Surprised

After my father passed away three years ago, my mother drifted through relationships, never staying with one man for long. When we moved in with Professor Williams, I was surprised to discover his two adult sons still lived at home. Phoenix seems decent, but Jack? He despises me. He’s convinced my mother is after his father’s money, and that I’m just her useless shadow, dragged along for the ride. Their judgment hangs thick in the air—every glance feels like a scalding brand. And trapped under the same roof, there’s nowhere to hide.

His first love barged into my office and stood before me, mocking, "He doesn't love you at all." I rolled my eyes. "I don't know whether he loves me, but I am Mrs. Brooke now. And who are you, exactly?" I was surprised that there was still someone so clueless in this day and age. Marriage was all about mutual benefit; the idea of love was downright ridiculous. To me, Noah was just a means to an end—a tool that would double my worth. I had never taken him seriously.

"What are you doing?" Alpha Albrecht's voice was low, almost a growl. "I… I'm doing what you want," I replied, my voice trembling. "I'm not resisting." He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Why the sudden change, Catriona? You've never been this… obedient." I met his gaze, my heart throbbing aggressively. His eyes scanned my body, lingering on the bruises and marks. His hand reached out, fingers brushing against a particularly dark bruise on my arm. I flinched but held my ground. "You're different," he muttered, more to himself than to me. "Yes, Alpha," I whispered, lowering my gaze. He tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him. He studied me for a long moment, his expression stern. Finally, he nodded. "Get dressed!" "Huh?" I blinked, surprised by his command. If I remember correctly, he actually forced his way into me on this day. What has changed in 2012? ---------------- Catriona Barclay thought her life was over in Berlin when the ruthless Alpha Albrecht Conrad of the Shadow Pack killed her in 2021. Betrayed by those she trusted most, including her secret lover Finlay, and her best friend Greta, her world ended in tragedy. But, a mysterious force pulls her back in time to 2012, where she awakens nine years younger and armed with a chance to rewrite her fate. Determined to avenge her family's massacre and avoid her doomed future, Catriona devises a cunning plan against everyone who wronged her in the future. In the process, she uncovers truths about her family's true murderers and her rare special ability. She also discovered that Alpha Albrecht, the man she had hated her whole life and swore to bring down, is her fated mate chosen by the moon Goddess. Will she follow her quest for vengeance, or embrace a future she never imagined?

His voice was low as he remarked, "You’re kissing a stranger," yet his eyes were full of intrigue. When I barged into their engagement party, the hurt of my betrayal was still fresh because I had just been deceived by the two people I trusted the most, my best friend and my ex. Then, however, he appeared. The enigmatic billionaire CEO who has a reputation for avoiding relationships is Yemi Kings. I kissed him right then and there, while everything fell apart around me. It was reckless and hasty, yet it seemed genuine for the first time in weeks. Nevertheless, what started as a defiant act soon evolved into a tangled network of deceit, mysteries, and an undeniable chemistry that neither one of us could ignore. I was surprised that he wanted me. This was unexpected. However, we are compelled to play a game neither of us is ready for when Yemi's and my past intersect. The tension is tremendous, the stakes are enormous, and the distinction between passion and retaliation is blurred in ways I never would have thought possible. His main thought right now is to claim me as his own. But will I still be able to trust him when the truth is revealed? Or are we going to see our worlds fall apart forever? The phone rang just as I was starting to have faith in us. Everything was broken by the voice on the other end.

Celeste was married to a Mafia Don, Xenois Kingston on a contract marriage, that would last 6 years. The deal was that Celeste would give him children during that period and after the end of the 6 year contract, he would offer her $100,000,000,000, divorce her and keep the children as his. Celeste, an orphan, abandoned by the orphanage she grew up in at the age of 18 had nothing to lose and agreed to the deal. 6 years later, Celeste is now 24 years and mother to triplets boys; Lake, Troy and Soren. The contract is coming to an end this month and rumors has it that Xenois true love Claudia Hale is returning back to the city after 6 years of absence. Xenois handed her the divorce papers that morning only for him to get into a car accident on the way to the hospital and suffers from amnesia. To Xenois, he's in love with his wife and kids and a very attentive father and husband and is surprised to find out that Celeste planned on divorcing him. He is determined to make his wife fall for him and be a better father to their children. Things seem like a fairytale for Celeste who is desperate to hold on to this illusion after she had fallen for her husband in their third year of their marriage and stayed with an unrequited love. She knows what she's doing is cruel but she wants to enjoy it while it lasts. But Claudia Hale won't rest until she gets rid of the obstacle named Celeste and marries her heartthrob Xenois. Will Xenois recover his memory and better yet, once he does, does Celeste still stand a chance at winning the heart of her husband or would she be accused of having a hand in his amnesia.

"How can you miss a spot? Oh you are such a dummy. I can't believe my brother is married to you." Bella rolled her eyes and looked at me like I was trash. "Yea, even I'm surprised you're my wife." Alec stepped in, tall And handsome he was. If only he wasn't always so cold like this. "You're too dumb, all the time letting my mother and sister speak to you like that. I wonder when you'll ever stand up for yourself." "Can we talk, in private?" I said as polite as I could. Alec just looked me with disgust and shrugged. "Well, good night everyone. I'm off to this fancy hotel to have a gooood night!" He said, ignoring me. I hated that he did that, but I just wished I had the boldness to correct him and teach him to treat me right. "I hope you bring home a new girl. This one expired 3 years ago." Lolita said. "Mom, I married her three years ago." Alec said and they all bursted out in laughter.

Leena and Zack are two best friends from childhood. The modern day Bonnie and Clyde, their relationship was the envy of many. Especially, that of her Stepmother Lily and step sister, Kara. Both children of Billionaires, their relationship is threatened when their parents suggest a union between the two of them. Zack's family ran an oil company which wanted to divert into raw materials trade. Leena's father's Company is involved in the refining of raw materials like crude oil and other resources for factories as well as other businesses. The oil business is good, but they see the need to expand, and Leena's Father, Mr. Davis thinks it would be a great idea to link up with them. That is when the idea to get married comes up. The idea to set up a relationship between Zack and Leena surfaces. After years of maintaining a civil and loving relationship, Leena is surprised at how much Zack's attitude changes towards her after their engagement. He treats her with contempt and swears to make her life miserable. Leena's fatehr had pleaded with her to accept the marriage proposal for the sake of saving the Company, even though she knew it was a terrible idea and did not want to go ahead with the marriage. Not until she returns from a business trip, and Zack proposes to her.