Arm Swollen After Blood Draw

"Laurette, you are not qualified to have a child." Hearing these words from her husband, Laurette's heart shattered into a million pieces, leaving her wondering if she'd be enough. Every time they had sex, he'd remind her to take her contraceptive pill, making sure she never got pregnant. For five years, Laurette found herself trapped in a loveless, secret marriage with Bryce – one that forbids pregnancy. No one knew about it – not even her family. It's been five years already; everyone expected children, especially her mother-in-law, who couldn't wait to cradle her grandchild. But the truth was, she'd had a miscarriage years ago, and the doctor said she couldn't get pregnant again. The memory still lingered, a painful echo of what could've been. She kept it a secret, hiding behind a mask of compliance, letting her mother-in-law cling to hope of carrying her grandchild one day. But today was different. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Ava, fueled by years of frustration, called Laurette "infertile." Bryce stood there, silent. He knew the truth. He knew about the contract, and he didn't defend her. Instead, he handed her divorce papers and said coldly, "Let's get divorced. My first love is back." Bryce Rodriguez chose Irene – his childhood sweetheart – over the woman who'd stood by him for five years. Laurette couldn't compete when her husband's first love returned. Heartbroken but dignified, she walked away without looking back. But fate had other plans. Months later, Bryce accompanied Irene to a prenatal checkup... only to run into his ex-wife, holding triplets! He went crazy and shouted, "Whose children are they?" he demanded, his voice shaking. "I thought you're infertile?" Laurette only smiled. Too late, Bryce realized the truth. He didn't just lose his wife... He lost his entire family.

Lena’s voice trembled, barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you away. I...I made a mistake.” Grayson’s cold laughter cut through the air. He stepped closer, his towering presence suffocating. “A mistake?” His tone was sharp, dangerous. “Dropping a glass is a mistake. What you did?” He leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. “That was a choice.” Lena flinched, her chest tightening. “I didn’t know...” “You knew exactly what you were doing.” He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his icy gaze. “And now you’re here, begging for something. Redemption? Love?” His lips curled into a cruel smirk. “Don’t insult me.” “I don’t want anything from you,” she shot back, her voice faltering. Grayson’s soft, mocking laugh made her stomach twist. “You always want something, Lena. What is it now? A second chance to ruin me?” Her heart pounded. The man before her was no longer the one she thought she’d left behind...he was powerful, ruthless, and untouchable. And she feared she’d lost him forever. *** Lena married Grayson for his potential, believing she could manipulate him to secure her family’s fortune. Once the deal was done, she discarded him without remorse. But time has changed everything. Grayson has returned, no longer desperate, but a powerful man who has made it clear he wants nothing to do with her. Regret weighs heavy on Lena, but her reasons for seeking him now remain unclear. Is it guilt? Love? Or something far more dangerous? Grayson’s world is ruthless, offering no room for second chances. Yet, beneath his hardened exterior, a question lingers: Can he forgive her, or will he ensure she pays the ultimate price?

Married to her fated mated for years, bound by the dying wish of her mate's father, Imogene's fate hangs on the thin thread of luck as Orion overrides and humiliates her publicly by making her a trophy wife, flashing his Mistress right in her face but an accidental case of a missing necklace becomes the last straw that breaks the Camel's back. Imogene, hurt and broke knowing that the man she loves was willing to get rid of her, signs divorce papers and disappears. Five years later, the tables are turned. It seems like her ex-husband had changed his mind.

“Marry me, Katleah. Be my wife.” Words that suddenly changed the course of her world. She was being proposed to by Marco De la Vega, the most handsome man who owned numerous hotels and airlines across the Philippines. But the marriage he offered came with a contract that they were forbidden to love each other. It was hard for her to accept such an offer. What if she failed? What if she ended up falling for him? Yet, despite her doubts, she still accepted. For three years, their life as husband and wife was never easy. In secret, she endured the humiliation from his family because she had already learned to love him. But how long could she bear it? What if, in their marriage, she was the only one in love? Would she insist on sacrificing what was left of her dignity, just for the sake of her love? She thought he had also come to love her after the many joyful nights they shared. But she was wrong because Marco wanted to end their marriage. And though her heart was breaking into pieces, she had to accept that they were never meant to be. After signing the divorce papers, she flew to America with her real family. Seven years later, aboard a private plane, she returned as a top surgeon, a billionaire’s heiress, and a loving mother to two beautiful six-year-old twins. Be ready for her final retribution...

My birthday present this year is a written contract titled 'Behavioral Reform Contract'. My fiance, who was the mafia head Matteo Giovanni, and my parents have already signed their names at the bottom. Together, they had me sent to the Behavioral Correction Center. … The windows are always shut, and the sunlight is filtered through the metal window bars. They drug, reprimand, and ostracize me to make me shove my feelings of aggrievement down. Even while I am being humiliated and punished, they teach me to force a smile and maintain a steady breath. It was all done in the name of "treating" me. A year passes, and I go from being a so-called "troublemaker" to their ideal version of me—quiet, elegant, and utterly perfect. Matteo beams at me and says, "You've finally become my perfect wife. We can finally marry." I match his smile, a gesture that they think means obedience from my part. However, it is not true. It is just me bidding my farewell before I leave for good. There's something I don't understand, however. They constantly found me lacking, so now that I am gone from their lives, why are they falling apart?

Diva Crest is the Luna of her pack and has always been the weakest, powerless, unwanted wolf in her pack. But when the pack’s soothsayer announces her mate, her life takes a dangerous turn. She is fated to Alpha Derek Valen, the ruthless and merciless leader of the Blackfang Pack, known for killing without hesitation. Stuck in a bond she never wanted, Diva vows to escape, but fate has other plans. Derek is just as unwilling as she is. Cold and dominant, he never expected to be mated to someone so weak. But as much as he tries to resist, something about Diva pulls him in. There’s a connection between them that feels unnatural. When a rogue pack led by the vengeful Alpha Ronan launches an attack, Diva learns a horrifying truth—her mate's bond with Derek was never real. Ronan, once Derek’s trusted beta, manipulated fate itself, cursing them both in his twisted game for revenge. Bad still, Diva was never meant to be weak. But when the bond between her and Derek starts to break, they must both decide,was it ever just fate, or something far more dangerous? Will Diva rewrite her fate, or will she lose herself to a love that was never meant to be?

It's my seventh anniversary with Chase McGregor. I hide in his car's trunk while holding a pregnancy report. In my other hand, I hold a limited-edition watch that I've prepared for him. I want to surprise him and tell him we're about to have a child. To my surprise, I hear something that devastates me. "Chase, you're not really going to marry Daphne, are you? Lucille Gervais wants to marry you. As long as you do that, the North Sea's shipping routes, cargo operations, and drug trade will come under your control." "Help me set up a date with her. I'll break up with Daphne." My breathing hitches. I want to hear Chase object to this or show even the slightest bit of hesitation, but none of it comes. The pregnancy report slips from my fingers. I once thought he would be the father of my children; I thought we would have a happy family together. Now, my dream has been shattered.

Alpha Wesly Harris is a hard man on an even harder mission. Feeling denied and rejected by his family. He left his brother's pack to start his own dynasty. He now wants an hier to go with it. He rejected his mate due to her infidelity. Now, only a pure blood virgin from the powerful Trentity bloodline would do. He finds and purchases the beautiful Annabella Collins from her Alpha. Only to discover she is not the willing play toy he expected her to be. Alpha Wesly would not be denied his prize. He intended to force her to do his will if necessary. His wolf, however, will not allow him to harm his second chance mate. It is Wesly who will have to bend to their wills in order to survive. He may learn along the way there is more to life than hate and vengeance. "I reject you, Lindsey Mills, as my mate." Alpha Wesly said to her, still straddling her in his bed. "Wesly," she cried as she clutched her chest. "How can you do this to me?" Alpha Wesly looked at her cold-heartedly. "Very easily, apparently." He said. "Accept the rejection!" He demanded. "I, Lindsay Mills, accept your rejection, Alpha Wesly Harris." She said as she glared at him. Alpha Wesly casually removed the used condom as he watched Lindsey leave his bedroom. He should feel something. Anything. But he doesn't.

The day I win the cheerleading championship, the entire arena erupts with cheers for my team. But from the stands, my brother, Nelson Locke, hurls a water bottle straight at me. "You injured Felicia's leg before the performance just so you could win first place? She has leukemia, Victoria! Her dying wish is to become a champion. Yet you tripped her before the competition, all for a trophy! You're selfish. I don't have a sister like you!" My fiance, who also happens to be the sponsor of the competition, steps onto the stage with a cold expression and announces, "You tested positive for illegal substances. You don't deserve this title. You're disqualified." All the fans turn against me. They boycott me entirely—some even go so far as to create a fake memorial portrait of me, print it, and send it to my doorstep. I quietly keep the photo. I'll probably need it soon anyway. It's been three years since I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Knowing I don't have much time left, I choose to become the type of person they always wanted me to be—the perfect sister who loves without question, the well-mannered woman who knows when to keep quiet, and the kind of person who never, ever lies.

His rule was simple: I was his substitute and would be his contract wife for two years with no strings attached. He would give me the respect and everything I want except his heart, for it belonged to his fiancée abroad. But I want more; I want his heart. So I confessed my love to him. He divorced me for breaking the rules. Now a turn of events after our divorce lands me in his bed. I thought I was safe since he didn't see me the next day before I left. But a month later… I learned I carried a part of him inside me. Now I’m torn... Do I keep the secret? Or face the man who swore he could never love me… again?