Bella Thorne Tamara Thorne

This text has no male lead, no romance. The female lead is slightly timid in the first volume, a bit infatuated in the second, and from the third volume onwards... life seems like a Siberian Husky. Below is the sequence of volumes, if there are chapters missing, they're probably blocked. 1 Who's best at murder and dismemberment? Look in the suitcase for jackals and wolves. 2 I can handle tutoring, even rocks can be turned to gold. 3 Freshman military training brings tears, Changan loves to eat smoked sausage. 4 A thousand miles of predestined marriage hangs by a thread, whether it's good or bad all depends on fate. 5 My idol is the absolute best, the idol chose me to be their partner. 6 The boss behind the scenes is here, doing whatever they want without logic. 7 Ghost Festival inspiration comes late, helplessly put here. 8 Official advancement and wealth cost a child's life, a good son leaps like a carp over the dragon gate. 9 A trip to the plastic surgery clinic, all the fat is shaken off. 11 Who in the Human World can resist a beauty? Run out of roman numerals, use numbers instead. 11 Turtles may live long, but still dread the end, the characters fear a 404. 12 The local zombie looks handsome, cries out adorably when opening its mouth. 13 One dance captures the city, the beauty of the past fades away. There's a lot more, too tired to write the summary...

In a world long shattered by war, Alina awakens from death—preserved, reanimated, and bound to a fate she never chose. Once a normal girl from a small village, she is now something else, something caught between life and death. Under the guidance of the enigmatic necromancer Thorne, Alina undergoes an agonizing yet transformative process, her body reshaped by ancient magic and forbidden science. As she struggles to reclaim her humanity, she is thrust into a world she no longer recognizes—ruined cities, desperate survivors, and the eerie march of the undead who serve as tools rather than terrors. With each revelation, she learns the horrifying truth. Yet, amidst the decay, hope lingers.

The shadows lurked, its whispers a fearful caress to the heart. A word of it begot omen and doom is the person who sees it. The world was evolving, creatures emerging and some going instinct, but one rule remained among the humans, "BEWARE OF THE NIGHT CREATURES." Ophelia, tossed and turned by the cruel wind and unfortunate side of the world found herself embracing the very shadows that were feared by many. The shadow which always haunted her. Not only was she haunted, but she was also the reason the shadow lurked. Its darkness deftly intertwined with the course of her life, bringing to light secrets locked away in the abyss. Secrets which led her to the arms of the one whose statements remained of evil. Rumors of her prevailed, each one more abhorrent than the other. While most of the rumors were false, there were specks of truth in them. However, in the dance of darkness, its drums beaten by the shadows, everything and every danger she faced culminated on the day she was bitten by the very creature humans termed evil and vile. She was his pawn, his amusement to be poked, his first bite. Her blood the first to ink his fangs, had unbeknownst to him formed a forbidden and sacred bond that could not be severed unless she died. Gone from his play toy to the number one on his kill list, Ophelia found herself confronting dangers that she, no matter how hard she tried, could never win against. When the game of chase and death slowly evolves into an unspoken spark-like trail of shadows weaving in the hearts of the predator and the prey, Ophelia is conflicted about the path to follow. The path to toss the dangers aside and embrace the whispers of her heart— or, the path to heed the warnings of her heart and run further from her predator. Unfortunately, in the dance of the cruel hand of fate, whichever way she took, he was always there like a shadow ready to entrap her. SHE WAS HIS FIRST BITE AND HE WAS HER SHADOW.

For 15 years, a mysterious voice told Ash two things 'Get stronger' and 'Fight.' Not the best advice, but when you're stuck in a monster-infested limbo, you take what you can get. Then, a god shows up, opens a rift, and throws Ash (monsters included) onto Earth. There, he meets his doppelganger, Thorne, who immediately hates him. Why? Thorne thinks Ash wants to steal his hard-earned social status. Yeah, as if Ash cares about high school politics while eldritch horrors are ransacking the mall. Ash’s plan is simple: punch monsters, grab a burger, and enjoy his new life. If Thorne wants a rivalry, he'll have to get in line—right behind the monster tearing up Main Street

In the magical realm of Eldoria, where ancient curses and dark sorcery loom, Aric Thorne, a cunning spy with a mysterious heritage, embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind his family's past and protect his homeland. Traversing stormy seas, enchanted forests, and scorching deserts, Aric gathers a diverse group of allies, each with unique abilities and intertwined destinies. Together, they face monstrous creatures and powerful sorcerers, unravel ancient secrets, and confront the malevolent Eldritch Shades, forging unbreakable bonds of trust and friendship in a tale of bravery, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of truth amidst the shadows.

In a world where stories are written in blood and roses have venomous thorns, Jack Thorne—a reclusive thirty-year-old who once found solace only in books—awakens as Riven, the ill-fated butler of Evangeline Vossaire, a lethally captivating villainess destined to die betrayed and forgotten. But Jack remembers her story—every plot twist, every enemy, every tragic end—and he’s determined to rewrite it. Armed with modern knowledge and a heart scarred by loneliness, Jack navigates a gilded world of masquerades, poisoned politics, and whispered threats. Yet the more he unravels Evangeline’s secrets—her buried vulnerability, her razor-sharp wit, the ghosts of her past—the harder it becomes to see her as the monster the novel painted. Torn between survival and the dangerous pull of empathy, Jack must outwit enemies who know his truth: that he’s an outsider with the power to change fate. But in a realm where trust is a knife and love is a weakness, can a man who hid from life become the one thing a villainess was never meant to have—a reason to hope? The Thorned Rose of House Vossaire is a sweeping tale of redemption, forbidden chemistry, and the fragile beauty of second chances. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton’s dark allure, The Cruel Prince’s intricate schemes, and the quiet power of The House in the Cerulean Sea. Here, love doesn’t soften edges—it sharpens them.

The story takes the last days as the background, tells the story of ordinary young Thorne in the zombie infested world to survive. Nicknamed the "Loser Man" for his inability to awaken the Breakout powers, he activates the mystical Ring during a near-death crisis, gaining the ability to manipulate the zombie pet. By collecting zombies and collecting Yuanjing, Luo Hou gradually upgrades the function of the ring, breaks through the evolutionary class barrier, and accidentally gets involved in the power struggle of the colony. The core plot includes: Survival struggle: The thrilling process of hunting zombies to obtain the crystal in the early days Goldfinger Awakening: The ability to manipulate pet and store space with the Spirit Ring Class jump: from the bottom scavengers to the power evolutors who trade with the ruler Cheng Qiyi The Test of humanity: moral choices in the face of vulnerable groups End-time ecology: Zombie/monster hierarchy and the social structure of human survivors

A young boy transmigrated into a runic world where the foundation of everything starts with runes and ends with runes, with a special ability: merge. In this magical world, he was left in a lonesome plateau region where he had to deal with his very situation—starvation, which was the cause of death for the original owner. With his new ability, merge, how would he conceive his path? Would he rise as a runic warrior, runic laborer, runic support, or rune producer? This fascinating new world enticed him, but it also carried a deep hidden thorn that one had to traverse. How would he traverse his journey?

The path of cultivation was full of thorn but who could resist the temptation of immortality? Li Kong was an ordinary young man living in the village peacefully before a star fall from the sky and gave him a chance to become a cultivator. But yet, strange things keep happening inside of the village. An unknown altar made deep within the woods. Cases of livestock disappearing. A faint pungent smell hovering in the air. Just what was happening inside of the village?

Abandoned on the battlefield, all he could do was endure the hellish life. He had no family to rely on, as they had turned their backs on him. A soul from the battlefield, Lucavion Thorne. But apparently, he was a lot more than a mere soldier, as fate had many things stored for him. A soul from Earth....When they merged, he realized. He was a one-chapter villain whose sole purpose was to serve as a background setting for the protagonist's tragedy. But was he truly a one-chapter villain, or did fate still have some tricks up its sleeve? Watch the story of Lucavion Thorne as he finds the purpose behind his transmigration and discovers his own fate. ---------- One or two chapters daily. Chapter Length 1500-2000 You can check my discord if you want. You will be able to see the illustrations here and engage in a conversation with me if I am available. https://discord.gg/qRknX5hTur ---------------------------0------------------------------ Business E-mail: yusuftalhayasar@outlook.com Discord: _yty_

~•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.

[ A/N: This is a modern fantasy novel happening in a slightly more advanced parallel earth. The novel will delve into dark themes with a lot of blood and gore. Main character is a Villian that regresses to a time before he lost everything. The main theme of the novel is revenge. The main character’s ability is blood manipulation.] ---- As demons attacked the world, one of the most feared villain known to mankind escaped his prison. For the past decade, the high-security containment zone, "The Abyss," had held him captive. But recent demon attacks forced the transfer of essential prison personnel, weakening its security. Seizing this opportunity, Oliver Thorne escaped. Contrary to expectations, he displayed no anger, rage, or remorse, instead heading directly for the heart of the demon army. The blood of the fallen rose like a tsunami, merging with him as he flew across the sky. He reached the center of the demon army. Suddenly, the world turned crimson. An enormous energy wave tore through space and time, shredding the strongest demons into dust. More blood erupted, fueling further explosions. Until everything was reduced to dust. The crimson devil, the supposedly unkillable villain, finally perished. But unknown to him, fate had other plans. After death, Oliver Thorne was sent to his teenage years. The time before he became a villain. What would he do with the unexpected second chance he received? [ A/N: This is a modern fantasy novel happening in a slightly more advanced parallel earth. The novel will delve into dark themes with a lot of blood and gore. Main character is a Villian that regresses to a time before he lost everything. The main character’s ability is blood manipulation.] Tags : Action, Adventure, Scheming Protagonist, Villainous Protagonist, Politics, War, Military, Otherworld, Portal, Monsters. Super power, Super heroes, Super villains.

(MATURE CONTENT) Penelope and Madison are identical twin sisters, but they live vastly different lives. Madison married a rich man and enjoys luxury, while Penelope is stuck with a struggling husband. However, when Madison is murdered, Penelope's life is turned upside down. She discovers that Madison's husband, Julien Laurent, has left her a safe worth $10 billion, but it can only be opened on her 24th birthday, just 50 days away. Desperate, Penelope decides to impersonate her sister to claim the safe. But she soon learns that Julien is a ruthless individual, with a hidden empire of illicit dealings - including an underground casino with a long record list of murder. And behind the warmth and care was a man that might have had a hand in the murder of her sister.

In "The Shadows of the Forgotten Realm," young mage Elysia discovers a destiny to unite allies against the Shadow King. Guided by the ancient guardian Thorne and her mother's pendant, she joins warrior Kael, thief Liora, and herbalist Elara. They learn to harness elemental magic under Seraphina's tutelage, facing trials and building alliances. As shadows consume their world, they must confront inner demons and external foes to reclaim their realm from encroaching darkness.

"I may just be a mob character, but with this system, I’ll survive no matter what!" Ralph Cliffscar, a part-time worker, dies and wakes up in the world of Arventia, a fantasy series he watched. Now he’s Nicodeim Thorne, the duke’s eldest son. But there’s a big problem: in the story, Nicodeim is supposed to be killed by the villain, Livius Sarrafort, who he used to bully as a child. With the help of a strange system that shows critical events, Ralph must stop Livius from turning evil and find a way to change both their fates. Can he survive, or will the story end just like before?

Sasha, a reckless event planner with a taste for trouble, throws an exclusive penthouse party that sets her life ablaze. A spilled drink leads to a heated graze of fingers with Julian, a brooding artist whose dark eyes promise heartbreak—and more. But when Lena, Sasha’s fiery ex, crashes their frenzied kitchen kiss, the night explodes into a threesome of tangled lips and forbidden thrills. What starts as a seductive game spirals into a steamy, chaotic web of lust, betrayal, and power no one can control. Julian’s married—to Mara, a cool, calculating temptress who knows every secret and plays her own game. Paint-smeared studio nights, rain-soaked wall-pounding passion, and masked threesomes in hidden alcoves blur the lines between love and obsession. Lena dances through it all, her hips a weapon of revenge, seducing Julian in a pulsing club to wound Sasha, only to crave her more. Mara’s dinners turn to dares, her foot sliding up Sasha’s thigh, her whispers sealing pacts in silk sheets—until jealousy and rage ignite a cabin clash where four bodies collide, boundaries obliterated in a symphony of gasps. From bathroom trysts on cold tiles to ropes biting skin in secluded retreats, Sasha’s caught in a storm of need—Julian’s possessive thrusts, Lena’s defiant grinds, Mara’s subtle dominance. Fury fuels punishing threesomes, solitude stokes self-pleasure, and every reunion teeters on redemption or ruin. As the chaos peaks, Sasha must choose—or surrender to them all. Passion drowns reason, revenge burns hot, and desire redefines everything in a final, decadent night of fragile truce and unrelenting heat. Will Sasha master the madness, or let it consume her?

Thirteen young women. One Prince and Dragon rider. In the kingdom of Aurelia, the path to the throne is paved with ambition, beauty, and sacrifice. A special selection is held to choose the next dragon queen from among the finest daughters of the founding magical nobilities. Thirteen girls, one from each of the foundational families, are chosen to vie for the crown and become the next dragon queen—and the hand of the enigmatic Crown Prince Cassian, the best dragon rider in the seven kingdoms and rider of the ancient, powerful black dragon Taheer. Among them is Lira, the thirteenth girl, a quiet but captivating young woman who seems to have come from nowhere. Unbeknownst to the court, Lira is no noble; she has no powers. She is an impostor. She did not come from a founding family. Driven by revenge, she has infiltrated the selection to destroy the monarchy that unjustly executed her father, a former advisor accused of treason. Lira expects to despise the prince, to see him as a reflection of the corrupt crown. Instead, she immediately bonds with his dragon Taheer and finds Cassian to be kind, intelligent, and burdened by the weight of a kingdom's expectations. He, in turn, is drawn to her fiery spirit and quiet resolve, a stark contrast to the polished perfection of the other contenders. But a new Dragon Queen must be chosen and Lira might not stand a chance. Will Lira's thirst for vengeance destroy them all?

Ever heard of someone who's perfect and fake at the same time? Someone who had both a perfect and imperfect life? Someone who seems to have it all but hides a life full of cracks? Rain Sin Williams, the king of ladies, a star athlete and the top student in his school. On the outside, he's flawless– a guy everyone envies but a victim of something darker on the inside. Beneath his perfect facade is a guy who carries dark secrets no one knows. He was doing just fine, keeping his demons buried, until she arrived. June Silver Williams, a once famous writer who lost everything. His beautiful neighbor next door, the first person to ever witness his perfect life and the secrets he harbors. His neighbor at home, his desk mate in school and now, the unwanted witness to the skeletons in his cupboard. She likes him, he hates her. She wants to keep him, he wants to get rid of her– they clash at every step but always stand on opposite sides. But everything becomes even more tangled when another woman enters the picture–Bliss Valon, the only person who knows both June and Rain's deepest secrets. UNTIL I MET YOU!

The young master of the Thorne family, Adrian Thorne, one of the twelve great families on the floating cloud continent had it all, wealth, power and a beautiful fiancee........ until he didn't. When he returned home from his training in the mountains after receiving a strange necklace from his father, he was shocked to find his whole family massacred by the people of demonic faction. Ambushed and injured, he thinks that the end is near until a drop of blood causes the necklace to emit a dazzling light just as he passes out. Adrian wakes up to find his pursuers dead. Shocked and still in grief, he searches his home to find his younger brother and a servant girl still alive. Vowing to take revenge on those that destroyed their family, the group of three wander off into the night. With his new inheritance, will Adrian be able to have his revenge and be able to rebuild his family with just the three of them? And who helped the demonic faction ambush the Thorne family? Please show your support through votes and comments.

Zoran Thorne, a war veteran reincarnated in a new world, is still confined to a wheelchair but far from weak. After rescuing a group of girls from slave traders, Zoran takes them in, unknowingly triggering a mysterious power within himself. This hidden ability imbues the girls with incredible powers, making them some of the most formidable beings in the world. Despite his disability, Zoran’s calm guidance and unwavering dedication shape these young women into powerful warriors. As they grow in strength, their bond with Zoran deepens, and together, they face the darkness of a world that seeks to tear them apart. Can Zoran protect the girls he’s come to see as family, or will his past catch up to them?

The path to claiming a throne has never been without its thorns. My father learned this harsh truth through blood and steel, and I now carve my legacy through fire and resolve. Yet mere survival will never quench this relentless hunger. I will not rest until every kingdom across this continent trembles at my shadow and bends its knee to my crown.

Unbeknownst to Seraphina that she was bestowed a gift and also had a past life, she lived her nineteen years in bliss until the day her parents announced a nerve-breaking news to her. She was offered as a peace bride to the son of their family business partner who they were greatly indebted to. Tried and tired of going against the marriage, Seraphina finally succumbed and accepted the proposal to marry the Lord's son under a secret agreement which was between them, the future couple. This agreement unknown to her was a trap from her famous future husband to lure her into his cage and web where together, they revisited everything about their past life. There, she found out that she was not only the town's Belle but also a powerful woman who was bestowed with an incredible gift many fought and wished to acquire which unfortunately, she had misused for the wrong people then. Discovering the hidden dark secrets that were the cause of her death and downfall in her past life, and also about the very one person whom she trusted that was the cause of her death, she vowed to avenge everyone who had used her. But her biggest setback in accomplishing her goal was, she couldn't remember who and what her future husband was in her past life no matter how hard she tried. Without remembering him, she had no power to start her revenge. The only way and breakthrough at which she can remember him was to consummate their marriage which, sadly, was not an easy feat to fulfill. Left with the last option on her list, she chose to kill everyone from her past life including her husband-to-be. But how far could she go to attain her goal with her not-so-easy vampire husband so that fate won't be repeated? She was a determined lioness trapped in the web of a cunning vampire.

Isabella Winters never asked to be the heir to the Blackthorn Pack, but fate has other plans. Raised by an adoptive family after her parents were murdered in an ambush, she returns to the pack she never knew, only to find herself isolated, ridiculed, and caught in a dangerous power struggle. Her grandfather, Alpha Evan, is dying, and with him goes the future of the pack. To secure its future, he demands Isabella marry Lucas Blackwood, the pack’s golden boy and most likely successor to the throne. But Lucas has his own secrets. As the most adored member of the pack, he fears Isabella’s return might take away everything he’s worked for—the throne, the pack, and his future. Though he plays the part of the perfect gentleman in public, behind closed doors, he resents the very woman he’s supposed to marry. That is, until he begins to see the strength, wisdom, and leadership hidden beneath her quiet exterior. When the Blackthorn Pack is thrown into chaos by betrayal from within and a shocking assassination attempt on Alpha Evan, Isabella must confront her destiny. As dangerous enemies close in, Isabella discovers a hidden power that could make her the true leader the pack needs—but only if she can overcome the lies, betrayal, and her own doubts.

"Passion Twist : Tales of Lost Sisters" is a heart- wrenching epic that chronicles the lives of four sisters torn apart by war and circumstance. In the ravaged kingdom of Marinia, the once- peaceful land is destroyed,and the royal family is brutally murdered. The four sisters - Selena,Isolde, Adrielle, and Seraphina are separated and forced into lives of servitude, slavery and deception. As they navigate their new realities, each sisters faces unimaginable hardships. Selena is trapped in a life of sexual exploitation, Isolde toils as a child laborer and Adrielle escapes her mistress only to find herself on the brink of death. Seraphina, the youngest, is trained by a cunning and dangerous Lord to seduce the prince of Drakmara, but she finds herself entangled in a complete web of passion and loyalty. The prince, initially confident and imposing,harbors a deep - seated conflict. He's torn between his ambition to rule Drakmara and the manipulation of his uncle, who has conditioned him to doubt his own instincts. As the sisters'paths converge, they must confront their tormentors,their own demons and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. With their fates hanging in the balance, the sisters must decide where their loyalty lies: with their kingdom, their family or their own hearts. Will they find a way to reunite, overcome their past,and forge a new future? Or will the passions that drive them tear them apart forever?

This is a historic based novel, it plainly talks about our heroine life as she grew up in a Cinderella environment but she is sharp mouthed, insulting, smart, rebellious and uneducated despite all she has been through. Due to the new king who has managed to overthrown and claimed many nations he asked for a wife from her family and due to the rumors of him being wicked clood blooded and calculative her family sent her to marry him instead of her younger step sister but still yet our heroine refuses to submit to the king.

I watch him, his green eyes brimming with concern as he gently massages my scarred leg. The sensation is both soothing and a stark reminder of my own inadequacy. The once-feared Crimson General, a symbol of power and invincibility, is now nothing but a frail shadow of his former self. I’ve been abandoned, left to decay in this forsaken place, my family and comrades long forgotten. Darkness had become my only solace, and I had resigned myself to it. Then he arrived, a beacon of light in my endless night. His presence, his care—it’s more than I ever deserved. Yet, I find myself clinging to him with an intensity that borders on madness. I hate that I need him so desperately, that his every action and word have become my lifeline. It consumes me, a torment I can't escape. "You don't have to do this. Please, don’t do this. I’m nothing. You deserve better. Leave. Please," I beg, my voice trembling with raw anguish, the very words tearing me apart. He continues his work, seemingly unaffected by my pleas. "Why are you here? Look at me! I’m nothing." Desperation and anger swell within me, mixing into a maelstrom of anxiety. I can’t comprehend the emotions coursing through me. "You're my alpha, where else would I be?" he responds softly, his gaze unwavering, as if my pleas were mere background noise. My heart races, torn between overwhelming relief and paralyzing dread. In that moment, I realize the truth: you would have to tear him from my cold, lifeless arms. I’m never letting go. - General Thorne, betrayed and broken, finds new life and love with Omega Noelle, who nurses him back to health. Their deepening bond reveals Thorne’s softer side, offering a chance at happiness. Unfortunately, Thorne’s past soon catches up with them, threatening their newfound peace. **** STOP!!!! HERE IS 9 REASONS YOU SHOULD GIVE THIS A SHOT 1. Omegaverse 2. The Alpha is a greenflag. 3. Fluff, and cheesey cliche romance. 4. Faceslapping and revenge. 5. Smut, with no dubcon or noncon. 6. OP husband. 7. Really cliche plot honestly. Those historical manhwas but make it gay. 8. The omega/bot is not a pushover. 9. I'm asking you give it a shot please.

Thorndike, a charming and respected young man, never expected to fall so deeply in love—until he met Blue. Mysterious, beautiful, and guarded, Blue carries a past she cannot escape. As their love grows, so do the secrets between them. Raised under the ruthless rule of her feared father, Mr. Skinner, Blue has spent her life hiding from his control. Thorndike’s world is warm and welcoming, but her past threatens to destroy their future. When love and fate collide with hidden truths, they must decide—will their bond withstand the storm, or will the weight of their pasts pull them apart?

Joan has no choice as her parents accepts the marriage contract offer without even an approval from her, Damien had to fulfill his father’s last wish. The alliance being an opportunity for the settlement of the debt Joan’s parents had to pay. But the dark past and haunting experiences suffered by Joan, hiding her away from the world in fear, finally, she is paying the debt, the debt of her freedom. Will she be able to accept Damien after discovering his identity and forgive him for the hunting past?, will their resentment ever turn into affection?.