Ciúme

“Gabrielle, there's something we need to tell you," my dad started. I could feel my heart beating so fast, and I don't know why. But I feel like this was going to be a bad news. "I made a promise with my good friend, while we were in college — We promised each other that our children would get married."

'You are already bound by him once you sign the paper.' There is no way out, only death.' Online shopping is easy to do. Add to the cart and place the order. Lorelay Sugala is a child who needs to find half a million for her brother's operation. In their town, there is a man whom everyone calls a "madman." According to them, it was a crazy old man who lived in a big house in the upper part of the town. What they say is that a "madman" is looking for a wife to spend his life with. Many people apply because of the large sum of money in return. Lorelay is one of them. Out of hundreds of women who applied, she was chosen to be purchased by a madman known as Ho Shein or Mr. Shein. When Lorelay found out that she was chosen by Mr. Shein to get married, the mayor of their area immediately agreed to marry them as soon as possible. What he doesn't know is that the madman the town is talking about is actually a rich young man who possesses certain good looks but has a dark past. Online shopping is easy to do. Add to the cart and place the order. But was everything just a coincidence? Or was it meant to entice her into a trap?

Content Warning: This story contains mature themes intended for adult readers. It includes depictions of forbidden relationships, power imbalance, manipulation, emotional abuse, betrayal, jealousy, and grief. Pregnancy loss, infertility fears, and complicated family dynamics are explored. There are references to self-harm and suicide without graphic detail, as well as illness, hospitalization, and death. Scenes may include intense intimacy, obsession, coercive behavior, and psychological distress. Readers may encounter controlling relationships, consent complications, and long-term emotional trauma. If these topics are distressing, please read with care, take breaks, and prioritize your well-being. Support resources are recommended for readers affected by these themes.

“Why are you doing this? I have done everything you asked me to do. Please, Clara, let it go.” Xavier pleaded. Clara stared at him and slowly let out a chuckle. “You mean nothing to me, you have never meant something and you never will. I don't love you and I never will.” “My words. Do they ring a bell?” She asked with a smile as she stared at him. His eyes were clouded with tears. “Clara… “ “Five years ago you said those words to me, now I am saying them back to you. I won't stop Xavier, not until the Blackwell’s Empire falls!” ~ Being in a loveless marriage for two years was something Clara got used to. Despite it being loveless, it was going great until her husband’s first love returned out of the blue and was carrying his child. The next minute, Clara was signing divorce papers. Not only was she divorced, she was humiliated by her husband and his family. Clara left the city and returned five years later with twins, she returned as a billionaire. Now, it was her ex-husband’s turn to chase her.…

And here I was, seated on the balcony, staring at the rain pitter and patter against the glass coverage walls with my bodyguard seated there, a book in hand. I don't know his problem. I know from his attitude that he wasn't happy to “babysit” a twenty year old, but he could have just ended his contract. He never paid me a single attention and was always reading, but strangely, he was always alert. I was the abomination he must never look at. And it made my blood boil. But not for long, though. Because every time I set eyes on him, I melt. It is forbidden, but who cares? I want him, but does he want me?

My dormmate invites me to a college mate's engagement party. I choose an expensive tailor-made gown for the occasion. When I arrive at the hotel, I see several of my former classmates are already there. Everyone looks like they're doing well—they're wearing expensive clothing. Someone is even wearing something from a luxury brand. As soon as I enter the private room, a familiar classmate rolls her eyes at me. "Look at who it is—the woman who was once the most outstanding student in our class. You're dressed so plainly for such an important occasion." Everyone is circled around the classmate who's wearing something from a luxury brand. They ignore me. Only our former class monitor clinks glasses with me and consoles me softly. "It's good enough that you're here. You're dressed plainly, but don't give up. You'll succeed one day." I sip my wine and smile. "My outfit may not be too opulent, but it's an expensive, tailor-made piece. It's 100% handcrafted by a master designer."

My sister gets into an accident and needs an emergency blood transfusion when I'm six months pregnant. After a round of tests, my blood is the only suitable one. I'm exhausted and too skinny after being tormented by morning sickness. I have to say no. However, my family forces me to do it. I have no strength to resist; I can only beg my husband for help. To my devastation, he stands by and watches me coldly. "It's fine for you to donate some blood since you're so healthy. Queenie isn't the same as you—she has a bright future ahead, so we can't let anything affect that." I pass out after the blood donation. The first thing I do when I wake up is make an appointment for an abortion.

I had once been the woman Theo Bennett would have risked his life to marry. For six years after our wedding, he treated me like his entire world. He even had a matching tattoo carved into his lower abdomen, identical to mine, as proof of his devotion. But in the seventh year, he coldly demanded that I make a full-body model for his kept woman. "Catherine," he said, his voice sharp with contempt, "this is the price you pay for lying to me about being my savior. You know my tastes better than anyone. Make sure you replicate Hannah's body temperature. She's pregnant. I don't want to hurt her." Hannah Moore lay limp in Theo's arms, laughing so hard her shoulders shook. "How pathetic, Catherine," she mocked. "I'm pregnant, so I can't be with Theo. And yet he'd rather order a model of me than lay a finger on you. Once this one wears out, I guess I'll have to trouble you to make a few more copies of me." Only then did I understand. Theo had mistaken Hannah for the woman who once saved his life. I didn't scream. I didn't cry. I didn't argue. I simply turned around and dialed Sebastian's number. "Sebastian," I said calmly, "Theo is having an affair. I want a divorce."

Después de que mi prometido, con quien crecí desde pequeña, pospusiera nuestra boda por séptima vez por culpa de su primer amor, me di cuenta de que esto no tenía sentido. Corrí al hospital para preguntarle por última vez a Juan Torres si aún quería casarse conmigo. Con paciencia, este estaba pelando una manzana para Ana Flores, quien yacía en la cama del hospital. -Sara, ya no eres una niña. Tienes que aprender a ser considerada. Podemos casarnos cuando queramos, pero Ana está enferma, ¡así que no podemos descuidarnos! El cuchillo emitió un leve crujido en la punta de sus dedos, pero me resultó muy molesto. -¡En ese caso, buscaré un nuevo novio! Sus movimientos se detuvieron y, al segundo siguiente, dijo con una sonrisa gélida: -Lo que tú digas.

"What am I to you? A trash picker?" I asked him sarcastically, looking at him from head to toe in disdain. "Lauren." he growled, clenching his fists tightly, glaring at me in disbelief. "Yeah, I know this is my name. You don't need to remind me, and please don't pop up in front of me like an unwanted ad in the middle of an interesting scene. You irritate me the most in this way." I scolded him, still with an ugly expression in disgust on my face. "So, now I disgust you, huh? Why didn't you disgust before when I." "Because I was a fool back then. I assumed a filthy rock as a gem and paid a heavy price for that." Before he could complete his sentence, I interrupted him, scolding him in a loud voice. His already widened angry eyes widened more in shock this time. I took a step forward while locking my gaze with him. "A scum like you who used me when he needed me and then slapped the divorce paper doesn't deserve even a glance from me, Gabriel. Never bother me again, or else what I will do to you, you can't even think about that." "Hey, babe. Why are you here?" I beamed when I heard his magnetic voice calling me from behind. I immediately moved towards him when Gabriel held my wrist. "You are making a mistake, Lauren," he warned me in a stiff voice. I yanked my hand from his grip and threw a disgusting gaze on him before walking towards the boy who treated me like a treasure. Gabriel’s devotion to his first love made me realize that loving myself is the only thing that can make me happy forever. I grabbed Vincent's arm with a beaming smile.