"A second chance at life... but at what cost?" When Isabelle's world shatters, she gets the impossible-a chance to start over. But with this new beginning comes a storm of dark secrets: an ex-boyfriend who won't let her go, a boss who may be her greatest ally or her biggest betrayal, and the truth about her family that changes everything. Can Isabelle outsmart those who would destroy her and find the love and freedom she craves?
ISABELLE
This is a nightmare.
It has to be.
The office is bustling with noise, but my world is as silent as a graveyard as I stare at the TV, watching the anchor's voice drone on.
"Renowned heir and millionaire, Andrew Cole is officially engaged to Evelyn Carter..."
I can't move, can't breathe, not when my whole world is combusting before my eyes.
What the hell is happening?
Trying to make sense of it, I blink, shake my head and look again.
The image on the screen is so clear. Andrew's arm wrapped around Evelyn, both of them smiling like they have just won a lottery.
The anchor's voice drifts in and out, but I can't focus on anything except the image.
I can't breathe.
This isn't happening.
This can't be bloody happening.
"Miss Reynolds?" a voice cuts through the fog in my mind. "What's going on?"
Jake Montero, my ever demanding boss whom I would normally not risk offending.
I don't bother to answer him now, though.
My mind is incapable of making sense of anything right now
"Miss Reynolds? I am talking to you.*
Again, I don't respond.
Instead, I rush to my feet, my chair crashing against the desk, but I don't care. I grab my bag, ignoring his confused call, and rush out of the office.
"There has to be some explanation for this," I mutter to myself. "They wouldn't, it doesn't... It has to be a lie. It has to be."
I'm not thinking straight, that was for sure.
I just couldn't wrap my head round the fact that I just got dumped and played.
My feet are moving before I even realize it, but I know where I'm headed. Our apartment. I can't let this be real. I need to see it with my own eyes.
The streets blur as I drive, but I don't care about the rain, the traffic. Nothing matters except reaching Evelyn and Andrew. They have to explain themselves.
By the time I pull up to the apartment I share with Evelyn, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might burst out of my chest.
I don't even bother with the umbrella, allowing the rain to drench me as I rush to the door.
The moment I step inside, the sight I see stops me dead.
Andrew is here.
He isn't supposed to be here
Hw is supposed to be in france.
Studying for his business degree.
But here he is
Sitting on our couch.
His arm draped lazily over Evelyn's shoulders, both of them laughing like they don't have a care in the world.
I slam the door shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot and they look up instantly and instead of guilt or surprise, there's amusement in their eyes.
"Well, look who finally showed up," Evelyn drawls, her lips curling into a smug smile.
"What the hell is this?" My voice cracks, but I don't care. I'm too angry, too confused, too hurt.
Andrew leans back, his expression cold. "It's exactly what it looks like, Isabella. Don't make this harder on yourself."
"Harder on myself?" I step forward, the rage bubbling up inside me.
"You're engaged? To her? My best friend? My roommate?"
Evelyn stands up, crossing her arms. "Oh, please, Isabella. Don't act so shocked. You had to know this was coming."
I look at her, my chest heaving. "You're my best friend, Evelyn. How could I know this was coming?! How could you do this to me?"
She laughs, the sound sharp and mocking.
"Best friend? Let's not kid ourselves, Belle. You were a convenience. A charity case. Do you really think someone like me would stick around someone like you for friendship?"
Her words hit me like a slap. I turn to Andrew, desperate for some kind of explanation. "And you? What's your excuse?"
He shrugs, his gaze bored.
"There's no excuse, Belle, Evelyn's right. You're not who you used to be. You've fallen so far, and frankly, I don't see a future with you anymore."
I stumble back, shaking my head. "You don't see a future with me? After everything we've been through? After everything I've done for you?"
Andrew stands, his towering frame making me feel small. "You're a bankrupt, destitute orphan, Isabella. You've got nothing to offer me anymore. Evelyn, on the other hand..." He looks at her, his eyes dark with something that makes my stomach turn. "She understands what I need. She's not holding me back."
I feel like the air has been sucked out of the room. My heart shatters into pieces that I can't even begin to pick up. "You're disgusting," I whisper, my voice trembling.
He steps closer, his tone mocking. "Face it, love, You're nothing now. No money, no power, no family. You're just a washed-up shell of the girl I used to know."
"Get out of my apartment!" I scream, my voice raw.
Evelyn smirks. "Your apartment? Sweetheart, you seem to forget which one of us is paying the bulk of this place. A word of advice, you should start packing your things."
Her words are the final blow. I can't take it anymore. Tears stream down my face as I turn and bolt out the door, the rain soaking me within seconds.
I don't know where I'm going. I just know I need to get away.
I climb into my car, my hands shaking as I grip the steering wheel as the rain lashes against the windshield, and my vision is blurred from the tears spilling down my cheeks.
The words echo in my mind: You're nothing now. A bankrupt, destitute orphan.
I slam my foot on the gas, my breathing ragged. The streets blur as I drive, my emotions a chaotic mess of anger, pain, and betrayal.
Even as the rain gets heavier, and the road ahead becomes a smear of lights and shadows I still try to focus, but it's too much.
Then, out of nowhere.....headlights.
I don't even have time to react. The sound of screeching tires fills my ears, followed by the deafening crash of metal on metal.
And everything goes black.
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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.
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."