Champagne Pronounce

At the party for our first wedding anniversary, I hit the floor—face-first on a red carpet, gasping like a fish out of water. Carlo Pipino, my husband, had his arm draped around Gianna Verde, his childhood flame, sipping champagne and laughing. Gianna knew I was allergic to nuts. So, obviously, she bathed everything in hazelnut dressing. One bite and boom—my throat locked, my lungs lit up, and hives popped like confetti. I reached for my allergy meds—came up with a fistful of melted M&Ms instead. Gianna laughed when she saw my face. "Surprise! Carlo swapped your meds. Seriously, Siena, one nut? Dramatic much?" I slid off my chair, wheezing, while the crowd placed bets on how long my "performance" would last. "Carlo... my meds..." I croaked. "Please. I'm gonna die." He sighed, annoyed. "God, you're so dramatic. Why do women always play dead for attention? You know I love you. Just stop this show already." Right then, my heart shattered faster than my lungs could. I stopped begging. Hit the distress signal. Called my real family.

“You can call me when you’re lonely. I’ll be your temporary fix.” Those were the words that he said to me and it was plain simple, he wanted nothing but sex and I wanted nothing more than too. I was the kind of girl who was too scared of falling in love again because I feel like there is something more in life than being mournful over a guy who never actually gave a hell. I deserve something more than pain and misery over a stupid heartbreak. Since then, I got too scared of commitment that I no longer wanted to be in one. I wanted fun and I wanted to feel like I am alive again. He was the kind of guy who was too busy for permanent relationships. The superstar that all women wanted to bang with. The kind of guy who would have any girls kneel down in front of him because well, he is that kind of guy. He was a guy with a hectic schedule, sold out world tours, drinking champagne in private jets, holding a mic in one hand and conquering all over the world on the other. Maybe I needed someone to show me how to live again and he needed someone to show him how to love.

As Cain Knight's mate, I watched him lead Elias Sinclair, his childhood sweetheart, onto the stage at the Black Moon Pack's annual charity gala. "In recognition of Miss Sinclair's outstanding contributions to our community," Cain announced, his voice a glacial shard as his eyes found me, "I have decided to grant her the title of this year's 'Charity Ambassador.'" An honor that had, for years, been bestowed upon the Luna by her Alpha. He shattered tradition just to humiliate me. Under the pitying gazes of the entire pack, I did not cry. I did not question him. I simply straightened my spine, set down my champagne flute, and silently turned to leave. "Let her go," I heard Cain sneer behind me. "She won't last half the night. She'll come crawling back like a beaten dog, begging for my forgiveness." A wave of derisive laughter erupted behind me. "After all these years, Lupita still uses the same tired tricks to get Alpha Cain's attention!" "I bet she'll be on her knees, pleading for Alpha Cain's forgiveness before sunrise!" But they didn't know. The person waiting to spirit me away was already at the door. This time, I would vanish from this gilded cage forever.

My adopted sister, Rebecca Lawson, steals the gift I painstakingly prepared for the Don and presents it at a family gathering. Everyone in the room is stunned. So, my parents turned what was supposed to be my engagement party into a celebration banquet for Rebecca. They sit together and raise their champagne glasses to toast her, while I collapse alone in the bathroom, hitting my head and bleeding out. After regaining some consciousness, I use all my strength to call them for help, but only the mafia's consigliere and my fiance—Yves Gilbert—answers my calls. "Tessa, why didn't you come to Rebecca's celebration? She felt hurt by your absence! I know you've always been jealous that she could easily gain everyone's affection, but it's what she deserves. "Quickly come over and apologize to Rebecca. Don't disappoint us any further." Yves hangs up the phone after saying that. I stare at the darkened phone screen with an unsightly smile. They don't know that the gift I have prepared for the Don is still a half-finished product and needs to be repaired. However, I don't have the time to tell them. Because I am about to die of illness.

Chester Ford brings home a female university student for the 10th time during our 10th wedding anniversary banquet. He walks into the banquet hall with the young lady in his arms. "Don't you see that your outfit is clashing with hers, Yuna Sutherland? Take off your dress. Right here and now." He slowly loosens his tie while I take a step back in panic. He then proceeds to tug my pearl necklace from my neck. "What are you waiting for? Stop acting like you're innocent. Your father tossed your younger sister to Ford Group to be a kept woman back then. He also practically delivered you straight onto my bed, all for 30 million dollars. I'll never forget how he looked when he was begging on his knees." Everyone eagerly watches the drama unfold with champagne glasses in hand. I stare at the wedding ring on his ring finger, which is close to becoming tarnished. For the 10th time, I request a divorce. Chester sneers. "How original of you, Yuna. Yet, you eventually kneel and plead for forgiveness every time. If you leave the Ford family, who's going to pay to keep your sister alive in the ICU?"

“I now pronounce you as a husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” The priest announced and I froze. I knew I was cursed the moment this blood oath was taken which bound me to hell, the hell of this Sinner. My eyelids raised to see the ugly creation of god. My husband! Vladimir Sokolov! His rugged face carved with uncountable ugly marks stung my slow beating heart. His hazel green eyes held a satisfied dark shadow as He pulled me close, raised my chin and whispered coldly, “From this very moment, you share the crown of Bratva’s pakhan. Prepare yourself to bear its weight, Babochka. Because I own your existence now!” He slammed his cold lips on my trembling ones, punishing me with a brutal kiss. Tears pricked my eyes with disgust but I tolerated his touch for the sake of my family. My eyes followed the part of the audience, Russians, who burst into cheers while the other party, Italians, looked at me with remorse and pitiful gazes. Oh yes, how could I forget I was the sacrificed lamb thrusted into hell to get scorched for a lifetime. But No. I still had the last hope to save myself from this cursed fate, this cursed marriage. ………….. Born in a sin will definitely be called the Sinner. Without morality and mercy, Vladimir Sokolov the Bratva’s Pakhan ruled the city with an iron fist. Due to the influence of some political parties He had to marry the Daughter from La Camorra. Rose Barbieri! Marry her, have his heir and wear the title of family man, that's what He planned to do but what He didn’t imagine was that his innocent, submissive wife was someone who would burn the flames of his hell into ashes one day.

On the aisle: "Look Kitten, you were supposed to be mine from the start. Now, you can't back off anymore. The times are up." He breathed sensually in her ears in his deep voice, making her feel a shiver run up her spine. She suppressed a whimper that was trying to escape her mouth when he covered her lips with his in a deep and passionate kiss. "I pronounce you two as husband and wife. Please, give your blessings to the new couple." "STOP! I was supposed to be the bride! How dare you Elina to even think about snatching my husband! You Whore!" Elina Saint James, an aspiring doctor, marries her would-be brother-in-law, Adrian Walker, the Casanova heir of the famous Walker Group of the country. She was the replacement bride of the man who was originally supposed to marry her sister Olivia Saint James. Maybe it was not in her destiny to live happily. Three years later: She had returned here after three long years, betrayal and hurt was clear in her hazel eyes. But she won't stay here for long, not when she knows he probably hates her now, not only he but her whole family too. What she didn't know was the person she was thinking about, was thinking about her too. Somewhere: "Sir, Mrs. Walker has just landed in the city. She is going towards Sinotley Hills." "Find out everything about her, from where she lives now to everything. I want her to remember everything she has done. I will make her remember me forever." On the other side in Saint James Residency, "How dare she come back after ruining my life. I will kill her." "Olivia calm down, we should be careful, you still are not Adrian's wife, wait for the correct chance, darling."

The room reeked of spilled champagne and poor decisions. Siena Blake blinked against the harsh morning light slicing through velvet curtains, her body aching in places she didn’t want to think about. She wasn’t in her bed. She wasn’t even in her house. And the man lying beside her—a stranger with a dangerously perfect face—was the proof. It was supposed to be her bachelorette party. One night of wild abandon with her friends before tying the knot with the man she’d loved since childhood. Instead, she had woken up in the arms of someone else, with no memory of how she got there. But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst came later—when she found police outside her house, her father being dragged away in handcuffs, and her fiancé, Zane, sending her a venom-laced message: “You’re a whore, Siena. Return the ring or I’ll leak the footage.” Within hours, her life was in ruins. Her family disgraced. Her heart shattered. And the man from that night? Lucian Voss—the most feared CEO in the country—stood behind it all, either by fate or by design. What started as an accident would become her obsession. Because five years later, she’s coming back… With a secret child. A mission for revenge. And a dangerous deal with the devil who unknowingly fathered her baby.

Solène Diallo, franco-sénégalaise et fille d’un ancien diplomate, mène une vie rythmée par les apparences. Depuis la mort tragique de son père, elle enchaîne conquêtes et caprices pour conserver le luxe auquel elle a toujours été habituée. Belle, brillante, provocante, elle sait que le monde s’ouvre à celles qui osent — et elle ose tout. Mais derrière les verres de champagne et les hôtels cinq étoiles, Solène se sent vide. Jusqu’à ce qu’Ezra Delacroix, héritier d’une fortune aussi sombre que son regard, ressurgisse dans sa vie. Ils se sont connus. Elle l’a fui. Aujourd’hui, il lui propose un marché : devenir sa compagne officielle pendant six mois pour faire taire des rumeurs qui menacent son empire, en échange d’une somme impossible à refuser. Pourquoi elle ? Pourquoi maintenant ? Solène accepte, attirée par le défi… et par l’énigme qu’est Ezra. Mais ce contrat cache bien plus qu’un simple arrangement. Il y a des chaînes qu’on choisit. Et d’autres qui nous consument.

At the pack's anniversary dinner party, the Alpha, Matt White, told us to write down the gifts we wanted. He would make sure every request was fulfilled. When it was my turn, the newly arrived intern suddenly snatched the paper and pen out of my hands. "Mr. White works so hard managing the pack. We can't let him spend money on us! You shouldn't write down your dream gift," she said. I ignored her, grabbed the list back, and calmly wrote down one item: a washing machine. Peyton immediately flew into a rage and splashed the champagne on the table straight onto me. "I told you not to write anything down! As a Beta, how can you be so inconsiderate of Mr. White?" My coat was completely soaked, and I looked utterly disheveled. I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. I flung the list straight at her face without mercy. She instantly covered her face and screamed, "How dare you hit me! Do you know who my father is? He's the Alpha King! Even Mr. White has to be polite to him. I'll have you kicked out of the pack for laying a hand on me!" I froze. I was the Alpha King's biological niece. My uncle didn't even have a partner, so how would he have a grown daughter?