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1,210,908	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211090}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	477958064892126	🎬：《DO ME AGAIN! MY BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND》	Estella was admitted to the hospital due to a car accident, but unexpectedly caught her husband Bryce visiting another woman in the hospital, and the two of them behaved intimately. Estella is feeling down and plans to end her three-year marriage with Bryce, causing a rift in their relationship. But as time went by, Estella learned that what she had always believed was Bryce's infidelity, there was actually another hidden truth... The misunderstanding between the two was resolved, and they confided in each other and decided to hold another wedding.<br /> 👇Download EaShort TV to watch more series	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.e	275572858968276	Eashort skit	https://facebook.com/61557988040582	1	1	287,031,444,446,600	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Install now	Eashort skit	120208230697650708	play.google.com	NONE	video		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esbook.dk	2024-04-12 03:18	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436153399_440297565049571_8394732551385371707_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cKr-I0CXAwsAb6vcpwu&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC3JFpPlynPRprEiDbjFJW23YTeMHJQtsUtA3SDCiCicQ&oe=6621E040	person_profile	Eashort skit	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437729883_738305218388578_7594548817483597837_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PFt6k0NzX-kAb5IyaX9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxnxh482GxHj6aed85bxjviSEDnScKlIMLXOmkPz24Mw&oe=6621FA28	3	Eashort skit	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,815	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210853}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	302795412838877	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"She is a client's assistant. We met a little over two months and it was an accidental hook-up. I swear I didn't plan or thought of it at first. It just happened." He looked away.<br /> "Two months? You've been making a fool out of me for two months, David?!" Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.<br /> "Please forgive me, please Babe."<br /> "I want you to tell her that everything is over between you two... in front of me."<br /> ————————<br /> "The moment I saw you, I knew in my heart that I love everything about you. As I spent more time with you, I realized that I have deeply fallen for you. I promised God and myself that I will never hurt you. Every day of my life I will only spend with you. Your happiness will always be my priority. Loving you forever is my greatest promise. My life will be incomplete without you. Avery Jackson, will you marry me?"<br /> "YES! Yes, David, I will marry you!"<br /> For some, whatever they have may seem too good to be true, but for both of them, finding each other is a dream come true. Everything seemed perfect until the unexpected happened.<br /> Avery couldn't find the word to describe the mixed emotions she felt when she read the message that popped on David's phone. She didn't know if her eyes were fast enough to have read it before the notification faded away or it was the heavens that wanted her to read it. Her body froze, her heart stopped, heavy and painful pounding on her chest dominated. She gasped for air. Her whole body stiffened. It was like any second her head will explode. Every inch of her body trembled. Nauseated, her stomach flipped. She begged her mouth not to vomit. When she heard the bathroom door unlocked, she immediately put back the phone where David originally left before he took a shower.<br /> "Are you okay Babe? What's wrong? You are trembling," David asked, his eyes widened.<br /> "Ah... Um... I need to go to the bathroom. I think I'm having diarrhea." Her steps bolted for the bathroom.<br /> She locked the bathroom door and sat on the tiled floor as her trembling body touched the wall. Her eyes welled with tears.<br /> What should I do? Should I confront him? Since when? Who is she? How? Where? Why?<br /> Strong, piercing and poking burned on her head. Her brain asked all the different questions but failed to find answers to any of them. She pressed her chest slowly and hard, hoping her hand can lessen the pain when she heard David from the outside of the door.<br /> "Babe, are you okay? Do you need medicine? How are you feeling?"<br /> "I'm okay," she answered in a soft voice, hiding her silent cries.<br /> "Do you want me to buy you an energy drink or something?"<br /> "Please... Thank you," her voice crackled.<br /> She burst into tears with her hands placed in between her knees and face when she heard the main door shut. Her whole body convulsed like no end. Is this for real? She denied David is cheating on her. My David will never do that. Maybe the message was wrongly sent? The message wasn't for him?<br /> She went out of the bathroom in a swift motion. It crushed her hope not finding David's phone where she placed it back a while ago. Stupid Ave! No cheating prick will leave his phone behind. She had to think of something. Confronting him can be good or bad. How will I do it? Reality hit her. Her woman's instinct activated. Were there signs? Either she had been so dumb, so trusting, or so in love?<br /> How would I have known the signs?<br /> It's not like there's a manual or a guide for her to know if he is cheating on her.<br /> Maybe David was so good at hiding. She started going back to the past days, weeks, and months. Tears fell again, like on cue the same heaviness and poking in her chest got stronger. But she has to brave all the pains to find the answers. Someone other than David might know. Who else knows?<br /> Self-pity struck her. Do people in the firm know? Am I the last one to know? These are just a few of the questions that popped into her mind. This pain sucks! She wanted very much to confront him, but she's also afraid that she might be wrong. She got the urge to ask people, especially those around him, but she doubted if they will tell her. If people who knew about it want her to know, at least someone should have mentioned it to her already.<br /> "Oh, God! I'm so naïve and stupid! David is their boss. Their loyalty is with him of course."<br /> She felt so alone and pitiful. She knew she can get comfort from her family in times like this, but she can't because she still wanted to protect David. What a stupid idea that despite the hurts and pains she still wants him to get on her family's good side.<br /> Am I acting normal right now? She suddenly remembered Shelly, her best friend, when they caught her fiance doing a "mouth-to-mouth" resuscitation with his secretary inside his office. Back then she wanted badly to smack Shelly when instead of telling her parents the truth, she covered the truth to keep the guy's respectable image. Am I being Shelly right now?<br /> What to do, Avery? What to do?<br /> "Babe, are you okay now?" David asked.<br /> "Better I guess."<br /> She didn't realize that he already came back. She watched him as he opened the bottle of energy drink. Her eyes focused on the cellphone that he placed on top of the bedside table. Even without her going near it, she can see that it was on silent mode judging by the number of times the notifications have been lighting on the screen.<br /> "Here Babe drink it. Make sure you don't get dehydrated. Do you need anything else?"<br /> I need you to be honest with me. "Nothing, thanks."<br /> She gulped the drink without taking her sight off David. He looked excited as he grabbed his cellphone from the side table. She watched him as he sat in bed. He was so engrossed in what he was reading; he didn't realize that she glued her eyes to him all along. She felt a lump in her stomach. How his face changed to the same face he had the morning he asked her to be his girlfriend. She saw the same excitement and sweet smile he had for her then. Except that this time she is sure it wasn't for her. Her body trembled again. She placed her hand over her heart. She can't seem to breathe.<br /> NO.<br /> I think my breathing is becoming loud.<br /> Too loud that she unconsciously covered her ears with her hands.<br /> Now I can't seem to hear my heartbeat.<br /> She feels like her heart stopped. She started pressing into her chest. Everything around her blurs. Then there was total darkness and silence.<br /> "Babe! Avery! Wake up!"<br /> David's voice awakened her. Her restless body was in David's arms when she opened her eyes. He was staring at her, worried. She can't find the strength to say anything. She looked into his eyes and silently asked the questions to herself. The questions she can't dare to ask him.<br /> Why David? Why?<br /> "What happened to you? Do you want me to bring you to the hospital?"<br /> I'm fine. I need to be.<br /> "I'll get you water. Stay in bed for now."<br /> Saying nothing, she stood up and trudged to the bed. She saw his cellphone on top of his pillow. It is in silent mode. She sees the call notifications as the phone screen keeps on lighting. The same contact who sent him the message is the same contact calling him right now. She grabbed the phone. 15 missed calls. All from the same contact. She heard footsteps coming near the bedroom door. It's too late. David already saw her holding his phone. He looked at her. She looked at him. They stared at each other.<br /> "Your phone. Someone has been calling you 15 times now."<br /> She looked into his eyes. His eyes avoided hers. He immediately took the phone from her hand. He seemed anxious but didn't look at her.<br /> "It's Jonathan. He's been calling me regarding the recent case. Take a rest, for now, babe. I'll just call Jonathan. Stay here. I'll be back."<br /> She just nodded and watched him as he rushed to get out of their room. The adrenalin and jealousy gave her body the strength to move and run for the door. Quietly, she watched him from the small opening.<br /> His gestures are familiar, bright smile, sparkling eyes.<br /> But one thing is for sure... those sweet gestures, his bright smile, and the sparks in his eyes... this time they're not hers.<br /> Avery was always confident. On top of her class, from elementary to her master's class days. Always gets praised for being young and smart. She knew how to hold an audience of professionals. She was a quick thinker. But this time, this exact moment, she felt like nothing. Worthless. Hopeless. Dumb. Numb.<br /> Her mind overflowed with silent questions. What did I do wrong? Did I lack on something? So many whats and whys. All thoughts that made her doubt herself, her worth.<br /> Sound of footsteps coming awakened her from her thoughts. She immediately went to bed and rested her back on the headboard.<br /> "Babe, will you be alright if I meet up with Jonathan for an hour or two? We badly need to discuss our plan for tomorrow's court hearing."<br /> She looked him in the eye as she wanted very much to ask him.<br /> Why do you have to lie, David?" Do you really have to meet Jonathan at this hour? Where are you really going? Can't you guys just meet early tomorrow instead?"<br /> "You know how is Jonathan, babe. He wouldn't stop calling and texting me unless I meet up with him. That idiot is quite a workaholic and a nerve-wreck!"<br /> Who are you meeting? "Okay," was the only word that came out of her.<br /> She still can't believe that this is happening. That the David who is lying to her face right now is the same David who promised to love her forever. The David for an angel she thought of has turned into a lying monster in front of her. But she can't understand why she's so weak and afraid. Weak to confront him and afraid to get an answer she might not want to hear.<br /> "I have to go, Babe! I'll try to be back as soon as I can."<br /> Like in a dream, everything was floating and blurred. She just realized he already left after hearing his car revving out loud and fast from the garage.<br /> I am not expecting this. It's just six months after we got engaged. We just confirmed a schedule to meet with the wedding planner yesterday.<br /> She stood fast and looked for her phone, and dialed. "Hello! Jonathan speaking."<br /> "Hey, Jonathan! This is Avery. I just wanted to know what you and David have scheduled for tomorrow? I wanted to surprise him for his birthday and secretly work on his schedule with his assistant tomorrow."<br /> "Avery, hey! Oh, we don't have any case right now. The last time we worked together was before your engagement. I wished we have a case together. It's so easy to work on a case with your man Ave!"<br /> "Uh... Oh... I know... How's Izzy? the kids?"<br /> "Well, Izzy is in the province with her mom right now. I'm on leave for three days because I'm stuck here at home babysitting the kids! Daddy duties!"<br /> "So sorry to have bothered you, Jonathan! peck the kids for me and tell Izzy I said hi."<br /> "I will Ave! Send my regards to your man! Goodnight!"<br /> "Goodnight Jonathan!"<br /> In silence, her tears started flowing like waterfalls. Everything in her body ached. Her heart pierced and broke into million pieces. Her imaginations worked. David driving fast, excited to meet his "Jonathan." She suddenly saw their engagement picture. As she holds the heart-shaped frame, she can't help but remember that day. Her heart was full of happiness and love. She and David looked so in love. Their eyes were sparkling, and he was holding her hand, showing the engagement ring, which was an heirloom passed down from his grandmother to his mom and now to David for her.<br /> When Avery felt him slowly getting on his side of the bed, she prayed for him not to notice that she was awake. He went to bed under the impression that she was in a deep sleep. He was unaware that she was just observing him all along. In a matter of fifteen minutes, he cleaned the broken glass, sneaked in a shower, and placed his clothes in the washer.<br /> Avery wanted very much not to cry, knowing that David is just in the other room, but her eyes have a mind of their own. She looked around and saw their engagement picture in a replaced frame the sobbing was a powerful force she can't fight anymore. She wished that one can easily replace broken relationships, like when broken frames were replaced with new ones.<br /> "What is wrong, babe? Why are you crying?"<br /> Avery froze knowing that David is now standing behind her. If he sees her face and she sees his, her tears will betray her. She hoped David will leave her and not insist to get an answer. But maybe, just maybe, or she was hoping against hope that everything is just a misunderstanding and that David is still the same David. The same who promised to love her forever and the same who she still loves despite.<br /> The crying she was trying so hard to keep to herself turned into loud and continuous sobbing. Avery can't control her emotions anymore. When David put his arms around her and then made her slowly face him, she lost it all.<br /> "What is happening Ave? Why are you crying? Did something happen?"<br /> Seeing David's concerned expression made her forget he is looking at the person who has been hurting him for weeks now. She placed her arms around him and cried harder. "I'm so in pain right now David."<br /> "Tell me, Babe, what's going on? Which is hurting? Why?"<br /> "My heart is hurting... in so much pain for weeks now." She told in between sobs and tears.<br /> As he wipes her tears with his fingers, he kept asking her questions, unaware of what she is about to say. "Is there something wrong with your heart? Did the doctor find something?"<br /> "No. But I discovered something. It has been causing me pain, it's been killing me every day."<br /> "You're making me worried now, babe. Tell me, please." He motioned her towards the bedroom bench. As they sat together, he clasped his hand with hers.<br /> Avery, feeling hopeful, felt that this might be her chance to confront him. She decided it's now or never. "We need to talk."<br /> "Okay Babe, talk to me. Tell me everything."<br /> "Who is she?"<br /> "Who? What do you mean she?"<br /> "Please be honest with me, David. At least as a friend. Who is the woman you are cheating on me with?"<br /> David's face fell. His breathing turned heavier and louder. The warmth that his hand was giving hers turned ice cold. And as he removed his hand from hers, he immediately brushed both of his hands through his hair and looked down. Dead silence enveloped the room. Avery knows this is their chance to lay everything down. As painful as it may be, the only way to know the truth is to get answers from him.<br /> "I knew it from the night I blacked out. She didn't ask him a question this time. I unintentionally read the message she sent you. I knew you didn't meet with Jonathan. You didn't have any reason to meet him at all."<br /> "Ave you know I can't lie to you."He looked her in the eye, guilt reflected.<br /> "But you did." If there is one thing that Avery learned as a paralegal that is interrogating without asking. "I called Jonathan right after you left that night. He doesn't have any clue. Izzy was in her province that night, no way for her to tell you to say hi to me."<br /> "Babe, I'm sorry." He cupped her face, looked directly into her eyes. She didn't stop him. The tears and the sobbing stopped. She felt braver, empowered seeing his sorry and admitting face.<br /> "Who is she? Tell me, what did I do wrong? What did I not do?" She removed his hands from her face.<br /> "There is nothing wrong with you, babe. It wasn't you, it was me. I was stupid! I'm sorry Ave."<br /> David lowered his head."I'm sorry Ave." He said the three words she regretted hearing. For the past weeks, she had been agonizing over herself to know the truth. She didn't realize that hearing the truth from him will be a thousand times more painful than how she has been feeling all along.<br /> Truth sucks. Truth hurts. Truth is real. These were the only things that echoed on Avery's mind. She values honesty all her life, but she wished that David should have just lied to her face again. The confirmation she had been longing to get from him didn't just hurt her wounded heart more. It pained, it cut, and it stabbed her already bleeding heart.<br /> "Ave, I'm really sorry. I know there is no excuse for what I did."<br /> She took in a deep breath. "Who is she? Since when?"<br /> "You don't know her. She is a client's assistant. We met a little over two months and it was an accidental hook-up. I swear I didn't plan or thought of it at first. It just happened." He looked away.<br /> "Two months? You've been making a fool out of me for two months, David?!" Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.<br /> "No Babe! Believe me. The night I told you I was to meet Jonathan, I went to meet her. I ended everything with her. Please believe me Ave!"<br /> The memory of that night flashed back to Avery. David's sweet gestures, his bright smile, and the sparks in his eyes... she wouldn't forget that picture of him reading messages on his phone. David may lie to her, but not to her heart. His face then didn't show an inch of a man about to end everything with the woman whose message he was reading.<br /> Her mind told her not to believe and not to forgive David is the most reasonable decision. But her heart reminded her he's asking for forgiveness should put her at ease, that he is deserving him a second chance. "After you confirmed David is really cheating, what do you plan to do?" She heard Shelly's voice as if she was just beside her.<br /> "Ave please say something. Please forgive me, please Babe."<br /> What should I do with you, David? Avery felt weak to even say a word. She just stared at David. If only her eyes have sharp arrows flying out of them, she would have surely hit his body bulls-eye slowly but fiercely. And she remembered what she told herself. She wouldn't be in his game without a fight.<br /> "Ave, tell me what I need to do for you to forgive me, please."<br /> "I want you to tell her that everything is over between you two... in front of me."	LEARN_MORE	https://a.deerfiction.com/ad/ZGVlcmZpY3Rpb24vMTQ4O	108215462372296	Derf001	https://facebook.com/100095771432063	105	1	2,341,154,552,750,145	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Derf001	120208433668270346	a.deerfiction.com	NONE	video		https://a.deerfiction.com/ad/ZGVlcmZpY3Rpb24vMTQ4OTQ1LzIwMjQwNDExMjEyNzQ3L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 09:16	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435183995_439805942053392_8180109918524877458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NPzDIsjqmWwAb4aE6vH&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfBm4U_LAihUFRcdTaprTTADbnjoLRRzRuhsxsm8OhH2FQ&oe=6621F417	person_profile	Derf001	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435192160_789445289760278_2252084743021751955_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dhHLdVq59t0Ab6_JB8b&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAUcqICGHMaaYR1qApaP_YLNOGqwIUs-wW331MIDWOe6Q&oe=6621DDE5	3	Derf001	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,819	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210812}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	316629571448300	🔥🔥🔥🔥 Read <Secret Marriage, Crazy Love> 👉	“If we continue with this, she will lose her life! She’s your fiancée!”<br /> The doctor uttered in panic. Bullets of sweat formed on his back and forehead. He looked at the guy who was standing on the side. His handsome face showed no emotions as he stared at the lady on the hospital mattress. Her body looked pale and lifeless. <br /> Meanwhile, the gent’s eyes were filled with indifference and emptiness.<br /> “As if she deserves to live. This kind of lady does not even deserve to be my wife.”<br /> The lady felt a sudden wave of pain through her body.<br /> ‘What happened?’ she thought, feeling strange.<br /> She only remembered getting betrayed and trapped by her subordinates during the mission. She thought she was going to pass away.<br /> ‘Why do I still feel pain? The explosion definitely crushed me into powder.’<br /> She slowly fluttered her eyes open. Her vision was blurry, and she could vaguely see figures in coats moving before her.<br /> ‘Am I still alive? Am I in a hospital?’ she wondered.<br /> Before she found out the answers to her questions, a pounding headache attacked her. It was followed by a series of memories that didn’t belong to her. It was so painful that she almost screamed.<br /> Slowly, she realized that she indeed passed away. But for some reason, she was reborn in a different lady's body.<br /> The body of Julia Watson, the same name as her.<br /> Standing near her was Carter Ross, the fiancé of Julia Watson. Today was supposed to be their wedding day, but Julia’s best friend rushed into the wedding hall and proclaimed that she was carrying Carter’s child. The most shocking thing was that she claimed that she and Carter loved each other.<br /> She begged Julia to help her. Then she pretended that Julia had pushed her and was taken to the hospital.<br /> The vital fluid type of Julia’s best friend was quite rare. Coincidentally, she and her best friend have the same type.<br /> To save her, Carter did everything so they could transfer her vital liquid to the lady.<br /> Julia was deep in her thoughts when the gent's cold and fierce voice echoed in the room.<br /> “She’s a despicable lady. A snake! She can’t be gone easily. You can continue.”<br /> ‘He’s so cruel and heartless!’<br /> Julia clenched her fists. She could feel the painful tug in her heart.<br /> She couldn’t even control the pain. It felt natural, like a reaction or instinct.<br /> Julia realized that it might be the reaction of the original owner of the body, who suffered heavily.<br /> Starting from now, she will be the new Julia Watson. She would make sure that everyone who hurt her would suffer from the consequences!<br /> “She’s in shock. Her body’s struggling!” The doctor yelled.<br /> “Hold her down!” Carter demanded and went toward the bed to hold Julia’s hand.<br /> Julia resisted with all her strength. She pulled her leg from the doctor’s hold and strike the nurse who was pinning her down. Then, she jumped and rolled over, barely escaping the hands of the people around her.<br /> Julia sat up on the mattress, breathing heavily. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Sweat dripped down her neck as her eyes scanned the room.<br /> The nurses and the doctors froze, watching Julia in awe.<br /> At that moment, Carter stood in front of Julia. His glaring eyes remained on her. “What’s up with you, Julia? Lie down on the mattress! Vivien still needs your vital fluids!” He said impatiently.<br /> Julia watched him with emotionless eyes. “Why? Why would you sacrifice me to save Vivien’s life?” she sternly asked.<br /> “Why?” Carter shouted. “What do you mean why? If it weren’t for your madness, she wouldn’t be here in the first place! You pushed her, remember?”<br /> Julia scoffed. “Did you really believe her? Are you deaf? I told you that she pretended to fall! She’s the crazy one here, but you kept blaming me.”<br /> Julia explained to him over and over again inside the wedding hall. She was in tears. However, Carter refused to believe her.<br /> “Shut up! I saw you push her. With my own eyes, Julia! Stop lying to me,” he replied. His face was blazing with anger and disgust.<br /> <br /> Chapter 1.2: Rebirth<br /> <br /> Julia shook her head. “Really? Then, your eyes are deceiving you.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm.<br /> “What did you say?” Carter asked as if he couldn’t believe what she had just said. Julia had always been obedient and submissive. Carter could say whatever he wanted and wouldn’t hear a word back. The words she just said didn’t seem to come out of her mouth at all.<br /> Julia stood up from the mattress. Due to excessive vital fluid loss, her body was weak and trembling.<br /> Carter’s last ounce of patience vanished. “I’ll say it again,” he said darkly. “Go back to the mattress. Or else I’ll send you straight to the police station. You deserve to be punished, after all.”<br /> Julia ignored his threat and slowly stepped towards him. She raised her chin and whispered, “Aren’t you stubborn? Well, I have a way to make you believe.”<br /> “Julia! Didn’t you hear what I said just now? Don’t test my patience! Go back—” Suddenly, Julia’s fist landed on his stomach, cutting him off.<br /> Carter let out a muffled whimper, feeling the pain in his abdomen. He slowly fell to his knees. His veins were bulging on his temples.<br /> ‘What the heck? Where did she get her strength?’ he thought.<br /> Carter looked up but Julia had already left the room.<br /> Enduring the stabbing pain in his stomach, Carter got up and quickly chased after her.<br /> Meanwhile, Julia managed to get into the VIP section of the hospital, where Vivien was located. She entered her room and locked it.<br /> Carter’s eyes widened when he saw where Julia had gone. His fists pounded the door as he shouted through the observation window. “Julia! Open the door! I’m warning you! Don’t you dare lay a finger on her! If you harm her, I’ll put an end to your life. I swear!”<br /> Julia ignored Carter’s threats and continued walking towards Vivien’s mattress.<br /> Vivien's face was as pale as paper.<br /> “Sure, Vivien Smith. I’ll give you a score of sixty for your acting skills. It’s hardly fine,” Julia said.<br /> Upon hearing Julia’s words, Vivien almost couldn’t help but roll her eyes.<br /> ‘You’re just a useless person who knows nothing. What’s your point? You think you’re better than me because of your family and status?’<br /> Just like what Vivien had thought, Julia grabbed her hand.<br /> She faked a whimper. “Julia… Please… Don’t hurt my baby. Don’t drag my baby to our mess. Wait for me to give birth to my child; then you can have your revenge. Not now, please.”<br /> Her fake tears started to fall as she finished her pitiful speech. From an innocent person’s perspective, she really seemed miserable and distressed.<br /> Carter continued pounding the door outside. His blasphemous words against Julia faintly sounded in the room.<br /> Julia put Vivien’s hand down and stood next to her mattress. Her gaze was focused on her face. “Vivien, you are not really conceiving a child. We both know that.”<br /> Vivien’s eyes widened slightly. She looked at Julia in disbelief.<br /> ‘How did she know? Did she grab my hand to feel my pulse?’ she pondered.<br /> ‘Impossible!’<br /> ‘Julia doesn’t know anything about medicine and process of gestation. She’s just toying with me!’<br /> “W-What are you talking about? I don’t understand you, Julia. Can’t you see my state right now? Just don’t hurt my baby. Please, help us survive.”<br /> ‘Still pretending?’ Julia thought.<br /> She smirked at her. “Vivien, do you want to make a bet? In just five minutes, I can expose your little secret.”<br /> Her smile widened. Vivien felt a wave of nervousness as she looked at her evil expression.<br /> ‘What is she going to do?’<br /> Before Vivien knew it, Julia raised her hand and aimed it at her face. Vivien screamed, feeling the pain in her face and head.<br /> Chapter 2: I Am Willing to Marry You<br /> The sound of Julia’s slap was loud and clear.<br /> Vivien was caught off-guard. Her wide and terrified eyes stared at Julia.<br /> However, this was not over yet.<br /> Julia raised her hand again. All of a sudden, another strike landed on Vivien’s cheek.<br /> “Ah!” Vivien screamed in pain. Julia’s throw was heavier than the first one. Vivien couldn’t bear it anymore, and she covered her swollen face as she cried in pain.<br /> “Vivien!” Carter called, looking at her helplessly. He then transferred his eyes to Julia, angry. He fisted his hands and imagined torturing her.<br /> “Julia! Stop it! Stop it for me!”<br /> Julia stopped. Her head turned toward Carter, raising her brow. She looked at him briefly before slapping Vivien’s face again.<br /> She wanted to see how long Vivien would be able to endure it. She wanted to know how long she could keep her façade.<br /> “Julia! Stop it. You’re hurting me. I’m begging you—Ouch!”<br /> Vivien’s cries fell on deaf ears. Julia continued hitting her, increasing the strength of her strikes every time. Vivien couldn’t even feel her face anymore.<br /> Her face turned crimson and swollen, but she kept her mouth shut and lay on the mattress, not wanting to fall into Julai’s trap.<br /> Julia shook her head. She might have underestimated Vivien. The latter was not stupid and weak. No wonder her innocent façade fooled a lot of people and victimized Julia.<br /> “Vivien, what will happen if your innocent face gets ruined? Do you think Carter will still like you?” Julia sweetly asked. Then, she grabbed the fruit slicer from the fruit basket and waved it in front of Vivien’s face.<br /> Vivien’s eyes bulged out, mortified.<br /> “You’re crazy! You’re a psychopath, Julia!”<br /> Julia looked at Vivien with a smile and muttered, “Yes. I’m crazy. Now, watch me carve a beautiful flower on your delicate skin.”<br /> Vivien let out a wild scream. She was so scared that she rolled over from the mattress and fell to the floor.<br /> “Ouch!” She whimpered as she rubbed her back in pain.<br /> “Where are you going, Vivien? Didn’t you ask me to save you?” Julia mocked as she walked closer to her. The fruit slicer hung on her fingers. “How will I be able to save you if you run?”<br /> “No! Don’t go near me!” Vivien shouted desperately and started crawling toward the door.<br /> ‘You want to escape?’ Julia thought. ‘No freaking way!’<br /> Julia dashed toward her, making the latter panic. Vivien couldn’t open the door, so she rushed in a different direction.<br /> Vivien ran around while Julia chased after her.<br /> “Stop it, Julia! Someone, help! Carter! Help me!” Vivien cried.<br /> “V-Vivien,” Carter whispered as he watched the scene in front of him. His eyes were blazing from anger and desperation. This time, his urge to skin Julia alive intensified.<br /> Fortunately, the medical staff came to his view and opened the door with a key.<br /> Vivien seized the moment and stumbled toward the door. She then ran to Carter.<br /> “Vivien!” Carter said and embraced her with a tight hug. “Are you okay?”<br /> Vivien sobbed, her body trembling. “Carter, I…”<br /> “She’s okay,” Julia interrupted.<br /> “Carter, haven’t you seen the way she moved around the room? Massive hemorrhage? I highly doubt it,” Julia scoffed and chuckled.<br /> “Since when did a conceiving lady with a massive hemorrhage move actively? If you still believe her, then you’re not blind. You’re clearly aware she’s pretending, and you’re willing to cooperate with her.”<br /> Carter’s mouth parted in shock. He was so worried about Vivien and the baby’s safety that he didn’t realize this immediately. He remembered how Vivien looked like she was about to pass away before.<br /> She was so weak that she couldn’t speak anymore. He suddenly recalled how Vivien ran around the hospital room.<br /> ‘How could she run so fast when she couldn’t even move earlier?’<br /> Vivien's eyes watered as she watched the changes in Carter’s expression. Her heart beat faster from nervousness.<br /> All of a sudden, Vivien fell into Carter’s arms, weak and trembling.<br /> Carter’s suspicion grew even more. But seeing Vivien fall into his arms, he couldn’t help but still hold her close to him. It felt like a reflex.<br /> In just a snap, Vivien’s sick and weak appearance returned. “Carter, I-I may not… be able to save our c-child. Our baby… I’m… I’m sorry,” she said in a shaky voice.<br /> “This smell…” Julia trailed and sniffed. She slowly walked to the bedside. As soon as she flipped the pillows, her gaze landed on the two vital fluid bags. She picked them up and turned to Vivien, who was still acting her heart out.<br /> ‘Massive bleeding, huh?’<br /> Carter’s dark gaze stayed on the bags. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath before looking at the lady in his arms.<br /> Chapter 2.2: I Am Willing to Marry You<br /> <br /> Vivien saw the rage in Carter’s eyes, startling her. She swallowed hard, and slowly, tears flowed down her cheeks.<br /> “Carter… I-I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done this, but I was left with no choice. I love you so much! I can’t just stand there and watch you get married. Believe it or not, without you, I really can’t live,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry. Forgive me, please.”<br /> She cried profusely in front of him. Deep down, her head was filled with curses for Julia.<br /> ‘Why is this lady so nosy? How did she find out about the vital fluid bags?’ She couldn’t find a place where to hide them, so she put them under her pillows out of panic. Now, Julia was casually waving it in front of Carter’s face!<br /> Carter looked at Vivien. There was a painful tug in his heart, especially upon seeing her sad expression and listening to her words. He heaved a deep sigh.<br /> “I should be the one to say sorry. I wasn’t able to stop my engagement as early as I could. You got stressed about it. You acted out of desperation and disappointment. I don’t blame you. I will never blame you, Vivien.”<br /> Julia watched the two quietly. ‘Julia, is the gent who you truly loved? He’s nothing but a scumbag who loved someone else. It’s not worth dying for this kind of guy.'<br /> “Fine. I’ll make things easier for you two,” Julia spoke. The two watched her remove the engagement ring from her finger and shake it before Vivien.<br /> “Didn’t you always want this?” Julia asked her. “Here. I’ll give this to you.” With a flick of her finger, the ring flew and landed inside the garbage can.<br /> “Pick up the garbage that I don’t want.”<br /> Without waiting for their replies, Julia walked out of the ward and never looked back.<br /> Carter’s jaw dropped. He stared at Julia’s retreating form, confused. She was completely different from the Julia he had known before!<br /> But the good news was, she was finally gone. He didn’t want to see this lady again. He despised her!<br /> All heads turned to Julia as she walked out of the hospital. When she passed by a wall with a full-length mirror, she finally realized why.<br /> She looked at her reflection. Her wedding dress was ruined all over. The stains of mascara from her tears spread on her cheeks.<br /> No wonder she attracted so much attention.<br /> Julia continued walking outside until her gaze caught the guy standing at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.<br /> The gent was breathtaking. He looked like one of those models straight out of a magazine.<br /> ‘Is that… Jared Brooks? The CEO of Brooks Corporation?’ she thought. She stared at him longer, until she realized it was really him!<br /> In her previous life, her last mission was related to the Brooks family. Unfortunately, her subordinates betrayed her before she could even finish the mission.<br /> It was Julia’s frustration. She wasn’t able to complete the task!<br /> But now that she saw him, perhaps it was God’s sign. If she didn’t take the opportunity now to complete her mission, she wouldn’t forgive herself.<br /> With this thought in mind, Julia quietly walked towards the Civil Affairs Bureau.<br /> Beside Jared was a young guy in a wheelchair. He and Jared looked quite the same. However, the younger one was a bit more handsome than Jared's chiseled facial features.<br /> Julia suddenly recalled some information about Jared. The latter had a younger brother.<br /> ‘He must be Shiloh Brooks,’ she thought.<br /> ‘What are they doing in the Civil Affairs Bureau?’<br /> Julia tilted her head and thought about it. To her luck, she heard the two gents talking with each other.<br /> “Jared, we’ve been here for an hour. I don’t think the Scott family’s daughter will come,” Shiloh muttered in an upset tone. “Grandma is just crazy about wanting to have a grandchild. Before she passed away, she arranged you with this lady and warned you that you must get married this year. If not, she would not demise in peace. She’s just overreacting.”<br /> Jared raised a brow. His dark and hooded eyes were filled with unfathomable wisdom.<br /> “It’s not like she’ll willingly do this. After all, no matter what business affair it is, I never usually show up. According to rumors, which spread like wildfire, I’m ugly, violent, and impatient. Some say I’m a bald person who's over fifty years old. Who would marry such a person?”<br /> “I will.”<br /> Jared and Shiloh turned their heads. A lady with a messy face in a ruined wedding dress appeared.<br /> “I’m willing to marry you.”<br /> Chapter 3: Marriage<br /> Getting married to Jared and becoming part of the Brooks family was her plan. She had faith that she could definitely complete the mission this time!<br /> Jared’s eyes scanned Julia from head to toe. Her face was a mess! Her mascara and eye shadow were splattered all over, and her tattered wedding dress had some crimson stains, which looked like vital fluid.<br /> She looked like a jilted bride who got robbed or something.<br /> “Who are you?”<br /> Julia raised her chin. “I’m Julia Watson of the Watson family.”<br /> Jared glanced at Shiloh. “Do you think I’ll believe you?” he coldly asked her. His eyebrows were furrowed.<br /> “Whether you believe me or not, it doesn’t matter. You’ll run a background check on me anyway,” she calmly responded.<br /> Jared’s cold eyes widened slightly, curious about what she had just said.<br /> “Come on. Time is ticking. Your supposed bride stood you up, and I just found out that my fiancé was in love with someone else during my wedding ceremony. We are both the biggest losers today, so why don’t we partner up and get married instead?” Julia casually said.<br /> Jared nodded his head. Now, he understood why she looked like this. She came to him to get revenge against her fiancé, who betrayed her.<br /> ‘The nerve of her to use me to satisfy her anger with her scumbag boyfriend,’ he thought.<br /> “Go find someone else, Miss,” he replied and held Shiloh’s wheelchair, ready to leave.<br /> “Wait!” Julia exclaimed and blocked their path. She glanced at Shiloh, who was silently sitting in the wheelchair.<br /> “What if I can,” she trailed. “Cure his legs?”<br /> ‘What?’ Jared and Shiloh inwardly thought. Their mouth parted, stunned by Julia’s words.<br /> “Hey, stop staring at me.” Julia rolled her eyes. “Just give an answer. If I can cure his leg, will you agree to marry me?”<br /> Jared fell silent for a while. His heavy gaze remained on Julia as he deliberated. “If you can really cure him, then I’ll marry you,” he finally said.<br /> Shiloh whimpered. “What? Jared, are you nuts? We don’t even know this lady! She must have an ulterior motive. Don’t fall for her trap!”<br /> Jared patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down.<br /> “How will you be able to treat my brother?”<br /> Julia stepped closer. “Let me take a look at the situation first.” She calmly held the blanket on Shiloh’s lap and was about to pick it up.<br /> “Don’t touch me!” Shiloh protested and snatched the blanket from her hands.<br /> Julia scowled at him. “Do you think I have a special vision? Like I can see your legs through the blanket?” she sarcastically uttered.<br /> “Well, I don’t believe you can cure my legs!” Shiloh replied and glared at her. After all, why would he trust her?<br /> Julia gritted her teeth, impatient. ‘If it weren’t for my desire to complete my mission, I wouldn’t even think of helping you!’ she thought.<br /> In her past life, hundreds of people would try all means to invite her to treat their illness at all costs!<br /> To her surprise, Jared suddenly lifted Shiloh’s blanket, showing his legs.<br /> “Jared! She’s a scam. Why do you believe her?”<br /> “Let her see, Shiloh,” Jared calmly said and stood close to him. If Julia dared to make any inappropriate move, he would let her know the end of harming his loved ones!<br /> Shiloh grumpily scoffed and turned his face away. He crossed his arms. His damaged legs had been in the wheelchair for years, which caused muscle atrophy and deformation. At least to him, his legs look horrible.<br /> Julia softly pressed his legs with her fingers. <br /> “It seemed like you have been in a wheelchair for six or seven years,” she said.<br /> Both Jared and Shiloh looked at each other, mirroring the surprised expressions on their faces.<br /> Indeed, it had been six or seven years since the car accident. They both couldn’t believe one look and touch, and Julia already found out.<br /> Before they could utter a reply, Julia’s fingers formed a hook shape and pressed them down on Shiloh’s deformed leg.<br /> All of a sudden, Shiloh let out a muffled whimper in his mouth.<br /> He reacted! Therefore, he felt a sensation in his legs.<br /> Jared watched the scene in disbelief. Seeing how his brother reacted stirred up a turbulent wave in his heart.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3.2: Marriage<br /> <br /> Ever since the accident, Shiloh couldn’t feel anything below his body. They had already turned the world upside down, looking for the best doctors, advanced medical procedures, and expensive medicinal herbs. However, Shiloh’s legs were as unresponsive as a withered tree.<br /> Now, a lady they didn’t even know casually massaged his legs and made Shiloh feel something. He whimpered in pain!<br /> Jared studied Julia’s face. ‘She looks like she’s in her early twenties. Can she really help my brother?’<br /> Julia withdrew her hand and thought for a while. “His condition is quite serious,” she said, frowning slightly.<br /> “But you can treat him?” Jared asked worried.<br /> Julia looked at him and nodded. “Yeah, I can do it. It will take at least three or four months, though.”<br /> Julia lied. Seeing Shiloh’s condition, she could help him in just a short time. Give her at most a month, and Shiloh would be walking with a cane.<br /> But she couldn’t say that! She would have exposed her identity as a gifted doctor if she had said that.<br /> Meanwhile, Jared and Shiloh were taken aback by Julia’s claim. Three or four months was still a short period.<br /> “Well?” Julia asked Jared. “I just made your brother feel a sensation in his legs. I guess you should fulfill your promise and come with me inside to legalize our marriage?”<br /> Jared nodded. “Let’s go.”<br /> “Jared!” Shiloh protested and grabbed his shirt, refusing to let him go.<br /> “My legs didn’t feel anything. She was lying to you. Don’t marry her!” Shiloh uttered. He didn’t want to hinder his brother from being free because of him.<br /> Julia turned to him and smiled. “You didn't feel anything, Shiloh?”<br /> Without waiting for his answer, she lifted the blanket again and quickly poked his leg.<br /> “Oh!” Shiloh growled in pain. His face instantly turned crimson.<br /> Julia stopped and crossed her arms at Jared. “See? Come on.” <br /> Half an hour later, Julia walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau with the marriage certificate in her hand. It was valid and legal.<br /> She looked at her and Jared’s photo and realized that life was really unpredictable. This guy was supposed to be Carter, her original fiancé. In just the blink of an eye, a different guy was standing beside her.<br /> ‘Well, at least he’s cute,’ Julia happily thought as she looked at Jared’s photo.<br /> Jared was definitely more handsome than Carter, so she suffered no loss.<br /> After following Jared and Shiloh to their house, Julia immediately requested to use a bathroom.<br /> Her body was covered with sweat and crimson stains, and the makeup on her face was disgustingly sticky. In short, she badly needed a shower.<br /> After showering, Julia stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection.<br /> “Wow… You really are pretty, Julia Watson,” she murmured.<br /> Her skin was fair and as smooth as silk. Her eyebrows were perfectly shaped, and had a flush mouth. Her delicate nose fits her facial structure perfectly.<br /> “Tsk,” She clicked her mouth. “Despite having a good family background and flawless beauty, she still ended up being betrayed by her scumbag of a fiancé. Such good cards landed on poor hands.”<br /> Meanwhile, Jared stood in the living room downstairs. He answered his assistant’s call.<br /> “Mr. Brooks, the matter you instructed earlier has been taken care of. Miss Julia Watson is the eldest daughter of the Watson family. Today was her wedding day with Carter Ross of the Ross family. During the ceremony, Mr. Ross’ lover made a scene, causing the wedding to stop.”<br /> After learning about the whole story, Jared no longer doubts Julia’s identity.<br /> His guess was right. The sole reason why Julia wanted to marry him was to get back with her ex-fiancé.<br /> “I’m sorry, Jared. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be married to that ugly and weird lady,” Shiloh said guiltily.<br /> Jared shook his head, erasing his thoughts. He turned to his brother and said, “Don’t blame yourself. For me, getting married is not a big deal. I just have to fulfill Grandma’s wish before she pass away. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”<br /> As soon as Jared finished speaking, they heard a sound coming from upstairs. It seemed like Julia had already finished showering.<br /> Soon, footsteps from the stairs echoed in the quiet house.<br /> Jared turned around and looked up.<br /> His mouth parted in surprise.<br /> Chapter 4: Unexpected <br /> Julia stood quietly at the bottom of the stairs, looking like a deity from a painting.<br /> Slowly, she walked toward them. The two brothers’ gaze remained on her, mesmerized and curious.<br /> ‘Is she really the ugly lady we met earlier?’ Shiloh thought. If it weren’t for him seeing Julia come out of the room with his own eyes, he would have never believed that the girl in front of him was Julia, the lady who married his brother.<br /> Julia approached Jared and gave her a small smile. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long.”<br /> Then, she plopped on the sofa and let out an audible sigh. She brought her feet to the chair and hugged her knees like this place was her home.<br /> Jared watched Julia’s movements with furrowed brows.<br /> ‘Is that my shirt?’ he thought.<br /> True to his thoughts, it was indeed his shirt. Julia noticed his piercing gaze. “Oh. This shirt? I couldn’t find any other clothes back there. I can’t come out here with just a towel, right?” she explained.<br /> Jared looked at the shirt on her body. The perfectly ironed and soft fabric was his go-to clothes, but now it was on a different lady’s body. It looked huge on her.<br /> Julia’s wet hair cascaded down her shoulders, sprawled on his shirt. Her appearance was simply breathtaking.<br /> Because her hair was not properly dried and still dripped with water, they easily wet the front of her shirt. Jared’s eyes turned into slits as he watched his shirt become see-through, revealing her undergarment.<br /> “What the heck?” Julia exclaimed when Jared took off his coat and threw it on her. “I don’t need this. It’s warm in here.”<br /> Jared scowled at her. “Put that on. Or else, you’re free to go upstairs,” he demanded in a strict voice.<br /> Julia lowered her head and looked at her body. She realized that the rumors were true. This guy was not used to ladies. Although she didn’t wear pants, the shirt was long enough to cover her legs. It was actually longer than a normal skirt.<br /> ‘There’s really something wrong with him,’ she pondered. Frowning, she lazily stood up and put on his coat over her body.<br /> She wouldn’t bother interacting with this person if it weren't for the mission.<br /> “Mr. Brooks, I am now wrapped like a spring roll. If you have something to say, just cut to the chase."<br /> “Fine. I’ll be honest with you. I know what you’re doing here,” Jared looked her straight in the eye as he sat on the opposite chair. His dark eyes blazed with coldness.<br /> Julia’s eyes narrowed. She felt a little caught off-guard but made sure not to show it on her face.<br /> He guessed she had no other partner. Did he find out about her task?<br /> Julia returned to her senses when Jared’s deep voice suddenly entered her ears. <br /> “You’re using me to take revenge on your ex-fiancé who betrayed and left you.”<br /> ‘What?’ Julia blinked her eyes, surprised. It took her a while to process his words.<br /> “Did I guess wrong?” Jared spoke with a very determined tone.<br /> Julia’s eyes widened. “Oh. Y-Yes! You’re right. Wow. You really are the leader of the Brooks family. You can see through my plans in just a glance,” she trailed. It was a perfect opportunity.<br /> “That sumbag. He wasted our relationship. I was sincere and willing to marry him, but he chose to run away with a different lady on our wedding day!”<br /> Jared and Shiloh watched her burst out. “To save his side chick, he wanted to transfer my vital fluid to her body? Why? He can’t live without her? It was a slap in my face! I will make sure that they will pay for this!”<br /> “Okay, but why did you choose my brother?” Shiloh raised his brows at her.<br /> Jared nodded, also wanting to hear her answer.<br /> “Because your brother is very good looking,” Julia casually said. “He is a million times more handsome than that scumbag, my ex-fiancé. I'm pretty sure he would be super regretful if he sees I marry your brother."<br /> Her expression looked genuine and convincing. Jared’s mouth curled into a small smirk. It seemed like he was satisfied by her explanation.<br /> Not long after, he felt very strange again about his own reaction.<br /> ‘Did she just praise my appearance?’ Countless people had showered him with praise before, but never did he feel moved or affected by those words.<br /> This was the first time he felt a little happy. ‘What’s happening to me?’<br /> "Stop flattering my brother!” Shiloh replied and grimaced at her. Julia shrugged at him.<br /> Jared sat tall and upright, staring at Julia intensely.<br /> “I don’t care about your intentions. I married you to fulfill my grandmother’s wish and to make sure that my brother walks again.”<br /> “Don’t worry. If I say I can cure him, I can do it.” She looked at him with confidence and determination.<br /> Jared felt his heart pound louder against his body. He stared at her with parted mouth, moved by her words and attitude.<br /> Julia noticed that Jared couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She thought that he might still be skeptical about her. So, to dispel his suspicions, she continued to speak up.<br /> “And as for our arrangement, don’t worry. I won’t bother you. Just treat me like an invisible guest here. I’ll also pay for my food here, okay?”<br /> Jared raised his eyebrows. Just as he was about to say something, his brother interrupted him.<br /> “Make sure you’ll do that! Don’t think my brother will be interested in you just because you find him adorable and noble.”<br /> Julia stood up and brushed her hair with her fingers. Her gaze shifted from Shiloh to Jared.<br /> “Mr. Brooks, I solemnly promise that I will never fall in love with you in the future,” she announced. However, the gloomy look on Jared’s face didn’t escape her eyes.<br /> Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, nervous. She thought that he still didn’t believe her.<br /> “I swear! I promise, okay?” She exclaimed and raised her palm. “I swear to God!”<br /> “That’s enough!” Jared’s deep baritone rang in the living room. His upper bpdy rose repeatedly. Then, he looked at her straight in the eye and stood up. “How long will you hang out in front of me in this outfit?”<br /> Chapter 5: Encountering <br /> ‘This lady is too liberated!’ Jared angrily thought. It wouldn’t matter if it was only two of them here, but his younger brother was also here!<br /> Julia looked at Jared and tilted her head. She had a good figure, so he should feel lucky. Now, he was looking at her as if he would have an eye problem if he stared at her body for so long.<br /> “Fine. I think you believe me now. I’ll go back to my room.” She hugged the suit in her body and walked towards the staircase. Her slender and firm legs were displayed in front of them.<br /> Julia couldn’t help but think as she walked. She kept on thinking about the two brothers and how to complete her task.<br /> Also, she couldn’t be blamed for this. The mansion was huge and covered an area about the same as the palace of a certain country she had been to before.<br /> Finding something like that in such a huge place was like finding a needle in a haystack.<br /> Not to mention that she just arrived here. She couldn’t move around freely yet. Otherwise, people would start suspecting her. Right now, it was better to keep a low profile.<br /> Julia rested in her room peacefully. As soon as she woke up the next morning, a maid entered her room with a few sets of clothes.<br /> “Good morning, Miss. These are the clothes that Mr. Brooks ordered for you.”<br /> “Oh. You prepared them for me?” Julia asked in surprise. ‘Maybe he doesn’t want me to wear his clothes anymore? That’s the reason why he asked his people to shop for clothes for me.’<br /> ‘He’s such a neat freak,’ she inwardly shook her head.<br /> Right after Julia showered and got dressed, she went out of her room and immediately heard the maid who had just brought her clothes talking to another maid.<br /> “It’s her! She’s shameless. She wants to allure Mr. Jared for sure!”<br /> “She’s just another witch with a pretty face.”<br /> “I bet you a hundred bucks, that face is fake.”<br /> “You think so? I really doubt that’s natural.”<br /> Julia inwardly rolled her eyes, letting their words enter her ear and out to the other. She calmly walked downstairs and walked straight past the gossiping maids. <br /> The latter watched Julia in disbelief. Annoyed that they were ignored, they went to her.<br /> “You want some advice? Leave right now. If Miss Cameron finds out that you’re married to Mr. Brooks, you’ll days will be numbered, Miss.”<br /> Julia stopped in her tracks and turned to them.<br /> “Really? Then, let’s wait until she comes home.”<br /> The maids looked at Julia with their jaws dropped. She smiled at them and continued walking.<br /> “Lilibeth, you still have Ms. Cameron’s contact number, right? Let’s tell her about that witch.”<br /> “Okay! Let’s get my phone.”<br /> It didn’t take long for Julia to notice that someone was following her when she went out of the mansion.<br /> She hid in the alley as quickly as she could and stared at the street. Soon after, Shiloh appeared in a wheelchair.<br /> He had been following her all this time. He must have suspected that Julia had ulterior motives toward his older brother, and he was keen to prove he was right.<br /> ‘Tracking me, huh? If I rank second when it comes to counter-tracking within the alliance, no one would dare to rank first.’<br /> She let him take his time finding her. Then, she would leave first.<br /> On the other hand, Shiloh’s eyes scanned the area and cursed to himself.<br /> “Darn it. Where is she? She was just here. Where did she go?”<br /> Ten minutes later, Julia arrived at the largest shopping center in the city: Montreal City.<br /> The people who came here were the rich ones. It was a high-end shopping mall filled with luxury boutiques that ordinary people couldn’t afford.<br /> Julia suddenly remembered the brand named Lanco owned by the Wolf Five family, who lived here in Vienna City.<br /> When she arrived on the third floor, Julia looked up and saw the huge sign. The store almost occupied the entire floor, making the other outlets look small compared to it.<br /> Without a doubt, the store was owned and managed by the Wolf Five. It screamed luxury and elegance.<br /> Julia went inside the elevator and sighed. She glanced at the two young ladies who were standing in front of her, chatting animatedly.<br /> “Naomi, you didn’t go to meet the guy from the Brooks family yesterday, right? So, you didn’t get married?”<br /> Upon hearing this, Julia immediately looked at them carefully.<br /> The girl in the lemon dress rolled her eyes and replied, “Of course. I won’t get married to an ugly guy. What am I? Crazy?”<br /> “So, he didn’t find you or chase after you? He’s from the Brooks family.”<br /> “So what?” Naomi grimaced. “At that time, our grandfathers were comrades in army and had gone through life and demise together before building their own families. My grandfather was so keen to marry me to that family, and he didn’t even consider what I want!"<br /> "If Jared Brooks was a fine gent, I’d gladly marry him. Their family is rich as heck, after all. But no one in our circle even knew what he looked like! They said he’s bald. I doubt I’d be able to eat anything If I see that kind of face every day.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5.2: Encountering<br /> <br /> Julia clicked her mouth and shook her head.<br /> If only this snobbish girl saw what Jared looked like, she would regret her decision for the rest of her life.<br /> Naomi heard Julia behind her. She looked at her from head to toe and said, “What’s your problem, Miss?”<br /> Julia calmly raised her brows and replied, “Nothing. We don’t know each other. Why don’t we mind our businesses?”<br /> Naomi scoffed and glared at her, annoyed by Julia’s sassy tone.<br /> “Naomi, don’t waste your time on her. Just by the looks of her cheap clothes, she’s probably from the countryside. Talking to people like her will only make you look cheap,” the other girl rebutted, eyeing Julia’s body with disgust.<br /> ‘Cheap clothes?’ Julia thought. She looked at her body. These clothes were from Jared. ‘Wow. Did they really give me cheap clothes? Didn’t they think about their family’s image and reputation?’<br /> Julia looked at the girls in front of her. ‘Or maybe these two are wrong. They’re tasteless and can’t even see what real designer items are.’<br /> “Excuse me,” Julia walked past the two and headed straight to the Lanco store.<br /> She entered the store and grabbed some of the clothes, checking them on her body through the mirror.<br /> The salesperson walked near her. Just as she was about to prepare Julia’s order, Naomi’s voice blared inside the store.<br /> “Excuse me, Miss. I just want to warn you that this lady is from the outskirts of this city and perhaps has never seen the world before. She just wanted to try some of your clothes but I doubt she’ll buy any. You should keep an eye on her.”<br /> The salesperson's gaze transferred to Julia, shocked and alert.<br /> Julia calmly gave more clothes to the saleslady. “I’ll take these as well.”<br /> “Can you even afford them?” Naomi interjected. “The clothes they sell here start at a thousand dollars. Do you even have that much amount?”<br /> Julia ignored Naomi’s remark and turned to the salesperson. “Please, pack them for me.”<br /> Naomi clenched her fists, not liking how Julia deliberately treated her like a ghost. All of a sudden, she reached for the clothes and held them.<br /> “I’ll take them, Miss.”<br /> Julia frowned. Impatience was evident on her face. She had always been cool and doesn’t easily get annoyed, but when someone pushed her buttons, she would be unstoppable.<br /> “I got them first!” Julia pulled the other end of the clothes.<br /> The salesperson stood between them, nervous. “Excuse me. These clothes are not limited edition. Luckily, we still have a few more items in the back. You both can buy the same products.”<br /> “Now go get your own clothes,” Julia told Naomi.<br /> Naomi tugged at the clothes harder. “And why should I do that?”<br /> “Why?” Julia laughed. “First come, first serve. Didn’t your parents teach you that when you were younger? They always say, ‘Never look down on non-city people.’ Well, even the poorest people would educate their children about the value of buying things!”<br /> Naomi’s breathing intensified. Her face blushed with anger. Her eyes were filled with rage as she looked at Julia.<br /> “You, freak. How dare you imply that I’m unmannered!”<br /> Julia glanced at Naomi’s hand on the clothes and smirked. “Aren’t you?”<br /> “You!” Naomi’s body shook with anger. If looks could demise, Julia might be gone by now.<br /> After an entire minute of staring at each other, Naomi turned to the salesperson and took out her membership card from her designer purse. “Here’s my membership card. Now, give me these clothes.”<br /> The salesperson took the card. She glanced at Julia apologetically and said, “Okay, Ma’am. I’ll prepare them for you.”<br /> Naomi looked at Julia with an arrogant expression. She crossed her arms on her body.<br /> “Wait a minute,” Julia announced. “I’m an acquaintance of your boss. You’ll give me these clothes,” she told the salesperson.<br /> “What?” Naomi chuckled and looked at her friend. “Did you hear her, Daphne? She said she knows the owner of Lanco. Should I claim that I’m the girlfriend of the owner?”<br /> “No way. This is too funny!”<br /> The two ladies burst out laughing. Naomi even wiped a tear from her eye.<br /> “Oh,” Julia butted in. “Do you want to be Wolf Five’s girlfriend? Well, I’ll give you some advice.” She took a step closer to Naomi and whispered, “You can’t.”<br /> Naomi glared at her. “What are you talking about? If you have the guts, then—” Before she could finish speaking, Julia took out her phone and clicked a number.<br /> “Hey. Wolf Five, I’m at your store. I’d like to buy some clothes, but I’m having some trouble,” she calmly said.	DOWNLOAD	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adore	226177680578601	Adoread	https://facebook.com/61556400142540	133	6	789,370,519,732,803	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Download	Adoread	120206256787400265	client.adoread.com	NONE	image		https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/11185707349?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}	2024-03-11 06:02	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432337021_1079805249740553_4790712467566062741_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iZnlsVJtF7gAb4fSiwj&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBlgNkJhNDtdqnGgbi991WW0WnJ0V22DzAsNfsTZwdKNg&oe=66220F21	person_profile	Adoread	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/430076310_940017240728533_8407975328470855754_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1j3_50Kh27MAb5ajFOY&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfC1WlGv78XkqwN3726rjWduaWvXb7AN5vQvw27MNDFfoQ&oe=6621FDA0	3	Adoread	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,849	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211041}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	410953228230033	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	What’s more embarrassing than a butt dial? Butt dialing your boss… And leaving a dirty voicemail when you’re uhh… “thinking” about them.<br /> Just had a sexual fantasy with my boss. I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> ————————<br /> Emma<br /> If anyone has a reason to cry, it’s me. My boss is an arrogant prick and my sister is dead and her husband is more of a burden than a help and I have three innocent kids I’m doing my best to raise right but I can’t seem to catch a break and I need sleep and food and more coffee and a vacation and a fresh start and—the list just goes on. One reason for each of my thousand tears.<br /> “Auntie Em! Auntie Em, wake up.”<br /> I come to with a start. The sun is slanting in through the blinds and I have absolutely no freaking idea what planet I’m on. I feel a sharp line of pain on my cheek. It takes me a long moment to realize that it’s because I have a shoelace plastered to my skin. I peel it off with a wince and look up to see Josh standing over me.<br /> “Auntie Em, it’s 7:45. We’re late for school.”<br /> The next fifteen minutes are a blur. I get the girls up and dressed in the least coordinated outfits in the history of terrible parenting. I hurl random food into their lunchboxes with no regard for nutritional value. And then we’re all sprinting out the door.<br /> Ben, needless to say, doesn’t so much as lift a finger to help.<br /> I get the evil eye from the receptionist at the kids’ school when I drop them off well into first period. I just pop a peck on each of their foreheads and then turn to Bane.<br /> I get another evil eye from the lobby receptionist there, too, but I don’t quite realize why until I’m in the elevator up to the thirtieth floor and I catch sight of my reflection in the polished bronze.<br /> I look like an absolute shitshow. My hair is a rat’s nest on my head and my blouse is on backwards. The fashionable one-shoulder cutout is framing my frayed bra strap instead of a tasteful slice of arm.<br /> Wet street dogs are more put-together than I am.<br /> It’s way too late to go back now, though. I can already imagine Ruslan’s eyebrow. It’s probably halfway up his scalp by now. His voice is going to be absolutely frigid when he hears me come stumbling in. Something like:<br /> “You have got to be kidding me.”<br /> Wait. That wasn’t my imagination. That was actually his voice.<br /> I open my eyes and turn around to realize that the elevator doors have opened—and who should be standing there but my beloved, benevolent boss?<br /> Sure enough, his eyebrow is locked and loaded and that cruelly sharp jaw of his clenched so tight that I wonder idly if he has a good dentist on speed dial.<br /> I open my mouth to defend myself, but what is there even to say? “I’m sorry,” I blurt. “I fell asleep after—It was a long night and—I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”<br /> He doesn’t so much as blink. “I expect you to dress appropriately for your job, Ms. Carson,” he growls. “Not do the walk of shame through my building.”<br /> I frown. “The walk of—? Hold on. No, that’s not what this is. I didn’t—”<br /> “You’re wearing yesterday’s skirt and flaunting your undergarments like you think you can seduce your way out of being—” He checks his watch. “—two and a half hours late. I’m not sure if you think I’m stupid or easy. I’m also not sure which of those two would offend me more.”<br /> One word snags my attention. “Seduce?” I parrot stupidly.<br /> Out of nowhere, thoughts of what it would look like to seduce Ruslan Oryolov come prancing through my head.<br /> Wrapping his tie around my fist and bringing that smirking snarl down to my lips for a taste.<br /> Lying back on his desk, pencil skirt hiked above my hips, while he shoves my panties to the side and devours me like his last meal.<br /> On my knees on his office carpet as he stands over me and—<br /> “Ms. Carson, I’m not interested in your explanations. Go do your job. Before I find someone else to do it for you.”<br /> With that, he brushes past me and gets on the elevator. I turn and look dumbly at him as the doors close on his face. The last thing I see is the arrogant slant of his mouth.<br /> Then that, too, disappears.<br /> My cheeks are burning red for the rest of the day. Luckily, I have an extra cardigan at my desk, so I’m able to cover up the worst of my wardrobe malfunction.<br /> But my phone keeps pinging all day long with messages from Ruslan. Do this. Send that. Fax this. Email that. He’s as unbearable as ever. Everything from the expiration date on his coffee creamer to the status of the conference room chairs he’s so anal about merits yet another scathing comment from him. And after yesterday’s nightmare, I’m running on fumes.<br /> My only saving grace is that he has a gala tonight, so he’s scheduled to leave the office at 5:00 P.M. sharp. I’m counting down the last ten seconds until the clock strikes five like I’m a Times Square partier on New Year’s Eve.<br /> “Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”<br /> Ping. Another text. I moan and look down to see the devil’s name pop up on my phone.<br /> RUSLAN: My office. Now.<br /> Goddammit. I was so close.<br /> Sighing, I get up and slink inside.<br /> “Shut the door,” he orders. It’s dark in here. The curtains are sealed tight and the temperature is Arctic. He’s a mass of shadows behind his desk, huge and fragrant. The only thing I can see is the sharp light of his amber eyes.<br /> “Sit.” A shadowy hand points at the chair across from his desk.<br /> I perch at the edge of the seat in question. My nerves are buzzing and frayed. I’m so, so tired. But I can’t show him that. Matter of fact, I refuse to show him that.<br /> I won’t give the smug prick the satisfaction of thinking he’s outlasted me.<br /> “I asked you yesterday if I had your full attention,” he begins. “I’m not so sure I do. So let me say this: if your priorities lie anywhere other than this company, then I will find a new assistant. I’m not a nice man, Ms. Carson. So believe me when I tell you that this is not the kind of place where you get three strikes before something bad happens. You mess up once—you’re gone. Am I making myself clear?”<br /> I swallow. “Yes, sir.”<br /> He nods. “Good. Be here on time tomorrow. Dress like you intend to keep your job. Now, if you’ll excuse me… there’s the door.”<br /> He looks down at his phone and poof, it’s like I don’t exist anymore.<br /> But I. Am. Pissed.<br /> He doesn’t know what I’m going through. He doesn’t know Ben is snoring and farting in my living room, or that three little kids are waiting on me to pick them up from after-school care. He doesn’t know that I buried my sister or that I’m barely keeping my head above water. He doesn’t know anything.<br /> “No.” I blurt it before I can think better of it. “No. No. I’m not some little worm under your shoe, Mr. Oryolov. I’m a—I mean, screw you, I’m a person! I have a life and hobbies and people who depend on me. I’m real! So I’d appreciate it very much if you’d pull your smug head out of your smug prick and treat me with some respect for once.”<br /> Ruslan blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> “Is there something else, Ms. Carson?”<br /> That’s when I realize that my whole little tirade took place entirely in my head. It wasn’t real. All imagined. Just a pleasant little detour to a fantasy land where I give him my two cents and then some.<br /> I swallow past the nasty taste in my throat and stand. “No, sir,” I say quietly. “Nothing at all.”<br /> -<br /> I ended the call with my best friend, Phoebe.<br /> Then a face pops up on the black screen of my mind’s eye.<br /> It’s Ruslan because, like I told Pheebs, he haunts me even when I’m off the clock. He’s smiling that smile she described. That come-to-bed-and-let-me-show-you-what-I-can-do-to-you smile. The camera of my imagination pulls back and floats down.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is wearing an ivory white button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone. Enough to see a dusting of dark chest hair and the edge of a tattoo I can’t quite make out. He flexes his forearms in front of him. Those knuckles crack, louder than I expected, and I let out a surprised little gasp.<br /> I like when you make that noise, he croons. Shall I see if I can make you do it again?<br /> I’m nodding before I’m even realizing what I’m doing. “Make me moan,” I plead.<br /> I’m also touching the inside of my knee before I realize what I’m doing. But it’s not my hands that are doing it—or at least, it doesn’t feel like it’s my hands. It’s Ruslan’s hands, huge and powerful, palming my thigh and drifting up under the edge of my pencil skirt.<br /> You’ve been a naughty assistant, he growls, breath minty in my face where it mingles with the woodsy spice of his cologne. There’s a faint laugh on the edge of his voice, like he knows that this whole thing is crazy but he’s just going with it because it’s hotter than it is ridiculous. You’ve been so very, very bad. Step into my office and shut the door.<br /> The rest of the world disappears like I just followed his orders. Gone is my messy apartment and the lingering smell of burrito cheese. Ruslan is all I smell now.<br /> That cologne.<br /> That breath.<br /> Beneath it, that musk that sets my nerve endings on fire.<br /> “Are you going to punish me, Ruslan?” I whisper.<br /> I’m on the literal edge of my seat, grinding and bucking against my fingers. Imaginary Ruslan has me eating out of the palm of his hand. I’d do anything for him. Say anything. Be anything.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is every bit the cruel prick that real Ruslan is. He said he’d keep my orgasms to himself, but I feel like I stole this one from him. The euphoria of it rips through me in one endless lightning bolt after the next, until finally, what feels like an hour later, I come back to something like normal consciousness with drool on my lips and my fingers wet and sticky with my own desire.<br /> I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> The reality of what is happening clicks in my gut immediately, but it takes a few delayed moments before my head comes to terms with it.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been on a call with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, my phone has been recording every last moan and gasp and breath and twitch I made while I begged for his mercy and pleaded for him to make me come.<br /> Did Ruslan hear the whole thing?<br /> -<br /> “It’s over. My life as I know it is over. R.I.P. to me.”<br /> “I’m sorry, who is this?”<br /> “Pheebs!”<br /> She chuckles while I stare at my reflection in the mirror and try not to throw up. My phone is lying on the bathroom counter on speakerphone, mostly because my palms have been sweating since I saw the meeting invite in my calendar for today.<br /> 9:00 A.M. – 09:07:32 A.M.: Emma Carson 1-on-1 with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Anyway, rewind, take a deep breath, then tell me what’s going on in your big girl voice. Unburden yourself. Take all the time you need. Just make it quick because I have a 9 o’clock appointment.”<br /> I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet now, the same way that Reagan does when she needs to pee really bad. “Yeah, so do I. With him.”<br /> “Ah. Oh, wait—oh.”<br /> I first called Phoebe last night right after realizing what I’d done. Her reaction was a dizzying mixture of pride and horror. I believe her exact words were, “Sure, it’s mortifying, but I’m glad you got your rocks off. Knew you had it in you.”<br /> She’s a little more reassuring now that things are escalating out of control. “That doesn’t necessarily mean he heard the voicemail, Em. Maybe this is just a standard, no-big-deal, super-boring-business-stuff Thursday morning meeting.”<br /> “It’s scheduled for seven minutes and thirty-two seconds. Precisely.”<br /> “Hm.” There’s a beat of silence. “Doesn’t look good, does it?”<br /> “Seriously? That’s all you’ve got for me? I’m gonna lose my job, Phoebe!”<br /> “You don’t know that for sure. Just take a deep breath and go in there, see what he wants. Play it cool, y’know?”<br /> “And what if what he wants is to kick my arse to the curb with a recommendation letter that claims I’m a dirty bimbo?”<br /> “I mean, there’s probably a market for that.” I moan as Phoebe’s laughter fades into a serious tone. “Listen, boo: whatever happens, you’re a strong, smart, confident woman and you’re gonna land on your feet. And until you do, I’ve got your back.”<br /> Her words mean everything to me, but I know that Phoebe doesn’t have much margin for error in her life, either. She struggles just as hard as I do. If she is able to help, it still wouldn’t put a dent in all the bills and loans looming over me.<br /> “Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve gotta go to my doom now.”<br /> “Keep your pecker up!”<br /> I blink. “Huh?”<br /> “Oklahoma talk. It means, like, ‘break a leg,’ but for Midwesterners.”<br /> If I weren’t worried about losing my job and ending up homeless on the street with three kids, I’d laugh. Instead, I say one more miserable goodbye, then spend a solid three minutes dry-heaving into one of the empty bathroom stalls.<br /> Once I’ve sufficiently bruised my stomach lining, I slink out of the bathroom and waste the remaining two minutes before the meeting standing outside of Ruslan’s door, watching the clock steal my life away one second at a time.<br /> “You okay, Emma?” asks Katie Miller, another of the executive assistants on this floor, as she passes by.<br /> “Dandy,” I mumble. “Just waiting for the noose.”<br /> “What was that?”<br /> “Nothing. I like your earrings. Have a good day.”<br /> She raises her brow a smidge. I’m not usually so dismissive, but I can’t concentrate on small talk right now. Not when I’m T-minus thirty seconds away from the end of my career.<br /> Dear God, I know I don’t pray to you often. Or, well, ever. But please help me out today and I’ll definitely consider starting on a more semi-regular basis.<br /> Great. Now, I’m bargaining with God. New low, Emma. New low.<br /> I take a deep breath and walk into his office. The shades are tight, snuffing out all the light of the Manhattan morning beyond. It’s like a bear cave in here—and the grizzly in question is sitting at his desk, scrolling through his phone. He doesn’t acknowledge me until I’m standing in front of his desk.<br /> “Sit.”<br /> The moment my rear end is parked, he puts his phone down and looks at me. Just looks at me.<br /> In the eighteen months that I’ve worked for him, he’s never once given me the benefit of his full attention. Even during our morning meetings, he’s either on his phone, flipping through files, or typing away on his laptop. I used to be annoyed about it. I’m only now realizing I should have been grateful.<br /> Should I say something?<br /> Maybe he wants me to break the silence. Maybe I’m supposed to give him an explanation, an apology, something. But the more the silence stretches on, the less I’m capable of breaking it.<br /> I decide once again that those amber eyes of his should be outlawed.<br /> “I heard the voicemail,” he says at last.<br /> I can’t place his tone. Amusement? Anger? Disbelief?<br /> “Do you have anything to say, Ms. Carson?”<br /> I launch into the apology I spent most of last night practicing in the mirror. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Mr. Oryolov. I have no idea what I was thinking. The whole thing was an accident; I didn’t realize I’d dialed you. I was so tired and out of it and… I can assure you that it will never happen again. I swear.”<br /> My cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, but I try to keep my voice steady. I can’t sound too desperate, although that’s exactly what I am.<br /> “Tell me, Ms. Carson: what would you do in my place?”<br /> “I would give the plucky, hard-working assistant another chance, maybe?” It’s a long shot, but I figure, what the heck? I just wish I’d asked it without my voice rising to an Alvin and the Chipmunks pipsqueak at the end.<br /> His mouth twitches with the promise of a smile, but it’s gone as quick as it came. “I know what you sound like when you climax, Emma. Is that the soundtrack you want running through all our interactions from now on?”<br /> Flushing the brightest of reds, I shake my head. “If we could maybe just forget this whole thing—”<br /> “The way I see it, there are only two options here.”<br /> I hold my breath.<br /> “One, I fire you.”<br /> There it is. I knew it. I’m done for. I’m going to need to call the welfare office and see what—<br /> “Or two… I give you exactly what you want.”<br /> I almost choke on my own saliva. What little is left in my gaping mouth. “W-what?”<br /> Silently, Ruslan offers me the blue folder lying in front of him. I pick it up with shaky hands and open the cover. It takes me a few long moments to figure out what on earth I’m looking at.<br /> A… contract?<br /> I read through the first page, feeling a strange sensation bubble up in my chest.Then, since I’m clearly misunderstanding something, I read through the first page again. And again. And again.<br /> Only then do I look up. “Is this a joke?”<br /> He doesn’t blink. “I never joke.”<br /> “It’s just that, it seems like, from what I read, um—”<br /> “I will offer you money and security in exchange for live encores of the little performance you sent me last night. In addition to meeting my other needs.”<br /> “And by ‘needs,’ you mean…intercourse?”<br /> He tilts his chin down and regards me solemnly. “How explicit would you like me to be, Ms. Carson?”<br /> What.<br /> “So this—” I raise the blue folder in my hand. “—is a sugar daddy contract?”<br /> His brow furrows. “I’d prefer to call it a ‘Friend With Benefits’ contract.”<br /> “But we’re not friends.”<br /> He smirks. “Fair enough. No, we’re not.”<br /> There’s a throbbing in my head that reminds me of the first time I got drunk. Sienna and I had snuck into Dad’s study the eve of my sixteenth birthday and stolen a 1984 Chateau Latour. We passed it back and forth, taking turns sipping from the bottle like it was cheap bagged drink until the whole thing was gone.<br /> For a moment, I think about what Sienna would say if she were here. Would she be outraged or intrigued? Would she slap the smug prick and storm out?<br /> Or would she grin and say, Double the price and I’m in.<br /> What would you do, Si?<br /> And then it hits me, a bolt of lightning straight to the chest, almost like she’s speaking to me herself. I miss her so much, it hurts. But she left little bits of herself behind, in all three of her children. The same kids I’m working off to protect.<br /> That right there is the answer.<br /> Sienna would have done whatever was best for her children.<br /> So I don’t slap him. I don’t storm out. I sit there and stare at my arrogant, prick boss who always gets exactly what he wants.<br /> And what he wants… is me.<br /> I meet Ruslan’s steely gaze. “What happens if I say no?”	LEARN_MORE	https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTQ5NTgzLzI	142292175627960	Fun003	https://facebook.com/61551606164621	60	1	692,446,456,221,649	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Fun003	120208611507240696	a.funstorys.com	NONE	video		https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTQ5NTgzLzIwMjQwNDEyMTY0MTMwL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-12 04:55	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435229349_957741965480601_8485792803783257242_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e7vTw2bxQ9MAb4qI570&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDZnPud7DSSPXPsK2nY2iClY02GKFdVFDufjlbEEdqLhg&oe=6621DB81	person_profile	Fun003	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437767359_812918824021552_3580039767230127502_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7qpaxUF-hRMAb7SsxuX&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDXMM4ff7d5ehUCj2v2IH_kN44IZ43RnXzLfHaZ9SzTQw&oe=66221118	3	Fun003	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,871	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210864}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	451481427231778	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"You mated with him on my wedding day!" she said angrily.<br /> "We didn't mate, it was-it was an accident"I said standing up holding my hand up trying to get her to understand.<br /> "How could you?"<br /> "I didn't, Hannah he did it, I'm sorry it wasn't my fault I didn't ask"<br /> "He left me because of you!" she shouted loudly and I could hear the footsteps on the stairs, probably my mom drawn to the commotion.<br /> "Hannah he-he did it before I could stop him" I pleaded, even though I knew deep down I could've stopped him if I wanted to. But stopping him never crossed my mind until it was done.<br /> "What going on here?" my mom asked.<br /> "She mated with Dezmond Collins!" she said pointing at me , his name being said made my stomach clench , my mom gasped her hand going to her mouth.<br /> ******** <br /> "Kendal!" I heard my sister squeal,I cringed as she grabbed a hold of me.<br /> "Can you believe it? I'm getting married!" she said dragging me out of the crowd down some hallway into a dressing room full of her brides' maids .<br /> "I'm more worried about to who"I answered through my teeth.<br /> "Oh stop it, he's so gorgeous!"<br /> As a peace offering my family offered my sister up as a wife for Dezmond Collins on the condition he would stop attacking our pack. She was so excited to finally be mated,since she hadn't found her mate at 16 like she hoped.<br /> I couldn't believe my father was getting my 16 year old sister to mate with someone as horrible as Dezmond Collins. My father's excuse was sometimes we have to make sacrifices. But sacrificing my sister to someone for literally not killing us, is outrageous. I didn't understand why she would want to be one of his wives .<br /> Yes you read that correctly. Wives. Plural, meaning there were more.<br /> "He's dangerous"I said like I had been since I learned of this ... engagement.<br /> "Stop raining on my happiness Kendal, I want this"<br /> "Why? He's murders people, Hannah"I said, she stopped.<br /> "Why are you so mad?" she asked me.<br /> "Because Dad is offering you as a peace offering, like an object to the most dangerous person in the world, and I can't do anything about it!" I said angrily, why couldn't she understand. I knew she was stupid sometimes but this was too much. I knew she couldn't be this stupid.<br /> "I want this Kendal, okay? I didn't find my mate, and he wants to be it , and he's going to take care of me . "<br /> "Hannah he's not going to mate you , he's just going to use you as another one of his wives "<br /> "How do you know that?"<br /> "Because! That's what he's done with all the others Hannah , honestly what makes you think you're so different!" I demanded. I had heard about this for years, him taking innocent women as wives , never mating with any of them.<br /> "I am different, I'm going to be the one Kendal, you'll see"<br /> she said defiantly like she was convincing me she was going to be a princess.<br /> "Why can't you just be happy for me , Kendal ? " she asked tears in her eyes.<br /> "Because this is wrong " I replied motioning around me at all the decorations and the people beyond the wall .<br /> "For once, cant you just be happy for me, this is what I want Kendal"I sighed.<br /> "I need a drink"I responded going back down the hallway. I stopped in the middle of it freezing, every muscle in my body stiffened as my body lit up with electricity. The most amazing scent hit my nose and I had to reach out for the wall so I didn't collapse.<br /> My throat tightened and my chest started humming, as every pore and nerve in my body was on high alert. I inhaled deeper, the scent making me shiver, it smelled like the woods with so much musk and spice it burned my nose. I chewed on my lip standing there for a minute trying to regain my composure . My wolf was pacing urging me to go find my mate.<br /> I could feel my primal urge rising in my body, making me determined to find this person. I took a hesitant step forward, until my feet were carrying themselves in the direction of the crowd, I pushed my way through it, and froze completely.<br /> Oh god.<br /> He was standing there clad in a tuxedo , talking to someone . He was standing , 7 and had everything . He had broad shoulders, a defined chest that was noticeable even through his tux. His biceps were large, and I wondered how he got a jacket that would actually fit around them. He had a strong jawline and high cheekbones, his eyes were so serious and a breathtaking honey brown, that almost shined gold . His sharp nose lead to the most flawless lips I have ever seen . His hair was chocolate brown and messy ,with occasional curls in the endless waves .<br /> My breath caught in my throat completely, and black dots swam in my vision.<br /> Standing there looking as beautiful as ever, was my mate.<br /> Dezmond Collins.<br /> My body screamed in protest when I turned directly around and started walking away. Each step sent a sharp pain through my chest.<br /> Not only was my mate beyond dangerous, he was also my sister's fiance.<br /> Oh god. I walked towards the doors seeing a bottle of Jack Daniels on the bar, I grabbed it and went back towards the hallway, and I started hyperventilating. I tried to breathe but I couldn't, I was just gasping for air even though I couldn't inhale. I felt nausea rise in my stomach and I knew I was going to throw up.<br /> I swallowed hard, finding the first door I could in the dim hallway. I stumbled in holding onto the handle for support. I was in an empty dressing room . I sat down on the couch opening the bottle with shaky hands, my whole body was trembling , my chest hurt from walking away from him and denying my primal urge to go to him.<br /> I tilted the bottle back taking a swig "Okay breathe'l reminded myself.<br /> Everything is going to be okay . Dezmond Collins is going to marry my sister , and I wont intervene .<br /> This is want she wants, I can't ruin her life or wedding.<br /> I can't and I won't. I'll just stay in here until it's over and official and then I'll leave as quickly as possible so he doesn't see me.<br /> My wolf growled angrily at these words. She wanted her mate.<br /> Dezmond Collins is dangerous and he murders people. He was the most dangerous of our kind. You were either with him or you weren't and if you weren't you wouldn't be alive for long . He was despicable , and truly the definition of monster. Women and children were murdered almost every week because of him. Packs fell to his knees and then he burned them to ground. No one lived after meeting him unless they were offering up something.<br /> I can't be with that. Not to mention he's marrying my sister in less than an hour, if he ever found out I was his mate and called the wedding off she would hate me forever .<br /> I was his mate.<br /> These words repeated in my head, making me feel queasy again. I hadn't had anything but a shot today, so I had nothing to throw up so I just dry heaved, my body trembled as I tried to throw up but I couldn't . Eventually the tears came and I wiped them away, as the exhaustion hit me afterwards.<br /> I sat there on the floor with the bottle of jack between my legs, every sip burned but somehow numbed the pain. The door slammed against the wall and I jumped looking up facing the face I never wanted to see again .<br /> His honey brown eyes caught mine and the room seemed to disappear completely, he stared down at me and I stared back not sure what to do. My fears had come true, he found out about me, I should've left when I had the chance.<br /> I should've ran and dealt with my emotions later. I didn't know what to do, so I just picked the now half empty bottle up and offered it to him. His eyes flicked down to it, and then they flicked back up to mine, and I got completely lost in them again.<br /> There were no emotions on his features, but I could see shock in his eyes. I dropped the bottle back in my lap and he shut the door behind him , I carefully stood up almost falling from the horrid heels I had been forced into .<br /> My whole body was shaking under his gaze. Neither of us said anything.<br /> "What's your name?" he asked looking me over slowly and carefully , his eyes trailing down my body . His voice was like hot tea with honey, or melting chocolate, it was so smooth but somehow rough at the same time.<br /> "K-Kendal" I stuttered out, and then cleared my throat. Why am I stuttering ? His eyes came back up to my face . I bit my lip dropping my eyes to the floor . He let out a low growl that vibrated through my chest, and sent shivers down my spine. My body covered in goose-bumps and the electricity running over my skin seemed to heat up.<br /> A sharp pain coursed through my stomach and lower back.<br /> His growl was calling my wolf forward, I could feel my skin start to heat up and I mentally fought pushing her back trying to block her out . My head started to hurt .<br /> "Stop doing that" he said angrily and his angry words pierced through my like a knife. What was I doing? I looked up at him confused , his eyes were glued to my lip pulled between my teeth. I let my lip go and his posture noticeably relaxed, he still stood stiffly but his muscles relaxed.<br /> He took a step forward and I resisted the urge to take one back , my body was screaming at me to run away , and my wolf was screaming at me to step closer to him, I was torn between my primal urge and common sense, so I just froze watching him walk closer.<br /> Eventually he got so close I was craning my neck to look up at him, the scent radiating off him was heavenly. My breath had caught in my throat and I wasn't breathing once again.<br /> He was so close I could see the small hint of a tattoo peeking out from under his tux on his neck. And I could see the small scar across his eyebrow that was half hidden by his hair that probably fell in his eyes when it was wet . And that his ears were pierced even though his messy hair was almost covering his ears.<br /> I tried to breathe but I couldn't, his close proximity completely jumbled all my thoughts and I completely forgot how to breathe much less talk or form a full thought.<br /> ==<br /> Realization hit me like a truck.<br /> He just marked me.<br /> I gathered all the strength I had left and shoved him away,he stumbled back from the shock.<br /> "What did you do that for?" I demanded. My hand flew to my neck and felt the spot that was now sore and more sensitive than ever . I could feel the tears falling freely .<br /> "Why did you do that? Why, why, WHY?" I asked he stared at me , I turned around going to the full body mirror examining the mark now placed permanently in my skin. I stared at the thin crescent shape of his teeth imprinted in my skin right above his name that decorated my neck.<br /> I wiped my tears away, touching it gently. He came up behind me and I looked at him through the mirror. He stepped right behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, I stiffened at first but I could feel the mark working its magic getting me to submit, and I relaxed into him.<br /> He pecked his mark , and violent shiver racked through my body as a wave of pleasure hit me like a ton of bricks .<br /> "Soon"he said looking up catching my eye in the mirror,and then he turned on his heels and left.<br /> I stared at the door for a solid minute before I broke out in sobs , going to sit on the couch . I finally pulled myself together, and had to take the beautiful braided messy bun my sister took an hour on this morning . I let my hair fall to cover up the mark now placed on my collarbone . I took a deep breath wiping my eyes one last time. I took a swig of jack and then left down the hallway.<br /> The crowd was in a frenzy and Hannah was freaking out .<br /> "What's wrong?" I asked Julie one of the bridesmaids, she turned around looking at me crinkling her nose .<br /> " You smell different " she told me .<br /> "Yeah what's wrong"I repeated cursing silently.<br /> "Apparently Dezmond Collins is nowhere to be found."<br /> My stomach clenched at his name, I sat down and waited while they finally decided to call the wedding. I felt extremely guilty but didn't say a word, about anything.<br /> That night my father was in his office on the phone and my mother was trying to get Hannah to open the door to her room she had locked herself in. I took a hot shower scrubbing every inch of my skin trying to scrub the feeling of his touch off.<br /> I must have stood there looking at myself in the bathroom mirror for an hour, I looked the same, except for Dezmond Collins's mark placed on my skin, bounding us together for life. I felt the same except for the sharp pains in my chest every time I breathed .<br /> I went to bed early, and tossed and turned all night. Every time I closed my eyes I would see his honey brown eyes looking back at me. And every time I started to drift off I would hear his voice saying one word.<br /> Soon.<br /> I laid in bed my arms wrapped around myself, breathing through the pain and thinking about him until light poured through my window violating my room. I pulled on a hoodie over my tank top and made sure my hair was covering my mark, and went downstairs hearing my mother banging around in the kitchen.<br /> I went to the kitchen and sat at the island both my parents stopped what they were doing and stared at me, my heart stopped fearing they could see my mark.<br /> "What are you doing up so early sweetie?" my mom asked and I sighed in relief.<br /> "Couldn't sleep" I replied. I had bags under my eyes that were bloodshot, and my face was paler than normal.<br /> "Are you okay sweetheart?" she asked pressing her hand to my forehead.<br /> "Yeah"I said forcing a small smile to my face,"Well sit down honey breakfast should be done in a few minutes"I nodded and went to the breakfast table sitting down my dad was looking over papers his head in his hands.<br /> "Dad"I said hesitantly, he looked up at me dropping his pen.<br /> I paused "Was there a reason Dez ... mond Collins wasn't there ? " I asked , apparently some time in the night my mind had decided to start calling him Dez.<br /> He shook his head "No, he broke off all alliances last night also, he's no longer in alliance with anyone, none of us are safe"he told me.<br /> "No discussing work at the table you know the rules" my mom said motioning to all his papers.<br /> Why would Dez break off all of his alliances? Dezmond . Dezmond is his name .<br /> 'His wolf loves it when we call him Dez'my wolf chimed in my head. She had spent all night crying out for him, which put me through physical pain. I eventually blocked her out and the sharp pains in my chest had dulled .<br /> 'That's not his name' I snapped at her, pushing her into the back of my mind, blocking her out.<br /> I waited until my mom was back in the kitchen.<br /> "Dad why would he do that?" I asked quietly.<br /> "I don't know, he cut them all off without explanation, but I think he's planning something" my dad told me.<br /> "Like what?"<br /> "I don't know, but I fear he's going to attack our pack soon so we need to be on the offense" he said straightening his papers, my eyes widened. The offense. We needed to be on the offense. Does that mean what I think it does, I studied my father's face. And I was hit with the realization.<br /> " You're going to attack his pack?" I said realization hitting me . My father didn't answer me confirming my fears.<br /> "Dad, his pack could take ours any day of the week, their stronger and trained"<br /> "But we have the element of surprise" my dad said.<br /> "Dad, don't do it, so many people will die"<br /> "Sitting here and waiting for him to attack first will result in people dying too Micah " my dad said using my first name telling me it was probably better to shut up now. My parents only used my first name when they were cross.<br /> I chewed on my lip thinking. My father was going to attack my mate.<br /> I didn't know what to do. Should I warn Dez? Should I tell my father what he is to me?<br /> My dad would use me as leverage, I knew it. He would use me to his advantage with Dez.<br /> Would Dez even care about me? If my father used me to his advantage and threatened Dez would he care at all? I so badly wanted to say yes , but my mind was telling me no .<br /> He wouldn't care about me.<br /> And all these questions lead me to a bigger question .<br /> Would I risk everything to warn Dez, yes.<br /> So where did my loyalties lie ? With Dez , my mate . Or with my pack and my father. I got up left going back up to my room. I curled into a ball under my blanket and laid there.<br /> That's what I did for the next week, absolutely nothing but breathe through the pain that was steadily getting worse by the day. By the 7th day, the pain was almost unbearable.<br /> I was laying there under all my blankets like every day, I was so cold. It didn't matter how many blankets I got or how hot of water I soaked in, I was cold. I was cold from the inside out , I craved the warmth that came with Dez's touch.<br /> A sharp pain shot through my chest thinking about him,which is all I seemed to be able to think about. My mind always came back to him, I couldn't think of anything for 30seconds without my mind reeling back to him somehow.<br /> I heard a knock at my door and it opened I didn't move from my tight ball.<br /> "Hey Kendal, wake up" it was Hannah she had gotten over Dez quickly, and was now back to obsessing over finding her perfect mate. She pulled my blanket off.<br /> "Mom wanted to tell y-" she stopped abruptly causing me to look up at her waiting for her to finish. Her eyes were fixated on my neck. My heart stopped knowing exactly what she was looking at , her jaw dropped .<br /> "What is that?" she asked loudly pointing at it, I quickly covered it with my hand.<br /> "Hannah, listen you can't tell-"<br /> " Whose is it ? " she asked , I thought about lying but by the horror written all over her face I knew she already knew whose it was.<br /> "You mated with him on my wedding day!" she said angrily.<br /> "We didn't mate, it was-it was an accident"I said standing up holding my hand up trying to get her to understand.<br /> "How could you?"<br /> "I didn't, Hannah he did it, I'm sorry it wasn't my fault I didn't ask"<br /> "He left me because of you!" she shouted loudly and I could hear the footsteps on the stairs, probably my mom drawn to the commotion.<br /> "Hannah he-he did it before I could stop him" I pleaded, even though I knew deep down I could've stopped him if I wanted to. But stopping him never crossed my mind until it was done.<br /> "What going on here?" my mom asked.<br /> "She mated with Dezmond Collins!" she said pointing at me , his name being said made my stomach clench , my mom gasped her hand going to her mouth .<br /> " No we didn't mate , mom it was-it was an accident , I didn't mean to , he just did it , and-and - "<br /> "How could you do this to your father?" she asked me sternly , I swallowed . Shock hit me , my mother had never spoken to me in a tone like that.<br /> "Why would he mark you?" my sister demanded looking furious.<br /> "I'm his-I'm his mate"I said quietly.<br /> "Why didn't you stop him?" she asked.<br /> "I was going to-I was, but he-he just did it, I didn't, I'm sorry it was-it was an accident"I said trying to explain.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.thepopfic.com/ad/UG9wRmljLzE0ODAzOS8yMDI	110620302003689	Pop001	https://facebook.com/100092038763039	377	1	844,871,814,094,949	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Pop001	120207660156440721	a.thepopfic.com	NONE	video		https://a.thepopfic.com/ad/UG9wRmljLzE0ODAzOS8yMDI0MDQxMTE0MjQxOS9wYWdl?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 01:32	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435265542_1822342391527079_4571620371267603091_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=boR-xW5OKLYAb73QtJT&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBFVtBIGZUrWXz0hVEdLQg08VR6RmCMD-Rchj6cBhYMFQ&oe=66220B7D	person_profile	Pop001	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422432808_414280244682549_8684536271693741189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1IlviIjaHK8Ab7yiWI6&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAw577Z3ZmDz2iUGG-gafE1r56LtHLCpZcWHaD7HjUNfA&oe=66220E60	3	Pop001	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,926	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211459}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	766047512291863	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"She is a client's assistant. We met a little over two months and it was an accidental hook-up. I swear I didn't plan or thought of it at first. It just happened." He looked away.<br /> "Two months? You've been making a fool out of me for two months, David?!" Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.<br /> "Please forgive me, please Babe."<br /> "I want you to tell her that everything is over between you two... in front of me."<br /> ————————<br /> "The moment I saw you, I knew in my heart that I love everything about you. As I spent more time with you, I realized that I have deeply fallen for you. I promised God and myself that I will never hurt you. Every day of my life I will only spend with you. Your happiness will always be my priority. Loving you forever is my greatest promise. My life will be incomplete without you. Avery Jackson, will you marry me?"<br /> "YES! Yes, David, I will marry you!"<br /> For some, whatever they have may seem too good to be true, but for both of them, finding each other is a dream come true. Everything seemed perfect until the unexpected happened.<br /> Avery couldn't find the word to describe the mixed emotions she felt when she read the message that popped on David's phone. She didn't know if her eyes were fast enough to have read it before the notification faded away or it was the heavens that wanted her to read it. Her body froze, her heart stopped, heavy and painful pounding on her chest dominated. She gasped for air. Her whole body stiffened. It was like any second her head will explode. Every inch of her body trembled. Nauseated, her stomach flipped. She begged her mouth not to vomit. When she heard the bathroom door unlocked, she immediately put back the phone where David originally left before he took a shower.<br /> "Are you okay Babe? What's wrong? You are trembling," David asked, his eyes widened.<br /> "Ah... Um... I need to go to the bathroom. I think I'm having diarrhea." Her steps bolted for the bathroom.<br /> She locked the bathroom door and sat on the tiled floor as her trembling body touched the wall. Her eyes welled with tears.<br /> What should I do? Should I confront him? Since when? Who is she? How? Where? Why?<br /> Strong, piercing and poking burned on her head. Her brain asked all the different questions but failed to find answers to any of them. She pressed her chest slowly and hard, hoping her hand can lessen the pain when she heard David from the outside of the door.<br /> "Babe, are you okay? Do you need medicine? How are you feeling?"<br /> "I'm okay," she answered in a soft voice, hiding her silent cries.<br /> "Do you want me to buy you an energy drink or something?"<br /> "Please... Thank you," her voice crackled.<br /> She burst into tears with her hands placed in between her knees and face when she heard the main door shut. Her whole body convulsed like no end. Is this for real? She denied David is cheating on her. My David will never do that. Maybe the message was wrongly sent? The message wasn't for him?<br /> She went out of the bathroom in a swift motion. It crushed her hope not finding David's phone where she placed it back a while ago. Stupid Ave! No cheating prick will leave his phone behind. She had to think of something. Confronting him can be good or bad. How will I do it? Reality hit her. Her woman's instinct activated. Were there signs? Either she had been so dumb, so trusting, or so in love?<br /> How would I have known the signs?<br /> It's not like there's a manual or a guide for her to know if he is cheating on her.<br /> Maybe David was so good at hiding. She started going back to the past days, weeks, and months. Tears fell again, like on cue the same heaviness and poking in her chest got stronger. But she has to brave all the pains to find the answers. Someone other than David might know. Who else knows?<br /> Self-pity struck her. Do people in the firm know? Am I the last one to know? These are just a few of the questions that popped into her mind. This pain sucks! She wanted very much to confront him, but she's also afraid that she might be wrong. She got the urge to ask people, especially those around him, but she doubted if they will tell her. If people who knew about it want her to know, at least someone should have mentioned it to her already.<br /> "Oh, God! I'm so naïve and stupid! David is their boss. Their loyalty is with him of course."<br /> She felt so alone and pitiful. She knew she can get comfort from her family in times like this, but she can't because she still wanted to protect David. What a stupid idea that despite the hurts and pains she still wants him to get on her family's good side.<br /> Am I acting normal right now? She suddenly remembered Shelly, her best friend, when they caught her fiance doing a "mouth-to-mouth" resuscitation with his secretary inside his office. Back then she wanted badly to smack Shelly when instead of telling her parents the truth, she covered the truth to keep the guy's respectable image. Am I being Shelly right now?<br /> What to do, Avery? What to do?<br /> "Babe, are you okay now?" David asked.<br /> "Better I guess."<br /> She didn't realize that he already came back. She watched him as he opened the bottle of energy drink. Her eyes focused on the cellphone that he placed on top of the bedside table. Even without her going near it, she can see that it was on silent mode judging by the number of times the notifications have been lighting on the screen.<br /> "Here Babe drink it. Make sure you don't get dehydrated. Do you need anything else?"<br /> I need you to be honest with me. "Nothing, thanks."<br /> She gulped the drink without taking her sight off David. He looked excited as he grabbed his cellphone from the side table. She watched him as he sat in bed. He was so engrossed in what he was reading; he didn't realize that she glued her eyes to him all along. She felt a lump in her stomach. How his face changed to the same face he had the morning he asked her to be his girlfriend. She saw the same excitement and sweet smile he had for her then. Except that this time she is sure it wasn't for her. Her body trembled again. She placed her hand over her heart. She can't seem to breathe.<br /> NO.<br /> I think my breathing is becoming loud.<br /> Too loud that she unconsciously covered her ears with her hands.<br /> Now I can't seem to hear my heartbeat.<br /> She feels like her heart stopped. She started pressing into her chest. Everything around her blurs. Then there was total darkness and silence.<br /> "Babe! Avery! Wake up!"<br /> David's voice awakened her. Her restless body was in David's arms when she opened her eyes. He was staring at her, worried. She can't find the strength to say anything. She looked into his eyes and silently asked the questions to herself. The questions she can't dare to ask him.<br /> Why David? Why?<br /> "What happened to you? Do you want me to bring you to the hospital?"<br /> I'm fine. I need to be.<br /> "I'll get you water. Stay in bed for now."<br /> Saying nothing, she stood up and trudged to the bed. She saw his cellphone on top of his pillow. It is in silent mode. She sees the call notifications as the phone screen keeps on lighting. The same contact who sent him the message is the same contact calling him right now. She grabbed the phone. 15 missed calls. All from the same contact. She heard footsteps coming near the bedroom door. It's too late. David already saw her holding his phone. He looked at her. She looked at him. They stared at each other.<br /> "Your phone. Someone has been calling you 15 times now."<br /> She looked into his eyes. His eyes avoided hers. He immediately took the phone from her hand. He seemed anxious but didn't look at her.<br /> "It's Jonathan. He's been calling me regarding the recent case. Take a rest, for now, babe. I'll just call Jonathan. Stay here. I'll be back."<br /> She just nodded and watched him as he rushed to get out of their room. The adrenalin and jealousy gave her body the strength to move and run for the door. Quietly, she watched him from the small opening.<br /> His gestures are familiar, bright smile, sparkling eyes.<br /> But one thing is for sure... those sweet gestures, his bright smile, and the sparks in his eyes... this time they're not hers.<br /> Avery was always confident. On top of her class, from elementary to her master's class days. Always gets praised for being young and smart. She knew how to hold an audience of professionals. She was a quick thinker. But this time, this exact moment, she felt like nothing. Worthless. Hopeless. Dumb. Numb.<br /> Her mind overflowed with silent questions. What did I do wrong? Did I lack on something? So many whats and whys. All thoughts that made her doubt herself, her worth.<br /> Sound of footsteps coming awakened her from her thoughts. She immediately went to bed and rested her back on the headboard.<br /> "Babe, will you be alright if I meet up with Jonathan for an hour or two? We badly need to discuss our plan for tomorrow's court hearing."<br /> She looked him in the eye as she wanted very much to ask him.<br /> Why do you have to lie, David?" Do you really have to meet Jonathan at this hour? Where are you really going? Can't you guys just meet early tomorrow instead?"<br /> "You know how is Jonathan, babe. He wouldn't stop calling and texting me unless I meet up with him. That idiot is quite a workaholic and a nerve-wreck!"<br /> Who are you meeting? "Okay," was the only word that came out of her.<br /> She still can't believe that this is happening. That the David who is lying to her face right now is the same David who promised to love her forever. The David for an angel she thought of has turned into a lying monster in front of her. But she can't understand why she's so weak and afraid. Weak to confront him and afraid to get an answer she might not want to hear.<br /> "I have to go, Babe! I'll try to be back as soon as I can."<br /> Like in a dream, everything was floating and blurred. She just realized he already left after hearing his car revving out loud and fast from the garage.<br /> I am not expecting this. It's just six months after we got engaged. We just confirmed a schedule to meet with the wedding planner yesterday.<br /> She stood fast and looked for her phone, and dialed. "Hello! Jonathan speaking."<br /> "Hey, Jonathan! This is Avery. I just wanted to know what you and David have scheduled for tomorrow? I wanted to surprise him for his birthday and secretly work on his schedule with his assistant tomorrow."<br /> "Avery, hey! Oh, we don't have any case right now. The last time we worked together was before your engagement. I wished we have a case together. It's so easy to work on a case with your man Ave!"<br /> "Uh... Oh... I know... How's Izzy? the kids?"<br /> "Well, Izzy is in the province with her mom right now. I'm on leave for three days because I'm stuck here at home babysitting the kids! Daddy duties!"<br /> "So sorry to have bothered you, Jonathan! peck the kids for me and tell Izzy I said hi."<br /> "I will Ave! Send my regards to your man! Goodnight!"<br /> "Goodnight Jonathan!"<br /> In silence, her tears started flowing like waterfalls. Everything in her body ached. Her heart pierced and broke into million pieces. Her imaginations worked. David driving fast, excited to meet his "Jonathan." She suddenly saw their engagement picture. As she holds the heart-shaped frame, she can't help but remember that day. Her heart was full of happiness and love. She and David looked so in love. Their eyes were sparkling, and he was holding her hand, showing the engagement ring, which was an heirloom passed down from his grandmother to his mom and now to David for her.<br /> When Avery felt him slowly getting on his side of the bed, she prayed for him not to notice that she was awake. He went to bed under the impression that she was in a deep sleep. He was unaware that she was just observing him all along. In a matter of fifteen minutes, he cleaned the broken glass, sneaked in a shower, and placed his clothes in the washer.<br /> Avery wanted very much not to cry, knowing that David is just in the other room, but her eyes have a mind of their own. She looked around and saw their engagement picture in a replaced frame the sobbing was a powerful force she can't fight anymore. She wished that one can easily replace broken relationships, like when broken frames were replaced with new ones.<br /> "What is wrong, babe? Why are you crying?"<br /> Avery froze knowing that David is now standing behind her. If he sees her face and she sees his, her tears will betray her. She hoped David will leave her and not insist to get an answer. But maybe, just maybe, or she was hoping against hope that everything is just a misunderstanding and that David is still the same David. The same who promised to love her forever and the same who she still loves despite.<br /> The crying she was trying so hard to keep to herself turned into loud and continuous sobbing. Avery can't control her emotions anymore. When David put his arms around her and then made her slowly face him, she lost it all.<br /> "What is happening Ave? Why are you crying? Did something happen?"<br /> Seeing David's concerned expression made her forget he is looking at the person who has been hurting him for weeks now. She placed her arms around him and cried harder. "I'm so in pain right now David."<br /> "Tell me, Babe, what's going on? Which is hurting? Why?"<br /> "My heart is hurting... in so much pain for weeks now." She told in between sobs and tears.<br /> As he wipes her tears with his fingers, he kept asking her questions, unaware of what she is about to say. "Is there something wrong with your heart? Did the doctor find something?"<br /> "No. But I discovered something. It has been causing me pain, it's been killing me every day."<br /> "You're making me worried now, babe. Tell me, please." He motioned her towards the bedroom bench. As they sat together, he clasped his hand with hers.<br /> Avery, feeling hopeful, felt that this might be her chance to confront him. She decided it's now or never. "We need to talk."<br /> "Okay Babe, talk to me. Tell me everything."<br /> "Who is she?"<br /> "Who? What do you mean she?"<br /> "Please be honest with me, David. At least as a friend. Who is the woman you are cheating on me with?"<br /> David's face fell. His breathing turned heavier and louder. The warmth that his hand was giving hers turned ice cold. And as he removed his hand from hers, he immediately brushed both of his hands through his hair and looked down. Dead silence enveloped the room. Avery knows this is their chance to lay everything down. As painful as it may be, the only way to know the truth is to get answers from him.<br /> "I knew it from the night I blacked out. She didn't ask him a question this time. I unintentionally read the message she sent you. I knew you didn't meet with Jonathan. You didn't have any reason to meet him at all."<br /> "Ave you know I can't lie to you."He looked her in the eye, guilt reflected.<br /> "But you did." If there is one thing that Avery learned as a paralegal that is interrogating without asking. "I called Jonathan right after you left that night. He doesn't have any clue. Izzy was in her province that night, no way for her to tell you to say hi to me."<br /> "Babe, I'm sorry." He cupped her face, looked directly into her eyes. She didn't stop him. The tears and the sobbing stopped. She felt braver, empowered seeing his sorry and admitting face.<br /> "Who is she? Tell me, what did I do wrong? What did I not do?" She removed his hands from her face.<br /> "There is nothing wrong with you, babe. It wasn't you, it was me. I was stupid! I'm sorry Ave."<br /> David lowered his head."I'm sorry Ave." He said the three words she regretted hearing. For the past weeks, she had been agonizing over herself to know the truth. She didn't realize that hearing the truth from him will be a thousand times more painful than how she has been feeling all along.<br /> Truth sucks. Truth hurts. Truth is real. These were the only things that echoed on Avery's mind. She values honesty all her life, but she wished that David should have just lied to her face again. The confirmation she had been longing to get from him didn't just hurt her wounded heart more. It pained, it cut, and it stabbed her already bleeding heart.<br /> "Ave, I'm really sorry. I know there is no excuse for what I did."<br /> She took in a deep breath. "Who is she? Since when?"<br /> "You don't know her. She is a client's assistant. We met a little over two months and it was an accidental hook-up. I swear I didn't plan or thought of it at first. It just happened." He looked away.<br /> "Two months? You've been making a fool out of me for two months, David?!" Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.<br /> "No Babe! Believe me. The night I told you I was to meet Jonathan, I went to meet her. I ended everything with her. Please believe me Ave!"<br /> The memory of that night flashed back to Avery. David's sweet gestures, his bright smile, and the sparks in his eyes... she wouldn't forget that picture of him reading messages on his phone. David may lie to her, but not to her heart. His face then didn't show an inch of a man about to end everything with the woman whose message he was reading.<br /> Her mind told her not to believe and not to forgive David is the most reasonable decision. But her heart reminded her he's asking for forgiveness should put her at ease, that he is deserving him a second chance. "After you confirmed David is really cheating, what do you plan to do?" She heard Shelly's voice as if she was just beside her.<br /> "Ave please say something. Please forgive me, please Babe."<br /> What should I do with you, David? Avery felt weak to even say a word. She just stared at David. If only her eyes have sharp arrows flying out of them, she would have surely hit his body bulls-eye slowly but fiercely. And she remembered what she told herself. She wouldn't be in his game without a fight.<br /> "Ave, tell me what I need to do for you to forgive me, please."<br /> "I want you to tell her that everything is over between you two... in front of me."	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1,210,934	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210939}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	796546189020278	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	【He won't be coming home tonight, he's too busy sleeping with me. A full year of passion, something you and him will never have.】<br /> A picture of some random bimbo with blonde hair and a stupid smirk was cuddling up next to my boyfriend who was half undressed and sleeping.<br /> Long forgetting his girlfriend who was at home like a fool, waiting for her boyfriend to show up so they could celebrate their four years together. <br /> And that was the day I found out my boyfriend of four years was cheating on me for the last year of our relationship.<br /> ————————<br /> With every picture I burned, memories of him were vanishing along with my love for him. Everything was finally coming to pieces. All the trips he took, all those long nights at work, all those rejections were part of his lies. Just a cover up for where he truly was, sleeping around with some cheap woman. All while I was at home waiting for him and giving him my love. As the pictures burned my hatred for him grew.<br /> "Babe I'm home."<br /> My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. A voice that once gave me comfort, but now disgusted me.<br /> "In the living room."<br /> I quickly hide the pictures under the couch, and put on a fake smile.<br /> He comes in with his black suit all wrinkled, his shirt un tucked, his tie loose around his neck. His blue eyes held a hint of guilt. A look I knew was fake just like the excuse he was about to give me. He was holding a bear that held a little black box, and a bouquet of red roses. Usually I would accept the gifts and forgive him, but that was before I knew his little cheating adventures. I hold my fake smile as I looked over the gifts in his hands.<br /> "So am I forgiven?"<br /> He says breaking the silence, and all I do is smile.<br /> "Oh babe it's fine, let me guess work was piling up today?"<br /> Let's see what you say you lying scumbag.<br /> I notice his eyes flicker with relief and he lets out a breath.<br /> "You know me so well babe, happy four years Nikky."<br /> He sets the bear, roses and small box on the couch. He comes closer and wraps his arms around me. All I wanted to do at that moment was push him off of me. But trying my best I hug him back. Huh he smells of cheap perfume.<br /> "I'll be back, I'm going to change and then we could have dinner."<br /> I just nod and watch him walk off to my room. I wait until he realizes that his clothes are nowhere to be found. Well at least he hasn't checked the garbage.<br /> "Nikky?"<br /> "Yea?"<br /> I respond looking at his confused face.<br /> "Why aren't any of my clothes in there?"<br /> Tell him now.<br /> "They're in the garbage."<br /> I respond.<br /> "Why?"<br /> "Well I thought since you probably have clothes at her house I could just throw away all the clothes you have here. And plus I need more space for the shoes and more clothes I want to buy."<br /> "What are you talking about?"<br /> He says confused.<br /> "Well I'm talking about the girl's house where you stay I'm pretty sure every night for a little sleepover."<br /> "So you assume I cheated on you?"<br /> "Oh no I'm not assuming anything, I have proof that you cheated on me."<br /> I push past him and grab my phone, opening the message and making him look at the picture. As he does his eyes go wide. He opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off.<br /> "Don't you dare say that this isn't you."<br /> I snap and he looks up at me with guilt in his blue eyes.<br /> "Don't do this."<br /> He pleads.<br /> "Leave."<br /> "Nikky come on please let me explain."<br /> "Explain what Luke?! How you cheated on me for who knows how long and yet you have the nerve to come home knowing well what you have done!"<br /> "Nikky it was a mistake!"<br /> "A mistake! No what you did was not a mistake but a choice."<br /> He doesn't say anything.<br /> "Leave! And take this because I don't want anything to do with you!"<br /> I throw the roses and bear at him, along with the little box. And the necklace I was currently wearing.<br /> "Ple-<br /> "Leave now before I call the police."<br /> He stands there looking at me.<br /> "Leave!"<br /> I bang on his chest and push him out the door. Once he is out the door I slam it shut and that's when I feel it. My heart clenches and a sob escapes my throat, tears following right after. And that's when I break, I fall to the ground and let out sobs as I realize that the guy I had loved had broken my heart and didn't think twice when he cheated on me. The guy I was having a baby with had broken me. Grabbing my stomach I let out another sob.<br /> I'm so sorry baby.<br /> The seconds turned to hours which turned to days. I had moved out from the apartment into a smaller one closer to the city. My once flat belly was now a small round bump, being 1 month pregnant and alone brought a lot of complications for me, emotionally wise. I had yet to tell my parents, for all they knew Luke and I were still a thing. I had told no one about the break up except for my best friend Charlie, who I called up the next day to help me find a new place. A place were I could start fresh, with new memories. Just my baby and I.<br /> I was meeting my mom and dad for brunch today so to make sure my bump wasn't noticeable I decided to wear a large black shirt and black leggings and a pair of vans. My hair which was once long was now above my shoulders.<br /> Mom: Sweetie why don't you invite Luke over to eat with us? Your father and I haven't seen or heard from him in a while<br /> I sigh as I look at the text.<br /> Well of course you haven't heard from the scumbag, we broke up because he cheated. And now I'm having his baby.<br /> That's what I wanted to text her, but of course I didn't. But instead replied with the same excuse. Luke was at work and couldn't make it.<br /> "Come on little bean, we have to go meet grandma and grandpa."<br /> I rub my belly and smile. Yea I was already talking to the baby, who was probably the size of a bean if not a bit larger.<br /> Walking out of the apartment I head over to my car and drive off to the cafe that was twenty minutes away.<br /> Driving was always something that I dreaded, because my mind tends to wander to questions I would rather most likely avoid. And the biggest one of course was, When are you going to tell Luke that you're pregnant? Or are you not going to? Personally I would rather keep my baby away from him and not let him know, but he is the father and legally has the right to know.<br /> Before I could get anymore into the subject, I turn the radio on, raising the volume up to drown my thoughts.<br /> By the time I get there parking was already full, so I'm forced to park a block away.<br /> "Great, that means more walking little bean. Which isn't a bad thing. But mommy gets tired."<br /> Dad: Kiddo are you almost here?<br /> I look at the text and chuckle, my dad was always impatient when it came to food.<br /> Me: Yes dad, had to park a block away but I should be there in three minutes.<br /> I turn the engine off and walk out to the crisp air. It was mid-September and the weather in Chicago was getting a bit cooler as fall approached.<br /> I start walking and as I do I start to feel nervous, the fact that my parents will finally know that Luke and I broke up and that I was pregnant and was going to be a single mom was quite the thing to get me all nervous.<br /> It'll be fine, no need to get all worked up about it. You are an adult and they can't tell you what to do anymore.<br /> I kept telling myself as I opened the door and was welcomed with the scent of coffee and warmth. I search the whole place and spot my parents all the way in the back, my dad waving his hands and my mom laughing as she brought the mug to her lips.<br /> Smiling at them I walk towards their table causing them both to get up and greet me with a hug.<br /> "Kiddo Long time no see! How's Luke?"<br /> Just the mention of that name made my stomach churn.<br /> "Yea dad it has been a long time."<br /> I reply ignoring the last part.<br /> "Mom."<br /> I say giving her a hug.<br /> "Darling, how I've missed you. Woah looks like someone is gaining a bit of weight."<br /> Come on Nikky it's now or never. You have to tell them.<br /> "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about."<br /> I explain, biting on the inside of my cheek.<br /> "Of you gaining weight?"<br /> My dad asks as he sits back down.<br /> And before I can answer a waitress comes by.<br /> "Can I get you anything to drink?"<br /> "Yea she'll have an espresso."<br /> My mom answers.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Actually I'll just have a hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and a chocolate chip muffin please."<br /> "Alrighty, then I'll be right out with that."<br /> "Hot chocolate?"<br /> "Yea I just wanted to try something different."<br /> I say playing around with the hem of my shirt.<br /> "So what did you want to talk about Nikky?"<br /> My mom says sitting back down and I follow sitting across from her and my dad.<br /> "Well, um okay, how do I tell you guys."<br /> Quit stalling and just tell them Nikky!<br /> "Nikky just spit it out. You know you can tell us anything."<br /> I nod, reassuring my mom that I knew that.<br /> "Okay, well I'm uh pregnant."<br /> There I said it.<br /> I looked at both my parents who had a blank stare. That is until my mother broke into a smile and stood up, making me stand up as well.<br /> "Sweetie congratulations! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"<br /> She wraps her arms around me and sways us side to side.<br /> "Come on let me get a hug."<br /> My dad says and my mom lets go letting my dad congratulate me by giving me one of his famous bear hugs.<br /> "Can't believe we're going to be grandparents."<br /> I look over at my mom who was on the verge of crying.<br /> "Mom please don't cry."<br /> I plead knowing that I had yet to tell them the other part of the news and not know how they would react with the second part once I had told them.<br /> "So how did Luke react?"<br /> They both look at me with the biggest smiles on their faces.<br /> "He doesn't know."<br /> I say and my mom blinks and my dad just smiles.<br /> "Of course! you want to make it a surprise!"<br /> I shake my head no.<br /> "We broke up, have been for a while now. I left the apartment and got a smaller one closer to the city. Charlie helped me pick it out."<br /> "You're not going to keep it am I right?"<br /> My mother asks looking rather angry.<br /> I was taken aback from her remark, does she mean an abortion?<br /> "No, I plan on keeping my baby."<br /> "Nikky do you know what our friends will say when they find out about this?"<br /> I don't answer her but just continue staring at both my parents, letting her comment process.<br /> Why would I want to have an abortion? This baby was a blessing for me and there was no way that I was going to end my little bean's life. Sure being a single mom would be a bit more challenging but I had my friends, and I thought I had my family but apparently they don't approve.<br /> "Or if you don't want an abortion, we can have it be adopted."<br /> I look at my mother with a look of disgust.<br /> "It's a baby, not it. And I will not have an abortion nor will I have the baby be adopted."<br /> I speak low as to not cause a scene, not that it mattered.<br /> "Nikky listen to your mother, this won't be good for your reputation. Think about it, you'll be a single mom living on your own and not even married with a baby on the way."<br /> I scoff.<br /> "Are you listening to yourself, dad?! Not married and with a baby? This is the twenty-first century, things change and not being married and with a kid is one of them."<br /> Before my mom could reply the waitress comes with our stuff.<br /> "Actually I'll like to have my things to go please."<br /> I say giving her a small smile.<br /> She looks between my mom and I and nods, maybe she could sense the tension going on.<br /> "Of course."<br /> "Thank you."<br /> I turn back to my parents.<br /> "Don't worry, we won't be causing you or your reputation any more trouble."<br /> With that said I walk to the cash register grabbing my hot chocolate and muffin and leaving the coffee shop.<br /> I was preoccupied with my thoughts but the chime of my phone quickly pulled me back to reality.<br /> "So let me get this straight your mother wants you to have an abortion or have the baby be adopted?"<br /> Charlie looks over at me as he flips over the omelet, he looked a bit shocked that my mother would think such thing.<br /> "Yup, my dad even said that it was bad for my reputation being a single mother and all. That it was immoral for me to have the baby and not have the father here with me."<br /> I move around to the cupboard to get the plates along with the cups.<br /> "Well, why would you want a douchebag to me near your baby, especially a cheating one."<br /> "Well he is the father, I have to tell him. But no way will I get back with him."<br /> "So are you for sure ready to tell him? The real question I'm asking is if you're ready to face him again."<br /> He places the omelet on the plate and sets the pan down before looking at me.<br /> "I have no clue, whenever I think about him I feel like throwing up, and I just get nervous. But he has to know, doesn't he?"<br /> I ask looking as Charlie starts preparing his omelet. He shrugs his shoulders before cracking an egg followed by another.<br /> "That's up to you. Do you want him to be part of the baby's life?"<br /> I let out a sigh and run my hands through my face, feeling exhausted from the whole situation.<br /> "I don't know what I want anymore, I just want to live a happy life with my baby."<br /> "Here eat already."<br /> He nudges the plate towards me and I grab it sitting down, waiting for Charlie to finish making his.<br /> "I don't have his number anymore so that means I'm going to have to talk with his parents and get his number from them."<br /> I take my fork and cut a piece of the omelet bringing it to my mouth.<br /> "This is so good."<br /> I exclaim with a full mouth. Charlie chuckles and turns his head to look at me.<br /> "Glad you two like it."<br /> "Like it? We love it."<br /> I take another bite letting my mouth savor the flavors that the sausage, bacon, and ham brought to my taste buds. Charlie joins me finally with his omelet my hot chocolate and his coffee mug, taking a seat across from me.<br /> "Veggie omelet?"<br /> I ask looking at his omelet which contained mushrooms, avocado, spinach, and tomatoes.<br /> "Yea it's good."<br /> He says taking a bite and looking at me with his blue eyes.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Maybe, but little bean and I prefer the meat omelet."<br /> The rest of our breakfast time we spent time talking about random stuff, school, and a new project he had. We talked about almost everything except my parents, luke, and the problems I soon had to face.<br /> "Okay so let me get this, you have a date tomorrow and you're barely telling me today?! Why didn't you tell me sooner jerk?"<br /> I smack his arm playfully.<br /> "Becuase I'm not for sure if it will turn out into more dates."<br /> "I don't care, you should have told me. It's about time you got a date."<br /> He rolls his eyes, he opens his mouth to say something smart but he was cut off by a sudden knock at the door.<br /> "Are you expecting someone?"<br /> "Not that I'm aware of."<br /> I get up from my seat and make my way towards the door, before opening it I look through the peephole and feel my heart start beating faster, and not in a good way.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.hitnovelapp.com/ad/aGl0bm92ZWwvMTQ4MTMzL	109127152242195	HHitt013	https://facebook.com/100094431461254	36	1	1,488,339,068,746,478	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	HHitt013	120206793906250227	a.hitnovelapp.com	NONE	video		https://a.hitnovelapp.com/ad/aGl0bm92ZWwvMTQ4MTMzLzIwMjQwNDExMTQ0NzEwL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 01:58	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435469777_948598959880658_4380827213119358024_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oxQ--cPqcKgAb5oSmNk&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA4zI0z4Doyw8oNFSUlyPQT6MvtDuOts_RPkV9yzzFj7g&oe=66221100	person_profile	HHitt013	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435488889_463078796051250_3671923274742783536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gXbG2L4SpPQAb4focXq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDtW2M5Lv34flzCVeUsQWmduR1zD9I_ZBp1bt9h3E_Jhw&oe=66220574	3	HHitt013	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,949	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210851}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	936070831504328	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	What’s more embarrassing than a butt dial? Butt dialing your boss… And leaving a dirty voicemail when you’re uhh… “thinking” about them.<br /> Just had a sexual fantasy with my boss. I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> ————————<br /> Emma<br /> If anyone has a reason to cry, it’s me. My boss is an arrogant prick and my sister is dead and her husband is more of a burden than a help and I have three innocent kids I’m doing my best to raise right but I can’t seem to catch a break and I need sleep and food and more coffee and a vacation and a fresh start and—the list just goes on. One reason for each of my thousand tears.<br /> “Auntie Em! Auntie Em, wake up.”<br /> I come to with a start. The sun is slanting in through the blinds and I have absolutely no freaking idea what planet I’m on. I feel a sharp line of pain on my cheek. It takes me a long moment to realize that it’s because I have a shoelace plastered to my skin. I peel it off with a wince and look up to see Josh standing over me.<br /> “Auntie Em, it’s 7:45. We’re late for school.”<br /> The next fifteen minutes are a blur. I get the girls up and dressed in the least coordinated outfits in the history of terrible parenting. I hurl random food into their lunchboxes with no regard for nutritional value. And then we’re all sprinting out the door.<br /> Ben, needless to say, doesn’t so much as lift a finger to help.<br /> I get the evil eye from the receptionist at the kids’ school when I drop them off well into first period. I just pop a peck on each of their foreheads and then turn to Bane.<br /> I get another evil eye from the lobby receptionist there, too, but I don’t quite realize why until I’m in the elevator up to the thirtieth floor and I catch sight of my reflection in the polished bronze.<br /> I look like an absolute shitshow. My hair is a rat’s nest on my head and my blouse is on backwards. The fashionable one-shoulder cutout is framing my frayed bra strap instead of a tasteful slice of arm.<br /> Wet street dogs are more put-together than I am.<br /> It’s way too late to go back now, though. I can already imagine Ruslan’s eyebrow. It’s probably halfway up his scalp by now. His voice is going to be absolutely frigid when he hears me come stumbling in. Something like:<br /> “You have got to be kidding me.”<br /> Wait. That wasn’t my imagination. That was actually his voice.<br /> I open my eyes and turn around to realize that the elevator doors have opened—and who should be standing there but my beloved, benevolent boss?<br /> Sure enough, his eyebrow is locked and loaded and that cruelly sharp jaw of his clenched so tight that I wonder idly if he has a good dentist on speed dial.<br /> I open my mouth to defend myself, but what is there even to say? “I’m sorry,” I blurt. “I fell asleep after—It was a long night and—I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”<br /> He doesn’t so much as blink. “I expect you to dress appropriately for your job, Ms. Carson,” he growls. “Not do the walk of shame through my building.”<br /> I frown. “The walk of—? Hold on. No, that’s not what this is. I didn’t—”<br /> “You’re wearing yesterday’s skirt and flaunting your undergarments like you think you can seduce your way out of being—” He checks his watch. “—two and a half hours late. I’m not sure if you think I’m stupid or easy. I’m also not sure which of those two would offend me more.”<br /> One word snags my attention. “Seduce?” I parrot stupidly.<br /> Out of nowhere, thoughts of what it would look like to seduce Ruslan Oryolov come prancing through my head.<br /> Wrapping his tie around my fist and bringing that smirking snarl down to my lips for a taste.<br /> Lying back on his desk, pencil skirt hiked above my hips, while he shoves my panties to the side and devours me like his last meal.<br /> On my knees on his office carpet as he stands over me and—<br /> “Ms. Carson, I’m not interested in your explanations. Go do your job. Before I find someone else to do it for you.”<br /> With that, he brushes past me and gets on the elevator. I turn and look dumbly at him as the doors close on his face. The last thing I see is the arrogant slant of his mouth.<br /> Then that, too, disappears.<br /> My cheeks are burning red for the rest of the day. Luckily, I have an extra cardigan at my desk, so I’m able to cover up the worst of my wardrobe malfunction.<br /> But my phone keeps pinging all day long with messages from Ruslan. Do this. Send that. Fax this. Email that. He’s as unbearable as ever. Everything from the expiration date on his coffee creamer to the status of the conference room chairs he’s so anal about merits yet another scathing comment from him. And after yesterday’s nightmare, I’m running on fumes.<br /> My only saving grace is that he has a gala tonight, so he’s scheduled to leave the office at 5:00 P.M. sharp. I’m counting down the last ten seconds until the clock strikes five like I’m a Times Square partier on New Year’s Eve.<br /> “Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”<br /> Ping. Another text. I moan and look down to see the devil’s name pop up on my phone.<br /> RUSLAN: My office. Now.<br /> Goddammit. I was so close.<br /> Sighing, I get up and slink inside.<br /> “Shut the door,” he orders. It’s dark in here. The curtains are sealed tight and the temperature is Arctic. He’s a mass of shadows behind his desk, huge and fragrant. The only thing I can see is the sharp light of his amber eyes.<br /> “Sit.” A shadowy hand points at the chair across from his desk.<br /> I perch at the edge of the seat in question. My nerves are buzzing and frayed. I’m so, so tired. But I can’t show him that. Matter of fact, I refuse to show him that.<br /> I won’t give the smug prick the satisfaction of thinking he’s outlasted me.<br /> “I asked you yesterday if I had your full attention,” he begins. “I’m not so sure I do. So let me say this: if your priorities lie anywhere other than this company, then I will find a new assistant. I’m not a nice man, Ms. Carson. So believe me when I tell you that this is not the kind of place where you get three strikes before something bad happens. You mess up once—you’re gone. Am I making myself clear?”<br /> I swallow. “Yes, sir.”<br /> He nods. “Good. Be here on time tomorrow. Dress like you intend to keep your job. Now, if you’ll excuse me… there’s the door.”<br /> He looks down at his phone and poof, it’s like I don’t exist anymore.<br /> But I. Am. Pissed.<br /> He doesn’t know what I’m going through. He doesn’t know Ben is snoring and farting in my living room, or that three little kids are waiting on me to pick them up from after-school care. He doesn’t know that I buried my sister or that I’m barely keeping my head above water. He doesn’t know anything.<br /> “No.” I blurt it before I can think better of it. “No. No. I’m not some little worm under your shoe, Mr. Oryolov. I’m a—I mean, screw you, I’m a person! I have a life and hobbies and people who depend on me. I’m real! So I’d appreciate it very much if you’d pull your smug head out of your smug prick and treat me with some respect for once.”<br /> Ruslan blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> “Is there something else, Ms. Carson?”<br /> That’s when I realize that my whole little tirade took place entirely in my head. It wasn’t real. All imagined. Just a pleasant little detour to a fantasy land where I give him my two cents and then some.<br /> I swallow past the nasty taste in my throat and stand. “No, sir,” I say quietly. “Nothing at all.”<br /> -<br /> I ended the call with my best friend, Phoebe.<br /> Then a face pops up on the black screen of my mind’s eye.<br /> It’s Ruslan because, like I told Pheebs, he haunts me even when I’m off the clock. He’s smiling that smile she described. That come-to-bed-and-let-me-show-you-what-I-can-do-to-you smile. The camera of my imagination pulls back and floats down.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is wearing an ivory white button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone. Enough to see a dusting of dark chest hair and the edge of a tattoo I can’t quite make out. He flexes his forearms in front of him. Those knuckles crack, louder than I expected, and I let out a surprised little gasp.<br /> I like when you make that noise, he croons. Shall I see if I can make you do it again?<br /> I’m nodding before I’m even realizing what I’m doing. “Make me moan,” I plead.<br /> I’m also touching the inside of my knee before I realize what I’m doing. But it’s not my hands that are doing it—or at least, it doesn’t feel like it’s my hands. It’s Ruslan’s hands, huge and powerful, palming my thigh and drifting up under the edge of my pencil skirt.<br /> You’ve been a naughty assistant, he growls, breath minty in my face where it mingles with the woodsy spice of his cologne. There’s a faint laugh on the edge of his voice, like he knows that this whole thing is crazy but he’s just going with it because it’s hotter than it is ridiculous. You’ve been so very, very bad. Step into my office and shut the door.<br /> The rest of the world disappears like I just followed his orders. Gone is my messy apartment and the lingering smell of burrito cheese. Ruslan is all I smell now.<br /> That cologne.<br /> That breath.<br /> Beneath it, that musk that sets my nerve endings on fire.<br /> “Are you going to punish me, Ruslan?” I whisper.<br /> I’m on the literal edge of my seat, grinding and bucking against my fingers. Imaginary Ruslan has me eating out of the palm of his hand. I’d do anything for him. Say anything. Be anything.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is every bit the cruel prick that real Ruslan is. He said he’d keep my orgasms to himself, but I feel like I stole this one from him. The euphoria of it rips through me in one endless lightning bolt after the next, until finally, what feels like an hour later, I come back to something like normal consciousness with drool on my lips and my fingers wet and sticky with my own desire.<br /> I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> The reality of what is happening clicks in my gut immediately, but it takes a few delayed moments before my head comes to terms with it.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been on a call with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, my phone has been recording every last moan and gasp and breath and twitch I made while I begged for his mercy and pleaded for him to make me come.<br /> Did Ruslan hear the whole thing?<br /> -<br /> “It’s over. My life as I know it is over. R.I.P. to me.”<br /> “I’m sorry, who is this?”<br /> “Pheebs!”<br /> She chuckles while I stare at my reflection in the mirror and try not to throw up. My phone is lying on the bathroom counter on speakerphone, mostly because my palms have been sweating since I saw the meeting invite in my calendar for today.<br /> 9:00 A.M. – 09:07:32 A.M.: Emma Carson 1-on-1 with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Anyway, rewind, take a deep breath, then tell me what’s going on in your big girl voice. Unburden yourself. Take all the time you need. Just make it quick because I have a 9 o’clock appointment.”<br /> I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet now, the same way that Reagan does when she needs to pee really bad. “Yeah, so do I. With him.”<br /> “Ah. Oh, wait—oh.”<br /> I first called Phoebe last night right after realizing what I’d done. Her reaction was a dizzying mixture of pride and horror. I believe her exact words were, “Sure, it’s mortifying, but I’m glad you got your rocks off. Knew you had it in you.”<br /> She’s a little more reassuring now that things are escalating out of control. “That doesn’t necessarily mean he heard the voicemail, Em. Maybe this is just a standard, no-big-deal, super-boring-business-stuff Thursday morning meeting.”<br /> “It’s scheduled for seven minutes and thirty-two seconds. Precisely.”<br /> “Hm.” There’s a beat of silence. “Doesn’t look good, does it?”<br /> “Seriously? That’s all you’ve got for me? I’m gonna lose my job, Phoebe!”<br /> “You don’t know that for sure. Just take a deep breath and go in there, see what he wants. Play it cool, y’know?”<br /> “And what if what he wants is to kick my arse to the curb with a recommendation letter that claims I’m a dirty bimbo?”<br /> “I mean, there’s probably a market for that.” I moan as Phoebe’s laughter fades into a serious tone. “Listen, boo: whatever happens, you’re a strong, smart, confident woman and you’re gonna land on your feet. And until you do, I’ve got your back.”<br /> Her words mean everything to me, but I know that Phoebe doesn’t have much margin for error in her life, either. She struggles just as hard as I do. If she is able to help, it still wouldn’t put a dent in all the bills and loans looming over me.<br /> “Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve gotta go to my doom now.”<br /> “Keep your pecker up!”<br /> I blink. “Huh?”<br /> “Oklahoma talk. It means, like, ‘break a leg,’ but for Midwesterners.”<br /> If I weren’t worried about losing my job and ending up homeless on the street with three kids, I’d laugh. Instead, I say one more miserable goodbye, then spend a solid three minutes dry-heaving into one of the empty bathroom stalls.<br /> Once I’ve sufficiently bruised my stomach lining, I slink out of the bathroom and waste the remaining two minutes before the meeting standing outside of Ruslan’s door, watching the clock steal my life away one second at a time.<br /> “You okay, Emma?” asks Katie Miller, another of the executive assistants on this floor, as she passes by.<br /> “Dandy,” I mumble. “Just waiting for the noose.”<br /> “What was that?”<br /> “Nothing. I like your earrings. Have a good day.”<br /> She raises her brow a smidge. I’m not usually so dismissive, but I can’t concentrate on small talk right now. Not when I’m T-minus thirty seconds away from the end of my career.<br /> Dear God, I know I don’t pray to you often. Or, well, ever. But please help me out today and I’ll definitely consider starting on a more semi-regular basis.<br /> Great. Now, I’m bargaining with God. New low, Emma. New low.<br /> I take a deep breath and walk into his office. The shades are tight, snuffing out all the light of the Manhattan morning beyond. It’s like a bear cave in here—and the grizzly in question is sitting at his desk, scrolling through his phone. He doesn’t acknowledge me until I’m standing in front of his desk.<br /> “Sit.”<br /> The moment my rear end is parked, he puts his phone down and looks at me. Just looks at me.<br /> In the eighteen months that I’ve worked for him, he’s never once given me the benefit of his full attention. Even during our morning meetings, he’s either on his phone, flipping through files, or typing away on his laptop. I used to be annoyed about it. I’m only now realizing I should have been grateful.<br /> Should I say something?<br /> Maybe he wants me to break the silence. Maybe I’m supposed to give him an explanation, an apology, something. But the more the silence stretches on, the less I’m capable of breaking it.<br /> I decide once again that those amber eyes of his should be outlawed.<br /> “I heard the voicemail,” he says at last.<br /> I can’t place his tone. Amusement? Anger? Disbelief?<br /> “Do you have anything to say, Ms. Carson?”<br /> I launch into the apology I spent most of last night practicing in the mirror. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Mr. Oryolov. I have no idea what I was thinking. The whole thing was an accident; I didn’t realize I’d dialed you. I was so tired and out of it and… I can assure you that it will never happen again. I swear.”<br /> My cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, but I try to keep my voice steady. I can’t sound too desperate, although that’s exactly what I am.<br /> “Tell me, Ms. Carson: what would you do in my place?”<br /> “I would give the plucky, hard-working assistant another chance, maybe?” It’s a long shot, but I figure, what the heck? I just wish I’d asked it without my voice rising to an Alvin and the Chipmunks pipsqueak at the end.<br /> His mouth twitches with the promise of a smile, but it’s gone as quick as it came. “I know what you sound like when you climax, Emma. Is that the soundtrack you want running through all our interactions from now on?”<br /> Flushing the brightest of reds, I shake my head. “If we could maybe just forget this whole thing—”<br /> “The way I see it, there are only two options here.”<br /> I hold my breath.<br /> “One, I fire you.”<br /> There it is. I knew it. I’m done for. I’m going to need to call the welfare office and see what—<br /> “Or two… I give you exactly what you want.”<br /> I almost choke on my own saliva. What little is left in my gaping mouth. “W-what?”<br /> Silently, Ruslan offers me the blue folder lying in front of him. I pick it up with shaky hands and open the cover. It takes me a few long moments to figure out what on earth I’m looking at.<br /> A… contract?<br /> I read through the first page, feeling a strange sensation bubble up in my chest.Then, since I’m clearly misunderstanding something, I read through the first page again. And again. And again.<br /> Only then do I look up. “Is this a joke?”<br /> He doesn’t blink. “I never joke.”<br /> “It’s just that, it seems like, from what I read, um—”<br /> “I will offer you money and security in exchange for live encores of the little performance you sent me last night. In addition to meeting my other needs.”<br /> “And by ‘needs,’ you mean…intercourse?”<br /> He tilts his chin down and regards me solemnly. “How explicit would you like me to be, Ms. Carson?”<br /> What.<br /> “So this—” I raise the blue folder in my hand. “—is a sugar daddy contract?”<br /> His brow furrows. “I’d prefer to call it a ‘Friend With Benefits’ contract.”<br /> “But we’re not friends.”<br /> He smirks. “Fair enough. No, we’re not.”<br /> There’s a throbbing in my head that reminds me of the first time I got drunk. Sienna and I had snuck into Dad’s study the eve of my sixteenth birthday and stolen a 1984 Chateau Latour. We passed it back and forth, taking turns sipping from the bottle like it was cheap bagged drink until the whole thing was gone.<br /> For a moment, I think about what Sienna would say if she were here. Would she be outraged or intrigued? Would she slap the smug prick and storm out?<br /> Or would she grin and say, Double the price and I’m in.<br /> What would you do, Si?<br /> And then it hits me, a bolt of lightning straight to the chest, almost like she’s speaking to me herself. I miss her so much, it hurts. But she left little bits of herself behind, in all three of her children. The same kids I’m working off to protect.<br /> That right there is the answer.<br /> Sienna would have done whatever was best for her children.<br /> So I don’t slap him. I don’t storm out. I sit there and stare at my arrogant, prick boss who always gets exactly what he wants.<br /> And what he wants… is me.<br /> I meet Ruslan’s steely gaze. “What happens if I say no?”	LEARN_MORE	https://a.thepopfic.com/ad/UG9wRmljLzE0OTY0Ny8yMDI	110620302003689	Pop001	https://facebook.com/100092038763039	377	1	741,314,558,155,939	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Pop001	120210169232720002	a.thepopfic.com	NONE	video		https://a.thepopfic.com/ad/UG9wRmljLzE0OTY0Ny8yMDI0MDQxMjE2NDYwNy9wYWdl?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-12 05:10	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437048904_1168182947879233_3367877659182131889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A3JrPIZFev0Ab5ZCqC2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDMfW6ehi3F6FIx_Hh0Q_V6eWp9vfpRbphKwSOGozcUFw&oe=66220EA8	person_profile	Pop001	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437937775_984212246611449_3704374605276513735_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BJP-Y7_sn0gAb6IvSd3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfConGaX0i002DTflvfaFQgg664k1GT-76GyOz8vvuwGmA&oe=662200A1	3	Pop001	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,020	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210939}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1164915388020735	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	【He won't be coming home tonight, he's too busy sleeping with me. A full year of passion, something you and him will never have.】<br /> A picture of some random bimbo with blonde hair and a stupid smirk was cuddling up next to my boyfriend who was half undressed and sleeping.<br /> Long forgetting his girlfriend who was at home like a fool, waiting for her boyfriend to show up so they could celebrate their four years together. <br /> And that was the day I found out my boyfriend of four years was cheating on me for the last year of our relationship.<br /> ————————<br /> With every picture I burned, memories of him were vanishing along with my love for him. Everything was finally coming to pieces. All the trips he took, all those long nights at work, all those rejections were part of his lies. Just a cover up for where he truly was, sleeping around with some cheap woman. All while I was at home waiting for him and giving him my love. As the pictures burned my hatred for him grew.<br /> "Babe I'm home."<br /> My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. A voice that once gave me comfort, but now disgusted me.<br /> "In the living room."<br /> I quickly hide the pictures under the couch, and put on a fake smile.<br /> He comes in with his black suit all wrinkled, his shirt un tucked, his tie loose around his neck. His blue eyes held a hint of guilt. A look I knew was fake just like the excuse he was about to give me. He was holding a bear that held a little black box, and a bouquet of red roses. Usually I would accept the gifts and forgive him, but that was before I knew his little cheating adventures. I hold my fake smile as I looked over the gifts in his hands.<br /> "So am I forgiven?"<br /> He says breaking the silence, and all I do is smile.<br /> "Oh babe it's fine, let me guess work was piling up today?"<br /> Let's see what you say you lying scumbag.<br /> I notice his eyes flicker with relief and he lets out a breath.<br /> "You know me so well babe, happy four years Nikky."<br /> He sets the bear, roses and small box on the couch. He comes closer and wraps his arms around me. All I wanted to do at that moment was push him off of me. But trying my best I hug him back. Huh he smells of cheap perfume.<br /> "I'll be back, I'm going to change and then we could have dinner."<br /> I just nod and watch him walk off to my room. I wait until he realizes that his clothes are nowhere to be found. Well at least he hasn't checked the garbage.<br /> "Nikky?"<br /> "Yea?"<br /> I respond looking at his confused face.<br /> "Why aren't any of my clothes in there?"<br /> Tell him now.<br /> "They're in the garbage."<br /> I respond.<br /> "Why?"<br /> "Well I thought since you probably have clothes at her house I could just throw away all the clothes you have here. And plus I need more space for the shoes and more clothes I want to buy."<br /> "What are you talking about?"<br /> He says confused.<br /> "Well I'm talking about the girl's house where you stay I'm pretty sure every night for a little sleepover."<br /> "So you assume I cheated on you?"<br /> "Oh no I'm not assuming anything, I have proof that you cheated on me."<br /> I push past him and grab my phone, opening the message and making him look at the picture. As he does his eyes go wide. He opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off.<br /> "Don't you dare say that this isn't you."<br /> I snap and he looks up at me with guilt in his blue eyes.<br /> "Don't do this."<br /> He pleads.<br /> "Leave."<br /> "Nikky come on please let me explain."<br /> "Explain what Luke?! How you cheated on me for who knows how long and yet you have the nerve to come home knowing well what you have done!"<br /> "Nikky it was a mistake!"<br /> "A mistake! No what you did was not a mistake but a choice."<br /> He doesn't say anything.<br /> "Leave! And take this because I don't want anything to do with you!"<br /> I throw the roses and bear at him, along with the little box. And the necklace I was currently wearing.<br /> "Ple-<br /> "Leave now before I call the police."<br /> He stands there looking at me.<br /> "Leave!"<br /> I bang on his chest and push him out the door. Once he is out the door I slam it shut and that's when I feel it. My heart clenches and a sob escapes my throat, tears following right after. And that's when I break, I fall to the ground and let out sobs as I realize that the guy I had loved had broken my heart and didn't think twice when he cheated on me. The guy I was having a baby with had broken me. Grabbing my stomach I let out another sob.<br /> I'm so sorry baby.<br /> The seconds turned to hours which turned to days. I had moved out from the apartment into a smaller one closer to the city. My once flat belly was now a small round bump, being 1 month pregnant and alone brought a lot of complications for me, emotionally wise. I had yet to tell my parents, for all they knew Luke and I were still a thing. I had told no one about the break up except for my best friend Charlie, who I called up the next day to help me find a new place. A place were I could start fresh, with new memories. Just my baby and I.<br /> I was meeting my mom and dad for brunch today so to make sure my bump wasn't noticeable I decided to wear a large black shirt and black leggings and a pair of vans. My hair which was once long was now above my shoulders.<br /> Mom: Sweetie why don't you invite Luke over to eat with us? Your father and I haven't seen or heard from him in a while<br /> I sigh as I look at the text.<br /> Well of course you haven't heard from the scumbag, we broke up because he cheated. And now I'm having his baby.<br /> That's what I wanted to text her, but of course I didn't. But instead replied with the same excuse. Luke was at work and couldn't make it.<br /> "Come on little bean, we have to go meet grandma and grandpa."<br /> I rub my belly and smile. Yea I was already talking to the baby, who was probably the size of a bean if not a bit larger.<br /> Walking out of the apartment I head over to my car and drive off to the cafe that was twenty minutes away.<br /> Driving was always something that I dreaded, because my mind tends to wander to questions I would rather most likely avoid. And the biggest one of course was, When are you going to tell Luke that you're pregnant? Or are you not going to? Personally I would rather keep my baby away from him and not let him know, but he is the father and legally has the right to know.<br /> Before I could get anymore into the subject, I turn the radio on, raising the volume up to drown my thoughts.<br /> By the time I get there parking was already full, so I'm forced to park a block away.<br /> "Great, that means more walking little bean. Which isn't a bad thing. But mommy gets tired."<br /> Dad: Kiddo are you almost here?<br /> I look at the text and chuckle, my dad was always impatient when it came to food.<br /> Me: Yes dad, had to park a block away but I should be there in three minutes.<br /> I turn the engine off and walk out to the crisp air. It was mid-September and the weather in Chicago was getting a bit cooler as fall approached.<br /> I start walking and as I do I start to feel nervous, the fact that my parents will finally know that Luke and I broke up and that I was pregnant and was going to be a single mom was quite the thing to get me all nervous.<br /> It'll be fine, no need to get all worked up about it. You are an adult and they can't tell you what to do anymore.<br /> I kept telling myself as I opened the door and was welcomed with the scent of coffee and warmth. I search the whole place and spot my parents all the way in the back, my dad waving his hands and my mom laughing as she brought the mug to her lips.<br /> Smiling at them I walk towards their table causing them both to get up and greet me with a hug.<br /> "Kiddo Long time no see! How's Luke?"<br /> Just the mention of that name made my stomach churn.<br /> "Yea dad it has been a long time."<br /> I reply ignoring the last part.<br /> "Mom."<br /> I say giving her a hug.<br /> "Darling, how I've missed you. Woah looks like someone is gaining a bit of weight."<br /> Come on Nikky it's now or never. You have to tell them.<br /> "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about."<br /> I explain, biting on the inside of my cheek.<br /> "Of you gaining weight?"<br /> My dad asks as he sits back down.<br /> And before I can answer a waitress comes by.<br /> "Can I get you anything to drink?"<br /> "Yea she'll have an espresso."<br /> My mom answers.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Actually I'll just have a hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and a chocolate chip muffin please."<br /> "Alrighty, then I'll be right out with that."<br /> "Hot chocolate?"<br /> "Yea I just wanted to try something different."<br /> I say playing around with the hem of my shirt.<br /> "So what did you want to talk about Nikky?"<br /> My mom says sitting back down and I follow sitting across from her and my dad.<br /> "Well, um okay, how do I tell you guys."<br /> Quit stalling and just tell them Nikky!<br /> "Nikky just spit it out. You know you can tell us anything."<br /> I nod, reassuring my mom that I knew that.<br /> "Okay, well I'm uh pregnant."<br /> There I said it.<br /> I looked at both my parents who had a blank stare. That is until my mother broke into a smile and stood up, making me stand up as well.<br /> "Sweetie congratulations! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"<br /> She wraps her arms around me and sways us side to side.<br /> "Come on let me get a hug."<br /> My dad says and my mom lets go letting my dad congratulate me by giving me one of his famous bear hugs.<br /> "Can't believe we're going to be grandparents."<br /> I look over at my mom who was on the verge of crying.<br /> "Mom please don't cry."<br /> I plead knowing that I had yet to tell them the other part of the news and not know how they would react with the second part once I had told them.<br /> "So how did Luke react?"<br /> They both look at me with the biggest smiles on their faces.<br /> "He doesn't know."<br /> I say and my mom blinks and my dad just smiles.<br /> "Of course! you want to make it a surprise!"<br /> I shake my head no.<br /> "We broke up, have been for a while now. I left the apartment and got a smaller one closer to the city. Charlie helped me pick it out."<br /> "You're not going to keep it am I right?"<br /> My mother asks looking rather angry.<br /> I was taken aback from her remark, does she mean an abortion?<br /> "No, I plan on keeping my baby."<br /> "Nikky do you know what our friends will say when they find out about this?"<br /> I don't answer her but just continue staring at both my parents, letting her comment process.<br /> Why would I want to have an abortion? This baby was a blessing for me and there was no way that I was going to end my little bean's life. Sure being a single mom would be a bit more challenging but I had my friends, and I thought I had my family but apparently they don't approve.<br /> "Or if you don't want an abortion, we can have it be adopted."<br /> I look at my mother with a look of disgust.<br /> "It's a baby, not it. And I will not have an abortion nor will I have the baby be adopted."<br /> I speak low as to not cause a scene, not that it mattered.<br /> "Nikky listen to your mother, this won't be good for your reputation. Think about it, you'll be a single mom living on your own and not even married with a baby on the way."<br /> I scoff.<br /> "Are you listening to yourself, dad?! Not married and with a baby? This is the twenty-first century, things change and not being married and with a kid is one of them."<br /> Before my mom could reply the waitress comes with our stuff.<br /> "Actually I'll like to have my things to go please."<br /> I say giving her a small smile.<br /> She looks between my mom and I and nods, maybe she could sense the tension going on.<br /> "Of course."<br /> "Thank you."<br /> I turn back to my parents.<br /> "Don't worry, we won't be causing you or your reputation any more trouble."<br /> With that said I walk to the cash register grabbing my hot chocolate and muffin and leaving the coffee shop.<br /> I was preoccupied with my thoughts but the chime of my phone quickly pulled me back to reality.<br /> "So let me get this straight your mother wants you to have an abortion or have the baby be adopted?"<br /> Charlie looks over at me as he flips over the omelet, he looked a bit shocked that my mother would think such thing.<br /> "Yup, my dad even said that it was bad for my reputation being a single mother and all. That it was immoral for me to have the baby and not have the father here with me."<br /> I move around to the cupboard to get the plates along with the cups.<br /> "Well, why would you want a douchebag to me near your baby, especially a cheating one."<br /> "Well he is the father, I have to tell him. But no way will I get back with him."<br /> "So are you for sure ready to tell him? The real question I'm asking is if you're ready to face him again."<br /> He places the omelet on the plate and sets the pan down before looking at me.<br /> "I have no clue, whenever I think about him I feel like throwing up, and I just get nervous. But he has to know, doesn't he?"<br /> I ask looking as Charlie starts preparing his omelet. He shrugs his shoulders before cracking an egg followed by another.<br /> "That's up to you. Do you want him to be part of the baby's life?"<br /> I let out a sigh and run my hands through my face, feeling exhausted from the whole situation.<br /> "I don't know what I want anymore, I just want to live a happy life with my baby."<br /> "Here eat already."<br /> He nudges the plate towards me and I grab it sitting down, waiting for Charlie to finish making his.<br /> "I don't have his number anymore so that means I'm going to have to talk with his parents and get his number from them."<br /> I take my fork and cut a piece of the omelet bringing it to my mouth.<br /> "This is so good."<br /> I exclaim with a full mouth. Charlie chuckles and turns his head to look at me.<br /> "Glad you two like it."<br /> "Like it? We love it."<br /> I take another bite letting my mouth savor the flavors that the sausage, bacon, and ham brought to my taste buds. Charlie joins me finally with his omelet my hot chocolate and his coffee mug, taking a seat across from me.<br /> "Veggie omelet?"<br /> I ask looking at his omelet which contained mushrooms, avocado, spinach, and tomatoes.<br /> "Yea it's good."<br /> He says taking a bite and looking at me with his blue eyes.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Maybe, but little bean and I prefer the meat omelet."<br /> The rest of our breakfast time we spent time talking about random stuff, school, and a new project he had. We talked about almost everything except my parents, luke, and the problems I soon had to face.<br /> "Okay so let me get this, you have a date tomorrow and you're barely telling me today?! Why didn't you tell me sooner jerk?"<br /> I smack his arm playfully.<br /> "Becuase I'm not for sure if it will turn out into more dates."<br /> "I don't care, you should have told me. It's about time you got a date."<br /> He rolls his eyes, he opens his mouth to say something smart but he was cut off by a sudden knock at the door.<br /> "Are you expecting someone?"<br /> "Not that I'm aware of."<br /> I get up from my seat and make my way towards the door, before opening it I look through the peephole and feel my heart start beating faster, and not in a good way.	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1,211,050	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211108}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1580394626129603	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	Monday 3rd January<br /> <br /> Star’s POV<br /> <br /> I am woken with a start as I am yanked from my bed by my hair, "Get up, you lazy creep! mum said you have to make us breakfast before school, they are waiting so move your lazy creep."<br /> My cousin Sebastian kicks me hard in the ribs, before leaving my room, when I say room, I mean a draughty attic. Dang, it’s cold. Snow has come through my dang broken window, leaking water under the plastic bag I taped to the frame.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ok, let’s pause a minute and let me introduce myself; cough, cough. <br /> My name is Star Anderson, and I am 17 years, 11 months, 2weeks and 2 days old, (my birthday is in 12 days, in case you can’t do the math),<br /> I am a werewolf. My other half is called Saffron, Saffy for short, and she is AMAZING. She woke up on my 13th birthday, and I love her more than anyone else.<br /> I have lived with my aunt Clementine, uncle Graham and the lovely Sebastian since my parents died when I was ten, and they are SLEAZEBAGS.<br /> We live in our beautiful pack, which is called Ravens Perch. I love my pack. Apart from a small percentage of mess (my family is at the top of that list), it is a great place to live. Our forest home is nestled in a valley in the tranquil Devon countryside, about an hour from Exeter in England. Its got to be one of the best places to live.<br /> And ACTION!! let my dog day continue.......<br /> <br /> <br /> I quickly get dressed and run down to the kitchen, grab ingredients for breakfast, and cook up a storm. <br /> I serve the food and as I am about to eat the small amount of food; they allow me; I hear my aunt’s slurry voice. "What on earth do you think you are doing? You are stealing food now? Who said you could eat here?" Dang, here it comes. She was so drunk she could barely stand. <br /> My head swung to the side as my uncle’s fist connected with my jaw, blood flying from my mouth, the force of the impact sent my plate flying, smashing on the ground. "Stupid creep, look at the mess you have made, clean it up and get out, or I’ll give you another one."<br /> After cleaning up, I run to my room, and cleaned the blood from my face. I can already see the bruise on my jaw turning purple. <br /> Grabbing my books, my coat and boots I rush to the bus. I am so late; if I miss the bus. It’s an hour’s walk to school. <br /> Sebastian got a car for his birthday, so at least I didn’t have to deal with him and his nasty friends on the bus anymore. I hear a nasally voice in the back, screw my life, I see Charlotte Prince and her band of sluts sitting at the back of the bus. I forgot she got stopped by the human police for speeding and drink driving over the Christmas holidays. <br /> Her creep brigade consists of the lovely Charlotte, Sandie Buggins and Billy Strokes (yes, that is her real name, and from what I hear from the football team, her name suits her and she is very good at it). This is turning into a great first day back. <br /> I take my seat at the front of the bus, next to Matty Davis. He is the chess champ of the school. Yes I admit it, I AM A BIG FAT NERD!!! I sit quietly and mind my own business, but the creepes can’t stop themselves.<br /> "OMG, what is that smell? It smells like unwashed, dirty dustbin. When I am Luna, I will make sure trash like that knows their place." The rest of the creep brigade laugh, "Smells more like poor and unwanted to me."<br /> Welcome to the arena Sandy, anything from Billy today? She normally just sniggers because she is stupid and doesn’t have an individual thought in her head.<br /> Matty and the other students at the front of the bus look uncomfortable, and I know Matty wants to say something, but the three witches are the current girlfriends of our future alphas. Yes, I said Alphas, three of them to be exact.<br /> Three identical god like creatures, all tall and brooding and hot, mmmyummy, sorry about that, back to the triplet Alphas, in order of birth, the first in our list of the hottest studs at The Raven Academy, we have the beautiful Ace, then come the gorgeous Alexei, and finally the heart stopping Ashton. <br /> The only children of our beloved Alpha Andrew and Luna Amanda. Yes, they like the letter A (I have already started a list of names for the many children my fantasies tell me I will have with the three hunks).<br /> I have known the triplets my whole life, our mums were best friends. They treat me like an annoying little sister, that needs to be protected. It can get a little annoying, but as we have got older their attention tends to do something to my tummy.<br /> So.... where was I? ..... ah yes, Matty felt guilty about not wanting to get crushed by the Alphas. I wink at Matty, “at least they are leaving the rest of you alone right? I am happy to be of service to the community,” the nerd squad all grin at me, and the bus ride continued.<br /> Once we finally arrive at school, I head straight to my locker. My besties, the wonderful Maxine Durham and the witty, but clever Suzie Hammond, are waiting for me. One look at my face has them both losing their mess. "What the on earth happened to your face, Star?"<br /> "which of the freaks was it this time?"<br /> I look at my best girls and sigh. "I have 12 days left. Let’s see what magic the two of you can do with my face, and get on with our day, shall we? I am meeting with Alpha Andrew tonight to ask if I can move into the pack house, so let’s drop it."<br /> Max gives me her signature. “this isn’t over” look, and grabs her make-up bag.<br /> We are just about to head to the bathroom to “fix my face” when I feel my hair scrunchy being pulled from my head, not again, <br /> I turn to try to grab it back, it’s my last one, I look up to find myself looking into the hot steel-grey eyes of Alexei Ravenwood, <br /> he is holding my poor scrunchy just out of reach, as I go to jump for it, like a freaking puppy jumping for a snack, he pulls back and grabs my face. "What on earth happened to your face, fairy-girl?"<br /> Goddess, I hate that nickname. It’s because I am only 5’1" tall, with very small features. He has called me fairy since we were in primary school. "It’s nothing, Lexi. I fell and landed on my face."<br /> I hear Max grunt behind me. Alexei is still holding both my chin and my poor scrunchy hostage. <br /> Another huge figure comes up behind me, penning me in. I move my eyes to see another pair of hot grey eyes, Ashton. "You are becoming very clumsy, Starlight, last week you fell and cut your head open, this week it’s your jaw. I am starting to think you are lying to us."<br /> I sigh as the eldest triplet comes over, screw my life, we are not really friends, but the triplets have always been protective of me, but since their birthday 2 weeks ago, it had got worse, but so had the beatings at home so they probably notice something is going on.<br /> "What’s going on, Tink? You know you can tell us right." I push Alexei’s hands from my face and jump for my scrunchy, but Ashton grabs my shoulders so I don’t even get near. Alexei pockets my poor scrunchy, lost forever. "Please, Lexi, it’s my last one."<br /> Ace pulls at one of my curls, "you can have it back as soon as you tell us the truth, Tink."<br /> Then the familiar sound of skank ring in my ears, "I thought we would meet at my locker this morning. Why are you wasting time with trash?"<br /> The triplets give me one last stare before Ashton turns me around and pushes me to my friends. "run along starlight and you look better with your hair down."<br /> He smacks my back as I walk away. Wait!!! Did Ashton freaking Ravenwood just spank me? What on earth is going on?<br /> <br /> Monday 3rd January cont......<br /> <br /> <br /> Ashton’s POV<br /> <br /> <br /> First day back after Christmas, I have always liked school, but now it’s even better, at our birthday party 2 weeks ago, we found our mate, and being at school I can see her every day until she has her 18th birthday and we can claim her as ours.<br /> <br /> <br /> FLASHBACK<br /> <br /> <br /> My brothers and I were having a great time. Our Beta Kurtis had found his mate, Sophia, just before school broke up for Christmas and she had brought her friend Natalia, who turned out to be our Gamma Jonah’s mate. Goddess, I hope we find our mate quickly.<br /> "Ash, baby, do you wanna go fool around upstairs? I’ve never been to your bedroom." Goddess she gets on my last nerve, my brothers and I have been dating the three friends for about a month, and I think we all want to get rid, but as it’s our birthday and we didn’t want to come alone, we thought we would wait till after Christmas to break it off.<br /> But I am now regretting that. "Billy, you know we don’t take fandoms to our bedrooms. The only woman we will have in our beds will be our Luna. So if you want to suck my junk, then we can find a quiet corner, but if not, then just stand and look pretty."<br /> her face contorts, oh dang, here we go. "How can you call me a random? I thought we had something special. I am in love with you, Ashton."<br /> And here comes the waterworks, for god’s sake. "You knew the freaking score at the beginning; you knew that we date sure things, girls that will suck our dicks and spread their legs, your time is coming to an end, so either, stay and enjoy the time we have left or piss off, it’s your choice, but try to pull the love card or the waterworks and I’ll kick you out myself, you're just a rank bunny, get over yourself."	LEARN_MORE	https://a.weloveread.com/ad/bG92ZXJlYWQvMTQ4MDI0Lz	108519758876183	Fun001	https://facebook.com/100091460748268	188	1	907,452,481,128,546	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Fun001	120209386567260615	a.weloveread.com	NONE	video		https://a.weloveread.com/ad/bG92ZXJlYWQvMTQ4MDI0LzIwMjQwNDExMTQyMjU2L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 01:27	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434982595_950464716348923_125371479999605472_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PUlUbTc9-o0Ab5xzofx&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDXMDPhmnd9qtqByneQzwfZ4G90x6I3Vp4Lpj41e0ceMw&oe=66220CC8	person_profile	Fun001	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435066104_741895524436853_7808967959696381008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3KCMMV_ViDQAb4F__Of&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBmzuRq1rGKG-Ypd5KDnRElodgkm5mWKtOPFyD4Jx2VaQ&oe=6621EF6D	3	Fun001	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,344	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211324}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	438298538687386	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study - Flint, MI	Doctors in Flint are studying an FDA-approved, non-drug treatment for diabetic nerve pain. See if you may be eligible.	LEARN_MORE	https://pdnclinicalstudy.com/	168311646354698	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	https://facebook.com/61552636980353	52	1	897,712,028,750,685	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	120208839779100416	pdnclinicalstudy.com	NONE	image	Doctors in Flint are studying an FDA-approved, non-drug treatment for diabetic nerve pain. See if you may be eligible.	https://pdnclinicalstudy.com/	2024-04-11 15:50	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435411131_799678895370722_2338959533553528858_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Po-66SC929MAb7lALKp&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDVuIekR0VYyR3qFMRvzMBANh175l26NFm0AbE2XyqX5g&oe=6622092B	person_profile	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436540371_797390732282941_3883443866015223646_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bxvWyCwq4TQAb6VjPiS&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCS0ruuh7_0-4n165hbeq4P6vP7Bee0KnS7EOLZZ8Zwxw&oe=6621FC4C	3	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,143	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210209}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1144176620271171	Continue watching more series 👉👉👉	🚗💔 Collision of Destiny: Estella's Journey from Tragic Accident to Twisted Marriage with Billionaire Bryce	WATCH_MORE	https://d.eavideo.net/w2a?p0=1b562gev&p1={{campaig	190396754167998	Eashort IOS	https://facebook.com/61556887250165	48	4	1,873,484,059,763,610	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Watch more	Eashort IOS	120207975476800403	d.eavideo.net	NONE	video		https://d.eavideo.net/w2a?p0=1b562gev&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}&p7=1716054102176369&deeplink=esvideo%3A%2F%2Fbook.easou.com%2Fta%2Fesvideo.m%3Fgid%3D300000318%26nid%3D300000318%26sort%3D0%26ch%3D182%26paytype%3Dwwppy7%26pi%3D3%26pa%3D99999	2024-04-13 10:56	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437851392_969326927867734_1218301352019822822_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ulq1b4GbHSgAb73GAVr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBSo6DzPCf4aH1zCAnko-y_cKpYazsWhQ18oqP_Ih0YRg&oe=6621E6FA	person_profile	Eashort IOS	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437856983_445314637886501_8357338537057655324_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JfTX3_pY0fwAb4j7UT6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfChNQq-sQYw2cB5GtNVcmSHVHIBmB0eGxcHeg4tcoqN0Q&oe=6621E20C	3	Eashort IOS	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,183	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211192}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	793456022313600	Unlock Back Pain Relief	🌞Struggling with back pain? Try OAS Lumbar Belt! 95% of users reported relief from day one. Compact, easy to use and portable. Order now & get ready for a life without sciatica or lower back pains! #OasLumbarBelt #BackPainRelief #PortableHealthSolutions	SHOP_NOW	https://oceanaheadshoppe.com/products/oas-lumbar-b	253845866492335	oceanshoppe2021	https://facebook.com/100077521011095	48	1	2,072,038,569,797,202	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Shop Now	oceanshoppe2021	120207024981920053	www.oceanaheadshoppe.com	NONE	dco	{{product.description}}	https://oceanaheadshoppe.com/products/oas-lumbar-belt-unisex	2024-04-13 09:41	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437795790_2322720981249858_1562390596194604049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YkwGnMW_yqIAb5XyQun&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCS-BRhWfoc4NANf8joDeBdjS4iuRwRiB_-ppOU3P_GOQ&oe=6621DF9D	person_profile	Abhijit	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435302119_452808197124104_8767257109800680120_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z6iiQyuyErcAb7pq2E-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB_ANs5xUjAtTsl3VUSU_n3E0SJulEct-ne3cbhhTnRaA&oe=66220E7F	3	oceanshoppe2021	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,222	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211256}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	333757152654256	Neuropathy Relief Device - 120 Day Risk Free Trial! ✨	“The tingling pain in my feet, numbness, pins and needles started to melt away as soon as I put them on. These are hands down the best product I’ve tried for my neuropathy! It’s done a great job in relieving the sharp burning pain in my feet. I simply strap them on after a long day, put my feet up and relax. I can feel it massaging the pain away, and the longer I use it the better it seems to get!”<br /> <br /> - Kathleen H, USA<br /> <br /> Get relief from Neuropathy, Restless Legs, Arthritis and Lymphedema with this easy to use device!<br /> <br /> ✅ Stimulates Healthy Blood Flow<br /> ✅ Relieves Tingling, Pins & Needles<br /> ✅ Promotes Nerve Regeneration<br /> ✅ Relief From Burning, Sharp Shooting Pain<br /> ✅ Relaxes Feet & Legs For More Restful Sleep<br /> ✅ 120 Day Free Trial - 100% Money Back Guarantee!<br /> <br /> Get It Here >>> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fzurafit.com%2Fproducts%2Fzurafit-heated-leg-massager&h=AT2LIQDiUHjmSj4lyct_kU7K0OugNlKZKnwlchfCje0n9p89563M3l7obh0gObQ5zUDOLpjK1FGK8_cyUw5kSjg3yMYh0SYa7xNq_deS6eFrLEgwdWxnTBOuiITg3y5L-f6l8brhBXTZDM7FM8peKg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://zurafit.com/products/zurafit-heated-leg-massager</a>	SHOP_NOW	https://zurafit.com/products/zurafit-heated-leg-ma	109546384846491	Zurafit	https://facebook.com/100076174643416	3,656	3	390,458,923,803,077	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Shop now	Zurafit	120208735937800652	zurafit.com	NONE	video	FREE Shipping & 120-Day Results Or Refund Guarantee.	https://zurafit.com/products/zurafit-heated-leg-massager	2024-04-12 03:10	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435488903_1084720326164374_8933693183898820770_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uPKwP6f9Wv0Ab51WUDv&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfB3F5ZoTKXTHNr099IEc7ILFHv9pZFOqnPVpGNXcnHfGQ&oe=66220D71	person_profile	Zurafit	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436380758_1437633626829501_2977148000039172850_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lRRSBS2CP_kAb4hmd6Q&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfABma4BLcLZRQZUoqOGcfdoEFulB4zSJBsZYomVFCJR8g&oe=6621E383	3	Zurafit	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,348	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211324}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	785004443206696	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study - Winston-Salem	Doctors at Wake Forest Health are studying an FDA-approved, non-drug treatment for diabetic nerve pain. See if you may be eligible.	LEARN_MORE	https://pdnclinicalstudy.com/	168311646354698	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	https://facebook.com/61552636980353	52	1	697,807,908,980,277	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	120208839790450416	pdnclinicalstudy.com	NONE	image	Doctors at Wake Forest Health are studying an FDA-approved, non-drug treatment for diabetic nerve pain. See if you may be eligible.	https://pdnclinicalstudy.com/	2024-04-11 15:51	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434463789_971828070976573_8966816021368573306_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4P6TNN-MLAEAb61tvvc&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBbWMXraLd40pfgvi8_Cip62vx6Ye08tBC52GGhd5JHEA&oe=6621F952	person_profile	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434069696_816827333830843_3601827955857113064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=H-ILrpgHir0Ab4r7bQu&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCd8XbcBwKNMSvq6BdCv5nfentAmx2G3SKCPqX2h-GHRg&oe=6621F5BA	3	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,425	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211721}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	408804061758549	No More Neuropathic Foot Pain!	Struggling with neuropathic foot pain, and stiff and sore joints?<br /> <br /> No matter whether your neuropathy is diabetic, chemo-induced, autoimmune, or idiopathic… tingling neuropathy can wreak havoc on your life. <br /> <br /> It’s important to do something now before it’s too late…<br /> <br /> The Nooro NMES Body Massager uses breakthrough technology that offers relief from neuropathic foot pain, stiffness, and swelling almost instantly by promoting blood circulation and healing the damaged tissue in your foot.<br /> <br /> All it takes is 15 minutes a day and can be used from the comfort of your home. <br /> <br /> Within just 14 days of use, you’ll feel significantly more energetic and you’ll be able to enjoy life to the fullest once again.<br /> <br /> The Nooro NMES Body Massager also comes with FREE Shipping & 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee. You will either get results or your money back guaranteed.<br /> <br /> ✅ Stimulates blood flow <br /> ✅ Naturally promotes nerve regeneration process (no harsh medication) <br /> ✅ Designed & recommended by Dr. Campbell, a top renowned Chicago doctor with over 10 years of experience<br /> <br /> Get yours now risk-free -> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftry.nooro-us.com%2Freview-6&h=AT2YtLnQyifEpdCVJij27ClSQ-Pc6voaO5vVFwbgvLocHk-Qel5FkfSVOFtVflTCx_oNtOKa189ysPnHD7bEyBUWNVpnSqJ8LxVPp61LeRIOnwrcRlQgQrTG3ivpXk11QhM8m42qd44wHWc44hlKKTT__MJR8aqS8N3pkw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://try.nooro-us.com/review-6</a>	SHOP_NOW	https://try.nooro-us.com/review-6	107580105023479	Nooro	https://facebook.com/100077727633020	22,148	2	2,399,983,343,521,074	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Shop now	Nooro	120208089068090719	try.nooro-us.com	NONE	video	No More Neuropathic Foot Pain!	https://try.nooro-us.com/review-6	2024-04-12 21:42	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435564708_921912139944712_2424848288528042554_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W4Y160UggiMAb6s3BFB&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDgFcCnGwuVya4kzTY9EwOdvwe1lQQMqvZlaQtyB6tiHg&oe=6621E77F	person_profile	Nooro	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436441265_410218815059086_4603076171480592482_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F-uqghDoDjAAb57Y0X-&_nc_oc=AdiQT0KRHhk9fdKhs6HZ2JJ5IexkQgWMqbFqBXNY04ZQeNawVdWeDXH4tKhALuYHfT3B2x1b58_m-Pb2JELLUkmU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDjkmYLqwH92h9n2k2L2B2rr5HJZM1_GG5iVgK7GIVMSg&oe=66220520	3	Nooro	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,144	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	411337625170200	Neuropathy Breakthrough	💥NEUROPATHY TREATMENT BREAKTHROUGH💥<br /> We work with most insurance plans to maximize your benefits.<br /> <br /> Utah Residents... there is now a groundbreaking, advanced treatment for neuropathy that helps to greatly improve circulation and blood flow, and reduce nerve pain.<br /> <br /> This new approach uses a unique infusion-based therapy called Physiologic Insulin Resensitization that addresses the primary cause of Neuropathy instead of simply suppressing the symptoms.<br /> <br /> To help cover the costs, we work with most insurance plans to maximize your benefits.<br /> <br /> Right now we're accepting patients suffering from...<br /> <br /> ✅ Tingling/Feeling of Pins & Needles in the Hands & Feet<br /> ✅ Burning Pain<br /> ✅ Numbness<br /> ✅ Spontaneous pain without a trigger<br /> <br /> Don’t Wait. Learn More about this groundbreaking Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment – Available at the Diabetes Relief in Layton.<br /> <br /> ☎️ To Schedule an Appointment:<br /> <br /> 🖱 Click the link below and answer the form questions. A Patient Representative Will Contact you to set up an Appointment.<br /> <br /> 📞 For faster service, call now 801-515-2059	LEARN_MORE	https://one.smrtlv.net/widget/survey/VvYRLTxHJWqgx	1658661694192466	Diabetes Relief - Layton	https://facebook.com/DiabetesReliefLayton	406	1	1,321,587,402,567,295	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Diabetes Relief - Layton	120207196933660056	one.smrtlv.net	NONE	image	We work w/Insurance Plans	https://one.smrtlv.net/widget/survey/VvYRLTxHJWqgxXZ6w0bn	2024-04-13 10:53	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436418307_1493593651566611_8367560996545101383_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gUXbaeNlFcMAb7ofXTU&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDZ-BZgVNrNEfiZymfICZaE8bT_W7RET75kXchBMOMCJw&oe=66220B9C	person_profile	Diabetes Relief - Layton	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436774155_3862697000627588_8205519153704830352_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Nen15VJbGUUAb7OfQUy&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfClb5w_uASQSkzI7YckIJ311P5Re6IHK_wwd9l_3xR2Zg&oe=6621FC71	3	Diabetes Relief - Layton	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,508	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210511}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	803624074450985	"Innovative Discovery	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After completing these 7 exercises, each lasting 30 seconds, my back pain vanished. Not only that, but now I can execute any movement effortlessly. I no longer sense any confinement within my body. Additionally, my sleep has notably improved!	LEARN_MORE	https://nuevaenergiavital.online/pv-ing/	112729991258354	Dra Myla	https://facebook.com/myla2024	482	0	692,565,792,757,781	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	Dra Myla	120207736292300507	nuevaenergiavital.online	NONE	video		https://nuevaenergiavital.online/pv-ing/	2024-04-13 21:38	https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436367637_1467572553842132_4142100300269896622_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lHAwjrLvB1kAb52CKtw&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDxcvlaDmByKd0Fr-tCzi60XyRgEqfM4Rt0CBr-F_aifg&oe=6621F6C5	person_profile	Dra Myla	https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436952929_2509517282572540_3128106849002480565_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qZYcs0_Xb_gAb49fnYi&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD-EDkqNC_XkWuentLEbiFwPmePZP5DSWtkVbuVY9C9gg&oe=66220E9C	3	Dra Myla	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,719	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209721}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	797930868446473	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	What’s more embarrassing than a butt dial? Butt dialing your boss… And leaving a dirty voicemail when you’re uhh… “thinking” about them.<br /> Just had a sexual fantasy with my boss. I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> ————————<br /> Emma<br /> If anyone has a reason to cry, it’s me. My boss is an arrogant prick and my sister is dead and her husband is more of a burden than a help and I have three innocent kids I’m doing my best to raise right but I can’t seem to catch a break and I need sleep and food and more coffee and a vacation and a fresh start and—the list just goes on. One reason for each of my thousand tears.<br /> “Auntie Em! Auntie Em, wake up.”<br /> I come to with a start. The sun is slanting in through the blinds and I have absolutely no freaking idea what planet I’m on. I feel a sharp line of pain on my cheek. It takes me a long moment to realize that it’s because I have a shoelace plastered to my skin. I peel it off with a wince and look up to see Josh standing over me.<br /> “Auntie Em, it’s 7:45. We’re late for school.”<br /> The next fifteen minutes are a blur. I get the girls up and dressed in the least coordinated outfits in the history of terrible parenting. I hurl random food into their lunchboxes with no regard for nutritional value. And then we’re all sprinting out the door.<br /> Ben, needless to say, doesn’t so much as lift a finger to help.<br /> I get the evil eye from the receptionist at the kids’ school when I drop them off well into first period. I just pop a peck on each of their foreheads and then turn to Bane.<br /> I get another evil eye from the lobby receptionist there, too, but I don’t quite realize why until I’m in the elevator up to the thirtieth floor and I catch sight of my reflection in the polished bronze.<br /> I look like an absolute shitshow. My hair is a rat’s nest on my head and my blouse is on backwards. The fashionable one-shoulder cutout is framing my frayed bra strap instead of a tasteful slice of arm.<br /> Wet street dogs are more put-together than I am.<br /> It’s way too late to go back now, though. I can already imagine Ruslan’s eyebrow. It’s probably halfway up his scalp by now. His voice is going to be absolutely frigid when he hears me come stumbling in. Something like:<br /> “You have got to be kidding me.”<br /> Wait. That wasn’t my imagination. That was actually his voice.<br /> I open my eyes and turn around to realize that the elevator doors have opened—and who should be standing there but my beloved, benevolent boss?<br /> Sure enough, his eyebrow is locked and loaded and that cruelly sharp jaw of his clenched so tight that I wonder idly if he has a good dentist on speed dial.<br /> I open my mouth to defend myself, but what is there even to say? “I’m sorry,” I blurt. “I fell asleep after—It was a long night and—I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”<br /> He doesn’t so much as blink. “I expect you to dress appropriately for your job, Ms. Carson,” he growls. “Not do the walk of shame through my building.”<br /> I frown. “The walk of—? Hold on. No, that’s not what this is. I didn’t—”<br /> “You’re wearing yesterday’s skirt and flaunting your undergarments like you think you can seduce your way out of being—” He checks his watch. “—two and a half hours late. I’m not sure if you think I’m stupid or easy. I’m also not sure which of those two would offend me more.”<br /> One word snags my attention. “Seduce?” I parrot stupidly.<br /> Out of nowhere, thoughts of what it would look like to seduce Ruslan Oryolov come prancing through my head.<br /> Wrapping his tie around my fist and bringing that smirking snarl down to my lips for a taste.<br /> Lying back on his desk, pencil skirt hiked above my hips, while he shoves my panties to the side and devours me like his last meal.<br /> On my knees on his office carpet as he stands over me and—<br /> “Ms. Carson, I’m not interested in your explanations. Go do your job. Before I find someone else to do it for you.”<br /> With that, he brushes past me and gets on the elevator. I turn and look dumbly at him as the doors close on his face. The last thing I see is the arrogant slant of his mouth.<br /> Then that, too, disappears.<br /> My cheeks are burning red for the rest of the day. Luckily, I have an extra cardigan at my desk, so I’m able to cover up the worst of my wardrobe malfunction.<br /> But my phone keeps pinging all day long with messages from Ruslan. Do this. Send that. Fax this. Email that. He’s as unbearable as ever. Everything from the expiration date on his coffee creamer to the status of the conference room chairs he’s so anal about merits yet another scathing comment from him. And after yesterday’s nightmare, I’m running on fumes.<br /> My only saving grace is that he has a gala tonight, so he’s scheduled to leave the office at 5:00 P.M. sharp. I’m counting down the last ten seconds until the clock strikes five like I’m a Times Square partier on New Year’s Eve.<br /> “Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”<br /> Ping. Another text. I moan and look down to see the devil’s name pop up on my phone.<br /> RUSLAN: My office. Now.<br /> Goddammit. I was so close.<br /> Sighing, I get up and slink inside.<br /> “Shut the door,” he orders. It’s dark in here. The curtains are sealed tight and the temperature is Arctic. He’s a mass of shadows behind his desk, huge and fragrant. The only thing I can see is the sharp light of his amber eyes.<br /> “Sit.” A shadowy hand points at the chair across from his desk.<br /> I perch at the edge of the seat in question. My nerves are buzzing and frayed. I’m so, so tired. But I can’t show him that. Matter of fact, I refuse to show him that.<br /> I won’t give the smug prick the satisfaction of thinking he’s outlasted me.<br /> “I asked you yesterday if I had your full attention,” he begins. “I’m not so sure I do. So let me say this: if your priorities lie anywhere other than this company, then I will find a new assistant. I’m not a nice man, Ms. Carson. So believe me when I tell you that this is not the kind of place where you get three strikes before something bad happens. You mess up once—you’re gone. Am I making myself clear?”<br /> I swallow. “Yes, sir.”<br /> He nods. “Good. Be here on time tomorrow. Dress like you intend to keep your job. Now, if you’ll excuse me… there’s the door.”<br /> He looks down at his phone and poof, it’s like I don’t exist anymore.<br /> But I. Am. Pissed.<br /> He doesn’t know what I’m going through. He doesn’t know Ben is snoring and farting in my living room, or that three little kids are waiting on me to pick them up from after-school care. He doesn’t know that I buried my sister or that I’m barely keeping my head above water. He doesn’t know anything.<br /> “No.” I blurt it before I can think better of it. “No. No. I’m not some little worm under your shoe, Mr. Oryolov. I’m a—I mean, screw you, I’m a person! I have a life and hobbies and people who depend on me. I’m real! So I’d appreciate it very much if you’d pull your smug head out of your smug prick and treat me with some respect for once.”<br /> Ruslan blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> “Is there something else, Ms. Carson?”<br /> That’s when I realize that my whole little tirade took place entirely in my head. It wasn’t real. All imagined. Just a pleasant little detour to a fantasy land where I give him my two cents and then some.<br /> I swallow past the nasty taste in my throat and stand. “No, sir,” I say quietly. “Nothing at all.”<br /> -<br /> I ended the call with my best friend, Phoebe.<br /> Then a face pops up on the black screen of my mind’s eye.<br /> It’s Ruslan because, like I told Pheebs, he haunts me even when I’m off the clock. He’s smiling that smile she described. That come-to-bed-and-let-me-show-you-what-I-can-do-to-you smile. The camera of my imagination pulls back and floats down.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is wearing an ivory white button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone. Enough to see a dusting of dark chest hair and the edge of a tattoo I can’t quite make out. He flexes his forearms in front of him. Those knuckles crack, louder than I expected, and I let out a surprised little gasp.<br /> I like when you make that noise, he croons. Shall I see if I can make you do it again?<br /> I’m nodding before I’m even realizing what I’m doing. “Make me moan,” I plead.<br /> I’m also touching the inside of my knee before I realize what I’m doing. But it’s not my hands that are doing it—or at least, it doesn’t feel like it’s my hands. It’s Ruslan’s hands, huge and powerful, palming my thigh and drifting up under the edge of my pencil skirt.<br /> You’ve been a naughty assistant, he growls, breath minty in my face where it mingles with the woodsy spice of his cologne. There’s a faint laugh on the edge of his voice, like he knows that this whole thing is crazy but he’s just going with it because it’s hotter than it is ridiculous. You’ve been so very, very bad. Step into my office and shut the door.<br /> The rest of the world disappears like I just followed his orders. Gone is my messy apartment and the lingering smell of burrito cheese. Ruslan is all I smell now.<br /> That cologne.<br /> That breath.<br /> Beneath it, that musk that sets my nerve endings on fire.<br /> “Are you going to punish me, Ruslan?” I whisper.<br /> I’m on the literal edge of my seat, grinding and bucking against my fingers. Imaginary Ruslan has me eating out of the palm of his hand. I’d do anything for him. Say anything. Be anything.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is every bit the cruel prick that real Ruslan is. He said he’d keep my orgasms to himself, but I feel like I stole this one from him. The euphoria of it rips through me in one endless lightning bolt after the next, until finally, what feels like an hour later, I come back to something like normal consciousness with drool on my lips and my fingers wet and sticky with my own desire.<br /> I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> The reality of what is happening clicks in my gut immediately, but it takes a few delayed moments before my head comes to terms with it.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been on a call with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, my phone has been recording every last moan and gasp and breath and twitch I made while I begged for his mercy and pleaded for him to make me come.<br /> Did Ruslan hear the whole thing?<br /> -<br /> “It’s over. My life as I know it is over. R.I.P. to me.”<br /> “I’m sorry, who is this?”<br /> “Pheebs!”<br /> She chuckles while I stare at my reflection in the mirror and try not to throw up. My phone is lying on the bathroom counter on speakerphone, mostly because my palms have been sweating since I saw the meeting invite in my calendar for today.<br /> 9:00 A.M. – 09:07:32 A.M.: Emma Carson 1-on-1 with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Anyway, rewind, take a deep breath, then tell me what’s going on in your big girl voice. Unburden yourself. Take all the time you need. Just make it quick because I have a 9 o’clock appointment.”<br /> I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet now, the same way that Reagan does when she needs to pee really bad. “Yeah, so do I. With him.”<br /> “Ah. Oh, wait—oh.”<br /> I first called Phoebe last night right after realizing what I’d done. Her reaction was a dizzying mixture of pride and horror. I believe her exact words were, “Sure, it’s mortifying, but I’m glad you got your rocks off. Knew you had it in you.”<br /> She’s a little more reassuring now that things are escalating out of control. “That doesn’t necessarily mean he heard the voicemail, Em. Maybe this is just a standard, no-big-deal, super-boring-business-stuff Thursday morning meeting.”<br /> “It’s scheduled for seven minutes and thirty-two seconds. Precisely.”<br /> “Hm.” There’s a beat of silence. “Doesn’t look good, does it?”<br /> “Seriously? That’s all you’ve got for me? I’m gonna lose my job, Phoebe!”<br /> “You don’t know that for sure. Just take a deep breath and go in there, see what he wants. Play it cool, y’know?”<br /> “And what if what he wants is to kick my arse to the curb with a recommendation letter that claims I’m a dirty bimbo?”<br /> “I mean, there’s probably a market for that.” I moan as Phoebe’s laughter fades into a serious tone. “Listen, boo: whatever happens, you’re a strong, smart, confident woman and you’re gonna land on your feet. And until you do, I’ve got your back.”<br /> Her words mean everything to me, but I know that Phoebe doesn’t have much margin for error in her life, either. She struggles just as hard as I do. If she is able to help, it still wouldn’t put a dent in all the bills and loans looming over me.<br /> “Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve gotta go to my doom now.”<br /> “Keep your pecker up!”<br /> I blink. “Huh?”<br /> “Oklahoma talk. It means, like, ‘break a leg,’ but for Midwesterners.”<br /> If I weren’t worried about losing my job and ending up homeless on the street with three kids, I’d laugh. Instead, I say one more miserable goodbye, then spend a solid three minutes dry-heaving into one of the empty bathroom stalls.<br /> Once I’ve sufficiently bruised my stomach lining, I slink out of the bathroom and waste the remaining two minutes before the meeting standing outside of Ruslan’s door, watching the clock steal my life away one second at a time.<br /> “You okay, Emma?” asks Katie Miller, another of the executive assistants on this floor, as she passes by.<br /> “Dandy,” I mumble. “Just waiting for the noose.”<br /> “What was that?”<br /> “Nothing. I like your earrings. Have a good day.”<br /> She raises her brow a smidge. I’m not usually so dismissive, but I can’t concentrate on small talk right now. Not when I’m T-minus thirty seconds away from the end of my career.<br /> Dear God, I know I don’t pray to you often. Or, well, ever. But please help me out today and I’ll definitely consider starting on a more semi-regular basis.<br /> Great. Now, I’m bargaining with God. New low, Emma. New low.<br /> I take a deep breath and walk into his office. The shades are tight, snuffing out all the light of the Manhattan morning beyond. It’s like a bear cave in here—and the grizzly in question is sitting at his desk, scrolling through his phone. He doesn’t acknowledge me until I’m standing in front of his desk.<br /> “Sit.”<br /> The moment my rear end is parked, he puts his phone down and looks at me. Just looks at me.<br /> In the eighteen months that I’ve worked for him, he’s never once given me the benefit of his full attention. Even during our morning meetings, he’s either on his phone, flipping through files, or typing away on his laptop. I used to be annoyed about it. I’m only now realizing I should have been grateful.<br /> Should I say something?<br /> Maybe he wants me to break the silence. Maybe I’m supposed to give him an explanation, an apology, something. But the more the silence stretches on, the less I’m capable of breaking it.<br /> I decide once again that those amber eyes of his should be outlawed.<br /> “I heard the voicemail,” he says at last.<br /> I can’t place his tone. Amusement? Anger? Disbelief?<br /> “Do you have anything to say, Ms. Carson?”<br /> I launch into the apology I spent most of last night practicing in the mirror. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Mr. Oryolov. I have no idea what I was thinking. The whole thing was an accident; I didn’t realize I’d dialed you. I was so tired and out of it and… I can assure you that it will never happen again. I swear.”<br /> My cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, but I try to keep my voice steady. I can’t sound too desperate, although that’s exactly what I am.<br /> “Tell me, Ms. Carson: what would you do in my place?”<br /> “I would give the plucky, hard-working assistant another chance, maybe?” It’s a long shot, but I figure, what the heck? I just wish I’d asked it without my voice rising to an Alvin and the Chipmunks pipsqueak at the end.<br /> His mouth twitches with the promise of a smile, but it’s gone as quick as it came. “I know what you sound like when you climax, Emma. Is that the soundtrack you want running through all our interactions from now on?”<br /> Flushing the brightest of reds, I shake my head. “If we could maybe just forget this whole thing—”<br /> “The way I see it, there are only two options here.”<br /> I hold my breath.<br /> “One, I fire you.”<br /> There it is. I knew it. I’m done for. I’m going to need to call the welfare office and see what—<br /> “Or two… I give you exactly what you want.”<br /> I almost choke on my own saliva. What little is left in my gaping mouth. “W-what?”<br /> Silently, Ruslan offers me the blue folder lying in front of him. I pick it up with shaky hands and open the cover. It takes me a few long moments to figure out what on earth I’m looking at.<br /> A… contract?<br /> I read through the first page, feeling a strange sensation bubble up in my chest.Then, since I’m clearly misunderstanding something, I read through the first page again. And again. And again.<br /> Only then do I look up. “Is this a joke?”<br /> He doesn’t blink. “I never joke.”<br /> “It’s just that, it seems like, from what I read, um—”<br /> “I will offer you money and security in exchange for live encores of the little performance you sent me last night. In addition to meeting my other needs.”<br /> “And by ‘needs,’ you mean…intercourse?”<br /> He tilts his chin down and regards me solemnly. “How explicit would you like me to be, Ms. Carson?”<br /> What.<br /> “So this—” I raise the blue folder in my hand. “—is a sugar daddy contract?”<br /> His brow furrows. “I’d prefer to call it a ‘Friend With Benefits’ contract.”<br /> “But we’re not friends.”<br /> He smirks. “Fair enough. No, we’re not.”<br /> There’s a throbbing in my head that reminds me of the first time I got drunk. Sienna and I had snuck into Dad’s study the eve of my sixteenth birthday and stolen a 1984 Chateau Latour. We passed it back and forth, taking turns sipping from the bottle like it was cheap bagged drink until the whole thing was gone.<br /> For a moment, I think about what Sienna would say if she were here. Would she be outraged or intrigued? Would she slap the smug prick and storm out?<br /> Or would she grin and say, Double the price and I’m in.<br /> What would you do, Si?<br /> And then it hits me, a bolt of lightning straight to the chest, almost like she’s speaking to me herself. I miss her so much, it hurts. But she left little bits of herself behind, in all three of her children. The same kids I’m working off to protect.<br /> That right there is the answer.<br /> Sienna would have done whatever was best for her children.<br /> So I don’t slap him. I don’t storm out. I sit there and stare at my arrogant, prick boss who always gets exactly what he wants.<br /> And what he wants… is me.<br /> I meet Ruslan’s steely gaze. “What happens if I say no?”	LEARN_MORE	https://a.menovels.com/ad/ZmljZnVuLzE1MDMyMC8yMDI0	181066715093574	MeNo001	https://facebook.com/61554251835273	86	1	339,338,365,821,973	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	MeNo001	120207960511630142	a.menovels.com	NONE	video		https://a.menovels.com/ad/ZmljZnVuLzE1MDMyMC8yMDI0MDQxNDE2MjMyNi9wYWdl?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-14 04:41	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436149969_978220413663556_7330540487094412423_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IeeOSKezg_UAb7Gq1mf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD37Xht4B6n3gmIEOZZzyKgYkXitLNwMDWjeObneEYWAg&oe=6621EB5F	person_profile	MeNo001	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436209694_935579478037866_7373291383719861869_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qmUPn7NafssAb5wJVtg&_nc_oc=Adj3LJ9wn9eRqEmwnLak3_v93_6Muf_pI77dBVSns_QvxdSHg0HxSh7rtG5FRSBRBVEqVgYXQzHzjfun7HpoSuzi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDRjDKJjr1OQUfvY7p_XiLm3O5CdpWXXT--zWYzVHANqA&oe=6621DF20	3	MeNo001	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,443	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209377}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	2467330800126168	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"He found his mate, I'm sorry but it's fated and you are now the other woman." she sighs, glancing at the balcony doors.<br /> "That's what I thought, you couldn't even resist ten minutes before banging her, could you?" I seethe , pure rage filling me.<br /> "I didn't, I swear..." he promises, but I don't believe him.<br /> "Did you reject her?" I frown and he falls silent, raking a hand through his hair.<br /> "Then no, we can't ." I turn and walk to our room. "Jess, I love you. I promise I will reject her, I just...I couldn't, it's much more difficult than you think." he frowns, explaining himself.<br /> ____________<br /> JESSICA'S POV<br /> --<br /> Nick and I have been married for three years, we are high school sweethearts and married when we were twenty when neither of us found our mates. These days, fated mates are rare and hard to come by...we both agreed I'd be a good Luna to the pack since I trained with him, I learned to be a luna from his mother and we have been inseparable since we were in diapers.<br /> He's my best friend and my true love.<br /> We made a promise to never leave, to never break the bond, to never reject one another when we found our real mates, which is likely to never happen.<br /> We are attending a ball tonight, but my insides are twisted, as if the Moon Goddess herself wants to shield me from whatever is going to happen, I tried to talk Nick into staying at home, but as stubborn like all alpha's are, he refused and said that we would get a bad name if we didn't attend.<br /> Sitting in the car while our driver takes us to a nearby pack, a strong and mighty one.<br /> I know it's our duty to attend, but holding his hand in the back seat, something is terribly wrong.<br /> We arrive and there are a line of cars outside, one by one driving by , guests getting out, wearing gowns and suits.<br /> It's our turn and Nick opens the door, holding his hand out to me and I happily take it as we get out, photos are taken and a red carpet is rolled out as if we were famous.<br /> Nick looks handsome with his dark blonde hair gelled back, his chiseled jaw tense, and the edges of his lips curled up into a small smile.<br /> We arrive inside and we're led to the ballroom, servants with trays walking with snack food and drinks pace all over while the guests stand and chat.<br /> I notice the alpha of The Deep Mountain pack greeting people, making rounds to greet and speak, there's a stage in the middle against the wall, a bar to the side and a dance floor in the middle where couples are dancing elegantly.<br /> I smile at my surroundings and freeze when I look at Nick, staring at a beautiful dark haired girl .<br /> "Nick." I tug at his hand, but it's like he's under a spell, frozen in time as the girl stares back at him.<br /> "Nick." I tug harder, his shoulder shrugging back, "Huh?" he turns to me with a frown, his fingers letting go of my hand and I feel cold.<br /> "I'm going to grab a drink." he smiles at me before walking off towards the bar, closer to the strange woman.<br /> I was an omega and the room is filled with power, I could even feel hers because she is of a higher rank.<br /> I gulp as I watch him walk to the bar, his eyes locked on hers and she elegantly turns in her navy blue dress, walking towards him with dark lustful eyes.<br /> I can't be...but it is...it's his mate..<br /> I stand frozen and a shoulder bumps into me, making my head turn at the woman glaring and snarling, "Watch where you are going!" she scolds and I apologize before walking over to the bar, joining my mate's side while he absentmindedly stares at the woman next to him.<br /> I clear my throat, but there's no response from him.<br /> He doesn't even notice me..<br /> "Nick." I smile , hope filling my heart as he glances at me, fear flashing through his perfect green orbs as he steps back and then looks at her again.<br /> "Jess, this is Tiffany...my mate." he smiles awkwardly at me but when he looks at her, it's a genuine smile...<br /> "Nick." I frown in concern and he takes my hand, giving it a tight squeeze, "Don't worry, I know what to do." he smiles, "Shall we talk outside?" the gloominess in his eyes makes me relax only for a minute until she holds out her hand, smiling gracefully with her full lips and pretty blue eyes.<br /> My heart sinks when her hand hooks into his arm and they head to the balcony. alone...<br /> I should go with...but it is a private matter.<br /> 'He's ours...' Zola, my wolf, whimpers.<br /> I stand at the bar, staring carelessly at my mate walking off with his true mate and I inch closer, frowning as every nerve in my body is burning to follow them.<br /> I glance around and there are so many people that they don't even notice until the Luna of the Deep Mountain pack steps closer, "Jessica, is it? From the West Pack?" I nod, trying not to be rude when I look at the balcony and not at her while she speaks to me.<br /> "Oh honey, it's done." she shakes her head and I frown.<br /> "What do you mean?" My eyes stare into her honey ones.<br /> "He found his mate, I'm sorry but it's fated and you are now the other woman." she sighs, glancing at the balcony doors.<br /> I stare at her, my heart racing a million miles an hour and I excuse myself.<br /> I step out of the house, moving around the arriving couples when I feel my heart squeeze, pain taking over and I know what it meant...Disgust fills me and I start to run, glancing over my shoulder no one notices and I shift, my beautiful pastel pink dress ripping to shreds as I run into the woods.<br /> The pain had stopped, but I did not return home until after midnight, finding Nick sitting on the couch, watching tv.<br /> "Jessica, where have you been?" he stands as I slam the door shut, standing undressed in front of him.<br /> I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. "Excuse me? Where have I been? What have you been doing!" I growl, making his eyes widen in shame and his gaze flicks to the floor when he scratches his nape.<br /> "That's what I thought, you couldn't even resist ten minutes before banging her, could you?" I seethe , pure rage filling me.<br /> "I didn't, I swear..." he promises, but I don't believe him.<br /> Scoffing, I strut past the couch to our room, "Can we talk?" he yells and I turn , "Did you reject her?" I frown and he falls silent, raking a hand through his hair.<br /> "Then no, we can't ." I turn and walk to our room.<br /> He follows me, closing the door behind us, "Jess, I love you. I promise I will reject her, I just...I couldn't, it's much more difficult than you think." he frowns, explaining himself.<br /> "And will you go and do it?" I grab clothes from the closet, "I will, just...I need time." he begs and I snort, "Can I come when you do it?" the silence says it all, he doesn't want me there...<br /> "You're saying you'll do it, but you won't, because you are weak." I tut, shaking my head.<br /> "I will, I just need to distance myself, to keep myself away and then I'll do it when I have the strength to." he explains, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.<br /> I hum, ignoring him as I strut past him toward the bathroom and he reaches for me, grabbing my wrist and I snarl at him, making him let me go instantly, "Don't touch me after banging someone else." I grit out, backing up into the bathroom and I slam the door shut, the heavy thud shaking the windows and I lock the door.<br /> I take a hot shower, the water pouring down on me as my back slides down the tiled wall, tears streaming down my face as I weep.<br /> I hear the door handle jiggle and I wipe the fog from the glass door, staring at the handle go up and down as he tries to enter.<br /> I feel a tug at the mind link, but I shut him out.<br /> He disgusts me, he promised, both of us promised one another that we would immediately reject our mates before the bond grew and he is letting it grow, making it ten times more difficult to reject them.<br /> I can't believe I trusted him...I show his mark in the crook of my neck, I hold our love dear in my heart and he just let it all go down the drain, letting it sink into the sewers.<br /> I am nothing more than dirt under his shoe and here I am, still loving him with every breath I take.<br /> After sitting more than an hour under the steaming water, it turns cold and I sit for another half an hour before standing and I shut the water off, taking my time to get dressed and when I stride out in silk booty shorts and a thin strap silk top, I notice how Nick lays in bed, his thumbs circling one another as he stares at the ceiling.<br /> He doesn't even notice me and I am sure he's thinking about her.<br /> The one who stole his heart within a second, the one who is going to steal my life, my bed, my position and my mate.<br /> We are real mates, we accepted one another, we marked each other, we might not be fated, but we are real or we were before her.<br /> I climb into bed and his head turns to me, staring at the back of my head when my back is turned to him.<br /> "Jess, can we talk?" his tone pleads with me, but I can't turn and look at him as tears stream down my flushed cheeks.<br /> His hand rests on my shoulder and I shrug him off, "Stop touching me." my voice cracks and his arm drapes over my body as he pulls my back to his front, "I'm so sorry Jess, I never thought this would happen. I love you and I only love you peaches, remember peaches? Just you and me against the world, through tough times and sunshine. This is only the tough, we'll get through it." he whispers, his chin resting against my shoulder, his hot breath fanning the sensitive spot below my ear.<br /> I want to believe him, but how can I when he couldn't hold up his end of our promise?<br /> "Please don't touch me." I begin a whisper and he holds me tighter, shaking his head.<br /> "You are my everything." he pecks me cheek and I turn to him, his eyes holding sorrow as he wipes my cheeks.<br /> "You are my everything too, but how could you?" my eyes winch shut in despair.<br /> "I'm sorry peaches." he cups my cheek and I lean into his touch, hating that I want him.<br /> I want him to love me, I want him to choose me, I want him to reject her and come back to me, to love me and not resent me.<br /> "Come here." he pulls me closer and I let him.<br /> He rolls onto his back, takes my leg and pulls me onto him.<br /> I sit on him, my legs on either side of him.<br /> I could feel how hard he is beneath me and I can't help but wonder if he's erected for me or is it because he was thinking of her?<br /> "I love you peaches, you are my one and only mate." he smiles up at me and my heart beats in my ears.<br /> I lean down, pecking him deeply.<br /> JESSICA'S POV<br /> —<br /> "Nick." I beam as I skip into his office, but freeze when he slams the phone down on the table, looking guilty.<br /> It's been a week since he found his true mate and I have been worried about it, but day after day, it became less of a problem.<br /> "What's wrong?" I ask, my wide smile gone within seconds.<br /> "Nothing peaches." He forces a smile, but his eyes say something else.<br /> "Who were you on the phone with?" I sit down across from him and he slowly pulls the phone away, probably thinking I wouldn't notice.<br /> "No one." He's lying to me, while looking me in the eye.<br /> My heart clenches, my hands shivering as they lay in my lap.<br /> "Was it her?" My voice cracks and he sighs, sucking his lips into his mouth.<br /> "It was." I grit out, my heart pounding against my chest.<br /> "It's not what you think Jess." He sighs, holding out his hand for me to take, but how could I trust him when he just lied to me?<br /> "Then what was it Nick?" I frown, glaring at him with teary eyes.<br /> His eyes flick to his hand and then back up at me before slowly pulling away.<br /> "She asked to see me." He starts to explain, my stomach flipping and vile rises.<br /> "And you said yes..." I shake my head, my face twitching up into a snarl.<br /> His eyes slowly fall shut as he exhales a breath and I stand, the chair's legs screeching across the wooden floor and tears stream down my face.<br /> "And you weren't going to tell me, were you?" My words are broken as I speak, along with my shattered heart.<br /> His eyes lift to mine as he stands, his length making me feel small.<br /> "I was. I was going to tell you." He tries to defend himself, leaving my heart shattered and stomped on with his lies .<br /> "No, no you weren't." I inhale a breath, my body shivering with pain of his betrayal.<br /> "I was, I swear." He moves to the side of his desk, wanting to come to me and I stumble back, "No!" I hold up my hand, making him stop in his tracks.<br /> "If...if you were g-going to t-tell me...you, you would have when I ask-ed." my words stutter, failing me when I need them the most.<br /> "I just..." he scratches his nape, his eyes spiraling and I watch him, noticing his shaky hand as he tries to explain, as he tries to lie himself out of this one.<br /> We have never lied to one another, but now...seeing him lie to me so effortlessly makes me wonder if he ever told a lie before...<br /> "Just what Nick?"<br /> He said I had nothing to worry about, he said that he needed time to just gather the courage to reject her, which I guess would be hard, but finding out he was going to see her behind my back...how could I trust him again?<br /> "I wanted to tell you over breakfast, not right now..." his eyes fall to the floor in shame.<br /> "When are you going to see her?"<br /> "Are you going to reject her?" I push, making his eyes darken as he stares at me.<br /> "No." He shakes his head, "I'm not ready."<br /> I snort at his little excuse...my heart is bleeding right now.<br /> "Then why did you agree to see her? How could you agree to see her?" I snap, yelling at the top of my lungs in a loud cry.<br /> He steps closer and I step back, glaring at him with all the hatred in the world.<br /> Everyone thought that I was not right for him, except him and our parents...the high-ranked girls thought I was foolish until the day I became luna, and look at me now...I'm not good enough anymore and they were right.<br /> "She's ill, her doctor said it's because we aren't close." He yells back at me and I blankly stare at him with disgust.<br /> "So you want to go there..." I breathe out, "And betray me?" I bellow.<br /> He sighs, rolling his eyes, "I would never betray you...I just want her to get well and then when she gets better I will reject her, I promise." He inches closer, his eyes boring into mine, desperation and sadness clear in his eyes.<br /> "I'm coming with you." I state and he shakes his head, "You can't."<br /> "I don't care, I will not stay here and lose my mind over her! If you want my forgiveness for lying to me, you will let me come with you." I threaten his trust and I watch his gulp, his throat bobbing.<br /> "Fine, you can come." He nods and I aggressively wipe the tears from my cheeks.<br /> "I'll get dressed." I turn on my heel and walk out of his office, hearing him throw a vase and I listen to the glass shatter, shutting my eyes at the sound of the glass hitting the floor.<br /> The ride over to her pack was long and silent, I could feel Nick glancing at me now and then, but I just stare out of the window, taking in the nature around me.<br /> I don't want to be mad at him, but I am.<br /> The bond we have might not be fated, but it is real. We are true mates and I'd be a fool to have let him come alone to be with his real fated mate.<br /> Arriving at the pack, everyone bows to us, welcoming us and the doctor meets us at the entrance of the pack house she lives in...apparently she's of alpha blood...alpha Darren's daughter.<br /> He's a fair, kind man who treats his people well, so hopefully he won't be too mad at Nick.<br /> "Alpha Nick. Please follow me." We step forward, following him and a guard grabs my arm, growling at me.<br /> I freeze, staring up at the tall man, "Get yours hand off my mate!" Nick bellows and the guard's eyes widen before he immediately lets me go.<br /> The doctor turns to us as he stands on the fourth step.<br /> "I apologize, but she has to stay here. We can not let alpha Tiffany get upset or she'll get worse."<br /> That is such nonsense.<br /> His fingers brush my pitch black hair out of my face, his fingers capturing my chin and he tilts my head upward, looking down at me with desperation.<br /> "Please, I will be right back." His thumb caresses my cheek.<br /> I don't want him to go, I don't trust these people...<br /> I don't trust him alone with her...<br /> "Just you and I peaches." The small smile on his face makes me lean into his palm as I nod.<br /> If he breaks my trust now...it's over.<br /> He pecks my temple before following the doctor and the guard shows me to a couch in the living room, where I can annoyingly sit and watch the staircase, waiting for the love of my life to come down and just take us home.<br /> My knee won't stop bouncing as I glance at the staircase and then at the black screen in front of me.<br /> A clearing of a throat makes my head snap to the side and the luna from the party stands there with a smug look.<br /> "Jessica, is it?" Her eyebrows raise, her posture perfect.<br /> "What are you doing here?" I stand, fixing my dress.<br /> "I live here." She deadpans and my heart sinks.<br /> She's Tiffany's mother...<br /> "You knew..." I frown at her, taking a step closer and so does she.<br /> "That your chosen mate's true mate is my daughter? Yes." I scoff and watch her whipping her hair back to cascade down her back.<br /> She has the same dark hair as her daughter, but not as dark as mine.<br /> "He is going to reject her." I grit out, pissed that she stood there, thinking that Nick was going to choose her over me.<br /> "Will he though?" Her finger taps her chin, as if knowing something I don't.<br /> "He will, he promised." Her eyes widen, but there is no hint of fear, no surprise, just plain evil.<br /> And I thought she was nice...pfft.<br /> "Good for you." She smiles and before I could think of anything to say, my heart aches, my breath knocked right out of my body with the pain and I haunch over, grabbing the side of the couch, my nails digging into it and I glance up at her smug grin, my eyes flicking bright as I growl loudly and I focus on him.<br /> 'What are you doing!?' I yell through the mind link and the pain immediately stops, breaking my heart even further.<br /> Standing upright, Luna Maya's smirk is brighter, more evil dancing in her eyes.<br /> "I warned you, you are the other woman." She tuts, "I wasn't and I never will be." I grit out, even though that I am lying because Nick will never touch me again.<br /> The pain was worse...it was more painful than the last time and now I know that he didn't screw her that night, but he might have right now...<br /> I shouldn't have let him go alone, because look at us now...we're nothing.<br /> I am nothing.<br /> "Darren!" The Luna yells and the alpha comes striding in and she falls against his chest.<br /> "You must convince Nick to take Tiffany with him! She's getting sicker by the minute without him." Her eyelashes batt repeatedly, fake tears forming in her eyes, "I'm worried Darren..."<br /> "No!" I growl and Alpha Darren pulls his mate behind him, "Who are you?" He stands tall, his aura slightly frightening.<br /> "I am Nick's mate, the Luna of the West pack and your daughter is not welcome on our land." I stand tall, my eyes flicking past Alpha Darren to Nick coming down the staircase.<br /> I sigh before running to him, I need to get out of here. I need to get him out of here, away from his fated mate, away from her parents.<br /> Alpha Darren stares at me dumbfounded as I brush past them, grabbing onto Nick, "We're leaving, right now!" I demand, tugging him towards the front door.<br /> "Jess, I'm sorry." His apology just flies through me, because it means nothing.<br /> "Alpha Nick!" Alpha Darren calls him and he abruptly stops in his tracks, turning to him.<br /> "You need to take my daughter with you or reject her now." He demands with so much authority.<br /> "Excuse me?" Nick frowns in confusion.<br /> "Say no." I whisper in a pleading tone.<br /> "You heard him." Luna Maya takes her position next to her mate.<br /> I tug on his hand, staring up at him with tear-filled eyes, "Just reject her and we can go home." I beg him.<br /> His green eyes remind me of the beautiful forest just flick between my icy blue ones.<br /> "I can't." He mouths, breaking my heart.<br /> "Well, what is it going to be?" Alpha Darren inches closer.<br /> "I don't have to do either." Nick shakes his head.<br /> "She's safe here." Nick's eyes narrow.<br /> "She'll get sicker!" Luna Mayaover-exaggerates.<br /> I really don't like her.<br /> Nick turns to me, his orbs filled with distraught, "I'm sorry." He says before turning to her parents.<br /> "You can bring her and her things to our pack tomorrow." He nods and the devilish smile on Luna Maya's face makes me want to blow this place up.<br /> I rip my hand out of his, watching his head snap toward me with fear in his eyes as I back away.<br /> "I hate you." I yell, making Luna Maya gasp dramatically before I turn and run out of their home.<br /> I shift and run home, I can not stand seeing his face.	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