broken things jodi picoult

My seven-year-old daughter stole my carefully crafted The Mystical Bracelet, just to help my husband's childhood friend win an award at the Milaney Jewelry Exhibition. I exposed her in front of everyone, but my husband accused me of falsely accusing her. ''You're just a country woman. How could you possibly make such an expensive piece like The Mystical Bracelet?'' The daughter I had cherished for years looked at me with contempt. ''You're so cruel, not even close to Ms. Elaine in any way.'' They let countless malicious words drown me, and in the process, all my feelings for them—the father and daughter—were completely erased. I left without hesitation, my heart calm and unshaken. From then on, there was no more Mrs. Shaw in Capital City—only Becca, the Pearl Diver.

In Cordelia's marriage, she is the other woman. First, it was to the memory of her sister, Angelica, the woman who should have been his bride. And now, she is still only second best, cast aside for any pretty face that reminds him of his lost love. After five years of marriage, and one night of passion that turned into heartbreak, she gains the strength to start over on her own. But there are things about her marriage that she never knew. Strange things are happening all around her and it turns out that she has bigger skeletons in her closet than the ones she put there herself. What really happened to Angelica? And what will she do, once she learns the truth? ________ The first time our eyes met my heart stopped. “Hello,” I smiled in his direction, “My name is Cordelia Grayson.” His returning smile was hesitant, uncertain, and small. “Atlas Steele.” He was beautiful with his golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes. I could tell he was a little too old for me, but I have always been attracted to older boys. His age didn't discourage me, if anything I think it made him even more dashing. And from that moment on my heart was his. Utterly and completely. Unfortunately it was not my heart that he wanted to hold. When he raised his gaze to mine a second time, his eyes skipped over my face to focus on someone standing behind me. I turned to look. It was my sister. He asked me if I knew her. I could tell he was more interested in her than he was in me, and even though it hurt to do it, I nodded in confirmation. “That's my sister, Angelica.” “Angelica,” he said her name slowly, savoring each syllable.

Hana Kinsley: I am one of the few humans not born or mated into this supernatural world. As the Princess of the Bloodmoon pack, I grew up eager for that one-in-a-million chance of a mate. After two years of searching, I knew it was time to live in the human world, away from all things supernatural. I thought starting fresh at Yale was that chance to lead an ordinary life. Oh, how wrong I was. Albert, Aidan, and Isak: By any standard, our friendship is an anomaly. Vampires, demons, and angels do not mingle, yet we have been friends for three centuries. To the students and faculty here at Yale, we are just young professors who joined the staff six years ago. Every year, we choose new targets from the crops of freshmen. This year is different, as we all set our sights on the Bloodmoon Princess. Who will our bet to have her first?

Raine has lived her entire life in a small town with her mother. Her human father lived nearby and saw her everyday. The only things she knew about being a werewolf came from her mother. But as she approaches her 18th birthday her mother begins to change. Until the day her entire world came to a halt. The day her mother hit her. Within 20 minutes after her father walked into the policestation they were in a new car with new identities headed east to her mother's old pack. According to him it was time for her to go home. Her mother would only get worse. But what was waiting for them? What about the secret her dad was keeping? And what if the mate her mother had always told her would save her, actually destroys her? Follow Raine on her adventure halfway around the world to find herself and learn to embrace her rain gift before the time comes that she needs to use it. With a second chance at love waiting for her, will the imminent war she was made to fight be too much for them or will they conquer all the awaiting obstacles?

“Listen, I want a divorce. You signed a contract on the day of our wedding alright?.. You give me a son and we can have a divorce whenever… plus I’m in love with someone else. I’ve always loved her even before we got married and I just want to be with her now… not you.” With that he pick up his suitcase and leaves the room. I know I signed a prenup, but a contract? I follow him down the stairs and out of the house, unable to speak a single word. “I don’t remember a contract.” I finally say to him, my voice sounding so broken and I can’t help but cry more at how foreign my own voice sounds. He stands at the door of his car and stares at me for a while. “I’ll have my lawyer send you a copy of the contract you signed. I’d like to have the divorce finalized before I have to leave the country next month. Have a good night Skylar.” Skylar doesn’t expect this from her husband when he comes home one night, having disappeared two weeks prior. A month later, she’s divorced, disowned and pregnant, working and living in an entirely different city, trying to find herself again. Can she do it? Will she ever be able to find happiness? Jason finds himself miserable after divorcing Skylar. He tries to look for her, but his search is fruitless. Years later, he finally meets her again. However, she isn’t a gullible young lady anymore. He has to struggle to earn her forgiveness. Will he succeed?

"Aargh... Yes Baby..." I watched as he popped his manhood out of her mouth. I covered my mouth, tears brimming in my eyes. The man I'd loved for seven years was now cheating on me? Had all his promises been nothing but lies? I remembered the day he proposed to me four years ago, with his earnest gaze and heartfelt words. "Olivia, you are my choice, always. Even if fate brings me a fated mate, my heart will remain yours." His sincerity had been convincing until when he brought the Omega home, pleading, "Olivia, I rescued this girl from a cruel Alpha. Could you help care for her?" Even when I discovered they were fated mates, I chose to trust him because his apology seemed genuine, "Olivia, I'm so sorry. I tried to prevent this from hurting you, but my wolf was in agony. I promise, once it settles, I'll reject her." How foolish I was to believe his honeyed words. Until the night he walked up to me, darkness filled in those eyes that used to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. “I'm sorry, Olivia, but I think it's time you leave. I realize I don't love you anymore, and my heart beats for no woman but Sophie. Take your things, and leave this place while you still can.” I sneezed while wiping away my tears. I'd heard and watched enough. And I've made my decision. I was never a weakling. Even if we’d shared many memories over our four-year marriage, I never lacked the courage to leave him. Since he'd betrayed me, I wouldn't want him either. #Book 2: Alpha's Redemption: Chasing My Second Chance Mate

JASMINE I always follow the rules. Especially the one to wait for your mate. Don't flirt. Don't date. Don't fall for anyone but your one true love. But then I meet the mysterious future alpha, and suddenly, I am thinking about doing unthinkable, immoral things with a very sexy man who is definitely off-limits. That is—until my first crush reappears. Now I'm torn, choosing between two hot, muscular werewolves, and life has gotten complicated. . . They didn't write a rule book about this! BLAKE The Moon Goddess granted me a mate—then regretted it and took her right back. But who am I to complain? I am the alpha after all. I'm supposed to have everything I want. Everything but discipline, self-control, and common sense. Because that all seems to vanish as soon as I meet her. . . LUKE I totally messed up. I betrayed my mate before the bond clicked into place. I didn't wait. Didn't hesitate. Didn't even think it through. I may have made a huge mess, but I'm going to clean it up. I can handle it. I think. . . ***Content warning: As with many paranormal romance novels, this book contains mature adult content, offensive language, and some graphic violence, and may not be suitable for young readers.***

“I don't want to see this angelic face of hers that deceived me and murdered my child, she disgusts me, she is nothing but a worthless, good for nothing, liar. I was so good to her and this is how she repays me? I fucking loved her, I changed who I was for her sake. I put up with her annoying and embarrassing ass but you know what, take her back to Ryan if you must, I'm sure he was so relieved when I took her off his hands but even I regret taking her.” Camilla composes herself, finding her balance but still a crying mess. “You don't mean that, you're just mad. You love me, remember?” she mummers, her gaze drifting to Santiago. “Tell him he loves me and he's just mad.” she begs, when Santiago doesn't respond, she shakes her head, her gaze falling on Adrian again and he stares at her with disdain. “You said you love me forever.” she whispers. “No, I fucking hate you right now!” He yelled. ***** Camilla Mia Burton is a Wolf less seventeen-year-old with insecurities and fear of the unknown. She is a half-human part-werewolf; she's a powerful wolf even though unaware of the power within her and has a beast too a rare gem. Camilla is as sweet as she can be. However what happens when she meets her mate and he is not what she dreamed about? He is a cruel cold-hearted eighteen years old Alpha. He is ruthless and in disapproval of Mates he wants nothing to do with her. She endeavors to change his perception of how he sees things, yet he loathes and rejects her pushing her away but the mate bond proves to be strong. What will he do when he regrets rejecting and hating her?

“I was fighting for my life and you were screwing my nurse?" I yelled, staring at them in disgust, “I am your mate. I gave you an heir, yet you got her pregnant.” I was going insane watching her big bump and a smirk on her lips. “Phoenix! You cannot blame me entirely,” Aramis repeated himself like a broken record. How dare he blame me for his actions? How dare he fuck my nurse and got her pregnant? Heck! I have seen her walk around in my crown. “I am leaving with my kids.” That’s when my decision made him let out a gasp and stare at me with teary eyes. He can now cry all he wants; I have made my decision. He will not see me or our kids again. .. Unloved and untrusted by her family, Phoenix endeavored to become the best warrior there is to protect herself and her pack. Only to have everything stripped away from her. Losing her mate, her father, and then her wolf. She lost everything and found herself caged by her second change mate, Alpha King Aramis. Just when a hope sparkled, her mate impregnated her nurse. Like her name, will she be able to burn and rise from the ashes or lose herself forever in the hatred of Alpha King Aramis? Will the ruthless Alpha King ever change and Phoenix as his mate? Follow on their journey to find out.

"On the bed!" He commanded gruffly, leaving no room for questions. Everything was quiet and I heard my heart pounding. It was difficult to even breathe. He suddenly moved, reaching for me. I felt his fingers brush over my shoulder, the silky robe slowly slipping off of me. My heart filled with dread as I thought about how I looked in his eyes right now. My body trembled, my eyes shut and it felt like my face was on fire. "Please..." I begged in a broken and shaky voice. “I don’t want to be your breeder.” *** Talon the Black is as his name suggests. Dominant. Heartless. Ruthless. King of the Lycans, Talon is madly in love with his mate, Willow, but things start to fall apart when she cannot bear him a child. Driven to desperation, Willow begs him to breed a filthy human and while Talon is reluctant to, he does as his beloved wants. Abused and maltreated by her parents, Avalyn has been sold by her father to the Lycans. Her life is even made worse when she realizes that she is to be the Lycan King’s breeder. She is to sleep with him and carry his child even though he is already married. It is a cold business exchange, her curvy body in exchange for an heir, nothing more. But what happens once this ruthless King starts to fall in love with her? Can they hide their forbidden love from Willow or would there be to pay once she finds out?