
Fireworks Fade, Love Never Returns
Ladys · Completed · 7.3k Words
Introduction
When she was eight months pregnant, he ran a red light to rush to his first love's side—and nearly killed her in the crash.
"Your sister hurt her leg. I'm marrying her next week so she can have some peace of mind."
A childhood betrothal. Five years of standing by each other through the worst. And none of it could outweigh a single tear from his first love.
He wanted her to be the bridesmaid—to hand him over to another woman with her own two hands.
"Don't worry, it's just a ceremony," he said.
But when she lay in a hospital bed barely clinging to life, all he could see was the scrape on his first love's leg.
The moment she booked the plane ticket, she rested a hand on her belly and whispered, "Let's go, little one."
On the day of the wedding, when he finds the bridesmaid's seat empty—what expression will cross his face?
Some people, once lost, are lost for a lifetime.
Chapter 1
James Smith and my sister were childhood sweethearts who got engaged when they were young. I once saw James, who usually kept his distance from women, turn red-eyed just because my sister smiled at someone else, and then kissed her fiercely for an hour.
Later, his family sent him away to Emberfall City. My sister ran off, and the engagement was canceled.
Only I followed him without hesitation.
For those five years, I stayed with James in that basement apartment, drinking cheap alcohol and taking knife wounds for him.
In those darkest days, he held me and said I was his only light.
With red eyes, he promised me that once he made his comeback, he would marry me.
But a week before our wedding, my sister came back.
When he heard she might be in danger, he lost all sense.
With me eight months pregnant in the car, he ran over a dozen red lights, speeding at 120 mph.
When we got there, he got out and strode away without looking back.
His enemies took the chance to get in the car and crashed it into a tree with me inside.
When I opened my eyes again, James's eyes were red.
"Olivia Smith, your sister hurt her leg. To calm her down, I'm marrying her next week."
I touched my swollen belly and nodded.
"Don't worry, it's just a ceremony."
I looked out the window at the bright sunshine.
Spring had come, and it was time for me to leave.
"We'll divorce but not separate. You don't have to leave my house."
He hadn't even married Cleo Smith yet, but it was already "his house."
I forced a smile.
"After the wedding, I'll take you skiing in Astoria. You've always wanted to go to Astoria, right?"
Just then, the doctor pushed the door open, frowning.
"Ms. Smith, you need to be more careful from now on. Eight broken ribs, and your right leg nearly had a compound fracture. If you'd arrived any later, forget the baby - even God couldn't have saved your life."
The doctor continued his instructions.
"As the father, you need to pay attention and take good care of the mother and child."
I found it laughable.
Right now, his heart and eyes were full of Cleo. How could he possibly want to care for me and our baby?
Once the doctor left, only silence filled the room.
I gently touched my belly.
"You're getting married, so what about our baby?"
James's face froze for a moment, then showed clear impatience.
"I already said it's just a ceremony. What's the point of using the child to pressure me now?"
"Olivia, can't you be more reasonable?"
The door was suddenly pushed open.
"Olivia!"
Cleo - my sister, and the person James loved.
"I'm the one who's wronged you! Don't fight with James because of me..."
She rushed over and grabbed my hand tightly, her nails digging deep into my flesh.
"I was just scared at first... Later I told James I was fine... but he insisted on coming..."
She pulled, and the IV needle in my hand shifted position.
Blood flowed out, forming blooms on the white sheets.
But James didn't even notice.
"Olivia."
He frowned at me, his tone disgusted.
"Don't make a fuss with Cleo over such small things. She's injured too, and the wedding is tomorrow. Don't upset her."
In that instant, all the pain from my arm shot straight to my heart.
"It's fine. You and Cleo go ahead with your wedding."
I looked into his eyes and said seriously.
As soon as I finished speaking, Cleo immediately threw herself into his arms, crying and pulling at his sleeve.
"James, don't force Olivia... She must feel terrible."
She turned her head, looking at me with teary eyes.
"Olivia, are you really okay with this? Next week... can you be my bridesmaid? Just... just accompany me one last time."
"If you don't want to, that's fine... then I'll give James back to you..."
Before I could respond, James's voice came down like ice and iron.
"You have to go. Cleo and I were engaged to begin with."
"If nothing had happened back then, I would have married her long ago. These past few years, you've been holding us back."
"Next week you must be the bridesmaid to make amends, so she can recover in peace."
"Make amends..."
I whispered softly.
I stayed with him in that dark, damp basement for five years, barely getting three meals a day, constantly sick.
I accompanied him on business trips, drinking all night until I had stomach bleeding, leaving me with health problems that would last a lifetime.
I took a knife for him, hemorrhaging and lying in the hospital for three days and nights, nearly dying on the operating table.
Every single thing, with all my heart and soul, was my true devotion.
But now, from his mouth, I was the one holding him back, I was the one who needed to make amends.
I watched him carefully protecting Cleo, then glanced at her leg that was just slightly scraped but wrapped up tight, and suddenly laughed until I cried.
He couldn't see that I, eight months pregnant, nearly died in that car yesterday.
He couldn't see my eight broken ribs.
He couldn't see my injuries all over.
He could only see that tiny wound on Cleo's leg.
He could only see her tears, her fragility, her grievances.
He even trampled on me, humiliated me.
For a moment, the absurdity outweighed the bitterness.
"Fine, I'll go."
James was clearly stunned, seemingly not expecting me to agree so readily.
I spoke first.
"Don't worry, I'll be a good bridesmaid and wish you both a 'lifetime of happiness together.'"
James looked at me with a mocking smile.
I knew what he was thinking - that I was just playing hard to get.
Too bad he guessed wrong this time.
"I hope you keep your word."
With that, he took Cleo's hand and left without looking back.
The door slammed shut. I looked down and touched my belly.
"Baby, how about mommy takes you away?"
A gentle movement in my belly, as if in agreement.
I smiled and picked up my phone, booking a flight to Astoria for a week later.
James, the baby and I don't want you anymore.
A week from now, at your wedding, I'll set you both free.
Last Chapters
#9 Chapter 9
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#8 Chapter 8
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#7 Chapter 7
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#6 Chapter 6
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#5 Chapter 5
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#4 Chapter 4
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#3 Chapter 3
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#2 Chapter 2
Last Updated: 5/7/2026#1 Chapter 1
Last Updated: 5/7/2026
You Might Like 😍
Alpha Under Love Spell
Thorin pushed her on the bed and pinned her with his body. He growled near her face, “Liar!”
“No! No! I am not lying!”
“Then explain this!” Thorin whipped the screen of his phone near her eyes. Maeve looked at the screen, and her eyes widened with shock. It was a DNA report. It clearly said that Valeska was Maeve and Thorin’s daughter. “You have been lying to me for months now. Why did you hide that she is my daughter? Why did you start hating me? Did you never love me?”
“What should I have done? Let you kill my daughter!” snapped Maeve.
“What? Kill? What the hell are you talking about?” shouted Thorin.
After a passionate night with the Alpha Heir Thorin Blackridge, Maeve Arrendale, a human, found herself pregnant. She knew she had left her contact details for Thorin to find her, but he never came. Desperately, she went to tell him everything and ask him to take responsibility. But what came at her was humiliation and the devilish serial killer, Ozul.
She had no idea how she escaped her certain but she thanked every god and ran far away from Thorin and his world. She raised her child on her own. She herself had a difficult life and didn’t want her daughter to suffer. So she did everything in her power to give Valeska a good life.
Her life was turned upside down when Thorin came to her office as her boss. His fated mate, Vespera clinging to his arms. Now, Thorin hated her for vanishing from his life, and Maeve hated him for sending a serial killer to kill her.
Will Thorin accept his daughter? Will Maeve forgive him for attempting to kill her? If not Thorin, then who sent a serial killer to kill Maeve? An ancient magic, a prophecy, a powerful child is going to change everything in everyone’s life. Is everyone ready?
Bella and Her Beast
.
Locked in her frozen tower, Bella dreamed of warmth, of touch, of freedom and of love. Cursed with the power of ice and snow, she’s spent her life alone. A secret they tried to protect the world from. Her only escape comes in the form of the books she reads. Stories of heat, desire, and the kind of love that could melt even her frostbitten heart.
Damien is the Beast. A dragon King with a temper forged in flame and a soul hollowed by duty. The world fears him. The people call him a monster. But beneath the scales and the rage lies a man who has never been touched by love.
When frost meets fire, the world shatters. She was never meant to leave her tower. He was never meant to find her. But destiny doesn’t bow to kings or care for cages and now the question burns through them both: Can Bella have her Beast? Or will the girl of snow melt in the heat of his desire?
.
"I’m keeping her."
"What?"
Before I can react, he scoops her up. Her small body fits easily in the cradle of his talons. For a split second, she looks startled, but not afraid. Her hand rests against one scaled finger, and she stares up at him with that same curious wonder, as though she’s already forgotten she was ever meant to fear me.
"Put her down," I try to command, panic threading through my thoughts. "You’ll hurt her."
"She’s ours," the beast insists, possessive and fierce. "Our snowflake."
A pack of their own
Protectors Of Her Warrior's Heart
Rescued by men who call themselves Protectors—warriors from another realm who embody the legends of angels and vampires—she is thrust into a world she never knew existed. For the first time, she experiences freedom, safety, and the possibility of a future.
But freedom comes with a price.
Tali is forced to face the father she believed abandoned her and a powerful council determined to use her for their own ends. Stranger still are the abilities awakening within her—powers no one understands, yet everyone seems desperate to control.
As she learns to trust, she chooses the mates destined to stand beside her. In their arms she finds love, devotion, and a family worth fighting for. But not everyone wants their bond to survive.
When the council betrays the Protectors and attempts to steal her newborn son, it ignites a war that will shake every realm.
Now Tali stands at the center of a conflict far greater than herself. The answers to ancient mysteries, the fate of her child, and the future of countless worlds all rest on her shoulders.
Surrounded by mates who love her fiercely and refuse to leave her side, Tali will battle enemies old and new, forge powerful alliances, and discover just how strong she truly is.
Because this war won't be won for her.
It will be won with her.
And together, they will fight for their future, their family, and a love worth crossing realms to protect.
The Spy Who Left
"I still can't believe she actually did it. Aria Hart, filing for divorce. Who saw that coming?"
"How long do we think it'll take before she comes crawling back?" Another voice joins the conversation.
"Three days," Victoria declares. "Five at most. She has no money, no skills, no family. Where's she going to go?"
When Aria Chen divorced billionaire Leon Hart, New York's elite sneered, betting she'd crawl back within days. She never did.
Three years later, the world is rocked when Dr. Aria Vale, CEO of a revolutionary cybersecurity empire, steps into the spotlight. The mysterious genius who built a billion-dollar company from nothing is none other than Leon's discarded wife, the woman everyone thought was just a pretty ornament.
Now, every powerful man wants the queen Leon threw away a renowned scientist seeking partnership, a financial titan proposing an empire, and an actor offering devotion. Each sees the brilliance Leon ignored.
Then Leon discovers the truth: Aria's sacrifices, her secret double life, and the daughter she's been raising without him. For the first time, the man who once took her for granted must fight for her love. But can he compete with men who valued her from the beginning?
A story of love, betrayal, and power where the king must kneel before the queen who never needed saving.
Pawn of the Starless God
Instead, a god found me.
One moment, I was bleeding beneath the neon glow of the city, my life slipping through my fingers. The next, a glowing blue screen appeared before my eyes, offering me a choice that was never really a choice at all.
Accept the Summoner’s Mark. Or die.
Now I belong to the Death Game — a brutal cosmic system where ordinary people are turned into Players, thrown into impossible missions, and forced to survive horrors designed for the amusement of gods.
Every trial has rules.
Every monster has a weakness.
Every victory comes with a reward.
And every reward makes me less human.
My name is Nerissa Valehart, and I refuse to be anyone’s pawn.
But surviving the Game means trusting the one man everyone warns me to fear.
Veyren Ashford is ruthless, powerful, and dangerously beautiful — a veteran Player with blood on his hands and secrets in his soul. He says attachment will get me killed. He says love is a weakness the Game always punishes.
Yet when death comes for me, Veyren is the one standing between us.
In a world where gods gamble with mortal lives, monsters hunt from the shadows, and desire may be the deadliest weakness of all, I have only one goal:
Survive long enough to cross the board.
And make the Starless God regret choosing me..............
My Life As A Werewolf
Lexington makes it crystal clear: most new turnlings die before the second full moon, and if she survives, she belongs to his pack. But to Jo, this isn't a terrifying curse—it's the content gold she's been waiting for. She starts documenting her bizarre, terrifying, and surprisingly entertaining supernatural life, determined to make her 'My First Shift' vlog the biggest sensation on VidHub.
Her antics quickly draw the ire of the most powerful being on the continent: Merrick, the lethal and uncompromising Lycan King. He sees her rogue vlogging as a threat to his world’s secrecy, and tasks Lexington with the impossible: bring the feisty new wolf to heel or face the King’s wrath.
Unbeknownst to Jo (and the King himself), Merrick recognizes her as his fated mate—a destiny he has vowed never to accept. As Jo's bright, defiant personality starts to chip away at the sullen, dangerous existence of his pack, the King finds himself helplessly watching her channel, falling a little more in love with the chaotic wolf he's supposed to silence forever.
Jolene's journey is a battle for survival, not just against her shifting body and dangerous Alpha, but against a destiny written by a Lycan King who loves her too much to ever claim her.
A Queen Among Tides (Book 5 in the Gods' Saga)
Shocked to find he's been bound in more ways than one to Sebastian, the future King to the Kingdom of Atlesper, Lemuel resists Sebastian's advances at every turn, believing this may be one pairing Goddess Zarseti got wrong.
Lemuel will have to face his past in hopes of starting a new future, but an overly flirtatious King is the least of his worries when he learns Sebastian's parents are convinced that a conniving usurper disguised as a curvy blonde, is the future king's true soulmate.
A Queen Among Tides is the 5th book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends, I recommend reading the full series.
Books in the series order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - Tides Prequel Spin-off (will be available under book 5)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (will be available under book 2)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - Darkness spin-off (will be available under book 4)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (side character short stories exclusive to Ream)
Royal Shadow Series (Next Gen Coming Soon)
Let Them Kneel
Cast out by her pack. Forgotten by the Lycans.
She lived among humans—quiet, invisible, tucked away in a town no one looked at twice.
But when her first heat comes without warning, everything changes.
Her body ignites. Her instincts scream. And something primal stirs beneath her skin—
summoning a big, bad Alpha who knows exactly how to quench her fire.
When he claims her, it’s ecstasy and ruin.
For the first time, she believes she’s been accepted.
Seen.
Chosen.
Until he leaves her the next morning—
like a secret never to be spoken.
But Kaelani is not what they thought.
Not wolfless. Not weak.
There is something ancient inside her. Something powerful. And it’s waking.
And when it does—
they’ll all remember the girl they tried to erase.
Especially him.
She’ll be the dream he keeps chasing… the one thing that ever made him feel alive.
Because secrets never stay buried.
And neither do dreams.
From Substitute To Queen
Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.
Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.
In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?
From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
Accardi
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.
Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
They'll Regret This
My fiancé didn't just dump me—he proposed to her that same night. My so-called family handed me bus fare and a one-way ticket to the countryside.
Perfect. Let them think they won.
They don't know who I really am. The anonymous genius surgeon who saves lives when elite hospitals give up. The legendary artist whose paintings sell for millions at auction. The undefeated shadow queen of the underground fighting circuit. And the true heiress to a fortune that makes theirs look like pocket change.
Now my ex-fiancé begs on his knees. My fake sister's jealousy is eating her alive. And that cold, arrogant CEO who once threw our engagement contract in my face? He's hunting me down like a man possessed, desperate for one more chance.
They threw me away like trash to upgrade their lives.
Joke's on them.
I was always the upgrade.












