smiling proud wanderer

Daphne has fought her whole life to survive. After escaping an abusive marriage, she made sure to protect her child, even if it means taking risks. So, when an opportunity comes her way, she doesn’t hesitate, ready to do whatever it takes.Arthur,proud and used to getting everything his way, has always been in control of his life. But when his father, on his deathbed, refuses to hand over his shares unless Arthur is married, his world starts to fall apart. Marrying a woman he barely knows seems like the solution. A simple arrangement, nothing attached. But one wild night changes everything.Suddenly, their marriage is under threat from secrets and Arthur is forced to face a future he never wanted. Daphne faces a choice that could change everything, either keep the baby, and risk everything she’s worked so hard for, or walk away . As if things weren’t complicated enough, Arthur falls seriously ill. For the first time, the proud man who’s always relied on himself is forced to lean on someone else. Despite her past, Daphne’s emotional self step’s up to care for him and shows a side of herself Arthur never saw coming. What started as a pen in paper marriage begins to look like something deeper.As they push through their connection, they struggle to admit their feelings. Arthur’s fear of being seen as vulnerable. The contract that brought them together no longer feels simple but complicated.With Daphne’s past threatening to tear them apart and Arthur’s health hanging by a thread, their marriage is put to the test. Will they survive the effect of the secrets ? Or will their differences destroy what little connection they’ve found? In the end, can they find something real?

When Maya's world is turned upside down by a surprise pregnancy, she's forced to make a choice: marry the father, Elijah, a mysterious and powerful man with secrets of his own, or face the dangers that have been lurking in the shadows of her life. As Maya navigates the treacherous landscape of her new marriage, she begins to uncover the truth about Elijah's past and the reasons behind his proposal. But the more she learns, the more she realizes that Elijah might actually be the evil she has been running away from, all her life ... An evil that had already stole her heart. Will Maya be able to uncover the secrets that Elijah keeps, or will she become the latest casualty of his ruthless ambition? Dive into this gripping tale of love, power, and deception to find out. “What are you doing?” I asked, my body shaking in fright. “That's not me” he said, smirking. “They are here for you, Maya. Your past have finally caught up to you. You move one inch, your beloved best friend goes down for you… another innocent blood smeared on your dainty hands” he said smiling wickedly. Slowly I walked towards him. I couldn't let Tiffany go down for me. I couldn't let another innocent soul die for me. This was my fate. My happy ever after was all a fairy tale after all. I took the pen, signing my name across the thin black line. Tears went down my cheek, dripping on the contract, the ink smudged on the paper. I could feel his warmth spread over me, his nose trailed delicately on my ear, wet sparks over it. “Welcome to your hell, Astrid Grey” he said, my real name rolling out of his lips like a curse.

Maria Addison, an orphan adopted by the noble Barnet family, was betrothed since she was little to one of their family’s descendants, a handsome man named Miller Barnet. The heir who was always relied on, praised, and proud of by his family as a perfect figure without any flaws at all. However, a week before Maria and Miller’s wedding, an unfortunate event occurred. A big fight caused the two of them to have a car accident which resulted in Miller suffering a head injury which put him in a coma. Feeling guilty towards the Barnet family, Maria was confused as hell, she hid the fact of Miller’s coma by taking a stupid way that was beyond everyone’s expectations. She was asking for help from another figure whose face was exactly the same as Miller to temporarily replace Miller as the groom and become the heir to the Barnet family business. The man was Alvin Barnet, Miller’s twin brother who had been hidden by his mother. All the twists and turns began, the ambition to get the Barnet family inheritance by using Alvin suddenly changed. Alvin’s attitude that Maria thought was so cold and arrogant turned out to always treat her warmly and attentively, and of course that made Maria start to hesitate. The love in her heart grew, until finally Maria decided to help Alvin seize what was rightfully his. So, will all those plans go smoothly?

Eleanor Gitz has always lived in the shadow of her sister, Delilah. It wasn't like this until when a rogue attacked the pack and left Eleanor gravely injured and barren, she became a permanent stain on her family’s reputation, now seen as a liability rather than a daughter to be proud of. But everything changes when Nickolas Volkov, the ruthless Alpha of the Shadowood pack and a tech billionaire, breaks off his engagement with Delilah to claim Eleanor as his mate. The scandal shatters her family, and Eleanor is sent out of her pack. Will she find her place beside Nickolas, or will the past and the pressures of her new life tear them apart forever?

********** I lay helpless, tears streaming down my face, as Angelo ravished me. His pleasure was all that mattered. Afterward, I lay still, exhausted, covered in the scent of sex. Angelo caught his breath, his eyes cold and detached. "Today is our last night together," he said. "I want to end this marriage." I felt punched in the gut. "You're willing to throw away everything we've built?" I asked, my voice trembling. "It means nothing to me," Angelo spat, his eyes filled with hate. "I'm done with you, Annika.” ******** Annika's world is shattered when her husband, Angelo, cheats on her with his ex-girlfriend, Lissa, and demands a divorce, ending their four-year marriage. But there's a shocking twist: Annika is pregnant with Angelo's child, a secret she keeps hidden until the divorce is finalized. When Annika reveals her pregnancy, Angelo denies the child, and Lissa pressures her to abort the baby. But Annika refuses to give up, and with the help of Jonathan Blackwood Jr., she escapes to Los Angeles to start anew. Five years later, Annika has transformed into a successful CEO, fashion stylist, and entrepreneur. She's also a proud mother of twins. But her newfound success is fueled by a burning desire for revenge against Angelo and Lissa, who destroyed her life. When Annika confronts her past at a fashion exhibition in Germany, she's faced with a choice: forgive Angelo and Lissa for their betrayal or make them pay for the pain they inflicted. Will Annika choose revenge or redemption?

I was six months pregnant when my husband's childhood sweetheart showed up on Christmas Eve, pregnant too, demanding her place in his life. Smiling, I welcomed her in. "Come on in. Make yourself at home." In my previous life, I had forced my husband to kick Shirley out. She collapsed from low blood sugar and froze to death that very Christmas Eve. Matthew did not hold it against me. On the contrary, he softened, stayed by my side and took care of me while I waited to give birth. However, when the baby came, despite being an obstetrician himself, Matthew sent our healthy newborn son straight to the morgue. I begged him desperately, but his face was twisted with hatred. "If you hadn't been so petty and dramatic, Shirley wouldn't have died along with her baby!" "You're heartbroken over your son? Then go freeze to death too. Pay for Shirley’s life with your own life." Just like that, I opened my eyes again, back to the moment Shirley arrived on Christmas Eve.

"Did you hear me, Luca DeLuca? I want a divorce. You betrayed me far too much. Last night was the final straw for me." I snarled, clenching my fists at my sides. I was proud of myself for remaining strong in front of my so-called mate. He always made me feel like a weakling. Still, he did not answer. Did he even hear me? "Luca?" I tapped the table until he finally looked up at me. "For God's sake, Serafina. Are you blind as well as stupid? Can't you see that I am busy?" Luca growled at me, causing me to be silent. He did despise me. The truth finally settled in my gut like a stone in that very second. I was nothing to him. He did not even care about me. Not one bit. For three long years, Serafina stood by her fated mates side, hoping that one day he would love her. But, each day caused more pain and suffering for Serafina, especially when she found her mate entangled with his ex lover. The one who truly had his heart. With his betrayal and rejection towards her, as well as the shame and disappointment her mother threw at her, Serafina finally snaps and demands a divorce, leaving the DeLuca estate and returning to her childhood sanctuary. Unfortunately for Serafina, her mother is not going to give up the idea of gaining power and greed, she forces her daughter to marry an old widowed Alpha despite Serafina’s refusal. Will Luca see sense before he loses his fated mate for ever or is it to little to late for his cursed Luna?

Violet's world was shattered when she emerged from prison after three long years, only to discover her husband Loenard had moved on with his life. He'd married his childhood best friend Francess, and the ultimate betrayal - they'd claimed violet's own son as their own. The pain and anger ignited a fire within violet, fueling her desire for revenge. But fate had other plans. She was kidnapped by a mysterious figure from her past, hell-bent on taking down Loenard and his family. It seems like the universe was smiling ok Violet until things began to get complicated.

Rachel Lloyd had been by William Lewis' side since she was eighteen. One day, after an accident, she finally regained her hearing, which she had previously lost while saving his life. She couldn't wait to share the good news with him. But when she arrived, she found him holding his first love in his arms and whispering sweet nothings to her. William always knew Rachel loved him deeply—to the point she would give her life for him. She never got angry and never asked for much. But this time, instead of quietly staying by his side, she simply signed a non-disclosure agreement. And when the time came, she completely disappeared from his world. When William first heard that Rachel had vanished, he laughed it off. "She'll be back within a week." But a week passed. Then, a month. Then, three months. And still, Rachel didn't return. Now, as panic set in, William searched for her like a madman. For the first time in his proud, arrogant life, he humbled himself and begged, "Rachel, stop this. It's been long enough." Later, he added, "Come home. I'll give you whatever you want." And finally, he said, "If I were dying… would you at least come say goodbye?" When they met again, he was on his knees. His eyes were red-rimmed as he held out a teacup. "Please have some tea... Aunt Rachel."

Leonard Burton and I are childhood sweethearts, bound by a family-arranged marriage. After we marry, we live a loving, harmonious life. In a terrible accident, he even gives up his only chance at survival to save me. After Leonard's death, we find a journal among his belongings. In it, he records the three years he was missing after falling off a cliff—years spent with another woman he deeply loved. But his parents had forcibly separated them and arranged our marriage instead. Unbeknownst to anyone, he had continued to protect that woman from afar, silently and faithfully. At the funeral, Leonard's mother, Charlotte Newman, is inconsolable. "Leonard, it's all my fault. Would you still be alive if I'd let you marry Yelena back then?" His father, Samuel Burton, glares at me with hatred. "He fell off that cliff saving you. He died in that crash shielding you. Why do you bring him nothing but harm? Why aren't you the one who's dead?" Yes, why is it not me who's dead? I look at Leonard's familiar, smiling face on his gravestone before running at it and smashing my head on it. When I open my eyes again, I'm taken back to when he just returned from that small fishing village. This time, I choose to let him go and give him what he wants. Finally, I see Leonard again.