Marital Infidelity

"Don't you know how to fake a smile anymore? Those irritating little smiles of yours that screamed nothing but desperation? We're making an appearance in front of several high calibre people for goodness sake. You must carry this facade on without any slip, Rosalie.” He said.  My chest pinched, and I looked away, pretending to adjust my bracelet to hide the pain. “I know."  ~                                    ~ “Rosaline...” Ezra murmured. “Why help me to ruin a man you once loved?”   "Why?" I repeated. "Because they took everything from me—the one thing I loved more than life itself. They destroyed my life, my reputation, my happiness, all to serve their own selfish agendas. Him and his mistress. I've been maltreated and betrayed severally, countlessly! But no more. It's my turn to take what I deserve: their pain, their humiliation, their downfall." I paused, my face hardening into an expression of pure, vengeful rage. "And I will make them suffer for it.” *                  *.             * Rosalie’s journey had been a tumultuous one– betrayal and pain. The transactional marriage that she had entered into, hoping one day it would turn around to be a marriage for love, had instead left her heartbroken and betrayed. Her ex- husband’s infidelity, coupled with an unimaginable cruelty that he had subjected her to, had shattered her beyond repair.  Now, fueled by a desire for vengeance, Rosalie had returned to seek revenge on those who had wronged her. Joining forces with her ex-husband's rival, a ruthless business tycoon who harbored his own grudges against her ex-husband, she plotted a scheme that would bring them both justice...and ruin.

“I know you want me.” Damien said in a deep hoarse voice. I turned to look at him. “I can never want a ruthless man like you.” “Your eyes are telling a different story Alison.” Damien said, taking a step forward. I took a step backward but Damien had stopped me, his hands traveling across my dress. My breathe hitched in my throat as his hands paused. “Your body is saying a different story.” Damien leaned closer. “You can’t resist me Alison.” “I—“ my voice cracked. At that moment I realized he was right. I wanted Damien Santos. Right now. In his room. *** Alison had it all—wealth, love, and a perfect life—until her conniving stepsister, Mabel, destroyed everything. Framed for infidelity,Alison’s husband throws her out of the house, leaving her penniless and homeless. Just when she hits rock bottom, Alison crosses paths with Damien Santos—a cold and ruthless mafia boss who rules the highlands. Unaware of who he truly is, Alison’s brief exchange with him takes an unexpected turn, placing her under his dark, protective shadow. What starts as a chance encounter quickly spirals into a web of secrets and lies. As Alison uncovers the truth about Damien’s identity, she realizes their meeting wasn’t accidental. Dark revelations from her past resurface, tying her fate to his in ways she never imagined. Can Alison reclaim her life, or will she lose herself in the dangerous world Damien has pulled her into?

Athena's last memory is a terrifying plunge from a rooftop, the gunshot that killed her—her husband Austin's gunshot—echoing in her ears. She impossibly wakes on her wedding day, reliving the marriage that led to her death. Trapped in a time loop, she must escape Austin's planned murder. Her arranged marriage is a gilded cage, a death sentence disguised as family duty, escape seemingly impossible. A glimmer of hope arises at the concurrent engagement party of billionaire Kael Visconti and her cousin, Arabella. Rumors swirl around Kael, whispering of underworld ties and his reputation as a ruthless mafia don—a truth he carefully conceals, adding to his aura of power and intrigue. Knowing of Arabella's affair, Athena proposes a risky deal: information on the infidelity in exchange for help escaping her wedding. They strike a bargain: Kael will publicly disrupt the wedding, posing as her lover, in exchange for a sham marriage. The plan succeeds. Kael's dramatic intervention creates chaos; Athena escapes. Their flight becomes a media sensation, thrusting Athena into a public engagement with Kael. But this salvation turns terrifying. A violent confrontation with Arabella and her lover reveals Kael's true nature: he's not just a billionaire but the ruthless head of an extensive underworld organization. The shot is precise, swift, and utterly ruthless; the man falls with horrifying finality. Athena sees the cold calculation in Kael's eyes, a terrifying glimpse into his cruelty. She's traded one dangerous man for another, far more powerful and unpredictable. Her fight for survival against a man far more dangerous than Austin has only just begun. The city's most dangerous man is now her soon-to-be husband.

Dalawang taon na inakala ni Yumi Zamora na siya ang legal na Mrs. Monteverde. Dalawang taon niyang minahal, pinagtiisan, at ipinaglaban ang lalaking inakala niyang tunay niyang asawa. Pero isang araw, habang inaayos ni Yumi Zamora ang laman ng drawer ay aksidente niyang napunit ang kanilang marriage certificate. Pero nang magpunta siya sa Civil Registry Office para kumuha ng panibagong kopya ay doon niya natuklasan ang mapait na katotohanan— ang kasal nila ng asawang si Clyde ay peke at palabas lang ang lahat. Ang lalaking tinawag niyang asawa, si Clyde Monteverde, ay legal palang kasal sa ibang babae at mas masakit, sa dati nitong professor. Anim na taon siyang ginamit ng lalaki bilang panakip-butas sa lihim na relasyon ng dalawa. Siya ang inilagay sa harap ng tsismis, siya ang sinisi sa lahat, at pinalabas na baog para pilit ampunin ang batang hindi naman kanya. Subalit isang tawag mula sa isang abogado ang bumago sa buhay ni Yumi. Nalaman niyang siya pala ang illegitimate daughter at sole heiress ng isa sa pinakamayamang negosyante sa buong Pilipinas na si Don Rafael Zamora. At nang tanungin siya ng abogado tungkol sa kanyang marital status, sandali siyang nag-isip bago sinabing, “Attorney Reyes," malamig niyang sabi, "pipirmahan ko na ang inheritance agreement," aniya saka huminga nang malalim. "At para malinaw, unmarried po ako at wala po akong anak.” At para maisakatuparan ang paghihiganti, pumayag din siyang maging fiancé ni Adrian Villareal, ang lalaking kinatatakutan ng lahat—hindi lang sa kapangyarihan kundi sa angking kayamanan. Mula sa babaeng niloko at pinaglaruan, ay babangon si Yumi at maghihiganti. Sa larong sinimulan ng kasinungalingan, sisiguraduhin niyang siya mananalo...

Scarlett; Minutes after I had given birth to his kids, he walked into the ward and announced our divorce, claiming that I betrayed him. Accused of infidelity, I was heartbroken when he chose to disbelieve me even when it was obvious that I was framed. Despite giving birth to his twins, I was forced to part with one of my children. As if that wasn't enough, even my own family discarded me, revealing that I was adopted. In a state of irreparable heartbreak, I managed to flee to New York with my remaining child, eager to start afresh. But that decision I made changed my life forever. I uncovered my true heritage and it turns out I'm a part of Hollywood royalty, a celebrity heiress with a legacy of stardom. One stunning twist threw everything off balance. I crossed paths with Ethan once again and this time around, he's desperate to correct all his wrongs. But can I ever forgive him? Ethan: Despite our marriage being arranged, I've grown to love Scarlett. I've come to develop feelings for her, but she ended up betraying me. I divorced her and took my son away from her but I regret my actions. I searched the entire city for her but my efforts to find her were futile. My son was desperately sick and needed a maternal figure. With no other option, I had to agree to Jasmine's proposal so we could provide the parental support he needed. Just as I thought she'd vanished from my life forever, she walked into that event, and the revelation of her true identity left me stunned – a famous celebrity and the long-lost heiress of the iconic Scott family. Now I want her back but will she ever forgive me? Or will I lose her forever?

Paloma Sofia Santos, 24, has endured the hardships of poverty, working tirelessly to change her fate. Her life takes a turn when she meets Asher Quinto, a 26-year-old wealthy heir stuck in a passionless marriage with Cassia, a composed yet manipulative woman. Drawn to Asher’s charm and wealth, Paloma begins an affair with him despite being in a long-term relationship with Amir, a struggling mechanic who has repeatedly promised her a brighter future. Paloma’s world shatters when she discovers Amir’s betrayal: he has impregnated Cassia. Devastated, Paloma confronts Cassia, who shockingly reveals she has always been aware of Asher’s infidelity and Amir’s involvement. Instead of anger, Cassia proposes a pact. A master manipulator, she admits she never loved either man and has been using their weaknesses to secure control of her family’s business and protect her unborn child. Reluctantly, Paloma agrees but uncovers Cassia’s deeper schemes. Cassia aims to force Asher into choosing between her and his inheritance, solidifying her power. Meanwhile, Asher’s obsession with Paloma spirals, leading to reckless actions that threaten his marriage and business. Amir, desperate to win Paloma back, becomes a pawn in Cassia’s manipulations. A startling truth emerges: Cassia orchestrated Amir’s betrayal to destabilize her marriage and gain leverage over Asher. In a heated confrontation, Paloma exposes Cassia’s schemes, leading to a public scandal that destroys Asher’s family empire. Asher loses both his inheritance and Paloma, while Cassia retains her power but faces isolation. Amir, burdened with his mistakes and fatherhood, begins a journey of redemption. Choosing independence, Paloma walks away from the chaos, stronger and wiser, determined to rebuild her life free from the toxic cycle of betrayal and deceit.

Note: This is the second book in the "Are You Our Daddy?" series but can also be read as a standalone.   “Please don’t do this. You know I have nowhere to go, don’t you? Please, I still love you. All you’re being told is false. Listen, I am going to tell you the whole truth now. I was actually the one who... who...”   “Look, Salindra,” James cuts in quickly.   “No, James.” Isabella continues. “Please let me speak, you’re going to want to hear this. My name is not even…”   “Salindra!” James shouts.   “I get you. I know you must be all spiked up and all. But it is you who really need to listen to me. Look, I... I never loved you,” he blurts out, swallowing hard.   ~~~   Isabella Harrington, under her father's command, pretends to be poor to test her husband's genuine love. After falling in love at first sight with James Collins, she marries him, hiding her true identity as a billionaire heiress. On their second anniversary, eager to reveal her family background, she instead discovers his infidelity, and she’s confronted with a divorce letter, forced by James’ family to sign.   Homeless and heartbroken, she returns to her family, where they welcome her with open arms.   Michael Howard, who had secretly admired Isabella from afar even before her marriage, is forced into an arranged marriage by his family, just when Isabella got divorced. James, the ex-husband, crosses paths with Isabella again, not as a nobody, but as the chairman of the hospital where he works and also as the renowned phantom medic. Can Isabella reclaim her life and find true happiness with Michael, or will the shadows of her past continue to haunt her?  

Lyra returns to find her mate celebrating his fifth anniversary with the woman she once called sister. Her own mother raising his pups. Her family whole, her place erased, her sacrifice forgotten. But when her younger sister frames her for attempting to murder those children, Lyra realizes the betrayal didn't begin with her mate's infidelity, it began the day she was born. Sentenced to exile in the rogue territories by the mentor she trusted, Lyra is meant to disappear. Instead, she discovers the truth: her mother was never her mother but her stepmother, and she has been poisoning her in silence since childhood: she carries an ancient Shadowborn bloodline, a power so dangerous it was supposed to stay buried. They didn't exile her to teach her a lesson. They exiled her because they were afraid of what she'd become. Five years later, she walks back into the pack that condemned her, not broken, but awakened. Her ex-mate rules as Alpha using the strategies she wrote. Her best friend wears the Luna title that should have been hers. And her stepmother is orchestrating one final betrayal to ensure Lyra never claims what's rightfully hers. But Lyra isn't alone. Kael Northwood, a rival Alpha who's been searching for her since the day she vanished, sees the woman everyone else tried to destroy.He's drawn to her strength. And he carries a secret that makes their undeniable mate bond forbidden. Now Lyra must choose: reclaim the life stolen from her, or burn it all down and forge something new with the one person who wants her exactly as she is, untamed, unbroken, and too powerful to control. Some betrayals destroy you. Hers unearthed something they should have left in the SHADOWS.

"You and your baby are mine. Don't even think of running away." Renata Neroni was never meant to lose control, especially not on a night that would change her life forever. Raised in a powerful and respected family, she had always lived under rules, expectations, and the constant weight of her father’s reputation. After discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity, Renata turned to alcohol to numb the pain. That night, she made a mistake with a stranger whose face she barely remembered by morning. She never imagined that the stranger was Domenico Veronesi, the most feared and dangerous man alive. Three weeks later, her world shattered once again when she discovered she was pregnant. She had no name to blame, no face to confront, and no way to undo what had happened. Before she could decide what to do, her stepsister exposed her secret to the family. Furious and obsessed with preserving his honor, her father arranged her marriage to Giovanni, a man old enough to be her father. But fate had other plans. On the very day of her wedding, when all hope seemed lost, the stranger from that night appeared. In front of everyone, he stopped the ceremony and took her away, revealing a truth far more dangerous than she had imagined. Domenico Veronesi was not an ordinary man. He had become a mafia boss at just fourteen, after his father was killed in a brutal war between rival families. Forced to grow up in blood and violence, he built an empire feared by all. His name alone was enough to make powerful men kneel. Until he met Renata. She was never supposed to matter to him. Yet she became the one thing he could not forget, and the one person he refused to lose.

Mary Preston and her family fled to another country, leaving everything behind. Suddenly, she found herself surrounded by unfamiliar faces, in a foreign land, speaking a language she didn’t understand. A few years later, at the tender age of 19, she ended up married to Maximus Palmer, the grandson of the powerful Catherine Palmer. Mary loved him with all her heart, but he never felt the same. He married her out of obligation, not out of love. One misunderstanding after another pushed their marriage into a downward spiral, filled with infidelity, abuse, and endless disillusionment. For years, Mary lived under the shadow of another woman, enduring the pain until she finally found the courage to ask for a divorce. Her decision took Maximus by surprise, and he refused to let her go. But fate had other plans, and a tragic event forced the divorce to happen sooner than anyone expected. Afterward, Mary tried to rebuild her life, hoping to find love again and happiness that would last. But the scars from her past made it hard for her to trust or believe in love again. She faced many moments of anguish, sadness, and loneliness. Yet, through it all, she slowly began to find herself and step back into the light. Perhaps this time, she wouldn’t have to face everything alone. Maybe someone new would come into her life, someone who could be her rock and her reason to live. Although she learned that the past was never truly left behind, she also discovered that with a strong foundation, even the most broken things could still stand tall. Life had taught her about the three kinds of love: the one that teaches you how to love, the one you wished was yours but wasn’t meant to be, and the one you never saw coming that heals your wounds and brings true happiness.