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No Longer Mrs. Cooley: The Architect's Return
I went to the City Clerk's office for a routine copy of my marriage license to finalize a trust fund audit. I expected a simple piece of paper, but the clerk's pitying look told me my entire life was a lie. "The license was never finalized, Ms. Oliver. In the eyes of the state, you are single." The three-hundred-guest wedding at the Plaza and the Vogue features meant nothing. My husband, Gray Cooley, had intentionally filed the documents with a "procedural defect" so he could discard me without a legal divorce. Moments later, an iCloud invite titled "Our Little Secret" popped up on my screen. It was a photo of my best friend, Brylee, holding a positive pregnancy test at our Hamptons estate. Gray's text to her was the final blow: "Happy anniversary, babe. This baby is the best gift. Once the trust unlocks today, we're done with the charade." I soon discovered they were even stealing my career, reassigning my architectural masterpiece to Brylee while preparing my eviction notice. Gray's mother called me a "barren mule" in a leaked recording, mocking the infertility I suffered after saving Gray's life in a construction accident. I wasn't a wife; I was a three-year placeholder used to secure his inheritance. How could the man I bled for treat me like a disposable prop? How could my best friend carry his child while pretending to comfort me through my darkest moments? The betrayal burned until it turned into a cold, hard stone of fury. I didn't cry. Instead, I walked into the penthouse of the Barretts, the Cooleys' most powerful rivals. I signed a marriage contract with Kane Barrett, the man the tabloids called the "Beast of Wall Street." "I want a wedding," I told his father, my voice steady and lethal. "Bigger than the one I had with Gray." If they wanted me gone, they would have to watch me become the woman who owns their world."I'm having a baby, " Annie said out of the blue, making Ella, her best friend, choke on her orange juice.
Annie was relieved that she let it all out to her best friend even though she wasn't sure about her reaction. It hadn't been easy keeping something this sensitive away from Ella.
"You're wha tjQuery" Ella asked in shock, her eyes not leaving Annie who was seated opposite her.
Annie sighed. She knew Ella heard her loud and clear but she didn't mind saying it again. "I'm having a baby."
"I heard you. I don't just understand how?.....I mean, I know how a baby is being conceived but when did it happen? I never knew you were seeing someone." Ella voiced out, looking as confused as ever. As far as she knew, Annie had been single for a while now.
Annie sighed. "I'm not seeing anyone and neither am I pregnant, yet."
Ella was even more confused now. She placed her glass cup which still had some juice in it on a small table beside her. They were seated in Annie's living room. "I want to believe you were only pulling my legs." Ella said.
Annie Davis shook her head. "I'm having him or her by Insemination. The procedure will be done tomorrow."
Ella couldn't believe her ears. She opened her mouth to give a response to what Annie said but no words came out. Her brain was finding it hard to process the reason behind her best friend's decision.
After a while, Ella spoke. "Okay, You win. I'm known for pulling expensive jokes on you but this is way more than all I've ever done to you." Ella said, hoping it was all a joke. But she wasn't that sure because Annie was looking very serious.
"None of this is a joke, Ella. This is something I've thought about and also acted on. I've been in contact with my doctor and the whole procedure started a couple of weeks back. Getting the right sperm donor, I also had to do a couple of tests, I've been eating according to the meal plan given to me and I've also been on prescribed medications. We are anticipating that the procedure will be successful on the first trial."
"I'm sorry for not opening up to you sooner. I had to come to terms with myself to know if this was what I truly wanted. You would have talked me out of it if I told you earlier."
"Of course I would have talked you out of it. What were you thinking Ann??? You're just 27 and already thinking about having a baby by Insemination. Who does that?"
"I did." Annie shrugged like it was no big deal.
Ella sighed, running a hand over her hair. "I mean, You're still young, Annie. You're smart, you're beautiful, You're attractive, You're the sweetest and kindest person I've ever known. You had no reason to think in that direction. You may not be dating anyone now but your soulmate will surely find you. You'll have your dream wedding and start a family with your prince charming. All you needed to do was to be patient." Ella explained.
"You should have believed me when I said I was done with men, " Annie said.
"Annie." Ella groaned. "Not anyone will be like the douchebags you've dated. There's someone out there who's meant for you."
"I don't want to dwell in that. I've made my decision. I wouldn't forgive myself if I go through with the procedure tomorrow without telling you. That's why I'm opening up to you now."
Ella sighed, burying her face in her hands. She spoke after a few seconds of silence. "You realize raising a child alone comes with a whole lot of responsibility. Are you sure you're ready for this? I want to be assured you know what you're doing. What if your baby grows up and asks for its father. What will you tell him or her?"
"I'm certain that this is what I want and Yes, I've prepared my mind for all of the responsibilities. I never imagined myself bringing up a child alone but it is what it is. Life is full of surprises. As for the baby asking for its father when he or she grows up, I have no idea what I will say to that but I know I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I'll love the baby so much and make sure he or she doesn't lack anything. I'm ready to start a family, I want to have a child."
Ella sighed. "If I could see any of your exes right now, I won't think twice before strangling them, especially that douchebag calle…."
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Gossip Ex-wife
Sherry never knew whether fortune had smiled on her or not in letting her marry Jeremy. It seemed that they had never been emotionally matched. When she loved him, he didn’t reciprocate. He was tired of her; while she yearned desperately to earn his love. Finally, she gave up and wanted to leave/0/30653/coverorgin.jpg?v=be41e6a330c4edf6d82f5018ac5a3202&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Substitute Wife, Destined Lover
"I'm in desperate need of money to pay Grandmother's medical fee. I will marry Charles instead of Yvonne as soon as I get the money." When her sister Yvonne ran away from the wedding, Autumn was forced to pretend to be Yvonne and marry Charles. Her only wish was to get a divorce after a year. Cha/0/29580/coverorgin.jpg?v=f5691d5a063dfcaaa34ef1cfd38489a7&imageMogr2/format/webp)
His Rejected Wife
“I want you inside of me” she whispered sending hot shivers down his body, his brain instantly went cold and he lost it for a minute. “You don’t mean that” he answered but deep down he wanted her to mean every single word she said. “I want you Matteo” she muttered again and his eyes flashed for a se/0/18244/coverorgin.jpg?v=41d6469d81ebae1d7ea722ee1277a08f&imageMogr2/format/webp)
An Italian's Virgin Escort
"You, my dear, are just a tissue with my brand name on it. Only I can use you and throw as I want." He whispered harshly holding my neck tightly and biting my cheek with so much desire, like an animal he is. "P-ple-ase leav-e m-me. ple-" I cried and begged him to leave me but that only heightened h/0/70828/coverorgin.jpg?v=64ab71c6f21d983940876de73985529c&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Shattered Vows- Falling for My Ex's Billionaire Enemy
On her 30th birthday, Rachael Crawford comes home expecting a romantic evening with her husband, Jack. Instead, she finds an empty closet and a note that shatters her world: *"I'm leaving you. Sorry to do this on your birthday."* Blindsided and heartbroken, Rachael seeks answers from Jack's parent/0/18077/coverorgin.jpg?v=b43039b785ef4396a00b099b2956e1ad&imageMogr2/format/webp)
The Fancy Pants Club
'Prank you?' he scoffed. 'You must be joking, my Sweet Rose.' He leaned towards me, but I guess it wasn't enough for he stood up, motioned our personal waiter to take the two chairs that parted us and place his own chair near mine. 'I don't do pranks. It is not fancy at all,' he continue/0/18324/coverorgin.jpg?v=ce0aa153577cb8a7382e22b81efe20d0&imageMogr2/format/webp)
The Billionaire Casanova in Love
"Why? I know it's not that you actually care about me. Then why? Tell me." I demanded looking down. "Be MINE, Caroline" he said. I always loved the way my name rolled on his tongue. I saw him coming towards me as I took small steps backwards until my back hit the wall. I could see his face gettin/0/18469/coverorgin.jpg?v=12f11e7d52f7068343ab57e0559d8a87&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Billionaire's Gift
Mandy is young, beautiful, and rich. She has the perfect life and the perfect boyfriend. But one night, her whole world turns upside down--she catches her boyfriend, Daniel having an affair; she goes to bar where she gets drugged and loses her virginity to Nathan, a man who forces her to have a one-/0/18342/coverorgin.jpg?v=132e5583326975c4b5a036ce01721b28&imageMogr2/format/webp)
