Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Ads for foobar on 2025-03-03

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
2,766,367	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2766364}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:29	active	2789	Disneyland, Universal or SeaWorld - California or Orlando. Enter to Win.	Enter to Win Before the End of the Month for Your Chance to Win Tickets to Disney 🎢	SIGN_UP	https://giveaway.eventnerdz.com/disney-giveaway-8	Event Nerdz Rewards	https://www.facebook.com/eventnerdz/	27,815	1969-12-31 18:00	Sign up	EventNerdz.com/Giveaway/Disney	IMAGE	If you earn 1000 entries, you will automatically receive one pass to the Disney park of your choice.	https://giveaway.eventnerdz.com/disney-giveaway-8	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480938547_615357944606518_805024315835870145_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HYFg7QX7sXsQ7kNvgHUqIsi&_nc_oc=AdhcHsoXgWUN4qlb9IdvNaA315hEpHeW1FGD37CR1Sdo4-Rvnqo5pudxzICNM25eCzjqFLzYayUJ_9QqyCcLdFyk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AO-Df7fZdODCtQnxynqPNtL&oh=00_AYBOuOI7UBnCH2exY7dtJeaWezRohNX0J9dzyqV-xK_52A&oe=67CC2D9C	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Event Nerdz Rewards	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,630	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:57	active	2790		Steve Kelly’s been through some serious stuff over the years, and I’m excited to share his amazing comeback story with all of you. His new album, Here’s the Thing, is out today!! It’s produced by Rob Mercurio of @galacticfunknola – and has been a decade in the making. I can’t wait for you to hear me talk to Steve about his amazing story, so click on that link in the bio now to give it a listen!!	LEARN_MORE	https://lnk.to/YPhbxZ	Roadcase Podcast	https://www.facebook.com/100063488603587/	164	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	lnk.to	VIDEO		https://lnk.to/YPhbxZ	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481021038_606599042359768_8939667502495942191_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyA-vGmpK4Q7kNvgGUIx7J&_nc_oc=AdjNv0FR7yOCLIGQZZdyNefiy9km4taZfzhgZNPY17X1Y1TaZC-ifHrXrRqpoOEn4quxQ9admq00gNY1NRME72MN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX-Y-6-OYtYd6dcTeOggHY0&oh=00_AYATB4iJfJ0lx34yO0OBFpFIXtbngD_Dnme7EqeMQOmMmQ&oe=67CC2AF7	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Roadcase Podcast	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,220	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:28	active	2789	A Champion For All Americans 🏅	In Lakota culture, someone who achieves great success has a ‘giveaway’ to those who helped him achieve his goal. Olympic athlete Billy Mills did just that when he founded Running Strong. 🏃🏽	LEARN_MORE	https://indianyouth.org/who-we-are/billy-mills/?ut	Running Strong for American Indian Youth	https://www.facebook.com/RunningStrongforAmericanIndianYouth/	30,499	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	indianyouth.org	VIDEO		https://indianyouth.org/who-we-are/billy-mills/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=traffic	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460585046_3836647629899289_3528379429203537293_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qZQg-KxGbb0Q7kNvgE1daZE&_nc_oc=AdgW4jIT6qo3iSTDDx-s6B6W5ZiUpRWVfb-wQBcYPTm3lLJA4JytFThN0GUAvGgfbHgv6faSDp0vkCUtrwUv1QGm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AL3l5H920gwltFT8atCiIHq&oh=00_AYBi2cL2apySLDMe5DPD1MMhaQlJ2TL4Ed7nOBc8pNcDhQ&oe=67CC2D5A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Running Strong for American Indian Youth	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,099	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768212}'	No	2025-03-03 19:10	active	2791	😍Read the next chapters👉	[Mrs. Gardner, are you sure you want to hire our team to stage a fire and fake your death in ten days?] Camellia Shaw paused for a moment. Just as she was about to reply to the message, a video call suddenly popped up. "Camellia, look! Andres is spending a fortune on you again!" The video was of an auction in progress. At the front, a man of striking elegance and charm was decisively bidding on several antique collectibles worth hundreds of millions. The crowd was already abuzz with excitement. "Mr. Gardner is so good to his wife! He bought all these antiques just to make her smile!" "$400 million is nothing! I heard Mr. Gardner even built her a private estate and named it Eterna Haven. Just the name alone is proof of how much he loves her." A wealthy businessman nearby sneered. "It's all for show. Who knows what he's really like behind closed doors?" That comment immediately sparked a wave of backlash. Many argued back, talking about how devoted Andres Gardner was to his wife. "If anyone in our circle could make me believe in love, it would be those two." "Mr. Gardner had risen to fame as a genius young painter, but it was his masterpiece, 'Beyond the Ordinary,' that made him a household name. "He once said his wife was his muse and source of inspiration. You can see his affection for her in every stroke and in every shadow of his paintings." As she listened to their murmurs, Camellia forced a bitter smile. She and Andres had entered an arranged marriage to merge their powerful families, meeting for the first time at the county clerk's office. Her family had never given her much love, so she assumed her marriage would be just as emotionless. However, Andres unexpectedly showered her with a special kind of affection. He remembered her peanut allergy and lactose intolerance, and he always prepared exquisite, expensive gifts for her birthday. Her heart softened over time. She even took him to visit her late mother's grave. Andres had solemnly vowed in front of the gravestone, "Mom, I swear that if I ever betray Cam, may I lose the one I love the most." Camellia laughed bitterly to herself. When did things start to change? Perhaps it was when she learned about his first love, who had passed away long ago, and found out he had taken in her younger sister to care for her. Maybe it was the day Valentina Dawson returned from abroad, throwing herself into his arms with a familiar intimacy he did not even try to refuse. Perhaps it was the faint lipstick stains on his shirt and the barely visible bite marks on his collarbone... That was when Camellia could no longer lie to herself. "Mr. Gardner, can you tell us if these are birthday gifts for Mrs. Gardner?" The question from the video snapped her back to the present. Andres' clear and steady voice rang out from the phone, "No, these are just small trinkets. I've prepared something far better for her birthday." This response drew envious gasps from the wealthy socialites watching. As Camellia prepared to end the call, she caught fragments of teasing voices in the background. "Andres, are you really planning to throw a grand wedding for Camellia in ten days?" "Of course. Anything to do with Camellia is a top priority. Make sure it's perfect!" "Understood. So… should we invite her to Val's celebration tomorrow night?" "No need. Don't let her find out." After that, Camellia could not hear anything else that Andres said. She hung up the call, staring at the message asking for her final decision. Slowly but firmly, she typed out her reply. [I'm sure.] Chapter 2 Not long after, Andres rushed home, looking travel-worn. Camellia wobbled slightly when she stood up—perhaps because she had not eaten all day—but Andres firmly caught her. "You didn't eat properly again today, did you?" he asked, his eyes full of concern as he gently scooped her into his arms. As they drew close, the sweet, cloying scent of fruit filled the air. Camellia never used perfume, so it was obvious who the scent belonged to. "What are you thinking, baby?" Andres teased while tapping her nose affectionately. Camellia's sharp eyes caught a faint red lipstick stain on his finger. On the second day of their marriage, Andres had secretly tattooed a camellia on his ring finger. He had told her that the ring finger had a blood vessel that led directly to the heart. This was a symbol of their shared bond and how she would always be connected to his heart, but that spot now bore a mark that did not belong to her. A dull pain rose in her chest. It was heavy and piercing, like a sharp blade chiseling away bit by bit. "Are you starving yourself so much you've lost your braincells?" Andres joked, kissing her forehead lightly before asking Eva Longford to serve the food that had been kept warm for dinner. Andres used to cook for her himself every day. However, some time into their marriage, his work grew busier, and the task naturally passed to the housekeeper. "Let me join you for dinner, okay? Skipping meals can really mess up your stomach," he said while carefully setting her down on a dining chair and placing the utensils by her hand. Then, he washed his hands and began peeling apples for her. "Okay," Camellia murmured, swallowing the bitterness in her heart and eating the food he placed on her plate in small bites. They had not been eating for long when Andres' phone began ringing incessantly. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned slightly before wiping his hands and stepping aside to take the call. When he returned, his expression was frantic. "Cam, something came up at the studio. I have to go handle it. Don't wait up for me tonight. You should go to bed early." He grabbed the antiques he had bought earlier. He promised to get her something even better another day and left in a rush. Once the meal was completely cold, Camellia finally stood up and went upstairs. As soon as she lay down, she scrolled through Valentina's latest post on social media. [I only had a low fever, but my boyfriend insisted on taking care of me. He even made me a table full of delicious food. Do you know how special a meal made for you by a loved one is?] The accompanying picture showed a close-up of a man in an apron cutting vegetables. As a rising name in the art world, Valentina had tens of thousands of followers on her account. The post caused a stir among her fans. [So this is the senior of hers with a nine-figure insurance policy on his right hand that Val mentioned!] [Where can I find a man like this? Can the government issue one to everyone, please?] Camellia stared at the hands in the photo and thought of Andres' promises. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart, leaving it shattered and unrecognizable. [That's nothing! Our Mr. Gardner is the gold standard for a devoted husband!] Someone had uploaded a video of the auction from earlier that day, and the buzz quickly overtook Valentina's post. [Damn, he really spoils his wife! $400 million! That's enough to buy my entire life hundreds of times over!] [Oh my God! Has anyone not been overwhelmed by Mr. Gardner's love for his wife yet? When his wife had a car accident and was scared, he risked his life to make sure he was the first person she saw when she woke up!] [Mr. Gardner is like a saint in our elite circle. He still wears the rosary beads Camellia gave him, perfectly polished from years of use. He never takes them off!] Valentina's fans went quiet under the video. Compared to Andres' public displays of devotion, a single meal could not measure up. However, a newly-registered user suddenly posted three photos. One showed the transfer of ownership for an Aurelia winery, another depicted a necklace worth $200 million called ‘The Heart of the Ocean’, and the last featured Valentina holding car keys while sitting on the hood of a Ferrari. The user captioned it: [If someone else has it, our Val can't be without it.] Fans exploded in praise, calling her senior powerful and declaring him on par with Andres. Just then, a text message from an unsaved number came through to Camellia's phone. "You absolutely can't miss the celebration my senior is throwing for me tomorrow night!" Though she did not say anything, Camellia could almost hear Valentina's smugness. The message ended with the address of the venue. 742, Ocean Middle Road, Camellia Street. It was the restaurant where Camellia and Andres had their first meal together. He had promised her it would always remain closed to the public, so it would belong only to the two of them. Camellia stared at the address until her eyes stung. Her hand slipped, and the phone dropped onto her face. The sharp pain from the impact pushed her over the edge, and the tears she had been holding back spilled silently into the darkness. Chapter 3 Andres did not return home all night. Camellia ended up sitting alone in the empty living room, waiting from early morning until noon. Her phone buzzed with a social media notification. [Renowned artist Andres Gardner stands in support of his junior. What a deep camaraderie between peers!] Camellia let out a bitter laugh. Of course he did. She stopped waiting and went alone to visit her mother's grave. She bought a bouquet of lisianthus on her way over. At the cemetery, she carefully cleaned her mother's tombstone, placed the flowers in front of it, and leaned gently against the stone. It was as if she was trying to feel the warmth of her mother's embrace. Andres returned home late at night. Just as he was about to ask why Camellia had not gone to bed yet, he noticed a bundle of lisianthus peeking out of her bag. It suddenly hit him that today was her mother's death anniversary. Panic flashed across his face. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I've been so busy today that I completely forgot. It's all my fault," he stammered, cupping her face and instinctively stroking the beauty mark at the corner of her eye. Camellia noticed the faint trace of a lipstick mark on his hairline just behind his ear. She gently pushed him away, her voice calm as she said, "It's fine." Trying to ease the tension, Andres suggested, "How about we have an artist paint a portrait of us tomorrow? Once it's done, we can take a photo with it and place it at your mother's grave to give her peace of mind." Camellia wanted to refuse, but Andres was insistent, so she reluctantly agreed. The next morning at ten, the artist he had arranged for arrived. "Nice to meet you, Cam. I'm Valentina Dawson, Andres'… junior." Seeing Valentina, Andres' face betrayed a flicker of unease. Clearly, she was not the artist he had called. "Mr. Wilson had something come up, so I'm filling in for him," Valentina explained, her gaze sweeping over Camellia with a faint, inscrutable smile. "Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like my sister, Cam?" she asked. "My sister had a beauty mark in the exact same spot as yours. The only difference is that hers was real, while yours… is drawn on." The room fell silent. Andres' expression darkened as he snapped, "Val, that's enough. "No one is more important to me than Camellia," he said firmly. Valentina blinked in surprise, then playfully stuck out her tongue at him. "Alright. I was just joking." She hooked one arm around Camellia's and led her toward the studio. With her other hand, she reached behind, tracing lazy circles on Andres' palm. Her gaze was sultry and inviting. "Andres, you're standing all wrong," she complained moments after starting the painting. Setting her brush down, she stood up and walked over to him. She caressed his face with one hand while the other trailed down his chest. Her fingers brushed over his Adam's apple, then came to rest on his shoulder. Leaning in close, she breathed warm air into his ear. "Why so tense, Andres?" His eyes darkened instantly. Camellia caught a glimpse of their interaction from the corner of her eye. Pain stabbed through her chest, and she forced herself to look away. Barely a few minutes later, Valentina suggested that Camellia's pose was not intimate enough. "Let me show you how it's done, Cam," she said with a sly smile. She pushed Camellia aside and tugged Andres forward by his tie. Her full figure pressed against his chest as her thumb brushed deliberately over the corner of his lips. Finally, she left a bold kiss on his mouth. Turning to Camellia, she tilted her head with a brazen expression. "Do you get it now, Cam?" When he saw Camellia's reaction, Andres quickly explained, "In the art world, we're a bit more… uninhibited." Camellia said nothing, merely clenching her trembling hands to keep herself composed. She excused herself to the bathroom, needing to escape. When she returned, muffled sounds from inside the room made her stop in her tracks. "Andres, no… You're going to ruin me," a woman's voice purred breathlessly. As she peeked inside, Camellia saw Valentina with one leg wrapped around Andres' lean waist. Her back was pressed against the windowsill, and she was moving in rhythm with him. Andres' eyes burned with passion as he kissed her fiercely. "You came all the way to my house! Wasn't this what you wanted?" he growled. Chapter 4 Camellia collapsed at the doorway of the studio, tears streaming down her face. She thought she was strong enough to endure anything, but witnessing this scene shattered her heart. She did not know how much time passed before she heard the rustling sound of clothes being put on from inside the room. Andres came to the bathroom looking for her and froze when he saw her red, swollen eyes. "Baby, why are you crying?" he asked. Camellia shook her head. "It's nothing. I accidentally got soap in my eyes." He let out a sigh of relief and playfully pinched her cheek. "You're still such a little troublemaker," he teased. When the painting was nearly finished, Andres was called away by his agent. With him gone, Valentina dropped the act entirely. "I know you saw it, Cam. Well, what can you do about it? Andres seems to love me more than you." She unbuttoned her shirt, revealing bruises on her skin. "When's the last time you were with him? Was it as passionate as just now? Can you even satisfy him?" Valentina stepped closer, her gaze condescending. She seemed to relish the idea of seeing Camellia break down, and she looked was expecting pain or hysteria. However, Camellia's expression remained calm and even unreadable. Underneath, her heart was shattered into countless pieces, leaving her barely able to breathe. After Valentina left, Camellia wandered aimlessly back to the studio. She suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to look at the paintings. Without turning on the light, she stumbled up to the third floor. She ended up twisting her ankle in the dark. Even so, the sharp pain from her ankle was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. Every painting that was celebrated by the public as symbols of her and Andre’s ‘perfect love’ now stared back at her. Each prominently featured the beauty mark that now felt like a mocking lie. Camellia pulled a craft knife from the penholder and slashed through the beauty marks in each painting one by one. With every cut, she severed another piece of the beautiful memories she once shared with Andres. When Andres returned home, Camellia had already freshened up and was lying in bed, ready to sleep. He barged into the bedroom, carrying a keyboard from his study in one hand and takeout from her favorite restaurant in the other. Without hesitation, he dropped the keyboard onto the floor, knelt on it, and faced her. "Honey, I know what happened today upset you. I've already reprimanded Val," he said earnestly. "I only think of her as a younger sister. She's still immature and doesn't know any better. As for her sister… That ended a long time ago. Besides, she's not even here anymore. "If you don't like it, I swear I won't see her again. But no matter how angry you are, please don't ruin your health by skipping meals…" The man who had been utterly consumed with Valentina earlier that day was now kneeling humbly before her, his tone desperate and full of affection. It was as if he could not live without her. For a moment, Camellia could not tell which version of Andres was real. If he loved her so much, how could he forget the vows he once made? If he loved her so much, why did he betray her? As Andres passed a dish toward her, he accidentally creased a page in the book lying on the bedside table. Camellia glanced over, and he casually smoothed it out and closed the book. "I fixed it. Now, eat," he said with a smile. The familiar aroma of the dish wafted from the bowl. Camellia took a few bites before saying, "But once a page is creased, it can never be perfectly smooth again." Andres, who was already sensitive about the day, tensed at her words. He knew it carried a deeper meaning. "Then I'll buy a new book. It'll be as good as new," he said, his bright eyes fixed on her. It was like his entire world revolved around her. "I'd pluck the stars from the sky for you if you asked." Camellia stayed silent, swallowing the words she wanted to say. Even if he had bought a new one, it would only be a replacement—it would no longer be the same book. She understood this truth, and he should have understood it even more. The two spent the night in silence. Over the next few days, perhaps out of guilt, Andres canceled all his work and stayed glued to Camellia's side. One day, he accompanied her to restore artifacts, buying a few antique treasures worth millions. The next day, he took her shopping and bought her an entire collection of the season's limited-edition items. The day after, he somehow got his hands on a pink Rolls-Royce Cullinan, parking it dramatically at the entrance of Eterna Haven in the city center as a grand gesture of love. This display led to a wave of online ridicule, with netizens mocking Andres' for being wrapped around his wife’s finger. Andres posted a self-deprecating tweet with a picture of himself kneeling on a keyboard. [I made my wife mad. How do I fix this if nothing works?] Only then did people realize Andres' predicament, with many pleading for Camellia to forgive him. With two days left until Camellia's birthday, she still had things to take care of. Seeing Andres' desperate efforts, she decided to go along with it and let the matter drop. Andres was overjoyed, lifting her in his arms and spinning her around several times. "Baby, I love you more than anything in this life! You’re my only love!" On the way to dinner, Andres received several phone calls. The number flashing on the screen was one Camellia knew well—Valentina's. He declined the calls four times before finally receiving a message. When he opened it, a single glance made his expression falter. "Baby, my agent says there's an issue with the new painting contract. I need to handle it right away," Andres said apologetically. Camellia did not call out his lie and let him leave. She then bought a baseball cap and mask from a roadside shop and hailed a car to follow him. She trailed him into a mall and all the way to her once-favorite bridal boutique. The dressing room curtain opened, and there stood Valentina, radiant in the wedding dress Camellia had loved most. "Do I look beautiful, Andres?" Valentina asked. She reached out, her hand sliding from Andres' shoulder, tracing his Adam's apple, and stopping just shy of his lips in a teasing caress. Andres' eyes darkened. He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. Both of them were breathless by the time they pulled apart. Valentina curled into Andres' chest, tracing lazy circles on it with her finger. "Andres, if Cam finds out I wore this dress first, she'll probably lose it," she murmured. Andres' breathing grew heavier as he pulled her into the dressing room and drew the curtain shut. "She won't know. I owe you a wedding, and it's my fault you've been wronged," he replied. "Today, you're my most beautiful bride." With those words, the sound of running water filled the dressing room, accompanied by intimate whispers. Chapter 5 Camellia stood in a distant corner, watching through the gap in the dressing room curtains as Valentina and Andres’ entwined figures moved. Her heart twisted in unbearable pain. Her stomach churned violently, and she could not suppress the urge to dry heave. Her entire body was now convulsing uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her face, draining all her strength. She collapsed onto the floor, feeling utterly spent. As she turned to leave, she did not get to see the satisfied smile on Valentina's face inside the dressing room. Back home, the oppressive silence was suffocating. Camellia turned on the television, flipping to a random channel. It was broadcasting a segment on Andres' latest art exhibition. The painting featured a girl in a bright yellow dress running freely through a field. The commentators remarked on how drastically different this piece was from Andres' earlier works. It no longer exuded a soft, reserved gentleness but instead brimmed with vitality and energy. Though the girl's face was not visible, her back displayed the painter's tenderness and love for her. One critic observed sharply, "Even the strands of her flying hair are perfect, like the wind itself favors her." Online, viewers joked about Andres' newfound spark, saying his marriage with Camellia must have entered a second spring. Only Camellia knew the truth. That was not her. It was Valentina, or perhaps it was Nelina Dawson, the woman from his dreams. Taking a deep breath, she tried to suppress the ache in her chest and called her best friend, Penelope Hall. While waiting for Penelope's arrival, Camellia began sorting through the gifts Andres had given her over the years. In the first year of their marriage, he noticed her concerns and gave her a diamond bangle. "I've locked you in for this lifetime. You belong to me now, so don't even think about leaving," he had said. In their second year, he noticed how much she missed her mother and folded her a jar of wishing stars. "When you miss your mom, open one. No matter where I am or what time it is, I'll come back to make your wish come true. This life might be long, but I'll always be here with you." Camellia began unwrapping the stars one by one. [Plant a little tree.] [Adopt a corgi.] [Grow old together.] … She picked up her phone, snapped a picture of one of the stars, and sent it to Andres. Her phone screen remained dark. There was no response from him. Half an hour later, a package arrived. It was the painting Valentina had made for them that day. However, instead of depicting the two of them sitting side by side, the image showed two entangled figures of Andres and Valentina in bed. Something cold slid down Camellia's cheek. She raised her hand to wipe it away and realized her face was already soaked with tears. In a daze, she placed the painting with all of Andres' other works in the studio. Then, she gathered every gift he had ever given her into a box, carried it into the yard, and set it ablaze. Later, Penelope would recall the moment she saw Camellia that day. She felt as if Camellia was on the verge of breaking into pieces. Penelope walked over and held her close without saying a word, letting Camellia lean on her silently. After a long while, once Camellia calmed down, she made another request. "Help me arrange a funeral. But Andres must not attend it. Only then, reveal the truth about my 'death' to him." Camellia handed Penelope an envelope containing evidence of Valentina's relentless provocations over the past few months. Penelope glanced through it and nodded firmly while suppressing her anger. Once everything was set, it was already late at night. That day, Andres quietly slipped into the house at 2 a.m. Seeing Camellia still awake did not surprise him. He approached her like a child with a prize, his eyes brimming with excitement. "I knew you'd still be up. I was too busy earlier to check my messages, but look—I'm here to make your wish come true!" He moved the small tea table by the window to the bed, fetched two bowls, and divided the seafood boil he had brought home into portions. The wish on the paper star Camellia had sent to Andres earlier in the day was to eat her favorite food with him. For some reason, Camellia's mind wandered back to the first time they went to that seafood restaurant together. It might have been Andres' first time eating at a small roadside restaurant. Before eating, he had wiped the oily table repeatedly with napkins and was clearly uncomfortable. However, he smiled at her with mock innocence when she looked his way, almost playfully. "Cam, feed me," he had said. "I'll try anything if it makes you happy." "Andres." Camellia fixed her gaze on his face. "If you could do it all over again, would you still choose this?" Andres did not think much of her question and assumed she was feeling insecure again. He gently stroked her dark hair and answered with certainty. "I would. I'd make the same choices every time. "I'd love you, spoil you, and stay devoted to you for the rest of my life." Chapter 6 The following day, Andres did not leave the house early like he usually did. He squeezed toothpaste onto Camellia's toothbrush and stood by, watching as she finished washing her face. "It's extremely windy today. We can't let it ruin my baby's delicate little face," he said with playful affection. Then, he told her he had a big surprise planned for the next day with an air of mystery. Before he could finish explaining, Cohen Palmer called a few times, saying there was an issue he could not resolve and needed Andres to come immediately. Andres gave Camellia an apologetic glance, and when she reassured him that she understood, he left. Once he was gone, Camellia contacted the team she had hired to confirm every detail for the next day. Then, she drove to Eterna Haven. She had not visited in several days, and everything felt unfamiliar. She called the Saltsburg Museum, and the curator arrived in person an hour later. "Cam, are you sure you want to donate all of this to the country for free?" The curator, Felix Cross, was a fellow apprentice of her mentor. Camellia nodded without hesitation. "You can tell me if you're facing any difficulties. Don't try to handle it all on your own," he said with concern. Camellia remained silent, her gaze fixed on the goddess statue in the center of the room. With its head bowed and its elegant, serene posture, the statue seemed to smile compassionately. Covered in moss and denied the light of day, it exuded a quiet sorrow toward the world. Camellia was leaving, but these artifacts should not be buried with her. "It's nothing, Felix. Don't worry about me," she said softly. Seeing her unwillingness to elaborate, Felix did not press further. After instructing his assistants to carefully transport the artifacts, he patted her shoulder before leaving. "Take care of yourself," he said as he departed. Once again, she was alone. The once vibrant Eterna Haven now felt hollow and empty. Her phone buzzed with a notification. It was about Valentina's online book signing event for her new illustration collection. The clickbaity title read: [The Beautiful Artist Who Once Had a Miscarriage for Love.] Camellia's fingers moved almost involuntarily to click on the link. The video cut to Valentina showing a scar on her abdomen. "Back then, he said I was too young, and the pregnancy was on the risky side. Out of concern for me, he stayed by my side for the procedure," Valentina said with a blissful expression. "It must have been about three years ago when he went to Faren to further his studies… "He even picked out a name for our lost baby—Cale. He said he hoped she'd return to us one day and live a life full of brilliance and light…" Camellia's phone slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor. The screen shattered, forming a spider web of cracks. Cale? That was the nickname Andres had given their child after their first night together. He had held her tenderly afterward, murmuring the name as if it were a promise. Him and Valentina… had a child… Not to mention that it was three years ago. It had not just been going on for the past three months. Andres had lied to her for three entire years. Suddenly, Valentina was pulled into the frame as someone's arm draped around her shoulders. The sound of kissing filled the audio feed. When she reappeared on screen, her lips were swollen, and her cheeks were flushed pink. She giggled, saying her boyfriend was jealous and insisted they should ‘work harder’ to bring Cale back soon. Her fans erupted in excitement, flooding the chat with playful teasing, though their blessings were genuine. The illustration book sold well, as though it was part of their celebratory gift. Camellia did not know when the signing event ended. The last rays of sunlight disappeared from the room, leaving behind a suffocating darkness. It felt like a giant beast was ready to devour her. She simply sat motionless in her chair with the lights off. Suddenly, her phone screen lit up and became blindingly bright. It was a video message from Valentina, accompanied by a single line. "I told you I'd have you under my feet one day." The video showed two intertwined, bare legs. Camellia was about to delete it when something caught her eye—the rosary beads she had once given Andres. She had it blessed for him, but now they were wrapped around Valentina's ankle. The beads that were slightly large for her looped around her ankle twice. The excess length dangled, with a few beads pressed under Valentina's toe. "They're just rosary beads. If you want them, they're yours," Andres' voice in the video sounded indifferent and dismissive. Camellia's mind flashed back to the day Andres received the beads. "Cam, I'll always keep these with me, even in death," he had promised. The color drained from Camellia's face. She wanted to cry and let out all the pain, but no tears came. The light in her eyes had faded completely. Late at night, as the world slept, no one noticed when Eterna Haven went up in roaring flames. Andres was up early the next morning, preparing for the day. He had just arrived at Quaint Hotel and finished tidying up when Cohen burst in, pale and clutching at his phone. "Andres! Something terrible has happened!" Before Cohen could continue, Andres' phone rang. He held up a finger to silence him and answered the call. As he listened, his gaze shifted to Cohen's phone, where an image stopped him cold. The once-familiar pink Cullinan was now charred black, surrounded by the smoldering remains of Eterna Haven. Smoke billowed from the scene, and a stretcher held a body covered by a white sheet nearby. The voice on the phone interrupted his thoughts. "Hello, is this Mr. Andres Gardner? This is the Saltsburg Police Department. We regret to inform you of a tragic incident. "The property under your wife's name, Eterna Haven, caught fire last night. Unfortunately, your wife did not survive. Our condolences."	LEARN_MORE	https://www.qknymufd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.qknymufd.com	VIDEO		https://www.qknymufd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18306&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477212519_1806182883462406_7842554119781810358_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0V2-SDGLEYQQ7kNvgFSImPB&_nc_oc=AdhkUFm-4Ld9dNQlPNDFGFb6mH8r9Lzi1v9NpQjbN54J7CQGQx8dZz_EQ6wuYKRsrGy4wvRodPwjNHSTV5JxJtVW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AliTxMIkm2fpgE_S1c5xO8j&oh=00_AYB7m0PtF-3CvLtcfrXtthnkJDa9b43lnVurekVhUz0CZw&oe=67CC17B2	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,607	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768596}'	Yes	2025-03-03 19:11	active	2791	🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉	Deidre watched them all—the righteous fury on her father's face, the manufactured concern in her stepmother's eyes, and the unbridled hatred radiating from Valerie. Her chest tightened, the ache so deep it numbed her. Valerie broke through the cacophony with a scream, her voice shrill with rage. "Yes! I did it! I made you drunk that night and sent you to that hotel! And those photos on the screen—I had those taken! You think you deserve to marry into wealth? You're nothing! A crow pretending to be a phoenix—know your place!" Vincent had been spewing curses at Deidre just moments ago, but upon hearing Valerie's confession, his lips pressed into a rare, tight line. He said nothing. Deidre let out a derisive laugh, her gaze shifting from Valerie to settle on her father. "You heard her, didn't you? You know now who orchestrated today's wedding fiasco. Weren't you so eager to beat me to death earlier? Why aren't you laying a hand on Valerie now?" Vincent remained still, his brows furrowing deeper as he finally spoke. "She's your sister. Watch your tone." "And when she humiliated me in front of an entire banquet hall, did she ever stop to think that I was her sister?" Deidre's voice cracked as she shouted, her anger no longer contained. "She's your daughter. Am I not your daughter, too?" "You're the older one. You should let her have her way," Vincent said, as if his words were carved in stone. "Yes, that's always your answer. Whenever there's a conflict between me and Valerie, you tell me I'm the older one, so I have to give in to her," Deidre said quietly now, her tone steeped in irony. She stood a few steps away, staring at the four people before her, her eyes cold, filled with disdain. Her mother had passed away before she was old enough to form memories. Not long after, Vincent had remarried, bringing Kiera into their home. With her came Valerie and Johnny. In the suffocating silence that followed, Deidre let out a bitter laugh. "I'm just an outsider, aren't I? You're the real family here." Her words pierced through the thin veneer of harmony that had barely held their household together. It shattered like glass. "What kind of look is that? Don't forget, I'm your father!" Vincent barked, enraged by the unmasked contempt in Deidre's eyes. "Following the passing of your mother, you ate my food, wore the clothes I bought. Did you call yourself an outsider then? Don't think earning a scholarship every year makes you someone special. If you're so capable, get out of this house right now and see how far you get without my support! Starve for all I care—just don't come crawling back!" Kiera's eyes gleamed at his words, though her tone remained measured, even gentle. "Why say such harsh things? Deidre is only twenty, and she's still in university. You can't talk to a child like that." Turning to Deidre, she added with a hypocritical kindness, "Deidre, don't take your father's words to heart. Apologize and make peace." "Fine," Deidre replied curtly. Her compliance startled Kiera, who hesitated, unsure what to make of it. This girl had never shown her any respect before, and now, all of a sudden, she was so obedient? The thought didn't sit well. If Deidre were truly driven out of the house, Kiera would no longer have to keep up the facade of a benevolent stepmother. Yet, despite herself, she felt unsettled, as if she had just swallowed a fly. Vincent was equally taken aback by his daughter's uncharacteristic acquiescence. He paused, his expression softening slightly. Clearing his throat, he assumed a more commanding tone. "The matter with the photos at the wedding—Valerie is still young and made a mistake. You've already hit her. Let's put it behind us. If you've done nothing to wrong the Landon family, find a time to clear things up and reschedule the wedding." Running a construction materials company, Vincent's business had been thriving, especially with the Landon family connection. A marriage alliance with the Landons would secure even greater opportunities. Naturally, he hoped Deidre would still marry into that family. The thought of returning the Landon family's generous bride price gnawed at him. That money alone had already covered the cost of raising Deidre for twenty years, and then some. It could ever cover her living costs for another forty years. The idea of losing it was unbearable. "You were engaged to Micah a year ago," he continued, his voice laced with warning. "You've been a part of the Landon family ever since. If they decide they don't want you after this mess, don't think anyone else will have you." "Reschedule the wedding?" Deidre repeated, as though the suggestion was the most absurd thing she'd ever heard. She began to laugh—a deep, bitter laugh that only grew louder, carrying with it a sadness so profound it filled the room. This was her father. A man so blinded by favoritism, he had lost all sense of reason. "What are you laughing at?" Vincent snapped, his brows knitting together tightly. "I'd rather never get married in this lifetime than marry Micah. Never!" Deidre stopped laughing, her face freezing over, her voice sharp: "I think you've misunderstood something. When I said 'fine,' I meant I'll leave this house, and you can all go ahead and live your happy little lives." Since middle school, Deidre had been a boarding student, and the bond between her and her father, Vincent, had always been tenuous. The estrangement between them was as thin as the paper separating two worlds. In a blended family, when there are children from previous marriages, someone always ends up hurt. Vincent's fatherly love had been doled out almost entirely to his other children, Valerie and Johnny, leaving only the scraps for her. It was like charity, barely a gesture. Now, standing on the edge of her limits, she had had enough. Absolutely enough. "Fine! Fine then!" Vincent, enraged, his face contorted, pointed toward the door and bellowed, "I'll cut ties with you today! Get out! Get out of this house—now!" "Don't worry, I'm leaving." The deepest sorrow wasn't in the confrontation itself but in the stillness that followed it. Deidre had imagined this moment countless times, but now that it was happening, she felt a strange tranquility—almost a sense of release. Like her presence in this house had always been superfluous, an eyesore. She should have left long ago. Calmly, Deidre turned and went upstairs to her room to pack her things. Kiera, thrilled on the inside, masked her joy with an expression of feigned concern and helplessness. She muttered, "Don't be so upset. Why argue with a twenty-year-old? I'll go check on her." When Valerie heard Deidre's words, the sting of the slap on her face lightened. A wicked smile spread across her face, and sweetly, she said, "Dad, you still have me. I'll be a good daughter from now on." Vincent had been angry with Valerie earlier, but seeing her with that slap mark on her face, now with her pitiful, submissive expression, all the anger drained away. His tone softened as he looked at her, a far cry from the venomous words he had thrown at Deidre. He spoke gently, as a father would to a daughter he cherished, his voice full of indulgence. "Yes, having you is enough, my dear." Johnny watched Deidre walk up the stairs, his face contorted with disdain and contempt. This burden had been long overdue to leave. Upstairs, Deidre entered her room, changed out of the wedding dress, and began packing her suitcase. She heard footsteps stop at the door. Turning, she saw Kiera leaning against the doorframe, a smile plastered on her face. It was clear to Deidre that Kiera's smile was full of unmasked triumph, as if her goal had been achieved. "You don't need to stand there. Don't worry, I won't take anything valuable." Kiera chuckled lightly. "What valuable things could you even have in this room? Compared to Valerie's, yours is barely furnished. Take whatever you want—it's all just the last little bit of charity our family has given you." Deidre eyed Kiera for a moment, then silently walked past her and slammed the door shut. Kiera raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the gesture. Her mood was too good to argue with the brat now. She turned, adopting a concerned expression, and went downstairs. Inside the room, Deidre slid down to the floor, leaning against the door, her eyes closed, her face etched with sorrow. From this moment on, she would be alone. She was only twenty, but why did it feel as though she had already lived an entire life? She didn't want to stay in Salve City anymore. She needed to leave, to disappear far away. But now, she had no money. Where could she go? Would she ask Vincent for money? She had to keep living, to prove to everyone who had mocked her that one day, she would slap their faces with her achievements.	LEARN_MORE	https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17042&ut	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	beokn.com	IMAGE		https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17042&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/474617433_1536151720430173_1549015924603353540_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9MzLxS6brUIQ7kNvgGRol55&_nc_oc=AdhGpT0CCjWAZGcsZmtF7UHONiL79JcdKMjMY7K53OIbwPUIDKSrKrRUaSFHxkTiO4FgfIKQDarmhhOvNJqTUM5_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AuCRxuqZL9PBjtr9CnWToab&oh=00_AYBEZ9iGXiBhQf5qaKZZfxEZvnRRjzaqSsg3yWdFPz_IlQ&oe=67CC17AE	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,816	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767807}'	Yes	2025-03-03 19:09	active	2791	Overcome Procrastination Naturally	Overcoming procrastination doesn’t have to be hard! Created by a team of psychologists and behavioral change experts, Brainway is designed to: 1️⃣ Identify your unique “Procrastination Type” 2️⃣ Reveal the unique “Trigger Point” that makes you procrastinate 3️⃣ Provide personalized, simple, and effective strategies to help you stop putting things off 🏆 And let you join thousands of people enjoying 100% stress-free productivity with Brainway! 🔥 Take a short quiz and see how Brainway can help you break free from procrastination & embrace your natural productivity today!👇	LEARN_MORE	https://brainway.app/start?qz=pro1&locale=EN_US	Brainway App	https://www.facebook.com/61551442591062/	23,451	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	brainway.app	VIDEO		https://brainway.app/start?qz=pro1&locale=EN_US	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465681421_1551950952870834_4482608007002315807_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B9Yg_edfY4cQ7kNvgFbTFmG&_nc_oc=AdgvBY0vwWiBCtRTonToEuABrTcKOidg174c-dMi6Aq4VWUGTZhoGBaVm4diIViOnGC3aR9048HdfyAf3kvITd6B&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AGua_hY8R1VIJMRW-AALcMY&oh=00_AYAByi6qeOU-GcJrDflGgsL3g3syGGDh-x7oS2KNYPmM9g&oe=67CC2266	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Brainway App	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,455	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	Читать следующую главу👉	Когда он наконец вспомнил о девушке, которая всегда ждала его дома, она вдруг подала на развод. Глядя на подписанные документы о разводе, он был уверен, что она пожалеет. Однако после развода она становится популярной. Увидев её, он умолял о повторном браке! ===== «Спасены! Они спасены!» Из тлеющего пекла появились пожарные, вынося Карину Савельеву в безопасное место у обочины дороги. Её черты лица, обычно утончённые и выразительные, теперь были измазаны сажей; её искрящиеся глаза потускнели, превратившись в пустой, потерянный взгляд. Когда сознание прояснилось, Карина ощутила, как волна благодарности затопила её обычное самообладание. Её голос, хриплый и слабый, произнёс глубокое «спасибо» спасителям. Дрожащими руками она нащупала телефон, её пальцы задрожали ещё сильнее, когда она набрала знакомый номер. «Абонент, которого вы пытаетесь вызвать, временно недоступен. Пожалуйста, перезвоните позже...» После нескольких гудков раздалось автоматическое сообщение, от которого к горлу подступил комок, а внутри забурлили невысказанные отчаяние и горечь. Бах! Оглушительный взрыв резко оборвал холодный механический голос в трубке. Карина вскинула голову, и на её лице отразился ужас: квартира, из которой она только что выбралась, вспыхнула огнём. Куски обломков взметнулись в воздух от силы взрыва, разлетаясь по небу. Паника охватила толпу, и только что спасённые люди кричали от ужаса. Они прижались друг к другу, ища утешения в объятиях, их крики пронзали хаотичную сцену. В резком контрасте с этим Карина лежала одна на носилках, и её одиночество казалось ещё острее на фоне всеобщего смятения. «Костя...» – борясь с подступающим к позвоночнику страхом, Карина плотно сжала губы и снова набрала номер мужа, не теряя решимости. Однако после нескольких коротких гудков звонок оборвался, оставив её в гнетущей тишине. В этот момент на экране её телефона мелькнуло уведомление из Инстаграма. Лента новостей пестрила последними сплетнями: #АннаНикулина #ЗагадочныйБойфренд. Согласно посту, продюсер известного шоу пригласил знаменитую звезду Анну Никулину на ужин, который быстро перестал быть приятным, когда она отказалась поднять бокал. Этот акт неповиновения привёл к конфликту, который прервал властный бойфренд Анны. Он ворвался в отдельный зал ресторана, пренебрежительно отмахнулся от продюсера и увёл Анну. В посте ярко описывалась сцена того, как влиятельный мужчина защищает свою возлюбленную. Впрочем, вероятно из-за его известности, на прилагающихся фотографиях была видна только его спина, сохраняя анонимность. Тем временем Анна, одетая в просторный мужской пиджак, сияла улыбкой, протягивая ему руку, когда они уходили вместе. Карина не могла оторвать глаз от экрана, её взгляд был прикован к изображению. Это был он – Константин Новиков! Пиджак, небрежно наброшенный на Анну, не оставлял сомнений. Карина слишком хорошо знала, что каждая вещь в гардеробе Константина была безупречно сшита личным портным за границей. Она до побеления костяшек сжала телефон, словно невидимая рука стиснула её душу, причиняя острую, жгучую боль. В самый отчаянный момент её жизни Константин холодно сбросил звонок, предпочтя быть рядом с Анной. Чего стоил их двухлетний брак? Слёзы, которые она пыталась сдержать, хлынули по лицу. Даже когда она запрокинула голову назад в тщетной попытке остановить их, они продолжали течь. В их кругах шептались о том, что Анна всегда была первой любовью Константина. Семья Новиковых никогда не одобряла Анну, считая её простое происхождение неподходящим. Вынужденные расстаться из-за семейного давления, именно Анна поставила точку в их отношениях, но прошлое, как оказалось, не так просто оставить позади. Константин упорно стремился занять лидирующую позицию в семье Новиковых, лелея мечту наконец-то воссоединиться с Анной. Но когда он достиг своей цели, то обнаружил, что девушка уже выбрала другого. Вопреки ожиданиям семьи и, возможно, из чувства горечи, Константин обратился к Карине – женщине, столь же не обременённой богатством и положением в обществе, – предложив ей стать госпожой Новиковой, тем самым пресекая все попытки родственников найти ему другую партию. В то время Карина испытывала сильное давление со стороны отца, Тимура Савельева, который подталкивал её к браку с плейбоем, сыном делового партнёра, чтобы оплатить огромные расходы на лечение бабушки. Движимые собственными мотивами, Константин и Карина согласились на брак по расчёту. Изначально рассчитанный всего на год, их договорной брак растянулся на более долгий срок, поддерживаемый негласным соглашением между ними. Со временем Карина начала верить в подлинность их союза, не подозревая, что это было лишь продолжением её надежд. Всего несколько минут назад пожар едва не унёс жизнь Карины. В тот критический момент она потянулась к Константину, но дважды получила отказ, пока он проводил время с Анной. Эта жестокая реальность разбила иллюзии Карины, показав, что её мнимый переход от притворства к настоящим отношениям был лишь фасадом, который поддерживали её собственные желания. Карина была даже не временной заменой в жизни Константина, а всего лишь пешкой, использованной назло его семье. После долгой паузы на глаза девушки навернулись неудержимые и пронзительные слёзы. Возможно, пришло время освободиться от оков собственных надежд и перестать обманывать себя. Глава 2 Актуальные темы Огромное количество пострадавших от пожара буквально захлестнуло больницу, заставляя и без того измотанных врачей и медсестёр из последних сил пытаться оказать помощь всем нуждающимся. Карину лишь слегка задело разлетевшейся на осколки вешалкой для одежды, оставившей на её икре глубокую рваную рану. По сравнению с царившим вокруг хаосом её травмы казались почти незначительными. В местной больнице ей удалось получить минимальную помощь – наскоро обработали и перебинтовали рану, – после чего она взяла такси и отправилась домой. Вилла «Прибрежная», записанная на имя Константина, формально являлась их супружеским гнёздышком. Одинокая жизнь давно стала привычной для Карины, поскольку мужчина почти никогда не бывал дома. Она распрощалась с экономкой, обнаружив, что вполне может обходиться заказом готовой еды, доставкой продуктов и редкими визитами приходящей уборщицы. Теперь она оказалась единственной обитательницей просторной гостиной, погрузившись в диван и рассеянно оглядывая пустое пространство. Строгий монохромный интерьер не добавлял помещению ни капли уюта. К ней подкралось леденящее душу осознание: это огромное, элегантное пространство больше напоминало колоссальный склеп, ставший безмолвной могилой для потерянных лет молодости и незаметно угасшей любви. В этом холодном, наполненном эхом доме заметил бы кто-нибудь, если бы однажды её дыхание просто остановилось? Карина устало вздохнула и, тяжело опираясь на холодную стену, с трудом начала подниматься по лестнице в свою спальню на втором этаже. Каждый шаг отдавался мучительной болью, острые уколы пронзали её от кожи до самых костей. Дом, пустой и гулкий, отражал эхом даже малейшие звуки, усиливая ощущение полного одиночества. Именно сегодня, среди этой глубокой тишины, Карина по-настоящему осознала всепоглощающую природу своего одиночества – оно стало почти осязаемым, окутывало её чувства своей текстурой и скорбным шёпотом, сжимало сердце подобно тискам, вызывая тупую, непрекращающуюся боль. Добравшись наконец до убежища своей спальни, она рухнула на кровать, воплощая собой полное физическое и душевное изнеможение. Именно в тот момент, тишину прорезал резкий телефонный звонок. «Ты звонила мне раньше. Что тебе нужно?» – голос Константина прозвучал в трубке холодно и отстранённо, как всегда. Девушка растерялась от его неожиданного звонка. Она приоткрыла губы, чтобы ответить, но слова застряли в горле, а с другого конца провода вдруг донёсся мягкий женский голос: «Костя, может, присоединишься ко мне...» От нахлынувших эмоций Карина до боли стиснула телефон, её сердце с каждой секундой колотилось всё сильнее. Не в силах сдержать нарастающую панику, она потребовала: «Кто там с тобой?» Константин не ответил на вопрос, лишь произнёс равнодушным тоном: «Если тебе что-то нужно, поговорим, когда я вернусь. Сейчас у меня неотложные дела, поэтому я вынужден закончить разговор». Он тут же оборвал связь, не дав Карине возможности что-либо сказать. Когда в ушах раздались короткие гудки, губы Карины искривились в горькой усмешке. Какой же глупой она себя чувствовала! В глубине души она прекрасно знала, каким будет его ответ, но всё равно цеплялась за надежду услышать это из его уст. С чувством горькой иронии Карина включила планшет и пролистала горячие темы дня. Один заголовок сразу бросился ей в глаза: «Известную актрису защитил от домогательств на деловом ужине её влиятельный возлюбленный». Язвительная улыбка скривила её губы. Карина слишком хорошо знала, что значит подвергаться домогательствам на подобных ужинах. Она отчётливо помнила своё первое серьёзное прослушивание после прихода в шоу-бизнес – агент привёл её на ужин с влиятельным режиссёром и продюсером драматического сериала «Вздохи Безмятежности». Будучи новичком в головокружительном мире шоу-бизнеса, Карина чувствовала себя невероятно уязвимой, не зная, как лавировать в мутных водах подобных встреч. Продюсер беззастенчиво разглядывал её, насмешливо спрашивая: «Это и есть тот новый талант, которого вы представляете? Выглядит она неплохо, но любопытно посмотреть, как справится с выивкой. Вот что я скажу: если сможешь осушить эту бтылку залпом, обеспечу тебе прослушивание на главную роль». Карина хотела отказаться, но под настойчивым давлением своего агента была вынуждена. К вечеру её спешно увезли в больницу с тяжёлым отравлением. Её агент, обеспокоенный тем, что роль может достаться кому-то другому, торопливо оплатил больничные счета и исчез. В итоге девушка провела несколько долгих дней в больничной палате в полном одиночестве. Но ещё до того, как Карину выписали, в прессе разлетелась новость о том, что главную роль во «Вздохах Безмятежности» получила Анна. Позже агент отчитал Карину за недостаток амбиций, возмущаясь: «Ты привлекательнее Анны, так почему же не можешь проявить больше настойчивости? Она просто подольстилась к господину Новикову, и ей почти не пришлось прикладывать усилий. Её окружают люди, готовые исполнить любой каприз. Я слышал, что господин Новиков лично посодействовал, чтобы она получила главную роль в этом проекте!» После выхода сериала Анна моментально стала звездой, стремительно взлетев на вершину актёрского Олимпа. С того момента Карина оставила свои актёрские амбиции и решила полностью посвятить себя поддержке мужа, Константина. В конце концов, как бы она ни старалась, ей никогда не получить тех карьерных возможностей, которые, казалось, сами падали в руки Анне благодаря случайным замечаниям Константина. Тогда Карина считала, что заняла место, предназначавшееся Анне, став госпожой Новиковой, а значит, была перед ней в долгу. Уступая Анне карьерные возможности, Карина полагала, что они рассчитаются с этим негласным долгом. Однако Карина и представить не могла, что Анна захочет получить не только желанную карьеру, но и сердце Константина. Наблюдая за тем, как расцветает профессиональная и личная жизнь Анны, Карина с болью осознала, что слишком увлеклась погоней за любовью в ущерб карьере, а теперь осталась без того и другого. Со слезами на глазах девушка понимала, что последние два года были трагической ошибкой. Получи она второй шанс, она бы не позволила себе быть такой наивной и не дала бы своему сердцу так безрассудно попасть в плен очарования Константина. «Госпожа Савостова, новый договор об авторских правах подготовлен. Пожалуйста, проверьте его на предмет возможных несоответствий». Жужжание телефона вырвало Карину из размышлений. Она посмотрела на прикреплённый к сообщению PDF-файл, и её мысли на мгновение спутались. Под псевдонимом, Екатерина Савостова, Карина когда-то сделала себе имя как подающий надежды сценарист, продав множество сценариев на заре своей карьеры. В начале пути под именем Екатерины, Карина часто продавала свои работы за бесценок, вынужденная срочно добывать наличные. Со временем эти сценарии превратились в кассовые фильмы и успешные сериалы, что вознесло репутацию Екатерины на небывалую высоту. К тому моменту Карина уже была замужем за Константином и больше не страдала от финансовых проблем, которые раньше доводили её до отчаяния, – огромные счета за лечение бабушки остались в прошлом. После разрешения финансовых трудностей жизнь Карины сосредоточилась на домашних обязанностях, поскольку она стремилась стать образцовой женой для Константина. На фоне этих перемен её псевдоним Екатерина Савостова постепенно отошёл в тень. Однако прошлое Екатерины ещё не собиралось окончательно уходить в небытие. Недавно объявился заинтересованный покупатель, готовый заплатить внушительную сумму за один из её старых сценариев. Карина, впрочем, колебалась насчёт продажи. Она высказала несколько замечаний по поводу предложенного контракта, и, к её удивлению, покупатель оказался достаточно порядочным, чтобы внести соответствующие правки. Держа в руках исправленный контракт, Карина сделала глубокий вдох, и её решимость окрепла. Её пальцы уверенно забегали по клавиатуре телефона, набирая чёткое распоряжение. «Подготовьте соглашение о разводе согласно моим условиям и обеспечьте его доставку Константину Новикову в офис Новиков Групп». Не дожидаясь ответа, она отложила телефон и, прихрамывая, направилась в ванную, причём каждый её шаг был наполнен решимостью и вновь обретённой независимостью. Глава 3 Обмен удобствами Прошло тридцать минут, прежде чем Карина наконец выбралась из ванны, поскольку её конечности были тяжёлыми и не слушались. Подняв взгляд, она замерла, увидев своё отражение в зеркале, где кожа казалась гладкой и безупречной, как тончайший фарфор, сияя естественным светом. Её глаза, глубокие омуты соблазна, искрились чарующим, мягким теплом, притягивая взгляд каждого, кто осмеливался встретиться с ней глазами. Несмотря на то, что в свои двадцать пять она приближалась к концу третьего десятка, Карина радовалась тому, что время ещё не успело оставить свой отпечаток на её безупречном лице. Определённо, женщине с такой внешностью не пристало жалеть себя. Погружённая в размышления, Карина небрежно опустила правую ногу на холодный пол, позабыв, что именно эта нога была травмирована. Плотно обёрнутая пищевой плёнкой для защиты от влаги, перетянутая конечность почти потеряла кровообращение, отчего жутко онемела. Когда её ступня коснулась пола, нога предательски скользнула вперёд. «Ах!» – вскрикнула девушка, её руки беспорядочно заметались в воздухе в отчаянной попытке найти точку опоры. В тот самый момент, когда она была на грани болезненного падения, дверь ванной распахнулась. На пороге стоял Константин, его безупречно сидящий костюм подчёркивал внушительную фигуру. Когда их взгляды встретились, он на мгновение замер, явно удивлённый, а затем быстрыми шагами преодолел разделявшее их расстояние. У Карины перехватило дыхание, когда мужчина подхватил её на руки, как невесту, неожиданно крепко обхватив за талию. Застигнутая врасплох его внезапным появлением, Карина с ужасом осознала, что совершенно обнжена. Волна смущения захлестнула её, и она инстинктивно прикрыла руками гдь. Это был их первый момент такой близости со дня свадьбы, и от неловкости её пальцы невольно поджались. Константин посмотрел на неё сверху вниз с озорной усмешкой. «Давай будем честными, ведь здесь особо не на что смотреть», – мягко поддел он её. Чувствуя себя одновременно униженной и слегка раздражённой, Карина парировала: «О, господин Новиков, после всего, что вы повидали, полагаю, вас уже ничем не удивить». Её формы третьего размера были сдержанно привлекательны, с той особой чутвенностью, которая затмевала болезненно плоское, почти угловатое телосложение Анны. Впрочем, Карина прекрасно понимала, что без любви даже самая совершенная фигура меркнет по сравнению с очарованием той, кого действительно любишь. Константин невозмутимо потянулся к висевшему за дверью халату и накинул его на неё. Его брови нахмурились при её комментарии: «О чём ты говоришь, Карина?» Какая-то мысль пришла ему в голову, и его лицо стало ещё более напряжённым. «Скажи-ка, ты отправила документы на развод посреди ночи только для того, чтобы заманить меня сюда – чтобы я застал тебя обнжённой? – в его голосе смешались недоверие и раздражение. – Я же сказал, что завален работой. Неужели нужно было устраивать весь этот спектакль?» Карину задел его обвинительный тон, вновь разжигая напряжение между ними. Он всегда так быстро терял терпение с ней. Она была не из тех, кто легкомысленно бросается такими словами, как развод или расставание. Впервые за два года брака она заговорила о разводе, но он, казалось, оставался равнодушным к её переживаниям. Он просто отмахнулся от её тревог, словно она преувеличивала из-за пустяков. Несмотря на пульсирующую боль в ноге, Карина собралась с силами и произнесла: «Поставьте меня на пол». Константин, однако, не обратил на её слова внимания, разглядывая её забинтованную ногу. Его брови слегка сдвинулись. «Что случилось с твоей ногой? Это какая-то изощрённая уловка, чтобы вернуть меня?» От этих слов Карина издала горький смешок. Похоже, он считал её просто жаждущей внимания, и, не получив его, она, вероятно, придумала историю, чтобы заманить его обратно и разыграть перед ним драму своего положения. С бесстрастным лицом она солгала: «Это косметическая процедура, которую нельзя мочить». «Почему ты вдруг решила сделать такую процедуру?» – спросил Константин будничным тоном, вынося её из ванной и не развивая тему дальше. Он был крупным, и сквозь тонкую рубашку она отчётливо ощущала тепло его тела и рельеф грудных мышц. Эта близость создавала мучительное напряжение для Карины, уже решившей окончательно порвать с ним. Её голос невольно стал выше, приобретя резкие нотки: «О, с каких это пор вас стали интересовать такие мелочи, господин Новиков?» Впервые Константин услышал от неё такой едкий сарказм, и это показалось ему странно забавным. Сохраняя невозмутимость, он ответил: «Ты моя жена, вполне естественно, что я беспокоюсь о твоём благополучии». «Правда? – теперь в голосе Карины звучали мрачные нотки. – Кажется, ты никогда по-настоящему не считал меня своей женой. Я боюсь, что даже если бы я умерла, ты бы узнал об этом нескоро». Ведь в тот самый момент Константин был поглощён встречей со своей первой любовью, слишком увлечённый, чтобы услышать её отчаянные призывы о помощи. Застигнутый врасплох её обвинением, мужчина удивлённо распахнул глаза, а затем недоверчиво усмехнулся: «Карина, откуда вдруг такая вспышка гнева? Только из-за того, что я был занят сегодня днём и пропустил твой звонок? Может быть, я слишком многое тебе позволял в последнее время, и это сделало тебя чересчур самонадеянной?» Девушка застыла, потрясённая. Он обвиняет её в самонадеянности? Она поняла, что их брак всегда был односторонним. В его глазах она была не более чем деловым партнёром, женщиной, променявшей свою свободу на финансовую стабильность. Их союз должен был стать простым обменом удобствами, но она, как последняя дура, глубоко в него влюбилась. В коварных играх любви тот, кто влюбляется первым, неизбежно оказывается в проигрышном положении. Пренебрежительная реакция Константина ошеломила Карину, поскольку он отмахнулся от её чувств как от пустяка, а в груди затянулся тугой узел удушья. «Я сказала немедленно поставить меня на землю!» – воскликнула Карина, резко отворачивая голову, её голос звенел от нетерпения. Константин промолчал, без труда донёс её до кровати и внезапно разжал руки. Карина ощутила рывок, когда опора исчезла, её сердце пропустило удар, и она инстинктивно уцепилась за него. Их тла столкнулись на кровати, её халат опасно распахнулся, грозя полностью разойтись от малейшего движения. Опираясь на локоть, Константин смотрел на неё сверху вниз, его губы изогнулись в лукавой, дразнящей усмешке: «Разве не ты хотела, чтобы тебя отпустили? Так почему же теперь цепляешься за меня?» Его глаза, глубокие и сверкающие, как полуночное озеро, усыпанное звёздами, заворожили её. В этих небесных глубинах Карина увидела своё отражение. В такие моменты ей казалось, что он испытывает к ней настоящие чувства. Увы, его сердце оставалось крепостью, предназначенной для Анны, а Карине оставались лишь пустые фантазии. «Скучно!» – произнесла она безо всякого энтузиазма и попыталась подняться, но её рука случайно коснулась чего-то неожиданного. «Не двигайся, иначе я не ручаюсь за последствия», – предупредил он низким, хриплым голосом. Нахмурившись, Карина мысленно выругалась, услышав эти слова. Это был неоспоримый факт. Первобытные инстинкты управляли действиями мужчин. Отсутствие чувств не отменяло их базовых желний. И всё же она не осмеливалась провоцировать Константина. Отвернув лицо, она замерла, не шевелясь. Карина, чувствуя раздражение, парировала: «Разве ты не говорил, что здесь не на что смотреть? Что за реакция теперь, господин Новиков? Неужели вас настолько легко впечатлить?» Не успели эти слова сорваться с её губ, как она осознала возможные последствия своего острого языка. Волна сожаления накрыла Карину, но вместо гнева Константин усмехнулся: «Ты всё-таки моя жена. Раз уж этого не изменить, можно и смириться. К тому же прошло уже немало лет с тех пор, как мы стали мужем и женой – было бы совсем неправильно полностью тебя игнорировать». Глава 4 Ты сошла с ума? Он обхватил её тонкую талию, притягивая к себе нежно, но уверенно. Ткань костюма едва коснулась щеки Карины, высвобождая смесь ароматов: знакомый древесный запах, переплетающийся с неожиданной цитрусовой ноткой лимона. Это был безошибочно узнаваемый аромат Jo Malone «Голубая агава и какао» – фирменный парфюм Анны. От этого осознания к горлу Карины подступила тошнота. Желудок скрутило, и она резким движением оттолкнула его, приподнимаясь с сухим рвотным позывом. «Уф...» Её желудок был пуст весь день, и ей нечем было даже срыгнуть. Жлани во взгляде Константина угасло, сменившись холодным, отстранённым выражением, когда он слегка отодвинулся. Заметив неподдельное недомогание и покрасневшие глаза Карины, Константин истолковал её реакцию как откровенное отвращение к их близости. Он помедлил, и холодно произнёс: «Карина, такая реакция только на меня, или ты так реагируешь на всех мужчин?» Воздух в комнате заледенел, сгустившись от напряжения. Девушка сглотнула ком в горле, её глаза расширились от шока, когда она уставилась на него. С тех пор как они поженились, она разорвала отношения почти со всеми друзьями-мужчинами, а теперь Константин небрежно бросал ей в лицо слова острее битого стекла. Годы любви, которые она вложила в их отношения, теперь казались абсолютно напрасными. Жар возмущения пополз по шее, окрасив щёки ярким багрянцем. Не раздумывая, она вскинула руку и влепила Константину звонкую пёчину. Все её подавленные обиды за день вырвались в этом стремительном движении. Халат, распахнувшийся в пылу момента, соскользнул с её плеч. Не обращая внимания на смущение, она быстро собрала ткань и запахнула её на себе резкими, решительными движениями. От пощёчины на щеке Константина остался лёгкий алый след в виде отпечатка её гнева. Его глаза, расширенные от изумления, встретились с её взглядом. «Карина, ты в своём уме?» Сошла с ума? Да, она явно была безумна, раз влюбилась в него с самого начала. Карина кипела от ярости, сердце колотилось в груди. Вдруг резкое жужжание телефона на столе прорезало нарастающее напряжение, его вибрация принесла краткую передышку в их противостоянии. Константин мельком взглянул на сообщение, с щелчком выключил телефон и направился к двери, его спина была напряжена. Её голос, твёрдый и непреклонный, полетел ему вслед: «Мы разводимся! Подпиши бумаги, прежде чем выйдешь за дверь!» Константин на мгновение замер и резко бросил: «У меня есть дела. Когда вернусь, сделаю что захочешь». С этими словами он с силой захлопнул дверь. Карина проводила взглядом его непоколебимую фигуру, чувствуя, как гнетущая тяжесть вновь сдавливает грудь. Игнорируя острую боль в ноге, она решительно похромала к планшету. Дрожащими пальцами она торопливо открыла страницу Анны в Инстаграме. Анна только что опубликовала новый пост. На фотографии она лежала с пластырем от температуры на лбу, всё ещё укутанная в знакомый пиджак Константина. Подпись гласила: «Во время болезни становлюсь такой прилипчивой. Жаль, что рядом никого нет. Держитесь в тепле и берегите себя, все!» Совпадение по времени этих событий не оставляло Карине почти никаких сомнений в том, что Константин помчался ухаживать за Анной. Интуиция Карины кричала, что это не случайность; Анна намеренно пыталась зацепить за живое сердце Константина. Похоже, её тактика сработала. Даже прямая угроза развода от Карины не смогла перевесить театральную демонстрацию беззащитности Анны. Кипя от ярости, девушка затряслась, как лист на ветру. Стиснув зубы, она резко сорвала полиэтиленовую плёнку с пострадавшей ноги. После долгого пребывания в ванне оставшаяся влага впиталась в кожу, воспалив рану до ярко-красного цвета и болезненной припухлости. Она тоже умела быть слабой. Даже в самые тяжёлые времена в округе она позволяла себе уязвимость, тихо всхлипывая в утешающих объятиях бабушки, особенно тогда, когда обожглась кипящим чайником. Но для такой слабости было своё время и место, и сейчас был не тот случай. Жестокая реальность ухода Константина заставила Карину осознать необходимость полагаться только на себя. Прикусив губу, она уверенными движениями обработала пульсирующую рану, а затем тщательно перебинтовала её. С новой решимостью она поднялась и выдвинула чёрный чемодан из дальнего угла просторной гардеробной – тот самый, с которым она вошла в этот дом полной надежд невестой. Затем она взяла комплект свежей одежды и оставила банковскую карту на прикроватной тумбочке. На эту карту она перевела все до копейки свои заработанные за год деньги, окончательно разрывая финансовые связи с Константином за последние два года и вычёркивая его из своей жизни навсегда. Волоча за собой тяжёлый чемодан, она с трудом выбралась из роскошной виллы. Проходя через ворота, она плотнее закуталась в бейсбольную куртку, её одинокий силуэт растворялся в окутавшей темноте. Ночной воздух ранней весны был пронизывающе холодным, в нём не осталось и следа тепла, но даже этот холод казался слабым по сравнению со льдом, сковавшим разбитое сердце Карины. Она пришла сюда с чемоданом и сердцем, полным надежд, а теперь уходила с разбитыми мечтами, совершенно одна. Горькая усмешка скользнула по её губам. Если бы только она не влюбилась в него так безоглядно, если бы только предложила расстаться по-хорошему в конце оговорённого года, возможно, она не брела бы сейчас потерянной душой, тенью своего прежнего «я». Анне не пришлось даже пальцем пошевелить, а Карина уже пала, окончательно сломленная и безнадёжно потерянная. Глава 5 Встреча Тем временем в ВИП-комнате клуба «Оазис», самого дорогого места в Ортовске, царило оживление. Освещаемая ярким светом, разношёрстная компания мужчин и женщин наслаждалась эксклюзивностью обстановки под звуки грохочущей музыки. Внезапно дверь распахнулась, и в проёме появился Константин. Караоке внезапно оборвалось, и толпа повернулась, чтобы в унисон поприветствовать его: «Константин...» Не успели они продолжить, как из-за его спины вышла женщина, закутанная с ног до головы в плащ. Анна сняла маску, взяла Константина под руку и, излучая обаяние, обратилась к присутствующим: «Мой помощник внезапно уехал, и я осталась без компании. Не желая проводить вечер в одиночестве, я пригласила Константина присоединиться ко мне. Надеюсь, вы не против?» Анна обладала удивительной красотой. Её вишнёвые губы, изящный носик, мерцающие уязвимым очарованием глаза притягивали взгляд и вызывали у окружающих желние защитить её. Она казалась неземной. В отличие от неё, Карина отличалась яркой внешностью. Анна, в сравнении с ней, обладала более мягкой и сдержанной элегантностью. Однако, как это часто бывает, в сердечных делах нет простых путей. Константин и Карина состояли в браке, но лишь формально, поэтому он не приглашал её на частные светские мероприятия. Его знакомые редко общались с Кариной, поэтому не чувствовали себя обязанными защищать её. Услышав комментарий Анны, присутствующие на мгновение смутились, но затем быстро пришли в себя и, любезно улыбнувшись, сказали: «Здесь собрались друзья, поэтому не стоит беспокоиться о формальностях». Анна понимающе улыбнулась и грациозно направилась за Константином в шумную комнату. Мероприятие проводилось с целью выразить признательность Константину за его вклад. Когда они вошли в зал, толпа расступилась, словно море, пропуская их к почётным местам. Лидер группы протянул Константину бкал вна и с широкой ухмылкой заявил: «Мы вам очень благодарны, господин Новиков! О ваших исключительных талантах говорит весь город, и я сегодня лично в этом убедился. Без вашего опыта этот контракт не заключили бы!» Их встреча ознаменовала запуск новой торговой платформы, переговоры о создании которой велись с многочисленными местными брендами в Ортовске. Однако ситуация кардинально изменилась, когда на сцену вышел технологический гигант «Джой», резко обостривший конкуренцию. Конкуренция с «Джой» напоминала классическую историю о Давиде и Голиафе и выглядела безнадёжно сложной. В порыве отчаяния они, использовав связи, обратились к Константину за помощью. С присущей ему стремительностью Константин разработал хитроумный план и быстро обеспечил сделку, вырвав её из лап «Джой» ещё до того, как бизнес-ассоциация успела заключить соглашение. И этот мастерский ход принёс успех. Это событие лишь укрепило уважение людей к Константину. Артур Морозов, сияя от гордости, хвастался: «Только посмотрите на его друзей! Они думали, что смогут заключать сделки прямо у нас под носом, явно недооценивая влияние Константина!» Артур, родившийся в богатой семье Морозовых, причислял себя к самым близким друзьям Константина. Он оброс полезными связями, и именно через него к Константину в отчаянии обратились за помощью. Тем временем сам Константин, ставший центром всеобщего обсуждения, невозмутимо откинулся на диване, купаясь в мягком сиянии верхнего света. Он прекрасно владел искусством принимать комплименты, поэтому выражение его лица оставалось спокойным и отстранённым. Рассеянный свет подчёркивал угловатые черты его лица, отбрасывая эффектные тени на высокую переносицу и резко очерченную линию подбородка. Мужчина напоминал оживший шедевр. Своей природной грацией и отрешённой манерой поведения он затмевал великолепие всего мира. После череды тостов, когда стало очевидно, что Константин всего лишь пригубил вно, остальные члены компании притихли, предоставив ему возможность немного отдохнуть. Анну немного лихорадило, поэтому она не пла и тихо устроилась рядом с Константином, с обожанием глядя на него. Артур, очарованный этой, казалось бы, идеальной парой, размышлял о прихотях судьбы, а затем незаметно сделал их снимок на свой смартфон и поделился им в социальных сетях. Когда вечер подходил к концу, а сп*ртное заканчивалось, дверь комнаты снова распахнулась, и на пороге появился личный помощник Константина, Олег Бролов, который поприветствовал собравшихся вежливым кивком, не умаляя при этом собственного достоинства, и встал перед боссом. В помещении повисла тишина, и Анна, не в силах сдержать любопытство, наклонилась и прошептала: «Что случилось?» Проигнорировав её вопрос, Олег не сводил глаз с Константина. Покраснев от смущения, Анна повернулась к своему спутнику и нерешительно спросила: «Мне уйти?» Константин выпрямился и тихо приказал: «Говори». Охваченный дурным предчувствием, Олег вздрогнул и осторожно произнёс: «Господин Новиков, госпожа Новикова уехала из виллы Прибрежная и...Госпожа Новикова оставила банковскую карту – ту самую, которую вы когда-то ей вручили». ... Что будет дальше? Количество глав здесь ограничено, нажмите на кнопку ниже, чтобы установить приложение и продолжить чтение более захватывающих глав! (Вы будете автоматически перенаправлены на книгу, когда откроете приложение) &4&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.litradnovie.com/15407418-fb_contact-	Romantic Fiction	https://www.facebook.com/61564727788108/	421	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.litradnovie.com	VIDEO		https://fbweb.litradnovie.com/15407418-fb_contact-rup26_2-250212-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=1139909194125854&exdata=55DF4B83FF0AC7277F5A8553F6F87850F03805B17937747F	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481059627_1377411619941697_6661510005641853641_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3mKanBWixyQQ7kNvgHv098j&_nc_oc=Adit97yAs58HNvjrtDOoPzfwTBClcgOycsBZpnbL5afOxdzhGJOE4a68hsLw4U4LvYlJBTNNLRPUk9E4QvBxmmYT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AgSFmTAr--PxyTNfRZOd7n1&oh=00_AYDk7H2Tsq5H1Xz8xXdweddaEU5ToF170Z4fmw2-qH7JzA&oe=67CC05BA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Romantic Fiction	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,657	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768661}'	Yes	2025-03-03 19:18	active	2792	이곳을 클릭하고 무료로 읽어보세요!	때는 밤 11시. 형님 집 아래에 있는 공원에서 야간 러닝을 하던 중, 풀숲 속에서 들려오는 남녀의 바스락 소리가 들려왔다. “진동성, 설마 안 되는 거야? 집에서는 느낌 안 산다고 해서 여기까지 왔더니, 왜 아직도 안 돼?” ‘저거 우리 형수님 목소리 아니야?’ 나는 그 소리를 듣자마자 여자가 내 형수님 고태연이라는 걸 알아버렸다. ‘형과 형수는 밥 먹으러 간다고 했는데? 왜 공원 풀숲에 있는 거지?’ 여자 친구는 한 번도 안 사귀어 봤지만 동영상은 그래도 많이 봤다고 자부하기에, 나는 곧바로 두 사람이 무슨 짓을 하는지 알아버렸다. ‘형과 형수님이 이런 스릴을 좋아할 줄은 몰랐네. 그것도 공원에서.’ 순간 몰래 엿듣고 싶다는 생각을 참을 수 없었다. 형수는 얼굴도 예쁘장한데 몸매는 더 끝내준다. 그런 형수의 신음소리라니 이건 꿈에 그리던 일이었다. 살금살금 수풀 쪽으로 걸어가 몰래 머리를 내밀었더니 형수님이 형 위에 앉아 있었다. 물론 나를 등지고 있었지만 등 라인을 감탄할 수밖에 없었다. 순간 입이 바싹 마르고 아랫배에 열기가 올라왔다. 하지만 이렇게 매력적인 형수님 앞에서 형은 영 맥을 못 췄다. “태연아, 나 여전히 안 되는데.” 그 말에 형수가 버럭 화를 냈다. “약도 없네, 정말. 이제 고작 서른다섯이면서 왜 이렇게 쓸모가 없어? 안 서면 싸기라도 해야 할 거 아니야. 아무것도 없으면 애는 어떻게 가져? 계속 이러면 나 다른 사람 만난다? 당신은 애 싫을지 몰라도 나는 엄마가 되고 싶다고.” 잔뜩 화가 난 형수가 바지를 입고는 수풀 밖으로 걸어 나오자 놀란 나는 헐레벌떡 도망쳤다. 집에 돌아온 지 얼마 지나지 않아 형수가 돌아오는 소리가 들렸다. ‘쾅’ 닫히는 문소리에 내 가슴도 ‘철렁’ 내려앉았다. ‘깜짝 놀랐네. 형과 형수님 사이가 이렇게 안 좋을 줄이야.’ 나는 속으로 중얼거리며 가슴을 쓸어내렸다. 여자는 나이가 들수록 욕구가 많아진다더니 형수님도 욕구 불만인 게 틀림없었다. ‘하긴, 형처럼 비실비실한 몸으로 형수님을 어떻게 만족시키겠어? 나 정도는 돼야지.’ ‘퉤퉤퉤! 내가 지금 무슨 생각을 하는 거야? 고태연은 내 형수님이라고 어떻게 이런 생각을 할 수 있어?’ 물론 내가 진동성과 친형제는 아니지만 친형제 못지않게 끈끈한 사이다. 형이 아니었으면 내가 대학도 갈 수 없었을 거고. 내가 이런저런 생각에 잠겨 있을 때, 옆방에서 낮은 신음소리가 들려왔다. 얼른 귀를 벽에 대고 엿들어 봤더니 이건 틀림없이 신음이었다. ‘형수가 지금...’ 생각할수록 몸이 달아올라 도저히 참을 수 없어 나도 결국 바지 버클을 내렸다. 잠시 뒤, 벽 하나를 사이 두고 나와 형수의 신음 소리가 한데 섞였다. 영혼이 이어진 듯한 느낌에 나도 모르게 온갖 생각이 들었다. 형수가 나와 만났다면 얼마나 좋을까 하는 생각이 들어났다. 하지만 이건 절대 불가능한 일이다. 형수와 나 사이에는 영원히 넘을 수 없는 형이라는 존재가 있으니. 형한테 미안한 일은 할 수 없다. 더러워진 속옷을 대충 화장실에 두고 나는 내일 씻자는 생각으로 잠이 들었다. 이튿날, 잠에서 깨었을 때 시간은 벌써 9시가 넘었다. 형은 이미 출근했고 집에는 나와 형수 둘뿐이었다. 아침을 하는 형수는 실크로 된 나시 슬립을 입은 채로 굴곡진 몸매를 드러냈다. 특히 풍만한 가슴을 본 순간 입이 바싹 말랐다. “수호 씨, 일어났어요? 얼른 씻고 밥 먹어요.” 형수는 나를 보자마자 먼저 인사를 건넸다. 내가 이곳에 온 지는 아직 며칠 되지 않기에 형수와 아직 친해지지 못하여 많이 어색했다. 이에 나는 짤막하게 대답하고 곧장 화장실로 향했다. 그렇게 한창 씻던 그때, 갑자기 어제 벗어두었던 속옷이 내 뇌리를 스쳤다. ‘형수가 나보다 일찍 깨어났는데 설마 본 건 아니겠지?’ 이런 생각을 하며 재빨리 확인한 나는 그대로 얼어붙고 말았다. 속옷이 사라졌다. 내가 이곳저곳 찾고 있을 때 갑자기 뒤에서 형수의 목소리가 들려왔다. “찾을 필요 없어요. 이미 씻었으니까.” 순간 가슴이 철렁했다. ‘그 속옷에 내 정액이 가득 묻어 있는데, 형수가 씻었다면 봤을 거잖아!’ 이건 너무 부끄러웠다. 그런데 형수는 팔짱을 낀 채 눈웃음을 치며 아무렇지 않은 듯 나를 봤다. “수호 씨, 혹시 어제 무슨 소리 들었어요?” 나는 고개를 절레절레 흔들며 어제 형수의 소리를 들었다는 걸 극구 부인했다. “아니요, 아무것도 못 들었어요.” “그래요? 내 방에서 이상한 소리 듣지 못했어요?” ‘이건 나를 시험하는 건가?’ “저 어제 10시쯤에 잠들어서 아무것도 못 들었어요.” 이 말을 끝으로 나는 도망치듯 그 자리를 벗어났다. 왠지 모르겠지만 형수의 심문에 가슴이 콕콕 찔렸고 눈은 저도 모르게 형수의 가슴으로 향했다. 분명 마가 낀 게 틀림없다. 나는 곧장 식탁 앞에 앉아 묵묵히 음식을 먹었다. 하지만 밥이 코로 넘어가는지 입으로 넘어가는지 모르겠다. 그도 그럴 게, 형수가 이내 걸어와 하필이면 내 옆에 앉았기 때문이다. 왜 이러는지 이해가 되지 않는다. 예전에는 분명 내 맞은편에 앉았는데, 오늘은 왜 내 옆에 앉는지. 내가 이런저런 생각에 잠겨 있을 때, 형수가 갑자기 손가락으로 내 팔뚝을 쿡쿡 찔렀다. 순간 온몸이 감전되는 듯 찌릿해 났다. ‘여자가 내 몸을 만지는 게 이런 기분이구나.’ 신기한 기분이었다. “수호 씨, 혹시 내가 무서워요?” “아니요. 그냥 조금 어색해서요.” “사람은 원래 어색하다가 점점 익숙해지는 거 아니겠어요? 어색하니까 더 많이 교류해야죠. 그래야 얼른 친해지죠. 수호 씨, 남자와 여자가 가장 빨리 친해지는 방법이 뭔지 알아요?” 내 착각인지 모르겠으나 형수는 분명 나에게 암시하는 것 같았다. 그걸 인식하니 너무 당황해 밥이 넘어가지 않았다. 설렘 반 긴장 반인 심정으로 형수의 말에 담긴 의미를 생각하다가 끝내 용기를 내 질문했다. “뭔데요?” “아이 만드는 거요.” 형수는 맑은 두 눈으로 나를 바라보며 아주 직설적으로 말했다. 그 순간 나는 사레가 걸렸다. 형수가 왜 이런 말을 하는지 이해가 되지 않았다. 내가 형수와 뭘 할 수 있다고. ‘설마 나를 노리나?’ ‘형이 안 되니까 나한테 희망을 품은 건가?’ ‘안돼, 난 절대 형한테 미안한 일 할 수 없어.’ 나는 다급히 의자를 들고 옆으로 물러났다. “형수, 농담하지 마세요. 누가 보면 오해해요.” 형수는 나를 보며 피식 웃더니 곧장 질문했다. “그럼 솔직히 말해봐요. 어제 무슨 소리 들었어요? 솔직히 말하지 않으면 깊은 대화를 해봐야 할 것 같은데요.” ‘헉, 절대 그럴 수 없어.’ 나는 놀란 가슴을 다독이며 결국 입을 열었다. “형수님, 저 확실히 무슨 소리 들었어요. 하지만 고의는 아니었어요.” “혹시 내 신음 소리였어요? 듣기 좋던가요?” 형수님이 이렇게 노골적인 질문을 할 거라고는 생각지도 못했다. 얼굴은 화끈 달아올랐고, 가슴은 요란하게 북을 쳐 어떻게 대답해야 할지 갈피를 잡지 못했다. 그러던 그때. 마침 밖에서 노크 소리가 들려오자 나는 지푸라기라도 잡는 심정으로 얼른 달려가 문 쪽으로 달려갔다. 그리고 문을 열었더니 밖에는 늘씬한 여자 한 명이 서 있었다. 얼굴은 예쁘장한 데다, 나올 데 나오고 들어갈 데 들어가 연예인 못지않았다. 여자는 나를 보자 눈을 크게 뜨며 물었다. “그쪽은 누구죠?” 그 말에 나는 어이가 없었다. “그러는 그쪽은 누군데요?” 제2화 “애교야, 왔어? 얼른 들어와.” 내가 한참 답답해하고 있을 때, 형수가 다가와 낯선 여자를 친절하게 맞이했다. 여자는 형수의 초대로 곧장 집 안에 들어섰다. 그러자 형수가 우리를 소개했다. 여자는 형수의 친한 친구인데, 이름은 이애교, 바로 옆집에 살고 있었다. “애교야, 이 사람은 동성 씨와 같은 마을에 살던 동생이야, 정수호라고, 어제 왔어.” 애교라는 여자는 이상한 눈으로 나를 보더니 이내 빙그레 웃었다. “동성 씨한테 이렇게 어리고 잘생긴 동생이 다 있었어?” “수호 씨 이제 막 대학 졸업했어. 그러니 당연히 젊지. 젊을 뿐만 아니라 엄청 튼실해.” 내 착각일지 모르겠으나 형수의 마지막 한마디는 무척 의미심장했다. 심지어 눈길마저 내 아래를 흘끗거렸다. 그 동작에 나는 더 불편해졌다. 그때, 애교 누나가 나를 위아래로 훑더니 물었다. “태연아, 네가 말했던 마사지사가 설마 이 사람이야?” “맞아. 수호 씨가 어릴 때부터 할아버지한테 마사지를 배웠대. 솜씨가 엄청 좋아.” 형수는 말을 마치자마자 나를 봤다. “아까 미처 말하지 못했는데, 사실 내 친구가 허리와 척추가 아프다고 해서요. 가끔 가슴도 답답하대요. 원래는 한의사를 불러 마사지 좀 받게 하려고 했는데, 수호 씨가 마침 마사지할 줄 알잖아요. 그래서 한번 받아보게 하려고요.” ‘그런 거였군.’ 나는 단번에 승낙했다. ‘형과 형수가 나를 이곳에서 머물게 해주고 일자리도 알아봐 줬는데, 이런 일 정도야 당연히 도와야지.’ 그때, 애교 누나가 부끄러운지 형수를 옆으로 끌고 갔다. “이건 좀 아니지 않나? 너무 젊은데?” “젊은 게 뭐 어때서? 젊을수록 좋은 거 아니야? 젊어야 힘이 좋고, 그래야 너 같은 유부녀를 편하게 모실 수 있잖아.” “무슨 헛소리하는 거야. 나 그런 사람 아니거든.” 애교 누나는 얼굴을 붉혔다. 그러자 형수가 싱긋 웃으며 대답했다. “농담이야. 네가 그쪽으로 생각하니까 그렇지. 솔직히 말해봐, 네 남편 반년 동안 집에 안 왔는데, 그동안 하고 싶지 않았어?” “너 계속 이러면 나 간다?” 그때, 형수가 귀까지 빨개진 애교 누나의 팔짱을 끼며 말했다. “알았어. 안 놀릴게. 너는 점잖고 우아한 귀부인이야. 됐지? 그런데 우리 수호 씨 솜씨 엄청 좋아. 한번 해봐. 젊고 잘생긴 남자가 밖에 있는 늙은 영감보다야 낫지 않겠어?” 애교 누나는 형수의 말에 일리가 있다고 생각했는지 고개를 끄덕였다. “그럼 옆에 있어 줘. 안 그러면 어색할 것 같아.” “그래, 같이 있어 줄게.” 두 사람은 한참 동안 소곤거리더니 그제야 내 앞으로 다가왔다. 애교 누나가 형수더러 먼저 시범 보여달라고 하자 형수는 군말 없이 소파에 엎드렸다. “수호 씨, 시작해요.” 나는 의자를 가져와 형수님 옆에 앉아 마사지를 하기 시작했다. 콜라병 몸매를 소유한 형수의 엉덩이는 동그랗고 볼록해 나는 저도 모르게 때리고 싶다는 생각이 들었다. “태연, 어때? 시원해?” 애교 누나가 물었다. “당연하지, 이렇게 시원하기는 오랜만이야.” 형수의 낮은 신음소리에 나와 애교 누나는 얼굴이 화끈 달아올랐다. 심지어 아래가 터질 것 같아 괴로워하고 있을 때, 애교 누나도 부자연스럽게 다리를 꽉 모았다. “됐어, 애교야. 이제 네 차례야.” 형수는 소파에서 일어나 우리에게 물을 따라주자, 애교 누나는 부끄러워하면서 소파에 눕더니 다리에 담요를 덮었다. ‘쯧, 예쁜 다리를 가리다니, 아쉽네.’ 하지만 아무리 덮는다고 해도 완벽한 몸매를 가릴 수는 없었다. 애교 누나는 마른 체형이지만 나올 데 나오고 들어갈 데 들어간 데다 얼굴까지 동안이라 눈길을 더 끌었다. 그때 내가 손을 어깨에 대자 애교 누나의 몸이 뻣뻣하게 굳었다. ‘형수님은 형수님이라 뭘 할 수 없다지만, 형수님 친구는 괜찮잖아? 게다가 남편이 오랫동안 집을 비웠다고 했으니 엄청 외로울 거야.’ “애교 누나, 시원해요?” “응.” 내 물음에 애교 누나는 부끄러운 듯 낮게 대답했다. 그 대답을 들으니 나는 더욱 대담해졌다. “더 시원하게 해줄게요.” 나는 애교 누나의 등을 타고 두 손을 점점 아래로 움직였다. 그러자 애교 누나가 몸을 부르르 떨었다. “지금 뭐 하는 거예요?” “허리 시큰거린다면서요? 허리 좀 주물러 주려고요.” 살짝 겁을 먹은 채 말했더니 애교 누나는 아무 말도 하지 않았다. 묵인을 얻자 내 손은 다시 애교 누나의 허리 위로 올라가 꾹꾹 누르기 시작했다. 애교 누나의 허리는 매우 가늘어 한 손에 잡힐 정도였다. 하지만 엉덩이는 그에 비해 크고 통통한 애플힙이었다. “사실 누나의 어깨는 크게 문제없어요. 하지만 허리에 문제가 많아요.” “네? 허리가 왜요?” 나는 불안한 듯 묻는 애교 누나의 허리를 누르며 말했다. “신장이 약해요. 신장이 약하면 이렇게 허리가 아프거든요.” “신장은 보통 남자한테 중요한 거잖아요. 나는 여자라서 크게 상관없는 거 아니에요?” “그건 오해예요. 남자든 여자든 신장이 두 개인 건 똑같잖아요. 보통 신장하면 남성 기능 쪽으로 생각하는데, 여자도 기혈이 부족하면 신장이 약할 수 있어요. 누나가 얼굴색이 창백한 것도 기혈이 부족해서 그래요. 이걸 장기적으로 방치하면 다른 문제가 생기거든요.” “그럼 어떡해요?” 애교 누나가 무의식적으로 묻자 나는 씩 입꼬리를 올렸다. “사실 지금은 그렇게 심각한 게 아니라 한동안 이렇게 마사지 받으면 나을 수 있어요.” “그럼 얼른 마사지해 줘요.” “그럼 시작해요.” 나는 애교 누나의 허리를 따라 아래로 손을 내렸다. 그 순간 애교 누나의 몸이 뻣뻣하게 굳었다. 하지만 아무 말도 하지 않자 나는 더 대담하게 행동했다. 내 손은 애교 누나의 엉덩이를 스치며 다리를 덮고 있던 담요를 천천히 걷어냈다. 백옥처럼 새하얀 다리는 역시나 예술이었다. 나는 손을 점점 아래로 내려 애교 누나의 발을 쥐고 발바닥 혈 자리를 꾹꾹 눌렀다. 그러자 애교 누나는 참지 못하고 신음을 내더니 부끄러웠는지 얼굴이 새빨개졌다. “괜찮아요?” 애교 누나는 가쁜 호흡을 가다듬으며 대답했다. “괜찮아요, 계속해요.” 그 말에 나는 계속해서 애교 누나의 발바닥을 눌렀다. 그러다 참지 못하고 애교 누나의 치마 속을 훔쳐봤는데 아쉽게도 다리를 너무 꽉 모으고 있는 탓에 아무것도 볼 수 없었다. 그렇게 한참 동안 누르다가 나는 만족스럽지 않아 대담하게 요구했다. “애교 누나, 혹시 평소에 가슴이 답답하지 않아요? 내가 마사지해 줄게요.” 나는 말하면서 무의식적으로 애교 누나의 가슴을 슬쩍 스쳐봤다. ‘저기를 누를 수 있다면 얼마나 좋을까?’ 거절당할까 봐 걱정했던 것도 무색하게, 애교 누나는 바로 동의했다. “뭐, 그래요.” 순간 너무 흥분한 나머지 나는 의자를 소파 쪽으로 더 바싹 붙이며 말했다. “누나, 반듯하게 누워요. 그래야 마사지할 수 있으니까?” 애교 누나는 고분고분 뒤돌아 소파 위에 반듯하게 누웠다. 애교 누나의 가슴은 형수님 것보다 작았지만 봉긋하게 솟았다. 한 번도 여자 가슴을 만져 본 적 없어 잔뜩 긴장한 채로 손을 뻗으려는 그때, 갑자기 형수의 목소리가 들려왔다. “어머, 두 사람 진도 빠르네.” 제3화 나는 마치 나쁜 짓을 한 어린애처럼 벌떡 일어났다. “형수님, 형수님이 여긴 어쩐 일이에요?” 애교 누나도 잘못을 저지른 것처럼 벌떡 자리에서 일어났다. 심지어 양 볼은 어느새 사과처럼 빨갛게 무르익었다. “태연아, 그런 거 아니야. 나랑 수호 씨 아무 일도 없었어. 그냥 가슴이 답답해서 마사지해 준 것뿐이야.” 애교 누나가 구구절절 설명하자 형수가 피식 웃었다. “내가 뭐라고 한 것도 아닌데, 왜 그렇게 긴장해? 아니면 나 몰래 정말 나쁜 짓이라도 했어?” 나와 애교 누나는 동시에 고개를 저었다. 그와 동시에 당혹스러웠다. ‘내가 감히 형수님 친구를 어떻게 하려 하다니, 만약 형수님이 알면 분명 쫓아낼 거야.’ 그때 애교 누나가 안절부절못하더니 일이 있다는 핑계로 서둘러 집을 나갔다. 형수는 그런 애교 누나의 뒷모습을 보며 멍해 있다가 한참 뒤에 나를 보며 물었다. “수호 씨, 내 친구 어떻게 같아요?” “네?” 형수한테서 갑자기 이런 질문을 받으니 나는 마음이 혼란스러워 말까지 더듬었다. “좋죠. 예쁘고 몸매도 좋고 성격도 좋잖아요.” “그럼 내 친구 꼬시라고 하면 그럴 의향 있어요?” 형수의 말에 나는 놀라움을 감출 수 없었다. 마음도 혼란스러워 무슨 말을 해야 할지 몰랐다. 문제는 형수가 방금 내가 형수 친구를 어떻게 해보려던 걸 발견하고 일부러 떠보는 것일까 봐 걱정되었다. 내가 긴장하고 있을 때, 형수가 내 팔을 잡으며 손등을 톡톡 두드렸다. “긴장할 거 없어요. 솔직히 말하면 돼요.” “형수님, 저 난처하게 하지 마세요. 애교 누나는 형수님 친구인데 제가 어떻게 감히 그런 마음을 품겠어요?” “감히라고요? 아래가 이렇게 단단해졌으면서.” 형수는 내 아래를 흘긋거리며 말했다. 순간 너무 쪽팔리고 난감해 나는 얼른 허리를 숙였다. “와, 사이즈 보통 아니네요.” 내 착각일지 모르겠으나 내 아래를 본 순간 형수의 눈빛이 변했다. 그때 형수가 말을 이었다. “나 농담 아니에요. 애교와 잠자리를 가져요. 형 도와주는 셈 치고.” ‘뭐지? 애교 누나와 자는 게 형과 무슨 상관이지?’ 형수는 나를 소파에 앉히더니 설명하기 시작했다. “동성 씨 회사와 애교의 남편이 현재 사업 파트너거든요. 애교 누나의 남편이 밖에 애인이 있는데 동성 씨한테 사람을 찾아 자기 아내 꼬셔달라고 부탁했대요. 그러면 빨리 이혼할 수 있으니까. 이제 알겠죠?” 나는 연신 고개를 끄덕였다. 알아들은 건 확실하나 이해가 되지 않았다. ‘애교 누나처럼 예쁜 여자를 두고 그 남편은 왜 바람피우는 거지?’ 내가 깊은 생각에 빠져 있을 때 형수가 내 허벅지를 꼬집었다. “무슨 생각을 그렇게 해요?” “아!” 너무 아파 저도 모르게 비명을 지르며 나는 연신 고개를 저었다. “아무것도 아니에요.” “내가 아침에 한 말 기억해요? 남자의 그건 정확한 곳에 써야 해요. 애교 누나의 남편이 반년 동안 애교 누나한테 손끝 하나 대지 않았대요. 그러니까 수호 씨가 조금만 손쓰면 바로 넘어올 거예요. 여자와 자본 적 없죠? 이번이 기회예요.” 형수의 말을 들을수록 나는 얼굴이 빨갛게 달아올랐고, 아랫배에 열기가 몰렸다. 문제는 너무 부끄러우면서도 난감한 부탁이라는 거다. 만약 다른 사람의 부탁이라면 그나마 괜찮았을 텐데. 형수는 내가 꿈쩍도 하지 않자 갑자기 옆으로 바싹 다가왔다. 그 순간 은은한 향기가 내 코끝을 간지럽혔다. 전에 한 번도 형수와 이렇게 가까이 앉은 적 없는데, 지금은 심지어 형수의 온도까지 느껴질 정도라 가슴이 콩닥거리는 한편 긴장했다. “혹시 무서워요? 걱정돼요?” 조심스럽게 묻는 형수의 말에 나는 필사적으로 고개를 끄덕였다. 이건 무서운 정도가 아니라 아주 겁이 나 미칠 지경이다. 여자 친구도 사귀어 본 적 없는 나더러 유부녀를 꼬시라니. 무섭지 않을 리가. 그때 형수가 다시 한번 내 손을 잡으며 한 번도 들은 적 없는 부드러운 목소리로 말했다. “걱정할 거 없어요. 상대는 외로운 유부녀라 마음껏 꼬셔도 돼요. 유부녀를 꼬시는 가장 효과적인 방법이 바로 성욕을 자극하는 거예요.” “성욕이 한번 끓어오르면 끝이 없거든요. 그때가 되면 수호 씨는 아무것도 안 해도 모든 일이 풀릴 거예요. 알았어요?” 나는 건성으로 고개를 끄덕였지만 생각은 이미 다른 데로 날아가 버렸다. 머릿속에는 아침에 들은 장면이 떠올랐고, 형수님의 가슴이 얼마나 매혹적일지 상상했다. 그런데 하필이면 형수가 그걸 보고 말았다. “나 커요?” 갑작스러운 형수의 물음에 나는 바짝 긴장했고, 입이 바싹 말라 넋을 잃은 듯 대답했다. “네.” “만지고 싶어요?” 순간 피가 거꾸로 솟는 기분이 들었고 머리가 윙윙 울려 아무 말도 할 수 없었다. 그때, 형수가 내 쪽으로 갑자기 바싹 다가와 가슴을 내 몸에 눌렀다. 그 순간, 나는 바보라도 된 것처럼 머리가 온통 백지장이 되어버렸다. “그러고 싶으면 싶은 거죠. 민망해할 거 뭐 있어요? 이건 인간의 본능적인 욕구예요. 풀 때는 풀어야 한다고요.” 결국 나는 참지 못하고 이를 악물었다. “만지고 싶어요. 그것도 아주 많아.” “하하하, 잘했어요. 마음이 시키는 대로 해 봐요. 그럼 무서울 거 없잖아요. 하지만 그 욕구는 애교 누나한테 풀어요. 형수인 내가 아니라. 알겠어요?” 순간 기분이 나락으로 떨어졌다. ‘난 또 형수님이 나한테 몸 바치려 하는 줄 알았는데 어떻게 대담해지는지 가르쳐주는 거였잖아.’ ‘하지만 오히려 좋아. 내가 만약 형수와 무슨 일이라도 생기면 형한테 미안해서 어떡해?’ 나는 더 이상 참을 수 없어 배가 아프다는 핑계를 대고 얼른 화장실로 달려갔다. 방금 애교 누나를 도와 마사지할 때부터 참기 힘들었는데, 형수가 나를 건드리기까지 하니 아래가 터질 것만 같았다. 물론 형수가 손장난도 적당히 하면 몸에 좋고 지나치면 몸이 상한다고 했지만, 이 순간 더 이상 참을 수 없었다. 하지만 뜻밖에도 목욕 타월을 올려놓는 선반 위에서 여자 팬티 한 장을 발견했다. 깊이 생각하지 않아도 알 수 있었다. 이 팬티의 주인이 형수라는 걸. 그 순간 그 팬티를 가져야 할지 말아야 할지 수없이 고민했다. 이내 눈을 감고 마음을 진정하려고 했으나, 하필이면 머릿속에 아침에 봤던 장면이 떠올랐다. 심지어 마음속에서 악마의 속삭임이 나를 유혹했다. ‘손장난하는 것뿐인데, 그건 괜찮잖아. 이건 쉽게 얻을 수 없는 기회라고, 놓치면 앞으로는 기회도 없어.’ 결국 나는 그 속삭임에 넘어가 저도 모르게 팬티를 향해 손을 뻗었다. 제4화 팬티는 부드럽고 나른한 데다 심지어 형수의 냄새까지 배어 있었다. 손에 감각이 느껴지자 저도 모르게 아침에 몰래 엿들었던 소리가 뇌리에 재생되며 점차 흥분되었다. ‘형수와 뭘 진짜로 할 수는 없지만 팬티로 상상하는 건 괜찮잖아.’ 나는 속으로 이렇게 중얼거리며 벨트를 풀고 팬티를 밀어 넣었다. 하지만 내 손이 아래에 닿으려 할 때 노크 소리가 들렸고, 너무 놀란 나머지 나는 그대로 뿜을 뻔했다. ‘집에 나와 형수님 둘뿐이니 노크한 사람은 형수님이겠지?’ 나는 서둘러 그 팬티를 꺼내 목욕 타월 선반 위에 올려다 놓고 나서 조심스럽게 말했다. “형수님, 왜 그러세요?” “수호 씨, 안에서 무슨 나쁜 짓 했어요?” ‘이런 말을 묻는다고?’ “네? 아, 아니요.” 나는 찔려서 말을 더듬었다. “그런데 왜 그렇게 떨어요?” 형수의 한마디에 나는 가슴이 철렁해 식은땀을 줄줄 흘렸다. ‘형수가 아무리 개방적이라고 해도 본인과 나는 안 된다고 명확히 말했는데, 만약 내가 형수의 팬티를 가지고 그런 짓을 한 걸 들키면 내가 본인 말을 안 듣는다고 생각해 쫓아내면 어떡하지?’ 하지만 이 상황을 어떻게 설명해야 할지 몰라 나는 애써 설명했다. “정말 아무것도 아니에요. 배가 아파서 식은땀이 난 것뿐이에요.” “갑자기 식은땀이 왜 나요? 혹시 어디 아파요?” 형수는 이내 나를 걱정했다. “저도 모르겠어요. 그냥 좀 불편해요.” “문 좀 열어봐요. 어디 봐봐요.” “이, 이제 괜찮아요.” “내외할 거 뭐 있어요? 수호 씨 내 눈에는 아직 애예요. 그러니 얼른 문 열어요.” 그 말을 들은 순간 실망감이 휘몰아쳤다. ‘내가 형수님 눈에 고작 애였다니. 어쩐지 내 앞에서 거침없더라니. 나는 그런 상대로 한 번도 생각하지 않았나 보네.’ 나는 허리를 숙여 화장실 문을 열었다. 형수는 들어오자마자 나를 보는 게 아니라 목욕 타월을 놓은 선반 위를 확인했다. 나는 마음이 찔려 형수의 눈을 마주칠 수 없었다. 그때 형수가 선반 쪽으로 걸어가더니 나한테 웃으며 물었다. “혹시 내 팬티 건드렸어요?” “아, 아니요.” 나는 다급하게 고개를 흔들었다. “정말이에요? 그런데 얼굴은 왜 그렇게 빨개요? 솔직히 말해요. 방금 내 팬티로 나쁜 짓 하려고 했는데 내가 방해한 거죠? 그래서 내가 들어오는 걸 무서워했던 거고?” ‘뭐야? 천리안이라도 지녔나? 어떻게 저렇게 귀신같이 다 알지?’ 형수는 나를 위아래로 훑더니 내가 허리를 구부린 채 일어나지 못하자 의심의 눈초리로 바라봤다. “똑바로 서요.” 형수는 나를 지그시 바라보며 말했다. 그런 형수의 명을 나는 어길 수 없었다. 하지만 내가 몸을 곧게 편 순간 난감한 상태인 것이 바로 들켜버렸다. 형수도 그걸 본 게 틀림없다. 나는 눈을 감고 형수의 눈을 피했다. 하지만 형수가 천천히 내 앞에 무릎을 꿇는 게 고스란히 느껴졌다. 그 순간 가슴이 튀어나올 것만 같았다. 문제는 형수가 뭘 하려는지 몰라 도저히 모르겠다는 거였다. 너무 야릇한 자세에 나는 저도 모르게 이런저런 상상을 하며 천천히 눈을 떴다. 그랬더니 형수가 멍하니 내 그곳을 바라보며 감탄하는 게 아니겠는가? “동성 씨가 수호 씨처럼 이랬으면 얼마나 좋을까요?” 동경이 가득한 형수의 눈빛에 내 머리는 순간 백지장이 되어버렸고, 가슴은 미친 듯이 요동쳐 무슨 말을 해야 할지 몰랐다. 그런데 형수는 그곳을 한참 바라보더니 다시 일어났다. 나는 얼른 손으로 그곳을 막았다. “아직은 욕구를 풀지 마요. 그래야 애교 누나를 공략할 동력이 생기죠.” 형수는 말하면서 갑자기 나에게 바싹 다가왔다. “사실 나 일부러 이러는 거예요. 이러면 안 되는 거 아는데 동성 씨를 위해서 어쩔 수 없어요. 수호 씨가 너무 부끄럼을 타니까 우선 생각을 오픈해야죠. 손 치워요. 나도 산전수전 겪은 사람인데, 이런 걸 못 겪어봤을까요?” ‘그래도 이 방법은 너무 남다른 거 아닌가? 목숨이 남아나질 않는다고.’ 나는 속으로 아우성쳤다. “나와요. 애교한테 전화할 거니까 같이 쇼핑하면서 두 사람 이어줄게요. 오늘 애교가 수호 씨를 집에 초대할지 기대되네요. 얼른 해결해야 수호 씨 형네 회사도 얼른 제자리 찾을 수 있을 거예요.” 형수는 말을 마치자마자 허리를 흔들며 밖으로 나가 버렸다. 홀로 남겨진 나 역시 그제야 화장실에서 느릿느릿 걸어 나왔지만, 손은 온통 땀으로 젖었다. 너무 참고 있었던 탓이었다. 형수한테 매번 이런 식으로 자극당하고 제대로 풀 수 없으니 미칠 것만 같았다. 하지만 형을 위해서 참을 수밖에 없다. 형수는 소파에 앉아 애교 누나에게 전화했다. “안 나가겠다고? 왜? 안돼, 나랑 나가자. 안 나가면 수호 씨더러 너 안아서 내려오라고 한다?” “뭐? 내가 너무하다고? 그래, 나 원래 이래. 어떡할 건데?” “그래, 그럼 약속한 거다? 5분 뒷문 앞에서 기다릴게.” 형수는 전화를 끊자 나를 향해 웃으며 말했다. “해결했어요. 가서 옷 갈아입어요. 이따가 운전해야 하니까. 기억해요, 자꾸 뒤쪽을 봐야 해요, 서프라이즈가 있을 테니까.” “네.” 나는 짤막하게 대답하고 곧바로 옷 갈아입으러 갔다. 그러면서 내심 형수가 말한 서프라이즈가 뭘까 기대했다. 내가 이내 옷을 갈아입고 형수와 함께 문 앞에서 기다렸다. 그랬더니 얼마 지나지 않아 애교 누나가 나왔다. 붉은 원피스는 애교 누나의 하얀 피부를 더 희게 만들었고, V넥이라 가슴골이 훤히 드러났다. 그걸 본 순간 나는 넋을 잃고 말았다. ‘애교 누나의 몸매가 좋을 줄은 알았지만 이 정도일 줄이야.’ 애교 누나는 일부러 내 눈을 피하며 형수의 팔짱을 끼더니 내 앞으로 지나갔다. 그런 반응에 나는 답답하고 속상했다. 아까 마사지할 때만 해도 분명 살갑게 대했는데, 왜 갑자기 이렇게 차가워졌는지. 심지어 내 눈도 안 마주치고 있다. ‘설마 내가 너무 무례해서 화났나?’ 우리는 곧장 계단을 내려갔다. 그 사이 애교 누나는 형수와 웃고 떠들었지만 나는 혼자 꿔다 놓은 보따리처럼 옆에 덩그러니 서 있었다. 그게 너무 답답하고 괴로웠지만 차에 타자마자 갑자기 뒤를 돌아보면 서프라이즈가 있을 거라던 형수의 말이 떠올랐다. 그 서프라이즈가 무엇인지 궁금하여 나는 계속 백미러로 뒤를 힐끔거렸다. 하지만 형수는 애교 누나와 웃고 떠들기만 할 뿐, 기대했던 서프라이즈는 없었다. “형수님, 우리 어디 가요?” 길을 물어본다는 걸 핑계 삼아 또 한 번 뒤돌아봤지만 여전히 서프라이즈는 없었다. 하지만 애교 누나와 눈빛이 마주친 순간, 애교 누나의 얼굴이 빨갛게 달아오르더니 이내 시선을 피했다. 그건 당황하고 초조해하는 눈빛이 틀림없었다. 그 순간 내 가슴은 철렁 내려앉았다. 애교 누나는 지금 화나 있는 게 아니라 나와 썸을 이어갈지 고민하는 거였다. 그걸 인지하자 나는 기쁨을 주체할 수 없었다. 그건 애교 누나도 나한테 마음이 있다는 뜻이었으니. “광화문 광장으로 가요.” “네.” 형수의 말에 나는 짤막하게 대답했다. 그러고는 곧장 핸드폰을 꺼내 길을 검색하고는 시동을 걸었다. 차가 정체 구간에 이르자 좀처럼 속도가 나지 않아 나는 다시 뒤를 흘끔거렸다. 그리고 그 순간 애교 누나가 팬티를 내리는 모습을 봐버렸다.	LEARN_MORE	https://operkn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11942&u	남성 소설 모음	https://www.facebook.com/61560317043692/	135	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	operkn.com	IMAGE		https://operkn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11942&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476384689_641689602136175_5527132392105574113_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2qdYdQdWANYQ7kNvgHJl_19&_nc_oc=AdhUgDSzDy0ieDb22chM-I6EpczaI_z_bZxYkpuWvwEh1SocZU2Ab-FeX9OzvMQUBbsvyVePXd42b3U0bHy78_Ln&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AawgtjS7w9dz3g7jjnK-Kzy&oh=00_AYB-1-yE2_0jmFNauN5PFQrXrPuDSLSTC45U1Nss19z7Hw&oe=67CC33BB	PERSON_PROFILE	0	남성 소설 모음	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,209	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768116}'	No	2025-03-03 19:10	active	2791	😍Read the next chapters👉	In Merika State, the two of them lay close together on the hotel bed. As their passion grew, Justin Yates’s husky voice, filled with allure, murmured, “Em, how about having a child with me?” Caught up in the moment, Emily Yates replied without thinking. It wasn’t until they were lying together afterward that she remembered what he had said. “A child?” she repeated, a trace of intimacy lingering in her eyes. The look stirred Justin’s desire again. She was a constant temptation to him. Pushing those thoughts aside, he pulled out a ring and slipped it onto her left hand. “Are you proposing to me?” she asked. “Yes.” “Can I finally have your child now?” Justin asked, smiling. His eyes were warm, but there was no love in them, as if he were gazing past her, waiting for someone else’s answer. “I’ll give you plenty,” she replied, momentarily surprised. Proposing in bed wasn’t exactly romantic or formal, but she didn’t mind. She had waited three years for this moment, and it was worth it. Three years ago, she had been injured near the beach, hitting her head on a rock. When she woke up, she had no memory. Justin had saved her. The first thing she saw when she woke was his face, and one look left her captivated. Later, she learned that Justin had paid her hospital bills. She also learned of his identity. He was the CEO of RC Corporation. He proposed that she be his contract lover, and without hesitation, she agreed. They signed an agreement, defining their relationship, and he gave her the name Emily Yates. Yes, she was drawn to his looks. Despite their arrangement, the past three years felt like any other relationship. In the first year, she was a hidden lover. In the second, he introduced her as his girlfriend to his circle. Now, with three years approaching, he was proposing. Once she was part of his social circle, she heard whispers about a woman who had been his first love, someone he cherished deeply in college. She had disappeared without a trace, and he had been searching for her ever since. Over the years, Justin had lost hope she was still alive. That was why he finally proposed. Emily didn’t mind. Everyone has a past. Looking at the diamond ring on her left ring finger, she felt like it had all been worth it. The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Justin was showering. Calming down, Emily wrapped a towel around herself and got out of bed to pick up their scattered clothes. A soft clink echoed as something hit the floor. It was Justin’s cardholder. She bent down to pick it up, and a photo slipped out. It was old, with frayed edges, as if it had been looked at countless times. The woman in the photo looked like her but younger, just how she would have looked three years ago. Emily didn’t remember ever taking this photo, but she had lost her memory. Maybe she had forgotten. She was just about to put the cardholder back when a large, slender hand appeared, taking it from her. Justin emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and falling over his eyes, now tinged with a hint of displeasure. “Don’t touch my things,” he said coldly, his tone a sharp contrast to the intimacy they had just shared. Turning away from her, he put the cardholder back in his briefcase, his whole demeanor suddenly distant and guarded. Emily froze. Was he really getting defensive over a photo? She looked at him, confused. Wasn’t that her old picture? Before she could ask, Justin seemed to realize that his reaction had been out of line. He turned back and grasped her chin. With a playful glint in his eye, he ran his thumb over her still-swollen lips, toying with them. His voice was cool, devoid of warmth, but his words were deeply suggestive, clearly aiming to change the subject. “We’re going to be late for the art exhibit. If you rather stay here, I wouldn’t mind going another round.” Her cheeks flushed at his teasing, and she gently pushed him away. Her thoughts were scattered, and she quickly forgot about the photo. Justin had come to Merika State on business and had received an invitation to an art exhibition by Haley Quinn. He brought Emily along, planning to take her to the show once his work was done. Haley, a painter who had withdrawn from the public eye three years ago, rarely held exhibitions, making this one a rare event. Emily dressed quickly, while Justin had already changed into a fresh suit. The gallery was close to the hotel, so they walked there. Arm in arm, they strolled down the street, enjoying the perfect atmosphere. Just as Emily felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, Justin suddenly stopped. “Justin, what’s wrong?” She followed his gaze. Across the street, a disheveled woman, her clothes too dirty to recognize their original color, was recklessly crossing the traffic, oblivious to the danger. The woman pushed Emily aside and wrapped her arms tightly around Justin’s waist. She sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for air. “Justin, I finally found you. You came looking for me, didn’t you?” Emily stumbled from the shove, the bright sunlight momentarily blinding her. The woman looked eerily familiar. She resembled the one in the photo from the cardholder and, in a way, even looked like Emily herself. “Emma? Is that really you?” Justin’s voice trembled, his eyes locked onto the woman in his arms, as if afraid she might disappear again. Just moments ago, he had proposed to Emily. Now, right there in the street, he held another woman. He gently wiped away the woman’s tears with a tenderness so delicate, as if afraid of breaking something precious. “Yes, it’s me,” the woman sobbed, nodding desperately. Frail as she was, she clung to him. Justin was known for his fastidiousness and love of cleanliness, but he now held her tightly. He was soothing her with gentle words, as if she were a lost treasure he had finally recovered. He was afraid that even the slightest rough movement might hurt her. They seemed oblivious to everything around them, including Emily. Justin seemed to have forgotten Emily was still there. The woman in his arms had cried herself into unconsciousness. He took off his expensive jacket and draped it over her. He then slipped his arms under her knees and held her tightly as he carried her back toward the hotel. Emily stood there, feeling like an outsider. Her arm still ached from where she had been shoved, and she could still feel the warmth of Justin’s touch lingering around her waist. Just minutes ago, he had been tangled up with her in bed, proposing marriage. Now, he was leaving her in the middle of the street, carrying a woman who seemed to come out of nowhere. He had tossed aside his usual grace, holding this woman, who looked like a beggar, and rushed back to the hotel. The people around them pointed and whispered, like they were watching some sort of spectacle. Emily wanted to follow him, but her first step faltered. She steadied herself against a nearby building, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Her flawless makeup now showed a hint of disarray. Chapter 2 Tears had fallen without her noticing, smudging the fresh makeup around her eyes. Emily glanced down at the diamond ring on her left hand, a sense of foreboding spreading through her. The sudden appearance of this woman might shatter the happiness she had been waiting for. She couldn’t just stand here. She had to know who this woman was. After a moment to gather herself, she headed back to the hotel. The plane flew from Merika State back to Haven State. At Lichfield Hospital, Emily stood at the door of a hospital room, arms crossed, trying to see inside through the window. Justin’s friend, Zac White, the director of Lichfield Hospital, along with other doctors, were examining the restless woman on the hospital bed. Two female nurses held her steady as they conducted their checks. On the plane, her face had already been cleaned, and she had been given fresh clothes. “Emma Xander? Hasn’t she... disappeared for the past four years?” Zac was shocked. Where had Justin found her? The Yates and White families had pulled every string they could to find Emma, but after four years with no trace, they had finally given up. And now, here she was. After completing their examination, the doctors and nurses left the room. A heavy silence fell over the space. A moment later, Justin’s voice seemed to echo from a distance as he gazed at the woman, now sound asleep after a sedative. “How is she doing?” “She’s malnourished, traumatized, and a bit disoriented, but otherwise fine. She just needs some time to recover.” Justin stood by her bedside, clearly prepared to stay with her. Zac hesitated, wanting to say something, but thought better of it and left the room. He opened the door to find Emily waiting outside. Feeling awkward for his friend, Zac adjusted his silver-framed glasses and greeted her with a polite smile. “Hi, Miss Yates.” Emily nodded in acknowledgment. “Dr. White, what’s her name? And what is her relationship with Justin?” she asked bluntly, desperate to know who this woman was. Zac hesitated, uncertain how to explain that Emma was Justin’s long-lost first love. This was his friend’s private matter, after all, and not his to reveal. Before he could find the words, Justin opened the door and saw them standing outside. He frowned, clearly displeased. “Didn’t I tell you to go home? Why are you still here?” Justin’s voice dripped with disdain and impatience, as if his irritation had taken on a life of its own. Emily stood her ground, unafraid. She needed answers. “You proposed to me in Merika State just 16 hours ago, but now you’re holding another woman and completely ignoring me. And you’re not even coming home? Staying out all night?” “Stop being unreasonable. Leave. Now,” he ordered, his voice cold and commanding, his gaze on her as though she were an unruly employee who had crossed the line. Seeing Justin’s dark expression, Zac stepped in, concerned that Emily might end up on the losing side of this argument. When Justin was angry, it rarely boded well for anyone. “It’s late. Let me arrange a car to take Miss Yates home,” Zac offered, trying to ease the tension. Emily, however, refused Zac’s offer. She wasn’t leaving without answers. “You think I’m being unreasonable? I’m your fiancée. You left me on the street in a foreign country to carry another woman away without a second thought. Did you ever consider how I felt? “I’ll go, but only if you leave the hospital with me. There are doctors and nurses here to care for that woman. Right now, you’re coming home with me.” Desperate, Emily reached out to grab Justin’s arm. But before she could make contact, her arm was blocked by Justin’s personal bodyguard, William Carter. Emily was stunned, unable to believe what she was seeing. It felt as though her heart was being torn in two. Justin had always been there for her, always caring, always the first to pick up her calls, no matter if he was in a meeting or on a business trip. If she ever needed him, he would show up immediately. If she couldn’t be reached, he would search the whole city until he found her. But now, with this woman in the hospital room, he wouldn’t even let her near him? “What do you mean by this?” Emily’s voice trembled, mirroring the unease in her heart. Justin didn’t respond. He stared at her with cold, detached eyes, as if she were a stranger and not the fiancée he had just proposed to. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, he spoke, his words sharp and emotionless. “Don’t be childish.” Childish? Once, he had said he loved how she depended on him, how she claimed him for herself. And now he was calling her childish? “If you want to stay here with her, then what about our marriage? You proposed to me just today!” Emily’s heart ached, squeezing painfully in her chest. She knew it wasn’t the right moment to bring this up, but she couldn’t accept the idea that her future husband would spend the night in the hospital with another woman. Zac stood nearby, listening in shock. Marriage? Had Justin really proposed to Emily? And what about Emma in the hospital room? Justin glanced over his shoulder, worried that the woman asleep in the hospital bed might hear them and wake up. Emily noticed the concern in his eyes. It was an expression she had seen many times when he had worried about her. But now, that look was for someone else. He turned back to Emily, his voice still icy. “If you don’t want to get married, we can call it off. This isn’t the place for your drama. William, have the driver take her home.” He didn’t like being threatened, especially when it came to his marriage. Without another glance at her, he opened the door to the hospital room and went back inside. William stepped forward, maintaining his respectful tone. “Miss Yates, please don’t make this difficult for me. It’s time for you to go home.” Zac looked at Emily with sympathy. “Miss Yates, it’s late. Maybe it’s best to talk things over with Justin another time.” But how could they ever discuss this again? Her fiancé had just left her humiliated, choosing to stay with another woman without a care for her dignity. The hospital hallway lights felt harsh, blinding her with their brightness. Realizing that staying there made her look like a fool, Emily decided she wouldn’t let herself be a spectacle for others to watch. Clenching her purse tightly, Emily turned to leave. As she took a step, her vision blurred, and she nearly collapsed. Both Zac and William rushed to steady her, their grip gentlemanly but firm. “I’ll walk you to the car,” Zac offered. Leaning against the wall, Emily took a moment to steady herself, then shook her head. “I’m fine. I can get back on my own.” Her footsteps wobbled as she walked down the hallway, but she managed to keep her head high until she was out of their sight. After returning to the hospital room, Justin glanced down at Emma, who lay pale and frail on the bed. A strange weight settled in his chest, and the pervasive smell of antiseptic only added to his irritation. He tugged at his shirt collar, unbuttoning the top two buttons, but the air still felt suffocating. He stepped back out into the hallway, finding Zac and William waiting there. Emily was gone. “She left?” he asked, visibly more at ease now that she was no longer around. He didn’t want her disturbing Emma’s rest. “Yes, she’s gone,” Zac replied, hands in the pockets of his lab coat, nodding. With both of them standing there, Justin didn’t bother asking how Emily had left. “I’m stepping out for a break,” he said. Chapter 3 “So, Emma Xander’s back. What are you going to do?” Zac asked, breaking the silence. He didn’t mention Emily, but they both knew what he meant. One woman was the college sweetheart, the first love who had once saved Justin’s life. The other was the girlfriend who had been with him for three years, sharing his most intimate moments, and now, his fiancée. After a long pause, Justin replied, his voice cold and detached. “She was just a stand-in. She could never compare to Emma.” He went on, his tone utterly indifferent, as if he hadn’t been the one to propose to Emily in Merika State. “The role of Mrs. Yates will never be hers. It can only belong to Emma.” In a way, Emily had saved him the trouble of saying it himself when she had brought up their marriage in the hallway. Zac and Justin had been close friends since childhood, both growing up in privileged families, each carrying a bit of that self-centered mindset typical of their social circle. But this time, Zac couldn’t help feeling sorry for Emily. Emily, though an orphan with no family or wealth, was straightforward and honest. Over the past three years, she had complemented Justin perfectly, and in Zac’s eyes, they had seemed genuinely happy together. On the other hand, considering how long Emma had been abroad, it wasn’t hard to guess what she might have gone through. Zac didn’t care about things like V-card or a woman’s past, but he had always found Emma to be somewhat pretentious. Even back in college, she often disregarded Justin’s concerns, running off on her own without a second thought. After graduation, she mysteriously vanished during an overseas reunion party organized by a close group of alumni. Despite mobilizing every possible connection, they never found her. Even the police suggested they give up, implying that a young woman disappearing overseas was likely gone for good. At that time, Justin hadn’t fully taken over the company and wasn’t yet experienced in handling crises like these. Around the same time, his father, Henry Yates, was in a car accident and died despite emergency treatment. After the funeral, Justin was suddenly thrust into the dual responsibilities of inheriting the company and fending off his uncle, Harry Yates, who was trying to seize control. Thanks to his grandfather’s intervention, Justin managed to stabilize the corporation. By then, the critical window to find Emma had long passed, and any chance of finding her had all but disappeared. Zac clearly remembered how Justin had been consumed with frustration and self-blame during those days. And then Emily had come into his life, bringing him some peace. For that, Zac was truly grateful to her. “Emily’s been with you for three years,” Zac said, trying to speak up for her. “She’s an orphan, with no one else in the world. Isn’t it a bit cruel to treat her like this?” “Then I’ll keep her around,” Justin replied casually, brushing it off like it was no big deal. “But marriage? That’s not going to happen.” His tone was so offhanded, as if having another woman around didn’t matter at all. He didn’t see a problem with it. Keep her around? Really? Was he expecting her to stay hidden away as his stand-in lover, someone he kept out of sight? A mistress? A side piece? Emily didn’t leave the hospital right away. She sat on a bench behind the flower bed, letting the cold night air wash over her. She hadn’t expected to find out the truth like this. It turned out she was only here because she happened to look almost exactly like his lost one true love. And since she had lost her memory, he saw the perfect opportunity to mold her into the image of the woman he truly missed, hiding the truth from her and using her as a substitute. All the affection and indulgence he had shown her, it was never really for her. It was for the woman he had lost. Emma Xander. So that was her name, the one he had loved all his life. That was why he named her Emily, a name that allowed him to keep calling out for the one he had always loved. Even in their most intimate moments, he would call her “Em.” Whenever he whispered “Em” in that deep, seductive voice, full of passion, she would lose herself completely, sinking further into him. It turned out he was simply looking at her face and calling out another woman’s name all along. It dawned on her that the photo in Justin’s wallet must have been of Emma, not her. She had foolishly assumed the woman in that picture was herself. What a joke. From start to finish, Justin had shaped her into the image of his hidden love, his one true love. And she had naively believed that she had won him over, making him fall in love with her. In truth, she was nothing more than a piece in their story. Emily felt her heart plunge from a mountaintop to the depths of despair. She had gone from being a proud fiancée to a hidden stand-in, a shadow. She had liked, maybe even loved Justin. But her pride couldn’t accept that she had been someone else’s replacement all along, or that she was now the secret other woman. Resolved to leave, she felt a small sense of relief that Justin had only proposed. They weren’t married yet, and breaking up would be far easier than going through a divorce. For a moment, she felt grateful for Emma’s sudden appearance. “Miss Yates, where are you?” the driver called, stepping out of the car after waiting a while. “I’m here.” Emily pulled herself from her thoughts, putting on her usual calm expression. “Is it just you? Where’s Mr. Yates?” he asked. “He’s not coming back.” Emily rose from the bench by the flower bed and walked back to the car with the driver. She wore a cream-colored, knee-length dress in a sweet, innocent style. As an artist, she was open to trying any look, but it was Justin who had said he liked this style. So, for the past three years, she had dressed this way for him. The spring breeze brushed her bare calves, sending a chill through her. Zac looked a bit uncomfortable, “Emily didn’t leave?” So, she had heard everything they had said. Justin’s tone was just as indifferent, cold, and unfeeling. “Good. Let her hear it. She needs to know her place and avoid causing any more scenes like tonight.” With that, he turned and walked away from the garden, completely unfazed by the fact that Emily had overheard him. Emily sat quietly during the ride back to Villa One. Mrs. Zimmer greeted her at the door, her face lighting up warmly after a few days apart. “You’re back! It must’ve been tiring, traveling with Mr. Yates.” Emily nodded wearily, barely acknowledging her. “Yes.” “Where’s Mr. Yates?” Mrs. Zimmer glanced behind her, looking for Justin. “He won’t be back tonight.” Emily’s voice was detached, as if his return made no difference to her. Mrs. Zimmer looked slightly disappointed at first, but then her face lit up with a knowing smile, the kind that came from having seen a lot in life. She took Emily’s suitcase and gently urged her to go get some rest in the bedroom. Once inside, Emily understood Mrs. Zimmer’s smile. The room was dimly lit, with candles arranged at various heights, casting a soft, romantic glow. Flowers and scented candles adorned the surfaces, and a bottle of champagne sat open on the table. Even the usual heavy gray curtains had been replaced with delicate lace, adding an air of intimacy. The bed was covered in thick rose petals, the entire room transformed into a romantic setting. Clearly, this had been Justin’s arrangement before their trip. Exhausted, Emily didn’t have the energy to clean up, and it was too late to bother Mrs. Zimmer. Chapter 4 Emily found the remote to turn on the lights, then looked for something handy to snuff out each candle one by one. Afterward, she retrieved her nightgown from the closet and headed for a shower. As she walked into the bathroom, she noticed the ring still on her left hand. She slipped it off and tossed it into the corner of her jewelry box. When she returned to the bedroom, she brushed all the rose petals off the bed and settled under the covers, pulling them over her head. She instinctively lay on the left side of the bed, where she was used to sleeping. Justin would always hold her close, gradually shifting over to the left with her until they were practically glued together. Now, the right side of the bed was glaringly empty. To fill the space, she scooted to the center, tossing the extra pillow onto the floor, finally feeling comfortable. She turned off the lights and went to sleep. Two days passed without any word from Justin. He was likely at the hospital with Emma or busy with work. Emily didn’t care and hadn’t reached out, maintaining a complete radio silence. The morning sun was bright, and the spring breeze was warm as she lounged on a deck chair in the villa’s garden, enjoying a face mask. Her mind wandered to practical matters. She had spent some time reviewing the contract she signed three years ago to be Justin’s “contract lover.” It was set to expire automatically after three years, which was now less than four months away. When it ended, she would receive a payout of twenty million. Between that, and the allowance and holiday bonuses he had given her over the years, she had saved nearly six million. She had barely spent any of it, so it was all tucked away. It seemed she would be in decent shape financially, and finding a job after leaving wouldn’t be too hard. As for a place to live, she could buy a similarly sized home, and maybe invite Helen to move in as a roommate. It would be nice to have company. She did regret not being able to take Mrs. Zimmer with her. If she could, it would be perfect. The phone on the coffee table buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. Emily picked it up, unlocked it with her fingerprint, and a new message notification popped up at the top of the screen. She tapped to open it. It was from her friend, Helen Walker. They had met a year ago while shopping, when Helen insisted on becoming friends after seeing her just once. With no memory of any past friendships, Emily had found Helen easy to talk to, and they had gradually become close. “How was your time in Merika State? When are you coming back?” Helen had attached a mischievous emoji with a smirk. “I’m already back.” “Already? That was quick.” “I thought Justin looked strong. Guess he didn’t last long? Not up to it?” “Not just ‘not up to it’. He can’t even get started.” Emily replied, seizing the chance to curse him. On the other end, Helen raised an eyebrow. It looked like Justin had managed to tick off her friend. But she wasn’t too concerned as they had argued before. Couples fought, and it usually blew over. “Perfect timing then. I’m heading to the TC Mall in a bit to stock up on some new clothes. Let’s hit the mall together and grab some food afterward. Get ready and meet me there.” “Sounds good. I’ll see you at the mall.” Emily agreed readily. She had spent the past couple of days clearing out the sweet, youthful clothes she didn’t like. Her wardrobe could use a refresh. She put down the phone and washed off her face mask. Glancing at the nearly empty wardrobe, she picked out a casual athletic outfit and did a quick, simple makeup look. Fresh and tidy, she got ready to head out. “Mrs. Zimmer, I’m meeting a friend to go shopping. I’ll have lunch out,” Emily said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Alright, Miss Yates. Will you be back for dinner?” Mrs. Zimmer, who was supervising the housekeeper’s cleaning, looked up to ask. Emily paused while slipping on her shoes, thinking about how unpredictable Helen could be and that they hadn’t seen each other in a while. She might not be back for dinner. “Not sure yet. I’ll text you later if I’ll be back in time.” “Understood.” As Emily opened the door, she found Justin’s assistant, Sam Spencer, just about to knock. “Hi, Sam,” she greeted him coolly, planning to step around him to leave. “Hi, Miss Yates. Mr. Yates has a flight out of town this afternoon for a business trip. Could I trouble you to help pack his things before you go?” Sam’s tone was respectful, as usual. Emily didn’t move. “Mrs. Zimmer, Justin’s going on a trip. Could you please help with his packing?” “Miss Yates, this…?” Sam’s face showed confusion. “What? Before I came along, didn’t Justin have someone to handle his luggage?” Her expression was calm, her tone light. “Of course. You’re absolutely right, Miss Yates,” Sam replied, beads of sweat forming as he carefully balanced his response, not daring to offend either side. In the past, Emily had always packed for Justin’s business trips. She had done it so many times that she knew exactly what he would need for any occasion. But now, she had no desire to continue. He had used her as a stand-in, and every time he watched her pack his bags, he must have thought she looked foolish. Three years. Now that she thought back, there had been plenty of strange looks and behaviors from Justin that she hadn’t picked up on. She had been utterly blind. But she wouldn’t be foolish anymore. Emily was ready to leave, but Sam was blocking the door, preventing her from going. She urged Mrs. Zimmer to hurry with the packing. Mrs. Zimmer quickly filled the suitcase and handed it to Sam, who was waiting in the living room. He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes had barely passed. That was fast. "Mrs. Zimmer, are you sure it’s all packed? Should we check to make sure nothing’s missing?" he asked cautiously. Emily replied without emotion, “Isn’t the flight at noon? If you keep dragging your feet, he’ll miss it. Besides, anything he needs can be bought over there.” She checked her watch, starting to feel a bit pressed for time. If she delayed much longer, Helen would end up waiting impatiently, and they would miss out on shopping before lunch. And who wanted to try on clothes with a full stomach? “Of course, Miss Yates. I’ll head over to the office to pick up Mr. Yates,” Sam said with a polite smile, making his way out. Emily nodded and headed down to the garage. She chose a white luxury car and drove off. Meanwhile, Sam took the suitcase to the sleek black car parked discreetly by the curb. He placed it in the trunk, then settled into the front passenger seat. The driver, Justin’s bodyguard, William, started the car. But instead of heading to the airport, they were bound for Lichfield Hospital. “How much longer until Emily’s contract is up?” Justin’s voice was calm and emotionless, as if he were discussing a routine business matter. Sam immediately understood that the question was directed at him. He quickly recalled the contract details. “Less than four months, Mr. Yates.” “Draft a new agreement and deliver it to her when the time comes,” Justin instructed. Keeping her around for three years had cost him little, and continuing to support her wasn’t an issue. But he was done with her. He wouldn’t touch her again or return to Villa One. Recalling the scene from the hospital hallway two nights ago, he added without hesitation, “Include a clause that ensures she never shows up in front of Emma again.” Sam was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his professional composure. “Understood, Mr. Yates.” Chapter 5 People said billionaires were cold and indifferent in their personal lives, switching women as easily as they changed clothes. For the past three years, Mr. Yates had only been with Miss Yates, making him seem like a devoted man. But it looked like he could move on in an instant. Who knew how long Miss Xander would last by his side? Sam had joined the company three years ago, right when Justin took over RC Corporation, so he wasn’t familiar with the complicated history between Emma and Justin. Inside TC Mall, Emily was browsing through clothes, each piece a far cry from her usual sweet and innocent style. “Babe, switching things up?” Helen asked, watching as Emily picked up a long black dress with a slitted hem. It would look stunning on Emily’s curves. Emily held the dress up to herself in the mirror, unfazed. “Yep, time for a change. Do you think this would look better with a shawl or a jacket?” She turned to give Helen a look. “A shawl, definitely. It’ll highlight your figure beautifully,” Helen replied with her usual style advice. “That’s what I thought too.” Helen eyed the dress. “That dress is so feminine. Will your guy even let you wear it out? Doesn’t Justin only let you wear those sweet, innocent schoolgirl outfits?” Helen couldn’t help but mentally criticize Justin’s taste. What kind of fashion sense did he have anyway? A multinational CEO, a man with a grip on the Haven State economy, yet he liked her to dress like a schoolgirl. “His taste doesn’t matter anymore. It’s not something I’m concerned about,” Emily replied casually, completely indifferent. She handed the dress to a fitting assistant with a similar build, having her try it on for her. High-end stores like this one often had staff who modeled the clothes for clients, so she didn’t have to try them on herself. Emily picked out a few more items in different styles for the assistant to model. If she liked them, she would buy them. When she was satisfied with her choices, she scanned her card and paid, then filled out the delivery details for Villa One. The clothes would be sent straight there. After they had finished shopping, they went for lunch. With no one else around, Emily finally shared her situation with Helen that she had been Justin’s stand-in for his one true love. Now that his true love had returned, she was planning to leave him. “That despicable man!” Helen burst out, her emotions flaring. “Keep it down.” Emily quickly covered Helen’s mouth and glanced around to see if anyone at nearby tables was paying attention to them. Helen lowered her voice but was still fuming. “Justin might look put-together, but he’s not even half a man. His first love disappears, so he goes and finds a stand-in? “Why didn’t he just get plastic surgery to look like her? Then he could see her every time he looked in the mirror. “Good for you for walking away. You should break up with him. No! Just breaking up is too good for that pompous human garbage! You need to dump him into the sewers!” LMAO, where did Helen even learn these insults from? Just then, the server brought out a tray with seasoned meats, fresh vegetables, and a variety of salsas. Emily began assembling her own tacos, adding the toppings she liked best. “The contract’s up in four months. I’m planning to buy a place.” “What for? Just stay with me. I’ve got a room for you.” “My address is still tied to Justin’s place. Since I’ve decided to leave, I need a clean break. I’ll need my own place to change everything over,” Emily explained, outlining her plan. Her heart felt numb now, no longer as raw as it had been the night she’d learned the truth in the hospital garden. “Then you can cancel your lease and move in with me! We’ll be family!" Emily suggested excitedly. Helen suppressed the impulse to tell Emily that they were already family. Given Emily's amnesia, she didn’t want to overwhelm her with too much information all at once. Instead, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll move in with you. I’ll start looking around for a place for you. Actually the place I rent now is quite nice. The location and neighborhood are perfect. I’ll check if the landlord’s interested in selling, though it’s a resale property.” “I don’t care if it’s new or used. As long as it’s clean and ready to go, I’m good.” Emily didn’t need much. After leaving the cushy life she had been used to, she was perfectly fine doing things on her own. She found the independence kind of refreshing. After lunch, they picked up some accessories to go with the new outfits, light enough to carry back on her own. Emily said goodbye to Helen and drove back to Villa One. By the time she got back, the clothes she had bought that morning had already been delivered, ironed, and neatly hung in the walk-in closet by the house staff. She hadn’t bought much, just enough to last the next few months and to keep the move as hassle-free as possible. The women’s side of the closet was nearly empty, with only a few of her favorite pieces hanging. She grabbed a new loungewear set to change into and happened to glance over at the men’s side, packed with Justin’s clothes. Emily didn’t linger. She strode past it without a second thought. As she was heading to the bathroom, her phone rang from the sofa. She put down the clothes and picked up the call. “Hello, is this Miss Yates?” “Yes, this is.” “I’m a nurse from Lichfield Hospital. Your health screening results are in. When would be a convenient time for you to come pick them up?” Emily remembered that Justin had taken her for a checkup just before their trip to Merika State. She had forgotten all about it until this call. “I’ll come by tomorrow morning.” “Very well. Have a nice day.” The next day, Emily went to Lichfield Hospital. “Plan to have a baby?” “That’s right. Mr. Yates specifically requested it during his screening. Your health is excellent, Miss Yates. Your ovulation cycle is regular, so we recommend folic acid, Vitamin B1, and plenty of protein. With the right timing and frequency, you should be expecting good news soon.” The doctor adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly. Emily’s fingers tightened around the report, a heavy feeling settling in her chest. She had been trying hard not to think about Justin lately, but this report hit her unexpectedly hard. “Miss Yates, I’ll prescribe you two boxes of folic acid and Vitamin B1. Be sure to take them regularly.” Emily interrupted him, finding an excuse to refuse. “Thanks, doctor, but that won’t be necessary. I’ll get them on my own.” The doctor wasn’t surprised. Wealthy women like her often had access to premium brands from various sources, so declining hospital-prescribed supplements wasn’t unusual. Emily left the hospital in a daze, only coming to her senses when she reached a sunny spot outside. She tossed the health report into the trash bin. With Emma back, Justin clearly had no intention of having children with her. And she certainly didn’t want to give him one, either. It was easier to pretend she didn’t know what the checkup had really been for. Meanwhile, in the hospital’s garden, the spring sunlight was warm and gentle. Justin was pushing Emma’s wheelchair, letting her enjoy the sunshine. “Justin, you’re busy with work. You don’t have to be here with me all the time. I can manage on my own,” Emma said, her voice soft and considerate. “Focus on getting better. Don’t worry about anything else.” Justin felt a deep guilt about Emma’s disappearance, blaming himself for not protecting her better. He believed his negligence had allowed her to be taken and vanish without a trace. Over the past few days, he had tried to gather clues from her about what happened, but whenever he brought it up, she would break down, unable to share any details. Emily hadn’t expected to see Justin at the hospital. Hadn’t Sam said Justin was out of town on a business trip?	LEARN_MORE	https://www.lzwnyvvd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.lzwnyvvd.com	VIDEO		https://www.lzwnyvvd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18085&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/478253383_1006528584871889_6417019491908515450_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=djfDCbYrhOMQ7kNvgG8693x&_nc_oc=Adgzc7SCoqh1ptx0q8wXMuMl042rbiqcYdXR_vyfT8j1TdDHEzjFyq23QNQHpvtZL1jkD_pGXvga2LqK5sciLhnt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AaSfxIdAJRx6D-rr47t5buD&oh=00_AYC_GQ0qcXp5NFAnvFN7WZhcr4ksPUCuI1dxQ0She0Nl6w&oe=67CC0B0E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,765,876	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:28	active	2789		🎉 $150 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉 We’re giving one lucky winner $150 to shop at Kit & Petal! Whether you’re treating your little ones to our cozy, nature-inspired clothes or gifting to someone special, don’t miss your chance to win. 💛 Here’s how to enter: 1️⃣ Follow us @kitandpetal 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag your friends in the comments who love soft, sustainable baby clothes (each tag = 1 entry!) 💌 Bonus: Sign up for our email list for 2 extra entries! Use the link in our bio to join. Giveaway details: ▫️ Ends on Monday, March 10th at 11:59pm EST ▫️ Winner announced on Tuesday, March 11th via our official account @kitandpetal ▫️ Open to U.S. residents only, 18+ only ▫️ No purchase necessary Good luck! 🌟 #kitandpetal #giveaway #babyclothing (This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.)	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	https://www.instagram.com/_u/kitandpetal	Kit & Petal	https://www.facebook.com/kitandpetal/	8	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram profile	instagram.com	IMAGE		https://www.instagram.com/_u/kitandpetal	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481894622_1663317234283255_6969795887128790744_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gVZ21q9ElrUQ7kNvgGFqxe8&_nc_oc=AdhkwJg3HPwB2C8v8hx7hx6LLa9WpIAx6FZGj1ceUFgv4-jKQqsuTQedc0d2LbxslUupLNCOq7xqTgU4YCEWpHEF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A8QuGbkR9RgFHPyA30_jhc9&oh=00_AYC6PH2Qn3tX8CZgGVl7P42nBJykZgRdpVe4ngb1t9gCWg&oe=67CC339C	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Kit & Petal	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,765,645	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2765642}'	No	2025-03-03 18:27	active	2789			VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/minalsampatllc	Minal Sampat LLC	https://www.facebook.com/minalsampatllc/	1,491	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram Profile	instagram.com	CAROUSEL		http://instagram.com/minalsampatllc	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481003656_1858665914869971_1205422685969096020_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hKHm4rjxpzkQ7kNvgGBrbfN&_nc_oc=Adjk7wXfR1TuCQTn6M0aLqb60wDVEYJDyUbN8qWHqE1pzCikGES2xbt8Z9xJV42dTgVq8bUZDrPyIiPruRTd-IZ1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AJZLjB5dL1zRIyAgDzW6zlU&oh=00_AYBu3I_SBogCf6U2o17Tdt5ZnwFWF1JXrzg7Sv98VgAN3w&oe=67CC0D4E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Minal Sampat LLC	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,030	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767026}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:53	active	2790			SHOP_NOW	https://www.etsy.com/listing/1773069666/	simplicitylink	https://www.instagram.com/_u/simplicitylink	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	etsy.com	CAROUSEL		https://www.etsy.com/listing/1773069666/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/452684880_8961518807196548_9214094599147486137_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=-YExY3ybIgkQ7kNvgH-_edE&_nc_oc=Adj7rwCTf7L8JjRlCALp5Bft5H8Go-vmZBsznEXZORYuK0laSwwGEyLKR9gk_IJ-oxqpMmU0XtBu3Tue8yLq6SVm&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCaeGeTXBjrRqdb3SdnWHiJijUXZ5ZhsfoWmPCzgEa9Rg&oe=67CC0FFB	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	simplicitylink	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,103	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768116}'	No	2025-03-03 19:10	active	2791	😍Read the next chapters👉	In Merika State, the two of them lay close together on the hotel bed. As their passion grew, Justin Yates’s husky voice, filled with allure, murmured, “Em, how about having a child with me?” Caught up in the moment, Emily Yates replied without thinking. It wasn’t until they were lying together afterward that she remembered what he had said. “A child?” she repeated, a trace of intimacy lingering in her eyes. The look stirred Justin’s desire again. She was a constant temptation to him. Pushing those thoughts aside, he pulled out a ring and slipped it onto her left hand. “Are you proposing to me?” she asked. “Yes.” “Can I finally have your child now?” Justin asked, smiling. His eyes were warm, but there was no love in them, as if he were gazing past her, waiting for someone else’s answer. “I’ll give you plenty,” she replied, momentarily surprised. Proposing in bed wasn’t exactly romantic or formal, but she didn’t mind. She had waited three years for this moment, and it was worth it. Three years ago, she had been injured near the beach, hitting her head on a rock. When she woke up, she had no memory. Justin had saved her. The first thing she saw when she woke was his face, and one look left her captivated. Later, she learned that Justin had paid her hospital bills. She also learned of his identity. He was the CEO of RC Corporation. He proposed that she be his contract lover, and without hesitation, she agreed. They signed an agreement, defining their relationship, and he gave her the name Emily Yates. Yes, she was drawn to his looks. Despite their arrangement, the past three years felt like any other relationship. In the first year, she was a hidden lover. In the second, he introduced her as his girlfriend to his circle. Now, with three years approaching, he was proposing. Once she was part of his social circle, she heard whispers about a woman who had been his first love, someone he cherished deeply in college. She had disappeared without a trace, and he had been searching for her ever since. Over the years, Justin had lost hope she was still alive. That was why he finally proposed. Emily didn’t mind. Everyone has a past. Looking at the diamond ring on her left ring finger, she felt like it had all been worth it. The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Justin was showering. Calming down, Emily wrapped a towel around herself and got out of bed to pick up their scattered clothes. A soft clink echoed as something hit the floor. It was Justin’s cardholder. She bent down to pick it up, and a photo slipped out. It was old, with frayed edges, as if it had been looked at countless times. The woman in the photo looked like her but younger, just how she would have looked three years ago. Emily didn’t remember ever taking this photo, but she had lost her memory. Maybe she had forgotten. She was just about to put the cardholder back when a large, slender hand appeared, taking it from her. Justin emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and falling over his eyes, now tinged with a hint of displeasure. “Don’t touch my things,” he said coldly, his tone a sharp contrast to the intimacy they had just shared. Turning away from her, he put the cardholder back in his briefcase, his whole demeanor suddenly distant and guarded. Emily froze. Was he really getting defensive over a photo? She looked at him, confused. Wasn’t that her old picture? Before she could ask, Justin seemed to realize that his reaction had been out of line. He turned back and grasped her chin. With a playful glint in his eye, he ran his thumb over her still-swollen lips, toying with them. His voice was cool, devoid of warmth, but his words were deeply suggestive, clearly aiming to change the subject. “We’re going to be late for the art exhibit. If you rather stay here, I wouldn’t mind going another round.” Her cheeks flushed at his teasing, and she gently pushed him away. Her thoughts were scattered, and she quickly forgot about the photo. Justin had come to Merika State on business and had received an invitation to an art exhibition by Haley Quinn. He brought Emily along, planning to take her to the show once his work was done. Haley, a painter who had withdrawn from the public eye three years ago, rarely held exhibitions, making this one a rare event. Emily dressed quickly, while Justin had already changed into a fresh suit. The gallery was close to the hotel, so they walked there. Arm in arm, they strolled down the street, enjoying the perfect atmosphere. Just as Emily felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, Justin suddenly stopped. “Justin, what’s wrong?” She followed his gaze. Across the street, a disheveled woman, her clothes too dirty to recognize their original color, was recklessly crossing the traffic, oblivious to the danger. The woman pushed Emily aside and wrapped her arms tightly around Justin’s waist. She sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for air. “Justin, I finally found you. You came looking for me, didn’t you?” Emily stumbled from the shove, the bright sunlight momentarily blinding her. The woman looked eerily familiar. She resembled the one in the photo from the cardholder and, in a way, even looked like Emily herself. “Emma? Is that really you?” Justin’s voice trembled, his eyes locked onto the woman in his arms, as if afraid she might disappear again. Just moments ago, he had proposed to Emily. Now, right there in the street, he held another woman. He gently wiped away the woman’s tears with a tenderness so delicate, as if afraid of breaking something precious. “Yes, it’s me,” the woman sobbed, nodding desperately. Frail as she was, she clung to him. Justin was known for his fastidiousness and love of cleanliness, but he now held her tightly. He was soothing her with gentle words, as if she were a lost treasure he had finally recovered. He was afraid that even the slightest rough movement might hurt her. They seemed oblivious to everything around them, including Emily. Justin seemed to have forgotten Emily was still there. The woman in his arms had cried herself into unconsciousness. He took off his expensive jacket and draped it over her. He then slipped his arms under her knees and held her tightly as he carried her back toward the hotel. Emily stood there, feeling like an outsider. Her arm still ached from where she had been shoved, and she could still feel the warmth of Justin’s touch lingering around her waist. Just minutes ago, he had been tangled up with her in bed, proposing marriage. Now, he was leaving her in the middle of the street, carrying a woman who seemed to come out of nowhere. He had tossed aside his usual grace, holding this woman, who looked like a beggar, and rushed back to the hotel. The people around them pointed and whispered, like they were watching some sort of spectacle. Emily wanted to follow him, but her first step faltered. She steadied herself against a nearby building, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Her flawless makeup now showed a hint of disarray. Chapter 2 Tears had fallen without her noticing, smudging the fresh makeup around her eyes. Emily glanced down at the diamond ring on her left hand, a sense of foreboding spreading through her. The sudden appearance of this woman might shatter the happiness she had been waiting for. She couldn’t just stand here. She had to know who this woman was. After a moment to gather herself, she headed back to the hotel. The plane flew from Merika State back to Haven State. At Lichfield Hospital, Emily stood at the door of a hospital room, arms crossed, trying to see inside through the window. Justin’s friend, Zac White, the director of Lichfield Hospital, along with other doctors, were examining the restless woman on the hospital bed. Two female nurses held her steady as they conducted their checks. On the plane, her face had already been cleaned, and she had been given fresh clothes. “Emma Xander? Hasn’t she... disappeared for the past four years?” Zac was shocked. Where had Justin found her? The Yates and White families had pulled every string they could to find Emma, but after four years with no trace, they had finally given up. And now, here she was. After completing their examination, the doctors and nurses left the room. A heavy silence fell over the space. A moment later, Justin’s voice seemed to echo from a distance as he gazed at the woman, now sound asleep after a sedative. “How is she doing?” “She’s malnourished, traumatized, and a bit disoriented, but otherwise fine. She just needs some time to recover.” Justin stood by her bedside, clearly prepared to stay with her. Zac hesitated, wanting to say something, but thought better of it and left the room. He opened the door to find Emily waiting outside. Feeling awkward for his friend, Zac adjusted his silver-framed glasses and greeted her with a polite smile. “Hi, Miss Yates.” Emily nodded in acknowledgment. “Dr. White, what’s her name? And what is her relationship with Justin?” she asked bluntly, desperate to know who this woman was. Zac hesitated, uncertain how to explain that Emma was Justin’s long-lost first love. This was his friend’s private matter, after all, and not his to reveal. Before he could find the words, Justin opened the door and saw them standing outside. He frowned, clearly displeased. “Didn’t I tell you to go home? Why are you still here?” Justin’s voice dripped with disdain and impatience, as if his irritation had taken on a life of its own. Emily stood her ground, unafraid. She needed answers. “You proposed to me in Merika State just 16 hours ago, but now you’re holding another woman and completely ignoring me. And you’re not even coming home? Staying out all night?” “Stop being unreasonable. Leave. Now,” he ordered, his voice cold and commanding, his gaze on her as though she were an unruly employee who had crossed the line. Seeing Justin’s dark expression, Zac stepped in, concerned that Emily might end up on the losing side of this argument. When Justin was angry, it rarely boded well for anyone. “It’s late. Let me arrange a car to take Miss Yates home,” Zac offered, trying to ease the tension. Emily, however, refused Zac’s offer. She wasn’t leaving without answers. “You think I’m being unreasonable? I’m your fiancée. You left me on the street in a foreign country to carry another woman away without a second thought. Did you ever consider how I felt? “I’ll go, but only if you leave the hospital with me. There are doctors and nurses here to care for that woman. Right now, you’re coming home with me.” Desperate, Emily reached out to grab Justin’s arm. But before she could make contact, her arm was blocked by Justin’s personal bodyguard, William Carter. Emily was stunned, unable to believe what she was seeing. It felt as though her heart was being torn in two. Justin had always been there for her, always caring, always the first to pick up her calls, no matter if he was in a meeting or on a business trip. If she ever needed him, he would show up immediately. If she couldn’t be reached, he would search the whole city until he found her. But now, with this woman in the hospital room, he wouldn’t even let her near him? “What do you mean by this?” Emily’s voice trembled, mirroring the unease in her heart. Justin didn’t respond. He stared at her with cold, detached eyes, as if she were a stranger and not the fiancée he had just proposed to. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, he spoke, his words sharp and emotionless. “Don’t be childish.” Childish? Once, he had said he loved how she depended on him, how she claimed him for herself. And now he was calling her childish? “If you want to stay here with her, then what about our marriage? You proposed to me just today!” Emily’s heart ached, squeezing painfully in her chest. She knew it wasn’t the right moment to bring this up, but she couldn’t accept the idea that her future husband would spend the night in the hospital with another woman. Zac stood nearby, listening in shock. Marriage? Had Justin really proposed to Emily? And what about Emma in the hospital room? Justin glanced over his shoulder, worried that the woman asleep in the hospital bed might hear them and wake up. Emily noticed the concern in his eyes. It was an expression she had seen many times when he had worried about her. But now, that look was for someone else. He turned back to Emily, his voice still icy. “If you don’t want to get married, we can call it off. This isn’t the place for your drama. William, have the driver take her home.” He didn’t like being threatened, especially when it came to his marriage. Without another glance at her, he opened the door to the hospital room and went back inside. William stepped forward, maintaining his respectful tone. “Miss Yates, please don’t make this difficult for me. It’s time for you to go home.” Zac looked at Emily with sympathy. “Miss Yates, it’s late. Maybe it’s best to talk things over with Justin another time.” But how could they ever discuss this again? Her fiancé had just left her humiliated, choosing to stay with another woman without a care for her dignity. The hospital hallway lights felt harsh, blinding her with their brightness. Realizing that staying there made her look like a fool, Emily decided she wouldn’t let herself be a spectacle for others to watch. Clenching her purse tightly, Emily turned to leave. As she took a step, her vision blurred, and she nearly collapsed. Both Zac and William rushed to steady her, their grip gentlemanly but firm. “I’ll walk you to the car,” Zac offered. Leaning against the wall, Emily took a moment to steady herself, then shook her head. “I’m fine. I can get back on my own.” Her footsteps wobbled as she walked down the hallway, but she managed to keep her head high until she was out of their sight. After returning to the hospital room, Justin glanced down at Emma, who lay pale and frail on the bed. A strange weight settled in his chest, and the pervasive smell of antiseptic only added to his irritation. He tugged at his shirt collar, unbuttoning the top two buttons, but the air still felt suffocating. He stepped back out into the hallway, finding Zac and William waiting there. Emily was gone. “She left?” he asked, visibly more at ease now that she was no longer around. He didn’t want her disturbing Emma’s rest. “Yes, she’s gone,” Zac replied, hands in the pockets of his lab coat, nodding. With both of them standing there, Justin didn’t bother asking how Emily had left. “I’m stepping out for a break,” he said. Chapter 3 “So, Emma Xander’s back. What are you going to do?” Zac asked, breaking the silence. He didn’t mention Emily, but they both knew what he meant. One woman was the college sweetheart, the first love who had once saved Justin’s life. The other was the girlfriend who had been with him for three years, sharing his most intimate moments, and now, his fiancée. After a long pause, Justin replied, his voice cold and detached. “She was just a stand-in. She could never compare to Emma.” He went on, his tone utterly indifferent, as if he hadn’t been the one to propose to Emily in Merika State. “The role of Mrs. Yates will never be hers. It can only belong to Emma.” In a way, Emily had saved him the trouble of saying it himself when she had brought up their marriage in the hallway. Zac and Justin had been close friends since childhood, both growing up in privileged families, each carrying a bit of that self-centered mindset typical of their social circle. But this time, Zac couldn’t help feeling sorry for Emily. Emily, though an orphan with no family or wealth, was straightforward and honest. Over the past three years, she had complemented Justin perfectly, and in Zac’s eyes, they had seemed genuinely happy together. On the other hand, considering how long Emma had been abroad, it wasn’t hard to guess what she might have gone through. Zac didn’t care about things like V-card or a woman’s past, but he had always found Emma to be somewhat pretentious. Even back in college, she often disregarded Justin’s concerns, running off on her own without a second thought. After graduation, she mysteriously vanished during an overseas reunion party organized by a close group of alumni. Despite mobilizing every possible connection, they never found her. Even the police suggested they give up, implying that a young woman disappearing overseas was likely gone for good. At that time, Justin hadn’t fully taken over the company and wasn’t yet experienced in handling crises like these. Around the same time, his father, Henry Yates, was in a car accident and died despite emergency treatment. After the funeral, Justin was suddenly thrust into the dual responsibilities of inheriting the company and fending off his uncle, Harry Yates, who was trying to seize control. Thanks to his grandfather’s intervention, Justin managed to stabilize the corporation. By then, the critical window to find Emma had long passed, and any chance of finding her had all but disappeared. Zac clearly remembered how Justin had been consumed with frustration and self-blame during those days. And then Emily had come into his life, bringing him some peace. For that, Zac was truly grateful to her. “Emily’s been with you for three years,” Zac said, trying to speak up for her. “She’s an orphan, with no one else in the world. Isn’t it a bit cruel to treat her like this?” “Then I’ll keep her around,” Justin replied casually, brushing it off like it was no big deal. “But marriage? That’s not going to happen.” His tone was so offhanded, as if having another woman around didn’t matter at all. He didn’t see a problem with it. Keep her around? Really? Was he expecting her to stay hidden away as his stand-in lover, someone he kept out of sight? A mistress? A side piece? Emily didn’t leave the hospital right away. She sat on a bench behind the flower bed, letting the cold night air wash over her. She hadn’t expected to find out the truth like this. It turned out she was only here because she happened to look almost exactly like his lost one true love. And since she had lost her memory, he saw the perfect opportunity to mold her into the image of the woman he truly missed, hiding the truth from her and using her as a substitute. All the affection and indulgence he had shown her, it was never really for her. It was for the woman he had lost. Emma Xander. So that was her name, the one he had loved all his life. That was why he named her Emily, a name that allowed him to keep calling out for the one he had always loved. Even in their most intimate moments, he would call her “Em.” Whenever he whispered “Em” in that deep, seductive voice, full of passion, she would lose herself completely, sinking further into him. It turned out he was simply looking at her face and calling out another woman’s name all along. It dawned on her that the photo in Justin’s wallet must have been of Emma, not her. She had foolishly assumed the woman in that picture was herself. What a joke. From start to finish, Justin had shaped her into the image of his hidden love, his one true love. And she had naively believed that she had won him over, making him fall in love with her. In truth, she was nothing more than a piece in their story. Emily felt her heart plunge from a mountaintop to the depths of despair. She had gone from being a proud fiancée to a hidden stand-in, a shadow. She had liked, maybe even loved Justin. But her pride couldn’t accept that she had been someone else’s replacement all along, or that she was now the secret other woman. Resolved to leave, she felt a small sense of relief that Justin had only proposed. They weren’t married yet, and breaking up would be far easier than going through a divorce. For a moment, she felt grateful for Emma’s sudden appearance. “Miss Yates, where are you?” the driver called, stepping out of the car after waiting a while. “I’m here.” Emily pulled herself from her thoughts, putting on her usual calm expression. “Is it just you? Where’s Mr. Yates?” he asked. “He’s not coming back.” Emily rose from the bench by the flower bed and walked back to the car with the driver. She wore a cream-colored, knee-length dress in a sweet, innocent style. As an artist, she was open to trying any look, but it was Justin who had said he liked this style. So, for the past three years, she had dressed this way for him. The spring breeze brushed her bare calves, sending a chill through her. Zac looked a bit uncomfortable, “Emily didn’t leave?” So, she had heard everything they had said. Justin’s tone was just as indifferent, cold, and unfeeling. “Good. Let her hear it. She needs to know her place and avoid causing any more scenes like tonight.” With that, he turned and walked away from the garden, completely unfazed by the fact that Emily had overheard him. Emily sat quietly during the ride back to Villa One. Mrs. Zimmer greeted her at the door, her face lighting up warmly after a few days apart. “You’re back! It must’ve been tiring, traveling with Mr. Yates.” Emily nodded wearily, barely acknowledging her. “Yes.” “Where’s Mr. Yates?” Mrs. Zimmer glanced behind her, looking for Justin. “He won’t be back tonight.” Emily’s voice was detached, as if his return made no difference to her. Mrs. Zimmer looked slightly disappointed at first, but then her face lit up with a knowing smile, the kind that came from having seen a lot in life. She took Emily’s suitcase and gently urged her to go get some rest in the bedroom. Once inside, Emily understood Mrs. Zimmer’s smile. The room was dimly lit, with candles arranged at various heights, casting a soft, romantic glow. Flowers and scented candles adorned the surfaces, and a bottle of champagne sat open on the table. Even the usual heavy gray curtains had been replaced with delicate lace, adding an air of intimacy. The bed was covered in thick rose petals, the entire room transformed into a romantic setting. Clearly, this had been Justin’s arrangement before their trip. Exhausted, Emily didn’t have the energy to clean up, and it was too late to bother Mrs. Zimmer. Chapter 4 Emily found the remote to turn on the lights, then looked for something handy to snuff out each candle one by one. Afterward, she retrieved her nightgown from the closet and headed for a shower. As she walked into the bathroom, she noticed the ring still on her left hand. She slipped it off and tossed it into the corner of her jewelry box. When she returned to the bedroom, she brushed all the rose petals off the bed and settled under the covers, pulling them over her head. She instinctively lay on the left side of the bed, where she was used to sleeping. Justin would always hold her close, gradually shifting over to the left with her until they were practically glued together. Now, the right side of the bed was glaringly empty. To fill the space, she scooted to the center, tossing the extra pillow onto the floor, finally feeling comfortable. She turned off the lights and went to sleep. Two days passed without any word from Justin. He was likely at the hospital with Emma or busy with work. Emily didn’t care and hadn’t reached out, maintaining a complete radio silence. The morning sun was bright, and the spring breeze was warm as she lounged on a deck chair in the villa’s garden, enjoying a face mask. Her mind wandered to practical matters. She had spent some time reviewing the contract she signed three years ago to be Justin’s “contract lover.” It was set to expire automatically after three years, which was now less than four months away. When it ended, she would receive a payout of twenty million. Between that, and the allowance and holiday bonuses he had given her over the years, she had saved nearly six million. She had barely spent any of it, so it was all tucked away. It seemed she would be in decent shape financially, and finding a job after leaving wouldn’t be too hard. As for a place to live, she could buy a similarly sized home, and maybe invite Helen to move in as a roommate. It would be nice to have company. She did regret not being able to take Mrs. Zimmer with her. If she could, it would be perfect. The phone on the coffee table buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. Emily picked it up, unlocked it with her fingerprint, and a new message notification popped up at the top of the screen. She tapped to open it. It was from her friend, Helen Walker. They had met a year ago while shopping, when Helen insisted on becoming friends after seeing her just once. With no memory of any past friendships, Emily had found Helen easy to talk to, and they had gradually become close. “How was your time in Merika State? When are you coming back?” Helen had attached a mischievous emoji with a smirk. “I’m already back.” “Already? That was quick.” “I thought Justin looked strong. Guess he didn’t last long? Not up to it?” “Not just ‘not up to it’. He can’t even get started.” Emily replied, seizing the chance to curse him. On the other end, Helen raised an eyebrow. It looked like Justin had managed to tick off her friend. But she wasn’t too concerned as they had argued before. Couples fought, and it usually blew over. “Perfect timing then. I’m heading to the TC Mall in a bit to stock up on some new clothes. Let’s hit the mall together and grab some food afterward. Get ready and meet me there.” “Sounds good. I’ll see you at the mall.” Emily agreed readily. She had spent the past couple of days clearing out the sweet, youthful clothes she didn’t like. Her wardrobe could use a refresh. She put down the phone and washed off her face mask. Glancing at the nearly empty wardrobe, she picked out a casual athletic outfit and did a quick, simple makeup look. Fresh and tidy, she got ready to head out. “Mrs. Zimmer, I’m meeting a friend to go shopping. I’ll have lunch out,” Emily said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Alright, Miss Yates. Will you be back for dinner?” Mrs. Zimmer, who was supervising the housekeeper’s cleaning, looked up to ask. Emily paused while slipping on her shoes, thinking about how unpredictable Helen could be and that they hadn’t seen each other in a while. She might not be back for dinner. “Not sure yet. I’ll text you later if I’ll be back in time.” “Understood.” As Emily opened the door, she found Justin’s assistant, Sam Spencer, just about to knock. “Hi, Sam,” she greeted him coolly, planning to step around him to leave. “Hi, Miss Yates. Mr. Yates has a flight out of town this afternoon for a business trip. Could I trouble you to help pack his things before you go?” Sam’s tone was respectful, as usual. Emily didn’t move. “Mrs. Zimmer, Justin’s going on a trip. Could you please help with his packing?” “Miss Yates, this…?” Sam’s face showed confusion. “What? Before I came along, didn’t Justin have someone to handle his luggage?” Her expression was calm, her tone light. “Of course. You’re absolutely right, Miss Yates,” Sam replied, beads of sweat forming as he carefully balanced his response, not daring to offend either side. In the past, Emily had always packed for Justin’s business trips. She had done it so many times that she knew exactly what he would need for any occasion. But now, she had no desire to continue. He had used her as a stand-in, and every time he watched her pack his bags, he must have thought she looked foolish. Three years. Now that she thought back, there had been plenty of strange looks and behaviors from Justin that she hadn’t picked up on. She had been utterly blind. But she wouldn’t be foolish anymore. Emily was ready to leave, but Sam was blocking the door, preventing her from going. She urged Mrs. Zimmer to hurry with the packing. Mrs. Zimmer quickly filled the suitcase and handed it to Sam, who was waiting in the living room. He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes had barely passed. That was fast. "Mrs. Zimmer, are you sure it’s all packed? Should we check to make sure nothing’s missing?" he asked cautiously. Emily replied without emotion, “Isn’t the flight at noon? If you keep dragging your feet, he’ll miss it. Besides, anything he needs can be bought over there.” She checked her watch, starting to feel a bit pressed for time. If she delayed much longer, Helen would end up waiting impatiently, and they would miss out on shopping before lunch. And who wanted to try on clothes with a full stomach? “Of course, Miss Yates. I’ll head over to the office to pick up Mr. Yates,” Sam said with a polite smile, making his way out. Emily nodded and headed down to the garage. She chose a white luxury car and drove off. Meanwhile, Sam took the suitcase to the sleek black car parked discreetly by the curb. He placed it in the trunk, then settled into the front passenger seat. The driver, Justin’s bodyguard, William, started the car. But instead of heading to the airport, they were bound for Lichfield Hospital. “How much longer until Emily’s contract is up?” Justin’s voice was calm and emotionless, as if he were discussing a routine business matter. Sam immediately understood that the question was directed at him. He quickly recalled the contract details. “Less than four months, Mr. Yates.” “Draft a new agreement and deliver it to her when the time comes,” Justin instructed. Keeping her around for three years had cost him little, and continuing to support her wasn’t an issue. But he was done with her. He wouldn’t touch her again or return to Villa One. Recalling the scene from the hospital hallway two nights ago, he added without hesitation, “Include a clause that ensures she never shows up in front of Emma again.” Sam was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his professional composure. “Understood, Mr. Yates.” Chapter 5 People said billionaires were cold and indifferent in their personal lives, switching women as easily as they changed clothes. For the past three years, Mr. Yates had only been with Miss Yates, making him seem like a devoted man. But it looked like he could move on in an instant. Who knew how long Miss Xander would last by his side? Sam had joined the company three years ago, right when Justin took over RC Corporation, so he wasn’t familiar with the complicated history between Emma and Justin. Inside TC Mall, Emily was browsing through clothes, each piece a far cry from her usual sweet and innocent style. “Babe, switching things up?” Helen asked, watching as Emily picked up a long black dress with a slitted hem. It would look stunning on Emily’s curves. Emily held the dress up to herself in the mirror, unfazed. “Yep, time for a change. Do you think this would look better with a shawl or a jacket?” She turned to give Helen a look. “A shawl, definitely. It’ll highlight your figure beautifully,” Helen replied with her usual style advice. “That’s what I thought too.” Helen eyed the dress. “That dress is so feminine. Will your guy even let you wear it out? Doesn’t Justin only let you wear those sweet, innocent schoolgirl outfits?” Helen couldn’t help but mentally criticize Justin’s taste. What kind of fashion sense did he have anyway? A multinational CEO, a man with a grip on the Haven State economy, yet he liked her to dress like a schoolgirl. “His taste doesn’t matter anymore. It’s not something I’m concerned about,” Emily replied casually, completely indifferent. She handed the dress to a fitting assistant with a similar build, having her try it on for her. High-end stores like this one often had staff who modeled the clothes for clients, so she didn’t have to try them on herself. Emily picked out a few more items in different styles for the assistant to model. If she liked them, she would buy them. When she was satisfied with her choices, she scanned her card and paid, then filled out the delivery details for Villa One. The clothes would be sent straight there. After they had finished shopping, they went for lunch. With no one else around, Emily finally shared her situation with Helen that she had been Justin’s stand-in for his one true love. Now that his true love had returned, she was planning to leave him. “That despicable man!” Helen burst out, her emotions flaring. “Keep it down.” Emily quickly covered Helen’s mouth and glanced around to see if anyone at nearby tables was paying attention to them. Helen lowered her voice but was still fuming. “Justin might look put-together, but he’s not even half a man. His first love disappears, so he goes and finds a stand-in? “Why didn’t he just get plastic surgery to look like her? Then he could see her every time he looked in the mirror. “Good for you for walking away. You should break up with him. No! Just breaking up is too good for that pompous human garbage! You need to dump him into the sewers!” LMAO, where did Helen even learn these insults from? Just then, the server brought out a tray with seasoned meats, fresh vegetables, and a variety of salsas. Emily began assembling her own tacos, adding the toppings she liked best. “The contract’s up in four months. I’m planning to buy a place.” “What for? Just stay with me. I’ve got a room for you.” “My address is still tied to Justin’s place. Since I’ve decided to leave, I need a clean break. I’ll need my own place to change everything over,” Emily explained, outlining her plan. Her heart felt numb now, no longer as raw as it had been the night she’d learned the truth in the hospital garden. “Then you can cancel your lease and move in with me! We’ll be family!" Emily suggested excitedly. Helen suppressed the impulse to tell Emily that they were already family. Given Emily's amnesia, she didn’t want to overwhelm her with too much information all at once. Instead, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll move in with you. I’ll start looking around for a place for you. Actually the place I rent now is quite nice. The location and neighborhood are perfect. I’ll check if the landlord’s interested in selling, though it’s a resale property.” “I don’t care if it’s new or used. As long as it’s clean and ready to go, I’m good.” Emily didn’t need much. After leaving the cushy life she had been used to, she was perfectly fine doing things on her own. She found the independence kind of refreshing. After lunch, they picked up some accessories to go with the new outfits, light enough to carry back on her own. Emily said goodbye to Helen and drove back to Villa One. By the time she got back, the clothes she had bought that morning had already been delivered, ironed, and neatly hung in the walk-in closet by the house staff. She hadn’t bought much, just enough to last the next few months and to keep the move as hassle-free as possible. The women’s side of the closet was nearly empty, with only a few of her favorite pieces hanging. She grabbed a new loungewear set to change into and happened to glance over at the men’s side, packed with Justin’s clothes. Emily didn’t linger. She strode past it without a second thought. As she was heading to the bathroom, her phone rang from the sofa. She put down the clothes and picked up the call. “Hello, is this Miss Yates?” “Yes, this is.” “I’m a nurse from Lichfield Hospital. Your health screening results are in. When would be a convenient time for you to come pick them up?” Emily remembered that Justin had taken her for a checkup just before their trip to Merika State. She had forgotten all about it until this call. “I’ll come by tomorrow morning.” “Very well. Have a nice day.” The next day, Emily went to Lichfield Hospital. “Plan to have a baby?” “That’s right. Mr. Yates specifically requested it during his screening. Your health is excellent, Miss Yates. Your ovulation cycle is regular, so we recommend folic acid, Vitamin B1, and plenty of protein. With the right timing and frequency, you should be expecting good news soon.” The doctor adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly. Emily’s fingers tightened around the report, a heavy feeling settling in her chest. She had been trying hard not to think about Justin lately, but this report hit her unexpectedly hard. “Miss Yates, I’ll prescribe you two boxes of folic acid and Vitamin B1. Be sure to take them regularly.” Emily interrupted him, finding an excuse to refuse. “Thanks, doctor, but that won’t be necessary. I’ll get them on my own.” The doctor wasn’t surprised. Wealthy women like her often had access to premium brands from various sources, so declining hospital-prescribed supplements wasn’t unusual. Emily left the hospital in a daze, only coming to her senses when she reached a sunny spot outside. She tossed the health report into the trash bin. With Emma back, Justin clearly had no intention of having children with her. And she certainly didn’t want to give him one, either. It was easier to pretend she didn’t know what the checkup had really been for. Meanwhile, in the hospital’s garden, the spring sunlight was warm and gentle. Justin was pushing Emma’s wheelchair, letting her enjoy the sunshine. “Justin, you’re busy with work. You don’t have to be here with me all the time. I can manage on my own,” Emma said, her voice soft and considerate. “Focus on getting better. Don’t worry about anything else.” Justin felt a deep guilt about Emma’s disappearance, blaming himself for not protecting her better. He believed his negligence had allowed her to be taken and vanish without a trace. Over the past few days, he had tried to gather clues from her about what happened, but whenever he brought it up, she would break down, unable to share any details. Emily hadn’t expected to see Justin at the hospital. Hadn’t Sam said Justin was out of town on a business trip?	LEARN_MORE	https://www.lzwnyvvd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.lzwnyvvd.com	VIDEO		https://www.lzwnyvvd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18085&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476303155_608048611934383_8870302352253233861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UNqQysGno-gQ7kNvgFum0c1&_nc_oc=Adjs_JRWvCQmCbLoZs7R5s71XljUP8AmPKKep8N6Oy82qM3AQnmXULf_NGte7VucSVDlvbQ8xuh_YwT-QXK7UNWa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AliTxMIkm2fpgE_S1c5xO8j&oh=00_AYD7vmmtyCyctQWFBOvMFqdf5yBSe-Y4RiLwAUene2azgg&oe=67CC0F45	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,765,771	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2765610}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:27	active	2789		THE WILLOW + WEST LUCKY SALE + GIVEAWAY 🍀 On THURSDAY, MARCH 6th, we will be doing BUY 2, GET 1 FREE CLOTHING & 10% OFF your total purchase 😍 Then, on FRIDAY, MARCH 7th, we will be doing BUY 1, GET 1 FREE CLOTHING & 10% OFF your total purchase 😎 With every purchase made March 3rd-7th, you'll earn an "entry" for the Willow + West Giveaway, full of Outdoor games & party pack 🥳 With every purchase over $40, you'll get an entry for the GRAND PRIZE, which is a KITCHENAID MIXER 👀 ✨ One entry per day. drawing will be held on STURDAY, MARCH 8th ✨ Come down and see why people are raving about Willow and West! 🥰 📍 115 State St. Wadsworth OH 44281 ⏰ Open 9-7 Mon thru Fri; 9-4 Sat/Sun			Willow + West Retail Store	https://www.facebook.com/willowandwestretail/	2,199	1969-12-31 18:00			MULTI_IMAGES			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481262162_658731440151883_1443330475545508085_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PgtUFAGNwGEQ7kNvgFSWjJX&_nc_oc=AdhQjcfqfwplWbY0cglNRo6BEdDsGSCPZCyCiAA2Mjtoa0vFt2VP8ZqRaLYU9ngb2k8fjex0Z3IhB5xprZmbU46L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AWvPnoDk3R8G5Vmi4KqMx0q&oh=00_AYBHq0NDMaLlzjK-CmUNIAzwp7NvWluaUo-NEaOko_B9jQ&oe=67CC2544	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Willow + West Retail Store	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,518	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768523}'	Yes	2025-03-03 19:11	active	2791	😍Read the next chapters👉	As the upcoming tour approached, the dance troupe suddenly revoked my position as the lead dancer. Anxious to get an explanation in person, I lost my footing due to my distracted state and tumbled down the stairs. While enduring the sharp pain and preparing to call for emergency services, a notification popped up on my phone screen: “Redwood Dance Troupe: Welcome our new lead dancer, Averil Wells, and our generous sponsor, Julian Ford." The accompanying photo featured two smiling faces—my husband of seven years, whom I had secretly married, and his pampered mistress. Julian had his arm wrapped around Averil's waist as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Meanwhile, Averil clung to Julian's neck, her face radiating shyness and delight. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and posted a photo of our marriage certificate in the comments section: "Is your troupe’s new production called the Union of Illegitimates?" Before long, Julian called me. "Victoria Dean, what stupid thing are you doing now? How many times do I have to tell you that Averil and I are just putting on a show." I sniffled. "Julian, what gives you the right to take away my lead dancer role?" There was a brief silence on the other end. "Are you part of Redwood?" After a pause, he added nonchalantly, "Averil wanted the lead role in this tour as her birthday gift. I didn’t realize that role was yours. Go online and clarify immediately. Tell everyone that the marriage certificate was doctored." I found it laughable. He didn’t even know where I worked but remembered Averil’s birthday gift request. "And then? Why would I fake a marriage certificate?" Julian replied calmly, "You can say you’re just a fan of mine." "Julian Ford, what do you take me for?" He sighed softly on the other end. "Victoria, we’ve been married for seven years. We’re practically an old married couple. Averil is young; there’s no need to compete with her." He must have forgotten that I married him before finishing college. Though we’d been married for seven years, I was only a year older than Averil. "Julian, I fell down the stairs, and my leg hurts." "Victoria, it’s just an apology and a clarification. It’s not that hard." Julian sounded genuinely disappointed. "When did you turn into such a shameless liar?" Drip. Drip. Tears, mingled with blood from my nose, splattered onto the back of my hand. Pressing a hand over my mouth, I hung up the call. Julian called again, but I immediately put his number on silent. I called for an ambulance myself. When the paramedics arrived, they asked if I had any family to accompany me. "No," I replied numbly, tilting my head back. "They're all gone." On the way to the hospital, Julian sent me a message, "Victoria, Averil was so upset by you that she fainted. You need to come to the hospital immediately to apologize in person. Bring an appropriate gift; there will be reporters present. Don’t worry about your reputation. This mess is your fault to begin with." My hands trembled as I typed a two-word reply, “Keep dreaming." Then I turned off my phone, shutting myself away in solitude. While waiting in the hospital hallway for my X-ray results, I unexpectedly heard a familiar voice: "Mr. Watson, I’m Victoria’s boyfriend. If there’s anything she needs moving forward, feel free to contact me directly." I looked up, locking eyes with Julian as he walked in. His steps faltered for a moment, his movements stiff, but he quickly acted as if he didn’t recognize me. Continuing his conversation with Benjamin Watson, he passed me without a second glance. The faint citrus scent clinging to him twisted my stomach in knots. I almost bolted, but Julian turned back. He seemed to have rushed over, and when he noticed I was still there, a flicker of exasperation crossed his face. "Victoria, have you thought it through?" "I told you to keep dreaming." I pushed past him, limping away in the opposite direction. I felt Julian's gaze linger on my injured leg for a moment, growing colder by the second. "Victoria, are you really stooping to this kind of ploy just to avoid apologizing?" I didn’t want to respond. All I wanted was to get away from this hallway, thick with the scent of Averil’s perfume. A large hand grabbed my shoulder, yanking me back. I stumbled, barely able to steady myself as a sharp pain shot through my leg. "Ah!" I couldn’t hold back a cry of pain. Julian’s brow furrowed in irritation, his tone laced with displeasure. "You’ve really let me down." With practiced ease, he reached into my pocket and took my phone. "Give it back!" I stretched my arm to snatch it, but Julian, clearly annoyed, gave me a firm shove. "Hank, hold her." The bodyguard, tall and imposing, pinned me effortlessly. I couldn’t break free. "Julian Ford!!"	LEARN_MORE	https://www.qknymufd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=1	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.qknymufd.com	VIDEO		https://www.qknymufd.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=17636&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/474216070_8973267936076338_4371231296481251319_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pk9OEEaYGCkQ7kNvgF5R87-&_nc_oc=Adi_0ipSoGzqlzo8h96a3F0H-BBW32m_LCpd2ziOvsVsTT7FNC_yulkLCdZoYiVGWO9Cu--2b-BVPbnp03eILhjO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AWhqfR4amSR0rP_DEQhMevh&oh=00_AYAmd_I5rQxdVjtXw623oeig9fZDkVs0RDpYhQ339v73SQ&oe=67CC323B	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,009	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768041}'	Yes	2025-03-03 19:09	active	2791	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	As the daughter of Alpha, I was tortured since I was 6 years old, and more tragically, I was forced to marry the demon Alpha who killed his 9 ex-girlfriends... Neah "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey and I are expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. Alpha Dane, I had only ever heard rumours about him. He was a ruthless man, a Wolf feared by others. He didn't mess around and he had the largest pack. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. It's rude to not look at them. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, clenching his jaw tight. "Go and get Beta Kyle." Alpha Trey seethes. "Tell him our guest is here." I nod my head and hurry from the room, the last thing I wanted was to be caught between bickering men. "Beta Kyle," I whisper as I enter the dining hall. He instantly glares at me with his dark eyes. I had spoken without being spoken to. "Alpha Trey is in the office with Alpha Dane. I was sent to inform you." He slams the newspaper down on the table and glares at me as he walks by. "You're lucky that the Alpha sent you to get me, otherwise you wouldn't see sunlight for a few days." Pausing behind me, he yanks my head back, locking his fingers in my hair, leaning in close to me, I feel his hot breath on my skin. He doesn't speak, it was just his way of proving that he could do what he wants when he wants. I try to keep myself busy so I can stay as far away from the office as possible. My peace doesn't last long when I hear my brother calling out to me. Quietly, I pad towards the office and plaster a smile on my face as I open the door. "Neah, go get the champagne and some glasses, we are celebrating." I bow my head and hurry to the drinks cabinet. Quickly finding what my brother has asked for. As I re-enter the office, I can feel Alpha Dane watching my every move, even the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. No one ever watches me this closely. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" Straight to the point, my brother wouldn't like that. He only liked sharing information on his terms. No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I had to get out of there. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's he seemed to dress more casually. A simple black tee and jeans covered his huge frame. And unlike other Alpha's, his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, both my brother and Beta Kyle round on me. "What the heck did you say to him?" My brother demands, slamming a hand into my stomach. "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" Beta Kyle demands. He was practically spitting in my face. I hated him. I hated him so much that I had vowed to one day get my revenge and rip his stomach out through his mouth. "WELL?" My brother yells when I don't immediately respond and smacks me across the side of the head. My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Please…." I beg. "He was an Alpha…I… I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "As I said," my brother holds his ground, "She is responsible for the death of my parents, so yes, this is what she deserves." "You should keep your nose out of other packs' business!" Beta Kyle adds. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" Both Alpha Trey and Beta Kyle hold their tongues. There was no reason for him to defend me and yet he was. I was a nobody, no one special. Just who everyone called a traitor. Only instead of being given a death sentence, my brother had decided to make me spend my life suffering. I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." Alpha Dane speaks up again. "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? As my brother and his Beta discuss me, Alpha Dane is still studying me. His look made me nervous. What could someone like him possibly want with me? "Deal." Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out any one of you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!"	LEARN_MORE	https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&	New world publications	https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/	3,810	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	wwwedb.com	VIDEO		https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/474201761_1163944678436147_403516014812683641_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Zp6NA67zP9IQ7kNvgE9bfdD&_nc_oc=AdgERaNQYTYCHb2A9SfrV5dIpIazMi79qREcMdqasQkS_wHYCE0w0M-m9IE6NvAoGFyO3s0rBAYCigJTn4-mVCI5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AhGCNujoKMMZiGiXmRqx-bP&oh=00_AYAmPhvL0MCcmP2T3JDNYVHdQeP-5uy7qe9B0dRNwAiPSQ&oe=67CC0C67	PERSON_PROFILE	0	New world publications	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,097	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768041}'	Yes	2025-03-03 19:10	active	2791	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	“Useless Wolf! Clean the office quickly! Don't you know that our guest, Alpha Dane of the biggest pack Black Shadow, will be arriving soon?” Beta Kyle slaps me and rudely kicks me towards the office before moving away. Quietly closing the door, I slide down to the floor frustrated. I hate this house. As the daughter of the late Alpha, everyone in the pack takes great joy in torturing me, because of an unforgivable sin I made at 6. I thought that when I turned 18, I could finally escape, but 4 years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack... While my ex-mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. “Uhheem” This moment, someone clears their throat and I freeze. Who else is here?？ Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don’t quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. “Is this the way you greet all Alpha’s?” His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. “I’m sorry.” I whisper, getting to my feet. “I…I thought I was alone.” I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. “Come forward.” He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey was going to finish me! I step around the corner, doing as I’m told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. “You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?” I nod, though I couldn’t tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. “I would prefer it if you spoke to me.” He growls, “I’m not in the mood to play games.” “Yes.” I whisper. I couldn’t help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? “Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me.” “I...” I hated the question. “You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. It’s rude to not look at them. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?” His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact. “My Wolf abilities were bound,” I mutter. Twice... Twice my abilities were bound actually. He leans forward, carefully placing his glass on the small table next to the chair. I could feel him staring at me, “Why would someone do that?” “It was a punishment.” I whisper. It wasn’t far from the entire truth but it was the simplest answer I could give. There’s a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn’t tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me “Neah, what are you doing in my office?” He turns to the crimson eyed man. “I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane.” Crap, it was him. My brother spins around, his hand stretching out to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Alpha Dane’s voice rumbles through the room. Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He was taller than my brother, more muscly too. “Neah,” My name rolls off of his tongue, “was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested. I was lucky someone was present, at least someone understands the importance of this deal.” What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brain freezes when I see my brother glaring at me. “Neah is your sister, correct?” Alpha Dane questions my brother. “She is.” Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. “Why do you treat her like vermin?” “Neah was responsible for our parents’ death.” Alpha Trey spits. I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. “Responsible how?” Alpha Dane’s voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. “She served them Wolfsbane.” -- Don’t make a sound. Don’t make a sound. I know Alpha Dane is studying me. No one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stand there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He is standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. Slowly, his hand latches onto my throat but he doesn’t squeeze. “You poisoned your parents?” “I was six.” I splutter. “I just made them lemonade.” My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brother. “Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old.” “A six year old should know the difference between plants.” Alpha Trey snaps “Sounds to me like she was set up.” Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of my throat. “We all know that standard wolfsbane doesn’t affect us anymore. We evolved from that thing centuries ago.” What? What did he mean? Wolfsbane wasn’t lethal. It had been drummed into me since I could walk. “Which only leaves Blood of Wolfsbane.” Alpha Dane mutters. “You weren’t there, Alpha Dane.” My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. “It was Wolfsbane.” He nods his head. “You are right, I was not present.” Great, now there was someone else who could remind me of something I had done by accident, years ago. “But tell me this, where would a six year old get Blood of Wolfsbane?” “I didn’t ask you here to talk about my slave!” Alpha Trey spits. “Or what happened to my parents.” Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alphas, he seems to dress more casually. A simple black tee and jeans cover his huge frame. “You’re right and now I have a few things to mull over.” “I thought we agreed.” My brother exclaims. “Nothing has been signed, right?” He glances at me, and continues, "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey. And if you don’t agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy.” “I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?” Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. “You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack, and then you, Trey will have a deal.” I suddenly raised my head, staring at Alpha Dane with wide eyes in disbelief. Me? Why would he want me? A person who murdered her own parents? -- As I was waiting at the door with my luggage, I heard a playful laugh coming from the car next to me. "She's the charm! I wonder how long she can live?" “Shut up! Before you say something you regret!” I was startled by the familiar deep voice. That car... was the one Alpha Dane sent to pick me up? Bang! I watch Alpha Dane gets out of the car and close the door, striding in front of me. He reaches a hand out and cups my face and starts, “Are you ready?” I bit my bottom lip and nod slightly, clutching the barely full carrier bag to my chest. “Where are the rest of your things? Everything needs to be packed.” “That’s all she has.” Trey snorts as he makes his appearance with his Luna. “That’s it?” Alpha Dane stares at my brother. “She’s what, in her early twenties and that’s all her belongings?” “What more does she need?!” The Luna sneers, "Take her Alpha Dane. I’m sure she will be as useful a slave to you as she is to us.” Her shrill voice goes straight through me. “Shut up, bimbo! You should make yourself familiar with our agreement.” Alpha Dane snaps. “It seems your Alpha has not told you everything.” He takes the contract from his Beta Eric, then shave it against Alpha Trey’s chest. “I agreed that you could take her as part of our deal.” My brother signs without reading and practically throws the contract back at Alpha Dane. “Done.” Alpha Trey mutters. “Is this my only option?” I whispers to my self, keeping my eyes low. What could someone like him possibly want with me? “Neah?" Alpha Dane steps in front of me and hold a hand out to me. "Come. It’s time for us to go.” ... A few hours later. I stares up at big villa of Alpha Dane, gasping a little. It was easily three times the size of my previous home. “Let me give you a tour.” Alpha Dane suggests. I follow him in with clutching the carrier bag to my chest, not speaking a word. “Tell me, what do you need. Underwear, jeans, dresses, shoes?” “I don’t need anything.” I whispers, feeling uneasy. I hear Alpha Dane sighs, who starts scribbling something down. I scrunch my face up when he measurs me. It's painful. “Are you injured?" I bit my bottom lip and shake my head. “You have to say something, Neah. I cannot read your mind. When I mark you, at least I will know what you are feeling.” “Mark me?” “You….You brought me so that you could mark me?” I stare at him in disbelief, eyes wide. “Yes, I will mark you.” His rough fingers tip my face up, and his crimson eyes flash to me. “If Trey had bothered reading the contract, he would have discovered that you were not bought, Neah." "You are not a slave, but to be my bride. MY TENTH BRIDE.” Crap. He's that ruthless man who rumored to have killed all his nine mates?!!	LEARN_MORE	https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&	New world publications	https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/	3,810	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	wwwedb.com	VIDEO	At six years old, I accidentally killed my parents. For the punishment I, an alpha female, became a slave in my own house.. My wolf's abilities were bounded, twice—a crippling blow that left me vulnerable. As if I were nothing more than property, my brother sold me to a ruthless alpha as part of some clan contract. The rumour I've heard about him that nine fiancee has been killed by him. Then, I discovered that this ruthless alpha, the one who now owned me, was my mate ...	https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480286323_512658088522025_1327142384700709682_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NkfmITGj1PgQ7kNvgGbSBVO&_nc_oc=AdhFOBZtron2wOQ_Bq9hX_F-kLXHQmtKE-5hbXu1zBSpCtvWTzIWpIzMYH63jYhAXeJvMzPbxECP7D6F-U3liU51&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AliTxMIkm2fpgE_S1c5xO8j&oh=00_AYCxglJT4exgKVgMsPXQ37wwCD44KSibN3dTHEevB0y0zA&oe=67CC3652	PERSON_PROFILE	0	New world publications	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,550	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2768592}'	No	2025-03-03 19:11	active	2791	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	"Are... are you sure, Esther?" I ask with a broken voice. My heart races, filled with happiness. "Very sure, Luna. You're carrying a little wolf!" "Why haven't I been able to smell it, or his father?" I ask, worried. "It's very recent, perhaps that's why. Give it a few more days and you should be able to sense the pheromones." She replies, and I nod, my eyes blurred with tears. I am the Luna of the "Autumn Forest" pack. Three years ago, I married the man I love madly, despite not being destined mates, my Alpha Dorian. I've given everything to be the perfect Luna, the pillar he can lean on. However, a shadow looms over my marriage—the topic of an heir. I've never been able to get pregnant, and I admit I don't share the bed with Dorian as often. But I know his duties as Alpha keep him extremely busy and stressed. "Please, don't tell anyone in the pack. I want to surprise my husband." "Don't worry, Luna, I won't say anything. Congratulations!" She smiles at me, and I return the smile, overflowing with excitement and happiness. Despite being a foreigner, not originally belonging to this pack, ever since my parents died and the previous Alpha took me in, I've never felt rejected or looked down upon. That's why I've devoted myself fully to my duties as Luna. I'm grateful for my life and the wonderful man I'm married to. *** "What's with all this food? Is there going to be a party?" "Hands off!" I swat away the greedy claws of Sophia, my best friend, who sneaked in through the back kitchen door. "But wow, puff pastry tart and everything!" she says, sitting on a stool. Honestly, I may have gone a bit overboard with the dishes, but I'm so happy I want everything to be perfect. All my Alpha's favorite foods are ready! "Well, today is Dorian's and my anniversary. I want to celebrate with an intimate dinner," I say, turning back to the caramel on the stove. I don't hear her respond, so I turn halfway, curious. "What's wrong?" "N-nothing, nothing... I just heard the Alpha had an emergency today. Didn't he tell you?" she asks, and I frown. Actually, Dorian doesn't usually explain much about his work. I guess it's to avoid worrying me. "No, but he'll come back anyway. He knows today is special." I respond, completely convinced. She looks at me strangely. Lately, I can't quite understand her, but she's the first person who approached me in this pack and has always supported me. I value her greatly as a friend. "Sophie, there's something I want to tell you, but... I'll tell you tomorrow. It's very important to me," I say suddenly, wanting to share the good news with her, but not before confessing it to Dorian. "Really? Can't you tell me now?" she asks, gossip-mode activated, leaning over the counter while munching on a homemade cookie. "No, no. Tomorrow. I promise you'll be the second to know," I reply, and I can feel my happiness radiating from every pore. "Fine, I'll leave you with your mystery then. I've got things to do. Happy anniversary," she grumbles, frustrated I didn't spill the secret, and leaves the same way she came. I check the clock. There's still time. I take off my apron and head to the second floor to shower and get dressed nicely. Everything has to be perfect tonight, celebrating with my beloved mate. * I glance at the clock for the thousandth time, sitting on the sofa. It's past midnight, and Dorian hasn't arrived. I look at the cold dishes on the dining table and get up, resigned to reheating them again. I'm in the middle of that task when I hear the front door open and close. His delicious scent tingles my nose, warming my stomach. I glance at my burgundy dress, smoothing it out and fixing my hair in the hallway mirror. My jet-black hair is tied in a high ponytail, and my intensely blue eyes, highlighted with makeup, stare back at me. I step into the foyer, watching my imposing Alpha enter the door. "My love, how was your day? Lots of work, right?" I grab the coat he's holding to hang it up. I see him clutching some documents, but I assume they're pack matters. I move closer to kiss him, but he steps back. "I'm sweaty and dirty from the road. Don't contaminate yourself," he says, his piercing honey eyes staring at me—eyes I adore despite their constant coldness. It's just part of his nature. He carries too many responsibilities after inheriting the role so young when his father died. His blond hair is messily handsome, and for some reason, damp. I can even catch the scent of an unfamiliar shower gel. Why would he shower before coming home? And he said he was dirty, yet it's clear he just bathed. "S-sure, give me a second to reheat dinner. You must be hungry..." "I'm not hungry. Valeria, we need to talk." "But the dinner—" "Forget dinner. Let's go to the living room. I need to tell you something," his authoritative voice makes me tense. I follow him, starting to feel deeply worried. My hand slips into my skirt pocket, clutching the folded document stating I'm having his baby. "Why was the table so full of dishes? Were you planning a party?" he asks, glancing at the dining room. My heart clenches. "Love, I know you've been busy with pack duties. But... don't tell me you forgot our anniversary? Today marks three years since we mated," I say, sitting on the couch. I expect him to sit beside me, but instead, he chooses the armchair opposite. Dorian has never been overly affectionate, but tonight he's too distant. Too cold. An alarm goes off inside me. "Of course, I remembered. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for our third anniversary," he replies, but I don't see a trace of joy in his expression. I know everything will change with my news. Our relationship hasn't been great because of this. The pack elders keep pressuring him for an heir. When I tell him about the baby, he'll be happy. "I'll be quick because I can't stand this any—" "Wait! Wait, Dorian. Let me show you something first, and then you can tell me what you wanted to say," I interrupt him, feeling a strong premonition, I won't like his next words. Lowering my head, I take out the folded paper and hand it to him, my heart racing with emotion. He takes it, reading silently as I watch him, anxious, waiting for his joy to match mine. "I'm pregnant! I'm carrying your pup! We'll have an heir for the pack. I'm sure the Goddess has blessed us with a son!" I can't hold back and blurt it out directly. Tears in my eyes, I rise and move toward him, wanting to embrace him. But as in love as I am, even I can see this isn't the reaction I expected from the father of my child. "Are you sure about this, or is it just a trick to keep me tied to you?" he suddenly says, rising and pushing me away when I try to hug him. "Dorian... Of course, I'm sure. Look, that's the midwife's handwriting. Why would I lie about something so important? My love, what's wrong? What's happening, my Alpha?" "No, no. Damn it!" I watch him pace like a caged wolf around the living room. "This can't be happening. Not now!" "Dorian..." "Did you tell my mother? Anyone else?!" he asks suddenly, approaching me and gripping my shoulders tightly. "N-no, love. I was waiting to tell you first. I thought... you'd be happy. I know they've been pressuring you. Alpha, you don't have to be tense anymore. We'll have our family." I raise a trembling hand to caress his cheek, but he just stares at me with those golden eyes, silent. I can't figure out what's going on in his head. "You're right... I've been very stressed. I'm sorry," he suddenly pulls me into his arms, and I finally sigh, relieved, hugging him back tenderly. For a second, I feared he wasn't happy. "We'll get through this together, my Alpha. I'll be the perfect Luna so no one will judge you," I whisper, lifting my head. I want him to kiss me, to make love to me like we haven't in a long time. "Let's go for a run. A wild, unrestricted anniversary night." He suddenly suggests it, taking my hand and pulling me toward the back of our house, which borders the pack's forest. "Shift into your she-wolf," he commands, and I watch him undressing. He's so charming and strong. His hair glows under the moonlight, and I begin the transformation into my "she-wolf," one of the greatest lies and secrets of my life—something not even Dorian knows. * We run freely across the pack's lands. But I notice how we keep going farther and farther, even crossing the borders, yet I just follow Dorian's massive white wolf racing wildly ahead of me. We reach a remote place, at the edge of a deep cliff, but above us, the moon shines intensely, and the forest landscape stretches far below. "Where is this? We're outside our pack's territory... Aren't we trespassing on someone's land?" I gaze into the distance from the edge, mesmerized by the view, having already shifted back into human form, but no one responds. I feel uneasy and start to turn around. However, something inside me stirs with alarm. A crow caws in the distance—but it's already too late. "Do... Dorian, wha—?! Aaaaaahhh!" I scream as I feel wolf claws tearing into my abdomen, deeply ripping through me. Terrified and shocked by the sudden attack, I try to run. I attempt to shift back into my wolf to escape into the forest, away from whatever is happening, away from this rabid Alpha wolf whose blood-red eyes glare at me with pure hatred—but it's impossible to flee. "Ahhh! Let me go! Dorian, what are you doing?! What are you doing?! Ahhh! Help! Help!" I scream as he jumps on me when I try to escape. C2 THE WORST BETRAYAL VALERIA He bites my thigh viciously and drags me beneath his body, controlling me mercilessly. I try to resist, to call for help, my hands clutching my stomach, trying to protect my pup, but his claws, like deadly weapons, pierce my skin, tearing apart my small, vulnerable body. I have to raise my arms instinctively when his sharp claws aim for my face, and I scream in agony as a deep wound slices across my cheek from my forehead. Leaving my belly exposed, he struck our child. "Nooo, not the pup, please, Dorian, not our son!" Tears poured endlessly from my eyes as I begged him, but his canines tore through my flesh, and his claws dug into the depths of my insides with chilling cruelty, seeking to rip out the life growing inside me. I don’t know how long this agony lasted—I sobbed, pleading as long as I could speak. The pain in my entire body was unbearable, but worse was the pain in my soul, bleeding and shattered. I was discarded on the ground like trash, on the edge of a precipice, my consciousness nearly slipping away from the pain when I saw him shift into his human form. "You thought you could keep me tied to you forever?" he yelled furiously. His eyes were cold and disgusted, a look I had never seen before. "Did you really think I loved you, that I was dying to have a child with you? What a waste!" He kicked me with rage, but I no longer had the strength to even moan in pain. "Three damn years I've been separated from my mate because of you!" he roared, pouring out all the hatred he'd stored up over time. "Why…?" I barely managed to whisper, my face swollen, my tongue heavy, and my throat bleeding from a deep wound. "Because you came to the pack, the miserable orphan, and that old lady said you would give birth to the strongest Alphas, powerful enough to elevate my bloodline." "Pure nonsense from that crazy old hag, but my mother believed her and forced me to give up my mate for you because you were infatuated with me! She gave me three damn years—that was our deal. If you didn’t succeed, I’d be free." "So, today I come, ready to rid myself of an obstacle like you, and you say that you’re carrying my son," he laughed like a psychopath. "I won’t let you do it again, Valeria. You won't ruin my life again. This is the end for you!" He walked toward me, and I saw death staring me in the face. I wanted to say so many things... «I didn't know you already loved someone else. I was just a foolish, infatuated girl, but I never forced you to love me back. How could you deceive me, fake everything all this time? Our child… how could you… how could you do this…?!» I felt so powerless as I lay there, sobbing, bloody, and dying. I wished I could connect with his wolf, scream out this injustice, but I couldn’t—not even that. I didn’t have an inner she-wolf. I could only shift my body and pretend. Some said it was trauma from my adoptive parents’ violent death, where only I survived. Others claimed it was a curse, but I knew that wasn't true. I had never felt the presence of a wolf spirit within me. "Goodbye, dear wife. You don't seem so special after all," he said cynically, and with his foot, he kicked me over the cliff's edge. The last thing I knew was the sensation of falling into the cold void. I looked up at the dark sky as shadows of crows circled above my head, like messengers of death. "I'm so sorry, baby. I couldn't protect you." * "Why aren't her wounds healing properly?" "I can't waste the pack's blood on a stranger. Jake already did too much rescuing her from the rogue woods. She has to heal on her own." "Honestly, I don't even know how this woman is still alive. Poor thing… her body is horribly damaged, especially her belly… and her face." I heard voices talking nearby, hands examining me. An unbearable pain worse than death itself burned through my body, dragging me between consciousness and darkness. I don’t know how much time passed or where I was, but when I opened my eyes, I saw a white ceiling. I looked around and saw a small room, lying on a personal bed. "You're awake?" a female voice spoke suddenly beside me, and I saw an unfamiliar face. I tried to speak, but for some reason, I couldn't—it was as if my vocal cords refused to work. "Don't strain yourself. Stay calm. You… I don't think you can talk right now because of the wound on your neck," she explained with a troubled expression. And then, my foggy mind remembered—everything. The first thing I did was reach for my belly, trying to sit up despite the dizziness and searing pain. "Don't move! Wait, calm down, calm down!" she stopped me and eased me back down, but I needed to know—desperately—I had to know if a miracle had occurred. I looked at her intensely and then at my stomach, wrapped in thick bandages. "Yes… I understand what you're asking, but… I'm sorry… your belly was completely torn. Your womb was destroyed, and your pup… didn't make it. It was impossible to save him. We don't even know how you're still alive." I felt the tears pouring uncontrollably from my eyes. I closed them in pure agony, my soul shattering. My lips trembled, my entire body shook, and ragged sobs escaped my torn throat. Why did this have to happen to me? Why did everything around me have to turn into a nightmare? My baby, my pup was innocent. Why did something so horrible have to happen to him? "Calm down, please! You can't get like this! Aston, I need you here! Bring the sedative! Now, Aston, hurry!" "Aaaahh! Aaaahh!" I heard distorted screams, a cry so raw it could freeze the blood and shatter hearts. A desperate, broken woman wailed—and then I realized… it was me. That wretched woman who had lost everything… was me. * Days have passed. I know a man rescued me from the forest beneath the cliff. I'm staying in a small pack not far from Autumn Forest. With my hands still covered in wounds, I try to splash water on my face, but I can't even bear to touch my skin. I lift my head, and as I do every time that I face a mirror, I have to summon all my courage. My face, once beautiful and envied by many she-wolves, now bears a horrific scar running across my forehead and another deep one on my left cheek. Dorian not only destroyed my child's life, my womb, but he also scarred my face. It should have healed, but I know it won't. I don't possess the rapid healing ability of werewolves. Yes, I heal—but slower, and scars remain. I step outside the small room and hear the healer and the she-wolf who treated me speaking quietly. They're discussing how I've used too many resources and how they may have to ask me to leave soon since packs rarely welcome outsiders so easily. But the she-wolf argues that I’m still in terrible condition. I appreciate her care and empathy, but it won't be necessary to cast me out. I've already decided—I’ll leave tonight on my own. * Hours later, I walk through the dark forest like a lost soul, the damp bandages soaked with reopened wounds, bleeding. I don't care—my legs keep moving in a single direction. Hiding in the bushes, I watch the patrol line carefully. I know exactly how to slip past without being detected—I designed this defense rotation myself for Dorian. Like so many things I did for him and the pack. I slip away into the shadows, as quickly as my battered body allows. The night and darkness are my allies. It's as if they amplify my strange abilities. I hear voices, laughter, and lights in the distance—from the backyard of what had been my home for three long years. I walk as if in slow motion, wearing old sneakers and a worn-out dress that the she-wolf from the hospital gave me. "Ladies and gentlemen, I've gathered you all here today because I could no longer hide my happiness. I’m finally marrying my beloved mate, the woman of my life, my sweet Sophia, your future Luna." I feel like I'm falling into a cavern of ice as I watch them, smiling and kissing in front of those who once called me Luna. It was my "best friend" Sophia and my traitorous Alpha Dorian, celebrating their union while my body should have been rotting beneath that cliff if their plan had worked. Traitorous hypocrite! That woman was even wearing one of my evening dresses, made up with my things, stealing my life without a trace of remorse. She had deceived me all this time, just as I had been blind to everyone in this pack, and worse, to the man who lay beside me every night while thinking of another woman. Even the midwife who told me about my pregnancy was there! Dorian must have promised her something to keep her silent. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, my teeth chattering with rage. I waited, waited like the deranged psychopath I had become, watching their entire celebration until the lights went out and everyone left for their homes. * I climbed the stairs to the second floor, walked down the dimly lit hallway, but I could hear them perfectly—making love in the master bedroom. Her feminine moans slipped through the crack of the slightly open door. I saw myself pushing it open gently. The moonlight streamed in through the large window, illuminating that figure riding Dorian, her back facing the entrance. "Alpha, tell me I'm better than her… Mmm… Come on, Dorian, tell me I'm better than that frigid Valeria." "You're the best, baby… don't even compare yourself to that stiff. Do me in her bed, come on… wasn't that what you always wanted?" Their filthy words hit my ears, and it was the final trigger I needed for everything to spiral out of control in an instant. I lunged at them on the bed. C3 THE OWNER OF THE CASTLE VALERIA I hear piercing screams, the sound of shattering glass, a savage roar, an Alpha's growls, struggling, and fighting. Something hot splashes against my face and arms. My claws shred, and my canines teared. I can't stop. I can't. Rage consumes me from the inside, demanding release. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not conscious of myself. All I know is that when I regain control of my body, the first thing I see is my red hands. I'm kneeling on the floor, everything around me drenched in red, wreckage, and pieces of what once was a powerful Alpha—Dorian. What have I done? What in the name of the Goddess have I done?! I stare at his severed head, lying just a meter away from me. Those honey-colored eyes still stare back at me in frozen terror, and I feel bile rising in my throat. I vomit to the side, unable to hold it back, disgusted by this scene of death and violence. Did I do all this? There's no one else here. I scan the area, not knowing where Sophia went. The only thing I'm sure of is that someone was thrown through the shattered glass window. I stand up on trembling legs, glance down, but all I see is the forest behind the house and bloodstains across the grass. "Don't let her escape! Sophia, stop crying and tell me clearly what happened!" Voices shouted, hurried footsteps ascending the stairs. It was my mother-in-law's voice. I had to get out of here. I had killed the Alpha, and only a painful death awaited me. Desperately, I looked down. It seemed I had thrown that wretch Sophia out the window. I decided to jump out myself, from the second floor. BAM! The door burst open during my hesitation, and my eyes locked with Anaís, my mother-in-law, the former Luna—Dorian's mother. I saw the shock, the pain, and the fury in her eyes as she took in the scene. "You miserable! You killed my son! You murdered my Dorian! Seize her! Restrain her! I'm going to tear her apart with my bare hands!" She screamed, and the warriors behind her charged at me. I jumped without thinking. "Aaagghhh!" I groaned in pain as I crashed onto the grass, rolling over, but I forced my body to shift into my wolf form and ran with all the strength I had left. I fled into the forest as fast as my weakened legs allowed, escaping death. I don't know if it was adrenaline or sheer will to live, but I ran like a madwoman through unfamiliar lands and tangled woods. Days passed that way, where I only stopped to rest when I was on the verge of collapse, drinking water from mountain streams and feeding on prey that somehow appeared dead before me. Yes, yet another strange thing about my life. The few times I dared to close my eyes, every time I woke up, a small dead animal lay in front of my muzzle. I devoured them without knowing if they were poisonous or where they came from—I just needed energy. All I could think about was surviving. One night, I felt them again. I thought they had grown tired of chasing my trail, but that wasn’t the case. The sound of multiple wolves' footsteps echoed not far away. Desperation and exhaustion consumed me—I couldn't keep running forever. I had been skirting the borders of various packs, trying not to get caught, but that wasn't a solution. "She's just ahead! I can smell her! She will pay for this!" I heard a snarl—already so close to my trail. I could practically feel the danger breathing down my neck as I pushed my legs and lungs past their limit. I was done. They were going to catch me after all this effort. Then I lifted my blue eyes and saw them—above me, a flock of crows. Cawing, circling over my wolf form, as if trying to lead me somewhere. And for some reason, I followed them. I followed their sign and ventured deeper into unfamiliar lands—into the forbidden forest where no one dared enter without an invitation. But I had nothing left to lose. If I was going to die, at least let it be quick and without torture. That's how I crossed through the mist, leading me to the Golden Moon pack, the territory guarded by the Guardians—the land ruled by the Lycan King. * I felt like no one was following me anymore. I had no idea how far I had gone into Golden Moon territory, but suddenly, several powerful warriors blocked my path, surrounding me. "Who are you, and why have you trespassed into our pack?" a massive gray wolf asked coldly, approaching me menacingly. The black wolf I shifted into, so small and fragile, would be considered an Omega—the lowest rank in the pack, the weakest, often reduced to servitude. That was why, when I became Luna, I had felt foolishly grateful to Dorian. "I'm only seeking refuge to rest… I’m sorry for entering your forest. Just a few days, please… I only need a few days to recover and leave." I pleaded, praying my pursuers wouldn't dare follow me here. "Where do you come from? Speak! Why did you cross the Forbidden Forest? No one comes here for no reason! Tell the truth, or I'll rip your head off right now!" He growled, shoving me with his shoulder. I let out a low whimper of pain, unable to resist. Before he could take further action or carry out his threats, darkness consumed my vision, and I felt my body collapse unconscious to the ground. Maybe this time, I wouldn't wake up again. * The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a dark, damp cell, wearing tattered clothes barely covering my battered human body. Only the Goddess knows how I'm still alive. It seems she wants me to suffer—slowly and torturously. BAM! The sound of a metal door slamming jolted me. "So, you're finally awake! Take her out!" A massive, bald, intimidating man ordered two guards, who dragged me out. It was that gray wolf. I didn’t even have the strength to walk, let alone resist. They took me to a small room where the questioning began—trying to dominate me with his Alpha presence. But it didn’t work. I had no inner wolf to submit. I spent hours there, sitting on a hard chair, my hands tied behind me with ropes cutting into my skin. No matter how much freezing water they threw at me, how much they shouted or threatened, I kept my story and waited to die. My head hung limply, eyes closed, exhausted. At least they hadn’t beaten me or done worse. I've heard horrible stories about this pack of barbarians. "Fine. Since you refuse to talk, you know what awaits you. I've given you the chance to confess." His dark eyes locked on mine, giving me his final warning, but I had nothing more to say. He drew a dagger, yanked my hair back, exposing my neck, ready to slit my throat. I saw hesitation in his eyes when my black hair fell away, revealing my hideous scars. Maybe I looked pitiful—but he had a job to do. And I was ready for it to end. The dagger lowered, and I resigned myself. But a knock on the door interrupted my death once again, sending my emotions from one extreme to the other. "Now what the hell…? M-Madam… I mean, Housekeeper, what brings you here?" His previously harsh voice turned nearly submissive. Curious, I looked toward the door and saw a short woman with blonde hair tied up neatly, elegant yet stern. "What were you doing here?" Her cold green eyes fixed on mine, and I lowered my head. "She’s an intruder. Pack business—" "You were going to kill her, weren’t you?" she accused. "M-Madam, can we discuss this outside? It's protocol with intruders—" I heard his words stop short as a pair of black boots entered the room, standing right before me. "What's your name, girl?" "Valeria," I whispered weakly. "Look at me when I speak to you!" she ordered, and I lifted my head. She has a superior, imposing aura, and honestly, I think she's more terrifying than the massive brute. "Tell me, Valeria, do you want to live or die? You can survive if you agree to work for me. If not, pretend you never saw me," she offered, leaving me stunned. "W-what kind of work would it be?" "Work for the Guardians, in the castle kitchen or wherever you're needed—as a maid. I offer you shelter and food in exchange, a new chance to live," she said without breaking eye contact. I hesitated, feeling like I was selling my soul to another ruthless ruler. The Guardians were the Lycans, and the worst of them all was their leader, Aldric, the "Specter Slayer," whom all werewolves considered their king, though he didn’t seem to care about the title. "I don't have all day. Are you coming or not?" she pressed. "Housekeeper, this woman is a stranger… how can she enter the castle with the Guardians? We don't know her intentions—" "I don't care why you entered these cursed lands. Your past stays behind if you accept my offer. But if you betray me or plot anything behind my back, slitting your throat will be the least of my punishments," the woman threatened, leaving me with only a second to decide. Live or die. Start anew in a strange place, possibly filled with more humiliation and suffering—or die now and end my miserable existence. "I'll go with you. I accept the job," I finally chose to survive. * The Golden Moon pack was located in a valley, surrounded by dense forest with thick fog, and perched atop a hill in the distance was an imposing ancient stone castle. We traveled there in a carriage, rolling along cobblestone streets. This pack was massive, far more powerful than my former one. I remained silent the entire way, my black hair always hiding the scars on my face, my head bowed, not wanting to draw attention. The enormous ebony doors opened, carved stone walls rising tall and powerful, with strange statues perched on the dark eaves. At last, we arrived at an inner courtyard, and I stepped down from the carriage with some discomfort. I stared at the looming castle, half-shrouded in mist, more nightmarish than inviting. "Come. I'll give you your uniform and show you your room," she ordered, and I followed her inside. The moment we crossed the entrance, we were greeted by a massive hall. A chandelier filled with candles hung in the center, illuminating the spiraling staircases that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. I was distracted for a moment, staring at the glossy black-and-white marble floor, when something seemed to fall from the ceiling. BAM! I stumbled back, startled, barely containing a scream of pure panic as a woman's corpse crashed at my feet. She was headless, and blood still gushed from her severed neck, staining the entire floor—and even my legs. The head rolled down next; lifeless eyes frozen in a horrified expression. I looked up, trembling, and at the top of the stairs, a pair of gray, lupine, savage eyes stared back at me for a few seconds, chilling my blood to the core. C4 TAKING OUT THEIR LOVERS VALERIA His entire demeanor screamed, I'm the damn master of everything here, the absolute ruler. I immediately lowered my head, trembling. It didn’t matter that I lacked an inner she-wolf— the power radiating from that man felt like it could suffocate you, crush your soul, and he wasn't even standing that close to me. He was a Lycan, the superior species of werewolves, the ultimate evolution, and I was almost certain this was the most powerful of them all—Aldric Thorne, the Lycan King. "Sasha, take out the trash and make sure my next personal maid isn’t a scheming one, or she'll lose more than her head," his deep, cold, and intimidating voice echoed, followed by the sound of footsteps retreating. "This is a disaster. That's the fifth one in two months. I don’t know what goes through these girls' heads. I warned them," the housekeeper muttered as she approached, pulling a small vial from the dead woman’s hand. "Another one who tried to please the King thinking she could be different and rise. Brainless. I'll call a servant to take her away. And your first task begins now—clean up this mess." And so, my work in the Lycan King's castle began. The first lesson I learned: never, ever try to mess with that dangerous man, or you'll end up headless. Unfortunately, I soon found myself on the razor's edge again. * Sasha introduced me to the staff, a group of she-wolves and wolves working in the castle, attending to the Guardians. They all stared at me as if they were looking at a monster. I didn’t care—I just wanted to keep existing and stay invisible. "The Guardians"—that’s what they called the five Lycans who lived in this ancient, dark castle. They enforced the laws of our world, or at least those affecting werewolves, maintaining balance with other supernatural creatures. They delivered justice, protection, and punishment—often in the most brutal, merciless ways. Especially the Lycan King. At least, that's what I had always heard. I was forbidden from climbing the stairs or wandering beyond the service quarters. And honestly, I didn’t plan to try. I focused on working and healing with the medicine the housekeeper gave me. The food here was good too. Except for the first day, I had gone three days without seeing any of the other Guardians. Until this morning. * "Hey, I heard the housekeeper saying she still hasn’t found a suitable candidate for the King's maid. Maybe she'll give us a chance." I was scrubbing the floor on my knees, listening to the whispers echoing through the castle's massive kitchen. My head stayed down, and my long black bangs nearly covered my eyes, helping to conceal the disfigurement on my face. My hands kept moving the cloth over the tiles, but ignoring the gossip was impossible. Suddenly, the room went silent. Heels echoed from the hallway, and tension filled the air— it was the housekeeper. "Stop what you're doing. I want all of you in a line," she ordered, her voice sharp. The cooks, maids, and even me—the lowly cleaner—all lined up like prisoners, standing side by side. She began her inspection, passing each trembling figure, heads bowed low. When her shadow passed in front of me, I thought she would move on. She didn’t. "What was your name again?" she asked. "Valeria, ma'am," I replied softly. Her cold finger pressed beneath my chin, forcing me to raise my head. My blue eyes met her intimidating green gaze. "Good. I think I'll try a different strategy this time. Come with me," she ordered, and a sense of dread twisted in my chest. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the stares from the other women in the line. Bitter glares filled with jealousy, anger, envy. Nothing good. That much was certain. "Listen carefully, Valeria. You're going to be King Aldric's personal maid," she dropped the bombshell casually, as if it were nothing, walking toward the other side of the kitchen. "Do you know how to cook, iron, organize a man’s things, his clothes, and so on?" "Y-yes, ma'am. But… I don’t think I'm the right choice for the position. Perhaps someone more—" "It's not optional," she cut me off, turning abruptly. "You either accept it, or you leave. I don't need a floor cleaner right now. I need a maid for the King. Understood?" I had no choice but to nod. Sometimes, I forgot that this harsh woman had saved my life. Though, honestly, I still didn’t know why—especially now that she was sending me straight into the Lycan's den. "Memorize everything I'm about to say. The King wakes up at… He doesn’t like… Prefers it this way… And his meals are only prepared by the cook from this section. Make sure it’s always her… And you must taste it before serving him." She paced through the kitchen, the laundry area, practically the entire service zone, listing the King's preferences and dislikes. I followed, my brain nearly short-circuiting from the overwhelming information. I need to write all this down later! "Alright. You'll deliver his first breakfast now. Do exactly as I tell you,” she said, placing a silver tray full of covered dishes in my hands. "And Valeria… remember, head down. Stay invisible. You're nothing but a piece of furniture." "And I trust you haven't forgotten the scene from your first day here. If you try anything against the King, believe me, he was merciful with that woman." Her warning made me swallow hard as I nodded. I didn’t consider myself a coward, but it felt like I was marching straight to the gallows as I climbed the forbidden stairs, moving through the dim candlelit corridors leading to the Guardian leader's quarters. I reached the only door in this wing—an enormous wooden door with intricate carvings—and tried to recall every instruction. "Don't knock at this hour. Go straight inside." So, I did. Balancing the tray carefully, I twisted the heavy doorknob. Step by step, I entered the den of the big bad wolf, avoiding unnecessary glances around. I immediately noticed the large wooden table at the center, the dim lighting, and I focused on setting the breakfast properly. But then I heard it—and smelled it. The scent of lust. Through my bangs, I glanced toward a black door, slightly ajar. Muffled female moans seeped through, despite being closed. More than one woman’s voice. The rhythmic sound of something hitting a wall echoed. Maybe the bed—I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. The most important rule: head down, stay invisible. Don't speak. Don't look. Don't listen. I was so focused on remembering every detail of his preferences, circling the table, that I didn’t even notice when the sounds stopped. "Who are you?" a dominant voice behind me made me flinch. My trembling fists tightened, and I turned, staring down at the gray rug. "Your Majesty, my name is Valeria. I am your new maid," I managed without stuttering. A massive shadow loomed over me, every instinct screaming danger, run—but I stood firm as he placed a finger beneath my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. I expected disgust at my scarred face. Instead, I saw fierce, intimidating gray eyes studying me—so captivating they resembled lethal steel. "Where's your inner wolf?" he asked, frowning. How had he noticed with just one glance? "I… I’m not entirely sure, sir. I suffered a traumatic experience before I turned eighteen, and her spirit never appeared. But… I can shift into my wolf form. Others say it's a curse." I added quickly, half-expecting to be dismissed on my first day. Scarred, cursed—what a perfect maid. "Is that why your face hasn't healed?" he asked, his voice calm but piercing. "I suppose so, sir. My healing is… slower than others." He said nothing, but his intense scrutiny made my skin crawl. Did I say the wrong thing? I avoided lingering on his rugged features, but it was becoming clear why so many women risked losing their heads just for a night in his bed. Aldric Thorne was a man built for sin. A towering figure, nearly two meters tall, with a powerful, scarred body, bold and commanding. Muscular, rough, impossibly attractive. And despite his icy aura, his long shoulder-length hair was deep crimson, just like his short beard—like fire, like blood he could spill without flinching. "I don't care about your peculiarities, but I do expect you to have understood the rules clearly because I won't tolerate disobedience or tricks," he warned me, his voice dangerously low and guttural. I nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, your maje—" "And call me Sir. I don't like that Your Majesty nonsense," he clarified, finally releasing me and walking toward the other side of the room. I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath the entire time. Yet, I could still catch that scent lingering from his skin, something like aged wine—rich, and intoxicating. Could it be some cologne? I couldn't detect the pheromones of werewolves like others could. "They'll be here soon to collect those women. Make sure they leave and clean up everything," he ordered without even sparing me a glance, then disappeared through a door leading to what seemed like another room. I remained standing there in the dim light, frozen for a moment. Then, clenching my fists, I gathered my resolve and moved to deal with his lovers still in bed. I opened the door and stared in shock at the chaotic scene inside. The room was dimly lit, clothes strewn across the floor, and in the center, three women lay sprawled. The heavy scent filled the air, making it hard to breathe. "Umm… ladies, it's time to leave," I said softly, but none of them reacted, their eyes shut as if completely oblivious. They looked exhausted, their bodies marked with bites, bruises, and a mess of fluids staining their thighs. "The King ordered you to leave. You need to—" "Shut up, you annoying brat!" snarled the blonde lying in the middle of the two brunettes, even throwing a pillow at me, which I narrowly dodged. Well, they still have some energy left, it seems. Okay, this wasn’t going as smoothly as I had imagined, and they were already settling back down as if planning to sleep there. Aren't they uncomfortable covered in all that… stuff? But I couldn't fail my first task. I knew he had done this on purpose—to test me. I headed to the bathroom, filled a basin with cold water, and placed it near the bed. Rolling up my sleeves, exposing my pale arms, I then walked over to the massive crimson curtains, grabbed the heavy fabric, and yanked them open with force. "Aaaahh! Close it, right now! Close the curtain!" they screeched like the possessed, even though the sky was overcast. The sun never really shone brightly here—this land was always cloaked in thick fog. Grabbing the basin, I lifted it and—splash! —drenched them in icy water to snap them out of it. "Have you lost your damn mind, maid?!" C5 THE KING'S MAID VALERIA "Aahh, it’s horrible, she’s deformed!" "You’re just jealous, that’s why you want to keep us away from the King!" "The Lord has said you must leave now," I repeated impassively, while they hurled insults at me. But I felt nothing—not cold, not heat. I thought about how to get them out since, weakened or not, there were three of them and only one of me. Just then, loud knocks echoed from the side door leading to the hallway, a door I hadn’t even noticed before. It had to be the person sent to remove them from the castle. I walked over and opened it, revealing two sturdy servants who entered without a word. The women began to resist, screaming that their bodies were only for the King, threatening that our heads would roll. I didn’t need to be here long to see through their lies. That man had used them like disposable objects and was now discarding them like trash. The blonde rushed toward the door leading to the dining hall, but I stepped in front of her, standing firm and blocking her way. "Have some dignity and leave already. The King has ordered it. Don’t risk dying." "I want him to tell me himself! Last night, he showed me otherwise! Get out of my way!" she lunged at me, baring her fangs. I defended myself, grabbing her arms mid-air as we struggled. Her long claws scratched me in her fury, and I knew I could control her because, right now, she was weak. This she-wolf was stronger than me—honestly, anyone was stronger than me. With the help of the servants, we managed to drag the last crazed woman out of the room. I shut the door, breathing heavily. "Quite the first day on the job," I muttered in resignation, staring at the disaster I now had to clean. * I wiped the sweat from my forehead, taking a moment to catch my breath, surveying the nearly tidy room. The worst part was the bed. Even after removing the dirty sheets, I had gone overboard with the water. So, I thought of pushing the mattress closer to the window to let it air out and catch some sun. "Mmnn," I grunted, yanking at the heavy king-size mattress, my hands trembling. I doubted I could move it. I kept struggling when— "How many centuries does it take you to organize a room?" His voice startled me—I hadn’t heard him enter. I turned to apologize, but a wrong step, my nerves, and apparently a sticky substance I’d left on the floor caused me to lose my balance and fall forward. By instinct, I grabbed onto the first thing I could, falling to my knees with my eyes shut tight. Something had slipped from my hands, and now another thing, thick, brushed against my nose. A dark, musky, intoxicating scent assaulted my senses. When I opened my eyes again and saw the sight before me, I wished I could die right there without needing him to kill me. In my hands was a black towel—I assumed it had been around the King's hips—and I was on my knees, clutching his powerful thighs, with a massive, veiny member right in front of my wide eyes. «Girl, this could make you cry» was the first thing that crossed my mind in my nervous breakdown. And to think it was only half... not even Dorian’s compared in detail. "Should I fetch a tape measure so you can size it up too?" His cold voice snapped me out of my frozen state. Terrified, I raised my gaze to see him completely naked, in all his glory, his burgundy hair loose and tousled, damp from the shower, and I could swear his gray eyes held a mocking glint. "Your Majesty, I’m so sorry! Please, spare the life of this humble servant who doesn’t deserve your mercy!" I threw myself to the ground, pressing my forehead against the hard surface, begging him. What I had done was unforgivable. By the Goddess, I had even stayed there... staring at it. His threatening shadow loomed over my trembling body. I clenched my eyes shut, bracing for the end. "I’ll leave right away... I beg you... I’ll leave the castle... please..." "I don’t have the patience to find a new servant every day. You leave when I decide so. Now get up." His deep voice rumbled close to my ear, and I felt him tugging at the towel I still clutched in my hands. I released it immediately, sweat trailing down my back as my entire body trembled. "Besides, if you’re going to serve me, it won’t be the last time you see it. It’s not a big deal. Come to the dining room," he added before his bare footsteps echoed away from the room. Swallowing nervously, I stood on shaky legs. «Come on, Valeria, focus, please. » "Try the breakfast," he ordered, gesturing to the food set on the table. He sat, dominating the large chair, observing my every move. I picked up the fork and cut a small piece from each dish, tasting everything bite by bite. "If something is not to your liking, I can ask the kitchen to—" "That won’t be necessary. Everything’s fine," he interrupted and then fell silent. I kept my gaze on the floor, unsure of what he was waiting for, frantically reviewing every rule in my mind. "Do you think I’m a savage who eats with his hands?" "What? No, no, Your Maj... Sir..." I quickly lifted my gaze and saw him glancing at the fork still in my hand. Holy Goddess, I had covered the only utensil with saliva! The housekeeper hadn’t mentioned I had to taste the food here too! "I... I’ll get another, I’m so sorry—" "You seem to apologize well," he said as he took the fork from my hand. "It’s dirty, I... I ate with it—" I didn’t finish because he wiped it with a napkin and began eating calmly. I stepped back, standing in the corner, awaiting his orders. Through my bangs, I occasionally stole glances at him. He looked relaxed wearing just the towel, eating and reviewing some documents beside him. No matter what the Lycan King did, his aggressive aura filled the entire space, demanding only obedience and submission. This was my new master. And honestly, I was starting to wonder if I’d be better off running far away from this castle... and this pack. Aldric Thorne was the most dangerous thing I could have crossed paths with. *** Days passed, and despite my rookie mistakes, I managed to survive. The Lord wasn’t constantly present at the castle either—he often traveled between packs or faced dangerous situations. I hadn’t even seen the other “Guardians” until one morning. "Phew, I honestly don’t know how you handle the pressure and temptation," said Juliette. She was the only staff member who had approached me. An extroverted, cheerful girl. I didn’t consider her a friend, though—I'd never trust a woman like that again. But at least her chatter kept me entertained. We were walking through the underground corridor carrying laundry baskets when a side door leading to one of the many training gyms opened. A massive Lycan emerged. I knew by the powerful aura he projected. We immediately lowered our heads, waiting for him to pass, but his steps approached us instead. "Are these clean towels?" asked a strong but calm male voice. "Yes, yes, Sir," I answered, realizing I was the one carrying them. I glanced up for a second. Enchanting golden eyes stared back at me. I quickly lowered my gaze to the carpet and handed him a towel, but as he reached out, our fingers brushed for a moment. His touch was warm. Despite being intimidating, this Lycan projected a protective aura—not as sharp and wild as the King's. "I’m sorry... I’m so sorry—" "Relax, it’s fine. Thank you," he replied, taking the towel and walking away down the hallway. And then I dared to look at his back. Blond hair, massive like all Lycans, powerful, his muscular, sweaty back glistening, dressed in black combat gear. It seemed like he had been training. For some reason, the combination of his eyes and hair reminded me a bit of Dorian. I didn’t want to remember him at all, but the mind could be a traitor. He had been the first—and only—man I’d loved. "Right? He’s so handsome! I mean, they’re all attractive and hot, but for me, the best ones are the King and Guardian Quinn... Though the King, ugh, that man is pure fire. I’m torn—what do you think, Valeria? Would you prefer the King or Quinn?" Before I could scold her for talking so carelessly, her face turned pale, staring behind me in panic. A powerful presence pressed against my back, hot breath brushing against my ear. "I’d like to know too, Valeria. Who would you prefer? And why did you let another man touch what’s mine?" The basket in my hands begins to tremble along with my hands. I'm done for. And even though I know he’s talking about the towels, for some reason, it feels like he’s talking about me. "Ss… Sir..." "Get out!" he ordered Juliette, who looked at me for a second with guilt but had no choice but to flee almost running. I remained with my back to him. Could I run too? "I'm still waiting, Valeria. Tell me, are you unhappy with the position you were given? Would you prefer to be Quinn's personal maid instead? Turn around!"	LEARN_MORE	https://befant.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18151&u	Galaxy in the Story	https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/	2,500	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	befant.com	VIDEO		https://befant.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=18151&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482071547_4042474812665893_3877761190684051038_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZFaYCG9fcaYQ7kNvgEslqO1&_nc_oc=Adh-Dig9wRnCfNIXM1a-9EYKTXSD7HvpG-jGECU-ZntD0zUbg4JoZv_vDMbf9oZLik4UjBFgBwZqBK8Y0bbcva7s&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHmPEKmaNsN1nmK0UUYQsqZ&oh=00_AYDP5XDuLzDwkDh1gsUARQZWRxuNjQJzFuP2USm5CuqUMA&oe=67CC2CFF	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Galaxy in the Story	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,768,365	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 19:10	active	2791	Read next chapter	To survive, she climbed into her so-called uncle's bed. Two years later, she realized she was just a toy. Heartbroken, she left after seeing him at his first love's prenatal checkup. ===== The winters in Ulares were bone-chilling, but inside Cloudscape Mansion, the air was thick with warmth and passion. "Uncle Ethan…" Nyla Green gasped, her voice catching. Ethan's lips quirked into a satisfied smirk. "Being so well-behaved tonight, aren't you?" "Don't you like it when I'm well-behaved?" The hunger in Ethan's eyes was undeniable. "What is it you want?" Settling into the armchair by the window, he asked, his mood seemingly lighter than usual. "Will you give me anything I ask for?" Nyla's voice was soft, hesitant, her hopeful gaze fixed on his sharp, handsome face. "Depends on what it is," Ethan replied evenly. "I want to be Mrs. Brooks." The warmth in Ethan's expression disappeared, replaced by a glacial stare that sent a chill down her spine. Nyla's heart sank as he let out a mocking laugh. "I've been too soft on you," he said coldly. "You think that gives you the right to ask for something like that?" Nyla bit her lip, "Callie's back, isn't she? You're planning to marry her, aren't you?" Callie Higgins--the name itself was enough to twist Nyla's gut. She was Ethan's first love--the woman who had once saved his life from kidnappers when he was eighteen. After the incident, their families agreed that Ethan and Callie would get engaged when the time was right. Ethan's expression flickered, just for a moment, but it was enough for Nyla to know she'd struck a nerve. She'd been with him for two years; she knew him well. "I just want a status. You know how hard it is for me in the Brooks family. Without protection, I--" "Protection?" Ethan cut her off, his tone sharp. In a flash, he was in front of her, gripping her chin firmly. His dark eyes bored into hers, fierce and unyielding. "Do you think I don't see through you, Nyla? You think you're worthy of being Mrs. Brooks?" Chapter 2 Time To Let Go "Ethan Brooks, you haven't changed a bit--still as cold-hearted as ever," Nyla snapped. The warm atmosphere had long since turned to ice. Nyla's expression was calm, though her intentions were anything but hidden. Tears glimmered in her defiant eyes. "If you're not willing to give me what I want, then this is it. From today, we're done. Beyond being my step-uncle, you have nothing to do with me anymore." Ethan's sneer was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blde. "You're the one who climbed into my bd back then. And now you want to walk away? Nyla, do you really think I'm that easy to deal with?" It had been a while since the Green family's sudden collapse. Overnight, Nyla's world unraveled. Her father, Lorenzo Green, took his own life to prove his innocence, and her brother was thrown behind bars. Her mother, desperate to survive, became the mi*ress of Ethan's elder brother, Ryland Brooks. When Ryland's wife passed away, Nyla's mother--pregnant with Ryland's child--married him. The Brooks family made no secret of their disdain. Nyla had always known her place, keeping her distance from the Brooks family whenever possible. But they never intended to stop tormenting her. Out of options, she had turned to Ethan. As the current leader of the Brooks family and one of the most powerful men in Ulares, Ethan was the only one who could offer her protection. "So, what do we call this... arrangement?" Her voice was low, almost mocking. Ethan's gaze lingered on her face--dangerously beautiful, the kind that brought chaos wherever it went. "If you want something else, I might consider it," he said, his tone indifferent as he released her. The implication was clear: he wasn't letting go, not yet. Bitterness rose in Nyla's throat. She could endure being his bdmates, but she wouldn't let herself become the other woman. That was one boundary she refused to cross. "Ethan, I'm tired. This... whatever it is, it's over." The word "over" felt hollow--Ethan had never acknowledged what they had in the first place. She pulled her torn dress over her body, her hands trembling but her resolve firm. Ethan's expression darkened. "What are you trying to prove with this tantrum?" Nyla paused, holding herself together with every ounce of willpower. She stood tall, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Brooks, if you can't give me what I want, then let's not waste any more time. I need to move on." Her words struck a nerve. Ethan grabbed her arm, "Move on? To who?" His voice dripped with menace. "Who else could ever satisfy you like I do? Don't act like this was all some mistake. You crawled into my bd, Nyla. Don't think I'll let you forget that." Nyla's composure cracked as anger flared in her chest. She glared at him, tears brimming. "So what if I did? I regret it! You're going to marry Callie, and I'm supposed to sit here and wait for your scraps? I may be shameless, Ethan, but I'm not that pathetic." The air between them was suffocating, heavy with unspoken truths and unbearable tension. A sudden ring shattered the silence. Ethan glanced at his phone, irritation flickering across his face. He was about to ignore the call until he saw the name. Callie. He released Nyla and answered without hesitation. Nyla watched in silence, her heart sinking at his gentle tone. He'd only ever used it with her in bd. She felt the humiliation settle deep in her chst. "I'll be there soon." Ethan finished the called and then dressed. He turned to Nyla. "I'll have Jackson transfer the money to your account. Don't even think about leaving." The door clicked shut behind him. Nyla sat still, staring at the empty space he left behind. Then, with a bitter laugh, she wiped her tears away. If she couldn't have what she wanted, then she'd take back what little was left of her dignity. It was time to let go. Chapter 3 So What If I Am? Nyla, now in her senior year of college, had already begun her internship while managing her own studio--a venture she had started during her junior year. She specialized in fashion design, and her studio was her pride and joy. But lately, the pressure from competitors had been relentless. Someone clearly wanted her out of Ulares. Despite the frustration, Nyla refused to back down. After a restless night, her body ached as she got ready for the day. She couldn't bring herself to wear her usual professional attire, opting instead for a casual outfit. Even in simple clothes, her elegance and charisma turned heads wherever she went. As she walked into the studio, her receptionist hesitated before approaching her. "Miss Green... um, your mother is here," she said nervously. "We tried to stop her, but... she's holding a baby, and we didn't want to risk anything." Nyla gave her a reassuring smile. Her mother, Vicki Brooks, was difficult to deal with. "It's fine. I understand. You can get back to work." Relieved, the receptionist nodded and returned to her desk. Nyla's studio wasn't large, but every inch of it reflected her touch. She had designed the interior herself, favoring a minimalist elegance that radiated sophistication. In the lounge area, she spotted her mother cradling a baby in her arms. Nolan Brooks, a premature baby, had come into the world when Vicki was in her forties. His arrival had nearly cost both their lives, and since then, Vicki's world revolved entirely around him. Standing silently in the doorway, Nyla observed her mother. Vicki's expression softened as she gently rocked Nolan, her maternal warmth unmistakable. For a fleeting moment, Nyla saw the woman Vicki used to be--a gentle, understanding wife and mother, back when the Green family was intact. But that version of her mother was gone. Now, Vicki was only a mother to Nolan. The thought stung, but Nyla pushed the feeling aside and walked into the lounge. She sat across from Vicki, who glanced up briefly before returning her attention to Nolan. Nyla's assistant quickly brought over a cup of coffee and slipped away without a word. Picking up the cup, Nyla stirred it slowly, the clinking of the spoon breaking the silence. "Why are you here?" she asked, her tone even. Vicki's gaze flickered disapprovingly over Nyla's casual outfit. "You're going out dressed like that? Don't you realize you're representing the Brooks family now? Everything you do reflects on us." Leaning back on the sofa, Nyla replied with a calm, measured voice, "My last name is Green. I've never been part of the Brooks family." Vicki's lips tightened, her frustration evident. "You--" She stopped herself, glancing down at Nolan, who stirred in her arms. Lowering her voice, she continued, "Ryland has arranged a date for you tomorrow at Delight Restaurant. You'll be meeting the second son of the Fowler family. He's from a respectable background, and it's time you start thinking about your future." Nyla raised an eyebrow, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. The second son of the Fowler family had recently been released from prison. Ryland certainly had a knack for picking matches. "I don't have time," Nyla replied dismissively, taking a sip of her coffee. Vicki's composure cracked. "No time? You didn't go to school or your studio yesterday. And you didn't come home last night either. I heard you were at a bar." She had done her homework. Nyla's late-night escapades and partying were the reason Vicki had stormed over. That kind of behavior was unacceptable. If it weren't for Nolan dozing off in her arms, she'd have already started yelling. Then Vicki's sharp eyes zeroed in on a faint red mrk on Nyla's neck. Her expression darkened. "What's that on your neck?" she hissed. "I'm warning you, Nyla. If you're fooling around, I won't tolerate it!" Nyla paused mid-sip, setting her cup down deliberately. She met Vicki's glare with calm indifference. Her mother still looked youthful despite her age. Money sure did wonders, Nyla mused. "And what if I am?" she said, leaning back. "You haven't cared about me in years, so why pretend now? Take your precious son and leave." Chapter 4 Family Dinner "Nyla!" Vicki shot to her feet, her sudden movement jolting Nolan awake in her arms. The baby let out a wail that pierced through the studio. "It's okay, Nolan. Shh, you're okay," Vicki murmured, turning her attention to him and pointedly ignoring Nyla. "We'll go home soon, sweetheart. Be good for Mommy." Nyla rubbed her ears, the irony of the scene grating on her nerves. Without a word, she turned to leave. "Don't forget." Vicki's strained voice rang out behind her. "I've always been the one begging for help for your brother. Do you have any idea how much he's suffered in prison? And your sister-in-law? I've been the one sending her money to survive. If you had even a shred of consideration for me, you'd listen to what I say!" Nyla froze mid-step, her gaze drifting up to the ceiling as a wave of helplessness rolled over her. After the incident all those years ago, her brother had been jailed, and her pregnant sister-in-law had been so traumatized she ended up hospitalized. The baby--already five months along--couldn't be saved, and her sister-in-law's health had never recovered. The family sold everything they owned, borrowed from anyone who'd listen, and still came up short. Eventually, their options ran dry, and even close relatives cut ties. Nyla's sister-in-law finally gave up, saying she didn't want to be a burden. Vicki's marriage into the wealthy Brooks family had brought temporary relief, but her sister-in-law's lingering illness had turned into a lifelong battle--one that drained both money and hope. And Vicki, to her credit, had been the one subsidizing the expensive treatments. Nyla's fingers curled and relaxed along the edge of her sleeve--a quiet gesture of powerless compromise. "Fine. I'll go." Vicki let out a relieved sigh, her tone softening. "There's a family dinner at the Brooks Mansion tonight. Leave work early and make sure you're there. You can't miss it." Nyla felt an immediate headache brewing. She'd planned to avoid Ethan for at least a little while longer, but her plans were thwarted before they'd even begun. "I know you hate going to these things, but think about me. Think about your little brother. He's just a child, Nyla. If you don't look out for him, who will? Please, just do this for me." Vicki's words left no room for refusal. Nyla was at a loss for words. Her mother asked her to protect Nolan, but who would protect her? The Brooks family wore their civility like sheep's clothing, but beneath it, she knew better. They were wolves--every single one of them--and none would spare her if given the chance. And yet, Nyla never voiced these grievances to Vicki. It would only be pointless. Vicki would call her immature, blame her for the Brooks family's hostility, insist that Nyla brought it all upon herself. So Nyla could only swallow her resentment. Later that afternoon, Nyla left work early as instructed. She took her time getting home and changed clothes, knowing Vicki would nitpick if she didn't look the part. She settled on a gray, short tweed jacket over a black skirt--poised, polished, and appropriately elegant. Nyla despised the cold. If it weren't for the Brooks family gathering, she would have bundled herself in two down jackets and called it a day. These social charades were a performance she loathed--hollow and suffocating. But Vicki insisted she need to integrate. Half an hour later, Nyla stepped out of the taxi in front of the imposing Brooks Mansion. Just as she turned to head inside, a sleek Maybach pulled up beside her. Nyla didn't intend to acknowledge anyone--until the license plate caught her eye. Ethan's car. The tinted window rolled down slowly, and two faces came into view--elegant, pristine, and altogether too perfect. "Hello, Nyla." A woman's voice broke the moment. "I'm Callie." Chapter 5 Rivals In Love Nyla had imagined meeting Callie in countless scenarios. Maybe it would happen during one of those stolen moments with Ethan, where they'd be caught red-handed. Or perhaps at Callie and Ethan's engagement party, where Nyla would dutifully offer her congratulations as a younger member of the Brooks family. But never like this--never with Callie deliberately approaching her. Nyla glanced at Ethan, suspicious. Was he behind this? But Ethan's gaze remained locked on her, his dark eyes betraying nothing. Those eyes had a way of pulling people in. She quickly looked away, her voice cold. "Hello. Did you need something?" Nyla didn't like the Brooks family, and she liked Callie even less. Callie was, after all, a rival in love. "Oh, nothing at all. I'd just heard Ethan had a breathtakingly beautiful niece, and I couldn't resist coming to meet you. I hope that's all right," Callie replied, her voice soft and syrupy, the kind of tone that made others instinctively want to protect her, a stark contrast to Nyla's cool tone. "You're exaggerating. I'm just an ordinary person." An ordinary person who was all too easy to manipulate. The moment the words left her mouth, Nyla felt Ethan's gaze on her--sharp, teasing. She met his eyes, her expression frosty, but he didn't look away. Instead, his lips parted, and his cool voice cut through the air. "Let's go. Don't waste time on people who don't matter." Callie offered an apologetic smile. "We'll head in, then. Would you like to join us? It's a bit of a walk." The words "people who don't matter" stung more than Nyla cared to admit. Last night, Ethan had been so close--so possessive he wouldn't let her leave--and now he was acting like a stranger. Huh. If Ethan chose acting as his career, he would win the Best Actor award, and Nyla would gladly be the one throwing tomatoes at his acceptance speech. Plastering on a bitter smile, she replied, "No thanks. I don't feel comfortable riding in a stranger's car." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away. Behind her, the sleek Maybach sped off, its icy wind brushing her cheeks and nearly drawing tears from her eyes. But she refused to cry--not here, not at the Brooks family estate. The sprawling Brooks Mansion loomed ahead, its gardens and private villas spread across more than seven thousand square feet. It was the largest private residence in Ulares and an unyielding symbol of the Brooks family's influence. The family dinner was held in the main house of the estate, and by the time Nyla arrived, the room was already packed. Her eyes immediately found Ethan, standing beside Callie, who was chatting amicably with the wife of Ethan's second brother. They looked disturbingly at ease with one another. "Why are you so late? Didn't I tell you to leave work early?" The voice belonged to Vicki, who appeared beside Nyla in a black gown and white mink shawl, exuding effortless grace. Nyla forced a smile, though she detested the way Vicki had shed her real self to fit into the Brooks family mold. "It's a long drive. Besides, I'm here now, aren't I?" Her eyes roved over the crowd. Faces turned her way, some barely hiding their disdain. "Honestly, we shouldn't have bothered coming." Vicki tightened her grip on Nyla's hand, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If you listened to Ryland and made connections with the Fowler family, we wouldn't be in this position." Nyla's tone sharpened. "If you're in such a rush, feel free to go see my blind date yourself." "Don't be ridiculous!" Vicki hissed, glancing around nervously. The last thing she wanted was to cause a scene here. "Then stop nagging me," Nyla retorted. "Unless you want me to make a real fuss." Vicki bit back her frustration, unwilling to press further. Nyla slipped away and found an empty corner, determined to stay invisible until the endless family dinner wrapped up. But, of course, the peace didn't last. "Nyla, why are you sitting here all by yourself? Are you feeling out of place?" Callie's sugary voice rang in her ear. "I can show you around if you'd like." Chapter 6 Definition Of Decorum "Thank you, I appreciate your concern, Miss Higgins, but that won't be necessary." Nyla blinked leisurely, suppressing a yawn. The previous night had been relentless and exhausting, and as she sat in the quiet corner, weary and disinterested, she had thought no one would disturb her. Unexpectedly, Callie had come over, initiating conversation. As Nyla observed the gentle expression on Callie's face, a sardonic grin took root in her thoughts. She now understood Ethan's distaste for her; he evidently preferred someone more like Callie. "Leave her be, Callie. That woman is nothing but trouble. Who knows who she'll charm next? You're too good for her." These words came from Stella Brooks, the daughter of Ethan's second brother. Nyla turned toward Stella, her expression teasingly challenging. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe I should seek out Lukas for an enlightening chat in his bedroom. He'd probably appreciate it. And perhaps tomorrow I'll drop by Austen's place--I still know how to get in." Lukas Brooks, Stella's younger brother, had been captivated by Nyla from the start, wanting nothing more than to stay by her side. His family, convinced of Nyla's manipulative charm, met her with cold disdain. Consequently, Lukas found himself transferred to a distant boarding school. Austen Mitchell, the focus of Stella's unrequited affections, had grown up next door to Nyla. Their families were intertwined, and he always saw Nyla as kin, a fact unknown to many. This was the root of Stella's vehement animosity toward Nyla. Originally, Nyla endured her insults, but Stella's escalation to physical threats forced Nyla to retaliate. "Shame on you!" Stella seethed, her cheeks burning. "Don't think for a moment you belong in the Brooks household just because you share our roof! You're no better than your mother. It's clear now why your family crumbled--you thrive on being a shameless intruder!" Shadows flickered in Nyla's eyes, her fist tightening inside her sleeve, though her expression remained calm. "Has Austen actually accepted your advances? You seem to be the one relentlessly pursuing him. He freely opens his door to me. Can you say the same? Your efforts seem futile. He shows no interest in you." Stella's eyes welled up, her hand lifted for a slap, but Callie intervened just in time. "Stella, that was uncalled for. Why would you say such things?" Callie's voice carried the weight of a mentor scolding a student. Flushed and tearful, Stella bit her tongue following Callie's sharp scolding. With a restrained smile but firm voice, Callie maintained her composed aristocratic air. "You're under the Brooks' roof now, Nyla. It's high time to leave your old ways behind. We expect decorum in a family of the Brooks family's standing." Nyla noted Callie's attempt to shame her and wondered about her motives. Her secret with Ethan was safe. What was driving Callie's hostility? Was it just a personal dislike? Nyla's lethargy vanished, replaced by simmering annoyance. "Stella called me a shameless intruder and hurled insults, yet you don't accuse her of indecorum. I merely stated some facts, less harshly than her, and yet here you are, Miss Higgins, accusing me of impropriety." Nyla's voice was measured as she locked eyes with Callie, her laughter tinged with scorn. "So, this is your definition of decorum, Miss Higgins? Your upbringing must indeed be exemplary." Chapter 7 Lecture Me On Callie's Behalf? Callie's expression shifted, her eyes softening with a tinge of apology. "I didn't mean it like that," she said gently. "I just thought… it might help you to fit in better with the Brooks family." Nyla's gaze swept over the two women in front of her. Stella still looked like she was ready to tear her apart, while Callie's carefully composed friendliness had started to crumble. Suddenly, the family dinner didn't seem so dull after all. One person warned her not to dream too big about the Brooks family, and the other subtly reminded her of her place as an outsider. How delightfully amusing. "And what does that have to do with you, Miss Higgins?" Nyla asked, standing abruptly. A sly smile curved her lips as she added, "Stella does have a point, though. Who knows who I'll charm next? Maybe one day… Ethan will end up in my bd too. Instead of worrying about me, Miss Higgins, you might want to keep an eye on yourself." The smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Without waiting for a response, Nyla turned and strode toward the garden. "You bch! How dare you even think about Uncle Ethan!" Stella's shrill voice pierced the air. "Callie, see? She doesn't deserve your kindness. She's shameless!" Callie's eyes lingered on Nyla's retreating figure, all pretense of kindness gone. Her voice was cold and measured. "Just an outsider. Does she really think the Brooks family will protect her? Let's see how long she lasts." The garden, though chilled by the winter air, offered a quiet sanctuary to Nyla. Dinner still hadn't been served--Roger Brooks, Ethan's father, hadn't arrived yet. Nyla was grateful she wasn't particularly hungry. Otherwise, she might have had an outright clash with Vicki and left. Most of the flowers had withered, leaving the once vibrant landscape barren and forlorn. She studied the decayed flowers, finding an odd comfort in their desolation. Settling onto a swing tucked in the corner of the garden, Nyla pushed herself back and forth lightly, lost in thought. The Ethan situation was spiraling. If things ended between them now, her carefully laid plans would collapse. When she first approached Ethan, she'd told herself it was all calculated--a means to an end. But somewhere along the way, her emotions had betrayed her. She'd been starved of love for so long that the taste of it--however fleeting--had made her greedy. She didn't want to let him go. "Do you think you can hide out here after stirring trouble?" Ethan's voice cut through the stillness, sharp yet calm. "Do you think the Brooks family is that forgiving?" Nyla froze for a second before resuming her lazy swaying. The light from the house spilled onto her figure, casting her in an ethereal glow that made her seem almost otherworldly--a delicate flower in a crumbling garden. She tilted her head slightly, her hair spilling across her chest, and smiled faintly. "So, are you here to lecture me on your future fiancée's behalf?" Her eyes, glimmering with playful defiance, locked onto his. Ethan hated and loved those eyes--the mischievous glint that made her look like a sly little fox, always drawing him closer. "You're getting bolder." "If that's your reason, you can save your breath," Nyla retorted, bitterness threading her words. "I won't apologize. And you don't have to remind me of my place either. Whether the Brooks family hates me or not is none of your concern. After all, I'm just… insignificant, right?" Ethan's expression darkened instantly. He crossed the distance between them in a few long strides and pulled her down onto his lap as sat on the swing, its frame graning under their combined weight. "Have you already forgotten who was in my b*d yesterday, pleasing me?" Nyla's eyes widened as she struggled against him, "Let go of me! Ethan, this is the Brooks Mansion. Someone will see!" ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/67687322-fb_contact-e	Fun Novel	https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/	1,340	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/67687322-fb_contact-ena255_2-0124-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&exdata=B7502C52902DDDD918C1D83ABE932D49CCFE79B410E130D7	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476456392_479344148574870_7328002253047317934_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8LTomYtusXsQ7kNvgHrQPsu&_nc_oc=AdgHPrFUc6kdKAERmjCYoXf24lfHL7CMGFqaATqyUkqYs_4DlidXF4tztbe0fUBcJGS-zqlu5_PPYkcqauAYXOhk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A9T7w01jqw1JIkMG-pJHu13&oh=00_AYDr2xqmXy-5ikfEJloT5xlzb9TVImjswb5AC7uDSAX5QQ&oe=67CC2B37	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Fun Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,300	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767287}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:55	active	2790	Click here to watch the full episode	"Hailey is cash-strapped and desperate for a way to pay her mother's heafty medical bills. Her family agrees to help her, on the condition she marries the billionaire Samuel Trent, whom is in a coma after a near-fatal car accident. However, it wouldn't be long before the infamous Samuel Trent would wake up from his coma and discover he's engaged to a complete stranger. "	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.reelshort.com/w2a/booksAdvPageV2/?book	Don't miss	https://www.facebook.com/61553772403991/	19,383	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.reelshort.com	VIDEO		https://w2a.reelshort.com/w2a/booksAdvPageV2/?book_id=678df762ecd01d2a7a0c77e3&chapterId=smz4q7xdnb&chapterIndex=1&mediaType=fb&px=25247865436%253A1813&push_type=2&book_type=1&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482004884_850593507218492_5074904510023904754_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CUey_fGI01MQ7kNvgFYMn5Y&_nc_oc=Adh1Xf4bAKg-OBU9a6HX9_lnOffiSwUj3C-aUFB8gow--3Y6SjyAULTnvKeNQPDFanziErGmpxDsktjhiHeAZL3-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-YziMvQIJ-rrjZVh7i1rnn&oh=00_AYDFTDCdBxHk4OM8ROo9pv-4q4RkIfWr_PMhWznjCga4uA&oe=67CC36EA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Don't miss	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

Page 135 of 166, showing 20 record(s) out of 3,306 total

Download CSV New Ads

Search

Ads for foobar on 2025-03-03