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1,778,292	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778204}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:37	active	760	1397032305031382	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	After my boyfriend broke up with me because he found his mate, my father told me a shocking fact.<br /> "Dante Pelosi. The Alpha of the Midnight Fire pack."<br /> Mate!<br /> I flinch in recognition, an eerie feeling of hope filling me. Conflicting with the sense of rejection, it's too much. <br /> How can my wolf be so happy when I feel like complete mass right now?<br /> "That was-- the Alpha?" I whisper.<br /> "Your mate," Dad states, getting to his feet abruptly.<br /> "What--" I huff, pushing the breakfast tray aside.<br /> "You heard me, Alanna. I saw the look in your eyes when you saw him from the truck. Your eyes were glowing...and so were his. That only happens when you first set eyes on your mate."<br /> Dad towers over the bed once more, arms crossed over his chest as I watch me with a knowing smile.<br /> "That's impossible!" I insist, avoiding eye contact.<br /> "No, it isn't. And you're blushing."<br /> "Well, we've been invited to his house. He wants to meet you face to face."<br /> ————————<br /> Alanna's POV<br /> I've been waiting for this night for as long as I can remember. Tonight, the packs will finally know about Kurt and I.<br /> "Aly, we have to leave soon. Kurt said he'll pick you up at eight." Ryan, my older brother repeats in exasperation.<br /> I'm too busy attacking my auburn locks with a flat iron, wondering if my navy dress is formal enough for this evening. I wouldn't want Kurt to think I'm underdressed, especially since he's deciding to make such an important announcement at such a prestigious event.<br /> It's the annual Moonlight Gala, the one night where all twelve werewolf packs in the country are reunited. Whether we like it or not, all of us must get along and the Moonlight Gala is an attempt to encourage social relations between each pack. Only high ranking pack members are allowed to attend, which is why this is such a big deal for me.<br /> Kurt and I are not mates. We've been dating for over a year and we couldn't be happier.<br /> Despite his position as Alpha, Kurt has the same beliefs as me - mates are a myth, they don't exist. By taking me as his 'plus one' to the Moonlight Gala, he's making a statement. I'm the girl he wants to be with and no supposed soulmate can change that. I am his soulmate.<br /> "I think you're making a big mistake, Aly." Reese, my other brother chips in.<br /> I continue to feign ignorance, pausing to glance briefly at my twin brothers who are both staring back in concern, their identical faces showing disapproval. As senior pack fighters, Ryan and Reese are on good terms with Kurt. However, they can't stop him from seeing me. I know they're starting to dislike Kurt due to his audacity by dating me so openly.<br /> "This is my life, guys. My choice. My decision." I hate being so stuck up with my brothers. The three of us are inseparable and any spats between us are usually light hearted.<br /> "Aly, one day ... Kurt will find his mate. He's an Alpha. Do you really think he'll ditch the future Luna of this pack for a teenage romance?" Ryan refuses to give up, his tanned features turning red.<br /> I slam the flat irons down on the dresser, refusing to take the bait. They'll never understand what Kurt and I share. No-one will. I walk past their towering frames, slipping on my black stilettos.<br /> "If it were up to us, we'd put a stop to this. Dad would put a stop to this." Reese adds, scratching his shaven chin.<br /> That's when I cave in, huffing indignantly.<br /> "Well he can't. None of you can!" I snap, losing what little composure I have.<br /> Ryan and Reese blink in surprise, slightly hurt by my temperamental reaction. I'm never like this, I'm usually so calm, this whole situation has been throwing me off for the past few months. Instantly, I regret losing temper. They're only looking out for me.<br /> "Dad is Kurt's Beta." I whisper calmly, smoothing my hair down. "Therefore he can't question Kurt's actions. He can't stop us from being together, so he'll just have to deal with it."<br /> We're interrupted by a brisk knock on my bedroom door. My father pokes his head around the corner, the signature frown present on his broad face.<br /> "Alanna, Kurt is here. Don't keep the Alpha waiting." His disapproving eyes scan my appearance, frown growing harsher.<br /> "I'm ready." I nod, reaching for my clutch purse.<br /> There's nothing else left to say and to avoid another argument, it's easier to leave without another word. Dad steps aside, ready to let me pass.<br /> "Think about what you're doing, Alanna." He states, grabbing my elbow firmly. "This will end badly and you'll be the one with the tainted reputation."<br /> Don't overreact. He's just doing his part as the concerned parent. We should listen to him.<br /> I ignore my wolf, tuning out her protests. She's waiting for our 'mate' and according to her, Kurt is a waste of time. Even his Alpha status isn't attractive to her and wolves love power and dominance.<br /> "I'll see you guys at the Gala." I mutter tersely, prising my arm out of Dad's grip without looking back.<br /> He reluctantly lets me go with a deep sigh. I leave my family standing in my bedroom in awkward silence as I hurry down the stairs to meet Kurt in the manicured driveway.<br /> He's sat in his sleek sports car, nodding his head to the thumping rap music as he checks his appearance for the hundredth time, spiking up his short, corn blonde hair.<br /> He senses my presence as soon as I close the front door, leaning out of the window with a lazy grin. As I approach the car, he flashes his all-American smile in my direction with a wink of his cerulean eyes.<br /> "Hey babe, you look hot." He calls, as I walk around the car and open the door, slipping inside.<br /> You know what else they call a babe? A pig. So technically, he compared us to a pig.<br /> I hush my wolf silently, wishing she'd give up with the snide comments already. Yes, I know she hates Kurt but he's our Alpha and she has to respect him.<br /> He didn't even bother getting out of the car to open your door.<br /> "You ready, Aly?" Kurt asks lightly, squeezing my knee in affection. He starts the car, reversing out of the driveway and speeding off down the road, ready to make the fifteen minute journey to the manor where the Gala will be held.<br /> "Of course, babe. I'm so glad we're going together." I emphasise the word, trying to annoy my wolf. She responds with a growl, showing her distaste regarding my choice of words.<br /> "Good, I can't wait to show you off to the other Alphas." Kurt waggles his eyebrows playfully, making me giggle. Of course, I don't cackle like I usually do. Instead, I use my girly, reserved tone because I know he hates my real laugh.<br /> Oink oink. Stop acting like a Barbie doll. I love your laugh.<br /> "How come we're leaving without the rest of the pack?" I inquire, wondering why Kurt insisted on picking me up so early. The Gala doesn't start till late.<br /> "As Alpha, I have to turn up a little early. The Gala's being held on our turf this year, so I need to greet all the other packs personally." He grumbles, rolling his eyes as he steps on the accelerator, zooming down the dark country road.<br /> He's not our Alpha. He never will be. He's just a pretender.<br /> Stop making this so difficult! Why can't you just agree with me for once?<br /> I'm just stating what everybody else thinks. This fool will never be the great Alpha his father was.<br /> Michael is gone. Kurt's taken over and he's doing a decent job despite being so young, while having to deal with his father's death. Now stop it.<br /> "I was thinking, we should go away for a while. A vacation." Kurt unknowingly disrupts the mental argument I'm having with my wolf.<br /> "I'd love that." My smile fades instantly. "But I don't think Dad would approve."<br /> "Mike can't object." Kurt insists arrogantly, raising an eyebrow in superiority. "As my Beta, he has to listen to everything I say."<br /> Prick.<br /> --<br /> "I can't keep my hands off you." Kurt whispers in my ear, his breath tickling my skin.<br /> "Well you'll have to. We've got a sea of werewolves watching our every move and my Dad's pacing the halls like a madman every time he looks at us." I murmur back, placing a hand over his larger one.<br /> He tightens his grip on my waist, grabbing a delicate flute of champagne from a waiter. I study my shoes nervously, wondering if I've done the right thing by showing up here.<br /> Every werewolf regarded me with a shocked expression as I stood by Kurt's side, letting him welcome each pair to the event. There are thousands of people present, all hailing from every corner of the country.<br /> Alanna, this is a big mistake. You're ruining your reputation. These people think you're a side chick.<br /> I'm silent, beginning to agree with my wolf for once.<br /> So far, eleven out of the twelve packs have show up. In the process, each Alpha and Luna of their respective packs have silently judged me like I'm some sort of escort. I'm such an idiot, thinking I can parade around here like I'm attached to Kurt's hip. Everyone will disapprove and unsurprisingly, they all do.<br /> Maybe I should leave, I don't think I can take the glares and whispering any longer. Kurt won't be happy but this is a minefield that I'd rather dodge before the damage becomes irreparable.<br /> "Where's the Alpha of the Midnight Fire pack?" I recall the name of the remaining pack who are yet to arrive, looking up at Kurt's face. He pulls a face, snorting derisively.<br /> "You mean that prick, Dante Pelosi? He never turns up, sends his Betas along instead. Must be intimidated by me." Kurt announces loudly, catching the attention of a few people.<br /> "I don't think I've ever met him." I mumble to myself, studiously ignoring the group of girls shaking their heads and pointing in my direction as lean in and gossip.<br /> The tinkering chimes of broken glass makes me jump, as I look around for the source of the noise. Kurt's deep exhale of breath grabs my attention as I peer up at him, taken aback by the dumbstruck look on his face.<br /> It's him who is responsible for the noise, his shattered champagne glass at his feet. Kurt's mouth hangs open, his thunderstruck look refusing to let up.<br /> "Kurt?" I call anxiously.<br /> He doesn't reply, blinking repeatedly as he automatically lets go of me, stepping away.<br /> "Kurt?!" I repeat, trying to follow his line of vision. What's gotten him in such a state?<br /> "Mate." He grunts, his cerulean eyes shimmering brightly.<br /> I can feel my heart pounding, as if fissures are already starting to emerge with each palpitation. This can't be happening. This was meant to be our chance to declare our love. How can this be happening to me? Kurt loves me, he already said he doesn't want his mate.<br /> "Mine." Kurt breathes, moving further away from me and stepping forward.<br /> "Mine." A girlish voice repeats, echoing faintly through the palatial banquet hall.<br /> I gasp uncontrollably, my body shaking as I watch a petite woman step out of the throngs of people, approaching Kurt with a similar, glassy eyed look. They stop in front of each other as if they're long lost lovers, finally reunited.<br /> Aly, we need to leave. Don't put yourself through this.<br /> Kurt pulls the pretty girl towards him, planting a passionate peck on her lips. She melts into his touch, responding with equal ferocity. They continue to eat each other's faces and I'm frozen to the spot, unable to look away as I watch the love of my life smooch another woman.<br /> Tears are running silently down my face as I shudder from the silent sobs emitting from my body. I'm aware that every pair of eyes are trained on me, watching my reaction to this public embarrassment I'm facing. Whispers fill the hall, growing louder and louder until the room is positively buzzing.<br /> "Aly, come on. We're leaving." Ryan's angry voice whispers.<br /> My brothers appear out of nowhere, each of them flanking my side protectively. I still can't move, unable to tear my eyes away from Kurt while he continues to smooch us newly found mate. I think I'm going to be sick, bile and humiliation rising in my throat.<br /> Reese and Ryan pull me way from the heartbreaking scene, forcing my attention to the crowd of stunned onlookers.<br /> "What are you looking at?!" Reese spits at some stranger, causing some of the chatter to fade.<br /> I'm quickly escorted out of the building, Ryan pausing to lift me into his arms as I stagger dangerously on my heels. My sobs grow louder and my wolf is solemnly silent, letting me grieve. I bury my face into Ryan's shoulder, sniffling. They were right, everyone was right.<br /> "Let's go home." Reese mutters, a faint jangle of car keys accompanying his rapid footsteps.<br /> Somehow, we make it to the busy parking lot, ignoring the curious valets. I look over Ryan's shoulder, glancing back at the retreating lights of the impressive manor. Somewhere inside, Kurt is fawning over his mate while I'm left to pick up the pieces. The very thought is enough to set me off again.<br /> "Come on Aly, he's not worth it." Ryan whispers sadly, hugging me tighter.<br /> We make it to the Reese's monster truck and Ryan flings the door open settling me in the back seat and following suit. Reese jumps into the front, starting up his beloved truck with its familiar roars.<br /> I'm leaning against Ryan, letting my brother pat my back in comfort. He says nothing more, a pained expression marring his face. I know Reese must look the same, although I can't see him. His hands grip the steering wheel tightly, back stiff with anger.<br /> "Alanna?" Dad's muffled voice calls in concern.<br /> Wiping my nose, I look out of the large window to find Dad approaching the truck, accompanied by a tall figure. The sidelights of the truck illuminate their profiles and I find my father looking unsettled and flustered for first time ever.<br /> "He found his mate!" Reese roars in disgust, thrusting a thumb back in the direction of the manor, for Dad's benefit.<br /> Dad closes his eyes in expectance, nodding as if he was waiting for this to happen.<br /> "Take your sister home. I'll be back soon."<br /> Without another word, he looks back at the anonymous figure still shrouded in darkness behind him.<br /> It can't be ...<br /> My wolf is restless, yipping in excitement and making a fuss. It's wreaking havoc on my emotions, my wolf seemingly giddy with elation while I try to deal with my fresh heartbreak.<br /> The mysterious figure steps forward, finally revealing themselves.<br /> My soft sobs are halted immediately, mouth going dry. My eyes widen in shock as a delicious feeling of warmth invades my body, stretching from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes.<br /> Staring back at me stands a breathtakingly gorgeous man, golden eyes gleaming wickedly in the artificial light. His strong, ethereal features are marred with shock as he's rooted to the spot, his tousled dark brown hair ruffling gently in the breeze.<br /> I gasp at the funny sensations taking over me and I feel like jumping out of the truck and throwing myself at him. His broad, imposing body is tense, unmoving as he portrays every emotion I'm feeling.<br /> Reese begins to move the car, cruising slowly past this delectable man. I lock eyes with him properly, every ounce of air being knocked out of me.<br /> "Mine." I hear a deep, sensual voice float towards me.<br /> Reese floors it, forcing the large truck forward and leaving the elusive man behind.<br /> "Wait--" I protest.<br /> Ryan looks down at me in confusion as I crane my neck back, trying to catch one last glimpse of this gorgeous stranger.<br /> I spot his substantial figure, imposing and immovable. Darkness makes it difficult to see and he fades into distance as Reese continues to zoom away and out of the manor grounds, leaving everything behind.<br /> Mate!<br /> My wolf howls with longing, trying to take over my body and force me to shift, in an attempt to get back to the manor, back to the handsome stranger. I grab the seat in protest, remembering Kurt. The manor is the last place I should be right now.<br /> My conflicted state just makes things worse and I feel physically sick, huddling against Ryan for some sort of solace.<br /> "Alanna. Starving yourself won't change things."<br /> I huddle further underneath the covers, letting the darkness enclose me. I've been keeping a low profile these past few days, sticking to the solace of my bed.<br /> I hear Dad sigh in exasperation, the clinking of cutlery sounding out as he sets down whatever food he has. Just when I think he's given up, my snug covers are cruelly torn away from me.<br /> "Dad!" I mumble, curling up into a ball. "I'm not hungry. Please, just give me my covers back."<br /> I open an eye reluctantly, watching my Dad tower over my bed with a disapproving look. He says nothing, launching the bed covers out of the open window.<br /> "Leave me alone!" I yell, burying my face into the pillows.<br /> "No." He replies firmly.<br /> I feel the bed sink down a couple of inches, Dad deciding to take a seat near me. Clearing his throat awkwardly, I know I'm in for an uncomfortable talk.<br /> "If this is the part where you say 'I told you so', then save it. I feel like such an idiot." I whisper hoarsely.<br /> "I'm not here to rub it in, Alanna. I'm worried about you. So are your brothers. The-- the Gala ended last week and you've been hiding in your room ever since."<br /> "What else can I do? I'm the laughing stock of the whole pack, Dad. I lost both my dignity and my boyfriend in a matter of moments." My voice trembles dangerously and the warning of tears already has my Dad fidgeting.<br /> "Are you more upset about Kurt finding his mate or your reputation amongst the pack?" My father, ever the professional. Not a hint of emotion in his tone.<br /> "Both?" I snort tearfully, getting up to face him.<br /> Dad says nothing, nodding to himself. After a few seconds, he reaches for the breakfast tray and places it on my lap. Setting a spoon in the palm of my hand, he gestures for me to eat.<br /> "Dad, I'm really not hungry." I whisper.<br /> "Just a few bites, Alanna. For me?" His rare plea catches me off guard and I try my hand at a few mouthfuls.<br /> Cracking a small smile, Dad watches me force down some food. It's eerily comforting, sitting here with him after so long. We barely spend more than a few moments together nowadays.<br /> "Where are the boys?" I ask, the sudden urge to see my brothers taking over. Dad's smile vanishes instantly.<br /> "Alpha Kurt and his mate have moved in together. Her name is Claire. Her initiation ceremony into the pack is happening tonight. She will be announced as our Luna later tonight."<br /> I drop the spoon heavily, gasping in disbelief. Tears begin to form in my eyes and I blink them back angrily.<br /> "So soon?! It's only been a few days!"<br /> "Kurt wants her in the pack immediately. The boys have been issued orders to help with the function tonight." A look of anger flashes across his face. "You were also ordered to attend...but I stepped in and put my foot down."<br /> The nerve! I told you he was a jerk!<br /> "Despite everything, he still thinks I'll attend?!" I exclaim, breathing heavily. "Not once has he called or even contacted me to-- to draw a line under things! He's just tossed me aside like I meant nothing!"<br /> Dad nods, rubbing his face tiredly. Lines are starting to appear too frequently across his broad face and I wonder just how many worries he has placed on his shoulders.<br /> "Kurt has stated that he owes you nothing. What happened between you guys was a mere fling. You knew from the start that his loyalties would lie somewhere else. This was your choice from the beginning. You coerced him."<br /> "So he's trying to save his own skin now? Trying to prove to his mate that he was loyal from the start?" I scoff, wiping away my angry tears.<br /> Dad pats my shoulder tersely, back rigid with anger.<br /> "As Beta, Kurt seems to think my allegiances to him are prioritised over my daughter."<br /> "I refuse to go, Dad! I'd rather throw myself off a cliff, then be seen--"<br /> "I know, I know. And I'd never let you go there...not by yourself, anyway."<br /> Tears fall silently and I huff intermittently, feeling like a fool. Kurt has well and truly played me.<br /> "Alanna, do you remember the night of the Gala? When you were leaving with your brothers?"<br /> My stomach jolts and I nod. I remember feeling uneasy and my wolf was yipping with excitement, which I couldn't pinpoint.<br /> "Yeah...I remember seeing you with-- someone else." I pace myself, feeling butterflies for no reason.<br /> "That's right, Dante Pelosi. The Alpha of the Midnight Fire pack."<br /> Mate!<br /> I flinch in recognition, an eerie feeling of hope filling me. Conflicting with the sense of rejection, it's too much. How can my wolf be so happy when I feel like complete mass right now?<br /> "That was-- the Alpha?" I whisper.<br /> "Your mate." Dad states, getting to his feet abruptly.<br /> "What--" I huff, pushing the breakfast tray aside.<br /> "You heard me, Alanna. I saw the look in your eyes when you saw him from the truck. Your eyes were glowing...and so were his. That only happens when you first set eyes on your mate."<br /> Dad towers over the bed once more, arms crossed over his chest as me watches me with a knowing smile.<br /> "That's impossible!" I insist, avoiding eye contact.<br /> "No it isn't. And you're blushing."<br /> "Well, we've been invited to his house. He wants to meet you face to face."<br /> I gesture to my food stained pyjamas and greasy hair, shaking my head furiously. Dad just shrugs, as if there's no problem.<br /> "You have time to make yourself look presentable. This is your chance, Alanna. To avoid Kurt and his mate."<br /> "But Dad--" I insist, yet I'm cut short.<br /> "No excuses, Alanna. Be ready by seven. Presentable or not, you are going. It's either this, or the initiation."<br /> With nothing left to say, Dad leaves the room while I stare into space, absolutely bewildered.<br /> "Listen, Aly. Dad's trying to protect you." Reese explains, watching me comb my tousled locks vigorously. "I know Dante. He's a pretty cool guy; one of those modern Alphas who are destined for greatness. Nothing like Kurt."<br /> The mention of his name flips my stomach with disgust. Whatever feelings I had for that loser have been quashed. Atleast, that's what I'm trying to tell my stubborn brain.<br /> "You should wear this coral dress." Ryan adds, poking his head out of my closet and tossing the outfit towards my bed.<br /> "I don't want to." I grumble, folding my arms and ignoring the exasperated looks I'm getting. "Don't look at me like that! I'm not dolling myself up so I can be objectified."<br /> You didn't have a problem when Kurt objectified you...<br /> My wolf and her snide comments are testing my limits. She might think we've found our mate but I beg to differ. Mates don't exist, despite what everyone thinks. What Kurt suffered from was a major infatuation, not a bond.<br /> "Aly! Look, even if this wasn't an important introduction, you would still have to look presentable. Dante is one of the main Alphas and you're the daughter of a Beta. But forget all that; the bottom line is - Dante could potentially be your mate." Reese scolds me with a frown.<br /> "How do you know? How does anyone know? If you don't recall that night, we were all preoccupied. If he were my mate, I'd have felt it. I would have noticed his presence." My voice is laced with heavy sarcasm, my usual stubbornness on the topic of soulmates.<br /> "Okay, I'll accept that." Reese nods reluctantly, his serious face plastered on. "But Dad was with Dante when he first saw you. Remember, you were in the truck so maybe he didn't see enough of you to react. Dad said he had never seen Dante so restless and he only caught wind of your scent."<br /> "Don't forget your reaction." Ryan adds, lounging on my bed. "I saw you freeze up and hesitate. You couldn't resist him."<br /> I stay quiet, knowing I've been defeated. There was definitely some weird chemistry between Dante and I, that's for sure. Soulmates? Definitely not, but it could be something else.<br /> "Someone's blushing..." Reese sings, grinning at me.<br /> "No-- I'm just thinking." I reply defensively, reaching for my makeup to distract me.<br /> "Don't overthink. Go with the flow. Get ready and just give the guy a chance." Ryan talks in short bursts, jumping to his feet.<br /> "Now that you're a little more accepting, we'll leave you to get ready. You have an hour." Reese launches a scrunchie at my face, exiting the room with his super speed before I can yell at him.<br /> Ryan chuckles, pointing at the coral dress one last time and following Reese's footsteps.<br /> I face my mirror with a frown, ditching my sneaky master plan. I had been plotting to look deliberately ugly; frizzy hair, no make up and stained clothes, to put this Dante guy off. Now come to think of it, there's no reason why I have to put a dampener on my appearance. If anything, I should look extra presentable.<br /> "Prove that I still got it." I mutter to myself, the shame of Kurt's rejection getting me worked up.	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1,778,437	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778436}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:38	active	760	402653905940934	🔥 End the Tingling and Burning Sensations -->	Why do men and women struggle to relieve their nerve pain? 😔<br /> <br /> What if you could relieve nerve pain without addictive meds and wasting hours exercising?<br /> <br /> The reason folks over 45 can’t relieve nerve pain is “nerve disconnection”. The way to heal your nerves naturally is by using these nerve regenerating mushrooms to reconnect them.<br /> <br /> It’s finally your time to live a free and independent life without any discomfort, to move and feel like your old self again. Click to go to the next page and see how thousands of women and men are getting their life back.	LEARN_MORE	https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution	100291402430512	Neurology Daily	https://facebook.com/neurologydaily	451	7	1,148,467,932,829,360	2024-05-08 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Neurology Daily	120208900411550373	instituteofneuropathy.com	NONE	video		https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution	2024-05-01 21:37	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439442517_448673274229798_2317611263742343876_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9d1R6EumT_MQ7kNvgHvj5hQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPHkoSopmDqoQ7OYBg0onF1rQEE678SFNgXzO54AV4SQ&oe=6641F6D9	person_profile	Neurology Daily	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422570997_2166036510405855_9164924229140172221_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KnQk_GlS5rkQ7kNvgE4KUzn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBFudRNzt3o5jPxc3JAnpEErllREYRkyoHbsAGR3FdjTQ&oe=6641D0F5	3	Neurology Daily	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,940	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778966}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:44	active	760	777852337873311	Read More	He married her to save his beloved, and cruelly used her, breaking her heart. After their divorce, he realized in anguish that he had been mistaken all along—his true love had always been his ex-wife.<br /> ======<br /> <br /> Chapter1 The truth about marrying her<br /> "Tammy, I'm sorry I hurt you." He stroked her soft hair and murmured. <br /> <br /> Tammy's scarred face hung with tears, and her tiny, naked body lay shivering in the strong man's arms. She was too shy to look up at him.<br /> <br /> Today was her wedding night. Just now, she ended the transformation from a girl to a woman.<br /> <br /> The man holding her in his arms at the moment was her husband Angus, a man could drive all women crazy.<br /> <br /> She had loved him for fifteen years.<br /> <br /> In the darkness, Angus stared at the little woman in his arms. His deep black eyes contained a coolness that was hard for others to guess.<br /> <br /> Tammy shook her head gently. Her face blushed.<br /> <br /> Although he was gentle, the pain was inevitable because it was her first time.<br /> <br /> However, she was happy enough that he didn't mind the scars on her face and that she was a poor little girl who had been living in exile for ten years.<br /> <br /> There was a ding, and his phone rang.<br /> <br /> Angus took the phone, looked at it, frowned, turned his head and said, "Tammy, I'm going out for a few minutes and I will come back soon. Wait for me."<br /> <br /> He bowed his head and gently kissed on her forehead.<br /> <br /> Angus switched on the light and got out of bed, tucking Tammy in and picking up a robe from the side and putting it on.<br /> <br /> Tammy watched as he left the room.<br /> <br /> Without his embrace, she was suddenly lost. She gripped the blanket restlessly at her chest. Her thin shoulders were out of the quilt, and they were covered with the marks of their love and affection.<br /> <br /> A few minutes passed and he didn't return. Tammy's loss grew stronger and stronger.<br /> <br /> She put on her pink nightgown and picked up the heart-shaped pendant carved from the wood on the bedside table and put it around her neck.<br /> <br /> It had been given to her by her mother before she died, and although it was worthless, she had worn it since she was a child.<br /> <br /> The pendant always soothed her anxious emotion.<br /> <br /> Tammy left the new house with a sweet smile on her face to find her husband.<br /> <br /> In the hallway, there was a sudden sound of talking.<br /> <br /> "Tammy's kidney was successfully paired with Sonia, and marrying her was just a way to get her to sign a consent form for the donation."<br /> <br /> It was Angus's voice. It was extraordinarily familiar to her, but it hurt her so much for a moment. His words were like a thunderbolt exploding in her head!<br /> <br /> Tammy's face went suddenly pale. Her hands clenched in fists, gripping the skirt of her nightgown so tightly that her whole body was as stiff as a stone. She seemed to have lost half her life.<br /> <br /> In the back of her mind, the words he'd said when he'd asked her to marry him emerged...<br /> <br /> "Tammy, you are a good girl, and I have no reason to marry any woman but you... "<br /> <br /> But then those words were like heavy slaps in her face!<br /> <br /> Tammy's kidney was paired with Sonia's and marrying her was just to get her to sign the donor consent form-...<br /> <br /> Tammy covered her mouth and shivered.<br /> <br /> She'd never agreed to donate her kidney, and she'd thought he'd married her because he loved her.<br /> <br /> But it turned out that he was the one who was going to trick her into donating a kidney for the woman he loved!<br /> <br /> The familiar figure not far away was as grand and tall as a king, with an elegant aristocratic air. Although the first time had only just been given to him, at the moment he was so strange to her!<br /> <br /> At this time, there came another voice with some flattery: "Oh, so that's it. Young Master Smith, why didn't you say so earlier. I thought you had let Sonia down. After all, she loves you so much, and you married Tammy as soon as she fell ill. It's hard for her not to think too much. Tammy is so vicious that she won't donate her kidney to save her sister. And you're the only one who can control her!"<br /> <br /> Chapter2 So it's all a trick<br /> The speaker was Tammy's stepmother, who was named Sue.<br /> <br /> When Tammy was nine years old, Sue was brought home by her father along with her sister who was older than Tammy. That girl was also her father's biological daughter.<br /> <br /> In other words, not long after her father and mother got married, he already had had an affair with another woman and had a daughter outside.<br /> <br /> At the time, her mother was already suffering from depression due to the hardships she had had in the marriage. And as a result, the incident completely overwhelmed her, causing her to become more and more mentally ill. Finally, her mother desperately tried to throw her out of the car window in a major car accident, while she was burned to death in the car.<br /> <br /> By the time her body was taken out, it was all charred...<br /> <br /> Tammy was only ten years old...<br /> <br /> Her mother was killed by Sue and her daughter, and her face and life were ruined by them.<br /> <br /> And now, they had joined forces and wanted her kidney!<br /> <br /> How could they be so bad? How could they do this to her?<br /> <br /> What did she do wrong?<br /> <br /> Tammy's tears rolled down like a river that had burst its banks!<br /> <br /> Angus, did you know that I've remembered you since I was five years old!<br /> <br /> But I loved you so much, and you trampled on my affection like this!<br /> <br /> His cruelty shattered all her hopes, and her world fell into obscurity.<br /> <br /> She thought she'd made it, but when the fog had lifted, she found that the destination she'd been running to wasn't heaven, but hell!<br /> <br /> Tammy gritted her teeth desperately and ran away back to her room!<br /> <br /> Angus's eyes were deep and dark. His voice had turned cold, "Tammy's kidneys can only be used when it's necessary."<br /> <br /> When he possessed her tonight, she was shaking all the time. She was so thin and fragile, so how could she carry the kidney removal surgery.<br /> <br /> When Sue heard this, she was immediately unhappy, but she didn't dare to show her anger, "Young Master Smith, what do you mean? Didn't you say you'd let her donate her kidney before marrying her? But why did you go back on your word?"<br /> <br /> Angus frowned and said sternly, "I have no regrets. If another suitable kidney is found before the operation, I will divorce her."<br /> <br /> Divorce.<br /> <br /> The thought of these words seemed to hit him hard heavily.<br /> <br /> Sue was about to say something else. Suddenly Angus paled and said indifferently, "Go away and don't let Tammy doubt you."<br /> <br /> His tone was full of strong command that made Sue pale!<br /> <br /> Although she had decided that she was Angus's future mother-in-law, she still shivered, not daring to say anything more. She turned away but a light flashed in her eyes.<br /> <br /> She would never let Tammy go!<br /> <br /> ......<br /> <br /> Tammy huddled in the corner of the room with her arms wrapped around her, shivering.<br /> <br /> Angus came in, and found no one in the room. He searched around, and suddenly noticed the curtains trembling faintly.<br /> <br /> He lifted the curtains and saw Tammy sitting on the floor, hugging her knees as if she was in some kind of shock. Her face was pale as a sheet.<br /> <br /> Angus was startled, "Tammy, what are you doing here?"<br /> <br /> Tammy clenched her teeth desperately, and she stared at him with her red eyes.<br /> <br /> Angus frowned. He was confused. "What's wrong with you? Get up first"<br /> <br /> Chapter3 You give up<br /> He bent down and put his hands under her armpits and picked her up.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Tammy was agitated and pushed him away hard, "Get off me!"<br /> <br /> She almost growled out.<br /> <br /> "......"<br /> <br /> Her attitude was so strange. Did she know anything?<br /> <br /> Instantly, his eyes went cold, "Did you know?"<br /> <br /> Tammy clenched her fists in grief, "Yes!"<br /> <br /> "......"<br /> <br /> Angus said coldly, "In that case, there's no need to pretend loving."<br /> <br /> It was clear that things had been revealed, and his cold tone seemed to tell her that there was no need for him to pretend to be gentle with her anymore.<br /> <br /> The air went cold, and Tammy's whole body became top-heavy as if all her insides had been emptied!<br /> <br /> Suddenly, she was so out of breath that a sensation of her breath being blocked came over her, and she fell to the ground, covering her chest!<br /> <br /> Angus sensed something was wrong and immediately took her in his arms!<br /> <br /> "Tammy!" There was urgency in his voice.<br /> <br /> Tammy's breath quickened and she gripped the man's suit tie. Her tears gushed from her eyes, and her red eyes were full of indignation!<br /> <br /> "........"<br /> <br /> Angus didn't say much, but his face was unusually livid. He just picked Tammy up and put her on the bed.<br /> <br /> "Tammy, how are you feeling?" He patted her face gently, a fine layer of sweat covering his forehead.<br /> <br /> Tammy stared at him with wide and empty eyes. She gave him a sarcastic smile.<br /> <br /> If he'd been scared about her before, she'd have been happy. But now she just felt sick.<br /> <br /> He wasn't afraid she'd die, but he was afraid that he could not get her to sign the consent form!<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Tammy sat up in bed, pushed him away, and got right off the bed!<br /> <br /> Angus frowned. He easily caught her back with his long arms and held her in his arms. He hugged her from behind, and his eyes were dark, "Where do you want to go?"<br /> <br /> "You let go of me!" Tammy shouted!<br /> <br /> Finally, monstrous anger erupted and she tried almost with all her might to break the man's hands that held her. Her nails almost sank into the back of his hands.<br /> <br /> Angus frowned and a chill crossed his face as he said coldly, "Stop it. Calm down!"<br /> <br /> "........"<br /> <br /> He's got the nerve to think she was making a scene?<br /> <br /> Tammy gritted her teeth, veins bulging on her forehead as she hissed, "Angus, how could you cheat on my feelings like that?!"<br /> <br /> She hated him so much!<br /> <br /> Angus closed his eyes and his breathing became a little faster. He easily clamped around her in his embrace. His strong and muscular muscles pressed against her back through the suit and her nightgown. His heartbeat strongly that almost crushed her thin and frail body.<br /> <br /> In the end, he opened his cold and heartless eyes with a frost that couldn't be melted, "Yes, I married you for your kidney, but..."<br /> <br /> He seemed to be trying to explain something else, but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth.<br /> <br /> After all, he was doing it for her kidney. What else could he do to explain?<br /> <br /> "........"<br /> <br /> He had finally admitted it to her. He admitted his intention so neatly, so righteously!<br /> <br /> Tammy breathed a cold air. She bit down on her teeth, and her face was full of tears. The tears hid the scars on her face. She raged, "I won't give my kidney to Sonia. You give up!"<br /> <br /> His voice was also tinged with a hidden anger, and his strong, powerful arms around her became tighter, "Tammy, she's your sister. Why are you so cruel? It's just a kidney. You are not going to die!"<br /> <br /> Just a kidney?<br /> <br /> Why did he have the nerve to say that?<br /> <br /> ...<br /> &4&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/51691322-fb_contact-e	106206892171576	Love Story City	https://facebook.com/100083614308933	17,592	1	1,622,175,098,545,428	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Love Story City	120208853138950493	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	image		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/51691322-fb_contact-encp15_5-0330-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=961225&accid=1325826931416330&jump=1	2024-05-07 22:13	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441074204_454190200328872_1789329282920823159_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BC7GvB2wq6wQ7kNvgGlb17l&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA7csHTNpIB1JwqLMDM4ecHaniGyaCmeII_OnervjsnBQ&oe=6641E770	person_profile	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441197788_965363814991118_7971123348146815868_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qp1CwUsAWWgQ7kNvgGuwbRn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDfbYzOL3vKTh2VLS6D-2il7AG9ro2jzNjiyHmIc-XeZA&oe=6641DC96	3	Love Story City	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,806	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778813}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:43	active	760	395038183507105	sciatic nerve pain? do NOT drink cold water?	"𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤'𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐄, 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞! 😍😍"	WATCH_MORE	https://sciatiease.com/fb/lungbem2bbv/?ad_id={{ad.	281415728381640	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve Pain?	https://facebook.com/61557461678633	10,797	6	1,409,343,179,694,563	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Watch more	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve Pain?	120210844016830608	sciatiease.com	NONE	video	best vitamin to alleviate sciatic nerve pain? (take 2 & watch)	https://sciatiease.com/fb/lungbem2bbv/?ad_id={{ad.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&source={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}&cpid=36c4673e-1518-4583-a451-7089389f9467&lpid=e5aeb735-1a74-42d8-a915-5ec4d5ec34c8	2024-05-07 16:40	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441415955_1155121402279914_6047034842339559173_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gWKgXHypotIQ7kNvgF1UGCU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD6Z7yOLfB0GF2VeCZDsgUvyIlNM4xw-evlXH1MLxqXEw&oe=6641F43E	person_profile	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve P	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441240926_3725491701060518_2344039374023537410_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UGgjXU4NTjwQ7kNvgFVAlz6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA2869P30oaWzmeieJiTiKxQEgz3lvB4IFJwxKnr6sizQ&oe=6641D563	3	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve Pain?	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,110	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778362}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:34	active	760	372916225122279	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	So many nights I watched his dad instead. Nothing hot, except for the way he makes walking through a room look hot, but those are my little secrets.<br /> I settle in at the perfect angle where I can see Jayce, and get comfortable enough to take care of myself. I swear he keeps looking at my window. Can he see me?<br /> Swallowing hard, I slide my hand into the waistband of my shorts. My fingers brush over my curls. This is probably illegal. I'll blame it on emotional scarring from Brett denying me se.x while he was boning someone else.<br /> Hand, tongue, shaft...so many orgasms...I stir myself into a frenzy. Another moan escapes my lips, my eyes fall shut, and I drop my head back as I draw myself closer.<br /> Light streams into my consciousness. Is it the start of my climax? I'm so close. It's not my climax though. What's happening?<br /> I blink hard against the brightness coming from the hallway as I take in my dad's voice, "Madi, you okay?"<br /> ————————<br /> Madison<br /> Crossingthemountainridge into Eggplant Canyon, I can't believe I'm moving back to my dad's house on the eve of my first job. But when a last-minute position to teach kindergarten was offered, I spent the morning packing my tiny apartment, made the six-hour drive, and now I'm ready to tuck myself into bed.<br /> I want to be well-rested for the mandatory district training day tomorrow.<br /> The house is dark as I make the familiar turn into the driveway. My dad texted to let me know that he got called into the hospital. Nothing new there.<br /> Carrying a couple suitcases with my essentials inside, I don't bother to call my boyfriend, who was my next-door neighbor growing up. I haven't been able to get hold of him for the last few days, but I chalked it up to him being busy with his med school application. The disconnect is symbolic of how well our long-distance relationship has worked out while we attended different universities. Dating was so much easier when we just walked across the grass to see each other.<br /> If he listened to the series of four voice messages I left, he would know that I had a sudden change of plans. It's not that I expected him to drop everything and come back to see me since he's only an hour away, I just wanted to share my excitement.<br /> As I open the curtains in my bedroom to enjoy the moonlight over the mountains, I'm certain he didn't listen.<br /> Otherwise, he would have at least had the decency to close his blinds...I hope.<br /> My phone falls from my hand. I don't bother to pick it up.<br /> My heart breaks as everything I thought I knew about the cute, ambitious, and respectful boy next door, who I've saved my first time for, bangs some chick.<br /> He was the one to say we shouldn't have intercourse until we're married. That's not something you just forget. Is it something against me personally? We were supposed to have a future. How long has this been going on?<br /> Dreams shatter far easier than they're built. I can't tear my eyes off the undressed tangle of their bodies. How long have I been a fool?<br /> Brett, my suddenly ex-boyfriend, hadn't wanted to risk either of our careers with an unplanned pregnancy.<br /> My dad had talked to him about the rigors of med school and how it was really hard to raise a child while going through it. Waiting made sense. Watch out for our futures. A little ridiculous since all I wanted to do was be a mom, but my dad insisted I plan on a career since relationships can go wrong.<br /> Like right now.<br /> My heart splits in two.<br /> The fatigue from my long day channels into anger.<br /> All of my pent-up sexual frustration has been for naught. What's his endgame? I would have screwed him. I'd begged actually. Not a proud moment, but I had. And he'd had the nerve to tell me I should be able to control my urges better.<br /> I'd thought I was an over-sexed freak for all of my naughty thoughts he refused to entertain. And for the ones he didn't know about, like the ones that involved his dad.<br /> It looks like we both had secrets, but mine didn't hurt anyone.<br /> I force myself to look away. This is over. And I'm going to make sure he doesn't have any wiggle room to sweet talk his way out of it.<br /> I rush downstairs and out of my house, across the grass to his front door, and don't bother knocking.<br /> "Madison?" Brett's father, Jayce, calls out as I storm past his office, which is just off the entry. I don't have to look to know that he's at his desk, he almost always is. Concern has replaced the swoon-worthiness of the wealthy CEO's usual deep voice. I don't care. If he, in any way, taught his son to be a cheater, he's as despicable as his spawn.<br /> As I stride through their living room, I question how I was able to forget his dad could be home. Apparently, I'm drunk on the toxic cocktail of exhaustion, anger, and tunnel vision, and it's served with a blanket of shame. I never forget about his dad—the lingering glances I sometimes catch him sneaking, the tension in his jaw every time I gave Brett a peck on the cheek, or my imaginary belief that he made himself scarce when I was around because he secretly wanted me too—which are all more reasons I thought something was wrong with me.<br /> I would never cheat on my boyfriend. Especially not with his dad.<br /> But if anyone had read my mind... Every time Jayce called me Madison, never the nickname Madi that everyone else used, it made me feel so hot, so desirable. Not the girl-next-door his son dated, but the woman...never mind. It's my given name, not a seduction. More proof that I'm not wired quite right.<br /> I quicken my pace to get up the stairs when I hear Jayce behind me.<br /> "Wait...I thought you two broke up." So he does know what Brett's doing.<br /> "We are now." My blanket of shame is starting to suffocate me. It's hard enough to find out my boyfriend is a loser, much less reveal it in front of my secret crush. But my freight train of anger is in motion.<br /> Throwing Brett's bedroom door open, I want to vomit. Seeing him with another woman from my window was one thing, but up close...it's far too real. What had I planned on doing? Pieces of thoughts form a maelstrom of hurt and chaos in my mind.<br /> Brett and his buddy realize I'm in the room. They break their peck to look at me. The other part of them stays together. Gag. I need a plan, and fast. I've done, or not done, everything Brett asked. Look where that got me. I won't be the victim.<br /> Think. Think. Think.<br /> "Madi?" Brett lifts up. My urge to vomit heightens.<br /> The thinking train derails. I rush forward, shrugging my blanket of shame. I'm not the one at fault. There are a million things I want to say to him but words fail me as I rear my fist back.<br /> When I thrust it forward, a primal scream erupts from me, sparing me from having to hear his nose break. Wow! That felt good. Like I'm doing all women a favor by standing up for myself.<br /> Brett falls onto the girl, making a horrible sound as he grips his face and rolls off. Thankfully the sheet spares me the details that are no longer my business.<br /> He doesn't deserve a chance to explain.<br /> Before anyone can say anything coherent, I spin around and rush out of the room as quickly as I entered, not bothering to close the door.<br /> Turning the corner, tears blur my vision. I plow into Jayce. His hard body becomes a wall supporting me. His hands circle my waist and for way longer than a split second, I hope Brett comes out of his room and catches his father holding me.<br /> Maybe there is something wrong with me. I'm not usually the type of person to want revenge.<br /> I shift my eyes to the stairwell past Jayce. "Umm, sorry, I need to go."<br /> His grip tightens.<br /> "I've got you." His tone has never been so low and possessive. "Let's go downstairs."<br /> "I'm fine." I try to move but not enough to convince him that's what I want. I give in to his grip, his protection. My se.x tingles. My entire body tingles. And when he pulls me into his chest, his arms firm around my back, and if I can believe myself, his lips in my hair, and something very hard against my belly. For the first time ever, I question that being wired wrong might not be such a bad thing.<br /> "You deserve to be treated better than that." His words. His tone. His belief in me. They're turning me to mush. They're giving me hope for something I know better than to believe in.<br /> "A real man would treat me better." It's supposed to be a jab at his son, his child, but as I angle my head up and get lost in Jayce's possessive gaze, I can't be sure of my intent. My momentary bravado lures me into the forbidden.<br /> The sincerity in his gaze penetrates me. It's how a man should look at a woman he loves. Not that I've experienced it until this moment. But it's clear. It has me questioning everything.<br /> It's too much. I'm hurt. I'm mad. I'm making things up.<br /> Before I embarrass myself, I pull away from his comfort and warmth. I drift my hands down both handrails, and stride to the front door. The cold metal of the handle is my ticket to freedom, but movement in Jayce's office catches my attention.<br /> Is someone else here? I have the door in motion as I turn my face to see.<br /> The handsome stranger is chiseled in all of the right ways. Enough to make me misstep. To crack the door into the side of my head.<br /> "Oomph." I stumble back, unsure if I've lost balance from the collision or if the ravenous look in his eyes, which I certainly made up, made my legs go weak.<br /> He circles the desk. The look intensifies. I can't let him touch me. I still can't breathe from Jayce's contact. Why am I thinking he would do that? I must have hit my head harder than I thought.<br /> Steadying myself, I run out of the Hampton household as fast as possible.<br /> That should be it. Brett and I are done. I'm not going to pretend that Mister Hampton or his friend lust after me. I'm going to give myself a minute for an impromptu pity party then do my best to get some sleep before the school district's training day for new hires.<br /> But this night can't go wrong enough.<br /> When I get home, my curtains are still open. My house still faces the Hampton's house, because despite it feeling like the entire world shifted on its axis and everything tilted out of whack, nothing has changed.<br /> I'm still wildly turned on by Brett's dad. And his friend. It's not just in the lingering sensation of his fingers wrapped around my waist like he didn't want to let go, or the incredible hardness of his body as he held me tightly. Or the way both of them looked at me like I was theirs.<br /> I'm standing at my floor-to-ceiling window, my hands gripped on the curtains on either side ready to pull them closed, and once again, I can't move.<br /> Jayce's silhouette is in his window, one that I know to be their entertainment room. He's backlit by a lamp. His hands are braced just above shoulder height on either side of the window. If I can trust my eyes, he's staring at me.<br /> Or more accurately, he's staring at my window, because up until a split second ago, I wasn't in it.<br /> But now that I am, he's not moving, so I guess that makes my first assumption correct...he's staring at me.<br /> I like it.<br /> And when his friend walks up behind him, I like it even more.<br /> -<br /> Mydad and I were hanging out but he had somewhere to go. I suppose that was his way of avoiding saying he had something to do at the hospital. Why bother hiding it?<br /> It's fine. I'm exhausted, so I retreat to my bedroom.<br /> For the last three days, I've been swamped with district training and revamping my lesson plans.<br /> It's been a wild, exhausting ride. The training alone would have been enough since I had to switch gears from first grade to kindergarten to take this position, which meant revamping my lesson plans. But I'd also taken on the after-school program, which meant extra long days and an entire other lesson plan.<br /> All of the hecticness aside, I'm glad I made a last-minute change to accept the teaching position close to where I grew up. Once I settle into a routine, I ought to be able to see old friends. Or am I putting it off because I'm a chicken?<br /> My former best friend, Calli, is here and I really want to make amends. I need to apologize for dismissing her concerns years before and being a pretty horrific best friend.<br /> What if her number changed? I'll just think she's ghosting me. Which I would deserve. Plus, I must have left my phone downstairs. I'll text her tomorrow. Bawk<br /> Slipping my silky robe over my pajama set, a tank top and short shorts, I stare at my closed curtains. I could easily say that I've been too busy to bother opening them...for three days.<br /> The truth is that I'm worried what I'll see if I do. Bawk. Bawk.<br /> It's not Brett's window that worries me anymore. He left town the day after someone broke his nose. Word travels fast in a small town, but thankfully the detail about me is missing.<br /> Each night when I've crawled into bed, I've stared at the curtains, pretending that if I open them Jayce will still be in his window, hands braced on the edges, waiting on me. Wanting to make sure I'm okay. Desperate to show me how a man should treat a woman.<br /> This is when his friend usually enters the fantasy, and I let both men tend to the needs I've been denied.<br /> I've gone off the deep end.<br /> I thought it was a twisted rebound fantasy...wanting my ex's dad and his friend. The truth is that I've always wanted Jayce. I kept trying to force the desire into an inaccessible part of my brain since I was dating his son.<br /> Now that I'm single, I'd hoped to get Jayce and his friend out of my system by letting my fantasies run wild while I pleasured myself.<br /> That took things the wrong direction. Thoughts of them morphed into what I can only describe as an obsession. It's clouding my ability to think, even when I'm at work.<br /> And that's too much. I can't lose this job.<br /> I moved back home not only because my tough-love dad developed a soft spot and let me stay for free, but I want to work on our relationship. I'd felt alone when I was away at school. Now that I'm an adult with a job, I think he'll be able to relate to me more—thus the added reason not to lose it. While I was growing up, he'd been so busy with patients and creating new programs at the hospital that I hardly knew him.<br /> Which is why when he got a text and said he needed to leave tonight, I wasn't surprised.<br /> I laugh out loud. Considering how many hours of the day I'm putting into my job, the apple didn't fall far from the tree. At least we spend time together each evening since he agreed he could do better.<br /> It's weird recognizing that my dad's obsession with work is rooted in wanting to bring better healthcare to our little neck of the woods. Too bad it came with the sacrifice of not being around much when I was little. Not so different than my love of kids and wanting to give them the best start possible.<br /> My thoughts deviate back to Jayce. This can't be healthy. Perhaps Brett was right, my interest in intercourse is—No. No more of that thinking. He lied to me. He cheated on me. He made me feel dirty for wanting intercourse.<br /> But wanting intercourse with his dad...that has to qualify as dirty.<br /> Perhaps if I open my curtains, I'll find out just how dirty he is.<br /> I rub my hands over my face. No. I'll pull the curtains back so I can accept that he doesn't brood in his window each night. My fantasy is clearly out of control. I need to find someone else to fantasize about.<br /> I tamp down the idea of his friend. Too awkward. Too old. Actually, the friend is younger. And I'm back down one of my lust spirals.<br /> Pushing both panels back a few inches, my breath hitches when the light is on in the Hampton's game room.<br /> Curling my fingers around the edges of my curtains, I tuck the fabric to my chest. The flutters and tingles rushing through me are wrong.<br /> I force my gaze to Brett's window. Nothing. No light. No Brett. No feelings. Yay? Shouldn't I feel something?<br /> Movement pulls my attention back to the illuminated window. Jayce enters the room.<br /> My skin tickles every time he looks my way. I'm sure it's all in my head. With my lights off, he can't see me anyway.<br /> Angling one thigh into the other, I shift my hips to ease the mounting tension. I'll have to throw myself back into the dating scene. Find a guy who doesn't criticize me for wanting to have intercourse. Should I list on my profile that I'm looking for real men? I snicker at my misstep...looking for a real man. Maybe someone older?<br /> My heartbeat quickens as I consider what it would be like to have more than one. Is that a deviant thought? Maybe if Brett hadn't deprived me, I wouldn't be so wound up.<br /> Drawing the curtains to have a couple feet of opening, I sit on the plush chaise that faces the window from only a few feet away. Growing up, I used it for relaxing and reading, staring out at the mountains, and yes, staring at Brett. He never did the same. And when he caught me in my window one night, he texted to tell me it wasn't polite to watch people through their windows.<br /> It was one of many desires I had that he didn't share. He'd made me feel naughty for the things I wanted.<br /> But with my lights off, no one in their house can see into my room. I know from leaving my stuffed animals on the chaise then trying to see them from Brett's window. He may not have wanted to watch, but that didn't stop me. So many nights I'd willed my dirty thoughts would go away. So many nights they didn't.<br /> So many nights I watched his dad instead. Nothing hot, except for the way he makes walking through a room look hot, but those are my little secrets.<br /> I settle in at the perfect angle where I can see Jayce, and get comfortable enough to take care of myself. I swear he keeps looking at my window. Can he see me?<br /> Nearly breathless, I monitor his glances. Four more pauses on my window give no indication he can see in. But he's looking. I like that.<br /> Swallowing hard, I slide my hand into the waistband of my shorts. My fingers brush over my curls. This is probably illegal. I'll blame it on emotional scarring from Brett denying me se.x while he was boning someone else.<br /> Lazily dragging my finger through my juices, I let out a sigh. I'm so wet it's ridiculous. Not sure my thing for older guys would translate well into real-life dating, but it's good fantasy fodder.<br /> You deserve to be treated better than that. Jayce's words carry so loudly through my mind that I look around my room. Not here. He's still safely two panes of glass and lawns away.<br /> I relax into the seat. Jayce moves back and forth across the room, around the pool table, occasionally stepping out of sight, but never for long.<br /> Succumbing to my imagination, I pretend I'm on the pool table. He's circling me. Studying me the way I've watched him study the angle for a pool shot.<br /> Jayce's gaze lands on my window, a little longer this time. My breath catches in my throat. I don't breathe again until he looks away. If he could see, there's no way he would have looked away. Right?<br /> A hint of guilt niggles in my mind...unless he wishes his son's ex-girlfriend would get control of herself, and quit being a lewd little voyeur. Or is it a naughty exhibitionist? Is it possible to be both? It seems wrong that I think of myself as naughty and lewd, but that turns me on too.<br /> He studies the table, rakes a hand through his hair, and leans over. I double-down circling my cherry. How good would his tongue feel?<br /> I moan and sink my fingers inside of me. Forget his tongue. What would his shaft feel like? Instead of telling me he wants to wait until we're married, he'd show me how a real man pleases a woman.<br /> Hand, tongue, shaft...so many orgasms...I stir myself into a frenzy. Another moan escapes my lips, my eyes fall shut, and I drop my head back as I draw myself closer.<br /> Light streams into my consciousness. Is it the start of my climax? I'm so close. It's not my climax though. What's happening?<br /> I blink hard against the brightness coming from the hallway as I take in my dad's voice, "Madi, you okay?"<br /> He was supposed to leave already.<br /> I scramble to pull my robe over myself, get my hand out of my shorts, and rectify my spread-eagle position.<br /> "I'm fine," I blurt. Please don't let him realize what I'm doing. He can't see Jayce's window from where my door is. Tempering my voice with annoyance, I shift so I'm facing over the back of the chaise and continue, "I was looking at the stars, relaxing."<br /> Feigning a glance outside, my sights catch on Jayce standing squarely in his window. This can't be happening.<br /> "Hmm, didn't know you liked to do that." My dad steps into my room, extending his hand and my phone. "You left this downstairs."<br /> No. No. No. I can't let him come over.<br /> "Set it on my dresser." I point to the other side of the door. "Thanks, Dad. Catch you in the morning."<br /> He follows my cue—problem one solved.<br /> "You know. It's nice having you home and getting to spend quality time with you. I love you, Madi."<br /> "Love you too, Dad." I don't have time for a trip down memory lane or correcting him that I don't want to use that nickname anymore. And I don't dare look out the window.<br /> "You worked hard this week. You deserve some R and R. I'm proud of you."<br /> Maybe not if you knew what you just interrupted. My stomach is in knots waiting as he steps out and closes the door. Darkness cloaks my room once again.<br /> A second passes before I turn to the window. Nothing could prepare me for what I see. Jayce is waiting for me. Exactly the way I imagined in my fantasies—his hands braced on either side of the window.<br /> I draw a slow breath. He must have seen me. He can't see me now. What do I do?<br /> Do I want to find out how a real man treats a woman?	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1,778,138	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778264}'	No	2024-05-08 18:34	active	760	454095590632691	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Is it yours?" I blurted out the question that had been hovering on the edge of my lips. My fingers clutched at the sheets in a death grip as I braced for the answer.<br /> "Don't change the subject !" He growled, glaring at me.<br /> "Elisa's baby, is it yours?" I asked, feeling my own anger and frustration rise. I hated being accused of being a manipulator when I had no idea what it even was that I was supposedly manipulating. I was angry that Aiden could so blatantly cheat on me, could hold Elisa's hand while she was pregnant while I was all but starved of the tiniest form of affection from my husband. <br /> —<br /> I sagged against the wall of the clinic, not trusting my legs to carry me any further without collapsing in a heap on the floor.<br /> Slowly, as though in a slow motion video, I lifted the picture clutched tight in my left hand and stared at the black and white mass that the nurse had handed over to me after the doctor had pronounced the four words that I had not been expecting at all.<br /> Disbelief and shock and a dozen other thoughts waged a battle in my head. Most prominent thought was 'how?' How could I have gotten pregnant?<br /> Which was a silly question, really. After all I knew all about how babies were made, I wasn't that naive. Still, it had been just the one time, my first time. One time.<br /> A headache bloomed in my temples and I sighed and let my eyes drift shut. Unconsciously, I crumpled the paper in a tight fist, fighting the surge of tears that stung my lids. This was not the time to give in to bouts of self pity, I had to figure out what to do, how to break the news to Aiden and brace myself for what comes after.<br /> I caught sight of the gleaming Mercedes already idling at the front entrance to the hospital, drawing admiring and envious gazes. Thanks to the heavily tinted windows, none of them could see the occupants of the car, but I knew Aiden would be in the back seat, watching me approach. Feeling self conscious at all the attention, I walked up to the car just as the driver's door opened and our chauffeur, Martin, came around to open the back door.<br /> "Afternoon Ma'am." Martin intoned in crisp, professional tones as he held the door open.<br /> "Hello Martin," I murmured, distractedly.<br /> The cause of my distraction sat at the other end of the seat, narrowed dark brown eyes, set in a face that many women and men had described as drop dead gorgeous, were trained on me as he watched me almost lose balance and topple head first into the car.<br /> Disapproval oozed from him in waves as he watched my blunder and my cheeks heated from embarrassment, but I managed to right myself just in time to avoid disaster, mumbling an apology that was ignored.<br /> "Did you get the signed contract?" He asked, his voice deep, sliding over my ears like hot chocolate on a cold winter's morning and I had to suppress the thrilling shiver that ran through me. It wouldn't do to let him see how much everything about him affected me. Yes, I was hopelessly in love with him, but I didn't need a fortune teller to tell me my love was neither wanted nor reciprocated.<br /> I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded. "Yes, everything's all set. We should be able to deliver the first batch of lab equipment by the end of month." I fished out my tablet and switched it on, quickly bringing up the signed contract for him to see. "Dr. Mason sends his regards as well."<br /> Aiden merely spared one glance at the screen and nodded. "It's your project. You'll be the main liaison with Vincent at the hospital. Handle it well."<br /> "Of course." I murmured and slid the tablet back in my purse. My fingers brushed the edge of the picture that would either be the final nail in the coffin of our marriage, or the start of a new beginning.<br /> "Aiden..." My palms began to sweat and I could literally hear my heart pounding in my ears. I swallowed nervously and wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.<br /> Rip off the bandaid.<br /> He looked at me, expression devoid of any emotion. It had always been hard to get a read on Aiden and I usually prided myself on being able to read people with some measure of accuracy. Not Aiden though. He was a block of marble - cold, impenetrable.<br /> "What is it?" There was a hint of impatience in his voice and that made me lose what little nerve I had managed to muster.<br /> "I..." I hated myself for stuttering, because I could see how much it irritated him, if the narrowed eyes and wry twist of his lips was any indication. My hands formed tight fists, nails digging into the soft flesh of my palms, the pain helping to ground me a little. "While I was at the hospital, I stopped by..."<br /> His phone went off, the sound shattering the tense moment and drowning out my words. I fell silent as Aiden cursed under his breath and slid the phone from his inner suit pocket to glance at the screen. In the dim interior of the car, I could easily see the lit up screen and the name of the caller displayed.<br /> Elisa.<br /> A tinge of bile filled my throat at the sight of the name. My shoulders sagged and I looked away, my chest feeling like a vise had clamped down on it, squeezing tight.<br /> "Can it wait?" I heard Aiden ask and I glanced up at him. He was looking at me with that same impatient look, head turned to one side as he waited for my answer. "I need to take this call, we can talk afterwards."<br /> "Yeah, sure." I said, forcing a lightness to my voice that I didn't feel. I watched as Aiden accepted the call, my throat tight as I noticed the way his voice got softer, the way his tense shoulders relaxed as he listened to the reply on the other end, the hint of a smile that lifted his stern mouth and felt the vice tighten until I could barely breathe.<br /> Unable to bear the sight, I looked away, swallowing down the lump of bitter emotions that threatened to spill over. I let my mind wander again, unwilling to listen to whatever conversation they were having, knowing it would only hurt me more.<br /> <br /> With a small sign, I stood up and headed towards my room, carrying the box. As I passed one of the rooms, I heard familiar voices coming from inside and without meaning to, I stopped to listen.<br /> "Do you feel better now?" I heard Aiden say. His voice was gentle and filled with concern. I peeked into the room to see who he was talking to. Elisa lay on a daybed by the window with Aiden crouched in front of her, holding onto her hand.<br /> "Yes," She replied and smiled weakly at him. "I'm sorry to be so much trouble."<br /> "It's fine. Vincent will be up to check on you soon."<br /> "I really don't need a doctor." Elisa whispered. "I'll be fine, really."<br /> "You may be, but we don't want to risk anything, especially with the baby."<br /> Shock reverberated through my entire body as I stood rooted to the spot, my head swimming from what I'd just heard. I must have made a sound because they both looked at me, Aiden with a dark expression and Elisa with what I could only describe as a guilty flush.<br /> "What do you want?" Aiden straightened, his eyes flashing in impatience. Through the fog in my mind, I noticed that he hadn't let go of Elisa's hand even while talking to me.<br /> I opened my mouth several times in an attempt to reply but no words came out, my brian seemingly having turned to mush. Several thoughts were swimming through my mind but most prominent were two big questions.<br /> Elisa was pregnant and was Aiden the father?<br /> My gaze landed on their clasped hands and a despair so deep started at the pit of my stomach.<br /> "Jessica!" Aiden's bark pulled me from the jumble of my thoughts. I stared at him blankly, my eyes welling with unshed tears then I looked at Elisa.<br /> "You're pregnant?" I asked stupidly. My voice was a low whisper, broken and hoarse.<br /> At her nod, my knees threatened to give way and I gripped the door for support. I wanted to ask my second question, but I couldn't bring myself to utter the words, I didn't want to know the truth because I wasn't sure I would survive it.<br /> The box slipped from my numb hand and tumbled to the floor with a dull thud. Aiden's eyes fell on the box and if it were possible for his expression to get any colder, it did.<br /> "What are you doing with that?" He demanded in a tone filled with frost.<br /> Still shocked I glanced down at the box then bent down to pick it up. The metal felt cold in my hand as I clasped it to my chest, while fighting the sting of tears.<br /> "Who gave that to you?" Aiden asked. He let go of Elisa's hand and stalked towards me, eyes shooting sparks of blue ice.<br /> "Jodie gave it to me." I replied, taking a step back as he approached, feeling a bit frightened by his ferocity.<br /> He stopped in front of me, mouth set in a thin line. "We need to talk. Now."<br /> Without waiting for my response, his hand closed over my wrist and he towed me along as he strode out of the room, pausing only to reassure Elisa that he would be right back. I stumbled behind him, struggling to match his long strides, clutching the box to my chest like a lifeline. We entered his room and he let go of me to slam the door shut.<br /> The curtains were drawn, casting the room in darkness but I could make out some of the furnishings. Not trusting my legs to hold me up any longer, I perched on the edge of the bed, rubbing my sweaty palms over my dress as I watched Aiden pace round the room, my pulse fluttering in anxiety.<br /> Finally, with a brusque laugh that held bitterness, Aiden stopped in front of me, arms folded. "You really are something else, Jessica." his tone dripped with frost. "Even after two years in this marriage, you're still so determined to manipulate me to get what you want right?"<br /> "Is it yours?" I blurted out the question that had been hovering on the edge of my lips. My fingers clutched at the sheets in a death grip as I braced for the answer.<br /> "Don't change the subject !" He growled, glaring at me.<br /> "Elisa's baby, is it yours?" I asked, feeling my own anger and frustration rise. I hated being accused of being a manipulator when I had no idea what it even was that I was supposedly manipulating. I was angry that Aiden could so blatantly cheat on me, could hold Elisa's hand while she was pregnant while I was all but starved of the tiniest form of affection from my husband.<br /> Something flashed across his expression but was gone too quickly for me to identify what it was. Then his lips thinned, his eyes flashing with mockery. "And what if it is?" He drawled. "Surely you did not expect me to live like a monk when I have a cold fish for a wife?"<br /> Each word hit me with the force of a thousand bricks. "That's not fair, Aiden."<br /> "Fair? You want to talk to me about what's fair?" Aiden leaned over me, one hand on each side, effectively caging me in. "Don't make this into a pity party for yourself, Jessica, you don't get to feel sorry for any misery you brought on yourself the day you plotted with my father to force me to marry you."<br /> I shut my eyes so he wouldn't see my despair. "For the last time, I had nothing to do with Julian's decision."<br /> "Yes, well he's not here to defend himself, is he?" Aiden sneered. He gestured at the box which was on the bed. "Do you really think what's in that box can stop me from ending this marriage?"<br /> "I don't know." I whispered, each pulse like a thousand needles piercing through my skin. I didn't know what was in the box, but what I did know was that I could no longer lie to myself. My marriage was beyond saving and even if Aiden chose to stay with me, we would just continue to hurt each other.<br /> I drew in a shaky breath and gathered my thoughts. "You're right, there's no use trying to save this marriage anymore. We should get a divorce, I'm willing to sign anything, let's just go our separate ways."<br /> He stared at me, his gaze roving over my face as though he was trying to gauge the depth of my emotions. "Why?"<br /> "You said it yourself, our marriage is a sham and it's making us both miserable so we might as well end it." I couldn't resist adding bitterly. "And you can finally be with the one you've always wanted."<br /> He straightened, folded his arms, still watching me intently. "What do you want in the divorce?"<br /> "I really don't care. I just want this to be over." I pushed to my feet, wanting to be alone, where I could feel sorry for myself in peace. "I have a flight to catch in two hours, you can send over the divorce papers when I get to Winsconsin. I'll move my things out of the house when I get back from my trip. Excuse me."<br /> I pushed past him, but he stopped me. "About Elisa..." he began but I stopped him with a cold glare.<br /> "I don't care anymore, Aiden. You can marry her tomorrow for all I care. Have a nice life."<br /> I stormed out of the room and almost collided into Vincent who was just entering the room. He steadied me, his brow furrowing when he saw the state I was in.<br /> "Jess, what's wrong?" He asked, eyes darting from me to Aiden.<br /> "Nothing's wrong, I just have a flight to catch. Please excuse me." I broke free from his grip and hurried away. Let Aiden be the one to explain, let him say whatever he wanted, I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to leave Skye manor and everything it meant.<br /> Needing to avoid the people milling about, I headed for the west side where there was a set of stairs that led to the lake and from there I could get to the parking lot. My bags were still in the car and I could only hope that Martin was closeby.<br /> "Jess! Wait a moment." Elisa called out from behind me. I hastened my steps, I didn't want to talk to her, didn't trust myself to not lose my cool and lash out at her. Right now, I hated her for everything she represented.<br /> "Jessica!" she called out again but I kept moving. I could see the stairs just ahead and hurried towards it. Just as I reached the first step, I felt my arm being wrenched from behind.<br /> I turned towards her defensively, intending to yank my arm away. The next seconds happened in slow motion as I watched, the horrified look on Elisa's face as she stumbled forward from the force, tripped over my foot and plunged headfirst down the steep flight of stairs.<br /> I heard a piercing scream and realized it was coming from me, as I stood frozen as Elisa tumbled down the stairs to land in a broken heap at the base. My heart hammered in my chest, fingers stiff and cold as I forced myself to move, eyes glued on the gruesome sight below. Someone shoved past me, pushing me aside so hard my shoulder hit the guardrail and I gasped as pain bloomed from the spot.<br /> "What did you do to her?" Aiden had reached Elisa, he kneeled down beside her, his expression a picture of panic and fear. He gathered her carefully in his arms and I felt my head swim at the sight of the blood pooling beneath her. I slid down and sat on a step, my legs having turned to jelly.<br /> "Aiden, don't move her, she may have a spinal injury." Vincent yelled as he brushed past me. Aiden set her back down on the ground, her face pale and lifeless.<br /> "Call nine one one." Vincent instructed as he began emergency procedures on Elisa. With trembling fingers, Aiden pulled out his cell phone and dialed.<br /> The next hour passed in a blur. The ambulance came and went, Aiden and Vincent going along with them, but not before Aiden had paused by me to say harshly.<br /> "If anything happens to Elisa or her baby, you'll wish you were never born."<br /> I stood gazing in the distance long after the tail lights of the ambulance had disappeared, unaware of anything, my mind blank of any thought save the sight of Elisa lying helpless and bleeding.<br /> Someone draped a large jacket over my shoulders and I finally tore my eyes away from the treeline to see Logan standing beside me.<br /> "It's freezing out here, come inside." He gently steered me towards the house and my feet followed, still numb.<br /> "I need to go to the hospital," I mumbled, clutching at the lapels of the coat. "Need to make sure she's okay."<br /> "I'll take you there." Logan assured me as he led me to a chair. "But first, let's get you warmed up and out of shock."<br /> I shook my head and attempted to stand up. "No, I need to go now. Elisa could be..." I choked off with a sob, unwilling to complete my sentence.<br /> Logan pulled me into a hug. "She'll be alright, Jess. Don't worry."<br /> I pulled away and turned towards the door. "Please, Logan. Let's go now."<br /> He saw the desperation on my face and nodded. "Okay, let's go."<br /> We got into his car, a sleek black ferrari convertible just as Jodie caught up to us.<br /> "Mom, we're heading to the hospital," I heard him say to her. I was still too numb to do much more than sit there, tense and worried because I was scared to death.<br /> She leaned down to my window and took my hands in hers, giving me a comforting squeeze. "Are you alright, hun?"<br /> Tears filled my eyes and I shook my head. I wasn't sure if I would ever be alright again. She gently pushed back strands of my hair that had come loose from my face. "I...I didn't mean to hurt her...I would never try to..."<br /> "I know, dear. Don't beat yourself up. It was an accident, and those happen sometimes. Remember not to push yourself too hard, there's someone who depends on your well being, okay?"<br /> I nodded and she smiled, let go of my hands and turned to her son. "Drive carefully and give me a call when you get to the hospital."<br /> "Yeah mom. I'll do that." Logan turned on the ignition and the engines responded with a loud roar.<br /> "What happened, Jess?" Logan asked once we were on the road to the hospital which was thankfully not too far. "How did Elisa fall down those stairs?"<br /> I sighed and told him everything. From Elisa's pregnancy with Aiden to our impending divorce and finally, with a throat tight with emotion, the scene at the stairs. I told him about my pregnancy as well. Logan listened with growing incredulity, his knuckles in a death grip on the wheel, jaw set in fury.<br /> "I'm going to kill him." He gritted out once I had finished. "That cheating prick had the balls to threaten you because of his side chick? I'm going to cut off his balls and stuff them in his mouth. He cheated on you while you're carrying his child?"<br /> "He doesn't know about the baby." I rubbed at my belly distractedly. "I was going to tell him after my trip."<br /> "That doesn't excuse him at all. He shouldn't have cheated on you."<br /> I hummed in response, grateful that we were approaching the hospital parking lot. We hurried into the building, my anxiety at critical levels as we neared the front desk, then followed directions to the trauma ward.<br /> "What are you doing here?" Aiden growled at me when we entered the surgery waiting room. He and Vincent were the only ones inside, their clothing rumpled and stained with blood. "Get out, right now."<br /> "Don't order her around." Logan snapped, coming to stand in front of me, his eyes glaring daggers at Aiden. "Unless this room is in your name, you don't get to decide who stays or leaves."<br /> "Logan," Aiden took several steps forward, tone low and deadly. "Do not test me right now. Take her and get out of here before I do something that'll land us both in prison."<br /> "Logan, let's leave. Please." I tugged at his sleeve, scared that the two men would actually come to blows.<br /> "We're not leaving. I'd like to see what he can do."<br /> At this time, both men were literally nose to nose and the air was thick with so much tension, you could slice it with a blunt knife.<br /> Aiden's jaw worked, his knuckles white and I could see he was trying his best not to swing at Logan. Both men were tall, though Aiden had several inches on Logan, his shoulders were broader, muscles more well defined. Still, I'd seen Logan fight before, he'd broken more than his share of noses in highschool and college. The guy could hold his own against a bigger opponent.<br /> "Okay, the both of you need to calm down." Vincent inserted himself between the two men, arms out on either side. "This is neither the time nor place for this, not while Elisa is in surgery."<br /> When neither man still moved, Vincent gently pushed Aiden back and he moved away reluctantly, his gaze still pinned on Logan.<br /> Vincent turned to me, his eyes devoid of actual warmth for the first time since I'd known him. "Jess, you two can stay."<br /> "How is Elisa?" I asked.<br /> "She's still in surgery for internal bleeding, but the ER doctor said she didn't have any spinal injuries, so that's good, but with the baby, she's not out of the woods yet."<br /> "I'm so sorry." I whispered. "This is my fault." If only I had stopped to talk to her, if only I hadn't tried to pull away when she grabbed my arm...<br /> So many if onlys.<br /> Aiden scoffed and pinned me with a glare. "Of course it's your fault. You pushed her, didn't you?"<br /> "No!" I cried out, shaking my head frantically. "I didn't push her, I swear. I would never do that."<br /> He looked like he didn't believe me. "Of course, you didn't."<br /> "She didn't push her, prick." Logan snapped at Aiden. "Your girlfriend was the one who came running after Jess, probably to gloat over the divorce."<br /> "Watch your mouth or I swear I'll..."<br /> "Guys, cool it." Vincent raised his voice in exasperation. "We're going to get thrown out of the hospital if you keep this up."<br /> We retreated to opposite sides of the room, Logan and I on one end, Aiden and Vincent at the other. Aiden sat down and took out his phone and proceeded to ignore us.<br /> An hour passed before a doctor clad in purple scrubs came over to inform us that Elisa was out of surgery and in recovery. She had ruptured her spleen in the fall and sustained some injuries, including a broken arm, but otherwise would be expected to make a full recovery.<br /> We all breathed out a collective sigh of relief until Aiden asked tersely. "And the baby? Will it be okay?"	LEARN_MORE	https://a.mobobooks.com/ad/TW9ib29rcy8xNzE4NDgvMjA	187930081060768	Mob003	https://facebook.com/61553279956983	38	1	1,814,896,575,662,779	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	Mob003	120208152651420018	a.mobobooks.com	NONE	video		https://a.mobobooks.com/ad/TW9ib29rcy8xNzE4NDgvMjAyNDA1MDgxMDU4MzgvcGFnZQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-05-07 22:05	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441243275_631875719161174_5533662278487326752_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ktfOQHKqN18Q7kNvgH0ms_W&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCaAt06ABi_Mq5Pki5BcFltdQGeH9z2lz0E0D8AJXI6tw&oe=6641D09F	person_profile	Mob003	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440336414_1007805017544336_8134526855284681474_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KErtjMVLb20Q7kNvgHapbn1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBH08qJg9vpeuhHEannpsc2MJw-NUGOjaFMJi6ZVmFZMg&oe=6641D472	3	Mob003	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,962	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778979}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:44	active	760	971454487710883	Enjoy Romance🥰Read More 👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"<br /> <br /> &13&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	108744435202789	Novellove read	https://facebook.com/100083283215376	4,076	1	1,159,173,758,573,020	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Novellove read	120208491470460660	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	video		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=216543&accid=1910509592737470	2024-05-06 05:07	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439936089_459391773139731_6439015861434469583_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u-8wc8TOGOMQ7kNvgHS_wbA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAFWqe6jqaWVyRm3egjVM2UBweBhxfqJ0kV7NGBOPqaxw&oe=6641F42B	person_profile	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441409982_810572597125450_1431756573250791344_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4KXRRLMllVwQ7kNvgGpGzWT&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBNMDJwsGC-ygyYdCiZ2zen6EKJYkBV1NMkXGq5CPM0XA&oe=6641D7FF	3	Novellove read	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,517	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778520}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:39	active	760	463811719396896	No More Shoulder Pain	Top physical therapists have developed a breakthrough Compression Shoulder Brace designed to provide support precisely where it's required to ease frozen shoulder pain, rotator cuff pain, arthritic shoulder, and general shoulder pain.<br /> <br /> Get your first time customers discount today -> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsecure.healthylabco.com%2Fshoulder-brace-visual-advertorial&h=AT3nyESXnrw5vrXaTfOmaeH8B9iS9WHzVev2aRWHpVmxo7AzJWnaYY1rR70onKQSd5kmayUKzHf_0gagj7eTcX9_W-UiHg3hnpew9eS1nis-7MR9QbrbsQP5dS_GYUUK5XzcpVPw82HUhw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://secure.healthylabco.com/shoulder-brace-visual-advertorial</a>	LEARN_MORE	https://secure.healthylabco.com/shoulder-brace-vis	102542762731233	Shoulder Pain Relief Compression Brace	https://facebook.com/100089123592491	4,101	1	1,831,806,733,990,553	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Shoulder Pain Relief Compression Brace	120209316927220364	secure.healthylabco.com	NONE	video	Guaranteed Shoulder Pain Relief Or Your Money Back	https://secure.healthylabco.com/shoulder-brace-visual-advertorial?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}	2024-05-08 04:41	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440746012_386982240998861_4107211389947907147_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CZ8KCTn_nJ8Q7kNvgFc235P&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfChyNNVWNT4x7tFtA6yf8jyxUAAUmlDiURr0-NyPYlLhA&oe=6641DD3A	person_profile	Shoulder Pain Relief Compressi	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440740014_455844930253758_2506807078823394195_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZeLgPk2EiEIQ7kNvgF_oKOV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCOckO2TLuuaY-4AyD5Uje3cRGcaf4asKEdb-mq7TxtmQ&oe=6641DC6C	3	Shoulder Pain Relief Compression Brace	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,434	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778436}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:38	active	760	1115694106307709	💯 End Nerve Tingling and Burning Sensations	🔥 Many have been told Neuropathy is irreversible nerve damage, that's not true... ⤵️<br /> <br /> The root cause is not even in the nerves themselves... <br /> <br /> But in decay of the branches that connect them. <br /> <br /> Meet Benjamin Marsh, a retired sergeant who uncovered the unbelievable truth that's been hidden from you. <br /> <br /> Who had to find for himself that the relentless burning, tingling, and numbness in his hands and feet...<br /> <br /> Was his nerves screaming for help, telling him to do something or give up the limb! <br /> <br /> After the pain relievers made his problem worse, he tried all conventional remedies without success...<br /> <br /> Until, in his desperate search, Benjamin stumbled on an ancient East-Asian secret that changed his life forever.<br /> <br /> Now shown in clinical trials to turn back Neuropathy...<br /> <br /> …and extinguish all nerve discomfort in just a few days by scientists from John Hopkins and California University...<br /> <br /> Some institutes are even calling it the "heal-all fungus".<br /> <br /> This message is reaching you NOW for a reason. <br /> <br /> We're unveiling this secret only to a select few, and today, you're one of them. <br /> <br /> Learn l the full story behind <br /> Benjamin’s discovery and seize the chance to transform your life. <br /> <br /> This isn’t just hope; it's a solution at your fingertips – but only if you act now! ⏱️	LEARN_MORE	https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution	100291402430512	Neurology Daily	https://facebook.com/neurologydaily	451	16	801,114,488,596,475	2024-05-08 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Neurology Daily	120209122543580373	instituteofneuropathy.com	NONE	image	If you’re OVER 45 and as soon as your feet touch the ground you feel a hard discomfort, tingling or some burning sensation...	https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution	2024-05-08 09:46	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442372194_3717257085187428_3000212085324232386_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=po2bzd1By64Q7kNvgFlQUuC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBiw630qTTR_kKrbpSlC-L0CJgEzewp-hyhvKW6AFF3Yw&oe=6641CDCE	person_profile	Neurology Daily	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440213909_1553859315182681_2016010387075090658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=n-OfJ1LQdD0Q7kNvgFCSyo6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAIig92tqe0GHt2GmBzBnLq9F4UF8_Dn798OOxdEOwN3A&oe=6641E1FC	3	Neurology Daily	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,382	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778270}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:37	active	760	3828241914163135	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	Holly and my son are my salvation, and I want nothing more than to be all in with them.<br /> No matter what.<br /> ****<br /> HOLLY<br /> "What did I get myself into?" I mumble to myself as I walk into the massive convention center and find myself surrounded by thousands of people dressed as their favorite comic characters. I dig through my purse to pull out my phone to call my friend when Superman bumps into me, pushing me forward. My phone bounces across the carpet floor.<br /> “Great.” I bend down to retrieve it when a man dressed in a black and red alien suit with horns sticking out everywhere rams into me, knocking me flat on my hip.<br /> “Watch it, lady,” he says gruffly before walking away The nerve. Does anyone here have manners?<br /> This isn't how my day was supposed to go.<br /> I should be at work—as planned—going over cabinet colors and tiles for a client's half a million-dollar new kitchen remodel. Instead, I'm now getting ogled by a cyclops.<br /> My roommate, Amanda, called me in a panic, telling me she got into a fight with her boyfriend and he left her stranded. So, she asked me to come to pick her up. Supposedly, I was her only option.<br /> What she forgot to mention was she was at a sold-out Comic Con convention. I had to park five blocks away, pay the expensive day rate for parking, and now I have to hunt her down through this insane crowd gathered in the convention hall lobby.<br /> I’m not allowed past the massive doors leading into the convention without a ticket, and I don’t see any sign of my bubbly roommate anywhere. Though it’s hard to make out who is who through the crowd of costumed people. Besides me. Who sticks out like a sore thumb looking more like Lois Lane than Black Widow.<br /> I move to find a safe corner, away from all the chaos, and pull out my phone to call Amanda. “Holly. Hey,” she answers with a chirp on the third ring.<br /> "Where are you?"<br /> "I'm inside the Hilton.”<br /> "Okay? That's where I am." And so are a thousand other people. “ But where are you ?”<br /> "I'm the one dressed as Wonder Woman."<br /> I roll my eyes. "There's literally like a hundred people dressed as Wonder Woman here. What are you doing at a Comic Con anyway?"<br /> "It's a long story. Listen, there's a bar on the lower floor; meet me there.<br /> I’ll be there once I get Will Wheaton’s autograph."<br /> "Alright. You can't miss me. I look like the average Joe among the superheroes. You know, the one who actually needs saving."<br /> "Shut up. You’re fine." Amanda giggles.<br /> "You think if I'm lucky, I can find myself a hot Loki?" I joke.<br /> "If you do, find me his brother. I'll be down in a few once I get through this crowd."<br /> The hotel bar is not as crazy as the upstairs, but I still need to weave myself through the crew of the Enterprise and two Princess Leias to find a seat.<br /> I nestle myself on the stool of the long bar, grab the attention of one of the bartenders, and order a glass of their best mid-priced Merlot.<br /> While I wait, I go through some work emails. I have tons of angry messages from my boss for leaving in the middle of a meeting and a few from the client. Hopefully, if I answer my client’s questions, making them happy, it will lessen the blow with my boss on Monday.<br /> Doubt it though.<br /> "Can I get a whiskey? Neat." A gruff voice comes from beside me, grabbing me away from my email.<br /> A man with a red cape, golden locks, and biceps that should be illegal stands before me.<br /> Well, I might not have found a hot Loki, but I did find his fine brother, Thor.<br /> The bartender pushes a napkin to him as he slides onto the stool.<br /> He hunches over, staring down at the bar looking like he has the weight of the world bearing down on his shoulders. His beard is slightly unkempt, while you can tell the rest of him isn't.<br /> The bartender places his drink down, and he quickly picks it up and downs it. He slams the glass back on the counter and asks for another.<br /> He glances over at me, and my cheeks heat from being caught staring at the Norse god. I’m grateful when my phone beeps with a new text from Amanda, though I can still feel Thor’s eyes boring into me.<br /> Amanda: Brian found me and told me he's sorry. He’s going to take me home. Thank you for coming though. I owe you.<br /> "Seriously," I scoff. I should’ve known. This is so typical of her. She always makes me come out somewhere and then leaves me.<br /> I’m at the bar. You want to come by and say hi?<br /> Amanda: We already left. :(<br /> Are you okay?<br /> I double-check just to make sure she is alright. Maybe Brian pulled her by her hair out the door, but I doubt it.<br /> Amanda: I’m great, I swear. It was just a misunderstanding. You know how I get.<br /> As long as you're okay.<br /> Amanda: Yep. You’re the best roomie ever.<br /> Wow. No thank you?<br /> I stab the power button to turn off the offending screen, pick up my glass of drink, and down it, just like the man beside me did moments ago.<br /> I’m pissed. Beyond pissed. She cost me not only thirty dollars for parking but a day's pay. I should have known it wasn’t that urgent. She and her boyfriend are always butting heads, and then an hour later, they’re making up.<br /> I should’ve waited before coming down here.<br /> The bar fills with more cosplayers, and the energy and excitement of the place builds. Music pipes through the speakers and I hear someone mention karaoke. That could be interesting. So screw it, since I already paid for the day I might as well make my time of it.<br /> I wave down the bartender. “Excuse me, can I get a shot of drink.<br /> Lime and salt. Thanks.”<br /> "Everything okay?" God of Thunder eyes me curiously. “This is a big jump.”<br /> "Umm…" I shake my head. "No. My friend bailed after I came all this way to get her thinking she was deserted."<br /> "Some friend," he snorts. “I know what that’s like.”<br /> "Yeah. I left hours of work and an angry boss to come here." I sigh and lose myself momentarily in the haze of his chocolate eyes. "I'm sure you don't want to hear about my woes." I give a gentle smile.<br /> You look like you have a million problems by just looking into your eyes.<br /> “Let’s just say, you’re not alone in your woes.” He smirks. “I mean, I’m just dressed up as a superhero, drinking alone at a bar. Not a single friend around myself.” He shrugs and wraps his fingers around his newly refilled glass.<br /> “Touché. I'm Holly, by the way." I brush my shoulder against his in a poor attempt to flirt.<br /> He tilts his head back over to me, his golden wig slipping slightly revealing his brown locks. "That's a very Jolly name." He gives me a crooked smile as his eyes roam over me.<br /> I roll my eyes. "You should really stick to trying to save Asgard rather than making jokes."<br /> "I have always been told I'm bad at making jokes, but what’s the harm in trying."<br /> “Sorry for the delay,” the bartender says, sliding my shot of drink over to me. He lays the lime on the napkin beside it.<br /> “Thanks,” I tell the bartender and then edge in closer to the handsome stranger beside me. “Well, are you going to tell me your name? Or are you going to make me guess? I’m pretty sure it’s not Thor.”<br /> "The name’s..." He looks down at his glass of whiskey then back at me.<br /> "Liam."<br /> "How come you sound so unsure of that?"<br /> "Because…spirits." He gives me a crooked smile, and I giggle. "Hey, I'm improving."<br /> "You are."<br /> "Cheers to that then." He lifts his glass of whiskey, and I raise my shot of drink.<br /> "Cheers." We clink glasses and then toss them back. “Whoo.” I shake my head as the drink burns down my throat.<br /> Liam picks up the lime and places it to my lips. “Suck,” his husky voice croons. My lips wrap around the lime, and I suck the tart juices, my eyes never leaving his as I do so. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a good night, Holly.” He winks, and his thumb brushes across my bottom lip. I pucker against it, and he smirks. “Oh, yes, a very good night.”<br /> The liquor starts to flow between us, and my somber man loses the wig sometime between the fourth and fifth drink. It turns out Liam is actually funny as the night goes on. He has been keeping me in stitches, and the weight he was carrying when he came in appears to be lifting slightly.<br /> I also haven’t felt this relaxed in months.<br /> Never in a million years would I let myself get this drunk in a bar and on top of it all with a stranger.<br /> I have been so worried about following rules, making plans, sticking to my routine, I never let myself be so reckless.<br /> Tonight, I want to break all the rules I made for myself, live a little.<br /> Take a chance, especially with Liam, who has been spending the whole night making me feel like most beautiful woman in the world.<br /> Every brush of his fingers makes my skin ignite, and I’m desperate for more.<br /> “So, what exactly are you doing here alone? I’m sure it didn't start that way for you,” I ask as I roam my finger over his bulging biceps.<br /> “I got left behind too. I thought I was coming here to have fun. I needed it. It’s been a rough…rough couple of months.”<br /> “Do you want to talk about it?” I offer an ear. I can tell he needs it.<br /> Every time he looks down into that brown liquor, I swear he just wants to drown in it.<br /> “I wouldn’t want to bore you with my problems. Plus, we are having fun.”<br /> “You won’t bore me.”<br /> “You’re too sweet to get weighed down with my problems.” He brushes my hair off my shoulder and rests his other hand on my hip.<br /> “I don't mind. I'm a great listener.”<br /> “I can think of something much more entertaining to do than having some heart to heart.”<br /> “Yeah?” My lips wet as he moves in closer to me.<br /> <br /> The sun rises on the next morning, and I wake up undressed and alone.<br /> Beside me is a note laying on the wrinkled white pillowcase.<br /> I pull the sheet tight to my bare skin and unfold the note. With messy scribble, it reads:<br /> Sorry I had to run and get to work. Room is paid for till 12.<br /> Thanks for a great night. Last night was fun.<br /> -Thor<br /> I crumble up his note and throw it onto the floor.<br /> What did I expect though? I knew what I was getting myself into the second Liam asked me to come up here. I knew he was trouble. My body aches all over, and as I fall back down to the bed, the memories of last night fill my mind. It was all worth it. I shower, dress, and make my exit into <br /> **<br /> Three years later<br /> Music drifts from the garden as I make my way to the deck that overlooks the crowd of mingling socialites, hoping for a moment of peace. I grab my bowtie and yank it loose from my neck. These black-tie events always make me feel as if I'm choking. Money hungry people at every corner nipping at my heels to get a piece of my action. I try to avoid these galas, but I've been forced here against my will by my parents. Though, I know I'm not completely wanted here and only been brought for show. My parents throw these lavish affairs every six months at their estate to make sure their names are always the talk of the elite crowd. It's how it's been since I can remember.<br /> “Champagne, sir?” a pimple faced kid, not old enough to drink himself, offers.<br /> “No,” I grunt, glaring at the kid, who stumbles back, making the drinks wobble. I have an urge to finish knocking them over. “Didn’t they tell you not to bother me?”<br /> “I’m—no—I’m sorry, sir.” The kid tucks his head down and surges away.<br /> I pinch my brow and know it wasn’t the kid’s fault. I doubt my father or mother told the staff not to bother me when it came to spirits beverages.<br /> It’s the one thing I hate about coming to these events; the open bar is only twenty feet away from me. My parents know I'm a recovering addict, and though I've been sober for years, and my main addiction was oxy, spirits was just as much of a crutch to ease my pain. Every day is still a constant battle. Days like today with the stress of a bad couple of weeks rest on my shoulders, and it would be easier to escape in a bottle of whiskey than to deal with the reality.<br /> It’s why I don’t allow myself in these sorts of situations anymore. The temptation where spirits flows freely can be too much.<br /> I swear my old man does this thing to test me, to see if I fail and go back to my ways.<br /> He's always waiting for me to fail.<br /> I've come so far in a short time. I know the dangers I will face if I taste the sweet bourbon.<br /> For now, I tease my mind and rattle the ice in my water glass before I toss it back, letting it chill my bones and pretend it could be something stronger for a second.<br /> I was like a small child, basically trapped in a grown man's body, begging for my dad's approval. Wanting to prove myself to him.<br /> No matter the mountains I pushed or how I succeeded.<br /> It wasn't good enough.<br /> Even after over two years of being sober, when that man storms in, the first thing I think about is drowning, that way I no longer have to hear him.<br /> No longer have to feel.<br /> As I round the corner, my knee is killing me with the sensation of tiny needles being stabbed into it. I stop, needing to catch my breath. A blinking light from above catches my attention. “No , not tonight.” I groan to myself.<br /> Out of all the places, I let my subconscious take me here. The Tilted Keg.<br /> My old stomping grounds. A place I haven’t let myself be outside of in over two years because the temptation is too much. It was the hardest of all my routines to break. Drinking is social. Friends wanting to grab a drink after work and hang out. I had to push back from all of those who didn’t understand the battle I was suffering through. The ones who couldn’t hang with me without drinking.<br /> The smell of wood and stale drink float through the air as the door of the bar opens. For a second, I find myself wanting to go sit in the old place.<br /> Prop myself at the counter with a glass in my hands, hoping what’s inside can take away the demons possessing me by letting me drown them away.<br /> Walk away.<br /> Though when a car door slams, temptation stirs me in a different way.<br /> A beautiful woman draped in red steps out of an Uber and into the night. She wraps her arms around her tight body to fight off the chill of the late evening.<br /> I make out her curves from here, and her flowing strawberry locks dance in the breeze.<br /> I stand watching her. There’s something about her that just catches my eye. Something different from all the rest that calls me to her and draws me in like a moth to a hungry flame, and it has nothing to do with those long tanned legs I’ve already pictured wrapped around me.<br /> I touch her shoulder startling her, her green eyes widen, and her pale cheeks redden.<br /> God , she’s beautiful.<br /> "You look a little lost, Red.”<br /> "No...um...I…No," she stutters nervously.<br /> "Are you okay?" I place my hand on her arm, but she quickly steps back, acting like I shocked her.<br /> "Um, yes, I'm fine," she stammers again, and I chuckle.<br /> Oh Red. What is it about you that captivates me tonight?<br /> Maybe it's the shyness or the wariness in her eyes that has me wanting to sink myself into her so we can get lost together. Or is it because her voice is like a siren's call that captivates me, though it shakes with a nervousness I'm not used to encountering.<br /> "You don’t look fine.”<br /> “I'm just a little chilled." She does have little goosebumps on her arms, but I don’t think it’s just from the cool evening air.<br /> “I know I'm a stranger." I brush back a fallen strand of her hair behind her ear and she shivers in response. "But I promise I don't bite.”<br /> Her whole face flushes brighter than before and there's a glimmer in her eyes that I swear is telling me she likes the idea.<br /> "Why are you blushing, Red? Do you want me to bite?"<br /> She slaps her hands to her cheeks, and I smirk. She's cute.<br /> "You shouldn't be talking that way to me."<br /> "Why not?"<br /> "I don't even know your name."<br /> "Let me fix that then. It's Liam."<br /> "Liam." She repeats in a daze, but I'm confused by why she seems shocked to hear my name.<br /> "Yep. And what about you, Red. You have a name?"	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1,778,351	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-05-08 18:37	active	760	2132161537142265	Continue reading,👉opening the app will jump to the book	“Sorry, we are over, she's pregnant with my baby," he apologized. “But I'm also carrying your baby!” I said through tears....<br /> ------<br /> #Chapter 1: Release Day<br /> <br /> The day of my release has finally come, but it's not the reason I've been waiting for so long. Today is the day my boyfriend Charles will finally propose to me.<br /> <br /> My cellmate Trina hugged me tightly. "We don't want you to leave. If you go, who will help us with wounds and illnesses? That idiot who only engages in harassment but goes by the name of a doctor?"<br /> <br /> I don't want my release day to be so sad. I hugged Trina and said, "Cheer up. You know how long I've been counting down to today. Aren't you happy for me?"<br /> <br /> Before going to prison, I had a bright future as a surgeon, and Charles was a rising star in politics. We were a perfect match.<br /> <br /> When a political opponent planted drugs in his home, I stepped forward to take full responsibility for it. Even though I lost my medical license, I ensured my loved one's future. He promised me that the day I got out of prison would be the day he proposed to me.<br /> <br /> Trina shakes back her long braids. "I said, do you really think this Charles dude is going to show up for you, after all these years? He's never once come to visit you." I bristle at her doubtful tone.<br /> <br /> While I entrusted my life to Charles, other prisoners had their doubts, and I won't judge them. After all, many inmates haven't found their true love yet. They don't understand the meaning of childhood sweethearts, family, and commitment.<br /> <br /> "Of course," I say. "Charles is a great guy. He sends me a letter every week. He hasn't visited me because his status is sensitive. I went to jail, Trina, and it was not an honorable thing to do. And my dad wouldn't lie to me, either. I'm finally going to get my life back, Trina."<br /> <br /> I'm sure he will. My father has brought so many messages from Charles over the years. His weekly visits remind me that I did the right thing, taking the fall for Charles. Everything is going to work itself out soon; Charles and I will be married, my life will be back on track, and I can finally put the last three years behind me.<br /> <br /> "Okay, Nicki," Trina sighs, turning back to her letter. "Honestly, it kind of sounds like you're perfect for each other."<br /> <br /> **<br /> <br /> After a final round of hugs and a few promises to write – which I absolutely intend to keep – I'm ready to go.<br /> <br /> It's weird, leaving. I clutch my little bag of personal effects, squeezing my engagement ring in my fist like a lifeline. It feels cold against my skin.<br /> <br /> I look behind me one final time before taking a deep breath and stepping into the lobby, ready to embrace freedom at last.<br /> <br /> No one is there.<br /> <br /> I look around again, even going to the door to peer out into the parking lot. It's empty. The dingy, plastic seats of the lobby are empty. Everything is empty.<br /> <br /> Uneasy, I ask the guard on duty if they'd informed my family of my release. The guard frowns, checks a computer, and tells me that they contacted my family twice over the past month. <br /> <br /> My heart sank, but I believe it's just a misunderstanding. Charles and my family wouldn't abandon me. They must have simply gotten the timing wrong.<br /> <br /> A bus journey later, which swallows up the bulk of my money, I'm wandering along Times Square. Everything feels so big, it's overwhelming. All these people, going wherever they want. So many people, so many crowds, just so much.<br /> <br /> They don't know how lucky they have it, is my first thought. My second thought is that I don't know how I was ever used to this much open space and this many random people pressing in around me. I'm not sure that I like it anymore; it makes me feel like screaming.<br /> <br /> I pass a bridal shop and pause to look at all of the gorgeous dresses. I never got to the dress-buying stage. I wonder who I can even ask to go with me, now that the wedding will be back on, besides my stepmom and stepsister. I'm not sure I have any friends left.<br /> <br /> My reflection catches my eye, and I wince. I look rough. My dark hair is dull and lank from years of split ends and cheap soap. My skin is flaky, and my eyebrows have overgrown like a wild thornbush.<br /> <br /> Honestly, maybe it's good that nobody came to pick me up. I should probably have a spa weekend before I see Charles again. I want him to be overcome with longing, not grossed out by my unibrow.<br /> <br /> A flashing screen from the next shop redirects my attention, and I move to take a closer look. Wow, the Alpha's daughter is getting married!<br /> <br /> The Alpha is the leader of the werewolf community, and he has a few children jostling for the position of heir. Werewolf culture has always been fascinating to me; in fact, it's one reason that I specialized in werewolf anatomy in medical school.<br /> <br /> The camera pans across the Alpha's family, toasting the new bride. One catches my eye – the Alpha's son? Marcus. I've seen him before. I treated a whole pack of wolf soldiers when they came back from the front, and he was there.<br /> <br /> Why was the Alpha's son at a regular hospital, not some private fancy one? But he was there, with his men, comforting them and bolstering their spirits. Insisting that he be seen last, as he was the least injured, kissing my hand when I prioritized his badly-injured soldiers over others waiting.<br /> <br /> Marcus looks almost as handsome on TV as he did in person. Black hair, eyes the color of a Caribbean sea. Sun-kissed skin, smooth and marless except for the faded scar across his cheek. He's surprisingly trim for a werewolf; he wears a pearl-gray suit that accentuates his narrow hips, long legs, firm shoulders.<br /> <br /> I stitched up that scar myself, and he was so patient and kind while I did. He didn't flinch at my needle, instead chatting with me quietly, asking questions about how I got into studying werewolf anatomy and complimenting my quick work.<br /> <br /> I wonder if he –<br /> <br /> All thoughts of Marcus are abruptly blanked out of my mind as the camera moves to the bride's beaming soon-to-be husband. <br /> <br /> My legs wobble, my brain spins. I stumble backward, hardly registering the blare of a car horn behind me as I trip over the curb and into the street.<br /> <br /> Oh, my god.<br /> <br /> It's Charles. <br /> <br /> #Chapter 2: A Family Reunion <br /> <br /> The next bus only gets me within three miles of home. I want to get there faster, but my phone is dead after trying to call Charles multiple times. My calls wouldn't go through, and I have a sick feeling in my gut that my number has been blocked.<br /> <br /> The air is chilly, and I hug my inadequate coat closer to my body. Frozen slush sticks to my shoes. By the time I turn the corner and see our big, white house sitting squarely in the middle of the block, I'm freezing. <br /> <br /> I reluctantly go up the front steps, unsure of what I'll find when I get inside. Should I knock? It feels foolish to knock at my own front door, but I don't even have a key anymore.<br /> <br /> Turns out, I don't have to worry. The door flings open before I can even reach for the doorbell, and my stepbrother Brodie stands in front of me with a smug grin on his face.<br /> <br /> "Woohoo!" he shouts. "Mom! Paul! The convict returns to darken our doorstep!"<br /> <br /> Becki's blonde head pokes out from another doorway behind him. "Oh, my god," my stepsister says in disgust. "You look like shit, Nicole. Gross. Prison just drips off of you, not that I'm surprised. We're going to have to wash anything you touch."<br /> <br /> I'm stunned. I've never been super close to Becki or Brodie, it's true, but they've never been outright cruel like this. <br /> <br /> "What's going on?" I ask. "Why didn't anyone pick me up at the prison?"<br /> <br /> Becki snorts. "Don't blame me. I can't believe you even have the nerve to show your face here again, after what you did. Our family is in disgrace because of you."<br /> <br /> I'm baffled. Everyone here knows I didn't commit any crimes – they are the ones who convinced me to take the fall for Charles in the first place, after all. <br /> <br /> I open my mouth to remind Becki of this, but my father appears in the hallway before I can get a word out. I look at him hopefully, waiting for a defense, but he just looks grim. He waves me inside before turning around and walking into the dining room.<br /> <br /> I follow. Darlene is sitting at the elegantly polished table, sipping tea from my mother's antique china set. I grit my teeth.<br /> <br /> "Nicole," she says calmly, glancing at me. She's head-to-toe in Armani, impeccable and decked out with six pounds of makeup and more jewelry than would be necessary for a dinner at the White House, never mind just sitting around drinking tea in her own home.<br /> <br /> "Darlene," I say.<br /> <br /> "Welcome back, dear." Darlene reaches for the teapot, refilling her cup with a spindly, manicured claw. She stirs a spoonful of sugar into her tea and lifts it to her mouth, a red gash in her overly-powdered face.<br /> <br /> "Welcome?" I say. "I don't understand. Why didn't anyone come pick me up today?"<br /> <br /> "Nicole, please," Darlene says. "I don't have the time for your hysterics."<br /> <br /> Confused, I turn to my father, who is standing in the doorway staring at a spot over my head.<br /> <br /> "Dad," I say. "I can't get a hold of Charles. I called like, thirty times, but I think he's blocked my number. And I saw on TV that he's marrying the Alpha's daughter? What's going on?"<br /> <br /> Becki shrieks with laughter somewhere behind me. "Oh, my god, Nicole. You really are even stupider than you look. Did you seriously think you could still marry Charles after your little stint in prison? He's the financial officer of the Alpha's pack now; he can't be seen with a freaking ex-con."<br /> <br /> Brodie hoots as well. "You are so gullible, Nicole," he says, wiping tears from his eyes. "Of course Charles blocked your number, you moron. We'd have blocked your number and changed the locks if we didn't have to worry about doing damage control to clean up your mess."<br /> <br /> "My mess?" I ask, bewildered and hurt. "Dad, you know the real reason I was in prison. Is the Robinson family really going to just dump and forget me like this? Don't you have anything to say?"<br /> <br /> Darlene cuts in, her voice glittering and sharp as the edge of a diamond. "Nicole, please, I told you to quit the hysterics. No one asked you to do this; it was entirely your choice. You don't get to play the victim now that the consequences have come home to roost."<br /> <br /> "You've embarrassed all of us, Nicole," Becki chimes in, crossing her arms. "You've disgraced this entire family. I don't know what other reaction you'd expect."<br /> <br /> I stare at the four of them in disbelief. I think back to that awful day, the day that Charles's mom called Dad in a panic, sobbing about the unexpected police warrant and the drugs, the words "enough to make a case for criminal intent to distribute" swirling in the heavy air.<br /> <br /> I think about Dad and Darlene begging me to take the fall, to not let Charles's career be ruined. I think about Becki, shouting, "My god, Nicole, he's going to marry you either way. Who cares if you go to prison? Are you going to support him or not?"<br /> <br /> "You and Charles grew up together," Dad had said. "You know he'll stand by you. Now, are you going to do the right thing or not?"<br /> <br /> Now, I stand in my dining room, feeling frozen to the core. Dad is still staring at the ceiling, silent. Darlene is prim, with a glittering malice in her eyes. Becki smirks. Brodie grins like a predator. <br /> <br /> They know; they have to know what they're doing. I don't understand any of this.<br /> <br /> "Will someone at least help me get in contact with Charles, so I can have some closure around all this?" I ask. My voice sounds like it belongs to someone else. "I need to at least hear some of this from him. I should–I need to at least return the ring? Maybe I could go to his wedding, just to–"<br /> <br /> Dad finally speaks up for the first time. "Nicole, if you truly love Charles, you will leave him alone to get on with his life. He's doing very well. He doesn't need your – this – mess coming back to haunt him, much less at his own wedding."<br /> <br /> Becki says it more bluntly. "He's not going to talk to you, Nicole. Forget it."<br /> <br /> Darlene finishes her tea, ringing a bell for the maid to come clear the dishes. Her voice is suddenly businesslike.<br /> <br /> "Now, here's what's going to happen. Nicole, you are going to find a job, any job, and reintegrate yourself into society to minimize the humiliation you've caused this family as much as you can. And I won't hear any more moaning and mooning about Charles. You've made your choices, and now you can live with them."<br /> <br /> Numb, I turn and leave the dining room, going down to my little basement room. I shut the door and collapse onto my old bed, the sheets smelling stale and musty, like they haven't been changed in years. I guess they probably haven't been.<br /> <br /> I've never felt so alone in my life.<br /> <br /> That night, watching the news on my phone, I see Marcus again. He talks about charity work and the joy of giving back to one's community. Heart aching, I shut off my phone. Pretty words, but everybody has pretty words when they're cheap and easy.<br /> <br /> How can I ever trust anyone again?<br /> <br /> I hold the cover letter I wrote and wait for the possible turn of events tomorrow.<br /> <br /> -------<br /> Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app)	LEARN_MORE	https://www.syuenovel.com/dreame/adlanding/3/84774	238016296054292	Novel story	https://facebook.com/61556330003174	32	1	973,688,514,281,808	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	Novel story	120207658038420423	syuenovel.com	NONE	image	A wonderland for all kinds of book lovers; Embrace a whole new world of gripping stories.	https://www.syuenovel.com/dreame/adlanding/3/8477440/3123/fb97605/202458094700302?utm_source=facebook_ads&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&af_c_id={{campaign.id}}&af_adset_id={{adset.id}}&af_ad_id={{ad.id}}	2024-05-08 04:52	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441454212_397348686610426_1600067996858380120_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TtM5Q7OdytsQ7kNvgEsh65j&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDmcAV0z99q1x-jh9hXZy7bA9LkDPeDPZx40TXS5zSDqA&oe=6641D4F4	person_profile	Novel story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441887777_410140785141926_7458014386370579663_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=acAElB_WwaEQ7kNvgEVvsTo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDnveIERsLAHqO3waantNd9ahttM1NAFpubyj7udxvjfQ&oe=6641EC61	3	Novel story	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,778,171	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778385}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:35	active	760	759365919689819	Read with Your Ears➤➤	"Justin, though you are my twin sister's mate. My dad is really mad at you and Raven being mates." Twin sister Reagan said to my mate.<br /> "I don't mind rejecting her, but I would have been embarrassed to face my mate" Justin said.<br /> "My father has decided to appoint me as his future Alpha not my sister Raven. So, I will be your luna." Reagan said to Justin.<br /> ******** <br /> I silently run through the woods letting my wolf Emerald out tonight. She has been anxious all day, well really the last few days, and I could tell that she needed to come out for a run. <br /> Alpha Cole Walker is the Alpha of the Blood Walker pack. He is said to be one of the most dangerous Alphas in the United States. It is said that he would hurt anyone who dared to enter his pack uninvited. Due to this fact, most of our pack members studiously avoid this area altogether.<br /> My twin sister, Reagan, is the golden child of the pack. They all love her unconditionally. She is cherished and appreciated, no matter what she does. They all seem to ignore the fact that she is a horrible and mean she-wolf. I was born first, and with that should come the respect that after I find my mate, I will officially be the Luna here, and he will take over as the Alpha of the pack. Yet they all treat her as the next Luna. <br /> My sister and I are the only children that our parents had. The Goddess never blessed them with another child, even though they tried for years. My father, Alpha Graham Sullivan, is very strict with me. I am not allowed to leave my room other than to eat my meals and then return back to my room again. I am also not allowed to leave our pack for any reason. I have never even crossed the border of the Sliver Blade pack in my life. <br /> I was the Alpha's daughter, but I was not a valued member of this pack. Telling on me has always resulted in a bonus for whoever told on me to my father. I have had to learn how to overcome this on my own. It has made me very independent over the years, as well as a very good climber. I use the tree outside my window at the pack house, to climb up and down to get in and out of my room.<br /> From my vantage point, I can see who is coming now and rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain. It was Reagan, and she was pulling the arm of a pretty large guy, as she headed toward the grassy bank near my tree. I realized right this moment that I have picked a terrible place to hide. I should have doubled back and then climbed in my window to my room and I would have been safe and sound in my room. Reagan is clearly out with one of her many men, as she was allowed to stay out and do whatever she wanted to. I mean how else could she beat me to finding her mate if she didn't flirt with all the unmated men in our pack? I rolled my eyes again and then froze when I looked at them again and got a good look at his face.<br /> That smell coming off of him was starting to drive me wild, he smelled like freshly baked cinnamon buns, and I was now pissed off. She had come here with the guy that I had a crush on, someone with whom she had never shown any interest in before. It was our Beta's son and the guy that I have had a crush on for the last year and a half.<br /> "No, don't stop them, Raven, she has already been dating with him for the last few months. This is not the first time, it has been well before he returned to the pack earlier this week. They are together now, dating, and they have both vowed to reject their actual mates to stay together to take over and run this pack. Please, just try to bear it, I will help you get through it. I am glad that you are in a secure location, this may make you pass out" Emerald linked me, and I felt physically sick.<br /> "How do you know this? Did she know that he is my mate? Why can't I approach him? Maybe he wants me, Emerald. Please let me stop this. He might not know that I am his mate, he may still want me, want US! I don't want to lose him, Emerald. He may not be aware his true mate is here. Can't he already smell our scent up here, like I smelled his scent? Are you sure that this is the only way? Please Emerald" I linked her back, and I feel the tears that are already sliding down my face. I have questions, and I need answers.<br /> I am frustrated. I don't want to give up on my true mate. He doesn't even know that I am here, and I do want him. I don't want to give him up, especially not to my sister Reagan. I don't know if I can survive this level of betrayal.<br /> "I can't wait for mom and dad to announce to the pack that we will be the Alpha and Luna tomorrow. This is something that I have really wanted for the last 8 years. I am so glad you decided that we could be chosen mates. " My sister says to my mate.<br /> "Besides, I am also glad that you are willing to lead the Silver Blade pack with me. I have a feeling that my freak of a sister who keeps staring at you is going to be crushed when she finds out that we are together. You dodged by deciding to accept me as your chosen mate. I know that she has a crush on you, so she would probably try to ask you out or something when she sees that you are back from break." She adds.<br /> "I think we will be so happy together. Raven will be so angry when she finds out that we planned this months ago. I cannot wait for her to find out. I even told mom to have her sit on the front row for the pack meeting tomorrow, so I can see her face when dad makes the announcement. I am going to put her next to you so it will hurt her more when dad calls you up on stage. When she realizes that her crush is going to be my mate, she is going to be so jealous of me. I am so going to get a picture of her face when she finds out, as I will want to remember that moment for a long time" I heard Reagan say to him, and I was so choked up I couldn't hold in the sob of pain that managed to escape.<br /> It wasn't loud, but with werewolf hearing, it was loud enough. I just stayed completely still and prayed that they hadn't heard me, but Justin started talking when my sob escaped, and they had no reaction, so I think I am safe.<br /> "I have always thought that you were a she-wolf, Reagan. I am so glad that you came up to my training with your offer, and for us to get extra special time together. If Raven were allowed to move around the pack, I don't think that she would be missing the fact that she is my mate. I scented her today when I got back to the pack and confirmed she is my mate. Per our agreement, I don't mind rejecting her, as I am clearly getting the better sister out of this deal. I would have been embarrassed to have to call that freak of nature my mate" Justin said, and with it, my heart was completely crushed.<br /> These two evil people deserved each other, and I will not waste another tear on his betrayal. He "chose" her, so he can keep her. She will never be faithful to him, and he will not ever be able to trust that their children are his either. She was just doing this to ensure that they become the next Alpha and Luna. She is what he wanted, so she can have him. I am thoroughly disgusted by both of them, and I will not allow them to make me sad one more day. I had already decided to get out of this horrible pack, and I will not miss the Silver Blade pack for a second. <br /> "She is your mate? Are you serious? Oh, this is the best" Reagan said as she laughed out in joy at hearing this information. "Justin, why haven't you mentioned this to me before?" Reagan continued.<br /> "I just found out about it earlier today as I have been gone for my training for the last 4 months. I caught my mate's scent and followed it so I could go ahead and reject them. I realized it was coming from the Alpha level, and when I went up and it led me straight to her door, it was really faint, but I sensed it. She doesn't even know it yet. I am sure that this information is not going to go over well with your parents. They may be upset when they find out. Are they still going to want us to move forward with our plan? Or are they going to want me and Raven to be mates because we are true mates?" Justin asked Reagan. I have to admit, I was interested in her reply as well, but I already suspected what the answer was going to be.<br /> "Oh no Justin, you will definitely be staying with me. I know dad is really going to get a kick out of you and Raven being mates. Mom might feel a little bad for her, but I think that this is great. I could not be happier that her true mate, will become my chosen mate.<br /> We will rule the Silver Blade pack together, and it will hurt her every day to see us together. It is my pack any way, it was never going to be hers. Maybe if we are lucky since she doesn't have a wolf, she won't be able to scent you, and your rejection might even hurt her when you do it. That would be the best-case scenario for all of us" Reagan said, and I could tell that Justin was a little shocked at how hateful she was. Reagan could tell that Justin was not liking this side of her so she quickly changed her attitude and started cooing at Justin, "She doesn't deserve you, baby, I love you and I want you. Hopefully, you will come to love me too.<br /> I was just worried, I don't want you falling in love with my sister after we have already mated." Reagan said to Justin, looking up at him adoringly through her long lashes. I have to admit, she really knows how to work people to do what she wants them to. Her ability to look innocent and pure is without measure, she could have been an actress.<br /> "Dad hates Raven. He will be very happy about this. He has never loved her since the day that she was born. Mom might be a little upset, but she will get over it. She and dad are chosen mates, she gave up her true mate to become the Luna of the Silver Blade pack. She did it herself, and if it is good enough for her, then it is good enough for me to do it as well. We make the perfect couple. We will have strong pups, and our pack will flourish" Reagan said, and I am stunned. I knew my dad was mean, but to hate me, why? What reason could he possibly have for hating me? My parents have told the whole pack numerous times through the years that they were true mates. They are very affectionate with each other in front of the pack. I didn't even know that they weren't true mates. What else don't I know about them?<br /> "We will do the same thing. You will have to reject Raven first thing in the morning, or after the pack meeting. But you will have to do it where no one else will hear you. Dad is going to tell the pack that we are true mates, so they will fully support us. Dad thinks that it would be a mistake to not have the pack's full support behind us when we go to take it over from my parents" Reagan said, and I am amazed at all the plans that they have kept away from me. Just another thing that shows how much difference there is between Reagan and me. I hear them touching again and wonder when they plan on leaving the area, don't they need to get back to the pack house?<br /> I narrow my eyes at Reagan, as she is ecstatic about getting to truly rub all of my misfortune in right now. Justin is getting the opportunity to reject me, so the situation that we are now in is all positive for them.<br /> "Raven, why are you out of the house? Are you supposed to be out here? Are you OK? That fall looked like it hurt pretty bad" I hear my sister ask me with an innocent look on her face like she cared about me. She was fully aware of how I am kept a prisoner here at the Silver Blade pack. I really have to get out of here. I needed to check and see how badly I am hurt because I don't know if I even have time to go pack a bag now. I may be having to leave here with nothing, but I am OK with that. I just need to get the heck out of here. I will figure out what I need to do after I am safely free of Silver Blade.<br /> "Are you ignoring me, Raven? Are you sure you want to do that to me? Fine then, I will just make sure that you get punished for leaving your room. You are not supposed to be out here anyway. I will just let dad know that you are out here, and he will take care of you" Reagan said with a smirk, and then she started mind linking. <br /> I and my wolf were running away from this pack. But they caught us immediately.<br /> "If you come back here now Raven, I won't punish you for leaving your room without permission" I heard my father tell me. <br /> "Nothing in the world could possess me to do that father," I told him, and I see his eyes glazing over as he goes to link someone. I could care less what they have to say to me, and I turned to walk away. <br /> "You will get punishment in the Blood Walker pack. You know how dangerous they are Raven, you have heard this fact for your whole life. They cannot be trusted, and you are now a rogue. We have told you, and the whole pack, exactly what happens to those who trespass on their land. The moment they scent you they will move in, and you will die today. Is that what you want? Do you want to die? I will get you more freedom in the pack. I will allow you to go to the library every day instead of once a week. How does that sound?" my mother's voice is calming and comforting. She has never before sounded as nice as this, and I know that dad put her up to try to lure me back into the Siler Blade pack. They must be desperate to do it, so I want to see how far they intended to go with it.<br /> "Let me ask you this mother. Was the plan to get Justin to take Reagan as a chosen mate her idea, or dad's?" I asked her. Mom is not a very good liar. I can see her expression as we are only about 20 feet apart from each other right now. <br /> "I don't know what you are talking about Raven, they are mates," my mom said to me, and now I smirk at her. Clearly, mom was keeping me out of the loop and doesn't know that I know for a fact that they aren't.<br /> "Thanks for always lying to me mom. That makes it so much easier on me. I will not be coming back to the Silver Blade pack. This is the last time, Goddess willing, that you all will probably see me and actually I am welcoming the death that is coming to me. It will be better than the life I have lived since Reagan tried to hurt me, and my own dad called me a liar when I told him what actually happened. Justin is not her mate mom, and I know this because he is MY mate. It is disgusting what all you three have done to me and allowed to be done to me my whole life. I never deserved to be treated the way I was. I can only hope that I can find my way and get to live a life that allows me to find someone who loves me and realizes that I am a good person. I don't think that is too much to ask for, do you mom? It seems like you and dad are willing to do anything to get me to come back over the fence, but we both know that if I did come back, I would either immediately be thrown in the cells. So, I will take my chances over here, where at least I have a chance" I told them and turned again to leave. I only made it a few steps before I was stopped again by my father's hateful words.<br /> "You are ungrateful daughter, How do you have the nerve to say that to me? I have clothed and fed you, provided you a room, and let you go to school. I did take care of you, and it is disgusting to see how you repay me. Lying about Justin being your mate. Trying to take your sister's mate away from her. I know that I can speak for your mother as well as myself when I say that we hope the Blood Walker pack disposes of you quickly. I only wish I could punish you myself" my dad roared out, and the hate was coming off of him in waves.<br /> "You disgust me father," I told him and the tone I used to draw out the word father let him know just how little I thought of him being my father. "I have never done anything to cause a problem or disruption in the pack, or in the family. I did what I was told this whole time. Even as knowing that you let the whole pack know that I was fair game if they wanted to hurt me, and they did dad, over and over again. You know what, it was my family that really took the award for the most torment. Your unwarranted hate, mom never supporting me, and my sister allowed to try to hurt me, and incite others up against me made me realize that life will be much better on this side of the border than it was on that side. Even if I only live an hour more, it would be better than the years I spent over there."<br /> I wiped off my tears and walked past them, suddenly, I hear something coming to me…<br /> <br /> <br /> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br /> Wanna listen more? download our App and check more! Novel ID: 98441!	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.	281724568351187	AudioAdventure	https://facebook.com/61557514568940	1	2	802,775,248,093,214	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Install now	AudioAdventure	120209496208700502	play.google.com	NONE	video		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kstudio.khitkun	2024-05-08 04:45	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438172832_7190868754356692_4130995831299206962_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UlGJl9-EeMUQ7kNvgG3h-Nt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAbVHpeNmMIwyH8YAIe9IPNw_Tzr3Buur46Hk_LiinVEQ&oe=6641F3C6	person_profile	AudioAdventure	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441157376_1447970739444243_5324594685329335610_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TXGvDZxPjs4Q7kNvgEb2oj1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCiNiNU8kb3Zzig9iJ5YSo4ERDn-RFRpHK4PDvxarMkQA&oe=6641E0BE	3	AudioAdventure	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,778,987	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778979}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:44	active	760	1810387069428276	Enjoy Romance🥰Read More 👉	She signed the divorce papers and left without taking her phone. He checked her phone and got floored at the message: Please come tomorrow for another prenatal care checkup!<br /> =============<br /> <br /> Chapter 1 Ex-girlfriend Returns<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes was a little absent-minded at the moment. <br /> <br /> All she could think of since this afternoon was the doctor's words. "Congratulations! You are going to be a mom."<br /> <br /> Suddenly, Mitchel Dixon pinched her arm. His low voice came the next second. "Come back to earth. What are you thinking about?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel was her husband. They had been married secretly for two years. He was her superior at work, the president of the Dixon Group. <br /> <br /> Everything had happened so fast. She was newly employed in the company when they unexpectedly got married. <br /> <br /> At that time, Mitchel's grandfather fell seriously ill. It was then he proposed a fake marriage just to fulfill his grandfather's dying wish. <br /> <br /> They signed a prenup, agreeing to hide their marriage from the public. Their union could be terminated at any time. <br /> <br /> It was an unconventional thing to do. However, Raegan only considered herself lucky at that time. <br /> <br /> Never in a million years did she think she would ever get married to the man she had a crush on for eight years. She delightfully agreed. <br /> <br /> After their marriage, Mitchel was very busy. He spent most of his time working. <br /> <br /> Raegan wished she could spend more time with him at home. However, she was rest assured because there hadn't been any rumors or scandals about him with women in the past two years. <br /> <br /> Except for his mild indifference, Mitchel was a perfect husband. <br /> <br /> Raegan had mixed feelings as she stared at the medical report. <br /> <br /> In the end, she decided to tell Mitchel this news. <br /> <br /> She also wanted to tell him that she hadn't learned about him for the first time two years ago and that she had been crushing on him for many years before then. <br /> <br /> Just then, Mitchel’s phone rang. He went to the balcony and answered the phone. <br /> <br /> Raegan checked the time and found that it was already midnight. <br /> <br /> She felt a little uneasy. Who would call Mitchel at this hour? <br /> <br /> Mitchel spent a few minutes on the balcony. Thereafter, he returned and changed into formal attire. His handsome face which had a clear outline made him look dignified. <br /> <br /> He was something to see now. <br /> <br /> "Don't wait up for me. Good night," he said finally. <br /> <br /> What? He was on his way out? At this hour? <br /> <br /> Raegan's grip on the report tightened as she stared at him in disappointment. Unconsciously, she withdrew slightly. After thinking for a while, she blurted out, "It's already so late."<br /> <br /> Mitchel's fingers froze on his tie. With a faint smile, he pinched her earlobe and said, "Be good, okay? There's something I have to do. Don't wait up."<br /> <br /> With that, he headed for the door. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel."<br /> <br /> Raegan quickly ran and caught up with him. <br /> <br /> Mitchel turned around and looked at her seriously. <br /> <br /> "What's the matter?"<br /> <br /> There was a tinge of coldness to his voice. An icy cloud hung over them as they stared at each other. <br /> <br /> A little distressed, Raegan asked in a low voice, "I would like to visit my grandma tomorrow. Can you accompany me there?"<br /> <br /> Her grandmother always wanted to see her. As a result, Raegan wanted to take Mitchel there to assure her grandma they were happy. <br /> <br /> "Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Without agreeing or declining, Mitchel left in a hurry. <br /> <br /> Several thoughts were threading Raegan's mind. She couldn't sleep a wink. <br /> <br /> After tossing and turning for a long time, she went to the kitchen and made herself a warm glass of milk. <br /> <br /> A few notifications from some online blogs came into her phone. <br /> <br /> However, she wasn't interested in them. She was about to swipe them away when one of them caught her attention. The familiar name made her click on it. <br /> <br /> The news read, "Famous designer, Lauren Murray was spotted at the airport with her mysterious boyfriend earlier today."<br /> <br /> Lauren was wearing a bucket hat. The man's figure was vague, but the outline of his body was enough to show that he was dashing. <br /> <br /> Raegan zoomed in on the picture. The next second, her heart dropped. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was the man in the picture! <br /> <br /> So, he canceled the afternoon meeting just to go pick up his ex-girlfriend from the airport? <br /> <br /> This realization settled like a boulder in Raegan's gut, rendering her flustered. <br /> <br /> Her hands trembled. Subconsciously, she dialed Mitchel's number. <br /> <br /> The dial tone brought her back to her senses. Just as she was about to hang up, the line connected, and a voice came from the other end. <br /> <br /> "Hello!"<br /> <br /> It was a particularly gentle woman's voice. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a second and then threw the phone away. <br /> <br /> She suddenly felt sick in her stomach. Covering her mouth, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet bowl. <br /> <br /> The next morning, Raegan went to work on time. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had tried to get her to stop working after they got married. Stubbornly, she insisted on making her own money. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't kick against her decision, but he asked her to work as his assistant, helping him with the daily chores. <br /> <br /> The head assistant, Matteo Jenkins was left to take care of the major affairs Mitchel had. <br /> <br /> Matteo was the only Dixon Group employee who knew about their marriage. <br /> <br /> Since inception, only male assistants were hired for the president's office. Reagan was the first and only female. Her employment broke the protocol. As a result, other workers couldn't help but wonder if she was involved with Mitchel. <br /> <br /> It took a while before they realized that Mitchel never gave Raegan special treatment. Strangely, this made them despise her even more. <br /> <br /> After all, no one would last long in anything while taking advantage of their looks.<br /> <br /> At this time, one of Raegan's colleagues handed her a document and ordered her to take it to Mitchel's office. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't return home last night. Raegan was so worried that she didn't sleep at all. <br /> <br /> All she kept thinking about was the woman who answered his phone when she called. What was her relationship with Mitchel?<br /> <br /> Raegan already knew the answer to that, but she was still in denial. <br /> <br /> It was difficult for her to come to terms with that fact. <br /> <br /> Raegan tried to remain calm now. She reasoned that no matter what happened, she deserved a result that would be rewarding for all the years she spent loving Mitchel. This couldn't be all for nothing, right? <br /> <br /> She pressed the elevator button calmly and went up to the president's office. Before she walked out of the elevator, she smoothed her hair to make sure she looked good. <br /> <br /> She had arrived at the office, only to see that the door was ajar. A man's voice came. She halted instantly. <br /> <br /> "Come on, man! Do you have any feelings for Raegan or not?"<br /> <br /> The voice belonged to Luis Stevens, a childhood friend of Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> "What do you mean exactly?" Mitchel asked in a cold voice. <br /> <br /> "You know exactly what I mean!" Luis clicked his tongue impatiently and added, "I think Raegan is a good girl. Isn't she your type?"<br /> <br /> "Do you want me to hand her over to you?" Mitchel asked carelessly. <br /> <br /> "You know what, forget it!"<br /> <br /> The scornful laughter of Luis sounded particularly harsh in Raegan's ears. <br /> <br /> They were talking about her as if she were an object. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and tightened her grip on the document. <br /> <br /> Soon, Luis's voice was heard again. <br /> <br /> "By the way, I saw the gossip news about Lauren's mysterious boyfriend this morning. That was you, right?"<br /> <br /> "Yes."<br /> <br /> "Well, well, well! That woman still has you wrapped around her little finger. You always want to please her."<br /> <br /> Luis sighed and continued to tease Mitchel. "As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Tell me, did you two..."<br /> <br /> Their conversation was like a thunder exploding over Raegan's head. <br /> <br /> Her face turned pale and her body was as cold as ice. <br /> <br /> The woman was indeed Lauren! <br /> <br /> Absence made the heart grow fonder! <br /> <br /> Every word drove a knife into her heart. <br /> <br /> Several whispering voices filled her head at this time. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her vision became blurry. <br /> <br /> She held the wall and took a step backward. Suddenly, the door was opened from inside. <br /> <br /> "Raegan?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 2 One-sided Love<br /> <br /> Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. <br /> <br /> Raegan balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"<br /> <br /> Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. <br /> <br /> Raegan noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? <br /> <br /> With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."<br /> <br /> Mitchel was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. <br /> <br /> Raegan walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. <br /> <br /> It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Mitchel and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. <br /> <br /> To Mitchel, Raegan had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. <br /> <br /> Her strict obedience was all Mitchel demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. <br /> <br /> In the elevator. <br /> <br /> Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. <br /> <br /> She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. <br /> <br /> Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream. <br /> <br /> She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love. <br /> <br /> Reagan wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened. <br /> <br /> She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. <br /> <br /> Several employees were chatting inside. <br /> <br /> "Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."<br /> <br /> "And who is that?"<br /> <br /> "Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"<br /> <br /> "Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Raegan?"<br /> <br /> "Raegan? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"<br /> <br /> Standing at the door, Raegan smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. <br /> <br /> The love was one-sided. <br /> <br /> "Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Raegan?"<br /> <br /> A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Raegan turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Mitchel's cousin, who had always despised her. <br /> <br /> Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping. <br /> <br /> The last thing Raegan wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way. <br /> <br /> With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Mitchel will still give you any attention?"<br /> <br /> Raegan said nothing to that. <br /> <br /> Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."<br /> <br /> Raegan clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."<br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Raegan's retort made Tessa's face change. <br /> <br /> The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Raegan. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. <br /> <br /> Raegan frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"<br /> <br /> It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. <br /> <br /> She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."<br /> <br /> Tessa was silenced by Raegan’s shove. <br /> <br /> Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Raegan, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. <br /> <br /> Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"<br /> <br /> Raegan eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."<br /> <br /> Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. <br /> <br /> Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Mitchel's cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. <br /> <br /> Tessa charged at Raegan like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. <br /> <br /> This time, Raegan was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. <br /> <br /> Tessa was shorter than Raegan. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. <br /> <br /> Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"<br /> <br /> These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. <br /> <br /> "That's enough!"<br /> <br /> Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Mitchel had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. <br /> <br /> The entire room fell silent. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Mitchel. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him. <br /> <br /> But when she remembered that Raegan humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Mitchel, she bullied me."<br /> <br /> The sunlight from outside fell on Mitchel's handsome face. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee. <br /> <br /> Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Mitchel looked at Raegan and said, "Raegan, have you forgotten the rules of the company?"<br /> <br /> His ruthlessness made Raegan's breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears. <br /> <br /> No one dared to make a sound at this moment. <br /> <br /> Raegan just stood straight there with her slender figure. <br /> <br /> When she got employed here, Mitchel had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes. <br /> <br /> Raegan could understand why he took this stand. <br /> <br /> However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Mitchel had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words. <br /> <br /> Was she truly insignificant to him?<br /> <br /> Scared to death by Mitchel's rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show. <br /> <br /> Mitchel's cold eyes made Raegan shiver from head to toe. <br /> <br /> Raegan pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa. <br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."<br /> <br /> Eyeing Raegan, Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."<br /> <br /> "The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me," Raegan chimed in. <br /> <br /> She then walked past Mitchel without sparing him another look. <br /> <br /> "You..."<br /> <br /> Tessa's face turned blue after hearing what Raegan said. <br /> <br /> Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim! <br /> <br /> The humiliation was so much that scolding Raegan wouldn't appease her anger. <br /> <br /> Pointing in Raegan's direction, Tessa shouted, "Mitchel, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"<br /> <br /> Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand. <br /> <br /> As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Mitchel was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Mitchel didn't care about Raegan at all. <br /> <br /> Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."<br /> <br /> "Tessa!" Mitchel's tone and squint made it a reproof. <br /> <br /> Tessa trembled at once. <br /> <br /> With a somber face, Mitchel said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Raegan alone."<br /> <br /> The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Raegan disappeared in an instant. <br /> <br /> She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."<br /> <br /> Mitchel cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."<br /> <br /> Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Mitchel. "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."<br /> <br /> Matteo nodded to Mitchel and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."<br /> <br /> It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Mitchel just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out. <br /> <br /> They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Raegan got changed when she returned to her office. <br /> <br /> Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Mitchel looked at her minutes ago. <br /> <br /> Closing hour soon rolled by. <br /> <br /> Raegan took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her. <br /> <br /> He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."<br /> <br /> Raegan declined the ride without thinking twice. <br /> <br /> She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation. <br /> <br /> In Mitchel's eyes, she was just a nobody. <br /> <br /> How could Mitchel agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her? <br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the hospital, Raegan saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Raegan took the job over and did it by herself. <br /> <br /> All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Raegan insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment. <br /> <br /> Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary. <br /> <br /> Raegan waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi. <br /> <br /> In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital. <br /> <br /> Raegan's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Mitchel's. <br /> <br /> Did he come to pick her up? <br /> <br /> At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling. <br /> <br /> Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip? <br /> <br /> The door of the driver's side opened and Mitchel got out. <br /> <br /> Raegan started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car. <br /> <br /> Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face. <br /> <br /> This wiped the smile on Raegan's face. Her heart sank. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Let's Divorce<br /> <br /> Mitchel's tall and straight figure got closer and closer to Raegan. And then, without saying a word, he strode past Raegan. <br /> <br /> It was hard to tell if Mitchel saw Raegan or just ignored her. <br /> <br /> Regardless, Raegan noticed that the woman in his arms was the same one who had been photographed with him yesterday. <br /> <br /> She was Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan's shoes felt like they were made of lead as she walked away. <br /> <br /> She lost all awareness of her surroundings. She got into a taxi absentmindedly. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, the driver uttered, "Ma'am, where to?"<br /> <br /> Raegan was stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> She didn't want to go back to Serenity Villas. It was only a matter of time before that place stopped being her home. <br /> <br /> After a while, she replied, "Please take me to Crystal Bay."<br /> <br /> She had purchased an apartment at Crystal Bay after getting married to Mitchel. <br /> <br /> At the time, she had hopes of bringing her grandmother to the city, so she bought the apartment on mortgage. It wasn't that big, but it had more than enough space for two people. <br /> <br /> Mitchel didn't understand why she wanted to buy an apartment. He offered to give her a bigger one, but she declined. <br /> <br /> Looking back now, she realized that buying that apartment was the only wise decision she had ever made in the last two years. <br /> <br /> When she arrived at the apartment complex, Raegan sat in the park alone, trying to cool herself down. <br /> <br /> The memories of the past two years were bittersweet. <br /> <br /> Two years had passed in the blink of an eye even though it was more than seven hundred days and nights. <br /> <br /> Love could move mountains, they said. <br /> <br /> Yet, her love didn't move that stone of a man. She finally realized what a fool she had been. She had been making herself a laughingstock in front of everyone. <br /> <br /> It was already late in the night before Raegan finally decided to go into her apartment. <br /> <br /> As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Mitchel standing in front of the door. <br /> <br /> His sleeves were rolled up casually, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, which revealed his long neck and part of his collarbone. He was leaning on the wall by the door, his handsome face straight. <br /> <br /> Raegan froze for a moment. <br /> <br /> Why was he here? Didn't she see him at the hospital with Lauren? What brought him here? <br /> <br /> Their eyes met. With his coat draped over his arm and one of his hands in his pocket, Mitchel squinted at her. <br /> <br /> "Why didn't you answer the phone?" he asked, sounding a little grumpy like someone who hadn't slept in a long time. <br /> <br /> Raegan took out her phone and saw she had accidentally put it on DND. <br /> <br /> There were five missed calls from Mitchel. <br /> <br /> This marked the first time in their two-year marriage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel blew up her phone because he couldn't find her? Surprising! <br /> <br /> Before today, she would have been overjoyed by this. People would've thought she won the lottery. <br /> <br /> But now, she just threw her phone back into her bag, folded her arms, and said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hear it ring."<br /> <br /> Mitchel raised his hand to check the time on the watch, and said impatiently, "I've been looking for you for two hours."<br /> <br /> After arranging everything for Lauren, he returned home to find an empty house. He looked for Raegan everywhere. When he couldn't find her, he asked Matteo to check the surveillance footage of all the roads that led away from the company. <br /> <br /> He later found out that Raegan went to Crystal Bay without telling him. <br /> <br /> "Next time, tell me when you are coming here, okay? Let's go home now." After that, Mitchel walked toward the elevator without sparing her another glance. <br /> <br /> He meant to go back to Serenity Villas. <br /> <br /> Raegan didn't move an inch. She just stared at his broad back and pondered reluctantly. <br /> <br /> Would they have a future? <br /> <br /> Mitchell turned around, only to see that Raegan hadn't taken a single step. He frowned and asked, "Can't you walk? Do you want me to carry you instead?"<br /> <br /> The light in the corridor illuminated his face, making his side profile almost impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan took a deep breath and said, "Let's divorce."<br /> <br /> "What do you mean?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel's voice was cold, and his handsome face changed immediately. <br /> <br /> "I want to move into my own place. After all, we will be strangers soon."<br /> <br /> Raegan forced a smile, but her heart was aching as if someone was tearing it apart bit by bit. <br /> <br /> "We will be strangers?"<br /> <br /> Mitchel smiled coldly. "Raegan, what do you think our relationship is now?"<br /> <br /> His questioning left Raegan stunned for a moment. <br /> <br /> Mitchel had made it very clear to her from the very beginning. This facade of their marriage had happened by mutual agreement. There was no love. In the eyes of others, they were nothing more than just a superior and a subordinate. <br /> <br /> Mitchel was quite the catch in Ardlens. Many young ladies longed for his love and were even willing to throw themselves at him. <br /> <br /> His question just now reminded her of that fact. Was he afraid that she wouldn't let him go that easily? If that was the case, he couldn't be more wrong... <br /> <br /> After biting her lower lip to conceal her bitterness, Raegan said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon. I was giving it too much thought. Anyway, please leave me alone from now on. You don't have to come here again."<br /> <br /> After saying that, Raegan couldn't help but burst into tears. <br /> <br /> How could she not be sad when she was cutting ties with the man she had loved for a decade? It was such a long time. <br /> <br /> Regardless of how difficult it was, she knew it was time to let go. <br /> <br /> It was high time she stopped being a fool. <br /> <br /> Strangely, the light in the corridor began flickering. <br /> <br /> The deathly stare Mitchel was giving Raegan right now made the atmosphere seem like the moment before an attack in a horror movie. <br /> <br /> Although he understood that Raegan sometimes could throw a tantrum, he felt that she had just crossed the line now. <br /> <br /> His eyes shone like blazing torches at this moment. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, the rage inside him extinguished in an instant. He said in a low voice, "If this is about what happened between you and Tessa, I..."<br /> <br /> "No, this isn't about her. Mr. Dixon, please leave now."<br /> <br /> A lot of things happened between them. And the incident with Tessa didn't come close to any. <br /> <br /> Raegan felt exhausted. She passed by Mitchel and was about to open the door. <br /> <br /> Yet, Mitchel was displeased with her stubbornness. <br /> <br /> He loosened his tie irritably. He then took a step forward and grabbed her wrist. <br /> <br /> "Stop this, will you?"<br /> <br /> A second later, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. <br /> <br /> He instantly realized that she was burning up like someone who had been set on fire. <br /> <br /> "You have a fever?"<br /> <br /> Raegan felt dizzy. She rested her head on his chest weakly. <br /> <br /> This made the whole situation complicated. <br /> <br /> Reagan was slow to catch that. When she finally realized that her body was too close to his, she put her hands against his chest and tried to pull back. <br /> <br /> Before she could escape, Mitchel pulled her back and held her by the waist. With a cold face, he said in a low voice, "Where do you think you are going?"<br /> <br /> The light flickered again. Out of the blue, Mitchel lifted her up. <br /> <br /> He then headed for the elevator. <br /> <br /> In a daze, Raegan asked softly, "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "What does it look like I am doing?" Mitchel remarked. "Taking you to the hospital, of course."<br /> <br /> "No way!" Raegan cried out in surprise and seemed to regain more strength. <br /> <br /> Mitchel might find out about her condition if they went to the hospital.<br /> <br /> Raegan struggled to get out of Mitchel's arms. However, his tight grip made her efforts fruitless. <br /> <br /> "Don't be so stubborn. You are sick, so you must see the doctor," Mitchel said firmly. <br /> <br /> He walked to the elevator with her in his arms. At this moment, Raegan's heart was thumping so hard that it could jump out of her chest. She flailed in protest. <br /> <br /> "Put me down! I don't want to go to the hospital!"<br /> <br /> &13&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-e	108744435202789	Novellove read	https://facebook.com/100083283215376	4,076	1	375,232,061,543,002	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Novellove read	120208491437440660	fbweb.moboreader.net	NONE	video		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/46526322-fb_contact-enj57-1125-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=216543&accid=1910509592737470	2024-05-06 05:06	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441578118_1625609358267114_5643909942858666464_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jNo74YyvLigQ7kNvgFw9gCt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBq9DVV-YH167IyFt6JJ22Hw8jR2VIs9UOYt5dsdRaPUg&oe=6641C79A	person_profile	moboreader	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440328077_1115853696133841_6565685442007334180_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p3hE-k6WKXsQ7kNvgGzJz3v&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBbM3FiV727GNKzgYVZi0R0w7FApqlHIZfPVaQDFim6ww&oe=6641F837	3	Novellove read	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,229	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778385}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:36	active	760	969815584810488	Read with Your Ears➤➤	"I, Silas Morgan, future alpha of the South Texas Pack reject Lilith Conner as my mate!" <br /> "I, Lilith Conner, leave the South Texas Pack in body and mind!" There was shock all around the dining room as what I said sunk in, and I felt the pack bond break.<br /> ********<br /> As the alarm went off I rolled over to hit the snooze button then realized it was 3 AM. I jumped out of bed and headed to the restroom in my hut. After being kicked out of the pack house I was shunned to this small hut in pack lands. The hut was my home even though everyone basically saw it as me sleeping in a cardboard box. It had a open room and a tiny restroom with a shower. It was built for me because no one wanted me around or to use the pack house facilities. I am the disgrace of the South Texas Pack. I have my duties to hold my place in this pack, I cook all the meals for the 300 pack members. I have to stay out of everybody's way considering that is my only way I can stay and have a home if it was even considered that. When I was five the pack found me curled in a ball in the corner of my families old house. My parents layed on the floor in their own blood. The alpha was outraged that his beta was dead. Even though I was a child the pack has blamed me, not once trying to find out the truth behind my parents death. All I remember from that night was waking up to a loud sound, running down the stairs to find my parents already gone. That night still haunts me. Being seventeen and having to raise myself has not been easy. With being punished every chance the pack got I was already ready to give up. There was always a little voice in the back of my mind pushing me not to, and for some reason I have listened to it for the past twelve years. "Lilith" I turned to see one of the pack warriors coming down the stairs getting ready for shift change guarding the land. I recognized him right away, "I'm sorry, Adam, I will go cook breakfast now". I didn't realize I was standing in front of the mirror for so long. As I walked past him I didn't dare look up as I knew by the way he said my name how he would look, disgusted. When I was done with breakfast I made my way to grab a piece of bread since that was what I was allowed. I was expected to survive off of three pieces a day. The reason for my poor nutrition, and nobody cared. I have a feeling that this is what they wanted a slow death. As I was walking out the door before anyone noticed me I ran into somebody. I glanced up only to see who it was and automatically dropped my gaze and head. At six foot tall and built the way every woman dreamed about. Silas, the alpha's son, stood there and said, "How about you get a move on and next time don't ruin my clothes with your disgrace". He shoved me hard so that I fell to the floor and had to scramble up clumsily. Noticing he moved out from the door I ran as fast as I could to my home. I graduated the previous year. Yes, I know i'm a little young to already have graduated high school, but I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. I didn't have the money to go to the community college like a lot of the pack, so I stayed and worked here for the little they gave me which isn't much at all. I flopped down on my bed and realized tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday. I didn't realize how much time has passed. With not being able to shift into my wolf and turning eighteen means finding your mate, but I don't think it's possible for me. I fear if I was to find him he wouldn't want me and would reject me. Before I noticed I was waking up again to banging on my door. I walked over and pulled the door open revealing my alpha.<br /> "Lilith, tomorrow is your birthday and I have come up with two options for you", he said with distaste. "Yes, alpha", I replied with my head bowed showing respect.<br /> "Option one, You leave the pack and move on with your life, which is the kindest thing I can offer you at the moment", he paused, "Option two, You continue to do what you do for the pack and when the time comes you will break and nobody will mourn you", he announced.<br /> "I will let you know tomorrow of what I choose, but I have no where to go, and at that y'all are who I know", I paused before finishing, "I will announce my decision in front of the whole Pack before breakfast".<br /> I could feel his eyes on me as he thought about what to say, and I was afraid he would slap me for wanting to wait until the morning. All he said was, "Fine", and walked out slamming my door in my face. And than that's when I realized I had the most important decision in my life to make tonight. As I lay awake from thinking about my options and trying to decide what I should do there was a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't decide and it was already 2 AM with no sleep I forced myself to sit up and really think about my future. Where would I go if I left, and would I even be able to survive long. If I was to stay I would either be beat or starved to death. What if I was to find my soulmate here tomorrow and I left before I knew who it was, would he even want me? After I showered and started walking out of my hut I fell to my knees from a sharp pain in my stomach. Thinking it's from not eating anything but a piece of bread yesterday I got up and glanced back at the small room I've lived in for twelve years making my decision. The weird sensation never left even after the pain I felt as I arrived at the pack house. I opened the doors to the kitchen and started pulling out all the ingredients I needed to start cooking. I was going to make the pack the best breakfast they ever had because even though I don't get to celebrate my birthday they will. As I prepared everything possible there was a bang on the kitchen door followed by someone coming in. I turned around to find Silas staring at me with anger, his crystal blue eyes seemed to have fire in them and his slightly curled black hair was messy. I lowered my gaze to the floor instantly.<br /> "Why is it you!?" he yelled. "What do you mean I always prepare the breakfast," I mumbled not looking up from the floor. "You don't feel anything, how could you not I'm standing so close to you but I felt it when you walked into the house" he said calmer but still angry. "All I feel is hunger pains", but as I said it I did feel a pull towards him I didn't want. What he said next I expected but I was not prepared. "I, Silas Morgan, future alpha of the South Texas Pack reject Lilith Conner as my mate!" he announced it with such anger as he turned and left, I felt every ounce as the mate bond broke. At that moment I was in such pain I thanked the goddess herself for letting me finish the food before this happened. I ran as far as I could and when I reached where I felt was safe I fell to my knees and my whole body shook from the tears and pain that I was experiencing. I didn't want the mate bond to be with him, and I also knew if it was someone from this pack they would reject me immediately. It hurt a lot but I managed to stop the tears and gather myself to look slightly normal as I made my way to the pack house to let them know my decision. I walked in and made my way to the dining hall everyone stopped what they where doing as soon as I stepped in. Walking rather quickly to stand in front of the alpha and his family's table I said, " I, Lilith Conner, leave the South Texas Pack in body and mind!" There was shock all around the dining room as what I said sunk in, and I felt the pack bond break. After what felt like a long while the alpha finally spoke, "Lilith Conner, you are officially released from all pack responsibility and bond. You are to leave pack lands immediately!" I finally had the nerve to look at everyone as I walked out and realized the shock was still there mixed with disgust. I never felt love from them after my parents died and I didn't think I ever would, and I didn't want them to have the pleasure of my death so that is why I made the decision I did. I honestly felt a little relieved as I walked out with my head held high. I've never imagined myself packing my life away and heading into the unknown but here I am, as I look around one last time I remind myself that everything happens for a reason. Shutting the door to the hut and throwing my bag over my shoulder I began to walk off pack lands and into the city. As I got to a bench I sat down and counted the little bit of money I have. It turns out I had just enough to find somewhere to stay for a little while. The money I have is what is left from my parents after the pack took the rest to support me as they said. They didn't know I still had this little bit I hid it well in the floor of the hut. I walked to a Motel 6 and got a room and decided to take a long hot shower. Laying on the motel bed I started thinking about getting a job and staying under the radar so no other pack can find me. It is a law not to be a rogue wolf in a packs territory they will have the right to decide your punishment, and most decide to kill you instead of torture. Finally feeling the loneliness of not being in a pack and missing the connection, I have to snap myself out of this, so I decide to put on my hoodie and go to try to find some food close by. Walking into a small gas station that was a block away from the motel I find some cheap food I can use the microwave in the motel room to cook. I pay for everything and start walking back to the motel when I bump into someone, cursing myself I glance up and get a quick glance at a woman around my age. All I find myself saying is, "I'm so sorry, please forgive me". She smiled and said, "It's okay", and then inhaled deeply. Realizing my mistake I took off as fast as I can not looking back to see if she was following. Reaching my motel room and bolting all the locks as soon as I get in I mentally yell at myself for not watching my surroundings, because other wolves can smell a rouge wolf instantly. I only pray she didn't follow me and report back to whoever is alpha of her pack. The weird feeling I was having in my stomach was growing stronger even though I ate. I couldn't blame it on not eating enough because I ate more than I should have. I needed to find a healer and soon, they would hopefully know what is wrong with me. I know they have to have rogue healers somewhere close. I had a feeling I was being followed as I entered a forest on the other side of the city. I didn't want to slow down in fear of being captured which I think is what was going to happen soon. I was running past a huge rock when I was tackled to the ground. I looked up to see who or what was pinning me to the ground, and I was staring into bright green eyes. It was a woman that was holding me down, she had curly red hair that framed her pale, freckled face like a mane. "Who are you?", she said in a calm-stern voice. "I'm sorry to trespass on your lands, my name is Lilith Conner, and I'm trying to find a healer", I replied quickly trying to remain calm. She was still pinning me down and I finally noticed how strong she was. I can tell she was a wolf but I wasn't strong enough to sense whether she was a rogue or in a pack, so I was going to take my chances since I couldn't get away. "Okay Lilith, but tell me why you are out here by yourself I can sense that you are not in a pack, so why should I trust you?" She was looking at me with such curiosity and distrust that I knew I needed to tell her my story if I wanted to make it to a healer in time since the feeling I was having was not disappearing. "I left my pack since I was given the option. They mistreated me ever since my parents died, and blamed me for it. I was also rejected by my mate who was the alpha's son." I went into more detail with her about the hut I was living in, the punishments and how I was basically starving to death.<br /> "So how was I supposed to stay and give them the pleasure of my death, that is why I had to leave", I said with not looking away from her eyes, so she could see I was telling the truth. She was just staring at me and I didn't know what to say or how to act so she wouldn't see me as a threat, even though with her strength I doubt I would be a threat with my overly skinny, malnutritioned self. All of a sudden there was the sharp pain again and I couldn't stop myself from crying out, and I could feel the tears flowing down my face. "Are you okay!?", she was panicking and jumped off of me, pulling me to my feet. "I need to see a healer, and soon, I don't know what is wrong with me", I replied through shallow breaths. I stood as she held on to my wrist, but I felt as if I was going to crumble to my knees at any moment. I didn't have the energy to ask her where we were going. There was a small voice in the back of my mind through all the pain I was feeling that said we could trust her, I hope that was true. I don't know how long we were walking for but we ended up coming to a small village. There was at least ten or more log cabins scattered around the wide openening we were standing in. The cabins had a homey look to them with different colored rose bushes in the front, and there was a large fire pit in the center of it all with wood benches around it. I took this moment to look at her and ask where we were going. She didn't reply and just kept walking until we ended up in front of a cabin with white roses out front. Without looking at me she raised her free hand and knocked four times before I heard shuffling from the inside. The door opened to reveal a elderly looking woman with soft brown eyes and braided silver hair. She looked startled to see me but once she saw that I was clenching my stomach with my free hand she opened the door wider and told us to hurry in. As we were led to a room that had a bed and medical supplies throughout it I realized this was their healer. The woman supporting me helped me lay on the bed and explained to the woman how she found me and what happened. "Now dear, can you tell me what is going on", the healer asked me. "Yes ma'am, it started with a weird sensation in the pit of my stomach a few days ago. Then I get these sharp pains randomly that have me falling to my knees."<br /> She looked at me for a long moment before asking me, "Have you shifted yet, and if you don't mind me asking how old are you?"<br /> "No ma'am I haven't shifted yet, and I turned eighteen a few nights ago." She looked at me with sadness in her eyes. She started gathering multiple things I tried to see what they were but couldn't catch a glimpse as she was moving too fast. She shuffled her way towards me with everything she gathered and set it on a table that was by the bed. I was starting to feel extremely nervous as she lifted the bottom of my shirt halfway up stopping when it reached my ribs. She started pressing on my stomach moving in a circle. She stopped and looked at me suddenly asking,"Can you tell me a little bit about who your parents were?" "I don't know much I was only five when everything happened, I remember that my father was the beta of my old pack and my mother was always with me." She seemed to be in a daze then snapped out of it asking what my parents names were. I replied, "Jay and Emily Conner, I'm afraid I don't know my mother's maiden name." "Well dear, I'm just going to say that there is magic holding your wolf in and I won't be able to help you with that, i'm sorry, but I can tell you that your wolf is fighting against the magic and that is why you are having pain. I can give you some herbs to help with the pain but you will need to find a witch to help you with the magic", she said with pity in her eyes.<br /> She walked to a cabinet on the wall across from the bed and grabbed a jar and needle. Coming back to the bed she said, " I am going to give you some pain medicine through a injection to help for now." The lady with the red hair was still here sitting at the end of the bed, her head shot up to the healer and the needle pierced my arm and before I could say anything I slipped into blackness.<br /> <br /> <br /> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br /> Wanna listen more? download our App and check more! Novel ID: 91595!	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1,778,255	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778140}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:36	active	760	995230355297367	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"God, you're so wet for me, Tinkerbell," he growls in my ear, and I shiver at the sound.<br /> "You like being drilled by a stranger in the middle of a club?"<br /> I can't deny it. The very idea both terrifies and arouses me. When I don't push him away, he smiles.<br /> ————————<br /> SUMMER<br /> Pressed against the wall of the nightclub, the good-looking stranger pecks me. Tipsy and disoriented, my heart races with a mix of uncertainty and desire. I never expected my night to take such a thrilling turn.<br /> Sweat clings to my skin as the crowded club pulsates around us on this hot summer night. Loud music drowns out any semblance of conversation while flashing lights create an electrifying atmosphere, amplifying the raw energy that courses through my veins.<br /> As we remain locked in our forbidden embrace, I'm acutely aware of how out of character this is for me. Yet, there's something so undeniably exciting about living on the edge, if only for a brief moment in time. The danger and uncertainty, combined with the allure of this mysterious stranger, have awakened a long-dormant fire.<br /> The stranger's hands greedily explore my body's curves, leaving fire trails on my flushed skin. His tall frame towers over me, dark hair framing intense blue eyes that seem to pierce my very soul. Tattoos snake their way up his muscular arms, and even though I can't hear him speak over the pounding bass, the memory of his Irish accent as he drew me into this darkened corner sends shivers down my spine.<br /> Our lips collide again, and every nerve in my body awakens with a mix of hesitation, excitement, and nervousness. The sensation is intoxicating – something I've never felt before. It's as if we're dancing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between wicked and desire, and I'm powerless to resist the pull.<br /> His fingers trace the contours of my hips, pressing into my flesh with a possessiveness that terrifies and thrills me. My breath hitches in my throat as he tugs at the hem of my dress, exposing more of my quivering skin to his ravenous touch. I should be afraid, but instead, I crave more of this deliciously wrong connection.<br /> As our pecks deepen, I find myself lost in the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. The seductive dance of our tongues mirrors the chaos in my mind, each stroke sending electric jolts through my veins.<br /> What am I doing?<br /> Is this really who I want to be?<br /> Even as these thoughts race through my head, my body betrays me, responding eagerly to his every touch. I feel my heart pounding, not just from the exertion but from the thrill of the unknown. This man, this enigma who has captured my attention and ensnared me in his web of desire, holds a power over me that I can't explain.<br /> "What's your name?" I pant, wanting to know more about this stranger who has awakened such primal urges, but the cacophony of the nightclub drowns out my voice. He only smirks in response, his eyes never leaving mine, bewitching me within their depths.<br /> I'm terrified.<br /> This dark, brooding stranger has unlocked a part of me that has long been hidden away, and as much as I know I should be afraid, all I can think about is how alive I finally feel as his fingers trail up my thigh, sending shivers down my spine. My breath catches in my throat, my heart racing with anticipation and uncertainty.<br /> "Wait," I whisper, suddenly feeling the weight of our actions through the drunken haze that has descended on me from too many glasses of cheap Chardonnay. "Your name..."<br /> Something wicked and alluring dances in his blue gaze. Without breaking eye contact, he pushes my panties aside. My body tenses at the unexpected intrusion. For a moment, I feel vulnerable, exposed, and scared, but then his fingers find their target, and my resistance melts away.<br /> "Ah!" The sensation is intense, a mix of pleasure and pain as he works his fingers inside me. I cling to him, my hands gripping his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin through the fabric of his tight black shirt. He holds me against the wall, one hand pinning me by the waist while the other sends waves of pleasure coursing through my body.<br /> I gasp, my head falling back against the wall as he picks up the pace, expertly teasing and tormenting me. My leg wraps around his waist instinctively, drawing him closer, my hips grinding against his hand in a desperate search for more of that intoxicating sensation.<br /> Raising an eyebrow in question, as if challenging me to admit just how much I crave his touch. I nod, unable to form words, and he rewards me with another delicious thrust of his fingers.<br /> Around us, the club-goers are lost in their own world of revelry, utterly oblivious to the scandalous exchange just inches from them. A tangled mass of sweaty bodies writhes on the dance floor, consumed by the pulsing beat of the music. Drinks clink, laughter rings out, and it's as if we exist in our own secret bubble, hidden from the judgmental eyes of the world.<br /> "God, you're so wet for me, Tinkerbell," he growls in my ear, and I shiver at the sound. His voice is dark and commanding, a dangerous edge that weakens my knees. "You like being drilled by a stranger in the middle of a club?"<br /> I can't deny it. The very idea both terrifies and arouses me. As much as I want to pull away, to escape this intoxicating dance of desire and danger, I find myself giving into the temptation completely.<br /> When I don't push him away, he smiles. It's sinister, and it touches a part of me that I know I should run from.<br /> But I don't.<br /> "Good girl," he purrs, sending a hot thrill down my spine. And with that, I surrender to the darkness, allowing him to take control, to push me further than I've ever dared to go before.<br /> When his body goes slack, he leans his forehead against mine, his hot breath mingling with my panting. We stay like that for a moment, him buried inside me, neither of us aware of the reality around us, time entirely lost to us.<br /> Knowing what I've just done crashes around me like a thunderstorm. I've just had unprotected with a stranger in a club in front of hundreds of people.<br /> He pulls back, that sinful smile on his face as he does up his fly.<br /> "Thanks, Tinks. I needed that."<br /> As abruptly as he entered my life, he now walks away, disappearing into the throng of club-goers without so much as a backward glance. The emptiness left in his wake engulfs me entirely, an inexplicable mixture of satisfaction and confusion swirling around inside. He had been everything I both feared and craved – and yet he vanished as quickly as a shadow in the night.<br /> My heart pounds erratically in my chest, caught between the exhilaration of what just transpired and the anguish of knowing it might never happen again. Why can't I shake this feeling? This insatiable longing for a man I don't even know?<br /> I mutter, shoving my dress down and looking around to see if anyone is looking at me.<br /> They aren't. Or if they are, they aren't doing so overtly.<br /> Wiggling my panties back into place, I feel the dampness pool, and I shudder.<br /> What have I done?<br /> Feeling nauseous with the booze and the knowledge of my actions, I lean against the cool wall, trying to catch my breath and make sense of the overwhelming mix of emotions coursing through me. The taste of him still lingers on my lips, a bittersweet reminder of what just transpired in this dim corner of the club.<br /> Tinkerbell, he'd called me, his Irish accent making the words sound like a deliciously wicked incantation. A shiver runs down my spine as I remember the way he'd looked at me, his intense blue eyes seeming to pierce through every layer of my defenses, laying my darkest desires.<br /> "Summer?" I hear my name being called faintly over the cacophony, snapping me out of my reverie. It's my friend. Her voice tinged with concern. I know she must be wondering where I've been, why I disappeared so suddenly – but how could I possibly explain the truth to her? How could I put into words the intensity of my encounter with the enigmatic stranger?<br /> "Summer, let's go home," Amelia says, finding me. "I'm way past drunk."<br /> "Same." I nod, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the club. As we make our way through the throngs of people, I glance back one last time, my eyes scanning the crowd for any glimpse of him. But he's gone, vanished like a ghost into the night.<br /> "Are you okay?" Amelia asks, her worried gaze fixed on me.<br /> I force a smile, trying to mask the turmoil within.<br /> "Fine," I lie, my voice barely audible above the din. "I'm fine."<br /> But as we step out into the cool night air, I can't shake the feeling that something has changed forever – that I've crossed a line from which there's no turning back. Part of that is fueled by beverage, hunger for the dangerous taste of forbidden desire, now awakened and impossible to ignore.<br /> ---<br /> Waking up with a raging thirst, a banging head and stiff legs, I moan against the light pouring into my bedroom through a crack in the curtains.<br /> Celebrating my twenty-fifth birthday yesterday had been a mistake. I should've stayed home, knowing I had work today.<br /> Half an hour later, and not a moment too soon, I race into the store, brushing down my clothes.<br /> "Morning, Summer," my coworker Jess greets me. "Ready for another fun-filled day?"<br /> "Thrilled," I reply sarcastically, forcing a smile. We exchange pleasantries, but my mind is elsewhere, filled with shame and lingering thoughts of Irish. That's his name now. I can't keep thinking of him as a stranger. It's unappealing and makes me edgy.<br /> "Hey, are you okay?" Jess asks concern etched on her face. "You seem off."<br /> "Long night," I admit, not wanting to divulge the details of my one-night stand. "Just need more coffee, I guess."<br /> "Ah, the hangover cure-all," she jokes, attempting to lighten the mood. "Well, hang in there. You've got this."<br /> "Thanks, Jess," I say, grateful for her support.<br /> Foregoing more coffee on my delicate stomach, I get straight to work, needing the distraction. But as I fold clothes and help customers, Irish's face haunts me. His touch lingers on my skin like a phantom caress, stirring up a risky mix of desire and guilt.<br /> I force my attention back to work, determined not to let my personal turmoil affect my performance. Customers come and go, their questions and needs pulling me out of my head for brief moments. But each time the store quiets down, the ghost of Irish returns, taunting me with his memory.<br /> As the hours drag on, my feet ache from standing, my head pounds, and I'm hungry at the same time as nauseous. I wonder if my one reckless night with the enigmatic Irishman might somehow be a twisted blessing in disguise – a chance to break free from the shackles of my mundane existence and embrace the tantalizing allure of danger and desire.<br /> As I finish restocking the shelves and return to the sales floor, I can't shake the feeling that I'm teetering on the edge of something life-changing. Despite knowing I should forget about Irish and move on with my life, part of me wonders if our paths will cross again – and what dark secrets he's hiding beneath that charming exterior.<br /> The afternoon sun casts long shadows on the store floor, and I feel like they're closing in on me. My thoughts keep drifting back to Irish, no matter how hard I try to focus on my tasks.<br /> "Excuse me," a customer says, bringing me back to reality. "Can you help me find a shirt that matches this tie?"<br /> "Of course," I reply, forcing a cheerful smile. We make our way through the maze of clothing racks, my mind racing with questions. Does Irish feel the same way I do? Or has he already moved on to someone else? He seems the type, what with seducing me and then striding off.<br /> "Here you are," I say, handing the man a perfectly matched shirt. He thanks me for my assistance before walking away, leaving me to my turbulent thoughts again.<br /> A shiver runs down my spine as I imagine Irish's eyes locked onto mine, his accent teasing every part of me. The forbidden desire bubbling up refuses to be silenced, even though I know it's dangerous to entertain these fantasies.<br /> "Summer, can you take over at the register?" Jess asks, snapping me out of my reverie.<br /> "Sure, no problem," I respond, stepping behind the counter. As I ring up customers' purchases, my heart flutters with anxiety, wondering if Irish has any regrets about our night together. I can't shake the feeling that there must be something more to him - something darker lurking beneath the surface. He is attracted, but nice guys don't do what he did.<br /> Neither do nice girls.<br /> Cringing at the thoughts, I shake it off. I'm not a yummy yukker. 'You do you' has always been my motto, but it was out of character for me to do what I did last night, and it will probably take me a while to get over the guilt I feel.<br /> Smiling at the young woman, I ring up her goods and wait for her to pay. She thanks me and leaves, her heady perfume lingering in the air like a ghostly reminder of last night's passion.<br /> "Home time!" Gary calls out, crossing over to me with a smile. "Thank, am I right?"<br /> "Yeah." Giving him a shy smile, I lower my eyes. He's my work crush. He's tall with blonde hair and green eyes that crinkle at the corners when he smiles. I always fluster when he speaks to me, even though he is the friendliest guy going. "I'm exhausted."<br /> "Partied hard last night?" he asks with a twinkle in his eye. "Sorry I couldn't make it, but I had a thing."<br /> "It's okay, and yeah, a bit too much."<br /> My cheeks are hotter than the flames of infernoinferno as I stammer my way out of this conversation with a half-hearted wave, rushing past him to the break room to gather my belongings from my locker. Hoping he didn't hear anything about anything, I will be sure to avoid him for the foreseeable future, just in case.<br /> Stepping outside the store, the evening air is hot and sweaty on my skin as the humidity levels have not dropped.<br /> Glaring at the clear blue sky, I curse it. "Where is the supposed thunderstorm?" I mutter and head for the parking lot, only to be stopped short when I remember I don't have my car; I have the bus.<br /> All I want to do is hurry home, have a cool shower and then, in incognito mode, look up places I can go to get tested, preferably somewhere out of town so no one sees me.<br /> As I walk to the bus stop, surrounded by people finishing their city jobs and leaving the stores as they close, these thoughts of Irish continue to haunt me. I know I should forget about him and move on with my life, but something inside me clings to the hope that he might be the one I've been waiting for. The taste of danger, coupled with whiskey and smoke, lingers on my lips, making it impossible to let go completely.<br /> Wondering if our paths will cross again and what sinister truths are concealed in those irresistible eyes, all I can do is keep moving forward, one step at a time, until I hear a voice behind me that freezes my blood instantly.<br /> As I glance up, my heart skips a beat. There he is—Irish.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.crazynovelapp.com/ad/TXlsaWIvMTcxNjE4LzI	149788454881544	Cra0004	https://facebook.com/61552123302606	47	1	469,016,245,549,571	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	Cra0004	120210245755110400	a.crazynovelapp.com	NONE	video		https://a.crazynovelapp.com/ad/TXlsaWIvMTcxNjE4LzIwMjQwNTA4MDkyNjE4L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-05-07 20:30	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440429971_385041211162237_2250129096224957177_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i3IDuAvaBZUQ7kNvgEp-5v3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAiN0rLUMIfxscqjU54m-VN0HXD7RwsFCkW8n2LpHldNw&oe=6641CDC1	person_profile	Cra0004	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440322719_1128210918509727_4929370191871599118_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xz8a7ETubJ0Q7kNvgHjRLcc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCyl604_c-EaHIX7gsGQSWC8JlxxTmRov6k_O1e86AR6w&oe=6641D9F3	3	Cra0004	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,751	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778754}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:42	active	760	2834662266684649	Simple Ritual Banished My Fungus For Good	Why did my husband keep ignoring his yellow toenails??? As much as I pestered him, he thought hiding his feet in his socks all the time would be the solution. He was too busy, and had “more important things” to deal with...<br /> <br /> But he passed it onto me and after years of failing to fully get rid of it, I ended up with nerve damage!<br /> <br /> Yeah… the yellow nails, the itchiness, the smell are all just the start. That’s the “annoying” part some people (like my husband) manage to ignore, but all the pain I experienced from nerve damage.<br /> <br /> Then my doctor telling me it could lead to amputation, how could I ever forgive him???<br /> <br /> I don’t even know how he ignored it, we both used to wake in the night from the itching.<br /> <br /> Wearing socks all the time didn’t seem to bother him, but it broke my heart not being able to wear most of the lovely shoes I’d bought over the years, or what other people were thinking when they saw them.<br /> <br /> After passing it onto me, he did finally try all the usual methods, daily foot soaking in apple cider vinegar, rubbing tea tree oil all over our toes, we even tried covering our feet in very expensive creams and sleeping with our feet in a plastic bag.<br /> <br /> But it was too late, the foot fungus never went away… it actually only got worse.<br /> <br /> The medications I got from the doctor seemed to help, but the side effects like clammy skin and dizziness made me worried every time the fungus came back and I had to use them again.<br /> <br /> I’d had enough, it was time to start sleeping in separate beds!<br /> <br /> The funny thing… he suddenly started doing EVERYTHING he could to fix things.<br /> <br /> He eventually found this video, it pinpointed why no matter what we did our foot fungus kept coming back (well it turns out even when it looked like it had gone, it hadn’t).<br /> <br /> And an all-natural routine that takes less than 5 minutes a day in the comfort of our own home that has finally kept it away.<br /> <br /> Funny how with the right motivation he managed to find the solution, I just wish he’d had found it years ago.<br /> <br /> After all the pain, arguments and stress I’m still a little on edge, but it’s been 6 months now and we are both back to clear toenails and having skin like a newborn!<br /> <br /> Take foot fungus seriously, it may be easy to cover up now, but soon you could pass it onto loved ones, or end up with painful nerve damage like I did.<br /> <br /> Learn this simple solution while you still have the chance.<br /> <br /> Tap “Learn more” now	LEARN_MORE	https://official.thebriascorner.org/ke1?utm_source	112859340188561	Bria's Corner	https://facebook.com/thebriascorner	19,944	1	1,603,269,017,125,172	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	Bria's Corner	120208432349210239	official.thebriascorner.org	NONE	image	And any of the above are affecting your day to day life, you need to watch this video now to discover the simple ritual you can do from the comfort of your own home.	https://official.thebriascorner.org/ke1?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_medium={{adset.name}}&utm_campaign={{ad.name}}	2024-05-08 03:38	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441213064_1653551342085122_3264751410651916886_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ma10NAA8ym8Q7kNvgEj7EUx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAjODQ4eDT-h5fM78IzZfuuWRdio0_1Dv8dOlfJdZYYtA&oe=6641F297	person_profile	موسوعة	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441248486_1366420617327386_7281518559438040896_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4y5R_ACFlQQQ7kNvgFT5Cl2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDao4wziLL6t8_hW-Rk2Ma47lxV0aTigDgzV-pd7LFLJg&oe=6641D3BB	3	Bria's Corner	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,778,787	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1778815}'	Yes	2024-05-08 18:43	active	760	1126943305210017	4.8/5 Rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	"Back feels so much better immediately upon putting it on. Tighten it up and keep it on a few hours. It makes a huge difference in my day and in my life. Can't say enough good things about it. Just GREAT"<br /> <br /> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Catherine H. USA<br /> <br /> Fix your sciatica & back pain with this simple device!<br /> <br /> ✅Eliminate sciatica & back pain the healthy way (no more painkillers)<br /> ✅Avoid expensive chiropractor bills<br /> ✅Flexible and non-slip unlike other hip belts<br /> <br /> 50% off all today's orders!<br /> <br /> Get Yours Now👇<br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdainelylab.com%2Fbelt&h=AT0Cks_iLy7Op_ynZNifs_iZAYv2N4MCpkfZpdbpQhViw16YShhb6vi2gAa9HeYj8SvfKtwkBEm4uBr4xw7gR7AWIaw4Q2fjlwP6Im1hfUWHUAqEJbGVtmLnGsIXtLtEcW4QpnFUH91NGQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://dainelylab.com/belt</a>	SHOP_NOW	https://dainelylab.com/products/back-belt	106537275405242	Dainely Devices	https://facebook.com/dainely.devices	23,708	28	439,498,178,569,358	2024-05-08 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Shop now	Dainely Devices	120208758160470373	dainelylab.com	NONE	video	50% Off Sale Ends Today!	https://dainelylab.com/products/back-belt	2024-04-26 14:33	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440408393_380608121105051_6566179702855290530_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yix3NsSqz44Q7kNvgFHu4GP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCnj93vzW3MASz1Y4Ud6izmW9JpPUbzhry08MVk-kdwfw&oe=6641CDDE	person_profile	Dainely Devices	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439696693_1164589624896753_9214938684044330612_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R3HPkP0VBGIQ7kNvgEbd01B&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA5LNxhmOleH3O2HtJqPQlL1sgRPFsFapqreYgjFzQeiQ&oe=6641DFE8	3	Dainely Devices	2024-05-08 02:00	View Edit Delete

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