Romance

"I agree to your request to keep this marriage a secret. We'll get a divorce in three years; I won't stick around.""You'd better keep your word."As part of her plan to get revenge on her backstabbing family and fiancé, Skylar Sullivan gets involved with the head of the Martin family, the most prominent family in the city.Shortly after, her family and fiancé come knocking on her door. They've brought along bigwigs with whom they're on good terms; they want to teach her a lesson.But when the bigwigs see the people who are at Skylar's beck and call, their jaws drop. They fall to their knees and start begging for mercy.…On the day the marriage contract expires, she leaves behind a divorce agreement when she sees a couple getting engaged in the ceremony of the century.Then, she starts a live stream. "I'm looking for a husband. Anyone interested in me can slide into my inbox."Thousands of people join the live stream; Skylar goes viral.When she starts sifting through the messages she's received, a man's face appears on the screen with her. He stands behind her and says, "I've drawn a bath, babe. Care to join me in there?"In that instant, the live-streaming platform breaks down due to the sheer number of viewers. Everyone in the city learns of this.Isn't the man with Skylar… Joe Martin? 

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 *~ 
When a ruthless heiress and a struggling actress wake up in each other’s bodies, their worlds turn upside down.
Olivia Smith, born into power and pride, suddenly finds herself trapped in a life of poverty and pain.
Emma Williams, quiet and selfless, opens her eyes to luxury, influence, and danger.
But as they fight to survive in lives that were never meant for them, secrets begin to unfold, hearts are stolen, and destiny starts to blur the line between who they were and who they’re meant to become.
Borrowed faces… stolen hearts.
A story of identity, redemption, and love found in the most unexpected mirrors. 
Three Stories in one. Read about the Warner sisters Sutton, Blair and Keira.
In Bed With Her Shithead Boss - Coming home to find her fiancé in bed with her cousin should have broken her, but Blair refuses to fall apart. She's strong, capable, and determined to move on. What she doesn't plan on is drowning her sorrows in too much of her bosses scotch... or ending up in bed with her ruthless, dangerously charming boss, Roman.
One night. That's all it was supposed to be.
But in the cold light of day, walking away isn't so easy. Roman isn't a man who lets go-especially not when he's decided he wants more. He doesn't just want Blair for a night. He wants her, period.
And he has no intention of letting her go.
CEO's Runaway Mistress - When model “Audrey” discovers she’s pregnant with billionaire Luca De Santis’s baby, she’s terrified to tell him. Their eleven-month affair has been passionate but uncommitted. Before she can find the right moment, Luca brutally ends their relationship, revealing he’s engaged to a teenage heiress and cruelly accusing Audrey of trying to trap him when she reveals her pregnancy.
Heartbroken and alone, Audrey vanishes, returning to her real identity as Sutton Warner. Months later, a twist of fate brings them face-to-face again when Luca acquires the tech company where Sutton works. He’s stunned to discover the truth: not only is she carrying his child, but “Audrey” never existed. She’s actually Sutton, a gifted programmer with a mind as beautiful as her face.
As corporate sabotage threatens to destroy everything they’ve built, Luca and Sutton must navigate their complicated past while fighting their still-burning attraction. But with his cruel rejection still haunting her and her fierce independence at stake, can Luca convince Sutton to give him and their family a second chance before it’s too late? 
"Gale Warm, what the Warm family owes me is for you to pay!" Shawn Wood threw Gale Warm into a mental hospital, tortured and humiliated. Two years later, he married her. "Don't be delusional, you are just here to atone for your family sins." He hated her, and only wanted to bully her.Gale Warm endured it while searching for the truth, and proved her family's innocence. Later, Gale Warm threw the evidence on Shawn Wood's face. "I never owed you." Later, Shawn Wood turned pale overnight. He whispered in her ear day and night. "Gale, don't leave me. Otherwise, I won’t be able to live..." "Shawn Wood, how dare you threaten me!" "How dare I? You wouldn’t want our children to have no father, would you?" 



“Gabriel Bryce, how can you stand being so shameless?” Leonica asked, staring daggers at her atrocious husband and his mistress. “This is the house gifted to my by grandmother, yet you dare bring another woman into it? Aren’t you afraid that grandmother would be disappointed with you actions…? ”Leonica’s words remained unfinished as an enraged Gabriel swung his hand through the air, smacking his palm clean on her left cheek. Leonica held her throbbing cheek, eyes wide and teary as she stared at her husband who glared down at her ferociously. “The nerves of you to mention my grandmother. You have no right to do so!” He spat, taking a step forward and jabbing his index finger painfully into her shoulder, making her take several steps back. “Bare this in mind, Leonica Romero, if not for the wishes of my late grandmother, I’d much rather be dead than associate myself with somebody like you.”*~*~* *~*~*Leonica Romero has always had a long time crush on Gabriel Bryce, CEO of Bryce Empire and Norway’s Business tyrant. Fortunately, at the request of his Ill grandmother, her family’s long time friend, Leonica gets the chance to marry her beloved. Feeling elated, she abandoned her position and dream job in the Romero household and becomes a humble housewife for Gabriel. However, three years later, on the day of Gabriel’s grandmother’s funeral, Leonica is stunned speechless when he demands for a divorce, as his ex girlfriend Angelina Fernandez had suddenly returned, proclaiming her undying love for him. But that wasn’t the only shock Leonica received that day. Hours after Gabriel’s declaration for a divorce, Leonica wakes up in the hospital to a shocking news. She was two months pregnant. And Gabriel knew nothing about this! 
"Evander Graves, I will never divorce you!"Before being reborn, she hated him, and would not hesitate to force her to die in order to leave him!It wasn't until she was disfigured by scumbags and sluts, and thrown into a cave to be tortured, that she knew that the man she hated the most had already loved her to the bone and became paranoid!In order to save her, he would give up everything!Once reborn, she will love him, pet him, and make money to support him!She wears countless vests and earns a billion dollars with a pair of adorable babies!Unexpectedly, he was wrapped in his arms, "One billion? It's not enough to coax me."In the next second, 10 billion was credited to her mobile phone."Take it and be my sugar mommy." 


Six years ago, she was framed by her wicked sister and was abandoned by her then husband while she was pregnant.Six years later, she started anew with a different identity. Oddly, the same man who abandoned her in the past had not stopped pestering her at her front door.“Miss Gibson, what’s your relationship with Mister Lynch?”She smiled and answered nonchalantly, “I don’t know him.”“But sources say that you were once married.”She answered as she tucked her hair, “Those are rumors. I’m not blind, you see.”That day, she was pinned on the wall the moment she stepped in her door.Her three babies cheered, “Daddy said mommy’s eyes are bad! Daddy says he’ll fix it for mommy!”She wailed, “Please let me go, darling!” 
Ariana York is a proud woman, but she sets her pride aside to pursue Elijah Linden, a cold, distant man. Her wish comes true, and she finally marries him. However, after marriage, she realizes he has someone else in his heart.Ariana becomes the laughingstock of the city's upper crust. Once, she fights with Elijah and jumps off a building. The debacle is recorded and uploaded online—the whole city mocks her.When Ariana wakes up, she's lost all her memories of Elijah."Who are you, mister?""Pulling the amnesia trick isn't the trend anymore, Ari. I won't divorce you."Ariana turns and leaves without hesitation.Three years later, an adorable little girl accidentally runs into Elijah. He sees the woman he's dreamed of countless times approach, and he blurts out, "Ari, is this our—"Ariana is holding a handsome man's arm. "Mr. Linden, allow me to introduce you to the father of my child!" 
Katherine Wright has a two-faced boyfriend. During the day, he is thoughtful, sweet, and a complete gentleman. However, once the sun sets, he turns into a completely different man. At night, he behaves like a feral beast, pursuing his desires in ever-changing ways.
Everyone calls her a lucky woman. She is deaf, but her boyfriend has never shunned her because of her disability. On top of that, he's even trying to help her find a cure.
Katherine thinks she is lucky to have him too. But one day, a robber steals the specially made medicine her boyfriend had given her to treat her deafness. Because of this, she stops taking the medicine.
Just as she is about to break the news to her boyfriend, she overhears his friend say, "You and your brother sure know how to have fun! One of you plays with her heart during the day, while the other toys with her body at night. It's been three years—I can't believe that deaf woman is still completely unaware of this!"
Hearing this, Katherine's blood runs cold. 

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. 


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. 

Right before sitting for our college entrance exams, Samuel Stafford insists on calling off our engagement because he's fallen for Madison Locke, a woman who saved his life.His parents vehemently object to it, so Samuel and I get married as planned after we graduate from university. However, Madison dies in an accident, and it's revealed that she's pregnant. From then on, endless humiliation and insults await me.Up until his death, Samuel doesn't realize Madison was a promiscuous woman. She wasn't pregnant with his child at all.After being reborn, I learn my lesson and boldly pursue Evan Stafford, to whom I owe a favor. I become Samuel's aunt.Heh. This time, I'm going to give Samuel and Madison my full support so they can end up together. I'm going to make Samuel enjoy the feeling of being cuckolded! 


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!" 


Ashton Mullen hated Deborah Shepherd so much that he forced her to donate her liver, test medicine, and suffer from terminal illness to take revenge on her.Ashton forced her daughter to death and destroyed the man who protected her and everything she cared about.He said, "Deborah, even in my dreams, I look forward to the day you die."Later, the truth was revealed, and blood flowed all over the ground. But it was too late to regret.Ashton could no longer warm her body.Ashton knelt in front of Deborah's grave, tears falling. He stabbed the blade ruthlessly into his heart. "Debby, it's too cold in the afterworld. I'll come to be with you."...Ashton had always believed that Deborah was madly in love with him.It was not until many years later when they met again, he saw her with his own eyes. She was holding a man who looked like him. Ashton went crazy. 

The old saying goes, “You may feel good mistreating your spouse, but trying to win them back will be a laborious task.”Before the divorce, Michael saw Ivanka as a heartless, self-serving woman who would stop at nothing to reach her goals. But after the split, the man who once declared that “falling in love makes you a fool” became the fool himself. “Marry me, honey. I love you,” he pleaded. “Marry me, honey. I’m sorry,” he begged. “Marry me, honey. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life,” he promised. Ivanka simply retorted, “Would you please stop following me around? You’re driving me crazy. Are you a dog or what?” To this, Michael replied, “I’m your lapdog, honey. I’ll only bark for you.”Ivanka smirked. As a successful lawyer, renowned physician, and elite hacker, why would she ever consider remarrying this worthless man and becoming his caretaker once again?“I won’t remarry you, you b*stard. Stay away from me,” she declared. 
Caught in a ruthless conspiracy, Maisie Vanderbilt lost her chastity and was forced to move out of her home. Six years later, she returned to the country with three little rugrats tagging along, ready for revenge. To her surprise, her adorable angels turned out to be much more resourceful than herself. They tracked down their birth father, a man powerful enough to protect her, and had him kidnapped. “Mommy, we kidnapped Daddy and brought him home!” The man gazed down at the three miniature versions of himself. Then, he backed her up against the corner of the wall. With a brow raised, he suddenly smirked. “Since we already have three, how about another?” Maisie retorted, “Scr*w you!” 


Rosaline died, and Sean personally put Jane into the women's prison for it. "Take good care of her"— his words made her three years in prison a living hell and even cost her a kidney. Before she went to prison, Jane said, "I didn't kill her," but Sean was unmoved. After her release from prison, she said, "I killed Rosaline, I'm guilty as sin!" Sean was livid as he said, "Shut up! I don't want to hear you say that!" Jane laughed. "Yes, I killed Rosaline Summers, and I did three years in prison for it." She escaped, and Sean scoured the whole world for her. Sean said, "I'll give you my kidney, Jane, if you'll give me your heart." But Jane looked up at Sean and said, "I don't love you anymore, Sean…" 







Ella Gaiser's tragic life began as she was sold to an unscrupulous lab by her own parents. After more than a decade, she was finally granted freedom by the higher authorities, but her failed attempts at social adaptation left her desperate for acceptance.Rejected by four families, even her biological parents disowned her, until she found a home with the seemingly "ordinary" Moore Family. Little did they know, she was a brilliant hacker, a leader in scientific research, and a renowned figure as Dr. Legend worldwide.While others excelled in science and art, Ella was a mischievous genius, earning the title of a top little devil. Sylvan Parks, the son of the nation and a nemesis to villains, took it upon himself to eliminate the GF9 test products.With a peculiar allergy to women, he unexpectedly crossed paths with Ella, and from that moment, he couldn't resist her charm. Unbeknownst to all, the person Sylvan sought to vanquish was the very person he was determined to protect with all his might. 
Estelle’s life was once a fairy tale, filled with love and promise. However, tragedy struck on the day of their wedding. Estelle’s father and Cristofer’s parents were involved in a car accident that took their lives instantly. The loss was devastating for Cristofer, causing him to sink into deep sorrow and anger towards Estelle.One tragedy comes after another, and she finds herself battling cancer, heartbreak, and deceit. In a world where all seems lost, Estelle must dig deep to find the strength to fight for what she loves most.****Cristofer’s magnetic yet cold voice wrenched her mind back to reality, “Sign the divorce paper now!”Estelle laid down her legs, sat up, and asked, “Did you drink?”“It’s none of your business.”“Drinking is bad for your stomach.”“I need to drink so that I won’t feel disgusted when having sex with you.”“You couldn’t wait to divorce me?” Her voice sounded weak.She turned her back on him as the smoke nearly smothered her, and she started coughing again.“You know that, don’t you?” Cristofer deliberately breathed out a stream of smoke in her direction and felt inexplicably pleased to see her coughing and trembling. #Caught In An Unexpected Romance Writing Contest 
"Tell me you don't want this, Vivianne..." Noah's breath warmed against my skin, his finger dragging against my aching clit, and his eyes locked on me. "I'll stop if you tell me to..." My waist arch, a soft moan slipping off my lips as he pushed two fingers inside me, a smirk curling at his lips.
I should push him away... I should curse him, but I couldn't. My body betrayed me. I wanted him, I hated to admit it. How could my body want the same man who ruined my life?
"No... Noah..." My breath stuttered, nails digging into the bed as desire washed over me.
"Do... don't... touch... argh! Right ther...e... Fuck! Please don't stop..."
"Where, V... Tell me where you want me to touch." He fingers moved inside me, teasing my inside.
"Ri...right there... Fuck!" My hips jerked up, pussy throbbing with pleasure, walls tightening on his fingers... right before my orgasm tore through me... 
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!” 
Jane had a crush on Barren for ten years and was willing to give up everything to marry him;After one year of marriage, he filed for divorce without hesitation because of his dream girl.In order to retain the last trace of dignity, she reluctantly agreed, with only one request: "After the divorce, we will never see each other again."He sneered, "Jane, don't regret it!"However, when this marriage ended completely, she really did;At that time, everyone knew that he searched the whole city like crazy but couldn't find her in the slightest.A few years later, she came back with her fiance on her arm. He said with red eyes, "Honey, have you had enough fun? I'll take you home."The woman raised her red lips slightly, and said coldly: "Get lost!" 

To save her famiglia, Lucia Bellini is forced to marry the youngest Don of Iberby, Alessandro Rossi.
On the day of her wedding, she finds out that she is a substitute for his dead first love. From her clothes to the way she performs in the bedroom, she has to live as if she's a shadow of another woman.
He is cold and despotic, while she gives in and endures in silence. In their days and nights together, they fall for each other but never realize it.
When Alessandro is running a high fever, he calls out her name in his half-conscious state.
After they divorce, Lucia leaves without a backward glance.
One and a half years later, she rises to become the boss of her family with her iron fist. The once delicate rose becomes a rose full of thorns.
At long last, Alessandro realizes that he has fallen in love with Lucia for who she is, and not as a shadow of someone long gone.
He takes care of the woman who's been trying to pass herself off as his first love. Then, he chases after Lucia all the way to her private island.
There, he gets down on one knee and sincerely proposes to her.
"Lucia, I only want you." 

Warning: This novel have matured contents +18"A different truth or dare is given, and that one has to be done, no matter what." Vicky said."Ok Deal," I said."Truth or Dare?" she asked."Truth," I said."What's your honest opinion of those pics you saw, of me?" She threw me a look of pure curiosity, which only made me laugh a little."I can say they were very hot," I said. "Truth or Dare?""Truth," she answered, smiling at my comment."Is it just me, or are you not wearing panties?" I said, more to tease her about it, than I was curious."Yeah, I'm not," she said. "Actually, I'm surprised you noticed. Truth or Dare?""Dare," I said."I dare you to take off your shirt," she said...So, thats how it started. I don't know why, but her mission is to find any means to have me for herself not minding what it will result to. Though she later had me and even got pregnant for me., but what happened after that is what you won't expect. 


She loved him with all her heart and soul for seven years, and all she had in return was his indifference and framing.Her manuscript was stolen, she was accused of plagiarism by everyone, and her life was ruined.Kristen Stafford, who was forced into a desperate situation, wiped her tears, made up her mind to get a divorce, and left.When she appeared again, she was spirited and charming. The wine glass in her hand made people tingle.Trey Barrett felt his heart ache, and somehow, he regretted it, yet he still appeared to be indifferent and unruly.The truth came out, and Trey immediately went to Kristen, asking for her forgiveness, wanting to get her back. "Honey, would you marry me again?"Kristen turned around decisively and said with a smile, "Piss off!"When he tried to get her back, she already had someone more powerful and fearsome protecting her. When the rivals in love met, who could win her back? 
She accepted a humiliating request to save her family business. Her father had tragically died after her pregnancy, and her fiance conspired with her stepsister to chase her out from the Mont family. Returning three years later, she had no choice but to provoke the arrogant man to reclaim her late father's villa. However, she was cornered by the man. Trembling, she said, "Mr Fudd, I didn't mean to offend you..." He pondered for a moment and said, "It's too late, I need compensation." Why was he grdually turning the fake marriage into reality? She blushed but he did not care. Amused, he frowned and stared at her. "You have children, what's the point of being so reserved?" With wide eyes, the cute munchkin standing next to her held her hand and said, "Mummy, I want a little brother!" 
In her previous life, she was stupid, and mistakenly regarded her enemy as a benefactor. In the end, she not only killed the man who loved her deeply and the unborn child, but also ended up tragically. After reborn, Callie Bryan vowed to tear up the scumbag, and take back everything that belongs to her. And the man she had betrayed in her previous life, in this life, she gave everything she had, and she wanted to pay back! As for why the little wife who hated him turned into such a shy look, Dane Cooper said that it was not important. In his heart, there was only one sentence, "She is my everything!" 
As a Thunder Wolf, Kelly hid her ability and wanted to live peacefully with her clan, but after her best friend died, she was framed and framed, even her own partner didn't believe her, and was exiled to the extreme by the clan Dangerous place.Everyone thought she was dead, the werewolf family lost a werewolf girl, and a thunder wolf appeared in a very dangerous place.Everyone is afraid of Thunder Wolf's strength, but no one has seen his true face.Kelly, who turned into a thunder wolf, traveled thousands of miles to kill her friend's enemy. All kinds of incidents spread throughout the werewolf family, and everyone panicked. 
In a hasty decision, Olive Randall impetuously drags the seemingly bankrupt small-time boss, Neil Meyer, to the altar. Their plan was simple: support each other and lead an ordinary life. Little did Olive know, fate had a grander plan in store for them.After tying the knot, Olive's dreams took an unexpected turn. She aimed to buy a modest Yaris but won a luxurious Porsche in a stroke of luck. In her pursuit of a small apartment through a loan, fate intervened once again, granting her a magnificent villa through a serendipitous lottery win.Whenever she faced adversity, Neil effortlessly rescued her from every predicament, unwavering in his support. But it wasn't until the day she was addressed as Mrs. Meyer that Olive discovered the astonishing truth—Neil Meyer, her husband, was the billionaire tycoon behind a colossal consortium.As their worlds collide, Olive is thrust into a world of opulence and power. Secrets unravel, challenges arise, and their relationship is put to the ultimate test. Will Olive embrace her newfound life as the wife of a billionaire, or will she yearn for the simplicity they once sought?This captivating tale explores the intricacies of love, ambition, and the transformative power of unexpected circumstances. 