After My Husband Took My Eyes, I Fled

While recovering from childbirth, my husband, Damien, was brought home drunk from a bar by some friends, with a woman at his side. He vomited everywhere, and I silently stayed by his side all night. When he finally opened his eyes, the first thing he said was, "She's pregnant. Let's get divorced." I didn't cry or make a scene, just calmly nodded. In my past life, I took my wrapped-up baby out into the street and caused a commotion. Soon, the woman was known as a homewrecker across our small town, and in her despair, she jumped into a river. Damien was fired for misconduct, but he never blamed me. On our daughter's first birthday, he set fire to the yard, killing me, our child, and my parents. In those final moments, I saw his twisted smile as he said, "Go down and keep my Gwendolyn company." Then, I opened my eyes again, back to the moment he told me about the divorce. "Gwendolyn is different from you.

My hands trembled as I stood at the edge of the ceremonial circle, watching the other seniors of our pack take their turns. The Coming of Age Ceremony was everything in werewolf society—the moment when our abilities would be fully tested, our ranks determined, our futures set. The scent of pine needles and burning sage filled the night air, and the full moon hung heavy above us, its silver light bathing the clearing in an ethereal glow. Ryan stood across the circle, his dark hair gleaming under the moonlight, those green eyes finding mine with the same reassurance they'd offered since we were pups. My heart fluttered as it always did when he looked at me. We'd been raised with the understanding that we were destined mates—our families had planned it, the pack expected it, and I had built my entire future around it. "Sophia Williams," Elder Marcus called, his Alpha voice resonating through the clearing. I stepped forward, my white ceremonial dress billowing around my ankles. Inside me, my wolf—Sarah—stirred anxiously. *We should show our full strength*, she whispered in my mind.

In Darkly His: The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée, Damon Blackwell must trade his luxury for a 12-day challenge to save his business. This modern billionaire romance novel follows his deal with Merry Steele, the woman who broke his heart, as they navigate a fake engagement and old flames.

Chapter 1 It was their seventh wedding anniversary. Carolyn found the divorce agreement in Roger’s nightstand. The pages were covered in scribbles and corrections, as if he’d agonized over them for years. *"If, during the marriage, I fall in love with another person, I voluntarily relinquish all assets and leave with nothing. Asset details as follows…"* His first impulse had been to walk away empty-handed. But the asset section told a different story—a mess of revisions. First, he’d crossed out the property he intended to give her. Then, the fifty million earmarked for her was scratched out and replaced with five hundred thousand. Finally, as if in penance, he had written a single line. *"Better to have Carolyn leave with nothing. No choice, Catherine is pregnant."* … Carolyn sank onto the bed, disbelief washing over her. On the agreement, Roger’s signature was clean and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. And the document had been drafted seven years ago—the very year they married. That year, Roger had been willing to give up everything for her. Yet every year after, he had crossed out another piece of their shared life. Now, seven years later, the one leaving with nothing would be her. Her phone buzzed abruptly. A message from Roger. *"Urgent business. Won't be back."* She called, only to find his phone already switched off. Another notification flashed—a screenshot from a friend. Catherine, the student she sponsored, had posted on social media. *"Wow, got praised! To commemorate my first period without a leak, the big boss said we should celebrate properly!"* In a nine-photo collage, Roger gazed at her, eyes crinkling with affection as he fastened a dazzling gemstone necklace around her neck. The post was tagged at a couples-themed hotel. Carolyn’s breath caught. He couldn’t remember seven years of marriage, of weathering storms together—but he could find the energy to celebrate Catherine’s… leak-free period. And that pendant… she’d seen it at an auction just last week. It was her mother’s lost heirloom. She’d been ready to bid when her bank card was frozen. She’d asked Roger why. A long time later, he finally texted back, telling her not to waste money on such impractical things. Clutching her bidding paddle, she’d sat helplessly in the auction hall. In the end, she resolved to sell one of her own designs to raise the funds. But someone on the phone swooped in with an unbeatable offer and took it. For weeks afterward, Carolyn hated herself—hated that she couldn’t protect her mother’s last keepsake. She never imagined the one who snatched it away was Roger. He knew exactly how much that pendant meant to her. Yet he gave it to Catherine. Even on their seventh anniversary, Roger had lied about being busy with work, while wining and dining the girl she’d sponsored. The anniversary gift he left her was a divorce agreement demanding she leave with nothing. Seven years of marriage. Seven years of infidelity. And Carolyn had known nothing. She’d even introduced the other woman to him herself. Catherine was the impoverished student Carolyn sponsored. The first time Catherine came to their home to give thanks, Roger found her intrusive and disliked her on sight. *"That girl has no manners. Tracked mud all over my cashmere rug."* *"If her grades aren’t up to par, cut the sponsorship."* Back then, Carolyn had teased him, saying not to be jealous—it was good the girl had a grateful heart. She never once suspected Roger and Catherine. For seven years, everyone in their circle believed Roger never played around. That he loved only Carolyn. But by their next meeting, Catherine had become Roger’s personal assistant. Roger explained, *"The girl’s had it tough. You’ve sponsored her for years. Giving her a job is just helping you out."* Carolyn had laughed it off. Now, hands trembling, she opened Catherine’s social media feed. Catherine had always hidden her posts from Carolyn. Now, she seemed desperate to flaunt everything. While Carolyn drank until her stomach bled to secure a deal for Roger, Catherine was using Roger’s card to buy her first Louis Vuitton. While Carolyn changed bedpans for Roger’s bedridden grandmother, Roger was taking Catherine to a perfume atelier for a blending class—calling it a business trip. Catherine had even complained online. *"Your wife is such a pampered princess. Can't handle the tiniest thing without you running back. Can she not live without a man?"* And Roger had replied beneath it. *"If she were half as independent as you, I’d have an easier life."* But that day… Carolyn’s mother had lost her battle with cancer. She’d cried until her heart felt shredded, scrambling to handle the arrangements. All the while, Roger kept checking his phone impatiently, eager to leave. Not for work, she realized now—but because he was desperate to get back to Catherine.

The pack run had been Marcelo's idea. He'd announced it three days prior at the weekly council meeting, his Alpha tone leaving no room for debate. A show of unity, he'd called it. A reminder that the Black Moon Pack moved as one body, one purpose. I'd watched him from my seat at the far end of the table—the Luna's chair, though I'd stopped feeling like a Luna months ago—and said nothing. Petra Voss had nodded approvingly. The other council members had murmured their agreement. Rosalina, seated closer to Marcelo than protocol allowed, had smiled that soft, adoring smile she always wore around him. I should have known then. The territory's northern river was swollen from early spring melt, the current fast and mean.

In Save That Evil Billionaire And Her Stepson, Aileen transmigrates as a villainess facing a deadly mission. To survive this billionaire romance novel, she must save her hostile family while using a staged breakdown to rewrite her fate in this gripping modern novel.