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A DARK, EROTIC BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE.
"Ah, oh my God, it's coming again..." I moaned, my head thrown back, my vision blurring.
My mouth was open, and I mumbled incoherently, my legs spread wide, facing my boss, Ethan Blackwood.
"Using your virginity to seduce me? In exchange for the power I hold, is that it?"
"You succeeded."
He thrust even more violently into the depths of my soul.
In the shudder of orgasm, he rolled me over, making me lie on my back.
I gasped, feeling him penetrate me more deeply than ever before.
———
"That night, I caught my fiancé sleeping with my sister. From that moment on, I stopped being a good girl."
For seventeen years, Leah Harnes had been blindly loyal to her fiancé, until one day, she caught him in bed with her sister.
Heartbroken.
Desperate to forget as she watched her beliefs crumbled.
So she did something unbelievable: She spent the night with a handsome stranger.
However, her entire world came crumbling down when she discovered that the man was her ruthless, powerful boss.
Ethan offered her a cruel contract: her body in exchange for his power.
However, a man like Ethan would never be gentle.
No romance, no caresses.
He only knew control, pleasure, and pain.
She vowed to hate him.
He vowed to possess her.
Caught between a treacherous stepmother, a vengeful ex-boyfriend, and Ethan's dark obsession, Leah was caught in a vortex of lies, desire, and revenge.
A man like Ethan, who despised being touched, but now, he craves the touch of only one woman—Leah.
And he would never let go of the only woman he truly desired.
Not in this life, not in the next.
~* One Night Of Revenge Turned Into A Lifetime Of Obsession *~ 



An 18-year wait. A forbidden bond. A love he refuses to claim.What if your niece turned out to be your mate?Seventeen-year-old Xel, a rare Dragon-Were-Vamp hybrid, never expected to fall for the one man she shouldn't: her cold, ruthless uncle — Alpha Jax Stone, the most feared Alpha of the Diamond Heart Pack.But fate doesn’t care about bloodlines.For 18 years, Jax has fought the pull of the mate bond, trying to suppress his wolf’s obsession with the girl he swore to protect. In his desperate attempt to deny destiny, he wounds not only his fated mate—but himself.As the bond tightens and the wait comes to an end, bitter pasts resurface. A rising wave of supernatural drug trafficking, kidnappings of teenage dragons, and the dark secrets of Alpha Kai Stone pull them into a deadly mission where love might not survive.Now, Jax and Xel must face the greatest threat of all—not just a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows, but the impossible love they can no longer run from.Uncle by Blood. Mate by Moon. Monster by Choice. 
In order to revenge, and find out the truth, she to be crazy married the Bryans' young mistress. The first year after marriage, he found that she was offering descendants of the master. In the second year after marriage, he found her strength, unarmed split brick. In the third year after their marriage, he discovered that she was a pianist, a secret investor, and a hacker ... In this way, he tore open her vest one by one. William Bryan felt very aggrieved, 'Wife, how many secrets do you still have?" 

The Don.A panties-dropping gorgeous man, rich, seductive but above all, Dangerous!That's the description of The King of the Italian Mafia, Don Massimo!Who am I?......…I'm Julia, just 18 years old, and don't know much about the real world. I'm brought up secluded and protected from everything (bad) by my parents, all in the name of their love but it was suffocating!At a younger age, I was even home schooled because my mom was scared that something will happen on the way to school or that I would pickup bad influences/habits….It felt like they were stuck in the past while I tried to live in the future!….there wasn't even a TV at home!!When I finally became of age I decided that it was my time….so I went to University and stayed on campus. My parents were not happy about it but with help of my granny I managed to convince them in the end by making a deal that I'll call them every day at least once….a small price to pay for my freedom I thought, so i took the deal.I'm now in my last year but little did I know that my life was about to change because of an unexpected encounter with one man, a man that brought me to my knees with only one look, one seductive word and one touch......."Don Massimo!"Now HE has set his eyes on my virgin ones, drowning me in his smoldering chocolate orbs with no way out......…but i don't mind drowning!…..He unleashed something in me, something i didn't even know i had in me.......something raw…..All goes well until the moment my secret crush comes out in the open and my family shows their true colors and HE starts changing his mind!.......I thought he wanted me but now he backs down, telling me that I'm too innocent for his dark world.......fighting with his own heart between wanting me and not wanting me......And me well i don't know what HE did to me but it seems like some of his darkness already crawled it's way into my heart making me want him, need him, CRAVE him more then ever!! 


I marry the same man seven times, and he divorces me seven times for the same woman.
He does this so he can go on vacation with his first love as a supposedly single man while also protecting her from being the subject of scandalous gossip.
The first time we divorce, I attempt to take my own life to force him into staying. Despite being sent to the hospital in an ambulance, he didn't even bother to visit me.
The second time we divorce, I humble myself by applying to be an assistant at his company, all for the chance to see him more.
By the sixth time, I had already learned to quietly pack up my belongings and move out of his house.
At first, I was hysterical, but then I began to concede, and eventually, that grew to numb acceptance. Yet, time and again, he would remarry me on our previously agreed-upon date, only for history to repeat itself.
Finally, one day, after I hear that his first love is returning to the country again, I voluntarily hand him the divorce agreement.
Just like before, he promises to remarry me again on a certain date. But he doesn't know that this time, I'll be leaving for good. 
After her miscarriage, Sabrina Frye turns into the wife Nester Blackwell has always demanded.
She stops sharing the small joys of her day and the frantic, late-night calls when he doesn't come home.
Even when she is framed in a street scam and taken to the police station, the officers tell her she can leave if a family member posts bail, but she tells them that she has no family.
She calmly spends the next seven days in a cold cell.
A week later, the heavy iron gates of the station open with a metallic clang at dusk. As Sabrina steps down the stairs, a black Maybach screeches to a halt in front of her.
The door swings open, and Nester steps out. Dressed in a tailored suit, he's tall, with near-perfect body proportions. Like always, he looks cold and untouchable. 

Three years ago, she was a poor judge of character. She was willing to donate her kidney and become disfigured for an a**hole. However, not only did that man cheat on her, he had even nearly caused her to lose her life!Three years later, she regained her beauty. Upon her glorious return, she swore to make all a**holes pay for what they did.It was widely known that Stanley Batton, the wealthiest tycoon in Atlantis, was a cruel man feared by many. Although he had the facial features of a passionate man, he was known for his heart of ice.People constantly speculated on the kind of woman who would be able to open his heart.However, to everyone’s surprise, he kneeled on one knee under the spotlight, and in front of every known media company, to tie a butterfly knot on her shoe.“Stanley Batton, what do you really want?” She seemed panicked and flustered.He laughed at himself. “Xyla Quest, no one else but you can take my life away!” 
Alora Dennison is an orphaned child from a shamed bloodline surviving in her families old pack. On the dawn of her transition pushing her into adulthood she imprints on the mate she will be bonded to for an eternity, in an unexpected turn of fate.
Only he isn't the man of her dreams. He is the only one in the entire state she would never have wanted to bond too.
Colton Santo is the arrogant, dominant son of the Alpha from a rival pack which is set to unite the packs and reign in one kingdom. In years gone by his disdain for her and any from her bloodline has been prominent. Her treatment by his pack has pushed her to live in near isolation, fearful for her existence and now before all assembled, on the dawn of her awakening, they all just saw her imprint on their future leader.
Fate has decreed it, but everyone around her is about to try and stop it.
Fate isn't about to make it easy on her either, as a long forgotten war erupts in their lands, bringing an age old enemy with a thirst for blood back into the forefront of lycanthrope life.
Will she survive long enough to ever find out why she has borne a black mark on her lineage her entire life? And why exactly, Colton's father is just so eager to see her dead.
Will Colton step up and honour the bond, or will he be the one to deliver the final blow? 

Sean Horton is on the train home when a beautiful woman suddenly falls into his arms. Her lips are cherry red, and she smells delectable.Sean is aroused. He later discovers that she's the blind date he turned down for being too materialistic and fickle-minded. She thinks she can do anything because his family owes her a favor.From that day on, Sean can't stop thinking about her. He can't sleep at night.…Wendy Stowell has transmigrated into a book—she's taken on the role of an evil, scheming side character.The original Wendy has too many inkblots on her reputation to clean, so Wendy has no choice but to focus on getting into college and avoiding Sean. Yet Sean bosses her around, controls her, and educates her.One day, he comes to her with the letter she wrote to her family, informing them she has a boyfriend. He pins her to the wall, his gaze almost crazed as he says, "You're not allowed to date anyone, Wendy. Even if you wanted to date someone, that someone can only be me!" 


Today I had my first kiss. It wasn’t planned. It was also with a complete stranger. As I walked through the halls of my school, Higala Shifter Academy, I paused when a familiar sense washed over me. My boyfriend, Scott, was nearby, and he wasn’t alone. “You are so naughty, Scott,” the she-wolf Sarah chuckled. “Only for you, babe,” he replied, muffled as her lips closed around his. At that moment, I felt sick to my stomach. “Oh, Scott. Stop it. You know we can’t be seen together. What if your girlfriend finds us?” “She’s in class. She’s never late. You don’t need to worry.” My heart was heavy in my chest, but also a wave of fury and resentment crossed me.“Lila?” Scott breathed, staring at me in shock “What are you—” Before he could get the entire question out, I turned to the gentleman beside me, placing my hands on his shoulders and pulling him toward me. He went easily, though his eyes showed nothing but confusion. I closed my eyes tightly so I wouldn’t have to see his expression any longer. Then, our lips touched. Later, I walked into my class but found,It was him… The man I kissed only moments ago in the hallway. The man I had given my first kiss to, was my professor. 
In my past life, I was madly in love with Ethan Grayson and his bootlicker. I knew he had feelings for someone else but refused to leave him alone, even forcing him to be with me to repay me. Many years later, I finally married him after pulling some tricks.
I thought I'd found happiness and tried hard to melt his heart throughout our three-year marriage. Only upon his first love's return did I see the light. In hindsight, my life was filled with nothing but regret.
When I'm reborn to the time before my SATs, I look at the young man I once was madly in love with. This time, I'm not going to bug him anymore. I want to live life my way. If I can't make him fall for me, I won't try anymore.
To my surprise, he drops his usual icy attitude and pins me to a corner. He forces through gritted teeth, "How dare you try to run away after attracting my attention, Evelyn! Dream on!" 




My boyfriend suddenly tells me one day that he wants to get married and asks me to wear a wedding dress to our company's annual party.Thinking he's finally going to marry me, I wear the most stunning wedding dress, grab a bouquet, and tell people in the company about our love.Suddenly, his secretary rushes out and throws a cup of coffee at me. "You brazen vixen! All you did was close a multi-million-dollar deal, and you suddenly get the nerve to steal my husband? You whore, I'll rip you to pieces!"My boyfriend, who's always been a stickler for rules, doesn't speak up for me. Instead, he hands my project over to his secretary, citing that I violated company rules.Everyone looks at me pitifully, and they think I'll cause a scene. But I don't.I simply throw my work ID to the secretary. "You're the CEO's wife, huh. I've offended you, so take the position of director as a wedding gift from me."What my boyfriend doesn't know is that this deal is something my father forced me to take on.Now that I'm quitting as the project lead, it becomes a failed collaboration. His company will also break the contract, causing it to go bankrupt and end up owing a huge amount of money. 


Lost to a Playful CompanionKyle's childhood playmate Anna and I were both attacked by Rogue.For Anna's reputation, he lied that she was accidentally injured during training.And I became the shame who was kidnapped by Rogue and was considered dirty.Facing my questioning, Kyle coaxed me softly:"Anna has been a noble since she was a child, and she can't bear such rumors. Dear, you and I know that you are stronger than her."Looking at Kyle, whom I have loved for ten years, my heart is full of bitterness.Later, the elders thought that I tarnished the reputation of Silvercrest Pack.On the day they forced me to leave,he was busy healing Anna's wounds.When he found out, I had already disappeared.Kyle, now, I don't want you. 
He's cold and reserved, while she's wild and free.Driven by revenge, Giselle Holt weaves her way into his life, teasing him without shame and manipulating him with cunning and deceit. She ruins his engagement party, drives away the woman he loves, and tramples on his boundaries again and again.One late night, he corners her against the wall. "Giselle, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve?"She smirks, sly and teasing.Just like that, she barges into his life and does as she pleases, dragging him down from his pedestal, piece by piece, until nothing remains. 
“You seem to have forgotten that you’re not marrying a commoner, Alina. You’re marrying the prince of all vampires, so look alive and get me some coffee.”Alina Deluca lives a normal life up in the Californian north. At least that’s what she makes the world believe. Locked within her hypnotizing emerald eyes are horrors she could never speak of, even if it killed her.Erick Stayton, the vampire prince, is her nightmare. To her, he was no more than a cold, savage predator that lusted for her blood and took away everything she had during that one traumatizing night four years ago. Problem is, she is bound to be his bride.Mustering every strength to set things right in her awry life, she gets embroiled in an ages-old feud and a struggle for power of mind-boggling proportions. Strangely enough, she finds herself connecting with Erick in ways she never knew she could. Suddenly, everything is not what it seems.Is Erick the heartless monster Alina makes him out to be? Will a vampire law made eons ago be the undoing of the whole vampire race? Will heated passion bloom in these bloodiest of times? 
Chloe Quall trades her military uniform for an apron and dedicates herself to building Curtis Green's company.
In return, she hears him say, "Chloe, how could you ever compare to Sonya? She's a strong, independent female captain, while you're just a useless secretary, pouring coffee and passing memos."
Even his friends mock and dismiss her as nothing.
None of them know that she once led the special forces, where flying fighter jets on missions was as routine as breakfast for her. She's fluent in five languages and graduated as the top science student in Corvessia. Even elite hackers answered to her.
On the day she receives her parents' ashes at the military camp, Curtis is busy escorting his first love's mother to the hospital for a minor wound.
That's the final blow. Chloe signs the divorce papers and heads to the airport, cradling her parents' urn.
The whole of Corvessia is shaken. Generals and soldiers come in droves to salute her departure. And that's when Curtis finally realizes his ex-wife comes from a family of heroes, her home filled with medals of honor.
He was the one who was never worthy of her.
Later, jealousy consumes him as he watches Brian Steele—heir to Corvessia's most powerful family—stand at Chloe's side.
With his arms wrapped possessively around her waist, Brian murmurs in her ear, "You're mine, Chloe. If you ever dare to rekindle things with your ex, I'll make him disappear."
Chloe gives the powerful, ruthless man a bored look and responds with a dismissive roll of her eyes. That night, Brian backs her against the door and pleads desperately for her love. 


Everyone in Flarora says Trina Shepherd is the city's most beautiful red rose—stunning, confident, and impossible to ignore.
She's living her best life abroad when a telegram from her father summons her home. It contains only one cold command, "Return immediately. Marry Julian."
Julian Hauser is the youngest and most promising officer in the unit. He's cool, restrained, and disciplined to the core—her complete opposite.
She thrives on noise and crowds, while he prefers silence.
She acts on impulse and pulls off outrageous stunts, while he follows every rule and treats military discipline as absolute.
The mere thought of marrying someone so rigid suffocates Trina. So, she uses every trick she can to break the engagement.
She causes trouble without a care in the world, yet Julian stays right behind her, silently cleaning up the mess. 


Charlotte Perry devotes two years of her life as Mrs. Norman, only to hear Brian Norman say, "It doesn't matter who my wife is—anyone could take that place."Heartbroken, she signs the divorce papers and walks away.Six years later, she returns with two adorable kids and a life that's nothing short of legendary—master healer, renowned archaeologist, top jewelry appraiser… and the heiress of the richest family in the country. One hidden identity after another leaves everyone stunned.Her adoptive parents, who cut ties with her years ago, sneer. "She’s just an orphan we tossed aside!"The fake, scheming bitch accuses, "Charlotte's a fraud pretending to be the billionaire's daughter!”But then, the billionaire himself steps forward and shuts them all down. "Lottie is my daughter. And today, I'm announcing her open engagement—any outstanding young man is welcome to propose."Later, when Charlotte is about to marry someone else, Brian shows up and crashes the wedding, his eyes red with desperation."Lottie, my wife can only be you. No one else." 
Bethany Porter has been in a clandestine relationship with her best friend's uncle, Noah Vazquez, for three years, only to hear her best friend, Holly Vasquez, say, "My uncle's seeing someone, Beth."
It hits her then that she has been nothing but a substitute for the last three years.
To reclaim her late father's inheritance, Bethany agrees to her mother, Diana Reeves', arrangement and goes on a blind date. Unbeknownst to her, she sits at the wrong table.
"Let's get married. We can go our separate ways in a year," Bethany suggests.
Silas Brennan arches his brow. "Sure. Since there's still time, why don't we go get our marriage license now?"
…
Regret twists in Noah's chest when he sees the ring on Bethany's finger. His eyes mist over as he seizes her wrist. "Can you give me another chance, Beth?"
Before the gentle woman can respond, the man behind her draws her in, his arms settling around her slender waist. "Whoa there, are you trying to be a homewrecker, Mr. Vazquez? Sorry, but that's my wife's hand you're holding. Lay a hand on her again, and I'll cut it off!"
Noah belatedly realizes that the man who stole his girlfriend is his archenemy. 
Even the coldest heart would soon grow warm if she kept holding on to it. That was what she believed. That was why she became his unloved placeholder of a wife. Unfortunately, all her devotion only led to a heartless divorce. “She’s awake now,” he told her. “Step down and step away, you miserable knock-off.”Then, he left. When he came back, it was because he needed her to do something only an impostor could do: go to jail for his dream girl’s crime. Deirdre McKinnon was condemned to perdition. She lost her baby before it was born. She lost her face to violence. She lost the ability to see. It was two months of a hell-like nightmare. At last, something died inside her heart. Two years later, she found herself another man, but when Brendan Brighthall met her by pure happenstance, a new feeling was born in his heart: jealousy. There were no means too terrible, no scheme too underhanded—not if it meant he’d possess Deirdre’s heart again. And yet, she simply refused to love him anymore.“What do you want me to do, Deirdre McKinnon?! What must I do to go back to the good old days?” His eyes turned red. “I’ll give you everything I have!”“You gave me a copper trinket two years ago. It was a sorry excuse for a wedding ring, and yet I cared for it as though it was the most precious jewel in the world…“But now? Nothing you can give would be even remotely worthwhile. Not even you.” 
17 years ago, Hera Youngworth was switched at birth. 17 years later, her biological family, the Everetts, manages to track her down. To her dismay, her father is scornful of her, and her grandmother dislikes her. Even her so-called fiancé has nothing but contempt for her.Her father, James Everett, tells her, "There's no way the Gaskell family will accept a country bumpkin as their daughter-in-law. For the sake of both our families, we'll make a public announcement about you being our adoptive daughter."Her grandmother, Mildred Barker, snaps, "Your grades are abysmal; you don't deserve to sleep in a room meant for members of the Everett family. A guest bedroom is all you deserve!"Her fiancé, Zyler Gaskell, says, "Giselle is the true daughter of the Everetts, and she's the only one worthy of me. Get lost, you country bumpkin!"Hera's reaction to all of this? She couldn't care less.Later, her name frequently makes headlines.Secret No. 1: Hera's the mysterious genius who got perfect scores on her SATs!Secret No. 2: Hera is actually Raven, the infamous hacker!Secret No. 3: Hera is at the top of the Divine Forum's list!Secret No. 4: Hera is the one who holds Mr. Killian's heart!The list goes on.This plot twist humiliates those who previously looked down on Hera. They get on their knees before her and beg her for help, but a certain someone teaches them a lesson and turns them down without hesitation.Bernard Killian gives them an arrogant look and dominantly announces, "Hera is mine and mine only."Then, he turns to Hera and says pitifully, "Look at how incredible you are, Mrs. Killian. I hope you'll take me under your wing in the future."Hera gives him a cold look. "Drop the act, Mr. Killian. Your secrets have long been laid bare." 
After his older brother dies in a car accident, Luke Graham takes over the family business. Forced by his mom, Luke betrays his wife, Scarlett Walker, by having an affair with his sister-in-law, Susan Reynolds, who soon becomes pregnant. From handing over the family heirloom necklace to Susan to forcing Scarlett out of the main house for the sake of Susan's pregnancy, Luke's betrayal of Scarlett escalates gradually.Scarlett endures it all out of her lingering feelings for him. However, on her birthday, she witnesses Luke's tenderness toward Susan, and her heart shatters.That night, she fakes her death on a yacht and activates the divorce agreement she had prepared. Only after losing Scarlett does Luke realize what he has done. With the Walkers pulling out their investment into his company, it collapses, and he spirals into madness searching for Scarlett, only to be rejected at every turn.In the end, he falls into Susan's trap and perishes with her and their child in a fire.By then, Scarlett has already risen from the ashes, taken control of her family's empire, and sealed the past away for good. 


Upon living for 5000 years, he had witnessed the great battle between Alexander and Moros, Asclepius sampling all herbs, and Cassander harnessing nature to prevent floods. He had witnessed the rise and fall of numerous grand empires. Through the ages past, he persisted—just like a traveler, outside looking in.Once again returned to the present, he remained the discriminated son-in-law.The mother-in-law and sister-in-law despised him, while the stunning wife only gave him the cold shoulder. With his return, his destiny will never be the same as before.Possessing 5000 years of heritage, he was the man with unparalleled knowledge, perfect mastery of all arts, and unsurpassable by another human by any standards. 
Diana Gyleon and Vincent Hendrix go from childhood sweethearts to bitter strangers. They've been married for years, yet in the end, she still loses to a woman who came out of nowhere.Night after night, all it takes is one phone call from that woman, and Vincent walks away without hesitation, leaving Diana behind.She can't forget the deep love of their youth, the way she once loved him to her very bones. With a heart full of sincerity and passion, she believes that if she loves hard enough, she can win him back.But love is the one thing in this world that one can't force. Her devotion only earns her scars from cut after invisible cut.Until one day… she finally gives up. And in that moment, she realizes that love is fleeting. It's beautiful, but impossible to hold.Heartbroken and numb, she decides to walk away. And from the moment she leaves, her world begins to shine. But Vincent panics.For years afterward, he begs and pleads for her to look back just once, but all he can do is watch her take another man's hand.She says calmly, "Mr. Hendrix, I stopped wanting you a long time ago." 
After five years in love and three years of marriage, Noelle Spencer believes she and Conner Ashford will grow old together. Even after receiving news of his tragic plane crash, she clings to the vow that not even death can do them part—they will stay together, in life or death.That is, until she learns the truth that Conner isn't dead—he's simply become another woman's husband.After resolutely severing her love and all ties for Conner, she ends this ridiculous farce and agrees to the marriage arranged by her family. When Sebastian Cole—Norland's most unattainable golden bachelor—takes a divorcee as his wife, the elites erupt in scandalized whispers. Even Noelle believes he must have some underlying malady to have hastily settled for her. But since the Coles had granted her her desires, she at least owed it to Sebastian to keep up appearances.Ever so thoughtful, she suggests, "If you're impotent, we could adopt. I'll hide away for a while, and we'll tell everyone the baby's ours."Sebastian's grip tightens around her waist as he whispers, "If you want a child, simply say so, Mrs. Cole. Must you go around in polite detours just to ask?"In Sebastian's circle, friends whisper behind his back and wonder why a man with his money and pedigree chooses to play the lovesick fool.But Sebastian responds with an unbothered smirk, "What's so bad about being a fool? I did end up getting everything I wanted."They mock him for wearing the title like a proud badge, but they'll never understand his quiet agony of having loved from afar and how hard it was to have won Noelle over. 








BLURB
."Ever have that feeling nothing you ever do matters?"
This is Lila Vitale's story, being overshadowed by her elder sister all her life no matter the efforts she puts in.
Finally, she is put in the spotlight when her elder sister, Lily, abandons her husband because he went blind, and she ( Lila) has to be the replacement by pretending to be her.
Lila is not happy about this at first but steps up to the challenge as she is finally seen and relied on by those she cares about.
Lucien, a year later regains his eyesight due to surgery. Lila, hopeful to be set free by the truth, gets disappointed when her sister Lily miraculously appears to take back the place she abandoned and the man Lila had grown to love.
To make matters worse, Lila realizes she was just a pawn being used all along and overhears death plots about her unborn child.
As the betrayal deepens, Lila tries reaching out to Lucien who treats her like a pest, hurting and giving her no choice but to disappear. Not too long after, Lucien figures out the truth and seeks out for her but isn't he too late?
Will Lila ever want to let him back into her life again, especially when she is hell-bent on revenge?
EXCERPT.
"You have to come back, Lila. To me. You and our children". He whispered gently, his blue eyes filled with care towards me, his hands on my cheeks, stroking them softly.
I closed my eyes, rubbing my face against his palm, enjoying the texture. How I had longed so much for this.
"Our children? Remember Mr. Knight. I never married you neither are my bastard children yours". I commented, repeating his exact same words five years ago as the side of my lips curled up in disdain. 