Twice burnt, Once Loved

Twice burnt, Once Loved

C.MORGAN

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Heartbroken. Betrayed. Expecting a child. A passionate one-night stand with a dangerously attractive stranger is the last thing Susan Brooks expects when she drowns her sorrows at a lavish party thrown by her best friend. She disappears the following morning, only to find out weeks later that her enigmatic lover is actually David Lexington, her new billionaire boss. She is also carrying his child. Susan, torn between pride and survival, tries to avoid David, but he persists. When his cunning ex-fiancée reappears with lies, threats, and a personal grudge, what starts out as professional swiftly devolves into emotional turmoil. Susan reappears five years later as a prosperous artist who is untouchable and radiant. David is going to find out the truth that broke them apart, but he still longs for her. He now has to defend the children he never realised he had, as well as the woman he once lost. Can love withstand secrets, betrayal, and second chances? Or will they learn that sometimes the heart only learns to love after being burnt twice? A captivating billionaire romance full of heartache, atonement, and unbreakable love

Chapter 1 The surprise that shattered me

SUSAN BROOKS' POV

Today was meant to be unforgettable.

I woke up early-too early. The sun had barely started to rise, casting soft golden streaks through my worn-out curtains. My limbs ached with exhaustion, but I pushed past it. I had something more important to focus on.

It was Jackson's birthday.

The man I loved. The man who made me believe in forever.

Despite juggling late-night shifts and my stepmother's endless chores, I stayed up to bake his favorite chocolate cake. I poured every ounce of affection into it, added strawberries and whipped cream the way he liked, and wrapped the small gifts I had been saving for months to buy. I gifted him a watch that he had once admired. His favorite cologne.

And a handwritten note that took me an hour to write because my fingers wouldn't stop shaking:

To the man who makes my heart feel safe. Happy birthday, love.

I smiled, hugging the card to my chest.

Then I picked up my phone and called him.

No response.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

I frowned but stayed calm. Maybe he was still sleeping. Or maybe his phone died. I texted instead:

"Happy birthday, my dearest. Can I come see you today? I want to celebrate with you."

Ten minutes. No reply.

I stared at the screen until my chest felt tight. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

However, I refrained from hastily drawing conclusions. I refused to be the insecure girlfriend.

So I made a decision. I'd surprise him. After all, he loved surprises-especially mine. Right?

With the cake box in hand, I headed to his apartment. My heart fluttered with nervous anticipation. But when I knocked, there was no answer.

That's when I noticed the door was... unlocked.

My smile faded.

"Jackson?" I called softly, stepping inside.

Silence.

Then my eyes caught something on the floor. A woman's dress and a pair of boxers were scattered like an afterthought. It was a woman's dress. The woman was wearing a pair of boxers. Then-my breath caught-

There was a red lace bra on display.

Matching panties.

My fingers clenched around the cake box until the edges caved. My heart pounded fiercely.

And then I heard it.

Moaning.

Soft, rhythmic. From upstairs.

I stood frozen. My soul already knew. But my body moved-slow, heavy steps toward the truth.

Each creaking stair felt like a scream in my ears.

I pushed open the bedroom door.

There they were.

Jackson Cornwell. Naked. He was entwined with a person who should never have crossed that boundary.

Chloe.

My stepsister.

She arched her back, her voice a twisted melody. "Yes, baby... just like that..."

I stood at the door, paralyzed.

Then my voice burst out-raw, shaking, loud enough to crack the heavens.

"You are such a jerk!"

They froze.

Jackson's head snapped toward me, face drained of color. "Susan?! What the hell-you weren't supposed to be here!"

Chloe didn't even flinch. She turned to me with a slow, satisfied smirk.

"Oh, sweetheart." She rose-naked, unapologetic, radiant in her cruelty. "You really thought he loved you?"

She walked over to him and ran her fingers down his chest. "It was only a matter of time before he realized who the better woman was."

She kissed him. Deep. Deliberate.

I wanted to scream. Throw something. Tear the entire room down.

But I just stood there.

Shattered.

Jackson looked away, pulling the sheet around him awkwardly. "Susan... I liked you, okay? But you were always too innocent. Too emotional. You never wanted to take the next step. I needed more."

"More?" I whispered.

"I needed passion," he said, not even meeting my eyes. "Someone like Chloe."

My soul cracked in that moment.

I turned. Ran.

I sprinted down the staircase. I ran down the stairs and into the cold street. My vision blurred. My chest burned. My heart-God, my heart-felt like it had been ripped out and stomped on.

I walked for miles. No money for a ride-I'd spent everything on his gifts.

And when I got home...

A different nightmare waited for me.

"Where's that useless girl?!" Stella's shrill voice rang from the kitchen.

My stepmother.

I collapsed on the floor the moment I stepped in. My body gave up. I must've blacked out.

When I opened my eyes, the morning light stabbed at my skull, and a wave of nausea hit me. My head pounded. My clothes were soaked.

She had dumped a bucket of ice water on me.

"Get up, you worthless thing!"

"Good morning... Stepmother..." My voice cracked.

Slap.

The sting bit into my cheek.

"No food for you today," she snapped. "If breakfast isn't ready for me and my daughter by eight, you'll wish you were never born."

"Yes, ma'am," I whispered, still trembling.

She left, and I sat there in silence, drenched and humiliated.

I looked over at the photo of my mother on my nightstand. Her warm smile met my eyes, and I whispered through clenched teeth, "I'm trying, Mama. I'm trying so hard."

I stood. Cooked. Served. Cleaned.

I carried out my duties as usual.

But this time... something inside me had changed.

When I entered my father's room, I forced a smile. "Good morning, Daddy."

His voice was weak but kind. "Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?"

I leaned down and hugged him, hiding my swollen eyes.

"I wish I could give you the life you deserve," he murmured, his hand brushing my cheek. "But I love you, Susan. Always."

"I love you too, Daddy."

And I meant it.

I loved you more than anything else.

In that moment, I made a promise to myself.

I resolved to stop crying for those who have broken me.

I pledged to abandon loyalty in the face of betrayal.

I will no longer hide behind hope.

I would rise.

For me. For my father. This poem is a tribute to the girl I once was-before they attempted to destroy her.

Because one day soon... they'll all regret thinking I was weak.

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Chapters
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Twice burnt, Once Loved
1

Chapter 1 The surprise that shattered me

20/07/2025

2

Chapter 2 The Stranger in the Suit

20/07/2025

3

Chapter 3 The One Night Stand

20/07/2025

4

Chapter 4 Saving her father

20/07/2025

5

Chapter 5 Meeting Him

20/07/2025

6

Chapter 6 The Crown Is Mine

06/08/2025

7

Chapter 7 KING OF THE CITY

06/08/2025

8

Chapter 8 In his Arms, Forever

06/08/2025

9

Chapter 9 A New Beginning

06/08/2025

10

Chapter 10 The Battle Begins

06/08/2025

11

Chapter 11 Natasha Returns

06/08/2025

12

Chapter 12 A Public Declaration

16/08/2025

13

Chapter 13 Poison in the House

16/08/2025

14

Chapter 14 The plan to destroy them

16/08/2025

15

Chapter 15 Scandal Worth Repeating

16/08/2025

16

Chapter 16 The Woman Behind the Curtains

16/08/2025

17

Chapter 17 Twice the Heartbeat

16/08/2025

18

Chapter 18 The Unbroken Chain

16/08/2025

19

Chapter 19 The Weight of the Night

16/08/2025

20

Chapter 20 Chloe's Wedding Day

16/08/2025

21

Chapter 21 Natasha's Plot

16/08/2025

22

Chapter 22 Enemies Closing In

16/08/2025

23

Chapter 23 Susan Walks Away

16/08/2025

24

Chapter 24 The Note

16/08/2025

25

Chapter 25 A Fresh Start

16/08/2025

26

Chapter 26 The Man I Have Become

16/08/2025

27

Chapter 27 A happy reunion with a surprise

16/08/2025

28

Chapter 28 Cracks in the Dream

16/08/2025

29

Chapter 29 In Mark's Heart

16/08/2025

30

Chapter 30 Back to Where It Began

16/08/2025

31

Chapter 31 A Chance Encounter

19/08/2025

32

Chapter 32 Triumphant

19/08/2025

33

Chapter 33 The Hard Truth

19/08/2025

34

Chapter 34 Confronting the past

19/08/2025

35

Chapter 35 Clash with Chloe

19/08/2025

36

Chapter 36 The Secret Within

19/08/2025

37

Chapter 37 Power Play

19/08/2025

38

Chapter 38 New Beginnings

19/08/2025

39

Chapter 39 Fighting For What's Mine

19/08/2025

40

Chapter 40 Taking Control

19/08/2025