Testing The Waters Novels & Stories

In the second year of my marriage to Jeffery Sadler, he brought a young woman home. When his eyes met mine, Jeffery smiled carelessly and said, "Naomi, perhaps you should try it too." He added, "After all, young and energetic people are truly different." I knew he was only testing me; he had always enjoyed tormenting and toying with me. But what he didn't know was that this time, I was genuinely tempted. Later, as he stared at the fresh scratch marks on the "young person's" waist and abdomen, his eyes blazed red with anger. "Naomi Sloan," he growled, “Who gave you the audacity to actually take this seriously?”

My fiancé betrayed me and left me at the altar. So I made a deal with the one man he hates most—his uncle, Tyson. Tyson Wilson is powerful, charming, and dangerously ambitious. He needed a contract bride. I needed a ladder to reach my mother’s dreams. A contract is all it was supposed to be… until the lines between paper and reality start blurring. Now my ex-fiancé, Alex, needs me back. But I have bigger problems—lies, corporate wars, hidden agendas, and secrets people are willing to kill for. And somehow, I’m at the center of it all. My contract husband keeps pushing my boundaries, testing every rule we set. But it’s just a contract. …Right?

In the third year after my death, the one who remained faithfully by my wife's side was still the bionic robot I had painstakingly designed. It looked exactly like me and carried within it every detail of my mannerisms, speech, and habits. The only difference was that it never lost its temper with her. Because of that, my wife never sensed anything amiss. Yet each night, she brought home a different man, deliberately testing "me," desperate to see the wild jealousy and rage I once wore so vividly. Then, one day, her childhood sweetheart and first love, shoved "me" off the balcony. It was only then, in her horror, that my wife realized… "I" didn't bleed.

My husband was sterile. Necrospermia, they said. His brother was in a coma and had no partner. Their mother wanted me to sleep with both of them and get knocked up with the family's heir. I refused and applied for a divorce. Ninety-nine times. Ninety-nine failures. Then, I put in the hundredth application. When that failed, I agreed to my mother-in-law's request, holding a pregnancy test result. My husband disagreed. That night, he stopped me before I could sleep with his brother. Harshly, he said, "My mother was just testing you. I can't believe you'd get pregnant with the illegitimate child." I was amused and annoyed. "You're the one who said yes, as long as I could get pregnant with your family's heir."

Sophie's dreams of a loving marriage to Alex shatter when she uncovers a betrayal that rocks her world. As she navigates through the treacherous waters of a manipulative mother-in-law, Cathy, and the deceitful schemes of Mia, Sophie finds solace in the enigmatic Luca. Just when Sophie thinks she's found her footing, revelations of a pregnancy and a series of misunderstandings with Alex throw her life into disarray. With her heart torn between the man she once loved and the man who offers her a new beginning, Sophie must decide where her future lies. Can Sophie and Alex's love survive the storm of secrets and lies? Or will the shadows of deception consume their chance at happiness?

At Bernard Tech, financial troubles loom large as their current major project hits a snag.  The Lorenzo family grapples with challenges, caused mainly by their youngest son, Dimitri, who is haunted by past heartbreaks as he walks a dangerous path, much to their dismay. Kingsley Bernard, desperate for a solution, asks his friend Donald for assistance. Donald Lorenzo offers a lifeline. A marriage proposal between their children.  Audriana must navigate the treacherous waters of Dimitri's unpredictable behavior. As tensions arise and secrets unravel, will Dimitri discard his reckless ways and embrace love? Will their union rescue Bernard Tech from ruin? Would they find out who tried to sabotage pivotal project?

In the glamorous world of Chicago's elite, Ava Reed, a shy bookworm on scholarship, finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power and desire. When she crosses paths with Max Blackwood, the city's most eligible bachelor, their worlds collide in a whirlwind of secrets and deceit. Desperate to escape her hometown and protect herself from a menacing admirer, Ava strikes a precarious deal with Max, the billionaire CEO of America's newest investment firm. But their contract marriage is just the beginning of a tumultuous journey filled with passion, jealousy, and betrayal. As they navigate the treacherous waters of high society, Ava and Max must confront their demons and face the ultimate question: is their love worth risking everything for?

Within a world of manners, petticoats, finely dressed men and grand houses, tension and sexual attraction still rule. The purity of a woman’s reputation is everything whilst a man could be the worst kind of deviant and still walk amongst royalty. Navigating these tricky waters takes skill. A woman could risk it all for such a dangerous man and come away ruined… Follow Athena Thornfield as she starts employment at Fairfax Manor as a landscape designer. The millionaire Baron owner has a scandalous reputation with women. Can Athena complete the contract, learn about her desires and leave with her heart intact? Or will the Baron make her an offer she doesn't know if she can refuse?

In the third year I've decided to support my girlfriend, Iris Fulton, by opening a flower shop, she has gone into bankruptcy once again. The first time she went bankrupt, I sold the house my grandma had left for me so that I could clear the debt of 700 thousand dollars. The second time she went bankrupt, I was able to locate the bank passbook Mom had left for me as a wedding gift. That was how I paid back one million and six hundred thousand dollars. The third time Iris has gone bankrupt, however, I can only grip the note with my filthy rich dad's phone number while staring at her lost and dazed expression. At that time, I'm debating whether or not I should call him. But that night, I accidentally notice the chat history on Iris' group chat that's displayed on her tablet. "Hey Iris, how many figures are you going to fill into the sum of the bankruptcy contract that's supposed to be cleared this time?" "Let's put ten million dollars. Otherwise, that flower-selling plaything will be able to clear the debt in one go. It'll make things very boring." "As expected of you, Iris! I heard that the plaything waters flowers in the morning and waters your 'flower garden' at night. You're never tired of him, are you?" I put down Iris' tablet before calling my dad right away. "You want me to take over the family business and marry your student, right? Fine, I'll do it. Get your men to pick me up in three days."

"You wanna try and be my medicine, Lilah?” He asked with a deep testing tone, keeping his voice quiet. "I can try.” I breathe out as I gulp when his grip tightens "Try me.” His hand slides up my throat, his long fingers wrapping tight around my jaw. “That's what you really want?" I nodded, sighing out a shallow yes, and I could see every muscle in his body tense, as he wets his lips; hoarsely murmuring his next sentence like its his last try at making me change my mind. "I'm dangerous, Lilah, this is your last chance." My stomach twists and knots, as I use every ounce of bravery I have. "Prove it then."