Public Domain Library Of Congress

My husband died in a fire trying to save me, leaving behind a mountain of debt and a newborn child. I worked hard to pay off the debt while raising the child, only to unintentionally discover that my husband hadn’t died at all. Instead, he was sleeping with my cousin. “Honey, you’re so clever. You transferred all the company funds and faked your death, leaving that stupid wife of yours to shoulder all the debt. “She’s so clueless that she doesn’t even realize the son she’s raising isn’t hers, that I swapped him out. Once she’s done paying off the debts, the three of us can live a great life together.” I silently sneered, pretending I knew nothing, and continued to raise the child. Twenty years later, my son returned home after studying abroad. The company went public in New York. On the day of the IPO, my cousin appeared arm in arm with my husband, holding a paternity test. “Claire, your husband never died. We’ve been together all these years. Alex is my son. Now that you’ve been his mother for so long, isn’t it time to return him to me?” My husband also presented a divorce agreement. “I built this company from scratch. It’s premarital property. Sign the divorce papers, walk away with nothing, and you can leave now.” I smiled and told him, “I’ve prepared a special gift for you too. I wonder if you’ll like it."

In the high stakes world of wealth, philanthropy, and power plays, Shadows of Desire weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. At the center of it all is Sophie Langston, a passionate and driven woman who co-founded a charitable foundation with her long-time business partner and lover, James Thornton. Their organization, built on the ideals of changing the world, has become a beacon of hope for struggling communities. But as the foundation grows in influence, so do the enemies lurking in the shadows. Sophie and James find their relationship and partnership tested when an unexpected visitor walks into their lives, Richard Mallory, a disgraced businessman with a tainted past. Despite having tried to undermine the foundation before, Richard proposes a substantial investment, claiming he wants to make amends. Torn between suspicion and the potential benefits for their projects, Sophie reluctantly agrees, setting off a chain of events that unravel deep-seated conspiracies and hidden agendas. Soon after, whispers of internal conflict and financial instability begin to surface. Rumors swirl about a power struggle between Sophie and James, putting their relationship under intense public scrutiny. Behind the scenes, they uncover a more sinister plot at play. Dominic Kane, a ruthless corporate raider infamous for hostile takeovers and blackmail, has set his sights on their foundation. With a history of exploiting the vulnerable for profit, Kane sees their organization as his next target, aiming to use it as a pawn in his larger schemes. As Sophie and James grapple with this new threat, they must navigate a web of deceit, power struggles, and hidden motives. Old allies resurface, trust is tested, and secrets from the past are unearthed, forcing the couple to confront their own vulnerabilities...

After years of being in love with her husband, Evelyn Summers faces a shattering betrayal when his ex-girlfriend, Jade, returns and manipulates her way back into his life. When Evelyn learns she’s pregnant, she’s ready to fight for their marriage ,until her husband accuses her of cruelty and sides with Jade in a public scandal. Heartbroken, Evelyn files for divorce and disappears, leaving behind her old life. Three years later, Evelyn returns to New York as a renowned doctor and single mother. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her ex-husband, Landon Byers, is rushed to her hospital after a severe accident. Landon, now filled with regret, is stunned to see his ex-wife transformed and with a child who bears a striking resemblance to him. Determined to win Evelyn back, he begins to pursue her, unaware of the dangerous schemes Jade has set in motion to keep them apart. As Landon grows closer to Evelyn and her daughter, secrets from the past start to unravel, and a passionate rivalry emerges between him and Evans, a compassionate cardiologist who’s fallen for Evelyn. When Evelyn and her daughter are kidnapped by Jade’s criminal associates, Landon and Evans work together to rescue them, uncovering the truth behind Jade’s lies. In a climactic rescue, Evelyn must confront the trauma and betrayal of her past, ultimately choosing the man who will fight to protect her and her child. Filled with suspense, betrayal, and a second chance at love, Reclaiming Evelyn is a journey of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of true love.

The world snapped back into focus, the memories of my brutal end crashing into the present. I was back—right here, right now, the exact moment Jarrold Jameson was trying to hand me that obscenely expensive purse. In my past life, he'd had a nasty fight with his precious Cindy Mayford. To make her jealous, he decided to use me as his pawn. I'd been stupid enough to love him once, but my pride had revolted. I'd refused to be a stand-in. It didn't matter. He kept engineering "accidental" run-ins, crafting one public misunderstanding after another, all to get a reaction from Cindy. I had done nothing wrong. I gained nothing. But I became Cindy's enemy. Her jealousy festered until it turned lethal. She had me kidnapped. The men she hired left my body shattered and broken. And Jarrold? He held his sobbing darling close and whispered those unforgettable words, "She got what she deserved." In the end, they stepped right over what was left of me and walked off into their picture-perfect life. Now, staring into his smug face, a cold clarity settled over me. This time, everything would be different. I snatched the handbag from his grasp. "A present for me?" I asked, my voice sweet, a sharp, calculated smile on my lips. "I love it. But just so you know, for next time… I've always preferred the classic design from her family's brand. That's the one you should be buying me."

Catherine Zoe Aragon was born with a silver spoon. She was one of the princesses of the Aragon Empire, envied by everyone, but unlike what they see in public, no one but the sisters knew the hardships they were put through to maintain their family's reputation. After years of putting up with all the rules and restrictions, she finally had enough. Cath was determined to leave her life behind and start anew, doing the thing that she loves, writing stories and drawing. She cut ties with her family except for her younger sister, leaving all the perks, wealth, and glamour that she was accustomed to all of her life. Eventually, she became a successful comic book editor, hiding the gravity of her last name. She was living her life the way she wanted to and it was wonderful, except for one thing, her creepy pervert boss. Luckily, he finally got his karma and was let go and that's when she met Mr. Gavin Mitchel, her new boss. Gavin came from the world that she escaped from a few years ago. He was a man trying to heal his broken heart by putting all of his time and attention to his work after a brutal break-up with his ex-fiance. When, or if they fall in love could they accept each other's pasts and baggage? What would they do with their pasts hunting them? Could their love conquer it all? Love triangles, family drama, friendship, and office romances... Would they get through it all? Fate might have planned a love story for you, but no one said that it was flowers and rainbows.

Nadia Wilde, the once docile daughter of a wealthy and famous pastor who is loved by the public, has her life turned upside down when she’s sent to prevent her hidden and rebellious step sister from showing up at a one-night stand that could jeopardize her father’s reputation. But in the process, Nadia ends up on the hotel bed instead of Ava and is unable to stop what happens next because, deep down, she’s never been the good girl everyone has always adored. Six years later, Russell Lane, a young CEO whose automobile company is taking over the industry, develops the need for a contract wife, and Nadia, the perfect candidate, falls prey to his trap. With only flaming eyes to remember each other since that fateful day, Nadia recollects who he is, and Russell can’t seem to take his mind off the mysteriously familiar woman. Oblivious to the fact that he’s the father of Nadia’s twins, Russell wants her as his contract wife, and he plans to get her by any means, regardless of what she wants. Can Nadia keep up with a powerful family that tramples down on the likes of her and use this god-given opportunity to climb back up the social ladder? Will Russell be able to overcome the obstacles and keep his company away from the hands of his overambitious brothers and sisters? Most importantly… Will Nadia and Russell make what started as an accidental one-night stand thrive into something much more real, or will their contract marriage, along with everything else, end just as it was supposed to?

17-year-old Roger Willis was forced to move to the small town of Viridian Falls along with his parents to save their failing marriage. Roger thought his life was over then but when he was admitted at the public high school, he instantly befriends everyone. He meets the shy redhead Carmine Reid and he develops a crush on her. When Roger was invited to a house party, he got super drunk and was attacked by a werewolf gone rogue. He manages to survive with the help of an unknown person. Roger soon meets the mysterious substitute biology teacher Idris Lykaios who immediately recognized his scent. Idris came to the town to track down a rogue member of their pack, the very same one who attacked Roger. When Roger saw Carmine being kidnapped, he tracks her down using the scent of her shawl. Roger was then led to a trap and he eventually learns that Carmine was a member of an all-female pack and their goal is to kill every male werewolf in town. Idris sensed what was going on and came to Roger’s rescue. Roger soon discovers that Idris is in fact a werewolf and that he has also become one. As Idris takes Roger under his wing, he develops some sort of attraction towards the young werewolf. Idris soon realized that Roger had imprinted on him and the bond was becoming stronger. When Roger defeats the alpha of a rogue pack, he becomes their alpha. This is a clear threat to his own pack. Will Idris follow the beating of his heart or will he kill Roger who was now an alpha of a rogue pack?

Juliet Fredrick has spent her life staying unnoticed. Working the night shift at a fast-food chain, paying her mother’s hospital bills, keeping her younger sister safe. She knows how the world works: nobody saves you. You save yourself. But everything changes the night she crosses paths with Ejike Olatunji. He is more than the richest man in Africa. He is a man whispered about. Ruthless in business. Untouchable in power. Unbreakable in will. And he has just made Juliet an offer that sounds like salvation: Marry him. Play the loyal wife. Protect his public image. In exchange, he will save her family. Juliet steps into a life she has never imagined: penthouses, private jets, global boardrooms, and people who smile at her while planning her destruction. Because Ejike has enemies. And now, so does she. A jealous socialite who refuses to be replaced. A rival billionaire who plays mind games with a smile. A former partner who wants the empire burned to the ground. The closer Juliet gets to Ejike, the more she realizes something is wrong. He is not just closed off. He is watching. He is waiting. And he is hiding a secret dangerous enough to shatter them both. Someone is lying. Someone is hunting them. And the only person Juliet can trust is the man she was never supposed to love. A marriage built on survival is becoming something else. But love, here, is not tender. Love is a battlefield. And the first mistake could be fatal.

On the day of our tenth wedding anniversary, my wife, Cara Dempsey, jumped from ten thousand feet in the air after hearing that her first love's plane had crashed. It was only then that I finally understood the only man she ever truly loved all these years was Luthen Waltz. When we were both sent back in time to relive our teenage years, she wasted no time making a grand, public confession to Luthen, completely cutting ties with me. I just stood there, watching the two of them kiss like they couldn’t bear to be apart, and in that moment, my heart felt nothing. From that day on, we were over, and we lived our separate lives. Ten years later, we crossed paths again at a five-star hotel in Harbor City. She, who had become a celebrity adored by the world, was wearing a gown, laughing in Luthen’s arms. When she saw me wandering through the hotel, searching for someone, she thought I had come looking for her. “George, stop wasting your time! Even in ten years, I will never choose you!” I didn’t respond. Instead, I looked toward the little girl running toward me, calling me Dad, and gave her the warmest smile. Cara’s expression froze. Tears welled in her eyes as she choked out, “You lied to me, didn’t you? You said you hated kids and that you’d only ever love me.”

Cynthia Hart was used to living life on her own terms private, calm, and far from the spotlight that came with her family’s fortune. But one business deal changed everything. To save her father’s company from collapse, she was forced into an arranged marriage with none other than Xavier Sanchese, the most popular boy in her school, rich, confident, and annoyingly perfect. Xavier was the definition of privilege, heir to a multi-billion-dollar empire, loved by everyone, feared by some. To him, the marriage was just another transaction between powerful families. But when his quiet, stubborn “wife” turned out to be the one girl who didn’t worship him, his ego took a hit… and his heart began to stir. In public, they act like strangers keeping their secret marriage hidden from their classmates. But behind closed doors, sparks fly. Fights turn into late-night conversations, jealousy turns into tension, and soon neither of them can tell if what they feel is real or just part of their act. Cynthia wants her freedom. Xavier wants control. Yet somewhere between their pride and passion, they start to realise that love isn’t something you plan, it’s something that happens when you least expect it. But in a world where power, image, and secrets rule, falling in love with Mr. Popular might cost Cynthia everything she’s trying to protect including her heart. “Married to Mr. Popular” is a thrilling high school romance full of emotions, secrets, and slow-burning chemistry that proves sometimes, the heart disobeys even the richest plans.