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Yes 2024-12-08 19:06 active 1974 0 ๐Ÿšจ Milkweed Seed Giveaway ๐Ÿšจ My backyard nursery in Gretna has extra seeds! So I am raffling them off over several giveaways. [Nebraska residents only] To enter, leave a comment with your favorite kind of milkweed! The prize is 4 packets of milkweed seeds: ๐Ÿ‘‘Asclepias incarnata (Rose Milkweed) ๐Ÿ‘‘Asclepias sullivantii (Prairie Milkweed) ๐Ÿ‘‘Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) ๐Ÿ‘‘Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) One winner will be randomly selected from the comments and announced on Dec. 14th. Once I receive a mailing address, I will send the seeds via USPS at no cost to the winner. Follow Crown Jewels Cranesbill Nursery for more seed giveaways and plant sales! [This promotion is not sponsored by Facebook] NO_BUTTON Crown Jewels Cranesbill Nursery https://www.facebook.com/crownjewelsnursery/ 246 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 No button 0 IMAGE 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469395303_1273378733986457_1263019325339612842_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T1-7j2geZtYQ7kNvgEXQEob&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=As7RnysMTiok0X95Xc3HB9p&oh=00_AYDsLJ_8oSEGAiz60bI2MmWlsROZpiFdJHIGEDlXRJZp9w&oe=675C13E0 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Crown Jewels Cranesbill Nursery 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:42 active 1976 0 Read next chapter She and her stepsister fell in love with the same man, but when he knelt down to beg her to save her stepsister, she felt desperate. She demanded to become his wife to save her stepsister. Two years later, when she got the divorce agreement as scheduled, she realized that she had ended up losing everything. ===== Emma Cooper boarded her flight home after three grueling months of filming. Today was also the final day of Emma's contractual marriage. The four-hour journey felt endless, but at last, the plane touched down. Once she retrieved her suitcase, she made her way toward the exit, expecting a company car. But as soon as the doors slid open, she spotted someone familiar--Edwin Reid, the Jenner family's long-time driver. He stood by a sleek black Rolls-Royce, his posture rigid and respectful, waiting. Dragging her suitcase, she approached. Edwin immediately took over, wordlessly opening the car door for her. Inside, a man sat in silence. His presence was cold yet commanding, encased in a perfectly tailored black suit. His sharply chiseled face devoid of any expression, he didn't look up--not even a glance her way. It was Ricky Jenner, her husband of two years. His unexpected appearance caught her off guard, though she quickly remembered why he was here. Their arrangement was ending today. Of course, he would show up. Emma slid into the car, maintaining a careful distance, the space between them as silent and tense as ever. For two years, Ricky had made it clear--he didn't want her close. Tonight was the first time they had been seated so near, and the closeness felt foreign. The faint scent of his cologne lingered between them, familiar but distant, like everything about him. Edwin quietly loaded her suitcase into the trunk and slid back behind the wheel. As the car pulled away from the airport, the silence inside grew suffocating. Ricky's expression remained as cold and distant as ever, his presence casting a shadow over the space. Emma's heart raced, each breath coming in shallow, uneasy waves. Twenty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of the Jenner family's grand estate. Before Emma could collect her thoughts, the butler rushed out, swiftly opening the door. Ricky stepped out first, his long strides carrying him toward the house without so much as a glance in her direction. "Let's go to the study," he muttered, his tone clipped, not even bothering to slow his pace. Emma's nerves had been on edge the entire ride. She knew what was coming. The moment she entered the study, she saw Ricky pull out a stack of papers from the desk drawer, tossing them in front of her. "Let's get a divorce," he said. Emma's heart twisted painfully in her chest, but she remained composed. She had loved Ricky for ten years, and wearing the title of Mrs. Jenner had never brought her closer to his heart. His body, his soul--none of him had ever belonged to her. "Nicola is old enough to marry now, isn't she?" Emma said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to keep it steady. Ricky's brow twitched slightly, a flicker of impatience crossing his sharp features. He didn't bother responding to her comment. Instead, he immediately extended the pen toward her, a silent demand. Emma forced a smile, but it felt like a crack in her mask. Without her usual makeup, her lips looked pale, and her face seemed drained of life. The exhaustion was undeniable. "Just sign it," Ricky said, emotionless and firm. She accepted the pen and, without sparing a glance at the contents of the contract, flipped to the last page and signed her name. The act felt final, yet hollow. As she placed the pen down, Emma glanced up at Ricky. His eyes, still striking, stared back at her with an icy detachment that sent a shiver through her. It was as if he was looking at a stranger, not his wife. "It's getting late. I'll move out tomorrow, if that's alright?" Emma asked, her voice fragile, her smile tense as she searched Ricky's face for even a shred of warmth. But Ricky's response came swift and sharp, dashing any hope. "Edwin will take you to a hotel." Was he really sending her away this very moment? Not even allowing her the courtesy of one last night under this roof? Her forced smile faltered, then vanished altogether. The silence between them stretched, heavy. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment before she turned away, her heart hardening with each step as she left the room. In her bedroom, Emma took the suitcase she hadn't even had the chance to unpack. When she dragged her suitcase downstairs, the maids rushed to help, but she waved them off, her smile weary. "Thank you, but I can handle it." They exchanged helpless glances, standing quietly in a line as they watched her approach the door. In the two years she had spent in this house, Emma had grown to care for the people here. Everyone, except Ricky, had shown her warmth. A pang of sorrow hit her, but after enduring two years of emotional isolation, she no longer had the strength to fight. It was over. Time to move on, and finally, let go. Despite the searing pain ripping through her chest, Emma remained dry-eyed. She had learned how to hide her emotions well. As she slid into the backseat of the car, she forced herself to appear composed. Edwin drove her through the city streets and dropped her off at a five-star hotel. Without a word, he left. Inside, Emma checked in and powered on her phone, which had been off for hours. There was a missed call from her father, Colby Cooper. She inhaled deeply, bracing herself as she dialed his number. Colby picked up almost immediately. "Emma, Nicola's condition has worsened," he said, his voice rough, weighed down with exhaustion and worry. Emma's heart skipped a beat. "What? When did this happen?" "About a week ago." "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked. "You were busy filming. I didn't want to burden you," Colby explained. Emma paused, the silence between them heavy. Her mind flashed back to two years ago, when she had donated her bone marrow to save Nicola Cooper. The realization hit her--she knew exactly why her father was calling. "What do you need me to do?" she asked, her voice steady but resigned. "No, there's nothing you need to do. Ricky's already taken care of everything--he's brought in top doctors, and the hospital found a bone marrow match for Nicola from the registry. You just need to visit when you can," Colby said. Emma stayed silent, her chest tightening. Colby, sensing her hesitation, gave her Nicola's room number and urged her to come soon, mentioning how much Nicola missed her. A sharp pain gripped her heart. She managed a weak "okay" before quickly ending the call, unable to hear more. That night felt endless. She tossed and turned on the unfamiliar hotel bed, her mind racing. By 2 a.m., she gave in, ordering a bottle of red w*ne. She drank most of it before finally drifting off into a fitful sleep. The next morning, close to noon, Emma was jolted awake by her phone ringing. Her agent's voice was quick and urgent on the other end. She pitched the idea of her joining a popular rural reality show--one that guaranteed fame for all who participated. "I'm not interested. I need a break," she replied, her voice groggy with exhaustion. Her agent snapped, clearly frustrated, "A break? Do you think you can take a break whenever you feel like it? Look, you've been in this industry for three years. You've turned down intimate scenes, refused reality shows and avoided any publicity stunts with male celebrities. The company has bent over backward to accommodate you! But what now?" Her voice grew sharper. "Three years in, and you still lack ambition. Keep this up, and your career will be done." "Then let it be done." "Emma, you..." Her agent's voice was cut off as Emma ended the call without hesitation. The frustration simmered inside her, but she didn't dwell on it. She headed straight to the bathroom, ignoring the incessant buzzing of her phone. After a long shower, feeling slightly more clear-headed, she decided to reach out to Jenifer Howard, a close friend she hadn't seen for a while. Emma asked if she could stay at Jenifer's place for a few days. Jenifer was thrilled and agreed, coming over to pick her up almost immediately. Once settled at Jenifer's, Emma unpacked her things and shared a quiet meal with her friend. That afternoon, she made her way to Ecatin General Hospital. Standing outside Nicola's room, Emma watched through the glass as the caregiver tried feeding her sister. Nicola, frail and pale, managed only a few bites before she began to retch. Emma's chest tightened with a sorrow she couldn't fully articulate. Nicola was her half-sister, five years younger and barely twenty now. They had been inseparable as children; Nicola had always looked up to her, following her everywhere. But everything changed when they both fell in love with Ricky. Two years ago, when Nicola was first diagnosed with leukemia, Ricky had been beside himself with worry. That was when the truth hit Emma--Ricky didn't love her. His heart belonged to Nicola. Chapter 2 You Don't Deserve To Be Around Nicola Back then, Emma's bl*od test results had come back clear--there were no complications, no signs of rejection. She could save Nicola. In truth, Emma wouldn't have hesitated to donate her bone marrow to a stranger, let alone her own sister. But before she could even voice her decision, Ricky had already thought of her as cold and indifferent, assuming she wouldn't step up to save Nicola. He was so desperate that he even knelt before her, pleading for her help--a sight that shattered Emma's heart. Never in her life had she seen Ricky humble himself for anyone like that. She had known Ricky since they were kids. From elementary school to high school, they had been inseparable. Childhood sweethearts, as some might have called them. Ricky used to get into fights with other boys just to defend her, and he would stay up late into the night to help her prepare for exams. She had believed, naively, that after all those years of being by his side, she would eventually earn his love. But she was wrong. Feelings, she had come to understand, were never won by logic or time. Emma was never as good at acting cute or knowing exactly how to please Ricky as Nicola. While he cared for both of them, the way he doted on Nicola was always more tender, more genuine. He must have loved her deeply. The thought pierced Emma's heart, and her eyes stung with unshed tears. What hurt most wasn't just Ricky's love for Nicola but the fact that he had assumed she was heartless enough to let her sister die. That judgment, so harsh and wrong, had infuriated her. In a moment of blind anger, she had demanded that Ricky marry her. She wanted to be his wife. Even though the marriage would only last two year, she had believed--foolishly--that it would be enough time for Ricky to fall in love with her. But reality, sharp and unforgiving, had torn that hope apart. She had lost. Miserably. "You still have the nerve to show your face here?" A biting voice yanked Emma out of her thoughts. Emma quickly wiped away her tears and turned to see Verena Cooper standing behind her, her expression instantly turning cold. Verena, her stepmother, was forty but looked a decade younger. With her perfectly styled hair and chic designer clothes, she exuded elegance and control. When Emma was still mourning the loss of her mother, Verena, who had been the family's servant, got pregnant. The father of the baby was Colby. "Spare me the crocodile tears!" Verena sneered, brushing past Emma as she entered the hospital room. Emma swallowed her frustration and followed behind, forcing herself to remain composed. When Nicola saw her, a faint light flickered in her otherwise tired eyes. "Emma," she said softly, a trace of warmth in her voice. Emma smiled, walking over to gently take Nicola's hand. "I heard you've been missing me." Nicola nodded, her expression gentle. "I haven't seen you for three months. I really missed you." Emma's heart twisted painfully. Nicola, with her innocence and kindness, made everything so much more difficult. How could her own sister, the one she'd loved and cared for, be the one standing between her and the man she longed for? When Nicola had fallen ill, Emma had crossed a line she could never uncross--using that tragedy to secure her place as Mrs. Jenner. She had expected Nicola to resent her for it, maybe even despise her. In her mind, their meetings would be cold, filled with resentment and distance. But Nicola still cared about her as though nothing had changed. And that was the hardest part of all. Every time Emma looked at her sister, the guilt became unbearable. "I'm taking a break right now, so I've got plenty of time to spend with you," Emma said, her eyes still red from emotion, but she forced a smile. Nicola's face lit up. "That's amazing! I want you to visit me every day until I'm discharged, okay?" "Of course, I'll be here every day," Emma replied warmly. From the side, Verena rolled her eyes, glaring at Emma with open contempt. She held her tongue for Nicola's sake, but every time she looked at Emma, her anger flared. She couldn't forget how Nicola had become a shell of herself when Ricky married Emma. Fighting her bitterness, Verena coaxed Nicola to sleep. Once Nicola was asleep, she turned to Emma, her voice cold. "Ricky's coming soon to see Nicola. If you don't want an uncomfortable scene, you'd better go." Emma stood silently, taking in her words. After one last glance at Nicola, now peacefully asleep, she turned and headed for the door. Just as she reached the doorway, Verena's voice cut through the air once more. "Don't bother coming back. After everything you've done to her, you don't deserve to be around Nicola." Emma didn't say a word. She walked out, her steps heavy with the weight of a truth she'd long grown accustomed to carrying. Emma quietly closed the door behind her and collapsed onto a bench in the corridor. She buried her face in her hands as tears flowed uncontrollably, her body shaking with silent sobs. Jenifer had been waiting outside in the car for far too long. Concerned, she decided to head into the hospital to check on Emma. When she entered the corridor and saw Emma hunched over on the bench, looking utterly defeated, Jenifer was about to rush over when she noticed Ricky stepping out of the elevator. He paused when he spotted Emma, but after a brief pause, he walked toward her. Emma had been following Ricky everywhere since childhood; she knew the sound of his footsteps anywhere. Hearing that familiar rhythm, she quickly wiped her face and tried to compose herself, though the effort felt futile. "Are you here to see Nicola?" she asked, forcing a smile as she looked up at him. Her eyes were swollen from crying, with streaks of smudged makeup on her face. She looked fragile, a shadow of her usual self. Ricky's response was indifferent. "You've already visited her?" "Yes," Emma whispered. For a moment, something in her appearance must have stirred a hint of sympathy, because Ricky, in an unusual display of kindness, added softly, "Don't worry. Nicola will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant soon. She'll get better soon enough." "I know." With just those words, Ricky simply turned to push open the door to Nicola's room. But before he could step inside, Emma couldn't help but call after him, "Please, take good care of her." If she couldn't have him, then maybe it was time to let go, to give him back to Nicola--the one he truly loved. Ricky paused, his hand on the door. Without turning to face her, he replied in a voice laced with restrained anger, "I don't need you to remind me. I'll take care of her." His words were sharp, each syllable weighted with frustration. Emma flinched. She had already signed the divorce papers, freeing him from their hollow marriage, giving him the chance to return to Nicola. This was what he had always wanted, wasn't it? So why did he still seem so furious with her? Was he really that eager to be rid of her? Did he hate her that much? Ricky disappeared into the room, but Emma remained frozen on the bench, her eyes locked on the closed door. She felt hollow, lost in the emptiness of it all. Jenifer, who had been watching from a distance, couldn't bear it any longer. She rushed over, gently pulling Emma to her feet and dragging her away from the hospital ward. In the days that followed, Emma continued visiting the hospital, but she no longer went inside Nicola's room. She only stood by the door, looking through the glass to catch a glimpse of her sister. Sometimes she would see Ricky taking Nicola for walks outside, their closeness painfully clear. From afar, she would watch, a quiet spectator to the life she had no part in. Ricky's coldness toward her was always in stark contrast to his gentle care for Nicola, a contrast that left Emma with a deep, aching wound that never seemed to heal. A month later, Nicola successfully underwent her bone marrow transplant. There were no signs of rejection or complications, and her recovery was progressing smoothly. For the first time in a long while, Emma felt a sense of relief. In the past month, Ricky spent nearly all his time at the hospital, constantly by Nicola's side. He seemed to have forgotten about going to the courthouse with her to finalize the divorce. Emma had watched enough of his affection toward Nicola. She was ready to close this chapter, ready to walk away and rebuild her life. That day, she made up her mind to call him. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Ricky finally picked up. "What is it?" he asked, his tone as cold and detached as ever. Emma didn't hesitate. "When are we going to finalize the divorce?" There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line. When Ricky finally spoke again, his voice was distant, but his words caught her off guard. "I haven't signed the papers yet." Her heart skipped a beat. After all this time, he still hadn't signed the divorce papers? Emma froze for a moment, her mind racing. Why hadn't Ricky signed the papers yet? Could he have changed his mind? Was there a possibility he no longer wanted the divorce? The thought was fleeting and absurd, and she quickly dismissed it. Ricky had always wanted to be free of her. Now that Nicola was recovering and old enough to marry, there was no reason for him to hold on. This delay couldn't possibly mean anything different. "Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at nine," she said, her tone sharp, leaving no room for discussion before hanging up the phone. Meanwhile, in Ricky's office. For two years, Ricky had been waiting for this moment--the end of their marriage. The divorce papers had been drawn up months ago, prepared by his assistant, ready for the final signatures that would sever their ties for good. He had thought the moment he signed would bring relief, a clean break. But after Emma had actually signed them, something gnawed at him. A strange unease he couldn't shake. Ricky wasn't sure anymore, not even of himself. He wasn't something to be traded or handed over between two women. His decisions were his own--no one else had the right to make them for him. He calmly finished his work, then pulled the divorce papers from his desk drawer and tore them to pieces. "Divorce?" Ricky's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "It's not that simple. The game has just begun." ...... ==== Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/62445322-fb_contact-e Fun Novel https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/ 1,272 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.moboreader.net IMAGE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/62445322-fb_contact-enj103_2-1101-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&rawadid=120213135756370604 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465655808_1388208261891247_4586491620986184727_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pn6JLWoBY9wQ7kNvgH0ASnh&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ASJxEP_RaUppJXrLNAtXj8o&oh=00_AYCPYobioliDP7aVzZKy8bSmCqim1ROc4IUVTBH5pOHfnA&oe=675C2874 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Fun Novel 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-12-09 09:00 active 1978 0 Paint Transformations starting at $249 ๐Ÿ‘‹ Hi, I'm Kevin, founder of locally owned, Creative Coats Painting. โ“ Everyone always asks me, "How much would it cost to paint my home?" Wellโ€ฆEach project is unique! ๐Ÿ  After you answer a few simple questions about your property, we'll provide a FREE, INSTANT quote. ๐Ÿ‘† Click 'GET QUOTE' below! ๐ŸŒŽ We're locally owned & dedicated to our community, which is why we're offering paint transformations starting at $249! Proudly serving Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Camden, Royersford & Surrounding Areas! GET_QUOTE http://fb.me/ VooltPro Certified Provider https://www.facebook.com/vooltprocertifiedproviders/ 17 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Get quote 0 fb.me VIDEO http://fb.me/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469354186_846551994107806_9032809174646644059_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=niW-NcrtLMEQ7kNvgG3_Ejt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A4HRGWUMROEBUELUx0VPxZJ&oh=00_AYA_xQjyAmWIjgcWr5MdtJ9uraE1oYMkRCjWKkk6yRzLlw&oe=675CD702 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 VooltPro Certified Provider 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:06 active 1974 0 HOME | JandJ | Painter ๐ŸŽ‰ Holiday Giveaway Alert! ๐ŸŽ‰ The holidays are here, and weโ€™re giving you a chance to WIN a $100 gift card! ๐Ÿ’ณ Hereโ€™s how you can enter: โœ… Follow us on Facebook (1 entry) โœ… Follow us on Instagram (1 entry) โœ… Submit a painting, trim work, or home improvement question on our website (5 entries!) The more you engage, the higher your chances! ๐ŸŽ„ Use the gift card for holiday shopping, home upgrades, or whatever you like. Hurry, this giveaway ends December 20th! Enter now and bring some holiday cheer to your wallet. ๐ŸŽ ๐Ÿ”— https://www.jandjpainting.org/holiday-giveaway-2024 (The winner will be announced on December 21st via email and social media) #HolidayGiveaway #WinWithJJPainting #DenverHomes #HomeImprovement #SmallBusinessOwners LEARN_MORE http://www.jandjpainting.org/ J&J Painting https://www.facebook.com/JJpaintingdenver/ 611 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 jandjpainting.org IMAGE JandJ Painting | Family owned and operated, J&J Painting has been in business for 23 years. Proudly serving Colorado with lots of residential, multi-family, industrial buildings, and commercial experience. http://www.jandjpainting.org/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468976505_952411480110853_5545732005731294415_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WEssqQgw4gAQ7kNvgFs3UID&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZI4l1KYp8aHDnRRTuO2Wxu&oh=00_AYAsB6dEe4iaZh0BzAgXFLNnJfzBUVndz7rKyT4g-FQ8dA&oe=675BF3A5 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 J&J Painting 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-09 09:00 active 1978 0 ๐Ÿ”ž๐Ÿ”ฅ Continuer la lecture โžคโžค (Lily POV) Today is my 14th birthday. There will not be birthday cake, singing, or a party. Instead, we are attending a funeral. My sister's funeral, to be exact. Before my sister... died... we had a large party planned for me. I normally do not have a big party, but 14th birthdays are a really big event to werewolves. They are the day that we first meet our wolves. The next monumental birthday is our 20th birthday; that is when can first identify our fated mates. I am our Betaโ€™s youngest daughter, and my father is loved and well-respected. Everyone was excited to meet my wolf and to see what type of wolf she would be. Thus, the guest list for my party was pretty large, and it included ranked wolves from nearby packs. I am normally a little bit of a loner, hence why I usually do not have a big birthday party. However, for this particular occasion, I was happy to have a lot of guests. Meeting your wolf comes with the first shift/ transition, and that can be incredibly painful. As inherently social creatures, the only thing known to help wolves with the pain of the first shift is to have supportive family, friends, and community around you. The way that it typically works is that the pack will host a dinner or barbeque in your honor. As night falls, and the moon replaces the sun in the sky, everyone will gather inside the pack amphitheater. The shifter-to-be will stand in the middle of the amphitheater while guests quietly chant well wishes and prayers to the Moon Goddess. The energy in the space can be electrifying for everyone present, no matter whether there are 25 attendees or 500. Once the first shift is completed, the new wolf will prance around the stage and strut their stuff. The crowd will โ€œoohโ€ and โ€œaahโ€ until the pack alpha approaches, learns the new wolfโ€™s name, and introduces the wolf to the crowd. The new wolf will also swear his or her allegiance to the pack and to the alpha, allowing the wolf to mind-link with other pack wolves. Finally, the new wolf and any guests old enough to shift will go for a pack run. The whole process is incredibly special and exciting. As you might imagine, dรฉcor is also an important part of the party planning process. Each shifter gets to decide the decorations and party theme that will be used for their party. If more than one wolf turns 14 on the same day, the wolves can either agree on a theme or split the party into parts that they can individually decorate. The pack luna will then work some sort of magic that somehow blends the individual areas into one cohesive theme in the center. My birthday is in October, and despite how large our pack is, I am the only one born on that day. I love having an October birthday because my favorite season is fall. For my dรฉcor, I had picked flowers and decorations in rich fall colors, including deep oranges, reds, and greens. Unfortunately, none of my party decorations will be used. Or rather, none of my decorations will be used for me. As I mentioned, we are holding a funeral today instead. My oldest sister, Stephanie, died this morning. Pack and religious tradition dictates that we must hold funerals within 24 hours of death. Because Stephanie died shortly after midnight, her funeral must be held today. All food and dรฉcor set aside for my birthday party was therefore immediately diverted for the funeral; thankfully my fall themed colors were sufficiently somber-ish to work. All decorations that seemed relatively โ€œhappyโ€, celebratory, or that mention me have been removed. Pictures of Stephanie have now been placed on tables and podiums, and the music I selected has been swapped out for songs about loss or Stephanieโ€™s favorites. The loss of Stephanie is a really hurting. Not only was she my sister and my parentsโ€™ oldest and favorite child, she was also widely anticipated to be the mate of Alpha Randallโ€™s son, James, which meant she was most likely the future luna of our pack. Stephanie would have turned 20 in three months, and she and James would have been able to confirm that they were mates then. The pack was so sure that they were mates โ€”and Alpha Randall was so eager to turn the pack over to James and his mate, once she was identified and ready to take on the luna positionโ€” that they deviated from standard protocols and decided to begin Stephanieโ€™s Luna training just after she turned 18. If I am being completely honest, something never sat right with me about Stephanie starting Luna training. Part of it is what Stephanie's Luna training meant for me, but that is a separate conversation. The biggest thing was that I did not understand why luna training could not wait until Stephanie turned 20 and could confirm who her mate was. Lunas for generations have waited for their training; why couldn't Stephanie? It also bothered me quite a bit to watch Stephanie hang all over James at pack functions. Our pack frowned upon dating and public displays of affection prior to finding your mate; it created too much risk for problems, anger, and jealousy once your mate was located. For whatever reason, an exception was made for Stephanie. But then again, exceptions always were made for her. Stephanie was strong and absolutely beautiful, and the pack knew her as being kind, smart, and energetic. She could do no wrong in the eyes of my parents, the alpha, or the pack. I hope I do not sound too jealous or bitter. I loved my sister, and her death is hitting me really hard. Itโ€™s just thatโ€ฆ. I knew a different side of my sister than everyone else, and I know more than anyone that my sister was far from perfect. Had I spoken up before she died, I would have been accused of jealousy and lying. And were I to speak up now, wellโ€ฆ I would be accused of jealousy, lying, AND improperly speaking ill of the dead. It is easier to just let it go. Along with my birthday. It isn't that important anyway. I do not want to be selfish or self-centered. The only immediate problem with letting go is that --bad timing or not-- I am going to shift for the first time tonight. There is nothing I can do to stop or postpone it, as much as I would like to do so. I am worried about how it is going to go. Hopefully, during the reception, my mother or father or brother or someone will be willing to step aside with me for a 20-30 minutes just to get me through it. We could then return and act like everything is normal. Or as normal as it can be with Stephanie now gone. Sadly, I should have known that nothing in life is that easy. Chapter 2: The Little Brat (James POV) I watch sadly as the casket is carried from the temple to the burial grounds. It is a cold October day, and the gray sky and drizzly weather adds to the overall somber atmosphere. I cannot help but be impressed at how quickly the pack was able to pull everything together for Stephanie's funeral. All funerals happen quickly in our world, but because of how fast the funerals must take place, the dรฉcor and guest list is usually somewhat lacking. It is a testament to how much Stephanie was loved that they were able to put together so many beautiful floral arrangements in her honor, and that so many people were able to be here to honor her life, including many wolves from other packs. If it wasn't for it being such a horrible occasion, I would actually describe the color scheme as beautiful. Then again, fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. I am vaguely aware that we had some other function on the calendar today, but I honestly cannot think of what it was. With a large pack โ€”the West Mountain Pack has over 10,000 membersโ€” we have a lot of functions. As the future alpha, I am expected to attend as many of them as I possibly can, but no one expects me to remember what they all areโ€ฆ even if I try to pretend in the moment. Unless reminded by an Omega or my amazing girlfriend, I can't even seem to remember my own mother and father's birthdays most of the time. My amazing girlfriend. I sigh, wiping a tear from my eye. She will never again be around to remind me about birthdays. Sadly, there will be no pretending that I know what today's ceremony is about. Stephanie Brogan was the love of my life, and she was my future mate and luna. I still cannot believe that she is gone. We never even got to fully experience the mate bond, including the sparks betwwen us. Had she lived just three months longer, our wolves would have confirmed one another as mates and Stephanie would have been able to formally claim her proper place in my bed and in my life. Instead of welcoming her body into my bed, I am saying good-bye to her today. I am also saying good-bye to all of our future plans and dreams together. I cannot help but feel anger and resentment about that. This is not how things were supposed to be. As I watch the funeral procession go by --my father, mother, and I, along with the beta family, must stand at the entrance as guests move from the temple to the burial grounds-- I catch a glimpse of Stephanieโ€™s younger sister, Lily. She is standing next to her mother. She looks both sad and innocent, which causes the anger in my body to rise even more. That little brat is the reason that Stephanie is dead. ***FLASHBACK TO LAST NIGHT*** Stephanie and I are cuddled on the couch in the packhouse living room watching a movie. I have my hand on her arm and I am about to kiss her when she gets distracted by a text message. Stephanie did not let me see the message, which annoys me, but she quickly explains that Lily is lost in the forest after having snuck out to meet a boy. Stephanieโ€™s sister is 13 or 14 years old. She has all the teenage acne and attitude that comes along with being that young. Unlike Stephanie โ€”who has beautiful blond hair and hazel eyesโ€” Lily has reddish brown hair and bright green eyes. Or at least I think they are bright green; she usually has them covered up with large black glasses. Stephanie gets up and tells me that Lily has texted her, begging her to come and find her. I am annoyed by the interruption, but I offer to go with Stephanie to get the little brat. Stephanie says Lily will be upset if anyone else knows about her little escapade. Stephanie reassures me that she will be fine, and then gives me a quick peck. My wolf and I have a bad feeling when Stephanie leaves, but Stephanie has us wrapped around her little finger. It is almost impossible for my wolf and I to disagree with her about anything. We pause the movie and decide to get some work done in my dad's office while we wait for Stephanie to get back. I am a night owl anyway, so I do not mind waiting. Unfortunately, about an hour after Stephanie leaves, I get an urgent mind-link from our pack warriors. They report that the Little Brat had been spotted running out of the woods screaming for help. Before they can say much more, I shift into my wolf form and take off running. I follow Stephanieโ€™s scent far into the woodsโ€ฆ. until I come to a small clearing, which is covered in Stephanieโ€™s blood. Her bloody clothes are tossed around, and chunks of her hair are thrown about as well. It is the worst, most savage site that I have ever seen. The smell of rogues is all over, so it is fairly obvious what has happened. The a---holes didnโ€™t even bother to leave her body. ***END OF FLASHBACK*** Tears threaten to continue to fall as I think back to the scene last night. I have not slept or eaten since I found what was left of Stephanie, and I am having trouble holding my emotions together. Now that my eyes have spotted Lily, my anger with her becomes a welcome distraction. I have a very hard time looking away from her. The truth is that I have always found myself strangely curious about her, but todayโ€ฆ today all I want to do is take my anger out on someone, and she seems as good a target as anyone else. Her teenage behavior cost me my mate! And it cost this pack its future luna! My wolf, Luke, begs me to calm down. It is an interesting thing, having the wolf side try to calm the human side. As upset and angry and emotional as I am, it is tempting to ignore him and immediately start teach that Little Brat a lesson. However, I decide to follow Luke's advice after he reminds me that Stephanie deserves to have her funeral be all about her and not some whiny teenage brat. That does not mean that I am going to let Lily get away with what she has done, but I wait until a more appropriate time to take my revenge. I turn my focus back to Stephanieโ€™s casket, which we filled with her bloody clothes, hair, and anything that could be found at the site that had her blood on it. The casket has been brought to the center of the amphitheater. The alpha and beta families take their seats in the front row, and my father and the pack priest move beside the casket to begin the ceremony. The ceremony involves a lot of prayers, rituals, and speakers. The average ceremony takes 2-3 hours, and Stephanie's will most likely take closer to 4-5 hours given her status in the pack and how beloved she was. During the ceremony, I keep trying to distract myself by looking around as others around me. I do not want to be seen as weak by curling into the fetal position and wailing like a baby, even though that is the only thing I want to do right now. My heart breaks as I glance at Stephanieโ€™s parents next to me in the front row, holding on to one another as they cry. Seeing Stephanieโ€™s father โ€”a strong, powerful Beta wolfโ€” break down is a sight I have very rarely seen. The pain in his eyes is heart-wrenching. I also notice Stephanie's brother, Nick, as he clings to his mate, Jenny. Both of them are crying as well. Nick is my best friend, and I have known him since we were tiny pups, but I have literally never seen him cry. I notice that there are no dry eyes anywhere. Even my father has a few stray tears running down his cheeks, although I am sure he would punch anyone who pointed it out. He is a proud man, just like me. As the sky continues to darken, I notice the Little Brat starting to act like she is uncomfortable in her seat. I can tell that Stephanie's mother is getting agitated, and rightly so. For once, can the Little Brat not think about something other than herself? Seriously. It is one ceremony. Just one. For an older sister who died trying to help her. How dare the Little Brat not hold herself together? The next thing I know, the moon is high in the sky and the final rites are being spoken by the priest. As exactly that moment, the Little Brat whispers something in her motherโ€™s ear. Her mother turns and glares at her, causing the Little Brat to put her head down. I then watch as the Little Brat stands up and walks away. She looks like she is in pain, and I hope that she is. How dare she walk away from her sisterโ€™s funeral! Especially in the middle of the last rites! I am tempted to follow her and give her a piece of my mind, but Stephanie means more to me than that. I remind myself once again that I will get my revenge on Lily aka the Little Brat soon enough. For tonight, I must remain focused on the love of my life. Chapter 3: Lily Meets Rose โ€œY-yes.โ€ โ€œGood. Now open your eyes.โ€ I opened my eyes and immediately noticed that I was not human anymore. My feet and hands were paws. I then looked into the water that pooled at the edge of the waterfall, and I saw my reflectionโ€ฆ or rather the reflection of Rose. My heart stopped. There are many different types of wolves โ€”alpha wolves; beta wolves; gamma wolves; warrior wolves; silver wolves; white wolves; red wolves; omega wolves. And even within those categories, there are varying sizes and colors and markings. We learn about the types of wolves in school. โ€œExpect the unexpectedโ€ was a phrase that was often said about the first transition, but in reality your wolf generally follows your lineage: the children of alpha wolves will generally be alpha wolves; the children of beta wolves will generally be beta wolves; and so on. Typically, the big excitement โ€”especially with children of ranked wolvesโ€” centers on the size, color, and personality of the new wolf. Looking back at me in the reflection of the pool was a type of wolf I had never seen or learned about in school. Roseโ€™s fur was a beautiful bluish-silver color that almost glowed. On the right side of her rump was a large black crescent moon symbol, and the black coloring of that symbol matched her solid black paws and black tail. In addition, I noticed that Rose was huge. Although it was tough to tell, it appeared to me that Rose was at least as large as some alpha wolves. โ€œWhat type of wolf are we, Rose?โ€ โ€œA special type. You will learn more as time goes on, but know that the Moon Goddess has blessed you and I, Lily.โ€ I did not say anything; I was not sure what to say. Rose and I sat by the waterfall for a while longer, until I remembered Stephanieโ€™s funeral. โ€œWe need to get back!โ€ I told Rose in a panic. Rose guided me through how to transform back to our human form, and I frantically searched the nearby trees for clothes. I found a menโ€™s t-shirt and shorts. Both were far too big for my small frame, so I opted to just put the t-shirt on. I also grabbed my eye-glasses off the ground and put them on; thankfully they did not break during the transition. Now that I had Rose, I would not need the glasses anymore because she would heal my eyes. However, Rose warned me that โ€”for nowโ€” it was best that I continue to wear the glasses and let the pack believe that I did not yet have my wolf. I thought it was a curious thing for her to say, but I had no reason to not trust her. I hurried back to the packhouse and got into the beta suite, hoping to quickly change clothes and re-join the mourning crowd. Unfortunately, once I got in the suite, I was met with the angry, accusing eyes of my mother. โ€œWHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? HOW DARE YOU MAKE A SCENE AT YOUR SISTERโ€™S FUNERAL! HAVE YOU NO SHAME? ARE YOU SO SELFISH AND SELF-CENTERED THAT YOU CAN THINK OF NO ONE BUT YOURSELF?โ€ I said nothing. What could I say? My mother then did something that, in my 14 years, she had never done before. She slapped me. Hard. And the beating continued from there. Chapter 4: Living in the Shadows (6 years later) (Lily POV) Six years have now passed since that fateful day that Stephanie died. I wish that I could say that life has moved on, and that we have found good in the bad... but for the most part, it isn't true. Stephanie is just as much a part of this pack today as she was before she died. And the grief felt in the pack is just as raw and angry as it was that first day. If anything has changed, it is that --instead of Stephanie being out in the center of things-- she lives on almost like a shadow over everything. She now has a couple of streets named after her --Stephanie Lane and Steffie Avenue (her nickname was "Steffie"); and you can quite literally find some of her favorite outfits on display in glass cases at various places throughout the pack. Even more bizarre, the day she died was turned into a pack holiday, as was her birthday. Everyone but pack omegas have both days off from work, school, and training, and there are somber celebrations and remembrances planned to commemorate each occasion. I once made the mistake of asking my parents whether this was a normal reaction to the death of a single she-wolf. We can love and miss her, but to continue to hold large ceremonies every year? And to treat her as a saint and forget that she had a human side too? That seemed a bit too much to me. As far as I know, the pack has never done this for any other luna or future luna, and it only honors 2-3 historical alphas in such a manner. I was rewarded for my questions by being called jealous and hateful. (I also received a significant beating, but beatings had become commonplace from my mother, so I cannot say that my question necessarily triggered the beating I received that day. Plus, the beating hurt far less than what I received before Stephanie died. But for the slight pain and who did the beating, I almost would not have minded.) Overall, I think the worst part of losing Stephanie six years ago wasn't losing Stephanie... it was how losing Stephanie impacted my relationship with my parents and other pack members. Before Stephanie died, I was well aware that Stephanie was my parents' favorite. My older brother Nick and I would even joke about it from time to time. But even though Stephanie was their favorite, they still treated me really well and loved me. They never would have raised a hand to me before Stephanie died. After Stephanie died, however, my parents could barely look at me. And when they did, I saw the unmistakable wish in their eyes that it had been me, not Stephanie, that died that fateful night. In addition, my parents stopped caring about my well-being generally. I lived in their house until I was 17, but I was responsible for my own meals and necessities. I was forced to take on a part-time job at a nearby diner just to ensure I had clothes and food to eat. (I technically could have eaten the food that was available in the packhouse, but the dirty looks and mean comments made by my parents, James, and other pack members were enough to make that an unrealistic option.) Also, in case you are wondering, I have not celebrated a birthday since Stephanie died. Not one single soul other than Rose has bothered to tell me happy birthday. No one even bothered to ask me whether I had received my wolf. That wasn't because birthdays stopped being important; it was just mine whose meaning changed. I attended plenty of birthday parties, and the pack hosted plenty of 14th birthday celebrations. In fact, I think it was because of one of those birthday celebrations that someone finally questioned whether I had received a wolf. It was a legitimate question, given that I was over 14 and never joined a pack run. Rose encouraged me early on to skip them "for safety reasons," and I was all too happy to do so. Had anyone bothered to ask me directly about my wolf or about why I was skipping the pack runs, I would have been honest... but no one ever did. Instead, a rumor spread that I was wolfless. Pack members speculated that I lost my wolf as a result of post-traumatic stress from losing Stephanie and/or guilt for what I had done to Stephanie. That latter theory was the one that really got under my skin, because I knew that was a theory and rumor spread by James. Shortly after Stephanie's funeral, he told my parents and most of the pack that Stephanie was only in the forest that night to save me. He also said I had gone out to meet a boy. I have no idea why he would say such things; I have never had a boyfriend and Stephanie was the one who asked me to meet her in the forest. This rumor was the main reason that I received a beating from my mother the night of my first shift. And it probably adds to the reason that pack members wish me dead. Notably, though, I have never dared to defend myself. To tell the truth would be the equivalent of talking negatively of both Stephanie and our future alpha.... and would likely lead to a death sentence. So instead, I have always just pushed through. One of the ways that I have survived is to hold on to the faith that one day things will be different. Another thing that I have done is take every last opportunity to leave the pack. For example, I hurried through high school so that I could graduate early, and I then went away to college. To avoid coming home, I have been loading up on credit hours and taking every term of school -including the mini winter sessions-- that I can get. I am also taking advantage of a unique expedited program offered just for werewolves doctors. Given all of these things, I actually expect that I can become a fully licensed werewolf doctor in just a couple more years. Until I become fully licensed and independent, I will have to continue to bear the shadow of my sister and the pain that comes with it. I am required to be present for both of her holidays --all pack members are; there are no exceptions-- but thankfully those are among the very few times that I can reliably be found at the Western Mountain pack these days. My ultimate goal is to meet my mate and become a pack doctor in his pack... which I pray to the Moon Goddess is not the Western Mountain pack. If, Goddess forbid, my mate is in this pack, perhaps I can convince him to transfer packs with me. Goddess willing. Tomorrow is my birthday. I guess we will find out then. Chapter 5: Without His Luna (James POV) Tomorrow will mark six years since Stephanie died. Everything and nothing has changed. I still think of Stephanie every single day. Her beautiful smile. Her laugh. The kindness that she showed to pack members. The ethusiam that she showed for her luna training. Stephanie would have been an amazing and strong luna. Had Stephanie lived, we would have been happily married by now. We would probably have already had at least two adorable pups, who would have been doted on by two loving sets of grandparents. Together, Stephanie and I would have been leading the West Mountain Pack to new heights. Of course, Stephanie is no longer here. And without Stephanieโ€ฆ Well, without Stephanie, I am only a fraction of the man that I used to be, and only a fraction of the wolf. Without Stephanie, I am not even Alpha yet. In our world, most alpha heirs take over from their fathers between 25 and 30 years old. That timing ensures that most alphas will have already found their mates before they take over the running of a pack. Running a pack is not easy to do by yourself. Even with a strong beta and a strong gamma, a lunaโ€™s importance to a pack cannot be underestimated. A luna brings heart and balance to a pack and to the alpha himself. She is the alphaโ€™s equal, and she is one of the few werewolves in the pack who can get away with challenging and questioning an alphaโ€™s decisions. If she exercises her role properly and judiciously, a lunaโ€™s presence can lead to better overall outcomes, decisions, and governing. This is especially true if the luna is the alphaโ€™s fated mate, because it means she takes on her role with the blessing of the Moon Goddess. Alpha heirs who take over their packs prior to turning 25 typically do so either out of necessity, or because they have been fortunate to have been mated very early to a strong luna. Six years ago, when Stephanie was still alive, my father thought we were going to be part of the lucky latter category. He had been very eager to take an early retirement. He and my mother had fantasized about all the European trips and Caribbean cruises that they would take after I was sworn in as alpha, and they had already had tentative plans for at least one of those trips. Of course, all of those plans were ultimately scrapped. Today, I am old enough to take over as alpha, even without a luna by my sideโ€ฆ but my father is concerned that I am not mentally strong enough to do so yet. He sees me as broken. My father is probably right. It is a little hard not to feel broken. The reminders of Stephanie are everywhere. Even after six long years, I feel like I cannot escape from the reminders or from my grief, and it is suffocating. The packhouse has practically turned into a mini museum to her, and almost all of the local businesses have some sort of small dedication, whether it be a dedicated drink, food item, picture, or shelf of Stephanie-inspired items. Worse, twice a year, we hold a series of ceremonies and remembrances for Stephanie. As Stephanieโ€™s mate and as the future alpha heir, I am expected to attend every one of them. I want to be there. I know that I should be there. Butโ€ฆ It is complete and utter torture. Every day without Stephanie is difficult, but Stephanieโ€™s birthdays and death anniversaries always hit me the hardest. What I want to do more than anything on those two days is be by myself so that I can process my grief. There is a waterfall that I like to go to. If I could, I would spend all day there on both days. The waterfall isnโ€™t exactly hidden, but to find it, you have to go pretty far within the woods and know where to go. As far as I know, I am the only one in our pack who ever goes there. Being at the waterfall brings me comfort; it always has. That is where I want to be when I am grieving or upset. Unfortunately, instead of spending time in the comfort of my waterfall, I have to spend the two hardest days each year out in public with almost 20,000 eyes watching my every move and every reaction. Instead of justโ€ฆ grievingโ€ฆ I have to be conscientious of how every display of emotion can impact and be perceived by the pack members. As I listen to pack members, Stephanieโ€™s parents, and my own parents take turns telling stories about Stephanie and her good deeds, I am expected to somehow strike an impossible balance between sadness and strength. At each of the events, year after year, the remembrances are largely the same. At this point, I practically have the speeches memorized. The speeches usually include stories about how Stephanie would bake cookies and send her sister to deliver them to the guards working the late-night shift on the borders. And stories about how any time anyone was injured in training or at battle, she would not only have her sister deliver care baskets to patients at the hospital, but she would also put one together for any family members separated from them while they were recovering. My parents talk about how eager Stephanie was to take on her position as luna, and how dedicated she was to her training, even working on lessons for hours at home multiple times per week. Stephanieโ€™s parents talk about their prior dreams for their daughter and the hole they continue to feel in their hearts. Nick talks about how family celebrations do not feel the same without Stephanie there, and Jenny talks about wishing that she still had a sister-in-law to bond with and engage in girl talk. The only blessing is that โ€”as the grieving mateโ€” no one expects me to say anything at these events. But that does not spare me from the staring and judgment. If I show too much sadness, pack members worry that I am weak and will not able to be the leader of the pack in the future. If I seem too stoic or show too much โ€œstrength,โ€ pack members could perceive me being disrespectful towards Stephanieโ€™s memory. They will also worry that my reign as alpha will lack balance and compassionโ€ฆ. which I already hear whispers about from time to time. Sometimes, I feel angry about the whole thing. I would never, ever expect anyone who has lost their mate to put themselves on a stage multiple times a year and be judged on whether their external grief is appropriate enough. And yet my parents have no problem doing it to me. I tried to push back once, but only once. As you can imagine, it did not go well. I started the conversation by telling my parents that I did not think it was healthy for me to be surrounded by constant reminders of Stephanie, and I told them that I thought the constant remembrances were counterproductive to my mental health. I suggested that we scale back the events, or make them more private affairs. My father got angry and accused me of being selfish. He told me that being uncomfortable and coping with the pressure of judgmental pack members is part of being an alpha. Meanwhile, my mother reminded me that the ceremonies had been Stephanieโ€™s parentsโ€™ idea, and she asked me if I wanted to be the one to tell them it was no longer important to celebrate Stephanieโ€™s life. No, of course I did not want to tell Stephanie's parents that. No, I did not want to be selfish. I just wanted --and still want-- to not feel so sad all the time. Six years in, and the only reprieve I ever get from my grief is when the Little Brat is around. She has made herself scarce the last few years, but when she is around, my wolf and I can sense her from a mile away. My wolf and I fight about her all the time --for some reason, Luke seems to have a soft spot for the Little Brat-- but we can agree that it is nice having her around. For me, it's because I have a worthy target for my anger and rage. Chapter 8: Daddy's Girl (Lily POV) The drive to the pack house was eerily silent. After my father and I arrived at the pack house, my father quickly exited the vehicle and headed to his office, leaving me on my own. I timidly and cautiously got into the beta suite, but I was relieved to find that my mother was already in bed. I decided to go directly to my room and try to sleep as well. Unfortunately, I ended up tossing and turning all night. The look on my father's face when talking to the guards continued to haunt me. When I did sleep, I had nightmares. Strangely, Rose seemed restless too, but other than briefly wishing me a happy birthday after it hit midnight, she did not say anything. I think the main thing that provoked my nightmares and kept me up was that my heart ached for my father. I knew that I wanted to help him with his pain and ease his suffering, but I was not sure what I could do or say to make things better. It has already been six years. If time has not helped heal his heart, what could I do? The truth is, I am not Stephanie and I never will be. The only thing I have ever known how to do for my father is to try to stay out of his way. At least for my mother, I can serve as a literal punching bag to help her relieve her grief. And for others in the pack, I can serve as both a literal and metaphorical punching bag. But, I am nothing to my father: my father has neglected me and ignored the sufferings I went through, but he has never directly participated in any of them. Perhaps that is one reason his pain upsets me more than the pain of everyone else. He is the least awful amongst my current tormentors, and I can sometimes lie to myself that he does not know or agree with how much I have suffered. I know that it probably seems strange that my heart aches for him at all, given that he is someone who, for the most part, could care less about me. However, please understand that for my own sanity, I have chosen to remember and hold on to the good times in my childhood. Of course, there is also the fact that... regardless of how my father currently feels about me... I have always been --and will probably always be-- a daddy's girl. It is just part of who I am. Since I was in diapers, I have looked up to my father and considered him to be my superhero. Before Stephanie died, I never saw an ounce of weakness in him. He was my strength and my rock. I always had an strong desire to make him proud of me. He was always the first one I ran to when I got a good grade on a test, or when I drew a picture I thought he might like. And ...before Stephanie died... he was always the first one to dry my tears when I got hurt or to give me reassuring praise when I felt down. Even though I knew Stephanie was his favorite... even though I knew Stephanie's accomplishments would always be greater, and that he would always be more proud of her... those little things mattered to me. I lived for those moments. Sigh. By 5:30 am, I gave up on any hope of further sleep. Stephanie's first remembrance event was not scheduled until 11 am, so I knew I had a little bit of time. Eager to take advantage of that time and also avoid my mother, I took a quick shower, packed a small backpack, and headed out of the house. Predictably, my feet led me to the waterfall that I had shifted in front of six years ago. I have come here at least twice a year since Stephanie died, usually on her birthday and death anniversary. The waterfall brings me an odd sense of peace. As beautiful as it is, I do not know anyone else who comes here. Perhaps that is why I like it so much. I sighed. "It is easy to tell myself that when I am away from the pack and not having to cope with the consequences. It is a lot harder to believe that I am blameless when everyone around me is crying and upset all the time. You saw my dad last night. That nearly broke me. He is still hurting so much." "That does not make any of it your fault," Rose protests. "Rose, the day before Stephanie died, I prayed that the Moon Goddess stop Stephanie from continuing to hurt me." "She was not hurting you, Lily. She was torturing you. There is nothing wrong with you praying that it stop." "There is if it cost Stephanie her life." "Lily, you are not giving the Moon Goddess enough credit. You are smarter and stronger than this. You need to stop with the emotional vomit and ---" Suddenly Rose stops talking through the link. She is pacing back in forth in my head. I have no idea what is going on, until the overwhelming scent of vanilla and coffee beans hits my nose. "Mate! Lily, our mate is here! Mate, mate, mate, mate, mate!!!" I stand, dust the ashes off of my jeans, and turn around. My heart drops when I recognize the werewolf standing about 200 feet away from me. This has to be a joke. This cannot be happening. LEARN_MORE https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10745&u Massive story https://www.facebook.com/61560932294131/ 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 getokn.com DCO https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10745&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448731292_973317731140374_4061053005564536888_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wmH4rGuFbOsQ7kNvgHeVVbM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtEHkmJ4amutMfMhES-MmhD&oh=00_AYBpC0iXokvrJNLatYqoz0GI8g8KEWWZarQb-8w3sohNYA&oe=675CB70B PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Massive story 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-12-08 20:15 active 1977 0 ๐Ÿ”žAttention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐Ÿ‘‰ 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... โ€œMr. Nichols, your wife is on the verge of death!โ€ the doctor cried anxiously. โ€œYou might come to say your goodbyes!โ€ โ€œSheโ€™s still alive? Call me when sheโ€™s dead,โ€ Juan Nichols replied, his voice icy and indifferent. With that, he hung up. All the light faded from Debraโ€™s eyes. The machine emitted a steady, cold beepโ€”signaling that her vital signs had ceased. In her life, she had loved Juan deeply, sacrificing everythingโ€”herself and her familyโ€”for him. If she were given another chance, she would never make the same mistakes again... โ€œMadam, Mr. Nichols has requested you accompany him to the auction. Which outfit would you prefer?โ€ 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. Waitโ€” 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 didnโ€™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. โ€˜How could this be?โ€™ she thought, utterly confused. โ€˜Am I... reborn?โ€™ Sophieโ€™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 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 thebvhwysgng.com DCO https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=13914&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465012370_1085089863148114_2066040076159691881_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WiGsDKqN7T0Q7kNvgEEUmQb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AOLb0PtKpxFQThX6T6PQW9F&oh=00_AYCb8uLA8HfTEXpxnIwvk3xEquroypj9SFE94rXqRA9uUg&oe=675C1C7D PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Random Reading 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 20:15 active 1977 0 En medio de la ruina econรณmica de su familia, ella renunciรณ a su preciado violรญn y se convirtiรณ en la dรณcil mascota de su esposo, solo para encontrarse con el desprecio de este. Afortunadamente, ella por fin despertรณ, se divorciรณ con valentรญa y reiniciรณ su carrera musical, alcanzando un gran รฉxito y provocando el remordimiento de su ex. ===== Joelle Miller examinรณ minuciosamente el feed de Twitter de Rebecca Lloyd, estudiando con mucha atenciรณn cada video, ansiosa por ver el rostro del novio de Rebecca. Rebecca, la protagonista de los videos, irradiaba ternura y delicadeza con su sencillo vestido blanco. Si bien no era tan bella, tenรญa una genuina sencillez y una sonrisa encantadora. Habรญa descubierto que, en los dรญas importantes, Nochebuena, San Valentรญn e incluso el cumpleaรฑos de Joelle, Rebecca estaba con Adrian Miller, su supuesto esposo, quien se habรญa ausentado de todos esos dรญas durante los รบltimos tres aรฑos. Esas alegres narraciones sobre su vida con su novio fueron mรกs que suficientes para hundirla en la tristeza. "ยฟLo ven? ร‰l siempre guarda para mรญ la parte mรกs jugosa de una sandรญa". "Incluso cuando llega tarde a casa, siempre me trae algo". "ยกY miren esta sorpresa! Recogiรณ de la iglesia un amuleto de bendiciรณn para mรญ". ...... El nombre de usuario era "Cuenta Regresiva Hacia la Muerte", la รบnica cuenta a la que Joelle seguรญa. Justo cuando reflexionaba sobre el siniestro nombre, la puerta del baรฑo se abriรณ. En la habitaciรณn poco iluminada apareciรณ Adrian. Gotas de agua caรญan de su cabello. A pesar de la tenue iluminaciรณn, sus atractivos rasgos permanecรญan intactos. Joelle cerrรณ instintivamente su celular y le dio una mirada reflexiva. Hacรญa mucho tiempo desde la รบltima vez que lo vio. Esa noche รฉl no estaba ahรญ por decisiรณn propia. Su abuela, Irene Miller, estaba enferma y, como querรญa un bisnieto con desesperaciรณn, lo obligรณ a regresar. De lo contrario, tal vez nunca hubiera venido. Durante sus tres aรฑos de matrimonio, Adrian pasaba la mayor parte del tiempo en Villas Oak, por lo que rara vez estaba en casa. Todos sabรญan que en realidad no amaba a Joelle. Estaba atrapada en un matrimonio por conveniencia. "Solo te voy a dar una oportunidad. El destino dirรก si quedas e**arazada o no", declarรณ Adrian con una voz resonante. ยฟQuรฉ querรญa decir? Antes de que Joelle pudiera seguir pensando, Adrian la agarrรณ del tobillo y la atrajo hacia รฉl. Joelle palideciรณ ante su crueldad, su cuerpo se tensรณ de miedo. "ยกAdrian! Basta, no quiero...". Empezรณ a luchar frenรฉticamente. Era una completa humillaciรณn verse obligada a vivir en esa situaciรณn con el hombre que amaba. Adrian hizo una mueca de desprecio. "Te atreviste a diseรฑo una vez, asรญ que debiste haberlo visto venir. Solo aguรกntalo". Ante esas duras palabras, los ojos de Joelle se llenaron de lรกgrimas y sus pestaรฑas bailaron como mariposas heridas. Mirando su rostro severo, dijo con voz temblorosa: "Las cosas no fueron lo que imaginabas..." Pero sus protestas fueron interrumpidas. Su resistencia se desvaneciรณ a medida que la desesperaciรณn se apoderaba de ella. "Has aprendido que hacerte la difรญcil es mucho mรกs interesante que quedarse tirada como un pez muerto", comentรณ con rencor. Despuรฉs de ducharse, se marchรณ sin mirar atrรกs, como si no quisiera quedarse mรกs tiempo ahรญ. Joelle no entendรญa quรฉ papel tenรญa en su vida. ยฟSolo era un juguete para su placer? ยฟO una herramienta para cumplir las expectativas de su familia de tener un heredero? La ventana estaba completamente abierta, por lo que entraba un gรฉlido y cortante viento. A Joelle se le erizaron los pelos de la nuca y se arropรณ mรกs con su manta. No solo temblaba de frรญo, sino que sentรญa su corazรณn desgarrado, ahora no conocรญa en absoluto al hombre que habรญa adorado durante casi ocho aรฑos. Tres aรฑos atrรกs, en un lujoso banquete organizado por la familia Miller, Joelle bebiรณ demasiado. Cuando se despertรณ, en la con Adrian. Antes de que pudiera asimilar lo que estaba pasando, su hermano y varios miembros de su familia irrumpieron. Ya no podรญa revertir lo sucedido. La abuela de Adrian tomรณ las riendas y organizรณ su matrimonio. Desde entonces, รฉl estaba convencido de que Joelle lo habรญa hecho a propรณsito. A ella le desconcertaba su profunda animosidad, por mรกs que creyera que lo habรญa d**gado. Despuรฉs de todo, habรญan crecido juntos. Pero ahora lo entendรญa todo. Para รฉl, ella no era mรกs que la nefasta mujer que habรญa saboteado su relaciรณn con Rebecca. A menudo pensaba en lo perfecto que รฉl se veรญa en los videos de Rebecca, siempre tan gentil y atento. Probablemente nunca le mostrarรญa esa misma ternura. No pudo contener mรกs las lรกgrimas y sucumbiรณ a un ataque de sollozos. Esa noche no pudo dormir bien. Tuvo sueรฑos sobre el pasado, cuando ella y Adrian no estaban en malos tรฉrminos. Debido a su angustia, Joelle se levantรณ inusualmente temprano. Despuรฉs de lavarse, se puso ropa de casa y bajรณ las escaleras. Leah Jenkins, la empleada domรฉstica con muchos aรฑos de servicio, la vio bajar y rรกpidamente puso la mesa con el desayuno, ya que conocรญa sus preferencias dietรฉticas. Joelle se tomรณ su tiempo para comer lentamente. "Seรฑora Miller, ยฟpor quรฉ anoche no convenciรณ a su esposo para que se quedara? No viene a casa a menudo", comentรณ Leah con simpatรญa. Habรญa sido sirvienta de la familia Miller durante muchos aรฑos, por lo que habรญa visto cรณmo los dos se convertรญan de amigos de la infancia a enemigos. Joelle se mostrรณ incรณmoda, pero lo ocultรณ con una sonrisa serena. "Lo intentรฉ, pero no quiso quedarse". Incluso si pudiera mantener a Adrian cerca, รฉl tenรญa el corazรณn en otra parte. Mรกs concretamente, en Villas Oak, el hogar de la mujer que realmente amaba. Leah dudรณ y agregรณ con cautela: "Tal vez sea porque el seรฑor Miller estรก muy ocupado con la empresa. Dirigir una compaรฑรญa tan grande requiere mucho tiempo". Tres aรฑos atrรกs, le habรญan reasignado para cuidar de Joelle, asรญ que entendรญa los entresijos de ese matrimonio mejor que nadie. Su perspicacia trajo consigo una sincera simpatรญa hacia ella. Las pestaรฑas de Joelle temblaron mientras mordisqueaba su tostada. Sus ojos se llenaron de lรกgrimas debido a la tensiรณn emocional. Sรญ, Adrian estaba muy ocupado, pero siempre tenรญa tiempo para Rebecca. Frecuentaba la Iglesia Redenciรณn en busca de un amuleto de bendiciรณn para ella. A pesar de su apretada agenda, siempre pasaba las vacaciones con ella. De repente, su celular rompiรณ el silencio. Cuando Leah saliรณ del comedor, Joelle agarrรณ el dispositivo y vio que era una llamada de su mejor amiga, Katherine Nash. "Katherine, quiero el divorcio", confesรณ con voz ronca. Capรญtulo 2 En declive Joelle habรญa tomado una decisiรณn: querรญa el divorcio. No tenรญa sentido seguir alargรกndolo. Tras un silencio atรณnito, Katherine soltรณ una estridente carcajada. "ยฟTe quedarรกs con la mitad de los bienes de Adrian? ยกOh, por Dios! ยกJoelle, te convertirรกs en una multimillonaria!". "No, no serรก asรญ". Joelle habรญa firmado un acuerdo cuando se casรณ con Adrian. Si se divorciaban, ella no recibirรญa nada. "Entonces, ยฟpor quรฉ te estรกs divorciando? ยกTienes que seguir siendo su esposa!". Joelle recordรณ la brutalidad de Adrian la noche anterior, asรญ como la humillaciรณn posterior. Habรญa sido muy ingenua al creer que su amor por รฉl la ayudarรญa a soportar cualquier dificultad. Pero ahora sabรญa que habรญa sido una completa tonta. ยฟEl sufrimiento hacรญa que Adrian la amara mรกs? Claro que no. Para empezar, un hombre que realmente la amara nunca le harรญa sufrir. Joelle se rio de sรญ misma y cambiรณ de tema: "Por cierto, ยฟrecuerdas el favor que te pedรญ?". "Sรญ, justo te iba a contar eso. Me pediste que estuviera atenta a un trabajo, y tengo algo para ti. Vas a enseรฑar a un estudiante a tocar el violรญn, aunque debo decir que serรก un desperdicio de tu talento". "Estรก bien", respondiรณ Joelle con una leve sonrisa. "No serรก un desperdicio en absoluto. Llevo tres aรฑos siendo ama de casa. Es suficiente con que alguien quiera contratarme". "ยฟCรณmo que no serรก un desperdicio? Casi formaste parte de una orquesta internacional. Si no fuera por el matrimonioโ€ฆ". Katherine se quedรณ en silencio, demasiado indignada por su amiga. Despuรฉs de su boda, a Joelle ni siquiera le permitieron trabajar. Las familias adineradas se aferraban a esas reglas obsoletas. Era bastante ridรญculo. Hacรญa tres aรฑos, la carrera de Joelle como violinista despegaba. Pero las estrictas tradiciones de la familia Miller le prohibรญan tocar en pรบblico. El primer dรญa de su matrimonio, la madre de Adrian le dijo: "No tienes que trabajar. Adrian te proveerรก en todo lo que necesites. Tu รบnico trabajo es tener bebรฉs y cuidar a tu esposo". Una vez que terminรณ su llamada con Katherine, Joelle subiรณ las escaleras y fue al estudio para agarrar su violรญn abandonado. Habรญa sido un regalo especial de su padre en su decimoctavo cumpleaรฑos. No obstante, poco despuรฉs de recibirlo, este sufriรณ un derrame cerebral y cayรณ en coma. Su hermano mayor terminรณ asumiendo la responsabilidad de sustentar a la familia, asรญ que la dejรณ perseguir su sueรฑo de tocar el violรญn. Mientras recordaba el pasado, Joelle moviรณ el arco sobre las cuerdas. Aรฑos atrรกs, un accidente le habรญa lesionado la muรฑeca y desde entonces no habรญa vuelto a tocar. A pesar del dolor agudo que sentรญa en esa zona mientras tocaba, no se detuvo y confiรณ en su memoria muscular para tocar una pieza corta. Al final, soltรณ una risa amarga. Sonaba horrible. De repente, escuchรณ la alegre voz de Leah en la puerta. "ยกSeรฑor, ha regresado!". Estaba secretamente aliviada de ver a Adrian, ya que eso tal vez significaba que todavรญa se preocupaba por Joelle. Quizรกs si ella le decรญa algo amable, su relaciรณn podrรญa mejorar. Por su parte, Joelle estaba sorprendida. Adrian rara vez venรญa a casa durante el dรญa. Apenas habรญa dejado el violรญn cuando se abriรณ la puerta. Ahรญ estaba la alta e imponente figura de su esposo. Sus ojos la recorrieron con el ceรฑo fruncido. Recordaba que Joelle habรญa aprendido a tocar el violรญn cuando era niรฑa y que un reconocido profesor la habรญa elogiado por su talento. Sin embargo, por alguna razรณn, habรญa dejado de tocar. Hacรญa un momento, la habรญa escuchado desde afuera y le pareciรณ una interpretaciรณn mediocre. ยฟCรณmo era posible que la elogiara por su talento? Joelle lo mirรณ y bajรณ la cabeza para volver a guardar el violรญn en su estuche. "ยฟQuรฉ te trae por aquรญ?", murmurรณ. "ยฟNecesitas algo?". "Vine a recoger algo y recordarte que maรฑana tenemos que visitar a la abuela", respondiรณ รฉl frรญamente. Era una regla familia visitar a su abuela al menos una vez al mes, y maรฑana era el dรญa. De no ser por esa obligaciรณn, Adrian no habrรญa regresado. Irene se enfadarรญa si no iban juntos. Joelle sonriรณ con amargura. Recordaba las normas de los Miller mejor que Adrian y siempre las cumplรญa. Ni siquiera Irene, tan estricta como siempre, podรญa encontrarle defectos. "No lo he olvidado, me alegra que tรบ tampoco lo hayas hecho", respondiรณ. Su tono acusatorio hizo que Adrian pusiera una mueca. Una ira latente empezรณ a hervir dentro de รฉl. Sin decir nada mรกs, se dirigiรณ al vestidor para buscar algo. Aunque รฉl no solรญa estar en casa, Joelle aseaba meticulosamente su guardarropa, por lo que tenรญa la ropa lavada, planchada y ordenada. Era como si su papel se redujera a realizar las tareas del hogar, algo que Leah tambiรฉn podรญa hacer. Su รบnica ventaja, tal vez, era ser mรกs joven y mรกs guapa que Leah. Sus ojos siguieron los movimientos de Adrian. Tenรญa el dedo anular desnudo, sin el anillo de bodas. Una punzada de dolor le atravesรณ el corazรณn. "Adrian, hay que divorciarnos", declarรณ con una voz tan suave como la brisa. Habรญa agotado todas sus fuerzas al pronunciar esas palabras, pero se sintiรณ extraรฑamente aliviada. Adrian se dio la vuelta y la mirรณ con una sonrisa burlona. "Tienes que pensar muy bien antes de hablar. La familia Watson estรก en declive. Sin mi apoyo, ยฟvas a dormir en la calle con tu hermano?". Desde la caรญda de la familia Watson, Joelle pasรณ de ser amada a quedar en ridรญculo. La familia Miller la despreciaba y la miraba por encima del hombro, como si ella y su hermano fueran sanguijuelas de las que no podรญan librarse. Incluso sus momentos รญntimos con Adrian la hacรญan sentir degradada. Joelle se mordiรณ el labio y se enderezรณ. "Ya he alquilado un apartamento. Incluso si terminara durmiendo en la calle, es asunto mรญo". Solo querรญa que su esposo la respetara, pero tres aรฑos de cautiverio la habรญan dejado sin orgullo ni dignidad. "ยฟY de dรณnde sacaste el dinero para alquilar un apartamento? Si tanto querรญas ser independiente, no deberรญas haber gastado ni un solo centavo de mi familia". De espaldas a ella, Adrian encontrรณ entre unos muebles el anillo de bodas perdido y lo sostuvo en la palma de su mano. Joelle no se dio cuenta. Las palabras de ese hombre la dejaron sin aliento. Sรญ, habรญa utilizado sus escasos ahorros para alquilar el apartamento. Pero como estaba casada con Adrian, ยฟlo que era suyo no era tambiรฉn de รฉl? Ademรกs, el apoyo financiero que Adrian les habรญa dado a los Watson durante todos esos aรฑos ascendรญa a una suma significativa. Joelle siempre habรญa despreciado la idea de deberle algo, pero su deuda con รฉl era infinita. Si se divorciaban, tal vez dejarรญa de darle apoyo financiero a la familia Watson. ยฟEstaba sugiriendo que ella debรญa salir del matrimonio con las manos vacรญas? Cuando Adrian se dio la vuelta para irse, Joelle dijo con una dignidad apenas intacta: "Tengo derecho legรญtimo a este matrimonio y a reclamar lo que supuestamente es mรญo. Pero no te preocupes, no pedirรฉ mucho, solo lo suficiente para ayudar al Grupo Watson a superar esta crisis". Adrian se quedรณ paralizado y su mirada se agudizรณ. Sus labios formaron una fina lรญnea mientras apretaba la mandรญbula. Eran claras seรฑales de su creciente furia. Aunque Joelle ya se habรญa preparado mentalmente, no podรญa soportar su intensidad. Cada segundo bajo su mirada severa la ponรญa mรกs ansiosa. De repente, sonรณ el celular de Adrian, quien lo sacรณ de su bolsillo y estuvo a punto de alejarse. "ยกAdrian!". Capรญtulo 3 Siempre mantendrรฉ la cabeza en alto La frustraciรณn de Adrian crepitaba como estรกtica. "Si tu hermano necesita dinero, dile que vaya al Grupo Miller". "ยกNo se trata de eso!", replicรณ Joelle. La habรญa malinterpretado por completo. Con el corazรณn latiendo con urgencia, corriรณ tras รฉl. "ยกAdrian, quiero el divorcio!". Adrian dejรณ de subir las escaleras y girรณ la cabeza. El celular en su mano habรญa dejado de sonar. Con un metro noventa de altura, se alzaba sobre ella. "Joelle, ยฟno se te ocurre un mejor juego que este interminable tira y afloja?", preguntรณ burlonamente con una mirada gรฉlida. "Si de verdad quieres divorciarte, ยฟpor quรฉ no se lo dices tรบ misma a la abuela? ยกNo quiero volver a escucharte pronunciar esa palabra!". La puerta se cerrรณ de golpe detrรกs de รฉl, haciendo eco a su irrevocable decisiรณn. Joelle se apoyรณ contra la pared y sus piernas cedieron hasta que se deslizรณ al suelo. Una risa amarga emergiรณ de sus labios. Irene habรญa organizado su matrimonio. Adrian se habรญa visto obligado a aceptar, y Joelle lo sabรญa muy bien. Si de verdad querรญa el divorcio, lo mรกs efectivo serรญa hablar con Irene. Sin embargo, una pequeรฑa y estรบpida parte de ella se habรญa aferrado a la esperanza de que ella y Adrian eran una verdadera pareja. Por eso se lo habรญa mencionado primero a รฉl, porque lo veรญa como su esposo. Sin embargo, olvidรณ un detalle crucial: Adrian nunca habรญa querido casarse con ella. Su reticencia habรญa sido evidente desde el principio, aunque ella habรญa intentado pasarla por alto. Sus รบltimas palabras no solo fueron despectivas, sino una orden. Si de verdad querรญa el divorcio, deberรญa enfrentarse a Irene. Joelle se dio una ducha, se puso ropa limpia y se preparรณ para visitar a la anciana. Irene era estricta, autoritaria y temida por toda la familia. Gobernaba con puรฑo de hierro y no toleraba la desobediencia. Pero Joelle tenรญa un vรญnculo muy especial con ella. En parte, habรญa aceptado casarse con Adrian para cumplir las expectativas de Irene. Querรญa cuidar de Adrian, construir un hogar y asegurarse de que la anciana falleciera sin remordimientos. Pero ahora ya no aguantaba mรกs. Ver a Adrian tan preocupado por otra mujer le llenaba de una amargura que parecรญa consumirla. Era consciente de que รฉl no la amaba. ยกNunca lo hizo y nunca lo harรญa! Estaba a punto de irse cuando sonรณ su celular. Era su hermano, Shawn Watson. "ยฟShawn? ยฟQuรฉ ocurre?". "ยกSeรฑora Miller!". Era el asistente de Shawn. Su voz sonaba muy asustada, algo que Joelle nunca habรญa escuchado. Se le helรณ la s**gre y agarrรณ el celular con mรกs fuerza mientras permanecรญa en la escalera. "ยฟDรณnde estรก mi hermano? ยฟQuรฉ le pasรณ?". "Anoche el seรฑor Watson asistiรณ a una reuniรณn de negocios, donde lo presionaron para que b*iera. Supuestamente volverรญa a casa, pero Erick Lloyd insistiรณ en llevarlo a unas aguas termales". Joelle se quedรณ congelada y la furia recorriรณ sus venas. "ยฟErick no sabรญa que eso podrรญa matarlo?". "ยกErick es un s**vergรผenza! Se jacta de su poder desde que su padre y su hermano se volvieron chรณferes de la familia Miller. ยกSeรฑora Miller, tiene que venir rรกpido! El seรฑor Watson estรก siendo operado y los mรฉdicos han emitido dos avisos de condiciรณn crรญtica. ยกNo pude aguantar mรกs, asรญ que la llamรฉ!". El asistente parecรญa estar al borde de las lรกgrimas. Joelle sabรญa que รฉl no se habrรญa puesto en contacto con ella a menos que la situaciรณn fuera bastante desesperada. Shawn siempre la habรญa protegido de las malas noticias, sin importar lo sombrรญas que fueran las circunstancias. Si su asistente estaba tan conmocionado, la vida de su hermano debรญa estar en peligro. Joelle sintiรณ como si el mundo se cerrara a su alrededor y un nudo se formรณ en su garganta. Al bajar del รบltimo escalรณn, tropezรณ y se cayรณ con fuerza, torciรฉndose bruscamente el tobillo. El dolor abrasador la devolviรณ a la realidad y las lรกgrimas brotaron de sus ojos. "ยกOh, no, seรฑora Miller, tenga mรกs cuidado cuando camina!". Leah corriรณ a ayudarla a levantarse. Joelle agarrรณ el brazo de Leah con la visiรณn borrosa a causa de las lรกgrimas. Intentรณ hablar, pero las palabras le salรญan entrecortadas porque estaba sollozando. "Mi hermano... ยกTengo que ir al hospital para verlo!". Leah sintiรณ su urgencia y respondiรณ sin dudar: "De acuerdo, no se preocupe. ยกLe pedirรฉ al conductor que la lleve de inmediato!". Leah era una criada experimentada y confiable que llevaba aรฑos al servicio de la familia Miller. Cinco minutos despuรฉs, el auto ya estaba aparcado delante de la villa. Joelle estaba a punto de subir cuando se volviรณ hacia Leah. "Por favor, no se lo cuentes a Irene. No quiero preocuparla". El corazรณn de la criada se ablandรณ. Incluso con el rostro pรกlido y surcado de lรกgrimas, Joelle se preocupaba por la salud de Irene. ยกQuรฉ muchacha tan rara y extraordinaria! "No se preocupe, seรฑora Miller. Yo sรฉ quรฉ hacer. Vaya a ver a su hermano". Cuando Joelle llegรณ al hospital, Shawn acababa de salir del quirรณfano. Al ver a su jefe conectado a tubos y cables, el asistente casi se desplomรณ. Joelle se acercรณ y lo encontrรณ arrodillado contra la pared, con los ojos hundidos e inyectados en s**gre. Tuvo que contener el impulso de regaรฑarlo por no haber protegido mejor a su hermano. Mรกs tarde habrรญa tiempo para eso. Cuando la condiciรณn de Shawn fue mรกs estable, Joelle llevรณ al asistente a un lado. "Cuรฉntamelo todo. ยฟCรณmo ocurriรณ esto?". El asistente vacilรณ, con el rostro desencajado. "Seรฑora Miller, el seรฑor Watson nos ordenรณ especรญficamente que no la involucremos en los asuntos comerciales". "Pero esto es una cuestiรณn de vida o muerte. ยฟPiensas que todavรญa es una opciรณn no decirme nada?". Ya sin paciencia, Joelle se dio la vuelta para alejarse. "Seรฑora Miller, eso no sirve de nada", respondiรณ el asistente desesperadamente. "Usted sabe que desde la muerte de su padre, el Grupo Watson ha dependido por completo de su hermano. Ha estado luchando para defender la dignidad de la familia, porque quiere que su vida con los Miller sea mรกs llevadera". Durante esos aรฑos, Shawn habรญa luchado valientemente para mantener a la familia a flote. No obstante, sin el apoyo financiero de Adrian, sus esfuerzos se habrรญan desvanecido hacรญa mucho tiempo. Su deseo mรกs profundo era que su hermana viviera cรณmodamente, pero a pesar de sus incansables esfuerzos, nunca pudo hacerle ganar el respeto que merecรญa por parte de su esposo. No importaba lo mucho que se sacrificara, ella seguirรญa siendo infravalorada en la familia Miller. Joelle estaba hirviendo de rabia, pero sabรญa que no podรญa cambiar su realidad. Entonces, inspirรณ profundamente y preguntรณ: "ยฟNo mencionaron mi relaciรณn con Adrian?" Esperaba que alinearse con los Miller pudiera ayudar a Shawn a mantenerse firme en sus actividades sociales. "El seรฑor Watson se niega a tocar ese tema, pues teme que eso le haga las cosas mรกs difรญciles a usted". Joelle soltรณ una risa amarga. Jamรกs habรญa estado en igualdad de condiciones con Adrian. No le extraรฑaba que la despreciara, ya que apenas podรญa soportarse a sรญ misma. Solo hacรญa una hora que le habรญa pedido el divorcio. Y ahora se aferraba al nombre de su esposo, desesperada por facilitarle la vida a su hermano. "Dile a Shawn que soy la esposa de Adrian Miller, Irene me eligiรณ personalmente. ยกMientras sea la seรฑora Miller, mantendrรฉ la cabeza en alto dentro de la familia!". De repente, escucharon unos pasos detrรกs de ella. Joelle se dio la vuelta y vio a Adrian, que tenรญa una sonrisa frรญa en su rostro. A su lado, se encontraba una muchacha de aspecto frรกgil, con grandes ojos inocentes, aferrada a รฉl. Adrian la miraba desdeรฑosamente, como si incluso le costara reconocer su presencia. Ya se habรญa dado cuenta de que ella realmente no querรญa el divorcio. La mujer que habรญa parecido tan decidida a irse, ahora estaba haciendo alarde de su tรญtulo como la seรฑora Miller. Su amenaza de divorcio no habรญa sido mรกs que una estrategia, como una pelea de amantes que terminaba en amenazas vacรญas. Era tan astuta que lo habรญa d**gado para obligarlo a casarse. Con tรกcticas tan engaรฑosas, ยฟcรณmo podrรญa irse tan fรกcilmente? Su matrimonio eran un salvavidas para las dificultades de su familia. Adrian le daba cien millones cada aรฑo al Grupo Watson. Joelle serรญa una tonta si se arriesgaba a perderlo divorciรกndose de รฉl. Capรญtulo 4 Por fin se dio cuenta Hacรญa mucho que Joelle se habรญa vuelto insensible ante la indiferencia de Adrian. Observรณ sin decir nada los brazos entrelazados de la pareja y recordรณ los dulces momentos capturados en los videos de Rebecca, que provocaban la envidia de mucha gente. ยกQuรฉ pareja tan perfecta! Ese pensamiento la golpeรณ. "ยกJoelle, por favor, no nos malinterpretes!", dijo Rebecca con urgencia mientras retiraba su mano del brazo de Adrian. "No me siento bien y no puedo caminar, asรญ que Adie simplemente tuvo la amabilidad de sostenerme". Joelle esbozรณ una leve sonrisa. "ยฟQuรฉ te trae al hospital?", preguntรณ mirando a Adrian, como si no hubiera escuchado la explicaciรณn de Rebecca. "Es por Erick", dijo Rebecca, con las manos entrelazadas como una niรฑa arrepentida. "Tambiรฉn vine a pedirte perdรณn, Joelle. Lamento que Erick haya sido tan descuidado para provocar que tu hermano terminara en el hospital". "ยฟDescuidado?", replicรณ ella. "Tu hermano casi m*ta al mรญo, ยฟy crees que una disculpa bastarรก para arreglarlo?". Rebecca se estremeciรณ y agarrรณ la manga de Adrian en busca de apoyo. "Ya es suficiente, Joelle", respondiรณ รฉl con una voz tan gรฉlida como el invierno. "No fue a propรณsito". Luego, se volviรณ hacia Rebecca y agregรณ suavemente: "Vamos, ยฟno viniste para ver a Erick?". Fue entonces cuando Joelle lo entendiรณ todo. Habรญa esperado ingenuamente que Adrian viniera para ver a Shawn. Pero no, habรญa venido con Rebecca para ver a Erick. Incluso si visitara a Shawn, serรญa por obligaciรณn, nada mรกs. Pero sabรญa que no debรญa esperar que รฉl la defendiera. "ยกRebecca, no olvidarรฉ lo que hizo Erick!", espetรณ. Rebecca doblรณ las piernas y se desplomรณ sobre el pecho de Adrian, quien la atrapรณ justo a tiempo y la abrazรณ con fuerza. "Joelle, Erick no tenรญa malas intenciones. ยกTambiรฉn estรก en el hospital!". "ยฟYa estรก muerto? ยกSi no, tendrรก que pagar por lo que hizo!". Joelle no solรญa arremeter, pero esta vez era diferente. Shawn era la รบnica familia que le quedaba. Su padre, incapacitado por un derrame cerebral, se encontraba en estado vegetativo con poca o ninguna esperanza de recuperaciรณn, y su madre habรญa fallecido en un accidente de trรกfico. Desde los dieciocho aรฑos, habรญan sido solo ella y Shawn, enfrentรกndose juntos a las dificultades del mundo. En sus momentos mรกs oscuros, Shawn llevรณ sola la carga para dejar que Joelle persiguiera su pasiรณn por el violรญn. Ahora la idea de perderlo tambiรฉn a รฉl era insoportable. Su รบnico deseo era que Erick muriera. "Joelle, ยฟcรณmo puedes decir eso?", sollozรณ Rebecca con incredulidad. Ya sin paciencia, Adrian fijรณ su frรญa mirada en Joelle. "ยฟQuรฉ deseas?". "Shawn recibiรณ dos avisos de condiciรณn crรญtica. ยฟQuรฉ hay de Erick?". Rebecca jadeรณ, su frรกgil cuerpo estaba temblando como una hoja en el viento. "ยกJoelle, por favor! Solo me queda un hermano. ยกPor favor, ten compasiรณn!". Se desmayรณ antes de que la otra mujer pudiera responder. Adrian la levantรณ en sus brazos y le dio una รบltima mirada de reproche a Joelle. Luego, se alejรณ y la dejรณ clavada en el mismo lugar, incapaz de moverse o incluso de pensar, lo que pareciรณ una eternidad. Antes de su matrimonio, habรญa sido una chica adinerada, pero luego se convirtiรณ en la sirvienta de Adrian. Ahora se daba cuenta de lo ingenua que habรญa sido. Ella solรญa ser una persona muy orgullosa, pero ahora soporta todo tipo de agravios sรณlo para complacer a su marido. ยกQuรฉ patรฉtico! Han pasado tres aรฑos, es hora de divorciarnos y comenzar una nueva vida... ...... ยฟQuรฉ sucederรก en adelante? Los capรญtulos disponibles son limitados aquรญ, haga click el botรณn abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mรกs contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederรก a este libro) &9& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.manobook.com/14484375-fb_contact-spa Online Reading https://www.facebook.com/100083320248142/ 43,964 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.manobook.com VIDEO https://fbweb.manobook.com/14484375-fb_contact-spa220_2-1023-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1164004058227180&rawadid=120214339687100186 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467372185_1055962716327383_8328274349684379341_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kg21CvyaowoQ7kNvgHBZ5De&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Awen8dn9NrDxKwG9RD_VwVV&oh=00_AYDRbS_6vImm3gkJ40v6BFXgZAWcAf8Mv_XVtxu-cQFR4w&oe=675C24F7 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Online Reading 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 20:15 active 1977 0 ๐Ÿ”žAttention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐Ÿ‘‰ Neah "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey and I are expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. Alpha Dane, I had only ever heard rumours about him. He was a ruthless man, a Wolf feared by others. He didn't mess around and he had the largest pack. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. It's rude to not look at them. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, clenching his jaw tight. "Go and get Beta Kyle." Alpha Trey seethes. "Tell him our guest is here." I nod my head and hurry from the room, the last thing I wanted was to be caught between bickering men. "Beta Kyle," I whisper as I enter the dining hall. He instantly glares at me with his dark eyes. I had spoken without being spoken to. "Alpha Trey is in the office with Alpha Dane. I was sent to inform you." He slams the newspaper down on the table and glares at me as he walks by. "You're lucky that the Alpha sent you to get me, otherwise you wouldn't see sunlight for a few days." Pausing behind me, he yanks my head back, locking his fingers in my hair, leaning in close to me, I feel his hot breath on my skin. He doesn't speak, it was just his way of proving that he could do what he wants when he wants. I try to keep myself busy so I can stay as far away from the office as possible. My peace doesn't last long when I hear my brother calling out to me. Quietly, I pad towards the office and plaster a smile on my face as I open the door. "Neah, go get the champagne and some glasses, we are celebrating." I bow my head and hurry to the drinks cabinet. Quickly finding what my brother has asked for. As I re-enter the office, I can feel Alpha Dane watching my every move, even the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. No one ever watches me this closely. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" Straight to the point, my brother wouldn't like that. He only liked sharing information on his terms. No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I had to get out of there. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's he seemed to dress more casually. A simple black tee and jeans covered his huge frame. And unlike other Alpha's, his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, both my brother and Beta Kyle round on me. "What the heck did you say to him?" My brother demands, slamming a hand into my stomach. "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" Beta Kyle demands. He was practically spitting in my face. I hated him. I hated him so much that I had vowed to one day get my revenge and rip his stomach out through his mouth. "WELL?" My brother yells when I don't immediately respond and smacks me across the side of the head. My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Pleaseโ€ฆ." I beg. "He was an Alphaโ€ฆIโ€ฆ I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "As I said," my brother holds his ground, "She is responsible for the death of my parents, so yes, this is what she deserves." "You should keep your nose out of other packs' business!" Beta Kyle adds. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" Both Alpha Trey and Beta Kyle hold their tongues. There was no reason for him to defend me and yet he was. I was a nobody, no one special. Just who everyone called a traitor. Only instead of being given a death sentence, my brother had decided to make me spend my life suffering. I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." Alpha Dane speaks up again. "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? As my brother and his Beta discuss me, Alpha Dane is still studying me. His look made me nervous. What could someone like him possibly want with me? "Deal." Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out any one of you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!" LEARN_MORE https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783& New world publications https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ 3,767 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 wwwedb.com DCO https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463745664_1705482006939110_4845627328662362045_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nZEZYMEHYs8Q7kNvgF6hurC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_WIxTr2duPITnOLvg7FRQL&oh=00_AYC1Mj86hI2VCzYNONA194p90uDQwu7p8jLF5j9Lwf6JVA&oe=675C0AD1 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 New world publications 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:06 active 1974 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/relishthebite Relishthebite.com https://www.facebook.com/relishthebite/ 8,342 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/relishthebite 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469337317_1215822472828178_3239915128639977598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_MssYkpOePcQ7kNvgFqrFRI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZwzdbdlHTTm4siZxrfd6jl&oh=00_AYAVq8L2b8Y9uNjtTavV-pyEe7dzm6ku3NJ8tMj-Yt0mcQ&oe=675C0242 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Relishthebite.com 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-12-08 20:15 active 1977 0 It's almost time. Set your alarms, make a reminder, tonight at 9:00pm ET our biggest pre-made shop update of the year goes live. Over 125+ jewelry items ready to ship, including some one-of-a-kind items! Plus, made-to-order is BACK for a very limited time. Get your orders in before we close the shop up until next year! VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/omniastudios omniastudios https://www.instagram.com/_u/omniastudios 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram profile 0 instagram.com IMAGE http://instagram.com/omniastudios 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/67113700_734652240321048_5220878991371534336_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=4WH4-Ui_KyoQ7kNvgGoN4xA&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDAWDdmKk6JgugxXA_3agz3MQ9IPlpSLW04TSbq6xIVhA&oe=675C3D3F IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 omniastudios 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-09 09:00 active 1978 0 Vista Duo: A 2-in-1 Lanyard and Hand Strap designed for seamless transitions. Wear it as a lanyard for hands-free convenience or switch to a hand strap for a secure, on-the-go grip. Perfect for phones, earbuds, and more. #PhoneLanyard #UniqBetterByDesign #WearYourFreedom VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/uniqbetterbydesign Uniq https://www.facebook.com/uniqbetterbydesign/ 103,513 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram profile 0 instagram.com IMAGE http://instagram.com/uniqbetterbydesign 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469515405_3749770645287762_7832931538620258046_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ADGLU7v0cagQ7kNvgEpNDA1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A91Uv8zi6rJWyj9yD8OZam9&oh=00_AYAodMuC-03fPM4TVGLw1rhHTe20NW6BSrt47CCyJ_WhNg&oe=675CCD65 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Uniq 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:06 active 1974 0 GET ENTERED FOR AS LOW AS 5$ Goon2Goat.shop! (Link in bio) 30% off all products! #dasanbyrd #giveaway #pitbike #viral #fyp #trending #motocross #moto SHOP_NOW http://Goon2Goat.shop/ dasan.byrd https://www.instagram.com/_u/dasan.byrd 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop now 0 goon2goat.shop IMAGE http://Goon2Goat.shop/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/464906396_1088312679595439_1212814813650844329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=snFIL-mHDeUQ7kNvgEPzox4&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYD3wPPWuM21ggEr-xZ1O05CUGHwLyEDJAolnZ578GX_ag&oe=675C071B IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 dasan.byrd 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 20:15 active 1977 0 ๐Ÿ‘€FREE $50 Oven Cleaning for the holiday season!๐Ÿ‘€ โœจAchieve holiday harmony with Casita Cleanโ€™s expert cleaning services!๐Ÿงผ ๐Ÿ‘€Holiday Harmony Special - Get a $50 Oven Cleaning absolutely free with the purchase of a deep cleaning!๐Ÿ‘€ ๐Ÿ“Chicagoland Suburbs๐Ÿ“ You already have enough things to worry about so offload your cleaning to Casita Clean to buy back your time!โฑ๏ธ Casita Clean specializes in residential deep cleaning that will make your home feel welcoming and luxurious!๐Ÿ’Ž Our services include: โ€ข DEEP CLEANINGโœ… โ€ข MOVE-IN/MOVE-OUT CLEANING โœ… โ€ข EVENT CLEAN-UPโœ… โ€ข ZONE-BY-ZONE ATTENTIONโœ… โ€ข APPLIANCE CLEANINGโœ… Here at Casita Clean, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee meaning that if you're not happy with any area we've cleaned, call us within 24 hours and we'll come back and re-clean it free of charge!๐Ÿคฏ Take a look at what your neighbors think: 4.9 โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Rating On Google โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Laura H. โ€œAmazing customer service! Called same day for a move-In clean and the team arrived that afternoon. Everything was done meticulously and a walk through done after to ensure satisfaction. Would highly recommend!โ€ โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ Giselle M. โ€œHad a great experience. Carlos is very responsive and friendly. His team came in for a deep clean and got everything looking great. I have three dogs so the fact that they were able to clean my couches and you could sit on them without dog hair sticking to you is impressive. I decided to do biweekly cleanings moving forward to help keep everything looking great.โ€ With all of that being said, what are you waiting for? โœ… Weโ€™re almost out of spots before the holiday so call (779) 270-4807 or click the "Get offer" button to claim your FREE $50 Oven Cleaning and schedule your deep clean with Casita Clean RIGHT NOW!๐Ÿšจ GET_OFFER https://casitaclean.com/requestquote343299 Casita Clean https://www.facebook.com/61562217413883/ 18 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Get Offer 0 https://casitaclean.com DCO {{product.description}} https://casitaclean.com/requestquote343299 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469391760_811992904341323_1495161243043474189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ApSofR4TKCkQ7kNvgFnHoNZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlyTMoD9LXgl7B1ukAJnuSE&oh=00_AYD8a0lLF69ip9lVVf5NIqjf1i1jwqGhl55AOPsSP7jiug&oe=675C1C20 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Casita Clean 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-09 09:00 active 1978 0 High Interest Checking Unlock high interest with Kasasa Cashยฎ! Earn up to 4.00% APY on balances up to $25k and enjoy no fees or minimums. Open your free account today! LEARN_MORE https://www.dfcu.net/ Dannemora Federal Credit Union https://www.facebook.com/DannemoraFCU/ 4,208 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 dfcu.net DCO https://www.dfcu.net/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450542801_1156292425609005_7780466153827685769_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NYV300uzSQkQ7kNvgEIvNGV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A4HRGWUMROEBUELUx0VPxZJ&oh=00_AYCEAYnlI6jd4bjgrZe0wdjcv-yZD1pMeoBGn0lJ7tI6Ig&oe=675CB50E PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Dannemora Federal Credit Union 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-12-08 19:42 active 1976 0 Read next chapter She and her stepsister fell in love with the same man, but when he knelt down to beg her to save her stepsister, she felt desperate. She demanded to become his wife to save her stepsister. Two years later, when she got the divorce agreement as scheduled, she realized that she had ended up losing everything. ===== Emma Cooper boarded her flight home after three grueling months of filming. Today was also the final day of Emma's contractual marriage. The four-hour journey felt endless, but at last, the plane touched down. Once she retrieved her suitcase, she made her way toward the exit, expecting a company car. But as soon as the doors slid open, she spotted someone familiar--Edwin Reid, the Jenner family's long-time driver. He stood by a sleek black Rolls-Royce, his posture rigid and respectful, waiting. Dragging her suitcase, she approached. Edwin immediately took over, wordlessly opening the car door for her. Inside, a man sat in silence. His presence was cold yet commanding, encased in a perfectly tailored black suit. His sharply chiseled face devoid of any expression, he didn't look up--not even a glance her way. It was Ricky Jenner, her husband of two years. His unexpected appearance caught her off guard, though she quickly remembered why he was here. Their arrangement was ending today. Of course, he would show up. Emma slid into the car, maintaining a careful distance, the space between them as silent and tense as ever. For two years, Ricky had made it clear--he didn't want her close. Tonight was the first time they had been seated so near, and the closeness felt foreign. The faint scent of his cologne lingered between them, familiar but distant, like everything about him. Edwin quietly loaded her suitcase into the trunk and slid back behind the wheel. As the car pulled away from the airport, the silence inside grew suffocating. Ricky's expression remained as cold and distant as ever, his presence casting a shadow over the space. Emma's heart raced, each breath coming in shallow, uneasy waves. Twenty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of the Jenner family's grand estate. Before Emma could collect her thoughts, the butler rushed out, swiftly opening the door. Ricky stepped out first, his long strides carrying him toward the house without so much as a glance in her direction. "Let's go to the study," he muttered, his tone clipped, not even bothering to slow his pace. Emma's nerves had been on edge the entire ride. She knew what was coming. The moment she entered the study, she saw Ricky pull out a stack of papers from the desk drawer, tossing them in front of her. "Let's get a divorce," he said. Emma's heart twisted painfully in her chest, but she remained composed. She had loved Ricky for ten years, and wearing the title of Mrs. Jenner had never brought her closer to his heart. His body, his soul--none of him had ever belonged to her. "Nicola is old enough to marry now, isn't she?" Emma said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to keep it steady. Ricky's brow twitched slightly, a flicker of impatience crossing his sharp features. He didn't bother responding to her comment. Instead, he immediately extended the pen toward her, a silent demand. Emma forced a smile, but it felt like a crack in her mask. Without her usual makeup, her lips looked pale, and her face seemed drained of life. The exhaustion was undeniable. "Just sign it," Ricky said, emotionless and firm. She accepted the pen and, without sparing a glance at the contents of the contract, flipped to the last page and signed her name. The act felt final, yet hollow. As she placed the pen down, Emma glanced up at Ricky. His eyes, still striking, stared back at her with an icy detachment that sent a shiver through her. It was as if he was looking at a stranger, not his wife. "It's getting late. I'll move out tomorrow, if that's alright?" Emma asked, her voice fragile, her smile tense as she searched Ricky's face for even a shred of warmth. But Ricky's response came swift and sharp, dashing any hope. "Edwin will take you to a hotel." Was he really sending her away this very moment? Not even allowing her the courtesy of one last night under this roof? Her forced smile faltered, then vanished altogether. The silence between them stretched, heavy. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment before she turned away, her heart hardening with each step as she left the room. In her bedroom, Emma took the suitcase she hadn't even had the chance to unpack. When she dragged her suitcase downstairs, the maids rushed to help, but she waved them off, her smile weary. "Thank you, but I can handle it." They exchanged helpless glances, standing quietly in a line as they watched her approach the door. In the two years she had spent in this house, Emma had grown to care for the people here. Everyone, except Ricky, had shown her warmth. A pang of sorrow hit her, but after enduring two years of emotional isolation, she no longer had the strength to fight. It was over. Time to move on, and finally, let go. Despite the searing pain ripping through her chest, Emma remained dry-eyed. She had learned how to hide her emotions well. As she slid into the backseat of the car, she forced herself to appear composed. Edwin drove her through the city streets and dropped her off at a five-star hotel. Without a word, he left. Inside, Emma checked in and powered on her phone, which had been off for hours. There was a missed call from her father, Colby Cooper. She inhaled deeply, bracing herself as she dialed his number. Colby picked up almost immediately. "Emma, Nicola's condition has worsened," he said, his voice rough, weighed down with exhaustion and worry. Emma's heart skipped a beat. "What? When did this happen?" "About a week ago." "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked. "You were busy filming. I didn't want to burden you," Colby explained. Emma paused, the silence between them heavy. Her mind flashed back to two years ago, when she had donated her bone marrow to save Nicola Cooper. The realization hit her--she knew exactly why her father was calling. "What do you need me to do?" she asked, her voice steady but resigned. "No, there's nothing you need to do. Ricky's already taken care of everything--he's brought in top doctors, and the hospital found a bone marrow match for Nicola from the registry. You just need to visit when you can," Colby said. Emma stayed silent, her chest tightening. Colby, sensing her hesitation, gave her Nicola's room number and urged her to come soon, mentioning how much Nicola missed her. A sharp pain gripped her heart. She managed a weak "okay" before quickly ending the call, unable to hear more. That night felt endless. She tossed and turned on the unfamiliar hotel bed, her mind racing. By 2 a.m., she gave in, ordering a bottle of red w*ne. She drank most of it before finally drifting off into a fitful sleep. The next morning, close to noon, Emma was jolted awake by her phone ringing. Her agent's voice was quick and urgent on the other end. She pitched the idea of her joining a popular rural reality show--one that guaranteed fame for all who participated. "I'm not interested. I need a break," she replied, her voice groggy with exhaustion. Her agent snapped, clearly frustrated, "A break? Do you think you can take a break whenever you feel like it? Look, you've been in this industry for three years. You've turned down intimate scenes, refused reality shows and avoided any publicity stunts with male celebrities. The company has bent over backward to accommodate you! But what now?" Her voice grew sharper. "Three years in, and you still lack ambition. Keep this up, and your career will be done." "Then let it be done." "Emma, you..." Her agent's voice was cut off as Emma ended the call without hesitation. The frustration simmered inside her, but she didn't dwell on it. She headed straight to the bathroom, ignoring the incessant buzzing of her phone. After a long shower, feeling slightly more clear-headed, she decided to reach out to Jenifer Howard, a close friend she hadn't seen for a while. Emma asked if she could stay at Jenifer's place for a few days. Jenifer was thrilled and agreed, coming over to pick her up almost immediately. Once settled at Jenifer's, Emma unpacked her things and shared a quiet meal with her friend. That afternoon, she made her way to Ecatin General Hospital. Standing outside Nicola's room, Emma watched through the glass as the caregiver tried feeding her sister. Nicola, frail and pale, managed only a few bites before she began to retch. Emma's chest tightened with a sorrow she couldn't fully articulate. Nicola was her half-sister, five years younger and barely twenty now. They had been inseparable as children; Nicola had always looked up to her, following her everywhere. But everything changed when they both fell in love with Ricky. Two years ago, when Nicola was first diagnosed with leukemia, Ricky had been beside himself with worry. That was when the truth hit Emma--Ricky didn't love her. His heart belonged to Nicola. Chapter 2 You Don't Deserve To Be Around Nicola Back then, Emma's bl*od test results had come back clear--there were no complications, no signs of rejection. She could save Nicola. In truth, Emma wouldn't have hesitated to donate her bone marrow to a stranger, let alone her own sister. But before she could even voice her decision, Ricky had already thought of her as cold and indifferent, assuming she wouldn't step up to save Nicola. He was so desperate that he even knelt before her, pleading for her help--a sight that shattered Emma's heart. Never in her life had she seen Ricky humble himself for anyone like that. She had known Ricky since they were kids. From elementary school to high school, they had been inseparable. Childhood sweethearts, as some might have called them. Ricky used to get into fights with other boys just to defend her, and he would stay up late into the night to help her prepare for exams. She had believed, naively, that after all those years of being by his side, she would eventually earn his love. But she was wrong. Feelings, she had come to understand, were never won by logic or time. Emma was never as good at acting cute or knowing exactly how to please Ricky as Nicola. While he cared for both of them, the way he doted on Nicola was always more tender, more genuine. He must have loved her deeply. The thought pierced Emma's heart, and her eyes stung with unshed tears. What hurt most wasn't just Ricky's love for Nicola but the fact that he had assumed she was heartless enough to let her sister die. That judgment, so harsh and wrong, had infuriated her. In a moment of blind anger, she had demanded that Ricky marry her. She wanted to be his wife. Even though the marriage would only last two year, she had believed--foolishly--that it would be enough time for Ricky to fall in love with her. But reality, sharp and unforgiving, had torn that hope apart. She had lost. Miserably. "You still have the nerve to show your face here?" A biting voice yanked Emma out of her thoughts. Emma quickly wiped away her tears and turned to see Verena Cooper standing behind her, her expression instantly turning cold. Verena, her stepmother, was forty but looked a decade younger. With her perfectly styled hair and chic designer clothes, she exuded elegance and control. When Emma was still mourning the loss of her mother, Verena, who had been the family's servant, got pregnant. The father of the baby was Colby. "Spare me the crocodile tears!" Verena sneered, brushing past Emma as she entered the hospital room. Emma swallowed her frustration and followed behind, forcing herself to remain composed. When Nicola saw her, a faint light flickered in her otherwise tired eyes. "Emma," she said softly, a trace of warmth in her voice. Emma smiled, walking over to gently take Nicola's hand. "I heard you've been missing me." Nicola nodded, her expression gentle. "I haven't seen you for three months. I really missed you." Emma's heart twisted painfully. Nicola, with her innocence and kindness, made everything so much more difficult. How could her own sister, the one she'd loved and cared for, be the one standing between her and the man she longed for? When Nicola had fallen ill, Emma had crossed a line she could never uncross--using that tragedy to secure her place as Mrs. Jenner. She had expected Nicola to resent her for it, maybe even despise her. In her mind, their meetings would be cold, filled with resentment and distance. But Nicola still cared about her as though nothing had changed. And that was the hardest part of all. Every time Emma looked at her sister, the guilt became unbearable. "I'm taking a break right now, so I've got plenty of time to spend with you," Emma said, her eyes still red from emotion, but she forced a smile. Nicola's face lit up. "That's amazing! I want you to visit me every day until I'm discharged, okay?" "Of course, I'll be here every day," Emma replied warmly. From the side, Verena rolled her eyes, glaring at Emma with open contempt. She held her tongue for Nicola's sake, but every time she looked at Emma, her anger flared. She couldn't forget how Nicola had become a shell of herself when Ricky married Emma. Fighting her bitterness, Verena coaxed Nicola to sleep. Once Nicola was asleep, she turned to Emma, her voice cold. "Ricky's coming soon to see Nicola. If you don't want an uncomfortable scene, you'd better go." Emma stood silently, taking in her words. After one last glance at Nicola, now peacefully asleep, she turned and headed for the door. Just as she reached the doorway, Verena's voice cut through the air once more. "Don't bother coming back. After everything you've done to her, you don't deserve to be around Nicola." Emma didn't say a word. She walked out, her steps heavy with the weight of a truth she'd long grown accustomed to carrying. Emma quietly closed the door behind her and collapsed onto a bench in the corridor. She buried her face in her hands as tears flowed uncontrollably, her body shaking with silent sobs. Jenifer had been waiting outside in the car for far too long. Concerned, she decided to head into the hospital to check on Emma. When she entered the corridor and saw Emma hunched over on the bench, looking utterly defeated, Jenifer was about to rush over when she noticed Ricky stepping out of the elevator. He paused when he spotted Emma, but after a brief pause, he walked toward her. Emma had been following Ricky everywhere since childhood; she knew the sound of his footsteps anywhere. Hearing that familiar rhythm, she quickly wiped her face and tried to compose herself, though the effort felt futile. "Are you here to see Nicola?" she asked, forcing a smile as she looked up at him. Her eyes were swollen from crying, with streaks of smudged makeup on her face. She looked fragile, a shadow of her usual self. Ricky's response was indifferent. "You've already visited her?" "Yes," Emma whispered. For a moment, something in her appearance must have stirred a hint of sympathy, because Ricky, in an unusual display of kindness, added softly, "Don't worry. Nicola will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant soon. She'll get better soon enough." "I know." With just those words, Ricky simply turned to push open the door to Nicola's room. But before he could step inside, Emma couldn't help but call after him, "Please, take good care of her." If she couldn't have him, then maybe it was time to let go, to give him back to Nicola--the one he truly loved. Ricky paused, his hand on the door. Without turning to face her, he replied in a voice laced with restrained anger, "I don't need you to remind me. I'll take care of her." His words were sharp, each syllable weighted with frustration. Emma flinched. She had already signed the divorce papers, freeing him from their hollow marriage, giving him the chance to return to Nicola. This was what he had always wanted, wasn't it? So why did he still seem so furious with her? Was he really that eager to be rid of her? Did he hate her that much? Ricky disappeared into the room, but Emma remained frozen on the bench, her eyes locked on the closed door. She felt hollow, lost in the emptiness of it all. Jenifer, who had been watching from a distance, couldn't bear it any longer. She rushed over, gently pulling Emma to her feet and dragging her away from the hospital ward. In the days that followed, Emma continued visiting the hospital, but she no longer went inside Nicola's room. She only stood by the door, looking through the glass to catch a glimpse of her sister. Sometimes she would see Ricky taking Nicola for walks outside, their closeness painfully clear. From afar, she would watch, a quiet spectator to the life she had no part in. Ricky's coldness toward her was always in stark contrast to his gentle care for Nicola, a contrast that left Emma with a deep, aching wound that never seemed to heal. A month later, Nicola successfully underwent her bone marrow transplant. There were no signs of rejection or complications, and her recovery was progressing smoothly. For the first time in a long while, Emma felt a sense of relief. In the past month, Ricky spent nearly all his time at the hospital, constantly by Nicola's side. He seemed to have forgotten about going to the courthouse with her to finalize the divorce. Emma had watched enough of his affection toward Nicola. She was ready to close this chapter, ready to walk away and rebuild her life. That day, she made up her mind to call him. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Ricky finally picked up. "What is it?" he asked, his tone as cold and detached as ever. Emma didn't hesitate. "When are we going to finalize the divorce?" There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line. When Ricky finally spoke again, his voice was distant, but his words caught her off guard. "I haven't signed the papers yet." Her heart skipped a beat. After all this time, he still hadn't signed the divorce papers? Emma froze for a moment, her mind racing. Why hadn't Ricky signed the papers yet? Could he have changed his mind? Was there a possibility he no longer wanted the divorce? The thought was fleeting and absurd, and she quickly dismissed it. Ricky had always wanted to be free of her. Now that Nicola was recovering and old enough to marry, there was no reason for him to hold on. This delay couldn't possibly mean anything different. "Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at nine," she said, her tone sharp, leaving no room for discussion before hanging up the phone. Meanwhile, in Ricky's office. For two years, Ricky had been waiting for this moment--the end of their marriage. The divorce papers had been drawn up months ago, prepared by his assistant, ready for the final signatures that would sever their ties for good. He had thought the moment he signed would bring relief, a clean break. But after Emma had actually signed them, something gnawed at him. A strange unease he couldn't shake. Ricky wasn't sure anymore, not even of himself. He wasn't something to be traded or handed over between two women. His decisions were his own--no one else had the right to make them for him. He calmly finished his work, then pulled the divorce papers from his desk drawer and tore them to pieces. "Divorce?" Ricky's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "It's not that simple. The game has just begun." ...... ==== Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/62445322-fb_contact-e Fun Novel https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/ 1,272 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.moboreader.net VIDEO https://fbweb.moboreader.net/62445322-fb_contact-enj103_2-1101-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&rawadid=120213213411890604 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465908902_1598460881042082_3589727063487658005_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G2-i2ePHkfEQ7kNvgF11CYC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A4NqWUmyxysJ5eSB3v97RVx&oh=00_AYDUet2A3qqdsnEvSXdyVlmApQ5leFciIwUheepVi9tOqQ&oe=675C171F PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Fun Novel 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:42 active 1976 0 1-Minute Quiz will Tell your Body Type & Best Diet Introducing Helix - A new customized way of eating delicious foods that help push metabolism into overdrive by flooding the body with leptin, the master fat burning hormone. Interested in learning more? click below! ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://helixbootcamp.com/fbquiz ๐Ÿ‘ˆ LEARN_MORE https://helixbootcamp.com/fbquiz Tom Helix https://www.facebook.com/Tom.HelixBootcamp/ 7,174 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 helixbootcamp.com VIDEO https://helixbootcamp.com/fbquiz 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469268982_598343672649460_8653505860018217199_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gHSn6jdP3toQ7kNvgHDyhlo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ABQTa7ZUGHk_1nR2YnRwGpz&oh=00_AYA1RAjR9EPjszpcebURrt0OKRV0VxNQQNtxHHIUvoMwzw&oe=675BFF0B PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Tom Helix 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-12-08 19:12 active 1975 0 Indulge in Luxury. Treat Yourself to the Finest. Indulge in Luxury. Treat Yourself to the Finest. SHOP_NOW https://www.kellytooke.com/product-page/texas-cros kellytookeofficial https://www.instagram.com/_u/kellytookeofficial 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop Now 0 kellytooke.com DCO Indulge in Luxury. Treat Yourself to the Finest. https://www.kellytooke.com/product-page/texas-crossbody 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/469511859_1587707258509318_618859529538339875_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=nfbYWubm_18Q7kNvgEq0d2q&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCw0_UUs0KlAEEAhtEulDdzZF2otbyXn66sUFJTSV2Clg&oe=675C289F IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 kellytookeofficial 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-12-08 19:06 active 1974 0 Comfortable, Stylish Shoes and bag for the Active Woman ๐Ÿคธโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ›น๐Ÿšดโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿง—โ€โ™€๏ธ | Win a Free CROSSBODY BAG! ๐ŸŽ Sign up now to enter The WOMADS GIVEAWAY for a chance to win a FREE CROSSBODY BAG ($210 Value) in your color of choice ๐ŸŽจ. As an active and adventurous woman, you deserve the best in both style and comfort ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธ. That's where Womads comes in - our shoes and bags are handmade with high-quality leather and natural rubber, and can keep up with you no matter what the day brings ๐Ÿ˜Ž. Every order supports a charity that empowers Colombian women ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘ต๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘ฑ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ . We also contribute to the reforestation ๐ŸŒณ of a part of Colombia through our sustainable rubber soles โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ. Click the link and join our giveaway. We announce the winners in two weeks on our social media! SIGN_UP http://fb.me/ Womads.co https://www.facebook.com/womads.co/ 178 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sign Up 0 fb.me DCO WIN a FREE CROSSBODY BAG! ๐ŸŽ Handmade with high-quality leather & natural rubber, our bags are perfect for active women like you ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธ. Every order supports Colombian women's empowerment & reforestation in Colombia ๐ŸŒณโค๏ธ. http://fb.me/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469502739_1009826967573322_5250052903247931863_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YLxqNT4aoi8Q7kNvgHaoqnk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AT2YQH8q3a8KuOQIMKge0KI&oh=00_AYAURChJQLEX6nf8iXsxZ2TGRmB0euDBXD-J5YESWZQ9qw&oe=675BFCDA PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Womads.co 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:42 active 1976 0 Free Worldwide Shipping! Sip, spray, and stay refreshed on the move with the stylish 700ml Spray Water Bottle, your ultimate hydration companion! ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ SHOP_NOW https://fitfusionhub.co/products/spray-water-bottl Fit Fusion Hub https://www.facebook.com/shoproyalepaw/ 61 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop now 0 fitfusionhub.co VIDEO โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 Reviews! https://fitfusionhub.co/products/spray-water-bottle 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434184238_1072920160456235_24173197660041531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eimJ-EKHki0Q7kNvgHQlpXK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_1pr8qY-D826582Fl2gaVM&oh=00_AYAB1-N10tlTyXYZnBQ8d6rZnd7a9J599wl0ZEkWBBfcfg&oe=675BFF18 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Royalepaw 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-12-08 19:42 active 1976 0 free quote -> MESSAGE_PAGE X Outdoor Lighting - Colorado https://www.facebook.com/61566740524108/ 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send message 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469639458_932880455420081_7840549966270770970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NDP-o55Es5wQ7kNvgFfH2Rn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agvk0q01duFKXpCqyFvUCBa&oh=00_AYCWE5yTuxQgvzPU0cI7FzP5f7osJdXGWQBR0pEktqHy4Q&oe=675C1516 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 X Outdoor Lighting - Colorado 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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