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[New book, "Rebirth of the Heiress: I married my ex-husband's brother," is out now!] At her step-sister's birthday dinner, Nina was drugged by her family and sold to an old pervert. In her desperate attempts to escape, Nina comes across Jayden Luxton, the business tycoon. "Marry me, and I promise to keep you alive and unharmed." He proposed. With her innocence in line, Nina has no choice but to marry him. Jayden wanted a wife and Nina needed protection. The deal was a win-win situation where both parties got what they wanted. However, the prerequisite was that they couldn't fall in love with each other. As two individuals who lived an exhausting life that lacked color and love, all hell would unloose once they lived under the same roof. After their every lovemaking session, he would always remind her. "Don't fall for me. If not, you'd end up hurting yourself." Yet, he was the one who couldn't let go of her and kept spoiling her to no end! "Boss, someone bullied Madam at her college." The next day, Springfield College, the top college in Spring City, disappeared overnight from the country. - "Boss, madam has taken fancy to Paris, the most renowned clothing brand in the world." As a result, the entire collection of Paris was emptied to decorate a certain someone's wardrobe. - "Boss, madam went on a date with a wild man." The poker-faced and aloof CEO finally had a crack in his expression as his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Does she think it's that easy to get rid of me?"
Pak!
A loud, furious sound reverberated in the large hall, silencing everyone present.
Nina held her stinging cheek in disbelief. A bright red print had appeared on her fair skin, looking especially eye-catching.
Her eyes turned cold as she swept them across the people in front of her.
Her so-called father, who had just hit her without caring about the occasion, her stepmother, who looked at her accusingly, and lastly at her younger step-sister, who wept uncontrollably in her mother's arms.
She could only laugh bitterly at herself.
"You are so young, but already so vicious. How could I have a daughter like you? To steal your sister's endorsement, you tampered with her makeup?" William Santiago, Nina's father, pointed his finger at her angrily. The disappointment in his tone was apparent.
Hiss!
The guests immediately broke out into loud murmurs.
Nina met her father's enraged gaze and felt an inexplicable chill in her heart.
Today was her stepsister Alyson's eighteenth birthday banquet and the Santiago house has been bustling in excitement since the morning.
The guests had just arrived when they heard a shrill scream and saw Alyson running down the stairs, covering her face.
Her face, originally soft and pale, had turned scarlet red because of an allergic reaction, and not a single spot was left clean.
"It was sister," Alyson whimpered, her shoulders trembling pitifully. "She put something in my makeup."
And the first thing her father did was not take her to the hospital immediately but humiliate Nina in front of the crowd.
"Nina, I know I'm not your biological mom, but ask yourself, have I ever treated you poorly? Is this how you repay us?" Her stepmother's worried and disappointed voice came through as she protected Alyson in her arms.
"That's because she's never seen us as her family." William hollered. "Beauty is a woman's biggest asset, and your sister is about to enter the entertainment industry. You destroyed her career before it even started! Immediately apologize to her or else don't blame me for kicking you out."
An incredulous look appeared on her face. "Are you sure it was me? Where's your evidence?" Nina retorted composedly. Even after being held in a tight position, she did not lose her cool.
"Evidence? You still have the cheek to ask for evidence? Can't you see how badly you've disfigured Alyson's face?"
Being called out, Alyson once again cried loudly.
Nina took a deep breath and stared at Alyson sharply. "I'll ask you one more time. Are you sure it was me?"
Alyson's eyes flickered slightly, and she avoided her gaze. "Sis, I know you've been upset because I passed the auditions. If you wanted the endorsement so badly, you should've told me about it. How could you..." She did not complete the sentence, but it was apparent what she was trying to say.
The younger sister had passed the auditions for a very reputed endorsement deal. The eldest sister, on the other hand, couldn't accept it, and out of jealousy, she ruined her younger sister's face!
The crowd sucked in a sharp breath.
Heavens! A woman's jealousy was the most terrifying thing in the world.
"Stop with your crap," Nina snapped at her. "Alyson, you know best what kind of person you are. You guard your things even from your mother. Are you that generous to let me touch your things?"
Alyson panicked and denied it vehemently. "But it was you who collected the package this morning. There's also your sign on the delivery package."
Nina felt something amis and tried recalling today's events.
She did collect a delivery box this morning, but that was it. She did not even know what was inside, so how could she tamper with them?
But knowing Alyson's personality, she knew she wasn't the type to inflict harm on herself just to frame her.
The makeup might have expired or not suited her skin, but she insisted on tearing the bill on her.
Mr. Santiago barked in anger. "Are you still trying to deny it? Apologize immediately."
Looking at the family of three that sang the same tune, Nina did not want to waste her breath on these unreasonable people.
What hurt her was not their attitude but her father's accusations. He, who was supposed to be her closest family, who should've held up the mountain and protected her, was now staring at her with eyes that looked like poisoned steeled needles.
At that moment, she only felt numb all over. She took a step back, the blood in her cold. "Unless you provide concrete evidence that I was the one who disfigured her, I won't apologize."
It was pointless to stand and explain herself, since these people were dead and set to throw her under the bus.
Hence, she turned around and left. As she climbed up the stairs, she remembered something and looked over her shoulders.
"Also, Dad... My major in college is fashion design. As my father, I should at least remind you."
Ironically, despite staying under the same roof, her father did not even know what major she was studying at the college.
"You bastard child," Mr. Santiago's face darkened, and he wanted to rush after her, but Mrs. Santiago stopped him. "Dear, now is not the time to run after her. The guests are still waiting. We can teach her a lesson later."
It was only then that he realized they were in the middle of the banquet.
He immediately straightened his clothes and put on a gentlemanly smile, totally in contrast with the shrew he was just a moment ago. "Distinguished guests, I am sorry you had to witness such a scene. I'm extremely ashamed because of my elder daughter. Please don't hold it against us and enjoy the party."
---
Nina shut the door and leaned against it, sliding down on the floor. Inside the dark room, her small petite figure was huddled up with her arms wrapped around her knees.
Her parents divorced when she was five and she grew up in a single-parent house with her mother.
Nina's mother was a promiscuous woman who had destroyed countless marriages because she couldn't bear to be poor and lonely. As a result, Nina was bullied terribly at school and was often labeled as a prostitute's daughter.
When the wives of those rich men with whom her mother slept came knocking at their door, they would beat Nina up instead when they couldn't get hold of her mother.
It wasn't until she turned fourteen that her mother was crazy enough to send her to accompany a middle-aged pedophile who had taken a fancy to her.
Even a vicious tiger wouldn't hurt its cub, but her mother, who was blinded by greed, did not hesitate once to throw her to the wolves.
"That is what you owe me. I gave birth to you, and it is only normal for you to sacrifice for me. Even if I ask for your life, you should consider it as your good fortune."
This was what her mother would tell her every time she was beaten up brutally.
Nina had to clean up after her mess and do all the household chores ever since she was five. To support her mother, she even had to take multiple part-time jobs.
Even her tuition fees were earned by herself and through various scholarships.
Every night was a torment for her and every day she lived in the hope that maybe one day, her mother would feel pity for her and turn over a new leaf. But in the end, all that she got was endless despair.
When she had had enough of her mother's abuse, she plucked some courage and ran away from her clutches to Spring City to look for her father.
By the time she found him, she realized her father had already remarried and had a small family of his own.
On a cold winter night, she stood in front of their entrance, covered in snow. Nina would never forget that day.
In an unfamiliar city, surrounded by strangers, she felt fear and helplessness at the same time. Because she was in a hurry to find her father, Nina did not have time to eat. Hence, on an empty stomach, she squatted in front of their house for an entire night, begging them to take her in.
When the morning rays touched the surface, the door finally opened. Perhaps her father still had some conscience left, and with great reluctance, he finally took her in.
After her parent's divorce, her father quickly married his mistress and brought in his illegitimate daughter, much to her surprise, who was only a year younger than her.
Her stepmother had a beautiful appearance, but she paled terribly compared to her mother.
On the surface, she looked gentle and dignified, but only Nina knew how black-hearted she was.
Although they had agreed to let her stay in the house, she was treated no differently than a maid.
However, to Nina, nothing else really mattered as long as she did not have to live worrying about her meals and had a roof over her head. Everything was worthwhile.
Over time, she accepted that her father did not have any feelings towards her. Still, her heart could not help but fill with disappointment and grief at his blatant favoritism.
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!