An Outsider

Bianca was born a rogue—an outsider who learned early that survival meant making herself useful. When she saved Alpha Matthew Morrison's life twice, she thought she'd finally found someone who saw her value. Instead, she became his obligation, his duty, the wife he married because honor demanded it, not because his heart did. For four years, Bianca tried to earn Matthew's love through service, through healing, through being the perfect Luna and mother to their son, Theo. She told herself that someday he would see her, truly see her, and choose her. Then Mia came back—Matthew's first love, with a terminal illness and a bucket list of dreams she wanted to fulfill before she died. . Now Matthew demands the ultimate sacrifice: Bianca must risk her life, her healing abilities, and her future to cure the woman who's already taken everything from her. When Bianca discovers that Mia's "terminal illness" is built on lies and manipulation, she realizes the truth—she was never the wife, never the Luna, never the mother in Matthew's eyes. She was always just the rogue girl convenient enough to save and use. But Bianca is done being convenient. She's done sacrificing herself for a man who'll never love her. She's done watching another woman live her life while she fades into the background. Armed with evidence of Mia's deception and divorce papers hidden in plain sight, Bianca prepares to do what she should have done four years ago—walk away before they destroy her completely. The only question is: will Matthew sign away their bond before he realizes what he's losing, or will Bianca's carefully constructed escape plan crumble when the man who never loved her suddenly can't bear to let her go?

What do you do when you find out the man you had a one-night-stand with is engaged to your sister? Rhea Bennett has always felt like the outsider in her own family. She’s learned to expect nothing… until one reckless night changes everything. At her best friend Lana’s birthday party, the night takes a turn when Lana disappears to a hotel with her boyfriend. Protective as ever, Rhea follows—just to make sure she’s safe. That was where she met Darnell at the hotel's bar. She immediately felt a pull she towards him. And her admiration led her into bed with him that same night. In the morning, when Rhea woke up she realised he was gone and left a "pay" for the night for her which made her angry and broken. She's never felt this good before and the one she felt it with deemed her a whore. When Rhea went home for dinner with her family and her sister's mystery fiancé that was when she realised, the man in the hotel was him—her sister's fiancé. Darnell Donovan has never been focused on anything in life other than the company. Growing up his father made sure he knew that running the company was his top priority. Everything Darnell ever did was for the betterment of Blackridge—even going as far as engaging the spoiled daughter of a business tycoon. But Rhea came into his life, and for the first time he felt something. Something he never thought was there. Darnell offers to intern Rhea in his company and things get even messier from there. Because while Rhea is fighting what she feels… Darnell isn’t. He doesn’t care about right or wrong. He doesn’t care who gets hurt. He only knows one thing— He wants her.

"Marry me," Helena said with a pounding heart. Alexander's eyes darkened, making her legs feel like jelly. "And what do I get in return?" "80% of my shares, plus 2 years of my time." "I don't want your shares, Helena... I want you." ***** They say you only realise what you've lost when it's gone. Helena realised this as she lay dying, killed by her husband and sister. Switched at birth and reclaimed by a family that never wanted her, Helena lived as an outsider in her own home. But when her grandfather left her a fortune, suddenly everyone cared. Especially Michael, her sister's ex-boyfriend, who swept her off her feet with promises of love. But love was a lie. Pregnant and naive, Helena signed away everything before they killed her. In her final moments, she prayed for one impossible thing: a second chance. When Helena opens her eyes to the reading of her grandfather's will, she knows exactly what she has to do. No more being the fool. Now, she'll reclaim what's hers and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Then she collides with handsome and powerful Alexander Grant, who looks at her like she's a puzzle he's dying to solve. He harbours dark secrets—including a terminal illness and a solemn promise to her dead grandfather. When Helena proposed a contract marriage, his answer ignited a fire neither of them could control. He remembers their past life, and this time, he'll stop at nothing to protect her, claim her, and make her his, even as his own life is fading. But desire is a dangerous game when your grovelling ex-husband wants you back and enemies circle like vultures. Can Helena save the one man who truly loves her, or will trusting her heart destroy her all over again?

When I'm paying the pension for my jobless wife, Lilith Ingram, I accidentally find out that she's had a job this whole time. She's paid a salary of two thousand dollars, which is wired into her personal bank account. Every month, the money will be transferred elsewhere, leaving her without a single cent. I've never seen the money before. Back when our daughter, Maisy Ingram, was severely ill, we were 200 dollars short to pay for her hospital bills. I was so poor that I had to sell my blood and beg everyone around me just to get them to lend me money. But during that time, Lilith never thought of sharing the burden with me. She merely comforted me with empty words before transferring two thousand dollars to her first love, Hayden Grant, the next day. Our marriage of 30 years is reduced to nothing but a laughingstock. I place the divorce agreement that I've printed out in front of Lilith. It's a silent confrontation between us. "Must you really resort to this method?" Lilith snaps impatiently. "It's just two thousand dollars! You have an annual salary of 200 thousand dollars! Why care so much about chum change?" Even Maisy takes her side by calling me a petty, stingy geezer. "Everyone has an unattainable first love when they're still young! You should be grateful that Hayden has been holding back his urges without crossing the line for so many years!" I feel as though I got struck by lightning at that moment. It's then that I belatedly realize I'm the only outsider in this family. "Getting a divorce is fine by me. Hayden's getting on with the years. I just want to take care of him and send him off when his time eventually arrives." Maisy adapts a righteous tone. "As compensation for me, I get the house, the car, and the savings. You're leaving this marriage without a single cent under your name."