The Substitute Bride and the Cripple - Chapter 34 - The Slap

18 and naive, Belle Hart thought marriage would end her misery, only to realize it had just begun!What started as a promising love turned out to be a facade, would Belle choose between a second chance or leave? She met her mate, the Duke, who she proposed to when she came of age.A month in, things took a turn. The Duke leaves for war before she could inform him about her pregnancy, only for him to return with a mysterious woman whom he claimed to be his new wife! The audacity! Trouble ensued and Belle suffered a miscarriage as a result.…“What did you just say?” He asked, his gaze darkening.“You heard me well, I seek a divorce. I wish for us to go our separate ways,” she replied, her voice steady as she met his gaze with confidence, though inwardly she was shaken by his presence.“You are my mate, Belle, and I am yours. Divorce is the most foolish notion you could entertain. Do you believe any man would take a worthless creature like you as his wife?” He scoffed, his words biting, causing her heart to ache.…The Duke's refusal pushed Belle into the arms of the king. All she had to do was bear him an heir and he would help her get her revenge!“I want you to marry me, Your Majesty, and aid me in seeking my revenge against the Duke and those who have wronged me. In exchange, I shall bear you an heir before you help me,” she said, her voice steady and full of purpose.What will the choice be?

Will you forgive them or seek revenge? Forgiveness and revenge are, after all, the two inevitable outcomes when faced with betrayal—rather, the two sides to behold of the same coin. No matter how many times forgiveness surfaces, revenge is equally likely to occur.This is the tale of a man who has endured countless betrayals throughout his life. One might even say he's been betrayed by his own fate. Yet, he has always chosen to forgive and move forward with a cheerful smile. Revenge never really occurred to him— not even once.However, his life took a dramatic turn when he gets involved in a tragic accident, meeting a miserable end. But fate had other plans, and he was reincarnated in a different world. With his newly acquired body, he starts his life as a Mage Class Adventurer, only to face the dark reality of the world. The atrocities he witnessed—enslavement, smuggling, trafficking, and so on—were nothing but the tip of the iceberg. The Dark Morals of the world remained untouched.What secrets lie hidden? What darkness shrouds this world? One must join him on his journey to discover the truth. As he continues surviving in this new world with certain ambition and purpose, he also acquires a 'System' to enhance his potential. With each level and skill upgrade, he conquers the chaos and earns a title no one ever will ever be able to attain.[“Do read if you feel like reading my creation. Your support is what gives me inspiration to carry on”— El Sandra.][Note: My novel contains violence and harmful events. Reader discretion is strongly advised]

When Jasmine’s fated mate Elliot rejects her for the Lycan Chairman’s daughter, she is left broken, humiliated and alone. To make matters worse, her father gets arrested for embezzlement, and Jasmine needs to raise ten million to release him.Desperate to save her father from a wrongful conviction, Jasmine takes the only job she can find—tutoring the bratty daughter of a rich werewolf family.But she never expected her employer to be the Lycan chairman himself: Gareth Laken. He is ruthless, dominant… and her ex-mate’s future father-in-law.Gareth thinks she’s a threat. A bitter ex-girlfriend out for revenge, waiting to harm his own daughter. But the more he watches her, the more he sees a woman refusing to be shattered by the world that betrayed her. A woman he can’t stop wanting, despite the huge age difference.Now, Jasmine is caught between two powerful men—one who destroyed her, and one who might destroy everything she has left to protect.Excerpt“You’re playing a dangerous game,” Gareth said, voice low, his towering frame just inches from mine.“I didn’t come here to play,” I shot back, even as my heart pounded. “But you should be asking Elliot why he keeps showing up at my door. I’m not the one chasing ghosts.”His eyes darkened, his gaze dropping to my lips. “He’s not the only one haunted by you.”I froze.I should have walked away.Instead, I whispered, “Then why do you look at me like you want to hate me and kiss me at the same time?”He didn’t answer.But his silence spoke louder than any lie.

After a sudden and inexplicable transmigration, Maximus finds himself in a fantasy world where extraordinary power exists. But he is not without his advantages; he possesses a system that grants him the ability to become stronger as he takes on wives and birthed children.Determined to conquer this new world, Maximus uses his cheat to gather wives and birth children, building up his power and influence. As he gains more allies and resources, he sets his sights on the ultimate prize: ruling the world and surpassing even gods.However, the road to conquest is not an easy one. He must contend with powerful factions, rival conquerors, and unexpected challenges as he builds his ideal empire. But with his cunning mind, he is determined to succeed and become the greatest conqueror the world has ever seen.