Ads
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 963269251896862 | 4.8/5 Rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | "I was in extreme pain with my back; painkillers weren't working, and I could hardly walk. Feeling depressed due to the lack of mobility, my wife suggested your product. With a lot of skepticism, I purchased the belt. To my amazement, after wearing it for the first time, I started to feel like my old self again and have taken up visiting the gym. It's an amazing product, and I can't praise it enough."<br /> <br /> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - William S. USA<br /> <br /> Fix sciatica & back pain with this simple device!<br /> <br /> ✅Eliminate sciatica & back pain the healthy way (no more painkillers)<br /> ✅Avoid expensive chiropractor bills<br /> ✅Flexible and non-slip unlike other hip belts<br /> <br /> 50% off all today's orders!<br /> <br /> Get Yours Now👇<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.dainelylab.com%2Freview3h3&h=AT2yDdub3bg3SnNEUuZQJE6rcnIUL0kXQ83zGRnQkiSBnuFmkyw_KaoFvumXqODvEGV_nqEZdZLb0BjiFi9uABzsLzNQ2fDi1rEeqH91qzA74e-h9LCcYqK4IkNvd-jiQ3t5azVHHW7HQxw9ZrFsMhsINdDIWCbXyxVfCA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://shop.dainelylab.com/review3h3</a> | LEARN_MORE | https://shop.dainelylab.com/review3h3 | 106537275405242 | Dainely Devices | https://facebook.com/dainely.devices | 21,919 | 0 | 955,313,009,601,844 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Learn more | 0 | Dainely Devices | 120207965663170700 | shop.dainelylab.com | NONE | video | 50% Off Sale Ends Today! | https://shop.dainelylab.com/review3h3 | 2024-03-25 14:54 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432987689_766456892121694_3935892707937352984_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KAkkUdulEeoAX_rFvNU&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBnKR0G3Khicr0jhf__w9YgeNe8-vosq2F64q2zMKfp4w&oe=66095035 | person_profile | 0 | Dainely Devices | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433019731_409921228313439_7722775537853769475_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7iZEoCPvVu4AX8S8iT0&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnwIpHFDQtmAJcPyp79fL3NjYtRCNhDejGw5LvJ5a1MA&oe=660AC3C3 | 0 | 3 | Dainely Devices | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 3638737413050445 | C Money -Rock n Roll | Rock n roll Official video | 226049807251497 | Medacine Man | https://facebook.com/medacine | 117 | 1 | 924,458,309,147,545 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Medacine Man | 6594998639219 | NONE | video | 2024-03-25 20:05 | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433956783_289034097558544_8743141814386431629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mCp2zMvLwK0AX949RPs&_nc_oc=AdhtTO-OJk2cBqqkPyoqWzZ6lSNhtuynWp1C0McRr05C3kQUdYQbWan_thf5t1m_R0g&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDLwWQ0ovsEsD3NHAADE7s-on0MtzJNwllY-E24x35EMQ&oe=660940C9 | person_profile | 0 | Medacine Man | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433966056_950238400039851_920087242776424190_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N9FfB1Ago2wAX8saju3&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3tbO0aIE55SW2svMOGfD-bMNNzegEd8z4XCijSz63Dg&oe=660AC672 | 0 | 3 | Medacine Man | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 437512818724828 | Experience LASTING DISC Pain Relief 🙌 | Hey, Friends of the Sherman area! 👋<br /> <br /> Dr. Braddock, DC, here! At Genesis Back and Neck, we are able to produce LASTING relief from HERNIATED & BULGING DISC pain, using precision, non-surgical Spinal Decompression...and we've been doing it for years! 🗓️<br /> <br /> What you will receive on your 1st COMPLIMENTARY visit:<br /> ✅ Private 1-on-1 Consultation with the Doctor<br /> ✅ MRI and/or X-Ray Review<br /> ✅ Case Evaluation<br /> ✅ Your 1st Initial Treatment on the DRX-9000!<br /> <br /> No obligation...Just an opportunity to experience REAL care. 👍🏽<br /> <br /> ⬇️ Click below to reserve your complimentary appointment ⬇️<br /> <br /> This is a LIMITED TIME offer and spaces are limited...so don't wait!<br /> <br /> This offer excludes Medicaid & some healthcare insurances by law. | LEARN_MORE | https://sherman.genesisbackneck.com/compappt2?utm_ | 157245587463084 | Genesis Back and Neck Sherman | https://facebook.com/61552282824097 | 64 | 1 | 1,599,910,887,495,603 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | Genesis Back and Neck Sherman | 120205241722690147 | sherman.genesisbackneck.com | NONE | video | Limited Time Offer! | https://sherman.genesisbackneck.com/compappt2?utm_source=fb_ad&utm_medium=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&site_source=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&placement=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D | 2024-03-25 16:49 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433087138_2082403378808277_1812417132820641728_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_Yj4WRjpZ4YAX-Imkg_&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBu7eDl6aXs_Ar97Nti_1BarvXBNty-iItM0VMsYsyISQ&oe=66092324 | person_profile | 0 | Genesis Back and Neck Sherman | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433206799_1124631112061152_7524809421953090113_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HFxiMJHdU20AX95axxI&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBEDE8D6rQGIIAZKGDj3H8vphsuK27IXqyaZY8i02Q4lg&oe=660966E6 | 0 | 3 | Genesis Back and Neck Sherman | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 1869325256911955 |
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Diabetic Nerve Pain Research Study | Earn up to $850 by participating in a diabetic nerve pain clinical research study. Reimbursement is available for transportation and dependent care. Qualified participants: ✔️ Have diabetes with pain, tingling, or numbness in your feet for at least 6 months ✔️ Do not use a spinal cord stimulator for pain ✔️ No moderate or severe kidney disease | LEARN_MORE | https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs00651-eppicn | 111588991357826 | BuildClinical Studies | https://facebook.com/100075952642052 | 534 | 2 | 1,363,118,634,241,474 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | BuildClinical Studies | 120208703343170551 | studies.buildclinical.com | NONE | dco | {{product.description}} | https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs00651-eppicnet-pederson-diabeticneuropathy-hrnil | 2024-03-25 16:37 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434273668_921270639483920_374899403625077649_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=J8gWVug5gwkAX97GdJw&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDw7itS40DAGQ9jKj0jiiaaltaNxmdS2r6r4my-m0h5cg&oe=660A163C | person_profile | 0 | BuildClinical Studies | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433139060_1152211452888398_3352228364393966081_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AbB7OK8Iq-UAX_rtx_d&_nc_oc=AdgrLvuGDto7E01FYg4d6UKdqxjs0r9q-tewILMzTPGwo4Ro80Jv3d4smajRqF1qI0Y&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC7_NbKKjs3SCe0h6ZiDcK5ydfKqUMRzV2LJFf2N_-ODQ&oe=66095CEC | 0 | 3 | BuildClinical Studies | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 1270009607290019 |
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Diabetic Nerve Pain Research Study | Earn up to $850 by participating in a diabetic nerve pain clinical research study. Reimbursement is available for transportation and dependent care. Qualified participants: ✔️ Have diabetes with pain, tingling, or numbness in your feet for at least 6 months ✔️ Do not use a spinal cord stimulator for pain ✔️ No moderate or severe kidney disease | LEARN_MORE | https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs00651-eppicn | 111588991357826 | BuildClinical Studies | https://facebook.com/100075952642052 | 534 | 0 | 1,470,602,077,165,897 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | BuildClinical Studies | 120208703123370551 | studies.buildclinical.com | NONE | dco | {{product.description}} | https://studies.buildclinical.com/bcfs00651-eppicnet-pederson-diabeticneuropathy-hrnmo | 2024-03-25 16:33 | https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433449152_1553406915228666_5746320289482995963_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KU-4Rhtv0FcAX-Ah778&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD4RN2uP23Xm63lGVH6Mhx8wsqILwlh2j2z81krs63O0g&oe=660AC885 | person_profile | 0 | BuildClinical Studies | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433479872_940827100669397_6864783129766318559_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mrv2W_jGo6oAX-gYul0&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCVVBM3fuJo1B3RSWkfwuU973bQFgtPFM6qw5MxWh9oTg&oe=6608E35D | 0 | 3 | BuildClinical Studies | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 1000272824995812 | Breakthrough Rapid Back Pain Relief Program in Huntsville, AL | Hey Huntsville and surrounding areas! For anyone dealing with back pain when walking, sitting, or standing… WE CAN HELP!<br /> <br /> For a limited time, we are giving away 20 vouchers for a 1-on-1 Consultation for our Rapid Back Pain Relief Program which includes an Exam, Imaging Review, Report of Findings, 1st Treatment (if candidate), or Personalized Treatment Recommendations for $35! (Normally $250).<br /> <br /> (Limit 1 per person. New patients only)<br /> <br /> If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to click "SIGN UP" and our team will answer any and all questions you have before you make any payment!<br /> <br /> After reading our testimonials, we have no doubt you'll want to experience us for yourself! We have several 5 🌟 Reviews you can check out.<br /> <br /> Here are our patients’ top reported benefits:<br /> <br /> ✅ Pain Relief<br /> ✅ Improved Flexibility and Mobility<br /> ✅ Walk up and down stairs without pain or fear of falling<br /> ✅ Standup without aid<br /> ✅ Go to the supermarket without using "the scooter"<br /> ✅ Play with grandchildren without pain<br /> ✅ Improved Sleep<br /> ✅ Increased Energy Levels<br /> ✅ Happier Family Life<br /> <br /> This is PERFECT for anyone desiring to have their best health!<br /> <br /> 🚨 Our schedule is limited and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis. 👉 Claim your $35 Rapid Back Pain Relief Program Consultation voucher today by clicking the "SIGN UP" button below or by calling "(256) 516-9933".<br /> <br /> Serving Huntsville and all surrounding areas.<br /> <br /> Fiona Wellness Center<br /> 2905 Bob Wallace Ave SW<br /> Huntsville, AL 35805<br /> (256) 516-9933 | SIGN_UP | http://fb.me/ | 105026442362163 | Fiona Wellness | https://facebook.com/100085554564624 | 167 | 1 | 683,367,940,448,915 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Sign up | 0 | Fiona Wellness | 120209755134840170 | fb.me | NONE | video | http://fb.me/ | 2024-03-25 15:24 | https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433170782_1168469294532499_9206315893409472222_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5kPqTulv_xEAX9HQIhi&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&oh=00_AfD8Nbbo3dgYYKUEQ4kDx8UPvdeo5DaBajGFfc-swF7-cw&oe=660950EE | person_profile | 0 | Fiona Wellness | https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434314490_415800881100197_4297693715818522273_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wEpkKHI_o8IAX-pnJV1&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDuObJCjqv3_wq1vEujK7mNAar1bTtTQpqI6jug7IpnDQ&oe=660AA54A | 0 | 3 | Fiona Wellness | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 1064441367989295 | Signature visit | I'm Your ‼️Mesa Chiropractor‼️<br /> <br /> 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 𝗔 𝗗𝗠 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁<br /> <br /> ✅️BACK PAIN ✅️NECK PAIN ✅️ SCIATICA<br /> <br /> 1925 E Brown Rd Ste A1, <br /> Mesa, AZ 85203<br /> ☎️ (480) 969-2425<br /> <br /> We’ve got your back!<br /> <br /> ‼️<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthemesachiropractor.com%2F&h=AT1lAxrTIq8L-HkrzlRxYatG7Kqvz_F18oMAztUlOMZf8O_5LDMteCPL_plUoaBfHSsm2aXSc83ZBqbMCTSzYjkWZ6l4fAxy0-MAN8TdfkYS4nHqs7rhZ9UlrcMVWgAosEUqH8QtJfpJVzwD66bQ_wjpwvn712gHUSQIpw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">themesachiropractor.com</a>‼️<br /> <br /> #MesaChiropractor #phoenixchiropractor<br /> #chiropractic #arizonachiropractor | MESSAGE_PAGE | 184307281427338 | Dr. Emmanuel Monroy | https://facebook.com/drmonry | 242 | 1 | 787,952,120,059,568 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Send message | 0 | Dr. Emmanuel Monroy | 6524153264434 | NONE | video | {"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can I get in this week for an adjustment?","response":""},{"title":"I need an adjustment, when can I get in? ","response":""},{"title":"I\u2019m a new patient, what is included with this visit? ","response":""}],"text":"Let us know how we can help you. "}},"user_edit":false,"autofill_message_edited":false,"ice_breakers_edited":false,"welcome_message_edited":false,"surface":"boosted_post"} | 2024-03-25 15:06 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431603907_3599473503699785_7927101463904259714_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sPQv6rpCCdAAX8r_ew8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC5hJ7xlWTu-8fPEeYPL_ip0QFAjRJWyvIEyeYratlDCA&oe=660993C0 | person_profile | 0 | Dr. Emmanuel Monroy | https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433922464_388346987323299_7926418973084083865_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SgpiUYJbGT8AX8iAwnV&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCF1UKFoBVtQ938MSOdCvQ-93LuuiShsrBJ6xbB2tmHtw&oe=66090D8D | 0 | 3 | Dr. Emmanuel Monroy | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 1081518276290995 | Ready To Start Living A Pain-Free Life? | Hey San Diego 🙌 We’re doing something AMAZING to celebrate receiving 40+ 5-Star Google Reviews 🏆 helping our community feel better and live better naturally! 🌱<br /> <br /> We are Life Within Chiropractic and for a limited time, Dr. Marc and Dr. Sean are giving away 30 vouchers for a:<br /> <br /> ✅ 1-on-1 Consultation<br /> ✅ Spinal and Nervous System Exam<br /> ✅ Postural Analysis<br /> ✅ Full Range of Motion Assessment <br /> ✅ Digital X-Rays <br /> ✅ Advanced Computerized Spinal Analysis<br /> ✅ Hypervolt Percussion Session<br /> ✅ Detailed Doctor’s Report of Findings <br /> ✅ AND 1st Chiropractic Adjustment<br /> <br /> for ONLY $79 ($350 value).<br /> <br /> ¡𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐒 𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐍̃𝐎𝐋! 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐫 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐚!<br /> <br /> Click here and enter your name, email, and phone to claim your voucher, only 30 available! => <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flifewithincenter.info%2Fopt-in&h=AT2KZx_6UIXlV1u1q0-x2vIULkLaYjJPuo1aonnNHMwbhIAJ_ZnbvI_EZIadNkoAl8tIgD3ouiF73qYnp03A2NHp7phtOPwzTL_7tehvls9IagRgORK213GBR5JtnZBgroqzlaq95hnuxiX5tI6utlfofdmZLADaACWa2A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://lifewithincenter.info/opt-in</a> <br /> <br /> What our patients have to say…<br /> <br /> ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”The absolute best! I’ve been seeing Dr. Marc for years and the addition of chiropractic has truly enriched my life. I look forward to my adjustments every time and feel the immediate sense of relief. I’m a beach volleyball player and am consistently active, and was struggling with back/neck pain almost my whole life and now I can say I don’t worry about that. Chiropractic is a game changer! And Dr. Marc is such a great person and makes you feel like family. I always leave with a big smile on my face. Thank you to the Life Within fam!” -Amber H.<br /> <br /> ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”I started going here a little over 3 years ago originally with Dr. Bo and not long after started seeing Dr. Marc! He is truly the best and the only chiropractor I trust out here in San Diego. Initially I was very hesitant to get adjusted but he has given me peace of mind in every practice. It really does make a difference when you have someone as skilled and charismatic as Dr. Marc he treats every patient with attentiveness and concern. My body thanks me after every visit!” -Brittany M.<br /> <br /> Click here and enter your name, email, and phone to claim your voucher! => <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flifewithincenter.info%2Fopt-in&h=AT0AVmy9OozGbF_ULhw6scm9WMII-2Mi4lxqgGCHE7DS5-k9n6BOTTBRen7XVd_ZuWTHraJZ6RFG_dsb8nbFbVje94ObWrbdF_g0NW77UdXPkPrZXjXjiqd7ay46S5WevhrOwDMyCxvmXAbAZlF2be7Sl2y_3ca5yKhirg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://lifewithincenter.info/opt-in</a> | GET_OFFER_VIEW | https://lifewithincenter.info/opt-in | 283536099706 | Life Within Chiropractic | https://facebook.com/ChiropractorSanDiego | 2,245 | 1 | 286,877,711,119,516 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Get offer | 0 | Life Within Chiropractic | 120207784277870182 | lifewithincenter.info | NONE | video | https://lifewithincenter.info/opt-in | 2024-03-25 13:40 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433105824_3828601497417947_4322174837562806751_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dXMzOLKEAycAX9STNRK&_nc_oc=AdjuVrQHk2MzLCmxQN5uvH5RBvq7XKZEra6nCW0T4V53Bh6SYcEIOv0qygMeKADvR-vdFu6smaIMCIoMJ3qr8LyA&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD8tYZLLOyIs-8bJIZe3bB5rAZ4VsNJT1TaRP0C5LEzXQ&oe=6609E12D | person_profile | 0 | Dr. Marc San Diego Chiropractor | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433045784_1139001560588019_8860905473274329651_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HyDHTIoChQoAX-Jzzze&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCXaKmXLFLOIwM4ytEvnBeVOZrDgyVWwYdjiGH2Rwhojg&oe=660A1D10 | 0 | 3 | Life Within Chiropractic | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 442746781524285 | Breakthrough Neuropathy Care in Atlanta - Start Living Pain Free! | Hey Atlanta! 😄👋<br /> <br /> There is no need to suffer from the pain, stiffness, swelling, numbness, and tingling associated with neuropathy pain - effective, NEW solutions are available, covered under Medicare and insurance! <br /> <br /> Atlanta Medical Clinic is proud to offer patients in Greater Atlanta and all surrounding communities with breakthrough, PROVEN care plans for neuropathy and nerve pain that help patients avoid surgery and start living life FREE of neuropathy and nerve pain: <br /> <br /> ✅ Neuropathy pain in the feet, legs, knees, ankles, wrists, and other areas. <br /> ✅ Treats sciatica pain. <br /> ✅ Avoid surgery and medications.<br /> ✅ Care plans available for diabetic. pre-diabetic, and non-diabetic patients. <br /> ✅ 95%+ symptom reduction for many patients. <br /> ✅ We help with diagnosis. <br /> ✅ Offering the newest, most effective treatment solutions for neuropathy pain. <br /> ✅ Separate care plans available for diabetes management and reversal - up to 63% HbA1c reduction! <br /> ✅ A top-rated medical staff with decades of combined experience. <br /> <br /> ✅ We accept Medicare and insurance! <br /> <br /> 🚫 No surgery.<br /> 🚫 No medications.<br /> 🚫 No downtime. <br /> <br /> Atlanta Medical Clinic<br /> 197 14th St NW #200, Atlanta, GA 30318<br /> <br /> ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rated 5-Stars on Google by 200+ Community Members | SIGN_UP | http://fb.me/ | 118546141513354 | Atlanta Medical Clinic | https://facebook.com/atlantamedicalclinic | 4,076 | 1 | 1,360,096,212,058,452 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Sign up | 0 | Atlanta Medical Clinic | 120208035849490448 | fb.me | NONE | video | 200+ 5-Star Google Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | http://fb.me/ | 2024-03-25 14:20 | https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434328875_723073333021116_4890266019913650269_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JLJF5y6ZilgAX8tZ2l9&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD2yFjPRsIYPd4P6EVb0Ofd8BN4pXOVdUUGJ7-HuTTY4g&oe=66097495 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Atlanta Medical Clinic | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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$37 Spinal Decompression Exam! | 👋 HELLO Lebanon area!!!!!<br /> <br /> Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, migraines, sciatica, stiffness, fatigue, headaches and other health issues are no fun! 😫<br /> <br /> I'm Dr. Jody Serra of Center For Natural Health here in Lebanon, NJ!! 👏👨⚕️<br /> <br /> And I wanted to create a NO BRAINER opportunity for you to come meet us in person and get AMAZING chiropractic care!<br /> <br /> And I wanted to create a NO BRAINER opportunity for you to come meet us in person and get AMAZING Spinal Decompression care!<br /> Click the "GET OFFER" button below and enter your info to receive your voucher NOW! ⬇️<br /> It includes:<br /> ✅Spinal Decompression Consultation <br /> ✅Medical X-Rays (if necessary)<br /> ✅Doctors Report of Findings<br /> ✅Treatment Plan Recommendations<br /> <br /> "I see so many people suffer from pain and never seek chiropractic care just because they didn't know how it could help them without the use of drugs and surgery...<br /> <br /> So I hope This Gets You Off The Fence and you give Spinal Decompression a try..." - Dr. Jody<br /> <br /> Click the "GET OFFER" button below and enter your info to receive your voucher NOW! ⬇️<br /> <br /> Not ready just yet? Check out what our patients have to say 😁👇<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "My 2 year old son has been going here for a little over a month after frequent ear infections and illness. Instead of having another surgery, we decided to go the holistic route and I’m glad we did. Everyone is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and makes you feel right at home. I would highly recommend this group." - Marcella G,<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "My 2 year old son has been going here for a little over a month after frequent ear infections and illness. Instead of having another surgery, we decided to go the holistic route and I’m glad we did. Everyone is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and makes you feel right at home. I would highly recommend this group." - Marcella G,<br /> <br /> + Jody 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "I have been going to The Center for Natural Health and Rehabilitation off and on for over 20 years. The office is very responsive and accommodating, always willing to see me when I urgently need an adjustment. Dr Jody is wonderful - caring, compassionate and gentle. Everyone in the office is welcoming, making you feel like part of the family. Shout outs to Dr Mike, Jen and Hayley. I highly recommend the Center for Natural Health for your chiropractic needs." - Mary Ellen K.<br /> <br /> Click the "GET OFFER" button below and enter your info to receive your voucher NOW! ⬇️<br /> <br /> Still not convinced? Keep reading... 😁👇<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "I had a fall injury from being knocked over by my dog and could not sit or even stand straight up without excruciating pain. Dr. Mike and Dr. Jody have adjusted me for the last 3 weeks and I am near pain free. The pt staff is incredible and the office staff is amazing. Center for Natural Health and Health and Rehabilitation is truly the best. Highly Recommended." - Tiffany W.<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "This is one of the few places that does shockwave therapy, which is probably the best thing I’ve came across for healing injuries. I’ve had Halee work on my injuries multiple times and gotten amazing results. Definitely better than massages, cryo, ice bath, etc." - Zach D.<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "The Center for Natural Health is amazing ! I have been going there for over 35 years !!!! Dr. Jody is an amazing chiropractor that cares so much for his patients !!! My children have been getting adjusted there since they were born ! The Center for Natural Health is an amazing place for the entire family!" - Sara M.<br /> <br /> Click the "GET OFFER" button below and enter your info to receive your voucher NOW! ⬇️<br /> <br /> STILL not convinced???? No worries, just keep reading! 😁👇<br /> <br /> "I have been going to the Center for Natural Health & Rehab for just a few short weeks. In that short time, I am now able to walk 2 miles without pain in my lower back, hip, or knee. I am also able to stand straighter and have less tension in my neck." - Catherine N.<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "Dr. Mike and Dr. Jody have helped me better my softball and basketball game by making sure my back is in alignment. I have noticed a big difference in how I feel. The office staff and therapy staff are also the best!!!" - Ella W.<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "Excellent chiropractor. Very pleasant and friendly front desk staff. (Jade and Jasmine) Dr. Jody and Dr. Mike are amazing-they will get your spine adjusted correctly and keep you adjusted and aligned. Dr. Mike will keep you laughing! Highly recommend!" - Chris Y/<br /> <br /> STILLLLLLLLLLL not convinced????!!!!!! Don't worry... we have more reviews! 😁👇<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "I can’t say enough great things about this practice. We started seeing Dr. Serra for my son. He’s 4 months old with not a very happy stomach. After not being able to get into a pediatric GI this was my next step. After one visit we saw a difference. We came home and he took the longest nap he’s ever taken. Much more at peace. Dr. Serra could not of been nicer. I’m now going and bringing my other two children. The entire office is welcoming." - Rosemary S.<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "Dr. Mike and Dr Jody are awesome. And all the girls upfront too. I typically see Dr. Mike and he does a great job and has significantly helped my back and my neck!" - Danielle R.<br /> <br /> + 146 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br /> <br /> "I cannot say enough great things about the Center for Natural health. The staff is always very friendly. Dr Jody and Dr Matt are fantastic! I was in so much pain in my lower back, I could barely lift my right leg. After a thorough exam and X-rays, they developed a treatment plan. Within a couple of weeks I felt 100% better. I continue to go for maintenance and always feel relaxed after treatment. Highly recommend!!!!!" - Robyn S.<br /> <br /> Click the "GET OFFER" button below and enter your info to receive your voucher NOW! ⬇️<br /> <br /> You may be wondering... 🤷♂️🤷<br /> <br /> ✅What is Spinal Decompression?<br /> <br /> - Spinal decompression is the relief of pressure on the spinal cord or on one or more compressed nerve roots passing through or exiting the spinal column.<br /> - Chiropractors use Spinal Decompression to adjust the body's alignment to relieve pain, improve function and to help the body heal itself.<br /> <br /> ✅How can Spinal Decompression help?<br /> <br /> - Back pain, sciatica, sharp leg discomfort, failed back surgeries, muscle spasms, herniated discs, leg numbness and shooting hip pain<br /> <br /> ✅I've seen something like this before or maybe I already have a chiropractor... how do I know this is legit?!!<br /> <br /> - We hear you! You can read the reviews above and see what our patients have to say about that ;)<br /> - Or... We would love for you to come in and see how we are different for yourself!<br /> <br /> ✅Is Spinal Decompression safe?<br /> <br /> - Of course it is safe!<br /> - We use a gentle and effective method where you won't feel any pain at all!<br /> <br /> ✅Will Spinal Decompression break the bank?<br /> <br /> - We have very affordable care plans to fit your needs and what works for you!<br /> - We want to serve and help you, and we will find a plan just for you that will get you the care that you need.<br /> <br /> ✅How are there so many vouchers and how do the vouchers work??<br /> <br /> - We reset the number of vouchers every month because we can only see 27 new amazing patients every 30 days!<br /> - Just fill in your info below and then you can call us to schedule a time to use your voucher or we'll be in touch with you very soon!<br /> <br /> ✅Why is it only $37? What's the catch?<br /> <br /> - No catch! We believe that this is the best way for you to come in and try Spinal Decompression and experience the magic!<br /> - This is the perfect way for you to try it first and come meet us and our team in person!<br /> <br /> ... So you've heard from our patients, learned about Spinal Decompression, and we have an amazing/no-brainer offer for new patients to come in and give us a shot! What are you waiting for 😁👇<br /> Click the "GET OFFER" button below and enter your info to receive your voucher NOW! ⬇️ | GET_OFFER | http://fb.me/ | 183716484835544 | Dr. Jody Serra, DC | https://facebook.com/61556436660982 | 8 | 1 | 378,047,661,783,384 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Get offer | 0 | Dr. Jody Serra, DC | 120209448981310212 | fb.me | NONE | image | Offer Expires Soon! | http://fb.me/ | 2024-03-25 14:02 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433043175_1843386269445702_3644812734051689301_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j758gANjAAMAX9wxMZh&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA6cBcGwxtPuPS_xO0YTXAgfxXMTFx8aC9uITvdSSnC3Q&oe=6608E685 | person_profile | 0 | Dr. Jody Serra, DC | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433144333_1538994860326295_3237474661317364245_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OO3s_K-wmpsAX_HCBNy&_nc_oc=AdgQCmbhGLI667CAVujMrxuLrsYreC0EV8ZBS65HSvWwr1XEn7sS2JoIoZZAniWO9oNAFyO067TL7CSiH6SqQuP3&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCfThBnZ5SX4s2sdKGOGaeyWiYA6RULPpOrEkF0Jfg_sg&oe=660A157F | 0 | 3 | Dr. Jody Serra, DC | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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Click to read more "Twisted Bonds" | Pain shoots through me as I lay in my narrow bed, locked inside the windowless room that has been my home for the last three years. The torment starts as a cramping, aching feeling in my lower abdomen before bursting outward, traveling through every nerve of my body to the tips of my fingers and toes, leaving a trail of burning agony behind it, as though I were on fire from within.<br /> I’m so used to it by now that there’s no surprise when it comes. With no other option, I curl into a ball and wait for it to end. At least it’s usually quick. That’s the one small blessing I have.<br /> It bewildered me the first time it happened. I thought I was dying, until I learned the truth: the pain is caused by my mate and his mistress. Whenever they’re intimate, his betrayal of our bond scorches my body. He knows it, and he doesn’t care.<br /> That is the double-edged sword of the mate bond. For most werewolves, the day they find their mate is the happiest day of their lives. Mates are chosen for us by the moon goddess, destined to be our perfect match. Who wouldn’t want that? <br /> For me, however, it didn’t go anything like that.<br /> At last, the torture stops and my whimpers slowly die off. I stopped screaming out in pain a long time ago. No one hears me, or if they do, they ignore the sound, just like they ignore every other sign of my mistreatment. Everyone is blind to it, through deception or through choice, and I know by now that no one will help me. I am completely on my own.<br /> It is almost unbelievable how one night changed my life so thoroughly. Although it was three years ago, if I close my eyes, I am right back there on the night this all began. <br /> **************<br /> The summer’s evening is warm, with a hint of a breeze that plays with the loose curls of my hair as I step out of the car, making them dance across my bare shoulders. My dress is tight, so tight I can hardly breathe, but when I mentioned it to my mother earlier, she simply tightened her lips.<br /> <br /> “Fashion is worth the pain, Brianna.”<br /> It’s not the first time she’s told me that. Nothing is more important than outward appearances; that is the one lesson she was always determined that I learn.<br /> My two older sisters are here as well, with their mates, shining their dazzling smiles over the crowd that greets us. A few of the more curious onlookers glance my way too, wondering who I am, maybe, but when I try to smile and walk in my five-inch heels at the same time, I almost trip, so I drop the smile and focus on making it up the steps of the palace in one piece instead. <br /> We have come to the palace tonight to celebrate the mating of Prince Carter and his new princess. The couple themselves are not here, they left on their honeymoon shortly after the private celebration attended by close friends and family, but the prince left instructions for the festivities to continue over the next three nights, to ensure everyone has a chance to take part. Tonight, it is the turn of the empire’s noble families, including mine, and there are many important foreign delegations in attendance as well. That’s why the press is here, their cameras clicking as we make our way inside. Tomorrow, all the papers will run their stories of who was seen with whom and all the fashion highs and lows. My mother is desperate for our family to be mentioned, which is why I have had to spend the entire day being primped and prepped, until the woman staring back in the mirror hardly resembles me at all.<br /> My red hair, usually pulled back in a ponytail or messy bun, has been left down tonight, curled and doused in hairspray to hold its shape. My makeup is heavier than usual, my dress tighter and my heels higher, and I don’t know exactly what people see when they look at me, but I’m pretty sure it’s not me. It’s only the illusion my mother wanted to create.<br /> I haven’t been inside the palace before, and my eyes widen in wonder as we step inside the ballroom. Glittering chandeliers hang overhead, the lights reflecting off the white walls and the mirrors set up strategically along the walls. The wooden floor is smooth and polished beneath my heels and the air is filled with the chatter of hundreds of guests and music from a string quartet that I cannot see. Waiters in crisp white shirts circulate, holding trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. My stomach growls at the scent of garlic and butter, but I know I can’t eat anything tonight. My dress is tight enough as it is, and my mother warned me that it’s not ladylike to eat in front of others. As if women never eat at all. <br /> I’m so distracted by the glittering dresses and jewels of the assembled crowd that I almost walk straight into a statue that’s standing in my path. At the very last moment, I see it and try to stop, but my shoes slip on the waxy floor, and for a terrible moment, I’m certain I’m going to fall. <br /> My mother will kill me, is all I can think as I lose my balance. <br /> I don’t fall, though. A second later, a strong arm circles my back, keeping me upright. <br /> “Careful,” a deep voice murmurs in my ear. “Better you than the antique statue, but I’d prefer if neither of you fell over on my watch.”<br /> Heat flushes my face as I regain my equilibrium and quickly disentangle myself from this stranger. “Thank you,” I breathe as I turn to face him, and for a moment, it actually feels like my heart skips a beat. At least, I think it does. Maybe it’s just the dress cutting off my circulation.<br /> Warm, brown eyes smile down at me. They’re the only part of his face that’s soft; everything else is hard and angled, his hair cut short, his jawline firm. He is not like the kind of men I’m encouraged to socialize with, but he’s very handsome, I can’t help thinking, my face turning even redder at the thought. <br /> “I’m Bree,” I introduce myself, even though my mother would have a fit if she heard me offer my name before a man asked for it. “Well, Brianna, really, but everyone calls me Bree.”<br /> I hold out my hand to shake his, and he hesitates for just a moment before reaching out as well. Cold metal slides against my fingers, and I realize in surprise that it is a robotic hand, some kind of prosthetic. I hadn’t noticed when he was holding me earlier. <br /> “Drew,” he introduces himself, and though he still looks friendly, there is a wariness in his eyes too, as if he’s not quite sure how I will respond. My surprise quickly vanishes though, and I shake his hand firmly. <br /> “Thank you for catching me, Drew. If I fell down in this dress, I don’t think I could get back up again.”<br /> An amused smile flashes across his face. “It was my pleasure, Bree.”<br /> The way he says my name sends tingles down my spine, but before I can say anything else, my mother is back at my side. “Stop wasting time, Brianna,” she admonishes, her tone making it perfectly clear that she doesn’t see Drew as someone worth talking to. She doesn’t even glance at him as she pulls me away, and all I can do is throw an apologetic look over my shoulder as I’m dragged further into the room. <br /> Although the guest list is impressive, this party is no different from any of the others I have attended before, the same pompous people trying to impress and outdo each other, and my eyes glaze over in boredom as the men around me talk business. Occasionally, I catch a glimpse of Drew moving around the room. He’s wearing a suit but not a tux, making it clear he’s not one of the guests. He must be working; he said something when he caught me about not letting me fall over ‘on his watch’. <br /> He never comes over to where I am, but I’m not surprised. That whole encounter probably made a much bigger impression on me than it did on him. <br /> Eventually, I manage to slip away onto the ballroom balcony, which has a beautiful view over the lake and the woods beyond the palace. The fresh air feels cleansing after the stifled conversation inside and I take a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs. The silvery moon is reflected in the still waters of the lake as stars twinkle overhead. The balcony runs the full length of the ballroom and there are couples dotted along its length, enjoying the scenery together. It would certainly be romantic, if I had someone to share it with. <br /> A moment later, two more people come out of the ballroom, standing a few feet away from me. I don’t pay any attention until I hear a familiar voice. <br /> “What’s your name?” It’s Drew’s voice and I glance over in surprise. He is standing with a beautiful blonde woman, his attention fixed fully on her. He hasn’t seen me at all. <br /> “Katherine,” she answers, her arms wrapped around her stomach, her whole posture defensive. I recognize her from other society events, but I don’t know her personally. She’s never considered me worthy of speaking to. “And you are? Your full name, I mean.”<br /> “Andrew Carver. Drew, for short.”<br /> He doesn’t look like an Andrew to me. Drew suits him better. <br /> I’m not trying to eavesdrop, but it’s hard not to overhear, especially the words that Katherine speaks next, firm and controlled. <br /> “In that case, I, Katherine Palmer, reject you, Andrew Carver, as my mate.”<br /> I gasp out loud before I can stop myself, looking over at them in disbelief. Drew staggers back, shock and pain splashed across his face as Katherine turns away. She catches sight of me, her eyes narrowing in contempt as she recognizes me. “If you say a word of this to anyone, Brianna, your whole family is finished.”<br /> With that, she turns away fully and goes back into the ballroom, pasting a smile back on her face as if nothing at all just happened. <br /> Drew obviously knows I’m here now, there’s no way to hide it, and I try to give him a sympathetic smile, though I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now. Not knowing what else to say, I try to lighten the mood. “I’m so sorry, but honestly, you dodged a bullet there. I wouldn’t want to be mated to her.”<br /> It doesn’t work. He doesn’t laugh, and there’s only bitterness in his eyes. “I don’t need your pity,” he says stiffly before walking back into the party himself. <br /> Sadness and disappointment fill me from head to toe. I hate that he’s hurting. I hate that anyone ever has to get rejected. If it happened to me, I honestly don’t know what I’d do. I wish I could have found the right words for Drew, but maybe in that situation, there are no right words. <br /> Just as I’m about to go back inside myself, a new scent drifts over to me, flooding my senses in a way that’s almost overwhelming. It’s the smell of leather and horses, my favorite smell in the whole world, and it takes me a minute to realize that it’s coming from a man, one who’s staring at me with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. <br /> His face is as chiseled and handsome as Drew’s, but with none of the kindness in his eyes.<br /> “Well, well, well,” he says, taking a step closer to me, like a hunter stalking his prey. “What do we have here?”<br /> ~~Bree’s PoV~~ <br /> Mate? my wolf whimpers in my head as the unknown man steps closer to us. I always thought wolves were meant to be excited when they find their mates, but Topaz doesn’t sound excited at all. She sounds… scared.<br /> “Hello,” I say out loud, hoping he doesn’t notice the way my voice trembles. Topaz’s uneasiness seems to have seeped into me as well, leaving me feeling completely off-balance. Or maybe it’s the rejection I just witnessed between Drew and Katherine. What are the odds he and I would both find our mates within seconds of each other? <br /> On the other hand, why shouldn’t we? It’s not like Drew and I are anything more than passing acquaintances. <br /> “I’m Brianna,” I carry on when the man still doesn’t say anything, still staring at me with his intense, dark eyes. “Brianna Berkeley. I live here. Well, not right here, not in the palace, but here, in the city. Wh-who are you?”<br /> At last, his face relaxes and clears, and I realize that his wolf must have been in control before. His eyes are brighter now, his face a little less hard, and I breathe a secret sigh of relief. He doesn’t look quite so scary anymore, and without the hard look, he is even more handsome. <br /> “My name is Dalton Bancroft.” His accent is slightly unusual, and the name is very obviously upper-class. My mother will like the name, though I don’t recognize it from the times she made me study the list of most eligible young men in the empire. Of course, the prince was at the top of that list, but he’s off the market now. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brianna.” <br /> His manners are impeccable as he takes my hand and kisses the back of it, and though I’m still a little thrown by his odd behavior before, I am growing a little more comfortable now. He is slightly older than me, probably in his late twenties while I am just 21. He and Drew are around the same age, I figure, as if that matters.<br /> “It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” I assure him, following my own etiquette training. “Do you live here in the city as well?”<br /> I am expecting the answer to be no, and it is. “I am here with the delegation of Prince Henrik, to give our congratulations to the happy couple. I did not expect to find my own mate here.”<br /> From his tone, I’m not sure if he thinks it’s a good thing or not, but he hasn’t rejected me, at least. I gave him my full name, so if he wanted to, he could have done it already. <br /> I am also frantically searching my memory for what I know about Prince Henrik. The empire I live in is vast, but it is, of course, not the only one in the world. The territory Henrik rules is far to the south, thousands of miles away. It must truly be fate that brought Dalton and I together tonight, when it would have been very easy for us to go our whole lives without meeting. <br /> “I wasn’t expecting it either,” I tell him honestly. “But I’m very pleased to meet you.”<br /> His eyes flash dark again as his wolf comes to the surface, and the predatory look in them sends a chill through me. A moment later, he blinks, and it is Dalton in control again. “I must introduce you to the prince, then.”<br /> This is hardly the romantic meeting I had hoped for, but he is polite and handsome and well-mannered. What was I expecting?<br /> The memory of Drew’s arm around me and his voice in my ear flashes across my mind, but I push it away. That isn’t at all helpful. <br /> Dalton offers his arm and I take it, little sparks tingling up my arm and through my body as we make contact. Topaz whimpers again in my head. <br /> What’s wrong? I ask her, keeping a pleasant smile on my face as we make our way back into the ballroom and through the crowd of people. <br /> It feels… cold, she tells me nervously. Dark. Dangerous.<br /> I feel it too, but I try to convince myself it’s nothing. In the bright ballroom, surrounded by people, what can the danger be? <br /> Dalton leads me to a group of men - only men - who are standing together and talking, each with a drink in their hand. “Your Highness,” he says, bowing to one of the men who turns to look at us both, and I immediately bow my head too, as I’ve been taught. “May I present Miss Brianna Berkeley, my mate.”<br /> Hearing him say it out loud makes the whole thing feel a little more real and I can’t stop myself from glancing up to see the prince’s reaction. He must be around the same age as Dalton too, though he looks younger and softer. His face is wide, with a large nose, and though I would not call him handsome, he’s not unpleasant-looking either. His expression remains neutral upon Dalton’s announcement, but I can’t help noticing the looks the other men throw at each other or the way their mouths curl in amusement. <br /> Why is Dalton finding his mate funny? The uneasy feeling that’s been lurking in my mind grows even stronger. <br /> “Congratulations to you both,” the prince replies, his accent thicker than Dalton’s. “Go and meet the girl’s family, and then we should depart.”<br /> Depart? Does he mean the party or the empire? It is just now sinking in that I will have to go with him to live in a place where I know no one. <br /> Dalton bows his head again and we step away while he instructs me to take him to my parents. As I make the introductions, I am starting to feel that I am on a runaway train, heading downhill with no way to stop it. <br /> My mother is delighted by Dalton’s pedigree and manners, and even my father, who is usually so buried in his business he does not even notice me, looks pleased. When Dalton says he would like me to leave with him tonight, to return to his kingdom, neither of them bats an eye. <br /> “There is something I need to do first,” he tells me, kissing my hand again as he lets my arm go. “Say any goodbyes you need to and I’ll be back within the hour.”<br /> Panic starts to settle in my chest as I realize this is really happening. I don’t know anything about this man and everyone expects me to drop my entire life and go with him because of the mate bond. What if we don’t even like each other? <br /> What if he is dangerous?<br /> “Mom?” With no one else to turn to, I try to appeal to my mother. “Do I have to go right now?”<br /> Her nose wrinkles as if the question is distasteful. “Why wouldn’t you?”<br /> “Because I don’t know anything about him?” It feels like a reasonable objection to me.<br /> “I knew nothing about your father when we met,” she points out, as if they are a shining example of the kind of relationship I should aspire to. She spends her days fussing over us while he works. They have nothing in common but their bed and their children. “I knew he came from a good family and had a good job. If you are worried about mating, don’t be; your wolf will take care of it.”<br /> Topaz whines in my head again, making it clear she wants no part in this. <br /> My father, meanwhile, has pulled out his phone to research Dalton’s family. “They are a noble family who work closely with the king,” he says in approval. “The men are all well-respected.”<br /> “What about the women?” I can’t help asking. <br /> He frowns as he scrolls further down. “It doesn’t say anything about them, but I don’t think that’s unusual down there. Their society is more traditional.”<br /> What does that mean? <br /> I don’t get a chance to find out. My mother drags me around to her friends to share the news of my new mate, and almost before I know it, Dalton has returned and it is time for me to go. “You can ship Brianna’s belongings to my villa,” he tells my parents. “I will make the necessary arrangements. In the meantime, I can provide her with anything she needs.”<br /> My parents beam at the consideration he is showing, though no one has asked me if I want him to buy me things. <br /> No one has asked me what I want at all. <br /> My whole body feels numb as Dalton takes my arm again and heads towards the main palace doors. Security guards stand next to the exit, and it is only as we reach the door that I realize one of them is Drew. <br /> For a brief, crazy moment, I think of asking him for help. For reasons I can’t explain, I feel like he would understand what is happening and the way I feel, but as we draw level to him and he looks at my arm in Dalton’s, he simply gives me a curt nod. “Have a good evening.”<br /> Those are the last words I hear from anyone in the empire. There is a car waiting for us at the bottom of the steps that takes us to an airfield and a private plane, and on to Dalton’s home. <br /> ***********<br /> That was three years ago now, and I am determined that this will be the last night I ever spend in this cold, dark room. <br /> Tomorrow, we are hosting a celebration, a special party in honor of King Carter, who is visiting the kingdom for the first time since taking control of the empire, and I will use the distraction it creates to slip away. <br /> Maybe I will fail. Maybe I will die trying, but at this point, that would be better than living without hope any longer. <br /> There is nothing here for me, so my only chance of living at all is to run.<br /> <br /> ~~Drew’s PoV~~<br /> “You have to get over this irrational fear of flying.” <br /> Carter’s voice makes me jump, and when I turn to glare at him, he laughs good-naturedly at my unease. I had been concentrating so hard on the view out the window, and on gripping onto the armrest with my good hand so tightly that it was starting to go numb, I missed him sitting down next to me. <br /> “It’s not irrational,” I point out once again. We already had this argument when he asked me to accompany him on this trip in the first place. If it was anyone other than my king and friend asking, I would have refused. Being on a plane was one of my least favorite things in the world. “It’s only irrational to be afraid of something that can’t hurt you. If the plane crashes, we die, and being afraid of that is completely rational.”<br /> “You face death all the time,” he points out, looking frustratingly cavalier as the plane dips lower in the sky, feeling like it might stall at any second. We’re on our descent now but I won’t relax until my feet are back on solid ground. “First in the forces and now in my security team, your chances of dying on any given day are much higher than they are on a plane, statistically speaking.”<br /> “At least in those scenarios, I can fight back,” I grumble, my gaze returning to the view outside. “In a fight between me and the ground, I don’t like my chances.”<br /> He laughs again, slapping me on the shoulder as if I’m joking, which I most definitely am not. “It’ll get easier the more you do it. Maybe I should start bringing you on all my diplomatic visits now.”<br /> “Don’t even think about it,” I mutter, making him laugh again. <br /> “It’ll be worth it when we get there,” he promises. “And who knows? Maybe your mate’s waiting down there.”<br /> Though he gives me another smile, this one is tinged with concern. He feels bad that I’m still mateless when everyone else our age has mates and families. He even tried to get me to sign up to the same Mate-Match dating app where he met his queen, Quinn. His third child, after Quinn’s daughter, Rosie, and their son, Kian, is on the way in just a couple of weeks. <br /> I’m the only one in the king’s inner circle who’s still single, but what he doesn’t know, what none of them know, is that I already found my mate three years ago. <br /> I found her and she rejected me at first sight.<br /> The memory temporarily distracts me from the specter of imminent death outside the plane window as my mind returns to the palace ballroom on that moonlit night. The evening began normally enough. I had joined Carter’s personal security team once he took over from his father, and usually, I provided personal security to him or, less frequently, to Quinn and Rosie. However, with Carter and Quinn gone on their honeymoon and the palace expecting an influx of guests for the mating ceremony celebrations, I volunteered to work the party that night. <br /> The usual upper-class snobs shuffled in, most of them ignoring me as if I was completely invisible and a few of the less cultured staring openly at my prosthetic hand. That was nothing I wasn’t used to so I let it slide right off me, taking none of it personally. I moved through the party like a ghost, making eye contact with no one, until I saw the beautiful red-haired woman nearly knock over one of Queen Margot’s favorite statues. <br /> Luckily, I was close enough that when she slipped trying to avoid the collision, I was able to catch her. She was light in my arms and smelled of honey, I couldn’t help noticing as I placed her back on her feet. <br /> I wasn’t even expecting an acknowledgement, based on how most of the people in the room were treating me, but to my surprise, she spoke to me, smiled, and even shook my hand. My bionic hand, at that, and it didn’t seem to bother her. She even told me to call her Bree. She was an unexpected breath of fresh air, and when her mother arrived to pull her away, giving me the look I was far more accustomed to, it felt like the sun had turned its back on me, plunging the room back into darkness. <br /> Those were rather fanciful thoughts for a practical soldier like me, and I shook my head at myself as I returned to my rounds, ensuring everything was secure. A delegation from one of the southern kingdoms caught my eye as they stayed huddled close together, speaking amongst themselves without interacting with anyone else. Their behavior struck me as odd, and I tried not to stray too far from them, just in case something was up. My wolf, Archer, felt strange around them too, though he couldn’t say why.<br /> My intention was to stick close to them without drawing too much attention to myself, but the night provided another unexpected turn as the scent of pine trees hit me, strong and insistent. <br /> It used to be my favorite smell before the night I lost my arm and legs. Now, it only reminded me of that terrible journey home after my limbs were cut off, teetering between life and death as Prince Carter carried me to safety. I had barely been aware of anything that night but pain and darkness, but the scent sunk into my subconscious anyway. I associated it only with fear and hopelessness.<br /> It took me a moment to realize that the scent was coming from a woman, a beautiful blonde woman who was staring at me in disbelief. <br /> Mate! Archer yelped inside my head, and my stomach flipped in surprise. Was he serious? After all this time, I couldn’t believe I finally found her. The wait had been so long, I had started to give up hope. The smell would take some getting used to, I had to admit, but if this was meant to be, then I would learn to live with it. Her eyes weren’t quite as kind as Bree’s, the pretty redhead I had spoken to earlier, but perhaps she was just as surprised by my sudden arrival as I was by hers. <br /> “Hello,” I said awkwardly, trying to make as good an impression as I could as I straightened the sleeves on my suit jacket. The movement brought her eyes down to my hands, and as she saw my prosthetic hand, her eyes widened.<br /> That was okay, I told myself. Anyone would be surprised. She would get used to it, just as I would grow accustomed to her scent. <br /> “I’m…” I started to introduce myself, but she quickly cut me off.<br /> “Not here. The balcony.”<br /> She was right, it would be easier to speak out there, away from the chatter of the crowd and the press of people around us, so I followed behind her at a respectful distance. There were a few other people on the balcony but I didn’t pay them any attention, focused as I was on my mate.<br /> I thought she wanted to talk to get to know me, but that wasn’t what she had in mind at all. All she asked was my name, and that was only so she could reject me. She didn’t know a thing about me other than my position and my physical attributes, and that was enough for her to turn up her nose at the goddess’ gift. <br /> Would she have accepted me prior to my accident? Perhaps she would have, and then perhaps I wouldn’t have known until it was too late just how shallow she was. At least she showed her face early enough that no bond was formed.<br /> Although it pained me at the time, in the end, once I had time to reflect on it, I didn’t regret that she had rejected me. We clearly weren’t well matched after all, at least not by the time that we found each other.<br /> My only regret from that night was the way I had spoken to Bree, who happened to be there on the balcony right next to us while my mate was rejecting me. In her eyes was compassion and kindness, but in the heat of the moment, my embarrassment overruled everything else. She tried to offer her sympathy and I threw it back at her, unfairly. <br /> When I’d had a few minutes to cool down, I went in search of her to apologize, but she was in conversation with what looked like her parents and one of the men from the southern kingdom’s delegation. I didn’t have a good enough excuse to interrupt them, and duty called me away anyway. By the time I saw her again, she was leaving the party on the arm of the same man. <br /> It drove home just how ridiculous I was being, thinking that my apology would mean anything to her. She was from a different world than I was, and so I simply wished her a good evening. The other men from the southern kingdom all departed almost immediately afterwards, and while I still thought their behavior was odd, at least they hadn’t caused any problems at the party. <br /> As for Bree, I never saw her again, and as time passed, I regretted my behavior that night more than ever. She had told me her surname, but I couldn't remember it; I'd been distracted by her smile. I did, however, have access to the empire’s security systems, so I searched all the current employment and education records for any Brianna I could find. None of them were her. It was like she vanished off the face of the earth, or at least from the empire. <br /> There were other men on Carter’s team who probably could have searched historical records for me, knowing more about the computer systems than I did, but then I would have to explain what I needed the information for when I barely knew the answer to that myself. What did I intend to do if I found her? Since I had no idea, eventually, I had to let it go.<br /> At last, the wheels touch down, bringing my thoughts back to the present. Stretching out my hand, I let go of the armrest as Carter claps me on the shoulder once more. “See, nothing to worry about. Now you can relax and enjoy the reception they’re hosting for us tonight.”<br /> “You can relax,” I correct him. “I’m here to keep an eye out for trouble.”<br /> “And an eye out for your mate,” he reminds me, getting to his feet as the plane comes to a stop. “There should be a lot of people at this party. You never know, Drew.”<br /> I say nothing, letting him keep his fantasy if it makes him feel better, even though I know the truth. <br /> There is absolutely no chance my mate is going to be at that party tonight.<br /> <br /> ------<br /> <br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 | USE_MOBILE_APP | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.d | 100958279167471 | Dreame for DL3 | https://facebook.com/100077279157636 | 9,277 | 2 | 1,163,729,898,344,023 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Use app | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | 120209182384710226 | play.google.com | NONE | image | Great Story Starts Here | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader | 2024-03-05 12:01 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428700838_827375902485270_1057392451980203599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d1oMaIqLxDYAX9OpQ0k&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDSaGrcF9-GJClKmB_FEcOanHFmFwazWZ9tnpSwVMN56A&oe=660A7490 | person_profile | 0 | Dreame for DL3 | https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428693807_421945433616484_5864918649219474871_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wkKgH691mooAX-GC48-&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAb9WqnMjhwTC2HLttXENjmlbTnjjdV__brVdcNJNCvng&oe=660990BC | 0 | 3 | Dreame for DL3 | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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"The BEST shifter romance book I have ever read." | Abi was on the other side of the bar, pulling chairs down from table tops. It was Friday, so I was thankful for the help in getting the place ready for the evening rush. It would have taken me an hour if I had to do it on my own.<br /> “Hey, Maddy? Do you want these tables moved farther apart?” Abi asked.<br /> I stopped wiping the bar top and glanced over. “No, you can leave them where they are. It should be fine.”<br /> “Okay, cool.” She flipped the last chair over, set it on its legs, and then slid it under the table. I’d moved behind the bar to start polishing the wine glasses when she came over and slapped her hands on the bar. “Holy crap, did I tell you I got my results back?” she asked.<br /> I stopped mid-polish and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Results? What kind? STD? Pregnancy? SAT? What?”<br /> She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a jerk. No, the DNA ancestry thing I sent off a few weeks ago. Remember?”<br /> I did remember. The main thing I remembered was her hyperventilating before swabbing her cheek. We’d done it at her house, and I thought she was actually going to pass out when she saw the blood.<br /> “I do. What did it say?”<br /> “Well, I know you’ll be shocked, but I’m seventy percent Irish.”<br /> I glanced up at the bright red hair braided down her back and the bright green eyes twinkling with excitement and shrugged. “No way. I was sure you’d be Argentinian or maybe Japanese.”<br /> “Very funny. Though, I did get a fun little surprise. I’m one percent West African.”<br /> “Ugh.” I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling. “I really hope that doesn’t mean you had some terrible slave-owning ancestor who liked to take advantage of the people he’d enslaved.”<br /> Abi’s face fell and she tilted her head. “Well, damn. I hadn’t thought of that. I kinda hoped my great-great-great grandma fell in love with some handsome mysterious man while on a sailing trip or something.”<br /> “Let’s go with that. Much less depressing.”<br /> “You should do it, too,” Abi said.<br /> “What? Sail around the world and fall in love with a mysterious man? Deal.”<br /> “No, dummy, the ancestry thing. We can order a kit today. It’ll be here in no time. It doesn’t just tell you about your lineage, it also tells you if there are any diseases you’re susceptible to. It’s pretty interesting. I’m apparently twenty percent more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than the average person. Yay, me. Plus, I found three cousins I didn’t know I had. I already friended one on social media.”<br /> The idea gave me a little flutter of anxiety. Finding out about genetic things did intrigue me. Being adopted, it would be nice to know if I had a higher risk of diabetes or heart disease, and would give me a head start on preventing things like that. But finding out about my birth family? That was more nerve-wracking.<br /> When my parents had finally told me I was adopted, I’d gone through a full-on identity crisis. Who was I? Was my entire life a lie? Why did my biological parents give me away? All the things a young teenager would flip out about. It took about a year for me to come to terms with it. My mom and dad were the people who’d raised me from birth, and that was all I needed to know. I’d given up thinking about my birth parents a long time ago. The thought of stirring all that up again was mildly disturbing. <br /> “I honestly don’t care much about my heritage,” I said.<br /> “Okay, sure, but what about knowing if…I don’t know…if whatever kids you someday have might have cystic fibrosis or if you’re more likely to get breast cancer? Doesn’t that interest you?”<br /> It did, I had to admit that. I thought about it for several seconds as I finished polishing the last wine glass and started on the beer steins. I already had chronic anemia, for which I had to take supplements. What else could be lurking in my DNA? I didn’t plan on having kids anytime soon, but knowing they might have some genetic anomaly before I ever got pregnant was always better than finding out last minute. <br /> “Okay, if I did do this thing,” I said, “how would I get a kit?”<br /> Abi clapped her hands. “Yes! I’m so excited. Oh, what if we find out we’re cousins or something?”<br /> “The kit, Abi? How do I get one?” I asked, ignoring her comment.<br /> “Hang on.” She pulled her cell phone out. “I’ll send you the link.”<br /> My phone pinged a few seconds later, but I left the text unopened. There was too much to do to get ready for the night. We finished prepping the bar before the first customers started to roll in—mostly regulars who’d just gotten off work. The night was way busier than I’d anticipated, but it was all good. People had made fun of me for getting a business degree only to turn right around and open a bar instead of going into corporate America, but I was pretty sure I made more than a lot of people my age. Twenty-eight and making over six figures a year? I’d take the busy and late nights. It was a pretty damned good trade-off.<br /> Last call was at two in the morning, and by 3:30, I had everything cleaned up and the place locked. By four, I’d crashed at home and sleeping like the dead. <br /> The next day, I rolled over in bed and grabbed my phone, the time on the screen showing it was noon. I saw Abi’s message with the link to the ancestry site and stared at it for a few seconds, debating. I was still nervous about what I might discover. Whatever diseases I might be at risk for was not as scary as finding out about the people I had come from. I’d never been able to find any information about my birth parents. Would I find out they were serial killers? I chewed at my lip, thinking. <br /> “Screw it,” I said, and clicked the link.<br /> Less than five minutes later, I’d purchased a kit. The company was based in Florida, and only a two-hour drive from where I lived here in Clearidge. It said I was eligible for free one-day shipping. I’d have it the next day. I put it out of my mind and went about my business the rest of that day and night.<br /> Abi was at my place having lunch the next afternoon when the package arrived. I brought it in from the mailbox, and when she saw it, her eyes lit up. “It came. Nice. Let’s do this,” she said, putting her sandwich down.<br /> “Do we really need to get a wad of spit out of me while we’re eating?” I asked.<br /> “Oh, come on, we were done anyway. Whip it out.”<br /> “Isn’t that what you always tell your boyfriends?”<br /> “Very funny. You know what I mean.”<br /> I cut open the box and pulled out all the items. It was pretty cut and dry. I poked my finger, put a drop of blood on a little cardboard sample card, and packed it back up. “Is that all?” <br /> Abi nodded. “That’s it. Just put that baby back in your mailbox and raise the little red flag. Are you excited?”<br /> I shrugged, trying to hide my anxiety. “I don’t know, maybe.”<br /> “What are you going to do if you have any DNA matches?”<br /> That was the very thing freaking me out. Instead of directly answering her question, I told her I’d be right back and took the box out to the mailbox. Once I got back inside, it was easy to change the subject. The truth was, I wasn’t totally sure what I would do if there were matches. I had no idea why I’d been given up for adoption. My adoptive parents had told me the adoption agency had no information about me. All they knew was that a guy claiming to be a social worker had brought me in as a baby. He told them he knew my parents and they didn’t want to be involved in the adoption process or have their names put down. The problem, my dad had told me, was once the agency looked into the social worker, they couldn’t find any trace or record of him.<br /> That story had always haunted me. Had I been kidnapped? Or had they truly wanted to get rid of me? My parents didn’t even have my original birth certificate. They’d found the hospital I’d been born at, but my birth mother’s name had been registered simply as Jane Doe. All of it had pointed toward my birth parents being less than trustworthy. Why in the world would you not put your real name down when having a baby? The only thing I had from my birth parents was my name. The mysterious social worker had told the adoption agency my name was Maddison. <br /> Thoughts of the test came and went over the next few weeks as I waited on the results. The website said it could take up to a month to receive them. A few weeks later, Abi asked again if I’d received the results.<br /> “No, again, for the five hundredth time,” I said with a groan. I was starting to get more irritated each time she asked.<br /> “Sorry, sorry. I just like stuff like this. I get excited. Oh, you never answered when I asked what you’d do with any matches. Are you gonna stalk them on the internet? Friend-request them?”<br /> The thought that my very existence could spell disaster for someone had started to rear its head. What if my birth parents had only been kids and given me up so they could go on with their lives? What if they had their own families now? Would shoving my nose into everything upend their entire lives?<br /> I didn’t blurt out what I was thinking. Instead, I took the safe route. “I don’t know. I’ll wait to see what the test says and go from there.”<br /> Fate didn’t force me to wait long. My phone chirped a few hours later with a text that let me know the results were ready. I didn’t open the email, though. My fear and anxiety spiked as soon as I saw the message. <br /> I called Abi to let her know and see if she could come over. She was, of course, beyond excited about it and was at my place in less than twenty minutes.<br /> I had my laptop open, the email link to the test ready. Abi walked in and pointed to the screen. “All right, sister, let’s see it.”<br /> I took a breath and opened the link. The first couple of pages explained what the company had done and also assured me that my DNA wouldn’t be shared or sold to outside companies. Finally, I pulled up the page with possible genetic markers for disease. Thankfully, there were none, except a negligible chance of developing irritable bowel syndrome at some point. Ugh, pleasant reading.<br /> The next page brought up possible DNA matches. It was the one I was most excited and nervous to see. But the results were less than enlightening.<br /> “Seriously?” Abi said, sounding dejected.<br /> The only match was for some guy who’d lived nearly three hundred years ago. I didn’t even know how they had any DNA from the guy to match me, but there it was. I leaned back, sighing in both relief and disappointment.<br /> “I had like thirty different people matched to me,” Abi said. “Most were distant, though. I can’t believe you only have one. That’s crazy.”<br /> “Yeah. Oh, well. We can’t all have slave-owning rapists in our family tree,” I said, nudging her.<br /> “Hey, don’t be a jerk. You can’t choose your ancestors.”<br /> “Right. Let’s go, we need to get the bar ready.”<br /> It was another Friday night, and my mind rested a little easier than it had the last few weeks. It was a relief to know I didn’t have to make some big life-altering decision to contact a stranger and let them know I was their daughter. For the first time in weeks, I was able to enjoy my job without that weighing on me.<br /> It was another busy night, and I was helping tend the bar because our normal two bartenders were having trouble keeping up. It was good for me, though. It kept me knowledgeable about cocktails and wine. It was difficult owning a bar without being in the know.<br /> I was handing a couple of college kids some beers when Abi nudged me and nodded toward the door. “We got a crew of shifters coming in.”<br /> I glanced up and saw the guys she was talking about. You could always tell the shifters from the humans. There was…something about them. I couldn’t even describe it, but it was obvious. I wasn’t a bigot like some people. I’d never had any trouble from shifters and they were welcome at my place. All they wanted was some good bar food and good booze—both of which I could provide.<br /> I nodded. “Yep, I see them,” I said.<br /> The guys, about a half dozen of them, made their way across the bar to an open table near the jukebox. One of them glanced in my direction and made eye contact. I forced myself not to roll my eyes. His face changed when he saw me, and then he changed course to come to the bar. I couldn’t even count the number of times I’d been hit on in the years I’d owned the place. I was well-acquainted with the look he was giving me.<br /> He bellied up and nodded to me. “Hey. Can I get a beer?”<br /> At least he hadn’t led with a pick-up line. I nodded. “Sure, what kind?”<br /> He shrugged and gave an easy smile. “Whatever you recommend. You’re the professional.”<br /> “Fair enough,” I said, turning back to the line of beer taps. I’d made sure to have a cool and eclectic selection of beers when I opened the bar. I had almost two dozen options. I went right for my favorite: a micro-brew made by a couple friends of mine a few towns over. It had hints of orange and wasn’t too hoppy. I slid the glass across the bar to him but held it back just out of reach. “I’ll need to have your ID.”<br /> He grinned. “Yeah, sorry.” He pulled it out and slid the license toward me. I checked the birth date, even though the guy was obviously over twenty-one, and slid the ID back. I pushed the beer the last foot over to him. <br /> He caught it and took a sip. He furrowed his brows and looked at the glass. “That’s really good. Nice choice.”<br /> I had a hard time not succumbing to his charm. He was cute and had a great smile, but I knew how these things usually went. I only nodded and took a couple of orders from some people beside him. Once I was free again, he waved me back over.<br /> “Another round?” I asked.<br /> He shook his head. “How long have you lived here?”<br /> “Sorry, big guy, no personal info. I can do alcohol and maybe some hot wings from the kitchen if you want to ask for some of that.”<br /> He looked back across the room to his friends, who were all watching us. Most had their eyes on me. I wondered if he’d made a bet with his buddies on whether he’d be able to get my number. Turning back, he nodded at his glass. “Okay, house rules. I get it. I’ll take another.”<br /> I filled another glass for him, and he went back to the table with his friends. I glanced over and they all seemed to be in deep discussion. Some of them looked pissed. I figured they were having a guys’ quarrel. As long as it didn’t escalate into shouting and fists, they were free to do as they pleased.<br /> The same guy came back a few more times throughout the night. Each time was pure business. A pitcher of beers for his guys, then a big order of fried chicken sliders from the kitchen. Normal stuff, except that he only wanted to deal with me. He’d wait an extra ten minutes if I was busy. He completely ignored Abi, who tried to get his order and was being pretty obvious that she’d like to do more than just pour him a beer.<br /> Toward the end of the night, he came up to settle his tab. I took his card, and while I was ringing him up, the question I’d been waiting for all night finally came up. “Okay, I’ll finally stop bugging you if you just give me your name.” He held up a finger. “And before you say it, a name isn’t personal information. It’s not private or secret. You can at least give me your name.”<br /> I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine.” I put my hand out to shake. “Maddison Sutton. My friends call me Maddy.”<br /> He shook my hand and smiled that gorgeous smile again. “Good to know.”<br /> He turned without another word and started walking toward his friends, who were gathering at the door. <br /> “Hey, don’t I get your name?” I shouted after him.<br /> He looked over his shoulder as he headed out the door. “Next time.”<br /> I watched the group go, thinking it was the strangest interaction I’d ever had. Usually, when you brushed off a guy, one of two things happened. One, they got butt-hurt about it and turned into pouty little incel turds. Two, they didn’t take no for an answer and kept pushing until I had to be a jerk about it. <br /> This was a refreshing change of pace. Maybe, just maybe, if he came back again, I’d entertain the idea of giving him my number. If he asked for it.<br /> The bar slowly started to empty, and I didn’t even have to make the last call. The final patrons were out before two. The bartenders got most of the place clean, and they and the kitchen guys were out by three, which left just Abi and me. I needed to mop the bathrooms and restock the paper towels, soap, and toilet paper—a twenty-minute job at best.<br /> “Hey, Abi? Go on home. I’ve got this.”<br /> Abi yawned and rubbed her eyes. “You sure? I’m good to stay and help.”<br /> “It’s all good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”<br /> “Oh my God, thanks. I’m so damned tired. I’ll call you in the afternoon for breakfast.”<br /> “You mean lunch?”<br /> Abi shrugged a shoulder as she walked out. “Call it what you want. Whatever I eat after I roll out of bed is breakfast. Even if it’s two in the afternoon.”<br /> I laughed and waved as she left. The rest of the closing stuff went by pretty quickly. It was kind of nice to have the place to myself and allow myself to zone out and decompress. All that was left to do was empty the under-bar beer glass cleaner. I’d worry about polishing the water spots off the next day. <br /> While I was bent over taking the glasses out, I heard the front door of the bar open. Hell, I hadn’t locked it after Abi left.<br /> “We’re closed!” I called out, still pulling glasses out.<br /> I could hear a multitude of boots thumping across the wood floor of the bar. I hissed a frustrated breath out through my teeth. Standing, I shouted, “I said we’re…”<br /> I trailed off when I saw who’d come in. It was the guy from earlier in the night. The shifter. And he’d brought all his friends back. A knot of fear cinched tightly in my gut when I saw their faces. All of them, including the guy who I’d thought had been flirting with me, looked pissed. Like, ready-to-kill pissed. The worst part was the fact that they were all looking at me. Like I’d made them mad. <br /> Trying not to let my fear show, I cleared my throat. “Sorry, guys. We closed over an hour ago. If you want service, you’ll have to come back tomorrow night.”<br /> Ignoring me, the guy I’d been talking to stepped up to the bar and slammed his palms down on it. The impact reverberated through the bar like a gunshot. “You shouldn’t even exist.”<br /> I took an involuntary step back, shocked by the disgust in his voice. He was looking at me like I was a smear of dog poo he’d found on his shoe. What the hell had happened in the last two hours? The jovial, charming grin was gone. All I saw now was the curled lip of loathing.<br /> He looked back at his boys. “Smell that? Was I lying?”<br /> The rest of his friends shook their heads, one of them sniffing at the air and making a deep, throaty growl. Cold sweat slid down my back, my eyes darting around at all the other men. None of their faces showed the slightest hint of compassion. Some had even moved to the ends of the bar, cutting off any escape I might have had. My breath started to hiss in and out my nose in panicked bursts. What was about to happen to me? Robbery? Murder? Gang rape followed by robbery and murder? A thousand nightmare scenarios flashed through my mind.<br /> The shifter leaned forward, getting as close as the bar would allow. “Your bloodline should have been completely wiped out. The whole lineage was supposed to be dead. It looks like some of that tainted blood slipped through the cracks.”<br /> I bumped into the shelf of liquor behind me. A bottle of tequila and a pint of whisky fell off the shelf, shattering onto the floor. The pungent aroma of alcohol burned my nose. What the hell was he talking about?<br /> “I don’t know what you mean,” I said, my voice uncharacteristically low and quiet.<br /> He shook his head and spat on the ground. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll be dead soon enough. Go.”<br /> At the word, his men leaped to action. They moved so damned fast, I could barely register what was happening. Blurs of motion, screams and growls, the shimmering, angry flash of their red eyes. The last thing I remembered was a searing pain in my sides, followed by an explosion of pain at the back of my head. After that, everything went dark.<br /> Chapter 1 of The Alpha's Fated Encounter. Read the rest today, free on Kindle Unlimited! | LEARN_MORE | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BH7G1ZKS | 108473827217405 | Roxie Ray | https://facebook.com/AuthorRoxieRay | 1,846 | 1 | 2,729,319,070,555,637 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Learn more | 0 | Roxie Ray | 120208608603480327 | amazon.com | NONE | page_like | The Alpha's Fated Encounter: An Opposites Attract Shifter Romance (Fated To Royalty Book 1) | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BH7G1ZKS | 2024-03-25 12:46 | https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432121975_1131152398020692_5594588942295059228_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uXiBqAv8sqUAX9FikCp&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBc-18bdkO71CUB2dMKf9NzCQr1Z_6yz2EoXFPGJPdrMA&oe=66092F9E | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Roxie Ray | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||
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$37 Non-Invasive Breakthrough Treatment | Over 90% of our patients have achieved excellent results after spinal decompression and have not had to undergo surgery! 😲 What is spinal decompression? - Motorized traction that helps relieve back pain by gently stretching the spine... How can spinal decompression help? ✅ Back, neck pain or sciatica, weakness, or tingling that extends down the leg... ✅ Bulging, herniated discs or degenerative disk disease... ✅ Worn down spinal joints... ✅ Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots... I’m Dr. Gordon and we’re booking appointments this month for a Spinal Decompression Consultation & Exam and Adjustment for only $37 ($330 Value)! We’re only booking 20 of these appointments this month... Tap below to claim your spot! 👇 https://get.betterhealth.solutions/dr-gordon-decompression | SIGN_UP | https://get.betterhealth.solutions/dr-gordon-decom | 108665888581350 | Corner Canyon Pain & Medicine | https://facebook.com/100083552985106 | 116 | 1 | 394,741,993,268,058 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | regular_page | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Sign Up | 0 | Corner Canyon Pain & Medicine | 120207768045170084 | get.betterhealth.solutions | NONE | dco | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5.0) | https://get.betterhealth.solutions/dr-gordon-decompression | 2024-03-25 13:15 | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433262502_1836417626870249_9105422146935130505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sMF-uo6dzhkAX8zaSTa&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDA6Gttrpy8bnR1XofLk1frhMRvhWjVatXKRAqTV82Ryw&oe=6609B79D | person_profile | 0 | Corner Canyon Pain & Medicine | https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433180181_1491676284793946_4679862300286384478_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gux46Wz6FcoAX_BYkD6&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDxGGbh-dshYh74V4gm2iXs8gBa4zIvx0fufnNTj7yRZw&oe=66090DDF | 0 | 3 | Corner Canyon Pain & Medicine | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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Click To Read on 👉Can't Let Go of This Love | He thought his lovely wife had arranged a romantic bedroom rendezvous on their anniversary. But when he took off his pants and cracked the Johnny package, he found an 8-times folded divorce agreement inside...<br /> ===<br /> Today marked the wedding anniversary of Briana Fabre and Scott Fisher. <br /> Briana: Come home early tonight. I've got a surprise for you, something you'll absolutely love :)<br /> After sending the text, Briana set her phone down and returned to the kitchen, intending to prepare a homemade dinner for Scott.<br /> A maid said in admiration, "Madam, you two are so much in love."<br /> Briana gave a wistful smile but said nothing.<br /> Love? Scott and her?<br /> <br /> At the beginning, Scott married Briana out of obligation. Over the three years since they tied the knot, Scott never lacked female company. <br /> He would come home twice a month at most and every intimate encounter with her was like a routine, rough and devoid of any tenderness.<br /> A week ago, as Briana was choosing a gift for their upcoming third anniversary, Scott's lover Krista Owens suddenly showed up with a pregnancy test report. <br /> With a triumphant air, Krista declared, "I'm pregnant. You should leave Scott to me."<br /> The moment she saw the report, compromise and self-deception, everything Briana had endured over the past three years overwhelmed her.<br /> At 7 PM, Scott arrived home, and the discreet servants made their exit.<br /> Briana had just set the table when Scott's warm breath enveloped her from behind. He held her chin and turned her head for a forceful kiss.<br /> She paused for a moment but quickly pushed him away.<br /> Scott's arms encircled her waist, and he pinched her chin with his long fingers. Squinting his eyes, he said indifferently, "You want me back for a good f, don't you?"<br /> Briana explained, "No. Today is our third anniversary. And I do have a gift for you."<br /> Scott released her and replied in a sarcastic tone, "A gift? Since when did we start to celebrate anniversaries?"<br /> Briana pursed her lips, remaining silent.<br /> She poured wine for both of them.<br /> Lifting her glass, she said, "Here's to our third anniversary. Cheers."<br /> Bathed in the soft light, Scott's features stood out, his chiseled jawline and straight nose cutting a sharp contrast against the backdrop. <br /> His pursed lips hinted at his dissatisfaction with this anniversary dinner for only the two of them.<br /> Briana chuckled, not expecting him to respond. She picked up her glass and gulped it in one go.<br /> After finishing the first glass, she started the second one, then the third...<br /> Before long, Briana's face was flushed from drinking. Despite seeing a smile on her face, Scott couldn't ignore the watery glint in her eyes.<br /> He sensed something was off about Briana today.<br /> At the end, Briana had had too much and was a bit tipsy. Leaning on the table and gazing at the man across from her, whose expression remained unchanged, she drawled, "Scott Fisher, can't you crack a little smile for me even today?"<br /> Scott stared at the groggy woman and lost his tongue.<br /> "Briana, when did you become so boring?" <br /> Briana rested her head on the table, forcing a wry smile. "Scott, you can't even give me a smile... This is our last..."<br /> Scott didn't want to waste any more time here. He lifted her up and carried her to the sofa.<br /> "Wait, my gift..."<br /> Scott withdrew his hand, turned around, and silently watched her.<br /> Briana's cheeks flushed. Her innocent and shimmering eyes gazed up at him.<br /> <br /> Scott swallowed hard. He had to admit the person before him was stunningly hot. She possessed enough allure that could make any man's heart race.<br /> Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen into her trap in the first place.<br /> Her lips which were painted by the color of the wine looked crimson and luscious.<br /> As her hands slipped under his shirt, he uncontrollably lifted her chin, pressing his lips onto hers for a French kiss.<br /> Briana winced, letting out a gasp.<br /> She bit his lip, causing the taste of blood to spread between their lips.<br /> The kiss was like a game. Whoever wins dominates the other.<br /> Just as Scott was about to fetch the johnny package from the bedside table, Briana's voice interrupted him. "Scott, happy anniversary! Let's get a divorce."<br /> The man on top of her froze. <br /> "What did you just say?"<br /> Briana knew he had heard her perfectly, yet she repeated firmly, "Let's get a divorce."<br /> Scott cooled down in an instant. Getting up from her, he asked in an icy tone, "How much do you want this time?"<br /> She was always like this, resorting to any means and tactics for money.<br /> "None."<br /> Briana took out a divorce agreement from under the pillow and passed it to him. "Look at this. If you have no problem with it, you may sign."<br /> Scott's face turned gloomy. "Briana, you better cut it out. I'm not interested in your boring games!"<br /> "I said I had a surprise for you. Here it is!"<br /> <br /> Briana handed the divorce agreement to Scott.<br /> Scott looked at her with an expressionless face. For no reason, he found her smile oddly unsettling.<br /> Scott pursed his lips. After a few seconds, he asked, "Are you serious?"<br /> Briana nodded, "Yeah. Do you like the gift?"<br /> "Good for you, Briana. Don't you regret it!"<br /> After that, Scott slammed the door shut and left.<br /> That night, Briana packed her things with only one suitcase.<br /> She didn't take anything that Scott had bought for her.<br /> And their third anniversary would be their divorce day.<br /> When Scott looked back on it later, he would surely celebrate this glorious day.<br /> It might be the most satisfying thing she had done for him during their marriage.<br /> Sitting in the cab, Briana watched the passing views outside. She suddenly felt a sense of relief.<br /> Though she had been a CEO's wife for three years, now she was going back to her own version of the slums.<br /> "You asked for a divorce?! Jesus! Just why?" Kaylee Graham bombarded Briana with questions.<br /> After she left, Briana came to her best friend's place with her luggage.<br /> Briana calmly explained, "Krista's pregnant."<br /> "And you didn't even ask Scott for a cent?" Kaylee was furious upon hearing Briana's answer.<br /> Briana shrugged, seemingly indifferent to her question. <br /> "Nope."<br /> "Are you out of your mind? You've been married to Scott for three years, and now he's cheating on you. It's his fault! You should at least demand half of his fortune..."<br /> While Kaylee vented her frustrations on Briana's behalf, Briana was immersed in her memories. <br /> Scott was forced to marry her because she was pregnant.<br /> That was why Scott harbored so much resentment toward her.<br /> <br /> Briana thought Scott now had Krista with him, who was carrying his child, so there was no point for her to stick around.<br /> Kaylee exclaimed in fury, "It's not the same. When you married Scott, he was single. But Krista, she clearly knew Scott was married. She's completely a home-wrecker!"<br /> "It doesn't matter anymore," Briana replied. <br /> "Anyway, he was forced to marry me. After divorce, I owe him nothing."<br /> ***<br /> The divorce agreement was placed on Scott's desk the next afternoon, with Briana's flamboyant signature on the last page, seemingly to be a threat.<br /> Calvin Lynn noticed his boss' face grow colder. So he stepped forward and said, "Mr. Fisher, I confirmed with the staff of Starlake Mansion. Ma'am moved out last night. Apart from her personal belongings, she took nothing."<br /> Scott tightened the grip on the agreement, tossing it on the table. <br /> "She wants nothing? Is this another hard-to-get game?"<br /> Calvin stayed silent. After all, he didn't marry Briana. How could he know what games they were playing?<br /> Scott had no intention of getting any useful answers from his assistant so he said calmly, "Leave me alone."<br /> <br /> Taking a couple of steps away, Calvin turned back at Scott. "Mr. Fisher, the necklace you order in Paris has arrived. How..."<br /> It was Scott's gift for Briana for their anniversary, but now it seemed utterly useless.<br /> "Throw it away!" Scott replied indifferently.<br /> Calvin responded, "I see."<br /> After Calvin exited the office, Scott picked up the divorce agreement again. His gaze fell on Briana's signature. A cold sneer gradually emerged on his face.<br /> To Scott, Briana was someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. She begged him for help at Dusk Club and then feigned pregnancy to force him into marriage. <br /> How could a woman with such malicious intentions suddenly have a change of heart?<br /> She just had a target.<br /> Scott crumpled the paper in his hand and tossed it into the trash bin.<br /> Briana waited at home for several days, but she didn't get Scott's call, neither were her texts to him read.<br /> She was going to find Scott in Dusk Club, a place he frequented.<br /> However, instead of running into Scott, she crossed paths with Scott's soon-to-be wife, Krista.<br /> Krista saw Briana. She walked over with a sneer and said in a mocking tone, "Haven't you given up yet? Are you looking for Scott here?"<br /> Briana shot a cold glance at Krista and said nothing.<br /> Emboldened by Briana's silence, Krista continued to shout, "Shame on you! I told you I'm pregnant, and you still refuse to let go of Scott, don't you?!"<br /> "Miss, let me remind you one thing. You're the one who interfered in my marriage. You're the third party."<br /> <br /> Briana's remarks left Krista stunned for several seconds before her face turned pale with anger. Krista raised her hand, intending to give Briana a good slap.<br /> Briana grabbed Krista's wrist and delivered a crisp slap in return. <br /> "I didn't say anything before because you are conceiving Scott's child. But that doesn't mean you can flaunt it in front of me again and again. Are you really that proud of being a mistress?"<br /> Briana's slap attracted the attention of many people around them.<br /> Krista suddenly felt ashamed. She tried to pull her hand back, but she couldn't match Briana's strength. <br /> Krista shouted, "That's nonsense! I'm not the mistress. I should have been Scott's wife! He's disgusted by you!"<br /> "I'm still Scott's legal wife. The kid you're carrying is evidence of his infidelity. If I decide to sue him, it will lead to him leaving with nothing!"<br /> Krista stared at Briana in disbelief. "I dare you..."<br /> "You can try."<br /> Despite being in the scorching heat of summer, the voice coming behind them sent chills down their spine.<br /> Briana hesitated for a moment, slowly releasing the hand she held on Krista's.<br /> Krista immediately rushed to Scott's side, covering her swollen face, tears coming out of her eyes, looking pitiful.<br /> Scott's gaze landed on Krista and then Briana. With his eyes cold, he uttered aloofly, "Do you need a lawyer?"<br /> Briana forced a smile. "Don't bother."<br /> She couldn't afford to hire a lawyer for a legal case that would not only be time-consuming and energy-draining but could also entangle her in a mess. <br /> He just wanted Krista to be scared.<br /> <br /> Scott took a step toward Briana and whispered to her, "So, 'leave with nothing' in the divorce agreement refers to me, huh?"<br /> Briana looked up and saw the mockery in his eyes. She immediately understood his implication and tried to explain, "It's not like that. I..."<br /> "Money can't satisfy your ambitions anymore. What you want is the entire Fisher Group now, right?"<br /> "Briana, don't you think you're being too cocky? If I do sign the agreement, what about your great plan?"<br /> Briana met his sarcastic gaze and smiled, "Then please sign it as soon as possible."<br /> Scott's voice turned icy. "What's your plan after that? Use the divorce agreement as evidence to sue me?"<br /> Briana maintained her smile. "Mr. Fisher, you're overthinking about it. Can't we just give each other a break? If you're still worried, I can write you a guarantee. I promise I won't ask you single cent for any reason or under any pretext. Is that okay?"<br /> Scott didn't expect Briana to be so decisive, as if she was eager to get rid of him. He furrowed his brows.<br /> Briana withdrew her gaze and quickly left without looking back.<br /> <br /> "Scott, she's so intractable. You should just divorce her..." Krista glanced at Briana's back with a scornful smile creeping to her lips.<br /> Scott looked back, scanning the person in front of him. He said, "Are you...out of your mind?"<br /> Krista was startled, unsure which part of her words offended him.<br /> Scott continued, "I didn't know you're pregnant."<br /> Krista nervously clutched her dress with both hands, stuttering for a while before saying, "I-I heard you hate her, Mr. Fisher. So, I um found an excuse and forced her to divor..."<br /> Wearing a scowl on his face, Scott interrupted, "I know what you're up to. Having Briana play such a dirty trick is enough. I don't wanna hear another rumor like that again, otherwise you know the consequences."<br /> Krista bit her lip, not daring to utter another word.<br /> After Scott left, Krista's friends finally breathed a sigh of relief. They approached and asked, "Kris, isn't Mr. Fisher your boyfriend? How can he talk to you like that?"<br /> <br /> Krista's face turned extremely pale. Scott had taken her to many social events recently, and he didn't even stop the rumors about their relationship, so she naturally assumed she became his kept woman.<br /> <br /> That was why she had the nerve to ask Briana to make room for her, even going so far as to forge a pregnancy test report.<br /> However, it seemed that Scott didn't take her that seriously...<br /> That night, Krista further inquired about the hidden stories of Scott and Briana's marriage.<br /> Three years ago, Briana's father had incurred high debts and couldn't afford to repay them. So the debtors sold Briana to Dusk Club. After she managed to escape, Briana met Scott and begged him for his help.<br /> Unexpectedly, two months later, Briana showed up at Scott's place with a pregnancy test report. The prestigious Fishers valued their reputation and didn't want any scandals. Coupled with her pregnancy, they asked Scott to marry Briana.<br /> Less than two months into the marriage, Briana suffered a sudden miscarriage.<br /> Scott was sure the whole thing was staged by Briana. First she was set up at Dusk Club, then she met him and faked the pregnancy--all the endeavor was her elaborate designs only to marry him.<br /> Briana waited for a few days but still got no response from Scott.<br /> What happened at Dusk Club that day gave her every reason to suspect that Scott's reluctance to divorce was a deliberate attempt to thoroughly disgust her. He wanted to subject her to mockery and the shame of being cuckolded. It was a retaliation for her past actions. <br /> While Scott had the patience to drag things out, Briana couldn't afford to continue this stalemate. Her initial plan was to finalize the divorce proceedings before making future plans. But now, she didn't want to sit idly by and decided to move on.<br /> Hearing Briana's plan of looking for a job, Kaylee perked up. "Why not join our magazine? We're expecting excellent designers to build our own brands."<br /> Briana hesitated. "Can I? I haven't produced any work over the past three years."<br /> "Darling, you've got it. No harm giving it a shot, right?"<br /> Convinced, Briana nodded. "Alright."<br /> Kaylee, a fast executor, put it into action right away. The very next day, she came to GioJewelry Magazine with Briana's work from three years ago.<br /> Elian Berks, the editor-in-chief, fixed his gaze on the signature of the works after reviewing them. After a pause, he asked, "Is Bria your friend?"<br /> Bria was Briana's alias as a designer.<br /> "Yeah, she's really talented, and her work is imbued with a distinctive flair. I'm sure she will surprise us."<br /> Elian was well aware of Bria's prowess. She was a rising star in the industry that disappeared at the peak of her career.<br /> Some said she ran out of inspiration after winning an award and couldn't create anything anymore. Others claimed she married into wealth, leading a secretive life afterward.<br /> There were all sorts of rumors about her sudden disappearance.<br /> No one anticipated that after three years, when she had faded from everyone's memory, she would make a comeback.<br /> Elian suggested, "Is she available tonight? Let's grab a meal together."<br /> Kaylee grasped the optimistic implication and accepted the invitation on behalf of Briana.<br /> *****<br /> <br /> During the meal, Briana had a great chat with Elian.<br /> Elian expressed that, given Briana's design skills, they could sign her up directly.<br /> Before leaving the restaurant, Kaylee took Briana to the restroom.<br /> While washing her hands, Kaylee said, "Great! You made it!"<br /> Though surprised at how smoothly things were going, Birana still had some worries. "I'm afraid my designs might not satisfy your boss."<br /> "Darling, believe in yourself! You were once the first-place winner in a design competition! This is a rare opportunity for you, just seize it. You heard what Elian said, didn't you? Just relax and be yourself."<br /> As Kaylee concluded her words, the sound of high heels echoed from the entrance.<br /> The next moment, Krista appeared before them.<br /> Seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, both parties paused for a moment. Krista disdainfully snorted while saying, "Why on earth I can see you everywhere?"<br /> Briana grabbed a piece of tissue to dry her hands, replying without expression, "If you want a beating, I can do you a favor. No need to beat around the bush."<br /> "You..."<br /> After their previous encounter, Krista had already accepted the facet that she was no match for Briana. Now, as she found herself outnumbered two to one, she felt certain that her chances of success were slim to none.<br /> Thus, she resorted to a verbal battle. With a cynical tone, she retorted, "Briana, do you have no shame? Shall I remind you of the dirty tricks you played to marry Scott? Don't pretend to be superior to me!"<br /> Just as Kaylee was about to refute, Briana grabbed her wrist.<br /> Calmly looking at Krista, Briana asked, "Did Scott tell you that?"<br /> It was evident that Krista was a woman of no wisdom. She hadn't brought up this matter in their previous encounters, so judging from her current smug state, Briana knew Krista had only just learned about it.<br /> "Yeah, he said you make him sick. Meeting you at Dusk Club is the biggest regret of his life!"<br /> Noticing Briana's expressionless face, Krista suddenly realized she might have gone too far. Cautiously, she took a step back.<br /> To her surprise, Briana stayed put, displaying no inclination to engage in a confrontation or resort to violence. She simply calmly turned and walked away.<br /> Observing this, Kaylee followed Briana.<br /> "Honey, forget it. No point in getting mad over those two playboys..."<br /> Before Kaylee could finish her sentence, she saw Scott, the man she had labeled as a "bad guy", standing not far ahead and engaged in a casual conversation with someone.<br /> But Briana acted as if she hadn't seen him, walking toward his direction without batting an eyelid.<br /> Scott's friend, Jerry Parker, who was standing nearby, sensed a subtle but escalating tension from behind. Turning around, he exclaimed, "Isn't that your wife? What's she doing here?"<br /> Scott looked up, furrowing his brows with a trace of impatience in his eyes.<br /> That woman followed him all the way here, and she still claimed all she wanted was a divorce?<br /> Since when did she become so scheming?<br /> As she approached, Scott was ready to deliver a rebuke when, to his surprise, Briana didn't even spare a glance at him, nor did she show any intention of pausing.<br /> Expressionless, she brushed past him.<br /> Scott stared at her back with his jaws dropped.<br /> He had always been the center of her life in their previous martial life. His mood was closely connected to Briana's and his words meant the world to her.<br /> Briana never ignored him like this, not even once!<br /> Having observed the the awkwardness on Scott's face, Jerry chuckled and comforted him, "Oops, my bad, it's not her." <br /> In Jerry's memory, Scott rarely took Briana out, and Jerry had only seen Briana twice.<br /> The first occasion was when Scott forgot some documents at home, and Briana delivered them to his office. Faced with Scott's cold reception, Briana showed a momentary hint of disappointment but didn't utter a complaint.<br /> The second encounter transpired at Scott's grandpa's birthday celebration, which was during the second year of Scott and Briana's marriage. The entire Fisher family alienated her, and Scott didn't make her known to anyone.<br /> On that evening, Briana seemed like an unpaid servant, occupied with chores and not receiving a single kind word. Instead, she was criticized for being a pain in the neck.<br /> From Jerry's perspective, Briana was a model wife, easygoing and considerate, a completely different person from the aggressive and menacing woman tonight.<br /> Scott kept his eyes on the direction Briana went, not uttering a word.<br /> Jerry cleared his throat, changing the topic. "I ran into Elian at the entrance."<br /> Scott asked, "Who's that?"<br /> "The editor-in-chief from GioJewelry Magazine."<br /> "Emm... Heard that name somewhere before."<br /> Fisher Group had some dealings with GioJewelry Magazine, and Scott had crossed paths with Elian a few times.<br /> Jerry said, "Elian just told me that he found Bria. If things go smoothly, she'll be the hotshot designer for their magazine. Do you remember Bria?"<br /> "Nope."<br /> He didn't see the point of remembering someone who didn't matter.<br /> Jerry said, "But You surely remember sponsoring the 7th Emerging Designers Competition three years ago, right? Bria won first place, and she had the chance to receive full financial support from your company for her studies in Paris. Surprisingly, she declined that opportunity for some unknown reason."<br /> After a pause, he added, "But I heard she asked the organizer if she could skip the financial support and get cash instead. The organizer verified with you, and you turned her proposal down. After that, we never heard from her again. She was a designer with immense potential. What a pity."<br /> Scott slowly withdrew his gaze, lost in thought. It wasn't clear if he was processing Jerry's words.<br /> "Oh. Doesn't ring a bell."<br /> *****<br /> Elian drove Briana and Kaylee home, bidding farewell. "Ms. Fisher, looking forward to your work and our collaboration."<br /> Briana nodded. "Thank you. I'll give it my all."<br /> Elian smiled at them. "Take care. See you next week."<br /> Back at home, Kaylee asked, "Honey, are you still upset about those two notorious playboys?"<br /> Briana was a bit distracted, and she echoed Kaylee. Soon, she came back to her senses. "No, I'm thinking about the design theme."<br /> Elian had given her the theme "First Love", and Kaylee mentioned it was the magazine's top series after signing the new designers, which targeted young consumers. So, the design was quite crucial for them.<br /> But the term "first love" was entirely unfamiliar to Briana.<br /> The delightful fluttering that came with being around a crush had long faded away over the past three years of her marriage with Scott, leaving nothing behind.<br /> Kaylee asked, "Speaking of which, have you not been in touch with Desmond all these years?"<br /> Briana shook her head.<br /> Three years ago, she won the first prize in the competition and could have had the opportunity to study in Paris, but she turned it down.<br /> Desmond Olsen, her friend in college, had come to see her a few times and asked why she did so.<br /> Briana didn't dare to tell him the truth, so she deleted all his contact information.<br /> What could she say? Should she tell him that while she was enveloped in the joy of winning the first prize, she suddenly learned about her father owing a million dollars to a loan shark?<br /> Kaylee sighed, leaning back on the sofa. "Honestly, I still feel sorry for you and Desmond. Back in school, you were such a perfect match. Everyone could tell that you liked each other. You were just a step away from making it official. I thought you two would be together after going to Paris, but who'd have known... Well, that's fate."<br /> Briana remained silent for a long time before saying, "The past is the past."<br /> At night, as Briana lay in bed later, the words Krista had said to her in the restroom uncontrollably echoed in her mind.<br /> Though Briana knew Scott would never use such vulgar and crude language to talk about her, the meaning conveyed didn't deviate.<br /> Briana knew she had implicated Scott, so over the three years, she tried her best to play the role of a good wife.<br /> She satisfied his needs, prepared his breakfast every morning, ironed his clothes before work, and remembered the patterns of all his ties. <br /> She even covered up her allergy symptoms and made him his favorite hummus.<br /> Yet, his dislike for her never diminished.<br /> Thinking about it, Briana felt her heart clench with pain. She buried her head in the blanket, in a half-asleep state, recalling some things.<br /> Three years ago, to pay off her father's debt, she sacrificed her dignity to ask the organizer of the competition if she could skip the chance to study in Paris and get cash instead.<br /> She still remembered the sarcastic tone of that person. "I'm sorry. Our boss said this opportunity is for those genuinely dreaming of design, not for those treating this competition as an opportunity to profit."<br /> After hearing this, Briana was stunned for a long time. She spent the entire night crying.<br /> Who wouldn't want to chase their dreams?<br /> A few days later, her father ran away, and the loan shark came to her home, forcing her to make a choice: Either chop off her younger brother Caleb's hand or leave with them.<br /> With no other option, Briana followed them out of the house in silence, ignoring Caleb's desperate cries.<br /> Those people sold her to Dusk Club, a place designed for wealthy individuals to indulge in entertainment.<br /> They spiked her drink. Even though she had mentally prepared herself to face it, when that obese middle-aged man in his fifties or so entered the room, she still could not help but think of Desmond and the unfinished Paris appointment.<br /> Summoning strength from somewhere within, she pushed the man away and staggered out.<br /> She didn't know how far she had run until she finally saw a blurry tall figure ahead. Collapsing to the ground, she clutched the man's well-fitted suit and begged, "Please help me..."<br /> After that, she blacked out completely.<br /> When she woke up again, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, with a stranger lying beside her. The scattered clothes by the bed were evidence enough of what had transpired the night before.<br /> After the initial distress, she began to console herself. At least the man was good-looking, far better than the obese guy last night.<br /> She rushed back home in a panic, only to discover that the loan shark had returned to find her. Fortunately, Caleb wasn't at home because he had gone out looking for her.<br /> Briana called Caleb to reassure him, instructing him not to come home, and suggested that he lodge with a friend instead.<br /> Then, she sought shelter at Kaylee's.<br /> Hiding for two months, one day, Briana realized she was pregnant.<br /> Briana locked herself in her room for three days, and just as she had a flash of inspiration and was about to put her jewelry design ideas on paper, she received a call.<br /> "Mrs. Fisher, I'm Calvin, Mr. Fisher's assistant. Mr. Fisher is going on a business trip to the Maldives tomorrow. Do you know where his blue and white striped shirt is?"<br /> Briana had always hated being interrupted right when inspiration struck, especially for such trivial matters. It made her suspect that Scott was deliberately getting on her nerves. Without hesitation, she shouted, "What's wrong with him? We're divorced. I'm not his maid!"<br /> With that, she hung up the phone.<br /> Two minutes later, Briana's phone rang again. It was from Scott.<br /> She hesitated for a moment but still answered it.<br /> "Briana, you have half an hour to come back."<br /> "I..."<br /> This time, without waiting for her response, Scott hung up the phone.<br /> Briana clenched her phone, wishing she could give that trash a good beating.<br /> Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she finally got up and left the room.<br /> Seeing her annoyed face, Kaylee couldn't help but ask, "Darling, where are you going at this late hour?"<br /> "To settle the scores with that brad!"<br /> Of course, Briana was just venting her frustration, as she didn't have the ability to be Scott's match.<br /> Arriving at Scott's villa, the servants had already retired, and it was eerily quiet all around.<br /> Briana went upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door, only to find Scott sitting on the sofa in casual attire, flipping through documents.<br /> He heard the steps, yet he didn't bother to look up at her.<br /> Briana walked straight to the wardrobe, rummaging through it until she finally found the blue and white striped shirt mentioned by Calvin.<br /> The moment she saw the shirt, she was stunned for a moment.<br /> She bought this shirt for Scott when she learned he was going to Hawaii for a business trip the year they had just gotten married.<br /> She thought it was perfect for a beach setting.<br /> When she gave the shirt to Scott, he looked at her coldly and said, "Don't try to please me with such cheap stuff, and cut down on your lame schemes."<br /> Briana had no idea what schemes he was talking about, but since then, she had never bought anything for Scott again.<br /> He didn't care about the shirt back then, yet now, he specifically asked her back to look for it.<br /> It was definitely his attempt at revenge or intentionally teasing her.<br /> Briana picked up the shirt in silence, left the wardrobe, and placed it on the bed. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed Scott was talking on the phone with someone. Throughout the entire conversation, his tone was very low, and he didn't spare her a glance, as if she didn't exist.<br /> Briana had initially planned to bring up the topic of divorce, but seeing that there was no suitable moment, she turned around and left without a word.<br /> Briana had just reached the living room downstairs when Scott's voice stopped her.<br /> Scott stood on the stairs, looking down at her with his usual cold expression. "Did you find the shirt?"<br /> "It's on your bed."<br /> "Just that one shirt?"<br /> Briana didn't quite understand. "What else do you want?"<br /> Scott pinched his nose, looked away then back at Briana. "I'm going on a week-long business trip. Do you think I can get by with just one shirt?"<br /> Some memories from the past well up Briana's mind. When they were married, she would always pack up for him before his business trip. <br /> Unexpectedly, after diligently serving the man for three years, she didn't gain a good name but ended up spoiling him.<br /> Briana calmly stated, "Mr. Fisher, allow me to remind you again. We are already divorced, so chores like packing your luggage are not my duty anymore. Kindly ask your maid or your next wife for assistance. Don't bother me with such matters again. Thank you."<br /> Scott descended the stairs at his own pace and stopped in front of her. "Let me remind you something as well. We haven't completed the divorce proceedings, and you are still legally my wife. These tasks are your duty."<br /> "No room for negotiation, is that it?"<br /> "I don't want to repeat myself."<br /> Briana pressed her lips together and took out her phone for a number. "Since you seem to enjoy being served, I have a perfect candidate. I'm sure she's more than willing to do that."<br /> However, as soon as she found the number and was about to dial, her phone was snatched away.<br /> Scott stared at her with a cold expression. "Briana, have I been too indulgent with you?"<br /> Briana looked at her empty hand and smiled. "Mr. Fisher, mind your language. We don't seem that close."<br /> The chill in Scott's eyes deepened. "When will this cat-and-mouse game end, huh? Don't repeatedly challenge my patience. Just tell me what you want."<br /> Briana paused for a few seconds before saying, "Mr. Fisher, didn't you say what I want is the Fisher Group? Will you give it to me?"<br /> "Never."<br /> "Then divorce. I don't want anything."<br /> Scott, impatient, furrowed his brows. "You still think divorce can be a threat to me?"<br /> Briana was puzzled. Wasn't he always eager to get rid of her? Why did it seem like she was now the one pleading for a divorce?<br /> "I know you doubt my intentions. Like I said, I can write a guarantee. Even during the divorce, you can bring lawyers and photographers along to prove it's my initiative, and I won't extort a single penny from you."<br /> Scott pressed his lips, remaining silent.<br /> "Or are you afraid I'll take the divorce to the media and tarnish your reputation and the Fisher family? You can rest assured of that, too. I swear, if I try to gain any advantage by exploiting our divorce, I will rot in my after life."<br /> After a while, Scott finally spoke. "Do you think I'll believe you just because you swore it?"<br /> Briana looked at him helplessly. "So what do you want then? Do I have to wait for you to decorate our house with your affairs?"<br /> Scott glanced at her and sneered.<br /> Even though he didn't say a word, Briana knew exactly what he meant.<br /> She knew he was just mocking her, implying that she had no right to judge others, especially when playing the same trick as Krista's.<br /> Just as Briana wanted to persuade Scott one last time, his icy tone sounded. "I'll be on a business trip tomorrow. We'll talk when I get back."<br /> Briana instantly smiled. "No problem. I'll wait for you no matter how long. Give me a call when you return, and I'll rush to divorce you. I promise!"<br /> Noticing her distinct attitude, the mockery in Scott's eyes grew more intense as he turned and went upstairs.<br /> What an ungrateful woman.<br /> In another month, it would be the anniversary celebration of GioJewelry Magazine. They planned to leverage this opportunity to hold a press conference, officially announcing the launch of their jewelry brand to all media.<br /> To ensure the success of this press conference, Briana didn't dare to slack off. Besides staying at home to draw sketches every day, she also had to choose the materials for the jewelry.<br /> She was so busy with her preparations that she completely forgot about the divorce she had planned with Scott. She also had no idea when he returned from his business trip.<br /> Probably because of Briana's ignorance, Scott never contacted her again.<br /> One day, just as Briana put down her pen, ready to take a short break, her phone on the table buzzed.<br /> She turned to look at it and saw the devil's name on the screen.<br /> It was her father, Jarvin.<br /> Briana frowned and waited until the phone buzzed again before answering.<br /> "Hey, Briana, I have been tight on cash lately. Can you lend me 200 grand?" Jarvin's voice came from the other end.<br /> "I have no money," said Briana.<br /> "Then go ask your husband! He's filthy rich. I'm sure that's just spare change for him." Jarvin insisted.<br /> "What do you think he is? A wishing well? His money has nothing to do with me. Also, I've divorced him, so I have no reason to ask him for money," Briana said coldly.<br /> "What!" Jarvin shouted on the other end of the phone. "How could you divorce him? Did you have my permission? Even in a divorce, he should give you half of his assets. How could you have no money? Give me two million immediately, or you'll regret it!"<br /> Briana hung up the phone without hesitation.<br /> Not long after, Caleb called her. "Did Jarvin ask you for money? No matter what he says, don't give him any. He recently went gambling and owed over a hundred thousand. Now, he's keeping his creditors at bay."<br /> Briana said, "I know. I didn't give him anything."<br /> When she paid Jarvin's million-dollar debt last time, she had said that if he went gambling again, she would never see him again and watch him die if that ever happened.<br /> But a gambler was forever a gambler. Over the years, Jarvin had found various excuses to ask her for money, claiming he broke a leg and needed surgery or that Caleb got into a fight and needed compensation.<br /> Jarvin knew Briana would never ignore her little brother, even if she didn't care about her dad at all.<br /> At first, both Briana and Caleb had been fooled by him twice, but later on, they no longer fell for his tricks.<br /> After a brief silence, Briana continued, "Caleb, do you want to go abroad? I still have some money, which should be enough to let you study abroad. Plus, you can get a scholarship..."<br /> She wanted to send Caleb away, far away from Jarvin's trouble and nonsense.<br /> Caleb interrupted her, "No need, I'll stay in the country, not going anywhere."<br /> Briana sighed silently, knowing this was his final decision. "As you wish, then. If you need money, let me know."<br /> "No need, you can keep them. I'll earn some myself if I need any," Caleb replied. "Is Scott treating you well lately?"<br /> When Scott was mentioned, Briana felt a bit awkward. She smiled before responding, "Yeah, well enough, but I'm going to divorce him."<br /> Caleb paused as if not surprised to hear that at all. He said, "That's fine. I'll be your support in the future."<br /> Briana chuckled. "Come on, I have a career. It's not like I have to stay home for the rest of my life. Just focus on your studies."<br /> After hanging up the phone, Briana left the bedroom and found Kaylee curled up on the sofa, looking pale and weak.<br /> She asked, "Kaylee, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"<br /> Kaylee shook her head, her voice weak. "My Aunt Flo is here. Don't worry. I'll be fine in a while."<br /> Despite Kaylees's words, Briana went out for painkillers.<br /> Downstairs, Briana went to the pharmacy to buy what she needed and then headed to the nearby supermarket.<br /> As she looked at the rows of sanitary pads in front of her, she suddenly realized that she hadn't had her period for almost two months.<br /> Since the miscarriage three years ago, her menstrual cycle had been irregular, sometimes taking two or three months to arrive.<br /> Thus, Briana believed it should be coming soon, so she grabbed a few extra packs in case of Aunt Flo's sudden visit.<br /> After paying the bill, just as Briana was about to leave, a woman walked into the store and bumped into her. Briana's shopping bag fell to the ground, but the woman did not seem to care. She only patted her clothes, expressing disdain. "Are you blind?"<br /> Briana looked up at her and recognized her as Scott's cousin, Lauren Fisher.<br /> "After all this time, haven't you learned how to walk?" Briana retorted.<br /> Lauren's gaze swept over Briana, and her arrogant and disdainful expression became more pronounced. "Oh, it's you. What are you doing here late at night? Hiding your shady affairs from my cousin?"<br /> Briana couldn't be bothered with her. She bent down to pick up the fallen shopping bag and calmly replied, "Lauren, you should've stayed there forever since you ran off abroad. I was born to be malicious and vengeful, you know?"<br /> At Briana's words, Lauren paled and stepped back nervously. "What do you want?"<br /> Briana raised an eyebrow. "Oh, no biggie. Remember how you caused my miscarriage? So you better watch out once you are pregnant!"<br /> As Briana spoke, her threatening gaze lingered on Lauren.<br /> Although Lauren was far from being pregnant, Briana's gaze still frightened her. "You're crazy! You were pregnant because you said so! Don't ever try to blame me just because I accidentally bumped into you. Also, if you dare to harm me, my family will never spare you! And... And my cousin will divorce you and kick you out! You won't even get a penny from your divorce!"<br /> "Well, let's see. I have nothing to lose," Briana said.<br /> "You're insane!"<br /> Lauren yelled, then turned to leave, feeling guilty.<br /> Outside the supermarket, Lauren got into the Land Rover parked on the side of the street, looking displeased.<br /> The man beside her said indifferently, "Why the long face? And where's the water you're supposed to buy?"<br /> Lauren complained, "Desmond, do you remember what I told you before? The woman who used a fake pregnancy to pressure my cousin into marriage? I actually ran into her just now. It was so disgusting!"<br /> Desmond remained indifferent. "Go get your water, or we'll be leaving."<br /> "Desmond, you..."<br /> Lauren paused abruptly when she noticed Desmond's gaze fixed on something outside the car. She followed his gaze, but there was nothing there. Just as she was about to ask, Desmond suddenly opened the door and rushed out.<br /> Lauren hurriedly followed, catching up to Desmond, who seemed to be searching for something in the crowd. "Desmond, what's wrong? What are you looking for?"<br /> Desmond gradually regained his composure and gazed down. "Nothing. I must have mistaken someone for another."<br /> He had just seen someone that resembled Briana.<br /> "Let's go, then," said Lauren, tucking Desmond's hand into her arms.<br /> However, Desmond pulled his hand out of her embrace, saying, "Lauren, I'll get you a cab. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't send you home."<br /> "But you promised me just now..."<br /> Ignoring Lauren's protest, Desmond strode away without hesitation.<br /> *****<br /> After returning home, Briana placed the food she bought into the refrigerator. She then poured a glass of water for the listless Kaylee on the sofa.<br /> Kaylee took the glass and waved her phone at Briana with excitement. "Honey, check this out! Desmond is back and he's looking for you. I have no idea who gave him my contact!"<br /> Kaylee placed the phone in front of Briana, and Briana saw two texts on the screen.<br /> Desmond: I'm Desmond Olsen.<br /> Desmond: Have you heard from Briana lately?<br /> Briana kept staring at the messages in a daze until the screen went dark.<br /> Kaylee said, "Should I tell him that you're currently living with me? Or should I just give him your number directly?"<br /> Briana instinctively shook her head. "No, not for now..."<br /> Kaylee knew what Briana was worried about and didn't insist. She sighed and lied to Desmond, saying that she hadn't seen Briana for a long time, but she would inform him as soon as she got any news.<br /> Lying in bed, sleep eluded Briana all night. It wasn't until dawn that she closed her eyes in a daze.<br /> But not long after, her phone began buzzing frantically. In a trance, she fumbled for a while before answering.<br /> A man's voice came from the other end of the phone. "Mrs. Fisher, there's a situation at the company. It would be better for you to come and take a look."<br /> The man continued saying something, but Briana didn't catch another word. It wasn't until more than ten minutes after the call ended that she finally shook off her sleepiness.<br /> Company? What company?<br /> Briana rechecked the income call and realized it was from Scott's assistant, Calvin.<br /> She scratched her head annoyedly, got changed, rushed to the bathroom for a quick wash, and then hurriedly called a cab.<br /> By the time she reached Fisher Group, it was precisely twelve ten. It was lunchtime, so the street was more crowded than usual.<br /> At this moment, almost all the passers-by had gathered at the entrance of the Fisher Group building, eagerly watching the commotion.<br /> "Don't you dare touch me! I am your CEO's father-in-law. Believe it or not, I can have him fire all of you! Does Scott Fisher think he can get away from this? Tell him that even in a divorce, he must at least give us half of his assets! My daughter has been married to him for three years, satisfying his every need, and now he wants to divorce her without giving her any compensation. How could he be so despicable!"<br /> When Briana arrived, she happened to overhear the "satisfying his every need" part. Her face instantly turned pale as an unprecedented sense of shame overwhelmed her, and she wished she could disappear on the spot.<br /> Just as she was about to flee the scene, Calvin, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, stood by her side and whispered, "Mrs. Fisher, your father has been causing a scene here for half an hour, causing significant disruption to Fisher Group. Mr. Fisher has given you three minutes to resolve this matter. Otherwise, we'll turn in your father to the police!"<br /> Briana lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting the glass walls of Fisher Group. <br /> She could not see what was inside but Scott's disdain toward her must have reached new heights after this incident, possibly even harboring thoughts of ending things for good.<br /> With the assistance of security brought by Calvin, Briana maneuvered through the crowd and approached Jarvin who spotted her and stood up, brushing off the dust.<br /> "You've arrived at the perfect moment. Tell Scott Fisher to come down. Let's discuss the division of his assets."<br /> Watching Jarvin's dramatic display on the ground, an unprecedented weariness washed over her. <br /> She immediately turned to Calvin and said, "Call the police."<br /> Calvin nodded in response.<br /> As Briana departed, Jarvin hurriedly reached out to stop her. "What on earth are you doing, Briana? I am your father! I will keep just part of it, and you will the rest!"<br /> Briana shook off his hand. "You are creating a scene here for money, not for me, and you know it! Feel free to make a fool of yourself. I swear I'll enjoy the peaceful days if you get detained by the police. I won't bail you out! Neither will Caleb!"<br /> Jarvin slapped her, shouting, "How dare you! How could you do this to your father? Have you no shame?"<br /> As the onlookers multiplied, Briana felt suffocating. Head down, she quickly departed.<br /> Despite the commotion, Scott didn't make an appearance. As his patience fading away, he was ready to leave.<br /> In a determined tone, he faced the security guards and declared, "Tell Scott Fisher that I'll return in a few days!"<br /> As Briana walked into another block, a tall figure suddenly stopped her.<br /> "Don't you think you should be responsible for what happened today?" A deep voice sounded.<br /> She raised her head only to greet Scott's face.<br /> He was wearing a long trench coat, blocking away the lights behind him. She could see his refined jaw lines and his thin lips pursed tightly together, his eyes filled with displease.<br /> "Sorry, I didn't know my father would..."<br /> "How are you going to compensate me?"<br /> Briana furrowed in confusion. "Compensate? You gave my father money?"<br /> Scott stared at her face, his tone calm. "No, but what he did to day made the Fisher Group suffer great loss both in name and finance, don't you think?"<br /> Briana cracked a smile. She had no idea a man like Scott could go this down on her.<br /> "Fine! How much does Mr. Fisher want? I will give it to you!"<br /> Narrowing his eyes, he was not pleased with Briana's answer. And he believed that, under such circumstance, as long as Briana begged him, he could let it pass.<br /> However, Briana insisted that she compensate him, being so indifferent.<br /> "Oh, right! Mr. Fisher, before you name your price, do you have a minute to get a divorce? I don't wanna drag it so long."<br /> She put on a fake and polite smile.<br /> Looking at her sweet smile, Scott was totally irritated. He grabbed her hand and yelled, "Briana! You wanna talk about divorce at this point?"<br /> "You have a better choice? I don't get to see you everyday! When on earth can I ever talk about it? My dear Mr. Fisher!"<br /> Briana shouted back at him with red eyes, her hand hurting.<br /> He kept staring at her for a long while before shaking off her hand.<br /> Biting the inside of his cheek as if restraining himself, he replied, "Great, then 3 PM at the courthouse."<br /> Then he left Briana and walked away.<br /> Briana found a bench on the street and sat down. She hugged her knees, and buried her face in them.<br /> If possible, she wished to go to a place where no one knew her and start anew, a place without Jarvin, without Scott, and without those unbearable insults.<br /> After some time, wiping away her tears, Briana prepared to go to the courthouse. However, as soon as she stood up, dizziness overwhelmed her, and the whole world started spinning.<br /> In a few seconds, she fainted.<br /> When she woke up, she found herself in the hospital for hypoglycemia.<br /> Rubbing her head, she checked her phone for the time. It was 4:30 PM.<br /> She had completely missed the appointment with Scott.<br /> Briana was about to send Scott a message to explain when the nurse told her shocking news.<br /> "Oh, by the way, you're pregnant. Take good care of yourself, especially in the first three months. It would be best if you come back with the father for a check-up in a few days."<br /> This news was like a thunderbolt on a clear day, comparable to the shock she felt that night when she learned about Jarvin's one million dollar debt from a loan shark.<br /> Uncovering the blanket, she rushed to the obstetrics and gynecology department for a checkup.<br /> After the checkup, the doctor said, "You are indeed pregnant, 40 days into the journey, and the fetus shows normal development. However, I have to remind you that your past miscarriage with substantial bleeding and inadequate post-care has left some impact on your health. This pregnancy wasn't easy to come by. But there's no need for excessive worry. Take good care of yourself."<br /> Briana asked hesitantly, "What if... I don't want this baby? Can I do an surgery?"<br /> The doctor paused, probably not expecting her to say this. "While an surgery is a viable option, you have to consider it very carefully. Given the challenges your body has faced in achieving pregnancy, if you terminate this pregnancy, you might..."<br /> "Not be able to get pregnant again in the future?"<br /> "There's a high chance."<br /> "If you haven't made up your mind yet, you can come to me in two weeks."<br /> "If you decide to proceed, come back in two weeks."<br /> "Okay."<br /> Somehow, Briana managed to leave the hospital in an utterly lost state. <br /> The thought of sharing this situation with Scott briefly crossed her mind. However, that idea was immediately out of her head.<br /> Scott would never ever accept this baby!<br /> In the evening, when Kaylee returned, the apartment was pitch dark. Turning on the light, she found Briana sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, eyes closed, motionless.<br /> Kaylee was startled. "What happened, sweetie?"<br /> Briana slowly opened her eyes and said in despair, "I'm pregnant."<br /> "That's good news, sweetie! Wait, you are preg..." Kaylee finally came back to her senses, her eyes widening all of a sudden. <br /> "You're carrying that garbage's baby?"<br /> "Yeah."<br /> "F...What are you going to do? Are you going to tell him?"<br /> Briana shook her head. "No. We're headed for a divorce anyway."<br /> After a pause, Kaylee asked again, "Are you... keeping the baby?"<br /> Briana fell silent, uncertain of how to respond.<br /> To be honest, whatever happened between her and Scott had nothing to do with the child growing in her womb.<br /> Besides, she had already lost a child three years ago.<br /> But if she decided to keep the baby...<br /> She replied, "I'm a mess now. I need to think it over."<br /> Exiting the bathroom, she hesitated for ages before finally dialing Scott's number.<br /> After a good while, the call was connected. But Krista's triumphant voice came through! | USE_MOBILE_APP | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.d | 158922597315631 | Sweet love story | https://facebook.com/61555619100154 | 19 | 2 | 370,255,842,576,385 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Use app | 0 | Sweet love story | 120207675516910376 | play.google.com | NONE | image | Great Story Starts Here | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1711361565%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 2024-03-25 05:15 | https://scontent.frkh1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434460798_3778371652448332_7720031179157637036_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AaT_gJvXNEoAX_0jFuA&_nc_ht=scontent.frkh1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCvATBjBfX7nyNJGDolMW2gyGqwbsYHmye8dehrp_gzVg&oe=660A2877 | person_profile | 0 | Sweet love story | https://scontent.frkh1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433891095_333621735910289_115508766668210834_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M6QTGVicT7UAX8QwRLX&_nc_ht=scontent.frkh1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDMeREP6f8guFc-jWoCTwLGE7yOcr9Pjfbm-GUbEuM1zA&oe=660900FB | 0 | 3 | Sweet love story | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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$37 Neuropathy Assessment & Exam | 👋 Hey Carver County and Surrounding Areas! - Are you experiencing weakness, numbness, and pain like pins and needles, usually in the hands or feet?<br /> <br /> For the Next Week, we are giving away 50 Vouchers for a $37 Neuropathy Assessment, including a Complete Consultation, Nerve Severity Exam, Detailed Report of Findings, and a Personalized Treatment Plan to learn more about what you are experiencing and how we can help you get out of pain in the fastest time possible! (Normally a $250 Total Value)<br /> <br /> Ready to take control and alleviate pain? <br /> <br /> 👇 Click below to sign up and claim a special offer voucher now! 👇 | SIGN_UP | http://fb.me/ | 198292906863078 | Sacred Health Family | https://facebook.com/SacredHealthFamily | 636 | 1 | 1,342,170,949,813,989 | 2024-03-26 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Sign up | 0 | Sacred Health Family | 120206172801110290 | fb.me | NONE | image | Book Your Appointment Today! | http://fb.me/ | 2024-03-25 11:52 | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434185168_752946076817545_4239306915077584392_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vhN9YZCO-1AAX9R-b6-&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfACTwgNvuHcytlzOMckB132IX-MGvwPo2A7apMHe5a9qw&oe=660916F2 | person_profile | 0 | Sacred Health Family | https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434211088_919464159920185_2035049440052241081_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dp6dz8XUvn8AX-UYwaM&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDNnwGt3p5uVAnI47xnnM-su2TjXRd3sVR5F7YeZSFqRw&oe=660A5F5C | 0 | 3 | Sacred Health Family | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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Support Your Eye Health Now | “I’m only 51. Why are my eyes already going bad?<br /> <br /> First there were spots in my vision…<br /> <br /> Like when you look at the bright light and then look away.<br /> <br /> Then the gridlines of the spreadsheet I was working on started looking all bent and wavy.<br /> <br /> But the worst part?<br /> <br /> I went to a family gathering for Christmas…<br /> <br /> And I realized I was struggling to recognize faces – until I got SUPER close to the person I was talking to.<br /> <br /> So, I started following all the usual advice:<br /> <br /> “Quit smoking.”<br /> “Wear quality sunglasses.”<br /> “Take fish oil supplements daily.”<br /> <br /> But NOTHING worked.<br /> <br /> My wife’s smile, nature, art, movies…<br /> <br /> Not being able to fully enjoy them was NOT an option.<br /> <br /> So, I started researching how to support my eye health naturally…<br /> <br /> And what I came across was a game-changer. <br /> <br /> ===<br /> <br /> You see, many people think that declining eyesight… <br /> <br /> And symptoms like:<br /> <br /> Blurry vision<br /> Dry and teary eyes<br /> Difficulty adjusting to the dark<br /> <br /> …Are just part of aging and can’t be stopped. <br /> <br /> <br /> But here’s the truth: <br /> <br /> There are 3 scenarios that rob away and deplete the nutrients in our eyes and make these symptoms seem inevitable:<br /> <br /> Cause # 1️⃣: A drop in macular nutrients level<br /> <br /> Our macula is made up mainly of 2 nutrients - lutein and zeaxanthin. <br /> <br /> These 2 nutrients are extremely important for our eyes to have clear central vision. <br /> <br /> But as we age, we tend to see a drop in the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, which leads to dark spots appearing in our vision more frequently (especially when we look at bright objects). <br /> <br /> Solution: Lutemax 2020<br /> <br /> Lutemax 2020 is a patented proprietary blend of lutein and zeaxanthin with superior bioavailability that allows our body to effectively absorb lutein and zeaxanthin and replenish them in our eyes. <br /> This is a powerful ingredient that is shown to improve eye health and visual performance, reduce eye fatigue, and support sleep quality. <br /> <br /> Cause # 2️⃣: Free radicals <br /> <br /> When the UV rays or blue light hit our eyes, it creates a lot of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that damage our eye cells, oxidizing the tissues and cells that are responsible for our vision. <br /> <br /> If we do not protect our eyes against these free radicals, they will slowly wear down key components of our eyes and affect our eyesight. <br /> <br /> Solution: Macula Antioxidants<br /> <br /> Superfoods like saffron, bilberry, blueberry, & astaxanthin provide strong anti-inflammatory antioxidants that shield our eyes against these free radicals. <br /> <br /> When we look at bright objects that reflect UV rays or blue light, these antioxidants act as cannon fodder that protects our eye tissues from these free radicals. <br /> <br /> A daily dose of these superfoods replenishes the antioxidants in our eyes, hence, reducing the damage caused by these free radicals. <br /> <br /> Cause # 3️⃣: A drop in rhodopsin levels<br /> <br /> Rhodopsin is a type of protein that is responsible for our night vision. It allows the rods in our eyes to absorb photons and perceive light, making it essential to our vision in dim light.<br /> <br /> However, as we get older, the rhodopsin levels in our eyes also decline, making it harder for our eyes to adjust to the darkness. <br /> <br /> And it is very dangerous for us to drive on the road if our eyes are not able to adjust to the dark properly. <br /> <br /> Solution: Cyanidin-3-Glucoside (C3G) from black currant.<br /> <br /> This is a super nutrient that helps support our retinal health & stimulate rhodopsin regeneration.<br /> <br /> When our eyes can generate rhodopsin, our eyes can adjust from a light to dark setting faster, helping us to see clearer in the night or in dark areas. <br /> <br /> That’s why here at Holistic Health Labs, we’ve decided to dig deep into the latest studies and research to find the nutrients needed for our eyes - our macula, retina, tear glands, iris, cornea, optic nerve, and more. <br /> <br /> Then we combined only the top clinically studied ingredients to create a 100% natural solution.<br /> <br /> It’s called Vision Alive Max --- An all-natural, #1 ultimate eye solution that provides the most powerful nutrients for our eyes, and replenishes all the macula nutrients and antioxidants that are depleted by strong UV and blue light. <br /> <br /> Vision Alive Max has helped over 63,870 folks boost their eye health for the first time since entering their 40-60s. <br /> <br /> We are glad that they are enjoying their independence once again and continuing to live the prime time of their lives the way they want it. <br /> <br /> -> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdev.holistichealthlabs.com%2Fvisionalivemax%2Findex-fb.php&h=AT0KTRGg3iq0XetOM2TNUbVc9j7KXjTgA-oJO41SpXmtylNw_coXFxHfo85TGgfIoGKAMLrg_ZDgtnwAS0RBNxAGCpBcmwjbw6_-A9geCBSe1z_ggNjtQeysZyqHH1UaNqgm_KpluQKgrmRtsNaMBWTvmygRatpG5fRVbA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://dev.holistichealthlabs.com/visionalivemax/index-fb.php</a> <br /> <br /> How the 8 Key Ingredients in Vision Alive Max Work Synergistically For Our Eyes - <br /> <br /> Introducing The #1 Ultimate Macula Supplement Everyone's Talking About - Vision Alive Max. <br /> <br /> See how our epic ingredients can support our eye health below: <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #1: Cyanidin-3-Glucoside (C3G) from black currant - Helps support our retinal health & stimulates rhodopsin regeneration. Rhodopsin helps our eyes adjust from a light to a dark setting faster, so that we can see clearer in the night or in dark areas. <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #2 - Bilberry - Exhibits protective effects by increasing its antioxidant defense mechanisms and acts like cannon fodder to block our eyes from UV or blue light. Note: We used a huge amount of 280 mg of bilberry extract that is standardized to 1.5% anthocyanins. <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #3 & #4 - Lutemax 2020 - Consists of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are yellow-red pigmented nutrients that accumulate in our retina. This is a patented ingredient that is shown to improve eye health and visual performance, reduce eye fatigue, and support sleep quality. <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #5 - Blueberry - The anthocyanins in blueberry suppress the formation of reactive oxygen species in our eyes and macula. Note: We used a huge amount of 120 mg of blueberries extract that is standardized to 12% anthocyanins. <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #6 - Maqui Berry - Improves the health of our tear glands, thereby increasing tear fluid production. Helps lubricate and moisturize our eyes. Note: We used the scientific dosage of 30 mg of maqui berry extract that is standardized to 25% Delphinidin 3,5-0-Diglucoside. <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #7 - Astaxanthin - Improves visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual functioning. <br /> <br /> Supernutrient #8 - Saffron - Contains crocetin and crocin, which improve retinal function and visual sharpness. May protect photoreceptors from retinal stress and heal the damage of these cells caused by oxidative stress.<br /> <br /> By combining these 8 key ingredients together in well-researched dosages, Vision Alive Max is the perfect formula for our eyes. <br /> <br /> And the best part?<br /> <br /> It’s 100% natural!<br /> <br /> Which means there’s less risk of long term health complications :)<br /> <br /> This makes it safe, effective, and great for long-term use!<br /> <br /> This is an all-in-one formula that provides all the necessary nutrients to achieve the optimum health that we want for our eyes. By combining all these ingredients into our breakthrough eye supplement, Vision Alive Max, the results surpassed our customers’ expectations.<br /> <br /> *** 30-day money-back guarantee, vegetarian-friendly, made in an FDA registered, GMP certified facility right here in the US with global ingredients***<br /> <br /> Read the science behind Vision Alive Max - and how its 100% natural ingredients work!<br /> -> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdev.holistichealthlabs.com%2Fvisionalivemax%2Findex-fb.php&h=AT2Tn7Y8bCj5-Ofdpbn-PG_5NzYvtHCFRicggMHiA3ztusOpsFqw2_WHHMEhC3RPQaFRiJrMP2pGY8zSX7vkvUWXVAf0ccS-EV1vS4q090diJFQ2rpiWrpBM9knH7uMpScW1ISxBwYw8b8H4WiponE1HbfEM6rultf6MUaxPpRdoPuz97Uc" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">https://dev.holistichealthlabs.com/visionalivemax/index-fb.php</a> | LEARN_MORE | https://dev.holistichealthlabs.com/visionalivemax/ | 1230902953645090 | Vision Alive | https://facebook.com/visionaliveofficial | 3,514 | 1 | 1,140,870,370,428,779 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Learn more | 0 | Vision Alive | 120207473488770249 | holistichealthlabs.com | NONE | image | Why everyone is raving about the 8 super ingredients in Vision Alive Max… | https://dev.holistichealthlabs.com/visionalivemax/index-fb.php | 2024-03-25 11:15 | https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434379583_1333221984015175_705747168486558773_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zDSN0cxMJAwAX8nqeGv&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBzkGdJufDc6tFBESCncwTTYlrkmfdDi-RBLP63gCMAzQ&oe=66099F37 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Vision Alive | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Click To Read on 👉Can't Let Go of This Love | He thought his lovely wife had arranged a romantic bedroom rendezvous on their anniversary. But when he took off his pants and cracked the Johnny package, he found an 8-times folded divorce agreement inside...<br /> ===<br /> Today marked the wedding anniversary of Briana Fabre and Scott Fisher. <br /> Briana: Come home early tonight. I've got a surprise for you, something you'll absolutely love :)<br /> After sending the text, Briana set her phone down and returned to the kitchen, intending to prepare a homemade dinner for Scott.<br /> A maid said in admiration, "Madam, you two are so much in love."<br /> Briana gave a wistful smile but said nothing.<br /> Love? Scott and her?<br /> <br /> At the beginning, Scott married Briana out of obligation. Over the three years since they tied the knot, Scott never lacked female company. <br /> He would come home twice a month at most and every intimate encounter with her was like a routine, rough and devoid of any tenderness.<br /> A week ago, as Briana was choosing a gift for their upcoming third anniversary, Scott's lover Krista Owens suddenly showed up with a pregnancy test report. <br /> With a triumphant air, Krista declared, "I'm pregnant. You should leave Scott to me."<br /> The moment she saw the report, compromise and self-deception, everything Briana had endured over the past three years overwhelmed her.<br /> At 7 PM, Scott arrived home, and the discreet servants made their exit.<br /> Briana had just set the table when Scott's warm breath enveloped her from behind. He held her chin and turned her head for a forceful kiss.<br /> She paused for a moment but quickly pushed him away.<br /> Scott's arms encircled her waist, and he pinched her chin with his long fingers. Squinting his eyes, he said indifferently, "You want me back for a good f, don't you?"<br /> Briana explained, "No. Today is our third anniversary. And I do have a gift for you."<br /> Scott released her and replied in a sarcastic tone, "A gift? Since when did we start to celebrate anniversaries?"<br /> Briana pursed her lips, remaining silent.<br /> She poured wine for both of them.<br /> Lifting her glass, she said, "Here's to our third anniversary. Cheers."<br /> Bathed in the soft light, Scott's features stood out, his chiseled jawline and straight nose cutting a sharp contrast against the backdrop. <br /> His pursed lips hinted at his dissatisfaction with this anniversary dinner for only the two of them.<br /> Briana chuckled, not expecting him to respond. She picked up her glass and gulped it in one go.<br /> After finishing the first glass, she started the second one, then the third...<br /> Before long, Briana's face was flushed from drinking. Despite seeing a smile on her face, Scott couldn't ignore the watery glint in her eyes.<br /> He sensed something was off about Briana today.<br /> At the end, Briana had had too much and was a bit tipsy. Leaning on the table and gazing at the man across from her, whose expression remained unchanged, she drawled, "Scott Fisher, can't you crack a little smile for me even today?"<br /> Scott stared at the groggy woman and lost his tongue.<br /> "Briana, when did you become so boring?" <br /> Briana rested her head on the table, forcing a wry smile. "Scott, you can't even give me a smile... This is our last..."<br /> Scott didn't want to waste any more time here. He lifted her up and carried her to the sofa.<br /> "Wait, my gift..."<br /> Scott withdrew his hand, turned around, and silently watched her.<br /> Briana's cheeks flushed. Her innocent and shimmering eyes gazed up at him.<br /> <br /> Scott swallowed hard. He had to admit the person before him was stunningly hot. She possessed enough allure that could make any man's heart race.<br /> Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen into her trap in the first place.<br /> Her lips which were painted by the color of the wine looked crimson and luscious.<br /> As her hands slipped under his shirt, he uncontrollably lifted her chin, pressing his lips onto hers for a French kiss.<br /> Briana winced, letting out a gasp.<br /> She bit his lip, causing the taste of blood to spread between their lips.<br /> The kiss was like a game. Whoever wins dominates the other.<br /> Just as Scott was about to fetch the johnny package from the bedside table, Briana's voice interrupted him. "Scott, happy anniversary! Let's get a divorce."<br /> The man on top of her froze. <br /> "What did you just say?"<br /> Briana knew he had heard her perfectly, yet she repeated firmly, "Let's get a divorce."<br /> Scott cooled down in an instant. Getting up from her, he asked in an icy tone, "How much do you want this time?"<br /> She was always like this, resorting to any means and tactics for money.<br /> "None."<br /> Briana took out a divorce agreement from under the pillow and passed it to him. "Look at this. If you have no problem with it, you may sign."<br /> Scott's face turned gloomy. "Briana, you better cut it out. I'm not interested in your boring games!"<br /> "I said I had a surprise for you. Here it is!"<br /> <br /> Briana handed the divorce agreement to Scott.<br /> Scott looked at her with an expressionless face. For no reason, he found her smile oddly unsettling.<br /> Scott pursed his lips. After a few seconds, he asked, "Are you serious?"<br /> Briana nodded, "Yeah. Do you like the gift?"<br /> "Good for you, Briana. Don't you regret it!"<br /> After that, Scott slammed the door shut and left.<br /> That night, Briana packed her things with only one suitcase.<br /> She didn't take anything that Scott had bought for her.<br /> And their third anniversary would be their divorce day.<br /> When Scott looked back on it later, he would surely celebrate this glorious day.<br /> It might be the most satisfying thing she had done for him during their marriage.<br /> Sitting in the cab, Briana watched the passing views outside. She suddenly felt a sense of relief.<br /> Though she had been a CEO's wife for three years, now she was going back to her own version of the slums.<br /> "You asked for a divorce?! Jesus! Just why?" Kaylee Graham bombarded Briana with questions.<br /> After she left, Briana came to her best friend's place with her luggage.<br /> Briana calmly explained, "Krista's pregnant."<br /> "And you didn't even ask Scott for a cent?" Kaylee was furious upon hearing Briana's answer.<br /> Briana shrugged, seemingly indifferent to her question. <br /> "Nope."<br /> "Are you out of your mind? You've been married to Scott for three years, and now he's cheating on you. It's his fault! You should at least demand half of his fortune..."<br /> While Kaylee vented her frustrations on Briana's behalf, Briana was immersed in her memories. <br /> Scott was forced to marry her because she was pregnant.<br /> That was why Scott harbored so much resentment toward her.<br /> <br /> Briana thought Scott now had Krista with him, who was carrying his child, so there was no point for her to stick around.<br /> Kaylee exclaimed in fury, "It's not the same. When you married Scott, he was single. But Krista, she clearly knew Scott was married. She's completely a home-wrecker!"<br /> "It doesn't matter anymore," Briana replied. <br /> "Anyway, he was forced to marry me. After divorce, I owe him nothing."<br /> ***<br /> The divorce agreement was placed on Scott's desk the next afternoon, with Briana's flamboyant signature on the last page, seemingly to be a threat.<br /> Calvin Lynn noticed his boss' face grow colder. So he stepped forward and said, "Mr. Fisher, I confirmed with the staff of Starlake Mansion. Ma'am moved out last night. Apart from her personal belongings, she took nothing."<br /> Scott tightened the grip on the agreement, tossing it on the table. <br /> "She wants nothing? Is this another hard-to-get game?"<br /> Calvin stayed silent. After all, he didn't marry Briana. How could he know what games they were playing?<br /> Scott had no intention of getting any useful answers from his assistant so he said calmly, "Leave me alone."<br /> <br /> Taking a couple of steps away, Calvin turned back at Scott. "Mr. Fisher, the necklace you order in Paris has arrived. How..."<br /> It was Scott's gift for Briana for their anniversary, but now it seemed utterly useless.<br /> "Throw it away!" Scott replied indifferently.<br /> Calvin responded, "I see."<br /> After Calvin exited the office, Scott picked up the divorce agreement again. His gaze fell on Briana's signature. A cold sneer gradually emerged on his face.<br /> To Scott, Briana was someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. She begged him for help at Dusk Club and then feigned pregnancy to force him into marriage. <br /> How could a woman with such malicious intentions suddenly have a change of heart?<br /> She just had a target.<br /> Scott crumpled the paper in his hand and tossed it into the trash bin.<br /> Briana waited at home for several days, but she didn't get Scott's call, neither were her texts to him read.<br /> She was going to find Scott in Dusk Club, a place he frequented.<br /> However, instead of running into Scott, she crossed paths with Scott's soon-to-be wife, Krista.<br /> Krista saw Briana. She walked over with a sneer and said in a mocking tone, "Haven't you given up yet? Are you looking for Scott here?"<br /> Briana shot a cold glance at Krista and said nothing.<br /> Emboldened by Briana's silence, Krista continued to shout, "Shame on you! I told you I'm pregnant, and you still refuse to let go of Scott, don't you?!"<br /> "Miss, let me remind you one thing. You're the one who interfered in my marriage. You're the third party."<br /> <br /> Briana's remarks left Krista stunned for several seconds before her face turned pale with anger. Krista raised her hand, intending to give Briana a good slap.<br /> Briana grabbed Krista's wrist and delivered a crisp slap in return. <br /> "I didn't say anything before because you are conceiving Scott's child. But that doesn't mean you can flaunt it in front of me again and again. Are you really that proud of being a mistress?"<br /> Briana's slap attracted the attention of many people around them.<br /> Krista suddenly felt ashamed. She tried to pull her hand back, but she couldn't match Briana's strength. <br /> Krista shouted, "That's nonsense! I'm not the mistress. I should have been Scott's wife! He's disgusted by you!"<br /> "I'm still Scott's legal wife. The kid you're carrying is evidence of his infidelity. If I decide to sue him, it will lead to him leaving with nothing!"<br /> Krista stared at Briana in disbelief. "I dare you..."<br /> "You can try."<br /> Despite being in the scorching heat of summer, the voice coming behind them sent chills down their spine.<br /> Briana hesitated for a moment, slowly releasing the hand she held on Krista's.<br /> Krista immediately rushed to Scott's side, covering her swollen face, tears coming out of her eyes, looking pitiful.<br /> Scott's gaze landed on Krista and then Briana. With his eyes cold, he uttered aloofly, "Do you need a lawyer?"<br /> Briana forced a smile. "Don't bother."<br /> She couldn't afford to hire a lawyer for a legal case that would not only be time-consuming and energy-draining but could also entangle her in a mess. <br /> He just wanted Krista to be scared.<br /> <br /> Scott took a step toward Briana and whispered to her, "So, 'leave with nothing' in the divorce agreement refers to me, huh?"<br /> Briana looked up and saw the mockery in his eyes. She immediately understood his implication and tried to explain, "It's not like that. I..."<br /> "Money can't satisfy your ambitions anymore. What you want is the entire Fisher Group now, right?"<br /> "Briana, don't you think you're being too cocky? If I do sign the agreement, what about your great plan?"<br /> Briana met his sarcastic gaze and smiled, "Then please sign it as soon as possible."<br /> Scott's voice turned icy. "What's your plan after that? Use the divorce agreement as evidence to sue me?"<br /> Briana maintained her smile. "Mr. Fisher, you're overthinking about it. Can't we just give each other a break? If you're still worried, I can write you a guarantee. I promise I won't ask you single cent for any reason or under any pretext. Is that okay?"<br /> Scott didn't expect Briana to be so decisive, as if she was eager to get rid of him. He furrowed his brows.<br /> Briana withdrew her gaze and quickly left without looking back.<br /> <br /> "Scott, she's so intractable. You should just divorce her..." Krista glanced at Briana's back with a scornful smile creeping to her lips.<br /> Scott looked back, scanning the person in front of him. He said, "Are you...out of your mind?"<br /> Krista was startled, unsure which part of her words offended him.<br /> Scott continued, "I didn't know you're pregnant."<br /> Krista nervously clutched her dress with both hands, stuttering for a while before saying, "I-I heard you hate her, Mr. Fisher. So, I um found an excuse and forced her to divor..."<br /> Wearing a scowl on his face, Scott interrupted, "I know what you're up to. Having Briana play such a dirty trick is enough. I don't wanna hear another rumor like that again, otherwise you know the consequences."<br /> Krista bit her lip, not daring to utter another word.<br /> After Scott left, Krista's friends finally breathed a sigh of relief. They approached and asked, "Kris, isn't Mr. Fisher your boyfriend? How can he talk to you like that?"<br /> <br /> Krista's face turned extremely pale. Scott had taken her to many social events recently, and he didn't even stop the rumors about their relationship, so she naturally assumed she became his kept woman.<br /> <br /> That was why she had the nerve to ask Briana to make room for her, even going so far as to forge a pregnancy test report.<br /> However, it seemed that Scott didn't take her that seriously...<br /> That night, Krista further inquired about the hidden stories of Scott and Briana's marriage.<br /> Three years ago, Briana's father had incurred high debts and couldn't afford to repay them. So the debtors sold Briana to Dusk Club. After she managed to escape, Briana met Scott and begged him for his help.<br /> Unexpectedly, two months later, Briana showed up at Scott's place with a pregnancy test report. The prestigious Fishers valued their reputation and didn't want any scandals. Coupled with her pregnancy, they asked Scott to marry Briana.<br /> Less than two months into the marriage, Briana suffered a sudden miscarriage.<br /> Scott was sure the whole thing was staged by Briana. First she was set up at Dusk Club, then she met him and faked the pregnancy--all the endeavor was her elaborate designs only to marry him.<br /> Briana waited for a few days but still got no response from Scott.<br /> What happened at Dusk Club that day gave her every reason to suspect that Scott's reluctance to divorce was a deliberate attempt to thoroughly disgust her. He wanted to subject her to mockery and the shame of being cuckolded. It was a retaliation for her past actions. <br /> While Scott had the patience to drag things out, Briana couldn't afford to continue this stalemate. Her initial plan was to finalize the divorce proceedings before making future plans. But now, she didn't want to sit idly by and decided to move on.<br /> Hearing Briana's plan of looking for a job, Kaylee perked up. "Why not join our magazine? We're expecting excellent designers to build our own brands."<br /> Briana hesitated. "Can I? I haven't produced any work over the past three years."<br /> "Darling, you've got it. No harm giving it a shot, right?"<br /> Convinced, Briana nodded. "Alright."<br /> Kaylee, a fast executor, put it into action right away. The very next day, she came to GioJewelry Magazine with Briana's work from three years ago.<br /> Elian Berks, the editor-in-chief, fixed his gaze on the signature of the works after reviewing them. After a pause, he asked, "Is Bria your friend?"<br /> Bria was Briana's alias as a designer.<br /> "Yeah, she's really talented, and her work is imbued with a distinctive flair. I'm sure she will surprise us."<br /> Elian was well aware of Bria's prowess. She was a rising star in the industry that disappeared at the peak of her career.<br /> Some said she ran out of inspiration after winning an award and couldn't create anything anymore. Others claimed she married into wealth, leading a secretive life afterward.<br /> There were all sorts of rumors about her sudden disappearance.<br /> No one anticipated that after three years, when she had faded from everyone's memory, she would make a comeback.<br /> Elian suggested, "Is she available tonight? Let's grab a meal together."<br /> Kaylee grasped the optimistic implication and accepted the invitation on behalf of Briana.<br /> *****<br /> <br /> During the meal, Briana had a great chat with Elian.<br /> Elian expressed that, given Briana's design skills, they could sign her up directly.<br /> Before leaving the restaurant, Kaylee took Briana to the restroom.<br /> While washing her hands, Kaylee said, "Great! You made it!"<br /> Though surprised at how smoothly things were going, Birana still had some worries. "I'm afraid my designs might not satisfy your boss."<br /> "Darling, believe in yourself! You were once the first-place winner in a design competition! This is a rare opportunity for you, just seize it. You heard what Elian said, didn't you? Just relax and be yourself."<br /> As Kaylee concluded her words, the sound of high heels echoed from the entrance.<br /> The next moment, Krista appeared before them.<br /> Seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, both parties paused for a moment. Krista disdainfully snorted while saying, "Why on earth I can see you everywhere?"<br /> Briana grabbed a piece of tissue to dry her hands, replying without expression, "If you want a beating, I can do you a favor. No need to beat around the bush."<br /> "You..."<br /> After their previous encounter, Krista had already accepted the facet that she was no match for Briana. Now, as she found herself outnumbered two to one, she felt certain that her chances of success were slim to none.<br /> Thus, she resorted to a verbal battle. With a cynical tone, she retorted, "Briana, do you have no shame? Shall I remind you of the dirty tricks you played to marry Scott? Don't pretend to be superior to me!"<br /> Just as Kaylee was about to refute, Briana grabbed her wrist.<br /> Calmly looking at Krista, Briana asked, "Did Scott tell you that?"<br /> It was evident that Krista was a woman of no wisdom. She hadn't brought up this matter in their previous encounters, so judging from her current smug state, Briana knew Krista had only just learned about it.<br /> "Yeah, he said you make him sick. Meeting you at Dusk Club is the biggest regret of his life!"<br /> Noticing Briana's expressionless face, Krista suddenly realized she might have gone too far. Cautiously, she took a step back.<br /> To her surprise, Briana stayed put, displaying no inclination to engage in a confrontation or resort to violence. She simply calmly turned and walked away.<br /> Observing this, Kaylee followed Briana.<br /> "Honey, forget it. No point in getting mad over those two playboys..."<br /> Before Kaylee could finish her sentence, she saw Scott, the man she had labeled as a "bad guy", standing not far ahead and engaged in a casual conversation with someone.<br /> But Briana acted as if she hadn't seen him, walking toward his direction without batting an eyelid.<br /> Scott's friend, Jerry Parker, who was standing nearby, sensed a subtle but escalating tension from behind. Turning around, he exclaimed, "Isn't that your wife? What's she doing here?"<br /> Scott looked up, furrowing his brows with a trace of impatience in his eyes.<br /> That woman followed him all the way here, and she still claimed all she wanted was a divorce?<br /> Since when did she become so scheming?<br /> As she approached, Scott was ready to deliver a rebuke when, to his surprise, Briana didn't even spare a glance at him, nor did she show any intention of pausing.<br /> Expressionless, she brushed past him.<br /> Scott stared at her back with his jaws dropped.<br /> He had always been the center of her life in their previous martial life. His mood was closely connected to Briana's and his words meant the world to her.<br /> Briana never ignored him like this, not even once!<br /> Having observed the the awkwardness on Scott's face, Jerry chuckled and comforted him, "Oops, my bad, it's not her." <br /> In Jerry's memory, Scott rarely took Briana out, and Jerry had only seen Briana twice.<br /> The first occasion was when Scott forgot some documents at home, and Briana delivered them to his office. Faced with Scott's cold reception, Briana showed a momentary hint of disappointment but didn't utter a complaint.<br /> The second encounter transpired at Scott's grandpa's birthday celebration, which was during the second year of Scott and Briana's marriage. The entire Fisher family alienated her, and Scott didn't make her known to anyone.<br /> On that evening, Briana seemed like an unpaid servant, occupied with chores and not receiving a single kind word. Instead, she was criticized for being a pain in the neck.<br /> From Jerry's perspective, Briana was a model wife, easygoing and considerate, a completely different person from the aggressive and menacing woman tonight.<br /> Scott kept his eyes on the direction Briana went, not uttering a word.<br /> Jerry cleared his throat, changing the topic. "I ran into Elian at the entrance."<br /> Scott asked, "Who's that?"<br /> "The editor-in-chief from GioJewelry Magazine."<br /> "Emm... Heard that name somewhere before."<br /> Fisher Group had some dealings with GioJewelry Magazine, and Scott had crossed paths with Elian a few times.<br /> Jerry said, "Elian just told me that he found Bria. If things go smoothly, she'll be the hotshot designer for their magazine. Do you remember Bria?"<br /> "Nope."<br /> He didn't see the point of remembering someone who didn't matter.<br /> Jerry said, "But You surely remember sponsoring the 7th Emerging Designers Competition three years ago, right? Bria won first place, and she had the chance to receive full financial support from your company for her studies in Paris. Surprisingly, she declined that opportunity for some unknown reason."<br /> After a pause, he added, "But I heard she asked the organizer if she could skip the financial support and get cash instead. The organizer verified with you, and you turned her proposal down. After that, we never heard from her again. She was a designer with immense potential. What a pity."<br /> Scott slowly withdrew his gaze, lost in thought. It wasn't clear if he was processing Jerry's words.<br /> "Oh. Doesn't ring a bell."<br /> *****<br /> Elian drove Briana and Kaylee home, bidding farewell. "Ms. Fisher, looking forward to your work and our collaboration."<br /> Briana nodded. "Thank you. I'll give it my all."<br /> Elian smiled at them. "Take care. See you next week."<br /> Back at home, Kaylee asked, "Honey, are you still upset about those two notorious playboys?"<br /> Briana was a bit distracted, and she echoed Kaylee. Soon, she came back to her senses. "No, I'm thinking about the design theme."<br /> Elian had given her the theme "First Love", and Kaylee mentioned it was the magazine's top series after signing the new designers, which targeted young consumers. So, the design was quite crucial for them.<br /> But the term "first love" was entirely unfamiliar to Briana.<br /> The delightful fluttering that came with being around a crush had long faded away over the past three years of her marriage with Scott, leaving nothing behind.<br /> Kaylee asked, "Speaking of which, have you not been in touch with Desmond all these years?"<br /> Briana shook her head.<br /> Three years ago, she won the first prize in the competition and could have had the opportunity to study in Paris, but she turned it down.<br /> Desmond Olsen, her friend in college, had come to see her a few times and asked why she did so.<br /> Briana didn't dare to tell him the truth, so she deleted all his contact information.<br /> What could she say? Should she tell him that while she was enveloped in the joy of winning the first prize, she suddenly learned about her father owing a million dollars to a loan shark?<br /> Kaylee sighed, leaning back on the sofa. "Honestly, I still feel sorry for you and Desmond. Back in school, you were such a perfect match. Everyone could tell that you liked each other. You were just a step away from making it official. I thought you two would be together after going to Paris, but who'd have known... Well, that's fate."<br /> Briana remained silent for a long time before saying, "The past is the past."<br /> At night, as Briana lay in bed later, the words Krista had said to her in the restroom uncontrollably echoed in her mind.<br /> Though Briana knew Scott would never use such vulgar and crude language to talk about her, the meaning conveyed didn't deviate.<br /> Briana knew she had implicated Scott, so over the three years, she tried her best to play the role of a good wife.<br /> She satisfied his needs, prepared his breakfast every morning, ironed his clothes before work, and remembered the patterns of all his ties. <br /> She even covered up her allergy symptoms and made him his favorite hummus.<br /> Yet, his dislike for her never diminished.<br /> Thinking about it, Briana felt her heart clench with pain. She buried her head in the blanket, in a half-asleep state, recalling some things.<br /> Three years ago, to pay off her father's debt, she sacrificed her dignity to ask the organizer of the competition if she could skip the chance to study in Paris and get cash instead.<br /> She still remembered the sarcastic tone of that person. "I'm sorry. Our boss said this opportunity is for those genuinely dreaming of design, not for those treating this competition as an opportunity to profit."<br /> After hearing this, Briana was stunned for a long time. She spent the entire night crying.<br /> Who wouldn't want to chase their dreams?<br /> A few days later, her father ran away, and the loan shark came to her home, forcing her to make a choice: Either chop off her younger brother Caleb's hand or leave with them.<br /> With no other option, Briana followed them out of the house in silence, ignoring Caleb's desperate cries.<br /> Those people sold her to Dusk Club, a place designed for wealthy individuals to indulge in entertainment.<br /> They spiked her drink. Even though she had mentally prepared herself to face it, when that obese middle-aged man in his fifties or so entered the room, she still could not help but think of Desmond and the unfinished Paris appointment.<br /> Summoning strength from somewhere within, she pushed the man away and staggered out.<br /> She didn't know how far she had run until she finally saw a blurry tall figure ahead. Collapsing to the ground, she clutched the man's well-fitted suit and begged, "Please help me..."<br /> After that, she blacked out completely.<br /> When she woke up again, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, with a stranger lying beside her. The scattered clothes by the bed were evidence enough of what had transpired the night before.<br /> After the initial distress, she began to console herself. At least the man was good-looking, far better than the obese guy last night.<br /> She rushed back home in a panic, only to discover that the loan shark had returned to find her. Fortunately, Caleb wasn't at home because he had gone out looking for her.<br /> Briana called Caleb to reassure him, instructing him not to come home, and suggested that he lodge with a friend instead.<br /> Then, she sought shelter at Kaylee's.<br /> Hiding for two months, one day, Briana realized she was pregnant.<br /> Briana locked herself in her room for three days, and just as she had a flash of inspiration and was about to put her jewelry design ideas on paper, she received a call.<br /> "Mrs. Fisher, I'm Calvin, Mr. Fisher's assistant. Mr. Fisher is going on a business trip to the Maldives tomorrow. Do you know where his blue and white striped shirt is?"<br /> Briana had always hated being interrupted right when inspiration struck, especially for such trivial matters. It made her suspect that Scott was deliberately getting on her nerves. Without hesitation, she shouted, "What's wrong with him? We're divorced. I'm not his maid!"<br /> With that, she hung up the phone.<br /> Two minutes later, Briana's phone rang again. It was from Scott.<br /> She hesitated for a moment but still answered it.<br /> "Briana, you have half an hour to come back."<br /> "I..."<br /> This time, without waiting for her response, Scott hung up the phone.<br /> Briana clenched her phone, wishing she could give that trash a good beating.<br /> Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she finally got up and left the room.<br /> Seeing her annoyed face, Kaylee couldn't help but ask, "Darling, where are you going at this late hour?"<br /> "To settle the scores with that brad!"<br /> Of course, Briana was just venting her frustration, as she didn't have the ability to be Scott's match.<br /> Arriving at Scott's villa, the servants had already retired, and it was eerily quiet all around.<br /> Briana went upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door, only to find Scott sitting on the sofa in casual attire, flipping through documents.<br /> He heard the steps, yet he didn't bother to look up at her.<br /> Briana walked straight to the wardrobe, rummaging through it until she finally found the blue and white striped shirt mentioned by Calvin.<br /> The moment she saw the shirt, she was stunned for a moment.<br /> She bought this shirt for Scott when she learned he was going to Hawaii for a business trip the year they had just gotten married.<br /> She thought it was perfect for a beach setting.<br /> When she gave the shirt to Scott, he looked at her coldly and said, "Don't try to please me with such cheap stuff, and cut down on your lame schemes."<br /> Briana had no idea what schemes he was talking about, but since then, she had never bought anything for Scott again.<br /> He didn't care about the shirt back then, yet now, he specifically asked her back to look for it.<br /> It was definitely his attempt at revenge or intentionally teasing her.<br /> Briana picked up the shirt in silence, left the wardrobe, and placed it on the bed. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed Scott was talking on the phone with someone. Throughout the entire conversation, his tone was very low, and he didn't spare her a glance, as if she didn't exist.<br /> Briana had initially planned to bring up the topic of divorce, but seeing that there was no suitable moment, she turned around and left without a word.<br /> Briana had just reached the living room downstairs when Scott's voice stopped her.<br /> Scott stood on the stairs, looking down at her with his usual cold expression. "Did you find the shirt?"<br /> "It's on your bed."<br /> "Just that one shirt?"<br /> Briana didn't quite understand. "What else do you want?"<br /> Scott pinched his nose, looked away then back at Briana. "I'm going on a week-long business trip. Do you think I can get by with just one shirt?"<br /> Some memories from the past well up Briana's mind. When they were married, she would always pack up for him before his business trip. <br /> Unexpectedly, after diligently serving the man for three years, she didn't gain a good name but ended up spoiling him.<br /> Briana calmly stated, "Mr. Fisher, allow me to remind you again. We are already divorced, so chores like packing your luggage are not my duty anymore. Kindly ask your maid or your next wife for assistance. Don't bother me with such matters again. Thank you."<br /> Scott descended the stairs at his own pace and stopped in front of her. "Let me remind you something as well. We haven't completed the divorce proceedings, and you are still legally my wife. These tasks are your duty."<br /> "No room for negotiation, is that it?"<br /> "I don't want to repeat myself."<br /> Briana pressed her lips together and took out her phone for a number. "Since you seem to enjoy being served, I have a perfect candidate. I'm sure she's more than willing to do that."<br /> However, as soon as she found the number and was about to dial, her phone was snatched away.<br /> Scott stared at her with a cold expression. "Briana, have I been too indulgent with you?"<br /> Briana looked at her empty hand and smiled. "Mr. Fisher, mind your language. We don't seem that close."<br /> The chill in Scott's eyes deepened. "When will this cat-and-mouse game end, huh? Don't repeatedly challenge my patience. Just tell me what you want."<br /> Briana paused for a few seconds before saying, "Mr. Fisher, didn't you say what I want is the Fisher Group? Will you give it to me?"<br /> "Never."<br /> "Then divorce. I don't want anything."<br /> Scott, impatient, furrowed his brows. "You still think divorce can be a threat to me?"<br /> Briana was puzzled. Wasn't he always eager to get rid of her? Why did it seem like she was now the one pleading for a divorce?<br /> "I know you doubt my intentions. Like I said, I can write a guarantee. Even during the divorce, you can bring lawyers and photographers along to prove it's my initiative, and I won't extort a single penny from you."<br /> Scott pressed his lips, remaining silent.<br /> "Or are you afraid I'll take the divorce to the media and tarnish your reputation and the Fisher family? You can rest assured of that, too. I swear, if I try to gain any advantage by exploiting our divorce, I will rot in my after life."<br /> After a while, Scott finally spoke. "Do you think I'll believe you just because you swore it?"<br /> Briana looked at him helplessly. "So what do you want then? Do I have to wait for you to decorate our house with your affairs?"<br /> Scott glanced at her and sneered.<br /> Even though he didn't say a word, Briana knew exactly what he meant.<br /> She knew he was just mocking her, implying that she had no right to judge others, especially when playing the same trick as Krista's.<br /> Just as Briana wanted to persuade Scott one last time, his icy tone sounded. "I'll be on a business trip tomorrow. We'll talk when I get back."<br /> Briana instantly smiled. "No problem. I'll wait for you no matter how long. Give me a call when you return, and I'll rush to divorce you. I promise!"<br /> Noticing her distinct attitude, the mockery in Scott's eyes grew more intense as he turned and went upstairs.<br /> What an ungrateful woman.<br /> In another month, it would be the anniversary celebration of GioJewelry Magazine. They planned to leverage this opportunity to hold a press conference, officially announcing the launch of their jewelry brand to all media.<br /> To ensure the success of this press conference, Briana didn't dare to slack off. Besides staying at home to draw sketches every day, she also had to choose the materials for the jewelry.<br /> She was so busy with her preparations that she completely forgot about the divorce she had planned with Scott. She also had no idea when he returned from his business trip.<br /> Probably because of Briana's ignorance, Scott never contacted her again.<br /> One day, just as Briana put down her pen, ready to take a short break, her phone on the table buzzed.<br /> She turned to look at it and saw the devil's name on the screen.<br /> It was her father, Jarvin.<br /> Briana frowned and waited until the phone buzzed again before answering.<br /> "Hey, Briana, I have been tight on cash lately. Can you lend me 200 grand?" Jarvin's voice came from the other end.<br /> "I have no money," said Briana.<br /> "Then go ask your husband! He's filthy rich. I'm sure that's just spare change for him." Jarvin insisted.<br /> "What do you think he is? A wishing well? His money has nothing to do with me. Also, I've divorced him, so I have no reason to ask him for money," Briana said coldly.<br /> "What!" Jarvin shouted on the other end of the phone. "How could you divorce him? Did you have my permission? Even in a divorce, he should give you half of his assets. How could you have no money? Give me two million immediately, or you'll regret it!"<br /> Briana hung up the phone without hesitation.<br /> Not long after, Caleb called her. "Did Jarvin ask you for money? No matter what he says, don't give him any. He recently went gambling and owed over a hundred thousand. Now, he's keeping his creditors at bay."<br /> Briana said, "I know. I didn't give him anything."<br /> When she paid Jarvin's million-dollar debt last time, she had said that if he went gambling again, she would never see him again and watch him die if that ever happened.<br /> But a gambler was forever a gambler. Over the years, Jarvin had found various excuses to ask her for money, claiming he broke a leg and needed surgery or that Caleb got into a fight and needed compensation.<br /> Jarvin knew Briana would never ignore her little brother, even if she didn't care about her dad at all.<br /> At first, both Briana and Caleb had been fooled by him twice, but later on, they no longer fell for his tricks.<br /> After a brief silence, Briana continued, "Caleb, do you want to go abroad? I still have some money, which should be enough to let you study abroad. Plus, you can get a scholarship..."<br /> She wanted to send Caleb away, far away from Jarvin's trouble and nonsense.<br /> Caleb interrupted her, "No need, I'll stay in the country, not going anywhere."<br /> Briana sighed silently, knowing this was his final decision. "As you wish, then. If you need money, let me know."<br /> "No need, you can keep them. I'll earn some myself if I need any," Caleb replied. "Is Scott treating you well lately?"<br /> When Scott was mentioned, Briana felt a bit awkward. She smiled before responding, "Yeah, well enough, but I'm going to divorce him."<br /> Caleb paused as if not surprised to hear that at all. He said, "That's fine. I'll be your support in the future."<br /> Briana chuckled. "Come on, I have a career. It's not like I have to stay home for the rest of my life. Just focus on your studies."<br /> After hanging up the phone, Briana left the bedroom and found Kaylee curled up on the sofa, looking pale and weak.<br /> She asked, "Kaylee, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"<br /> Kaylee shook her head, her voice weak. "My Aunt Flo is here. Don't worry. I'll be fine in a while."<br /> Despite Kaylees's words, Briana went out for painkillers.<br /> Downstairs, Briana went to the pharmacy to buy what she needed and then headed to the nearby supermarket.<br /> As she looked at the rows of sanitary pads in front of her, she suddenly realized that she hadn't had her period for almost two months.<br /> Since the miscarriage three years ago, her menstrual cycle had been irregular, sometimes taking two or three months to arrive.<br /> Thus, Briana believed it should be coming soon, so she grabbed a few extra packs in case of Aunt Flo's sudden visit.<br /> After paying the bill, just as Briana was about to leave, a woman walked into the store and bumped into her. Briana's shopping bag fell to the ground, but the woman did not seem to care. She only patted her clothes, expressing disdain. "Are you blind?"<br /> Briana looked up at her and recognized her as Scott's cousin, Lauren Fisher.<br /> "After all this time, haven't you learned how to walk?" Briana retorted.<br /> Lauren's gaze swept over Briana, and her arrogant and disdainful expression became more pronounced. "Oh, it's you. What are you doing here late at night? Hiding your shady affairs from my cousin?"<br /> Briana couldn't be bothered with her. She bent down to pick up the fallen shopping bag and calmly replied, "Lauren, you should've stayed there forever since you ran off abroad. I was born to be malicious and vengeful, you know?"<br /> At Briana's words, Lauren paled and stepped back nervously. "What do you want?"<br /> Briana raised an eyebrow. "Oh, no biggie. Remember how you caused my miscarriage? So you better watch out once you are pregnant!"<br /> As Briana spoke, her threatening gaze lingered on Lauren.<br /> Although Lauren was far from being pregnant, Briana's gaze still frightened her. "You're crazy! You were pregnant because you said so! Don't ever try to blame me just because I accidentally bumped into you. Also, if you dare to harm me, my family will never spare you! And... And my cousin will divorce you and kick you out! You won't even get a penny from your divorce!"<br /> "Well, let's see. I have nothing to lose," Briana said.<br /> "You're insane!"<br /> Lauren yelled, then turned to leave, feeling guilty.<br /> Outside the supermarket, Lauren got into the Land Rover parked on the side of the street, looking displeased.<br /> The man beside her said indifferently, "Why the long face? And where's the water you're supposed to buy?"<br /> Lauren complained, "Desmond, do you remember what I told you before? The woman who used a fake pregnancy to pressure my cousin into marriage? I actually ran into her just now. It was so disgusting!"<br /> Desmond remained indifferent. "Go get your water, or we'll be leaving."<br /> "Desmond, you..."<br /> Lauren paused abruptly when she noticed Desmond's gaze fixed on something outside the car. She followed his gaze, but there was nothing there. Just as she was about to ask, Desmond suddenly opened the door and rushed out.<br /> Lauren hurriedly followed, catching up to Desmond, who seemed to be searching for something in the crowd. "Desmond, what's wrong? What are you looking for?"<br /> Desmond gradually regained his composure and gazed down. "Nothing. I must have mistaken someone for another."<br /> He had just seen someone that resembled Briana.<br /> "Let's go, then," said Lauren, tucking Desmond's hand into her arms.<br /> However, Desmond pulled his hand out of her embrace, saying, "Lauren, I'll get you a cab. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't send you home."<br /> "But you promised me just now..."<br /> Ignoring Lauren's protest, Desmond strode away without hesitation.<br /> *****<br /> After returning home, Briana placed the food she bought into the refrigerator. She then poured a glass of water for the listless Kaylee on the sofa.<br /> Kaylee took the glass and waved her phone at Briana with excitement. "Honey, check this out! Desmond is back and he's looking for you. I have no idea who gave him my contact!"<br /> Kaylee placed the phone in front of Briana, and Briana saw two texts on the screen.<br /> Desmond: I'm Desmond Olsen.<br /> Desmond: Have you heard from Briana lately?<br /> Briana kept staring at the messages in a daze until the screen went dark.<br /> Kaylee said, "Should I tell him that you're currently living with me? Or should I just give him your number directly?"<br /> Briana instinctively shook her head. "No, not for now..."<br /> Kaylee knew what Briana was worried about and didn't insist. She sighed and lied to Desmond, saying that she hadn't seen Briana for a long time, but she would inform him as soon as she got any news.<br /> Lying in bed, sleep eluded Briana all night. It wasn't until dawn that she closed her eyes in a daze.<br /> But not long after, her phone began buzzing frantically. In a trance, she fumbled for a while before answering.<br /> A man's voice came from the other end of the phone. "Mrs. Fisher, there's a situation at the company. It would be better for you to come and take a look."<br /> The man continued saying something, but Briana didn't catch another word. It wasn't until more than ten minutes after the call ended that she finally shook off her sleepiness.<br /> Company? What company?<br /> Briana rechecked the income call and realized it was from Scott's assistant, Calvin.<br /> She scratched her head annoyedly, got changed, rushed to the bathroom for a quick wash, and then hurriedly called a cab.<br /> By the time she reached Fisher Group, it was precisely twelve ten. It was lunchtime, so the street was more crowded than usual.<br /> At this moment, almost all the passers-by had gathered at the entrance of the Fisher Group building, eagerly watching the commotion.<br /> "Don't you dare touch me! I am your CEO's father-in-law. Believe it or not, I can have him fire all of you! Does Scott Fisher think he can get away from this? Tell him that even in a divorce, he must at least give us half of his assets! My daughter has been married to him for three years, satisfying his every need, and now he wants to divorce her without giving her any compensation. How could he be so despicable!"<br /> When Briana arrived, she happened to overhear the "satisfying his every need" part. Her face instantly turned pale as an unprecedented sense of shame overwhelmed her, and she wished she could disappear on the spot.<br /> Just as she was about to flee the scene, Calvin, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, stood by her side and whispered, "Mrs. Fisher, your father has been causing a scene here for half an hour, causing significant disruption to Fisher Group. Mr. Fisher has given you three minutes to resolve this matter. Otherwise, we'll turn in your father to the police!"<br /> Briana lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting the glass walls of Fisher Group. <br /> She could not see what was inside but Scott's disdain toward her must have reached new heights after this incident, possibly even harboring thoughts of ending things for good.<br /> With the assistance of security brought by Calvin, Briana maneuvered through the crowd and approached Jarvin who spotted her and stood up, brushing off the dust.<br /> "You've arrived at the perfect moment. Tell Scott Fisher to come down. Let's discuss the division of his assets."<br /> Watching Jarvin's dramatic display on the ground, an unprecedented weariness washed over her. <br /> She immediately turned to Calvin and said, "Call the police."<br /> Calvin nodded in response.<br /> As Briana departed, Jarvin hurriedly reached out to stop her. "What on earth are you doing, Briana? I am your father! I will keep just part of it, and you will the rest!"<br /> Briana shook off his hand. "You are creating a scene here for money, not for me, and you know it! Feel free to make a fool of yourself. I swear I'll enjoy the peaceful days if you get detained by the police. I won't bail you out! Neither will Caleb!"<br /> Jarvin slapped her, shouting, "How dare you! How could you do this to your father? Have you no shame?"<br /> As the onlookers multiplied, Briana felt suffocating. Head down, she quickly departed.<br /> Despite the commotion, Scott didn't make an appearance. As his patience fading away, he was ready to leave.<br /> In a determined tone, he faced the security guards and declared, "Tell Scott Fisher that I'll return in a few days!"<br /> As Briana walked into another block, a tall figure suddenly stopped her.<br /> "Don't you think you should be responsible for what happened today?" A deep voice sounded.<br /> She raised her head only to greet Scott's face.<br /> He was wearing a long trench coat, blocking away the lights behind him. She could see his refined jaw lines and his thin lips pursed tightly together, his eyes filled with displease.<br /> "Sorry, I didn't know my father would..."<br /> "How are you going to compensate me?"<br /> Briana furrowed in confusion. "Compensate? You gave my father money?"<br /> Scott stared at her face, his tone calm. "No, but what he did to day made the Fisher Group suffer great loss both in name and finance, don't you think?"<br /> Briana cracked a smile. She had no idea a man like Scott could go this down on her.<br /> "Fine! How much does Mr. Fisher want? I will give it to you!"<br /> Narrowing his eyes, he was not pleased with Briana's answer. And he believed that, under such circumstance, as long as Briana begged him, he could let it pass.<br /> However, Briana insisted that she compensate him, being so indifferent.<br /> "Oh, right! Mr. Fisher, before you name your price, do you have a minute to get a divorce? I don't wanna drag it so long."<br /> She put on a fake and polite smile.<br /> Looking at her sweet smile, Scott was totally irritated. He grabbed her hand and yelled, "Briana! You wanna talk about divorce at this point?"<br /> "You have a better choice? I don't get to see you everyday! When on earth can I ever talk about it? My dear Mr. Fisher!"<br /> Briana shouted back at him with red eyes, her hand hurting.<br /> He kept staring at her for a long while before shaking off her hand.<br /> Biting the inside of his cheek as if restraining himself, he replied, "Great, then 3 PM at the courthouse."<br /> Then he left Briana and walked away.<br /> Briana found a bench on the street and sat down. She hugged her knees, and buried her face in them.<br /> If possible, she wished to go to a place where no one knew her and start anew, a place without Jarvin, without Scott, and without those unbearable insults.<br /> After some time, wiping away her tears, Briana prepared to go to the courthouse. However, as soon as she stood up, dizziness overwhelmed her, and the whole world started spinning.<br /> In a few seconds, she fainted.<br /> When she woke up, she found herself in the hospital for hypoglycemia.<br /> Rubbing her head, she checked her phone for the time. It was 4:30 PM.<br /> She had completely missed the appointment with Scott.<br /> Briana was about to send Scott a message to explain when the nurse told her shocking news.<br /> "Oh, by the way, you're pregnant. Take good care of yourself, especially in the first three months. It would be best if you come back with the father for a check-up in a few days."<br /> This news was like a thunderbolt on a clear day, comparable to the shock she felt that night when she learned about Jarvin's one million dollar debt from a loan shark.<br /> Uncovering the blanket, she rushed to the obstetrics and gynecology department for a checkup.<br /> After the checkup, the doctor said, "You are indeed pregnant, 40 days into the journey, and the fetus shows normal development. However, I have to remind you that your past miscarriage with substantial bleeding and inadequate post-care has left some impact on your health. This pregnancy wasn't easy to come by. But there's no need for excessive worry. Take good care of yourself."<br /> Briana asked hesitantly, "What if... I don't want this baby? Can I do an surgery?"<br /> The doctor paused, probably not expecting her to say this. "While an surgery is a viable option, you have to consider it very carefully. Given the challenges your body has faced in achieving pregnancy, if you terminate this pregnancy, you might..."<br /> "Not be able to get pregnant again in the future?"<br /> "There's a high chance."<br /> "If you haven't made up your mind yet, you can come to me in two weeks."<br /> "If you decide to proceed, come back in two weeks."<br /> "Okay."<br /> Somehow, Briana managed to leave the hospital in an utterly lost state. <br /> The thought of sharing this situation with Scott briefly crossed her mind. However, that idea was immediately out of her head.<br /> Scott would never ever accept this baby!<br /> In the evening, when Kaylee returned, the apartment was pitch dark. Turning on the light, she found Briana sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, eyes closed, motionless.<br /> Kaylee was startled. "What happened, sweetie?"<br /> Briana slowly opened her eyes and said in despair, "I'm pregnant."<br /> "That's good news, sweetie! Wait, you are preg..." Kaylee finally came back to her senses, her eyes widening all of a sudden. <br /> "You're carrying that garbage's baby?"<br /> "Yeah."<br /> "F...What are you going to do? Are you going to tell him?"<br /> Briana shook her head. "No. We're headed for a divorce anyway."<br /> After a pause, Kaylee asked again, "Are you... keeping the baby?"<br /> Briana fell silent, uncertain of how to respond.<br /> To be honest, whatever happened between her and Scott had nothing to do with the child growing in her womb.<br /> Besides, she had already lost a child three years ago.<br /> But if she decided to keep the baby...<br /> She replied, "I'm a mess now. I need to think it over."<br /> Exiting the bathroom, she hesitated for ages before finally dialing Scott's number.<br /> After a good while, the call was connected. But Krista's triumphant voice came through! | USE_MOBILE_APP | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.d | 158922597315631 | Sweet love story | https://facebook.com/61555619100154 | 19 | 2 | 1,055,909,935,484,937 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Use app | 0 | Sweet love story | 120207675514180376 | play.google.com | NONE | image | Great Story Starts Here | http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader&referrer=utm_source%3Dapps.facebook.com%26utm_campaign%3Dfb4a%26utm_content%3D%257B%2522app%2522%253A0%252C%2522t%2522%253A1711361565%252C%2522source%2522%253Anull%257D | 2024-03-25 05:15 | https://scontent.frkh1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434326434_956453166112938_4393517177557670958_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nLe5eVVDj_IAX-4kY4q&_nc_ht=scontent.frkh1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBszsU_tiErK2lyuKs4iYR8-fqD-wBnetPxqqOT2m16Lw&oe=66091916 | person_profile | 0 | Sweet love story | https://scontent.frkh1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434364677_1859036274526194_4170436665422837492_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oNFWuzfkkHAAX8BVl3J&_nc_ht=scontent.frkh1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDcEsy9ZT0ulz1RyhQg0zS6zwLwiz1RtnYIj0unBlvT6Q&oe=6609AE96 | 0 | 3 | Sweet love story | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 1426955238213050 | 🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻 | "You're the one who knew that I was your mate for two years! You never said anything to me! And yet you still stayed with Cassie! You chose her over me!" I snapped back at him.<br /> "You're right I did choose Cassie, because I love her and I have loved her since we were 10 years old! And I will continue to choose Cassie!"<br /> "So why did you just mate me!?"<br /> "Because my wolf was going insane without you. He wanted me to mark you but I can't do that. I won't do it!" He growls at me, taking a step closer to me.<br /> _________<br /> Following Royal into the woods, we both don't say anything. We get to a flat piece of land and he stopped suddenly.<br /> I slammed right into his back and he reaches my arm to steady me. As soon as his hand touches my arm, electrical tingles shoot through me making me shiver. He instantly let's go and takes a couple steps forward.<br /> Maisie whimpers at the loss of contact. Royal turns around instantly and looks at me. He hasn't said one word but he just keeps looking.<br /> As I wait for him to say something, I can't help but notice how great he looks. Pitch black hair, the lightest blue eyes that are almost gray are gorgeous. His tan skin looks so soft against his olive green fitted T-shirt. His dark jeans hang on his hips that makes my mouth water. His entire left arm is covered in a tattoo. It looks to be a forest scene.<br /> He takes a step closer to me. I look him straight in the eyes as he comes closer. I have to lean my head up to look at him. The top of my head doesn't even reach the top of his shoulder.<br /> He reaches out, and brushes the back of his knuckle across my cheek. Leaving a tingling sensation that makes me gasp. He takes his hand and caresses the side of my face. Tingling is everywhere, I push my head into the palm of his hand more and he starts to pur.<br /> The noise relaxes me and I close my eyes. Just listening and enjoying the sensation and the heat radiating off him. His other hand lightly touches my arm. The tingling is overwhelming and I can't help the moan that escapes my mouth.<br /> Without warning he pecks me hard. It takes me a couple seconds to relax and lean in toward him. I wrap my hands around his neck. Holding him in place while one of his arms wrap around my waist and his hand squeezes my hip pulling me against him. His other hand is at the back of my neck, fingers digging for my hair.<br /> Our pecking turns frenzied. It's like we can't get close enough. His purring is loud making me moan into his mouth. I move my hands down across his arms. Feeling his muscles. Moving across his chest and down his torso. I can feel every dip and rise of his abs. I tug at the end of his shirt, he breaks away from the buss to takeoff his shirt. He grabs the back and yanks it over his head tossing it on the ground. His chest quickly rising and falling as he breeds quickly.<br /> I drink him in. My own chest heaving as I trail my fingers down his chest and across his abs. His jeans are hung low on his hips and there is a perfect V going down. Trace my fingertips across it to the center where there is a small strip of hair. He groans and I look up at his eyes as my finger keeps exploring.<br /> His pupils are blown wide. The only sounds in the woods are a mix of our heavy breathing and his purring. His hands caressed the sides of my face. He pecks me softly making me whimper. My hands wrap around his back.<br /> His hands slowly push the straps my dress down. Slowly pushing the zipper down. The dress falls to the ground as he pecks the sides of my neck making me moan and tilt my head to the side. I can feel how hard his shaft is against my stomach.<br /> He quickly unclasps my bra and leaving open mouth pecks a long my collarbone making my breathing hitch in my throat. I grab the button of his jeans and quickly undo it then pulling the zipper down.<br /> His hand cup my breasts as I push his jeans to the ground. His shaft stand straight. His free hand travels down my stomach and into my panties. Slowly circling my cherry, I gasp. He pecks me hard as he continues to rub me. I reach between us and grasp huge shaft. Stroking him slowly.<br /> His fingers go deeper feeling how wet I am. Growling as his lips peck my neck and he sinks a finger into my private part. Leaning my head on his chest and with my other hand I grasp his forearm. Moaning and stroking him a little harder.<br /> He pulls fingers out of me and steps out of his jeans. He wraps one hand around the back of my neck and the other arm under my hip. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist.<br /> I peck his jaw and his neck as he gently lowers us to the ground. Laying on my back, He moves down and sucks my papilla. My back arches toward his mouth.<br /> Trailing pecks back up my body, He settles in between my legs and slides down my panties. He positions himself and as the head of his huge shaft slides into my private part. We look into each other's eyes as he pushes himself inside me with a hard thrust that makes me scream.<br /> His face burying into the crook of my neck, groaning. My legs wrapped around him and my nails staying in to his back. Thrusting into me fast and hard making me moan.<br /> The knot in my stomach is getting tighter. I can feel my climax building. He rests his forehead on mine. Looking into each other's eyes, breathing each other's air.<br /> "Come for me Victoria," he says breathlessly.<br /> At that moment I let it completely go. He captures my lips as I moan loudly into his mouth. He pistons his hips order in a jerking motion. He comes inside me on a roar.<br /> He drops his forehead back onto mine as we both catch our breath. I hold the side of his face as we both come down from the high.<br /> "Royal," I say breathlessly while looking into his eyes.<br /> He gently pulls out of me, and stands up. He grabs his jeans and start dressing quietly. I quickly do the same and trying not to cry.<br /> Once I'm all dressed, I turn around to see him facing the opposite direction. All of his muscles are tense and he is shaking. I slowly walk up to him and touch his arm. He shakes off my arm and growls at me. I take a couple steps back.<br /> "We should have never done that," he says clearly angry.<br /> My whole body stiffens. He turns around to look at me.<br /> "You're the one who knew that I was your mate for two years! You never said anything to me! And yet you still stayed with Cassie! You chose her over me!" I snapped back at him.<br /> "You're right I did choose Cassie, because I love her and I have loved her since we were 10 years old! And I will continue to choose Cassie!"<br /> I can't hold back the tears anymore. Keeping my arms at my sides, I dig my finger nails into my palms.<br /> "So you're going to choose her knowing that you have a mate, the other half of your soul, because you've been together for 10 years."<br /> "Yes."<br /> "You are so unbelievably selfish. Denying with the moon goddess wanted, what our wolves need!" I yell at him."So why did you just mate me!?"<br /> "Because my wolf was going insane without you. He wanted me to mark you but I can't do that. I won't do it!" He growls at me, taking a step closer to me.<br /> Tears running down my cheeks as I bend my head down and let out a sob. I can see Royals feet standing in front of me.<br /> "Look at me," He says roughly.<br /> I shake my head no. My whole body trembling for what I know is coming.<br /> He hooks finger underneath my chin and pushes my head up so I'm looking into his eyes. I take a step back so I don't feel the tingling.<br /> "Please. Don't do this," I beg him.<br /> "I, Royal Anderson, reject you Victoria West," he says and walks away.<br /> I fall to my knees, my hand over my heart has I gasp in air. Maisie is whining. Our soul crushed. I let out a mix between a scream and a sob into the forest.<br /> I wait about 15 minutes trying to collect myself. I start to walk back home.<br /> "Why would he do this to us?" Maisie whimpers.<br /> "Because he's an prick. He loves Cassie. He doesn't want us Maisie! We are going to be better off without him," I snapped back at her.<br /> "But you know that we need him."<br /> "We don't need any man, especially one like Royal. We are going to have to be strong together. We will be strong."<br /> Stepping back onto the patio, Jade comes out.<br /> "I have been looking everywhere for yo-" she stops as soon as she sees my face.<br /> Tears start running down my face again. I hug her as tight as I can.<br /> "He rejected me," I cry into her shoulder.<br /> "Let's go upstairs and you can tell me everything while I fix your make up," she says well wiping some of the tears off my face.<br /> We both run upstairs and I tell her everything except who he is. I can't have any of us acting differently around him. Is my family finds out at him, it's going to cause all kinds of problems. He's Alpha and my dad is still one of the head warriors.<br /> Finishing my make up, we had back downstairs. The party just blurs together. My heart is breaking. I know we can get through this. We have to.<br /> 6 weeks later<br /> The first week after Royal rejected me I stayed in bed. My parents were worried, both of my brothers tried to get me to talk about what was wrong and Jade was with me every single day.<br /> After that the weeks have gone by quickly. Jade and I have been out every day. Either at the pool, driving around in the Jeep with Conor and Eli and enjoying the summer.<br /> Every morning we decided to go on runs together. That has been super helpful. Conor and Eli don't know I was rejected. Only Jade knows. I think my dad suspects something happened with my mate but he hasn't asked yet.<br /> The four of us are on our way to the store to pick up some things for the pool. We each pick out a new raft. The boys are going to grab snacks while Jade and I go to find more tanning oil and sunscreen.<br /> We both grab a couple of each and start walking toward the registers.<br /> "Oh wait! While we're here I need to grab more tampons before next week," Jade says that she grabs my arm and pulls me down the aisle.<br /> As she is looking for hers, I'm lost in my own thoughts. I normally get my period before hers. Counting back to the days quickly, trying to figure out how late I am. She finds what she's looking for and tosses it into the cart.<br /> "Are you OK?" She asks.<br /> I look at her, my eyes are wide and I shake my head no. I can't even get the words out. I swallow hard trying to find the nerve to speak. Thank the moon goddess I don't have to, she looks up at me and gasps.<br /> "You're late," she says with a hand over her mouth.<br /> Conor and Eli find us as we both just stare at each other.<br /> "We got everything we need," Eli says. Dumping everything into the cart.<br /> "Why don't you guys go check out, we both want to go and look at something real quick," Jade quickly says shoving the cart at Conor and shooing them away.<br /> With them quickly gone we both quickly run to get tests. I grab the box with three of them. We check out quickly at the pharmacy and I hide the test in my purse.<br /> We quickly meet up with the boys in the parking lot loading up the Jeep. I get in the driver side and start of the Jeep. Once we are all loaded up, we had back home.<br /> Pulling into the driveway, we all grab bags and head inside. We leave all the snacks out on the kitchen island.<br /> "We're going to go outside and start blowing up the rafts. Go get changed so we can go swimming," Connor says.<br /> We both run upstairs and slam my bedroom door. I grab the test box out of my purse and open it up.<br /> "I feel like sick to my stomach," I tell Jade.<br /> "Well good thing you're already going to be in the bathroom," she deadpans. "Grab your swimsuit, go pee on those and by the time we're both done getting ready they should be ready," Jade says calmly.<br /> I grab my bikini and the three tests, closing the bathroom door. I quickly take all three and to turn them over. Getting changed into my bikini. I can't stop my hands from shaking. Trying to take deep breaths as I pace back-and-forth.<br /> Going up to the counter I turn all three over and look down. I pick one up and read the word, pregnant.<br /> "Gosh!" I yell checking the other two.<br /> I open the bathroom door, Jade looks up at me. Couple tears fall down my cheeks and she's instantly hugging me.<br /> "I'm going to be a mom," I say softly as my whole body shakes.<br /> "You are going to be the best mom. You don't need him. He doesn't deserve anything," she replies.<br /> Conor and Eli come in. Stopping dead in their the tracks to try to piece and what's going on. Conor spots the test in my hand and looks up at me. I let go of Jade to stand in front of them.<br /> Eli looks over at Conor but Conor won't take his eyes off of me.<br /> "Are you really?" Conor whispers.<br /> Nodding my head, he instantly grabs me up in a hug. Resting his chin on my head. He pecks the top of my head. He puts both of his hands on the side of my face and makes me look at him, using his thumbs to wipe away my tears.<br /> "Who?" He asks gently.<br /> "My mate. My birthday, I found him. We mated and he did not mark me. He rejected me right after." I say sobbing.<br /> Eli and Conor both growl wildly. I look over at Eli and his eyes are almost black. He runs out of my room as I yelled for him to come back. He slams the front door and shifts. Running to the woods.<br /> ——————<br /> The three of us go downstairs silently and start making lunch. I can't stop my hands from shaking. I grabbed everything we need for outside and set it outside on the table.<br /> I sit down in the chair staring off at the tree line waiting for Eli to come back. Jade squeezes my hand.<br /> "He'll be back soon. He just needs to wolf out. He's not mad at you," Jade says.<br /> "No I'm not mad at you. I am mad at that jack ," Eli says coming over to give me a hug.<br /> He hugs me tightly picking me up. Setting me down gently, pecking my forehead and taking a seat next to Conor. We all eat our lunch.<br /> Grabbing my new floaty, I place it on the edge so I can climb in and rest on it. They join me a couple minutes later.<br /> "I have to tell my family today," I say randomly.<br /> "We can be there when you do, if you want," Jade says and both guys agree.<br /> "No. I have to do this alone. And I have to come up with a plan on what I'm going to do. I can't stay here."<br /> "What do you mean you can't stay here?! Your family is here and we are here!" Conor yells.<br /> "And so is my mate who rejected me for someone else!" I snap back.<br /> I jump off my float and into the water. Swimming over to the steps to get out. I grab my towel and dry off my face.<br /> "You think I want to leave?! Do you think it's going to be easy to say goodbye to you three and my family?! I have to do this alone! The one person who is supposed to be there, who was made to be my other half, mated me, rejected me to be with someone else and now I'm pregnant with his pup! He doesn't get to know, he doesn't deserve to get a say in this kids life anymore!" I holler while sobbing.<br /> All three of them look at me. Not saying a thing. Because they know I'm right. An arm wraps around my shoulders and I growl spinning around and punch whoever just grabbed me in the eye.<br /> All three of them rush out of the pool. Eli scoops me up and carries me over to the recliner. Jade rushed over to who I punched and Conor runs inside for a ice pack.<br /> I'm shaking and I don't know if it's because of the anger or being scared. Conor gives Jade one ice pack then slowly walks over towards me.<br /> "I won't punch you. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."<br /> "You just went into protective mama mode on Hudson's hip," Conor says chuckling.<br /> I let Conor wrap my hand in the ice pack. I rest my head on his shoulder.<br /> "Did he hear me yelling?" I whisper.<br /> "Unfortunately, I heard every word," Hudson says. | LEARN_MORE | https://a.hitnovelapp.com/ad/aGl0bm92ZWwvMTMxNzk4L | 109127152242195 | HHitt013 | https://facebook.com/100094431461254 | 35 | 1 | 404,103,162,225,653 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Learn more | 0 | HHitt013 | 120206328747850227 | a.hitnovelapp.com | NONE | video | https://a.hitnovelapp.com/ad/aGl0bm92ZWwvMTMxNzk4LzIwMjQwMzI1MTM0NzU3L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}} | 2024-03-25 00:56 | https://scontent.frkh1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434213658_1112450739801103_2385295278886867245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FVwFNzD9DHcAX9_ItvI&_nc_ht=scontent.frkh1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCVC5Mi1xCO_ebsdpTrGowEQlM1c8Qe_H8SsZ7685xGjQ&oe=660AAB81 | person_profile | 0 | HHitt013 | https://scontent.frkh1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434275671_952746599582468_7948916217701123768_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MBCU84VaOsoAX8ZhO9-&_nc_ht=scontent.frkh1-1.fna&oh=00_AfBsCiDpxuAVIMTNzjG551ZI6_G1QjZJTLVqwUViAvbpSQ&oe=660AB5AB | 0 | 3 | HHitt013 | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2024-03-27 22:52 | active | 362 | 0 | 220079877834851 | 🔥🔥🔥Download and search book ID: 9792 | My sister's boyfriend turned out to be my mate! As he rejected me, I retaliated by cutting off all contact with the pack…<br /> Chapter 1: Ayla<br /> “Ayla, is dinner ready? No more delay. Kylee and Theo will be soon here!”<br /> “Yes, mom.” I sighed hearing my mother's impatient urging.<br /> Kylee is my little sister, and Theo is her mate as well as our future Alpha. It is said that they had been together for over a year, and today is the first Kylee has brought her mate home. I was so happy for her.<br /> Our current Alpha, Alpha Torin, was a good leader, a fair leader, and a good man. I knew he had a son, but I had never met him before.<br /> But I had heard that his son, Theo, was promising to be just as good an Alpha as his father. So I really couldn’t have been more relieved that he was my sister’s mate. She would be properly looked after and taken care of, and she would be happy.<br /> I was pulling the chicken out of the oven when I saw my mother rushing past me, excitedly shouting towards the door, “They're here.”<br /> After my father passed away, my mother had become an alcoholic. But she always managed to look presentable in front of Kylee. For example, today, she was not only dressed neatly, but even used mouthwash.<br /> <br /> I was still transferring the food when I heard the front door open and the squeals of my mother and sister as they embraced. I finished my task and moved the dishes to the dining room table that was already set neatly. I smiled at my presentation and excitedly hurried to the living room. <br /> <br /> I froze at the threshold. A scent overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to knot and my heart to race. <br /> <br /> The tall, broad man standing next to my sister turned toward me and we locked eyes. <br /> <br /> Mate.<br /> <br /> I practically gagged trying to stifle the word from slipping from my mouth. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> This was my sister’s mate. <br /> <br /> Not mine. <br /> <br /> This man was fated to Kylee. <br /> <br /> So why was I having this reaction?<br /> <br /> Better question…<br /> <br /> Why did HE seem to be having the same reaction?<br /> <br /> His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and they held my gaze with a vice-like grip as he, too, seemed frozen to where he stood. <br /> <br /> Dasha, my wolf, bounced excitedly in my head, recognizing him and his wolf just as I was. It took a minute for her to understand the situation, but once she did, she started whimpering in the back of my mind.<br /> <br /> This couldn’t be happening. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> I forced myself to address the situation as a whole. Fine, this was happening. Now, what is the best way to handle the situation? I wasn’t going to break my sister’s heart. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let him either. Not right now. We’ll just get through dinner, and I’ll find a way to speak with him in private later. <br /> <br /> I cleared my throat and plastered a smile on my face.<br /> <br /> “Kylee, I’m so excited you’re home,” I said, opening my arms so she could jump into them like she had since she was little.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. <br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly. <br /> <br /> We separated, and she turned to the male behind her. “Theo, this is my sister, Ayla. Ayla, this is my mate, Theo.”<br /> <br /> Theo’s hands were clenched into fists, and he forced a tight-jawed smile toward me. At least I was better at faking it them him. Geesh. <br /> <br /> I nodded to him with a broad smile. I knew it didn’t reach my eyes, but at least Ma and Kylee wouldn’t notice. <br /> <br /> “It’s lovely to meet you, Theo,” I said. “Dinner is ready in the dining room. Why don’t you guys go take a seat, and I’ll be right there. I need to tend to dessert first.”<br /> <br /> “Don’t take too long,” Kylee said brightly. “We have some big news, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”<br /> <br /> “I promise I’ll be right there,” I assured her as I rubbed her shoulder. <br /> <br /> Kylee grabbed Ma by the arm and led her to the dining room. Theo followed a few steps behind. He had to pass me to get through. Right as he approached, I turned my body to ensure we didn’t touch. He paused in front of me for a moment. I looked up to meet his eyes.<br /> <br /> There was anger, confusion, desire, and possibly even hurt reflecting in his eyes that I couldn’t help but notice were the color of honey. He had questions. I subtly shook my head at him. Hoping and silently begging that he knew we couldn’t do this here. <br /> <br /> The sound of Kylee’s laugh from the other room made me jump and then quickly retreat to the kitchen. I grabbed the homemade cheesecake from the fridge and set it on the counter for later. <br /> <br /> I listened to the others conversing in the next room and took several deep breaths. I felt a lump start to form in my throat and quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to cry. <br /> <br /> I was almost to the dining room when I heard the last part of what Kylee was saying, and again, I was left frozen at the threshold.<br /> <br /> “… our mating ceremony is in three months.” Kylee looked up at me. “Oh, Ayla, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Aren’t you happy for us?”<br /> <br /> I put the same fake smile back on. “Of course I’m happy for you,” I said. “You deserve the best.”<br /> <br /> I took my seat at the table, ignoring the fact that I was left sitting directly across from Theo. His eyes were boring into me, and my face felt like it was on fire. I started dishing out food and passing plates. I didn’t say much over dinner. Instead, I just listened to Kylee and Ma talk about all the ideas they had for the mating ceremony. Theo didn’t say much either but slowly started to do a better job hiding his discomfort with the situation. <br /> <br /> It took everything to ignore the touches they shared, pushing down the jealousy that kept surging through me. <br /> After dinner, while they were still talking, I made an excuse to slip out through the back door.<br /> <br /> I stood on the porch and took several deep breaths. I released a string of curses.<br /> “What is happening? Why is this happening? This ISN’T happening,” I whispered with the force of a yell. <br /> <br /> ‘Our mate.’ Dasha insisted.<br /> <br /> “No, he’s not,” I said back to her. “He’s Kylee’s. There must be some kind of mistake.”<br /> <br /> All of a sudden, I stiffened as a mouthwatering scent hit my nose. I knew who was standing behind me. <br /> <br /> Chapter 2: Theo<br /> I fought against the urges her scent was influencing as I stalked up to her. But more importantly, the urge to grab her and take her against the nearest tree. My wolf was going crazy about the idea, but he would learn fast that that was never going to happen. <br /> <br /> I wouldn’t accept her. <br /> <br /> Knowing what I knew about her, that would never happen. <br /> <br /> She turned to face me. <br /> <br /> “This won’t happen,” I spat out before she had a chance to speak. <br /> Her jaw clenched, and her silvery-gray eyes stared into mine for a few short moments. But I couldn’t read a thing behind them. <br /> <br /> “I absolutely agree,” she stated evenly. <br /> <br /> My wolf growled and snarled inside me, demanding to know what I was doing. I pushed down the hurt that hit me when she didn’t fight me. Her reaction just proved why this needed to be done. I could never be with someone so cold and self-absorbed as her. There was no way someone like her could ever be my Luna. <br /> <br /> ‘Don’t know her.’ Kieran yelled in my head. <br /> <br /> I knew enough. <br /> <br /> “Kylee is my mate. Not you. I, Theo Arden, future Alpha of the Greytooth Pack, reject you, Ayla Garner, as my mate and Luna.” Kieran was snapping his teeth, pushing to take control to stop this.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, accept your rejection and relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> My wolf howled in pain. A pain that was mirrored within me as it felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was the bond breaking. Releasing me from the tie that bound us together.<br /> She stood there like nothing happened. <br /> <br /> How could she stand there like nothing had happened?<br /> <br /> She really didn’t feel anything, did she? It was so easy for her to let us go.<br /> <br /> ‘Mate wants me.’<br /> <br /> I grimaced. He meant her wolf. Her wolf wanted mine. He could sense her. She was even denying her wolf. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to get away from her. <br /> <br /> I stormed back into the house, returning to the woman the goddess should have made my mate. I returned to the dining room to find her mother and her still deep in conversation. I was grateful she hadn’t seemed to notice my absence or the change in my mood. It wasn’t surprising. She was excited about seeing her family and sharing the news with them. <br /> <br /> I had been, too, until her sister walked into the room. The scent had engulfed me, driving me to seek out the source like a lifeline. When I saw her, her beauty took my breath away. She was petit but strong, with long legs and perfect curves. She had a mass of caramel-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with plump lips and intense gray eyes that shined green in the light. I couldn’t help but want her. I recognized who she was to me immediately. <br /> <br /> But then I noticed her narrow nose and soft jawline were familiar. Her fair skin had a sun-kissed glow that I had always found attractive. Once I realized she had similar features to Kylee, I knew this was her sister, Ayla. <br /> <br /> Kylee had told me on many occasions how her sister had changed after the death of their father. She was there for Kylee at first, but in less than a year, she started spending all her time away from home. She ended up dropping out of the private school her parents had worked so hard to send her to. Eventually, Kylee lost track of what she was doing with her life. <br /> <br /> Kylee was there for her when she was around, trying to be supportive. But she wasn’t the sister she used to love. What bothered her most was Ayla’s treatment of their mother. Ayla still lived in the house with her, but Kylee always got the impression that helping their mother was just a burden. She worried their mother would be left with no one to take care of her, and she wasn’t in the best of health anymore. <br /> <br /> “I have an idea,” I interrupted. They both looked up at me expectantly. “Why doesn’t your mother come to stay with us for a while? At least until the ceremony? We have the room in the packhouse, and I’m sure you and my mother would appreciate the extra input.”<br /> <br /> Both their faces lit up.<br /> <br /> “Really? We can do that?” Kylee said happily. <br /> <br /> “Of course,” I said with a smile. <br /> <br /> “Thank you.”<br /> <br /> Kylee jumped up from the table and threw her arms around me, kissing me sweetly. I ignored the growls coming from Kieran. Seeing their reaction told me I had made the exact right decision. Despite what the burning in my chest told me. <br /> <br /> This was who I was supposed to be with. Not Ayla.<br /> <br /> ‘Keep saying. Maybe believe.’<br /> <br /> I told him to shut up, and he retreated into the back of my mind, cutting himself off from me. <br /> <br /> He would get over it. Once the bond was completely severed, he would understand this was the right thing for us and the pack.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3: Ayla<br /> I had managed to get myself together enough to rejoin my family. The pain that seared through me from Theo’s rejection and my subsequent acceptance almost brought me to my knees. It took all of my strength to keep my body from shaking, praying he didn’t notice the blood coming from my palms. I had clenched my fists so hard trying to stay on my feet that I broke the skin.<br /> <br /> When he finally left, I released the sob that was the only thing capable of coming out of my mouth. But I didn’t let the tears fall. Not yet. They couldn’t know. <br /> <br /> So, I steadied my breathing and went back into my house. I was surprised to find that Kylee and Ma weren’t in the dining room anymore. They weren’t in the living room either. But Theo was. <br /> <br /> “They’re in your mother’s room packing,” he said coldly.<br /> <br /> “Packing?” What was he talking about?<br /> <br /> He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. “I think it’s best that you keep your distance from Kylee for a while. We don’t want her finding out about this. But I know she’ll want her mother to be a part of the ceremony planning. So she’s coming back with us.”<br /> <br /> I felt like he just slapped me in the face. As if I would ever tell her. That’s why I was doing this. So that I wouldn’t break my baby sister’s heart. I gave him what he wanted, and now he was going to keep me from my family?<br /> <br /> Dasha was confused and in pain, whimpering in my head because she didn’t understand how he could be so cruel to us. <br /> <br /> “If that’s what you think is best,” I said to Theo through gritted teeth. <br /> <br /> “Kylee,” he called out, not breaking eye contact. “Let’s get going.”<br /> <br /> My sister came prancing into the room. “Already?”<br /> <br /> “It’s getting late. Let’s head to the hotel for the night. We’ll swing by in the morning to pick up your mother.”<br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said brightly before turning to me. “What about you, Ayla? You’re coming with, too, right?”<br /> <br /> I opened my mouth to speak, but Theo decided to answer for me. <br /> <br /> “We were just talking about that. Ayla has some things going on with work and can’t get away.”<br /> <br /> I gave her a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sorry. But I will try to come out there as soon as I can.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, okay, I understand. But I’ll make sure we have a room ready for you whenever you can come.”<br /> <br /> “Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, my heart breaking again, knowing Theo wouldn’t allow me to be there with her. <br /> <br /> We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Ma was still standing at the window watching them drive off when I went to clean up the dishes in the kitchen. She finally came in behind me and started opening another bottle of wine. We had gone through four during dinner already. And I barely touched my glass. <br /> <br /> “Ma, you’ve had enough for the night,” I said calmly.<br /> <br /> “Oh, come on. It’s a celebration,” Ma said. “It’s not every day you find out your baby is going to be a Luna.”<br /> <br /> “Ma, you can celebrate more tomorrow. You need to finish packing,” I said, gently taking the bottle from her hand. “I’m sure Kylee and Theo will be here first thing in the morning.”<br /> <br /> “We can celebrate together while you help me pack,” she said, grabbing the bottle back from me. “Then I’ll help you pack.”<br /> <br /> I winced. This wasn’t going to end well. “I’m not coming, Ma.”<br /> <br /> She stopped with the glass halfway to her lips. “What do you mean you’re not coming?” she asked with a pout. “You have to be there. Kylee is going to be mated. I told her we would help pay for the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> I winced again. She meant me. I would be helping pay for the ceremony. Ma didn’t have a penny to her name.<br /> <br /> “This is a big deal. Don’t be so selfish, Ayla.”<br /> <br /> Her words stung, but they weren’t unexpected. This was kind of the norm when she got like this. I know she didn’t really mean it. At least, she wouldn’t mean it when she was sober. I got her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. I changed her into her nightgown and tucked her in. <br /> <br /> She was asleep in seconds. I hurried through the rest of her packing. Stuffing two large suitcases as full as I could before carrying them out to the living room. Then I locked the front door, finished the last of the dishes, and slipped out into the backyard.<br /> <br /> I stripped off my clothes as I headed for the forest, desperate to get under its protective shadows. As soon as I passed the treeline, I shifted, taking off at full speed. I let Dasha feel all the pain. I didn’t try to hold her back anymore. <br /> <br /> We would mourn the loss of our fated mate. The loss of the one person who was supposed to see us for who we were. The one person who was supposed to always put us first, without demands or expectations. We would mourn the loss of never getting to experience that.<br /> But we wouldn’t mourn him.<br /> <br /> We ran until we could barely breathe. Until Dasha stopped at the edge of our pond — our place of solace — and let out a heartwrenching howl into the night air. Shifting at the end as she retreated back into my mind, out of reach to heal her broken heart, while I let the torrent of tears finally fall.<br /> <br /> I walked into the water, curling into myself as the sobs wracked my body, intensifying the burn that was still there from our bond being ripped from my heart.<br /> <br /> I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate. <br /> <br /> In the midst of this pain I drifted off to sleep.<br /> The next morning.<br /> When I made it back to the house, there was no one there. My mother had been taken away by them.<br /> I was standing in an empty room in an empty house. The silence was deafening. And it all came crashing down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to feel numb.<br /> <br /> I lost track of how long I sat in that spot, staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my arms.<br /> <br /> “Ayls, what happened? What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what is going on?”<br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I said, the corner of my mouth tipping up mockingly. “He’s scheduled to be mated to my sister.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Zeff exclaimed, anger and concern twisting his handsome features. <br /> <br /> Zeff was a good man. He had been there for me when no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate? He should have been. <br /> <br /> “Come on,” he said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to stay with me.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in hand. <br /> <br /> He pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped me inside, this time sitting me on the big, comfy leather couch in his living room.<br /> <br /> He came and sat next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers along my arm. <br /> <br /> “Ayla. You’re going to deal with this — we’re going to deal with this together. Screw him, okay. He’s a dirtbag. You deserve so much better than some fool who doesn’t see how incredible you are.”<br /> <br /> I wanted to roll my eyes, but it wasn’t just about him. <br /> <br /> “He took my family, Zeff. I would have gotten over him just rejecting me because of Kylee. At least she would be safe and happy.”<br /> <br /> “No. They either treat you like a servant or a bank. They don’t care what their actions do to you as long as they keep getting what they want."<br /> <br /> “Zeff...But they were my family” I wanted to contradict him, but I knew he was right.<br /> <br /> “Get over him.” He took a step toward me, reaching up to hold my chin. “He’s not the only one who can take care of you, Ayla. He may be foolish enough not to want you, but I’m not.”<br /> <br /> My breath caught in my throat. He had told me about his feelings before, but we both avoided going down that road with each other. We knew we could find our fated mates at any time, and we didn’t want to deny each other that. <br /> <br /> “Move in here with me, Ayls,” Zeff said. “There’s nothing stopping us now.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you still have a mate out there somewhere.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla, stop. I’m thirty-four and well-traveled. If I was going to find her, I would have long before now. We both know that.” <br /> <br /> Suddenly his lips were on mine. I was shocked, but mostly because it felt good. I felt wanted. I kissed him back, not wanting to give that feeling up. I leaned into him — until Dasha came charging to the forefront, growling and snarling that someone who wasn’t our mate was touching us. <br /> <br /> I ripped myself from Zeff’s embrace. Breathing heavily, the pain of the severed bond renewed. I clutched my chest. <br /> <br /> “Ayla.” <br /> <br /> “I can’t. The bond. It’s still there. It hasn’t faded yet.”<br /> <br /> Zeff pulled me into his arms. “Okay. It’s okay. We can wait. We’ll take it slow.”<br /> <br /> I rested my head on his chest. “Okay.”<br /> <br /> He squeezed me tighter. I still didn’t know if we could make this work, but I wanted to try. <br /> <br /> I stayed with the Zeff, and it was quiet. Until a week later, when Theo burst in.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4: Theo<br /> It had been a week since I had gone home with Kylee. Seven days and a hundred miles away, and the bond was still there. The burning in my chest wouldn’t go away. I didn’t understand and it was annoying. <br /> <br /> More important is Kieran. He had spent the whole week giving me the silent treatment, except when Kylee was around. Then all he did was growl and snarl. It was getting exhausting. <br /> <br /> I had taken to holing up in my office most of the time. I didn’t want to snap at Kylee, or her mother, which had become hard to avoid by the third day. I was glad I had a good reason for me being so busy all of a sudden. <br /> <br /> Alpha was sick. He was diagnosed with a progressive disease almost a year ago. So, he decided it was time to hand the title down to me. It wasn’t official yet. We were planning on making the change at the same time as Kylee’s and my mating ceremony. Actually, that’s why I decided to make Kylee my official mate. Alpha’s were always stronger with a strong Luna by their side. With the circumstances of my father’s abdication, our pack needed to be as strong as possible. <br /> <br /> But there was still a lot to take care of and a lot I had to learn about being an Alpha before that time. So it wasn’t hard to convince her that it was the stress that was causing me to be distant. <br /> <br /> But this morning, I'm driving myself to Kylee's house. I promised to help her retrieve her mother's necklace, which she wanted to wear during our mating ceremony.<br /> <br /> In addition, if I couldn’t completely sever the bond between me and Ayla, Kieran could end up taking control and stop me from marking Kylee.<br /> So, once I got the necklace, I’d reject Ayla again, making sure it stuck this time, and I’d go back home.<br /> <br /> When I pulled up to the house, something twisted in my gut. When I step into the house, her invigorating scent of oranges and cloves invaded my nostrils, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it should have been.<br /> I realize Ayla wasn't home.<br /> Instead, there was another smell in Ayla's room.<br /> The scent was male. It was faint, he wasn’t here long, but mixed in with the distinctive scent of my mate, I could pick it out anywhere. From the trail, it seemed as if he was the one who packed up her things.<br /> <br /> I stormed out of the house. Tossing the jewelry box in the passenger seat, I took my phone out and searched for the number for the publishing house Kylee said Ayla worked for.<br /> I got another address that Ayla had added to her personal profile from the receptionist.<br /> <br /> I followed the GPS to the address, pulling into the drive of a large, two-story house in a nice neighborhood. Parking half on the lawn, I didn’t even close the car door before taking the front steps two at a time. <br /> <br /> I banged on the door until I heard movement inside. A man opened it. It was the male I smelled in Ayla’s room. Before he could say anything, I lunged at him, my hands grabbing the front of his shirt and practically lifting him off the ground.<br /> <br /> “What have you done with her? I smell her all over you. Where is she?”<br /> <br /> He pushed me off him, his eyes glaring at me with recognition and disdain.<br /> <br /> “You must be Theo.”<br /> <br /> “What is going on?” Ayla’s voice floated down to me as she ran down the stairs. She froze halfway down the moment she laid eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”<br /> <br /> A silk robe hung open, revealing the shorts and cut-off tank top she wore underneath, her caramel-colored hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She was gorgeous. And clearly not in distress. I took a step toward her as my rage grew.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing here?” I spat back. <br /> <br /> “That’s none of your concern,” the male interjected.<br /> <br /> I turned on him again, a rumbling growl emanating from my chest, my claws extending. I was ready to rip his throat out. <br /> <br /> “Stop,” Ayla yelled, coming the rest of the way down the stairs and stepping between the two of us. “Zeff, go to work.”<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you here with him. Not in the state he’s in.”<br /> <br /> “I would never hurt her.” Kieran was ready to burst from my skin. How dare this dirtbag think we would ever lay a hand on her.<br /> <br /> “We both know that’s crap.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, I said go.” Her expression softened a little. “I’ll call you later.”<br /> <br /> She would. <br /> <br /> The Zeff guy shot me another hate-filled look before exiting out the open front door. We stood in silence until the sound of his engine faded. <br /> <br /> “Are you dating him?” <br /> <br /> Her eyes went wide, then narrowed as she took a step forward. “What I do with a male — or anyone for that matter — is none of your business.”<br /> <br /> “It isn’t.” Electricity passed through the air between us. “He has no right to put his hands on you.”<br /> <br /> “He does if I want him to,” she yelled, not only holding her ground against the alpha energy I was exuding but taking another step toward me. “I don’t belong to anyone, remember? I have no mate.”<br /> <br /> I lost it. My hand was around her neck and my mouth was on hers before I even knew what I had done. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Sparks of intense electricity shot through me, invigorating all my senses. I pushed her to open for me, my tongue seeking hers. Goddess, she tasted so good. She returned the kiss, her arousal mingling in the air. <br /> <br /> “MINE.” <br /> <br /> She pushed me off her with force.<br /> <br /> I took a step toward her again but she backed away. <br /> <br /> “Don’t you hurt Kylee like this.”<br /> <br /> “Like you care about your sister getting hurt,” I spat, but for some reason, I instantly regretted it. But I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t take it back.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” Pure rage radiated off of her, her eyes turning an icy blue. <br /> <br /> “You abandoned Kylee a long time ago. You disappeared all the time, leaving her alone with a mother who was struggling to keep everything together.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s face paled. Every ounce of anger seemed to drain from her instantly, that blue fire fading from her eyes. <br /> <br /> She almost went completely limp in front of me, stumbling until her back hit the wall. Her façade cracked. <br /> <br /> “That’s what she told you? She said that?” her voice was almost a whisper. <br /> <br /> Kieran was going insane in my head, telling me to shut up, to just stop talking. Urging me to stop hurting her. Because I was hurting her. I had struck a nerve, a very deep one, and I wouldn’t stop. She had to break the bond. Once and for all. If it meant I had to break her to do it, I would.<br /> <br /> “She told me everything. She told me how you would keep things from her and your mother. That you would be out at all hours of the night when you were a teenager. How you dropped out of high school, waisting the tuition your parents worked so hard for.”<br /> <br /> “What?” <br /> <br /> “I could never be with someone as cold and heartless as you.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s head snapped up. Her eyes a steely gray as she resolved herself to something I couldn’t figure out but would soon find out. <br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, reject you, Theo Arden, as my mate. I relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> I gritted my teeth as Kieran howled in my head, screaming for me not to accept it. <br /> <br /> “I, Theo Arden, accept your rejection.” The pain in my chest amplified, but I could still feel the bond. “We’ve done this before. It’s not working.”<br /> <br /> “Tell your wolf to accept it,” Ayla said with a crack in her voice. <br /> <br /> The muscles in my jaw tightened to a point I thought my teeth would shatter. The noise in my head from Kieran becoming almost unbearable.<br /> <br /> “He won’t.”<br /> <br /> “Make him,” she forced out.<br /> <br /> “I can’t.”<br /> <br /> “He doesn’t have a choice. I’ll never be with him, and neither will she,” Ayla said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. <br /> <br /> I could feel the pain he felt. It was excruciating. I told him it would end if he just accepted, but he wouldn’t give in. He was an Alpha. He was as strong as me. I’d never overpower him on this. Ayla must have sensed my stalemate. Or her wolf did and told her because she pulled herself from against the wall, standing up straight again.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, cut my ties to Alpha Torin…”<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” There was desperation in my voice. She couldn’t do this. I moved to stop her. <br /> <br /> “And the Greytooth Pack.”<br /> <br /> “No.” I fell to a knee, feeling the invisible tether that united pack members with their Alpha splinter. Kieran was pounding against the barriers of my control, putting all his might into taking over the shift. I knew I was on the verge.<br /> <br /> “From this day forth, I am a rogue.” She took an unsteady step toward me, silent tears rolling freely down her face. “Now get out.”<br /> <br /> She had used my father’s name. Either of our names would have worked in the limbo state we were currently in. But she used my father’s. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Nothing I could do to fight the separation. She knew exactly what she was doing. <br /> <br /> If my wolf wouldn’t sever the mate bond, she would remove herself from any control I had over her. <br /> <br /> With one final, agonizing look, she walked away, disappearing upstairs. <br /> <br /> I took in a ragged breath of air. Ayla now had until midnight to be out of our territory. If I caught her on our land after that, I would have to murder her. Mate bond or not. She was a rogue now. It was our laws. <br /> <br /> Kieran had finally gone still in my mind. <br /> <br /> ‘Mate’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Did he mean Ayla or her wolf?<br /> <br /> ‘Dasha. Mate’s name is Dasha. Dasha’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Realization hit me and panic set in. Her wolf was gone. The pain was too much. She had retreated deep into the recesses of Ayla’s subconscious. Ayla wouldn’t be able to call on her. She wouldn’t be able to shift. She wouldn’t be able to heal.<br /> <br /> She was a rogue without a wolf. She couldn’t protect herself. <br /> <br /> I had to get as far away from her as possible. <br /> <br /> I dragged myself back to my feet, forcing them to walk out the door. <br /> <br /> Chapter 5: Ayla<br /> The moment the door was closed, I sank to the floor. It was no longer sobs that escaped my body but soul-shattering screams. <br /> <br /> She said I abandoned her. <br /> <br /> Theo made it sound like I spent my teen years partying and getting into trouble. She said I dropped out of high school. <br /> <br /> She said I wasn’t a sister to her. <br /> <br /> The betrayal was soul-crushing. <br /> <br /> I had given up everything for them. <br /> <br /> I screamed and let the tears flow freely until my body ached. As soon as it felt like I could breathe without being stabbed by a red-hot dagger, I pulled myself up and started moving. I only had a few hours to get my things and get out of Greytooth territory. <br /> <br /> I had made myself a rogue. I didn’t have a pack anymore. And I had no idea where I was going to go. All the borders on this side of the territory sat right against other pack lands. To get out of one, I’d have to enter another. But it was my only option. Trying to get to unclaimed territory was too risky. I would have better luck on foreign pack land than on the land I just severed ties to. <br /> <br /> After leaving a note for Zeff, I packed up and drove away.<br /> <br /> The Greytooth Pack may not be the largest in population, but they had one of the biggest territories. The closest border crossing was nearly two hours away. And I needed to be far away before Zeff got home. I couldn’t have him tracking me down.<br /> <br /> Especially since I didn’t give him much of an explanation. <br /> <br /> But it was better this way. I wasn’t going to risk him cutting ties and going rogue as well. Because he would. He would hold Theo responsible, and he would never stay in a pack with an alpha he didn’t respect, let alone hate. This way, the note I left would have just made it seem like I got cold feet about us being together. <br /> <br /> I drove to the outskirts of town and got on the highway. From there, it was practically a straight shot to the border. I was grateful at first, but after about an hour, I realized the monotonous ride only left my mind wondering and worrying and thinking about things I didn’t need to think about. <br /> <br /> When Theo found me in the yard that first day, I had no idea what he would say. His initial reaction to our meeting had me thinking he would pursue the pairing. But then his increasingly icy demeanor throughout the evening made it seem like he was thinking along the same lines I was. He wasn’t going to hurt Kylee for someone he didn’t know. <br /> <br /> He loved her. She loved him. I had no idea who he was, nor he I. We could reject each other and just go on our way. Neither one of us would have to break Kylee’s heart. I thought he was keeping me from my family to be cruel. Or maybe to make things easier for both of us. <br /> <br /> But today, his words revealed a different motive. He didn’t reject me for Kylee. He rejected me because of her. Because he believed what she said and painted me as some coldhearted delinquent. But why? I just couldn’t figure that out. <br /> <br /> Dad died in a gas explosion along with my aunt and uncle ten years ago. I was fourteen, and Kylee was nine. Our thirteen-year-old cousin, Mina, came to live with us for a while after their deaths. Ma was hit pretty hard by the loss, so the three of us quickly started taking care of each other. We spent every spare minute with each other. Then our financial situation changed. Kylee was entirely too young, and Mina had been through enough losing both her parents for me to put that on her. So, it was up to me to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. <br /> <br /> But I was still fourteen. Finding jobs that paid enough to support a family of four at the age of fourteen was non-existent. I would need to work multiple jobs, and there just wasn’t enough time in the day. So, I approached the headmaster at my private high school and confided my situation with him. I was desperate not to drop out or risk my grades dropping and losing my scholarship. My parents didn’t pay a dime of my tuition. <br /> <br /> Headmaster Fordham was a miracle worker. He helped me test out of over eighty percent of my academic requirements by the end of my freshman year. I only had to take four summer classes to graduate a week after my fifteenth birthday. I was even able to broker a deal with him that would set the remaining three years of my scholarship fund aside for Kylee when it came time for her to attend high school. <br /> <br /> I still ended up working multiple jobs for several years. But no matter what, I always tried to be there for Kylee as much as possible. <br /> <br /> Everything I did was for her. <br /> <br /> I completely lost touch with all of my school friends. I never partied. I barely socialized. The jobs I held were really the only place that happened. But I was home to take her to school every morning, and I ensured I had at least an hour to help her with her homework almost every day. <br /> <br /> I didn’t discuss the lengths I went to with Kylee. I didn’t want her to feel bad or that it was her fault. And I didn’t want her to see what Ma was going through. She was struggling to keep any job. She was drinking daily. There were even a couple of times she racked up gambling debts that put us in some scary situations. <br /> <br /> But I never let Kylee see any of that. It was my job to protect them. <br /> <br /> There was so much more that didn’t add up with what Theo had said. But I didn’t get to think about it further. <br /> <br /> A searing pain shot through my chest, making my vision go white at the edges, blinding me to a point I almost missed the figure standing in the road before me. <br /> <br /> My heart jumped into my chest. I turned the wheel as sharp as I could, slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting them head-on. The moment I did it, I felt foolish. Within seconds, I was spinning through the air and sliding down an embankment.<br /> <br /> When the vehicle came to a stop, I was upside down. I registered the smell of blood, but everything was blurry. I didn’t feel significant pain, so I didn’t think the blood was coming from me. <br /> <br /> The person on the road!<br /> <br /> I scrambled out of the car and up the incline. Without Dasha, I couldn’t see well in the dark, but I could see a blurry figure moving toward me.<br /> <br /> “Are you okay?” I called. <br /> <br /> I didn’t catch what they were saying because I suddenly felt the world falling out from beneath my feet, and everything went dark. <br /> <br /> Chapter 6: Theo<br /> I said I would break her if that was what it took.<br /> <br /> And I certainly followed through with that.<br /> <br /> Ayla’s hard exterior had cracked and shattered before me. <br /> <br /> I had driven over an hour, and my stomach was still in knots. So much so that I had to stop to throw up at one point. Guilt tore at me. <br /> <br /> I really had been cruel to her. <br /> <br /> Especially since it turned out it wasn’t even her fault the bond hadn’t broken. She and Dasha had accepted my rejection. They had done what I needed them to do. Ayla had stayed away from Kylee and me. She hadn’t tried to be around them. From what I could tell, she hadn’t even called Kylee like she used to. And how did I repay her? By ripping her apart with every intention of doing as much damage as possible. <br /> <br /> It was my wolf that was still hanging on. It was Kieran who kept us in a constant state of heartache. Kept Ayla in a constant state of pain. <br /> <br /> And then she had to go and do something foolish and cut herself out of the pack. She was completely lost to us now. The only thing I could do was tell myself it was what I wanted. It was the only way to get rid of the temptation and put enough distance between us until Kylee and I were marked and mated and leading our pack. <br /> <br /> Every time I said it, Kieran was there to argue. <br /> <br /> By the time I pulled up to the packhouse, I was so pissed that anyone around instantly took a wide birth. My aura was probably so intense that I was making everyone physically uncomfortable, but I really didn’t care.<br /> <br /> I was going to head to my office but decided against it. Too many people had access to me there, and I really didn’t need anyone coming around. <br /> <br /> What I needed was to work off some of this rage and pent-up energy. <br /> <br /> I made a beeline for the private training room in the wing of the packhouse reserved for ranking members of the pack. I was relieved to find it empty, tugging my shirt over my head and immediately heading to the punching bag in the corner. <br /> <br /> I had worked up a sweat when Briggs entered the room. Walking over to me with his usual swagger, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the wall close by. He knew something was up. He had been hounding me about it since we got back from Kylee’s house. So had my mother, but I sure wasn’t going down that road.<br /> <br /> Briggs was my Beta. We had been friends since we were eight and had been through everything together since then. I didn’t think there was anything we could hide from each other. But I surely wanted to hide this from him. So I just ignored his presence.<br /> <br /> “You ready to tell me what is going on with you? Or at least, where you were today?” he said loud enough to be heard over the sound of my fists hitting the bag. <br /> <br /> “No.”<br /> <br /> “If you don’t, we’ll sedate you. Your aura is out of control right now, bro. This isn’t about you just being in a pissy mood anymore,” Briggs said with an edge to his voice that meant he was serious.<br /> I yelled as I hit the bag hard one more time. I winced as I forced my fingers through my hair. I hadn’t realized I had been breaking the skin on my knuckles. I fell back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. <br /> <br /> “You know I’m here for you, bro,” my Beta said calmly. “Whatever it is, you can talk to me.”<br /> I nodded. <br /> <br /> ‘Tell him.’<br /> <br /> I winced at Keiran’s demand. But I couldn’t really disagree anymore. <br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I admitted. I could feel Briggs’ eyes go wide in his head. <br /> <br /> “What do you mean you found your mate?” he took a step closer. “Please tell me you’re talking about Kylee.”<br /> <br /> I shook my head. “No. I found my fated mate.”<br /> <br /> “What. The. Fu-” He had warned me about this when I first got involved with Kylee and again when we announced our mating ceremony. “Where is she? Who is she?”<br /> <br /> “I rejected her. She’s gone.”<br /> <br /> “Theo, man, you’re really scaring me now. Why would you do that? What were you thinking?” Briggs demanded.<br /> <br /> “She’s Kylee’s sister,” I snapped. Briggs tensed up.<br /> <br /> “Ayla? As in the sister that allegedly abandoned Kylee?” <br /> <br /> His use of the word “allegedly” pissed me off and confused me a little. He really liked Kylee. They’ve always gotten along. Even when he was cautioning me about finding my mate, he told me he was happy for me. <br /> <br /> “Are you trying to say Kylee is lying?” I snapped.<br /> <br /> He made a face. “No, but I do think it’s foolish to reject your mate without all the information.”<br /> <br /> “I have all the information I need.”<br /> <br /> “No, you have Kylee’s side of the story,” Briggs said with a worried look.<br /> <br /> “And their mother’s,” I added.<br /> <br /> Briggs scoffed. “Look, Marie Garner is a nice enough lady, but I wouldn’t exactly trust her judgment.”<br /> <br /> “What are you talking about?” I asked, my own concern growing.<br /> <br /> “Bro, she’s a lush,” Briggs said with a shrug. “Not that you’ve been around enough to notice since she’s been here. I can’t tell how bad, and she seems pretty harmless. But these things often have a dark side that no one sees.”<br /> <br /> I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. The last thing I needed was any kind of doubt in my decision. <br /> <br /> “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. And Ayla’s reactions to all of this told me all I needed to know from her.” I pushed myself to my feet. <br /> <br /> “What were her reactions?” Briggs asked cautiously, and I realized my choice of words may have given away more than I intended. I knew he wouldn’t let it go unless he was sure I told him everything. <br /> <br /> “Which time?” I said quietly.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” He heard exactly what I said. “What happened, Theo?”<br /> <br /> “She never argued or fought the rejection. She agreed and accepted it the first day we met like it was nothing. She had no response, no rebuttal, no explanation,” I told him. “You have to be coldhearted to feel nothing after breaking a mate bond.”<br /> <br /> “Or extremely strong,” Briggs stated. “You said she didn’t argue or fight. Did you even give her a chance to speak or even get to know anything about her before you threw her to the curb? Or did you just walk up to her and say tough words?”<br /> <br /> I grimaced. That’s exactly what happened. “There wasn’t exactly an opportunity for that. Neither one of us wanted Kylee to find out.”<br /> <br /> The muscles in his neck flexed as he tensed. “You said ‘which time.’ When did you see her again?”<br /> <br /> “This morning.” <br /> <br /> “Why?” <br /> <br /> I could tell he was choosing his words carefully. <br /> <br /> “Kylee wanted a necklace of her mother’s that was left at their house for some appointment this week. I went back to get it.”<br /> <br /> “Okay, someone else could have done that. Why did you go?” Briggs pushed, but the words stuck in my throat. “Theo, you’re hurting. There’s no way this is as cut and dry as you’re trying to say it is.”<br /> <br /> “The bond didn’t break. Not completely.”<br /> <br /> “Goddess, Theo. So you both have been walking around with your hearts ripped open for the past week?” Briggs said. “So, what happened today? Why are you still on the edge of ripping half the pack’s throats out?”<br /> <br /> Images of that morning flashed through my head. The fear that something had happened to her when she hadn’t been home. The jealousy and rage at finding her at another male’s house. The way it felt when I kissed her. And sheer pain and anguish of everything that followed. <br /> <br /> “Theo?” Briggs pressed.<br /> <br /> “She cut her ties to the pack,” I said solemnly. “She turned herself rogue.”<br /> <br /> “Theo,” Briggs bellowed, “how could you let that happen? Why didn’t you stop her?”<br /> <br /> “She cut herself from Dad. She used his name. There was nothing I could do. I had no way of fighting it.” I was done with this conversation. “So none of this matters. It’s done. She’s gone. She’s never coming back. Doing so would be a death sentence, and she knew that.”<br /> <br /> “What have you done, Theo?”<br /> <br /> “It doesn’t matter,” I yelled. “Whatever I did or didn’t do, she never wanted me anyway. She’s not my problem anymore. So right now, I’m going to worry about cleaning up the mess she made and figure out how to tell Kylee and Marie that they’ll never see her again. And don’t you dare breathe a word about any of this to them, do you understand me?”<br /> <br /> “Okay. Okay,” Briggs said, raising his hands in the air, trying to calm me down. “You’re right. There’s nothing we can do about her now. If it’s done and over with, then it’s done and over with. We’ll move on.”<br /> <br /> I wasn’t sure he believed it, but I didn’t care. Like I said, she wasn’t my problem anymore. <br /> <br /> I went back to my room. There was a knock on my room door, and Kylee poked her head in before I had a chance to answer.<br /> “There you are, mate,” she cooed, sitting in my lap.<br /> She ran a hand up my chest, leaning in to kiss me. Kieran’s growl started immediately.<br /> I still needed to let off some steam. Anything to get some relief.<br /> I was about to respond to her when blinding pain erupted through my body. | LEARN_MORE | https://storyaholic.readlife.mobi/6p33cmijs00.html | 100972718815811 | Holic of novels | https://facebook.com/100071831618482 | 1,865 | 2 | 1,311,666,403,004,864 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Learn more | 0 | Holic of novels | 120207528613100731 | storyaholic.readlife.mobi | NONE | video | https://storyaholic.readlife.mobi/6p33cmijs00.html | 2024-03-25 04:13 | https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433129953_1210666956575237_4832346520249385191_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yd3KpwisJi8AX92iIFO&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCNNJYV6KOP0CNxNB0o0vGMGt2kqRm_qTkTmZT0FR8LDQ&oe=660A643D | person_profile | 0 | Holic of novels | https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433036344_1491720704710144_8590940957495789400_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0cchmtGlerAAX9pcKmo&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAVo0BfAWkVLnSZNYzg1qqz4pNO8hoL7AlcSrUTfrrDjg&oe=6609408D | 0 | 3 | Holic of novels | 0 | 0 | 2024-03-25 02:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||
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