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Laura's life changes instantly as she's forced into an arranged marriage with James woods, the heir of the famous woods family empire. Life with Zayn wasn't as bad as she had expected, regardless of all the obstacles they faced. And Soon enough she found herself falling hopelessly in love with her husband (James). Everything was going smoothly until Adrian cage arrived, then the battle for Lyra's affection began. What will happen when James can no longer tolerate Adrian's presence in their lives? Will he win the battle for Laura's affection or give way for Adrian?
CHAPTER 1
As I stood there silently waiting outside my father's room I couldn't help but wonder why I'd been summoned by him despite the fact that our relationship wasn't so close, but before I could think further I was called inside by my mother.
Upon entering, my mother urged me to come a little closer and sit next to my father to which I obliged.
"Lyra" Mr Walton called out with his voice barely above a whisper "there's something your mother and I have to tell you"...... "Your mother and I have decided to form a marriage alliance with the Armani family, you'll be getting married to their oldest son Zayn Armani. The date of the engagement has already been set for tomorrow, ensure you're on your best behavior and don't do anything to embarrass our family, do I make myself clear?"
Shock overwhelmed me as I stumbled over my words "I ...i...I don't understand, what do you mean you formed an alliance? I'm getting engaged to Zayn Armani?......how? When was this decided and why didn't you think to seek my opinion first before making a decision!?"
My father looked at me with a face of disgust and disapproval before fixing his gaze on my mother urging her to control my outburst.
Mother tried persuading me into agreeing with father just like she usually does but I wasn't having it, not this time that It actually had to do with my future.
"Mom! Just stop!!! How could you possibly agree to something like this knowing fully well that I'm in love with someone else? And even if I wasn't, I'd never agree to an arranged marriage. I'm not even done with college and you guys are already planning to marry me off to a complete stranger" I cried, my voice laced with visible frustration.
"Lyra, we're doing this all for your own benefit, your father and I just want what's best for you and besides you'll learn to love Zayn as time goes by"
Just as I was about to protest Even more my father began coughing violently
"The company...". He paused and swallowed hard. "was going through some setbacks and we were almost blacklisted but then the Armani family stepped in and saved us..." he coughed. "They invested in the company in exchange for this marriage proposal..."
"To uphold this empire and keep our family name alive, we need Zayn Armani"...... "If only your mother hadn't failed me by giving me a daughter instead of a son, our family wouldn't have been in this situation....... The alliance has already been formed, there's nothing you can do about it. Now get out!....... the mere sight of you causes me great displeasure"
Completely overwhelmed by the great injustice I was subjected to, I stormed off, heading to a nearby hotel to blow off some steam.
After arriving at the hotel I took a moment to process everything that had just happened. An hour went by and I was still unable to fathom my parent's decision. Overwhelmed by grief I decided to call my boyfriend to comfort me.
Not long after, a tall handsome man walked into my room. It was my boyfriend Adrian, who was also my childhood best friend and my pillar of hope.
The moment he entered I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly as I showered him with kisses.
After we locked lips in a passionate kiss, I proceeded to confide in him, telling him everything that had happened prior to his arrival.
"He can't just marry me off like that. I'm not some kind of property that he can use for his selfish needs! I have feelings too and besides I can't imagine myself getting married to anyone but you" I mumbled in a hushed tone as my cheeks flushed red.
Adrian sat up straight, looking me directly in the eyes with a cold expression resting on his face.
"I'm actually here to break up with you. I'm in love with someone else and we'll be getting engaged soon enough, so I can't continue to be associated with an ill-fated girl like yourself and besides it's not like I ever loved you.........So I'd advise that you proceed with the marriage alliance with Armani family because no man in his right mind would want to be married to a good for nothing woman like you and be associated with your shameful family"
He then stormed off leaving me in complete shock.
I remained silent staring blankly at a wall as tears slowly began streaming down my face, my mind was in chaos unable to understand what had just happened,I was almost as though I could hear the sound of my own heart shattering into a million pieces.
After a moment of gathering my thoughts I decided to head back home and rest in the comforting arms of my mother, the only person that truly understands, and cares about me.
"Mom!" I cried out.
Mrs Walton instantly appeared rushing to her daughter's aid.
"What happened dear" mom asked with an expression filled with concern.
I explained everything that happened with Adrian as my mother consoled me.
"Oh my darling, wipe your tears. Just consider it a sign that you both aren't destined to be together" She said as a flash of guilt flickered across her face.
"And besides, the oldest son of the Armani family is a much better match for you. He's a gentleman, someone you can actually rely on in times of trouble unlike Adrian"
I knew my mother was only saying all this just to get me to agree to the marriage alliance. Despite her words the only thing I could focus on was Adrian. I couldn't help but wonder why he said all that to me? Why the sudden change? But I guess I'll never be able to find out as I've already agreed to the marriage proposal. If Adrian could forget everything that we had, including our love and move on then so could I.
Lyra Walton, the famous heiress of the Walton family's business empire, was forced into an arranged marriage with Zayn Armani, the youngest and second most successful CEO in the country. Little did she know that their union would set off a chain of unforgiving events and leave her in the center of a brewing Storm as she finds herself in the most pitiful situations, and faces unforgettable betrayal in the hands of the man she loves. Lyra is left in an incredibly complicated dilemma as she falls face first into a toxic love triangle between her husband (Zayn Armani) and his long forgotten older brother, who is also the most dangerous man in the country (Ethan Grey). Will Lyra be swayed by Ethan's love and affection? Or will she remain with the only love she knows (Zayn Armani) despite his betrayal?
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Caught in a web of betrayal, Nicole's life shatters in a single evening when her mother-in-law, Veronica, sets her up in an elaborate scheme. Blindsided, Nicole faces her husband Taylor's cold rage as he casts her out of his life and home, accusing her of infidelity and theft. As she tries to defend herself, her best friend, Sarah, adds another blow by denying their loyalty. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me!" Nicole pleads, her voice breaking, but his icy response is a dagger to her heart. "I don't hate you, Nicole," he sneers. "I despise you." When Nicole reveals she's pregnant, she hopes for compassion, but it only fuels Veronica's determination to rid the family of her. After signing the divorce papers, a dejected Nicole wanders alone, where a brutal attack leaves her bleeding, helpless, and desperate to protect her unborn child. Six years later, Nicole returns from the ashes to inflict seven times the pains upon those who humiliated her and left her to die. "I'll make them pay so dearly that they'd regret ever been born!" She declares. This is a story of romance and revenge you don't want to miss!
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.