All



The moment Autumn Gray loses her baby, Damien Caldwell is busy celebrating the return of his first love.To him, her three years of devotion and companionship make her no more than a nanny and cook.Autumn's heart finally breaks. She makes up her mind to file for divorce.Everyone in their social circle knows Autumn for one thing—she clings like glue and is impossible to shake."I bet she'll come crawling back within a day."Damien smirks. "A whole day? Try half."But the moment Autumn signs the divorce papers, she never looks back. She throws herself into building a new life—reviving the career she once gave up, making new connections, and rediscovering who she is without him.Days pass, and Damien never sees Autumn's shadow around the house again. That's when the panic starts to settle in.At an industry summit, he finally spots her. She's surrounded by people, and she looks confident and radiant.He shoves his way forward, desperate. "Autumn, haven't you made your point yet?"Dawson Faulkner suddenly appears before Autumn and shoves Damien aside. His voice is cold and cutting as he says, "Don't touch her. She's mine now."Damien never loved Autumn. But by the time he finally does, there's no place left for him in her world. 

Liora once believed that her marriage to Adrian would last forever, until slander destroyed everything. In one night, she lost her husband, her family, and her self respect. She was kicked out of her home while pregnant and nearly lost her life. When the world closed its doors on her, Liora chose one thing: to survive for the sake of her unborn child.
Years later, she returned with a new identity and an unwavering resolve. She rebuilt her life from scratch, raised Nolan alone, and buried the name that had once destroyed her. Yet fate brought her back, straight to the city that had once cast her out.
An unexpected encounter between Adrian and Nolan reopens a past he had been avoiding. The undeniable resemblance triggers truth after truth to be revealed, including the betrayal hidden behind Serena's name. As the Vale family's secrets are exposed and danger approaches, Liora finds herself caught between two men: Adrian, the father of her child, and Damien, the unexpected protector who appears as she is building a new life.
Amidst a storm of threats, conspiracies, and love that never truly dies, Liora must choose: to move forward without looking back, or to reopen the door that once consumed her entirely. As Nolan's safety is threatened, all the wounds, longing, and regrets force them to face the reality that the family that once shattered might still be able to stand again.
But this time, Liora won't let anyone bring her down again. 
She has no wolf. He is her fated mate. But you can't run from fate.
Katya has always been different. Born to a Beta father and a legendary warrior mother, she was meant to be strong, powerful—a future leader. Instead, she has nothing. No wolf. No connection to the Moon Goddess. No place in her pack.
On the night of her 18th birthday, everything shatters. Her family is disgraced, their titles stripped, and they are forced into exile. Seeking refuge in the Black Creek Pack, Katya tries to start over, to prove her worth even if it means hiding the one thing that could destroy her.
However, Katya finds keeping her secret harder than she thought when the Alpha shows a keen interest in her. She is forced to move into the packhouse. With nowhere to hide, she is forced to take extreme measures to keep him from discovering she has no wolf.
But then fate intervenes.
Ezra is her mate.
Katya never wanted a mate. Not when she has spent her entire life being told she is not enough. And Ezra cannot understand how the Moon Goddess would pair him with a wolf-less mate.
Now, Katya and Ezra must decide—fight fate or embrace it.
Because love may be the most powerful magic of all. 
My husband, Scott Lemire, admires the young, newly hired nurse at the hospital. Her name is Yvonne West, and he promotes her to a full-fledged doctor, even though she has only worked here for two days.
His colleagues urge him to reconsider his decision, but he insists that Yvnonne has the skills for it. He also condemns his colleagues for being inept and prone to jealousy.
However, Scott's mother, Agatha Kincaid, is suddenly involved in a car crash and breaks her leg. Yvonne gives Agatha the wrong blood bag, causing cardiac arrest and ultimately leading to her death.
After I check the blood compatibility log, I gnash my teeth in anger and press charges against Yvonne right there and then. The next day, however, Scott brings a group of men to the funeral home, wreaking havoc and forcing Agatha's casket open.
"Whitney, how can you be this vicious? Yvonne didn't mean for it to happen. Your mom is very old anyway. If she's dead, then so be it. You didn't have to ruin Yvonne's career!
"Your mom won't be happy if she knows the kind of crap you're doing! Sign the letter of understanding now, or I'll divorce you this instant!"
I try to stop Scott's men from ruining the funeral home as I question him.
"Are you out of your mind? This is Mom's funeral!"
Scott sneers and says, "I will do the same if this is my mom's funeral, let alone your mom's!"
And yet, he shows up at my place later, kneeling in tears and begging me to seek justice for Agatha. 


Maya Alvarez has always been an outcast. Born to the Beta of her pack and a witch mother, her existence was controversial from the start. When her father discovered his true mate, he banished Maya’s mother and refused to let her take Maya with her, insisting the girl would grow into a wolf like the rest of the pack.
But when Maya fails to shift on her eighteenth birthday, the truth becomes undeniable; she's a witch. Her father turns cold, and the pack's whispers turn into violence. Only her sisters stand by her.
Then tragedy strikes. Their parents die in a sudden accident, leaving the girls alone and vulnerable. But the real blow comes when they discover the crash wasn’t accidental, it was a targeted attack.
Hunted and without a home, the sisters must navigate a dangerous world where loyalty is scarce, threats are closing in, and their former pack may be willing to go to war to reclaim them. Can they find safety before it’s too late? 


On their engagement day, her fiancé cheated with her sister, and pushed her down the stairs even though she was pregnant!Five years later, Charmine Jiang made an impactful return, rooted with a deep hatred for scumbags. She was cold-hearted, ready to fight for the family money, eyed to become a supermodel. She was ready to stun the world.Although she was determined to make her own money for revenge, hordes of men still insisted on helping her, spoiling her.“Who offended my lady? Get the gears ready!”“AK999 ready, I’ve got the scumbags! Dad, Mom, please bring me a little sister!” 




“Do you want to play a game with me?” Ash asked, leaning forward as he caressed my chin.
I raised an eyebrow. “A game?”
“A love game…” He placed his lips on my ear, slightly licking my earlobe. “Whoever falls in love first, loses. If you’re really confident that you won’t fall for someone like me, then play the game with me.” Ash bit my ear, and a pool of hits struck my body. “What can you say, Miss good girl? Are you in?”
****
Sapphire only wanted peace. She did her best to become a wallflower so no one would notice her. She avoided everyone, especially Ash Cassius Coleman, the son of the owner of the University where she was studying.
She hated Ash, his guts, his frequent make-outs with different girls…And that hatred caught Ash’s interest. Suddenly, the rebel billionaire came into her life, wanting her to fall in love with him. But does Ash really like her? No. He was just challenged and curious as to why his charms didn’t seem to affect Sapphire at all.
And that was the reason why he decided to ask her to play a game.
A love game. 

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!” 


Bella Thompson assumed a new identity and entered into a three-year marriage contract with Justin Salvador, hoping to win his heart with her unwavering devotion.To her dismay, Justin hastily presented her with the divorce papers as soon as their contractual period expired. Heartbroken, Bella signed them and returned home, resuming her identity as the heiress of the Thompson business empire.From then on, Bella no longer hid her remarkable talents. She was not only a billionaire heiress, but also a medical prodigy, a world-class hacker, and a fencing champion.Determined to get her revenge, Bella went all out to humiliate her ex-husband’s childhood sweetheart at an auction. She also became her ex-husband’s biggest business rival.Finally, Justin confronted her, saying, “Bella Thompson! Must you be so ruthless?”Bella sneered and retorted, “How I treat you now is only a fraction of the cruelty you subjected me to back then!” 


Bonnie Shepard, a country girl, is the talk of the town. Rumors say she's a loser who loves fighting and fooling around.Her fiancé dumps her, and the esteemed Knight family distances themselves, causing the Shepards no small embarrassment. But when the world uncovers her true identity as the nation's leading researcher, everyone is awed.To their surprise, she's not only a math genius, but also a chess prodigy, a medical guru, and a kickboxing expert, outshining even the wealthiest tycoon on the Forbes list.Prominent figures and affluent heirs vie openly for her affection."Bonnie, will you marry me? I'm fit, and I’m the most romantic and considerate partner you'll ever find. Hell, I'll even handle all the household chores!""Bonnie, choose me, please? My family owns a mine, and you can buy anything you want!" Ivor Knight, the CEO who once spurned her, regrets it so much that he can only say, "Fuck off, okay? She's mine!" 

"I am bound to punish you for breaking the rules," he said as he started undoing his tie. I swallowed, the thought of being punished by him terrified and excited me at the same time. I needed this. The heat pooled between my legs as I watched him undo his tie with one hand and his belt in the other. It was hot. He grabbed me by the neck, bending me over the table with my face down on the surface and my ass high up in the air. He caressed my soft flesh with his palm. "Count," he ordered, My brows furrowed in confusion, the haze of lust so heavy in my head that my brain failed to grasp his words. The first slap landed on my ass cheeks and I cried out. "Count," he barked. I whimpered but I nodded my head to his request. "One," I counted as the first slap came on my behind. I kept counting as he delivered blows to my now red ass. "Good girl," he murmured as he rubbed them gently, to take away the ache. I was moist and he could sense it. Dipping his finger into my pussy, he confirmed how wet I was for him. "Hmm," he hummed, embarrassment slammed into me with enough force. I barely knew this man and here I was letting him possess me. I liked it. I licked my lips in anticipation of what he wished to do, his lips touched the nape of my neck and I jumped. He licked the juncture of my neck, and the pulsating nerves there responded to his touch. "You taste so sweet," he murmured as he kissed his way down my neck. "T...thank you," I managed to get out. "Let me make you mine," he says, 


After Elise Cullen regains her memory, the first thing she does is call her butler, Duncan Jamison."Duncan, arrange for someone to pick me up and take me home immediately!"Hearing her familiar voice, Duncan bursts into tears. "Ms. Cullen, where have you been all this time? You have no idea—Mr. John and Mr. Cyrus have been searching for you like crazy these past few years!"Elise frowns, pushing down her worries. "It's a long story, and things are complicated. I'll explain everything once I'm back."After hanging up, she lets out a deep sigh.She was once the richest heiress, but a few years ago, her private plane crashed in the mountains. She was rescued by someone and has been missing ever since. 
Chloe Hudson gave up everything—including her health—for a man who never loved her. Married to Hank Collins only in name, she's endured a year of cold rejection while he lavished his love on another: her own half-sister, Irene. Just when Chloe decides to walk away, a twist of fate changes everything—she's pregnant. But instead of joy, her news is met with cruelty. Hank demands she abort the child, claiming only the woman he loves deserves his baby.Heartbroken but not broken, Chloe chooses to fight—for her child, her dignity, and a future beyond betrayal. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, a familiar figure from her past steps in: Ryan Cooper, a man who once loved her and never stopped.Will Chloe finally find the love she deserves? Or will her past drag her down before she can rise? 

Cynthia Johnson cut ties with her family just to marry her father's close friend, Oliver Carter. Three years into marriage, the man still desires her with the same unrelenting passion as the first night. Just moments ago, they had wrapped up yet another hour-long round of intense intimacy. "Sweetheart, with such a sexy attire, how do you expect me to behave?" he pants, pulling her into his arms again. "At this rate, I'll die in your arms one day." Cynthia lies boneless on the bed, her body aching and completely drained. Even after all this time, she was still struggling to keep up with his intensity. People say younger men are energetic, but Oliver, who was 12 years her senior, puts them all to shame when he gets going. She musters a weak smile. "That's not allowed. You promised to take care of me for the rest of my life." However, she later realizes this so-called love is nothing more than a carefully crafted lie. And by the time she learns of the truth, she's already in too deep. 
Gabriel Wilsons, the well known 'devil' in the whole business industry of Chicago. He has everything that you wish for your dream man to have. Power, money, perfection, handsomeness and a body like a Greek God. But he's in love. He's still in love with the woman from his past.
The same woman he has given everything he had before, but eventually betrayed him, left him and shattered his heart into pieces. And because of that, he turned into a cold, heartless, rude and an arrogant billionaire who will do everything to seek revenge and to show her that she's no longer important in his life. Even though the truth is the opposite of what he is doing.
That's when he met me. I applied as his Personal Assistant to fulfil my bucket list of dreams. To explore my life and experience everything. Then he offered me a deal. He asked me to marry him just to show his ex that he already moved on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"She's pregnant." He blurted out and I almost fall from where I stood. I just grasped the backrest of the couch to support my weight. The pain creeping in my heart was unbearable but I managed to stay calm.
"Congratulations!" I said faking my excitement. Well, I can't call it as cheating because she's the real reason why we were pretending as a couple. And that's when I made the biggest decision in my life. Taking the biggest secret in me, that I've already fallen in love with him---- I left him. Then eventually I learned a lesson.
'Loving someone who doesn't love you back isn't as hard as loving someone who can't see your worth and only uses you as his way to get someone he loves back into his life." 



"From today onwards, I will take every decision of your life. What you will eat, where will you go, when will you speak, what you will wear it will be all as I wish. And if you dare to defy me then till now it must have been crystal clear to you how far I can go to keep my words," his voice unsympathetic and cold, causing a shiver down her spine.
Out of fear she was not even able to raise her head and kept her eyes casted down.
He lifted her head up with his forefinger, underneath her chin and stared directly into her mesmerizing hazel eyes.
"Understood?"
Her throat was parched and her mouth was dry. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. The seam of her lips was cracked and pasted with each other and she couldn't find enough courage in herself to say anything using her tongue, so she just nodded and casted down her eyes again.
He raised her chin more now with his forefinger and thumb, indicating her to look in his eyes and she did so.
"Understood?" He asked again and raised both his eyebrows, warning her.
"Yy....ye..ss" she croaked out. Her eyes were widened with fear and hands were fisting the bedsheet. Her cheeks were imprinted with red finger marks.
"Good. Now take of your clothes and fulfill your duty" he ordered.
She only pleaded him with her eyes. Clearly, she didn't want her wedding night to turn out like this. 
In a world where betrayal lurks in the shadows and the lines between right and wrong blur, Claire Peterson stands at a crossroads. Now, on the brink of divorce, Claire finds herself at a pivotal moment, determined to prove her worth to those who underestimated her. Despite the betrayals she's endured, Claire remains resilient, her spirit unbroken. She harbors a quiet determination to show the world that she is capable of far more than anyone imagines.Meanwhile, Alexander Harris, the enigmatic heir of the prestigious Harris hotel empire, faces his own internal turmoil. Caught in a web of deceit and manipulation, Alexander grapples with the elusive truth, unsure of who he can trust.Secrets surface, alliances shift, and the true nature of those around them comes into question.Can Claire prove them wrong? Before it's too late, will Alexander manage to unravel the web of lies? 
Everyone in Harborlyn says Lila Wynn is the kind of woman men would want to marry.
She is beautiful enough to take a man's breath away, yet she has a gentle and soft personality.
Dominic Steele keeps getting caught up in scandals. Every time, his fiancee, Lila, will be the one to clean up the mess.
The first time, Dominic gets caught going on a date with a rookie model. Lila, who is running a high fever, still drags herself out of bed in the middle of the night and gets someone to remove the trending topic.
The third time, Dominic is cornered at a hotel with an up-and-coming actress. Lila has just come out of surgery for appendicitis. She grits her teeth in pain and goes to smooth things over with the reporters herself.
The ninth time, on the day of Lila's mother, Melanie Norman's funeral, Dominic spends the night celebrating his mistress' birthday.
Lila is crying while she writes and releases a statement to clear things up for him.
Then comes the 100th scandal. This time, the woman who gets caught in Dominic's bed is Lila's sister, whom she has loved and protected for 20 years. 
Mercity's richest man, Adam Alvarez, has been comatose for three years. His wife, Celine Tate, cares for him throughout. But when he wakes up, she finds a flirty text in his phone. His first love is back in the country.
His friends, who have always looked down on Celine, laugh about the matter. "It's time for the ugly little duckling to get kicked to the curb now the swan is back."
Only then does Celine realize Adam has never loved her. She's nothing but a poor joke.
So, one night, Mr. Alvarez receives a divorce agreement from his wife. The reason for the divorce—there's something wrong with his health.
Adam goes after Celine, his expression dark. That's when he discovers her standing under gleaming lights, looking gorgeous in a long dress. She's suddenly become a medical expert.
When she sees him, she smiles. "Are you here to see an andrology specialist, Mr. Alvarez?" 
TW!! THIS BOOK CONTAINS MATURE SCENES TW!! At a point in life, every wolf dreams of a happy ending with their mates, family, and friends, and Lenora wasn't an exemption. She was blessed to have been pregnant by her mate; the Lycan prince. She was finally going to build the family she never had the luxury of and her happy ending was about to begin, but fate had different plans for her and Alaric as a buried past showed its ugly head. Chaos, deceit, hatred, betrayal, secrets, death, lust, and love became the new theme for her and Alaric's love story as they grew to realise their enemy has always been their biggest supporter. This book is the sequel to Mated To The Devil's Son, I recommend that you read Book 1 to gain a better understanding as the book doesn't stand alone. °°° Book 1 — Mated To The Devil's Son (Completed) 
After Melissa Sam's untimely demise, she came to a profound realization of her past misery. Surprisingly, the person who had unleashed his anger upon her turned out to be her ex-boyfriend's deeply wounded uncle. It was rumored that this disfigured man, upon discovering the truth, removed his mask, revealing a startling appearance that left her stunned.With her newfound ability of Mind-Reading after being reborn, Melissa made a solemn vow to become a devoted wife in this life. Rumors soon spread across the city, speculating about an unknown actress named Melissa Sam, who was generously supported by an influential entertainment company. Whispers of a mysterious financial backer abounded.To everyone's astonishment, a declaration was made by the famous Mr. Steven, stating that there was no sponsor behind Melissa. He emphasized that the company existed solely for her and that she was their sole artist. Doubts arose, and people questioned if Mr. Steven would ever recoup his investment.However, the man gazed at Melissa's subtly protruding belly and said with conviction, "Certainly." 
Human Outcast Heiress VS Tyrant Alpha King "Your hatred means nothing, little bride.""The moment you begged for me that night, you sealed your fate as mine. Forever."***The night before her wedding, her best friend drugged Georgina with an aphrodisiac and hired an "escort." The man was tall and handsome, with silver eyes that glowed in the dark. As the drug took effect, she could only collapse into his arms, begging for his touching and loving.After that night, her life fell apart. Her friend spread rumors, her fiancé publicly called off the engagement, and her father disowned her. The Upper East Side heiress found herself homeless overnight.But that "escort" kept appearing when she needed him most. When she had nowhere to go, he became her landlord. When she was kidnapped, he saved her like a guardian angel."Why are you helping me" she asked."I'm tired of being mistaken for an escort," Klaus trapped her against the wall. "Congratulations, you accidentally mated with the next Alpha King.As an Alpha Prince competing for the throne, marrying a human could cost him the crown. But she is his destined mate. When Klaus must choose between the throne and love, which will he sacrifice? 






In her previous life, Amelia Stevans suffered the ultimate betrayal at the hands of her newlywed husband and half-sister, who joined forces and ripped her heart from her chest. Now reborn, she returns from the countryside and, by chance, saves a man. Before making her escape, she steals his dagger worth millions of dollars. Little does she know the man she just robbed is the richest man in Haurtland.That very night, he corners her. "Where do you think you're going, little mouse?""I-I'm not…"Yet, with nowhere to run, she falls right into his trap and ends up marrying the wild, domineering man by mistake. Just when she thinks she's once again married the wrong man, he leans close and whispers in her ear, "Don't worry. So long as I'm here, everyone in Haurtland will bow to you!"When the wealthiest man marries the ugliest woman in Shelwick, everyone eagerly waits to see him become a laughingstock. Yet, the day the ugly duckling unveils her breathtaking beauty and showcases her unrivaled medical skills, the world finally realizes that the country bumpkin they all scorned is actually a woman of extraordinary talent. 
I stand before the pack members, condemned by whispers and stares that cut deeper than any blade. Branded a killer, but I am no murderer. Yet, their accusations cling to me like a shroud, suffocating every shred of hope within me.“I’ll never reject you, Ivanna, but I’ll make your life hell.” His words echo throughout the hall. A cruel reminder of the torment that awaits me. “I’ll forever punish you for what you did to me and the pack.” My mate’s voice, once a source of strength, now drips with venomous hatred. “You’ll remain as my mate, and I’ll remain your nightmare.”“I didn’t kill her!” I protest, but he sees only a liar, a traitor to the pack. His fist hits my cheek, a brutal punishment for crimes I did not commit.“Liar!” He barks. “You killed her. And I’ll do the same to you. Slowly. Painfully. Until you’re choking on your last breath and desperately ready to tell the truth, that you killed her.”—----------------------------------------------------When the Luna mysteriously dies before my eyes, everyone tags me as her killer. I go through hell and back. My life becomes an endless circle of misery. But I won’t break. I won’t give in to my abusers, no matter how brutally they try to break my soul. I’m determined to fight till the end. Until I’ve proven to them that I’m not the Luna’s Killer. 
Ariella gave Lucian everything - her body, her heart, her freedom.For two years, she lived as his secret lover, believing her silent devotion would melt his cold heart. But when she arrives at her best friend's wedding, she discovers the groom is none other than him - the man who held her nights and shattered her days. A marriage she believes is real - but isn't.Standing in the shadows, she watches him smile at his bride, greet her like a stranger, and finally confirms what she's always feared: he never loved her. She was just a contract. A convenience.Now, with their agreement nearing its end, she's ready to walk away. But he's not. Not anymore."You think we're over?" he growls, cornering her like a beast."We'll never be over."Torn between a cruel but addictive love - she must decide: escape, or be consumed. 
My ex-boyfriend, Jason Bell, still hasn't let go of me, even though I've been married to Cedric Mosley for two years now.
He sends blood-red dancing heels to me and threatens to destroy my current "peaceful life".
Terrified and trembling, I'm about to call the cops when a hand in latex gloves rests on my shoulder.
"Don't be afraid."
My forensic doctor husband, having just returned from an autopsy, carries a faint scent of formaldehyde with him.
He takes off his glasses. With the same hands he uses to handle scalpels, he slowly helps me open the threatening letter inside the package.
"The handwriting is sloppy, with uneven pressure applied. It's typical of an anxious personality type."
Then, as if he's reviewing an autopsy report, he comments mildly, "This type of person usually has brittle bones that snap easily."
*
There are 206 bones in an adult body.
When Cedric placed a “rib” ring on my finger, he whispered, “You are the bone I lost long ago—the one that makes me whole.”
That is the origin of this title. 
“Compared to you, I’m too heavy,” she says softly.I scoff, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her down onto my lap. Her breath hitches, and I lean in, my lips grazing her ear.“I bench twice your weight at the gym,” I murmur, watching a shiver ripple through her body, her skin blooming with goosebumps under my touch. “Next time I tell you to sit, you’ll do it without hesitation. And you’ll sit exactly where I want—on my fking cck.”**I’ve always been known as many things—the cursed Alpha Prince, Shadow Pelt High’s hockey captain, the playboy who can’t keep a girl. Life is simple, and easy… until her. Ginger Orbblood.One night—just one fing night, changes everything.She’s my best friend’s girlfriend, but she’s also my mate. Our mate. Born during an eclipse, Caspian and I are tied to her by the curse of the eclipse, but she can only have one of us. It is quite a relief because I am not good at sharing.I always get what I want, and I’ve never wanted anything like I want her. I sure as hell can’t let her go, so I do not care if it ruins anything or anyone.I’ll burn the whole damn world down if I have to—just to have her. 


I had loved a man for five years, and hated him for just as long.
He took the money meant for my mother's treatment, and I leaked his company's secrets, bankrupting him overnight.
For those five years, we were locked in a fierce rivalry, a constant battle where everyone saw us as mortal enemies destined to destroy each other.
But the truth was, we hadn't been in contact for a long time.
When we met again, he had long since rebuilt his empire. Standing under the spotlight, facing a throng of persistent reporters, his words and demeanor were impeccably flawless.
A reporter suddenly brought up the past: "Back then, you mentioned a loved one you wished to spend your life with, even planning to marry at twenty-eight. Now…"
His fingers, holding the champagne flute, paused slightly. Then he lifted his gaze, a faint smile spreading in his eyes, clearly audible throughout the room: "Getting married soon."