Monique soared to the heavens when Joshua made her his bride. Her love for him brimmed over, so much so that not even the absence of his best man could stop the ceremony. And she even fell in love more with her now husband after the union. What initially appeared to be the prologue of their happily ever after soon changed into a captivating illusion, woven with deceit and falsehood, shattering her once-rosy reality. Now faced with the daunting truth, Monique must grapple with the revelation that the husband she adored is not the man she believed him to be but instead his twin brother...Jacob. What if the lie that she had been living with was the fairytale that she had been wanting all her life? Is love enough to overshadow the web of deception entwining them?
Monique Castaneda gently slowed her car as her cellphone's ringtone chimed, reaching out to the dashboard to check the caller ID. A warm smile illuminated her face as she discovered that it was her boyfriend, Joshua, on the other end of the line.
She couldn't help but experience a surge of happiness; this was simply how things felt when one was in love. Monique felt a bit like a teenager, her cheeks flushed as she answered Joshua's call.
"Hello, babe," she greeted him, using their affectionate term for one another. Even though he couldn't see her, she couldn't help but smile. She was just so elated that Joshua had called.
"Hi there, babe," he responded sweetly.
As she listened to his voice, she bit her lower lip. "Hmm... was there a specific reason for your call?" she inquired, sensing a hint of something amiss.
"Well, I called to let you know that we have to cancel our dinner plans for tonight," he regretfully explained.
"Oh," she replied, attempting to conceal the disappointment in her voice at the mention of their canceled dinner date. She had eagerly anticipated their evening out, even going as far as closing her Pet Shop early to have extra time to prepare.
Earlier, she had declined her friends' invitation to join them, despite being their first choice. She had explained to them why she couldn't make it, enduring their teasing with a good-natured spirit. Her friends had understood, their long-standing friendship allowing her to discern when their jests were lighthearted.
"I'm sorry, babe," Joshua apologised. "Mom discovered that my brother is in town for three days, and she wants me to accompany her on a visit," he elaborated on the reason for their cancelled dinner plans.
"Your twin brother, Jacob, is here?" she asked in surprise. Joshua's twin brother, Jacob, had seldom visited Chicago during the three years of their relationship because he ran a business in New York.
Despite his business' success, he remained a workaholic. Joshua had mentioned that Jacob had become a billionaire. Whenever Jacob returned to Chicago, he would still inform his family that he couldn't spend much time with them due to work commitments.
Joshua and Jacob were identical twins, and her boyfriend was indeed correct. When Monique saw a picture of Jacob, she initially mistook him for Joshua because of their strikingly similar facial features. They were spitting images of each other, and it was fortunate that Joshua's family had no trouble telling them apart, or Monique would have had a difficult time herself.
"Yes, he's here," Joshua replied to her question. "Mom was actually upset because Jacob had been in Chicago for three days already, but no one had informed her. If Mom hadn't called him, he wouldn't have let us know he was already here," Joshua added.
Monique was about to speak when she witnessed a motorcycle crash beside her, swerving to avoid the car in front of it.
"Oh, my God!" she exclaimed after witnessing the incident.
"Monique, what happened?" she heard Joshua's concerned voice from the other end of the line. Even though she couldn't see him, she could sense his worry in his voice, imagining the concern on his face.
"There's been an accident," she replied, her gaze fixed on the fallen motorcycle and the rider attempting to get up from the crash.
"Oh," Joshua uttered from the other end of the line.
Taking a deep breath, Monique continued, "I'll call you later, babe. I just want to see if I can help with the accident." Her natural inclination to assist in such situations compelled her.
"Okay. Be careful," Joshua said. "Call me if there's a problem," he added.
She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Okay. I love you," she said.
Without waiting for Joshua's response, she ended the call and removed her Bluetooth headset from her ear. She pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. In haste, she exited the car to assist the man involved in the accident, who was still trying to stand up. He seemed to be in pain, a detail not lost on Monique. As she approached, she immediately placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He froze momentarily as her touch made contact.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her tone filled with concern. Though he wore a helmet, he looked up at her face with dark eyes fixed on her. "Are you alright?" she repeated the question when he didn't respond immediately. She couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, fearing that he might be seriously injured since he hadn't answered.
"I'm okay," he replied in a deep voice, relieving Monique with his assurance.
She glanced down at his arm and gasped upon spotting a sizable gash with blood seeping out. "No, you're not okay," she stated, her brows knitting in concern. Annoyance crept in as well; 'if he truly was okay, he wouldn't have a bleeding wound. Sometimes, men could be so stubborn, refusing to admit they were hurt, which didn't in any way diminish their masculinity.' She took a deep breath and gently placed her hand on his waist, noticing his momentary freeze but paying it little mind. In that moment, her sole focus was on providing first aid for the gash on his arm.
"We need to treat your wounds to prevent infection," she said with a stern tone, not waiting for his response. She guided one of his hands to rest on her shoulder and helped him to her car. Opening the back seat, she assisted him in sitting down. "Stay here. I'll get something from my car. I'll be right back," she assured him before hurrying to the driver's seat of her car to retrieve her first aid kit. Upon her return, she noticed him struggling to remove his helmet, wincing from the pain in his arm. Her eyes widened when she finally caught sight of his face as he removed the helmet.
Initially, she had mistaken him for Joshua because the man standing before her bore a striking resemblance to her boyfriend. If not for the stubble around his jawline, she could have easily mistaken him for him. Her boyfriend maintained a neat appearance and disliked any trace of stubble on his face.
Then it clicked; Joshua had mentioned that his twin brother, Jacob, had come to town. The man before her had to be Jacob. Monique's gaze left him only when she saw him examining his injured arm, a reminder that she needed to attend to that wound.
She let out a deep breath, retrieved her first aid kit, and placed it on her thigh before opening it. With utmost care, she extracted the necessary supplies for cleaning the wound.
"Does it hurt?" she asked as she gently dabbed the alcohol-soaked cotton ball onto his wound.
"No," he replied in a deep baritone voice.
Monique looked up at him and was surprised to find him gazing intently at her. She unconsciously bit her lower lip, which was a mistake as his gaze shifted to her lips. Quickly stopping herself, she averted her eyes from him and concentrated on tending to his wounds. She still felt the warmth of his gaze but tried to ignore it, feeling a sense of awkwardness from his intense stare. She considered addressing it but decided against it, allowing him to continue looking at her while she focused on applying first aid to his arm. Whenever she sensed him wincing in pain, she paused in her ministrations and sometimes blew gently on the wound to alleviate the sting. Before long, she finished treating his injuries.
"I'm done," she announced as she lightly patted the gauze she had placed on his wound. Glancing up at him, she noticed a peculiar expression on his face when he smiled back, but she couldn't quite decipher its meaning, so she let it go. "Be careful while driving next time to avoid accidents. Safety first; you don't want to get hurt again," she advised, a habit she had with Joshua whenever he was driving.
He nodded in response. "Thanks," he replied, his voice resonating deeply.
She couldn't help but study his face once more. He really resembled Joshua. At that moment, she briefly considered introducing herself as Joshua's girlfriend to him but chose to remain silent. 'Joshua could handle the introductions himself.' She thought to herself.
He stood up, picked up his helmet, and placed it on his head. Then he mounted his motorcycle. Before starting the bike, he looked at her one last time. She raised a hand to wave goodbye, and he nodded before revving up the motorcycle. A beep of the horn signaled his departure, and she watched his figure retreat until he disappeared from her view.
When he was completely out of sight, she got into her car and drove away, contemplating what to do now that her evening plans had been canceled.
Blythe Sanchez has had enough. After years of enduring her boyfriend's endless infidelity, her patience has run dry, and her heart is shattered. One impulsive night changes everything when she crosses paths with Larkin Callahan, a mysterious and irresistibly handsome stranger. Larkin's allure pulls her in, but behind his charming smile lie secrets that could either bring them together or tear them apart. What begins as a moment of passion quickly spirals into a whirlwind romance, forcing Blythe to confront not only her past but also the dangerous mysteries surrounding Larkin. Can she risk trusting her heart again, or will his secrets be the final betrayal?
Theana must pretend as Alethea (her twin sister) and get to know her sisterâs future husband, Taddeo Locatelli, until Alethea is ready to face her groom. However, things change its course when she finds herself being preyed upon by Taddeo's younger brother, Arcel. It was intrigue that lured Arcel to her. His unexpected interest blooms into possession that fuels the monster within him. Nothing could stop him from claiming her for himself, even his own brother. Will there be âHappy Endingâ between Arcel and Theana if their love for each other were entangled with lies, revengeâŠand murder?
Bella stood before a large mirror in a grand room, brushing her hair. She was preparing herself for what would happen on the first night of her marriage. As Bella was brushing her hair, the door to the room opened, and she saw in the mirror her husband approaching her. Bella put down her hairbrush and turned to face Leandro, who was standing with pride and honor behind her. "You can refuse if you don't want me to do this," Leandro said, his tone cold and formal. Bella lowered her head. She didn't want this. She didn't want to be touched by a man she didn't love. She didn't want anything to happen between her and a man she barely knew, except for their wedding day. But what could she do? She had to fulfill her husband's needs. If he wanted something to happen between them, she couldn't refuse. That's what her father had drilled into her mind. Leandro sighed, and Bella raised her gaze to meet his. Her eyes widened when she saw Leandro undressing. "If you're not going to say anything to stop me, I will take it as permission to have sex with you," Leandro stated. Bella firmly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stood up and slowly removed her nightdress. Leandro's lips parted in surprise at his wife's actions. Nevertheless, the desires of his flesh overpowered his other emotions. He quickly pulled his wife into a deep kiss, catching Bella off guard, leaving her with no time to close her eyes. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the bed with Leandro on top of her. Leandro's movements were swift. He removed Bella's underwear and looked at her one last time before speaking again. "You can still stop me," Leandro said in a hoarse voice. Bella took a deep breath and shook her head. "This is my obligation as your wife. You don't have to ask me again. Do it." Leandro retrieved a condom, put it on, and then positioned himself before slowly entering Bella. She screamed in pain and discomfort as she accepted her husband's entirety. Bella involuntarily pulled Leandro's hair as he continued to penetrate her slowly. Tears streamed down Bella's face as she felt Leandro's fullness inside her. She gradually began to feel Leandro's movements. That night, Bella experienced a mix of desire and bitterness. She surrendered to her husband's actions, but she cried and felt bitter because she was unsure if this was the life she truly desired. They shared a passionate night, and Bella barely remembered the details due to exhaustion. She woke up the next morning to find her husband no longer by her side. She later discovered that he had left the country early that morning, leaving her alone.
When I entered our room, I immediately saw Marcus on our balcony smoking. He was wearing a white tank top and pajama bottoms. When I closed the door, he faced me, and I immediately saw the sharp look in his eyes. "M-Marcus, you came home early from work," I said to him with some nervousness. Already sensing whatâs on his mind. I met Tristan earlier, and I didn't want Marcus to know. Even if my husband doesn't love me, he gets angry when other men approach me, and he doesn't want me near Tristan either. He put out the cigarette he was holding and threw it away. Slowly, he approached with a sharp gaze. I swallowed my saliva, feeling the strong beating of my heart. "M-Marcus!" I exclaimed. He grabbed me by the waist and pressed our bodies together. He brought his face close to my ear and licked and bit it. I clung to his shoulder and let out a soft moan. I also closed my eyes because I couldn't bear to look at him. "Where have you been, Evelyn Grace Halloway?" he whispered close to my ear. I swallowed my saliva, struggling to answer in our current position. I felt Marcus's touch on my thigh, making me even more restless. "Someone saw you earlier with Tristan Anderson. Can I ask if that's true, Mrs. Halloway?" Marcus asked me with his sweet voice. Instead of feeling delighted by how he said it, I became even more scared because I knew what would happen next. "Look at me!" I jumped in surprise at his shout and quickly opened my eyes, looking at him. My whole body trembled in fear of what he would do next. I saw his intimidating expression as he stared at me. He held my chin and brought my face close to his. I shivered as he licked the side of my lips and whispered to me again. "What did I tell you before, wife?" My lips trembled as I answered his question. "N-No meeting other... other men," I stammered. "Hmmm." He caressed my waist and kissed my cheek. "Can you explain what happened earlier?" "W-We're just friends, Marcus. I-I didn't do anything wrongâ" "Liar!" he shouted. I couldn't hold back my tears. I screamed as Marcus lifted me and laid me on our bed. My eyes widened as he hovered over me. "No one else can come near you, claim you, and touch you because you're mine, Evelyn Grace Halloway! You can't escape from me because I won't allow you to be happy!" he shouted and laughed devilishly. I am Evelyn Grace Wilson-Halloway, and I married the Devil Billionaire named Lucien Marcus Halloway.
Amelie Pearce, born into one of the prominent crime families in Chicago, is a princess of the mafia renowned for her physical attractiveness. However, what many perceive as a blessing becomes her downfall when she is compelled to marry Gio Merante, in order to establish peace between two mafia dynasties. Gio is the prospective head of the Merante Cartel within the New York Famiglia, a man infamous for his brutal nature and for strangling his cousin with his bare hands. Millie is filled with terror at the prospect of marrying such a monster. Despite being one of the most desirable bachelors in New York due to his good looks, wealth, and charismatic but predatory demeanor, Millie understands that Gio's bad boy persona is more than just an act. Behind Gio's captivating gray eyes and arrogant smile lie bloodshed and death. In her world, an attractive exterior often conceals a hidden monsterâone capable of both killing and kissing with equal ease. However, escaping from the arranged union, let alone a man like Gio, is impossible. He would pursue her to the ends of the earth. Millie's only hope of survival in a marriage with Gio is to win his affection and gradually find her way into his heartâdespite rumors that suggest Gio possesses no heart at all. A beautiful mafia princess given to a monstrous man. Even monsters harbor a heart. She fully intends to find her place within it.
Ashton Johnson is a formidable presence, a person who refuses to be controlled. With a strong will, unwavering resilience, and complete accountability, this twenty-two-year-old billionaire alpha male navigates his extraordinary life with ease. Every day brings a flurry of adoring fans, transforming a simple lunch into a chaotic spectacle. By afternoon, his face is plastered all over the internet, capturing the attention of millions. From the moment he was born, Ashton's life was destined for fame and recognition, thanks to his prominent family. He is the epitome of American royalty, carrying the weight of his lineage on his shoulders. However, his world takes an unexpected turn when he is assigned a new bodyguard, someone who will be with him around the clock. This is when Ashton comes face-to-face with his worst fear: being paired with a tattooed, MMA-trained professional who is notorious for disregarding rules within the security team. As if that weren't complicated enough, this bodyguard also happens to fulfill one-third of Ashton's deepest sexual desires. Lennox Burke, twenty-seven years old, has a singular duty: to protect Ashton Johnson at all costs. Anything beyond the realm of strict professionalism, such as flirting, dating, or engaging in intimate encounters, is strictly forbidden and could lead to Lennox's termination. However, when unexpected emotions begin to surface, the task of safeguarding this stubbornly alluring celebrity becomes increasingly complex for Lennox. As their paths intertwine, the boundaries that separate them start to blur, and the consequences of their growing connection could be catastrophic for both of them. The risk of exposure looms large, threatening to upend their lives in unimaginable ways.
Eden McBride spent her whole life colouring within the lines. But when her fiancé dumps her one month before their wedding, Eden is done following the rules. A hot rebound is just what the doctor recommends for her broken heart. No, not really. But it's what Eden needs. Liam Anderson, the heir to the biggest logistics company in Rock Union, is the perfect rebound guy. Dubbed the Three Months Prince by the tabloids because he's never with the same girl longer than three months, Liam's had his fair share of one night stands and doesn't expect Eden to be anything more than a hookup. When he wakes up and finds her gone along with his favourite denim shirt, Liam is irritated, but oddly intrigued. No woman has ever left his bed willingly or stole from him. Eden has done both. He needs to find her and make her account. But in a city with more than five million people, finding one person is as impossible as winning the lottery, until fate brings them together again two years later. Eden is no longer the naive girl she was when she jumped into Liam's bed; she now has a secret to protect at all costs. Liam is determined to get everything Eden stole from him, and it's not just his shirt. © 2020-2021 Val Sims. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publishers.
âYou need a bride, I need a groom. Why donât we get married?â 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. âShe keeps asking for a divorce, but I donât want that! What should I do?â
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same missionâcarrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Norah had to make a big move to Raybourne City after an engagement arrangement between her family and the Chase family. She wasn't given the best welcome as everyone thought she was a country girl who wanted to dig gold by marrying into a wealthy family. All three sons of the Chase couple refused to have anything to do with her. They scoffed and belittled her, saying that she wasn't their type and they had better options to choose from. Unbeknownst to them, Norah was more than they thought she was. She had multiple careers going well for her. She was a renowned contemporary artist, an enigmatic hacker, a world-famous designer, a top racer, and even the founder of a widely-known luxury brand. She didn't need their goddamn money! Norah enjoyed working anonymously in different fields. But one day, her secret identities were exposed. The three brothers instantly made a U-turn. Janson, the eldest of them all, said so romantically, "I think we are a match made in heaven, Norah. If you get married to me, you will be the wife of the president of Chase Group." Simon, the third son, declared, "Norah, I can move mountains for you. I want to marry you even if I have to fight with my big brother." Hearing this, the second son, Darren was speechless. He still couldn't believe what was happening. "Are you guys being serious right now? You want to chase me after rejecting me? Ha-ha! It's too late!" Norah snorted coldly. She was fed up with the whole engagement thing, so she decided to leave. But before she could do so, the infamous playboy, Darren grabbed her by the arm. He refused to let her go despite her struggle. He stared her dead in the eye and smirked evilly. "You flirted with me, and now you want to leave? Over my dead body!"