Every one has a past, what if hers is deeper than he could ever think. Cody Evans wanted to know it all, her scars and pain in her heart. He wants to heal her bleeding heart but can Natalia trust him and let go of the past. What if the past comes to bite her back harshly?
She gripped the black handle of the knife so hard that her knuckles were white. Talia didn't want to keep stabbing over and over again, sending blood splashing all around and over her, but she couldn't make herself stop.
Fear and anger sent her heart racing and a cold tickle down her spine as a gutteral, animal cry escaped her lips.
She didn't notice at first when the weapon fell from her numb fingers, the percussive sound of the blade hitting the floor echoing over the now silent scene.
Falling exhausted to the floor, Talia's eyes found those of the man she had just viciously stabbed to death and she shuddered, the horrific sight causing bile to rise in her throat and chasing away the high she had been on from the speed she had taken earlier in the day.
She closed her eyes and was instantly swamped with images of what little family she'd had. The memories suffocated her with their intensity and she knew she had to get out of here, get as far away as she could.
As the shock started to wear off, Talia's gaze slid around the room, stopping when she got to her mother's corpse, crumpled at the bottom of the stairs where the now dead assassin had left her. Weak and shaking, Talia crawled across the floor on all fours, huge, gulping sobs wracking her body.
" M . . . Mom?"
Tears streamed down her face as she reached the body. She reached out shaking hands and pulled her mother onto her lap, cradling her like she had cradled Talia so many times as a child. Talia sat there like that for a moment, crying uncontrollably. After what felt like an eternity she lay the corpse back on the floor, wiping a smear of blood from her mother's cheek.
"You w . . . will always be the best m . . . mom ever." Talia's voice choked with emotion as she reached over and closed her mom's eyes, planting a kiss on her forehead.
She dried her tears and took stock of the scene; there, by the kitchen door, lay Calla. Sweet, innocent Calla, who only hours earlier was full of life, her pudgy little toes shuffling over the floor as the music moved her boday and she danced, laughing when she stumbled and landed on her butt. Talia crawled over to Calla and lifted the baby into her arms, rocking her and stroking her hair as she hummed the song that had been playing for Calla's last dance.
In the distance, Talia could hear police sirens, so she kissed her baby sister and gently lay her down. Closing herself off to the overwhelming emotions rampaging inside her and focusing on what she had to do now, Talia slowly made her way to the front door, her black jeans clinging to her legs as she crawled.
She reached the door and used the handle to pull herself to her feet, a cry of agony escaping her; the blood soaking her white shirt wasn't only that of the man she had killed. After murdering her family he had attacked Talia with the knife, catching her with a slicing blow to her side. As they had fought he had kicked out at Talia, causing a small fracture to her right ankle. Now that the shock and adrenaline had worn off the pain was getting worse. Looking over her shoulder at her slaughtered family, Talia knew she had nothing left. She pushed back the tears that welled in her eyes, clenched her jaw against the pain in her foot and pressed a hand to her wound.
She had to get away, now; she could cry later.
Talia pulled her brown hair around her face, trying to hide the blood on her face. Closing the door behind her, she stepped into the brisk night, wincing as the cold air stung as it hit the cut on her cheek and her busted lip.
Whimpering like a wounded dog she limped down the quiet sidewalk, the ache in her chest making it hard to breathe. An alleyway opened onto the street and she turned into the comforting darkness, sliding painfully down the wall. Bringing her knees up to her chest, Talia sat there and watched the house on the corner where her whole life lay shattered.
The police arrived as a crowd started to gather outside, and as they started to cordon off the area Talia couldn't bear to watch any more; she closed her eyes and rested her head back on the wall behind her, the vision of her mother and sister's bodies burned into her memory.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone-including her own mate-she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed-a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous-he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"