how much he meant it. I took a deep breath. He had a way of making me feel safe and secure. โThank you, Raymond. Iโm okay now. It was an accident. Owen didnโt push me off the stairs on purpose. He didnโt mean to hurt me.โ I explained. Raymond looked a little angry, but he still carefully drove me home. โGoodbye, Raymond. Thank you again, for everything.โ I said with feeling as he hugged me. โBye, Noah. Itโs been my pleasure. Please be safe. Call me if you need anything.โ He said. He gently patted me on my head as comfort as if I was a little girl and got back in his car. His simple actions made me feel warm. I thanked him and walked home. I entered the house. It was quiet and dark downstairs. I walked up to our room. When I opened our bedroom door, all I could see was Owen and Josie kissing on the bed. Chapter 5 - The Necklace Noah I couldnโt believe my eyes! While the hours I was leaving, my husband was screwing with my best friend in my room! Didnโt he remember I got hurt because of him?! How ridiculous! Even though I had seen Owen and Josieโs betrayal before in photos, witnessing it in real life was way worse. It felt like a million knives stabbed me in the chest. My heart shattered. โHow dare you cheat on me in our home! In our own bed, for Godโs sake!โ I cried out. They hadnโt heard me open the bedroom door over the romantic music that was playing. They turned around with shocked looks on their faces. If I wasnโt so devastated, it mightโve been funny. Owen's mouth had lipstick smears all over it, and Josieโs blonde hair was disheveled. They were both in their underwear. Clothes were spread out all over our bedroom floor. I tried to hold back my tears. I didn't want to show them my pain. My crying might come across as weakness. I demanded an explanation. โI donโt believe this. Owen! Did you forget I am your wife?! Josie, why you betray me too?! I treat you as my best friend. How dare you take my husband away from me!โ I insisted. Josie hid away in Owenโs arms. Owen comforted her gently, then snapped at me: โYouโve already seen us together anyway, haven't you, Noah?โ โI am done with you.โ He continued. โOur whole relationship was based on a lie. Josie shouldโve been with me all along!โ I didnโt understand. โWhat are you talking about, Owen?โ He held up a delicate golden necklace with a tear shaped ruby that had been resting on Josieโs collarbone. โRemember this, Noah? The truth has finally come out. It was Josie who saved my life all those years ago, not you. You pretended that it was you in front of my parents. Youโve made her suffer long enough!โ I was shocked. Why did Josie have my necklace? I couldn't believe her betrayal. I tried to explain to Owen that I lost that necklace before I was adopted by his family. I told him I would never lie to him. Especially about something so important. But Owen didnโt believe me. โJosie,โ I cried. โHow could you do this to me? Why would you steal my necklace? You know how much it means to me! Weโve been best friends since the orphanage, havenโt we? Does that mean nothing to you?โ โNoah, you know this necklace has always belonged to me. I was the one who saved Owen. But you stole my life to be adopted,โJosie played innocent with me, โI should have been the one who grew up with Owen! I see you as my sister, so I never attempted to reveal your lie until Owen found this necklace in my old jewelry box several months ago.โ This convinced Owen even more that I had been bullying her. He wrapped his arms around her. Over his shoulder, when he couldnโt see, Josie gave me a quick, mean smirk. I knew Josie had a mean side. She always had, even when we were kids. But so far, she had only taken it out on her boyfriends and whoever got on her bad side, not on me. I never thought she might treated me in such a mean way! I had searched everywhere but couldn't find my that necklace. It turned out that she was the thief who was always around me. How could she tell such outrageous lies as if it were natural๏ผ I left the bedroom, rushed downstairs and broke down on the couch. Oh, what a nightmare! How could I make Owen see the truth? A little later, Owen and Josie came downstairs, all dressed up again. Josie was wearing her Prada pumps and the sleek, mint green dress I gifted her for her birthday. It accentuated her long legs and slender silhouette. I had to admit, she looked beautiful. I used to dress in a simple way such as simple jeans, white blouse and sneakers. Maybe I looked less attractive compared to Josie. Owen had an arm around Josieโs waist and warned me, โYouโd better stay out of our life from now on. Iโll move to another villa with Josie.โ I couldn't believe it. After 3 years of marriage, he trusted her story over mine. And now he wanted nothing to do with me. We used to be happily married. Our whole lives, ever since I saved him, we had been so close. We used to laugh together, cry together, play pranks on each otherโฆ But now, everything changed, simply because of a necklace. In fact, โnecklaceโ is just an excuse for his betrayal. I didnโt believe our years of affection couldnโt prove my heart. โNoah, my life were ruined by you. You owe me that.โ Josie said. โOne day youโll both regret this. I didnโt do anything wrong.โ I sobbed. As they walked out, I faintly heard Owen reply: โItโs my fault. I should have found you earlier, or you wouldnโt have suffered so much.โ I could only guess at his last insult as the door closed behind them. I zoned out in front of the TV and poured myself some of Owenโs whisky. The past couple of days had been the worst of my life ever since I lost my parents. My body and mind had been through so much. I felt numb. I must have fallen asleep on the couch. The sudden loud jingle of my phone ringing woke me up. The bright midmorning sun was shining in through the large windows. Looks like I slept in late. Disoriented, I picked up my phone and saw it was Owen calling. I accepted the call and brought the phone to my ear. Before I could say a word, I heard Owenโs angry shouting: โHow dare you do this to Josie! Those guys you hired? They put her in the hospital! I canโt believe your jealousy would drive you this far!โ Chapter 6 - Choice Noah โWhat?! What guys? I just woke up, Owen. I have no idea what youโre talking about.โ I replied to the angry voice on the phone. โMore lies! I canโt believe you, Noah. You're despicable!โ Owen shouted. He was so loud, I had to move the phone away from my ear. โOwen, please calm down. All I remember is you leaving with Josie last night. I fell asleep on the couch. What happened?โ โJosie is in the hospital because of you. I demand that you come here right now and apologize to her!โ He ended the call before I could reply. What was this about? Would my life ever go back to normal? I decided to find out what was going on. My fever was over. Although my head still hurt, the wound was healing rapidly. I took a refreshing shower and got into a pencil skirt and light blue blouse. I combed my hair and decided to wear it in natural loose waves today. After a quick breakfast, I slipped into my high heels and coat, and made my way to my car. It was a crisp sunny day. I arrived at the hospital. At least it wasn't me who needed to see the doctor this time. โOh, itโs our โold friendโ.โ The nurse said jokingly. I smiled as she directed me to Josieโs room. As soon as I knocked on the door, Owen opened it with an enraged look on his face. โFinally! That took you long enough.โ He whispered angrily. โJosie is sleeping.โ He came out and gently closed the door behind him. We walked towards the chairs in the hallway. โI have no idea what happened, Owen.โ I said honestly. โCan you please tell me what is going on? Some guys attacked her?โ โAre you still pretending you weren't behind this? You are unbelievable.โ He shook his head, then continued. โJosie was attacked by some hooligans this morning, on her way to work. She shouted out and fainted from fear. Thankfully, a police officer was nearby. He heard her scream. She has a heavy concussion from the fall. She'll have to stay here a few days to recover.โ โWhat? That's horrible!โ I replied in shock. Although I was angry with Josie, I wouldn't wish this on anyone. โStop your act now, Noah. Those guys were arrested. They told the police someone paid them to kidnap Josie, because she broke up a marriage.โ No wonder he doubted me. But I couldnโt believe the trust between us was so fragile. โWould you believe me if I swore to you it wasn't me?โ I asked with a last glimmer of hope. His reply made it clear to me that there was no hope left for us: โNever again will I believe a single word you say, Noah.โ I refused to apologize. I didn't have anything to do with this. If there is anyone needed to stand out and make an apology, it was them for what they had done to me๏ผ On my way out, I contacted a friend who had lots of connections all over the city. I asked her to investigate the situation. I also called the office on my way home, to let them know I was still recovering from my fever and head wound. My boss was understanding. She told me to take as long as I needed. In the evening, Owen came home just as I was about to have dinner. โI didnโt prepared your dinner. I guess you would have dinner with Josie?โ I said plainly. I didnโt know why he came back at this time, but I didnโt care about it anymore. He ignored my words and said, โYou still donโt want to apologize, right? You have two choices, Noah. Apologize and make amends with Josie, or divorce me and get out of this house!โ โJosie is the one who betrayed us both. She lied to you, Owen. She stole my necklace. She is the one who should apologize!โ I argued. Owen burst out in rage and slapped me in the face. I stared at him in disbelief. I was totally disappointed. Over the past few days he had hit me, pushed me, cheated on me. He had hurt me in every way. I made up my mind. โI choose divorce.โ I said coldly. โOkay, good. My lawyer will contact you in the next morning. Oh, and Iโve prepared another โsurpriseโ for you.โ Owen said ruthlessly with a wicked smile. | LEARN_MORE | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12088&u | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61560831098071/ | 21 | 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=12088&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/t39.35426-6/448734622_433474479610502_7081717358378595892_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zQ_loZ6xwnEQ7kNvgEcO2oT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtU8ZUwxUqzKQPkqqDSzTRp&oh=00_AYDOxeEmnw3-6o8m8skMKNSg0rkbYPWQ8n_r1LT8SR-q5g&oe=67300AD1 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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๐ฅ๐ฅClick to read the next chapter for free๐ | โHelp!โ A cry attracted the pack members around the area, then two of us falling from the high cliff... They were terrified then soon realize that the two women - one of them was the Alphaโs former mate, Sofia; and the other one was me, Alpha Haydenโs current mate. Both of us plunged toward the sea below the cliff. I only felt the cold sea water enveloping my body. The salty sea water was rushing into my mouth, my ears... Luckily, pack members came in time. Hayden, who was patrolling around the area, heard the cries too. When I puked the salty, bitter seawater out of my mouth, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was him holding Sophia, who was bleeding profusely. Before I spoke, I saw Sophia's pitiful eyes with tears in them. โCharlotte... I know you are jealous of my relationship with Hayden, but there really is nothing going on between us. Why did you push me off the cliff?โ Sofia's weak voice sounded before she passed out. My mouth dropped open. What does she mean I pushed her off the cliff?! But she didn't give me a chance to question her before her head veered into Hayden, my husband's chest and passed out. Hearing Sofia's words, Hayden was furious, he glared at me angrily for a moment and didn't say a word. I pressed my mouth. Can't he see that I fell and hurt myself too? I'd gotten a long gash on my arm from the rocks on the beach, and I'd cracked my forehead on a small rock. But apparently, Hayden's mind wasn't on me. โIt's that vicious woman's drama again! Tell them the truth, Charlotte,โ My wolf, Lexi, growled. Yes, I should. It took every part of me to get myself sit up straighter a bit on the rock. โHayden, I can explain.โ I spoke with a struggle and tried to ignore the pain all over my body. Hayden didn't give me a proper look but let out a sneer. โExplain? Everyone saw what had happened and heard Sofiaโs words.โ โBut it was her, who pushed-โ I frantically tried to explain what had really happened. โEnough! If thereโs something wrong with her and her baby, Iโll punish you personally,โ Hayden cut me off and said harshly as he picked Sofia in his arms and ran toward the packโs infirmary. At that time, I realized that it didn't matter what the truth was like. No one would believe me, not even my own mate. My heart hurt as if it was being stabbed by hundreds daggers, and yet I couldn't do anything about it. This wasn't the first time I was framed by Sofia and Milla, Haydenโs younger sister. And just like today, he never asked me about what had happened; he would only listen to their side of the story and blamed me for everything. Three years of being mated and married to Hayden, I have been trying my best to make Sofia and Milla happy, knowing how much they meant to Hayden, yet they kept treating me like an Omega maid. Sometimes even worse. I had to serve them all the time. In my deep heart, I knew the reason for it. They thought I was just an orphan she-wolf and not on par with Hayden, the ruthless Alpha of the third largest pack, the Red Claw Pack. They thought I didn't deserve to be the Luna of the pack. But... What Hayden didn't know was that in order to become his mate, I purposely cut off contact with my family to make sure Hayden wouldn't know who I really was. I just wanted to be his mate and serve him like a good moon Luna. Sometimes I wondered if it would make a difference if they knew who I really was? But for the longest time, I didn't want them to know. I wanted Hayden to love me for who I am, not for the powerful Alpha-in-line. Because of that, for the last three years, I had endured every insult, humiliation, and abuse from Sofia and Milla, yet I still served them as a good sister-in-law. I didn't tell Hayden about it. I loved them and treated them as Haydenโs family. I hoped that one day they would recognize my kindness and dedication. But the truth was so cruel. Hayden became the Red Claw Pack's Alpha when his brother died, leaving Sofia as a widow and carried his baby. I could still remember I was over the moon when I first met him and knew he was my mate. But who would have thought that Sofia, the widow of Haydenโs late brother, was more important to him than me? Ever since Hayden claimed me as his mate and married me, he seldom cared for me. Instead, he spent more time with Sofia. He was even more protective of Sofia too. Everyone could see the way he treated Sofia, and there were rumors that Hayden was in love with her. No one had spoke for me, his mate, and his legal Luna! My mind was in a mess. When I came out of my painful memories, Hayden and Sofia were gone, and the pack members had departed with them, leaving me alone on the rocks of the beach. My body was drenched, my arm and forehead were bleeding. It took me every effort just to stand up. Luckily, Noah, the Beta of the Pack, was kind enough. He met me in the half way and supported me to go to the infirmary to treat my wounds. โThank you, Noah,โ I said with gratitude. Noah gave me a worried look and didn't say anything. He'd seen what had happened to me over the past three years, but he wasn't able to change any of Hayden's decisions. Wouldn't it all be different if I had power and a throne? I couldnโt help but think. If I had told Hayden of my real identity, would he trust me a bit more than Sofia? Should I tell him the truth? โYes! You need to tell him the truth,โ Lexi growled in my mind. I know she hated Sofia and Hayden. But would he believe me? As Hayden said, there were many witnesses. When Sofia jumped back from the cliff, she grabbed my hand to pull her along. But for onlookers, it looked like what Sofia had described. I had to admit that Sofia was the master of scheming. She was always good at that. Thinking of the blood flowing from the bottom part of Sophiaโs body, it might be a huge chance that she would lost her baby... I would have a big trouble if anything bad happened. โIโm going to punish you personally,โ Haydenโs harsh words rang in my mind again which made my heart sink. โYou still need to try to explain,โ Lexi growled again. โI wanted to explain, but you saw that, he didn't even listen to me,โ I told her. โThen try explaining again!โ Lexi roared and started to get cranky. She actually knew it was futile. No one would believe us, it's as ridiculous as my title of Luna. Ten minutes later, after staggering slowly, with the help of Noah, we finally reached the infirmary. Just before I was about to step into the doctor's office, I was summoned by Hayden through out mindlink, โCome straight to Sophiaโs ward.โ His cold voice sent shivers down my spine. I had a bad feeling about this. Is Sofia okay? Did she really lose her baby like I had guessed? I felt my legs were heavy as I moved slowly toward Sofiaโs ward. The closer I got, the more my sense of foreboding increased. If Hayden was always on Sofiaโs side all this time, would he believe me just this once? I prayed to the Moon Goddess that he would believe me, at least just this once. Finally, I stood in front of Sofiaโs ward. I took a deep breath before pushing the door open, and unsurprisingly, I was greeted by Hayden's icy gaze. Chapter 2 Haydenโs cold gaze froze me in my spot. It didn't help that I was still drenched, and the cold on my body hadn't subsided. His gaze made me feel even colder, as if I was once again submerged in icy water. โStay there!โ he commanded harshly. He didn't care that the blood on my arms and forehead was dripping down, tainting the white floor of the ward with red splotches of blood. Sofia was lying on the bed looking pale and weak, and the doctor was examining her. There were nurses, the Gamma couples, and some pack members gathered outside the ward. I could hear the murmuring of the pack members outside the ward. โI can't believe the Luna dared to push Sofia down the cliff.โ โWho would have thought that she was so heartless?โ โIsn't it obvious that she was jealous? The Alpha favors Sofia more than the Luna. She mustโve thought Sofia was a threat and wanted to kill her.โ Hearing their hurtful remarks and looking at the accusing gazes of everyone in the room, I felt myself going pale. I clenched my t-shirt tightly and bit my lips. It hurt.. โIโm sorry, but we couldnโt save your baby,โ the doctor said after checking and putting Sofia on the drip. The doctorโs words seemed to be like a death sentence to me. Sofia began crying hysterically. โWhy? Why must this happen to me? Iโve lost my mate, and now I lost the only gift he left me. Iโve lost our baby!โ Sofiaโs wail was very heartbreaking. If I didn't know the truth, I might even be moved to tears by her performance of being a heartbroken widow who had lost her child. โCharlotte!โ Haydenโs sister, Milla, suddenly approached me and raised her hand high, landing a red print on my cheek. I wasn't expecting it and couldn't stop her or dodge it. My mate just looked at us coldly with no intention of stopping his sister. โAre you happy now?โ she glared at me. โYou have killed her baby! You are very vicious for pushing her off the cliff! Kneel and apologize to her!โ I looked at Hayden and tried to explain, โHayden, I can explain..โ Hayden sneered. โWhat can you explain? That you viciously pushed her off the cliff and jumped with her so everyone thinks that you were also a victim?โ โBut she pushed herself down the cliff and pulled me along!โ I tried to explain what really happened frantically. โDo you think everyone is stupid and blind? Why would Sofia jump off the cliff when itโs dangerous for her condition?โ Hayden snarled. โBut I really didn't push her!โ I kept trying to defend myself and told him the truth. โEnough!โ Hayden roared, and his Alpha aura rolled off his body, making everyone, including me, cower in fear. โStop lying and trying to slander Sofia.โ โYou have killed my brotherโs baby. Kneel and apologize to Sofia just like Milla had said,โ he said coldly. His words made me freeze in my spot again. Why wouldn't he believe me? Why would he believe someone elseโs words but not his mate's? Was it true that he was in love with Sofia? I didn't even want to apologize to Sofia, much less kneel. For my mate to ask me to do those two things was humiliating! And it angered me. โIโm not going to kneel or apologize. I didn't do anything wrong,โ I growled. โIf you don't kneel and apologize, I will dissolve our matebond,โ he said indifferently. I froze again. He would terminate our mateship because of Sofia? โHe dares not!โ Lexi growled. โHayden, you've gone too far!โ I yelled at him. โIโm the Luna of the pack, and I will never kneel in front of anyone! And no one can force me to! Itโs in the packโs rule!โ โThe packโs rules?โ Hayden snorted. I straightened my back and lifted my chin. โItโs stated that no one can force a Luna to kneel or apologize for something she didn't do!โ To my surprise, Hayden laughed. โCharlotte, do you think, as the Luna of the pack, you can do anything freely and not apologize for your wrongdoings?โ he mocked me. โIt seems to me you have been abusing your power as the Luna of the pack.โ He stood up and came to stand before me. Reaching out his hand, he pinched my chin forcefully. โAnd to let you know, I was the one who made those rules, and as the maker of the rules, I am now telling you to kneel and apologize to Sofia,โ he snarled. From the corners of my eyes, I saw Milla had a gleeful expression, and Sofia had a triumphant smile. โYou believe someone elseโs words rather than your mate?โ I, stupidly, still thought that I could make him believe me instead of that venomous woman. โEnough, Charlotte! No matter how many times you tried to deny it, the evidence is clear. Everyone saw what you did!โ He released my chin forcefully, and I staggered back a few steps from the force. โYou.. You really don't believe me?โ I felt my heart turning cold. There really was no use in defending myself now. I looked at Sofia and saw her looking weak and pitiful once again, with tears streaming down her face. Heh, Sofia really was a good actress! โI don't like to repeat my words, Charlotte. Kneel and apologize or Iโll break our matebond and divorce you,โ Hayden said coldly. โI will NEVER kneel or apologize for something I didn't do,โ I said stubbornly and left the hospital without turning to look at Sofia, Milla, or even Hayden. โCharlotte!โ Hayden roared out my name, but I ignored him and kept walking toward the packโs main house, where I lived with Hayden as the Alpha and Luna of the pack. Just as I stepped into the hall, I heard the screech of a car. I turned around to see a fuming Hayden. โCharlotte, are you still unwilling to kneel and apologize?โ he asked with narrowed eyes. โIโve told you before. I won't kneel or apologize for something I didn't do,โ I told him coldly. โGuards!โ he yelled before I could say anything further. Two guards appeared out of nowhere and seized my arms. โMake her kneel!โ Hayden commanded. Chapter 3 My eyes widened in disbelief. I couldn't believe that Hayden would do this to his own mate. I struggled as the guards pulled me toward the door. Once outside, they pushed down my shoulders. As a future Alpha, my strength was not ordinary. I could withstand their forces and kept standing upright. Hayden was looking at me with cold eyes and not saying anything. Seeing that the guards could not make me kneel, he came to us and kicked the back of my knees. I was shocked and wasn't prepared for it. My knees buckled under me, and he successfully made me kneel on the ground with his kick. โKneel here and think of what you have done,โ he said coldly before telling the guards to ensure I kept kneeling. He then turned around and entered the house once again, slamming the door shut behind him. The guards kept their hands on my shoulders, pushing me down and disabling me to stand up. This was the first time in my life I felt so humiliated, and the one who humiliated me was my own mate. I felt rage course through every nerve of my body. I couldn't believe my mate was so heartless. โLet me tear him apart! Stupid Alpha deserves no dominion over the pack,โ Lexi cursed. I agreed with her. Hayden was truly disappointing. The wind blowing strongly around me didn't help. I felt so cold that my body shivered until my teeth chattered. I hadn't changed from my wet clothes, and my wounds hadn't been cleaned and bandaged. After Goddess knew how many hours of kneeling, Hayden finally came out. โHayden, I-โ I still had hopes that he would listen to me, but his next words wiped away all my hopes. โHave you thought about what you have done? Are you ready to apologize to Sofia?โ he cut off my words coldly. โHayden, is this how you treat your mate?โ I asked through gritted teeth. โMate?โ he laughed. โDo you think I care about you being my mate? For me, a mate is just a stepping stone to become stronger. An Alpha needs a Luna to make them and their packs stronger,โ he said coldly. I gasped and felt all my blood drained from my body. โYou.. You never care about me? You never love me?โ โLove?โ he sneered and looked at me as if I was a clown. โI only claimed you as my mate and married you to save the trouble of my pack not having a Luna.โ I looked at him and felt my heart breaking. Three years.. Three years of being his mate and his Luna. Three years of trying hard to be the perfect Luna for him. And that was all I was to him? A mean to save trouble and a stepping stone to become stronger? โAre you willing to admit your mistake?โ he asked impatiently. I lifted my chin stubbornly. โNEVER!โ โThen kneel until you admit your mistake,โ he spat and turned back to go into the house again. โAlpha.โ Suddenly Beta Noah appeared. โSofia is awake, and sheโs been crying non-stop.โ โWhat? Has the doctor seen her yet?โ Hayden asked anxiously. โSheโs hysterical and did not let anyone come near her,โ Beta Noah reported. โAlright, Iโll go to her now,โ Hayden said. He then turned to me and said, โDon't make any trouble anymore, or youโll know the consequences.โ After warning me, he left in a hurry with Beta Noah. The two guards followed them as they were Haydenโs personal guards. I let out a bitter laugh. How stupid was I to think that mates should fall in love with each other? After hearing his words, I had no hopes for Hayden anymore. All I felt was disappointment. I tried to stand up despite my legs being numb from kneeling for too long. I reached out and touched the walls for support and walked slowly toward our bedroom. โAre you going to leave that unworthy man?โ Lexi asked as I was changing my clothes. โYes. Is it okay with you?โ I asked her. I knew severing the matebond hurt so much for me, but especially for Lexi. I didn't know how itโd affect Lexi. โIโd rather you leave him than stay mated with him,โ Lexi growled. โWon't it affect you?โ I asked. โIt will. It will hurt for a while, but Iโll manage. I want you to be happy, Charlotte,โ she said. Her words nearly made me cry. Lexi was the only one who cared for me in the three years of being married to Hayden. โAlright, don't cry now,โ she tried to comfort me. โWhatโs your next plan?โ โLeave here and go back to the Moon Crest Pack,โ I told her and began packing my stuff. โGood,โ she said, and I could feel how proud she was of me for taking this bold action. After I finished packing, I dragged my suitcase and went out without anyone noticing. Everyone was either busy cooking nutritious meals for Sofia in the kitchen or going to the hospital to take care of her. How ironic, I thought. He let everyone take care of someone who wasn't his mate, while no one cared for his mate who was injured. Looking at the starless night sky, I felt tears stinging my eyes again. Three years of trying to be his perfect mate went down the drain because of another female. I began walking toward the packโs border while dragging my suitcase. The wind began to howl, and I shivered again because of the cold. โCharlotte, don't you want to go to the hospital to get your wounds treated first?โ Lexi asked anxiously. โThen meet and watch how sweet that pair of cheating lovers is? No, thank you,โ I answered, and Lexi stopped talking. The more I walked, the weaker I felt. My breathing became heavier, my wounds began to throb, and I felt my vision begin to blur. โCharlotte, letโs go to the hospital first,โ Lexiโs anxious voice sounded in my mind. My body swayed, and I fell to the ground, feeling all my energy drained. I couldn't even move an inch of my body. I felt darkness start to pull me in. What should I do? An image popped into my mind, and I struggled mightily to open up a mindlink I hadn't used for the last three years. โCharlotte?โ a man asked in disbelief once our mindlink opened up. โLeo... Help me... Pick me up... at... the... Red... Claw... Packโs... border,โ I said with much difficulty before succumbing to the darkness. Chapter 4 My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was a clean, white ceiling. โCharlotte, you are awake.โ I heard a femaleโs relieved voice. I turned my head and saw my best friend, Olivia, sitting on a chair beside my bed. โOlivia... Where am I?โ I asked with a hoarse voice. โYou are in the packโs hospital,โ she replied and brought me a glass of water. โWhich pack?โ I asked with worry. โMy pack - the Silent Prowlers Pack,โ she said. I heaved out a sigh of relief. At least I was somewhere familiar. I took a sip of the water she gave me and asked, โWho brought me here?โ I had no recollection whatsoever. The last thing I remembered was passing out near the Red Claw Packโs border. โDid Leo bring me here?โ I asked her as I remembered mindlinking Leo, my Beta. โYup. After you mindlinked him, he became frantic and rushed out to search for you,โ she said. โThen what happened?โ I asked. โHe said he found you unconscious on the side of the road and quickly brought you here since itโs the closest to the Red Claw Pack,โ Olivia explained. โWhatโs wrong with me?โ Why did I faint? โYou had a fever and were injured,โ she said. Fever? Must be because I was drenched and forced to kneel under strong wind. โChar, what happened?โ she asked. โWhat do you mean?โ I pretended not to know what she meant. โWhy did you come back after three years of no news?โ She looked at me with her huge eyes, and I saw some hesitancy in them. โIโm going to break my matebond with Hayden,โ I told her nonchalantly. To my surprise, she didn't look shocked. โIs it because of the rumor?โ she asked. Rumor? โWhat rumor?โ โThe whole continent heard about you pushing Sofia Thompson off the cliff because of jealousy, and she lost her baby because of it,โ she said, and it was apparent she was embarrassed to say those words to me. I laughed. โThe whole continent knows?โ โYeah. And the members of the Red Claw Pack said you are not fit to be their Luna.โ I smirked. โThat mean woman sure moves fast.โ โWhat do you mean?โ she asked, obviously confused. โDo you believe the rumor?โ I asked her. It had been three years since I last saw and contacted her. Would she believe the rumor more than she believed me? She rolled her eyes. โOf course not. I know you. You wouldn't do that even if you were jealous. You most probably would slap Hayden for not believing you.โ I was relieved that someone at least believed me. I told her everything that happened that day - how Sofia framed me, how Hayden believed her, and asked me to kneel until I admitted my mistake. I also told her how Milla and Sofia had been treating me like an Omega maid instead of a Luna for the last three years I was in Red Claw Pack, including how Hayden was only using me and preferred Sofia. โI've never met such a stupid alpha! I can't believe he fell for some women's shoddy gimmicks. If he doesn't love you, he shouldโve rejected you and not used you like that!โ Olivia said angrily. โThat vicious woman must have asked people to spread the rumor!โ she continued, still fuming. I was amused looking at how her expressions and emotions changed so fast - from relief, hesitant, embarrassment, confusion, and now anger. โAre you okay, Char?โ she asked with concern. โIโm fine, don't worry about me,โ I assured her. โAre you really going to break your matebond with Hayden?โ She looked at me as if she didn't believe I could do it. โYou don't believe that I can do it?โ I feigned shock. โItโs not that,โ she said embarrassedly. โItโs just... I know how much you love Hayden. You even left your pack and everything else behind just to be with him.โ โI don't love him anymore,โ I told her indifferently. My love for him had disappeared the moment he forced me to kneel and asked me to admit my โmistakesโ. โReally? Thatโs good. He doesn't deserve your love,โ she said and let out a sigh of relief. โShouldn't you feel sad for me? Iโm going to sever my matebond, you know,โ I teased her. โItโs better not to have a mate rather than to have a fool as a mate,โ she said as she rolled her eyes. I laughed hearing her words. What she said was true. I must be blind to stay with him for three years while he spent more time with another woman and cared more for that woman. Suddenly we heard some whispering outside the ward. โHave you heard about the Luna of the Red Claw Pack?โ a female voice asked. โShe pushed her sister-in-law off the cliff and caused her loss her unborn baby. Sheโs so vicious!โ another female answered her. They kept gossiping until their voice faded out and disappeared. โI will tear those mouths off!โ Olivia stood up and was going to reprimand them, but I stopped her. โDon't do anything,โ I told her. โWhy did you stop me? I'm going to give everyone, especially that innocent pretending woman Sofia and that deaf and blind man Hayden, a piece of my mind,โ Olivia seethed. โDon't do anything,โ I repeated calmly. โIโm going to ask your dad and brother to deal with them. They should know you are the next Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack. Letโs see if they still dare to say bad things about you!โ Olivia was so angry she didn't seem to hear my words as she kept trying to make everything right for me. I was thankful for her, but I didn't need anyone to stand up for me. โOlivia!โ I called her sternly, and this time she returned to her sense. โIโm soooo angry,โ she said as she sat down again. โHow are you so calm?โ โDon't worry, I have already prepared a โgiftโ for the Red Claw Pack and Hayden,โ I smirked. โA gift? What gift are you going to give them? What are you going to do to him? Tell me,โ she asked with excitement. Chapter 5 I laughed, seeing her excitement. โYouโll know when the time comes,โ I smirked. โOh, come on, Char. Iโm your best friend. You should tell me about this โgiftโ you have prepared for them,โ she tried to fish out information from me, but I wouldn't budge. โDonโt worry, itโs gonna be a big โgiftโ,โ I smirked again, thinking how they would react after receiving my โgiftโ. โSo you won't tell me? You are so bad,โ she complained and pouted. I laughed and patted her head. Olivia was different from me. While I was tall and slender, she was petite with huge innocent eyes, just like a child. But never be deceived by her appearance. She was impulsive and a powerful she-wolf. She could punch a hole in a wall with her bare fist. Even I didn't dare to be near her when she was angry. โWell... The most important thing now is to break my matebond with Hayden,โ I changed the subject. โDo you know how to do it?โ I had no idea how to do it. Should I just reject him? But it wouldnโt sever the matebond. Itโd be just like any other rejection. โChar, are you really sure you want to break the matebond? Itโll be different than a normal rejection,โ she said thoughtfully. โI know,โ I answered her firmly. โI don't care about Hayden or the Red Claw Pack anymore. You know Iโm going to be the Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack. Why should I care about them? Iโm going to be even more powerful than Hayden and his pack.โ She scrutinized me to see if there was any doubt in my eyes, but I had made up my mind. Once she saw that I was adamant about doing it, she sighed. โSo, do you know how to do it?โ I asked her again. She was hesitant but nodded in the end. โI heard you need to pray to the Moon Goddess together with Hayden and reject each other at the same time.โ โIt sounds easy,โ I said lightly. โChar... The breaking of matebond might break your soul and Lexi,โ she said as she looked at me with despair. I looked at her and asked, โDo you want me to stay with him, keep being abused by his family and Sofia and be unhappy?โ She looked down at her hands that were holding mine. โItโs not that. I just don't want you to be soulless.โ I laughed hearing her words. โOlivia, thank you for your concern. But me and Lexi are stronger than you think. Weโve been best friends for so long. Do you think Iโll become weak after a simple rejection?โ She finally looked at me, and her eyes finally twinkled with excitement. โYou are right. You are the most powerful she-wolf Iโve ever known. I can't wait for that jerk Haydenโs reaction when he knows you are the Alpha of the second strongest pack,โ she giggled. โAlright. Iโm feeling better now. My fever has subsided, and my injuries have all healed. I want to be discharged and return to the Red Claw Pack to tell Hayden of my decision,โ I told her. โOkay. Stay here. Iโll get the paperwork done,โ she said and went out to help with my discharge paper. I smiled as I looked at her back. I was lucky to have a friend like Olivia. Once alone at the ward, I sighed again. โLexi, did you hear what Olivia said?โ I asked my wolf. โShould I really break the matebond with Hayden?โ โOf course, you should. He doesnโt deserve you, ever.โ Lexi growled. โBut you heard what Olivia said. The process might break you.โ It wasn't that I didn't want to break my matebond, but I was thinking about Lexi. โDon't worry about me, Charlotte. Even if I break, Iโll get back up in no time,โ Lexi assured me. โAre you sure?โ I asked her. I didn't want her to break because of me. โPositive. And don't think of not breaking up with Hayden,โ she growled again. โOkay then. Weโll go through the heartbreak together,โ I told her. โOf course, we will. Hayden and his silly weak wolf won't be able to break us,โ Lexi snorted arrogantly, which made me laugh, and my heart felt lighter. After some time, Olivia came back with a nurse. The nurse took off the needle in my hand, and I was ready to be discharged. โChar, do you need me to drive you to the Red Claw Pack?โ Olivia asked with concern. I rubbed her head and smiled. โNo. This is something that I must do alone.โ โOkay. Remember to contact me if they make it difficult for you,โ Olivia said. I laughed again. Olivia was too cute. She kept worrying about me. Though it was nice to be cared for, but I didn't need it this time. โRemember, I don't love Hayden anymore. And Iโm an Alpha. If they do something to me, Iโll fight back,โ I reminded her and winked. Finally, Olivia sighed with relief and smiled brightly. โYou are right. If they bully you, just show them your true self!โ We chatted as we went to the car park and parted ways. I got into a cheap black car I had bought to conceal my true wealth and showed Hayden that I didn't become his mate for his money, and drove to the Red Claw Pack. The moment I got off the car, I felt many eyes looking at me. I even heard them ridiculing me. โLook at her. How could she be so shameless to return to the pack?โ โShe really has no shame! Sheโs a murderer, yet she still has the nerve to appear here.โ โDoes she think sheโs still fit to be the Luna of the pack?โ โDo you think sheโs here to beg Hayden and apologize to Sofia? She really has thick skin!โ And there were many other degrading words pointed at me as I walked straight to Haydenโs study. I couldn't care less about what they were saying. My heart had been cold and devoid of any emotions ever since Hayden forced me to kneel and admit my โmistakesโ. Once I arrived at Haydenโs study, I didn't even bother to knock. I opened the door immediately and met Hayden and Noah's surprised looks. Hayden sneered and was about to say something, but I beat him to it. โIโll wait for you tomorrow night when the moon rise at the altar of the Moon Goddess to go through the ceremony of terminating our matebond. Don't forget to draft the divorce agreement. I don't need any compensation from you. I just want to end this mateship and marriage with you. I want to be free from you and the Red Claw Pack,โ I told him coldly and left without giving him a chance to talk back. | LEARN_MORE | https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=13764&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=13764&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/t39.35426-6/457252734_395376579933994_4164526208662214883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U5M_GewiR4kQ7kNvgF2h2Pf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxGWewPd4Bo7ejtx-asR2wG&oh=00_AYAZdbRWFOEQDmflGBRoHgaLDmoKZWwCgFWO4IY3OFUfgg&oe=673031D1 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Indulge in story | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reserve Your Seat Today | Want a chance to learn from some of the best YouTubers our there?๐คฏ Right now, you can reserve your seat in our upcoming webinar + gain FREE access to our YouTube Guide. This is your time to hear from ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉ๐จ and gain priority access to the TubeBuddy Accelerator.๐ ๐ง๐๐ผ-๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ: Join our TubeBuddy accelerator and get ready to learn from Creators who have taken channels to the next level and have amassed over 40M+ views. ๐ญ-๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ: Get a full year of our most powerful tools with the TubeBuddy Legend license. Unlock features designed to grow your channel, streamline your process, and maximize your impact. ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ : Learn directly from industry-leading creators whoโve mastered the game. Theyโre here to share the exact methods and insights that have driven their success. ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐: Walk away with training materials that work. These resources are designed to provide long-term value, guiding you step-by-step toward measurable results. | SIGN_UP | http://fb.me/ | TubeBuddy | https://www.facebook.com/TubeBuddy/ | 41,528 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sign up | 0 | fb.me | IMAGE | http://fb.me/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465285266_1133328501548891_82113451893513902_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HcH7CW9GplYQ7kNvgEl9sgE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AfMInz5PYZsTvOHbZ67BqNP&oh=00_AYCeT_odAMaM4XpdXAj6qFhE7UKfIF2IX23XBaW7jhZD6Q&oe=67301C73 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | TubeBuddy | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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๐๐ฅ Continuer la lecture โคโค | โAre you thinking about my brother again?โ New Alpha Jasperโs voice cut through the stillness of the room, dragging me from the edge of sleep. The sight of mate made my heart race, a mix of fear and longing. His tone was playful, but the tension in his posture betrayed his anger. His brother, Elias, was the rightful heir to the pack, he had been my boyfriend until his death. He was a kind-hearted soul without a wolf, and that made him easy prey for Jasper, who seized power after their fatherโs sudden demise. In addition to the alpha position, he took more than just power from Elias. Fate is a cruel mistress. After he kicked Elias out of the pack and cut ties with me, I found out that Jasper was my mate. Now, on the anniversary of that tragic day, the weight of my memories was almost too much to bear. Now, I canโt control myself. I had to speak out. I rolled over to face him, my heart sinking at the sight of his piercing green eyes, dark with suspicion. โWhat if I was? I do miss him.โ I asked flippantly. Jasperโs jaw tightened. His playful demeanor shifted instantly. He crossed the room in a few powerful strides and stood at the edge of my bed. His presence was overwhelming, and I felt a familiar, unwelcome heat rising within me. โIris,โ he growled. โYou should know better.โ โElias was better than you in every way,โ I snapped, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice. โEven without his wolf, he was more of a leader than you could ever be.โ Jasperโs eyes flashed with fury, and in an instant, his hand was around my neck, his knee forcing my legs apart. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my neck. โWatch your tongue, my dear mate. You are speaking to your Alpha. Your little lover is long gone, and donโt you ever forget that.โ My pulse quickened, a confusing blend of fear, anger, and want. โYou will always be a pathetic nobody,โ I spat. โWith or without him.โ Jasperโs face darkened with rage, but he controlled himself, a dangerous smile surfaced. โElias is gone,โ he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. Suddenly he crushed his mouth against mine, his kiss so powerful and insistent I tasted my own blood. Despite myself, my body responded. The bond between us was undeniable, a cruel joke played by the moon goddess. His movements set my skin aflame, and I hated myself for wanting him. This man had taken everything from me, and yet here I was, craving him, needing him. Suddenly, my back hit the bed, familiar breathing tickles my neck. My anger warred with the fire he ignited in me, and I couldnโt resist giving in to him. His hands cover me, possessive and demanding. I couldnโt stop the sounds that escaped. Jasper smiled when he heard it. โYou canโt deny what we are to each other,โ he whispered, his voice rough with need. โNo matter how much you want to hate me.โ โI do hate you,โ I managed to say, though the breathlessness in my voice betrayed me. He chuckled darkly. โHate me all you want, Iris,โ he said sensually. โIt wonโt change a thing.โ But I couldnโt escape the memories of Elias. He had such gentle hands, such kind eyes. He loved me softly without all the violence and domination that Jasper brought. Eliasโs hands had always moved over me with reverence, his fingers trailing lightly over my skin as if I were something precious. He adored me, and I worshiped him. His kisses had been tender, each one a silent vow of love and devotion. Jasper was different. He was possessive, demanding. He claimed me with rough, urgent hands that left bruises in their wake. His face crashed against mine with a hunger that bordered on violence, leaving no room for softness or tenderness. His teeth grazed my skin, leaving marks to show the world that I was his and his alone. I tried to hold on to the memories of Elias, to the way he had made me feel cherished and loved. I tried, but I failed. They slipped away with each brutal movement, every bruising kiss. Guilt twisted in my gut; a sharp, bitter ache that mingled with the physical pleasure Jasper gave me. Tears of anguish slipped down my cheeks, unnoticed by Jasper in his enjoyment. His hands gripped me tightly, his fingers digging passively into my flesh as he moved. The bed creaked under our combined weight, the sound a harsh counterpoint to the soft sounds that escaped me. Jasperโs eyes were dark with possessiveness, his face twisted in a mixture of triumph and desire as he watched me beneath him. โLook at you,โ he breathed, โyou canโt get enough, can you?โ I wanted to deny it, to scream that he was wrong, but the words caught in my throat. My body betrayed me, responding to his words even as my heart cried out for Elias. His movement became more frenzied, that left me gasping. โThatโs it,โ he growled. โYouโre mine, Iris. Donโt you ever forget that.โ His pace quickened, his breath growing ragged. My nails dug into his shoulders, leaving red marks in his skin as I clung desperately to him. The room seemed to spin, my world narrowing to the brutal, unrelenting rhythm of him against me. The pleasure washing over me in a wave that left me trembling. For a moment, we lay there, our bodies entwined, the only sound was our labored breathing. Jasperโs weight pressed down on me, grounding me in the present even as my mind drifted to the past. When he finally rolled off me, I turned away, curling into a ball. The dull throb matched the pain in my heart. Jasperโs hand brushed my hair back from my face, his touch surprisingly gentle. โIris,โ he said softly, but I didnโt respond. I couldnโt. The word lodged in my throat, a tangled knot of sorrow and longing. He didnโt finish his sentence, getting up from the bed and dressing quickly. I watched him silently. He walked to the door before turning around. โOh, by the way,โ he said casually, as if discussing the weather, โI plan on rejecting you on Friday. Just a heads up.โ The words hung in the air, sharp as a blade. Chapter 2 Future Jasperโs words stung, but I was used to his cruelty. His announcement shouldnโt have been a surprise. He loved to taunt me. And the only reason he hadnโt rejected me sooner was that I served as his useful prop, showcasing his supposed kindness and benevolence as the new Alpha. Rejecting me, his mate, wouldnโt have looked good as an new alpha to the pack, although I was the girlfriend of the former rightful heir. But now his reign was secure. And he could do whatever he wanted. I should have felt triumphant, knowing that soon I would be free from his oppressive grasp, but the reality was far more complicated. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind scolded itself for being so overwhelmed with emotions. I shouldnโt feel as shocked and betrayed as I did. I shouldnโt feel anything at all. He took my parents and Elias. I should hate him. I really shouldnโt have been surprised he had decided to reject me now. I should have known that was what he wanted. Behind the flirting and the occupying, he didnโt want me. There was someone else. And I knew that. As if summoned by my thoughts, Naomi burst into my room, her eyes blazing with jealousy and rage. I hurried to cover myself, using the blankets on the bed, but she was too angry to notice or care. She stood by my bed, towering over me as if trying to assert her dominance, but she only succeeded in looking like an angry cat. โHe was here again, wasnโt he?โ she demanded, her voice sharp. I sighed, too caught up in my emotions to give her any kind of reaction. โHe is the Alpha,โ I said, keeping my voice calm and even. โHe comes and goes as he pleases.โ Naomi did not like that answer. Her hand struck my face with a sharp crack, the force of it turning my head to the side. I felt the familiar sting and the burn of tears that I refused to shed. Naomi crossed her arms, her eyes alight with hatred. But still, I did not have the energy to react. โYou think you can win his heart with your body?โ She shouted, her voice echoing in my ears. โHe is mine. He will always be mine. You are a toy! He will be bored of you soon enough!โ She never forgave me for being Jasperโs mate. Even though it was nobodyโs fault. We used to be best friends, growing up together as the daughters of the pack Beta and Gamma. I met her eyes. Even after all this, I didnโt see her as anything but a hurt friend. I couldnโt bring myself to hate her in return. I missed her. She was fierce, but kind. We used to be sisters in all but blood. We had even dreamed of mending the rift between Jasper and Elias as their better halves. But everything changed after my 20th birthday when the bond between Jasper and me was revealed. I hadnโt meant to hurt her. Not after everything she did for me. She saved me from banishment after Jasper usurped the throne. Her father had helped Jasper, but my parents had died protecting Elias. She was there for me when I cried for them. But after my birthdayโฆ her kindness turned to cold hatred. The sisterhood we once shared was shattered. And I was alone. Still, I couldnโt hate her. I couldnโt even be angry. I could only take whatever abuse she lay down. I felt I owed her that much. The sound of approaching footsteps broke through my thoughts, and I looked up sharply. Jasper entered the room, his presence overwhelming. Naomi immediately threw herself to the floor, crying out as if I had attacked her. โShe pushed me for no reason!โ Naomi cried, the fake tears already dripping down her cheeks. Her voice was filled with fake innocence, and her eyes were wide and tearful. In an instant, Jasper was across the room. He picked Naomi up from the floor, cradling her in his arms. His expression hardened as he checked her for injuries, and he turned to look at me with cold disdain. He could have shouted at me. He could have yelled or scolded me for the supposed offense. But he didnโt. He knew that wouldnโt hurt me. So he did something much worse. โThere is something I forgot to tell you about the rejection,โ he said, his voice low and icy. โNaomiโs coronation as Luna will be the same day. You will serve as her omega maid in the coronation after the rejection.โ He looked down at Naomi with a sickeningly loving gaze, brushing a wisp of hair from her face. โThen you can punish her whenever you want, my dear,โ he whispered loud enough for me to hear. He kissed her softly. It looked so different from how he kissed me. It looked so loving. He knew what he was doing. He knew the pain I was going to experience. I couldnโt even process it. All I could think about was how much he looked like Elias. The love in Jasperโs eyes as he looked at Naomi shook me. He looked so much like the gentle and passionate Elias. I thought about how Elias had looked at me the same way. Jasper had taken that from me. Naomiโs eyes gleamed with triumph as she nestled into Jasperโs arms. He walked out without another word or glance in my direction, but Naomi peered over his shoulder at me with an ominous expression. I let myself fall into the bed, trembling. Only when the door was closed did I allow myself to fall apart. Jasper had officially taken everything from me. My parents were gone. My love was gone by his hand. My future was in ruins. My innocence was destroyed. And now, I was to be reduced to a servant, humiliated in front of the pack I once belonged to. I would be no better than a slave on a leash. The rejection would strip away the last remnants of my connection to Elias, severing the bond that had been my only solace. And the thought of serving Naomi, being at her spiteful mercy, was almost too much to bear. But I would bear it. I would endure. I had to. I had no choice. Chapter 3 Mates The next day, the sun was beginning to rise as I stood in Naomiโs lavishly decorated room. Golden rays filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow on the ornate furniture and the array of dresses sprawled across the bed. I was helping Naomi with the dress she was going to wear in her coronation ceremony. The fabric was soft and luxurious, a deep shade of emerald that complemented her striking features. As Naomi slipped into the dress, she admired her figure in the mirror, her eyes gleaming with pride and anticipation. She turned to get a better look, her smile widening. While she admired herself, my mind couldnโt help but slip to the past. Memories of our childhood together, of the times we were inseparable, flooded my thoughts. The mischievous adventures, the laughter, and the bond we once shared felt like a lifetime ago. โHey! Where is your head at? Your Luna needs some help here!โ Naomiโs voice snapped me back to the present. She looked at me petulantly, her arms crossed, the smile replaced by a slight frown. โSorry,โ I mumbled, stepping forward to help her with the intricate details of her dress. As I adjusted the delicate lace around her shoulders and fastened the tiny buttons, I could feel the old closeness resurfacing. Despite everything, the connection we had was undeniable. While helping with her crown, I canโt help feeling close to her again. The crown was heavy, encrusted with jewels that sparkled in the morning light. It symbolized power, authority, and a future that Naomi was eagerly stepping into. I placed it gently on her head, making sure it was perfectly aligned. โDo you remember when we were kids?โ I asked softly, hoping to reach some part of the Naomi I once knew. She glanced at me; her face expressionless. โI do,โ she replied. โWe were quite the troublemakers.โ I nodded, encouraged by her words. โWe had fun back then,โ I said. โEverything was simpler.โ Naomiโs face hardened and she snapped, โThose days are gone, Iris. Iโve grown up. I had to.โ โI know,โ I whispered. Then, feeling brave, I added, โBut I miss the girl you used to be. That girl laughed and cared about others.โ Naomi whirled around to face me fully, her eyes cold and unyielding. โThat girl was weak. She didnโt understand what it takes to lead, to survive.โ โIs that why you hate me?โ I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it. Naomiโs eyes flashed with anger. โHate you? You took everything from me, Iris. Jasper was supposed to be mine, and you stole him.โ I shook my head, tears welling up. โI didnโt steal him. I wasnโt something I had control over. You know that.โ โControl?โ Naomi spat. โThatโs what it is all about. And now, I have it. I have the power to make my own choices. And as for you, Iris, donโt think for a second that Iโve forgotten what you did. I will enjoy watching you suffer. Consider it payback for all those years I lived in your shadow.โ The venom in her words struck me like a blow. I had known Naomi was angry, bitter even, but this level of hatred was beyond what I had imagined. I looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of the friend I once knew, but all I saw was a stranger. โI donโt want to do this,โ I said weakly. โI just want my friend back.โ She laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. โYour friend?โ She asked, as if the words were strange to her. โThat girl is gone, Iris. And what you see now is what I have become, what I had to become. You can either accept it or suffer the consequences.โ I couldnโt leave it there. I had to ask one last question. โYou never told me, who is your mate?โ Naomiโs eyes flickered with an emotion I couldnโt quite place. She was a few months younger than me, so when she got her wolf, I was already Jasperโs mate. โHe is gone,โ Naomi said. She looked at me in the mirror with a dangerous smirk. I blinked, trying to process her words. โGone?โ I asked. โWhat do you mean?โ โI asked Jasper to get rid of him as soon as I found out who he was,โ she said nonchalantly, examining her nails. โHe is not my mate. He is only an obstacle standing between me and my true happiness.โ I was shocked. The weight of her words settled heavily on me. โNaomi, how could you?โ I asked, shaking my head in disbelief. She shrugged, her eyes cold and detached. โHe was nothing to me,โ she explained, โJust a name, a face. My destiny is far greater than being tied to someone who would hold me back.โ I couldnโt handle it anymore. A wave of nausea hit me, and I started to dry-heave. The room spun around me, and I grasped the edge of the vanity to steady myself. Naomiโs face turned white and then red with anger as I covered my mouth, gagging up spit. She stepped closer, her voice low and threatening. โDonโt play any games, Iris. You know even if you are bearing Jasperโs child, it wonโt change a thing. Besides, I wonโt let it happen. Chapter 4 The Rejection Today is the coronation day of Naomi, and I was waiting in my room for Jasper to come and reject me. My heart pounded and it was getting harder and harder to breath. I paced back and forth, unable to stand still. My bedroom, usually a place of comfort, felt like a prison today. I could hear the sounds of bustling activity, preparations for Naomiโs big day underway. The grandeur of the occasion was lost on me, overshadowed by the impending rejection. โIt is for the best,โ I said to my wolf, Molly. โMy life will be more livable after the rejection,โ I said, trying to convince myself of the truth of my words. โNaomiโs resentment is only misguided. I can try and get her to trust me again after. At least I would have her back. And if I am to work as her servant, making amends would make my life easier in that regard.โ My wolf whimpered, her sadness mirroring my own. โI know, Molly,โ I said, sitting on the edge of my bed. โItโs justโฆ this bond with Jasper has become too heavy a burden to bear. Maybeโฆ maybe it is better this way.โ Just then, the door creaked open, and Jasper walked into the room. Jasper was dressed impeccably, his black suit highlighting his strong, commanding presence. His eyes, however, were void of the warmth they once held for me. They were cold, detached, a stark reminder of the gulf that had grown between us. โLetโs just get it over with,โ he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. The words cut through me. After all of this, I wasnโt even worth a few minutes of his time. I was just something to cross off his checklist. Even though I was in pain, I forced myself to remain stoic. โSure,โ I answered, matching his tone. My voice was flat, empty, reflecting the hollowness I felt inside. But then, something in Jasperโs expression changed. His eyes softened, and a hint of a smirk played at the corners of his mouth. โYou know, if you beg nicely, I can put you in a cute little houseโฆโ The suggestion was both insulting and infuriating. I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. โNo need,โ I said quickly. โI am fine being Naomiโs maid.โ His smirk disappeared, replaced by a look of irritation. โYou despite me, donโt you?โ he said, pulling off his perfectly knotted tie with a sharp, frustrated movement. I didnโt answer, my silence speaking volumes. The truth was, I didnโt despite him. Even now, I still couldnโt. I despised the situation, and the circumstances that had led us here. But before I could speak, he closed the distance between us, his hands gripping my hands firmly. His grip was firm, almost bruising, as he pulled my hands over my head. The intensity in his eyes both terrifying and magnetic. His forceful and demanding kiss left no room for hesitation. The kiss was the culmination of our pent-up anger and frustration, a desperate attempt to reclaim something that had long been lost. His hands swimming, and I responded by tangling my hands in his hair, pulling him closer. His suit jacket was the first to go, hitting the floor with a soft thud. My hands moved to the buttons of his shirt, fumbling in my haste. One by one, they gave way, revealing him slowly. His eyes darkened with desire as he took in the sight of me. For a brief moment, the anger seemed to melt away, replaced by a raw, unfiltered hunger. He traveled lower, kissing, and I shivered in anticipation. I was completely vulnerable now at his mercy. But I wanted this, I needed it more than I could express. The sensations were overwhelming. โJasper,โ I gasp, tugging at his hair. He pulled back, his eyes meeting mine with a predatory gleam. We moved in perfect sync, a dance of passion and desperation. I felt the pressure building, a tight coil in me ready to snap. Jasperโs movements became erratic, his breath coming in harsh pants. The wave crashed over me, leaving me breathless and trembling. Jasper collapsed beside me as he caught his breath. I lay there, staring at the ceiling. For a brief moment, everything else faded away. I thought of Elias. Here, about to be rejected, desperately needing Jasperโฆ I thought of Elias. Jasper shot out of the bed without warning, looking at me with anger and maybe a little hurt in his eyes. โIโm glad that I am going to be done with you and this stupid betrayal pain,โ he spat, his voice laced with bitterness. The realization hit me. Now I knew why he never failed to show up at the worst of times. โDonโt.โ He cuts me off when I try to say something. He stopped me from saying anything further, his hands raised in a silent plea. The rejection ceremony began, the ancient words of separation flowing out of him. I spoke in a shaky voice but said them as well. The breaking of the mate bond was excruciating. It felt like a part of my soul was being ripped away. The pain was so intense, so overwhelming, that I passed out. As consciousness slipped away, I felt a warm liquid on my legs. Panic surged through me, but I was too weak to move. My last thought before darkness claimed me was a single, horrifying realization. It was blood. I have just begun to feel a subtle vitality in my body few days ago. Now this vitality has turned into deathly silence. Could it be... Chapter 5 The Coronation I woke up to someone rocking me violently. The world around me was a blur, and my head throbbed with pain. โWake up! The coronation is about to start! Naomi is waiting for you!โ The voice was urgent, insistent, pulling me out of the darkness. My vision slowly cleared, and I recognized one of Naomiโs attendants, her face pinched with annoyance. When she left, I struggled to sit up, aching from the aftermath of the rejection. I glanced down and found blood on my legs, a stark reminder of what happened. My heart ached, not just from the physical pain but from the realization of what I had lost. My wolf, Molly, was quieter than usual, her sadness mirroring my own. โWe could have had a lovely little puppy.โ I heard her painful whispering. The bond with Jasper, once a source of strength and joy, had been brutally severed, leaving us both wounded. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I forced myself to freshen up, washing away the traces of blood and tears. The reflection in the mirror showed a pale, haunted face, but there was no time to dwell on it. Naomi needed me. Despite everything, I still had to fulfill my duties. I dressed quickly and made my way to Naomiโs room. Naomi looked at me with worry as I entered the room, her eyes briefly softening. But then she quickly masked it with condescending pity. โWell, well, well. I guess you took the rejection pretty hard there I see,โ she said, her voice dripping with false concern. I didnโt say anything, my silence a shield against her taunts. The pain was too fresh, too raw to respond. The coronation of the new Lune in our pack was a monumental event, attracting every powerful Alpha on the continent along with their Lunas. The grand hall was filled with people, the air buzzing with anticipation. Even the recently reappeared Lycan King had answered the invitation, his presence adding to the gravity of the occasion. The invitation had suggested that the new Luna was going to be me, the new Alphaโs mate and the daughter of the old Beta. So people were shocked when Jasper got up to make his announcement. He radiated authority, the perfect image of an Alpha ready to lead. His dark eyes scanned the room, momentarily resting on me, and I felt a pang of loss. The crowd fell silent as the air filled with expectation. โThe Great Pack,โ Jasper began, addressing them as one. โThank you for coming to this occasion. Today, we mark the beginning of a new era.โ He paused, allowing his words to sink in. There was a murmur of excitement from the crowd, their eyes fixed on him. Jasper had always been a compelling speaker, able to command attention with ease. โAs you all know,โ he continued, โthe position of Luna is one of great importance. It is a role that requires not only strength and wisdom but also the unwavering support of the Alpha.โ He took a breath, his gaze hardening as he said, โBut before I name my new luna, I must inform you that I have rejected my mate.โ Gasps and murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. My heart pounded, each word a dagger twisting deeper. I stood there, frozen, as Jasperโs declaration shattered the expectations of everyone present. โThis new Luna will be my true love, Naomi,โ Jasper announced, his voice resolute. He gestured towards Naomi, who stood beside him with a victorious smile. โShe is the daughter of a loyal supporter, someone who has stood by me and our pack through thick and thin. Her dedication and commitment are beyond question.โ Naomi stepped forward, her face glowing with pride and satisfaction. She basked in the attention as the guests looked on, their expressions ranging from surprise to confusion to pity. โI assure you,โ Jasper continued. โThis decision was made with the best interests of the pack in mind. Naomi and I will lead this pack with strength, wisdom, and a commitment to our shared future.โ The crowd remained silent, absorbing the news. I stared at the ground, standing silently beside the beaming Naomi, accepting the pitying glances of those around me. My heart was heavy, but I kept my head down, determined not to let them see my pain. Naomi beamed, basking in her newfound status. I remained silent as my emotions churned. Just then, Molly alerted me excitedly that my mate was in the crowd. My heart skipped a beat, fear gripping me at the thought that the rejection between me and Jasper hadnโt worked. But Molly reassured me otherwise, her excitement infectious. I scanned the crowd, my eyes searching for the source of Mollyโs enthusiasm. And then, my eyes locked with a man I thought I would never see again. Elias. | LEARN_MORE | https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12040&u | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61560831098071/ | 21 | 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=12040&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/t39.35426-6/448653827_795098069497837_1012817998787489267_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a7jv0AN1rOIQ7kNvgHcQtI0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtU8ZUwxUqzKQPkqqDSzTRp&oh=00_AYCoVQtzaViYIqOl-mnwp8111CINUOamGYmWpZoRPRTvMQ&oe=673029AD | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-11-05 10:51 | active | 1711 | 0 | 4 interest-free payments | Shine bright with our beautiful jewelry! ๐ โ Any order 10% off and more promotions enjoy now. Learn more:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo โ๏ธAfter Pay & Free shipping๐ | SHOP_NOW | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook. | Italo Jeweler | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 19,984 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop now | 0 | www.italojewelry.com | VIDEO | โ 60-Day Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458312663_819962206972908_4287966659690078860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=H5_7HMWL3c4Q7kNvgH-Wc8_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AprYBTLlocmktuLUfM9fSNJ&oh=00_AYA0YhVWyH79udYUyXppfUk1bZXi0K1efCsGeKNnStHfTg&oe=673004EB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Italo Jeweler | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Read next chapter๐ | 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, Mitchelโs 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 itโs 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 Raeganโs 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/ | 49,474 | 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=120216695443890091 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465238073_3933606170291763_6389445017124578070_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uch9887JpCwQ7kNvgExQPNt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AD2CfCOzO7WQW-3FgRly_EZ&oh=00_AYBSmTNMiTfEtRrfDDDtdmCpoO_XeFKNJn7rGiO5BuXKMw&oe=6730054C | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hello reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A ๐ Boudoir Special Offer this Holiday Season! | ๐ UNWRAP THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY TREAT! ๐ Win a FREE $800 Holiday Boudoir Session! โข Waived session fee ($399 value) โข Pro hair & makeup โข Expert posing for every body type โข Magazine-quality retouching โข Extra sets, stilettos, and accessories โข $100 credit toward gorgeous artwork Reserve your spot with just a $99 deposit (refundable as product credit)! Ready to unwrap your inner confidence? Apply now! | APPLY_NOW | https://empoweringportraits.com/holiday-boudoir/ | Empowering Portraits | https://www.facebook.com/empoweringportraitstudio/ | 654 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Apply Now | 0 | empoweringportraits.com | DCO | ๐ WIN a $800+ Luxury Boudoir Experience! ๐ Weโre selecting 15 women for a one-of-a-kind, luxury boudoir session! Embrace your beauty, your story, and who you are with an empowering portrait experience. | https://empoweringportraits.com/holiday-boudoir/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465272658_6954377764686301_2904345006218730642_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SlikNjsrefIQ7kNvgGFBD2s&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A9hd6WXXJzzVYg-U8pIkjtO&oh=00_AYCqSr-XLnvk730jqxl4u8B-ev_UyxOzSPB0uMITj8Z3tQ&oe=673026E8 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Empowering Portraits | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-11-05 10:19 | active | 1709 | 0 | Itโs sweet ๐๐ธ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ป and we are celebrating by giving one lucky mama a FREE 4D Live Session! ๐๐ฃ โ โ Watch Me Grow Session ๐งธ (Includes a gender reveal, video and Free Heartbeat Pal ) (Value $139.00) โ Winner will be announced: ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐, ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ด๐๐ต ๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ๐ผ๐ป โ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒโ๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ : โก๏ธ๐ญ. ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ @๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐๐น๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ โก๏ธ๐ฎ. ๐ง๐ฎ๐ด ๐ฎ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ + ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ โก๏ธ๐ฏ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ด ๐๐! โ โ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐!โค๏ธ โ Rules: Winner must complete all requests to qualify. Winner will be contacted Friday morning and must respond to PM within 2-3 hours in order to qualify for the giveaway, no exceptions. โ โ โ #houstonmoms #genderreveal #houstonbaby #houstontexas #pregnancystages #preganancyphoto #houstonultrasound #houstongiveaway #houstonmaternity #pregnant #houstonpregnancy | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | http://instagram.com/affordable4dultrasound | Affordable 4D Ultrasound | https://www.facebook.com/100046226302067/ | 6,697 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visit Instagram profile | 0 | instagram.com | VIDEO | http://instagram.com/affordable4dultrasound | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465800365_1356223112021604_7204048279562338910_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YAk57uJ6WzEQ7kNvgG43a8E&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Abbf5py7_lcfkZkF3oBubzP&oh=00_AYBk6uLpzyZH0180svwpFBCXmL7PqnjZmCTEs7XNWy5htQ&oe=67301A92 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Affordable 4D Ultrasound | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete |
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