Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Ads for Diet on 2025-02-24

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Page Is Profile Page	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,689,701	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2689403}'	No	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623	Revitalize Your Living Space with $6,000 off For Your Design & Remodel	Sign up for a home remodel with Essig Renovation & Design and receive $6,000 towards our comprehensive design services.	SIGN_UP	http://fb.me/	Essig Renovation & Design	https://www.facebook.com/essigcommunity/	403	1969-12-31 18:00	Sign Up	fb.me	DCO	Enhance your living space with our expert design team and take advantage of a special offer to bring your vision to life.	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476850425_1870980050305375_7711574920010220191_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Niqo1DnuNdoQ7kNvgH8QE69&_nc_oc=Adhb87GHBMYjzH0ecaHyypN09tcEzV2oi4bB2X_YF0y3rJYrU-RdFq6VYHGjGb58t-mkf28RH0sRJXuVSyRWsBn_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ARk7rQ4MYIUimqK7eP0YGb9&oh=00_AYBhROb559fTiW9S3i98G5-4eZgihBRr7RC6JWWl583JIQ&oe=67C2F35A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Essig Renovation & Design	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,690,939	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2690923}'	Yes	2025-02-24 19:12	active	2624	She and her husband made a pact—if either cheated, the "home wrecker" would pay the price. Here's the full story.	In 2014, Kelly Cochran killed her lover, made and served her neighbors' barbecue, and then murdered her husband—before finally confessing. Here's her chilling story.	NO_BUTTON	https://en.guiltyeats.com/view/?id=kelly-cochran-k	Insightful Instants	https://www.facebook.com/100095707475395/	523	1969-12-31 18:00	No button	en.guiltyeats.com	IMAGE		https://en.guiltyeats.com/view/?id=kelly-cochran-killer-12u&src=facebook	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481045013_974046737617960_6286281626838243823_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-S1MvKqHfLAQ7kNvgG6MhBI&_nc_oc=Adi50gC8VbisLFlfXqQjkDQEuetK-iOGMiWEfvJnWkVFpA-ycBabGaxdr5juptu6nlc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A8Nsagff_fXh7gdilbnmG_A&oh=00_AYDLTu-KJMKmOB1022PAmc28yL0vm4DvtKjF8MBLU6or-w&oe=67C2D3CE	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Insightful Instants	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,694,217	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2694114}'	Yes	2025-02-25 17:24	active	2628	WIN The Bridal Boudoir Photoshoot!	CALLING ALL UTAH BRIDES! ❤️ Enter to WIN $500 plus Bridal Boudoir Experience! 💍 Because 'I do' deserves a little 'Ooh la la!' 🤭 Imagine your fiancé’s face when they open an album of YOU, confident, glowing, and absolutely unforgettable. (Every partner's dream gift that they can reminisce on for years to come) ✨EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE: 👄 Waived Session fee ($350 value) 👄Gifted Luxury Print—perfect for a secret wedding day surprise! 👄Less than 10 day image delivery guaranteed, (because “last-minute bride” is how we do it here in Utah) 👄Personalized Boudoir Session with Expert Posing Guidance 👄Same Day Viewing Appointment of Your Images 👄Beautifully Retouched Images 👄Option to add on Professional Hair and Makeup 👄Up to $500 OFF luxury collections (because wedding budgets deserve a break! 😍We will be selecting new winners every week! You in? Click "LEARN MORE" now and let's celebrate you! 🔥📸	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	VP Empowerment Photography	https://www.facebook.com/61553895145419/	15	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	fb.me	DCO	Limited time giveaway for brides in Utah	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480743043_1156934045381891_818271337714105487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eHZ0JLIC1gYQ7kNvgGJ2IHb&_nc_oc=AdipFhPSZ38MMopPkw2U1rT3mu_Y-mjZFAzcHMTBDRY4VC45wflFsVsNJ80ITDyYzgc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AAdVoqAGQJHS0SD7KNdxz0h&oh=00_AYBx-8YOMUjV6gGQ55fyKH-cTUubyHbCyYcE40SBbdC13w&oe=67C41B75	PERSON_PROFILE	0	VP Empowerment Photography	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,694,202	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.6056338028169014,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2025-02-25 17:24	active	2628			VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/tianosuru	tianosuru	https://www.instagram.com/_u/tianosuru	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram Profile	instagram.com	CAROUSEL		http://instagram.com/tianosuru	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/479292260_1172091034288184_1048682345665822987_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=BqJql-FyBqwQ7kNvgFu5q4B&_nc_oc=AdgrVv314YQ9k89-wB3x3NFIZBL53Jvl3SEEeVRhkuxcP5QLQG7fAFo8iY7EhEEwHA8&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCrTCRt0cAxTIcudS_FEZ2QDpfEd-0AXDOp6C7ygJHOiQ&oe=67C43291	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	tianosuru	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,689,997	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623		Hello everyone! This is a photo that I have made in the beginning of my journey as a glamour model and creative director. Every photo stands for my journey of finding my inner passion and a way of learning how to express my love for glamour art photos. Esther Visions (from Nina) is organizing a giveaway from one of the photo Prints of Nina Erotique! If you win, you will get a FREE photo Print to mount on your wall! This print is unique as it is one of the Prints that has been shown personally by Nina during her Art exhibition in the Hague. Go take a look! Link to free giveaway in bio! Nina sells (digital, downloadable in 4K) ART glamour photos on her new webshop! Go take a look! Link in bio ✨ I would love for you to give me your feedback on my new webshop! I'm available to make commercial materials for companies. Photo and Film. Everything is possible! For more info and questions: marketing@esthervisions.com Link in bio to my OWN website and complete portfolio where you get to see ALL of my work! #model #studio #modellife #glamour #photography #glamourphotography #femalemodel #femaleentrepreneur #creativedirector #artgallery #artforsale #artforsalebyartist #girl #lifestyle #love #beauty #beautiful #fashion #photooftheday #cute #art #style #sonyalpha #sonyphotography	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/nina_erotique	nina_erotique	https://www.instagram.com/_u/nina_erotique	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram profile	instagram.com	IMAGE		http://instagram.com/nina_erotique	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/475425541_626267919984156_6271714475844196384_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=8oreFEJHNcIQ7kNvgE7UkD7&_nc_oc=AdhbTQhqoMxX2TEOKjiLjqU-ui7_D_AFnyo-WmOH69Stgkzz_DPK0jLmaKJ7JeTUtI1sJNc5eSg9A6SgAfMCkEnL&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYC-23PPnYljP9gH0Urv7GXLL8WlDOmi9jvwhNEZvDUyag&oe=67C2D8B2	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	nina_erotique	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,689,412	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2689403}'	Yes	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623	See Rippling & get an Away Suitcase	Tired of your current HR systems? Need a vacation from the endless admin work and frustrating reporting? Book and complete a Rippling demo by February 21 to receive a complimentary Away Carry-On Suitcase — and you just might win your dream getaway! 🛫 What are you waiting for? Sign up for a demo👇	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	Rippling	https://www.facebook.com/ripplingapp/	3,149	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	fb.me	DCO	See Rippling Today	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481187734_672614448666555_2271279049346534255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-0WTsTdFD6oQ7kNvgHkaLcE&_nc_oc=AdgXC8YvmnQXlY6-ihuOXWFq0yZifcVouAZ1stTJvQ2Nbuw1lZyjAXKbTyeb-lXRSk96A43yieIzeY9oW-KJNMnK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aydh8FI6WAOfhGxzG15IN-W&oh=00_AYBCB9OKLkMMk7Rf7A1R-rED1tLbbI1XDZyKPGekUg9TGw&oe=67C2E743	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Rippling	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,690,725	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2690730}'	Yes	2025-02-24 19:12	active	2624	Available Now!	Escape Winter's chill in the Hawaii Heat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZLVGZ8P	DOWNLOAD	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZLVGZ8P	Jamie K. Schmidt Contemporary & Paranormal Romance	https://www.facebook.com/JamieKSchmidtBooks/	1,271	1969-12-31 18:00	Download	amazon.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZLVGZ8P	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481070349_1372463717079342_2384421292700973351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bW0x3TgtBx0Q7kNvgFRSHJ_&_nc_oc=AdjbSRU6In-bwyjI4Uo8II2tKxvXyl8X99AoKRQWaLl03XOThnmMAx5Uxdb2NyOAzmc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AKNMDULuyPCSVSutAFfFHmH&oh=00_AYD7c6vqUNf4QSZsJ1Qa86IlIRTbGrTdxxb4TeWnHsm8cg&oe=67C2D32A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Jamie K. Schmidt Contemporary & Paranormal Romance	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,689,490	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623		🛒GIFT @Temu🚗🪶 2pcs Blue Dragonfly Print Car Seat Covers: Stylish protection for your car's front seats, suitable for men and women. Universal fit for cars, SUVs, and trucks. Adds a unique touch to your vehicle's interior. 🧡 Only for Temu new app users & Qualifying order needed,T&Cs apply #temufinds #CarAccessories #carmusthave #carfavorites #carfinds #temu #temugift #CarSeatCovers #DragonflyDesign #AutoAccessories 🦋💺	SHOP_NOW	https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/un1.html?subj=feed-	Charlson werwer	https://www.facebook.com/100088985928007/	19,260	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	www.temu.com	VIDEO		https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/un1.html?subj=feed-un&_bg_fs=1&_p_mat1_type=3&_p_jump_id=722&_x_vst_scene=adg&locale_override=211~en~USD&goods_id=601099527043547&_p_rfs=1&_x_ads_channel=kol_metabca&_x_ads_sub_channel=influencer&_x_bg_adid=19180964&_x_ads_set={{campaign.id}}&_x_ads_id={{adset.id}}&_x_ads_creative_id={{ad.id}}&_x_ns_source={{site_source_name}}&_x_ns_placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481204985_606790362128179_7446727433483262445_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FB0Bb9FsNdgQ7kNvgFsBMSB&_nc_oc=AdgaFWPE5n_krYu12vdOxQoMv1FBoj-D_vaBmIY-Py5bWtw6veJPJ87aC2oV7dhauzVcT_ssuxLjQJJs-WGmydsE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A2LqGmW0RJSPAR6DWsgkyXJ&oh=00_AYCyARB_akNkBpOD70rCZcwH5kbz9tYRt62xsL1gMN2g0g&oe=67C2E283	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Charlson werwer	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,694,025	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2025-02-25 17:24	active	2628	Read next chapter👉	He divorced her because of cheating. She left a message: "You will regret it." 4 years later, he saw her on TV and introduced her as a top 100 female CEO, but she shone and attracted everyone's attention. He was frustrated and begged to win her back! ===== In the bustling, weathered heart of Orkset, flames erupted violently within an ancient apartment building. Propelled by gusts of wind, the fire devoured the structure, belching dense smoke and bright, searing tongues of flame. "Saved! They've been saved." The words echoed amidst the chaos. Firefighters emerged from the smoldering inferno, carrying Carrie Campbell to safety at the roadside. Her features, usually refined and expressive, were now smeared with soot; her sparkling eyes dimmed to a vacant gaze, hollow and lost. As reality seeped back into her consciousness, Carrie felt a rush of gratitude overpower her usual composure. Her voice, hoarse and weak, conveyed a profound "thank you" to her rescuers. Shaking, she fumbled for her phone, her fingertips quivering as they found the familiar number. "Hello, the person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later..." The automated message played after a few rings, leaving her with a lump in her throat, her unvoiced frustrations and sorrow welling up inside her. Bang! With a deafening roar, the explosion abruptly silenced the cold, mechanical voice echoing through the line. Carrie's head snapped upwards, shock painted on her face as she witnessed the apartment she had just exited erupt into flames. Chunks of debris were hurled into the air by the force of the blast, scattering across the sky. Panic engulfed the crowd as survivors, freshly rescued, screamed in terror. They huddled together, seeking solace in each other's arms, their cries piercing the tumultuous scene. In stark contrast, Carrie lay alone on a stretcher, her isolation magnified amidst the chaos. "Kristopher..." Fighting the dread creeping up her spine, Carrie pressed her lips together tightly and dialed her husband's number again, her resolve unwavering. Yet, the call disconnected after a few short rings, leaving her with a haunting silence. Just then, a Twitter notification flickered on her phone screen. The gossip feed was alive with the latest gossip: #LiseNash #MysteriouBoyfriend. According to the tweet, a producer from a well-known variety show had invited the renowned star Lise Nash to a dinner, which had quickly soured when she declined to partake in a toast. This act of defiance had sparked a confrontation, only to be interrupted by Lise's domineering boyfriend. He stormed into the private dining room, dismissing the producer with a dismissive wave and escorting Lise away. The tweet described the scene vividly, painting a picture of a powerful man defending his beloved partner. Yet, perhaps due to his prominence, only the back of the man was visible in the accompanying photos, preserving his anonymity. Meanwhile, Lise, donning an oversized suit jacket, beamed a smile, reaching out to clasp his hand as they departed together. Carrie's eyes were glued to the screen, her stare intense and unblinking as she absorbed the image before her. There he was--Kristopher Norris! The suit jacket draped carelessly over Lise was a dead giveaway. Every piece of clothing Kristopher owned had been meticulously tailored by a master craftsman abroad, a detail Carrie knew all too well. Her grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles blanching to a stark white, as if her very soul were being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain sharp and acid-like in its intensity. In her most desperate moment, Kristopher had coldly disconnected their call, choosing instead to be at Lise's side. What was the worth of their two-year marriage? The tears she had been holding back now overwhelmed her, streaming down her face. Even as she tilted her head back in a futile attempt to stem the flow, the tears continued to escape. Lise had always been Kristopher's first love, a fact whispered and gossiped about among their circles. The Norris family had never approved of Lise, seeing her ordinary background as unfitting. Forced apart by family pressures, it had been Lise who ended things, but the past, it seemed, was not easily left behind. Kristopher had diligently pursued the leadership of the Norris family, harboring dreams of finally being with Lise. Yet, when he reached his goal, he discovered that Lise had already chosen another. In defiance of his family's expectations and perhaps out of bitterness, Kristopher turned to Carrie, a woman equally devoid of wealth or status, to become Mrs. Norris, thereby blocking any matchmaking attempts by his relatives. At that time, Carrie faced immense pressure from her father, Tristan Campbell, who was pushing her towards a marriage with a playboy, the son of a business associate, to cover her grandmother's steep medical expenses. Both Kristopher and Carrie, driven by their personal motives, consented to a marriage of convenience. Originally set for just one year, their contractual marriage stretched beyond its term, sustained by a shared understanding between them. Over time, Carrie began to believe in the authenticity of their union, never suspecting that it was merely an extension of her hopes. Just moments ago, a fire had nearly claimed Carrie's life. In that critical moment, she reached out to Kristopher, only to be twice rebuffed as he spent his time with Lise. This harsh reality shattered Carrie's illusions, revealing that her perceived transition from pretense to genuine relationship was nothing but a facade maintained by her own desires. Carrie wasn't even a temporary substitute in Kristopher's life but merely a pawn used to spite his family. After a poignant pause, tears welled up in Carrie's eyes, unstoppable and poignant. It might be time for her to release herself from the shackles of her own hopeful delusions--to stop deceiving herself. Chapter 2 Trending Topics The overwhelming number of injuries from the fire was staggering, straining the already frantic doctors and nurses as they tried to provide aid. Carrie had been merely grazed by a splintered clothes rack, which left a deep, jagged wound on her calf. In comparison to the chaos around her, her wounds seemed almost negligible. She managed to get basic care--a brisk cleaning and a quick wrap of bandages--at a local hospital before catching a cab back to her house. Bayview Villa, a grand property under Kristopher's name, was technically their matrimonial residence. Living alone had become the norm for Carrie, as Kristopher was hardly ever around. She had bid farewell to the housekeeper, discovering that her life could be quite adequately maintained with just takeout, deliveries, and the occasional visit from a part-time cleaner. Now, she found herself the sole occupant of the sprawling living room, sinking into the sofa, her gaze drifting across the empty space. The stark, monochrome decor did nothing to imbue warmth into the atmosphere. A chilling realization crept up on her: this vast, elegant space felt more like a colossal tomb, a silent grave for her lost years of youth and a love that had quietly slipped away. In this cold, echoing house, would anyone even notice if her breath ceased one day? Carrie exhaled a weary sigh, her frame heavy as she leaned against the cold wall for support, struggling up the stairs to her bedroom on the second floor. Each step was a battle, sending stabbing pains shooting through her from the surface of her skin down to her aching bones. The house, stark and hollow, echoed even the smallest sounds, magnifying her sense of isolation. It was today, amidst this profound silence, that Carrie truly grasped the all-encompassing nature of her loneliness--it was almost tangible, enveloping her senses with its texture and mournful whispers, tightening around her heart like a vice, producing a dull, relentless ache. Upon reaching the sanctuary of her bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed, the very embodiment of exhaustion, feeling it both physically and spiritually. Just as she surrendered to this weariness, the sharp ring of the phone pierced the silence. "You reached out to me earlier. What do you need?" Kristopher's voice cut through the line, cold and distant as ever. Carrie was caught off guard by his unexpected call. Words failed her as she parted her lips to respond, but before she could collect her thoughts, a soft, feminine voice floated through from the other end. "Kristopher, will you join me to..." A surge of emotions tightened Carrie's grip on the phone, her heart thumping louder with each second. Overwhelmed and unable to contain her rising panic, she demanded, "Who's there with you?" Kristopher gave no answer, merely stating in a flat, disinterested voice, "If there's something you need, let's catch up when I'm back. I have pressing engagements right now, so I must disconnect." He promptly ended the call, cutting off any chance for Carrie to reply. As the harsh beep of the disconnected line filled her ears, Carrie's lips twisted into a rueful grin. How utterly foolish she felt! Deep down, she knew his response all too well, yet she had clung to the hope of hearing his voice confirm it. With a sense of self-inflicted irony, Carrie activated her tablet and scrolled through the day's hot topics. One headline caught her eye: "A female star shielded from harassment at a dinner by her formidable partner." A wry smile twisted her lips. Carrie knew all too well what it was like to face harassment at those kinds of dinners. She vividly remembered her first major audition after her entering the showbiz; her agent had escorted her to a dinner with the influential director and producer of the drama series "Serene Sighs." As a novice in the dizzying world of showbiz, Carrie had felt incredibly vulnerable, uncertain of how to navigate the murky waters of such gatherings. The producer had eyed her shamelessly, sneering as he asked, "Is this the new talent you're introducing? She appears presentable, but I'm curious to see how she fares with a drink. Here's the deal, if you can gulp down this bottle in one go, I'll secure you an audition for the lead role." Carrie was inclined to decline, but under the relentless pressure from her agent, she found herself compelled to consume the entire bottle. As the evening wore on, she was hurriedly taken to the hospital suffering from a severe stomach ailment. Her agent, fretful about the prospect of the role slipping away to another, quickly settled the hospital charges and departed. At that time, Carrie found herself isolated in a hospital bed for several long days. Yet, even before Carrie could be released from the hospital, the media was abuzz with the announcement that Lise had secured the lead role in "Serene Sighs." Subsequently, her agent rebuked Carrie for her lack of ambition, complaining, "You are more appealing than Lise, so why can't you show more drive? She cozied up to Mr. Norris and hardly had to make an effort. She's surrounded by people eager to cater to her every need. I've heard that Mr. Norris personally orchestrated her landing the lead role in this production!" When the show premiered, Lise was catapulted into stardom, swiftly ascending to the elite echelons of the acting world. From that moment forward, Carrie let her acting aspirations wane and chose instead to devote herself entirely to supporting her husband, Kristopher. After all, no matter her efforts, she could never get the same career opportunities that Lise seemed to receive effortlessly with Kristopher's offhand remarks. At that time, Carrie had believed she was filling the role that was meant to be Lise's as Mrs. Norris, which meant she owed Lise. By giving up the career opportunities to Lise, Carrie thought they would settle their unspoken debt. However, Carrie hadn't foreseen that Lise would claim both the coveted career and Kristopher's affections. As Lise's professional and love life blossomed, Carrie came to the painful realization that she had been overly consumed with her romantic pursuits, at the expense of her career, and now, she found herself bereft of both love and professional fulfillment. With tears streaming down her face, Carrie viewed her past two years as tragically misguided. Given another opportunity, she resolved she wouldn't be so unguarded, letting her heart recklessly fall captive to Kristopher's charm. "Ms. Spencer, the new copyright contract is prepared. Please review it for any discrepancies." Her phone buzzed with the alert, snapping Carrie out of her reverie. She gazed at the PDF file attached in the message, her mind briefly overwhelmed. Under the pseudonym Katrina Spencer, Carrie had once made a name for herself as a budding screenwriter, selling numerous scripts in her early days. During her early career as Katrina, Carrie often sold her work for a pittance, compelled by her urgent need for immediate cash. Over the years, these scripts transformed into blockbuster films and hit series, catapulting Katrina's reputation to new heights. By this time, Carrie had married Kristopher and was no longer plagued by the financial woes that had once driven her to desperation--her grandmother's hefty medical bills were a thing of the past. With her financial crises resolved, Carrie's life had pivoted to domestic responsibilities, striving to be an exemplary wife to Kristopher. Amidst these changes, her pseudonym, Katrina Spencer, gradually receded into the background. However, her past as Katrina wasn't ready to be shelved just yet. Recently, an interested buyer had come forward, ready to pay a handsome sum for one of her old scripts. Carrie, however, was hesitant to sell. She raised several concerns about the contract presented to her, and to her astonishment, the buyer was genuine enough to revise it accordingly. Holding the revised contract in her hands, Carrie inhaled deeply, her resolve hardening. She seemed to have reached a crucial decision. Her fingers danced over her phone's keyboard with swift precision, typing out a firm command. "Create a divorce agreement following my terms and ensure it reaches Kristopher Norris at the Norris Group." Without pausing for a response, she placed her phone aside and limped toward the bathroom, each step echoing a blend of determination and newfound independence. Chapter 3 Exchange Of Conveniences Thirty minutes had passed, Carrie finally heaved herself up from the bathtub, her limbs feeling heavy and uncooperative. As she lifted her gaze, her own image in the mirror halted her movements--her skin appeared as smooth and impeccable as fine porcelain, glowing with an unblemished radiance. Her eyes, deep pools of allure, sparkled with an enchanting, soft warmth, inviting anyone who dared meet her gaze. Despite edging into her late twenties at twenty-five, she reveled in the fact that time had yet to etch its marks upon her flawless complexion. Surely, a woman with such a visage had no place for self-pity. Absorbed in her contemplation, Carrie carelessly extended her right leg onto the cold floor, forgetting it was the very limb she had injured. Wrapped excessively in cling film to shield it from moisture, the tight encasement had stifled her circulation, rendering her leg eerily numb. As her foot touched down, it betrayed her, slipping forward unexpectedly. "Ah!" Carrie gasped, her arms flailing in a frantic ballet, searching for a lifeline in the void. Just as she teetered on the brink of a painful rendezvous with the floor, the bathroom door burst open. Kristopher stood at the entrance, his suit immaculately tailored, creating a striking figure. As their eyes locked, he paused, visibly taken aback, then quickly closed the distance with brisk strides. Carrie's breath caught as Kristopher swept her up in a graceful bridal style, an unexpected tightness wrapping around her waist. Caught off guard by his sudden appearance, Carrie realized with a jolt that she was completely bare. A flush of embarrassment washed over her as she instinctively clutched her hands over her chest. This was their first moment of such intimacy since their wedding, and the discomfort made her toes curl inward, her skin blushing a delicate shade of pink. Kristopher looked down at her with a mischievous grin. "Let's be honest, there's not much to see," he teased gently. Feeling both mortified and slightly irritated, Carrie snapped back, "Oh, Mr. Norris, after all you've seen, I suppose nothing can impress you anymore." She carried her C-cup curves with understated charm, a touch of sensuality that outshone Lise's painfully flat, almost awkwardly rigid build. Yet Carrie knew well that without love, even the most perfect physique paled in comparison to the charm of one dearly cherished. Nonchalantly, Kristopher reached for a bathrobe hanging behind the door and draped it over her. His frown deepened at her comment. "What are you talking about, Carrie?" A thought seemed to strike him, and his expression grew even more impatient. "Tell me, did you send those divorce papers in the dead of night just to lure me back here--to catch you completely bare?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "I told you I was swamped with work. Was this dramatic display really necessary?" Carrie's temper flared at his accusatory tone, reigniting the tension between them. He was always so quick to lose patience with her. She wasn't the type to throw around words like divorce or breakups lightly. In fact, this was the first time she'd ever mentioned divorce in their two-year marriage, yet he seemed indifferent to her turmoil. He simply dismissed her concerns as if she were overreacting about trivial matters. Despite the throbbing pain in her leg, Carrie mustered her strength and said, "Put me down." Kristopher, however, paid no heed, his eyes scanning her leg swathed in bandages. His brow furrowed slightly. "What happened to your leg? Is this some elaborate ploy to lure me back?" At his words, a bitter laugh escaped Carrie. It seemed he viewed her as merely seeking attention, and in failing to capture it, she had likely concocted a story to draw him back, allowing her to dramatize her plight in his presence. With a blank face, she replied untruthfully, "It's a beauty treatment that shouldn't get wet." "Why did you suddenly decide to undergo such a treatment?" Kristopher inquired, his tone casual as he carried her outside, not pressing the issue further. His frame was large, and through his thin shirt, she could distinctly feel the warmth of his body and the defined shape of his chest muscles. The closeness created an uncomfortable tension for Carrie, who had resolved to end things once and for all. Her voice climbed involuntarily, sharper this time. "Oh, since when have you been concerned with such minor things, Mr. Norris?" For the first time, Kristopher witnessed her using biting sarcasm; it struck him as peculiarly amusing. With a calm demeanor, he responded, "You're my wife, it's only natural I'd be concerned about your well-being." "Really?" There was a somber note in Carrie's voice now. "It seems like you've never really regarded me as your wife. I'm scared that if I were to die, you wouldn't even know until much later." After all, at that very moment, Kristopher had been distracted, lost in moments with his first love, too consumed to lend an ear to her desperate pleas. Caught off guard by her accusation, Kristopher's eyes widened with surprise before he let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Carrie, what's brought on this sudden outburst of anger? Just because I was tied up this afternoon and missed your call? Perhaps I've been too indulgent with you lately, and it's made you a bit too presumptuous?" Carrie froze, startled. Was he accusing her of being too presumptuous? She realized their marriage had always been lopsided. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a transactional partner, a woman who had bartered her freedom for financial security. Their union was meant to be a mere exchange of conveniences, yet she had, quite foolishly, fallen deeply in love with him. In the tricky terrain of romance, the one who fell first invariably found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Kristopher's dismissive reaction left Carrie reeling, her emotions dismissed as trifles, a tight knot of suffocation rising in her chest. "I said to put me down this instant!" Carrie exclaimed, jerking her head to the side, her voice laced with a sharp edge of impatience. Kristopher remained mute, effortlessly carrying her towards the bed before suddenly releasing his hold. Carrie felt a jolt as the support vanished, her heart skipping a beat as she instinctively grasped for him. Their bodies collided on the bed, her bathrobe teetering on the brink of decency, threatening to unravel with any minor shift. Propped on one elbow, Kristopher gazed down at her, his lips curled into a sly, teasing grin. "You wanted to be let go, didn't you? So why cling to me now?" His eyes, deep and sparkling like a midnight lake speckled with stars, captivated her. In those celestial depths, Carrie caught a glimpse of her own reflection. At times like this, she was misled into believing he harbored a deep affection. Sadly, his heart was a fortress reserved for Lise, and all Carrie had left were empty fantasies. "Boring!" she exclaimed, her voice devoid of any enthusiasm as she attempted to rise, her hand inadvertently brushing against something unexpected. The following moment brought a noticeable shift in his cock pressing against her stomach. "Don't move, or I can't promise what might happen next," he warned in a deep, gravelly voice. With a frown, Carrie internally cursed upon hearing the statement. It was an undeniable fact. Primal instincts steered the actions of men. Absence of affection didn't quell their basic desires. Yet, she dared not agitate Kristopher. Angling her face away, her body remained rigid, frozen in place. Carrie, feeling irked, shot back. "Didn't you say there's nothing here to see? What's with the reaction now, Mr. Norris? Are you really that easy to impress?" No sooner had her words flown than she grasped the potential repercussions of her sharp tongue. A wave of regret surged through Carrie, but instead of anger, Kristopher responded with a chuckle, "You are my wife, after all. Since that's something I can't alter, I might as well embrace it. Besides, it's been years since we became husband and wife--it would be a shame to neglect you completely." Chapter 4 Are You Out Of Your Mind? Kristopher slipped his hand beneath the folds of her bathrobe, his touch tracing the curve of Carrie's skin, as smooth and delicate as silk. He encircled her slender waist, drawing her closer with a gentle yet firm grip. Her face, a captivating canvas of defiance and visible irritation, ignited in him an uncontrollable urge to claim victory over her resistance. His breathing grew heavy, yet he remained composed, slowly removing his tailored suit. The fabric of his suit brushed lightly against Carrie's cheek, releasing a mix of scents: a familiar woody aroma intertwined with an unexpected zesty twist of lemon. It was unmistakably Jo Malone's Blue Agava and Cacao--Lise's signature scent. A surge of nausea overwhelmed Carrie at the realization. As Kristopher's eyes, now shaded with a stormy intensity, drew nearer to hers, the proximity conjured unwelcome visions of him with Lise. Her stomach churned violently, and with a sudden movement, she pushed him away, propping herself up with a jolt and a dry retch. "Ugh..." Her stomach had been empty all day, leaving her with nothing to bring up. The desire in Kristopher's gaze flickered out, replaced by a cold, detached expression as he withdrew slightly. Observing the genuine distress and the reddening of Carrie's eyes, Kristopher perceived her reaction for outright disgust at their closeness. He paused, fingers adjusting his shirt cuffs, his voice cold as he confronted her. "Carrie, is this reaction reserved only for me, or is it how you respond to all men?" The air in the room turned frosty, thick with tension. Carrie swallowed the sharp sting in her throat, her eyes widening in shock as she stared up at him. Ever since their marriage, she had cut ties with nearly all her male friends, yet here was Kristopher, casually tossing out comments sharp enough to cut glass. The years of love she had poured into their relationship now seemed utterly futile. Heat crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks a bright scarlet as indignation took hold. Without thinking, her hand flew up and delivered a stinging slap across Kristopher's face. All her suppressed grievances from the day ignited in that swift motion. Her bathrobe, loosened in the heat of the moment, slipped from her shoulders. Ignoring the flush of exposure, she swiftly gathered the fabric and draped it around herself, her movements quick and firm. The impact of her slap had left a light, crimson mark on Kristopher's cheek, marking him with her outrage. His eyes, wide with disbelief, met hers. "Carrie, are you out of your mind?" Out of her mind? Yes, she was clearly insane to ever fall for him in the first place. Carrie fumed silently, her heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, the sharp buzz of the phone on the table cut through the mounting tension, its vibration bringing a brief respite from their standoff. Kristopher cast a fleeting glance at the message, shut off the phone with a snap, and strode towards the door, his back rigid with tension. Her voice, firm and unwavering, chased after him. "We're getting a divorce! Make sure you sign those papers before you walk out that door!" Kristopher paused briefly and said sharply, "I have something to do now. When I return, do whatever pleases you." With that, he forcefully shut the door. Carrie's eyes followed his unwavering exit, feeling an oppressive weight compressing her chest once again. She disregarded the sharp sting in her leg and hobbled determinedly toward her tablet. Fingers trembling, she hastily navigated to Lise's Twitter page. Lise had just uploaded a new tweet. The photo showed her lying down with a fever patch adhered to her forehead, still enveloped in Kristopher's familiar jacket. The caption read, "Being sick makes me extra clingy. Wishing I had someone here. Stay cozy and take care, everyone!" The simultaneous timing of these two events made it almost impossible for Carrie not to suspect that Kristopher had dashed off to tend to Lise. Carrie's instincts loudly proclaimed that this was no accident; Lise had deliberately sought to tug at Kristopher's heartstrings. It appeared her tactics were effective. Not even Carrie's stark threat of divorce could overshadow Lise's theatrical display of vulnerability. Seething with fury, Carrie quaked like a leaf swept into a storm. She steeled herself against the heartache, forcefully ripping the plastic wrap from her aching leg. After her lengthy soak, the bath's lingering moisture had infiltrated her skin, inflaming the wound until it was a vivid, angry red and painfully swollen. She, too, could be clingy. Even in the harshest times back in the county, she had shown vulnerability, breaking down into soft sobs within the comforting arms of her grandmother, especially that one time she got burned by the scalding kettle. But such vulnerability had its time and place, and it wasn't now. The stark reality of Kristopher's exit forced Carrie to confront her need for self-reliance. Biting down hard on her lip, Carrie cleaned the throbbing wound with a practiced hand before securely wrapping it anew. She rose with a newfound resolve and yanked a black suitcase from the far end of her expansive walk-in closet--it held all the belongings she'd brought into this house as a hopeful bride. She grabbed a fresh set of clothes to slip into and left a bank card neatly on the bedside table. She had transferred every penny she'd earned over the past year onto that card, effectively settling her financial entanglements with Kristopher over the last two years and cutting him out of her life for good. Dragging the heavy suitcase behind her, she limped painfully out of the opulent villa. As she passed through the gate, she wrapped her baseball jacket more tightly around her slight figure, her silhouette hauntingly solitary in the enveloping darkness. The night air of early spring was bitingly cold, devoid of any trace of warmth, a chill that seemed almost faint compared to the ice forming in Carrie's shattered heart. She had arrived here with nothing but a suitcase and a heart full of dreams, and now she was leaving, dreams crumbled, utterly alone. A bitter laugh slipped through her lips. If only she hadn't fallen so hard for him, if only she'd proposed an amicable separation at the end of their agreed year, maybe she wouldn't be wandering now, a lost soul in the shadow of her former self. Lise didn't have to lift a finger, and Carrie had already fallen, utterly broken and beyond redemption. Chapter 5 A Gathering Meanwhile, in the Oasis Club, renowned as the priciest spot in Orkset, the air within the VIP room crackled with excitement. Under the spell of bright lights and thumping music, a diverse group of men and women lounged together, basking in the exclusivity of the setting. Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing Kristopher in the doorway. The karaoke session halted abruptly as the crowd turned to greet him in unison, voices mingling. "Kristopher..." Before they could utter another word, a woman cloaked from head to toe stepped out from behind him. Lise, with a fluid motion, removed her mask and slid her arm through Kristopher's. She addressed the room with a poised charm. "My assistant took a sudden leave, and I found myself without company. Not keen on spending the evening alone, I invited Kristopher to join me. I trust that's alright?" Lise's beauty was without question. Her face was a delicate composition of cherry lips and a sculpted nose, framed by eyes that shimmered with a vulnerable allure, commanding a protective fervor from those around her--her presence, ethereal. In contrast, Carrie's features were more pronounced, her beauty vivid and striking. Lise, by comparison, carried a softer, more understated elegance. Yet, as it often goes, matters of the heart followed no simple paths. While Kristopher and Carrie were married, it was in name only; Kristopher seemed detached and seldom included her in private social events. The group didn't have much of a relationship with Carrie, leading them to feel no obligation to defend her. Upon hearing Lise's comment, a moment of discomfort rippled through the air. Nonetheless, they quickly recovered, offering a congenial smile as they said, "We're all friends here; let's not bother with formalities." Lise offered a subtle, knowing smile, as she gracefully accompanied Kristopher into the bustling room. The event that evening had been meticulously planned to express appreciation for Kristopher's contributions. As they stepped into the room, the crowd parted like the sea, making way for them to proceed to the seats of honor. The group's leader handed Kristopher a glass of wine with a flourish, proclaiming with a broad grin, "We truly owe you a debt of gratitude, Mr. Norris! Your exceptional talents are the talk of the town, and witnessing them firsthand today only confirms it. Without your expertise, securing this contract would have been a fantasy!" Their gathering marked the launch of a novel shopping platform, one that had been in negotiation with numerous local brands in Orkset. But the scenario changed dramatically when the tech giant JoyBuy dramatically entered the scene, stirring up the competitive landscape. Competing with JoyBuy was akin to the classic David versus Goliath tale--hopelessly daunting. In a surge of desperation, they turned to Kristopher, reaching out through a network of connections for his renowned strategic prowess. With his characteristic swiftness, Kristopher hatched an ingenious plan and swiftly secured the deal, snatching it from the clutches of JoyBuy right before the business association could ink their agreement--a masterful coup that reverberated success. This remarkable turnaround only intensified the already deep respect everyone held for Kristopher. Albin Murray, beaming with pride, couldn't help but boast, "Ah, just look at the caliber of his friends! They thought they could steal deals right under our noses, obviously underestimating Kristopher's clout!" Albin, born into the wealthy Murray family, counted himself among Kristopher's closest friends. He was renowned for his sprawling social web--a network through which the desperate plea for help was channeled to Kristopher. Meanwhile, Kristopher himself, the focus of all their discussions, reclined nonchalantly on the couch, bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights. He was well-versed in the art of receiving compliments; thus, his expression stayed calm and detached. The ambient light sculpted his angular features, casting dramatic shadows that emphasized his high nose bridge and sharply cut jawline, as though he were a living masterpiece. His natural grace and detachment eclipsed any terrestrial magnificence. Following a sequence of celebratory toasts, when it became apparent that Kristopher merely touched his glass without truly drinking, the rest of the company toned down their conversation, allowing him a moment of repose with his eyes gently shut. Lise, slightly feverish, opted not to indulge in the spirits, choosing instead to sit in serene silence next to Kristopher, her eyes lingering on him with a look of deep, unmistakable adoration. Albin, captivated by the seemingly perfect pair, pondered the whims of destiny. He discreetly captured their image with his smartphone and nonchalantly shared it across his social networks. As the evening progressed and the liquor dwindled, the room's door swung open anew. Kristopher's personal assistant, Oliver Brooks, made his entrance, acknowledging the gathering with a courteous nod that bordered on respect but avoided groveling, swiftly positioning himself in front of Kristopher. Silence hung in the air, yet Lise, unable to contain her curiosity, leaned in and whispered, "What's going on?" Oliver, maintaining his focus on Kristopher, chose not to respond directly to her. A flush of embarrassment tinted Lise's cheeks as she turned towards Kristopher, hesitatingly inquiring, "Should I leave?" Kristopher adjusted his posture, his voice low and calm as he instructed, "Go ahead, speak." A shiver of apprehension coursed through Oliver as he tentatively began, "Mr. Norris, Mrs. Norris has departed from Bayview Villa, and..." &10&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65282322-fb_contact-e	Lime novel-E	https://www.facebook.com/100090637249756/	341	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65282322-fb_contact-enp26_6-1226-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=2030515880733998&exdata=E3D95798EE9F212C91B1E1754036F9AA07211340D89D0247	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481159599_571261199261929_1892124830761892763_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GsMUs1DRb9EQ7kNvgGiihXb&_nc_oc=AdhEUQs0iG6R3W4DUciOoAPLzDF3YmKRbPgp6Dc13KIF6m4ZpVAejIZxfZJChPqpfc0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ASobZ0gaqGIv0sh1z-5clD5&oh=00_AYDHUPRBGL0JIDBsFJdQCzvg0b9VRyuBksmnxF70GWO4OQ&oe=67C433D6	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lime novel-E	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,690,708	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2690674}'	No	2025-02-24 19:12	active	2624	The Retro Rope Hat, Modernized	𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭! This springtime color returns! Available in four of our best selling HYDRO shapes, grab yours today!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.melin.com/products/coronado-brick-hydr	Melin	https://www.facebook.com/MelinBrand/	51,357	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	melin.com	DCO	Backed By Our Perfect Fit Promise	https://www.melin.com/products/coronado-brick-hydro-kelly-green	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/479915624_1324391508689576_442754605564634135_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Oj4WKTWT9_gQ7kNvgGgWXd5&_nc_oc=Adj8ig7W_eS7JavvF5VFiBrGt10lAqrsZs2Z43BRAMYKJc3L7AkhTSscmof3aEpzopw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Az4mu6CvcHO1RNMbmVj80KG&oh=00_AYDFEbRPjk6rihIP-fvezTIQ74D7h5OxXvYaQOlFxqPDYg&oe=67C2CDA4	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Melin	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,693,943	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2025-02-25 17:24	active	2628	Read next chapter👉	He divorced her because of cheating. She left a message: "You will regret it." 4 years later, he saw her on TV and introduced her as a top 100 female CEO, but she shone and attracted everyone's attention. He was frustrated and begged to win her back! ===== In the bustling, weathered heart of Orkset, flames erupted violently within an ancient apartment building. Propelled by gusts of wind, the fire devoured the structure, belching dense smoke and bright, searing tongues of flame. "Saved! They've been saved." The words echoed amidst the chaos. Firefighters emerged from the smoldering inferno, carrying Carrie Campbell to safety at the roadside. Her features, usually refined and expressive, were now smeared with soot; her sparkling eyes dimmed to a vacant gaze, hollow and lost. As reality seeped back into her consciousness, Carrie felt a rush of gratitude overpower her usual composure. Her voice, hoarse and weak, conveyed a profound "thank you" to her rescuers. Shaking, she fumbled for her phone, her fingertips quivering as they found the familiar number. "Hello, the person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later..." The automated message played after a few rings, leaving her with a lump in her throat, her unvoiced frustrations and sorrow welling up inside her. Bang! With a deafening roar, the explosion abruptly silenced the cold, mechanical voice echoing through the line. Carrie's head snapped upwards, shock painted on her face as she witnessed the apartment she had just exited erupt into flames. Chunks of debris were hurled into the air by the force of the blast, scattering across the sky. Panic engulfed the crowd as survivors, freshly rescued, screamed in terror. They huddled together, seeking solace in each other's arms, their cries piercing the tumultuous scene. In stark contrast, Carrie lay alone on a stretcher, her isolation magnified amidst the chaos. "Kristopher..." Fighting the dread creeping up her spine, Carrie pressed her lips together tightly and dialed her husband's number again, her resolve unwavering. Yet, the call disconnected after a few short rings, leaving her with a haunting silence. Just then, a Twitter notification flickered on her phone screen. The gossip feed was alive with the latest gossip: #LiseNash #MysteriouBoyfriend. According to the tweet, a producer from a well-known variety show had invited the renowned star Lise Nash to a dinner, which had quickly soured when she declined to partake in a toast. This act of defiance had sparked a confrontation, only to be interrupted by Lise's domineering boyfriend. He stormed into the private dining room, dismissing the producer with a dismissive wave and escorting Lise away. The tweet described the scene vividly, painting a picture of a powerful man defending his beloved partner. Yet, perhaps due to his prominence, only the back of the man was visible in the accompanying photos, preserving his anonymity. Meanwhile, Lise, donning an oversized suit jacket, beamed a smile, reaching out to clasp his hand as they departed together. Carrie's eyes were glued to the screen, her stare intense and unblinking as she absorbed the image before her. There he was--Kristopher Norris! The suit jacket draped carelessly over Lise was a dead giveaway. Every piece of clothing Kristopher owned had been meticulously tailored by a master craftsman abroad, a detail Carrie knew all too well. Her grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles blanching to a stark white, as if her very soul were being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain sharp and acid-like in its intensity. In her most desperate moment, Kristopher had coldly disconnected their call, choosing instead to be at Lise's side. What was the worth of their two-year marriage? The tears she had been holding back now overwhelmed her, streaming down her face. Even as she tilted her head back in a futile attempt to stem the flow, the tears continued to escape. Lise had always been Kristopher's first love, a fact whispered and gossiped about among their circles. The Norris family had never approved of Lise, seeing her ordinary background as unfitting. Forced apart by family pressures, it had been Lise who ended things, but the past, it seemed, was not easily left behind. Kristopher had diligently pursued the leadership of the Norris family, harboring dreams of finally being with Lise. Yet, when he reached his goal, he discovered that Lise had already chosen another. In defiance of his family's expectations and perhaps out of bitterness, Kristopher turned to Carrie, a woman equally devoid of wealth or status, to become Mrs. Norris, thereby blocking any matchmaking attempts by his relatives. At that time, Carrie faced immense pressure from her father, Tristan Campbell, who was pushing her towards a marriage with a playboy, the son of a business associate, to cover her grandmother's steep medical expenses. Both Kristopher and Carrie, driven by their personal motives, consented to a marriage of convenience. Originally set for just one year, their contractual marriage stretched beyond its term, sustained by a shared understanding between them. Over time, Carrie began to believe in the authenticity of their union, never suspecting that it was merely an extension of her hopes. Just moments ago, a fire had nearly claimed Carrie's life. In that critical moment, she reached out to Kristopher, only to be twice rebuffed as he spent his time with Lise. This harsh reality shattered Carrie's illusions, revealing that her perceived transition from pretense to genuine relationship was nothing but a facade maintained by her own desires. Carrie wasn't even a temporary substitute in Kristopher's life but merely a pawn used to spite his family. After a poignant pause, tears welled up in Carrie's eyes, unstoppable and poignant. It might be time for her to release herself from the shackles of her own hopeful delusions--to stop deceiving herself. Chapter 2 Trending Topics The overwhelming number of injuries from the fire was staggering, straining the already frantic doctors and nurses as they tried to provide aid. Carrie had been merely grazed by a splintered clothes rack, which left a deep, jagged wound on her calf. In comparison to the chaos around her, her wounds seemed almost negligible. She managed to get basic care--a brisk cleaning and a quick wrap of bandages--at a local hospital before catching a cab back to her house. Bayview Villa, a grand property under Kristopher's name, was technically their matrimonial residence. Living alone had become the norm for Carrie, as Kristopher was hardly ever around. She had bid farewell to the housekeeper, discovering that her life could be quite adequately maintained with just takeout, deliveries, and the occasional visit from a part-time cleaner. Now, she found herself the sole occupant of the sprawling living room, sinking into the sofa, her gaze drifting across the empty space. The stark, monochrome decor did nothing to imbue warmth into the atmosphere. A chilling realization crept up on her: this vast, elegant space felt more like a colossal tomb, a silent grave for her lost years of youth and a love that had quietly slipped away. In this cold, echoing house, would anyone even notice if her breath ceased one day? Carrie exhaled a weary sigh, her frame heavy as she leaned against the cold wall for support, struggling up the stairs to her bedroom on the second floor. Each step was a battle, sending stabbing pains shooting through her from the surface of her skin down to her aching bones. The house, stark and hollow, echoed even the smallest sounds, magnifying her sense of isolation. It was today, amidst this profound silence, that Carrie truly grasped the all-encompassing nature of her loneliness--it was almost tangible, enveloping her senses with its texture and mournful whispers, tightening around her heart like a vice, producing a dull, relentless ache. Upon reaching the sanctuary of her bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed, the very embodiment of exhaustion, feeling it both physically and spiritually. Just as she surrendered to this weariness, the sharp ring of the phone pierced the silence. "You reached out to me earlier. What do you need?" Kristopher's voice cut through the line, cold and distant as ever. Carrie was caught off guard by his unexpected call. Words failed her as she parted her lips to respond, but before she could collect her thoughts, a soft, feminine voice floated through from the other end. "Kristopher, will you join me to..." A surge of emotions tightened Carrie's grip on the phone, her heart thumping louder with each second. Overwhelmed and unable to contain her rising panic, she demanded, "Who's there with you?" Kristopher gave no answer, merely stating in a flat, disinterested voice, "If there's something you need, let's catch up when I'm back. I have pressing engagements right now, so I must disconnect." He promptly ended the call, cutting off any chance for Carrie to reply. As the harsh beep of the disconnected line filled her ears, Carrie's lips twisted into a rueful grin. How utterly foolish she felt! Deep down, she knew his response all too well, yet she had clung to the hope of hearing his voice confirm it. With a sense of self-inflicted irony, Carrie activated her tablet and scrolled through the day's hot topics. One headline caught her eye: "A female star shielded from harassment at a dinner by her formidable partner." A wry smile twisted her lips. Carrie knew all too well what it was like to face harassment at those kinds of dinners. She vividly remembered her first major audition after her entering the showbiz; her agent had escorted her to a dinner with the influential director and producer of the drama series "Serene Sighs." As a novice in the dizzying world of showbiz, Carrie had felt incredibly vulnerable, uncertain of how to navigate the murky waters of such gatherings. The producer had eyed her shamelessly, sneering as he asked, "Is this the new talent you're introducing? She appears presentable, but I'm curious to see how she fares with a drink. Here's the deal, if you can gulp down this bottle in one go, I'll secure you an audition for the lead role." Carrie was inclined to decline, but under the relentless pressure from her agent, she found herself compelled to consume the entire bottle. As the evening wore on, she was hurriedly taken to the hospital suffering from a severe stomach ailment. Her agent, fretful about the prospect of the role slipping away to another, quickly settled the hospital charges and departed. At that time, Carrie found herself isolated in a hospital bed for several long days. Yet, even before Carrie could be released from the hospital, the media was abuzz with the announcement that Lise had secured the lead role in "Serene Sighs." Subsequently, her agent rebuked Carrie for her lack of ambition, complaining, "You are more appealing than Lise, so why can't you show more drive? She cozied up to Mr. Norris and hardly had to make an effort. She's surrounded by people eager to cater to her every need. I've heard that Mr. Norris personally orchestrated her landing the lead role in this production!" When the show premiered, Lise was catapulted into stardom, swiftly ascending to the elite echelons of the acting world. From that moment forward, Carrie let her acting aspirations wane and chose instead to devote herself entirely to supporting her husband, Kristopher. After all, no matter her efforts, she could never get the same career opportunities that Lise seemed to receive effortlessly with Kristopher's offhand remarks. At that time, Carrie had believed she was filling the role that was meant to be Lise's as Mrs. Norris, which meant she owed Lise. By giving up the career opportunities to Lise, Carrie thought they would settle their unspoken debt. However, Carrie hadn't foreseen that Lise would claim both the coveted career and Kristopher's affections. As Lise's professional and love life blossomed, Carrie came to the painful realization that she had been overly consumed with her romantic pursuits, at the expense of her career, and now, she found herself bereft of both love and professional fulfillment. With tears streaming down her face, Carrie viewed her past two years as tragically misguided. Given another opportunity, she resolved she wouldn't be so unguarded, letting her heart recklessly fall captive to Kristopher's charm. "Ms. Spencer, the new copyright contract is prepared. Please review it for any discrepancies." Her phone buzzed with the alert, snapping Carrie out of her reverie. She gazed at the PDF file attached in the message, her mind briefly overwhelmed. Under the pseudonym Katrina Spencer, Carrie had once made a name for herself as a budding screenwriter, selling numerous scripts in her early days. During her early career as Katrina, Carrie often sold her work for a pittance, compelled by her urgent need for immediate cash. Over the years, these scripts transformed into blockbuster films and hit series, catapulting Katrina's reputation to new heights. By this time, Carrie had married Kristopher and was no longer plagued by the financial woes that had once driven her to desperation--her grandmother's hefty medical bills were a thing of the past. With her financial crises resolved, Carrie's life had pivoted to domestic responsibilities, striving to be an exemplary wife to Kristopher. Amidst these changes, her pseudonym, Katrina Spencer, gradually receded into the background. However, her past as Katrina wasn't ready to be shelved just yet. Recently, an interested buyer had come forward, ready to pay a handsome sum for one of her old scripts. Carrie, however, was hesitant to sell. She raised several concerns about the contract presented to her, and to her astonishment, the buyer was genuine enough to revise it accordingly. Holding the revised contract in her hands, Carrie inhaled deeply, her resolve hardening. She seemed to have reached a crucial decision. Her fingers danced over her phone's keyboard with swift precision, typing out a firm command. "Create a divorce agreement following my terms and ensure it reaches Kristopher Norris at the Norris Group." Without pausing for a response, she placed her phone aside and limped toward the bathroom, each step echoing a blend of determination and newfound independence. Chapter 3 Exchange Of Conveniences Thirty minutes had passed, Carrie finally heaved herself up from the bathtub, her limbs feeling heavy and uncooperative. As she lifted her gaze, her own image in the mirror halted her movements--her skin appeared as smooth and impeccable as fine porcelain, glowing with an unblemished radiance. Her eyes, deep pools of allure, sparkled with an enchanting, soft warmth, inviting anyone who dared meet her gaze. Despite edging into her late twenties at twenty-five, she reveled in the fact that time had yet to etch its marks upon her flawless complexion. Surely, a woman with such a visage had no place for self-pity. Absorbed in her contemplation, Carrie carelessly extended her right leg onto the cold floor, forgetting it was the very limb she had injured. Wrapped excessively in cling film to shield it from moisture, the tight encasement had stifled her circulation, rendering her leg eerily numb. As her foot touched down, it betrayed her, slipping forward unexpectedly. "Ah!" Carrie gasped, her arms flailing in a frantic ballet, searching for a lifeline in the void. Just as she teetered on the brink of a painful rendezvous with the floor, the bathroom door burst open. Kristopher stood at the entrance, his suit immaculately tailored, creating a striking figure. As their eyes locked, he paused, visibly taken aback, then quickly closed the distance with brisk strides. Carrie's breath caught as Kristopher swept her up in a graceful bridal style, an unexpected tightness wrapping around her waist. Caught off guard by his sudden appearance, Carrie realized with a jolt that she was completely bare. A flush of embarrassment washed over her as she instinctively clutched her hands over her chest. This was their first moment of such intimacy since their wedding, and the discomfort made her toes curl inward, her skin blushing a delicate shade of pink. Kristopher looked down at her with a mischievous grin. "Let's be honest, there's not much to see," he teased gently. Feeling both mortified and slightly irritated, Carrie snapped back, "Oh, Mr. Norris, after all you've seen, I suppose nothing can impress you anymore." She carried her C-cup curves with understated charm, a touch of sensuality that outshone Lise's painfully flat, almost awkwardly rigid build. Yet Carrie knew well that without love, even the most perfect physique paled in comparison to the charm of one dearly cherished. Nonchalantly, Kristopher reached for a bathrobe hanging behind the door and draped it over her. His frown deepened at her comment. "What are you talking about, Carrie?" A thought seemed to strike him, and his expression grew even more impatient. "Tell me, did you send those divorce papers in the dead of night just to lure me back here--to catch you completely bare?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "I told you I was swamped with work. Was this dramatic display really necessary?" Carrie's temper flared at his accusatory tone, reigniting the tension between them. He was always so quick to lose patience with her. She wasn't the type to throw around words like divorce or breakups lightly. In fact, this was the first time she'd ever mentioned divorce in their two-year marriage, yet he seemed indifferent to her turmoil. He simply dismissed her concerns as if she were overreacting about trivial matters. Despite the throbbing pain in her leg, Carrie mustered her strength and said, "Put me down." Kristopher, however, paid no heed, his eyes scanning her leg swathed in bandages. His brow furrowed slightly. "What happened to your leg? Is this some elaborate ploy to lure me back?" At his words, a bitter laugh escaped Carrie. It seemed he viewed her as merely seeking attention, and in failing to capture it, she had likely concocted a story to draw him back, allowing her to dramatize her plight in his presence. With a blank face, she replied untruthfully, "It's a beauty treatment that shouldn't get wet." "Why did you suddenly decide to undergo such a treatment?" Kristopher inquired, his tone casual as he carried her outside, not pressing the issue further. His frame was large, and through his thin shirt, she could distinctly feel the warmth of his body and the defined shape of his chest muscles. The closeness created an uncomfortable tension for Carrie, who had resolved to end things once and for all. Her voice climbed involuntarily, sharper this time. "Oh, since when have you been concerned with such minor things, Mr. Norris?" For the first time, Kristopher witnessed her using biting sarcasm; it struck him as peculiarly amusing. With a calm demeanor, he responded, "You're my wife, it's only natural I'd be concerned about your well-being." "Really?" There was a somber note in Carrie's voice now. "It seems like you've never really regarded me as your wife. I'm scared that if I were to die, you wouldn't even know until much later." After all, at that very moment, Kristopher had been distracted, lost in moments with his first love, too consumed to lend an ear to her desperate pleas. Caught off guard by her accusation, Kristopher's eyes widened with surprise before he let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Carrie, what's brought on this sudden outburst of anger? Just because I was tied up this afternoon and missed your call? Perhaps I've been too indulgent with you lately, and it's made you a bit too presumptuous?" Carrie froze, startled. Was he accusing her of being too presumptuous? She realized their marriage had always been lopsided. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a transactional partner, a woman who had bartered her freedom for financial security. Their union was meant to be a mere exchange of conveniences, yet she had, quite foolishly, fallen deeply in love with him. In the tricky terrain of romance, the one who fell first invariably found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Kristopher's dismissive reaction left Carrie reeling, her emotions dismissed as trifles, a tight knot of suffocation rising in her chest. "I said to put me down this instant!" Carrie exclaimed, jerking her head to the side, her voice laced with a sharp edge of impatience. Kristopher remained mute, effortlessly carrying her towards the bed before suddenly releasing his hold. Carrie felt a jolt as the support vanished, her heart skipping a beat as she instinctively grasped for him. Their bodies collided on the bed, her bathrobe teetering on the brink of decency, threatening to unravel with any minor shift. Propped on one elbow, Kristopher gazed down at her, his lips curled into a sly, teasing grin. "You wanted to be let go, didn't you? So why cling to me now?" His eyes, deep and sparkling like a midnight lake speckled with stars, captivated her. In those celestial depths, Carrie caught a glimpse of her own reflection. At times like this, she was misled into believing he harbored a deep affection. Sadly, his heart was a fortress reserved for Lise, and all Carrie had left were empty fantasies. "Boring!" she exclaimed, her voice devoid of any enthusiasm as she attempted to rise, her hand inadvertently brushing against something unexpected. The following moment brought a noticeable shift in his cock pressing against her stomach. "Don't move, or I can't promise what might happen next," he warned in a deep, gravelly voice. With a frown, Carrie internally cursed upon hearing the statement. It was an undeniable fact. Primal instincts steered the actions of men. Absence of affection didn't quell their basic desires. Yet, she dared not agitate Kristopher. Angling her face away, her body remained rigid, frozen in place. Carrie, feeling irked, shot back. "Didn't you say there's nothing here to see? What's with the reaction now, Mr. Norris? Are you really that easy to impress?" No sooner had her words flown than she grasped the potential repercussions of her sharp tongue. A wave of regret surged through Carrie, but instead of anger, Kristopher responded with a chuckle, "You are my wife, after all. Since that's something I can't alter, I might as well embrace it. Besides, it's been years since we became husband and wife--it would be a shame to neglect you completely." Chapter 4 Are You Out Of Your Mind? Kristopher slipped his hand beneath the folds of her bathrobe, his touch tracing the curve of Carrie's skin, as smooth and delicate as silk. He encircled her slender waist, drawing her closer with a gentle yet firm grip. Her face, a captivating canvas of defiance and visible irritation, ignited in him an uncontrollable urge to claim victory over her resistance. His breathing grew heavy, yet he remained composed, slowly removing his tailored suit. The fabric of his suit brushed lightly against Carrie's cheek, releasing a mix of scents: a familiar woody aroma intertwined with an unexpected zesty twist of lemon. It was unmistakably Jo Malone's Blue Agava and Cacao--Lise's signature scent. A surge of nausea overwhelmed Carrie at the realization. As Kristopher's eyes, now shaded with a stormy intensity, drew nearer to hers, the proximity conjured unwelcome visions of him with Lise. Her stomach churned violently, and with a sudden movement, she pushed him away, propping herself up with a jolt and a dry retch. "Ugh..." Her stomach had been empty all day, leaving her with nothing to bring up. The desire in Kristopher's gaze flickered out, replaced by a cold, detached expression as he withdrew slightly. Observing the genuine distress and the reddening of Carrie's eyes, Kristopher perceived her reaction for outright disgust at their closeness. He paused, fingers adjusting his shirt cuffs, his voice cold as he confronted her. "Carrie, is this reaction reserved only for me, or is it how you respond to all men?" The air in the room turned frosty, thick with tension. Carrie swallowed the sharp sting in her throat, her eyes widening in shock as she stared up at him. Ever since their marriage, she had cut ties with nearly all her male friends, yet here was Kristopher, casually tossing out comments sharp enough to cut glass. The years of love she had poured into their relationship now seemed utterly futile. Heat crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks a bright scarlet as indignation took hold. Without thinking, her hand flew up and delivered a stinging slap across Kristopher's face. All her suppressed grievances from the day ignited in that swift motion. Her bathrobe, loosened in the heat of the moment, slipped from her shoulders. Ignoring the flush of exposure, she swiftly gathered the fabric and draped it around herself, her movements quick and firm. The impact of her slap had left a light, crimson mark on Kristopher's cheek, marking him with her outrage. His eyes, wide with disbelief, met hers. "Carrie, are you out of your mind?" Out of her mind? Yes, she was clearly insane to ever fall for him in the first place. Carrie fumed silently, her heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, the sharp buzz of the phone on the table cut through the mounting tension, its vibration bringing a brief respite from their standoff. Kristopher cast a fleeting glance at the message, shut off the phone with a snap, and strode towards the door, his back rigid with tension. Her voice, firm and unwavering, chased after him. "We're getting a divorce! Make sure you sign those papers before you walk out that door!" Kristopher paused briefly and said sharply, "I have something to do now. When I return, do whatever pleases you." With that, he forcefully shut the door. Carrie's eyes followed his unwavering exit, feeling an oppressive weight compressing her chest once again. She disregarded the sharp sting in her leg and hobbled determinedly toward her tablet. Fingers trembling, she hastily navigated to Lise's Twitter page. Lise had just uploaded a new tweet. The photo showed her lying down with a fever patch adhered to her forehead, still enveloped in Kristopher's familiar jacket. The caption read, "Being sick makes me extra clingy. Wishing I had someone here. Stay cozy and take care, everyone!" The simultaneous timing of these two events made it almost impossible for Carrie not to suspect that Kristopher had dashed off to tend to Lise. Carrie's instincts loudly proclaimed that this was no accident; Lise had deliberately sought to tug at Kristopher's heartstrings. It appeared her tactics were effective. Not even Carrie's stark threat of divorce could overshadow Lise's theatrical display of vulnerability. Seething with fury, Carrie quaked like a leaf swept into a storm. She steeled herself against the heartache, forcefully ripping the plastic wrap from her aching leg. After her lengthy soak, the bath's lingering moisture had infiltrated her skin, inflaming the wound until it was a vivid, angry red and painfully swollen. She, too, could be clingy. Even in the harshest times back in the county, she had shown vulnerability, breaking down into soft sobs within the comforting arms of her grandmother, especially that one time she got burned by the scalding kettle. But such vulnerability had its time and place, and it wasn't now. The stark reality of Kristopher's exit forced Carrie to confront her need for self-reliance. Biting down hard on her lip, Carrie cleaned the throbbing wound with a practiced hand before securely wrapping it anew. She rose with a newfound resolve and yanked a black suitcase from the far end of her expansive walk-in closet--it held all the belongings she'd brought into this house as a hopeful bride. She grabbed a fresh set of clothes to slip into and left a bank card neatly on the bedside table. She had transferred every penny she'd earned over the past year onto that card, effectively settling her financial entanglements with Kristopher over the last two years and cutting him out of her life for good. Dragging the heavy suitcase behind her, she limped painfully out of the opulent villa. As she passed through the gate, she wrapped her baseball jacket more tightly around her slight figure, her silhouette hauntingly solitary in the enveloping darkness. The night air of early spring was bitingly cold, devoid of any trace of warmth, a chill that seemed almost faint compared to the ice forming in Carrie's shattered heart. She had arrived here with nothing but a suitcase and a heart full of dreams, and now she was leaving, dreams crumbled, utterly alone. A bitter laugh slipped through her lips. If only she hadn't fallen so hard for him, if only she'd proposed an amicable separation at the end of their agreed year, maybe she wouldn't be wandering now, a lost soul in the shadow of her former self. Lise didn't have to lift a finger, and Carrie had already fallen, utterly broken and beyond redemption. Chapter 5 A Gathering Meanwhile, in the Oasis Club, renowned as the priciest spot in Orkset, the air within the VIP room crackled with excitement. Under the spell of bright lights and thumping music, a diverse group of men and women lounged together, basking in the exclusivity of the setting. Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing Kristopher in the doorway. The karaoke session halted abruptly as the crowd turned to greet him in unison, voices mingling. "Kristopher..." Before they could utter another word, a woman cloaked from head to toe stepped out from behind him. Lise, with a fluid motion, removed her mask and slid her arm through Kristopher's. She addressed the room with a poised charm. "My assistant took a sudden leave, and I found myself without company. Not keen on spending the evening alone, I invited Kristopher to join me. I trust that's alright?" Lise's beauty was without question. Her face was a delicate composition of cherry lips and a sculpted nose, framed by eyes that shimmered with a vulnerable allure, commanding a protective fervor from those around her--her presence, ethereal. In contrast, Carrie's features were more pronounced, her beauty vivid and striking. Lise, by comparison, carried a softer, more understated elegance. Yet, as it often goes, matters of the heart followed no simple paths. While Kristopher and Carrie were married, it was in name only; Kristopher seemed detached and seldom included her in private social events. The group didn't have much of a relationship with Carrie, leading them to feel no obligation to defend her. Upon hearing Lise's comment, a moment of discomfort rippled through the air. Nonetheless, they quickly recovered, offering a congenial smile as they said, "We're all friends here; let's not bother with formalities." Lise offered a subtle, knowing smile, as she gracefully accompanied Kristopher into the bustling room. The event that evening had been meticulously planned to express appreciation for Kristopher's contributions. As they stepped into the room, the crowd parted like the sea, making way for them to proceed to the seats of honor. The group's leader handed Kristopher a glass of wine with a flourish, proclaiming with a broad grin, "We truly owe you a debt of gratitude, Mr. Norris! Your exceptional talents are the talk of the town, and witnessing them firsthand today only confirms it. Without your expertise, securing this contract would have been a fantasy!" Their gathering marked the launch of a novel shopping platform, one that had been in negotiation with numerous local brands in Orkset. But the scenario changed dramatically when the tech giant JoyBuy dramatically entered the scene, stirring up the competitive landscape. Competing with JoyBuy was akin to the classic David versus Goliath tale--hopelessly daunting. In a surge of desperation, they turned to Kristopher, reaching out through a network of connections for his renowned strategic prowess. With his characteristic swiftness, Kristopher hatched an ingenious plan and swiftly secured the deal, snatching it from the clutches of JoyBuy right before the business association could ink their agreement--a masterful coup that reverberated success. This remarkable turnaround only intensified the already deep respect everyone held for Kristopher. Albin Murray, beaming with pride, couldn't help but boast, "Ah, just look at the caliber of his friends! They thought they could steal deals right under our noses, obviously underestimating Kristopher's clout!" Albin, born into the wealthy Murray family, counted himself among Kristopher's closest friends. He was renowned for his sprawling social web--a network through which the desperate plea for help was channeled to Kristopher. Meanwhile, Kristopher himself, the focus of all their discussions, reclined nonchalantly on the couch, bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights. He was well-versed in the art of receiving compliments; thus, his expression stayed calm and detached. The ambient light sculpted his angular features, casting dramatic shadows that emphasized his high nose bridge and sharply cut jawline, as though he were a living masterpiece. His natural grace and detachment eclipsed any terrestrial magnificence. Following a sequence of celebratory toasts, when it became apparent that Kristopher merely touched his glass without truly drinking, the rest of the company toned down their conversation, allowing him a moment of repose with his eyes gently shut. Lise, slightly feverish, opted not to indulge in the spirits, choosing instead to sit in serene silence next to Kristopher, her eyes lingering on him with a look of deep, unmistakable adoration. Albin, captivated by the seemingly perfect pair, pondered the whims of destiny. He discreetly captured their image with his smartphone and nonchalantly shared it across his social networks. As the evening progressed and the liquor dwindled, the room's door swung open anew. Kristopher's personal assistant, Oliver Brooks, made his entrance, acknowledging the gathering with a courteous nod that bordered on respect but avoided groveling, swiftly positioning himself in front of Kristopher. Silence hung in the air, yet Lise, unable to contain her curiosity, leaned in and whispered, "What's going on?" Oliver, maintaining his focus on Kristopher, chose not to respond directly to her. A flush of embarrassment tinted Lise's cheeks as she turned towards Kristopher, hesitatingly inquiring, "Should I leave?" Kristopher adjusted his posture, his voice low and calm as he instructed, "Go ahead, speak." A shiver of apprehension coursed through Oliver as he tentatively began, "Mr. Norris, Mrs. Norris has departed from Bayview Villa, and..." &10&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65282322-fb_contact-e	Lime novel-E	https://www.facebook.com/100090637249756/	341	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65282322-fb_contact-enp26_6-1226-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=2030515880733998&exdata=CC231578CFC4BA35A2D150B33857377F2B0A4E0700B0AC9C	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480374471_1896952367504928_7326236984300386385_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nS2JjWCjOqAQ7kNvgH1oiM2&_nc_oc=AdjBVJ8WpgRwv2kbdWOTvP8bLucxm_QGt2Ciq2MW1aXMxMKaAvLubxVm-LURPLhGNyc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AhZNUM-451F-uj55t_bYzrK&oh=00_AYDrVLBOQFzHf7kHZqxXkRJGSADmjZwOlhLlVj-vnE7Aiw&oe=67C429C4	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lime novel-E	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,692,117	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-24 19:43	active	2625	Read next chapter	She was overjoyed when she found out she was pregnant, but she saw her husband having intimate with his first love. She left the divorce agreement in tears, hiding her pregnant belly and departing with a broken heart... ===== "Ms. Wright, congratulations! Your baby's very healthy." Jenessa Wright walked out of the hospital in a daze, clutching the pregnancy test result close to her chest. She was pregnant with Ryan's baby! Looking down, she absentmindedly caressed her still-flat belly and broke into a smile. Grinning like silly, Jenessa hurriedly took out her phone to call Ryan Haynes, her husband, excited to share the wonderful news. However, just as she was about to dial his number, her phone buzzed. It read, "Come to Imodon Hotel right now." It was a message from Ryan. Imodon Hotel? Why'd he want her to go there all of a sudden? Jenessa was puzzled, but she didn't hesitate for long. She hailed a cab and headed straight to the hotel. Since Ryan wanted to see her, she figured she might as well tell him the good news in person. With her heart pounding in anticipation, Jenessa arrived at the hotel. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she noticed the lobby was adorned with flowers and a brand-new red carpet, clearly prepared for a celebration. Jenessa paused, momentarily stunned, before remembering that today was their wedding anniversary. Could it be that Ryan had asked her to come here to surprise her? She smiled to herself, wondering idly how Ryan would react to the news of her pregnancy. Jenessa wove her way through the crowd, her plain attire blending into the festive scene unnoticed. It didn't take long for her to spot the dazzlingly handsome man, who easily stood out among the crowd. He was none other than her husband, Ryan Haynes, the father of their child. Just as a smile started to form on her lips, she spotted the woman standing next to Ryan, and her smile froze. That woman was Ryan's first love, Maisie Powell! Since when was Maisie back in town? Jenessa stood glued to her spot, paralyzed as she watched Ryan and Maisie entertain the guests like a perfect couple. Friends surrounded the two, and they seemed to be offering them their congratulations. "Maisie, you're finally home. This deserves a toast!" "Ryan, after all these years, you and Maisie have finally reunited. Doesn't that call for a celebratory drink?" Gradually, the teasing grew louder. Maisie, dressed to the nines in a s*xy red dress and exquisite makeup, chuckled graciously. "Quit teasing us, you guys. Ryan already has a wife." At the mention of Jenessa, the people around showed disdain. "Jenessa? Please! Ryan only married her to appease his grandma!" "Exactly! Ryan has always wanted to marry you. Right, Ryan?" Ryan, looking like a prince in his custom-tailored suit, radiated a cool, unique charisma. "Alright, enough already; stop teasing Maisie," he said coolly. "She can't drink; let me drink on her behalf." As soon as he said this, his friends' laughter and teasing grew even more intense. "Hey, Ryan, what the heck? You're being so protective of her, aren't you? Fine! If she can't drink, then you'll have to drink her share! And you're not allowed to leave until you've finished!" Amidst the boisterous teasing, Ryan remained cool and collected, but there was an unmistakable hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Next to him, Maisie lowered her head and blushed shyly. This loving scene was so glaring that it pierced Jenessa's heart. She didn't know when or how, but she somehow ended up outside the hotel, only realizing it when the cold raindrops hit her face. The chilly wind and drizzling rain enveloped her, and in no time, a fierce storm broke out, soaking her to her bones. Still, she didn't move an inch and simply stared blankly at the rain. Why had Ryan called her over? Was this all just a ploy to make her witness their affection and gracefully surrender her place as his wife to his beloved Maisie? Jenessa's breathing grew heavy. Looking around in a daze, she figured there was nothing she could do but leave this wretched place. With stiff, deliberate steps, she trudged home in the rain. Standing at the doorway, she gazed at the familiar house, her thoughts drifting. Two years ago, when her family was on the brink of bankruptcy, they tried salvaging their situation by marrying her off into the Haynes family. Ryan was initially unwilling, but because his gravely ill grandma kept pressuring him, he reluctantly agreed to the arranged marriage. Now that his grandma's health had improved and Maisie was back from abroad, Jenessa thought maybe it was time for her to pack her things and leave Ryan. Jenessa didn't know how long she stood in front of the house before the sound of a car engine reached her ears. Then, Ryan's deep voice spoke beside her. "Jenessa, why are you standing here, out in the rain?" Chapter 2 I Want A Divorce In a daze, Jenessa looked up, only to meet the stern gaze of the man standing before her. Was she seeing things? What was Ryan doing here? Maisie had just returned from abroad; shouldn't he be spending time with the woman he loved? Ryan couldn't help but frown when he didn't receive a response from Jenessa. Jenessa, soaking wet from the rain, looked like a drowned rat. With her long, dark hair plastered to her pale cheeks, water dripping steadily from the ends, she seemed so helpless and pitiful. "What on earth happened to you?" Ryan questioned, his tone sounding a bit harsher than intended. Jenessa recalled how gentle and affectionate he was with Maisie at the hotel earlier, causing her heart to ache. It was painfully clear that Ryan's attitude towards the woman he loved and the one he didn't were worlds apart. Trying hard to swallow the bitter taste in her mouth, Jenessa forced a smile and softly explained, "It started raining on my way back home, and I didn't have an umbrella, so I got drenched-" While speaking, her nose suddenly itched unbearably, and she couldn't help but sneeze loudly. But instead of pitying her, Ryan only frowned deeper. "You're not a child anymore. If you get caught in the rain, the first thing you should do when you get home is dry off and change your clothes. Do I really need to spell things out for you?" The smile on Jenessa's face stiffened. "I-I'm sorry..." "Go get changed quickly, or else you'll catch a cold." Ryan seemed too impatient with her to say anything more, so he bypassed her and walked inside the house. Catch a cold? Only then did Jenessa remember that she was pregnant; she couldn't afford to get sick, lest she put the baby in harm's way. With that in mind, she hurried to her room, took a hot shower, and let the warm water chase away the chill. Wrapped in a towel, she stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, only to find Ryan standing in her way. She gasped in surprise and instinctively clutched her towel more tightly around her chest. Ryan's sharp gaze remained fixed on her, and upon noticing her reaction, he asked indifferently, "Why should you be nervous? It's nothing I haven't already seen." Jenessa's face flushed bright red as memories of their passionate, intimate nights together flashed before her eyes. Without waiting for a response, Ryan casually held out a cold medicine pill and a glass of water. "Here, take this." Jenessa hesitantly glanced at the pill in his hand, worried that it might not be good for the baby. "Well, I think I'll be fine without it. After all, I was only in the rain for a while." Unexpectedly, Ryan refused to let her off the hook. "Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You're as pale as a ghost. We're visiting Grandma tomorrow, so you'd better not get sick, you hear me?" But Jenessa, worried about the baby, stubbornly resisted. "I just need to drink something warm, that's all. I'm fine, really." At this point, Ryan's patience wore thin. He decisively popped the pill in his mouth and drank some water from the glass. "Ryan, what're you- Agh!" Before Jenessa could get another word out, Ryan leaned closer, his tall frame looming over her, and grabbed her delicate chin. Forcing her to raise her head, he planted his lips firmly on hers. The pill and water then flowed into her mouth, and he didn't loosen his grip until he was certain that she had swallowed the pill. The sudden kiss made Jenessa dizzy, washing away all her inhibitions. Ryan's desires were stirred, and he carried her over to the bed. He pulled away from her for the briefest of moments to undo his tie, his eyes burning with an all-consuming desire for her. When Jenessa met his intense gaze, she snapped back to reality and cried out, "No!" Trembling, she pushed against his rock-hard chest. "Hmm?" Ryan stopped in his tracks, wondering if he had misheard. He tried to kiss Jenessa again, but she decisively turned her head away, avoiding his eyes. "Ryan, I..." She gulped, struggling to get the words out. "I want a divorce." Her words extinguished Ryan's desires in the blink of an eye. Annoyance flashing across his face, he coldly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him, his deep eyes staring piercingly into hers. "Say that again?" Jenessa's heart skipped a beat. Still, she managed to suppress the turbulent emotions inside her and bravely met Ryan's intense gaze. "I said, I want a divorce." A flicker of unreadable emotion crossed Ryan's eyes. "Why?" Jenessa was taken aback by his question, confusion and bewilderment evident on her face. Why else? To fulfill his wish to marry his beloved Maisie, of course. "Because..." Her voice trailed off feebly, unable to utter the obvious. "Is your family in financial trouble again? This is about money?" Ryan looked down at her icily. "Jenessa, don't you know your place? If you need something, just say it. Don't play these little games with me, because I do not have the patience for this bullshit." Jenessa quietly clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. So, Ryan assumed that her request for a divorce was just one of her games, an attempt to leverage the situation for her benefit? Jenessa smiled bitterly, but her eyes showed a look of uncharacteristically fierce determination. "Don't worry. I don't want anything but a divorce. Ryan, we were going to get a divorce sooner or later, so what difference does it make?" Ryan didn't respond immediately. He just stared at her with a strange, serious look in his eyes. His silence sent Jenessa into a trance, a mix of anxiety and inexplicable flicker of hope taking root in her heart. "Or... do you not want a divorce?" Chapter 3 Look Out, World! The thought that Ryan might want to stay married made Jenessa's heart skip a beat, her chest heaving from anticipation. However, under her hopeful gaze, Ryan scoffed coldly. "Jenessa, don't kid yourself." His tone was full of mockery, each word piercing her heart like a knife. "Do you really think I'd say 'no' to a divorce?" He locked eyes with her, his gaze icy cold. "Remember this, Jenessa-you're the one who asked for a divorce. You'd better not come crawling back to me when it's all said and done." With that, he got out of bed and left, slamming the door behind him. Jenessa lay despondently on the bed, her heart heavy with disappointment. Tears rolling down her cheeks, she gently placed a hand on her belly, feeling the little life growing inside her. She had originally planned to tell Ryan the good news, but in the span of just a few hours, they were on the brink of divorce. After thinking about it a moment or two, she decided it was best to keep Ryan in the dark about her pregnancy. Even if they separated ways, she could raise the baby on her own. Then, thinking about her job as Ryan's secretary, she felt a pang of helplessness. Ryan's grandma had arranged for her to work under Ryan to nurture their relationship, and back then, it seemed like a good idea. But now, things were different, and it was high time she left that job. The following morning, as soon as Jenessa arrived at the WorldLink Group's headquarters, a few of her more gossipy colleagues surrounded her. "Jenessa, we've been waiting for you all morning! What's going on with Mr. Haynes and that Maisie girl? Are they an item now?" "News of Mr. Haynes throwing a welcome-home party for international supermodel Maisie Powell went viral overnight. He even invited all his friends. Looks like he's planning to make their relationship public soon!" "I heard that after the party, they spent the night together. Maybe she's his future wife!" Jenessa felt a pang of bitterness as she listened. After a brief hesitation, she replied despondently, "I don't know much about it." Her colleagues exchanged glances and rolled eyes. Obviously, they didn't believe her. "Come on, Jenessa! You're Mr. Haynes' secretary. You know him better than anyone. How could you not know any insider information? Just spill the beans already!" Jenessa forced a weak smile. Everyone knew that she was Ryan's secretary, but very few people knew that she was also Ryan's wife. He was even reluctant to make their relationship public. With a soft sigh, she stood her ground more firmly. "I really don't know, okay? Enough with the gossip." The colleagues wanted to press her further, but Jenessa cut them off before they could get another word out. "I said there's nothing to say, so quit pestering me. Were you all hired just to gossip? Get back to work, all of you!" Her stern expression made them uneasy, but she was right; they had to comply. "Okay, okay, we get it." As Jenessa walked away, they couldn't help but mutter and grumble among themselves. "Who does she think she is? Acting all high and mighty. Humph! She's not the only secretary here." "Yeah, when she started working here out of the blue three years ago, we all thought she had some kind of relationship with Mr. Haynes. But in the end, he didn't pay her any special attention-never took her to meetings with clients. She's his personal secretary, but what of it? Just eye candy!" "Her days here are numbered. Once Maisie marries Mr. Haynes, Jenessa will be the first one to go. After all, who would trust a pretty secretary around their man?" "Exactly!" Their laughter and unrestrained chatter filled the office, but Jenessa turned a deaf ear to it all and walked straight to her desk, immersing herself in her work. She knew how those seemingly friendly colleagues truly saw her. But she couldn't argue with them, because even she herself felt like a joke. Before she knew it, it was time to get off work, and most of the secretaries had already gone home. Just as Jenessa was packing her things, she received a call from her best friend, Brinley Lloyd. "Hey, I saw the news this morning. What the hell is going on with Ryan and that Maisie girl? Just rumors, right?" Hearing the disbelief in Brinley's voice, Jenessa sighed heavily. "It's true." Brinley gasped in shock mixed with horror. "What the hell?!" Throughout the day, Jenessa had thought things through, so she was relatively calm as she explained, "In the first place, Ryan and I only got married as part of an agreement. I always knew he had no feelings for me; he only married me because his grandma insisted. Now that the woman he loves is back in the picture, there's no reason for me to stay. It's time to let them be together." Brinley felt both incredulous and indignant. "But... What about the baby? Weren't you going to surprise him?" "Would it be a wonderful surprise to him? Or a horrifying shock?" Jenessa instinctively touched her flat belly, a bitter smile on her lips. "Anyway, what matters is I've made up my mind- I want a divorce, and I'll raise this baby on my own. There's no need for him to know." "Seriously, a divorce? Are you sure about that?" Brinley sounded very concerned. "If you don't want him to know you're pregnant, then you can't keep working at WorldLink. Your belly will get bigger and bigger." "Don't worry, I'm way ahead of you. I'll resign soon. Then, I can finally go back to doing what I truly love." The mention of her long-lost dreams brought a rare smile to Jenessa's face. "Oh, my God! Jenessa, are you going back to your old career?" Brinley was thrilled. "That's fantastic! I always believed in you! You're a genius designer! Look out, world-Sloane Todd, a legend in the fashion design world, is coming! You shouldn't have wasted your talents as Ryan's secretary all these years. He's not worth it!" "Sloane Todd..." Jenessa felt a bit dazed at the mention of that long-forgotten pseudonym. For Ryan, she had lost herself for so long. She almost forgot who she truly was. "Jenessa." A magnetic, masculine voice suddenly sounded behind her. Startled, Jenessa whirled around to find a stern-looking Ryan standing behind her. Chapter 4 A Bun In The Oven "Ry-I mean, Mr. Haynes! What are you doing here?" Jenessa was so startled that she fumbled for the right words, having been caught completely off guard. She hurriedly ended the call, her jittery gaze searching Ryan's face for any signs of anger, feeling inexplicably scared and flustered. When had Ryan arrived? How much had he overheard? "Weren't we supposed to visit Grandma at the hospital today?" Ryan asked, impatience evident in his tone. Only then did Jenessa remember that they had indeed made plans that day. Lowering her head apologetically, she murmured, "I... I'm sorry." "Hmph," Ryan grunted indifferently. As though unwilling to spare another glance at her, he turned around and walked out, saying briskly, "Let's go." It took the dazed Jenessa a second before she snapped to her senses and quickly caught up to him. On the way to the hospital, her mind was in turmoil. A complex mix of emotions plagued her heart as she anxiously wondered if Ryan had overheard her conversation with Brinley. But then she figured, if Ryan had heard that she planned to secretly raise their baby on her own, he wouldn't be so calm now. The two sat side by side in the back seat in complete silence. Naturally, Jenessa's distracted demeanor was a bit hard to ignore. Ryan couldn't stand it anymore. Brows furrowed, he turned his head slightly and demanded, "What's going on with you?" His deep voice startled Jenessa, interrupting her thoughts. "N-nothing," she stammered hastily. "Is that so?" Ryan spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of doubt. Jenessa's racing heart pounded in her chest. Just as she opened her mouth to defend herself, Ryan's magnetic voice suddenly sounded again, this time a lot closer to her ear. "If it really is nothing, then why are you avoiding me? Why won't you look at me, hmm?" Jenessa, frozen in place, dared not move an inch. A barely audible scoff escaped Ryan as he reached out one hand, gently grasping the back of her neck. From the corner of her eye, Jenessa saw him leaning in slowly...... ...... ==== To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave, only to be caught by Ryan... 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://web.weread.mobi/57632322-fb_contact-enr25_	Fun Novel	https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/	1,343	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	web.weread.mobi	VIDEO		https://web.weread.mobi/57632322-fb_contact-enr25_2-c3-0727-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1435595577085911&exdata=E7C53BDECE0DE88BDDA65C7CD4813AC7AF0EA138E296F9E8	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476828972_545588531868497_1942596408452419263_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MGmwSzT1JfsQ7kNvgGfo5rx&_nc_oc=Adig5zwqlsNE1P-cJKntYYfWP-E1U0yBQFCGiDGHZBbUg_mCjGxFnoCNSv2_j_Km10cKNusv5qUtfI4zH7GrlSYt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHnDIHd1vO8SiV58v592ypa&oh=00_AYAvwXluxMSc3xR_AbXOLMGyGD5eVTEZ5jov_oTMch3SJQ&oe=67C2F4A5	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Fun Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,693,179	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-25 16:51	active	2627	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜<The Rejected Rogue Luna>📜	“This is such a pleasant surprise, Seth” I croon, running to meet my mate. It has been so long since I have seen him last and I miss the familiar scent of him and his laughter. I throw my hands around him but he does not hug me back. If anything he seems like he does not want me to be here. “I had no idea you were throwing a party for my homecoming” I tell him, kissing him slightly on the cheek. “I had no idea you were back, Rowena. You should not be here” He pushes me, holding me away from his body. “Did you not get my letter?” I ask, my smile falling from my face. “What letter?” He grunts. “The one where I told you I will be coming back today. You missed my graduation and I thought to surprise you by returning but it seems you did not know” My feet grows cold at this information and I back away from him. He is staring at me, his eyes not giving the usual warmth that I am used to. It could only explain why he had not responded to any of my letters for the past months. I gave excuses that he must be busy as Alpha and head of the pack and he could not write to me but… Seth de Beaufort, my childhood friend and mate was staring at me like I was some stranger. “Who then is the party for?” I ask. I am interrupted by cheers erupting from the members of our pack and then I see her walk in, holding freshly picked flowers in her hand and a crown on her head. I know who this is, she is my best friend, Isobel but what is she doing? I am pushed back into the crowd as she approaches. She is yet to see me as she only has eyes for Seth who is smiling back at her. “Hello mate” I hear her whisper. Mate? I gasp. I push forward, stopping her approach. “Rowena” She jolts. “What are you doing here?” She glances at Seth who shrugs his shoulders. “I should be asking you that question, don’t you think? What are you doing?” I cry out. “I am getting engaged” She smiles brightly at me. “It is great that you are here, maybe you could be my chief’s bridesmaid?” “You have got to be joking” I scoff. “Not now, Rowena. We will talk about this after” Seth stops me, putting out a hand for Isobel. “No” I raise my voice, my insides shaking with confusion. I cannot believe my eyes as I watch them turn to me. “We have to talk about it now” I tell him, braving the stares I am getting from every member of the pack. “Okay, if you want to do this here then that is fine by me” Seth growls, stepping away from Isobel and approaching me. “Seth, what is the meaning of this? We are mates… you can still feel it so why?” “I, Seth de Beaufort reject you, Rowena Stuart as my mate and future Luna” He declares. “No, stop it please… do not do this” I grunt, my chest tearing apart with pain. I double over, clutching my pounding heart. “Accept the rejection!” He spits. “Accept it and leave so that I might have a great day with my true mate” He announces. “I, Rowena Stuart… accept your rejection” My chest eases up a little bit as I say this but I cannot stop the tears gushing from my eyes as I watch them walk up, smiling into each other’s eyes. I feel betrayed by every single step and every single smile. To think I was coming back to my fiance and my best friend and they were doing this behind my back. I turn around, dashing out and into the dark, my eyes blinded with tears. This should not be happening. I collapse to the ground outside the party, my heart beating rapidly like it is about to burst. I do not turn around even when I hear the patters of feet until a throat clears behind me. “Rowena, I…” “Have you not done enough, Isobel?” I rise to my feet and face her. She has a smirk on her face “How could you? I trusted you, you are my best friend!” I cry out. “It is hardly my fault that Seth took a liking to me while you were away pursuing the career of your dreams.” she scoffs at this. I had gone to learn modern healing and had been supported by every member of the clan, including Seth. “Who do you think comforted him on the nights when he was alone and needed company?” I make to slap her but she catches my hand in the air, throwing it back at me. “This is the least of your problems, I promise you” She tells me instead. “What is that supposed to mean?” I ask “Did you come here straight from the airport?” She throws her head back to laugh. I did come there straight because I thought… “What do you mean?” I ask her again. “I don’t know, friend. You should probably run along home now before it is too late” She turns around and walks back into the party. I stand there in confusion not understanding what her talk was about. I move however, heading straight to my home with her warning ringing in my ears. I can hear screaming coming in the direction of my home which only speeds my steps. “What is happening?” I mutter, running inside. Sybillia, my sister has tears streaming down her face and her clothes torn to shreds. “What happened, talk to me” I shake her. “Father was taken” Her voice broke. “Taken?” I ask, confusion dotting my forehead “They say he is a traitor and they are going to kill him, Rowena. You have to do something.” She holds me, crying some more. “Where is mother?” I ask her. She shakes her head in the negative which told me that she had no idea where our mother was. “Listen, Sybil… I need you to find mother” I shake her again. “Do you hear me? I want you to find her and then I want you both to hide” I tell her. “What are you going to do?” She asks. “I need to find out what is going on” I mutter vaguely. I turn around and exit, heading back to the party where I burst in regarding Seth with baleful eyes. He notices me immediately and rolls his eyes but I approach, stopping when his guards block my path. “My father, what has he done?” I ask, my voice breaking. Seth, my one time lover and mate regards me with disgust, his lips quirking up in a sneer. “He is a traitor and for that he must die” Screams of hate ROWENA “That is a lie” I scream. There are murmurs everywhere by members of the pack and I know they must think that I have lost my head coming here and yelling at the Alpha of the pack but I am too far gone to understand what I am doing. “I will allow you leave this place and we will speak when my party is over” Seth warns me. “I want to know what crimes my father has committed for you to lock him up” I repeat. “Look at her” Isobel grunts, turning to Seth. “She does not respect you, my love. Tell me how she is going to remain in this pack if she is this defiant towards you” She mutters. Seth’s eyes darkens as he rises to his feet, pointing a hand towards me. “You dare speak back to your Alpha?” He snaps, approaching me. I do not take a step back even as I am intimidated by him. It is as though we are now enemies because I do not recognize him anymore as the man I used to be in love with. “Your father has admitted to his crimes and come noon tomorrow, he will be beheaded as a traitor and so will your mother” He announces The crowd cheers again “You will denounce them, yourself and your sister or you will leave me no choice” “I cannot do that… I cannot-” “And for the crime of speaking back at me, Rowena Stuart… you will be reduced to the life of a maid and you will serve Isobel who is going to be my Luna” My friend smiles, clasping her fingers together. “Guards” Seth calls The door swished open again and they enter. “Get her out of her and make sure to keep her locked up until she denounces her bloodline. Make the announcement that I shall be marrying Isobel Howard tomorrow’s noon after the execution of Grant and Helena Stuart” He declares. “No” I rave, trashing as both men drag me out of his tent. They are laughing at my struggle and then I hear the loud thunk of the metal gate leading to the dungeons. I am thrown into it, flung like useless waste paper. I do not know how long I am in that dim pit before the doors burst open and I hear the fall of footsteps approaching where I lay. “Rowena?” A voice calls out. I recognize it immediately as Isobel and wonder what she wants. “What the do you want?” I rave, my eyes red from all the crying I have been doing the past hour. She is standing in front of me now, her lips quirked up in a smile. “I hate you” I snap. “What do you hate me for? For sleeping with her fiance or reporting your parents for…” She pauses as my eyes widens in realization. “Oops” She laughs. “You are a slut who moved on her friend’s man almost immediately she…” “Almost immediately?” She stops me, scoffing. “Have you been so utterly blind, Rowena?” Rowena, I think… she used to call me Row but I guess when you betray your friend, you do not get to use pet names any longer. “Seth and I have been together before you both began dating. The engagement to you was his father’s idea… you do not think he wanted to get married to you, did you?” She asks. “What are you talking about?” I mutter. She laughs then, her voice grating on my ears. “You have always had a stupid crush on Seth, always saying he will be your mate and so when you claimed he was your mate and your wolf has…” “I claimed?” I stop her. “Seth is my mate!” I scream at her “But he is also mine!” Isobel screams back at me. “You are lying, that is not possible” “It is rare but not impossible and that is what we are going to tell the members of the pack. They are going to hear that my wolf has mated with his and he has rejected your bond because of your family. They are going to accept me as Luna of the pack and if you want to save yourself then you will accept Seth’s offer” “You plotted this, didn’t you? You plotted this treason and you somehow roped my family into it” I accuse. “Whatever are you talking about, dear girl” She mocks, her eyes wide with innocence. “Get out” I snarl, my eyes blue with rage. “Your parents have been arrested but we are yet to catch Sybillia. Where did you send her?” She questions. I am confused at this because I know I sent Sybil to find our mother and so if they have both been arrested then she is supposed to be with them. “I have no idea where she is” I mutter. “Yes you do and you are going to tell me. Tomorrow is my wedding and I am not going to have you ruin my chances at being Luna of this pack” My lips curve up in a smile but I say nothing. “Where the is she?” Isobel asks again, approaching me. “I have no idea” I repeat. She stares at me, the anger evident in her gaze. “You will pay for this” She declares right before walking out and leaving me in the darkness. I do not know how long the night lasts but the doors open again and I hear a tumble and then a yelp. “Who’s there?” I mutter. “Rowena?” I hear my sister. “Sybil?” I ask, scampering to my feet. “How are you here? I thought you somehow escaped” “I was caught. They have mom and dad and they… they are going to kill them” She cries out. “Come here” I mutter. I put my hand out through the opening and touch my sister, our hands connecting and holding. I can feel her panic and I am sure she can feel mine too. “Everything will be alright” I reassure her. “What are we going to do?” She asks me. “We have to do something” “We ask the moon goddess for help” I tell her. We both close our eyes and begin praying to the moon goddess. I feel peaceful for the first time since our ordeal began and so I close my eyes, my hand still intertwined with my sister’s and I drift into sleep. … “Drag her out!” The loud boom of voice arouses me from my sleep. I hear screaming right before my sister is yanked from my grasp. “No, leave her alone” I yell. The door to my prison is also opened and I am dragged out too. “Leave my sister the …” One of the guards back hand me across the face and blood spurts out of my mouth. “Shut your mouth, cunt” He snaps. I can still hear her screams as I am led out into the open with members of the pack staring at me with disgust evident on their faces. I stare back, refusing to lower my gaze. I am not a traitor and neither is any member of my family so why should I be ashamed? I am pushed forward until we come to the clearing and I see Seth and Isobel both seated with my father and mother kneeling. They are tied up and I can see that they have both taken beatings but I do not see Sybillia anywhere. “We are gathered here today to sentence Grant and Helena Stuart for the crime of dabbling into the dark arts” Seth announces. The crowd cheers and I can feel the bile rising in my mouth at the sound of their hooping. They are happy, I think. I knew we were hated but I did not think they would be happy to see us die. Where is my sister? Where was she taken? I think to myself. “How do you both plead?” Seth roars, rising to his feet. My father says nothing and so does my mother. “I will spare both your daughters if they denounce your family right this minute” He declares. There are hushed protest about this but no one dares say anything to counter the Alpha of the pack. I can see that my father is about to speak up but we are interrupted by a commotion and sounds of running. I turn around, my eyes happening upon Sybillia who is holding a crossbow aimed at Seth. She has blood running from the center of her legs and I can see that she can hardly stand. “No” I scream, rising to my feet to stop her but I am held back by the guards. “You asshole” She pants. “You cannot do this, Sybil… it is treason” I scream, tears streaming down my face. “Put the crossbow down, Sybillia” My father’s calm voice comes through. My sister’s eyes are bright as she stares pointedly at Seht who has not breathed a word and then she drops the crossbow. I heave a sigh of relief at this while the guards grab the weapon, taking it away from her grasp. There is still a hushed silence, like everyone was waiting for a reaction from the Alpha with bated breath. I turn to Seth, his eyes are black with rage and I know there is trouble. “Do it” I hear him say. Do what? I am confused but I follow his eyes to where my sister remained standing. I see the swing of the sword too late as my sister is cut down. There is a scream, a tiny high pitched scream… I realize it is me screaming before I pass out.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/e34twsogm	Le	https://www.facebook.com/100092986922851/	73	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/e34twsogmjo1gayqwqbdyfxa?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120218744089860112&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468206435_945428737513404_2879479436028073953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_8USUuKumYYQ7kNvgEBWP4X&_nc_oc=AdgF1o6er1ljj_w4pjj3aPPzhvJQqejhLdvKcCVtu54oPKY_xmuT3CD8FHsIZ0w7P0-LLq6DO1drYDIwLZ9jat1c&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AXDdEPuQfkpPpptf9Fpi3PW&oh=00_AYDLkAYtip53O3VAPD0bmSkYp2G1xJbuwwLIQNnYIJLOEw&oe=67C416F1	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Le	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,692,546	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-25 16:51	active	2627	🔥🔥Click to Read	She Swapped Her Dying Son for Mine. The night of the Scarlet Moon Pack’s celebration was supposed to be a victory. But everything fell apart in an instant. Wolves with red eyes tore through our home, and my son, Elias, was ripped away from me. Kael, my mate, the Alpha I trusted, betrayed me. Left me to die after a brutal attack. But the worst part? Aria. My best friend. She swapped her dying son with mine. I woke in rogue territory, clutching a child I knew wasn’t mine, and the truth slammed into me like a freight train: Kael and Aria had set me up. I wasn’t just abandoned—I was left to rot with someone else’s child. I thought I’d die that night. But now, it’s clear—no matter the cost, I will find Elias. And I’ll make them regret ever underestimating me. The question is: can I survive long enough to make it happen? -- The night was supposed to be perfect. The Scarlet Moon Pack’s full moon celebration always was—a night of music, laughter, and family. Wolves shifted back and forth, some running wild under the moon, others mingling in human form with wine in hand. I stood at the edge of the crowd, holding Elias close. My son was only a few months old, wrapped snugly in a blanket against my chest. His soft coos blended with the hum of conversation and distant laughter. I kissed his tiny head, breathing in his baby scent. “Selene.” I turned at the sound of Kael’s voice. My mate, the Alpha of the Scarlet Moon Pack, approached with that commanding presence only he could pull off. His dark hair was windswept, his sharp features softened only by the way his piercing blue eyes lingered on Elias. “You’re hiding,” he teased, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. I shrugged. “Elias doesn’t like all the noise.” Kael reached out, brushing a hand over Elias’s head. For a split second, something flashed across his face—regret, maybe—but it was gone just as quickly. “Stay here,” he said. “I need to check in with Aria about the patrols.” Aria. My best friend since childhood and our Beta. Her son, Theo, was the same age as Elias, but fate had dealt him a cruel hand. He was sick, and no one—not even the pack healers—could figure out why. I nodded as Kael disappeared into the crowd, leaving me with an uneasy feeling I couldn’t shake. The celebration carried on, but something was off. The air felt heavier, and the laughter seemed muted, like the forest itself was holding its breath. Then, a low growl cut through the night, sharp and feral. It came from the edge of the clearing. Screams followed—raw and gut-wrenching—and the metallic tang of blood filled the air. Wolves with glowing red eyes exploded from the tree line, ripping through the crowd with savage force. “No,” I whispered, clutching Elias tighter as his cries broke through the chaos. My feet refused to move, frozen as panic wrapped around my throat. “Selene!” I turned to see Aria sprinting toward me, her face streaked with dirt and terror. She held Theo close, his tiny body limp in her arms. “What’s happening?” I exclaimed. “Where’s Kael?” Aria’s golden eyes darted around, wild with fear. “There’s no time! You have to run. Now.” “I can’t just—” “They’re after you, Selene!” she shouted. Before I could process her words, a commanding howl sliced through the night. My head snapped toward the sound. Kael stood atop a broken tree stump, blood dripping from the blade in his hand. His silhouette was framed by the eerie glow of flames reaching at the forest. “Kael!” I screamed. Relief flooded me—until I noticed his eyes. They scanned the clearing, cold and calculating, and landed not on me, but on Aria. Her body stiffened. She clutched Theo tighter, her face pale. Then, Kael gave her a single nod. “No…” I whispered, the pieces clicking together in my mind. Without warning, Aria shoved Theo into my arms and ripped Elias from my grasp. “Aria!” I screamed, chasing after her, but a heavy weight slammed into me, sending me sprawling to the ground. A snarling wolf pinned me, its red eyes burning with fury. Theo wailed in my arms as I struggled, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Before the wolf could strike, an arrow pierced its side, and it collapsed with a gurgling whimper. Kael loomed over me, crossbow in hand. Relief bubbled up, but it vanished the second I saw his expression. “Kael,” I croaked. “Help me.” He didn’t move. His eyes, once filled with warmth, were now void of anything human. “Kael!” I screamed, desperation clawing at me. But he turned and walked away. My chest ached, but I forced myself to my feet, clutching Theo. Smoke burned my lungs as I stumbled through the chaos, searching for Elias. A sharp, searing pain ripped through my side, and I collapsed to the ground. My vision blurred, but I could see the faint outline of someone stepping toward me. “Selene.” Aria’s voice was soft, almost tender, but it cut deeper than any blade. I looked up at her, tears streaming down my face. “Where’s Elias?” Her golden eyes glinted with something dark. Guilt? Maybe. But there was no mistaking the cold determination beneath it. “Elias will live,” she said, kneeling beside me. “Theo deserves a chance too. You wouldn’t understand, Selene, but this… this is the only way.” “No… no, please…” She didn’t say anything else. She stood and disappeared into the smoke with Elias, leaving me with her dying son and a shattered heart as darkness pulled me under. Chapter 2 I woke up to the sharp sting of cold air biting at my skin. The forest around me was eerily quiet, the smell of smoke and blood still clinging to my senses. My body ached in ways I couldn’t describe—my ribs felt shattered, my head throbbed, and my side burned where the wound refused to stop bleeding. But none of it compared to the emptiness in my arms. I looked down and froze. It wasn’t Elias. Theo. Aria’s son, not mine. His tiny face was pale, his body fragile as he squirmed weakly in my hold, letting out soft, pitiful cries. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head as tears blurred my vision. “No, no, no!” Elias was gone. My sweet baby boy, ripped from me by the people I trusted most. Kael, my mate. Aria, my best friend. I hugged Theo tightly, my chest heaving as sobs wracked my broken body. My tears soaked his blanket, but his cries only grew louder, more desperate. He was hungry. I couldn’t stop myself. I shifted my grip, letting him latch onto my upper body. The action was instinctual, automatic, and as his tiny lips worked to feed, my heart shattered all over again. I was feeding him, comforting him, while my own son—my Elias—was out there somewhere, stolen from me. The pain became unbearable, my sobs turning into choked bursts as I glanced down at Theo. His face was still pale, his little hands barely moving. He was sick, fragile, clinging to life just like I was. My hand trembled as I brushed his hair back. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “You didn’t ask for this. None of this is your fault.” I forced myself to focus. Theo needed me. I couldn’t break down, not yet. But my body had other plans. Every inch of me screamed in agony as I shifted, trying to stand. The wound on my side sent a sharp, searing pain through my torso, and I crumpled back to the forest floor. I couldn’t walk. I bit down on a cry, clutching Theo close to my chest. You have to move. I dropped to my knees, dragging myself forward with one arm while holding Theo with the other. The forest seemed endless, the trees towering above me like silent witnesses to my misery. Each inch forward felt like a mile. My vision blurred, black spots creeping in as blood dripped steadily from my side. My breaths grew ragged, each one more painful than the last. I tried to focus, tried to keep going, but my strength was fading. The world tilted, and I collapsed, unable to go any further. My fingers tightened around Theo, who whimpered weakly in my arms. I was going to die here. And Theo—he wouldn’t survive without me. The thought sent fresh tears streaming down my face. My lips parted, but no sound came out as I tried to scream, to cry for help. And then I heard it. A voice. Low, gruff, and unfamiliar. “She’s still alive. Barely.” I tried to open my eyes, but darkness swallowed me whole. --- When I woke up, everything was wrong. The air smelled of damp earth and faint ash, and the hum of voices filled the space around me. My body felt lighter, like someone had taken the weight of the world off my chest, but the dull ache in my side reminded me I was far from healed. I opened my eyes slowly, squinting against the dim light. I wasn’t in the forest anymore. The walls were rough stone, the flicker of a fire casting dancing shadows across them. I was lying on a makeshift cot, soft blankets wrapped around me. Theo. I shot up, panic flooding my veins, but the pain in my side forced me back down with a hiss. “Relax,” a voice said, firm but not unkind. I turned my head and saw him. A man stood near the fire, his broad shoulders outlined by the flickering light. His face was sharp, rugged, and partially hidden beneath a mess of dark hair. His eyes, cold and calculating, met mine as he stepped closer. “You’re safe,” he said, his tone clipped. “Where’s Theo?” I rasped, my throat dry and voice barely audible. He gestured toward a small basket near the fire. Theo was there, wrapped snugly in a blanket, his soft breathing steady and calm. Relief washed over me, tears springing to my eyes. The man didn’t say anything else, just watched me, his expression unreadable. “Who are you?” I managed to whisper. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he crouched beside me, his intense gaze locked on mine. “You’re in rogue territory now,” he said finally. “And if you want to live, you’re going to have to prove you’re worth keeping alive.” Chapter 3 I nodded weakly, unsure of what else to do. My body was too broken to argue, too exhausted to fight. The man straightened, his piercing gaze never leaving me. “I know who you are,” he said, his voice calm but carrying a weight I couldn’t ignore. “You’re Luna Selene. Kael’s mate. The Scarlet Moon Pack’s Luna.” Hearing my title, my connection to Kael, sent a sharp pain through my chest. He was my mate. My husband. The man who was supposed to protect me. The man who betrayed me. “And you know what else?” he added, his tone growing darker. “We’re the ones who attacked your celebration.” His words hit me like a slap. My breath caught, and anger surged through me like wildfire. “You what?” I hissed, forcing myself to sit up despite the stabbing pain in my side. My hands curled into fists. “You’re the reason my pack is in shambles? You killed them? You destroyed everything?” I didn’t even think. My hand shot out, ready to slap him, but he caught my wrist with ease. His grip wasn’t tight, just firm enough to stop me. “Before you lose yourself in anger,” he said coldly, “you might want to hear the rest of the story.” I glared at him, my chest heaving with rage and pain. “I saw him,” he continued, his tone unwavering. “Your Alpha. Your mate. I saw Kael put an arrow in your side.” His words stopped me cold. My body froze, my mind racing to catch up. “No…” I whispered, shaking my head. “You’re lying.” “Am I?” he countered. “I saw it with my own eyes. He shot you. Then he ordered his warriors to drag you to the border and throw you out like trash. With the baby.” The baby. Theo. Not Elias. The image of Kael standing on that tree stump, commanding his warriors, flashed in my mind. The way he looked at me—cold, empty, like I was nothing. Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks before I could stop them. “No,” I repeated, my voice cracking. “He wouldn’t. He’s my mate.” “Your mate?” the man scoffed, letting go of my wrist. “Does a mate betray you? Leave you to die? You think I’m the monster? I lost five warriors in that ambush, but nothing—nothing—compares to the betrayal you just lived through.” I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. His words crushed me, every syllable driving the knife of betrayal deeper into my heart. Kael shot me. He ordered me thrown out. And Aria… my best friend… she took Elias. She took my son and left me to die. The pain was unbearable, suffocating, like I couldn’t draw a full breath. My vision blurred with tears, and I crumpled, clutching my knees as sobs wracked my body. “I—I trusted them,” I choked out, the words barely audible. “Kael… Aria… they were my family.” “And they betrayed you,” the man said flatly, no sympathy in his tone. “Now, you have a choice. You can lay here and die like they wanted, or you can get up, survive, and figure out what you’re going to do about it.” His words hung in the air, heavy with challenge. I wiped at my tears, my hands trembling. I didn’t know who this man was, or why he’d saved me after attacking my pack. But one thing was clear: Kael and Aria had left me to die. And somehow, I was still alive. “I’ll survive,” I whispered, my voice shaking but resolute. “For Theo. For Elias.” The man nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “Good. Then you’d better rest. You’ll need your strength.” Chapter 4 That night, I couldn’t stop crying. No matter how hard I tried to hold it together for Theo, the tears kept coming, silent and endless. My heart felt like it had been torn into pieces, and every memory of Kael only made the pain worse. I used to think he was perfect. The way he loved me… it felt like a dream. I remember how he stood up to my father—my father, the most powerful Alpha I’d ever known—just to be with me. Kael was only a low rank werewolf. “Selene is my mate,” Kael had said, his voice firm, even as my father glared at him. “I’ll prove I’m worthy of her.” And he did. Over and over again. My father eventually stepped down and gave Kael the title of Alpha. Kael led the Scarlet Moon Pack with strength and grace. I was so proud of him. So in love with him. But then Aria came back. She’d been gone for years, traveling abroad, training with different packs, and growing into her role as Beta. When she returned, I was thrilled to see my best friend again. She's like a sister to me. But Kael… something shifted in him the moment she walked back into our lives. I remember catching them once, late at night. I’d gone looking for Kael, expecting to find him in the study, but instead, I found him with Aria. They were standing too close, their voices hushed. “What are you going to do about it?” Aria had whispered. “I’ll handle it,” Kael replied, his tone tense but soft. When they saw me, they froze. Kael quickly stepped away from her, his face unreadable. “What’s going on?” I’d asked, my stomach twisting. “Nothing,” Kael said, forcing a smile. “We were just talking about the patrols.” But I wasn’t stupid. There was something else. Something they weren’t telling me. Later, I couldn’t shake the image of the way he looked at her. His eyes… they sparkled in a way I hadn’t seen in so long. Still, I dismissed it. I trusted him. I trusted Aria. When I finally confronted him about it, I’d been so nervous. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I asked, “Kael… is there something going on between you and Aria?” He’d looked hurt, almost offended. “Selene, no. How could you even think that? You’re my mate. My Luna. Don’t you trust me?” “I do,” I’d said quickly, desperate to believe him. “I just… I saw the way you two were talking, and I—” “It’s nothing,” he’d interrupted, pulling me into his arms. “I promise. Trust me. Trust us. Aria’s your best friend. She loves you, Selene.” I wanted so badly to believe him. So I did. Even when I overheard them talking about a pregnancy, I brushed it off. It wasn’t my place to assume. Aria was allowed her privacy. And Kael… Kael would never betray me. But now, lying here in a strange place, with Theo snuggled against my chest, I couldn’t stop replaying all those moments in my head. The late-night talks. The stolen glances. The lies I told myself because I loved him too much to see the truth. Kael and Aria had been betraying me all along. I cried harder, clutching Theo tighter, as if holding him could somehow stop the pieces of my broken heart from scattering any further. I’d given Kael everything—my trust, my love, my whole life—and he’d thrown it all away. And Aria… the woman I called my sister, my confidante… she’d taken it all from me. My mate. My child. My place in the pack. I wiped at my tears, but they kept falling. It felt like the betrayal would never stop hurting. “I trusted you,” I whispered into the darkness, my voice cracking. “I trusted both of you.” But they hadn’t cared. They’d left me to die. Theo stirred against me, his tiny hand gripping my shirt. His soft, fragile breaths were the only thing anchoring me to reality. I took a shaky breath and pressed a kiss to his head. I couldn’t break. Not now. He might not be my son but he needed me. Chapter 5 The days blurred into weeks. I was still weak, my body still recovering from the wounds Kael had inflicted, but I forced myself to move, to adapt. I couldn’t afford to fall apart. Not with Theo depending on me. Thorne, the rogue leader, made his presence known early on. He was a tall, imposing man with silver hair and piercing dark eyes that always seemed to see too much. He rarely smiled, and when he spoke, it was with the kind of authority that demanded attention. “Selene,” he said one morning, watching me struggle through a set of push-ups with the other rogues. “You want to survive here? You’ll need to work harder than that.” I glared at him, my arms trembling as I pushed myself up again. “I didn’t ask for your help,” I snapped. “No,” he said coolly, crossing his arms. “But I’m giving it anyway. You’ve got fire, Luna. But fire alone won’t save you out here.” Hearing him call me “Luna” stung every time. I wasn’t a Luna anymore. Not to Kael. Not to anyone. The rogues were tough—physically, mentally, emotionally. They trained relentlessly, honing their skills with a kind of brutal efficiency that left no room for weakness. I tried to keep up, but it wasn’t easy. My body was still healing, and I’d never trained like this before. Thorne made it clear he had no patience for excuses. “You’re too soft,” he said after one particularly grueling session. “Your pack pampered you.” I clenched my fists, anger bubbling up inside me. “I’m not soft. I survived being betrayed by my own pack. I survived being left for dead.” Thorne studied me, his gaze sharp. “Then prove it.” The other rogues weren’t any kinder. Most of them didn’t trust me, and I couldn’t blame them. To them, I was just another pack wolf—a Luna who didn’t belong in their world. But Theo… Theo was a different story. After weeks turn into months… He’d started bonding with the rogues in ways I hadn’t expected. One of the younger men, a lanky wolf, often played with him, making funny faces and coaxing little giggles out of him. An older woman, had taken to knitting tiny blankets for him in her spare time. And then there was Thorne. I caught him one evening, crouched beside Theo with a surprisingly soft expression on his face. Theo reached out and grabbed a strand of Thorne’s silver hair, giggling as he gave it a tug. “You’ve got a strong grip, little one,” Thorne murmured, his voice unusually gentle. I watched from the shadows, my chest tightening. It was bittersweet, seeing Theo like this—seeing him smile and laugh when I was still grieving for Elias. I couldn’t help but wonder: if Elias were here, would he have bonded with these rogues too? The thought made my heart ache, but I shoved it aside. I couldn’t afford to dwell on what I’d lost. While we were resting after a brutal training session, a healer among the rogues came to me. She was an older woman with wild, silver hair and kind eyes, but there was a sharpness to her that made her more than just a healer. “Selene,” she said softly, her voice low as she approached me. “I’ve been watching your ‘son’.” My heart froze. “Theo?” I asked, my voice tight. “Yes,” she replied. “He’s sick, isn’t he?” I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I hadn’t told anyone about the illness that had been slowly consuming him. But the truth was, I’d been afraid to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else. The healer’s eyes softened with empathy. “There’s something that might help him,” she said, her gaze flickering to the distant horizon. “A rare herb that grows in Scarlet territory. It’s heavily guarded, but it could heal him.” I felt a surge of hope, something I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in a long time. “What kind of herb?” She hesitated, as if weighing her words. “It’s called moon’s touch. It’s said to have healing properties that can cure almost any illness, but it only grows in one place—deep within the heart of Scarlet territory. The pack guards it with their lives.” My chest tightened. Scarlet territory. My territory. Where Kael’s warriors would no doubt hunt me down if they saw me. But Theo needed it. If there was even a chance to save him… I had to try. “Can you help me?” I asked, my voice raw with desperation. The healer nodded. “I can. But you’ll have to get it yourself. No one can enter that land without being detected. Not unless you can move through the shadows, unnoticed.” I clenched my fists, determination settling in my bones. This was my chance. My only chance. “Then I’ll do it,” I said, my voice hard with resolve. And as I stood there, looking out into the wilderness, I realized something else. I wasn’t just fighting for Theo anymore. I was fighting for my own survival, for the vengeance I’d promised myself. For my son, Elias. The Scarlet Moon Pack had betrayed me, but they would learn that I wasn’t someone they could discard so easily. I’d find the moon’s touch. I’d heal Theo. And then… take my son, Elias from Kael and Aria."	LEARN_MORE	https://fb.lovenovelshort.com/book/loading/page/no	Novel Short	https://www.facebook.com/61563664675187/	17,774	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fb.lovenovelshort.com	VIDEO	More chapters	https://fb.lovenovelshort.com/book/loading/page/novelshortnew/pageCode/12-251746012420?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481960098_632127612901894_3967025197199198589_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3Ada35KKSN8Q7kNvgFV25Tw&_nc_oc=AdgaZo4YRUcYPnH_dqCuNz8yfn4kdvCyRvuxzk01ruQCeKP-LmZ_IW4PxVJz7ShkdsX5zmr18nhhvAmQvCU9ewyb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AyLejgcng5eHKQLQsERUCI1&oh=00_AYCNBAS8-7KGqPAqNmw_6h4tsFyEZMvIvD3cpxwow75HKA&oe=67C41C65	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Novel Short	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,689,025	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2689266}'	Yes	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623		WIN ONE OF THESE 5X7 AREA RUGS!!! ENTER TO WIN!! How to win? Write a haiku about your floors: The good, the bad, the shiny, the stained, whatever inspires (or doesn't) about your floors, we want to hear it! Haiku is a 3 line poem that has five (5) syllables in line 1, seven (7) syllables in line 2, and five (5) syllables in line 3. example: Peeling laminate, The cracks beneath tell their tales, Beauty lost in dust. Floor us with your haiku and you could win one of these beautiful 5x7 area rugs! The Winner will be announced on our Facebook and Instagram pages on February 28, 2025. 5x7 Area Rug Giveaway Haiku Contest Rules: 1. No purchase is necessary to enter. Enter as often as you like. 2. Write a haiku, as a comment, on any one of the contest posts on our page and tag one friend. 3. Keep it PG rated, we are here to have fun! 4. Must be a resident of the following Alabama counties: Randolph, Clay, Cleburne, Tallapoosa, Chambers OR Georgia counties: Carroll, Heard, Troup 5. You do not have to be present to win, you will be notified via messenger as well as listed on our Facebook and Instagram feed. 6. Winner will select one (1)5x7 area rug (prize) from the area rugs shown in the contest post and will pick up their prize from our retail location: Nortons Flooring, 14391 Hwy 431, Wedowee, AL 36278 phone (256) 357-9233 #giveaway #Contest #haiku #nortonsflooring	CALL_NOW		Norton's Flooring	https://www.facebook.com/100063728160942/	568	1969-12-31 18:00	Call now		MULTI_IMAGES			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481041570_630370866256854_2971463879407786133_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2gk7-jstDvgQ7kNvgE1IWiK&_nc_oc=AdglGcF0VfTHH2eOCiNrPpXKvA1Df4hCLOK27s27eQZa0CJbUhp2ZreEWwx7EcnlYe30nXxIcXD1oQ2arQYjQPAj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A5ZWFh78vCFDv_eo6H-KP7U&oh=00_AYBwQRkHj6gZEb9ooMVyBc1foC18MXCwllqASq0PjOm2NA&oe=67C2CA03	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Norton's Flooring	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,693,546	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-25 16:51	active	2627	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜<Rejected by the Titan Alpha>📜	EFFIE's P. O. V. It rained hell the day I felt the ground rumble beneath my feet and I watched the scary Titan wolves descend from the volcano hilltop. Chaos ensued and people ran and screamed in terror. I found myself paralyzed, my legs rooted on spot and my mind unwilling to register to my brain that if I didn't move right now, I would be a dead little weak Omega soon. But the white wolves mesmerized me. And I couldn't reap my eyes off their glowing golden eyes even though they looked angry. "Effie, let's go!" After a considerable amount of my little sister's urgent inaudible voice on the background, I finally heard her clear scream, her hand pulling me with urgency. Finally, my legs gave way and we started to run. "Mom is going to kill us, Effie!" My little sister, Gage screamed as we ran. "Is that really your concern right now?!" I screamed back. Hot flames erupted from the ground just a step away from us, forcing us into an abrupt stop. Just then, we felt a heavy spark from behind us, like some bomb had went off. I looked behind me to catch the transformation of one of the wolves into a Titan wolf. I was seeing this for the first time and their height was massive, more than we heard in stories. He roars and caught sight of me. Fear caught hold of me, but before I could pull Gage away, he was throwing a thunder at me, causing us to fall over in the mix of sands and dirt. I tried to open my eyes but everywhere looked dark. Gage..... I peeled my eyes open and tried to look for my sister. But something else suddenly caught my attention. A smell that stung my nostril so hard, I wanted to get rid of it. The smell was the best I've ever smelled since all my eighteen years alive. It was happening. My mate was here. Why did he have to be here right now? I didn't find him two days ago after my birthday so why now? As I looked around, I found Gage's unconscious body laid beneath the dirt. "Gage!" I screamed and attempted to leap over to her but before I could, something big came over me. One of the White wolves. His eyes glistened with thunder as they watched me with anger. The fur on the body stood out as he growled slowly at me. He completely caged me so I couldn't escape. My heart beat rose up at his appearance, but it slowly went down as I realized the smell I perceived was now directly from him. He had found me here. Because he's my mate. I'm Mated to a white mountain wolf? But he looked pissed at me, like he was angry that I was his mate. I was weak and he didn't want me. I wouldn't want me either. Another big wolf comes and stands over my unconscious sister. As he looked away to see the second wolf, I notice an ornament around on of his arm. A beautiful clear crystal bracelet surrounding one arm. "Take the little girl." He said to the second wolf, his voice bold and instilling fear. "No! That's my sister!" I screamed. But my sister was already disappearing before my eyes, in the back of the second wolf as he ran away towards the volcano hill. Then my mate's eyes watched me. There was so much hate, so much disgust in them as they watched me. He looks above me and spoke "all the titans should fall back, today is not the day." Quickly, the entire place cleared in my eyes. Every last one of them disappeared, including him too. I hurried back to the village. The entire place was deserted. Some of the houses had fallen to the ground. Where did everybody go. I ran to my house but there wasn't a soul there. The last time Gage and I had seen our parents was when we took off this morning to go see the descent of the White wolves. What we didn't expect was a war between them and our people. They came out and killed everyone. Bodies laid piled up on the dirty ground. Nobody has ever seen where the Titan wolves lived but I needed to get my sister back. I dashed Into the house and took the only thing I had to fight, a crossbow my father had gifted me on my seventeen birthday. Then I dashed Into the woods, switching into my wolf form in order to be able to pick Gage's scent more quickly. I spent a considerable amount of time in the bushes, not finding a trail of her. I lost her scent. As I rounded around the volcano, I discovered a dark opening. Bracing myself, I fit myself into it and slipped inside. I landed on a can of rubbish. I peeped out and found a completely different world, a few people walking around. Exiting the can, I walked so people didn't notice me. I tried to pick my sister's scent but couldn't. I noticed a bridge and I climbed it, only to me stinged by that same scent from earlier. My mate's scent. Quickly, I followed it. As I walked, I noticed a tall building resembling a castle. There's plenty of large windows. I bent over and climbed the wall, the scent getting heavier and heavier. Then I saw the person whose wolf form I'd seen earlier. He is dressed in what looked like a royal robe, a crown seated firmly on his head. He's a prince? A king? The room was filled with a lot of fancy dressed people. There seemed to be an occasion going on but I couldn't give a care in the world. I rose the bow up and stroke the glass windows, letting myself in. I jumped inside the broken window and rolled on the floor until I was standing right in front of my mate and pointing my arrow at him, everyone gasping behind us. My eyes watched him with anger and fear, as his watched me without an emotion. With fire in my eyes, and a trembling voice, I asked "where is my sister?" Chapter 2 ALPHA CAIN's P. O. V. As I retreated away from the girl, I was compelled to go back to her. It was harder for me to leave like that but I have a mate chosen for me already and I needed to make it back to make her my mate. I found my mate, but I couldn't hurt my best friend for her. "Your Highness," My beta, Eli called "I think we should meet everyone now. It is time." We were standing in my room, both dressed. Today, Anisa and I will be wedded and mated. She would be my Queen and most of all, she will be my Luna. "I found my mate, Eli." I muttered to him. "You did what was best. That Omega girl is weak. She is not a royal blood." He's right. From the beginning of time, the Titan wolves of the royal descent must be mated to only those from the royal blood too. They didn't follow the moon goddess's rule of mating who has been chosen for you. "And her sister?" I asked. "The doctor is taking care of her. I'm sure she's fine now." I nodded before we headed out. Just as I was about stepping out of my room, I caught her scent. I looked out the window but couldn't see her. Was she here, in white steel pack? Stepping into the room full of people waiting for my arrival, I caught Anisa's eyes watching me with delight. I sit next to her but I couldn't help perceive the scent around me. It was getting stronger and stronger. She was here. The window shattered from across the room and somebody threw herself in. Then she was in front of me in one second, her crossbow pointing at me, rage in her eyes. I'm turned on by her fierce entrance. "Where is my sister?" She had come for her sister? Her voice has some fear in them, but she was brave. "Your sister is now our prisoner" I told her coldly. Every second that I watched her, I wanted to hold her in my arms. But I had my duties to my family and my people. Then she did something that completely shocked me. She lowered her crossbow and stood up. Then pointed a finger at me and said "this man right here is my mate!" Everyone gasped. "And he knows that!" "I am getting married to my rightful mate!" I shot back, pulling Anisa's hand into mine. There's a shock in her eyes at this revelation. What did she think we were gathered here for? A tea party? I saw the pain in her eyes. But as quickly as they came, they disappeared, replaced by anger. She points her crossbow at me again. "I, Effie Owens reject you as my mate, Alpha." She said, disgust and pain emitting from her voice. She looked like if I even made a move she would put that arrow inside of me. "I, Alpha and Prince Cain Malachi do not accept your rejection." I said with gritted teeth. Whispers rose from the people in the room but I didn't care. She didn't get to reject me. She was a weak and low Omega, without even a royal bloodline. I am the one who gets to reject her. "Seize her." I commanded, my eyes watching hers intensely. She doesn't shoot the arrow even when it's pointed at my chest, tears welling up in her eyes. The sight breaks my heart. It shatters my entire being. I know that I have a lot of questions to answer later, but so be it. My men apprehends her, dragging her to the corner. EFFIE's P. O V. "The king and queen has arrived !" Someone announced as the large glass doors pulled open and two couple whom I assumed to be this arrogant prince's parents to be walked in. They were filled with so much grace, I'd never seen anything like this before. A man dressed in a cloak follows them, stopping where Cain is now standing, the blond woman rising now to stand before him. My heart broke when he said that he had a mate. But I did the only thing I could to protect my heart: rejecting him first. After all, I'd only come here for my sister, not to be mated with him. I watched in horror as the cloaked man said some things, uniting them, and Cain leaning over her and digging his fangs into her neck, marking her. I watched, my heart beat accelerating painfully. Cain gives me a look, a look intended to hurt me and yes he was winning. Because I was hurt. That should be me. As the guards pulled me out of the room, my eyes lingered on Cain. I will never be with my mate. The guards were talked me to completely different building. I didn't realize it was a cell section until I was seeing some people from my village caged inside. They all gasped as they saw me. "Effie?" I heard my mother's voice and I turned immediately to see her against the cell bar, tears smeared all over her face. "Mother?" I called, my heart growing heavy. But the guards pushed me forward before I could reach her. I screamed and tried to fight them before they bundled me up and threw me into an empty cell. I spent the entire night sobbing. I had no idea where my little sister was, and I'd lost my mate the same way I met him. I was a weak Omega. My life has always been worthless. Why wasn't I one of those people who died back at the village? I didn't know I slept off until the next morning's light was burning my eyes through the window. I heard the bar doors opening with urgency, and a man picking my arm and dragging me out. I didn't find my mother in the cell I'd seen her last night as we went outside. I was dragged and dropped in the middle of two huge Titan wolf statues. That scent stung my nostrils again and I looked up to find Cain standing high above me, his parents right next to him along with some guards. Around us where his pack members, waiting for what was about to happen. Just as I was. Cain's father steps forward, silencing the crowd before speaking "this little Omega before you all here entered into my city illegally last night and tried to murder my son on his wedding night!" "Your son murdered my people!" I roared back, enough that everyone would hear me "and he kidnapped my little sister!" I lost my sister and my mate already. Might as well die. "If my son took your sister or did any of the things that you accuse him of, then he had his reasons." He replied, much to my surprise. What? The father steps away and Alpha Cain comes forward, his eyes watching me intimidatingly. "For punishment of her crimes, she will be exiled from the entire northern territories....." Wait, can he do that? I don't even belong to his pack. But he's a king, so does that mean he has the power to do that? "She will be blindfolded and taken far away, where she would never come back to harm our king again!" The person I assumed to be his Beta standing right next to him said. He couldn't do this to me. I haven't even seen my sister yet. I cannot leave my parents here as slaves to him. I thought he was supposed to be my mate. Why was he being so cruel when he didn't even know me? I was pulled away by the same guards and into a different building now. I was dumped inside a room with a large bed and other bedroom necessities. A few seconds later, I felt presence behind me. I started to turn, but I was pinned down on the bed before I could. My eyes grew wide as I watched Cain's face above mine, his big body caging my smaller one beneath him. He had his palm against my mouth, muffling my screams. "You didn't think I was going to let you go just like that, did you?" His voice is still and venomous. His hand slides in between my thighs. If this was a different situation, I'd have loved every touch. But instead, tears ran down my eyes. I tried to fight him but it seemed impossible against him. So I just laid there and watched his cold eyes as he rose my dress up and pushed himself in between my legs. He pulls his short down. I was aware of what he was going to do to me but I didn't have any strength left to fight him. In one swift move, he drove himself inside me. I've never had sex with any man before, but he pinned me here and stole my virginity from me. Pain shot through me like a knife as he pushed himself inside of me, forcefully. I cried painfully but he didn't care. He pulls out and turns me face down on the bed. Then he continued to me harder. I cried onto the bed but he didn't stop. After what felt like forever, he stopped and whispered into my ear "I do not want to ever see you again." And then he was gone.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vyss4kku3	Storygo		0	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vyss4kku3awhib4rfwb4tftw?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120213262483690458&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467182906_461556676507817_2124946834111370696_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2V65TBIOSo0Q7kNvgHCb0m2&_nc_oc=AdgrblOr08AB2sOJ1Xwsxjw2mb-gRd4kQXg26OzdiFm3NuHyndAAvK6JfTsccRjinUb0Lk5KUyPIZbHNhdPIJj7a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIRcIWJcEAr_wVCUkj6AtK&oh=00_AYClH_UUkajWKZr-j841c17y0ICrjJOIlsBZfAQlssYMrA&oe=67C40686	REGULAR_PAGE	0		1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,693,564	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-25 16:51	active	2627	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜<Rejected by the Titan Alpha>📜	EFFIE's P. O. V. It rained hell the day I felt the ground rumble beneath my feet and I watched the scary Titan wolves descend from the volcano hilltop. Chaos ensued and people ran and screamed in terror. I found myself paralyzed, my legs rooted on spot and my mind unwilling to register to my brain that if I didn't move right now, I would be a dead little weak Omega soon. But the white wolves mesmerized me. And I couldn't reap my eyes off their glowing golden eyes even though they looked angry. "Effie, let's go!" After a considerable amount of my little sister's urgent inaudible voice on the background, I finally heard her clear scream, her hand pulling me with urgency. Finally, my legs gave way and we started to run. "Mom is going to kill us, Effie!" My little sister, Gage screamed as we ran. "Is that really your concern right now?!" I screamed back. Hot flames erupted from the ground just a step away from us, forcing us into an abrupt stop. Just then, we felt a heavy spark from behind us, like some bomb had went off. I looked behind me to catch the transformation of one of the wolves into a Titan wolf. I was seeing this for the first time and their height was massive, more than we heard in stories. He roars and caught sight of me. Fear caught hold of me, but before I could pull Gage away, he was throwing a thunder at me, causing us to fall over in the mix of sands and dirt. I tried to open my eyes but everywhere looked dark. Gage..... I peeled my eyes open and tried to look for my sister. But something else suddenly caught my attention. A smell that stung my nostril so hard, I wanted to get rid of it. The smell was the best I've ever smelled since all my eighteen years alive. It was happening. My mate was here. Why did he have to be here right now? I didn't find him two days ago after my birthday so why now? As I looked around, I found Gage's unconscious body laid beneath the dirt. "Gage!" I screamed and attempted to leap over to her but before I could, something big came over me. One of the White wolves. His eyes glistened with thunder as they watched me with anger. The fur on the body stood out as he growled slowly at me. He completely caged me so I couldn't escape. My heart beat rose up at his appearance, but it slowly went down as I realized the smell I perceived was now directly from him. He had found me here. Because he's my mate. I'm Mated to a white mountain wolf? But he looked pissed at me, like he was angry that I was his mate. I was weak and he didn't want me. I wouldn't want me either. Another big wolf comes and stands over my unconscious sister. As he looked away to see the second wolf, I notice an ornament around on of his arm. A beautiful clear crystal bracelet surrounding one arm. "Take the little girl." He said to the second wolf, his voice bold and instilling fear. "No! That's my sister!" I screamed. But my sister was already disappearing before my eyes, in the back of the second wolf as he ran away towards the volcano hill. Then my mate's eyes watched me. There was so much hate, so much disgust in them as they watched me. He looks above me and spoke "all the titans should fall back, today is not the day." Quickly, the entire place cleared in my eyes. Every last one of them disappeared, including him too. I hurried back to the village. The entire place was deserted. Some of the houses had fallen to the ground. Where did everybody go. I ran to my house but there wasn't a soul there. The last time Gage and I had seen our parents was when we took off this morning to go see the descent of the White wolves. What we didn't expect was a war between them and our people. They came out and killed everyone. Bodies laid piled up on the dirty ground. Nobody has ever seen where the Titan wolves lived but I needed to get my sister back. I dashed Into the house and took the only thing I had to fight, a crossbow my father had gifted me on my seventeen birthday. Then I dashed Into the woods, switching into my wolf form in order to be able to pick Gage's scent more quickly. I spent a considerable amount of time in the bushes, not finding a trail of her. I lost her scent. As I rounded around the volcano, I discovered a dark opening. Bracing myself, I fit myself into it and slipped inside. I landed on a can of rubbish. I peeped out and found a completely different world, a few people walking around. Exiting the can, I walked so people didn't notice me. I tried to pick my sister's scent but couldn't. I noticed a bridge and I climbed it, only to me stinged by that same scent from earlier. My mate's scent. Quickly, I followed it. As I walked, I noticed a tall building resembling a castle. There's plenty of large windows. I bent over and climbed the wall, the scent getting heavier and heavier. Then I saw the person whose wolf form I'd seen earlier. He is dressed in what looked like a royal robe, a crown seated firmly on his head. He's a prince? A king? The room was filled with a lot of fancy dressed people. There seemed to be an occasion going on but I couldn't give a care in the world. I rose the bow up and stroke the glass windows, letting myself in. I jumped inside the broken window and rolled on the floor until I was standing right in front of my mate and pointing my arrow at him, everyone gasping behind us. My eyes watched him with anger and fear, as his watched me without an emotion. With fire in my eyes, and a trembling voice, I asked "where is my sister?" Chapter 2 ALPHA CAIN's P. O. V. As I retreated away from the girl, I was compelled to go back to her. It was harder for me to leave like that but I have a mate chosen for me already and I needed to make it back to make her my mate. I found my mate, but I couldn't hurt my best friend for her. "Your Highness," My beta, Eli called "I think we should meet everyone now. It is time." We were standing in my room, both dressed. Today, Anisa and I will be wedded and mated. She would be my Queen and most of all, she will be my Luna. "I found my mate, Eli." I muttered to him. "You did what was best. That Omega girl is weak. She is not a royal blood." He's right. From the beginning of time, the Titan wolves of the royal descent must be mated to only those from the royal blood too. They didn't follow the moon goddess's rule of mating who has been chosen for you. "And her sister?" I asked. "The doctor is taking care of her. I'm sure she's fine now." I nodded before we headed out. Just as I was about stepping out of my room, I caught her scent. I looked out the window but couldn't see her. Was she here, in white steel pack? Stepping into the room full of people waiting for my arrival, I caught Anisa's eyes watching me with delight. I sit next to her but I couldn't help perceive the scent around me. It was getting stronger and stronger. She was here. The window shattered from across the room and somebody threw herself in. Then she was in front of me in one second, her crossbow pointing at me, rage in her eyes. I'm turned on by her fierce entrance. "Where is my sister?" She had come for her sister? Her voice has some fear in them, but she was brave. "Your sister is now our prisoner" I told her coldly. Every second that I watched her, I wanted to hold her in my arms. But I had my duties to my family and my people. Then she did something that completely shocked me. She lowered her crossbow and stood up. Then pointed a finger at me and said "this man right here is my mate!" Everyone gasped. "And he knows that!" "I am getting married to my rightful mate!" I shot back, pulling Anisa's hand into mine. There's a shock in her eyes at this revelation. What did she think we were gathered here for? A tea party? I saw the pain in her eyes. But as quickly as they came, they disappeared, replaced by anger. She points her crossbow at me again. "I, Effie Owens reject you as my mate, Alpha." She said, disgust and pain emitting from her voice. She looked like if I even made a move she would put that arrow inside of me. "I, Alpha and Prince Cain Malachi do not accept your rejection." I said with gritted teeth. Whispers rose from the people in the room but I didn't care. She didn't get to reject me. She was a weak and low Omega, without even a royal bloodline. I am the one who gets to reject her. "Seize her." I commanded, my eyes watching hers intensely. She doesn't shoot the arrow even when it's pointed at my chest, tears welling up in her eyes. The sight breaks my heart. It shatters my entire being. I know that I have a lot of questions to answer later, but so be it. My men apprehends her, dragging her to the corner. EFFIE's P. O V. "The king and queen has arrived !" Someone announced as the large glass doors pulled open and two couple whom I assumed to be this arrogant prince's parents to be walked in. They were filled with so much grace, I'd never seen anything like this before. A man dressed in a cloak follows them, stopping where Cain is now standing, the blond woman rising now to stand before him. My heart broke when he said that he had a mate. But I did the only thing I could to protect my heart: rejecting him first. After all, I'd only come here for my sister, not to be mated with him. I watched in horror as the cloaked man said some things, uniting them, and Cain leaning over her and digging his fangs into her neck, marking her. I watched, my heart beat accelerating painfully. Cain gives me a look, a look intended to hurt me and yes he was winning. Because I was hurt. That should be me. As the guards pulled me out of the room, my eyes lingered on Cain. I will never be with my mate. The guards were talked me to completely different building. I didn't realize it was a cell section until I was seeing some people from my village caged inside. They all gasped as they saw me. "Effie?" I heard my mother's voice and I turned immediately to see her against the cell bar, tears smeared all over her face. "Mother?" I called, my heart growing heavy. But the guards pushed me forward before I could reach her. I screamed and tried to fight them before they bundled me up and threw me into an empty cell. I spent the entire night sobbing. I had no idea where my little sister was, and I'd lost my mate the same way I met him. I was a weak Omega. My life has always been worthless. Why wasn't I one of those people who died back at the village? I didn't know I slept off until the next morning's light was burning my eyes through the window. I heard the bar doors opening with urgency, and a man picking my arm and dragging me out. I didn't find my mother in the cell I'd seen her last night as we went outside. I was dragged and dropped in the middle of two huge Titan wolf statues. That scent stung my nostrils again and I looked up to find Cain standing high above me, his parents right next to him along with some guards. Around us where his pack members, waiting for what was about to happen. Just as I was. Cain's father steps forward, silencing the crowd before speaking "this little Omega before you all here entered into my city illegally last night and tried to murder my son on his wedding night!" "Your son murdered my people!" I roared back, enough that everyone would hear me "and he kidnapped my little sister!" I lost my sister and my mate already. Might as well die. "If my son took your sister or did any of the things that you accuse him of, then he had his reasons." He replied, much to my surprise. What? The father steps away and Alpha Cain comes forward, his eyes watching me intimidatingly. "For punishment of her crimes, she will be exiled from the entire northern territories....." Wait, can he do that? I don't even belong to his pack. But he's a king, so does that mean he has the power to do that? "She will be blindfolded and taken far away, where she would never come back to harm our king again!" The person I assumed to be his Beta standing right next to him said. He couldn't do this to me. I haven't even seen my sister yet. I cannot leave my parents here as slaves to him. I thought he was supposed to be my mate. Why was he being so cruel when he didn't even know me? I was pulled away by the same guards and into a different building now. I was dumped inside a room with a large bed and other bedroom necessities. A few seconds later, I felt presence behind me. I started to turn, but I was pinned down on the bed before I could. My eyes grew wide as I watched Cain's face above mine, his big body caging my smaller one beneath him. He had his palm against my mouth, muffling my screams. "You didn't think I was going to let you go just like that, did you?" His voice is still and venomous. His hand slides in between my thighs. If this was a different situation, I'd have loved every touch. But instead, tears ran down my eyes. I tried to fight him but it seemed impossible against him. So I just laid there and watched his cold eyes as he rose my dress up and pushed himself in between my legs. He pulls his short down. I was aware of what he was going to do to me but I didn't have any strength left to fight him. In one swift move, he drove himself inside me. I've never had sex with any man before, but he pinned me here and stole my virginity from me. Pain shot through me like a knife as he pushed himself inside of me, forcefully. I cried painfully but he didn't care. He pulls out and turns me face down on the bed. Then he continued to me harder. I cried onto the bed but he didn't stop. After what felt like forever, he stopped and whispered into my ear "I do not want to ever see you again." And then he was gone.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vyss4kku3	Storygo		0	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vyss4kku3awhib4rfwb4tftw?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120213261147400458&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466464450_1569375177796603_8286696161443522975_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z00BhDogp9cQ7kNvgFcWFKV&_nc_oc=AdhtcAs9qU4_h-DsC0opMAkBUEFE8Mlf9TertHd5M_r9FDBBcnndYxdyy9a9owzCVG-QJa_QaktDzc70gm-uzPZI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AMbnMpBiBejDgG_rdxSaMrO&oh=00_AYADlsXYO3cX4q2HyC0_6cvjqdP0_Qjd-BCQsZIPEcOF-w&oe=67C415D7	REGULAR_PAGE	0		1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,693,584	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-25 16:51	active	2627	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉	✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers	SIGN_UP	https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://www.facebook.com/codex.of.inventions/	3,977	1969-12-31 18:00	Sign Up	subscribepage.io	DCO		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NVa_LDtKM30Q7kNvgGKQMcg&_nc_oc=AdhwVZz8F9o-5uEozwCbFxASvuyYuObIN05ccGlXW1FqlBP-lY74DtzpvRZyzQe-7xQhsSUWjpT_cs5E7IInanZn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMbnMpBiBejDgG_rdxSaMrO&oh=00_AYCxIPD2lu4Pi5sh-4dp1KLEKzj4Hm-yRI3nxXyNe-s2hQ&oe=67C40854	PERSON_PROFILE	0	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,689,940	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2689967}'	Yes	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623	Wild Turkey		LEARN_MORE	https://www.mybottleshop.au/wild-turkey-12-year-ol	Mybottleshop	https://www.facebook.com/mybottleshop/	31,936	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	mybottleshop.au	DCO	Aged 12 Years + BONUS	https://www.mybottleshop.au/wild-turkey-12-year-old-bourbon	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481702054_1795463007967336_8349194377025466716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I89aoseVIusQ7kNvgHYRUt-&_nc_oc=Adhp8Ort9_T_fDKR86Pg9j8JY4PxW_Nqd_s3fiGBYjG19WDU5zt5Rj75EpTeOtNpLp_Yr7pZO5x2RFFqnpKgoJpM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZOp8EMVKzgJq2Ad22S5x6U&oh=00_AYDrStRZ-2jUdtz17xHQ-KbuMMvQZu4wMUDIhbVl22br5g&oe=67C2CC94	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Mybottleshop	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,689,711	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-24 19:00	active	2623	Sarasota Collectorfest 2025	Florida Toy Shows Returns to SARASOTA April 5-6th 2025! 10,000+ Sq Ft of AWESOME! TOYS, GAMES, COMICS, CARDS ++ Free PARKING! Free HOT WHEELS for Kids under 12 SPECIAL GUESTS: Keith Coogan & More	EVENT_RSVP	https://www.facebook.com/events/1847227475808760/	Florida Toy Shows Expos	https://www.facebook.com/floridatoyshows/	9,745	1969-12-31 18:00	INTERESTED	Sarasota Collectorfest 2025	EVENT	We are BACK in the Sarasota area inside the beautiful Hall of Justice from Superfriends - (lol: Municipal Auditorium ) 2 DAYS of AWESOMENESS! 10,000 sq ft of TOYS, GAMES, COMICS, DIE-CAST, & MORE! Free PARKING! Free HOT WHEELS for Kids under 12 SPECIAL GUESTS: TBA What to expect: Vintage & Modern Toys, Hot Wheels, Retro Gaming, Comics, Artwork & More Pop Culture Goodness! We will have giveaways, raffles, and more. 70+ Tables of LOTS OF COOL STUFF! Doors Open at 9am! (early bird pricing) Cost & Show Times: Saturday: $15 Sunday: $10 All Kids under 12 FREE Kids under 12 get FREE Hot Wheels or other giveaway toys Toys: Lots of different toy lines covered from vintage to modern. Hot Wheels, GI-JOE, Funko, Star Wars, Godzilla, Transformers, Ghostbusters, and more. Plus we will have Girls toys like My Little Pony, Fisher Price, Barbie, and Strawberry Shortcake are here too. Retro Gaming: You can expect to see vendors with vintage and modern Atari, Nintendo, Sony Playstation, Sega Genesis and more. We have a great mix of vendors bringing retro games Comics: We will have several comic vendors with graded and raw books to check out. Artists: We will have some special invited guest artists at the show this year.	https://www.facebook.com/events/1847227475808760/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481044760_961189089051166_8198219931280302837_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y70_jl1WofwQ7kNvgEjy4Eq&_nc_oc=Adgh-65CkEqNNQ-T576QvTxjWPa6L9J5d0Nu3DTX7brPCTEc7tgmQMasLBgWSDJEabgjRq614SFKY_A05TSVsIK0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-3ZJuAoJcLeqO2FXZyHXuA&oh=00_AYDZg3Uo9Lb7q6xAHSqlHyjxLxmsyVvifFp-gA9Ijbd9ug&oe=67C2D534	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Florida Toy Shows Expos	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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