a dowry of blood original cover

Since childhood, Melanie Llyod has lived under the shadow of loss, her mother gone and her stepmother intent on securing a vast inheritance. Raised in a world of fragile comfort, Melanie grows weak and dependent. But after a sudden accident, Ashton Llyod reappears in her life, urging her to find strength and independence. The emotions they've suppressed for years begin to surface. Though they share no blood, they've lived as siblings for 18 years. But in the 19th year, everything changes… Kate Llyod, determined to steal Melanie's fiance, relentlessly tries to expose the secret connection between Melanie and Ashton. Amidst the growing misunderstandings, Melanie decides to bury her feelings and honor her engagement. Ashton, too, chooses to distance himself, focusing on his responsibilities. But when a twist of fate leads to a murder attempt, Ashton is left gravely injured and hospitalized. At last, both must confront their true feelings for each other. Yet, the challenges ahead are far from over…

Eight years after a one-night stand, Sophie Archer raises son Jack alone until he's diagnosed with leukemia requiring a rare blood-type donor. Doctors suggest a million-dollar imported medicine to buy time. While struggling financially, Sophie becomes Caleb Johnson's secretary, unaware he's Jack's father. Meanwhile, Caleb and his grandmother Kate meet Jack by chance and confirm paternity through DNA testing. As Sophie and Caleb develop feelings and she becomes pregnant again after another encounter, Sophie saves enough for Jack's treatment, only for rival Chloe Bradford to destroy the medicine. Kate intervenes, recognizes Sophie and Jack as family, and tells Caleb to marry Jack's mother, not realizing he's already falling for Sophie. When Caleb discovers Sophie is Jack's mother, they commit to each other. At their wedding, Sophie reveals she has no blood relation to the Archers, and learns she's actually the biological daughter of the Bradfords couple, whom she refuses to forgive. The story ends with Sophie giving birth to twins and living happily with Caleb, Jack, Kate and their growing family.

Five years ago, Charlotte married her boyfriend of ten years, but he disappeared without a trace on their wedding night, leaving her pregnant.   Meanwhile, Charlotte's dad and sister, Wendy, expelled her from the Johnson family, claiming that Charlotte brought shame to the family. Alone, Charlotte gave birth to quadruplets, one of whom was reported stillborn by the doctor. Heartbroken, she left that sorrowful place with her children. Five years later, in order to obtain embryo blood to treat her son Hayes' leukemia, she finally tracked down her missing husband, Hector. Wendy, using the "dead" child, became Hector's fiancée, while Hector seemed completely unfamiliar with Charlotte, and the paternity tests he took regarding the children kept yielding incorrect results. Amid their entanglement, Hector's heart gradually softened, and he found himself involuntarily falling in love with Charlotte. The appearance of Elias, a high school classmate who had an unrequited love for Charlotte, led to the complete unearthing of a conspiracy from five years ago involving Wendy. In the end, Charlotte reclaimed her daughter, whom Wendy had stolen and falsely claimed was stillborn, while Hector recovered his memory.