Erica has just returned, but she's no longer the girl she once was. Now a determined scientist, she's on a mission for revenge against the men who wronged her sister. One by one, she tracks them down using her intellect and newfound strength. However, her relentless pursuit takes an unexpected turn when she encounters an obstacle that forces her to choose between continuing her quest for vengeance and letting go for the sake of love. Will Erica's desire for justice outweigh the pull of her heart?
Chapter 1: The Return
The evening air was heavy with the scent of pine and rain-soaked earth. Erica hadn't set foot in this town for over a decade, and yet every street, every crack in the asphalt felt like it carried her memories. Dressed in a sharp gray trench coat that shielded her from the drizzle, she stepped out of her rental car and onto the pavement of Maple Drive. The rows of houses seemed smaller now, their chipped paint and sagging roofs a testament to time's decay. But none of that mattered. What drew her here wasn't nostalgia-it was a promise.
A vow she made five years ago as she stood beside her sister's grave.
The cemetery was on the outskirts of town, where the trees grew tall and cast long shadows over the rows of headstones. Erica parked her car near the iron gate and made her way up the gravel path. She clutched a bouquet of white lilies, their petals trembling as a breeze passed through. Her polished boots crunched against the gravel, the sound almost deafening in the stillness.
When she reached the grave, she paused. Her sister's name, etched in stone, stared back at her:
Lillian Carter
Beloved Daughter, Cherished Sister
Beneath the inscription was a quote Lillian had once loved: "The stars may fall, but their light remains."
Erica crouched down, brushing away the stray leaves that had gathered at the base of the headstone. She placed the lilies carefully, her fingers lingering on the cold stone.
"I'm here, Lil," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. "I haven't forgotten. I never will."
The memories came rushing back-Lillian's laughter echoing in their tiny apartment, her mischievous grin as she teased Erica about her books, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke of her dreams. And then, the darkness. The phone call in the middle of the night. The police report. The trial that ended in nothing but despair.
Lillian had been vibrant, full of life. She didn't deserve what happened to her.
Erica clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She had spent years burying her grief, channeling it into her studies and her work. She'd become a scientist, one of the best in her field, because she believed knowledge was power. But power wasn't enough. Not anymore.
"I've tracked them down," she said, her voice firmer now. "Every single one of them. They thought they could destroy you and walk away. They were wrong."
She straightened, brushing a tear from her cheek. For a moment, she hesitated, wondering if Lillian would approve of what she was about to do. But the image of her sister's broken body, her lifeless eyes, burned in her mind. There was no room for doubt.
---
Erica's first target was a man named Victor Kane. He had been a rising star in the world of finance when Lillian was alive, but his career had since taken a nosedive. According to her research, he now lived in a modest house on the edge of town, far from the high-rise apartments and lavish parties he once frequented.
She drove to his neighborhood as dusk settled over the town, her mind racing with possibilities. Confronting Victor wouldn't be easy-she had to be strategic. As a scientist, she had learned to analyze situations, to anticipate outcomes. This was no different.
When she reached his house, she parked a block away and observed from a distance. The house was unremarkable, a single-story structure with peeling paint and a sagging porch. A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she spotted Victor through the window, pacing the living room with a drink in his hand.
Erica's stomach churned. This was the man who had laughed as her sister begged for mercy. The man who had testified in court, spinning lies that painted Lillian as the villain.
She tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
Not tonight.
Erica knew better than to rush in without a plan. She drove back to her motel and spent the night devising her strategy. She reviewed everything she knew about Victor-his habits, his weaknesses, his fears. By the time the sun rose, she had a plan.
---
The next evening, Erica returned to Victor's house, dressed in black and armed with a laptop bag. Her plan was simple: infiltrate, confront, and extract information.
She approached the house under the cover of darkness, her heart pounding. The door was locked, but she had anticipated that. With a small tool kit, she picked the lock in under a minute and slipped inside.
The house smelled of stale alcohol and cigarettes. Empty bottles littered the coffee table, and the television flickered with the muted glow of an old crime drama. Victor was passed out on the couch, his snores echoing through the room.
Erica set her bag on the dining table and pulled out a small device-a modified taser she had designed herself. It was silent, efficient, and left no marks. She approached Victor cautiously, her footsteps light on the worn carpet.
With a quick motion, she pressed the taser to his neck. His body jerked, and his eyes flew open, panic flooding his features. Before he could scream, Erica clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Good evening, Victor,"she said coldly. "Remember me?"
He shook his head, his eyes wide with terror.
"Of course you don't. But you remember Lillian Carter, don't you?"
Recognition dawned in his eyes, followed by fear.
Erica pulled a photograph from her pocket and held it up. It was a picture of Lillian, smiling and carefree, taken weeks before her death.
"This was my sister," Erica said, her voice steady.
"You and your friends destroyed her life. Do you know what that did to our family? To me?"
Victor mumbled something against her hand, and she removed it, stepping back to let him speak.
"I-I didn't mean for it to happen," he stammered. "It wasn't my idea! I-"
"Save your excuses," Erica snapped. "You had a choice, and you chose to hurt her. But now, I'm giving you a choice. Tell me everything you know about the others-where they are, what they've been doing-or I'll make sure you never hurt anyone again."
Victor's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape. But Erica was prepared. She pulled a small syringe from her pocket and held it up.
"This is a neurotoxin I developed," she said, her tone clinical. "A single dose will paralyze you for hours. You won't be able to move, speak, or even blink. Do you want to test me?"
Victor shook his head frantically.
"Good," Erica said. "Start talking."
---
By the time Erica left Victor's house, she had the information she needed. She knew where the next man was-Mark, a former police officer who had used his position to cover up their crimes. She also knew that Victor wouldn't be a problem anymore.
As she drove back to her motel, Erica felt a strange mix of emotions. Satisfaction, yes, but also a deep sadness. No matter what she did, she couldn't bring Lillian back. But she could make sure her sister's memory wasn't tarnished, that the men who wronged her paid for their sins.
Erica parked her car and sat in silence, staring out at the dark horizon. She thought of Lillian, of the life they might have had if things had been different.
"I'll make it right," she whispered. "I promise."
She didn't know if Lillian could hear her, but it didn't matter. What mattered was the mission.
Tomorrow, she would face the next target. And she wouldn't stop until every one of them had been brought to justice.
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
Daisy is the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Hubert. His company went bankrupt, so he asked for help from Drkov's house. They agreed to help Mr. Hubert but with one condition. One of his two daughters must marry their nephew - Atlas Drkov. Atlas Drkov is a billionaire but he is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Yaretzi - daughter of Mr. Hubert's official wife - does not accept marrying a disabled man. She and her parents made a plan. They kidnapped Daisy's mother, threatened her, and forced her to marry Atlas. To save her mother, she accepted. However, after getting married, she fell in love with this man, and so did he. Difficulties start from here.
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?
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Lucien Gray, the young and powerful head of an international consortium, has always had everything within his reach-wealth, influence, and any woman he desires. But when the unassuming Nina Morrison crosses his path, something unexpected happens. She doesn't fall at his feet, nor does she seem impressed by his status. Her indifference sparks an irresistible challenge in Lucien-a desire to conquer her at all costs. Determined to make Nina his, Lucien's pursuit becomes relentless. But Nina's fiery spirit and refusal to be controlled push Lucien to his limits. With every struggle and defiance, the tension between them grows, threatening to shatter the boundaries Lucien has always maintained. Now Lucien vows to claim her as his own. Will Lucien's obsession break Nina's spirit, or will she force him to confront his deepest vulnerabilities? In a game of power and desire, who will win-and at what cost?
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!