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Madelyn Jent died on her wedding anniversary. She had been married to Zach Jardin for eight years, compromising for the better part of her life. However, she ended up being kicked out of the house.After the painful divorce, Madelyn was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Despite her deteriorating health, she clung to life in the hospital, hoping that Zach would visit her one last time.As Valentine's Day arrived, heavy snow fell outside. Yet, Zach failed to make an appearance, leaving Madelyn with a deep sense of regret. "Zach Jardin... If I could start over, I would never fall in love with you again!"Miraculously, Madelyn found herself reborn to the time when she was eighteen. Fueled by the desire to avoid repeating the same mistakes, she made a solemn vow to distance herself from everything related to Zach.But fate seemed determined to test her resolve. Just as she sought to escape the shadows of her past, the same man, Zach, emerged with an intimidating aura, gradually approaching her step by step. His voice, reminiscent of a devil's melody, echoed through the hallway as he declared, "Madelyn, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life..." 




"Hunter, let me go," I whimpered as he leaned in and took a whiff of my scent from my neck. My mind and heart, neither of them were willing to accept the closeness, but my body was yearning to submit. My nipples brushed against his solid naked chest, and a jolt of electricity surged through my core, resulting in moisture gathering in my sensitive folds. He moved his hand and cupped my bottom, earning a gasp from me."This body of yours. It's mine," he growled."And I'll do anything to make sure you understand that, even if it means getting you on my bed and making you submit over and over again." And then he tore my panties with one pull.*** On Aria's eighteenth birthday, her bully, Alpha Hunter Rodriguez, turned out to be her mate. She could not have been more devastated. But destiny had other plans, and when mysterious rogue attacks began, putting everyone's lives in danger, Aria and Hunter had to work together to overcome the storm. While Hunter realized his mistakes, Aria fought to resist the mate bond and her feelings. However, amid the growing fire and electric pull between them, someone wanted to tear them apart, and Aria became the main target of the one orchestrating the attacks. Unbeknownst to them, the unknown enemy they had to fight was hiding within their own pack in disguise, and after the pack, it was Aria who was at the greatest risk.The real enemy had only one rule—whether to claim or to kill. Can Hunter Rodriguez save his mate, or will it be too late? (Warning: 18+, Sexual content, abuse, rape, violence!!! ") 
“I used to have ice surrounding my heart, but it melted the moment I fucked you,” Hardin said and she scoffed.“It was just a harmless sex, grow up kid, and let me go!”She yelled.Freda was cheated on by her boyfriend because, he claimed she was bad at sex so he had to cheat.Freda was angry so she went to the clubhouse with the intention of having sex with another man just to see if she was really bad at it. She didn’t know she ended up having sex with a mafia lord.Later on, she was kidnapped by him who was lust after her after having sex with her.He threatened to kill her best friend if she refused to be with him, having no choice, Freda agreed with an intention of killing him.Slowly, she didn’t know how this hatred of hers turned into love, something she wasn’t willing to let go even if he was indifferent towards her.“You’re just one of his sex toys Freda, I was once like you. When he’s done with you, he’d trash you,” Despite knowing all of this, would she let go or hold on it him?Find out! 
Minerva Sowle takes a quiet breath, steadying herself before finally voicing the decision she's spent so long contemplating.She says with calm resolve, "Mr. Davison, Mrs. Davison, I've thought it through. I'm ready. I'd like to become part of your family."Algernon Davison and Maxine Ford pause for a moment, placing their tea mugs and the small plate of fresh fruit aside.Maxine reaches out, clasping Minerva's hand with unmistakable joy in her eyes. "This is wonderful, Minerva! We've always dreamed of having a daughter like you—kind, thoughtful, and sweet. "This is a dream come true. We'll prepare the paperwork right away to make it official. We'll soon have your name legally added to the Davison family records.Algernon nods enthusiastically. "The process is simple. In just two weeks, we'll be family in every sense of the word." 


Willow Nason suffered a calculated betrayal. Her virginity was taken, and the man from that fateful night left a token of his presence behind.However, she lost the token and could not locate the man, leaving her with nothing and an uncertain future.Five years later, armed with four little treasures, she returned with a determination to turn things around.Unintentionally, she drew the attention of an immensely powerful figure who held the power to make life-altering decisions in the world.First child: "Mommy, I've hacked into the tycoon's company. He'll come to apologize to you."Second child: "Mommy, I accidentally got involved in a scheme and lured the tycoon to our home."Third child: "Mommy, the tycoon wants to take me abroad to taste gourmet food."Fourth child: "Mommy, Daddy left you a priceless token."She had always believed her treasures to be ordinary little kids, so why were they all prodigies?!Then, a certain influential figure who was cold and imposing arrived at her home. He forced her to the corner of the bed and said, "Woman, you gave birth to my children secretly. You need to be held accountable for that." "What do you want me to do?" Willow said in a panic.The tycoon wrapped his arm around her waist. He flashed her a devilish smile and said, "Give birth to another one." 
In the times of battle for land and defence of false dignity, Selene is caught in the webs of her father's lust as she is taken captive by the feared Edgar O'alistair, ruling King of the Sol empire as her father awaits trial by the Harmony council. Edgar O'Alistair, a man feared and revered by many holds Selene and her younger sister captive, bound by law to become slaves.
Edgar swore off matters of the heart, now with the ensuing battle and dangers facing the Solian Empire, he is drowned by the raw emotion the foreign princess ignites in him. With family grudges, dark secrets and suicide, how long before Selene becomes a pawn and burns out what little fire she has left? In the midst of betrayal, sorcery, loyalty and death, love triumphs. 

I was in my third trimester when Natalia, Declan's secretary, also became pregnant.In order to protect Natalia's reputation, Declan claimed that the baby in her belly was his.As a result, my baby became a bastard without a father.When I questioned Declan, he just said coldly, “Natalia has always been timid and can't stand the gossip of unmarried pregnancy.”At that moment, looking at the man I had loved for seven years, I realized for the first time what it was like not to love.Later, my parents felt ashamed of me and forced me to get rid of the child, but he was abroad with Natalia to raise the baby.By the time he returned, I had got rid of the baby and disappeared from his world completely. 

In her past life, she trusted the wrong people—and betrayed the one man who loved her most. Blinded by lies, she pushed her fiancé into ruin. Yet even as the world turned against him, he forgave her. And in the end, he slaughtered all her enemies… before using the final blade to follow her into death.Now reborn, she swears to rewrite her fate.This time, she tears apart the fake innocents, crushes the traitors, and rises in brilliance—only for one purpose: to win back the heart of the man she once destroyed.But little does she know…He never truly left.From the shadows, he has already laid his trap, created a world where she can only fall—back into his arms.A love once buried in blood and regret will now reignite amidst vengeance, redemption, and fate's cruel game. 

I have to admit that my husband's true love is a charming woman.
Upon her return, my husband, who claims he knows nothing about romance when he's with me, comes up with various ways to please her. Even my son keeps clamoring to my face that he wants his father's true love to be his mother.
To them, my only worth is in cooking, cleaning, and caring for them.
Later, an autistic little girl tugs on my clothes and says firmly, "Zachary might not want his mother, but I do!"
Only then do I realize that a rose can still bloom in a dessert. When I finally turn my life into what I imagined it to be, my ex-husband and son regret their actions.
My ex-husband calls and tells me Zachary misses me. I say, "I'm not his mother anymore."
My ex-husband says he knows he made a mistake; he's suddenly realized I'm the one he loves.
The man beside me kisses the back of my hand. He says jealously, "What makes you think you're worthy of her love when even I've yet to win her heart?" 







Ruby Smith's life takes a horrifying turn when her stepsister Hazel and best friend Noura make her the victim of a conspiracy.An incident with a stranger at a hotel takes away her innocence, and when she returns home, her family throws her out, calling her a 'loose woman'. A shattered Ruby tries to rebuild herself. This time she works hard to achieve her dreams and becomes a successful jewellery designer. Her beauty and talent make many suitors fall in love with her, including her company's big boss, who is biased towards her everywhere. But Ruby has no interest in marriage; for her men are merely an illusion.Meanwhile, Michael Carter, one of the country's most successful businessmen, is haunted by a terrible incident from his past. He is lost in memories of the night he inadvertently ruined Ruby's life. He is searching for that mysterious girl whose name and identity he does not know, but that night and that girl are deeply embedded in his heart.Five years later, fate brings Ruby and Michael face to face again. The question now is: will Ruby be able to forget the wounds of her past and forgive Michael? Can Michael make up for his mistakes, or will Ruby's anger and desire for vengeance put further distance between them? 
Natalie Shaw has been dating Lucas Moore for ten years. But she ultimately realizes that the one who has slept with her is actually another man.
To her shock, Lucas is the one who has orchestrated everything, just so he can make another woman smile in amusement.
So, Natalie decides to continue the mistake. She's gentle and caring toward Nelson Moore, the man who has been pretending to be Lucas the whole time. At the same time, she's cold and distant toward Lucas, who has been adopting another identity in order to accompany his lover, Zia Shaw.
Natalie toys around with Lucas' and Nelson's thoughts and intentions effortlessly. Then, she pretends to die in a plane crash so that she can shake them off once and for all.
As a result, Natalie's parents cry themselves to the point of collapse. As for Nelson, he loses his mind and destroys both the Shaw and the Moore families out of rage.
Her lips curl into a cold smile at the sight.
Since all of them are such brilliant actors, she might as well put on a grand show for them! 
Marian was not ambitious and the only aspiration she had was to lead an idyllic life in the countryside, like farming and picking flowers. But her grandpa didn’t allow her to do so.
He asked her to come back to the urban area by all means and required her to inherit an enormous fortune, while at the same time arranging her to engage with the son of the richest man.
Thereafter, Marian started her journey to force others to eat humble pies.
She graduated from an Ivy school with a straight-A performance at the age of 16, becoming the youngest graduate in the history of the school, but her sister said she was a poor student?
She was the leader of the league of top-class Hacker elites in the world, but her brother called her a newbie?
She had been on top of the “list of top investors in the stock market” for ten consecutive years, but her mom said it was a waste of money to raise her.
Even the chairmen of five top-level consortiums eagerly wanted her to work as their investment counsellor, but her dad called her a country girl?
She was well versed in piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine appreciation, flower arrangement as well as tea!
James said, “Come on, this is the pen. Write down what you can’t achieve.”
Three hours later…
Marian yelled excitedly, “I got an answer.”
James thought to himself triumphantly: Clever girl, you’re finally baffled by something!
Marian looked at him with self-complacence, “I can’t love you.”
James was choked up.
[a bigoted and scheming male lead VS. a capable female lead] 
What is not well known is that the heroine is not an ordinary Wolf, she is a very rare gray Wolf. General Wolf pack only pure white or pure black Wolf, people have never seen the gray, she knows his true identity is dangerous, must stay away from dangerous men, so intend to refuse him, later found that the male master has a close girlfriend two, she intends to refuse the male master, the male master decisive wall dong, tell a secret: I know you are a gray Wolf, I am also a gray Wolf. 
After eighteen years in the Tate family, Paige Tate suddenly found out that she wasn't her parents' daughter.Their biological daughter was back, and Paige was abandoned. They were about to send Paige back to her hometown, which was an allegedly poor county...However, the so-called poor county turned out to be the area where the most expensive villas in the country gathered!Overnight, she went from a fake daughter of a relatively rich family to a real daughter of a top family!Her biological parents doted on her unconditionally. They allowed her to have at least 1.6 million dollars as her pocket money, drive whichever luxury car in the garage she favored, buy whatever customized luxuries in the world she pleased, and choose any top school she preferred.If she didn't want to go to school, she could kill her time with the family business!What shocked Paige the most was that she had a fiancé...Her fiancé proposed to break off the engagement, and Paige didn't give a damn. However, she was confused by what happened afterward. He had proposed to break off the engagement, and then he clung onto her as if he was a completely different person!He became so clingy and handsy.Paige was annoyed. "Who are you, Sir?""Baby, I am your husband.""I don't have a husband. An ex-fiancé who wants to break off our engagement is all I have."Martin Stowe, the world's richest man, feared by everyone in the world, was speechless.He wanted to punch himself as he was so silly that he called off the marriage without even meeting Paige... 
When you're on the brink of death, does humanity still exist?
Clementia must learn to trust people again after surviving a blocked elevator into a zombie apocalypse or risk losing everything in this horrific world. Every day for Clementia over the last two years has been a haze. She keeps her head down, hangs out with the folks she despises the most, and only leaves the house to work at her required internship. But everything changes the day the workplace elevator breaks down, trapping her as the screaming begins. When the doors eventually open, revealing a dystopian world ravaged by bleeding fangs and sickness, Clementia is thrust into a horrifying race for her life, stuck between strangers she's not sure she can trust and man-eating creatures hungry for her flesh.
With that, she realized that the whole city was filled by those monsters. She is now forced to flee for her life, and she must learn not only how to live in this new and frightening environment, but also how to fight her own inner demons. But then she met Justine, the one who will help her survive in this chaotic world, and together they will battle in a world where a virus has spread, transforming the majority of the people into flesh-eating monsters, as they both connote safety and unity. And, despite living in a dystopia, they will both find their way into each other's hearts, kindling fire within them, falling into an unfathomable abyss. 

Rogue!Murder!Lunatic! He's trying to kill our Alpha and Luna!They said. Cursed by the moon goddess, I say! Until I met my mate... --------------- Mate! Lucas cackled, high and insane in his mind. Our mate!! Daphne shrieked as the wolf leaped at her and tackled her to the ground. She stared up at the wolf looming over her, frozen in terror. She hissed at the pain in her neck as he removed its paw from her throat and stepped back just a bit. He growled, low and almost tender, “Mate.” Oh goddess, he was looking for his mate? He was going to kill her. “P-Please don’t k-kill me…” She pleaded, “P-Please, I…” The wolf flinched and trembled, “No. No. I wouldn’t-- Never-- I’m sorry…” Daphne wasn’t sure what to make of his sudden change in tone and demeanor. He took half a step back. “Are you hurt? Lemme see your wounds” Daphne asked worriedly. “Aren’t you… Aren’t you afraid of me?” She shrugged, “Not so long as your paws stay off my neck.” His face heated and his stomach clenched nervously. Even Lucas seemed anxious about it. “I’m sorry. I-I’m really sorry. I-I thought you were an enemy. I didn’t-- I 

Bethany Reyes is tricked into bed with Trystan Lawson during her cousin's birthday celebration. She instantly becomes a disgrace to the upper crust.That's not all, though. She also ends up as Trystan's wife.She gives him her heart after their marriage, but all she gets in return is infinite humiliation and hatred.Finally, when her cousin, Megan Reyes, returns, Trystan throws a divorce agreement at her. He snarls, "Give Megan back what you've taken from her. Return the position of Mrs. Lawson to her."He even wants to take their child from her so that Megan, who apparently can't have children of her own, can experience being a mother.Bethany loses all hope in Trystan and leaves, taking her child with her. She and the child disappear from Trystan's life.It's only on the day of his and Megan's wedding that Trystan realizes he's had the wrong woman the whole time. Bethany is the one he really loves."If love were a deserted island, Bethany, I'd stay there for you forever!" 
Emma Grace has loved Ethan Hunt for as long as she can remember. As his wife, she gave him her heart, but all he ever gave her was cold indifference. When she was nearly assaulted and he turned a blind eye, too consumed by his lingering feelings for his first love, Emma finally broke. She let go of her futile love and poured herself into her career.
To everyone's surprise, Emma thrived. Her talent and determination caught the attention of the company's top executives, and despite sabotage and jealousy from rivals, she rose through the ranks with confidence and grace. Ethan began to see her in a new light, especially as the woman he once idealized revealed her true, selfish nature.
Now, Ethan wants to win back the woman he had taken for granted. But Emma has changed. She's no longer the devoted wife who waited in silence. Will his late love be enough to heal old wounds or is he already too late? 


When I ended up in jail for the crimes my boyfriend Bob committed, he used and abandoned me, marrying the Alpha's daughter Lisa. After my release, I became a wedding planner, organizing their wedding.Little did I know, the Alpha himself would come to meet me for his daughter's wedding. And to my surprise, as he approached, I heard the voice of my wolf Susan deep inside me."mate..."His scent of lavender and sea salt overwhelmed me completely.Unbelievably, the handsome, wealthy, and charming Alpha is my mate?Could I possibly become my ex-boyfriend's mother-in-law? Though, there are rumors that the Alpha killed his former Luna... 
Oh my fucking goodness….” her words trailed into a moan, while his hands found the most adore part of her body, her waist, Pulling her backward, he began to thrust hard, and with each thrust, he got rewarded with moans that made him want to do more! Hazel had just gained admission to her favorite university in the city of Washington, she is forced to live with her father's most trusted young friend all in the name of protection. Hazel eventually finds herself in the bed of the man she claims she hates, the one who is to protect her from the outside world, after one foreplay, Hazel and Axel refuse to keep their eyes off each other. However, it didn’t end up as just a Lustful feeling. Will their love stand the test of time, in a world where fans criticize whoever goes intimate with their idol? 
Taryn Vant is a popular, stunning racer. Because she's great at racing, her admirers could wrap around the Earth three times. Nevertheless, she never gives any of them the time of day.
Meanwhile, Zane Wilder is a naturally gifted racer and also Taryn's arch-nemesis.
In public, the moment they appear in the same space, they're always at each other's throats, as if they want to destroy one another. In private, though, they keep getting pulled back to each other.
At first, Taryn believes that Zane feels the same—that they share an unspoken, mutual understanding about their relationship. It stays that way until the day she sees him walk onto the racetrack holding another woman's hand. 
"What's your name, princess?"Princess. It sent a shiver down my spine, and my entire body seemed to catch fire. "Angelique," I managed to respond in a hushed tone, uncertain if he caught my name amid the chaotic beating of my heart."Angelique," he purred, his voice a sensuous melody, "a perfect name for someone as enchantingly beautiful as you are."My name rolled off his tongue like velvet, each syllable caressing the air. Holy shit, was it hot in here, or was it just me?"Uh, thanks. What's yours?" I inquired, capturing my bottom lip between my teeth. His gaze fixated on the subtle movement, and he moistened his lips with a slow, deliberate flick of his tongue, sending heat straight to my core."Dante Greene. I'm surprised you haven't heard about me," he said, his eyes dancing with amusement, as if he could sense the effect he had on me.Could you imagine? I would literally die right now if he knew why I kept shifting in my seat. Gushes of heat were currently pooling in my underwear like a relentless waterfall, and the more he spoke and stared at me like a predator locked on its prey, the more intense it got...***17-year-old Angelique Baker is forced to move to a new town under mysterious circumstances. Starting a new school at the end of her senior year has already turned her world upside down, but just wait until she finds out she's mated to a werewolf and discovers the secrets her dad has been keeping from her since her mom's disappearance. 
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." 
In my previous life, I found myself as the unwanted presence in my marriage to Henry Pelham. He was deeply in love with another woman, which eventually led to our broken marriage and my tragic death.
After my rebirth, I realized that the best course of action was to give up and stop caring about our marriage. So, I patiently waited for Henry to bring up the subject of our impending divorce.
But things took a strange turn. Suddenly, that very man, who had been gone for months, began returning home frequently.
"Will you believe me when I say that you will soon long for my complete disappearance from your life?" I asked.
"Stop daydreaming," he replied. "We are destined to torment each other until we die."
I sighed. I was convinced that Henry would soon meet his true soulmate, as had happened in my previous life.
The time had finally come for Henry to cross paths with her, and I thought that I was just one step away from freedom.
Yet, to my astonishment, he retorted, "Who ever said I wanted a divorce?"
He not only opposed the idea of our divorce, but he also became increasingly obsessed with me, to the extent that he abandoned his soulmate! 
"Katelyn, your love disgusts me." When Ethan forced her to apologize to that woman, completely ignoring whether she lived or died, Katelyn finally came to her senses that her marriage was a joke. Ethan had never cared about her, not even at her mother's funeral, when he cheated on her with her own sister. She filed for divorce and bid Ethan farewell.Katelyn soon returned to her career and steadily became a highly sought - after editor - in - chief.Fate smiled on her and she was discovered by her billionaire biological father, who made her the heir to all his fortune. As she danced passionately in the arms of her new boyfriend Cayden, Ethan watched with burning jealousy and regret. Unable to contain himself any longer, he dropped to his knees before her and begged, "Please, Katelyn… please come back to me." 


Forced into an arranged marriage by her family, Karina yearns for freedom. A charming billionaire offers escape, but shadows lurk. A menacing werewolf stalks her, hinting at a destiny beyond her control. Betrayal strikes close to home, shattering Karina's trust. As she faces a desperate fight for survival, a mysterious savior emerges.Can Karina trust him? Or is he just another pawn in a twisted game? With a cunning plan brewing and a heart brimming with anger, she vows to rewrite her destiny. Will love, justice, and freedom find a way to intertwine, or will the darkness that consumes the city engulf her heart forever? As the line between predator and protector blurs, one thing remains certain: in this tangled web of deceit, the fate of hearts hangs precariously in the balance. 





After three years of marriage, Wennie Brown finds herself unable to capture the heart of Flynn Duncan. When his first love resurfaces, all Wennie receives is a divorce paper. Desperate to salvage their relationship, she poses a heartfelt question, "If we had a child together, would you still choose to end our marriage?" Determined to make a final stand, Wennie seeks one last fight for their love.But her efforts are met with a cold and resolute response, "Yes." Overwhelmed by disappointment, Wennie closes her eyes and makes the difficult decision to let go.In the days that follow, as despair engulfs her, Wennie lies on a hospital bed and signs the divorce agreement. In a moment of bitter resolve, she whispers, "Flynn Duncan, we are even now..."However, Flynn, known for his unwavering determination, leans in close and pleads softly, "Wennie, please reconsider the divorce. Stay with me, please."In that moment, the fragile threads of their love hang in the balance, as Wennie is torn between her shattered dreams and the glimmer of hope that lingers. 

I yelped, squirming, but quickly stilled myself, knowing one wrong move in this position and I’d fall. And London sure wasn’t going to catch me. The glint in his eyes made that clear. Trapped, I was at his mercy, taking whatever he dished out without writhing.His head peeked up from between my legs, squinting as he hoarsely said, “Oh, and one more thing… not a single sound from you, and don't touch me. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”What? He couldn’t expect me to just shut my eyes and keep it in. Hell, soft moans were already escaping my lips from his previous kisses.“What?” I asked, bewildered.“Meaning, you're not allowed to make any sound, and you're not allowed to touch me, including tugging on my hair; you’d give me a headache,” he huskily said, licking my inner thighs again, inching closer to my wetness.“Or else?” I dared to ask.He gave me a devilish smile before chuckling, “You're free to find out, no?”*************** London was once a devoted Gamma, but fate has given him a second life as the Alpha and Lycan King, haunted by a deep-seated hatred for women and the mate bond. Unable to recall his past life, he now faces a new destiny intertwined with a woman who lost everything in one tragic night. When he rejects her, he risks losing all he's ever desired. His mate hides a crucial secret, and despite his indifference, this secret might just turn his world upside down. 
"Young lady, whose bastard is that inside you?"
"Don't you know any shame? Is this how I raised you?"
The living room was warm, yet a cold sweat broke out across my back. I stroked my swollen belly, looked at their outraged faces, and suddenly let out a low chuckle.
"You really don't know?"
Father crushed his cigarette butt savagely into the ashtray, sparks flying up before dying. "How would we know what shameful things you've been up to out there?"
"The kidnappers," I said softly, my voice like a snowflake landing on a hot iron plate. "Don't you remember? That year the kidnappers took both me and Liza. They wanted a 500,000 ransom. You only scraped together half, saying 'save the real child first.'"
My parents' faces instantly froze, like the surface of a frozen lake. They even seemed to forget to breathe.
"Later, you took Liza back. The kidnappers kept me for three more months." I touched my belly, fingertips registering a faint flutter of movement inside. "Did you really think I escaped on my own?"
But none of that mattered anymore. Because I was going to die. 