one step too far lisa gardner

When Melody Lowe was young, she saved Michael Pond, leaving a scar on her face. Hoping he would recognize her, she was heartbroken when he mistook Sharon Bright for his savior. Despite her love for him, she was misunderstood, but they eventually married—only because she offered him financial support during his lowest point. Melody devotes herself to their marriage, but their relationship remains cold. After being diagnosed with cancer, she passes away shortly after—only to be reborn. Determined to fight back, she seeks revenge against Michael and his mistress. Just when she thinks she can find happiness with her child, she discovers that it is her daughter who saved her life. Overwhelmed by loss, she finds solace in someone who truly loves her, while a little kid begins to cultivate on a distant mountain.

At the five-year wedding anniversary celebration of Scott and Joyce, Joyce's half-sister, Tina, suddenly appeared, demanding Joyce return Scott to her. Tina deliberately pushed Joyce, causing her to miscarry. Instead of helping Joyce, Scott chose to leave with Tina, plunging Joyce into despair. She decided to divorce Scott and attempted to take her own life by jumping into the sea. After Joyce vanished, Scott initially believed it was all an act, but he gradually discovered the misunderstandings and Tina's schemes, realizing that the woman who loved him the most was gone forever.

Celia Brooks finally returns from healing abroad, only to receive devastating news—Nicholas Holden has cheated on her. After being childhood sweethearts for over twenty years and in love for seven years, during which Nicholas had given her countless preferential treatments, Celia is heartbroken but unwilling to give up. She decides to give Nicholas 100 chances to hurt her.

In her past life, Yvonne Grant gave everything to Marcus Quinn, only to be betrayed and deceived. Reborn on the very day she must choose a fiancé, she turns away from her first love Marcus and instead chooses Quintus Dalton, a man destined to become a tech magnate. As they spend time together, Yvonne uncovers his long-hidden feelings and years of quiet devotion. Realizing that Quintus is the one she was truly meant to love, she confronts Marcus with the truth that he once mistook another woman for her. Free at last from her old obsessions, Yvonne opens her heart to the man who has always stood by her side.

Eight years ago, Anna Lane, a D-list actress, married Caleb Scott, CEO of Scott Group, to fulfill her grandfather's wish. After unexpectedly becoming pregnant, she filed for divorce. Six years later, the Scott family discovers that her daughter, Nancy, is actually Caleb's child and begins searching for them. While Anna faces mistreatment on a film set, Caleb arrives to rescue them but doesn't recognize his daughter. At a banquet, Caleb's mother reveals Nancy's identity, and the truth comes out: Anna is Caleb's ex-wife. Caleb confesses his love, and they remarry, welcoming twins and achieving both love and career success.

Rumors in the martial world suggest that gaining the favor and assistance of the esteemed and aloof Young Lord of Ferrell International guarantees a swift rise to power. One day, errand boy Simon Carr barges into the boardroom of the Nexus Group under the pretext of needing to deliver an urgent order, effortlessly resolving a corporate crisis with a few words... Thirty years ago, Ms. Wood told me, "If anyone dares to look down on you, you must smash their face, step on their shoulders, and tell them that I, Simon Carr, am born extraordinary and destined to be supreme in this lifetime!

Kate’s been with Nick for six years—no ring, just excuses. So Kate signs up for a reality show where couples swap partners. Four tempting men. One big question: Is Nick really her forever? Get ready for drama, desire, and a whole lot of temptation.

Legendary diplomat Wanda Jason once left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for love, only to be rejected by her husband, Marshal Liam Joy, and their son Felix. Resolute, she divorced him and returned to diplomacy under the name Wan,stunning the world once more. When Liam realized his mistake, it was too late. Yasmin Zeal,desperate to marry Liam, exploited her brother's life-saving debt and drove a wedge between Liam and Wanda, until her true identity as a traitor's sister was exposed. Regretfully, Liam went to war and died in battle, leaving a final confession: "My only wish was to grow old with you." Wanda, with her son and adopted daughter,took up a new mission—walking toward a new dawn.

Celia Brooks finally returns from healing abroad, only to receive devastating news—Nicholas Holden has cheated on her. After being childhood sweethearts for over twenty years and in love for seven years, during which Nicholas had given her countless preferential treatments, Celia is heartbroken but unwilling to give up. She decides to give Nicholas 100 chances to hurt her.

Eight years ago, Anna Lane, a D-list actress, married Caleb Scott, CEO of Scott Group, to fulfill her grandfather's wish. After unexpectedly becoming pregnant, she filed for divorce. Six years later, the Scott family discovers that her daughter, Nancy, is actually Caleb's child and begins searching for them.While Anna faces mistreatment on a film set, Caleb arrives to rescue them but doesn't recognize his daughter. At a banquet, Caleb's mother reveals Nancy's identity, and the truth comes out: Anna is Caleb's ex-wife. Caleb confesses his love, and they remarry, welcoming twins and achieving both love and career success.

When Vicky Evans was ten, she took Ryan Seymour in and took him as a little brother. Unexpectedly, Ryan fell in love with her. Vicky didn't know what to do and went abroad to avoid him. Five years later, Vicky caught her fiancé cheating on the night she came back. However, Evans Group faced a financial crisis. Meanwhile, she started to find out some secrets about Ryan.

Nicole's daughter clung to life as husband Zack chose Yolanda's child over hers. After learning of Zack's deceptions, Nicole sought justice, leading to a public fallout with Yolanda. Amidst grief and Zack's infidelities, Nicole fought for her daughter's legacy. Zack's realization of his mistakes came too late, ending in his tragic demise. Nicole found new purpose in charity and love with Harrison.

During the office party, tipsy Summer mistakenly wandered into her boss Calvin's room. Rumor has it that Calvin steers clear of women and is all action, no talk. Any girl caught in his crosshairs ends up miserably. A month later, Summer eyes the pregnancy test with one thought on her mind: Run! She runs, he chases, but she's in over her head!

Simon was the son of Fletcher and Yvette, but his birth resulted from Fletcher's drunken one-night stand. From the moment Simon was born, Fletcher treated him coldly and showed clear favoritism toward his first love's son, Richard. This ongoing discrimination caused great pain for both Simon and Yvette, which eventually led Yvette to leave with Simon. After leaving, Yvette met Simon's cello teacher,Matthew,who gave Simon a fatherly love he had never known before.The three of them supported each other closely.Meanwhile,Fletcher, having realized his past mistakes, could only silently watch as Simon thrived under Matthew's care, bearing alone the pain caused by his own wrongdoings.

Kiara hung up her military uniform to get married, dedicating herself to her husband's company with unwavering loyalty—only to be met with his dismissive remark: "Kiara,Yuna is an independent airline captain. You? Just a useless secretary fetching tea and coffee."His friends sneered at her, mocking her worth. Little did they know that she was once the Queen of Special Forces, a fighter pilot who dominated the skies, fluent in five languages, and a top-ranked science prodigy. Even elite hackers bowed to her prowess.Heartbroken and disillusioned, she filed for divorce without hesitation. Clutching her parents' ashes, she headed to the airport!

Menard Group's heiress Nerissa gave up everything for love. After her boyfriend Brian Shaffer lost his hearing and speech in a car accident, she walked out on her wealthy family, faked being mute, and spent three years by his side. But once he regained his voice, he turned his back on her. Ashamed of his past and the "mute" girlfriend who stood by him, Brian drifted into the arms of another. Betrayed and heartbroken, Nerissa finally walked away. She was reclaiming her life, her name, and her future. With Michael Yeager by her side, she was done being silent. It was her time to speak, love, and rise.

Clarissa Yowell once saved Julian Slater's life. In return, he promises that if he ever becomes emperor, he'll make her his empress. Now that he has finally ascended the throne,everyone is eager to know who the new empress will be. Clarissa is certain it's her—how could it not be? But in the end, she's the last to find out that the woman Julian chooses is his childhood sweetheart, Sophia Lynch.

After suffering aphasia from a car accident, Heather Phillips is devastated when her husband William Manning asks for a fake divorce to appease his mistress. Taking him at his word, Heather makes it real. Sebastian Hart, heir to the Hart Group, flies back immediately upon hearing the news and proposes to Heather. She leaves with him without looking back, leaving William filled with regret.