... And that's a wrap! Don't forget to read the author's note at the end of the chapter!
After a roller-coaster ride, the book has finally come to an end. To be honest, there were several times when I had considered dropping the book because I did not find any motivation to continue. However, when I read your comments, I told myself, that even if it was for one person, I should finish what I had started. And now when I look back at it, I'm glad I did it. I sincerely thank all the readers who have supported this book. I can't express it into words how much your support means to me. Now that the book has been completed, I'll take a break and come up with another story at the beginning of 2024. Since most of you do not like to wait for updates, I'll first draft the entire book and then publish it for you all to read. In the meantime, you can connect with me on my social handle, @aerawrites where I'll be giving updates about my upcoming work. Before leaving, I'd like to ask if there's any specific genre you would like me to write on. If yes, let me know in the comment
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 arm. She could only laugh bitterly to 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
It was unknown when Nina had fallen asleep. When she woke up, her body was already sore from sitting in the same position the entire night. After massaging her limbs, she stood up and pulled open the curtains on the windows. Her eyes rested upon the golden arcing rays that illuminated outside. The sunlight conjured the most brilliant of mosaics, reflecting from each leaf and cloud. As if it were happy to create art where it shone, warm and steady. But unlike the joy in the light, there was only darkness in Nina’s life. After she freshened up, she entered the kitchen and prepared breakfast for everyone. Although the Santiagos were considered slightly well-off, they did not have any helpers. But they did have her though, the unofficial maid. She was solely in charge of all the household chores, including laundry, cooking, cleaning, and so on. By the time she was done preparing the food, everyone had gathered at the dining table. The family of three was discussing something ferve
In the hotel room, a figure was sprawled across the bed. The straps of her dress had fallen, revealing her thin and slender shoulders. The person by the bed grabbed her delicate face to check if she had fainted. Good, that she’s unconscious. The man took out his cell phone and made a call. “Hello? Yes, I’ve already sent her to your room. When will you be arriving? Hahaha. Mr. Henry, don’t worry. My daughter is still a virgin and had never even been in a relationship before.” “Also, can you tell me when can my company sign the contract papers? Sure, it’d be best if we do it tomorrow.” “Then I won’t take much of your time. Please enjoy!” The man turned around cheerfully and left. After the door to the room closed, the girl on the bed slowly opened her eyes. Yes, the person earlier was none other than her biological father who had set her up! No wonder her so-called family had suddenly turned so affectionate towards her at the dinner. Turned out they were planning such a conspirac
Blood drained from Nina’s face. Just as their hands were about to touch her clothes, with her trembling lips, she managed to shout. “I agree.” Silence. The surrounding area seemed to have immediately quietened down upon hearing her voice. The man who had left her to fend for herself stopped in his tracks. Shaking his head, he knew that it was going to be a long night. Footsteps could be heard in the eerie night, and the man appeared in front of her. With his impressive height, he looked down at her miserable self and sneered. Her long hair was plastered to her delicate neck and the right side of her face had started to swell. It was a ghastly sight. The guard did not hold himself back while slapping her. “But I don’t want to help you now.” His low, monotonous voice rang in her ears. “I had given you a chance, but you did not cherish it. You must have thought I was too easy to talk to. Want me to help you? Sure, but first beg me.” Nina shut her eyes, and two streams of tears roll
Nina felt as though she heard an absurd joke. “What does his company have got to do with me? Do I own a share in it, or has anyone ever considered me a part of this family? Who gave you the confidence that I’ll agree?” So many years had passed, and they still thought she would obey whatever they said. Mrs. Santiago’s face darkened. She took off all the pretense and pointed at Nina tersely. “We aren’t asking for your opinion. If not for us feeling pity on you that day, you’d probably be begging on the streets by now. This is what you owe us for taking care of you all these years!” “I don’t owe you guys shit.” Nina roared. “I’m grateful to you for giving me a roof to cover my head and giving me two times a meal. If not for that, I would have already called the cops by now.” Everyone’s expression changed drastically. “I didn’t come back to reconcile with your family. If you’re that desperate to save the company, go spread your legs yourself. From today onwards, I, Nina, have nothin
After they left the mall, Jayden and Nina drove straight to the civil affairs bureau to get their marriage certificates. Nina felt a series of complicated emotions as she stared at the certificates in her hand. In the blink of an eye, she was already married at the age of twenty. The car drove along the villa areas in the Feron district area. As they passed the entrance gate, the guard recognized the license plate and greeted them politely. Nina had read this place was where Spring City’s wealthiest and most influential people lived. The housing price in this area was extremely high and unless you had a certain status, you could not purchase a property here. Did she just hit the jackpot? The car stopped in front of the villa. “Let’s go.” The cold voice pulled her back to reality. Jayden walked out of the car and went inside. Nina followed behind him silently. Inside the villa, several servants lined up in a row and bowed respectfully at Jayden. “Welcome home, master.” Jayden
The room was cloaked in darkness, with a faint light streaming through the night lamp. As the bed beside her sunk, her fingers subconsciously tightened around the bedsheets. A faint fragrance of sandalwood suddenly invaded her senses, and Jayden pressed her under him. Nina was pretending to be asleep, but after being crushed under his weight, her eyes flew wide open. “Not pretending anymore?” He looked at her with his two good-looking eyes. “W-What are you doing?” Nina felt she must be stupid to ask such an obvious question. Jayden’s body was pressed against hers, and she could feel the changes in his body. A light chuckle escaped from the man’s thin lips and his low, seductive voice rang in her ears. “Something that adults do.” He bowed his head and just as he was about to kiss her, Nina evaded it and his lips landed on her cheek. Jayden squinted his eyes and lifted her chin. He did not give her time to move, and his lips landed on hers. Her lips were soft and as sweet as he