today dinner chapter 9

The night before her wedding, she had a fling with a strange man; on her wedding day, he appeared as her groom's brother. ** “Last night, we had a fling, and today you're married to my brother?!” He scowled, spewing out hot breath on her face. She stuttered, “I..I'm..I'm..” “No!! You can't be married to Ryker! You can't be my brother's wife!” He raged, looking aggrieved as he pulled away from her. Ryker's dominant voice was immediately heard from the stairs, “What's going on here?” Her feet grew cold, and realizing he must have heard their conversation, she grabbed hold of her wedding dress and took to her heels. “Wait!” His commanding voice made her halt in the middle of the passageway. She stood stiff as she heard the sound of his shoes kissing the ground stylishly. His presence behind her made her turn pale in the blink of an eye. Caressing her left shoulder, he whispered sinisterly into her ears “Wifey, what did you do on the night before our wedding?”.

My mother was the best portrait artist in the police station. She had a strong sense of justice and brooked no evil. However, all I got was a sharp retort when I called her to save me. "You know it's your sister's coming-of-age celebration today, and you're cursing her? Kidnapped, are you? Fine, the kidnappers can kill you for all I care." She assumed it was a prank call. So, she refused to go to the police station and do her job. I wasn't saved in time and was tortured to death. When the DNA report came out, she came to the scene all wobbly. She drew a portrait of me with my bones as reference, her hand trembling all the way. "Jessica? It can't be her. This is a mistake!" She tried again and again. Yet, it didn't matter how many times she redid it as the portrait showed my face. My mother, who had hated me my whole life, teared up.

Dragons & Destiny were two things I never chased. Today, that changed when The Mage of Darkness' quest for power left my home, Forrest Keep in ruins. Now I'm at the mercy of a dragon that revels in War. What will it be, flame or feast? Either way, looked like I was knocking on death's door. If I survive, I will be hunted for the secret I carry. I would totally tell them...If I knew what it was. While they search for me, I must find my secret before they find us both.

My husband is a rock climbing route setter. It's our wedding anniversary today, but he brings his female best friend with him on an adventure to discover uncharted territory. It comes about because his female best friend says life is so boring. We're trapped in the mountains when we encounter extreme weather, and the rescue helicopter can only take two people with them. They climb up the ladder deftly, leaving me to slowly grow colder in the rain. I shout his name with all my strength. "I have a heart condition! I'll die if I don't get to the hospital soon!" He throws a rope down at me without even sparing me a glance. "Luna has menstrual cramps—she never says she's in pain. You, on the other hand, are only good at acting. Think of a way to get down yourself." What he doesn't know is that his "good friend" has already sliced the rope he threw to me.

I sat at the table, watching the food grow cold, much like my heart. Today was my birthday. It was also Leslie Buck's birthday—Katherine White's childhood sweetheart. I unlocked my phone and opened Leslie's social media page. As expected, a new post awaited me. "Grateful to have you by my side for every birthday. Let's keep our promise to celebrate every one of them together in the future!" The photo showed two hands forming a heart in front of a cake. One of them was Katherine's. I could tell from the bracelet she wore. It was the one I had given her. I gave the post a like, then set my phone aside. Without hesitation, I dumped the dishes Katherine liked into the trash and went out to a restaurant to order the food I liked, celebrating my birthday alone. From now on, I would make sure to enjoy every birthday of mine.

"Why aren't you ready for me?" His voice cut through the darkness, sharp as a blade. His hands gripped my hips, fingers digging into soft flesh. "How often do I have to tell you about the rules?" "I'm sorry," I whispered, my throat tight. "I was sick again today, and work was—" "Excuses." He ripped away my underwear, the fabric tearing. "You smell like a kitchen maid. Disgusting." I bit my lip until I tasted blood, fighting back tears. Three years. Three years of being his unwanted wife, forced on him by his grandfather's deal. The old man's words still echoed: "You saved my life, child. Let me give you a good life in return." ***** Five years ago, Elena thought she’d left her nightmare behind. Forced into a loveless marriage with the ruthless Nikolai Ashford, she endured his cold accusations and cruel indifference. But when their toxic relationship threatened the life of her unborn child, she vanished, reinventing herself as Mia Thompson—a confident heiress with a powerful empire of her own. Now, Mia’s carefully rebuilt world is crumbling. One of her twins is gravely ill, and the only hope for survival lies in Nikolai, the man who shattered her heart. Returning to his world isn’t just a desperate gamble to save her child—it’s a chance to exact the revenge she’s dreamed of for years.

By six, Amelia had whipped up a six-dish dinner with soup—Chad Felton's favorites, of course. By seven, she'd prepped his bath, complete with rose petals and candles. By eight, his slippers were perfectly lined up by the door. At nine, Chad finally strolled in. Amelia stepped up, taking his suit jacket. "Eat first or bathe?" she asked, setting the slippers in front of him and hanging the jacket. "Bathe," he muttered, eyes glued to his phone.

Young innocent Henry suddenly moved to a suburban town with his family. Starting a new chapter in his life while still adjusting to his father’s recent death. He thought everything would work out for the better for him and his family. And it did, however, it was only short-lived, especially when he caught the attention of the notorious cold blooded captain of North Wood High. Henry tried avoiding him at all cost, but it seems he just can’t get rid of his presence, the more he distances himself, the closer the man gets. And even in his dreams he can’t escape the man’s touches.

Saira was once a cheerful girl, but her life drastically changed after the devastating loss of her father. Her high school years were filled with torment, as she was relentlessly bullied by a cruel classmate who made her life miserable. When she finally graduated, she felt relief, believing that chapter of her life was over. However, after graduation, she faced another struggle, landing a terrible job where her life only seemed to get harder. Her world turned upside down again when her mother announced her marriage to a new husband and introduced her to their new family. To Saira’s horror, her new stepbrother was none other than her former high school bully—the very person she thought she’d never have to see again. Shocked and heartbroken, she dreaded what was to come. Things got even worse when she learned she would be working as his secretary. Despite her fears of facing torment once more, Saira was surprised by her stepbrother’s behavior. He had completely changed. Instead of bullying her, he was now protecting her—saving her from workplace issues, standing up for her, and being supportive in ways she never imagined. The boy who once hurt her deeply had transformed into a man who treated her with care and respect. Saira’s heart began to waver. The crush she once had on him returned, and she couldn’t deny that his changes captivated her. But forgiving him wasn’t easy. The scars of the past still lingered. Conflicted, Saira confronted him, demanding answers, accusing him of playing tricks on her. In response, he begged for her forgiveness, admitting his regret and pleading for a chance to make things right. Saira must decide whether she can trust him again—or whether the pain of the past is too much to overcome.

Vega’s life, a rich tapestry woven in the shadows, conceals more than meets the eye. Her indigo eyes, twin mirrors of a man she never knew, reflect a phantom figure who vanished before her very existence was etched into this world. The scars on her back, like ancient runes, tell a story of pain and survival—a narrative etched into her skin, whispered by the past she cannot fully recall. It haunts her dreams, a cryptic puzzle waiting to be solved. Driven by an unyielding need, Vega embarks on a quest to find the elusive man she calls her father. She seeks closure, to close the book on that enigmatic chapter of her life. But fate weaves an unexpected twist: she discovers she is the Alpha’s second chance mate. A cosmic bond, ancient and unbreakable, binds her to a destiny beyond her wildest imaginings. As Vega delves into her lineage, long-lost secrets emerge from the shadows. Yet, with revelations come dangers—dark forces that threaten her newfound life.