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"Let go of me, Derek! You let go of me five years ago, why do you want me now? She asked with anger blazingly in her eyes as she stared at the man she first dedicated her life to." I realised that I can't live without you," he answered, staring into her sea-blue eyes." "Well, guess what? I will live without you." After working her a*s for five years to build her husband's company. She comes home one day to discover that her husband has filed for a divorce and is getting married to her best friend who was pregnant with him. She packed her things and signed the divorce papers, ready to start a life of her own. Only to find out that she was pregnant. She decides to leave the city with her child after meeting Andrew, a billionaire who offers to help her. She comes back five years later as the CEO of the company her ex-husband is holding on to pay the debt of his company. What happens when Derek comes back begging her to come back? What happens when Andrew starts falling head over heels in love with her? Will she leave Andrew for Derek or vice versa.
Ava POV
Whoever said being the CEO of a company has the best experience is a great liar. I mean I am just handling
My husband's second company and I were already stressed out.
Sometimes I wonder how my husband coped. He had managed to handle two companies with each one having a revenue of hundreds of dollars every year and here I was trying to handle just one and was already burnt out.
Although it was a stressful life, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially travelling, I just concluded a business deal in California. I am flying back to London to meet my lovely husband and maybe spend time with Annabel, my best friend.
Immediately after the plane landed at the airport my husband's driver came to pick me up. I noticed a change in his usual demeanour but decided to brush it off maybe he was having a bad day at work
"We arrived safely at Derek's mansion. My face with a smile at the thought of seeing him after staying away for a week. Gosh, I missed him a lot.
Bailey, one of our housemaids rushed towards me to carry a bag. I stared at the mansion feeling amiss.
Something was wrong. The atmosphere did not just feel right. I could hear classical music in the background. What was happening? I never knew we were holding a party.
I walked Into the mansion to be welcomed by the party. Most of the people were business associates and other family friends.
"May we welcome the beautiful newly engaged couple Mr Derek Lockwood and Mrs Annabel Shepherd" The announcer said.
Everyone around began to clap, their faces beaming with smiles. My father-in-law stood at the front clapping with the crowd, smiling with pride.
My heart sank into my stomach, and a surge of unnamed emotions filled me. What was happening? How the hell was my husband getting engaged with my childhood best friend?
"They look so happy" A woman at my front said she had an ecstatic smile on her face. She was Mrs. Salvator her multi-million-dollar jewellery business.
"Yes, I particularly hated his former wife. She was the true definition of a gold digger," her twenty-year-old daughter replied
Like a mother, like a daughter. I muttered.
This can't be happening. I needed to stop whatever they were planning on doing. I loved my husband and he knew it, even Annabel knew about the immeasurable love I had for my husband.
"Excuse me" I mumbled to the guest as I made my way to the front where Derek was holding Ann, staring at her passionately. He leaned closer to Ann, staring at her lips that were beaming with a smile.
I stood for a while, losing all the motivation I had felt earlier on. My heart shattered into tiny little pieces. When did this happen, when did they get attracted to each other I never noticed.
"Derek!!" I screamed, stopping his lips from touching hers.
"What the hell is happening here?" I asked direct questions. Staring at his blue arctic eyes.
His eyes softened for a moment as he looked at me before turning into a stoic face.
"What does it look like Ava? We are engaged" he replied and wrapped his arms still wrapped around Annabel's waist. He had a dark smirk on his face.
"How on earth are you and Annabel getting engaged? I am your wife, remember?" I said the last part slowly with a pleading voice. I loved him too much to imagine a life without him.
He furrowed his brow a while before he shouted "Dave!"
Dave, his PA ran towards him, his eyes laced with fear.
"Did you not deliver the divorce papers?" He asked
Divorce papers? He had already filed for a divorce?
God this was too much to bear. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks. He had filed a divorce while I was away working my ass for his company.
"No Sir. I am sorry sir" he pleaded, keeping his eyes away from mine.
Derek hissed in anger as he muttered curse words the veins on his forehead throbbing depicting his level of anger.
He stared at Dave angrily. I am sure if looks could kill Dave would have been dead by now. What did I do to merit this kind of hatred?
"Get lost!" he shouted. Dave nodded immediately and turned his back to go
"No go and get the papers let her sign. Is time to let go of this barren creature" Annabel said in a highly fake girly voice.
I opened my mouth in shock, too lost to say a word. I could not believe my eyes. My best friend of twelve years was standing before me calling me barren.
"Annabel? You called me barren?"I asked in utter disbelief.
She tilted her head to my side, her honey-brown eyes laced with hate.
"What do we call someone unable to give birth for the past five years in marriage?" she asked as she sneered at me.
"Barren!" Her sister and Derek's mother chorused.
I closed my eyes for a while, wishing that everything was a dream and I would wake up to my perfect life one month ago. Their reaction did not surprise me a bit. Derek's mother always had them. To her, I was just a low-life girl who wanted to eat her son's money and she had not spared a chance to make me know that she hated me.
What hurt me was not even what they were saying, it was the fact that Derek just stood there watching them insult me and say nothing.
"Derek, please don't do this" I pleaded in a low voice. My eyes filled with fresh tears.
"Don't give up on what we had for her. Please we can talk about it later" I pleaded, my heart filled with sadness.
"Talk about it? Talk about what? About the fact that you refused to leave me when you found out that you don't have a womb?" He asked angrily, his hands talking into his pocket revealing his tall slender height.
"What? Where are these accusations coming from? I have a womb, we did a test and you know it. The doctor said we should be patient, it won't take long" I pleaded as I walked towards him, my legs shaking.
"Oh please shut up you liar. You knew you were barren and you kept giving me hope. Thanks to Ann, she opened my eyes to your pretence and thankfully she is pregnant for me" he shouted with gritted teeth.
I shook my head in disbelief "Annabel is pregnant with your child?" I asked in a whisper. His silence together with his stoic face gave me the answers I needed.
I staggered back too weak to stand. God, I wish the earth would just open up and swallow me, help me numb this unbearable pain I was feeling.
My best friend lied to my husband that I was barren and my best friend was pregnant for my husband.
Wow! Life has never been this cruel to me.
"Daniel!" He shouted glaring at me as Daniel came running to meet him
"Get this barren woman out of my room and drop her at the low-life family where she came from" he ordered sternly.
That was it! I have had enough. I knew my family was not a wealthy one but I would not allow him to insult my family.
"You know what? You and your fiance and your pretentious mother and hypocritical family can go to hell. You want to be with Annabel right?" I asked my voice sharp with range
" Go ahead, be with her. I am out of your life tomorrow I will be out of your hair but I promise you Derek you will regret it. You all" I said pointing at all of them who had joined in the celebration of my agony.
" You all will regret this' 'I shouted and walked outside, head high, eyes void of emotions but within me, I was broken, with every step I made a part of my heart was ripped apart.
Raze Cromwell was one who had suffered his entire life. A cruel upbringing that had forced his nature to turn sour. In order to survive, he did everything and anything he could, eventually giving him the name Dark Magus. A title that was only given to the very best of mages. "Everything in this world was taken from me, So I shall take everything from the world." The five Supreme Magus had gathered to eliminate the great Raze, on his last legs, the Dark Magus had one more trick up his sleeve. Activating a forbidden spell, he finds himself living in another world, a world full of martial artists. A world where one could destroy mountain tops with their fist, but Magic still exists in the new world, and he's the only one that knows about it.
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."