Narrow Neckties

On the day of her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Natalie Ford received an unexpected gift: a marriage certificate. It stated that she was already married to a complete stranger—Aiden Handrix. While the wedding guests continued to mock and insult her, her lover Ivan decided to dump her, choosing to marry her half-sister Briena instead. To add insult to injury, she was thrown out of her home. To prove her innocence, Natalie Ford could only take one course of action - she had to find this mysterious Aiden Handrix and get to the bottom of this! The next day, there was news trending on the TV. Justin Harper, the heir of the richest family in the Bayford was returning home. Natalie’s eyes narrowed at the TV screen. ‘Why does this man look exactly like the man in the picture of my wedding certificate?’ In the quest of uncovering the mystery behind her said marriage, she decided to follow him and ask personally. “Are you married?” “No.” “Do you have a twin brother?” “No?” “By chance you heard the name Aiden Handrix?” “No.” “Then, who the hell are you?’ “Your brother.” “Wait, what?” “Yes. Now pack your bags and come home with me.” First got a husband out of the blue and now a brother with the same face? Was god creating clones and offering them to her with different relationships?

"Strip." The command was sharp, laced with authority, cutting through the silence like the crack of a whip. The deep timbre of Dimitri's voice sent a shiver down the spines of the gathered women. They had learned quickly in the past two days, obedience meant survival. At his order, they bowed their heads, hands trembling as they peeled away the thin, tattered fabric that barely shielded them from humiliation. But one of them did not move. She stood frozen in place promting Dimitri's eyes narrow. _________ Born in a world of deception, Princess Sorayah Drakon was forced to live as a prince, hiding her gender and her unique gifts. She can heal wounds, command the elements, disguise as someone else or animals, manipulate dreams, creates powerful illusions, and ability to wield strength no other human possesses. Feeling trapped, she sheds her false identity under the cover of night to dress as a woman. One fateful night, during one of these secret escapades, she met Lupien Nightshade, the crown prince of the werewolves! It was love at first sight. But love soon turns into tragedy when Lupien kills her father, throwing the human kingdom into chaos. Humans were captured as slaves and Sorayah became one of them. She swore revenge, wanting to get close to Lupien to kill him but before she could, she was claimed by Dimitri Nightshade, Lupien's uncle! When she realized their interests aligned, Sorayah sought to gain his trust and use him as a weapon. Two enemies. One kingdom. A shared thirst for destruction. But there was something else. Something Sorayah hadn't planned for. Dimitri Nightshade was irresistible. She hated him so much she wanted to carve his heart out with her bare hands but she couldn't deny the way he made her burn with passion. Will Soraya be able to bend him to her will? Or will she be trapped in his claws forever?

To survive, the unfortunate Gong Qiying, who became the lord of the Sein Dungeon, had to make his dungeon extremely "hellish": Doors that "cannot be opened from this side", treasure chests "triggering teleport traps", a three hundred and sixty-five mile journey from the starting point to the BOSS room with no place to rest, monster knights with great bows on either side of a narrow bridge, and sinister ambushes around corners. There's also unavoidable visits to poisonous pits and hidden paths... Additionally, well-known fighters like Isshin Ashina, the Furnace Knight, Rajang, and the Scourge Legion bring unexpected surprises! Various unique rewards such as the Flaming Sword, Murky Hand Scythe, Rapid Slash Longsword, Sacred Oath, and Flame Empowerment will make you too happy to contain your joy! Gong Qiying: The most important thing in my dungeon is to ensure adventurers have fun!

Zheng Nianru went from being a Commandery Princess who could be killed at any moment to the position of the Empress Dowager, wielding power over the world. What she couldn't accept was that she didn't end up with a good fate. However, Zheng Nianru thought that no one would have been able to save Nanzheng State. Yet, she was reborn and, having deeply reflected upon her pain, also considered several past mistakes. Firstly, she should not have married down into the family of Ju Nanyi, a man with a narrow mind who came from a minor house, who only thought about romantic affairs and entangled with her in desperate affection, incapable of assisting Nanzheng. Secondly, she should not have killed everyone in Qiandao Temple, which was the spiritual pillar of the people of Nanzheng State. After all, there were better ways, weren't there, like seduction? Thirdly, she should not have been so confident that the monarch of the neighboring country would fall at her feet, nor should she have trusted the promise of that fickle neighboring monarch, which led to years of drawn-out conflict between the two states. Um, Zheng Nianru felt she was not wrong. She just wanted to live well and to be a good Empress Dowager. Since she had the chance to live again, why did she have this chance? Could it be that she was expected to once again turn Nanzheng State upside down?

【Ending in progress】On her wedding day, she found out her fiancé of three years was in bed with another woman. In her utter despair, Xi Yemo, the most powerful man in A City, kneeled on one knee holding a ten-carat diamond ring, "Woman, marry me." "Xi Yemo, don't mess around." She was cornered by him under the dim staircase, while people were passing by above. The man’s eyes narrowed dangerously, "You're shouting so loud, is it not because you want me to mess about?" Aargh! Shameless, disgusting man. They had agreed to a marriage of convenience, no love involved. Yet, every night, he would punctually turn up in her bedroom. "You've got the wrong door, your room is next door." "Wherever my wife is, that's where I am." Finally, one day when Lan Xin Ai could no longer tolerate him and was about to divorce, the unemotional-looking but actually manipulative man casually replied, "With my child in your womb, who do you think you can marry?"

She gave up her dream of shining on the ballerina stage —for him. She sacrificed her self-respect —for him. She forgot her true identity —for him. But even after all that, she couldn’t compare to the woman who held Ryan’s heart. Arwen Quinn, heiress of prestigious Quinn family, realized too late that no matter what she did, she would never win Ryan’s love. The future that awaited her was a life trapped in endless misery of a loveless marriage. So, decisively, she ends their relationship and walks away. What she didn’t expect was that in breaking free from Ryan, she had opened the door for Aiden to enter her life — a chance that he had been waiting for. Aiden Winslow, an enigmatic CEO isn’t just mysterious —he is determined, and won’t allow to take Arwen away from him again. ____ Excerpt: Aiden narrowed his eyes, “Are you sure about this?” “If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have asked,” Arwen replied coolly. “Stop dawdling. If you’re unwilling, I’ll find someone else who can get the marriage certificates today.” His expression darkened as he pulled her close. “Once offered to me, it’s mine alone.” Unfazed, Arwen asked, “So, do you accept? If yes, we’ll get the certificates now.” “On one condition,” he said. “I don’t do contract marriages. The woman I marry will be the woman I share my bed with. If you agree, then we’ll—” “Not a problem. Let’s go,” Arwen said without letting him finish, pulling him into the Civil Marriage Bureau.

When he failed to find his fated human mate after seven years of searching, alpha Damon decides to abduct seventy-five young women from all over the city who fit within his Luna’s age range and description, to have them trained for his selection. What starts off as a competition for the alpha’s heart quickly turns to a bloody game of survival. *** “What’s your name?” Damon asked, his voice clipped and cold. Though his eyes were narrowed, they were a bit mad around the edges. The blonde woman in front of him traced a red coated fingertip over his tattooed chest, all the way to his slightly exposed pelvis. She smacked her lips at the obvious bulge in his tight pants. “If you wanted a good time, why didn’t you just say so?” She threw a side long glance at the rest of the women cooped up in the cells, their fingers desperately grabbing the bars and yelling obscenities at the man who thought it was a good idea to abduct them for his personal reasons. “Why don’t we go somewhere private?” She added with a seductive wink. The alpha’s patience wore thin but he remained calm. “What.is.your.name?” He repeated with the slightest hint of annoyance. His eyes dipped to the card in her hand and she followed suit, smiling at the words on them; Luna 37. She rolled her eyes and tossed the paper aside. Did he seriously expect them to believe he was some alpha werewolf? Was that his play for getting laid? She scoffed at his silly roleplay antics. Werewolves were fictional but if that was what got him in the mood, she didn't mind playing along. He was definitely her type. “The name is Tyla Woodley…” He moved like a blur, snapping her neck like a twig. The other prisoners screamed at the top of their lungs as Tyla’s body thudded to the floor in a crumpled heap. Damon flexed his neck and arms before starting towards the cells. When he approached, all the women retreated, crying and screaming. He unlocked a cell and raked the women with his eyes. Shuffling forward, he yanked one out by the scruff of her neck. “NO! Cleo! Let her go!” A wide-eyed woman screamed from another cell, banging the bars violently. “Let her go, you monstrous cunt! Fuck you! You hear me? FUCK YOU, DAMON WAYNE!” He froze at the mention of his full name, and let go of the whimpering prisoner who crawled back into the open cell on all fours. Slowly, Damon advanced towards the rude woman’s cell but she didn’t back away like the others. She gripped the bars and spat in his face when he was standing in front of her. “Couldn’t find yourself a Luna, tough guy? No surprise there. The moon goddess must not have been able to bring herself to torture an innocent woman with the tragic fate of being your Luna.” Damon reined in the rage bubbling within him by gritting his teeth. This one wasn't as clueless as the dead one. “What is your name?” She knew he wanted her to mention the name on her card; Luna 91. He had just killed a prisoner who gave her actual name. However, he didn't hint at her card by looking at it. His eyes never left hers. She inhaled sharply. To hell with him. As long as her sister, Cleopatra, could remain safe long enough for them to figure out a way to escape from here, she didn't mind distracting the monster as long as she could. “Luna 91, Asshole!” He shot her a roguish grin. "Welcome to hell, Luna 91." He said before reaching beyond the bars and grabbing her neck amidst deafening screams.

He betrayed me by sleeping with his secretary. “Fine.“ I don’t care anymore—all I want is his property. But fate had other plans. Instead of his wealth, I got his “lieutenant uncle” as compensation. --- “Me,”Ethan said. Just a single word—two letters—but it carried a weight I couldn’t quite grasp. “I’m not following. “You?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “The compensation—the one you have no choice but to accept,” he clarified. My eyes widened in shock before a chuckle escaped my lips. “I must have heard wrong.” “Let me be your compensation. Trust me, honey… I’m worth a lot,” he added smoothly. I blinked several times, trying to determine if this was some kind of twisted dream. But the pale, dumbfounded looks on Ashton’s and Kira’s faces confirmed my worst suspicion. “I wasn’t dreaming.” This was “real.” “Let’s get married,” Ethan Brooks declared, as if those words meant “nothing.” He was “dead serious.” Did he even realize I had just “divorced his nephew?”

Life was tiring, I wanted so much to be free of everyone. I wanted to hold on to what little happiness I remembered walking through the woods. The feel of the crisp air when the sun broke into dawn, the way I felt the trees come alive as I wondered through them, how quiet everything was. But now I’m married. To the most unpredictable man I had ever encountered. But there is something about him. The way he moves, eyes sharp and narrowed watching my every step. I always felt as if he were hunting me, and maybe he was. I could never get away from those peering eyes long enough to enjoy a moment to myself. He was always there, around every plan of escape, every thought of silence, every time I even thought of a life away from him. No doubt due to the binding ceremony that was performed. The only request I had about the ceremony was that it needed to be performed by a priestess but my father wanted HIS personal witch to bind Tristan and I. Once my father ordered you to do something ‘not one person disagreed’. I did not mean to think so ill of her but I can not help this feeling that she may have added a little spell to the ceremony. If I could only speak to her, I have not seen her since I left my brute of a fathers home. I could always ask Sheri-Tristan’s second wife. Yes. I’m the third wife of this man I call husband. But Sheri was witch born before being turned by Tristan. She had the most beautiful violet hair and matching eyes. Where as I had bright auburn air with green eyes, the only thing I kept of my mother. Sheri could help me find out if I am under some spell so I can get Tristan out of my head long enough to leave his kingdom. She hated me so, I believe it is due to Tristan not informing both of his wives that a third was going to be arriving. And that was me. If I was going to ask her for help it had to be now, I have my awakening ceremony tonight. It will mark 3 months since our wedding and as accustomed with Tristan and his coven, 90 days was the mark a bride had to wait to be judged by the collective to be accepted. Tristan assures me that I will be accepted and he will turn me tonight in the hues of the blood moon that was to be eclipsed. I did not want to be turned. I was human. If I was turned I’d loose my humanity and become full vampire. The same thing happened to Ava-Tirstan’s fist wife. She could not handle the lust and killed a few members of court. Some human but some halflings like Sheri. I did not want to kill. I shuttered at the thought of taking the life essence of another living being. I did not want to live in this manner. I only pray that Sheri is in a favorable mood this afternoon. Here I stand, outside her door. I had been standing here for about 10 minutes. I needed every help I could to escape my marriage. Yet, knocking on her door was the most exhausting thing I have been doing since I arrived here 3 months ago. “Here goes nothing.” I said out loud as I finally knocked. “Entrer” She was quite demure when she’s not in a mood. I might have a chance of gaining her help after all. One look my way and her mood was already changing. “YOU!” —maybe not………….

Kenapa kau memperlakukanku seperti ini! Aku tidak mencurigakan, percayalah! Aku bukan orang yang berbahaya. Penjahat? Sama sekali bukan. Novel terjemahan, bukan karya asli. Alternative: 실눈이라고 흑막은 아니에요! Country(s): Korea

Senior Server Felix stood at the front of the church, his voice steady and solemn as he greeted the congregation. “Our help is in the name of the Lord,” he intoned. “Who made Heaven and Earth,” the people responded in unison, their voices matching his reverent tone. “Today, we initiate new members into this divine and holy Order,” Felix continued. “Today, we welcome new brethren into the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.” At the back of the church, Louis sat on one of the few single chairs, his posture slightly slouched as his focus remained on a sheet of music in his hands. The title read, "Brightest and Best – Key of A-flat." 'Why didn’t Gramps give me an F or G? A-flat is so difficult, and I only have three days to finish it,' he grumbled silently, his brow furrowing in frustration. But he dared not voice his complaints. He could already imagine his grandfather assigning him even more difficult pieces—F-sharps and endless A-flats—as punishment. From the front of the church, a serene voice called out, “Harry! Step forward!” Louis glanced up, momentarily pulled from his inner musings. His eyes landed on a girl stepping forward from the pews. She had black hair neatly styled in a bun and striking green eyes that seemed to shine with warmth and composure. Dressed in a modest brown dress and black sandals, with a rosary resting gracefully around her neck, she exuded a calm, dignified presence. Her tanned skin and graceful demeanor only added to the aura of reverence surrounding her, befitting an Altar server. 'Sigh,' Louis thought as he brushed a hand through his white hair, his blue eyes softening with a mix of admiration and envy. 'I wonder what it’s like to be an Altar server. They all seem so pure and divine… and powerful.' Just as he returned his attention to his music, a calm, gentlemanly voice spoke beside him. “You could also be an Altar server, if you’re interested.” “Huh?” Louis blurted out, snapping his head to the side. But no one was there. “What in the name of Jesus is going on here?” he muttered, glancing nervously around. “At least you know my name,” the voice replied again, seemingly amused. “What?” Louis whispered, his heart beginning to race. "I'm certain you will be a good server," the voice said, calm yet enigmatic. Louis narrowed his eyes, still searching for its source. "Who are you?" "I have many personalities. I have many names," the voice replied with an air of mystery. "It’s your choice which one you accept." "You’re not making any sense," Louis muttered, growing more unsettled. "Blessed are those who have not seen but believed…" Before Louis could respond, his vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to melt away. He jolted awake, gasping for air. His hands clutched the crumpled sheet of music, its corners bent from his restless grip. His head teetered precariously over the edge of his bed, a faint ache in his neck reminding him of the awkward position he’d been in. "Holy Mother of Jesus!" he exclaimed as he lost his balance, tumbling off the bed in a heap of blankets and scattered papers.

Oww…” I winced, lifting my throbbing head before glancing around and as expected the lab was in chaos. There was glass shattered everywhere, sparks fleeing from one place to another and the acrid scent of burning chemicals filled the air. Flames licked at the countertops, but what made my stomach drop was the gas spilling from a ruptured pipe. Crap. No one needed to tell me, I already knew it was toxic. The faint greenish tinge to the air, the sharp sting in my nose. It was more than toxic….it was deadly. And spreading fast. I tried to push myself up, but pain shot through my ankle, forcing me back down. I bit back a scream. “Dammit!” That’s when I saw him. It was the same guy…I recognized him now. Or at least, his fake identity. Liam. Only, his real name was Alex, and I knew more about him than I should’ve but he didn’t need to know that. He was standing near the exit, scanning the chaos with an unnerving calmness and it was obvious he hadn’t seen me yet. “Liam!” I choked out, coughing against the gas as it seeped closer. His head snapped in my direction. His eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, I thought he’d help. Instead, his expression hardened. He turned toward the door, ready to leave. “Wait!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “Help me! Please!” He paused, barely glancing over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” His voice was cold, detached. I gritted my teeth. My head throbbed, and the gas was making my vision blur, but I forced the words out. “We have classes together and do you even need to know someone to help them out?” I snapped. His gaze lingered on me for another second before he turned to leave and then I knew I had no choice. “If you don’t help me, I’ll tell everyone your secret.” My words made him turn. His dark eyes narrowed as he strode closer, towering over me. “My secret?” His tone was mocking. “Your fall must’ve really messed with your head. Now you think a bluff is going to make me help you?” “It’s not a bluff,” I snapped, coughing violently. “I know who you really are, Alex.” His entire body stiffened. “Care to repeat that?” His voice was low, dangerous. I sucked in a shaky breath, the gas burning my lungs. “I know this identity of yours is just cover, Alex Bronson.” ~~~~~~ Eleanor is a 22-year old woman who was involved in a car accident on her way to her interview. Unfortunately she doesn’t make it and assumes she’s going to find herself in the afterlife but instead finds herself in the body of a college student named Theodora. And this college student happens to be a character in one of the books she read in her past life. Having found herself in this body, she decides to find out why she’s there and regrets not finishing the novel while she was still alive. She also uses her knowledge about the book to manipulate the supposed male lead of the novel into helping her get her way but little did she know that she’d end up falling for him. And now she has to pick between finding out why and how she’s been reincarnated and accepting her new life here with Alex.

A menace. A delinquent. A disappointment. If you ask anyone how they would describe Jiang Yue, it would be those three words. She has a bad reputation. She dropped out from school at the age of 6. She left her father who was in a vegetative state to roam around and wreck havoc in other cities. That's what she is known for. They all thought she spent her days just getting into trouble, living life recklessly. What others didn't know though was those words are far from what she actually is! A Genius! She has a bad reputation because she never hesitates to use violence against those who seek to harm her. She dropped out from school at the age of six because she has learned everything there is to learn in the school! She left her father to create a machine that could help him recover and she roamed around to find those who hurt her father and avenge him! She won't spare anyone who harmed her family! She will find those bastards who killed her Older Brother, caused her father to be in a vegetative state, and hurt her sister. However, things didn't go the way they should be. She's back in high school to fulfill her promise to her sister, but why is it that she got a clingy Young Master stuck to her instead? *** On a certain night, Jiang Yue and Luo Zhelan met in an unexpected situation. On that day, Luo Zhelan had no idea that the woman standing in front of his car with a gun in her bloodied hand would be the woman who would complete his life. "Young Master Luo, Young Madam is trending again on Weibo!" A subordinate reported. The Young Master narrowed his eyes, "What is it again this time?" "It turns out she's the person behind Allico Intelligence! She created it and made it into one of the leading tech giants in the country!" A certain subordinate reported. "Brother Zhe, there was some news going around!" His good friend exclaimed at him. Luo Zhelan asked, "What news?" "Sister-in-law is Shadow! The top assassin that brought up 'Fallen Vengeance'! The league that was made up of all the feared assassins!" "Young Master Luo, look at this post!" "Son, why is Principal Wei calling Xiao Yue 'disciple'?" "Brother Zhe, Sister-in law created Altersky?!" "Young Master! I found out something about Young Madam!" A certain Young Master was dumbfounded.

He inches closer, a single finger roaming her heated skin. Breath mingling with breath. A loud bang vibrates through the room, so thunderous as if god himself was furious. Slowly he looks up staring out the large glass windows to the backyard, "You have a visitor." His rasps calmly. "Who?" Rose quickly fires, feigning ignorance. She knew well enough who it was. Her nightly visitor has arrived. Surprising, He only visits when she is alone. "One who comes out at night. Lurking in the shadows, in the darkness... just like its intensions." He looks down still leaning on top her, once more pinning her with his intense gaze. "Are you afraid?" His voice dead serious, eyes going back to look outside. And Rose lied, "No." But is it a lie when her fear was never really rooting enough to make her run the other way but instead often getting mixed with exhilaration. "You should be." He leaves her staring wide eyed on the sofa and goes to stand before the glass panes. "It's not happy to see me here. I can see the raging pits of fire in it's gaze. Ready to burn me right where I stand." he chuckled, sounding most sinister, "It definitely wants to rip my innards out." "You should take off your shirt." He suggests casually. "Excuse me?" "Let's see if it riles him up even more to shatter instead of just slamming the windows like a wuss." He rouses under his breath, his excited provocative tone not escaping Rose's attention. What the hell is he up to? "This isn't funny." Rose sputters out, standing up from the couch. "I'm not trying to be." He faces her again, sporting a deadpan face. "Whatever. You think I'm one of your stupid fan girls to take my shirt off just because you want to rile someone up? Besides, there's probably no one outside and you're only making it up to see my boobs like a pervert." His eyes roams her from top to bottom, there was distaste evident in his gaze. "When he comes at night and leaves a little something for you, maybe then you take off your clothes for him... like a slut." Rome stared into her eyes with nothing behind those icy orbs to show for a lack of meaning behind his words. Because he means every single thing he says to her. "Get. Out. Now!" Rose boomed furiously. "Whatever, I was leaving anyway. This has become boring." He walks towards her front door. "Wait. How do you know he comes at night and leaves something?" her eyes narrow. "Because I've seen it before." "You saw him? It is a real guy?" Rose wanted to confirm, for some reason she thought otherwise. "I never said I saw him. I've only seen it happening to someone else." "Whom?" "You don't need to know." He closes off. "Then at least tell me what happened to her? Can I meet this person?" "You can't." Refusing calmly he was almost out the door when Rose pleads against hope. "Please." "You can't because she disappeared." Those were the words that finally did it. Brought her racing heart and buzzing head to a sudden halt. "Never to be seen again." "When he stops visiting, that's when you should be most afraid." His words rang like a siren in the silence of her mind as he left. Now she felt true fear for the first time. == In the embrace of her ancestral town, Rose seeks refuge from the echoes of her past. Little does she know, her return to her roots will awaken dormant shadows, shattering ordinary her existence. For when the darkness falls over the town, from the pitch black rises a shadowy figure that haunt her nights. In the darkness he sweeps her off the ground in terrible fear and the allure of sinister intrigue. And once the sun comes, a man with a god awful attitude, haunts her in the broad day light. Causing her to swell with pure disdain. With each passing night, it draws closer to Rose, casting a chilling spell that both terrifies and exhilarates her. Thrust into a labyrinth of mysteries can she navigate the treacherous path laid before her, or will her nightly visitor consume her whole?

~•No Escape•~ "Are you running away from me, my sweet girl" spoke a voice in the hallway that made her stop in her tracks. The hallway had turned dark with only the wall lamps that burned brightly casting the shadow of the man on the floor as he slowly emerged from the other end. "What are you doing here, your majesty," She said and bowed immediately as she saw him approach her with slow but steady steps. "You haven't answered me, sweet" The man said with a sweet smile that made her wary and he heard the way her heart skipped a beat. He stood before her and used his index finger to raise her chin. He tilted his head as he gazed into her green eyes that looked back at him with fear. He took a step forward closing the distance between them and his eyes narrowed when she took a step back, but that didn't stop him from cornering her. "Did you think you can escape from me?" He continued to question and she didn't miss the mockery behind his words. "I…I" she felt her words tied to her tongue because of the man's daunting aura. She felt him trace her forehead with his finger down to her jaw. He continued moving his hand down to her neck and to the top of her swell and her thudding heart hitched when his hand continued to stay there. "Did you think you can escape from me?" He bent towards her as he spoke. His breath fell on her neck which sent a jolt that traveled down her body. "I told you, you're tied to me and me to you" _______________________ Perdita Kartar was a winsome yet strange young lady. She had an appealing beauty with her green eyes that invoked and impelled anyone who gazed into them. She had fooled her villagers so she could live and protect herself and her remaining family from the night creatures and also humans. But what was bizarre of all, was that Perdita had a secret she shared with no one. She had lived in the village since she was little, and over the years, she had been discreet with each move she made. Unfortunately, things didn't go as she planned. Despite her cautious decorum and fight to stay out of sight, a pair of glacial red eyes falls on her, which followed and refused to leave her out of sight.

"I’ll be gone for almost a year. What kind of woman would wait that long for a man?” Selina went still and said quietly. "A woman who love deeply would wait." A woman like her. She would have waited for Nicki. She had waited, even when he had abandoned her. Damon noticed the shift immediately. His eyes narrowed slightly. Then, slowly—“You. You would wait for him.” Selina looked up. For the first time since they had met, her guard slipped. Her eyes held something raw. A quiet, devastating vulnerability. She didn’t lie. She simply said, "Yes" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So, Diana, what's your excuse for betraying me?" His amber glinted eyes bore into the woman with bloodied, broken blue hair, kneeling in complete disarray. "... you're evil." "Oh, so, looking out for all of you makes me evil?" The man narrowed his eyes, contemplating the echoes of protagonist halos and heroines' mentality, starkly real now. Coming from a world far removed from such grim reality, he had read about these personalities in novels, but experiencing their shortcomings firsthand was a different story. "How am I evil?" He looked down at his foot where a young man, limbless and crushed, lay in a state of complete brokenness, mustering the little strength he had left to utter some words. "... y.. you ba..stard, You killed millions." Hearing these words, the man's internal amusement grew at the absurdity of these hypocritical people. He had eradicated all the evil organizations within the Empire after ascending to his throne. Wars were waged to crush rebellious kingdoms that stood against his Empire, uniting the entire Heidal Continent under one flag—the Selvius Empire. He shifted his gaze towards another woman with pink hair, her body completely broken, supported by a rock to maintain a semblance of balance amidst the devastation. "Hmm, so what about you, Karina? Wasn't your family about to be executed by the Aidiac Royal family? Is it wrong for me to have intervened?" "You killed them without mercy, and although you saved my family, it was not worth it." "I just saved—" "It's bullshit. You could have solved everything peacefully without drawing so much blood." Hearing all this, the man began to understand why those novels depicted these people as hypocritical and low in intelligence. If he hadn't saved them, they would have suffered the most gruesome fate. Yet, despite being saved, these ungrateful individuals chose to blame him. The bitter irony of their ingratitude gnawed at him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "Guess you all have the same reasons." The man looked towards the seven people, their disdainful gazes directed at him. He had only aimed to change their fates, to rescue some from slavery, others from crippling circumstances, and a few from inevitable betrayal. Yet, they all blamed him for saving them, unable to comprehend that he had severed the root causes that would have subjected them to excruciating suffering. "Hahaha." "Indeed, now I see." He now understood what those novels had tried to convey—'these idiots think this whole world works like they think it would.' 'System......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join Discord for Faster Update notification:: https://discord.gg/QZnWtQARft Additional Tags :- Smart MC, Harem, Time Travel, Yandere, Tsundere, Ruthless, Manipulative, Cunning, Regret, Reincarnation, Transmigration, System, No-forgiveness, Betrayal, elves, werewolves, vampires, dwarves, demons. **NO YURI, NO INCEST, NO NTR and Anything That Readers Hate, Me myself being a Reader, will never provide content that will destroy reader's mood. **MC is not Weak and Simp, his mentality maybe, to have soft corner for people in need but by no means he is blind, Don't take his Silence as his weakness. **About My Writing style - I love to keep Readers on edge, Don't believe what your eyes read as maybe they are some illusions, Coming to conclusions about plots will be your biggest mistake. Lastly, Don't Ask Questions in Review, it is for your true opinion about Novel, Go through novel once and leave a review, if you like it. ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE ~ you can expect some errors Villain https://discord.gg/QZnWtQARft

'Hell is empty and all the devils are here.' -- Williams Shakespeare --- "Should I dip my hands in holy water so I can touch you?" His breath fanned her neck as he spoke close to her ear, causing an anxious shiver to run down her spine. Her eyes widened before narrowing slightly. "You are crazy." She whispered back with a shaking voice. "Why?" He asked, awed. His eyes now staring at her. "Because you would get burned." --- Opposites attract. That’s what everyone says, but light and darkness are two very contrasting entities. Annabelle is the perfect definition of pure and innocent, while on the other hand, Kione is the opposite of that—dark and a devil with an angelic appearance. Too forbidden to be a perfect match.

Follow Instagram @sere_nity_lee for new info novel of Serenity Lee [Mature content] [WSA 2022] || Vol 1-3 END "So, you are, my lecturer?" Audia asked as the two of them were on their way in Alvin's private car. Alvin cleared his throat once. "Yes, that is so." "No wonder I feel like I know your face," said Audia, matching her memory. "What do you teach, huh?" "Architecture." Audia nodded her head while her mouth formed an 'o' shape. 'Uh? .... Wait ... what?' Suddenly the nerves of her brain suppress the memory in the hippocampus. "Mr. Mandala?" Audia asked for sure. Which immediately got a nod from Alvin. "No way!" Audia screamed in disbelief. Her eyes narrowed at Alvin. "Why?" asked Alvin in surprise. A Mandala H, that's what Audia remembers when the new lecturer introduced himself when he first taught. Wearing a plaid shirt, smooth hair, neatly slicked back, glasses always perched on his sharp nose. Came with a bag containing his laptop and a textbook for teaching. Lecturer arrogant, pretentious cool, stingy smile, flat face, killer. Very different from Alvin who is now her husband. Unexpectedly 'that Mr. Mandala' and Alvin—her husband, turned out to be the same person. 'That annoying person turned out to be my husband?' she thought. 'Oh noooooo!' * * ******* ** The bride-to-be suddenly withdrew from the marriage due to an arranged marriage. Then run away and the news is not known. The groom-to-be was left speechless in front of the invited guests. Worry for a moment. Canceling the marriage contract or looking for an impromptu replacement bride. Until his eyes caught a woman in a white dress sitting among the invited guests. The other ones were students at his campus where he had just taught. As a substitute teacher. How will the story of their marriage continue? Will the seeds of love grow between these two strangers? With a myriad of question marks in the bride's heart, why was she chosen among the many other single women who were also present at the grand wedding of the son of one of Indonesia's well-known real estate entrepreneurs. cover: www.freepik.com === INCLUDE COLLECTION/TAP LOVE/ADD BEFORE READING. SO THAT THIS STORY IS IN YOUR READING LIST AND GETS NOTIFICATIONS WHEN NEW CHAPTER UPDATES ^^ CONTINUE SUPPORT THIS STORY, by throwing BLUE STONE'S POWER STONES FOR THIS STORY! — 1 POWER STONE WILL GET 1 FREE VOUCHER TO OPEN THE LOCKED BOOK. DON'T FORGET, A 5 STAR REVIEW YES! THANK YOU

Rowan sees beauty in death. The Order he has sworn to obey only sees defilement. As the reviled Caretaker of the Order, Rowan has accepted his role as a dutiful outcast because he believes it is the only way to prove his worth to the man who holds his sisters’ souls as collateral. With his magic and his voice, Rowan can absorb death and transform it, but only in ways the Order deems acceptable to maintain the stability of the reality it claims to protect Order must subdue Disorder. Reality must triumph over illusion. He is tainted and always will be. Rowan has never questioned those lessons, but that changes the night he harvests a crimson soul that is more than human and chooses to keep it a secret. When Rowan’s song transforms that soul into a beautiful and mysterious man he names Wren, he is forced to accept that sometimes duty is a lie and illusion is the only thing you can trust. As the fabric of the Order begins to unwind and a new kind of Disorder takes hold, Rowan will need to choose again, stand with the Order that held him down, or forge a new path with Wren at his side. He may be the only one who can restore balance to the worlds, but only if he can find balance within himself first. ************************************* Updates 3-4 times per week. Note: This story focuses on relationships. I promise an epic romance, lots of swoon-worthy moments, and a healthy amount of fluff. When it does get steamy…you might get burned. Fair warning for explicit content. I don’t shy away from my spice. There are lots of side characters and couples to fall in love with, in addition to the main couple. If you love the idea of found family, you will be happy. This book is set in a non-heteronormative world, so you will see various gender identities/expressions and types of love. ************************************* Excerpt (if you want the full steamy version, you will have to read the book!): Still reeling from the new magic that coursed under his skin and unsure of how to react to the desire that threatened to take control of him, Rowan froze. Wren's hot breath against his mouth sent a jolt of pleasure through his body, and he choked back a groan. A different kind of panic flared in Rowan's chest, burning him as if he were the one on fire. This was what he wanted, what he'd thought about every night since Wren left. But wanting more was one thing. Acting on it was another. He'd spent so much of his life hiding, he didn't know how to do anything else. One corner of Wren's mouth twitched as Rowan pulled away. When he attempted to free himself from Wren's grasp, Wren just hauled him closer. Rowan liked that he didn't have to think about what to do next. His bare chest thudded against Wren's torso, and the heat from Wren's body merged with Rowan's skin, melting him from the inside out. "What did you just do to me?" Wren's deep voice vibrated against Rowan's chest. "The Disorder of your illusion was holding you captive. I…I absorbed it." "Oh? Where did you learn to do that? Have I been gone that long?" Wren's grip loosened slightly on Rowan's wrists as if he was satisfied now that Rowan was practically sitting on top him. Rowan stared at Wren's lips. He opened his mouth to protest, but immediately closed it again. "I know you aren't going to say that I shouldn't touch you." Wren's free hand splayed over the small of Rowan's back. "Not when you started it." Rowan's breath hitched. "No. I'm not going to say that anymore. Not to you." "I thought you were afraid to be touched." Wren's fingers traced a circle over the curve of Rowan's spine as if testing for a reaction. "I know that I'm not afraid of you." Rowan waited for the panic to set in, but all he felt was desire. "With you, I want…" "You want what?" "I want more." Triumph flared in Wren's gaze before he narrowed his eyes. "Really? Then why are you still trying to get away from me?"

Sophie Caldwell never imagined her life would come to this, a reluctant bride in a cold, calculated marriage to a man she barely knew. But with her father’s company on the brink of collapse, she’s left with no choice. Adrian Blackwood, the enigmatic zillionaire, offers her a deal that feels more like a sentence than salvation: his wealth and influence in exchange for her hand in marriage. It’s a business arrangement, void of love and emotion, yet binding her to his world of power and dangerous secrets. From the moment Sophie steps into Adrian’s penthouse, she feels like an outsider in his meticulously controlled life. Luxury surrounds her, but the coldness in Adrian’s gaze reminds her that she’s merely a pawn in a larger game. As Sophie begins to navigate through Adrian’s life, she discovers that their union is far from straightforward. What initially seemed like a simple business transaction soon unravels into something far more sinister. Whispers of secrets long buried begin to surface, drawing Sophie into a web of lies and deceit. When she stumbles upon a shocking truth, that Adrian’s father may have played a role in the tragic accident that took her sister’s life three years ago, her world tilts on its axis. Sophie is torn. Her heart aches for her sister, the life she could have had, and the justice she’s craved for years. But now, she’s entangled in the life of the man whose family may be responsible for her pain. Adrian, with his impenetrable walls and his unexpected tenderness, becomes both her tormentor and her solace. Every interaction is a battle of wills, emotions, and trust as Sophie finds herself drawn to him despite her better judgment. As the lines between duty, vengeance, and attraction blur, Sophie faces an impossible choice. Does she follow her heart, risking everything to trust the man she’s been forced to marry? Or does she seek justice for her sister, even if it means destroying the fragile connection she’s begun to build with Adrian? In a world where secrets are currency and love is a luxury neither of them can afford, Sophie and Adrian must confront the demons of their pasts. With every revelation, the distance between them narrows, igniting a passion neither of them can control. But will the truth unite them or shatter them beyond repair? Sophie must decide how much she’s willing to risk for justice, love and for a future that may never be hers.

“You're too weak and I regret having you as a daughter” her father Luca growls his golden eyes narrowing in disapproval and his head shaking as a sign of disappointment. “A wolf must be strong a wolf must be fearless but you're the complete opposite” Elara tried to be strong, she really did but no matter how hard she trained, she could never match her siblings and it was always as if she didn't belong. Her transformations were painful and erratic, leaving her weak and trembling, her howl was barely a whisper, drowned out by the thunderous cries of the pack. And her empathy—a rare gift that allowed her to sense the emotions of others—was seen as a weakness, a flaw to be hidden By the time she reached adulthood, Elara had learned to make herself small. She stayed on the outskirts of the pack, avoiding the alpha’s gaze and the mocking whispers of her packmates. But deep down, she longed for acceptance. She longed to belong.

Ray's world narrowed to the searing pain as the whip cracked against his back. He sat in the darkness of his jail cell, hands tied together with heavy chains. His older brother, fueled by rage, stood over him, the whip raised for another strike. "You're useless, Ray!" his brother spat. "If you hadn't been born, I wouldn't have lost the Battle of Terrestria! You're a curse, a plague on our family!" Ray's mind recoiled in confusion. What was his brother talking about? He hadn't even been there... wherever "there" was. He didn't know what the Battle of Terrestria was or why it mattered. The only thing he knew was pain. As the whip cracked again, Ray's thoughts dissolved into a haze of agony and hatred. He was consumed by a burning desire for revenge against those who wronged him. Against his family, who treated him like trash. Against the world, which seemed determined to crush him. But Ray's story is far from over. As he found an ancient, mysterious tome hidden away in the depths of his prison. The book's yellowed pages held secrets that would change Ray's fate forever. As he dives into the book, he may be dragged on a path to ruin or greatness... a path that would lead him to be a teacher, a conqueror, a leader, a general, a soldier, a protector... a path that will make him the most sought-after man in the entire... well, we'll get to that later

Warning: Mature Content. No Rape. The truth will make her free, but could she handle this particular truth? Would she accept the freedom it brings? Excerpt. "What am I doing in your room?" Karina narrowed her eyes, waiting for the answer to that one question she just couldn't figure out the answer. "I should be asking you that. What are you doing in my room?" Veron decided to play with her mind a little. But seeing how her jaw was working, and the pressure she was applying on her head, he decided to tell her what happened, saving her the stress of trying to remember. "What's wrong with your head?" "I have a headache." She answered with gritted teeth. "Skye, get me that medicine for headache." He instructed via mind-link, then moved his feet again. "HEY! I SAID DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!" Karina yelled, glaring at him as if she would attack him if he takes one more step. "Get that dirty thought out of your head. I don't do shit with anyone without their consent." Veron remarked, annoyed at her thoughts and reactions toward him. "Also, I don't find men attractive." "Who are you calling a… Wait…" Karina paused, realizing this may be a good opportunity to keep him away from her. "Yes… I am a man and you definitely shouldn't find men attractive." She accepted and Veron's expression died. However, Gerrard burst out laughing. "Oh, this is perfect," Gerrard commented, enjoying himself. "You are a man," Veron repeated. "Yes, I am." Karina nodded her head. "Take off your shirt." "WHAT!" Karina exclaimed in shock and unconsciously clutched the front of her shirt. What has come over him? Didn't he just say he doesn't find men attractive? Why the hell was he saying she should take off her shirt? "If you are a man as you claim, you shouldn't have a problem standing before me without a shirt on." Veron pointed out, standing in that same spot and keeping his eyes on her. As much as he found this funny, he refused to join Gerrard in laughing to his heart's content. Hearing what he just said, Karina realized he was right. Men had no problem undressing before their fellow men, just as she had no problem undressing before Nori. Karina frowned and quickly thought of a way out, seeing he was indeed waiting for her to undress. "I am a different kind of man." She blurted, and Gerrard laughed even harder than he did the first time, rolling his body on the floor. "Oh, goddess… This is classic." Gerrard said amidst his laughter. He couldn't remember when last he heard anything as funny as what he just heard. "A different kind of man?" Veron asked and when she nodded, he added another question. "When did that specie come into existence?" "Today?" Karina answered, sounding unsure. *** Karina Harper is the sheltered first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harper, whose childhood experiences forced her and her parents to put certain restrictions on her life. Following the set down rules religiously, she encountered no problems in her life until the first day she spoke with Veron Silver, the most feared and most wanted student on campus.  She soon realized that everything she had believed to be true, was a lie, forcing her to question her very existence.  But who knew that the person who opened her eyes to the truth was keeping his identity a secret from her? How would she react when she finds out he was not what she thought he was?

Ding [congratulations you have acquired the Celestial{God of speed}System] [Do you accept the term and conditions of the system] With a huge claw at his face ready to take off his head, sending him back to the dark abyss from which he had just arrived not so long ago, already accepting his fate for a second death. Henry saw a holographic screen flash in front of him, one that would change his new life for the better... or worse, seeing no other option in his current dilemma and with nothing else to lose. "Yes, yes i accept!" he screamed out with determination and hope that this might just be a miracle here to save him from certain doom,and indeed it was. [You have successfully acquired all the functions and priorities of the system,including its benefits and disadvantages] Henry saw the screen again but that wasn't all he saw to his disbelief everything in the surroundings including the ferocious beast trying to kill him, were now completely still with the lion's claws just a few centimeters away from his head. "Wow, i guess this must be part of the benefits the system granted," he exclaimed with surprise "But what about the demerits?" I guess we'll find out soon enough as this was only just the beginning. Now with his newly acquired "cheat" system in a new world he had just been reincarnated to. From an urban civilization to an even more futuristic, civilized urban utopia where magic and technology are well versed, Henry must find his true purpose in the new world as he discovers more beings like him both good and bad. And as he navigates his way to a better second chance, making new friends and encountering old foes courtesy of his predecessor. Going against both celestial entities and monsters from other realms and doing as he pleases, defying rules of the multiverses and discovering worlds beyond. "Or maybe I'll just kick back and relax in this New World." SNEAK PEAK! Henry stood face to face with the mysterious figure, their suits a stark contrast to each other. Henry's white and gold suit gleamed in the sunlight, while the other figure's black and purple suit seemed to absorb the light around them. A mask covered the figure's face, making it impossible for Henry to discern their identity. "You're quite the legend, Henry," the figure said in a low, gravelly voice "I've heard a lot about your skills." Henry's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?" The figure chuckled. "Someone who's been watching you. Someone who's been waiting for the perfect moment to strike." Henry's grip on his fists tightened. "What do you want?" The figure smiled, their mask glinting in the light. "I want to see how fast you really are." Without warning, the figure took off, their black and purple suit blurring as they sprinted away. Henry's eyes widened, and he grinned. "Game on!" he exclaimed, taking off after the mysterious figure. The two speedsters tore through the city streets, their suits leaving trails of distorted air in their wake. As Henry left a trail of gold lightning so did the figure leave one of purple. Henry's Nitro suit glowed with a brilliant white light as he pushed himself to his limits, his feet pounding the pavement in a blur. The mysterious figure was fast, but Henry was determined to catch up. He focused all his energy on the chase, his senses heightened as he navigated the crowded streets. The city became a colorful blur as the two speedsters clashed in a battle of velocity and agility. Henry's heart pounded with excitement, his mind racing with the thrill of the chase. Who was this mysterious figure, and what did they want? Henry was determined to find out. Crap! I wanted to write more but looks like I've reached the word limit. Sigh* Well I hope I've gotten your attention with all this, i like my summary to always look like a trailer, that's why it's so long. Anyways check more of these when you read my book and support, I'll appreciate. Gracias! Check my discord link in bio, join for more info.

They weren't scared of ten thousands, they were just scared of one person, Mutaz. In a world where the strongest rule, sitting on the throne of mafia king was Mutaz's father however, the path of mafias and the strong is very deadly thus soon, Titan empire fell into total destruction upon the mafia king's fall. As though that was not enough, the only heir to the throne was declared dead a day after the father was laid to rest. From then on, Titan empire ceased to exist. But who said the dead can not return for retaliation? Orcel Salami undertook the task of finding a bodyguard for her daughter, after a narrow escape from abduction. Yet who could have thought, in the future she would be the one saying "Stay away from my daughter Mutaz Titan"

Jaden Rook, a 22-year-old gaming addict and master of min-maxing RPGs, dies in a ridiculous accident involving a vending machine and a runaway truck. Instead of heading to the afterlife, he gets isekai’d into Arcadia, a fantasy world with magic, monsters, and kingdoms at war. Excited to finally live out his power fantasy, Jaden is given a customizable system that lets him break reality. The catch? The system is a sarcastic, trolling AI that nerfs him for fun, gives him humiliating challenges, and forces him into absurd scenarios before unlocking his true power. SNEAK PEAK: I didn’t expect to die today. But as I lay on the cold pavement, crushed between a vending machine and an outofcontrol delivery truck, I had only one thought: This is the dumbest way to die. A moment ago, I had just been trying to shake loose a stuck soda. Then, BAM! Instant roadkill. As my vision faded, the last thing I saw was the smug grin of the vending machine, as if mocking me. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer on the pavement. Instead, I floated in a pristine, glowing void. Before me hovered an old man with a white beard, a golden toga, and the same deadpan expression as a DMV worker. “Oh, great,” I muttered. “I’m dead, aren’t I?” “Yes,” the old man said, stroking his beard. “And you have been chosen for reincarnation in another world.” My eyes widened. “Wait. Hold up. Are you telling me… I’m getting isekai’d? Like in the anime?” The old man nodded. “Indeed. You have been selected to wield a powerful system, one that will grant you abilities beyond mortal comprehension.” I fistpumped. “Hell yeah! Overpowered skills, here I come!” The old man coughed. “Yes, well… about that.” I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean, about that?” “You see, we have too many reincarnators lately. We can’t just be handing out godtier powers like candy anymore.” I folded my arms. “Okay, so what are we talking? A slightly nerfed cheat? A balanced growth system?” The old man looked away. “You’ll… figure it out.” My stomach dropped. “Oh, hell no. You’re about to scam me, aren’t you?” “I would never!” the old man said, voice dripping with totally believable innocence. “Now, off you go!”

When I was in middle school, I was bullied by the brother of a black girl. I was even verbally abused and attacked by him on the bus. My father's friend's son got married and asked me to be the bridesmaid. After I learned that he was the best man, I told the old man that there might be a conflict, but the old man didn't change because he was ready. At the wedding, I was ridiculed while wearing my belt, and I was furious. There was an argument, chaos, and I left.

Fourteen-year-old Gordon has always dreamed of being a hero. Despite being an orphan, he finds joy and comfort in the company of his non-biological sister, Edith. One day, while immersed in his favorite hero comic, *Light Spear,* in the school library, Gordon is jolted into action when he sees Edith cornered by high school bullies outside. Fueled by anger and determination, he rushes to her aid, grabbing their attention by hurling rocks. The confrontation quickly escalates into a frantic chase, leading Gordon into a narrow alley with no escape in sight. Desperately seeking a way out, he spots an open door and darts inside, only to find himself plunging into an unexpected and mysterious fall, spiraling into the unknown... This thrilling journey marks the beginning of Gordon's adventure, where his dreams of heroism will be put to the ultimate test.

Year 1540 Nicole is a lowly human from the mainland trying to make ends meet as she would often paint for middle and high-class people sometimes even Purebloods which was rare in her case. She receives little money which doesn’t financially support her living. Until one day she received an invitation from the Snow Kingdom to paint the great Lord Jasper Gervassius. She reaches the kingdom and Meets Lord Jasper in the hopes of making a big income she receives more than what she bargains for. ---------------------------------- Teaser: Jasper placed both of his hands on either side of Nicole's head trapping her with his body. He stared down at her looking at his sweet innocent lamb, he couldn't help but smile at her widely. Her doe-like eyes staring back at him only made him want to devour her "Why do you play these games with me darling you know I don't like it. I think you forgot who you're dealing with." He leaned down against her lips slightly flicking his tongue in her mouth making her crave for more."My Quahneah Woman" Nicole gasped in shock as she wondered how he knew her tribe's name. Before she could say another Jasper had cupped her cheek softly placing his lips on hers and kissing her softly as he slowly removed his hands against the wall. He was wrapping his arms around her waist bringing her body closer to his as there was no space between them. As they continued Nicole started to become breathless pulling herself back to breathe, she couldn't help but look up to see Jasper looking at her with a smile that was Duchenne. His purple orbs looked into her seeing the love and adorn affection he was showing her.  "Jasper I have a question to ask you" Jasper hummed waiting for her question" What are we going to do about the tirade ." Jasper's smile suddenly became sinister as he narrowed his eyes "Why don't you leave that to me, darling."