Ads
| Id | Vlad | Saved | Scrape Time | Status | Scrape Result | Original Ad | Adarchiveid | Creative Links | Title | Body | Cta Type | Link Url | Pageid | Page Name | Page Profile Uri | Page Like Count | Collationcount | Collationid | Currency | Enddate | Entitytype | Fevinfo | Gatedtype | Hasuserreported | Hiddensafetydata | Hidedatastatus | Impressionstext | Impressionsindex | Isaaaeligible | Isactive | Isprofilepage | Cta Text | Pageinfo | Pageisdeleted | Pagename | Reachestimate | Reportcount | Ad Creative | Byline | Caption | Dynamic Versions | Effective Authorization Category | Display Format | Link Description | Link Url | Page Welcome Message | Creation Time | Page Profile Picture Url | Page Entity Type | Page Is Profile Page | Instagram Actor Name | Instagram Profile Pic Url | Instagram Url | Instagram Handle | Is Reshared | Version | Branded Content | Current Page Name | Disclaimer Label | Page Is Deleted | Root Reshared Post | Additional Info | Ec Certificates | Country Iso Code | Instagram Branded Content | Spend | Startdate | Statemediarunlabel | Actions |
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:51 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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Ge cafe refrigerator fridge 4 French Door Up To 70%Off | Ge cafe refrigerator fridge 4 French Door Up To 70%Off - US$ 50.00 Everything brand new ๐LG GE Samsung Frigidaire whirlpool Maytag UP TO 70%OFF Overall, I'll give you an extra discount and it's cheaper than any of them Stoves Dishwashers Microwaves Refrigerators Washers Dryers โ UP TO 70% Off Everything - No Exceptions! โ Convenient financing options for all budgets โ Complimentary 1-year warranty ๐ Fast delivery and professional setup Facebook Marketplace | CONTACT_US | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/172599653129 | Kelly Chen | https://www.facebook.com/Kelly-Chen-100222132591502/ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Contact us | 0 | IMAGE | https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1725996531296410/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | REGULAR_PAGE | 1 | 0 | 0 | Kelly Chen | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:53 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE | http://instagram.com/zayprizepicks | zayprizepicks | https://www.instagram.com/_u/zayprizepicks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Send Message | 0 | instagram.com | CAROUSEL | http://instagram.com/zayprizepicks | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/476009391_496259603137526_7407670046989015172_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=inVdM_hDSJYQ7kNvgGpHuTF&_nc_oc=Adi8nP7rVff1Uxy2Mwu_4sCHv11z38eT1Raj-Urxe6gUkurAeUXDXTxfA8WeBrJmFDKiURrqeXSUPw_VkWElat82&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYA9N127mDePcVHxikneV4nLwpF2A3n6x8P03k-g2G0TAQ&oe=67CC2B97 | IG_ADS_IDENTITY | 1 | 0 | 0 | zayprizepicks | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:54 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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LEARN_MORE | http://www.rainierorealty.com/ | Rainiero Realty + Design | https://www.facebook.com/61573505043422/ | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | rainierorealty.com | CAROUSEL | http://www.rainierorealty.com/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481925646_9645827005476666_8720883592648971372_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SqRbO8e0V8Q7kNvgEfbFPr&_nc_oc=AdiUmJ60nqck5wXmmFXf6Z_ep-YmDG4iudNTBayAm5wojgotfnhqTBBw9q9AmxNp1vNoNvS1VGLvYXTyo6mRqh7-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACG5Mx_e6n87BO6TYPLBBVs&oh=00_AYB2cyp3-Dwi_SQjXifyfxmOFV9N2MSdi3CMCa915dIVGw&oe=67CC1108 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Rainiero Realty + Design | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:57 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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Call Today To Get A Quote | Choose the right flooring for your home by exploring our large selection in our 10,000 Sq Ft warehouse! No matter the style, youโll find what you need here & we'll even install it for you! Call today to get a free quote! | CONTACT_US | https://www.kellyswholesalecarpet.com/?cam=soc-tp- | Kelly's Wholesale Carpet & Flooring | https://www.facebook.com/kellyswholesalecarpet/ | 845 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Contact us | 0 | kellyswholesalecarpet.com | IMAGE | 1-Year Warranty On Installs | https://www.kellyswholesalecarpet.com/?cam=soc-tp-m256655-c876421-g2955467- | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481008509_1032131368882644_1407555734871647984_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TBJ5wLl2rqQQ7kNvgFnlC_M&_nc_oc=AdjzTtbCJ5phrq57IgxopSjWYOVcswUvfzuWRWhhQYZMxt1NMBmAE-_riJrT7uNW_5V0_9M6ASVqWU3P3ZoxsJpZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Atr147XxCTHIklKMOCpJdYk&oh=00_AYDSAphS8sx2N80FVHGjpcXht4n8eX_YuJHRk4DT2Dlmbw&oe=67CC157E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Kelly's Wholesale Carpet & Flooring | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,766,646 |
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:50 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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Breaking news from Lane County! | Lane County News: What Dillon Gabriel Said About Reconnecting With Las Vegas Raiders' Chip Kelly. Install news app trusted by millions to stay informed of latest Lane County local news! | INSTALL_MOBILE_APP | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com. | Lane County, OR | https://www.facebook.com/100068640584343/ | 195 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Install now | 0 | www.newsbreakapp.com | IMAGE | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.particlenews.newsbreak | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481826526_668337518964667_4803721923305701087_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZM1BSYuvCMQ7kNvgHe854M&_nc_oc=Adjcm134W9heiAHcdkdWzC3pB3qprTFd9ZwgvgT7nZ0VdS-FRVblgbJJIHH2vQgCo49V1q61v6aaQNUFVQWbE1pK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AjKXRhg5LQ9BeAPJB2_kYpO&oh=00_AYC3Es8ONQOjvb-F9gc3qyV6DEQmtE4Mgr1rqjPTorvhjQ&oe=67CC0CB8 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lane County, OR | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:56 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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Over 37,000 Patients Have Found Nerve Pain Relief Here! | Hey Salem, are you tired of struggling with Neuropathy? Have you seen multiple doctors or been told medications are your only options? My name is Dr. Sunita Bhasin with Oregon Medical Centers - Salem and I want to talk about WHY patients choose our ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น VS medications like Lyrica or Gabapentin. Consider the difference: Medications like Lyrica or Gabapentin just mask the symptoms and can actually make your condition worse over timeโฆ along with the chances of liver damage and addiction. On the other hand, our ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น consists of: (list clientโs actual treatments) Neuropathy Nerve Pain Consultation Exam Imaging Review Report of Findings X-Ray (if needed) Personalized Treatment Plan PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injection Therapy Stem Cell Injection Therapy Exosome Injection Therapy Our Protocol is safe, non-invasive, requires zero downtime, and treats the underlying cause of your symptoms resulting in long-term pain relief with a high success rate. If you are READY to ELIMINATE your nerve pain and avoid heavy medications, then Call โ971-328-4067โ or Click the button below, fill out your information and Wendy, our patient coordinator, will give you a call to learn more about you and schedule your ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ณ ๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป. Click the button below. Serving Salem and all surrounding areas. Oregon Medical Centers - Salem 2515 Liberty St NE Salem, OR 97301 971-328-4067 | LEARN_MORE | http://fb.me/ | Oregon Medical Centers | https://www.facebook.com/61555175677050/ | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | fb.me | DCO | โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ 4.7 (205+) | http://fb.me/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481283395_635210909268190_2768789450470940494_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ko0_dTQS4SUQ7kNvgEaaVln&_nc_oc=Adg3DrAlUKtkctygJNsoIfWl5SxRfFdnzhVRJCFeVYN6uAiUR4L22j5sU2kS-rzWAmgBMSztC66qAU85CbJpIkh5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7jxxoUbIB9jbng04IGjl8d&oh=00_AYCAOTDq3sJwHAdNGez62fgMzViK5jzoZSVt4yeEomQ2QA&oe=67CC241C | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Oregon Medical Centers | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:55 | active | 2790 | 0 | ๐ NEW Drama: Modern Journey of an Ancient Queen ๐ | Betrayed and killed, Queen Heely is reborn a thousand years laterโsame face, new life! ๐โจ #DramaShort #TimeTravelQueen #Reborn ๐ซ | LEARN_MORE | https://pages.farsunpteltd.com/?channel_id=29075&c | FlickReels 10 | https://www.facebook.com/61567496671797/ | 15,437 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | pages.farsunpteltd.com | VIDEO | https://pages.farsunpteltd.com/?channel_id=29075&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}&ad_name={{ad.name} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481003181_1020427786682055_7790102585637211327_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CQtImerLsmkQ7kNvgH488I8&_nc_oc=AdiKyALL7HbP23ePfMAYfDvXfXRvZFAmrrlV2cE6kjv6xZf2595xdwNQZQObSUgpwQT2J7upWXg9o1mRytXtu92u&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-YziMvQIJ-rrjZVh7i1rnn&oh=00_AYBp9oDW7SOkVbFYzjBgiz4XWNfHUpEJ-Q0cYWPYiNyexQ&oe=67CC2CC0 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | FlickReels 10 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:57 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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Buy Now | ๐ฅ Cork vs. Bohs โ A Must-Watch Clash! ๐ฅ ๐บ๐ป๐ฑ Watch it LIVE on LOITV โ plus 480+ games all season! โฝ Get the LOITV Season Pass for just โฌ99 and never miss a moment! ๐ Your club. Your league. Your game. ๐ Subscribe now and be part of the action! | SUBSCRIBE | https://www.loitv.ie/ie/package/2 | League of Ireland | https://www.facebook.com/leagueofireland/ | 39,359 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Subscribe | 0 | loitv.ie | DCO | Terms & Conditions apply | https://www.loitv.ie/ie/package/2 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481268880_1862011124536017_9077008948159151109_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wCiUAC9WVTgQ7kNvgGHYSvU&_nc_oc=Adge5xnSxY14B5giByUTQ7XGOUMu-GIyFzf4MV5WfspLNNfaHUVfeLHA8vbjiyanMbJZ1VbukOKgISGPyk99YvEp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A0vFD3Wd41DveWp1GdUrNCC&oh=00_AYCNyN-ElhhEwNHgTpVO7AVuRv_4-0jYapLaBrx7n7NdRg&oe=67CC1E69 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | League of Ireland | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:54 | active | 2790 | 0 | Stephanieโs loving two must-haves! Our Sharon Bra with scalloped edges and the Kelly 2.0 with deep cups. Both are wireless but so supportive, with thick straps and a comfy wide band for all-day comfort. Perfect for any occasion! ๐ #forlest #forlestbra #wirelessbra #supportyourcomfort #brareview #supportivebra #womensdaysale | SHOP_NOW | https://forlest.com/collections/best-seller | Forlest | https://www.facebook.com/forlestofficial/ | 10,321 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop Now | 0 | forlest.com | DCO | Forlest specializes in wirefree comfort bra, suitable for fuller bust women. Get Forlest's best sellers now, with additional discounts for new customers. | https://forlest.com/collections/best-seller | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481471812_643593304815788_1139639229435413373_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VowdUY7qejEQ7kNvgHFtHL8&_nc_oc=AdguG9RAE-ftg4JmizebqO8Cs42MWp7yflkwRNV2KbuvzZ5oy1la1O4i4RthrbCWPeEhdlvhVcVoCvE74H_OCCjc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AEq1r7B-KOyNCIf4OkHIZFs&oh=00_AYDNje8jiZUy9sZ5RXeO6EJy28JgasKHblgc9UTPU8O8aw&oe=67CC30AA | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Forlest | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:54 | active | 2790 | 0 | โค๏ธ๐O que acontece a seguir๐Clique aqui para continuar lendo๐ | Catarina Vergara aceita convite da amiga para ir a uma festa e assim evitar ir ao casamento da prima, que a traiu com seu ex namorado. Ela tem um encontro furtivo com um estranho na festa e fica grรกvida de um homem que ela nรฃo sabe quem รฉ e nunca poderia encontrar. Ela guarda a lembranรงa desse estranho, atรฉ que conhece Alessandro Mellendez, quando vai trabalhar em uma grande empresa como assessora desse CEO estressado, impaciente e absurdamente lindo. Mas Alessandro nรฃo queria se envolver com ela. Ele procurava por uma mulher que simplesmente desapareceu. Capรญtulo 1 โ Traรญda na prรณpria cama Cheguei em casa depois de um dia puxado e meus pais estavam me esperando na sala. - Catarina, senta aรญ que precisamos conversar. โ Meu pai falou e parecia bem nervoso. - Pode falar, pai, o que aconteceu? โ Perguntei ao meu pai cansado, eu tinha trabalhado o dia todo, ido pra faculdade ร noite e, ao chegar em casa, a รบnica coisa que eu queria era tomar um banho e cair na cama. Mas nรฃo foi possรญvel. - Catarina, chegou o convite de casamento da sua prima. โ Minha mรฃe falou. - Aquela mulherzinha nรฃo รฉ minha prima! โ Falei jรก ficando nervosa. - Catarina, ela รฉ a sua prima. โ Minha mรฃe falou. โ ร melhor vocรช parar com esse ataque de infantilidade. A Melissa jรก bateu nela e fez um escรขndalo aqui em casa. Agora chega! Ela รฉ filha da minha irmรฃ, portanto รฉ sua prima. - Me desculpa, mรฃe, mas ela nรฃo รฉ nada pra mim. โ Tentei manter a calma. โ Ela ficou com o meu namorado na minha cama, isso nรฃo รฉ coisa que se faรงa. Eu namorava o Clรกudio hรก quatro anos, ele foi meu primeiro namorado, e o encontrei na minha cama, no meu quarto, transando com a Kelly, minha prima! Eu fiquei em choque. Claro que a Melissa, minha melhor amiga, partiu pra cima deles. Desde entรฃo as coisas ficaram tensas em minha casa, pois meus pais insistiam que era uma bobagem e que eu deveria agir como se nada tivesse acontecido e voltasse a conviver com a minha prima. - Errado foi ele, Catarina, que era seu namorado. โ Minha mรฃe argumentou. โ A Kelly, coitada, foi seduzida, ele a desonrou, agora vai se casar com ela pra ela nรฃo ficar mal falada na cidade. - Ah, mรฃe! Me poupe e se poupe! A cidade inteira sabe que a Kelly รฉ uma vadia... โ Perdi a paciรชncia. - Catarina, olha o vocabulรกrio! โ Meu pai chamou a minha atenรงรฃo. โ Olha aqui, se vocรช nรฃo quer conviver com a Kelly tudo bem, mas vocรช vai a esse casamento. E chega desse comportamento grosseiro. - Eu o quรช? โ Achei que eu tinha ouvido errado. - Vocรช vai ao casamento da sua prima, Catarina. Isso รฉ uma ordem! Nรณs somos os seus pais e vocรช vai obedecer. โ Minha mรฃe falava brava comigo, como se eu fosse a errada nessa situaรงรฃo. - Sinto muito, mรฃe, mas eu nรฃo vou! Eu sigo as regras de vocรชs, eu sou uma boa filha, mas dessa vez nรฃo vai dar. Eu fui a ofendida! Eu tenho todo o direito de nรฃo querer ser a piada da famรญlia mais. โ Falei jรก chorando. - CHEGA, CATARINA! โ Meu pai gritou e me assustou. โ Vocรช vai a esse casamento e ponto final. - Mas, pai... - Nรฃo quero saber, Catarina! ร importante pra sua mรฃe manter a paz na famรญlia. Entรฃo vocรช vai e pronto. โ Meu pai falou nรฃo dando margem para questionamentos. Fui para o meu quarto e passei a noite chorando. No dia seguinte contei tudo para a Melissa, que nรฃo perdeu tempo, arrumou os convites para um baile de mรกscaras, evento de gala, falando para os meus pais que seria importantรญssimo para a minha carreira, jรก que os empresรกrios mais importantes da cidade estariam lรก, eu faria contatos muito importantes e nossos professores haviam prometido nos apresentar a vรกrios empresรกrios que abririam portas para o nosso futuro profissional. Em princรญpio meus pais nรฃo estavam muito convencidos, mas os pais da Melissa conversaram com eles e os convenceram de que seria uma excelente oportunidade para o meu futuro. Entรฃo eles concordaram que eu deveria aproveitar a oportunidade. - Catarina, vocรช nรฃo pode me dizer nรฃo! Jรก comprei os convites, as mรกscaras e jรก atรฉ convenci seus pais de que รฉ um evento importantรญssimo para o seu futuro profissional, o que me deu um trabalhรฃo. Essa festa vai ser incrรญvel e vocรช nรฃo vai perder! โ Melissa, falava e me olhava com os olhos de um cachorrinho abandonado, juntando as mรฃos como se suplicando. Eu estava sentada em minha mesa no trabalho, no meio da tarde de uma quinta feira, entre anotar recados e fazer ligaรงรตes, e a Mel apareceu com cafรฉ, bolinhos de chocolate e essa insistรชncia para eu aceitar ir no baile de mรกscaras que acontecia anualmente e era o maior evento em nossa cidade. - Ai, Mel, como รฉ que pode eu nรฃo conseguir dizer nรฃo pra vocรช? Estรก bem, eu vou! Eu concordei em ir ao baile, mas eu ainda nรฃo tinha certeza. De qualquer forma eu iria dormir na casa da Mel para fugir do casamento, mas nรฃo iria ร festa, contudo, Melissa tanto fez que me convenceu a ir pra festa. No sรกbado nos arrumamos na casa dela. - Quรช isso, hein, amiga! Tรก gata demais! โ Ela me entregou uma mรกscara dourada, linda, toda trabalhada como se fosse uma renda, que cobria atรฉ o nariz e eu a coloquei. Eu usava um vestido de cetim vermelho brilhante e a mรกscara combinou perfeitamente. โ Entรฃo, estamos prontas? - Sim estamos prontas. โ Respondi e peguei minha bolsa. โ Ih, esqueci meu perfume. - Nรฃo, tem problema, vocรช vai usar o perfume novo da minha mรฃe. Ela nรฃo se importa. Quando o Fernando, namorado da Mel, nos viu sorriu, deu um beijo na Mel e disse: - Garotas, vocรชs estรฃo lindรญssimas! Acho que vocรช vai sair dessa festa com um namorado novo, Cat. - Sem namorado, Nando. Na verdade, eu acho que รฉ melhor eu ficar, eu nรฃo estou no clima pra festa. Por favor, Mel, deixa eu ficar? CAPรTULO 2: O grande baile, a tequila, os cosmopolitans e o estranho irresistรญvel Nรฃo teve jeito, minha amiga me arrastou para o baile. Logo que entramos a Mel nos arrastou para o bar e falou no meu ouvido: - A festa รฉ open bar, entรฃo hoje vocรช vai beber para afogar de vez a tristeza! โA Mel me entregou dois shots de tequila e com mais dois em suas mรฃos me falou: - Vamos virar! โ viramos a tequila e o Fernando jรก entregava uma taรงa de cosmopolitan para cada uma. Melissa me arrastou para a pista de danรงa e atรฉ que eu estava me divertindo. Comeรงou uma mรบsica lenta e o Nando e a Mel comeรงaram a danรงar agarradinhos, aproveitei a deixa e me encaminhei para o buffet, mas nรฃo consegui chegar, senti uma mรฃo puxando a minha e quando olhei para trรกs havia um homem com uma mรกscara preta sorrindo pra mim, e que sorriso! Ele beijou minha mรฃo e me puxou para perto dizendo no meu ouvido com uma voz rouca: - A mulher mais linda do salรฃo nรฃo vai me negar uma danรงa, vai? - E por que nรฃo? Vamos danรงar. โ Sorri pra ele. Era impossรญvel resistir aquela voz rouca sedutora e aquele sorriso lindo meio de lado! Ele era alto, ombros largos, um sorriso encantador e olhos azuis, tรฃo azuis que eram quase violeta. Ele tinha uma boca que convidava ao pecado, cabelos castanhos, e quando me puxou pela cintura eu apoiei as mรฃos em seu corpo e percebi que ele era uma parede de mรบsculos bem definidos. Embora a mรกscara nรฃo permitisse ver seu rosto, ele era muito charmoso e encantador. - Eu estava observando vocรช desde que chegou. โ Aquele homem, com ar misterioso, falou no meu ouvido. โ Vocรช รฉ tรฃo linda! - Vocรช รฉ gentil. Mas vocรช nรฃo รฉ da cidade, รฉ? โ Ele tinha uma presenรงa forte, emanava poder. - Nรฃo. Um amigo me convenceu a vir a essa festa. - Parece que temos algo em comum, meus amigos tambรฉm me convenceram a vir. - Sorte minha! - E por que? โ Sorri. - Porque eu fiquei fascinado quando te vi. Vocรช รฉ muito linda. โ Enquanto ele falava no meu ouvido eu ia me arrepiando, sentindo meu rosto esquentar e o corpo formigar, ele realmente me encantou. - Mesmo com a mรกscara? - Mesmo com a mรกscara! Vocรช รฉ linda demais. - Vocรช รฉ um sedutor. - Vocรช me acha sedutor? - Vocรช sabe que รฉ. E lindo tambรฉm. - Que bom que vocรช gosta do que vรช. โ Eu me senti um pouco zonza, nรฃo sei se pela bebida ou pelo perfume delicioso que aquele homem usava. Acabei tropeรงando nos meus prรณprios pรฉs. - Vocรช estรก bem? - Acho que preciso de um pouco de ar. - Vem comigo. - Ele me puxou para um corredor sem iluminaรงรฃo que dava para uma saรญda de emergรชncia e ficou assoprando o meu rosto. โ Eu quero muito te beijar. Posso? โ Eu fiz que sim com a cabeรงa. Ele olhou nos meus olhos, segurou a minha nuca e nossos lรกbios se encontraram, comeรงou lento, mas foi se aprofundando, ele me encostou na parede e o beijo se intensificou ainda mais, quase nos roubando o fรดlego, quando ele interrompeu o beijo para respirarmos, nos olhamos nos olhos, foi como jogar gasolina no fogo, ele passou a mรฃo pela minha cintura, desceu atรฉ minha coxa e puxou minha perna para sua cintura. Eu jรก estava completamente entregue nesse momento, sentindo seu corpo contra o meu, eu fiquei louca de tesรฃo e o puxei para mais perto envolvendo sua cintura com minha perna. - Vocรช beija bem! โ Sorri pra ele e senti meu corpo todo se arrepiar. โ Ah, linda, vocรช รฉ incrรญvel, eu quero muito vocรช, aqui, agora! โ ele disse entre beijos e enfiou a mรฃo sob o meu vestido o puxando pra cima e chegando a minha calcinha. Eu estava em chamas quando ele enfiou a mรฃo dentro da minha calcinha e gemeu. โ Ah! Que delรญcia! Tรฃo quente, tรฃo molhadinha! โ Disse e me beijou com mais forรงa, enquanto abria o zรญper da sua calรงa. Com um movimento rรกpido, de quem jรก tinha feito aquilo antes, ele rasgou minha calcinha e acariciou minha entrada, como se pedisse permissรฃo. Olhou nos meus olhos de novo e me perguntou: - O que vocรช quer que eu faรงa? - Eu quero que vocรช esteja dentro de mim agora! โ Respondi sem nenhum pudor, eu jรก estava arfando de tanto tesรฃo. Eu nรฃo resisti aqueles olhos e aquela voz rouca. Eu nunca fui assim, normalmente eu teria me desvencilhado dele no momento em que me puxou pela mรฃo, mas aquela noite eu havia prometido a mim mesma que iria me divertir e se aparecesse alguรฉm interessante eu viveria o momento. E era o que eu estava fazendo, vivendo aquele momento. Ao me ouvir, ele foi entrando em mim devagar, observando eu encostar minha cabeรงa na parede e aproveitar cada centรญmetro dele, e ele era enorme. Ele aproveitou para espalhar beijos pelo meu pescoรงo. Quando acabou de entrar ele parou e falou entre beijos no meu ouvido: - Agora eu vou me mexer. โ E comeรงou a sair, sรณ pra entrar de novo com toda forรงa dessa vez, e foi uma delรญcia, eu estava completamente entregue e enlouquecida com os movimentos dele que entrava e saia de mim freneticamente. Nos descontrolamos e nos entregamos totalmente, como se nรฃo tivesse nada ao nosso redor, eu senti uma nรฉvoa em meus olhos e o climax comeรงando a se formar e gemi baixinho no ouvido dele, nesse momento parece que ele enlouqueceu, puxou minha outra perna para sua cintura e eu o entrelacei. Me beijando intensamente ele entrava e saia com mais forรงa ainda em mim, era o paraรญso na terra. Eu gozei gemendo na boca dele e foi um climax incrรญvel, mas ele continuou o movimento e logo outro climax se formou, e gozei novamente, um climax ainda maior que o anterior que me deixou sem fรดlego, enquanto eu gozava ele me disse baixinho que estava no limite me sentindo pulsar ao seu redor, logo eu senti o gozo dele quente dentro de mim. Ficamos ali encostados naquela parede, totalmente sem fรดlego, a testa dele encostada a minha. Enquanto me beijava, ele comeรงou a sair de mim e eu estava completamente bem comida, como diria a Melissa. Eu sorri e ele me olhou, me deu um selinho e disse: - Vocรช รฉ realmente incrรญvel! Gentilmente ele baixou minhas pernas atรฉ meus pรฉs tocarem o chรฃo, colocou o meu vestido em ordem, arrumou sua calรงa e me abraรงou. Isso foi tรฃo รญntimo, tรฃo afetuoso, apesar da loucura daquele encontro e da ferocidade com que nos entregamos, ele ainda era cuidadoso comigo. Eu nunca tinha tido uma relaรงรฃo tรฃo maravilhosa, mas eu sรณ tinha transado com meu ex atรฉ entรฃo. E meu ex nunca tinha se preocupado em me abraรงar depois, nem se preocupava com meu prazer, para ele a coisa se resumia a entrar e sair atรฉ ele estar satisfeito, entรฃo, o fato de um homem se preocupar comigo, com meu prazer, cuidar de mim, foi novidade, e uma novidade incrรญvel. Ele me deu um beijo no pescoรงo e perguntou no meu ouvido: - Entรฃo, linda, eu ainda nรฃo sei o seu nome. โ Levei segundos para processar e finalmente me dar conta de que acabei de transar com um completo estranho e nem sei o nome dele. Quando eu ia abrir a boca pra falar, ele puxou o celular do bolso e me pediu um minuto para atender. Se afastou um pouco e sรณ pude ouvir ele elevando a voz e dizendo: - O que vocรช disse? โ Nesse momento aquele estranho saiu correndo como se tivesse se esquecido de mim, ou como se sรณ estivesse fugindo da rapariga que comeu rapidinho na festa. Mas e daรญ? Foda-se eu sรณ estava me divertindo tambรฉm e eu nem sabia quem era o cara e ele nรฃo sabia quem eu era. Tudo certo. Me recompus, procurei minha calcinha rasgada inutilmente, onde ele a teria jogado eu nรฃo faรงo ideia, e saรญ daquele corredor. Voltei pra mesa e encontrei a Mel e o Nando se agarrando. Logo eles pararam e focaram em mim: - Mel, acho que encontrei o Lobo Mau! โ Eu ri e ela riu comigo. - Quando chegarmos em casa quero saber tudo! - Claro que quer! โ respondi com os olhos brilhando. - Prรญncipe, acho que jรก podemos ir. O que acha, Cat? - Eu estou pronta quando vocรชs quiserem! โ falei virando um copo de รกgua. - Entรฃo vamos, garotas! โ Fernando falou e nos conduziu para a saรญda. Mal chegamos e a Mel jรก foi me ordenando: - Conta tudo, quem รฉ, como foi, como nรฃo foi, tudo. Eu ri e contei tudo pra ela, quando terminei de falar minha amiga me olhava de boca aberta e me perguntou: - Vocรชs usaram camisinha, nรฉ? Meu coraรงรฃo disparou! A gente nรฃo usou preservativo. E eu balancei a cabeรงa em negativa para ela, eu estava em choque por me dar conta do quรฃo descuidada eu fui. Ela jรก foi logo me acalmando: - Nรฃo, Cat, calma. Com certeza nรฃo vai dar nada. Mas vocรช deve fazer uns exames para garantir que estรก tudo bem. Vou na cozinha preparar um chรก pra gente. Nรฃo surta! CAPรTULO 3: Chegou a hora da verdade Na segunda, na hora do almoรงo, encontrei a Mel e ela me entregou uma sacolinha de uma loja chique. Olhei pra ela sem entender. - Minha mรฃe mandou eu te entregar. Ela disse que ele รฉ perfeito para vocรช e nรฃo combina com ela. โ A Mel falou com um grande sorriso. Abri a sacolinha e lรก dentro estava o perfume que eu usei para ir ao baile. Eu abri um grande sorriso. Eu amei aquele perfume e ele era parte da melhor noite da minha vida. Liguei para o laboratรณrio e fui informada que precisaria apresentar um pedido mรฉdico para fazer os exames pelo plano de saรบde. Graรงas a Deus a empresa pagava plano de saรบde para os funcionรกrios, porque se nรฃo, nรฃo sei o que faria, meu salรกrio nรฃo era alto e o pouco que sobrava depois de cobrir as despesas da faculdade eu ajudava em casa, jรก que minha mรฃe nรฃo trabalhava fora e meu pai tambรฉm nรฃo ganhava muito como motorista. Entรฃo marquei o mรฉdico que sรณ tinha horรกrio para quinze dias depois e aguardei agoniada. Quanto mais os dias passavam mais nervosa eu estava, a Mel fazia de tudo para me acalmar. Na data marcada ela foi comigo ao mรฉdico. Com a lista de exames nas mรฃos ela mesma marcou o laboratรณrio e fez questรฃo de me acompanhar. Jรก tinham se passado trรชs semanas desde a festa quando eu finalmente consegui fazer os exames. Os resultados saรญram cinco dias depois e eu voltei ao mรฉdico. Claro que a Mel estava comigo. O mรฉdico verificou os resultados e me olhou nos olhos: - Srta. Catarina, sua saรบde estรก รณtima. Vocรช estรก saudรกvel. Mas, daqui pra frente terรก que se cuidar melhor. Eu respirei aliviada Ele continuou falando: - Parabรฉns, vocรช estรก grรกvida! Vou encaminhรก-la para um ginecologista obstetra para que vocรช faรงa o prรฉ natal.... Eu nรฃo ouvi mais nada, sรณ o sangue pulsando em meus ouvidos. Eu nรฃo podia acreditar nisso! Grรกvida? Como eu iria explicar? Nรฃo รฉ possรญvel. Na primeira vez que deixo a racionalidade de lado acabo grรกvida e nem sei quem รฉ o pai! A Mel segurava minha mรฃo e repetia: - Calma, Cat, vai ficar tudo bem! Como ficaria tudo bem? Eu nem sabia quem era o pai. Eu teria que contar isso para os meus pais, sua รบnica filha acabaria com eles. Eles ficariam decepcionados, iriam me odiar, me colocariam pra fora de casa. Como eu ia explicar que nรฃo sei nem como รฉ a cara do pai do meu filho? Eu jรก estava hiperventilando. De repente, senti o mรฉdico pegando minha mรฃo e falando calmamente: - Filha, calma! A situaรงรฃo, pelo que percebo, nรฃo รฉ a melhor, mas vocรช nรฃo pode ficar nervosa assim, isso farรก mal para o seu bebรช, agora vocรช tem que se cuidar por ele. Tenho certeza que as pessoas que te amam vรฃo te apoiar e ajudar. Mas vocรช precisa se acalmar, porque sรณ vocรช pode cuidar para que esse bebรช se desenvolva saudรกvel e nasรงa forte. Vocรช me compreende? O mรฉdico pediu a secretรกria para trazer um chรก de camomila para mim e enquanto eu bebia o chรก e tentava me acalmar ele passava todas as informaรงรตes para a Melissa que ouvia tudo atentamente. Saรญmos do consultรณrio e a Melissa me levou para uma lanchonete dizendo que nรณs precisรกvamos comer alguma coisa. Logo que me sentei senti as lรกgrimas caรญrem. Minha amiga me abraรงou e me disse mais uma vez que eu nรฃo estava sozinha. Olhei para ela e disse: - A รบnica certeza que tenho agora รฉ que quero vocรช e o Nando como padrinhos do meu filho, porque sei que vocรชs vรฃo apoiรก-lo e dar a ele muito amor. Os olhos dela brilharam e ela explodiu em lรกgrimas e soluรงando me respondeu: - Eu vou ser a melhor madrinha do mundo e vou estar sempre perto do nosso bebรช! E tenho certeza que o Nando vai ficar muito feliz tambรฉm! Ela garantiu que estaria ao meu lado sempre, deixou claro que eu nรฃo passaria por nada sozinha e que estaria comigo quando eu fosse falar com meus pais. Meus pais... ai! Comecei a raciocinar e decidi que nรฃo iria esconder deles nem por um dia, ia contar naquela noite mesmo, nรฃo iria a faculdade, pois iria pra casa falar com eles. A Mel logo me apoiou e disse: - Entรฃo vamos, eu estou com vocรช! Quando chegamos em minha casa meus pais se assustaram e minha mรฃe jรก veio toda preocupada: - Meninas, vocรชs nรฃo foram a aula hoje? Estรก tudo bem? - Nรฃo muito, mรฃe. Eu preciso falar com vocรชs. Meus pais perceberam logo que era algo muito sรฉrio. Nos sentamos todos na sala e eu contei a eles o que estava acontecendo e que eu fui irresponsรกvel e fiquei com um estranho na festa, nรฃo entrei em detalhes obviamente, mas deixei claro que nรฃo poderia encontrar o pai do meu filho de novo. A decepรงรฃo nos olhos deles era evidente. Minha mรฃe soluรงava de tanto chorar e dizia que eu estava arruinada. Meu pai atรฉ entรฃo nรฃo havia dito nada. A Melissa vendo como minha mรฃe estava nervosa foi logo na cozinha e voltou com um copo de รกgua com aรงรบcar para ela. Melissa sempre dรก รกgua com aรงรบcar pra quem estรก nervoso dizendo que acalma, eu nunca entendi isso. Por fim, meu pai falou: - Vocรช cometeu um erro muito grande e nรฃo tem volta. Ouvir meu pai enfatizar que eu errei fez meu coraรงรฃo doer ainda mais. Eu comecei a chorar e fui falando: - Eu sei, pai, eu fui irresponsรกvel. Mas agora nรฃo tem jeito. Eu vou deixar a faculdade para poder criar meu filho. E jรก vou fazer minha mala... - Fazer a mala? Vocรช estรก muito enganada se acha que vai sair dessa casa assim. Vocรช errou, nos decepcionou, mas nรณs te amamos, vamos superar isso e vamos ajudar vocรช. Vocรช nรฃo estรก sozinha, minha filha! E essa crianรงa tambรฉm nรฃo! โ Meu pai disse isso e meu coraรงรฃo se encheu de esperanรงa. - Mas pai, eu envergonhei vocรชs... - Vocรช nรฃo รฉ a primeira e nรฃo serรก a รบltima mรฃe solteira nesse mundo. Nรณs gostarรญamos que as coisas fossem diferentes para vocรช, que nรฃo fossem tรฃo difรญceis. Vocรช sempre foi tรฃo responsรกvel! Mas, se รฉ assim, nรณs vamos enfrentar isso. Vocรช nรฃo vai deixar a faculdade, mais do que nunca vocรช precisa crescer na vida para cuidar do seu filho, vocรช vai ser mรฃe solteira, sua responsabilidade รฉ muito grande. Nรณs vamos te ajudar e, mesmo que seja com dificuldade, vai dar tudo certo. A Melissa jรก estava chorando e logo falou com os meus pais: - Sr. Antรดnio, Dona Celina, vocรชs contem comigo, vou ajudar em tudo! Atรฉ porque eu sou a madrinha desse bebรช, a Cat รฉ como uma irmรฃ pra mim, e vou estar sempre por perto. Meus pais olharam para ela com gratidรฃo. Eu olhei para aqueles trรชs me sentindo completamente abenรงoada por tรช-los em minha vida, cheia de amor por eles e um sentimento totalmente novo por aquele serzinho que ainda crescia dentro de mim e que eu acabava de descobrir a existรชncia! Por mais difรญcil que fosse ser mรฃe solteira, aquela noite no baile foi a melhor noite da minha vida. Eu nunca vou poder esquecer aqueles olhos azuis violeta me olhando com adoraรงรฃo durante nosso encontro furtivo e tudo o que meu corpo experimentou naquela noite. Eu sempre teria essa doce lembranรงa comigo. Os meses seguintes foram difรญceis. Guardei em uma caixa o vestido, os sapatos, a mรกscara e o perfume que a mรฃe da Mel me deu. Em dias difรญceis eu abria aquela caixa e revivia em minha memรณria aquela noite. Embora eu tenha tido uma gravidez tranquila, os comentรกrios e a maldade das pessoas era difรญcil suportar. Para piorar, depois que se casaram, meu ex e minha prima foram morar com os pais dela, que moravam na mesma rua que nรณs, e eles faziam questรฃo de me humilhar com comentรกrios maldosos sempre que me viam e espalharam no bairro inteiro que eu nรฃo sabia quem era o pai do meu filho e que eu era uma perdida, por isso que o Clรกudio me deixou. Eu queria matรก-los! A mรฃe da Kelly, que era irmรฃ da minha mรฃe, tambรฉm nรฃo perdia a oportunidade de ir lรก em casa nos atormentar, dizendo que ainda bem que a filha dela nรฃo era como eu, que era uma boa moรงa, que tinha se casado com um homem decente. Parecia ter esquecido que aquela puta roubou meu namorado e transou com ele na minha cama. Mas eu engolia tudo, nรฃo valia a pena bater boca com essa gente e eu nรฃo queria transmitir sentimentos ruins ao meu filho. Quanto mais os dias passavam, mais eu amava aquele bebรช, eu nรฃo tinha ideia que poderia existir um amor assim. Tudo o que eu fazia, fazia por ele. Eu o protegeria de tudo, eu daria a minha vida por ele. E, por incrรญvel que pareรงa, com a gravidez parecia que todas as coisas fluรญam para o meu bem, tudo ia se encaminhando e dando certo. Descobri que eu teria um menino e decidi que se chamaria Pedro. E assim foi. Pedro nasceu saudรกvel, com um par de imensos olhos azuis violeta que nunca me deixariam esquecer da noite que mudou a minha vida, mas que foi a melhor noite que eu vivi! Eu nunca esqueceria aquele homem! CAPรTULO 4: Depois da faculdade Quando eu me formei, Pedro jรก estava com dois anos. A essa altura ele jรก andava para todos os lados, sempre agarrado na vovรณ, que foi a primeira palavrinha que ele disse. Era um menino lindo, cabelinhos amigos bem lisinhos, pele clara, um nariz arrebitadinho e aqueles enormes olhos violeta que me faziam suspirar. Ele era o meu sol! E agora eu teria mais tempo pra ele. Apรณs a formatura meu chefe me chamou para conversar, ele era um รณtimo chefe, disse que estava muito feliz comigo na empresa, mas sabia que eu merecia chegar muito longe, entรฃo eu deveria procurar emprego na minha รกrea, que ele compreenderia. Garantiu que meu emprego na construtora seria meu enquanto eu quisesse e que se eu saรญsse e nรฃo desse certo eu teria para onde voltar. Mas que eu deveria buscar algo na minha รกrea de formaรงรฃo, para dar um futuro muito melhor para o meu filho. Eu fiquei muito emocionada com isso e aceitei o seu bom conselho. Contei pra Melissa e ela logo me disse que ia falar com o pai dela para que ele acionasse alguns contatos. E nรฃo demorou, o Sr. Otรกvio Lascuran, pai da Mel, me chamou no escritรณrio dele e me entregou um cartรฃo, me dizendo: - Catarina, sei que vocรช รฉ uma รณtima garota e uma boa profissional. Falei com um amigo e ele conseguiu uma entrevista para vocรช no Grupo Mellendez, รฉ para o cargo de assistente do CEO do grupo. Se vocรช conseguir esse emprego vai exercer sua profissรฃo em uma empresa global, รฉ um excelente cargo, mas nรฃo รฉ aqui em Campanรกrio. Vocรช teria que se mudar para Porto Paraรญso. Eu sei que รฉ um passo enorme, mas acho que vocรช deveria considerar, vai ser excelente para vocรช. Enfim, envie um e-mail para o endereรงo eletrรดnico no cartรฃo com a sua resposta desistindo da vaga ou aceitando a entrevista virtual. - Sr. Lascuran, eu nรฃo tenho palavras para agradecer! Vocรชs sempre foram tรฃo bons comigo! O Grupo Mellendez รฉ um dos maiores conglomerados de empresas do paรญs! Trabalhar lรก รฉ um sonho! Eu vou aceitar a entrevista sim, se tiver que me mudar eu vou, sei que serรก uma grande oportunidade. โ falei com convicรงรฃo, pois nรฃo seria ruim me afastar daquelas pessoas maldosas da minha famรญlia, principalmente agora que a โrainhaโ Kelly estava grรกvida e a mรฃe dela resolveu pedir tudo que รฉ do Pedro pro rebento do casal canalha! Ainda bem que minha mรฃe disse a ela que isso era um absurdo, mas que de qualquer forma seria impossรญvel, pois eu jรก havia dado tudo que nรฃo servia mais para o Pedro para uma conhecida que estava grรกvida. Minha mรฃe andava muito chateada com a irmรฃ, pois ela estava sempre se desfazendo do meu filho, sempre se referia a ele como o menino sem pai e isso magoou muito minha mรฃe. Indo embora dessa cidade, sรณ vou lamentar em deixar meus pais e meus amigos, mas sei que eles vรฃo me apoiar mais uma vez. Agradeci ao Sr. Lascuran e sai do escritรณrio. Cheguei a minha mesa e falei com o meu chefe, outro Sr. Lascuran, mas ele nรฃo gostava de ser chamado assim entรฃo o chamava pelo nome: - Aldo, seu irmรฃo conseguiu uma entrevista pra mim no Grupo Mellendez. Ele sorriu: - Eu sei, ele acabou de me ligar, acho que vocรช deve agarrar a oportunidade, se nรฃo der certo vocรช volta. Sorri pra ele e fui logo enviar o e-mail para marcar a entrevista. Recebi rapidamente a confirmaรงรฃo de que a entrevista seria no dia seguinte ร s dez horas da manhรฃ, jรก que eu jรก havia tomado a iniciativa de enviar o meu currรญculo, a entrevista seria rรกpida. Naquela noite em casa falei com os meus pais que entenderam, mesmo se preocupando em como eu ia cuidar de uma crianรงa sozinha em outra cidade e ficando chorosos porque ficariam longe do neto. Me apoiaram como sempre e ficaram felizes com a oportunidade que eu recebi. Pedi que eles nรฃo contassem para ninguรฉm. Quando a Mel chegou, ela ia todos os dias ver o afilhado, contei tudo e ela me ajudou a me preparar para o dia seguinte. Na hora da entrevista, fui para a sala de reuniรตes do meu trabalho, meu chefe havia me liberado, me sentei e esperei a chamada. Fui entrevistada por uma senhora muito gentil e inteligente, Sra. Mariana Toledo. Foi muito agradรกvel, conversamos por duas horas, ela me passou todas as informaรงรตes do cargo, salรกrio e benefรญcios, no final ela me disse: - Catarina, vocรช estรก contratada! Vocรช vai me substituir, jรก que eu estou indo para um cargo de diretoria na filial de Londres, entรฃo vocรช ocuparรก meu cargo aqui. De modo que gostaria que vocรช comeรงasse o mais rรกpido possรญvel, pois eu viajo daqui a dez dias e gostaria de lhe passar tudo antes de ir. E tambรฉm nรฃo gostaria de reagendar a minha partida. Quando vocรช pode comeรงar? - Eu preciso apenas que meu chefe me libere, mas creio que posso estar aรญ na segunda. โ Jรก era sexta, serรก que o Aldo concordaria em me liberar ainda hoje? - Perfeito. Vocรช pode me enviar um e-mail confirmando depois de falar com ele. Vocรช tem alguma dรบvida? - Nรฃo, senhora. Estรก tudo claro. -รtimo! Bem vinda ao Grupo Mellendez, tenho certeza que vocรช vai se sair muito bem. Te espero na segunda. Ela encerrou a chamada e meu coraรงรฃo estava disparado, eu tinha conseguido. O emprego era รณtimo, o salรกrio melhor ainda e eu ainda teria chance de progredir. Era um sonho. Mas era hora de correr para resolver tudo. Fui imediatamente falar com meu chefe. Ele ficou feliz, ligou para a contabilidade e mandou fazer meu acerto imediatamente. Apรณs o acerto ele me liberou, disse que eu teria sempre um lugar para voltar se precisasse, mas que sabia que eu iria me dar muito bem. O agradeci por tudo e saรญ. Mandei o e-mail de confirmaรงรฃo para a Sra. Mariana, dizendo que na segunda, ร s oito da manhรฃ, estaria na empresa, e fui logo falar com a Mel e o pai dela, tinha que agradecer. E aรญ foi a Mel quem me surpreendeu: - O que vocรช achou, que ia levar meu afilhado embora assim? Nรฃo vai mesmo! Meu pai conseguiu uma entrevista para mim na Lince Mundi em Porto Paraรญso. Eu vou me mudar com vocรช e vamos morar juntas. O que acha? Isso era perfeito! Fiquei muito feliz, mas logo perguntei: - Mel, mas e o Nando? - O Nando jรก pediu na empresa a transferรชncia dele pra filial de Porto Paraรญso, lรก ele terรก mais oportunidades tambรฉm. Ele vai daqui a quinze dias. Amiga, vida nova para nรณs trรชs. Eu estava muito feliz. A Mel jรก havia orquestrado tudo. O Nando ia nos levar e ela ficaria com o Pedro para eu trabalhar atรฉ conseguirmos a creche. Ela jรก tinha trรชs creches para visitar e o pai dela jรก havia disponibilizado um apartamento mobiliado na cidade pra gente. Era bom demais, eu estava atรฉ com medo. Percebendo, a Mel me cutucou e me disse: - Aprenda a aceitar as coisas boas que a vida te oferece! Eu sorri pra ela e fomos para a casa dos meus pais. Era hora de dar a notรญcia e nos despedir. Porto Paraรญso fica do outro lado do paรญs, entรฃo ficarรญamos sem nos ver um tempo. Meus pais ficaram felizes, atรฉ eu dizer que partiria na manhรฃ seguinte, aรญ a despedida foi uma tristeza. Era difรญcil deixรก-los para trรกs, mas era necessรกrio. Com o salรกrio que eu receberia, poderia ajudรก-los agora. Isso era bom. Na manhรฃ seguinte o Nando e a Mel chegaram pontualmente. O pai da Mel deu uma caminhonete de presente para ela, o que facilitou muito fazer nossa mudanรงa. O Nando colocou tudo na caminhonete e lรก fomos nรณs, seria o dia todo na estrada. Chegamos a Porto Paraรญso jรก era tarde da noite de sรกbado, Pedrinho estava muito cansado, se divertiu muito durante a viagem, era tudo novidade. Nos acomodamos, pedimos comida e depois de comer fomos dormir. No domingo percorremos a cidade reconhecendo tudo, Porto Paraรญso era uma cidade muito grande, cheia de indรบstrias, muito moderna, ficava no litoral e o porto atraia muitos negรณcios para a cidade, era um centro urbano de primeiro mundo. O apartamento em que irรญamos morar ficava perto de uma das creches que a Mel havia contactado, isso era รณtimo, e tambรฉm nรฃo ficava longe da empresa, de metrรด eu chegaria em vinte minutos. Era lindo, decorado em estilo moderno e bem arejado e iluminado, com janelas enormes. ร noite deixamos o Nando no aeroporto e de volta em casa fomos descansar, o dia seguinte seria um grande dia, eu comeรงaria no emprego e a Mel faria sua entrevista virtual e marcaria com a diretora da creche perto do apartamento para irmos conhecer e conversar. Coloquei meu filho na cama, ele estava cansado de tanto que se divertiu hoje. Eu observei por um tempo seu soninho tranquilo e estava confiante de que aqui nรณs terรญamos uma vida muito boa. Pedro agora tinha seu prรณprio quarto, eu e a Mel combinamos de comprar umas coisinhas para deixar bem a nossa cara, dar um toque pessoal. Peguei a babรก eletrรดnica e fui para o meu quarto. Abri uma das minhas caixas e comecei a arrumar tudo ali. Quando abri a รบltima caixa, tirei dela a caixa com minhas lembranรงas da noite do baile, a abri, passei a mรฃo por aquele vestido lindo e suspirei mais uma vez. Peguei o perfume e pensei, โpor que nรฃo?โ, a partir de amanhรฃ eu usaria esse perfume todos os dias, meu salรกrio era bom e quando esse acabasse eu poderia comprar outro. Guardei a caixa, deixei o perfume sobre a penteadeira e fui dormir cheia de expectativas com essa vida nova que se abria a minha frente. CAPรTULO 5: Meu novo chefe รฉ muito estressado Me apresentei na empresa ร s oito da manhรฃ. Fui muito bem recebida pela Sra. Mariana, que me apresentou todo mundo e todos foram gentis. O chefe nรฃo estava lรก, estava viajando e chegaria no final da semana. O escritรณrio era lindo, muito moderno, todo decorado em branco, aรงo inox e detalhes verdes, muito profissional e acolhedor ao mesmo tempo. Era elegante e eu gostei muito. Fiquei particularmente feliz por ter escolhido vestir um terno amigo, com uma blusa de cetim verde escuro por baixo e saltos amigos. Eu deveria estar elegante todos os dias agora, afinal ia trabalhar direto com o presidente da empresa. No meio da manhรฃ recebi uma mensagem da Mel dizendo que conseguiu marcar com a diretora da creche prรณxima ao nosso apartamento para a hora do almoรงo. Expliquei a situaรงรฃo a Sra. Mariana e perguntei se seria possรญvel me liberar no horรกrio, mas que eu estaria de volta a tempo. - Entรฃo vocรช tem um filho. Qual a idade dele? โ ela me perguntou com um sorriso. - Ele tem dois anos. ร um garotinho muito esperto. Nรฃo foi planejado, mas รฉ a razรฃo da minha vida! - Qual o nome dele? - Pedro. - Pedro. Um nome forte. Vocรช nรฃo รฉ casada, isso eu sei, mas e o pai do seu filho, vocรชs continuam juntos? โ Meu coraรงรฃo despencou, como รฉ que eu explico pra ela que nรฃo sei quem รฉ o pai? Mas eu nรฃo minto, entรฃo vamos enfrentar a verdade. Contei para ela que o pai do Pedro era um homem que eu conheci em uma festa e nunca mais vi, ela me olhava sรฉria, nรฃo havia julgamento nos olhos dela. Entรฃo me disse: - Vocรช tem o meu respeito, Catarina, nรฃo รฉ fรกcil ser mรฃe solteira, e รฉ muito difรญcil contar verdades como essa que vocรช sabe que vai despertar o julgamento dos outros. Obrigada pela confianรงa e honestidade. Vai lรก resolver a creche para o seu filho, continuamos ร tarde, nรฃo precisa correr. Agradeci e me despedi dela indo encontrar a Mel e o Pedro. Minha admiraรงรฃo e respeito pela Sra. Mariana sรณ cresciam. Ela รฉ uma mulher de uns cinquenta e cinco anos, cabelos loiros bem claros e olhos azuis quase transparentes. ร uma mulher bonita e elegante, mas principalmente รฉ muito acolhedora. Nรณs nos demos muito bem. Durante o resto da manhรฃ ela me encheu de informaรงรตes sobre o trabalho e eu ia anotando tudo. Na hora do almoรงo eu saรญ do prรฉdio e a Mel jรก estava me esperando na porta com o Pedro. Entrei no carro e fomos almoรงar antes de ir ร creche. Eu e a Mel adoramos a creche e o Pedro jรก estava enturmado correndo com os novos amiguinhos, ele รฉ um menino muito extrovertido. Isso me deixou muito feliz! Meu filho estava feliz! Desistimos de ver as outras creches, pois essa era รณtima e ficava muito perto de casa, a trรชs quarteirรตes de distรขncia. Fizemos a matrรญcula e acertamos todos os detalhes. A diretora sugeriu que deixรกssemos o Pedro atรฉ o final do dia, jรก que ele estava se divertindo e assim jรก ia se adaptando. A Mel ficou de buscรก-lo no fim do dia. A Mel me deixou na empresa novamente e me disse que voltaria pra casa para se preparar para a entrevista de trabalho que seria no meio da tarde. Voltei ร minha sala e cheguei antes da Sra. Mariana. Sentei ร mesa e fui repassando tudo o que ela jรก havia me informado. O telefone sobre a mesa tocou e eu fiquei sem saber o que fazer, mas aquela seria minha mesa, entรฃo atendi com a voz mais profissional possรญvel: - Grupo Mellendez, presidรชncia, boa tarde, em que posso ajudar? Ouvi do outro lado um silรชncio sepulcral seguido de um longo suspiro. Alguรฉm vociferou do outro lado, com certa impaciรชncia e uma voz forte e meio rouca: - Passa para a Mariana. Levei um susto, mas me controlei e respondi: - Desculpe, senhor, mas a senhora Mariana ainda nรฃo retornou do almoรงo. Posso ajudรก-lo ou o senhor gostaria de deixar um recado? - Quem estรก falando? โ falou do outro lado ainda mais impaciente. - Meu nome รฉ Catarina, sou a nova assessora do Sr. Mellendez. - Mas eu nรฃo te conheรงo. โ Parecia que ele ficava mais impaciente a cada vez que falava. - ร que hoje รฉ meu primeiro dia, senhor. O senhor gostaria de deixar um recado? - Diga a Mariana para me ligar assim que puser os pรฉs no escritรณrio. - Perfeitamente, senhor. E qual o seu nome? - Parece que eu sou o seu chefe! โ falou rispidamente e desligou o telefone. Nossa, que homem estressado! Isso nรฃo estava na descriรงรฃo do cargo. Imediatamente minha garganta apertou, meu chefe e eu jรก tinha causado mรก impressรฃo? Eu estava muito ferrada! Comecei a pensar que nรฃo ia durar nesse emprego. Pouco depois a Sra. Mariana chegou e eu lhe transmiti o recado com uma cara de preocupaรงรฃo. Ela olhou pra mim sorrindo, como se entendesse meu receio, e perguntou: - Ele estava calmo? Eu olhei pra ela e nรฃo aguentei: - Ele estava a ponto de ter um colapso nervoso. Certamente a jugular dele estava saltando no pescoรงo. Ela caiu na gargalhada e depois disse: - Vocรชs dois vรฃo se dar muito bem! Vocรช vai domar a fera, tenho certeza. Eu nรฃo tinha essa certeza. Talvez eu nem devesse desfazer as malas, esse homem iria me engolir viva! | LEARN_MORE | https://hunled.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15216&u | Casa dos livros | https://www.facebook.com/61558148557550/ | 25,332 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | hunled.com | VIDEO | ๐ฅMais grandes romances aqui๐ฅ | https://hunled.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15216&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482084885_636373385468653_4436587824659574968_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cwxc__3xlqcQ7kNvgHHFpxH&_nc_oc=Adji2uYlJbOPojbo3wG06mmNxqicMkHF7ibmUjzta_ci0vkXMzpNLhFGDTudhB2z9sd8uQq65147icxc0MBc7MHF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AppqBpiiDtRX8umn3Z-Tamh&oh=00_AYCCWHG9-iXX52eI3ETBC_vxz39TTp_fimkxcjAsioXVEw&oe=67CC1931 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Casa dos livros | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:54 | active | 2790 | 0 | Milan Fashion Week was buzzing today with the stunning Todโs show, featuring an unforgettable installation with supermodel and former French First Lady Carla Bruni! The collection showcased a true luxury experience, filled with beautifully tailored pieces that left everyone in awe. Among the glamorous attendees were international celebrities from the K-pop scene, British actress Keira Knightley, and the ever-stylish Kelly Rutherford, known for her impeccable quiet luxury aesthetic. It was a celebration of elegance and sophistication that perfectly captured the essence of Todโs. @tods #tods #MilanFashionWeek #CarlaBruni #kieraknightly #kellyrutherford #gossipgirl #LuxuryStyle #FashionIcons #mfw #style #quietluxury #highend #whowearwhat #modernchic #catwalk #bts | VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE | https://www.instagram.com/_u/luxury_endless | luxury_endless | https://www.facebook.com/luxuryendless/ | 115 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visit Instagram profile | 0 | www.instagram.com | VIDEO | https://www.instagram.com/_u/luxury_endless | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481089120_9696504750414874_6982645673548017773_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_T0b1NPrLkwQ7kNvgGJ-KR2&_nc_oc=AdjZyTt3gvS1dIGTglv5byC--PqXAZ_fyJOQXK9tI13CxUM30aPnm6M4R2hBsPLEmyKggJcOnE4nuZZKyh6X-QJJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AbZ09a7b42F2-h8bY_AnIpH&oh=00_AYDeX02nCVRgSrTk1Nl8jNQ8JGckkOh9UYkzIRwACDgXQw&oe=67CC2622 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | luxury_endless | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:49 | active | 2790 | 0 | $29* First Visit | Spring Into Wellness | ๐๐ผ Find relief from back, neck and headaches. Just walk-in! No insurance needed. Open on the weekends. $29* Offer Located at: 1459 Kelly Road, Apex NC 27502 โญ๏ธ GOOD NEWS! โญ๏ธ Let The Joint Chiropractic help relieve pain! Chiropractic care offers a gentle, holistic, and natural approach to address the root cause of pain. โค๏ธ BETTER NEWS! โค๏ธ ๐ธ For only $29, this offer includes (For New Patients Only) โ Chiropractic Consultation โ Full Exam โ Personalized Chiropractic Adjustments โ Personalized Treatment Plan ๐ฃWalk-in! ๐ฃOpen until 7pm and on Weekends ๐ฃNo Insurance Needed See why thousands have visited us to help with pain. Sign up now and start your journey to a better quality of life! ๐๐๐ *Offer valued at $55. Valid for new patients only. Initial visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment. Offer and offer value may vary for Medicare eligible patients. NC: IF YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN THREE DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND. (N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-154.1). FL & KY: THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL (RESCIND) PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. (FLA. STAT. 456.02) (201 KAR 21:065). Subject to additional state statutes and regulations. See clinic for chiropractor(s)โ name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary. **Regular visit price based on 4 visits per month received with adult wellness plan. | LEARN_MORE | http://fb.me/ | The Joint Chiropractic | https://www.facebook.com/apexncsefried/ | 691 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fb.me | VIDEO | http://fb.me/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481346815_1198538922057136_298386298000523881_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GDYL7hdmK_UQ7kNvgHyEfsY&_nc_oc=AdinbEKpmcM-9TLKMbQWySyGCoA7l4uwLMP0nwElGiitCZJksuWgymJApzxtP2h6D9o9SowVGiBmfjPRESISxKGN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AB2XUSfq3GT9heBGHdC1z3N&oh=00_AYDrj8cW2JqGnSw567u4hz3T87hXvE5vbc6mF5QXCBNURQ&oe=67CC22A4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | The Joint Chiropractic | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:56 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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Sun City, 85373 | โ๏ธ๐ดKelly needs a break, even if itโs only for the weekend. But visiting her aunt in Sun City turns into an unexpected care-giving situation, prompting her to face avoided decisions.๐ตโ๏ธ | LEARN_MORE | https://www.amazon.com/Sun-City-85373-Savannah-Hen | Author Savannah Hendricks | https://www.facebook.com/BooksbySavannahHendricks/ | 166 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | amazon.com | IMAGE | Welcome to Palms Place, a small complex of nine โ70s-style apartments, located in the vibrant 55+ community of Sun City. As a resident, youโll enjoy access to a resort-style pool, and an outdoor entertainment area where you can join in the FNF (Friday Night Fun), happening year-round, as well ..... | https://www.amazon.com/Sun-City-85373-Savannah-Hendricks-ebook/dp/B0DBJZVM77/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481898432_1070476821761822_8285193177856778889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=36R0NP_fTq8Q7kNvgHeGYs8&_nc_oc=Adg_o192yAp-u8d-PzzX7KiGEW18c9bzJVfqlxlVgMco-H_qQKZOwSRg8wjekbR-j-vKz7RGUNNC0UhbGq0IpnSW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ao3qKV1QRXSwsb3sNDDFfrG&oh=00_AYBuORJR44xbXum5LkNgZfRxdzaXgOWKy34EqKhsnPbPcw&oe=67CC2058 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Author Savannah Hendricks | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:48 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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๐ฅ๐ฅClick to read the next chapter for free๐ | I got home after a long day, and my parents were waiting for me in the living room. "Catherine, sit down. We need to talk," my father said, looking quite agitated. "What's going on, Dad?" I asked tiredly. I had worked all day, gone to college at night, and upon getting home, all I wanted was to take a shower and crash into bed. But that wasn't possible. "Catherine, your cousin's wedding invitation has arrived," my mother said. "That little tramp is not my cousin!" I snapped, already getting angry. "Catherine, she is your cousin," my mother insisted. "You need to stop this childish behavior. Melissa already hit her and caused a scene here at home. Enough! She's my sister's daughter, which makes her your cousin." "I'm sorry, Mom, but she means nothing to me," I tried to stay calm. "She slept with my boyfriend in my bed. That's not something she should do." I had been dating Claude for four years; he was my first boyfriend, and I found him in my bed, in my room, sleeping with Kelly, my cousin! I was in shock. Of course, Melissa, my best friend, went after them. Since then, things had been tensed at home because my parents insisted it was silly and that I should act as if nothing had happened and go back to being around my cousin. "He was wrong, Catherine, since he was your boyfriend," my mother argued. "Kelly, poor thing, was seduced. He dishonored her, now he's marrying her so she won't be talked about badly in town." "Oh, Mom! Spare me! The whole town knows Kelly is a shameless woman..." I lost my patience. "Catherine, watch your language!" my father scolded me. "Look, if you don't want to be around Kelly, fine, but you're going to this wedding. And enough with this rude behavior." "I'm what?" I thought I had heard wrong. "You're going to your cousin's wedding, Catherine. That's an order! We're your parents, and you'll obey," my mother spoke angrily at me as if I were the one in the wrong. "I'm sorry, Mom, but I won't! I follow your rules, I'm a good daughter, but this time I can't. I was the one who was wronged! I have every right not to want to be the family joke anymore," I said, already crying. "ENOUGH, CATHERINE!" my father shouted, startling me. "You're going to this wedding, and that's final." "But, Dad..." "I don't want to hear it, Catherine! It's important to your mother to keep peace in the family. So you're going, period," my father said, leaving no room for argument. I spent the night crying in my room. The next day, I told Melissa everything. She wasted no time and arranged invitations to a masquerade ball, a gala event. She told my parents it would be crucial for my career since the city's most important businesspeople would be there. I could make valuable connections, and our professors had promised to introduce us to various entrepreneurs who could open doors for our professional future. At first, my parents weren't entirely convinced, but Melissa's parents talked to them and persuaded them that it would be an excellent opportunity for my future. So they agreed that I should take advantage of it. "Catherine, you can't say no to me! I've already bought the tickets and masks, and I even convinced your parents that this is a super important event for your professional future, which was such hard work. This party is going to be incredible, and you're not going to miss it!" Melissa looked at me with puppy dog eyes, clasping her hands together as if begging. I was sitting at my desk at work in the middle of a Thursday afternoon, between taking messages and making calls, when Mel showed up with coffee, chocolate muffins, and this persistence about getting me to agree to go to the masquerade ball, which was the biggest annual event in our city. "Oh, Mel, how is it that I can never say no to you? Alright, I'll go!" I agreed to go to the ball, but I still wasn't sure. Either way, I was going to sleep at Mel's house to avoid the wedding, but I wasn't planning on going to the party. However, Melissa kept pushing until she convinced me to go. On Saturday, we got ready at her place. "Wow, girl! You look absolutely stunning!" She handed me a beautiful golden mask, intricately designed like lace that covered up to my nose, and I put it on. I was wearing a shimmering red satin dress, and the mask matched perfectly. "So, are we ready?" "Yes, we're ready," I replied and grabbed my purse. "Oh, I forgot my perfume." "No problem, you can use my mom's new perfume. She won't mind." When Fred, Mel's boyfriend, saw us, he smiled, gave Mel a kiss, and said: "Girls, you look gorgeous! I think you'll leave this party with a new boyfriend, Cat." "No boyfriend, Fred. Actually, I think I'd better stay, I'm not in the party mood. Please, Mel, let me stay?" Chapter 2 There was no way out - my friend dragged me to the ball. As soon as we got in, Mel pulled us to the bar and whispered in my ear: "It's an open bar tonight, so you're going to drink until all that sadness washes away!" Mel handed me two tequila shots while holding two more in her hands. "Let's down these!" We knocked back the tequila, and Fred was already handing each of us a cosmopolitan. Melissa dragged me to the dance floor, and I was actually having fun. When a slow song started playing, Fred and Mel began slow dancing together. I took that as my cue to head to the buffet, but I didn't make it there. I felt someone grab my hand, and when I turned around, there was a man in a black mask smiling at me - and what a smile! He kissed my hand and pulled me close, whispering in my ear with a husky voice: "Surely the most beautiful woman in the room won't deny me a dance, will she?" "And why not? Let's dance," I smiled back at him. It was impossible to resist that seductive husky voice and that gorgeous crooked smile! He was tall with broad shoulders, had a charming smile and blue eyes - so blue they were almost violet. He had sinfully tempting lips, brown hair, and when he pulled me by the waist, I placed my hands on his chest and could feel he was a wall of well-defined muscle. Although the mask concealed his face, he was very charming and enchanting. "I've been watching you since you arrived," this mysterious man whispered in my ear. "You're so beautiful!" "You're kind. But you're not from around here, are you?" He had a powerful presence, radiating authority. "No. A friend convinced me to come to this party." "Looks like we have something in common - my friends convinced me to come too." "Lucky me!" "And why's that?" I smiled. "Because I was captivated the moment I saw you. You're stunning." As he whispered in my ear, I got goosebumps, feeling my face flush and my body tingle - he truly had me enchanted. "Even with the mask?" "Even with the mask! You're too beautiful." "You're such a charmer." "You think I'm charming?" "You know you are. And handsome too." "I'm glad you like what you see." "And what do you do for a living, handsome?" - I felt a bit dizzy, not sure if it was from the drink or the delicious cologne that man was wearing. I ended up stumbling over my own feet. "Are you okay?" "I think I need some air." "Come with me." - He pulled me into a dark hallway that led to an emergency exit and started fanning my face. - "I really want to kiss you. May I?" - I nodded yes. He looked into my eyes, held the back of my neck, and our lips met. It started slow but deepened; he pressed me against the wall, and the kiss intensified even more, almost taking our breath away. When he broke the kiss so we could breathe, we looked into each other's eyes - it was like throwing gasoline on fire. He ran his hand down my waist to my leg and pulled my leg up to his waist. I was completely surrendered by then, feeling his body against mine. I went crazy with desire and pulled him closer, wrapping my leg around his waist. "You're a great kisser!" - I smiled at him and felt my whole body tingle. "Oh, beautiful, you're incredible. I want you so badly, here, right now!" - he said between kisses and slipped his hand under my dress, pulling it up and reaching my underwear. I was on fire when he put his hand inside my underwear and yelled. - "Oh! So delicious! So hot, so wet!" - He said and kissed me harder while unzipping his pants. With a quick movement, like someone who had done this before, he tore my underwear and caressed my entrance, as if asking for permission. He looked into my eyes again and asked: "What do you want me to do?" "I want you inside me now!" I responded shamelessly, already panting with desire. I couldn't resist those eyes and that husky voice. I'd never been like this before - normally, I would have pulled away the moment he grabbed my hand, but tonight I had promised myself to have fun and live in the moment if someone interesting came along. And that's exactly what I was doing, living in the moment. Hearing me, he entered me slowly, watching as I leaned my head against the wall and savored every inch of him - and he was huge. He took the opportunity to scatter kisses along my neck. When he was fully inside, he paused and whispered between kisses in my ear: "Now I'm going to move." He pulled out only to thrust back in with full force this time, and it was incredible. I was completely lost and driven wild by his movements as he moved in and out of me frantically. We lost control and gave ourselves over completely, as if nothing else existed around us. I felt a haze in my eyes as my climax began to build, and I moaned softly in his ear. At that moment, he seemed to go crazy, lifting my other leg to his waist as I wrapped them around him. Kissing me intensely, he thrust even harder into me - it was heaven on earth. I came again, even more intensely than before, leaving me breathless. As I was coming, he whispered that he was close to his limit feeling me pulse around him, and soon I felt his hot release inside me. We stayed there against that wall, completely breathless, his forehead resting against mine. While kissing me, he slowly withdrew, and I was thoroughly satisfied - as Melissa would say. I smiled and he looked at me, gave me a soft kiss and said: "You're truly amazing!" He gently lowered my legs until my feet touched the ground, fixed my dress, adjusted his pants, and hugged me. It was so intimate, so affectionate - despite the wildness of our encounter and the intensity with which we'd given in to each other, he was still gentle with me. I'd never had such an incredible experience, but I'd only ever been with my ex until now. And my ex had never cared about hugging me afterward, or worried about my pleasure - for him, it was just about getting in and out until he was satisfied. So having a man care about me, about my pleasure, take care of me - it was new, and amazingly so. He kissed my neck and whispered in my ear: "So, beautiful, I still don't know your name." It took me seconds to process and finally realize that I'd just slept with a complete stranger whose name I didn't even know. Just as I was about to speak, he pulled his phone from his pocket and asked for a minute to answer it. He stepped away slightly and I could only hear him raising his voice saying: "What did you say?" At that moment, the stranger ran off as if he'd forgotten about me, or as if he was just running away from the woman he'd quickly hooked up with at the party. Of course, Catherine, you're an idiot! But so what? I was just having fun too, and I didn't even know who the guy was, and he didn't know who I was. All good. I pulled myself together, looked in vain for my underwear - no idea where he'd thrown it - and left that hallway. I went back to the table and found Mel and Fred making out. They soon stopped and focused on me: "Mel, I think I found the Big Bad Wolf!" I laughed, and she laughed with me. "When we get home, I want to know everything!" "Of course you do!" I replied with sparkling eyes. "Prince, I think we can go now. What do you think, Cat?" "I'm ready whenever you are!" I said, downing a glass of water. "Let's go then, girls!" Fred said and led us to the exit. We'd barely gotten home when Mel started demanding: "Tell me everything - who is he, how it went, how it didn't go, everything." I laughed and told her everything. When I finished speaking, my friend was staring at me open-mouthed and asked: "You guys used protection, right?" My heart started racing! We hadn't used protection. I shook my head no at her; I was in shock realizing how careless I'd been. She immediately tried to calm me down: "No, Cat, calm down. I'm sure nothing will come of it. But you should get some tests done to make sure everything's okay. I'm going to the kitchen to make us some tea. Don't freak out!" Chapter 3 On Monday during lunch, I met Mel. She handed me a small bag from a fancy store, and I looked at her, confused. "My mom asked me to give this to you. She said it's perfect for you and doesn't suit her," Mel said with a big smile. I opened the bag, and inside was the perfume I had worn to the ball. A huge smile spread across my face. I loved that perfume, and it was part of the best night of my life. I just hoped that my best night hadn't left me with an STD as a souvenir. With that thought, I thanked Mel and told her I'd call her mom later, then mentioned I wanted to call the lab to schedule some tests. I called the laboratory and was informed that I needed a doctor's prescription to get the tests covered by health insurance. Thank God the company provided health insurance for employees because otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. My salary wasn't high, and what little was left after covering college expenses went to helping at home, since my mom didn't work outside the house and my dad didn't make much as a driver. So I made a doctor's appointment, but the earliest available slot was two weeks away, and I waited anxiously. The more days passed, the more nervous I became, though Mel did everything to calm me down. On the scheduled date, she went to the doctor's with me. With the list of tests in hand, she personally scheduled the lab work and insisted on accompanying me. Three weeks had passed since the party when I finally got the tests done. The results came back five days later, and I returned to the doctor. Of course, Mel was with me. The doctor checked the results and looked me in the eyes: "Miss Catherine, your health is excellent. You're healthy. But from now on, you'll need to take better care of yourself." I breathed a sigh of relief, but was I really about to get lectured by the doctor for having unprotected bedlife with a stranger? Well, I deserved it - not using protection was silly, I could have caught a disease. And then he continued: "Congratulations, you're conceived! I'm going to refer you to an OB-GYN for prenatal care..." I didn't hear anything else, just the blood pulsing in my ears. I couldn't believe this! conceived? How would I explain this? It's not possible. Me, of all people, the perfect goody-two-shoes who never stepped out of line, who always considered the consequences before doing anything, who was always responsible - the first time I let rationality slide, I ended up conceived and didn't even know who the father was! Mel held my hand and kept repeating: "Calm down, Cat, everything will be okay!" How could everything be okay? I didn't even know who the father was. I would have to tell my parents, their only daughter would break their hearts. They would be disappointed, hate me, and kick me out of the house. How could I explain that I don't even know what the father of my child looks like? I was already hyperventilating. Suddenly, I felt the doctor taking my hand and speaking calmly: "Easy now, dear! The situation, from what I can see, isn't ideal, but you can't get this nervous, it will harm your baby. Now you have to take care of yourself for the baby's sake. I'm sure the people who love you will support and help you. But you need to calm down because only you can ensure this baby develops healthily and is born strong. Do you understand me?" I looked at that short, white-haired, slightly chubby gentleman, with his glasses perched on the tip of his nose, and nodded positively. Somehow he calmed me down a bit, maybe because his eyes sparkled with a kindness and understanding that we rarely see these days. The doctor asked his secretary to bring me some chamomile tea, and while I drank it and tried to calm down, he gave all the information to Melissa, who listened attentively. We left the office and Melissa took me to a diner, saying we needed to eat something. As soon as I sat down, I felt the tears falling. My friend hugged me and told me once again that I wasn't alone. I looked at her and said: "The only thing I'm sure of right now is that I want you and Fred to be my child's godparents because I know you'll support them and give them lots of love." Her eyes sparkled, and she burst into tears, responding between sobs: "I'll be the best godmother in the world and I'll always be close to our baby! And I'm sure Fred will be very happy too!" She assured me she would always be by my side, made it clear that I wouldn't go through anything alone, and that she would be with me when I talked to my parents. My parents... oh! I started thinking and decided I wouldn't hide it from them for even a day; I would tell them that very night. I wouldn't go to college, I would go home to talk to them. Mel immediately supported me and said: "Let's go then, I'm with you!" When we arrived at my house, my parents were startled, and my mom came right over, worried: "Girls, didn't you go to class today? Is everything okay?" "Not really, Mom. I need to talk to you both." My parents immediately realized it was something very serious. We all sat in the living room and I told them what was happening, admitting I had been irresponsible by hooking up with a stranger at the party. I obviously didn't go into details, but I made it clear that I couldn't find my child's father again. The disappointment in their eyes was evident. My mother was sobbing uncontrollably, saying I was ruined. My father hadn't said anything yet. Seeing how upset my mother was, Melissa quickly went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of sugar water for her. Melissa always gives sugar water to nervous people, saying it calms them down - I never understood that. Finally, my father spoke: "You made a huge mistake and there's no going back." My parents were very simple people. My father was a tall, strong man, and my mother was an older version of me, but both had great character and solid principles they always made sure to pass on to me. Hearing my father emphasize that I had messed up made my heart ache even more. I started crying and said: "I know, Dad, I was irresponsible. But there's nothing I can do now. I'll drop out of college to raise my child. And I'm going to pack my bags..." "Pack your bags? You're very mistaken if you think you're leaving this house like that. You made a mistake, and you disappointed us, but we love you, we'll get through this and we'll help you. You're not alone, my daughter! And neither is this child!" My father said this and my heart filled with hope. "But Dad, I brought shame to you..." "You're not the first and won't be the last single mother in this world. We would have liked things to be different for you, not so difficult. You've always been so responsible! But if this is how it is, we'll face it together. You won't leave college - more than ever, you need to grow in life to take care of your child. You're going to be a single mother, your responsibility is huge. We'll help you, and even though it will be difficult, everything will work out." Melissa was already crying and quickly spoke to my parents: "Mr. Anthony, Mrs. Selina, you can count on me, I'll help with everything! Besides, I'm this baby's godmother, Cat is like a sister to me, and I'll always be around." My parents looked at her gratefully. I looked at those three feeling completely blessed to have them in my life, full of love for them and experiencing a totally new feeling for that little being still growing inside me, whose existence I had just discovered! As difficult as being a single mother would be, that night at the ball was the best night of my life. I could never forget those violet-blue eyes looking at me with adoration during our furtive encounter and everything my body experienced that night. I would always have that sweet memory with me. The following months were difficult. I kept the dress, shoes, mask, and perfume that Mel's mother gave me in a box. On difficult days, I would open that box and relive that night in my memory. Although I had a peaceful pregnancy, people's comments and cruelty were hard to bear. To make matters worse, after they got married, my ex and my cousin moved in with her parents, who lived on the same street as us. They made sure to humiliate me with nasty comments whenever they saw me and spread throughout the neighborhood that I didn't know who my child's father was and that I was a loose woman, which was why Claude had left me. I wanted to end them! Kelly's mother, who was my mother's sister, never missed a chance to come to our house and torment us, saying how fortunate it was that her daughter wasn't like me, that she was a good girl who had married a decent man. She seemed to have forgotten that she had stolen my boyfriend and slept with him in my bed. But I swallowed it all; it wasn't worth arguing with these people, and I didn't want to transmit negative feelings to my child. As the days went by, I loved that baby more and more. I had no idea such love could exist. Everything I did, I did for him. I would protect him from everything; I would give my life to him. And surprisingly, during the whole time of carrying with a baby, everything seemed to flow in my favor, things were falling into place and working out. My boss was great, understood my situation, and even gave me a small raise, which was a huge help! Mel and Fred showered me with attention, they were in love with their godchild even before knowing if it would be a girl or boy. They insisted on buying everything for the nursery, which turned out beautiful. Mel accompanied me to all appointments and every test, never missing anything. She even organized two baby showers - one at the company and another at college. My child would come into the world surrounded by love. I found out I was having a boy and decided to name him Peter. And so it was. Peter was born healthy, with a pair of huge violet-blue eyes that would never let me forget the night that changed my life, but was also the best night I'd ever had! I would never forget that man! My son was surrounded by love from the first moment. My parents were enchanted by their grandson. Mel and Fred came to our house every day to see their godson and check how we were doing. Mel was always there supporting me in everything. Her parents also came to visit Peter and said they would be honorary grandparents since they considered me their daughter too, which I found beautiful. They also surrounded me with care. They insisted on giving the stroller as a gift, and the day Peter was born, they came to the maternity ward with a huge basket of flowers and welcome balloons. After my maternity leave ended, my son stayed in my mother's care while I was at work and college. I worked hard and devoted all my time not spent at college or work to my son. With the help of my parents and my son's godparents, I managed everything and didn't miss any semester in college, graduating alongside my friend Melissa. It was a great moment for me and my family. With my diploma in hand, I would now pursue a better future, with the firm purpose that my son would never lack anything. Chapter 4 When I graduated, Peter was already two years old. By then, he was walking everywhere, always clinging to grandma - which was his first word. He was a beautiful boy with straight black hair, fair skin, a cute little upturned nose, and those huge violet eyes that made me sigh. He was my sunshine! And now I would have more time for him. After graduation, my boss called me in for a chat. He was an excellent boss and said he was very happy with my work at the company, but he knew I deserved to go far, so I should look for a job in my field, and he would understand. He assured me that my job at the construction company would be mine for as long as I wanted, and if I left and things didn't work out, I would always have a place to come back to. However, he advised that I should seek something in my field of study to provide a better future for my son. I was very touched by this and accepted his good advice. I told Melissa, and she immediately said she would talk to her father about reaching out to some contacts. It didn't take long before Mr. Oliver Larson, Mel's father, called me to his office and handed me a card, saying: "Catherine, I know you're an excellent girl and a good professional. I spoke with a friend, and he arranged an interview for you at Miller Group. It's for the position of CEO's assistant. If you get this job, you'll be working in your field at a global company. It's an excellent position, but it's not here in Bellwood. You would have to move to Paradise Port. I know it's a huge step, but I think you should consider it - it will be excellent for you. Anyway, send an email to the address on the card with your response, either declining the position or accepting the virtual interview." "Mr. Larson, I don't have words to thank you! You've always been so good to me! Miller Group is one of the largest business conglomerates in the country! Working there is a dream! I'll definitely accept the interview, and if I have to move, I will. I know it will be a great opportunity," I said with conviction. It wouldn't be bad to get away from those nasty family members, especially now that "queen" Kelly was conceived and her mother decided to ask for all of Peter's things for the child of that dishonest couple! Thankfully, my mom told her that was absurd, but it wouldn't matter anyway since I had already given everything Peter had outgrown to an acquaintance who was conceived. My mom had been very upset with her sister, as she was always dismissing my son, always referring to him as the fatherless boy, which really hurt my mom. Leaving this city, I'll only regret leaving my parents and friends behind, but I know they'll support me once again. I thanked Mr. Larson and left the office. When I got to my desk, I spoke with my boss, another Mr. Larson, but since he didn't like being called that, I addressed him by his first name: "Aldo, your brother got me an interview at Miller Group." He smiled: "I know, he just called me. I think you should grab this opportunity. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back." I smiled at him and immediately sent an email to schedule the interview. I quickly received confirmation that the interview would be the next day at ten in the morning, and since I had already taken the initiative to send my resume, the interview would be brief. That night at home, I talked to my parents, who understood, even though they were worried about how I would manage to raise a child alone in another city and got teary-eyed about being far from their grandson. They supported me as always and were happy about the opportunity I received. I asked them not to tell anyone. When Mel arrived - she came every day to see her godson - I told her everything, and she helped me prepare for the next day. At the time of the interview, I went to the meeting room at my workplace; my boss had given me permission. I sat down and waited for the call. I was interviewed by a very kind and intelligent woman, Mrs. Mariana Taylor. It was very pleasant; we talked for two hours. She gave me all the information about the position, salary, and benefits. At the end, she said: "Catherine, you're hired! You'll be replacing me since I'm taking a director position at the London branch, so you'll be taking over my position here. I'd like you to start as soon as possible because I'm leaving in ten days and would like to hand everything over to you before I go. And I'd rather not reschedule my departure. When can you start?" "I just need my boss to release me, but I think I can be there on Monday." - it was already Friday, would Aldo agree to release me today? "Perfect. You can send me an email confirmation after you talk to him. Do you have any questions?" "No, ma'am. Everything is clear." "Great! Welcome to Miller Group. I'm sure you'll do very well. I'll see you on Monday." She ended the call, and my heart was racing - I had done it. The job was great, the salary even better, and I would have chances to progress. It was a dream. But now it was time to rush and sort everything out. I immediately went to talk to my boss. He was happy about it, called accounting, and had them process my settlement right away. After that, he let me go, saying I would always have a place to come back if needed, but he knew I would do very well. I thanked him for everything and left. I sent the confirmation email to Mrs. Taylor, saying I would be at the company at eight on Monday morning, and went straight to talk to Mel and her father - I had to thank them. And that's when Mel surprised me: "Did you think you were going to take my godson away just like that? No way! My father got me an interview at Lynx World in Paradise Port. I'm moving with you, and we'll live together. What do you think?" This was perfect! I was overjoyed, but quickly asked: "Mel, what about Fred?" "Fred has already requested a transfer to the Paradise Port branch at his company; he'll have better opportunities there too. He's coming in fifteen days. Friend, it's a new life for all three of us." I was so happy. Mel had orchestrated everything. Fred would drive us there, and she would take care of Peter while I worked until we found a daycare. She already had three daycares to visit, and her father had already made available a furnished apartment in the city for us. It was too good to be true; I was even scared. Noticing this, Mel nudged me and said: "Learn to accept the good things life offers you!" I smiled at her, and we went to my parents' house. It was time to break the news and say goodbye. Paradise Port is on the other side of the country, so we wouldn't see each other for a while. My parents were happy until I said I would leave the next morning - then the farewell became sad. It was hard to leave them behind, but it was necessary. With the salary I would receive, I could help them now. That was good. The next morning, Fred and Mel arrived right on time. Mel's father had given her a pickup truck as a gift, which made moving our stuff much easier. Fred loaded everything into the truck, and off we went - it would be a full day on the road. We arrived in Paradise Port late Saturday night. Peter was exhausted but had enjoyed himself immensely during the trip - everything was new and exciting to him. We got settled in, ordered some food, and after eating, went to bed. On Sunday, we explored the city to get our bearings. Paradise Port was a huge, modern industrial city on the coast. Its port attracted lots of business, making it a first-world urban center. The apartment where we would be living was close to one of the daycares Mel had contacted, which was great. It wasn't far from the company either - I could get there in twenty minutes by subway. The apartment was beautiful, with a modern design, great ventilation, and huge windows that let in plenty of natural light. That evening, we dropped Fred off at the airport and headed home to rest. The next day would be a big one - I would be starting my new job, while Mel had her virtual interview and would schedule a meeting with the director of the daycare near our apartment to visit and talk. I tucked my son into bed; he was worn out from all the fun he'd had today. As I watched him sleeping peacefully, I felt confident that we would have a really good life here. Peter now had his own room, and Mel and I had planned to buy some things to make it feel more personal and give it our own touch. I grabbed the baby monitor and went to my room. I opened one of my boxes and started organizing everything. When I opened the last box, I took out the box containing my memories from the ball night. I opened it, ran my hand over that beautiful dress, and sighed once again. I picked up the perfume and thought, "Why not?" Starting tomorrow, I would wear this perfume every day - my salary was good, and when this bottle ran out, I could buy another. I put the box away, left the perfume on the dresser, and went to bed full of expectations for this new life that was opening up before me. Chapter 5 I showed up at the company at 8:00 a.m. Mrs. Taylor gave me a warm welcome and introduced me to everyone, and they were all very kind. The boss wasn't there - he was traveling and would return at the end of the week. The office was beautiful, very modern, decorated in white with stainless steel and green accents, managing to be both professional and welcoming. It was elegant, and I really liked it. I was particularly glad I had chosen to wear a black suit with a dark green silk blouse underneath and black heels. I would need to dress elegantly every day now, after all, I would be working directly with the company president. Mid-morning, I received a message from Mel saying she had managed to schedule an appointment with the director of the daycare near our apartment during lunch hour. I explained the situation to Mrs. Taylor and asked if it would be possible to leave during that time, assuring her I would be back on schedule. "So you have a child. How old is he?" she asked with a smile. "He's two years old. He's a very clever little boy. He wasn't planned, but he's the reason for my life!" "What's his name?" "Peter." "Peter. A strong name. You're not married, I know that, but what about your son's father, are you still together?" My heart sank - how could I explain to her that I didn't know who the father was? But I don't lie, so let's face the truth. I told her that Peter's father was someone I met at a party and never saw again. She looked at me seriously, but there was no judgment in her eyes. Then she said: "You have my respect, Catherine. It's not easy being a single mother, and it's very difficult to tell truths like this when you know they might trigger others' judgment. Thank you for your trust and honesty. Go take care of the daycare arrangements for your son, we'll continue this afternoon - no need to rush." I thanked her and said goodbye, heading off to meet Mel and Peter. My admiration and respect for Mrs. Taylor only grew. She's a woman in her mid-fifties, with very light blonde hair and almost transparent blue eyes. She's a beautiful and elegant woman, but most importantly, she's very welcoming. We got along very well. During the rest of the morning, she filled me in with information about the work, and I took notes on everything. At lunchtime, I left the building, and Mel was already waiting at the door with Peter. I got in the car, and we went to lunch before heading to the daycare. Mel and I loved the daycare, and Peter was already fitting in, running around with his new little friends - he's such an outgoing boy. That made me so happy! My son was happy! We decided not to look at other daycares since this one was excellent and very close to home, just three blocks away. We completed the enrollment and sorted out all the details. The director suggested we let Peter stay until the end of the day since he was having fun and could start adapting. Mel agreed to pick him up at the end of the day. Mel dropped me back at the company and told me she'd head home to prepare for her job interview later in the afternoon. I returned to my office, arriving before Mrs. Taylor. I sat at the desk and started reviewing everything she had already told me. The phone on the desk rang, and I wasn't sure what to do, but since this would be my desk, I answered in my most professional voice: "Miller Group, Executive Office, good afternoon, how may I help you?" I heard a deathly silence on the other end followed by a long sigh. Someone spoke up with obvious impatience, in a strong and slightly hoarse voice: "Put Mariana on." I was startled but kept my composure and replied: "I'm sorry, sir, but Mrs. Taylor hasn't returned from lunch yet. May I help you, or would you like to leave a message?" "Who is this speaking," he asked, even more impatiently. "My name is Catherine, I'm Mr. Miller's new executive assistant." "But I don't know you," he seemed to grow more impatient with each word. "It's my first day here, sir. Would you like to leave a message?" "Tell Mariana to call me as soon as she sets foot in the office." "Certainly, sir. And your name is?" "Looks like I'm your boss!" He snapped and hung up. Wow, what a stressed-out man! This wasn't in the job description. My throat immediately tightened. Had I already made a bad impression on my boss? I was so screwed! I started thinking I wouldn't last long in this job. Shortly after, Mrs. Taylor arrived and I passed on the message with a worried look on my face. She looked at me with a smile, as if understanding my concern, and asked: "Was he calm?" I looked at her and couldn't help myself: "He was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I'm pretty sure I could see his jugular vein popping out of his neck." She burst out laughing and then said: "You two are going to get along great! You'll tame the beast, I'm sure of it." I wasn't so sure about that. Maybe I shouldn't even unpack my bags, this man was going to eat me alive! | LEARN_MORE | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17966&u | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 375 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | redtgb.com | IMAGE | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17966&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/475778114_1794869977969414_1900905960535422267_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MJwfeedl3ZwQ7kNvgEFxXA2&_nc_oc=AdjB4I0JMo_v0oux5hm8rlQRtf35CEOvFdvlKhdAah9-KMjOvPmDng2Gt7SFuhRTWfKad-_EI7lqFTt9vGHNPghT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aw7YdfrEJx4wOwn_IyMfB8n&oh=00_AYBnaC9SWueaA5MDH_Zy-CqkW4W0LZs-ab_KdBSLAQdw7g&oe=67CC0473 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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THIS WEDNESDAY! It's Cinco in March with Carlos' famous bowl of golden cheesy goodness for only a nickel. All day this Wednesday, March 5. No limits, FREE chips included! Only at Carlos O'Kelly's. Small Queso. Dine-in only. Available until we run out! | Carlos O'Kelly's | https://www.facebook.com/carlosokellys/ | 66,478 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IMAGE | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481263598_669277642196254_4899217997632580398_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZiebnznnQeUQ7kNvgFqGWxS&_nc_oc=AdjJFTwOzK9KPCui77WpK5Kz7NOz8h-meqVQi5slDrTckFwI-FheivcgzscbYYhQIKIKcjUopcFoDG1iUAm0gd43&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A5lXAq23tFdAD8Rh5n3uo7a&oh=00_AYDT_dg_NP1VVV1juhGRwobtKOuj6jpqwN5pn4V3sIb_BA&oe=67CC2C2E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Carlos O'Kelly's | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | 2025-03-03 18:50 | active | 2790 | 0 | AUGUSTA, GA ! ๐ CELEBRATE MOTHERโS DAY WEEKEND WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT OF MUSIC ! THE LADIES R&B KICKBACK CONCERT IS COMING AND ITโS GOING TO BE ๐ฅ ! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AT TICKETMASTER ! #yungflyent #yungflyentertainment | SHOP_NOW | https://www.ticketmaster.com/ladies-rb-kickback-3- | YungFly Entertainment | https://www.facebook.com/100069168113422/ | 40,728 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop now | 0 | www.ticketmaster.com | VIDEO | https://www.ticketmaster.com/ladies-rb-kickback-3-augusta-georgia-05-10-2025/event/0E0061798C39165C | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468740924_1261014591893909_1559048040311862128_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q_v__IOXOC4Q7kNvgFPFCju&_nc_oc=AdjPEDj_mmvxqt_u-96wrqzT_HrVJRLBAreXlWjYKAAZ06F6ewkhWZAYlVNMZofBi5d-pPQWK4UrWKxrHzdzcQKW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcXL6QLBWzRXtEboY3Y_yPv&oh=00_AYD_pIz2JR4QAYxLR8ZvSw4C1NptJzZWET2xNaZKPVU8Sw&oe=67CC1CA9 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | YungFly Entertainment | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:51 | active | 2790 | 0 |
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THIS WEDNESDAY! It's Cinco in March with Carlos' famous bowl of golden cheesy goodness for only a nickel. All day this Wednesday, March 5. No limits, FREE chips included! Only at Carlos O'Kelly's >> https://bit.ly/FindCarlos Small Queso. Dine-in only. Available until we run out! | NO_BUTTON | Carlos O'Kelly's | https://www.facebook.com/carlosokellys/ | 66,478 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No button | 0 | IMAGE | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481977760_1319749842643914_2543366980285540759_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hWN5OFMbENwQ7kNvgHrhLJn&_nc_oc=Adij7rO8Al3nl1fardcvpVuhgAjvPlQSqh5Km5f_6ZH1_XxA_EKYiU-57AM7LjVI3hkat4-BJK4BpKuKft5hTg67&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A5lXAq23tFdAD8Rh5n3uo7a&oh=00_AYBKFMQZiS8mgEwWivNSTx8IGl1145m5daappt1-tSgu5Q&oe=67CC2216 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Carlos O'Kelly's | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:51 | active | 2790 | 0 | Steamy, hockey, surprise baby romance book FREE in KU! | The bed bounces, startling you awake. Your eyelids fly open, but you canโt see anything in the darkness. It takes you a second to orient yourself. It's all right. You're in the cabin. You're safe. And yetโฆ The hairs at the back of your neck go up. You sense a presence. Tension plucks your nerves. Your exposed foot's ice cold, so you pull on the comforter. It doesnโt budge, as if a heavy weight rests on top of it. Fear rips down your spine. Oh, no. Someoneโs in this bed with you. Your fear's confirmed when you hear an exhalation of pure satisfaction. You leap out of bed, feeling for the flashlight you keep on the nightstand. Your hands close around the cold metal, fingers not cooperating as you try to flick it on. โWhoโs there? Who are you?โ โWhat the heck?โ a deep, growly voice asks. Fingers shaking, you finally get the switch to move. The narrow beam of light hits the wall, zigzags across the bedroom, and lands on your mattress. Oh, my goodness! What should be an empty expanse of sheets and blankets is taken up by a man. Thereโs a stranger in your bed. You jerk the light up to his face to find him staring at you. โGet out,โ you shriek. โGet out of here right now.โ You grab your phone but remember there's no service thanks to the blizzard. When he sits up, the duvet falls, exposing a large, bare chest. Shielding his eyes with a hand, he shouts, โWho the heck are you, and what are you doing in my cabin?โ Find out what happens next in Never In My Wildest Dreams, a ๐ถSurprise baby ๐Single mom ๐ฅSteamy small town ๐Snowed-in romance book FREE in Kindle Unlimited! | DOWNLOAD | https://www.amazon.com/Never-My-Wildest-Dreams-Ren | Erika Kelly's Calamity Falls Series | https://www.facebook.com/100090414344405/ | 599 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Download | 0 | www.amazon.com | VIDEO | https://www.amazon.com/Never-My-Wildest-Dreams-Renegades-ebook/dp/B0CL7QDKLV/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481057971_2086737958435739_6550497554589786776_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1C0vECT-etoQ7kNvgFkF3wV&_nc_oc=AdgIOc8RJYaFPhADza9zbizppXWTK2jWEJGZPKi7-H5SZaDO-KwgssY7al0CZkYjUADdXAvhxEq5xIPBHkU1KtZL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-Eh9_X4qdkVnuE6L5-QMx5&oh=00_AYAvheeEIxZjKPXgE49eiDVriNnJDGwYptjxnDszAXLqeA&oe=67CC246A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Erika Kelly's Calamity Falls Series | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No | 2025-03-03 18:53 | active | 2790 | 0 | Read next chapter | A fire broke out at the wedding. Her husband who she loved for ten years ignored her, saving his stepsister instead, and then accused her of arson. Heartbroken, she threw down the signed divorce papers and left. ===== On the day the Bennett and Harper families united through marriage, coloring the sky with the deep crimson of roaring flames. Daniela Harper, clad in her wedding finery, watched in despair as her groom, Alexander Bennett, heroically swept Joyce Holt into his arms and navigated through the scorching heat, not once glancing back at her. Trapped beneath a massive, fallen screen, Daniela was rendered immobile by its weight, her eyes brimming with tears of frustration and fear. The air was thick with acrid smoke, and as Daniela struggled for breath, the encroaching shadows of unconsciousness began to cloud her vision, the grim thought of perishing in the blaze gnawing at her mind. Yet, just as hope seemed to flicker out, a figure emerged through the smoke. Strong arms lifted her effortlessly, and the steady, reassuring thud of her rescuer's heartbeat against her ear brought an odd solace amidst the chaos. Suddenly, a piercing hiss cut through the muffled sounds of destruction. The unmistakable, horrific odor of burning flesh assaulted her senses. Heart pounding with a mix of fear and confusion, Daniela mustered the strength to pry her eyes open, only to be met with a suffocating veil of smoke that obscured her vision and deepened her terror. As she fumbled blindly through the darkness, her fingers brushed against something sticky and unsettling. Instinctively, the man bearing her weight recoiled, yet he relaxed soon, permitting her hands to explore without restraint. The wind screamed in her ears, relentless and chilling. Gradually, the fierce warmth that had scorched her face began to dissipate. Struggling against the heaviness of her eyelids, she strained to identify her rescuer. Through the swirling smoke that clouded her vision, she glimpsed a distinctive mole near the man's eye--a mole that stirred a vague sense of recognition within her. As the edges of her consciousness began to blur once more, Daniela heard a gentle voice cut through the howling wind. "Sir, the ambulance has arrived. The Harper family is already aboard. We must get moving right away. Your arm requires urgent care, and moreover, today marks Miss Harper's wedding. If people see her with another man, it'll become the talk of the town." ...... Daniela stirred from her uneasy slumber in the stark, frigid confines of a plain hospital ward. The moon loomed large outside, bathing everything in its ghostly, somber light. The room lay shrouded in silence, devoid of the presence of her newlywed husband. Her injuries were grievous: a cracked rib and a deep, ragged cut marred her left cheek. The doctor had cautioned that without meticulous care, the gash could etch a lasting scar on her face. As dawn broke, the doctor returned to assess her condition. Glancing around the empty room, he queried, "Where's your family?" Daniela shook her head with a bitter smile. She had tried to reach Alexander many times, but he hadn't answered. Exhaling a sigh, the doctor advised, "Try to keep still; moving too much could worsen your injuries. If there's no one to assist you, I'll arrange a caregiver for you." At that moment, a young nurse chimed in, "Aren't you the bride from that fire incident that hit the headlines? Isn't your husband here with you?" The conversation caught the attention of the head nurse, who coughed slightly, gesturing to silence her colleague. Leaning closer, she murmured, "He's actually upstairs, attending to someone else." The young nurse's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? But the girl merely sustained a minor scratch on her hand!" Daniela was the one desperately in need of care. The head nurse shook her head. "There's an entire team upstairs fussing over her. It's so unjust, isn't it?" In that instant, a wave of humiliation and despair crashed down upon Daniela. Perched on the edge of the hospital bed, she felt her blood turn to ice, her frame shivering subtly. Leaning against the wall for support, she made her way upstairs to the exclusive, high-class ward. Pausing at the doorway, she saw the man she had cherished for a decade feeding her stepsister, Joyce. Their gazes locked, and the connection was palpable. Her stepmother, Katrina Harper, clasped her hand over her mouth, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Caiden, could this be karma? Are my past mistakes haunting our daughter now?" Caiden Harper, Daniela's biological father and Katrina's spouse, gently touched Katrina's shoulder to comfort her. "No, this was merely an unfortunate incident. None of this is your fault." "Dad! This was no accident; it was murder! Daniela resents that you and Alexander show her less affection than me. She's malicious. We were the only ones there during the fire, and she pushed me. She wanted me gone." After saying that, Joyce crumpled into Alexander's embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks as she wept uncontrollably. Katrina gazed at her daughter's scratched hand before leaning closer to Caiden, seeking comfort in his arms. "Caiden, Joyce might not share your blood, but she's embraced you as her true father. Who could have imagined such love would spell disaster for her? I've given up so much to keep Daniela content--I vowed to have no more children after marrying you. But it seems nothing will satisfy her. What else does she desire from me? She can take everything from me, even my life, if that's what she wants! But why does Joyce have to suffer? She's done nothing to deserve this." Katrina's sobs were so intense, so filled with anguish, that an onlooker might have believed she was the one suffering a broken rib and a marred face. Outside, hidden from view, Daniela overheard every venomous word aimed at her. She watched, heartbroken, as the two men she cherished most--her father and her husband--lavished their attention on Joyce, neglecting to speak a word in her defense. Her heart, already fragile, shattered into pieces. Though her body screamed in protest, Daniela had fought to make it this far. Now, with her pain weighing her down, she turned back, each step slow and agonizing as she made her way back to her room. After her mother's passing, she seemed to have lost her father as well. Her husband, whom she had grown up with, had given his heart to another, leaving hers in tatters. Such a harsh betrayal of fate. As darkness fell, Alexander reached her hospital room, holding a food container. He stopped abruptly at the door, his features carved with a sharp, cutting disdain, as though the very air inside disgusted him. His eyes, cold and distant, pierced through her. Summoning every ounce of strength, Daniela pushed herself upright, her voice heavy with a raw, aching despair. "I swear, I didn't push Joyce. She told me her wedding gift for me was in the storeroom. But as we entered, flames engulfed us, and the door was locked from the outside." With a steely gaze and a hint of impatience, Alexander muttered, "Daniela, stop fooling yourself. There's no sense in pretending any longer. You've always resented Joyce for being everyone's favorite, but to sabotage our wedding day with such malice? I never thought you were capable of being this monstrous!" Chapter 2 Apologize To Joyce With a calm and focused demeanor, Daniela explained the situation to Alexander, her voice ringing with clarity. "The warehouse had surveillance cameras. Even though the fire may have destroyed the cameras, there must be backups stored somewher "Enough!" Alexander's eyes narrowed as he regarded Daniela, his voice icy and tinged with anger. "Now you're just scrambling for excuses to get out of this. Surveillance footage can be manipulated. I can't trust a single word from you, you deceitful woman!" Daniela locked eyes with Alexander. His expression remained stoic, but his gaze was sharp and unwavering. Whenever he looked at someone, it seemed to pierce right through them. For over a decade, Daniela had clung to the naive hope that she might thaw his icy heart. But she never anticipated it would end like this. "Go and apologize to Joyce right now!" His command cut through the air like a chill wind, leaving Daniela feeling as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her, her senses reeling. "I'm your wife! Why won't you believe me?" she demanded, her words breaking with the weight of her vulnerability. "Daniela, I've told you--apologize! If Joyce decides to take this to court, you'll be the one left in tears, begging for mercy." His cutting words felt like a jagged kn**e, tearing through the fragile walls of her heart. This marriage, these ten years of what she thought was love and devotion, had all been a cruel farce. With a sharp tug on her collar, Alexander yanked her towards Joyce's ward. A nurse sprinted behind them, desperation lacing her voice. "Her rib is fractured. She needs proper care and rest. What you're doing is downright abusive." Yet, Alexander blatantly disregarded her pleas. Daniela faltered, nearly stumbling as he hauled her through the pristine hallways and into the exclusive VIP ward. The room exuded a warm, tranquil aura. Joyce lay in the bed as Katrina, seated beside her, offered her pieces of fruit. Upon Daniela's entrance, Katrina shot her a fleeting glance then averted her eyes, feigning ignorance of her presence. Caiden's expression twisted into one of revulsion. "You have the audacity to show your face here! Are you even aware of your sister's condition?" At this point, Daniela felt an icy numbness engulf her heart. She turned to Caiden and inquired, "Dad, have you forgotten that I'm your own flesh and blood? Do you recall your vow never to remarry after Mom left us? You promised to look after me. Is this how you do that?" Her father wasn't even willing to allow her the opportunity to clarify or defend herself. Caiden's expression wavered momentarily, his brow furrowing in annoyance as he directed a sharp gaze at Daniela. "You're the one who screwed up! Why are you dragging me into it? You've grown quite audacious, haven't you? To think, now you'd even stand up to me!" In the hospital bed, Joyce appeared robust despite her alleged frailty. With an exaggerated gesture, she pressed her hands to her chest as if overwhelmed by a sudden loss of breath. "Do you want Dad to grow old and live the rest of his life completely alone, Daniela? Have you considered how lonely he'll be once you're married? Sitting alone in that huge house, with no one to care for him when he's sick or even pour him a glass of water?" After that, Joyce turned to Alexander. "Alexander, do you honestly believe I'd start a fire just to end my own life?" Alexander remained silent, absorbing the weight of the conversation. His face darkened with each passing second, reflecting a growing storm within. He fixed a cold, unforgiving stare on Daniela and commanded sternly, "Daniela, kneel and beg Joyce for forgiveness!" Daniela turned to face Alexander, her expression defiant. Why would she do that? Suddenly, Katrina leapt from her chair and stormed over. Without a moment's hesitation, her hand swung through the air, landing a sharp sl*p across Daniela's cheek. Stunned, Daniela could barely register the sudden assault before Katrina collapsed into a heap of raw nerves and tears. Pointing her finger at Daniela, Katrina yelled, "Daniela! You tried to kill my daughter! How can you stand there, unapologetic and accusing her instead? Oh, my poor girl! I'm to blame for everything. I never should've become a stepmother to another's child. It's all on me! I've kept you from the man your heart belongs to and dragged you into danger. I can't forgive myself for this!" Caiden felt a sharp pang in his chest at Katrina's torment. Driven by a surge of anger, he approached Daniela and delivered a firm sl*p too. The impact sent her reeling back, her body hitting the wall as she struggled to maintain her balance. Dazed, Daniela stood against the wall, her mind swirling with thoughts as tears blurred her vision. She fixed her gaze on Alexander, a gleam of hope still lingering in her heart. She silently pleaded for him to defend her, to offer even a single sentence in her favor. However, Alexander's response shattered her last hope as he said sternly, "Apologize now! Or I'll have to call the police. You're facing charges of attempted murder, Daniela. That could mean life in prison." Chapter 3 I Did Nothing Wrong "Alexanderโฆ" Although Daniela had steeled herself for Alexander's answer, it still cut deeply, like a keen-edged bl*de tearing through her heart. How many decades did one get to live, only to have it mean nothing? She had devoted ten years of her existence to loving this man, investing her soul into the relationship. Yet, what she received in return was merely his staunch defense of another woman. "Yes, call the police!" Katrina's voice erupted in the room as she frantically reached for her phone. "Leave this murderer to them to handle!" Amidst the chaos, only Daniela caught the subtle way Joyce squeezed Katrina's hand following her explosive declaration. Their eyes met in a fleeting, silent exchange. Katrina paused, her resolve wavering. Joyce's voice was the epitome of consideration. "Alexander, I know you care for me, but this is a matter for our family. Calling the police could lead to my sister's arrest and tarnish the Harper family's reputation. That's the last thing I desire. Perhaps it's best if we..." She trailed off, her head bowing slightly, her delicate pose belying the cunning glimmer in her gaze. "Perhaps it's best if we just let this go." Her suggestion stirred Caiden and caused Alexander's brow to furrow in contemplation. His cold eyes bore into Daniela as he spoke with chilling authority. "We can't just let this go! Apologize now! Kneel and beg for forgiveness!" Despite the sharp agony emanating from her cracked rib, Daniela stood her ground, her spine rigid, unwilling to show any sign of defeat. In that harrowing moment, a cruel truth crystallized in her mind: her anguish was merely amusement to someone who held no love for her. "I've already told you, I did nothing wrong! I am innocent, and I refuse to kneel or apologize!" She had just finished speaking when Caiden closed the distance between them and delivered another harsh sl*p to her face. Reeling from the blow, Daniela, already fragile, teetered dangerously, her form shaking like a leaf in a tempest. Before she could regain her footing, a brutal kick struck her in the back. With a resonant "thud," she collapsed onto her knees. The sound of her kneecaps crashing against the hard floor reverberated around the room, sending a jolt of excruciating pain that surged from her knees to her chest. She braced herself with her palms against the floor. Bl**d started to ooze through the bandages wrapped around her chest, turning them a stark, vivid red. At the doorway, the nurse could no longer stand to watch the scene unfold. She rushed over to aid Daniela, then turned to Alexander with a look of stern condemnation. "I've seen the reports. You're Daniela's husband, aren't you? Once you're married, you're supposed to protect each other. How can you treat her with such cruelty? She's seriously hurt, and without proper care, this injury could haunt her for the rest of her life." "I'd never accept someone so vicious as my wife." Alexander threw a frosty, scornful look at Daniela, who lay crumpled on the floor. His gaze was icy, seeing her as nothing more than a mere fleck of dust on his shoe. "Daniela, today's incident cannot simply be ignored. Joyce may be forgiving, but your actions were severe, and you need to face the consequences. You will kneel here until you acknowledge your mistake!" He then addressed Caiden. "Mr. Harper, you surely see the need for this, don't you?" With a sharp nod, Caiden agreed, "Absolutely, she needs to reflect deeply. I'm all for it." At that moment, a doctor summoned the family members, and the room quickly emptied, leaving behind only Daniela and Joyce. Perched haughtily on the hospital bed, Joyce looked down at Daniela, who was still kneeling, her hands quivering as she supported herself. A derisive smirk played on Joyce's lips. "Daniela, does it even matter that you're Dad's biological child? Look at yourself, kneeling before me. I like Alexander, and if he's not mine, he sure as hell won't be yours!" Secretly, Daniela slid her left hand into her pocket and pressed the record button on her phone. Her pallid complexion was drenched with sweat, each drop trailing down her damp and strained forehead. Holding Joyce's gaze, she demanded in a steady, clear voice, "So, it was you behind the fire all along, wasn't it?" Chapter 4 Let's Get A Divorce "Yes, I did it! The warehouse was drenched in gasoline, packed with explosives, all set to go up in flames the second you showed up." Joyce gloated triumphantly, her voice dripping with arrogance. "And what good will your cloud surveillance footage do, Daniela? No one's going to believe you. They'll think the footage is manipulated! Besides, I've already wiped it clean. Dad and Alexander made it painfully clear today--they think you're useless, not worth even a shred of trust." With that, Joyce reclined on the hospital bed, a smirk playing across her face. "Keep kneeling," she commanded smugly and crossed her legs. "Daniela, you're going to kneel before me like this forever!" Daniela attempted to rise, her body straining against an invisible weight. Beads of sweat pooled on the floor, dampening the tiles beneath her. Her heart felt shattered, yet within the shards, a stubborn spark of hope flickered dimly. She had clung to the belief that Alexander, with his meticulous nature, would eventually see through the charade if he scrutinized the details more closely. But reality was a cruel master. She had given Alexander too much credit. The sound of Alexander's leather shoes echoed ominously as he approached. He towered over her, his gaze icy and unyielding. "Are you ready to apologize now?" Pain overwhelmed Daniela, her consciousness wavering. She tilted her head to meet his eyes, her voice a faint whisper. "Have you considered every angle of this situation thoroughly?" A scornful laugh echoed above her, chilling in its disdain. His contempt was palpable, wrapping around her like an unrelenting frost. "Daniela, stop being so pathetic. Just own up to what you've done already. Fine. Let's end this marriage. I'm done wasting my life on someone as malicious as you." At his words, Daniela's rigid posture crumbled. Desolation engulfed her heart. "For the last time, I'm innocent." Summoning the last remnants of her strength, Daniela leaned against the wall to pull herself upright. Though her face was gaunt, her eyes glimmered with an indomitable spirit. She fixed her gaze on Alexander, articulating each word with precision. "Fine by me. I'll gladly take the divorce. Why would I want a husband too blind to see the truth?" Daniela retreated to her shared ward. Murmurs from a few patients fluttered around her. With her own phone inoperable, she borrowed one from a neighboring patient. Instead of making a call, she simply sent a text message. "Lillian, send people to Northpoint Hospital to come get me." Without delay, Lillian replied, "Right away!" Daniela's condition was deteriorating. By the time Lillian Dawson reached her, a severe fever had set in. The persistent throb of her fractured rib was unrelenting, and her face was so severely swollen, it resembled an inflated balloon. Lillian seethed with rage. "Have they lost their minds? Choosing that worthless b**ch over you? Let me handle this--I'll put an end to them!" Without hesitation, she took out her phone and began to dial. However, Daniela, despite her frailty, placed her hand over Lillian's, pressing the end call button. Lillian clenched her fists, her voice heavy with desperation. "This is outright domestic abuse! You've been hurt! Are you seriously considering forgiving Alexander after everything he's done?" Her eyes then caught the glimpse of fresh bl**d oozing through Daniela's bandages, and tears began streaming down her face. With Lillian's support, Daniela pushed herself to stand. "Let's get out of here for now. We'll deal with them when the time is right." Observing Daniela's weakened state, Lillian nodded, her tears mingling with a fierce resolve. She vowed to tear that despicable pair apart piece by piece. Lillian then went to take care of the hospital discharge forms. Outside, Daniela stood waiting, lifting her gaze towards the hospital's upper floors. The opulent third-floor ward still glowed brightly. Inside, Alexander was nestled under the soft lamp's light, peeling an apple. A warm smile played on his lips as he chatted with the woman beside him. Daniela managed a strained, sorrowful smile. Ten long years, and the warmth of that smile she desperately sought had never once been hers. Joyce, however, had earned it effortlessly. Daniela realized she had been wrong all this time. She could no longer stand on her own. Before she collapsed, she saw Lillian rushing towards her, her face etched with worry. Before long, Daniela was hurried into the intensive care unit. The icy IV fluid seeped into her veins, lulling her into a profound slumber. When she finally woke up, two days had slipped by. "Daniela! Are you alright?" Lillian's eyes, swollen and red, betrayed her vigil by Daniela's side. Daniela slowly propped herself up, her voice raspy as she replied, "Don't worry. I'm fine." Following breakfast, Daniela glanced at her phone. The online frenzy over "the bride from the fire" was overwhelming. Criticism rained down on Daniela in the comments section. It seemed as if unseen hands were stoking the gossip, making it burn even brighter. "No wonder people say being a stepmother is a challenge. And even her biological daughter doesn't have it easy either. Daniela must be the mastermind behind the fire incident, trying to take Joyce out!" "Exactly! Did you hear that Daniela is indulging in some fancy private hospital room that costs six grand a night? Her father and stepmother are at her beck and call, and her husband's there, peeling fruit for her like she's some queen. Meanwhile, poor Joyce is crammed into a room with five others, struggling even to get water!" "No doubt about it--Daniela must have everything handed to her on a silver platter!" "That's right. Daniela got out of the hospital already, but Joyce is still laid up there. I heard Joyce ended up with a broken rib and a scar on her face." "Poor Joyce! Daniela's absolutely despicable! Just because she's the biological daughter, does she deserve royal treatment?" ... Lillian exclaimed through clenched jaw, "We can't just let Joyce get away with this! The internet is praising her as beautiful and kind-hearted, declaring that she deserves to be the rightful heiress to the Harper family." Daniela remained unfazed, her eyes skimming over the hurtful words. They no longer had the power to wound her. For the first time, she felt the fog lift, leaving her with a piercing sense of clarity. From this moment forward, she resolved to reserve her heart for those who truly loved her. The old Daniela had perished in the flames. The naive and deceived Daniela was gone, once and for all. Meanwhile, Daniela found Lillian's indignant expression somewhat amusing. "Are you seriously laughing, Daniela? You're going to let these keyboard warriors hired by Joyce defame you?" Daniela held up her phone, the recording on full display, and smirked. "Definitely not." Lillian's eyes popped wide open in surprise. "What?" Placing her phone back into her pocket, Daniela declared nonchalantly, "I've decided--it's time to file for a divorce." A slow, knowing smile curled the corners of her lips. Alexander and Joyce couldn't escape the consequences that were coming their way. ...... What happens next? How Daniela will fight back? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/68276322-fb_contact-e | Delighted Reading | https://www.facebook.com/100093179042627/ | 8,978 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.moboreader.net | VIDEO | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/68276322-fb_contact-ena305_2-250121-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=066827&accid=1600823597386213&jump=1&exdata=FFFA36591C22FF985815F92DB91620123C79EDC7CC214EC0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481901086_1386015302584561_5988087457220142151_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oGkUue581isQ7kNvgHWVBFr&_nc_oc=AdgIWipb7Hekc2QQEVgBa6TPL3kLQmg6E2cci9-PQ5j7PeX2sfeTl3m5Li3gDSnT265cWM6-e9xZUWDg0zZSe_dU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqfxTbup4C7v5Mz9X10g26p&oh=00_AYBbPNjCNkfLSMFMWcaT3lUULoHuNtSEUq2rwrCv-hSksA&oe=67CC1360 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Delighted Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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