Lahat



"Young lady, whose bastard is that inside you?"
"Don't you know any shame? Is this how I raised you?"
The living room was warm, yet a cold sweat broke out across my back. I stroked my swollen belly, looked at their outraged faces, and suddenly let out a low chuckle.
"You really don't know?"
Father crushed his cigarette butt savagely into the ashtray, sparks flying up before dying. "How would we know what shameful things you've been up to out there?"
"The kidnappers," I said softly, my voice like a snowflake landing on a hot iron plate. "Don't you remember? That year the kidnappers took both me and Liza. They wanted a 500,000 ransom. You only scraped together half, saying 'save the real child first.'"
My parents' faces instantly froze, like the surface of a frozen lake. They even seemed to forget to breathe.
"Later, you took Liza back. The kidnappers kept me for three more months." I touched my belly, fingertips registering a faint flutter of movement inside. "Did you really think I escaped on my own?"
But none of that mattered anymore. Because I was going to die. 

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." 

My younger sister, Amaya Reed, has died in the luxurious villa belonging to Jayden Parker, the richest man in the city.
News of the beautiful celebrity taking her own life due to depression is spread like wildfire. But I've already received the actual news of Amaya being tortured to death.
This all happened because of Amaya's uncanny resemblance to Jayden's first love, Louise Green. Louise was jealous of her due to her looks, so Jayden held a torture party in his villa. All the guests partied the night away while trampling all over Amaya's corpse.
"Haven't you always wanted to replace Louise? Well, you can die in her stead, then!"
The moment I receive the news of Amaya's death, I'm oddly cool and collected. After staying up all night, I decide to give up on my identity as an up-and-rising artist.
This time, I go through a full transformation, soon becoming the most obedient lapdog by Jayden's side.
Jayden often orders me to lie on his thighs so that he can toy with the ends of my hair.
"As long as you remain obedient, Ariana, I can promise you a lifetime of luxury and riches."
I pretend to whine coquettishly. "But I just want you, Mr. Parker."
My heart is as cold as ice when I utter those words.
I don't want your love nor your money, Jayden. I just want your life. 
Five years ago, Esther Quill, who was six months pregnant, was sent to prison by her husband, Bradley Warner, himself.Five years later, Esther went to Bradley with a DNA paternity test paper in her hand and tearfully questioned, "Bradley Warner, how does it feel to kill your flesh and blood with your own hands!?"Ten years of secret love in exchange for five years of imprisonment; ten months of pregnancy in exchange for five years of separation from her flesh and blood.After Esther redeemed her sin with her life, Bradley turned white overnight and offered a sky-high reward, desperately searching for his wife and vowing to find her even if he had to overturn the world.The world thought that Bradley loved Esther to death... Only Esther knew that the man had no heart.It was until Esther appeared on the news with her two daughters and son one day.Bradley looked at the woman he had been yearning for and apologized, "Sweetheart, I was wrong!"The three little ones put themselves in front of Esther."Mr. Warner, our mommy is single, and there are too many people who want to be our daddy. Please go to the end of the line!” 


After an abrupt stampede, Freya was hastily taken to the hospital, yet her mate Kingsley found solace in another woman. For three long years, Freya harbored the hope that her love would thaw Kingsley's icy heart, but alas, her yearning proved to be nothing more than a jest. She observed Kingsley showering the other woman with affection, and now, weary of unrequited devotion, she resolved to depart, vowing to reject him. However, the aloof Kingsley underwent an astonishing transformation, assuming a new persona as he fervently pursued Freya. 



Nadia Young is the most dazzling person in Bayfort. She is free as the wind, passionate as fire, and she lives a wild life of exuberance.However, she has married Clive Gibson, who is the strictest and most disciplined tycoon in the business industry. He lives and works like a machine, having extremely high expectations for himself and also his lifetime partner.Nadia loves the excitement of clubbing and dating younger male escorts, so Clive makes every entertainment hub blacklist her from entry. Nadia loves the freedom of travelling wherever she wants, whether basking in the sun on beaches, watching the aurora borealis at night, or going racecar driving and cliff diving, so Clive confiscates her passport and restricts her movement altogether. 
At 20, Lena Norwood marries Micah Shaw—her father's friend, who is younger than him but older than her.He's eight years her senior and known in their circle as a cold-blooded kingpin. He's ruthless in business and completely uninterested in women… except when it comes to her.With Lena, he's impossibly gentle. She casually compliments a necklace, and the next day, she receives a collection of million-dollar jewels.When her cramps leave her curled up in bed, he drops a billion-dollar deal to personally make her warm soup, feeding it to her spoon by spoon.When desire takes over, he grips her waist, voice hoarse as he whispers, "Baby, you're so sweet, it's addictive."All his social media accounts are named "For Alice". She always thought it was a tribute to the song she played on the piano the day they first met.Until one day... she finds an old photo album tucked away in his study. 
The day after Avery Sterling is falsely accused of running over Britney Walker, her husband, Calvin Grant, and their two sons suspend her younger brother above a giant vat of boiling oil, threatening to drop him in alive.Avery panics and rushes forward to save her brother, but the bodyguards block her path and hold her back."Do you admit what you did?" Calvin asks coldly, standing nearby in a sharp, tailored suit. "Will you ever dare hurt Britney again?""I didn't hit her!" Avery cries, struggling against the guards restraining her. "Calvin, please, let Henry go! He's only 18 years old! He just got into Westbridge University!" 
After Holly Stanwick becomes a judge, the first case on her docket is the divorce between her husband and his childhood sweetheart.When Holly receives the file, she double-checks the cover sheet. "Maeve, is the defendant's information correct? Is his name really Shane Lockwood?"The assistant judge, Maeve Green, smiles. "Ms. Stanwick, that's Shane Lockwood, CEO of Lockwood Corp in Havenport. I might slip up on other files, but not this one!"Maeve pulls out her phone, searches for "Shane Lockwood" on Google, and shoves the brutal truth in front of Holly.The face in the photos matches her husband's exactly. Holly freezes, as if a bucket of ice water has been dumped over her.The court clerk, Stella Kennedy, adds, "That's right, Ms. Stanwick. You're new here, so you might not know. Shane and his childhood sweetheart, Tess Lindell, have been on and off for about eight years. This is the first time it's hit court. The public gallery is fully booked!"Holly nearly loses her footing, and the file slips from her hands onto the desk.Maeve asks curiously, "Ms. Stanwick, do you know Shane?"She knows him all too well. 




Abigail Renee had entered into a quick, arranged marriage with an ordinary man, but soon after their marriage registration, they ended up leading separate lives.After one year, they unexpectedly ran into each other at work. Although Abigail couldn't quite remember where she knew the CEO of Zane Corporation from, she felt like she had seen him before.It was rumored that Zane Corporation's CEO, who was known for being uninterested in women, had recently gotten married and was now absolutely smitten with his wife. Unbeknownst to Abigail, she was the envied wife of the CEO that everyone was talking about.One night, after a company party, the slightly intoxicated CEO got a little too close to Abigail and murmured into her ear, "Hey, wifey..." 



Sebastian Smith and Roxanne Grayson have been together for seven years—they dated for three years and have been married for four. Despite that, he chooses to believe his mistress over her and takes her to court.Roxanne's heart is shattered when he asks her whether she admits she's guilty. Later, she turns the tables and proves her innocence, showing Sebastian his mistress' true colors. When she's set free, she says, "Let's divorce, Sebastian.""Don't regret this, Roxanne!" he responds, thinking that she's only saying this in the heat of the moment. He thinks she loves him so much that she won't actually leave him.One day, when they run into each other, Sebastian asks, "Are you here to ask me to get back with you?""Narcissism is a mental condition—you should seek a psychiatrist's help for that," Roxanne retorts.She's always the one to seek him out whenever they argue, but this time, he's kept waiting. It's only when she turns into an attorney who's as good at her job as he is and faces him in court that he discovers she's changed.She's no longer his, so he panics. "I still love you, Rox. Please come back to me."Roxanne is now strong and determined. "I became a better person because of you, but it wasn't for your sake. Please move, Mr. Smith. Don't stand in the way of me becoming your aunt." 

Can't believe the Moon goddess my own great great great grandmother would curse her own grandson to a life of misery. Blessings are what they say mates are, mine are a curse. Before I knew how badly mates could destroy you, tear apart your soul, I craved mine. Craved finding my other half, now I know better. Mate’s are a distraction one I couldn’t afford, yet here I am still searching for my little white wolf knowing I will be damned when I finally catch her, that I will once again have to tear off another piece of my soul when I am forced to kill this one too.
Mate’s are no blessing and the Moon Goddess, well I have given up on her, my mother is a pure hybrid a direct descendant of the Moon goddess herself,making her the hybrid Queen until she handed her title to me stepping down, now I am the cursed Alpha king. My father was a werewolf so the only good thing I got out of my mother being a hybrid was being the ultimate predator, luckily I was also blessed with a wolf. My twin sisters were like my mother, just hybrid's, no wolf's no shifting, my younger brothers were like me though, tends to run in the female side the hybrid genes. I only craved blood in wolf form, my sisters craved it all the time.
My family were the only hybrids except for the mutations made by Kade a crazy scientist who was hellbent on revenge for a feud that had nothing to with us only my grandfather but that didn’t stop for trying to destroy us, he used my grandfathers blood to become immortal we thought after finally killing the bastard everything was going to be fine. Well until I found my first mate, she was a hunter and what a disaster that was. I was blinded by the mate bond and she was using me to get to my pack, my family so knowing that it ended in her death.
I won't stand for betrayal and having to kill her destroyed me. Yet now my grandmother has decided to fiddle with the Fates again and give me another dud for a mate. A second chance mate and this one has been eluding me for months now. 
Orphaned at birth, Scarlett Winters returns to her birth pack hoping to finally find a family's love. Instead, she becomes nothing more than a pawn in pack politics, arranged to marry Alexander Amber, the powerful heir to the Northern territories. For three years, she plays the role of the perfect future Luna flawlessly, until Alexander's former flame Grace returns, flaunting both her pregnancy and victim status."Let's sever the mate bond now," Scarlett declares, her emerald eyes flashing with defiance as her immunity to Alpha command sends shockwaves through the pack."Don't be ridiculous," Alexander sneers, his arrogance evident. "You wouldn't dare give up the Luna position."But what Alexander and the Winters Pack don't know is that their supposedly docile she-wolf was raised by the formidable Thorn Pack in the North. Her adoptive brother Roman, the legendary Shadow Alpha King whose mere name makes lesser wolves tremble, has been searching for her since she mysteriously disappeared three years ago to protect their adoptive mother.Now Roman has finally found her. Their reunion ignites the mate bond they've both been fighting, forcing them to confront their forbidden feelings. As his scent of pine and midnight overwhelms her senses, Scarlett feels her carefully constructed walls crumbling."Five minutes," Roman growls, pulling her onto his lap, his blue eyes blazing with three years of suppressed desire, "to explain why you fled during our pack's darkest hour." 

After her miscarriage, Sabrina Frye turns into the wife Nester Blackwell has always demanded.
She stops sharing the small joys of her day and the frantic, late-night calls when he doesn't come home.
Even when she is framed in a street scam and taken to the police station, the officers tell her she can leave if a family member posts bail, but she tells them that she has no family.
She calmly spends the next seven days in a cold cell.
A week later, the heavy iron gates of the station open with a metallic clang at dusk. As Sabrina steps down the stairs, a black Maybach screeches to a halt in front of her.
The door swings open, and Nester steps out. Dressed in a tailored suit, he's tall, with near-perfect body proportions. Like always, he looks cold and untouchable. 
I marry the same man seven times, and he divorces me seven times for the same woman.
He does this so he can go on vacation with his first love as a supposedly single man while also protecting her from being the subject of scandalous gossip.
The first time we divorce, I attempt to take my own life to force him into staying. Despite being sent to the hospital in an ambulance, he didn't even bother to visit me.
The second time we divorce, I humble myself by applying to be an assistant at his company, all for the chance to see him more.
By the sixth time, I had already learned to quietly pack up my belongings and move out of his house.
At first, I was hysterical, but then I began to concede, and eventually, that grew to numb acceptance. Yet, time and again, he would remarry me on our previously agreed-upon date, only for history to repeat itself.
Finally, one day, after I hear that his first love is returning to the country again, I voluntarily hand him the divorce agreement.
Just like before, he promises to remarry me again on a certain date. But he doesn't know that this time, I'll be leaving for good. 



[MM STORY]
My darkness meets a darker soul.
I’m a golden boy.
A genius law student, the heir to the Carson empire, and the dutiful son.
Or, at least, that's what it looks like from the outside.
Deep inside, I have the urge to set the world on fire.
I keep these impulses in check, rarely indulging in mayhem.
Until one night of debauchery backfires, and I'm caught by a villain.
I bury the entire ordeal with the rest of my skeletons.
That is, until that night walks into my classroom in the form of my new professor.
Kayden Lockwood.
A criminal who’s teaching criminal law.
I can't expose what he's done without unmasking my secret life.
What I can do, however, is force him to taste the poison he gave me.
In the clash of titans, Kayden and I break and crumble.
And I'm starting to realize this dangerous game may have no winners.
Kiss the Villain is a dark MM romance. Please check the author's note or visit the website for content warnings before diving in. While this book can be enjoyed as a standalone, diving into the Legacy of Gods series will give you a deeper connection to the characters. 
"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." 

Yasmine Wagner is in a secret relationship with Zachary Smith, her younger brother's best friend.On their anniversary, she postpones her company meeting on purpose and picks a wristwatch Zachary likes because she wants to surprise him.But before she can surprise him, she receives a "big gift" from him. She sees with her own eyes that Zachary is carrying a woman into a hotel. Her brother, Anthony Wagner, stops him from behind. "Zach, I thought you had a girlfriend. All these years, you've never brought her out to meet us. Now, you not only don't care about her feelings, but you're even going to a hotel with your ex-girlfriend."Zachary takes a look at the woman in his embrace, his voice husky. "Someone spiked Queenie's drink. The effect will only wear off after she gets intimate with someone. I can't bring myself to leave her in another guy's hands."As for my girlfriend… Don't bother about her. Back then, I only got together with her because she looked slightly like Queenie."Meanwhile, Yasmine is standing somewhere nearby in the corridor. Her mind goes blank at Zachary's words, as if she's been struck by lightning.Is she… merely a stand-in? 
After being evicted by the Gray family, Shannon Gray magically becomes the heiress of an affluent family.
The Gray family regrets kicking her out and wants the Jensen family to give them half its assets as compensation. Shannon sneers and uses a truth-telling talisman to expose the Gray family's true colors and the skeletons in its closet. Similarly, when a scumbag refuses to leave her alone, she easily makes him have nightmares every night.
Her cousins look down on her and think she's a disgrace, but the head of the Shaw family comes knocking on their door, looking for her. "As long as you're willing to save my daughter, I'll agree to any condition you have!"
The head of another affluent family that's never gotten along with the Jensen family shamelessly comes knocking, too. "I was a fool for acting the way I did in the past. I'll announce to the world that I'm your lackey as long as you're willing to help me!"
Later, even Shannon's cousin, who once detested her, becomes her loyal follower. "She's the best cousin ever, and I'll curse anyone who dares say a word against her!"
After everything that's happened, the Jensen family finally snaps to their senses and realizes that Shannon, whom they'd thought was a pitiful little thing, is a master at geomancy and divination.
Shannon needs to rid people and places of malevolence, save lives, and suck up to a bigwig. She can't help saying, "I'm exhausted."
Benjamin "Bigwig" Cooper takes the initiative to share her burden. "You don't need to suck up to me. I'm already yours." 

When Iris was a child, she discovered an earth-shattering secret. Ever since then, her relationship with Hugh had taken a turn.After a fire, the woman he pined for suffered severe burns and his identity was exposed. Overnight, the man who once adored his sister had made her his enemy and threw her into prison!After five gruesome years behind bars, the wounded girl who had fallen from grace no longer loved him.However, she ran into him yet again after her release from prison!The truth of the incident was then brought to light. With knees on the ground, he was beyond remorseful when he said, “Iris! Lock me up for five years too, would that be enough to win your heart again?”Her rejection was firm and vicious, “I will never love you again!”He had her locked up and begged her to give him one more chance but she had forsaken all affection for him. She only had escape on her mind.The turning point was when he saw her soaked in a bloody bathtub and that was when he finally let go.Victorious, she vanished shortly after. As for him, he went mad… 



Jenny Walter had only ever seen her husband, Alec Faust, once in the two years they’ve been married, and that was on TV.Now, they were divorced. What she doesn’t expect is for her ex-husband to keep showing up in her life starting from the second day of her new-found freedom. First, she has to save his lover, and now he wants to pursue her?“Alec Faust, do you know who I am?” Jenny asks him.“You’re the world-renowned Dr. Walter, the last mentee of Mr. Birkett, the top hacker J, and the founder of an haute couture fashion brand. Do you mean you have another trick up your sleeve? Please do share.”Alec was confident that he knew everything there was to know about Jenny Walter.“Actually…” Jenny starts as she approaches him, whispering straight into his ear, “I’m also your ex-wife.” 
BLURB
."Ever have that feeling nothing you ever do matters?"
This is Lila Vitale's story, being overshadowed by her elder sister all her life no matter the efforts she puts in.
Finally, she is put in the spotlight when her elder sister, Lily, abandons her husband because he went blind, and she ( Lila) has to be the replacement by pretending to be her.
Lila is not happy about this at first but steps up to the challenge as she is finally seen and relied on by those she cares about.
Lucien, a year later regains his eyesight due to surgery. Lila, hopeful to be set free by the truth, gets disappointed when her sister Lily miraculously appears to take back the place she abandoned and the man Lila had grown to love.
To make matters worse, Lila realizes she was just a pawn being used all along and overhears death plots about her unborn child.
As the betrayal deepens, Lila tries reaching out to Lucien who treats her like a pest, hurting and giving her no choice but to disappear. Not too long after, Lucien figures out the truth and seeks out for her but isn't he too late?
Will Lila ever want to let him back into her life again, especially when she is hell-bent on revenge?
EXCERPT.
"You have to come back, Lila. To me. You and our children". He whispered gently, his blue eyes filled with care towards me, his hands on my cheeks, stroking them softly.
I closed my eyes, rubbing my face against his palm, enjoying the texture. How I had longed so much for this.
"Our children? Remember Mr. Knight. I never married you neither are my bastard children yours". I commented, repeating his exact same words five years ago as the side of my lips curled up in disdain. 

Reina Nichols used to be the young lady of a prestigious family, but she was reduced to a mere child-bearer and was even used by her husband to save another woman.In despair, she jumped into the turbulent river. Reina would rather die than save her husband's beloved girl.Many years later, Reina returned with glory and pride!On the stage, in the limelight, she met with eyes as vicious as those in her memory.The cold man forced her to the corner. "Tell me. Where is the child?"She said with a smile, "I had an abortion. It was a boy, and he looked like you."At that moment, the ruthless man felt the same despair that Reina had endured before.In another corner, a little girl rolled her eyes and threw up her hands."Mom and Dad, can you be nice to each other? Gosh!" 
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek."Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me.But he refused to accept.***********Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson.Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart.Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart.Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her.They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood.Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman..But will she accept any of them?Or will she stay independent forever?... 


DARK ROMANCE "Sir, I am in a dire need of loan. Its very important, my friends life is at stake. I assure you I'll try my best to return the loan asap." She breathlessly said it all. Her eyes were filled with hope and expectations. He was her last hope.
"Miss Sheharzaad," Shehryaar said, while standing up from his chair causing her to instantly stand up.
"Yes sir" she replied, her voice troublesome yet confident.
He walked towards the other side of the table and sat on the chair parallel to her.
"Keep sitting, please." He said, like a gentleman and she sat down. She tightly held her hands together. A life could be saved by his single yes.
"Sir please," she pleaded.
"I agree. You can have the loan, but I have a condition."
"I agree to your every condition sir" she replied with a little smile of victory on her face.
"Think before you speak, Miss Sheharzaad."
"I trust you."
"I want a one night stand with you." He dropped the bomb.
............
"Every women is nothing but a , a and you're also one of them." He said making her wriggling double against the ropes, which tied her.
"You're wrong." She replied with a sheer determination in her eyes.
He harshly gripped held her chin and bobbed her head up towards him.
"Oh, I'll prove it to you then." He spoke with an immense intensity and a promise in his eyes.
"You'll now serve me as my personal escort, Sheharzaad." He declared and threaded his fingers into her silky locks, pasting his lips on hers, her brutally.
He didn't trust womankind and she was a strong woman.
He wanted shatter and break her into pieces so he could satisfy himself. 
Three years ago, I, Zara Yaxley, gave birth to a stillborn baby.
My husband, Steve Griffin, set up a private chapel at home to grieve. From then on, he becomes a pious man and embraces a celibate lifestyle in memory of our dead child. As a result, we only sleep together once a month.
No matter how I flirt or seduce him, he remains unmoved.
One night, I stand outside the door and see him gazing at a photo of his first love. It turns out that Steve isn't an unfeeling man. He just feels nothing for me.
So, I trick him into signing the divorce agreement and disappear from his world completely.
Later on, I receive news about him going crazy trying to find me.
When we meet again, it is at his uncle's wedding. I am happy and radiant in an elegant wedding gown, while he is immensely upset. His eyes are reddened as he stubbornly refuses to call me "Aunt Zara". 


Ever since Vexon Bevine first laid eyes on Ruby Gerund, he could not get her beautiful image out of his mind. Unfortunately, Ruby didn't notice him and disappeared while he was stuck in Mafia training. Years later, Vexon attends his elder brother's wedding, where he sees Ruby again. Even though he wants to make her 'his', Vexon tries to control his feelings. However, that night, someone drugs him, and he ends up marrying Ruby against her will, losing his control. Ruby can't forget the way everything was forced upon her, and out of hatred towards Vexon, she deems this a forced marriage and decides to never accept him as her husband. If Ruby hates Vexon from the bottom of her heart, will he be able to make her fall in love with him? Or will she just be the love of the Mafia King and never reciprocate his feelings? Besides, who drugged Vexon which made him forcefully marry her, when all he tried to do was control his undying love? 
To obey his grandfather’s order, the playboy tycoon Seth Cohen had to marry the socialite and sole heiress Evonne Largent. They tied the knot and lived together under a loveless matrimony. She was obliged to marry the hottest CEO Seth Cohen to save their fallen business empire after her father fell into compulsive gambling, driving them to the verge of bankruptcy. Seth had no plan of getting entangled with his stunning and sexy wife, but every time he glanced at her, his body throbs, and he was drawn away. Evonne will do everything to stay away from him and pretend she’s not affected by the oozing sex appeal of her hot billionaire husband; however, her heart beats faster every time he is around. ****She saw the muscles move in his jaw, and she knew he was pissed.“Care to explain? Make sure it’s believable.”Seth’s voice carried a hot temper.There was a picture of her dancing on the tabletop, and Toby beside her was shirtless while Sally poured beer bottoms up straight to their mouths.“What’s there to explain?” “You’re married now,” He growled at her, throwing sharp glances.“Miss me with that bullshit.” She stood up and barely contained her anger.“There is a certain public image that needs to be maintained. You need to understand that.” He muttered sternly.“Oh please, I’m not going to stand here drinking the dirty water you give me as you indulge yourself in the purest of wines.” 