Claudia and Anthony had known each other for twelve years. After three years of dating, their wedding date was set. The news of their intended marriage shook the entire city. Emotions were high as many women grew extremely jealous of her. At first, Claudia couldn't be bothered about the hate. But when Anthony abandoned her on the altar after receiving a call, she was devastated. "Serves her right!" All of her enemies took pleasure in her misfortune. The news spread like wildfire. In a strange turn of events, Claudia posted an update on social media. It was a picture of her with a marriage certificate which she captioned, "Call me Mrs. Dreskin from now on." While the public was still trying to process the shock, Bennett-who hadn't posted on social media in years-made a post with the caption that read, "Now a married man." The public went agog. Many people labeled Claudia as the luckiest woman of the century as she had struck gold by marrying Bennett. Even a baby knew that Anthony was an ant compared to his rival. Claudia had the last laugh that day. She relished her enemies' shocked comments while remaining humble. People still thought that their marriage was odd. They believed that it was just a marriage of convenience. One day, a journalist was bold enough to ask for Bennett's comment on his marriage to which he answered with the softest smile, "Marrying Claudia is the best thing that ever happened to me."
On this day, the Nixon and Marshall families had planned to unite in matrimony. The ambiance was brimming with excitement. The spacious banquet hall were decked out in rich, dreamy decor.
The wedding officiant called for the groom to step onto the stage. "Presenting to you our handsome groom, Mr. Anthony Nixon!"
Barely had the officiant's words resonated through the hall when the attendees erupted in deafening cheers.
Yet, after a few moments of waiting following the introduction, there was no sign of the groom on stage.
Guests started to murmur amongst themselves. Maintaining a cool demeanor, the officiant brushed it off as a minor hiccup. However, as the moments of silence stretched, even he realized something was off. His silence added to the sudden quiet in the hall.
Suddenly, a resounding smack echoed from backstage. Those close to the stage could see the scene unfold.
Anthony, the groom, had just been struck by his own mother. He ripped the boutonniere from his tuxedo jacket and stormed off.
Meanwhile, the bride-to-be, Claudia Marshall was backstage with her father, Jace Marshall, waiting for their cue to enter the spotlight.
"Feeling nervous, Cece?"
Jace gently patted her arm. Claudia offered her father an embarrassed look.
Just as she was about to respond, the commanding voice of Rachel Nixon, Anthony's mother, caught her attention. "Anthony, get back here right now!"
Claudia couldn't help but turn at the sound of Rachel's voice.
The moment she turned, she saw Anthony dashing past her.
His gaze flickered when he spotted her. "Cece, I apologize. There's been an emergency with Delilah. We must postpone our wedding!"
He didn't pause in his stride as he spoke.
His words extinguished all of Claudia's exhilaration and delight, leaving her feeling deflated and disheartened, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.
Only moments ago, her father had asked her if she was anxious. Indeed, she was, but not for the reasons one might expect. She wasn't worrying over marrying Anthony but over whether the wedding would proceed without a hitch, as that woman-Delilah Lopez-had assured her in last night's message!
Jace's expression soured. He had extended invites to his loved ones, acquaintances, and business contacts. The wedding was just about to commence, and Anthony had bolted at this crucial moment!
As Claudia watched him fade into the distance, she was paralyzed with shock.
No!
She couldn't let Anthony depart without a fight!
Regaining her composure, Claudia hoisted up her wedding gown and dashed after him. "Anthony!"
She was in high heels that didn't quite fit and every step she took was painful.
Yet Claudia didn't halt. She gritted her teeth, determined to catch up with Anthony.
The wedding banquet was on the second floor. As Anthony neared the stairwell, he heard Claudia's cries and paused briefly.
After a moment's hesitation, he continued to stride briskly out of the hotel.
By the time Claudia made it outside, Anthony was already crossing the road.
Without missing a beat, Claudia gave chase.
As Anthony was about to board his car, the screech of tires reverberated through the air, followed by a terrifying scream from his mother. "Claudia!"
Claudia, adorned in her pristine white wedding dress, was struck by a black vehicle, searing pain shooting up from her shin and engulfing her body.
Claudia was thrown to the ground, her white dress instantly stained with blood. Her arms bore multiple contusions. The bride, once the picture of beauty and grace, was now a vision of chaos and suffering.
Using her remaining strength to prop herself up on her hands, Claudia struggled to sit upright. Biting her lip, she fixed her gaze on Anthony who stood by his car.
Her lips remained sealed, but her tear-filled eyes silently implored him.
Would he stay?
Would he choose her over Delilah this time?
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."