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2,593,857	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2593861}'	No	2024-12-05 20:39	active	1964	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	February in Sureton City was wet. It had been drizzling throughout the day, leaving the roads damp. The cold wind brought with it the rain, making Freya Somner shiver. She held an umbrella and curled up while crouching before the entrance to the city hall. It was already 5:00 pm. Would that person come? She was worried as she thought about her grandfather, Neil Somner, who lay sick in bed. Had he finished his IV drip? Would he need to use the restroom? Had Thomas Talbot already gone home? She looked up and scanned the empty streets. The city hall would close for the day at 5:30 pm. She would just grit her teeth and wait for another half an hour, then. If that person didn't show up, she could blame him and tell Neil and Thomas that he'd stood her up. It wasn't because she didn't want to marry him or anything. Neil was sick. As a traditional medicine practitioner, he knew his time was running out. Freya was his only concern—she would be alone in the world once he passed. He'd contacted Thomas, whom he'd saved many years ago. Thomas had promised Neil that he would do everything in his power to help if Neil ever needed it. All Neil had to do was make the call. Years had passed since then, but the call had miraculously gone through. Thomas had shown up the very next day. Neil had explained the situation to him and asked Thomas to help care for Freya in the future. Thomas had generously said, "It's only natural for me to care for her. How about this—I have many grandsons, so I'll have one of them marry Fae as a way of repaying you. That way, she won't be alone." Neil had agreed, leaving Freya with no room to object. She didn't want to marry—she could take care of herself and was fine alone. She was currently staying at the dormitory her university had prepared for graduate students. She even had 2,300 a month as financial aid. Eating at the hospital's and university's cafeterias was cheap—she only needed to spend 15 a day on food. However, Neil had insisted. He felt that it was hard to predict the future, and he would only be able to rest in peace once he saw that marriage certificate. That way, he'd be able to face Freya's parents in the afterlife with no regrets. Freya's parents had died after falling off a cliff. They'd been searching for a herbal catalyst to save Thomas back in the day. It had rained that day, just as it had on this day. Freya had seen her parents' corpses entwined with one another, their hands still clutching the herbal catalyst. After her parents passed away, she and Neil depended on each other for survival. It was on that day that she'd suddenly grown up. She'd studied hard and skipped grades, sitting for her SATs at 17 years old. Then, she'd gotten into Sureton University's medical faculty, joining the seven-year integrated bachelor's and master's program. She only had two years to go before she could graduate and officially start working. Things were starting to look good. Then, Neil had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. It was taking his life away. The screeching of brakes pulled Freya out of her reverie. She looked up at the offroad vehicle before her. It was painted a military green and covered in mud, and the tires were soiled. It was clear the car had ventured through the mountains. The door opened, blocking the man's face from her view. Still, she'd gotten a glimpse of his chiseled features. His bushy brows, tall nose, and deep-set eyes formed a handsome, honest face. With the door open, all Freya could see was the army pants enveloping his long legs and the leather boots he wore. It was a cold day, yet he only wore an olive green T-shirt. He stepped away from the car. Before Freya could take a closer look at his face, he approached her, stopping before her so his boots were level with her eyes. "Are you Freya Somner?" he asked, his voice deep and somewhat daunting. "Yeah." "Let's get married, then." He turned and headed into the city hall. Chapter 2 Freya wanted to stand up, but she'd been crouching for so long that her legs had gone numb. "What's wrong?" the man asked. "My legs have gone numb." She was lifted off her feet as soon as the words were out of her mouth. An unfamiliar scent enveloped her, and she felt her face burn. The man placed her on the seat before the counter. "Get your identification." She kept her head lowered as she obediently placed the things on the counter. "Daniel Talbot," the staff said. "That's me," the man said. "Freya Somner." "Here," Freya said. She looked up at the staff. The staff looked at the identification she held, then at Freya. The latter's eyes were spirited but also carried a hint of naivety. Freya was only 22, but Daniel was already 28. He'd even carried her in. That made the staff suspect whether Freya had been forced into this. She asked, "Are you here to get married at your own will?" "Yes, I am," Freya said. "Alright, then. Fill up these forms, please." At 5:30 pm, Freya and Daniel walked out of the city hall. Freya looked down at her marriage certificate. She'd gone from being single to married once the staff stamped the certificate. She'd married a man she'd met for the first time without even dating him. The whole thing had only taken a matter of minutes. Daniel stopped and looked at her. "Where are you headed now?" She had kept her head down and hadn't been paying attention to the distance between them. She walked right into his chest. Pain spread through her, starting from her nose. Tears welled in Freya's eyes. How could his chest be as hard as a wall? She clamped a hand over her nose and looked at him tearily. "I'm going back to the hospital." He was so tall that her eyes were only level with his chest. It was incredibly muscular and looked just like the diagrams she'd seen in her medical texts. "Get in the car," he said. Freya struggled to open the door. She tugged it with all her strength, but it didn't budge. Daniel saw her from the driver's seat. He waved at her, gesturing for her to back up. Then, he opened the door from inside. "Which hospital are you going to?" he asked. "The county tumor hospital, the one at Percat Street. Thanks." Freya obediently settled in her seat. "Your seatbelt," he said. She put it on, and he started the car. She noticed that his hands and arms were tanned, with protruding veins. He oozed strength and power. Suddenly, Freya's stomach rumbled. The sound was magnified in the silent car. She instinctively held her stomach, her face turning beet red. What was wrong with her? Why did she keep embarrassing herself? Was there something about her that made her incompatible with Daniel? Her stomach continued to rumble for a while. Finally, the car stopped. Freya thought they'd arrived at the hospital and moved to open the door. Then, she looked out and said, "We're not at the hospital." Daniel had already gotten out of the car, though. He headed to a fruit store without looking back at her. Soon, he returned with a bag full of fruits. "I don't know what your grandfather likes, so I bought a little of everything." "He can't eat anything. Doctor's orders." Daniel looked at her, perhaps because she sounded too calm. Only then did Freya notice how deep-set his eyes were. There was a hint of dominance in them. "You have them, then." He placed the bag on her lap. "Have some to tide the hunger. I'm in a rush." Freya wondered whether he was showing his concern for her. A wave of warmth surged in her as she peeled a banana. It was sweet. … The nurse had just removed Neil's IV drip when Freya and Daniel arrived at the ward. Thomas took the marriage certificates from Daniel and Freya and held them before Neil. He said happily, "Look at this, Neil. They're official marriage certificates with the stamps and all. They're genuine!" Neil smiled and nodded weakly. "That's great. I won't have anything to worry about anymore." "Come closer so Neil can see you, Dan," Thomas said. Daniel stepped forward. "Hi, Grandpa." Neil's smile widened. "Hi…" He held Daniel's hand and said, "I'll leave Freya in your hands from now on. She's a softie but is stubborn on the inside. I hope you'll be more tolerant of her and take the time to explain your thoughts to her if you two ever get into an argument." Tears streamed down Freya's face when she heard this. Daniel said, "I will, Grandpa." "Don't worry, Neil. We won't mistreat Freya. Daniel has property and a car—I'll have him show Freya around his place right now. She can move in when she's free," Thomas said. Freya forgot about crying and stared at Thomas in shock when she heard that. Didn't she and Daniel only have to get married? Why did they even have to live together? "Go on, then. It's still light out, so you can see what the place is like," Neil said. Daniel and Freya headed to his place under Thomas' urging. Chapter 3 Daniel's apartment was in Sureton City's central commercial area. It was an expensive area with good infrastructure—the medical and education systems were well-established. The residential area was right next to Sureton City's largest park. Freya looked at the minimalist, almost stark apartment. The marble coffee table was covered in a layer of dust. "This is your home?" "Yeah." Daniel also saw the dust. "I don't usually stay here." That didn't make sense at all. Why would anyone not live in their own home? Freya couldn't understand it. "There's a card here that you can use to pay for the utilities." He opened a drawer in the TV cabinet to show her. "If anything needs fixing, you can speak to the management office. "I'll have someone clean up the place later. There are two rooms, so you can pick whichever one you want. Feel free to use the study as well…" Freya observed the place. It was well renovated but showed no signs of being lived in. There weren't even any plates or utensils around. "What am I to you?" she suddenly asked. "My wife." "But I feel like your mistress," she said boldly. She didn't know whether Daniel had a girlfriend or anything—perhaps he'd only married her due to Thomas' pressure. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made her wait a whole afternoon for him, only arriving right before the city hall closed for the day. "What are you getting at?" Daniel asked. "I'm fine with getting a divorce if you already have a partner—our grandfathers have seen the marriage certificates, anyway. I don't want to inadvertently end up as a homewrecker." She respected the elderly but wouldn't do anything immoral just to comply with Neil's and Thomas' wishes. Daniel understood now. "I'm single. I usually stay at the military camp in the mountains." Freya recalled his offroad vehicle and the mud on it. That, coupled with his outfit, made her realize just who he was. "I'm sorry for misunderstanding you." "It's fine. I'll take you back to the hospital now—you can move in here whenever it's convenient for you." "What about you?" she blurted. Then, she disdained herself for asking. What did his matters have to do with her? "I need to head back after this. There's an urgent mission I need to handle." That was the last thing Daniel said to her. … Shortly after Daniel left, Neil's condition took a turn for the worse, and a new semester started. Freya bustled back and forth between the university and the hospital daily. On days when Neil felt better, he could even hold Freya's hand and reminisce with her. Neither of them mentioned that rainy night, though. He kept telling her that life was long and that she had to live well independently. However, he also told her she couldn't expect to do everything herself. She had to give in occasionally. Daniel looked like a good man, and they had to communicate with each other. They had to understand each other… Neil said many things. Freya wanted to object to everything and tell him that none of that mattered. She wanted him to know that she only wanted to spend her life with him in a small town called Floriver Town. She wanted to read medical texts and pick herbs with him. However, as a doctor, she was rational enough to know there was no chance of them ever returning to that life. The reports and data she saw every day were enough to tell her that Neil's condition was deteriorating. She cried almost daily throughout that month but hid it well. Neil never noticed. One day, white clouds floated in the blue sky. Freya drew the curtains, allowing the sunlight to stream into the room. Neil was in good spirits. "The weather is so nice today, Fae. Maybe you should take me off my oxygen tube now." He sounded calm, but Freya faltered while clipping his nails. She acted like she hadn't heard him and moved on to the next finger. "I can't take it anymore, Fae. I'm on drug every day, but it still hurts so bad. I'm begging you, okay?" His plea made Freya's nose prickle. Tears rolled down her face and landed on the floor, fading within seconds. Neil was a proud and strong man who'd never begged anyone in his life. Now… It looked like she really had to let him go. She slowly shut her eyes, sounding choked up as she said, "Okay. I'll get a doctor after I'm done clipping your nails." "The weather is so nice today that I feel so much more relaxed," Neil said. He lifted a hand with difficulty to caress her head one last time. It reminded her of how he'd praised her whenever she could memorize the things she'd read in the medical texts. After Freya signed the necessary documents, the doctor removed Neil's oxygen tube. She stood by his bedside and held his hand until his body became devoid of warmth. Thomas helped her with Neil's funeral, after which he urged her to move into Daniel's apartment. Chapter 4 Two years passed in the blink of an eye. "There's no time to eat, Dr. Somner. We're being dispatched for a house call." Freya was in a hospital's emergency room. When she heard the nurse, Jade Winton, call her, she put a folder over her unfinished instant mac and cheese and left the doctor's lounge. "Where's Dr. Wood?" she asked while wearing a mask. She hurried to catch up with Jade. "He's accompanying Lena for a prenatal check. I've called him, and he's on his way." Jade grabbed a first-aid kit and an extra bag of gauze and bandages. She handed them to Freya. "What's the situation? Why do we need so many bandages and gauze?" "A luxury jewelry store was robbed. The store's staff called the police, but the robbers discovered them and took ten staff hostage. We're being dispatched to provide medical assistance," Jade said. She told Freya everything she knew, then added, "Don't be rash later. Leave everything to Dr. Wood." "Got it. Thanks, Jade." Freya's mentor, Jason Wood, arrived at the same time as Freya and Jade. He was a tall, skinny man whose hairline was receding. He'd come from a prenatal check with his wife, Lena Johnson, and had already changed into his uniform. It made him look particularly spirited. "What's the situation?" he asked as he got into the car. "A jewelry store's been robbed. The robbers are armed," Jade said. Silence descended upon the car. They didn't know what they were facing but had to go at it regardless. Medicine knew no borders, and all lives were equal in worth. They had to save lives as long as they were at risk. When Freya and the others arrived, the police had already secured the scene. A crowd consisting of spectators and staff from various media outlets gathered behind the police line, surrounding the place and making it hard for anyone to get through. Police cars and vehicles belonging to a SWAT team were parked outside the jewelry store. There were also three buses with the windows tinted black. Freya followed Jason out of the car. A man who looked like an administrator hurried over to them, looking anxious. "The robbers need a doctor in there to save their comrade. Which one of you two will go in?" Freya looked at the jewelry store. It had three floors and was a corner lot with an expansive view. A mall was behind it, which meant it probably had more than one exit. "I'll go," Jason said, dragging Freya out of her reverie. She gave him a disagreeable look. "No way. I'll go, Dr. Wood. You have parents and children to care for, and Lena's conceived with your second child. You can't go in there." "You can't, either. You're inexperienced." Jason's attitude was firm. "The situation is complicated. I'm the only one who can head in there." Freya didn't argue with him. She turned to the administrator and volunteered. "I'll go, sir. I've passed the medical board exam and can practice independently. I don't have any dependents or relatives to care for." He looked at her. She was young and so nervous that she clenched her fists, but her expression was calm. She was bold, but her courage needed some training. "You can go, then. We don't know the situation inside, so we can only act when the Falcon Strike Unit arrives. All you need to do when you get in there is to save whoever is injured. Drag things out for as long as possible while ensuring your safety and wait for help." "Understood, sir." Freya wore her medical cap and gave herself a mental pep talk. "Freya…" Jason started. "I have to gain experience since I don't have it, Dr. Wood. You have to give me a chance," she said. That was what medicine was like. One had to be bold and careful while constantly defeating one's old self. That way, one would only become a better version of oneself. Jason knew what Freya was like. She'd met various people when treating patients. When some of them criticized or insulted her, she wouldn't take it lying down. Her retorts left much to be desired, though. For instance, if a patient said she was incapable and that a doctor online had told them this and that, she would say, "I'll leave, then. You can ask your online doctor to treat you." Once, someone had shouted at her, saying she was useless. She'd clapped back, calling that person the useless one. "Do you guys have a bulletproof vest or something? Give one to her." Jason knew nothing he said would change Freya's mind. The administrator gave one of his subordinates a look. A member of the SWAT team brought a bulletproof vest over. Freya took her doctor's coat off and put the bulletproof vest on over her T-shirt. Then, she put her uniform on. Chapter 5 Jade handed Freya the first-aid kit before hanging the stethoscope from her neck. "You're just going to ignore everything I told you before we came here, aren't you? You're bound to get into trouble if you continue like this." "No one is more suitable than me, Jade," Freya said calmly. "It's not like the military region's general hospital lacks doctors. If you turn them down, they'll arrange for someone else to come." "But it's too far away. They'll take at least 30 minutes to arrive. That doesn't conform to the principles of pre-hospitalization emergency care." Jade was one of the emergency room's most experienced nurses, so she knew Freya was right. It was the only thing they could do under the circumstances. The administrator held a loudspeaker and shouted toward the store, "The doctor is coming. Open the door." A hoarse voice rang out as soon as the words were out of his mouth. "Put the first-aid kit on the ground and turn in a circle. Then, take everything out of the first-aid kit and lay them on the ground." Freya did as told. She'd just placed the final tool on the ground when the hoarse voice rang out again. "Put the things back in and come inside." Freya packed everything back. She was about to enter the store when she felt a cool breeze. Curious, she looked in the direction it had come. A helicopter was hovering in midair in one of the jewelry store's blind spots. A tall figure in camouflage slid down the rope and made a smooth landing. It happened in seconds. Freya stared at the man, finding his figure incredibly familiar. He wore a black mask, and his sharp eyes flitted past her. Then, he hid behind the wall. Another team member landed behind him. "Come in," the hoarse voice urged loudly. He sounded impatient. Freya knew she had to enter the store since these people had yet to infiltrate it. Once she understood that, she didn't hesitate to head inside. As soon as she pushed open the door, she smelled the metallic scent of blood. Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the neck and roughly dragged her inside. Then, he flung her onto the floor and commanded, "Save him." She looked at the man on the floor. His mask, shaped like a pig's head, had been thrown aside. He looked ashen while struggling to breathe and had cyanosis of the nail bed. These were all signs of a lack of oxygen. Freya checked him and concluded that he was having an asthma attack. His throat had swelled up, leading to breathing difficulties. She searched his bag while muttering, "Where's the inhaler?" Asthma patients would bring their inhalers when they were out, but she didn't find one in his bag. "What are you looking for?" a man in a mask shaped like a dog's head asked. "His inhaler," she said. "He doesn't have one. Do a cricothyrotomy on him right now." Freya was taken aback. "How are you related to him? You know how to save him?" Suddenly, he pressed a gun to her forehead. "Shut up if you don't want to die. Just do as I say!" The iciness of the metal made Freya's heart clench. Her mind went blank for a second, and she couldn't think. "Hurry up!" He kicked her shoulder. The pain made her snap to her senses. She forced herself to calm down and took a deep breath before commencing anatomical positioning and sterilization. Then, she inserted a thick injection needle into the cricothyroid membrane. The process didn't take long, and the man gradually started looking better. Suddenly, a black thing landed not far from Freya. Before she realized what it was, a few more followed. The inside of the store was quickly filled with smoke, and people started yelling. The alarm went off. Freya wanted to take advantage of the chaos to hide, but a hand wrapped around her neck. A gun was pressed to her forehead, and someone snarled, "You're coming with me." Chapter 6 The man dragged Freya to a secluded corner to hide. The cold feeling against her temple made her compliant. Her palms grew sweaty as she stood there, and she could hear her heart racing. No matter how nervous or scared she was, she could only place her faith in the Falcon Strike Unit and tightly hold the needle in her hand. A few minutes later, red lights flashed at them. The man dragged Freya out of their hiding spot. Before she could even see what was happening, she heard a muffled groan behind her. Then, there was a thump, and the robber's hand fell before her. She was still lost when a team of three surrounded her. A familiar voice said, "Take her out, Rabbit." "Roger, Falcon." This voice belonged to a woman. Rabbit, or Loren Smith, turned to Freya. "Come with me." Freya turned to look at the familiar man while following Loren out. He glanced at her while walking up the stairs, and his sharp eyes matched the ones in her memory. She asked Loren, "Is the person you called Falcon Daniel Talbot?" Loren faltered. Then, she continued walking out while observing their surroundings. She didn't respond to Freya's question, but Freya knew she was right. After leaving the jewelry store, the situation outside left no room for Freya to be pensive. She threw herself into work—the jewelry store's staff had more or less been injured. Jason was rescuing the most critically injured ones, so she had to handle those who were only bruised or scraped. The injured staff came and went as she stopped the bleeding, cleaned wounds, and bandaged them. "Freya." She looked up in the middle of stopping a patient's bleeding to see black leather boots before her. Then, she raised her head to find Daniel standing before her. She looked away and continued with her work. "Yes?" "Help me clean this up." He'd taken his mask off, his tanned face unreadable. It had been two years since they'd last seen each other. Now that they were reunited, Freya still couldn't help feeling a little scared of him. Based on what she remembered, he was a little domineering, and he spoke and acted brusquely. "I'm almost done here." She picked up the pace and recorded the time. Then, she called out to Jade, who was somewhere behind her, "I'm done with the last one, Jade. They can be sent to the hospital now." She turned back to Daniel. "Have a seat." She sterilized her hands and scanned him. There didn't seem to be any wounds on him, so she asked, "Where's your injury?" "The side of my abdomen." He lifted his shirt, revealing the bandage around his waist. Freya crouched before him, finding that the bandage had already been stained with blood. She removed it and looked at the stitches on the neat wound—it was a knife wound. He asked, "How have you been for the past two years?" "Not too bad." "I was on a mission abroad when your grandfather passed. I've only just returned." Freya faltered. Daniel was explaining why he had missed Neil's funeral. Her voice remained calm as she said, "I understand." They didn't speak anymore after that. Freya didn't ask about the wound, merely cleaning it and bandaging it again. She stood up and took off her gloves, throwing them into the medical waste bin. "You'll have to be careful with your wound for some time. It'll take longer for you to recover if you keep reopening it." "Thanks," he said. "You're welcome." Their conversation was polite and distant. "This is yours, right?" Daniel suddenly held out a sandalwood bracelet with an emerald pendant in the middle. Freya's face was carved on it—it didn't look much like her, though. It was a bracelet her father had made for her. "Yes, it is. Thanks." She reached out for it. Her fingers brushed against his palm as she took the bracelet from him, making her heart skip a beat. She immediately retracted her hand. "I'm leaving." Daniel stood up. He straightened his shirt and returned to his unit. Freya watched as the helicopter started up. The blades spun, lifting the aircraft into the air. Then, it flew away. "Let's go, Dr. Somner. We're taking a police car back," Jade called. Freya snapped to her senses. The helicopter was no longer in sight. All that was left was a vortex cloud left from its tail. She tightened her grip on the bracelet and packed everything up. Then, she ran to Jade with the first-aid kit and medical waste bag in hand. … After the incident, Jason requested that she be placed under counseling and given a month off. Freya returned to work after only three days at home, though. "Go home and rest," he said. "I need to do something with my hands, Dr. Wood." Jason pressed a hand to his forehead and threw her a pair of gloves. "Go to the debridement room and change the dressing for the patients there. You're not allowed to go on house calls or dispatches in the future." "Why?" Freya didn't get it.	LEARN_MORE	https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15224&ut	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	323	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	beokn.com	DCO		https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15224&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/t39.35426-6/465177296_583272707382050_3697801936779761977_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NJjgvTRcFsEQ7kNvgHxnHk_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A4m80nLOQRHyGuVBgTQELx7&oh=00_AYAZ8xddraZ_wX07DJIL-etY6ZBWKh1lISrWsYOcyJi0dw&oe=67581191	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,593,239	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2024-12-05 19:57	active	1963	Read next chapter👉	Because of cheating, he divorced her. She left a sentence, "You will regret it." 4 years later, he saw her on TV and introduced her as a top 100 female CEO and a single mother of triplets. The faces of her three children are exactly like his ... ============= 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, Mitchel’s 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 it’s 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 Raegan’s 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!" &40&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	Lera reading	https://www.facebook.com/61550764321146/	3,100	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=798859118295947&rawadid=120216748242050091	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465409671_572481811868193_2022551696824681859_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5dOwUGRLkE4Q7kNvgH-HNb3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AoGEJBHrWhzuvTon_OJE1bQ&oh=00_AYAWGaI7CJHCI9gtcDcinjMJ77fRcdpUWZ1c7JyYvjSnRQ&oe=67583159	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lera reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,591,107	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-12-05 19:06	active	1962	🏡 HIGHLY DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD!	For more information, click “Learn More” 👉	LEARN_MORE	https://kelly.viewarizonahomesforsale.com/homedeta	Cook & Associates Scottsdale AZ Homes For Sale	https://www.facebook.com/CookAndAssociatesAZ/	3,081	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	kelly.viewarizonahomesforsale.com	CAROUSEL	For more information, click “Learn More” 👉	https://kelly.viewarizonahomesforsale.com/homedetails/az/phoenix/azregional-20241018215224356422000000/1015-e-mountain-sage-dr-phoenix-az-85048?t=1733354555339&shareProperty=TU1CMDI3QTg1OERFMUE0OTc4ODNBMUJGRkM3RkIwNEQ1NnxhenJlZ2lvbmFsLTIwMjQxMDE4MjE1MjI0MzU2NDIyMDAwMDAw&AgentMDID=MMB027A858DE1A497883A1BFFC7FB04D56&utm_source=cinc&utm_medium=property-details&utm_campaign=share-property-crm&utm_content=view-property-no-registration&src=SNFacebook	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469162798_1097145265357080_1505177895339744007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gl9lIJOgsZsQ7kNvgEaZPJJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqHj8449kgZlot624Q2rmPu&oh=00_AYA1iDPx7HyXWGG5x16cES5tw49YfZC27nwI-Ir-DcKsYg&oe=67582C82	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Cook & Associates Scottsdale AZ Homes For Sale	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,589,899	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2589854}'	Yes	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961		🏀 LUCKY GIVEAWAY 🏀 We want to send you and a friend to the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge Happening December 8th at Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, TX), this is your chance to witness elite college basketball action live! Watch double header games between TCU vs. Vanderbilt Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech 🚨 We’re giving away 5 pairs of tickets! 🚨 Here’s how to enter: 1️⃣ Follow us at@LuckyEnergyOfficial (we’ll be checking) 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag a lucky friend in the comments (each tag = 1 entry) Giveaway ends 12/5/2024 at 11:59 PM CST. Winners will be contacted by our official @luckyenergyofficial Instagram account by 12/5/2024. Prizes not claimed on or by 12/5/2024 will be forfeited.			Lucky Energy	https://www.facebook.com/luckyfckenergy/	7,241	1969-12-31 18:00			VIDEO			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469146770_507275625668666_7188224823278383936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eMEMIeeElXgQ7kNvgELsjQE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZF39TSSbzZnzUObxqf_KLj&oh=00_AYBzHzeZH8U135rTyiW_heotWkpNe4mHJc1eRgOzaBo7JA&oe=675803A7	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lucky Energy	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,594,962	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2594288}'	No	2024-12-05 20:39	active	1964	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	When Debra died, her husband was still with his secretary. She swore that if she were given another chance, she would never make the same mistakes again... “Mr. Nichols, your wife is on the verge of death!” the doctor cried anxiously. “You might come to say your goodbyes!” “She’s still alive? Call me when she’s dead,” Juan Nichols replied, his voice icy and indifferent. With that, he hung up. All the light faded from Debra’s eyes. The machine emitted a steady, cold beep—signaling that her vital signs had ceased. In her life, she had loved Juan deeply, sacrificing everything—herself and her family—for him. If she were given another chance, she would never make the same mistakes again... “Madam, Mr. Nichols has requested you accompany him to the auction. Which outfit would you prefer?” The housekeeper Sophie asked. Debra gasped, her eyes snapping open. Everything around her felt eerily familiar. This was her home, the one she had shared with Juan. Wait— auction? Five years ago, Juan was going to a land auction, and as his wife, she had to accompany him. But Juan paid her no mind and didn’t even inform her that he had replaced her with Shelia, his secretary. When she arrived at the auction, all dressed up, she saw his secretary Shelia clinging to his arm. ‘How could this be?’ she thought, utterly confused. ‘Am I... reborn?’ Sophie’s voice brought Debra back to reality. She picked out a white gown, hesitating. "How about this one, Madam?" Looking at it, Debra gave a self-deprecating smile. It was well known that Juan favored Shelia. In the past, she often dressed like Shelia to please Juan Miles. Shelia liked white dresses, so she followed suit, just to earn a little favor from Juan. "No, I'll wear that one," she said, picking up a red dress. "But Mr. Nichols likes white dresses," Sophie said hesitantly. Debra simply ignored her hints. "I'll wear this one," she said. "Throw away all those white dresses. I don't like them." Sophie sighed and complied. Debra looked at herself in the mirror, still vibrant and beautiful. But in a few years, she would be worn down by Juan's torment. Before that happened, she would end it all! -- The auction was teeming with business elites. Shelia, in a white dress, held Juan's arm timidly. "I've never been to such an event before. Maybe I should go back." "You'll get used to it. You'll be attending these events frequently in the future," Juan said. Shelia nodded. Meanwhile, Juan was about to enter with Shelia when his bodyguard spoke up. "Sir, won't we wait for Mrs. Nichols?" Juan frowned. "Didn't I ask you to tell her not to come today?" Shelia quickly said, "It's not Joe's fault. I told him not to inform Debra. With my status, I'm afraid of gossip, so I thought it would be better for Debra to accompany you in." Shelia lowered her head like a scared hare. Juan rubbed his temples. He didn't want Debra to show up at all. "Mr. Nichols," Shelia murmured, biting her lip. "It's alright." Juan patted Shelia's head and said to Joe, "Go intercept her and send her away." In the crowd, there were murmurs of surprise. Joe looked over and was also shocked. "I'm afraid it's too late.". Debra, dressed in a stunning burgundy gown, elegantly walked towards them...	LEARN_MORE	https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	323	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	thebvhwysgng.com	DCO		https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13914&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465012370_1085089863148114_2066040076159691881_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m3yxNugUF5IQ7kNvgF132KJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A2Z07OPbiKG5rB3karHnZP3&oh=00_AYCd_apILmk6pJFR34qYB9aJwj2GvmnuJNyiY2Q_Tn0Qrg&oe=675827FD	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,594,545	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2594112}'	No	2024-12-05 20:39	active	1964	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	"I, Barrett Warren, vow with my life that I'll take no concubine! Carissa Sinclair shall be my one and only!" These were the words that convinced Carissa Sinclair, the daughter of general, to hide her martial talents and forsake her promising future to marry into the crumbling Warren family. Even on their wedding night, when Barrett was abruptly summoned to the battlefield, Carissa never complained. She used her dowry to support the struggling Warren household, waiting faithfully for his return. But she never imagined that when Barrett finally returned, the first thing he would do was marrying his new love... --- At Grace Mansion, Carissa Sinclair stared at the man before her—her husband she had waited for a whole year. Barrett Warren, still in his battle armor, wore an expression of both determination and guilt. "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for my marriage to Aurora." he said, his voice steady, " She will be joining our household. There's no question about it." Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has praised General Yates as 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 won’t be a concubine. She’ll be my legal wife, equal to you." "But calling her equal doesn't change the fact that she’s still just a concubine," Carissa said, a soft smile playing on her lips. Barrett frowned. "Why can't you face the reality? Aurora and I fell in love with each other on the battlefield, and we earned this marriage with our glorified victory. In fact, I don’t really need your approval on it." Fell in love? Huh, looks like he is determined in breaking the vow he made a year ago... Carissa's soft smile wiped off by a mocking one, she had once believed Barrett’s victory would earn him a higher rank, freeing her from the burden of supporting the Warren household with her dowry. Yet instead, in exchange for his victory, he only asked the king for another woman's hand, and now he even dared to silence her with his so-called 'glorified victory'... Carissa felt a lump in her throat. Despite her disgust and reluctance, she asked, "What about your parents? Do they agree?" "They do. It was a royal edict, and Aurora is amicable. Mother liked her a lot upon seeing her, even her health seems to be improving." "Improving?" Carissa felt a whirlwind of emotions. "When you went to war, your mother was already gravely ill. I brought in the best physician, managed the estate’s affairs by day, and stayed up nights caring for her. That's how her condition started to improve." "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 be generous enough to welcome Aurora." Carissa lowered her eyes, as if blinking away the tears. But inspected closely, that's actually her sharpened gaze. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her." "There's no need," Barrett refused instantly. "Carissa, she’s different from any woman you know. As a general, she’s above household squabbles and wouldn’t want to meet you." Carissa retorted, "What are women I know like? Or tell me, what kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm also the daughter of the Marquis's family. My father and my six brothers sacrificed on the Southern Frontier three years ago-" "That’s them." Barrett interrupted, "You're still a delicate woman suited only for home comforts, while Aurora has no respect for that. Besides, she never holds back her true thoughts. Trust me, you won't want to hear it from her. Also rest assured. Mother has promised me that Aurora will never threaten your control of the household. Carissa, she couldn't care less about those things." “Oh, that's what you and mother think I fear? Losing the control of this household?” Carissa couldn't help but laughing. Little did Barrett know his household had been reduced to a hollow shell - managing it was a hot potato no one else would bear. Over the past year, it was Carissa's dowry alone that kept the Warren family’s life respectable, and this was her reward. “Enough,” Barrett snapped, his patience running thin. “I’ve done my duty by informing you. Your opinion won’t change anything.” As Carissa watched hum storm out, her bitterness deepened. “My lady, my lord has really crossed the line!” Lulu, Carissa’s maid, said, wiping her tears. “Don’t call him that!” Carissa gave her a stern look. “We never consummated the marriage. He’s not your lord. Now go fetch my dowry list.” “Why the dowry list?” Lulu asked, puzzled. Carissa tapped her on the forehead. “Silly girl, we need to reckon everything before we leave.” Lulu gasped. “Leave? But where can we go? To the Northwatch Estate?” Suddenly Lulu held her tongue, aware that she had touched the sensitive subject. She spared Carissa a guilty look, "I'll get the list now, my lady." Upon the mention of Northwatch Estate, the always restrained Carissa finally let her tears fall. When she was fifteen, her father, the Marquis of Northwatch, had sacrificed his life on the battlefield. Then, just six months ago, her entire family at the Northwatch Estate was brutally slaughtered — assassins rumored to be spies from the enemy nation, Westhaven. She rushed back after getting the news, only to find the dismembered bodies of her mother and grandmother. Even her youngest nephew, two years old, didn't escape death, neither. Now, she was the lone survivor of the marquis' family, the idea of restoring her family’s former glory seemed impossible—at least to outsiders. After all, she was presented mostly as a delicate, fragile woman, while Aurora Taytes had just made herself the first female general in history. It's only natural that the Warren family was more than happy to agree to the marriage. Yet, unbeknownst to the world, Carissa's martial talent was never beneath her father and brothers. If given a chance on the battlefield, she would definitely outshine Aurora Taytes, perhaps a million times more... Just then, Lulu had brought over the dowry list, "My lady, this year alone, you've spent over six thousand silver coins supporting 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." "I see." Carisse's gaze lingered on the list with melancholy. Her mother had given her such a substantial dowry, fearing she might face hardship in her husband's home. Yet now here she was. The Warren family had disregarded all her effort, and Barrett had even broken his vow to take no concubine - the very promise that led her mother to choose him over more eligible suitors, despite the Warren family’s fall from grace. 'Was this really the life mother wanted me to have?' It took Carissa no time to made up her mind. “Lulu, get prepared. There's somewhere we need to go tomorrow.” ... Early the next morning, Carissa and Lulu boarded a carriage, heading straight for the royal 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. In the palace's study, Derek Walker had already reported Carissa’s arrival to the king three times. “Your Majesty, Mrs. Warren is still waiting outside the palace gates,” he repeated. The king, Salvador Quinton, set aside the document he was reading and rubbed his temples. “I can’t summon her in. The edict has been issued, and can't be taken back. Tell her to go home.” “The guards tried to persuade her, but she refused to leave. She’s been standing there for over an hour without moving.” Salvador felt a pang of guilt. “Barrett requested the marriage as a reward for his military service. I didn’t want to agree, either, but not granting it would embarrass both him and General Yates. They have after all won a big war.” “Your Majesty, when it comes to military achievements, no one can compare to the Marquis of Northwatch,” Derek countered. Salvador thought of Hector Sinclair, the Marquis of Northwatch. When Salvador was a crown prince who had recently joined the military, it was Hector who had guided him. Back then, he had also known Carissa when she was only a cute kid. Salvador himself had fought a bloody path to the throne, paved with death. He understood the struggles of military officers, so when Barrett requested marriage as a reward, Salvador had hesitated but eventually agreed. But Derek was right. In terms of military merit, Barrett and Aurora were far inferior to Hector Sinclair. “Alright, let her in. If she agrees to this marriage, I’ll grant her whatever she wants, even if it's a noble title or an official rank,” said Salvador. Derek breathed a sigh of relief. “As always, you're wise, Your Majesty!” ... Carissa knelt in the study with her head bowed. Recalling that Carissa was now the only one left in the Sinclair family, Salvador felt nothing but pity for her. "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." "Carissa Sinclair, I have already issued the edict of marriage. It's impossible to revoke it," Salvador said. Carissa shook her head gently. "Your Majesty, I'm not imploring you to reverse that edict, but imploring you for another edict - an amicable divorce with General Warren." The young king was taken aback. "Divorce? You want a divorce?" Carissa nodded her head firmly. She was never someone to pester some man. If Barret Warren loved Aurora Yates so much, then she would let him go. What she needed now was a single edict for an amicable divorce, so she could take away all her dowry and get rid of the despicable Warren family for good, dignified and head high...	LEARN_MORE	https://shgjfh.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13853&u	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	323	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	shgjfh.com	DCO		https://shgjfh.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13853&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/t39.35426-6/464681484_532171326224549_7177859630690723278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gLeA1zDWoG4Q7kNvgFi-dHH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AJw_jgAALZpOS8I-w_qBd0G&oh=00_AYCFy6LwNPuqePVj1yrP7vWMp1VNYXaJMEEIg8GdXmUokg&oe=67581DB7	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,592,303	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2024-12-05 19:57	active	1963	Care Credit Accepted	Easy access and free parking!	LEARN_MORE	https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin	The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center	https://www.facebook.com/OSUVeterinaryMedicalCenter/	13,984	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	vmc.vet.osu.edu	CAROUSEL	Easy access and free parking!	https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463623653_521947757123575_2838208827216320575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cuy6W30I6aMQ7kNvgGfrLwL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACkfvGexn3T2BnWWnvyHeoW&oh=00_AYDafhfp1OpBgtpEvdNoGDb45wmNao0l-0EDU8Rbf3TZLg&oe=67583973	PERSON_PROFILE	0	The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,589,747	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2589697}'	No	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961	🧡 Win Paul Walker's Supra	🏁 Time is running out! Win a Fast & Furious Supra AND $10,000! This legendary car is worth $200,000. What would you do? Keep it for life or cash out big? 🚨 Don’t miss your shot at a life-changing prize! Enter now ➡️ https://zerosixty.life This screen-accurate replica is even better than our last one. Don’t let someone else live your dream! ✔️ LHD Supra Targa ✔️ Fully Built Brangers Engine ✔️ 700-900 WHP 2JZ VVTi ✔️ Targa top ✔️ Single turbo ✔️ 6-speed manual transmission ✔️ Bomex body kit ✔️ TRD Vented Carbon Viber Hood ✔️ APR GT-II Wing ✔️ 19” Dazz/Racing Hart M5 Tuners ✔️ “Troy Lee Designs” Graphics ✔️ Candy Pearl Orange Paint ✔️ 1998+ Headlight Upgrade w/ LEDs ✔️ 1998+ Toyota Turn Signals ✔️ RGB LED “Underglow” Lights … and so much more! This is more than a chance to win a car. It’s a life-changing opportunity to alter your future forever. - Remember the Buster	SHOP_NOW	https://zerosixty.life/	ZeroSixty: Fantasy Car Giveaway	https://www.facebook.com/zerosixtylife/	70,690	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now		DCO		https://zerosixty.life/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469095830_1666275247634045_8510721695850551136_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YSOM2aMNeVwQ7kNvgGDPzJ5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV2ojmDapAm34ZDyK3ia_wQ&oh=00_AYAVr7bYNrpoCLih8ogsTGsD09GOyt18clgmCRy15lT8SA&oe=6758157F	PERSON_PROFILE	0	ZeroSixty: Fantasy Car Giveaway	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,590,452	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2590320}'	No	2024-12-05 19:06	active	1962	Download Now👉👉👉	The Vampire and His Blood wife ONLY on Drama Time.🎬 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		Miiowtv short000	https://www.facebook.com/61557562951006/	207	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch More		DCO			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458568810_1026702872539704_5128960842889323992_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DO2vIH-mvDIQ7kNvgGw6EFo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A38SO0wOCb41pFpbiN8smlz&oh=00_AYAKFvid7BDC4O70RsWGZ89t3TNKzuePYLCBSLXzsOXyHg&oe=6758386B	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Miiowtv short000	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,591,100	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2590320}'	Yes	2024-12-05 19:06	active	1962		Kelly Saxon Photography Mid Tennessee Maternity \| Newborn Photography https://www.kellysaxon.com/newborn-collections Beautiful Little Angel! #nashvillenewbornphotographer #newborn #murfreesborotnnewbornphotographer #murfreesborotn #nashvillenewbornphotographer #newbornphotographer #nashvilletnphotographer #babypictures #babies #newbornphotostudio #bestnewbornphotographer #nashvillebaby #newbornsession #expectingababy #professionalphotographer #tnmom #babysession #bestnewbornphotography #newbornphotoprops #newbornprops #BabyBoy #nashvillenewbornphotographer #pregnancy			Kelly Saxon Photography	https://www.facebook.com/kellysaxonphotography/	4,644	1969-12-31 18:00			IMAGE			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468898324_428726376970915_8905560303720044099_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3jJsjVXfH0EQ7kNvgEtbLNv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATO5Rjfsrg2vAFaa84jTwbH&oh=00_AYA_Nohvw7VcT5myIkZiZLOzgKKXBKN0d7_wKFv1spe11w&oe=67580BE7	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Kelly Saxon Photography	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,589,336	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961	4.9/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (145293)		DOWNLOAD	https://beasttopplinkogame.com/?utm_name=851314&c=	Rinder	https://www.facebook.com/PlinkoInc/	4	1969-12-31 18:00	Download	apps.apple.com	VIDEO		https://beasttopplinkogame.com/?utm_name=851314&c={{campaign.name}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad={{ad.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&adset={{adset.name}}&channel={{placement}}&fbq=1292446981777597	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469477847_1122837272517544_7272958719682651740_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-kmcUTZ4Zr4Q7kNvgFqChPG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ap2I99k-Zyr69oMu3fTKrDK&oh=00_AYBJJOmLLC5G4mfb7F3WEsPGEULFxk4QrOWQHUVgBZ2sgw&oe=67582931	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Rinder	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,589,905	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.4858757062146893,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961		Friday the 13th @spacecoastink All weekend long Tattoos starting @ only $31 Piercings starting @ only $31 Additional holes as low as $13 $1000 gift certificate giveaway! All you need to do is come in get a tattoo or piercing and you are automatically entered! Share this post and tag 5 friends for a chance to win a $500 Gift Certificate as well! Walk in Event Only! From 10am until the last Human Standing! 232 Cheney Hwy Titusville Florida 32780 321-577-3747	INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE	http://instagram.com/spacecoastink	Space Coast Ink	https://www.facebook.com/100073149052031/	153,318	1969-12-31 18:00	Send message	Opens Instagram	IMAGE		http://instagram.com/spacecoastink	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469280571_3870382379945900_8001440498466112556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8ak5uo2EYpQQ7kNvgGgjJcH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aq7_oyV7zUWhoAebRYCmMFQ&oh=00_AYDeJQShtQIT8keHWG3D5zCHYF0lm-PE2wDFauS2Wfdfug&oe=675828C9	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Space Coast Ink	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,594,860	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2594866}'	No	2024-12-05 20:39	active	1964	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	It had been three years of marriage. Justine Thorpe finally found her husband, Ash Vanderbilt, in the OB-GYN clinic of a hospital. He hadn't shown up for three months. However, he was not alone. Another woman—his mistress—was with him. She bore more than a passing resemblance to Justine. Her name was Jenny Thorpe, and she had been living as Justine's replacement in the Thorpe family for 16 years. Justine had suspected her husband of having an affair for at least six months, but she never imagined it would be with Jenny. Not that the revelation was entirely surprising, now that she thought about it. Everyone in Sol's upper class knew that Ash's true love had always been his childhood friend. Justine was the devil who had gotten in the way. Seeing Ash and Jenny together somehow relieved Justine. The mystery was finally solved. She watched them enter the elevator. Ash's delicate eyelashes were lowered as he spoke softly to his companion. Justine had never seen him this gentle before. Jenny was grazing her slightly protruding belly, nodding bashfully. Justine and Jenny closely resembled each other, yet Justine could never mimic the seductive femininity that Jenny exuded. Suddenly, Jenny lifted her head and met Justine's gaze before ducking into Ash's arms as if frightened. "Ashie!" she mumbled. Just as always, Jenny was putting on a show again. Ash looked up with a glare. His eyes met Justine's, and the gentleness on his face dissipated, replaced by that all-too-familiar apathy and annoyance. Justine and Ash were married only because their parents had wanted them to be. She had lost her parents when she was three, though, and while she had been missing, Jenny had come out of nowhere and stolen Justine's identity. By the time Justine was finally found. Ash's mind had already been set—he only cared for his "childhood friend". The seniors in the family had had to force him to take Justine's hand. Justine did not mind. The only thing she loved about Ash was his looks, but even that was beginning to wear thin. He seemed more and more like a stranger to her. - The elevator door shut. Justine thought their encounter was dramatic. Just imagine how much of a soap opera episode it would be like if she ran at Ash, slapped him, and then confronted Jenny! "Jean! When did you get here? I was just about to grab this medicine for you!" Justine turned to meet Iris Carr, her manager. She smiled and signed, "An expecting mother needed help." Iris studied her heart-stopping beauty and felt a pang in her heart. Justine was so gorgeous, kind, gentle, and an extraordinary dancer. She was a mute who outshone so many people Iris had known. She had even been the prima ballerina of a well-known ballet company, until… "Here. Your painkillers," Iris said, her eyes reddening slightly as she choked back a sob. "How could you just… injure your spine? You finally managed to become the prima ballerina of the Academie Royale! If you could just finish this tour, you could have..." Becoming the prima ballerina of the Academie Royale ballet company was the dream of countless dancers worldwide. And Justine had been considered after just one interview—it was incredible! The tragedy weighed heavily on Iris. Justine had always been silent about her family matters, leading Iris to list her as orphaned on her resume, stating she had grown up in an orphanage. Over time, Iris had even come to believe it herself. The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Justine smiled faintly, seemingly unaware of the sympathy in Iris' face, as she received the painkillers. A year ago, Ash's uncle had hired a hitman on his life. Justine's attempt to save him resulted in her spinal injury. Ash had found the best doctors money could buy and purchased expensive medical equipment for her. The medical team later concluded that her treatment was complete. Unfortunately, two months later, her old injury was aggravated while she was preparing for the tour. After another examination, Justine's career was essentially over. While the spinal injury wouldn't affect her daily life, she could no longer dance. Justine had informed Ash immediately, but he had yet to respond. Maybe he never cared. She had cried her heart out after returning from the hospital, but ultimately, she accepted her fate. This was not the end of the world. After some reflection, Justine decided to continue her tour. She would get treatment alongside it, determined to end her career as a ballet dancer on a high note. This evening's performance would be her last. However, that morning, she woke up to find her painkiller supply depleted. Justine squeezed the paper bag, her eyes feeling dry. It was as if she were a character in a soap opera. Meeting Ash and Jenny felt like a cruel joke. The pain in her spine flared slightly. Regret washed over her. If only she had never tried to save Ash. Instead, he survived long enough to become a villain, insulting the handsome face Justine once adored. She tucked the painkillers into her pocket and took out her phone. Her long lashes veiled the coldness in her eyes as she looked down at the screen. She then selected Ash's number, typed a message, and sent it immediately. - "Why was she in the OB-GYN, Ashie?" At the basement parking lot, Jenny subconsciously shielded her belly and added, "Could she be, you know…" "That's impossible," Ash replied firmly. Jenny looked away to hide her surprised glee. So Justine had never managed to sleep with him in all three years of marriage? Well, it wasn't that surprising. Everyone in Sol knew that, as a boy, Ash had almost been strangled to death by his mute and mentally ill mother. Traumatized, Ash harbored hatred for his birth mother—and for people who were mute like her. Thus, when his maternal grandparents forced him to marry Justine, it felt like a cruel joke aimed at Ash. There was no way he would ever sleep with her. Poor Justine! A laughingstock, was she not? So what if she was beautiful? What if she could perform some snobby, pretentious dance? Ash had still abandoned her. How could she ever compete with Jenny for Ash's heart? Jenny suppressed her glee and pretended to look sad. "Oh, Ashie… I bet the one person Justine hates the most is me. You are aware of what transpired. She nearly took my life when she returned to the Thorpes. And now she saw us at the OB-GYN," she said. "I should explain myself to her once I get back. I don't want her to throw another fit—" "She won't," Ash interjected. Justine was his simp, always obeying his wishes. For years, there had been fabricated scandals circulating online about celebrities sleeping with him, yet Justine had never questioned him about any of it. She trusted him—like a machine programmed to smile and serve him. "Don't overthink it, Jenny. She won't hurt you," he added. "I'll have someone escort you home safely." Jenny still looked like she was about to cry. She was on the verge of getting into Ash's car when she suddenly caught sight of Justine in the parking lot. Ash had assured her that everything would be fine, but what made him so certain? Jenny could never forget the day Justine chased her with a kitchen knife like a rabid dog. It was a true display of Justine's character. Did she really believe she could charm Ash into loving her by hiding her true nature? Did she think she could be Mrs. Vanderbilt forever? It was almost laughable. "Juju!" Jenny called out cheerfully. Justine had always hated that nickname and would go ballistic over it. What if she reacted that way again this time? Ash's expression darkened as he shot a brief glance at Justine, immediately noticing how thin she had become. Justine turned to them and nodded politely as if she had no idea who they were. She signed to the woman beside her, entered her ballet company's car, and drove away. Jenny gritted her teeth. She did not take the bait! She squeezed out some crocodile tears and grabbed Ash's sleeve. "Ashie, Ashie! Did you see that? She didn't even acknowledge us! This is all my fault! I shouldn't have come to you for help even if I have no one else to turn to… Because we were engaged before, so this had to look really bad… "Oh no, I'm the one who ruined your marriage! I should have just stayed with those guys!" she sobbed. Ash ignored her. He was fixated on what Justine had signed: "I don't know them. They mistook me for someone else." "Ashie, you gotta chase after her!" Jenny cried out as though she cared about preserving Ash and Justine's relationship. Ash was unfazed. He absent-mindedly glanced at the sleeve Jenny was grabbing and realized that Justine had bought this coat for him. She had won a ballet competition that day and used the prize money to purchase it, presenting it almost like a tribute. Ash yanked the sleeve away from Jenny. "I've told you. She won't mind." At that moment, his phone vibrated. Ash scanned the screen, and his eyes suddenly grew bitterly cold as the words leaped into view: [I want a divorce.] Chapter 2 At the Grand Theater of Sol. A towering man stood in the darkness where the audience gathered. He felt as cold as winter. His eyes were fixed on the stage as the Black Swan darted across it, agile and mesmerizing. The Black Swan's movements were fluid and firm, sensual and tempting. The man almost wished he could possess her right now. The performance was nearing its end, so the man turned away and strode toward the backstage. - The performance ended. Justine felt a quiet pain in her waist, but she gritted her teeth through the production. The crowd erupted in ovation. She took one last yearning glance at the stage and her adoring audience before returning backstage. Iris had been watching her every move with concern. "Is it hurting? I can cancel the fan meeting and photo session if you need it. You can rest in the breakroom, and once the rest of the performance is over, I'll come for you," Iris suggested. Justine waved reassuringly. Many of these fans had traveled all the way to Sol to see her performance—to meet her. How could she let them down? Soon, the photo session concluded. After checking in with Justine, Iris left to direct the stage. Suddenly, Justine found herself alone. She looked around as memories flooded back. Ballet had been a part of her for as long as she could remember. Concerned that Justine's disability might hinder her job prospects, the orphanage's director had signed her up for ballet classes after discovering her talent, despite the lack of funding from the orphanage. All that hard work and dedication was gone like the wind because of her career-ending injury. How could anyone not feel regret? Justine removed her makeup and pressed her hand against her waist, trying to support it as she tiredly headed to the prima ballerina's room. It was dark inside. She reached for the light switch. Suddenly, from the shadows, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside. Then, the door shut and locked behind her. Panic surged through Justine. The scent enveloping her was familiar. Why was Ash there? Before she could answer her own question, he pressed his lips forcefully against hers. More kisses followed, violent and punishing. Justine wanted to shove him away, but Ash was a hulking mass of angry muscle, dominating her completely. Fear surged as she bit his tongue, tasting blood, but he didn't stop. Jenny had no idea how wrong she was about Justine and Ash's life. Their marriage had been consummated quickly, thanks to the "intervention" of some elders. Although Ash might resent Justine's existence, he was undeniably addicted to her body. They had known each other for so long and so well that they instinctively understood how to arouse and please one another. This knowledge was etched into their flesh, a part of their movements. Justine's thoughts spiraled into chaos. Suddenly, she felt a bite on her shoulder. She could tell Ash was upset just from the strength—and it irritated her. What was his problem?! He had always wanted this divorce! he had signed the paper with his name on the day of their wedding! With Justine gone, he would finally be able to marry the woman he really wanted, right? So why is he angry now? Because she was the one who had suggested it instead of him? The backstage was starting to fill with people. She could even hear one of the assistant artistic directors rushing past her room. If anyone were to knock—or even open—her door, Justine would be famous in the scene for the worst reason possible! Justine bit her lips, forcing herself not to let out even a should. Unfortunately, this only made Ash more beastly. He hated silence, so he did everything he could to make her scream and yelp. - The light was on, bright and blinding. Ash sat languidly on the couch, his shirt and suit surprisingly neat. In contrast, Justine's expensive ballet dress lay torn. After a shower, she slipped into an oversized practice garment while Ash glared at her. "A divorce?" he asked, cutting straight to the chase. It was difficult to discern his emotions from his voice. Justine studied him—he was still as handsome as ever, but gone was the youthful, teenage look she once loved. In its place stood an indifferent, reserved man in a suit. Her eyes no longer sparkled with admiration and yearning when she looked at him. She nodded firmly. Ash snickered. "What? Because of Jenny?" For some reason, the thought of Justine exploding over his affair with Jenny excited him. Unfortunately, she simply shook her head determinedly. "I don't love you anymore," she signed. "That's why I want a divorce." Reality shattered Ash's fleeting excitement. Her straightforwardness left no room for ambiguity—she didn't even hint at clinging. His mind went blank. Suddenly, he recalled that rainy night many years ago when that woman had pushed him into the mud, signing furiously, "I don't love you anymore! I am not your mother! You are disgusting, just like your father! Go away! I don't want to see you anymore!" It felt as though all emotions had drained from him. Ash rose and glared at Justine frostily. "Suit me just fine. You stole this marriage from Jenny back then, anyway. She finally gets what's always been hers." "Congratulations," Justine signed earnestly. Ash was stunned. He had not expected that from her. He remembered Jenny begging Justine not to take him away when Justine had taken out a lipstick and written on the wall, right in front of their parents, 'He is mine, and only mine!' The same woman… just congratulated Jenny. Rage inexplicably flared within him. Granted, this marriage should have ended sooner. It had been delayed because she had saved his life while sustaining grievous injuries a year ago, but now she was the one requesting a divorce. That worked to Ash's advantage, right? He had no reason to be mad. "My lawyer will contact you tomorrow at noon to finalize our divorce," he said. Justine nodded. Surprisingly, she felt not a hint of sadness or longing. "Good. We can announce our divorce at the family dinner tomorrow evening," she signed. Ash looked away from her. she had this all planned out, hadn't she? It was as if she could not wait to have every tie with him severed. Chapter 3 Ash sneered and went through the door. Justine watched his hulking frame, suddenly recalling hazy memories of her teenage past: a younger version of him, tall and lean, with his back against her. Despite her earlier calm, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. "Justine…" He had stopped by the door and turned to face her. "I no longer answer to my grandfather, Justine. So there's zero chance of you going back to being my wife after this. Don't regret it. "And most importantly—don't give Jenny trouble. You've tormented her enough." Ash understood how obsessive her love had been. Justine's life was so devoid of meaning that the only two things she had were ballet and him. This was why Ash was convinced that Justine's sudden change of attitude stemmed from spite after seeing Jenny. Once she calmed down, he was sure she would regret this decision. His job was to ensure her regret was futile. She could no longer return to him—and he would never accept her. Justine was kind and courteous to everyone except Jenny. Ash had never managed to protect her well enough—the poor girl had endured much of Justine's wrath. That was why he was determined not to let Jenny suffer for him any longer, no matter how hysterical Justine could be. "Trust me, Mr. Vanderbilt. You should say this to her," Justine signed, her eyes gentle as always. "She should not mess with me." Otherwise, Jenny would suffer worse. - Justine was nothing if not determined. When Ash was her prize, no one—not could have gotten in her way. But now that she wanted him out of her life, she wouldn't shed a tear for him. After Ash left, Justine cleaned up the room. She picked up the torn pieces of her favorite ballet dress. It had been tailor-made for her—a piece of luxury she had won in an international competition. Fixing it would require a lot of money. She had to demand compensation for it in the divorce agreement! Just then, she heard Iris' voice from outside. "Jean? Are you up?" The performances had ended a while ago. Iris had arrived earlier, but the light in the room had been off, so she had assumed Justine had been sleeping. Justine lit a lavender candle, and once the stench of Ash's intrusion faded, she opened the door. "It's over?" she signed. "Other troupes have all left except for your group! Everyone's waiting for you at the party," Iris replied, doing her best to mask her sadness. Yes, it was a party, all right—a farewell party. Suddenly, Justine's phone rang, startling her. Few people ever called her phone. Those who knew her preferred video calls. But this was an audio call. "Looks like a landline number," Iris murmured. She quickly looked it up on the Internet. "That's… Eudaimonia Home in Saintwood. Why is a nursing home calling you at this hour?" Justine answered the call before Iris finished her explanation. "Is this Justine Thorpe? Good evening. This is Eudaimonia Home. Mrs. Aurora Roch hasn't been feeling too well for the past two days. If you can, please come here as soon as possible. She would like to meet you." Justine was shocked. - The trip took three hours, and it was already one in the morning when Justine arrived. The nurse who had called her led Justine to Aurora's room. "She's been expecting you," the young woman said. The sight of a sickly, bony woman on a sickbed greeted Justine. Aurora had once been the director of Glascape Orphanage and had been a mother figure who raised Justine. She was the one who had recognized the potential ballerina in her and let her shine. Three years ago… While suffering from an incurable disease, Justine's grandfather found her in the orphanage and wanted her to return home. Justine refused—until some bloggers discovered Glascape Island. The rustic beauty of the fishing town quickly spread across the Internet, attracting several corporations eager to transform it into a tourist destination. At that critical moment, Aurora was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Justine faced a difficult choice. She needed money to prevent the island's purchase and save Aurora. Thus, she approached her grandfather and agreed to a deal. Soon after, Aurora informed Justine that she had contacted a hospital abroad where she would receive treatment. They parted ways but promised to stay in touch. "The treatment went well," she would say. "I met someone I love in the wonderful continent of Aestra. I would like to spend my last few years there." Justine believed her. Aurora had discovered her stomach cancer at an early stage, so her chances of recovery were high. Justine sincerely hoped Aurora was living happily out there, free from any shackles. Then Justine decided to marry Ash. That was when Aurora suddenly came to see her. They had a big argument, and afterward, Aurora stopped contacting Justine. - For years, Justine had been trying to locate Aurora. She would ask around and chase down leads, but she never managed to find her—until today. On her way to the hospital, the nurse provided details about Aurora's illness. The cancer cells had been spreading even back when they had their fight. "Jean, is that you?" Aurora's voice sounded familiar and foreign at the same time. Justine approached her, choking back tears. Aurora examined her face and smiled. "Oh, Jean. You're even more beautiful now!" she whispered. Justine studied her in disbelief. Suffering had taken so much from her. Aurora was left with nothing but bones and skin! Justine could not help but cry. "I thought you found someone you love! A-And you're spending your last days somewhere in Aestra!" Justine signed slowly. "So why are you here? Why are you… dying?" Aurora's eyes reddened. "I'm so sorry. I lied." Justine cast her eyes at Aurora's face, shakily holding her hands. She pressed her forehead against the back of Aurora's hands—just like she used to when she was a child. But there was no warmth left in Aurora's hands. They were frighteningly cold. "Love, you're all grown up now. You have to… learn to accept death… Mine… and Ares'..." Ares… Justine felt her blood freeze. Memories flooded her—it was a beautiful day. A young man ran across the white waves as they rolled. He laughed and turned back to her, his smile brighter than the sun. "Come over here for a hug, Little Justine!" he had called. Pain coursed through Justine’s limbs. She met Aurora's gaze, her eyes brimming with tears of agony. Chapter 4 Aurora knew exactly what was on her mind. She had raised this child, after all. Half a year after Ares' death, the Thorpe family located Justine in Glascape. Aurora hadn't wanted to be separated from the young woman, but Justine's worsening mental state had made her reconsider. Justine had taken it poorly, wasting all her time searching for news about a man who was already dead. She had been a woman possessed—everyone feared she would become more self-destructive. Aurora had hoped that sending Justine away to a new place with her original family might help her move on. That was why she had accepted the Thorpes' offer. Thus, Justine returned to Sol. Who would have thought Justine would marry someone not long after? Aurora knew how much Justine had loved Ares. There was no way she could have accepted another man in her life so soon—let alone a husband. Fearing it was a political marriage of convenience at the cost of her child's agency, Aurora had rushed to Sol. That was when she met Ash Vanderbilt. The young man had just returned from studying abroad. Most terrifying, though, was how much he resembled Ares physically. The only difference between them was the feeling they evoked. Justine had gone mad! She had latched onto Ash as if he were her last hope, utterly convinced in her denial that Ash Vanderbilt was an amnesiac Ares Vance. Any mention of the truth—Ares' death—would send Justine into uncontrollable hysteria. So why was she so different today? Why was she looking at Aurora with such crushing dejection in her eyes… without a single retort of denial? "Y-You know… he's not him, d-don't you?" Aurora whispered shakily. Justine nodded tearfully. Of course, she knew! Ahhh, Ash could not muster even the smallest amount of the kindness Ares had so effortlessly displayed. However, back then, Justine could not bear the thought of living in a world without Ares. She had deluded herself, clinging to an impostor, surviving through Ash's superficial semblance of him. How else could she have lived this long? But Ash... was a disappointment. He wore those suits so frequently now that it had become harder and harder to see Ares' ghost in him. Aurora let out a pained sob. "No, no, no. How cruel has he been to you…" How cruel had Ash been to Justine? How much hurt had she endured to break a spell so ingrained in her? What had it taken for Justine to admit she had been living in a delusion? The implication stabbed Aurora like a knife. The equipment connected to her began to beep shrillily in alarm. Justine panicked. She was about to call the nurse when Aurora suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Jean… once I'm gone, you're not bound to anyone in this world anymore… Do you understand me?" she croaked. "Leave them. Go home. L-Live… your life... You are free, Jean." Justine nodded frantically, pressing the emergency button over and over. Aurora's breathing grew erratic, but her eyes were fixed on Justine. She could not leave just yet. Her precious girl was still there, all alone. No one would stand for her. No one would speak for her. Alone. "J-Jean..." she whispered one last time, holding Justine's hand. "C-Call me..." Justine trembled. "Call me... M-Mom..." Aurora exhausted all her strength. Her body collapsed into Justine's arms, her breath short. The old woman was hyperventilating, looking at Justine with a pleading gaze. Justine had not been born mute. It was trauma—from before her time in the orphanage—that had caused her mutism. Aurora had taken her to countless specialists, but the effects of the treatments had been discouragingly small. Now, all Justine could hear was the ringing in her ears. She nodded vigorously and opened her mouth, trying to force out a sound. Her throat felt strange. Panic welled inside her. Time seemed to slow. All she could produce was silence. The nurses rushed into the room, and Justine felt herself being pulled away from Aurora. Chaos surrounded her, accompanied by the incessant ringing in her ears. It wasn't until she heard the long beep from the machine that the ringing finally subsided. One of the nurses gently closed Aurora's eyes. She had been watching Justine until the very end. Then, they covered her pain-twisted face with a piece of white cloth. It was not the first corpse Justine had ever seen. The first time was at a funeral home in Glascape. Aurora had howled, her voice thick with tears, "Ares! no, no!" 'You see this, Ares? You loved me so much, and yet I wasn't there when you ended your life. I never even visited you once in so many years. 'She raised me, right? She just wanted me to call her Mom. And I couldn't even do that. 'I'm a terrible person,' Justine thought. - Aurora had left notes for her burial. There was to be no funeral. She wanted to be cremated immediately. She had also appointed Justine to decide what to do with her ashes and belongings. As Aurora was pushed into the crematory, the nurse who had cared for her the longest collapsed to her knees in tears, howling. But Justine could only watch in cursed silence. Her lips were pale as she tried to call out to Aurora in her mind. - The first snow had arrived on Sol. Ash's meeting had just ended. Robin Letto, his secretary, rushed to his side. "Mr. Vanderbilt! Ms. Pearce said she can't seem to contact Mrs. Vanderbilt," she said hesitantly, too afraid to even breathe too loudly. Ash’s mood had been in the gutters today. It was as if the air itself could freeze around him. Logically, after regaining full control over the family business and outmaneuvering his uncles, Ash should have been overjoyed. Yet, he was the exact opposite. Ash frowned. "Fine." He expected her to regret it, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. Now, divorce was back on the table. Despite Ash's thoughts, there was a renewed spring in his step, something even he failed to notice. Nearby, Robin acutely sensed the change in his demeanor. His mood, unexpectedly, seemed to have improved. Ash returned to his office and booted up his laptop. The document he had been working on appeared on the screen: the divorce agreement. He had been revising the terms of the compensation Justine was entitled to receive. The offers were generous. The money alone would be enough for her to live comfortably for a lifetime. He had purchased a property for her abroad. Knowing she had been accepted as the prima ballerina of the Academie Royale, he had bought her a villa in Voue, the capital city of Charlemagne, where the ballet company was based. To Ash, these gestures were his way of expressing gratitude for saving his life. - At noon, a meticulously dolled-up Jenny stepped into Ash's car, and they drove to a Michelin-starred restaurant she had been eager to visit for ages. Grinning sweetly, she cooed, "Ngaww, I don't know what came over me! I just had to eat at this restaurant! You're such a gem, Ashie!" Ash smiled faintly. "I'm glad you're happy." Jenny nodded firmly. "Of course I am! You're always so nice to me." She hesitated for a moment. "Um… Did Justine… you know…" Ash's smile faded. "Let's just eat." Jenny felt a surge of satisfaction at his darkened expression at the mere mention of Justine. Lunch soon ended, and Ash needed to return to work. "I've kept you long enough, Ashie! Good luck with work!" she said brightly. "I'm off to meet my friends for afternoon tea!" Ash briefly glanced at her belly. "Please take care of yourself." "Of course!" she chirped, waving him off. Once he was out of sight, Jenny's smile disappeared. The innocence drained from her expression as she dialed a number. "Hey. Are you sure Justine will be at the Thierry family's soiree?" she asked.	LEARN_MORE	https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=14797&ut	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	323	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	beokn.com	DCO		https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=14797&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/t39.35426-6/465733853_502380432950668_5964851641982863637_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XlpNFhE5WjEQ7kNvgE_sJ_h&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A2Z07OPbiKG5rB3karHnZP3&oh=00_AYDpxiS4j7DLwzzsWiCMWKfwCnIeFmhgphggBX1Ub7CZfA&oe=675845A3	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,594,942	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2594998}'	Yes	2024-12-05 20:39	active	1964	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	"I, Barrett Warren, vow with my life that I'll take no concubine! Carissa Sinclair shall be my one and only!" These were the words that convinced Carissa Sinclair, the daughter of general, to hide her martial talents and forsake her promising future to marry into the crumbling Warren family. Even on their wedding night, when Barrett was abruptly summoned to the battlefield, Carissa never complained. She used her dowry to support the struggling Warren household, waiting faithfully for his return. But she never imagined that when Barrett finally returned, the first thing he would do was marrying his new love... --- At Grace Mansion, Carissa Sinclair stared at the man before her—her husband she had waited for a whole year. Barrett Warren, still in his battle armor, wore an expression of both determination and guilt. "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for my marriage to Aurora." he said, his voice steady, " She will be joining our household. There's no question about it." Carissa's eyes clouded with confusion. "The queen dowager has praised General Yates as 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 won’t be a concubine. She’ll be my legal wife, equal to you." "But calling her equal doesn't change the fact that she’s still just a concubine," Carissa said, a soft smile playing on her lips. Barrett frowned. "Why can't you face the reality? Aurora and I fell in love with each other on the battlefield, and we earned this marriage with our glorified victory. In fact, I don’t really need your approval on it." Fell in love? Huh, looks like he is determined in breaking the vow he made a year ago... Carissa's soft smile wiped off by a mocking one, she had once believed Barrett’s victory would earn him a higher rank, freeing her from the burden of supporting the Warren household with her dowry. Yet instead, in exchange for his victory, he only asked the king for another woman's hand, and now he even dared to silence her with his so-called 'glorified victory'... Carissa felt a lump in her throat. Despite her disgust and reluctance, she asked, "What about your parents? Do they agree?" "They do. It was a royal edict, and Aurora is amicable. Mother liked her a lot upon seeing her, even her health seems to be improving." "Improving?" Carissa felt a whirlwind of emotions. "When you went to war, your mother was already gravely ill. I brought in the best physician, managed the estate’s affairs by day, and stayed up nights caring for her. That's how her condition started to improve." "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 be generous enough to welcome Aurora." Carissa lowered her eyes, as if blinking away the tears. But inspected closely, that's actually her sharpened gaze. "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her." "There's no need," Barrett refused instantly. "Carissa, she’s different from any woman you know. As a general, she’s above household squabbles and wouldn’t want to meet you." Carissa retorted, "What are women I know like? Or tell me, what kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm also the daughter of the Marquis's family. My father and my six brothers sacrificed on the Southern Frontier three years ago-" "That’s them." Barrett interrupted, "You're still a delicate woman suited only for home comforts, while Aurora has no respect for that. Besides, she never holds back her true thoughts. Trust me, you won't want to hear it from her. Also rest assured. Mother has promised me that Aurora will never threaten your control of the household. Carissa, she couldn't care less about those things." “Oh, that's what you and mother think I fear? Losing the control of this household?” Carissa couldn't help but laughing. Little did Barrett know his household had been reduced to a hollow shell - managing it was a hot potato no one else would bear. Over the past year, it was Carissa's dowry alone that kept the Warren family’s life respectable, and this was her reward. “Enough,” Barrett snapped, his patience running thin. “I’ve done my duty by informing you. Your opinion won’t change anything.” As Carissa watched hum storm out, her bitterness deepened. “My lady, my lord has really crossed the line!” Lulu, Carissa’s maid, said, wiping her tears. “Don’t call him that!” Carissa gave her a stern look. “We never consummated the marriage. He’s not your lord. Now go fetch my dowry list.” “Why the dowry list?” Lulu asked, puzzled. Carissa tapped her on the forehead. “Silly girl, we need to reckon everything before we leave.” Lulu gasped. “Leave? But where can we go? To the Northwatch Estate?” Suddenly Lulu held her tongue, aware that she had touched the sensitive subject. She spared Carissa a guilty look, "I'll get the list now, my lady." Upon the mention of Northwatch Estate, the always restrained Carissa finally let her tears fall. When she was fifteen, her father, the Marquis of Northwatch, had sacrificed his life on the battlefield. Then, just six months ago, her entire family at the Northwatch Estate was brutally slaughtered — assassins rumored to be spies from the enemy nation, Westhaven. She rushed back after getting the news, only to find the dismembered bodies of her mother and grandmother. Even her youngest nephew, two years old, didn't escape death, neither. Now, she was the lone survivor of the marquis' family, the idea of restoring her family’s former glory seemed impossible—at least to outsiders. After all, she was presented mostly as a delicate, fragile woman, while Aurora Taytes had just made herself the first female general in history. It's only natural that the Warren family was more than happy to agree to the marriage. Yet, unbeknownst to the world, Carissa's martial talent was never beneath her father and brothers. If given a chance on the battlefield, she would definitely outshine Aurora Taytes, perhaps a million times more... Just then, Lulu had brought over the dowry list, "My lady, this year alone, you've spent over six thousand silver coins supporting 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." "I see." Carisse's gaze lingered on the list with melancholy. Her mother had given her such a substantial dowry, fearing she might face hardship in her husband's home. Yet now here she was. The Warren family had disregarded all her effort, and Barrett had even broken his vow to take no concubine - the very promise that led her mother to choose him over more eligible suitors, despite the Warren family’s fall from grace. 'Was this really the life mother wanted me to have?' It took Carissa no time to made up her mind. “Lulu, get prepared. There's somewhere we need to go tomorrow.” ... Early the next morning, Carissa and Lulu boarded a carriage, heading straight for the royal 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. In the palace's study, Derek Walker had already reported Carissa’s arrival to the king three times. “Your Majesty, Mrs. Warren is still waiting outside the palace gates,” he repeated. The king, Salvador Quinton, set aside the document he was reading and rubbed his temples. “I can’t summon her in. The edict has been issued, and can't be taken back. Tell her to go home.” “The guards tried to persuade her, but she refused to leave. She’s been standing there for over an hour without moving.” Salvador felt a pang of guilt. “Barrett requested the marriage as a reward for his military service. I didn’t want to agree, either, but not granting it would embarrass both him and General Yates. They have after all won a big war.” “Your Majesty, when it comes to military achievements, no one can compare to the Marquis of Northwatch,” Derek countered. Salvador thought of Hector Sinclair, the Marquis of Northwatch. When Salvador was a crown prince who had recently joined the military, it was Hector who had guided him. Back then, he had also known Carissa when she was only a cute kid. Salvador himself had fought a bloody path to the throne, paved with death. He understood the struggles of military officers, so when Barrett requested marriage as a reward, Salvador had hesitated but eventually agreed. But Derek was right. In terms of military merit, Barrett and Aurora were far inferior to Hector Sinclair. “Alright, let her in. If she agrees to this marriage, I’ll grant her whatever she wants, even if it's a noble title or an official rank,” said Salvador. Derek breathed a sigh of relief. “As always, you're wise, Your Majesty!” ... Carissa knelt in the study with her head bowed. Recalling that Carissa was now the only one left in the Sinclair family, Salvador felt nothing but pity for her. "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." "Carissa Sinclair, I have already issued the edict of marriage. It's impossible to revoke it," Salvador said. Carissa shook her head gently. "Your Majesty, I'm not imploring you to reverse that edict, but imploring you for another edict - an amicable divorce with General Warren." The young king was taken aback. "Divorce? You want a divorce?" Carissa nodded her head firmly. She was never someone to pester some man. If Barret Warren loved Aurora Yates so much, then she would let him go. What she needed now was a single edict for an amicable divorce, so she could take away all her dowry and get rid of the despicable Warren family for good, dignified and head high...	LEARN_MORE	https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831&	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	323	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	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/t39.35426-6/463430846_3918983931754783_3857163581980999957_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LWOqVOUMwbIQ7kNvgFQTksN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A2Z07OPbiKG5rB3karHnZP3&oh=00_AYA8eOwvjB-gieaO6uNSD9xvKjm1xalH7S9rx6__FKT0Gw&oe=67582161	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,588,845	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2588847}'	Yes	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961	Enter today!		LEARN_MORE	https://wardsworld.wardsci.com/blog-posts/12-days-	Ward's Science	https://www.facebook.com/wardsci/	15,770	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	wardsworld.wardsci.com	CAROUSEL		https://wardsworld.wardsci.com/blog-posts/12-days-of-science-giveaway-2024?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-boosted+&utm_campaign=12daysofscience-boost24	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469444941_3911765109085454_5383988134882256311_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gMSgaZ3YQ28Q7kNvgEXQn_t&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A1kfgW4nCQS99khA6t63lOp&oh=00_AYAUOyIX_vdY2GDuA683tfut9o1otFdW5nGo-qfKhGTdmw&oe=675810FC	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Ward's Science	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,589,700	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2589697}'	Yes	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961	🧡 Win Paul Walker's Supra	🏁 Time is running out! Win a Fast & Furious Supra AND $10,000! This legendary car is worth $200,000. What would you do? Keep it for life or cash out big? 🚨 Don’t miss your shot at a life-changing prize! Enter now ➡️ https://zerosixty.life This screen-accurate replica is even better than our last one. Don’t let someone else live your dream! ✔️ LHD Supra Targa ✔️ Fully Built Brangers Engine ✔️ 700-900 WHP 2JZ VVTi ✔️ Targa top ✔️ Single turbo ✔️ 6-speed manual transmission ✔️ Bomex body kit ✔️ TRD Vented Carbon Viber Hood ✔️ APR GT-II Wing ✔️ 19” Dazz/Racing Hart M5 Tuners ✔️ “Troy Lee Designs” Graphics ✔️ Candy Pearl Orange Paint ✔️ 1998+ Headlight Upgrade w/ LEDs ✔️ 1998+ Toyota Turn Signals ✔️ RGB LED “Underglow” Lights … and so much more! This is more than a chance to win a car. It’s a life-changing opportunity to alter your future forever. - Remember the Buster	SHOP_NOW	https://zerosixty.life/	ZeroSixty: Fantasy Car Giveaway	https://www.facebook.com/zerosixtylife/	70,690	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now		DCO		https://zerosixty.life/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469095830_1666275247634045_8510721695850551136_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YSOM2aMNeVwQ7kNvgGDPzJ5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AML189e0DwBHWMuTht-vMbO&oh=00_AYC_6KiPfwQMBvSBgCa6vf5Fyvd5JxbZ_Widm-i4jPKF-Q&oe=6758157F	PERSON_PROFILE	0	ZeroSixty: Fantasy Car Giveaway	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,589,472	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2589473}'	Yes	2024-12-05 18:48	active	1961	🚨 Final Days To Enter.	💥 CYBER BONUS WEEK 💥 Buy Merch & Win Our Cars + Cash!	LEARN_MORE	https://tunercult.com/	TunerCult.com	https://www.facebook.com/officialtunercult/	577,051	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	TUNERCULT.COM	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://tunercult.com/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469186738_1962766964189499_9189065077476274028_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EvRGuZoxitkQ7kNvgHEr8Ze&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACQdmmVwvRp8aNbVhXpnXHp&oh=00_AYDfeRMjJx98ImREnjNgSJnbrh_TLMv8fovtliQicOGPkg&oe=6757FF7C	PERSON_PROFILE	0	TunerCult.com	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,591,453	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-12-05 19:06	active	1962	Kelly Woiszwillo \| Lifestyle International Realty - Real Estate Web Site with active MLS Listings	https://www.kellywproperties.com/	NO_BUTTON	https://www.kellywproperties.com/	Kay Ann Wozzy	https://www.facebook.com/kelly.woiszwillo/	408	1969-12-31 18:00	No button	kellywproperties.com	IMAGE	Search the MLS for Properties for Sale and for Rent plus New Developments with floor plans. Now it’s easy to search the MLS for active Properties for Sale, for Rent, and view New Developments with floor plans. All active listings with photos and details.	https://www.kellywproperties.com/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469107950_949919110322565_1395848503416498395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OmZnzuC_2IwQ7kNvgEXkNSl&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AdY50Ixvuwn0LbBxmbCPe0G&oh=00_AYA-W9173TMdEsYQHzKG3zJmoutFmtdNBzMuAI8dmbdDMw&oe=67582F44	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Kay Ann Wozzy	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,593,192	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2024-12-05 19:57	active	1963	Nächstes Kapitel lesen👉👉👉	Er ließ sich von ihr scheiden und sie hinterließ eine Nachricht: „Wenn du mir nicht glaubst, wirst du es bereuen.“ „Vier Jahre später sah er sie im Fernsehen und stellte sie als Top-100-Geschäftsführerin und alleinerziehende Mutter von Drillingen vor. Die Gesichter ihrer drei Kinder waren genau wie seine.“ ===== In der Nacht, Lucinda Ross wälzte sich im Schlaf hin und her. Plötzlich, riss sie entsetzt die Augen auf. Sie blinzelte in der Dunkelheit zu dem Mann über ihr. „Nathaniel... Bist du das, Nathaniel?" Er antwortete nur mit einem Grunzen, er gab keinen weiteren Laut von sich. Lucinda stieß einen Seufzer der Erleichterung aus, nachdem sie seine Stimme erkannt hatte. Sie sich über diese unerwartete Wendung der Ereignisse zu freuen. Sie waren seit drei Jahren verheiratet, aber ihr Mann, Nathaniel Roberts, hatte sie nie berührt. Er wollte nicht. Sein Großvater Logan hatte ihn zu dieser Ehe gezwungen, daher hatte Nathaniel ihr immer Groll gehalten und sie kalt behandelt. Lucinda war es gerade egal, was ihn dazu gebracht hatte, seine Meinung zu ändern. Sie war einfach mehr als glücklich, das Ganze wirkte so unwirklich, dass ein kleiner Teil von ihr vermutete, sie träume nur. Wenn es wirklich ein Traum war, wollte sie nie wieder daraus erwachen. Sie wollte ihm gerade sagen, dass sie ihn liebte, doch bevor sie die Worte aussprechen konnte, hörte sie ihn in seinem murmeln. „Ellie..." Lucinda erstarrte, als hätte man gerade einen Eimer kaltes Wasser über ihren Kopf geschüttet. Ihr Herz schmerzte bei der Erkenntnis, dass Nathaniel sie einfach mit einer anderen Frau verwechselt hatte. Die Frau in Nathaniels Herzen war Eleanor Turner. Sie war seine erste Liebe. Da Logan diese Beziehung nicht billigte, war sie gezwungen, all die Jahre im Ausland zu bleiben. Aber Eleanor war gerade erst ins Land zurückgekehrt. Sie hatte keine Zeit verloren, Lucinda eine Nachricht zu schicken, die sie offensichtlich provozieren sollte. „Ich bin zurück. Bald wirst du keinen Platz mehr in der Familie Roberts haben.Du hast vielleicht Nate geheiratet, aber er und ich sind zusammen aufgewachsen. Hast du wirklich gedacht, du könntest mich ersetzen? Erkenne deinen Platz und krieche zurück in das Waisenhaus, aus dem du kommst. Da gehörst du hin." „Ich bin sicher, du weißt, wie sehr er mich liebt. Verstehst du, Lucinda? Für Nate wirst du immer nur mein Ersatz sein." Ihr Ersatz... Lucinda war die Frau, die Logan als Nathaniels Ehefrau ausgewählt hatte! Sie war durch niemanden zu ersetzen. Der Klang von Nathaniels Stimme holte sie in die Gegenwart zurück. Ihr Mann murmelte immer noch den Namen einer anderen Frau. Eleanors Sticheleien spielten immer wieder in Lucindas Kopf. So wie die Dinge standen, konnte sie sich keine Illusionen mehr machen. Sie musste sich der Tatsache stellen, dass Nathaniel sie nicht liebte und auch nie lieben würde. Ihre Augen füllten sich mit Tränen und sie ballte die Hände zu Fäusten. Sie war Nathaniel die ganze Zeit über gefügig und unterwürfig gewesen und hatte sogar ihren Job gekündigt, um eine gute Ehefrau zu sein und sich um ihren Mann kümmern zu können. Lucinda hatte Misshandlungen und Demütigungen durch die versnobte und herablassende Familie ihres Mannes ertragen müssen. Seine Mutter und seine Schwester gaben sich keine Mühe, ihre Verachtung für ihre arme Herkunft zu verbergen, und taten alles, um ihr das Leben schwer zu machen. Lucinda wollte Nathaniel mit diesen Angelegenheiten nicht belästigen. Wahrscheinlich würde er sie sowieso nur als Bagatelle abtun, also schluckte sie ihren Kummer hinunter und machte weiter. Sie hatte sich unvorstellbar gedemütigt, um sein Herz zu gewinnen, aber es sah so aus, als wären ihre Bemühungen nicht genug. Warum musste er auf ihrem Herzen herumtrampeln und ihr das letzte bisschen Würde und Selbstachtung nehmen, das sie noch hatte? Der Rest der Nacht kam mir wie eine Ewigkeit vor. Lucindas Augen blieben weit geöffnet und der Schlaf weigerte sich, sie zu besuchen. Am nächsten Morgen wurde Nathaniel durch das blendende Licht, das durch das Fenster fiel, geweckt. Er rieb sich die Schläfen und öffnete die Augen, als er Lucinda mit dem Rücken zu ihm vor der Kommode sitzen sah. Die Erinnerungen an die vergangene Nacht kamen in Windeseile zurück, er heftete seinen Blick auf sie und seine Lippen verzogen sich zu einem höhnischen Grinsen. Obwohl Lucinda ihm nicht gegenüberstand, konnte sie die Wut spüren, die von Nathaniel ausging. Sie blieb gelassen und fuhr mit ihrer Hautpflege fort. Im nächsten Moment wurde ihr Handgelenk in einem schraubstockähnlichen Griff gepackt und sie wurde gewaltsam auf die Beine gezogen. Der kleine Topf mit der Sahne rutschte ihr aus der Hand und zerschellte auf dem Boden, so dass der Inhalt verschüttet wurde. Lucinda hob den Kopf und starrte Nathaniel wütend an. Doch so wütend sie auch war, sie konnte den Schmerz in ihrem Herzen nicht unterdrücken, als sie seinen Augen begegnete. „Meinst du, du kannst mich zwingen, dich anzuerkennen, indem du mich unter D**gen setzt?" Seine Finger um ihr Handgelenk wurden noch fester, als er die Worte ausspuckte. Er sah in diesem Moment absolut furchterregend aus. Aber warten Sie... Lucinda schenkte ihm ein bitteres Lächeln. „Halten Sie mich wirklich für eine Frau, die solche abscheulichen Methoden anwenden würde?" Nathaniel schnaubte angewidert. „Du hast meinen Großvater dazu gebracht, dir zu vertrauen, damit du mich heiraten kannst. Also hör auf, dich so zu benehmen, als wärst du ein unschuldiges Mädchen. Ich werde es nicht kaufen. Eine schamlose Opportunistin wie Sie kann sich niemals mit Ellie messen!" Ein Opportunist? Seinen Großvater ausgetrickst? Das war also seine wahre Meinung von ihr. Wenn sie, hätte sie es schon längst getan. Warum sollte sie bis jetzt warten und drei Jahre lang unter den Schikanen seiner Mutter und seiner Schwester leiden? Offensichtlich kannte Nathaniel sie überhaupt nicht. Lucinda erkannte jetzt, wie lächerlich sie in der Vergangenheit gewesen war. Sie hatte sich mehr und mehr verbogen, nur um ihm zu gefallen und auch nur einen Moment seiner Aufmerksamkeit zu bekommen. Lucinda biss die Zähne zusammen und schüttelte seinen Griff ab. Dann hob sie ihr Kinn und sprach mit einer Stimme, die vor Entschlossenheit klang. „Nathaniel, ich will die Scheidung." Kapitel 2 Dreißig Milliarden Dollar "Was?" Nathaniel war von Lucindas plötzlichem Scheidungsantrag überrascht. "Was hast du diesmal vor?" Lucinda warf ihm einen kalten Blick zu. Obwohl sie kleiner war als er, strahlte sie eine starke Präsenz aus, die ihn fast einschüchterte. „Du wolltest dich schon immer von mir scheiden lassen, richtig? Dein Großvater hat dich gezwungen, mich zu heiraten. Und jetzt, wo er tot ist, hindert dich nichts mehr daran, mich zu verlassen und mit Eleanor zusammen zu sein. Willst du sie nicht heiraten?" Lucindas Worte waren unverblümt und auf den Punkt gebracht. Nathaniels Gesicht verzerrte sich ungläubig. Konnte Lucinda wirklich so nett sein und ihn mit der Frau zusammen sein lassen, die er wirklich liebte? Lucinda sah aus, als würde sie die Wahrheit sagen, also schnaubte Nathaniel und sagte in einem kalten Ton: „Bereue es nicht." Sie grinste höhnisch. Sie war noch nie so entschlossen gewesen. Sie hatte sich entschieden. „Ich wünschte, ich hätte dich nie geheiratet." Mit entschlossenem Schritt verließ Lucinda den Raum. Nathaniel starrte sie ungläubig an, als sie wegging. Er hatte sie noch nie so selbstbewusst auftreten sehen. Die sanftmütige und fügsame Frau, die er gekannt hatte, war hart und entschlossen geworden, so dass er sich fragte, was sich verändert hatte. Könnte es sein, dass sie mit den Geschehnissen der letzten Nacht nichts zu tun hatte? Aber wenn sie es nicht war, wer könnte es dann sein? Später am Morgen gingen beide zum Gerichtsgebäude. Lucinda trug ein schlichtes und unattraktives Outfit, während Nathaniel einen eleganten Prada-Anzug trug. Sie sahen aus wie ein seltsames Paar und zogen die Aufmerksamkeit vieler Leute auf sich. Aber Lucinda schenkte dem keine Beachtung. She was focused on finalizing their divorce as soon as possible. In wenigen Minuten war die Ehe, die so viel Traurigkeit mit sich brachte, endlich aufgelöst. Lucinda hielt die Scheidungspapiere in der Hand und fühlte sich wie betäubt und von der Welt um sie herum abgekoppelt. „Das ist es also. Tschüß", sagte der Mann kühl und ging. Lucinda sah zu, wie er in der Ferne verschwand, ohne ein weiteres Wort zu sagen oder ihr einen zweiten Blick zuzuwerfen. Er hat nicht einmal versucht, ihre Ehe zu retten. Es war, als wäre er nie als ihr Ehemann da gewesen. „Er hat es mir einfach so viel leichter gemacht." Sie lachte schmerzhaft und schüttelte den Kopf. Sein kühles Auftreten hatte es ihr leichter gemacht, weiterzumachen. Sie waren nun nichts weiter als Fremde und dazu bestimmt, getrennte Leben zu führen. Lucinda schüttelte den Kopf, um ihre Gedanken zu klären, und machte sich auf den Weg. Plötzlich hielt ein eleganter schwarzer Bentley vor ihr. Die Autotür öffnete sich, und ein alter Mann mit grauem Haar stieg aus und ging auf sie zu. Er wurde von vier stämmigen Leibwächtern begleitet. Als Lucinda erkannte, um wen es sich handelte, richtete sie sich auf und strahlte einen Hauch von Noblesse aus. „Mein Vater scheint immer gut informiert zu sein. Ich habe mich gerade erst scheiden lassen, und er hat dich schon hierher geschickt", murmelte sie vor sich hin. Der alte Mann - Gilbert Duncan - lächelte sie freundlich an, verbeugte sich vor ihr und sagte: „Miss, heute ist der letzte Tag Ihrer dreijährigen Vereinbarung mit Ihrem Vater." Er starrte einen Moment lang auf das Dokument, das Lucinda in der Hand hielt. Mit einer bedauernden Miene sagte er: „Sieht so aus, als könnten Sie ihn nicht für sich gewinnen. Wenn das der Fall ist, sollten Sie nach Stastle zurückkehren und das Familienunternehmen erben, wie versprochen." Lucinda verzog das Gesicht und schwieg eine gefühlte Ewigkeit. Als Lucinda gerade fünfzehn war, passierte ihr etwas Schreckliches. Am Ende verlor sie ihr Gedächtnis und landete im Waisenhaus hier in Forden. Später wurde sie von Logan Roberts auf das Anwesen der Familie Roberts zurückgebracht, nachdem sie ihn gerettet hatte. Als sie volljährig wurde, befahl Logan seinem Enkel Nathaniel, sie zu heiraten. Erst in der Hochzeitsnacht mit Nathaniel gewann Lucinda ihre Erinnerungen zurück. Damals hatte sie Nathaniel ihrem eigenen Vater vorgezogen und vereinbart, nach drei Jahren nach Hause zurückzukehren, wenn es ihr nicht gelingen sollte, ihren Mann in sie zu verlieben. Lucinda hatte erfahren, dass sie drei Jahre ihres Lebens für einen Mann weggeworfen hatte, der keine Liebe für sie empfand. „Mr. Simmons vermisst Sie schrecklich. Bitte komm mit mir zurück. Machen Sie Ihren Vater nicht weiter wütend. Er..." „Gilbert", unterbrach Lucinda, deren Gesicht noch kälter wurde, als er die Vergangenheit ansprach. „Er hat diese Frau an seiner Seite. Die Familie Simmons braucht mich sowieso nicht. Ich habe hier in Forden dringendere Angelegenheiten zu erledigen, deshalb werde ich nicht mit Ihnen zurückkehren." In den vergangenen drei Jahren hatte sie im Geheimen ermittelt und versucht herauszufinden, wer ihren Gedächtnisverlust verursacht hatte und wie sie nach Forden gekommen war. Mit viel Mühe hatte sie herausgefunden, dass die Person wahrscheinlich für die Simmons-Gruppe arbeitete. Sie war sich jedoch noch immer nicht sicher, wer konkret dafür verantwortlich war. Lucinda befand sich in einer prekären Lage, da der Feind im Schatten lauerte. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt war es für sie zu riskant, zur Familie Simmons zurückzukehren. Außerdem war der Gedanke, wieder bei ihrer Stiefmutter zu leben, unerträglich. Gilbert stieß einen schweren Seufzer aus. „Herr Simmons hatte recht. Du hegst noch immer einen Groll gegen ihn und wirst nicht so einfach zurückkommen." Er zog eine Supreme-Kreditkarte aus seiner Brieftasche und reichte sie Lucinda respektvoll. „Dies ist Ihre Bankkarte. Es sind dreißig Milliarden Dollar darin enthalten." Dann gab er den hinter ihm stehenden Leibwächtern ein Zeichen, die Lucinda sofort einen neuen Vertrag überreichten. Kapitel 3 Sie wurde reich „Mr. Simmons sagte, Sie können hier bleiben, aber das ist an eine Bedingung geknüpft. Sie müssen Angle Intl, eine der Niederlassungen der Simmons-Gruppe in Forden, leiten und den Gewinn um fünf Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr steigern. Er sagte auch, Sie könnten das Angebot ablehnen, aber er würde nicht für die Sicherheit der Roberts-Gruppe garantieren", berichtete Gilbert höflich. Lucinda biss die Zähne zusammen. Sie hatte Logan auf seinem Sterbebett versprochen, sich um die Roberts-Gruppe zu kümmern, und konnte daher nicht zulassen, dass ihr etwas zustößt. Ihr Vater kannte ihre Schwäche und nutzte sie als Trumpfkarte, um sie zu manipulieren. Aber er zwang sie nicht, nach Hause zu gehen. Stattdessen verlangte er, dass sie Angle Intl. übernimmt. Was zum Teufel war sein Motiv? „Gut, ich mache es", sagte Lucinda widerwillig. Sie nahm den Stift zur Hand und kritzelte ihren Namen auf den Vertrag. Dann griff sie nach der Kreditkarte, auf die dreißig Milliarden Dollar geladen waren. Sie kicherte, als sie die Karte anstarrte. Vor wenigen Minuten war sie noch so pleite, dass sie kaum zehn Dollar besaß. Sie konnte sich nicht einmal eine Taxifahrt nach Hause leisten. Aber jetzt... Sie hat also gerade den Jackpot geknackt? Aufgrund ihrer Vereinbarung mit ihrem Vater wurde Lucindas Bankkonto eingefroren, und sie musste ihre wahre Identität verbergen, um die Vereinbarung nicht zu brechen. Die Familie Roberts hat auf Lucinda immer herabgesehen. Sie haben sie nie ernst genommen und nur mit wohlhabenden Leuten zu tun gehabt. Stellen Sie sich vor, wie überrascht sie wären, wenn sie herausfänden, dass sie die jüngste Tochter der Simmons-Familie ist, der reichsten Familie im ganzen Land, mit Milliarden auf ihrem Bankkonto. Lucinda erinnerte sich an die Zeit, als ihre beste Freundin im Waisenhaus im Sterben lag. Sie bettelte auf den Knien bei Nathaniels Mutter Amanda um ein Darlehen. Amanda stellte arrogant ihre Platin-Bankkarte zur Schau, gab Lucinda aber nichts. „Raten Sie mal, wie viel Geld ich auf meiner Karte habe? Eine Million! Haben Sie in Ihrem ganzen Leben schon einmal so viel Geld gesehen? Aber ich leihe dir keinen Cent. Ich würde mit meinem ganzen Geld lieber Hundefutter kaufen. Für mich ist Ihr armer Freund nicht so wichtig wie ein Haushund". Lucinda biss die Zähne zusammen, da sie sich verspottet und beleidigt fühlte. Am liebsten würde sie Nathaniels Mutter und seiner Schwester eine Lektion erteilen, wann immer sich ihr die Gelegenheit dazu bietet. Sie wollte Rache, für ihre Freundin und für sich selbst. Während sie noch überlegte, griff jemand von hinten grob nach ihrem Handgelenk. Lucinda drehte sich um und sah, dass es Amanda war. Amanda hielt ihr Kinn hoch und starrte Lucinda mit deutlichem Abscheu im Gesicht an. Hinter ihr standen viele reiche Damen mit Einkaufstüten in den Händen. Es sah aus, als wären sie nur zusammen einkaufen gegangen. Lucinda ließ die Kreditkarte lässig in ihre Tasche fallen und fragte kalt: „Was wollen Sie?" Amanda war von Lucindas neuem Verhalten überrascht. Sie konnte nicht glauben, dass Lucinda eines Tages so kalt zu ihr sein konnte. Amanda hat es genossen, sie herabzusetzen und einzuschüchtern. „Wer hat dir die Erlaubnis gegeben, herauszukommen? Sind Sie mit der Hausarbeit fertig? Hast du das Mittagessen vorbereitet? Und was trägst du da? Du bist seit Jahren mit meinem Sohn verheiratet und ziehst dich immer noch wie ein armer Schlucker an. Schäm dich! Raus hier!" "Schande?" Lucinda kicherte über Amandas Worte. „Nachdem ich in deine Familie eingeheiratet hatte, hast du alle Bediensteten entlassen und mich gezwungen, meinen Job zu kündigen. Dann hast du mich dazu gebracht, auf deinen Sohn aufzupassen. Und ich habe alles getan, was Sie von mir verlangt haben. Aber waren Sie jemals zufrieden? Nein. Du hast mich beschuldigt, deinen Schmuck gestohlen zu haben, und mich zur Strafe draußen im Regen knien lassen. Erinnerst du dich daran?" Die Damen hinter Amanda sahen unbehaglich aus. Sie wussten, dass Amanda immer gemein zu Lucinda war, aber sie hatten keine Ahnung, dass sie so weit gegangen war, sie zu quälen. Als die Spannung zwischen ihnen immer größer wurde, beschlossen die Damen, sich unter einem Vorwand aus dem Staub zu machen, den sie vorbringen konnten. "Was? Wovon zum Teufel redest du?" Amanda versuchte, etwas zu sagen, aber Lucindas schnelles Sprechen machte es ihr schwer. „Stell dich nicht dumm. Sie wissen genau, wovon ich spreche." Erklärte Lucinda mit hoch erhobenem Kinn, „Ich habe genug von deinem Mist. Wenn du noch einmal versuchst, dich mit mir anzulegen, wirst du für all deine vergangenen Taten bezahlen!" Kapitel 4 Sie hereinlegen Amanda konnte die Veränderung in Lucindas Verhalten nicht fassen. Hat sich ihre einst unterwürfige Schwiegertochter jetzt gegen sie aufgelehnt? „Früher hast du dich uns gegenüber immer so verhalten, als wärst du sanft? !" Je mehr Amanda darüber nachdachte, desto wütender wurde sie. Sie ballte die Faust und drohte: „Das lasse ich nicht auf sich beruhen. Ich werde Nathaniel sagen, dass er sich von dir scheiden lassen soll! Selbst wenn du auf die Knie fällst und mich anflehst, werde ich dir nie verzeihen!" Lucinda ließ sich nicht aus der Ruhe bringen. Ein Ausdruck der Verachtung spielte über ihr Gesicht, als sie spottete. „Oh, das habe ich vergessen zu erwähnen. Vor zehn Minuten habe ich mich von ihm scheiden lassen. Selbst wenn du auf die Knie gehst und mich anflehst, werde ich nie wieder einen Fuß in das Haus der Familie Roberts setzen." Geschieden? Sie hatten sich gerade scheiden lassen? Wie war das möglich?! Amanda konnte es nicht glauben. Lucinda hatte sich immer an die Familie Roberts geklammert, und jetzt hatte sie aufgegeben und war einfach so gegangen? Als Amanda Lucinda nachsah, wurde sie misstrauisch. Sie musste dies bestätigen. Ohne Zeit zu verlieren, wählte sie die Nummer ihres Sohnes und fragte: „Stimmt das? Haben Sie sich wirklich scheiden lassen?" "Ja." Nathaniels Stirnrunzeln vertiefte sich, als er fragte: „Woher hast du das gehört?" „Wer sonst? Auf dem Rückweg bin ich zufällig mit Lucinda zusammengestoßen. Dieses kleine Biest hat mich gerade angeschrien." Amanda war wütend. Doch ihre Laune besserte sich schnell, als sie sich daran erinnerte, dass sie sich tatsächlich hatten scheiden lassen. „Na, das sind ja tolle Neuigkeiten! Du bist sie endlich losgeworden. Sie ist nur eine Waise. Wie könnte sie meines hervorragenden Sohnes würdig sein? Sie hätte schon längst dorthin zurückkehren sollen, wo sie hingehört." Trotz der Aufregung seiner Mutter blieb Nathaniel stoisch. Er konnte die seltsame Mischung aus Schuldgefühlen und Aufregung, die er in seinem Herzen spürte, nicht abschütteln. Damals rechnete er damit, dass Lucinda sich wehren würde, wenn er ihr die Scheidung vorschlug, und so hatte er drei Millionen Dollar Abfindung und eine Villa für sie vorbereitet. Aber letztendlich war sie diejenige, die zuerst um die Scheidung gebeten hat, und sie hat nicht einmal eine Entschädigung verlangt. Nach der Scheidung hatte Lucinda weder familiäre noch finanzielle Unterstützung. Wie sollte sie überleben? Nathaniel schob diese Gedanken beiseite. Seiner Meinung nach würde Lucinda zu ihm zurückkehren, wenn sie niemanden mehr hatte, an den sie sich wenden konnte. Lucinda nahm sich ein Taxi und fuhr zurück zu der Villa, in der sie mit Nathaniel gelebt hatte. Die letzten drei Jahre waren ziemlich hart. Die Erinnerungen lasteten so schwer auf ihrem Herzen, dass sie sich nicht länger mit ihnen beschäftigen wollte. Lucinda ging durch den kleinen Garten vor dem Tor der Villa und machte sich auf den Weg nach oben, um ihre Sachen zu packen. Sie konnte es kaum erwarten, von dort wegzukommen und all die Erinnerungen an ihre schwierige Vergangenheit hinter sich zu lassen. Doch gerade als sie wieder nach unten ging, stand eine umwerfende Frau im Flur und starrte sie an. Es war Eleanor, gekleidet in ein wunderschönes weißes Kleid. „Lucinda, lange nicht gesehen." Lucinda war überrascht. Sie hätte nie gedacht, dass sie Eleanor dort sehen würde. Nathaniel muss ihr den Schlüssel zur Villa gleich nach ihrer Scheidung gegeben haben, dachte Lucinda. Es war offensichtlich, dass er in sie verknallt war. Lucinda fühlte eine Welle des Ekels, behielt aber ein Lächeln auf ihrem Gesicht, während sie elegant die Treppe hinunterging. Ihr anmutiges Auftreten erregte Eleanors Aufmerksamkeit und ließ sie für einen Moment innehalten. Mit einem Lächeln im Gesicht bemerkte Eleanor: „Es ist erst ein paar Jahre her, dass ich Sie das letzte Mal gesehen habe, aber Sie werden von Tag zu Tag eleganter, wie eine echte Mrs. Roberts. Warte, streich das." Eleanor bedeckte ihren Mund und lächelte verlegen. „Ich habe vergessen, dass du dich von Nate scheiden ließest. Du bist nicht mehr seine Frau." Lucinda blieb ruhig, obwohl sie wusste, dass Eleanors Worte darauf abzielten, sie zu provozieren. Sie lächelte sogar breit, als sie sagte: „Ich will ihn nicht mehr, also habe ich ihn abserviert. Er gehört jetzt ganz dir. Aber heiraten Sie ihn nicht zu schnell, sonst könnte man Sie als die andere Frau ansehen, die unsere Ehe ruiniert hat". Eleanors Gesicht wurde kalt und grimmig. „Nate und ich lieben uns innig. Wenn du nicht wärst, wären wir schon lange zusammen. Du bist die andere Frau in unserer Beziehung, die es verdient, gehasst zu werden!" Lucinda warf ihr einen verächtlichen Blick zu. „Ich schätze, wir werden einfach abwarten und sehen." Mit diesen Worten wollte Lucinda weggehen, doch plötzlich wurde sie am Handgelenk gepackt. Sie drehte sich um und sah Eleanor mit einem mitleidigen Gesichtsausdruck und tränenüberströmten Augen. „Lucinda, es tut mir leid. Du warst immer ein guter Freund für mich, und ich wollte nur mal nachsehen, wie es dir geht. Ich habe es gut gemeint, und ich wusste nicht, dass du geschieden bist. Ich wollte dich nicht beleidigen. Sei bitte nicht böse auf mich, okay?" „Täuschen Sie hier Ihre Unschuld vor?" Lucinda schnaubte und war im Begriff, sich aus Eleanors Griff zu befreien. Doch Eleanor fiel unerwartet auf den Boden und stieß einen Schrei aus. Von hinten könnte man meinen, sie hätte Eleanor zu Boden gestoßen. Interessant. Lucinda verfolgte das Drama, das sich vor ihr abspielte, mit Interesse. Wenn ihre Intuition richtig war, könnte Nathaniel irgendwo in der Nähe sein. Wie erwartet, ertönte eine männliche, hektische Stimme von hinten. „Lucinda, was ist los mit dir?" Nathaniel eilte herbei, um Eleanor aufzuhelfen. Dann wandte er sich enttäuscht an Lucinda. „Ich dachte, du hättest nach der Scheidung mehr Selbstbeherrschung. Ich hätte nie erwartet, dass du immer noch so grausam und herzlos bist. Ich wollte dir diese Villa schenken, aber es scheint, als hättest du sie nicht verdient." „Gib ihr keine Schuld, Nate. Es war meine Schuld. Ich muss etwas gesagt haben, das sie wütend gemacht hat. Ich bin mir sicher, dass sie es nicht so gemeint hat", sagte Eleanor, lehnte sich schluchzend an Nathaniels Brust und sah mitleidig aus. Aber sie war zufrieden, als sie Lucinda einen selbstgefälligen Blick zuwarf. Nathaniels Gesicht verhärtete sich. „Entschuldige dich sofort bei Ellie", befahl er und starrte Lucinda an. Er wollte, dass sie sich entschuldigt? Lucinda war fuchsteufelswild. Sie schaute zwischen den beiden Turteltauben hin und her und ein Lächeln erschien auf ihren Lippen, dann gib mir keine Vorwürfe... ...... Wie geht es weiter? Es gibt hier nur eine begrenzte Anzahl von Kapiteln. Klicken Sie auf die Schaltfläche unten, um die App zu installieren und weitere Kapitel zu lesen (Sie werden automatisch zum Buch weitergeleitet, wenn Sie die App öffnen) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/19874412-fb_contact-d	Lime novel	https://www.facebook.com/100090847180115/	969	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/19874412-fb_contact-dej21_2-1102-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=963640648821211&rawadid=120213740659850722	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465782857_2522193957991137_3007572299760355726_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mafKZp6C_XUQ7kNvgEOycXN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AOF9LMZgzymb6dtCFBnwEDG&oh=00_AYDVyg6qPAeFCPk8-l6sPX0H87elWAwYKzInj0m7kNDmdw&oe=67583DBA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lime novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,590,951	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2590984}'	Yes	2024-12-05 19:06	active	1962		#outdoorwedding ##WeddingInspiration #weddingtable#weddinginspiration #eventplanner #partytime #elegance #eventtable#diningtabledecor #centerpieces #weddingrings #weddingbouquet #eventdecor #placesetting #Weddingrentals #classic #diningtables #diningchairs #highend #furniture #eventdesigner #eventplanner #furnituredesign #weddingfurniture #relaxation #sofa #loungearea	WHATSAPP_MESSAGE	https://api.whatsapp.com/send	olayfurniture_kelly	https://www.instagram.com/_u/olayfurniture_kelly	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Send WhatsApp message	api.whatsapp.com	VIDEO		https://api.whatsapp.com/send	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/340800459_909095636964375_521726792341787084_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=S0yOD80w9VYQ7kNvgGs3g6l&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYBSU5FQ4tCsYPavpsn-ZdUZD4VxvqJ09P3buvjCoARylg&oe=675839B2	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	olayfurniture_kelly	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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