Hale Derek

Derek McCoy era un hombre que pasó toda su vida enfrentando adversidades e injusticias. Después de verse obligado a conformarse con sobrevivir en lugar de vivir, finalmente encontró su lugar en el mundo, hasta que todo le fue arrebatado una última vez. Después de perder su vida para vengar a su hermano asesinado, reencarna hasta encontrar un mundo digno de vivir, un mundo lleno de magia y monstruos. Síguelo en su viaje, desde ser un hermano afligido hasta convertirse en un soldado alienígena. Desde un bebé hasta el Supremo Magus.

Derek McCoy war ein Mann, der sein ganzes Leben mit Widrigkeiten und Ungerechtigkeiten zu kämpfen hatte. Nachdem er gezwungen war, sich eher mit dem Überleben als mit dem Leben zu begnügen, hatte er endlich seinen Platz in der Welt gefunden, bis ihm ein letztes Mal alles genommen wurde. Nachdem er sein Leben verloren hat, um seinen ermordeten Bruder zu rächen, reinkarniert er, bis er eine Welt findet, in der es sich zu leben lohnt, eine Welt voller Magie und Monster. Begleite ihn auf seiner Reise, vom trauernden Bruder zum außerirdischen Soldaten. Vom Säugling zum Obersten Magus. ------------------------------------------- Stichworte: Seelenwanderung, Männlicher MC, Western Fantasy Zeitplan: 12 Kapitel/Woche (außer ich bin krank oder es passiert etwas) Kapitellänge: 1200 - 1400 Wörter Warnung: Der MC ist weder ein Held noch ein Anti-Held. Er ist eine gebrochene, zynische und misanthropische Person, die nur nach ihrem eigenen Vorteil sucht. Wenn du einen verzeihenden, netten MC suchst, der herumläuft und Menschen in Not rettet, ist dies nicht deine Tasse Tee. Dasselbe gilt, wenn du einen unveränderlichen MC ohne Charakterentwicklung suchst. -------------------------------------------- Unterstütze den Autor: https://ko-fi.com/legion20 https://paypal.me/Legion20 ------------------------------------------- Discord-Kanal: https://discord.gg/Z5T7CBD ---------------------------------------- Cover von Supreme Magus Lith Verhen von Bocah. Besucht den offiziellen Discord für seine offiziellen Porträts der Charaktere.

After obtaining the Mech Designer System, Ves aims to create the greatest mechs in the galaxy! In the far future, the galactic human civilization has entered the Age of Mechs. The countless lesser powers of humanity have come to adopt mechs as their main weapons of war. Only a small number of humans have the right genetic aptitude to pilot these destructive war machines the size of buildings. Born to a military family in the edge of the galaxy, Ves Larkinson is one of the many people who lacks the talent to earn glory in battle. Instead, he became a mech designer. Helped by his missing father, Ves has obtained the mysterious Mech Designer System that can help him rise in the galaxy and beyond. His mechs based on the principles of life quickly allows him to rise to prominence. Powerful and highly compatible with mech pilots, his products have the potential to take the market by storm. However, success does not come easily, and countless challenges bar his ability to sell his mechs to a market eager for innovation! With the sins of the human race in the galactic arena slowly catching up, Ves must navigate the perils of the ultra-competitive mech market and maintain control over his growing organization of misfits. This is the golden age of mechs. This is the golden age of humanity. The question is, will it last? "Any challenge can be overcome as long as I design the right mech!" --Join The Mech Touch's unofficial Discord server! https://discord.gg/APB5KCU --Follow my Instagram and Twitter! https://www.instagram.com/mlduong https://twitter.com/MLDuong --Cover Art by Derek-Paul Carll (carlldpn) --The Mech Touch is an original webnovel written by ML "Exlor" Duong. The Mech Touch is mainly published on Webnovel.com and a select few platforms affiliated with the parent company of this website.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be known that this book wouldn't have made it this far without the support my dear writing buddy Rachel E. Canton who is a great writer of SINS OF THE SERAPHIM - https://www.webnovel.com/book/sins-of-the-seraphim_26438336605116805 and Derek J. Perna To Rachel & Derek, Thank you for everything! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When the last heir of Ardel lost everything, fate would bring her to her rightful protector. Anna Adhemar, the forgotten princess, found herself betrayed by the Regent. Hunted by the Bargesians and the ruthless slave traders, she desperately fled for her life. Rescued by a mysterious man, her newfound safety was short-lived as she succumbed to a potent aphrodisiac. Then, she awoke in the arms of the fearsome Knight Commander of Gerhard, stripped bare, in a foreign kingdom. Fear, confusion, and a sense of profound devastation enveloped her. But the man before her declared, "I am your husband. I married you last night." Then, with unwavering determination, he vowed, " You're my woman now. No one can hurt my woman." --- Kyren Raychard, the Crown Prince who had chosen to forsake the throne and became celibate, led the Knights of Gerhard to safeguard his kingdom’s border from slave trading activities. Outside his camp, he found Anna poisoned and delirious. The healer informed him of the only cure, of which he must race against time to give and honour her. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming instinct to protect and claim her as his own. Unaware of his deepening affection, he belatedly realised his feelings as he stood on the brink of losing her. Bound by a soul-binding spell, their fates intertwined…

Derek McCoy was a man who spent his entire life facing adversity and injustice. After being forced to settle with surviving rather than living, he had finally found his place in the world, until everything was taken from him one last time. After losing his life to avenge his murdered brother, he reincarnates until he finds a world worth living in, a world filled with magic and monsters. Follow him along his journey, from grieving brother to alien soldier. From infant to Supreme Magus. ------------------------------------------- Tags: Transmigration, Male MC, Western Fantasy Schedule: 12 chapters/week (unless I'm ill or stuff happens) Chapter Lenght: 1200 - 1400 words Warning: The MC is not a hero nor an anti-hero. He is a broken, cynic and misanthropic person looking only for his own gain. If you are looking for a forgiving, nice, MC that goes around saving people in distress, this is not your cup of tea. Same if you want an unchanging MC with no character development. ------------------------------------------- Discord Server: https://discord.gg/suprememagus ---------------------------------------- Cover of Tiamat form Lith Verhen by josh groban aka manohar aka Animustw. My new Pfp was made by Josh (same as above). Visit the official discord for his official portraits of the characters.

“Did you perhaps think I would accept you, the runt of the pack as well as someone destined to bring us doom just because you are my mate? If you ever thought so, then you are incredibly naïve.” He said looking down at me condescendingly. “Then just reject me and let me leave the pack please.” I screamed, already at my wits end. “Oh little redhead, do squash whatever hopes you have of running away because, I, the Alpha of the Blue River pack promise that I will never reject you as long as I live. Instead I will make you suffer so much that you will lose whatever courage you have in you to bring doom.” He declared after he grabbed my face and made me look right into his obsidian eyes. Eyes that seem to see through my soul and uncover my deepest darkest desire. Arielle Hale, born on the lunar eclipse and dubbed a child destined to bring woe to the pack narrowly escapes death and is given a chance to live on. She is then brought up as the runt of the pack and abused till she had no will of her own. She has a plan though. Leave the pack on the day of the new Alpha’s coronation and never come back. Her plan is full proof but fate has other plans. Declared as the mate of the newly crowned Alpha, she has no choice but to stay on. Like other tales, there should be a rejection but this Alpha has other plans. Keep your friends closer and your enemies even closer. Lucinda’s world is plunged into a world of chaos, pain, pleasure and surprisingly love. It is soon revealed that the tale is not only Lucinda’s as another person lurks in the shadow. Follow the story of the Cursed Alpha’s Mate as this is not your usual tale but one of twists, turns and surprises.

In "The Fairy King," Soren Hale awakens in a desolate, barren forest, bewildered to find himself transformed into a fairy, the first of his species to exist. His journey unfolds amidst a world where magic and nature intertwine seamlessly. Blessed with the ability to harness mana and command the elements, Soren discovers a profound connection to a realm he now rules. Guided by empathy and driven by a sense of duty, he embarks on a quest to heal the land scarred by mysterious forces and protect it from looming threats. Story also on RoyalRoad

Since young Halee was diagnosed with an incurable disease that trapped her in a large room with nothing but books and no human company in miles. One day she hears a mystical song and unexpectedly loses all control of her limbs and jumps off the roof of her 40 story building! When she opens her eyes again she finds herself in the same situation, trapped in a cage with no way to escape but this time she's not only in a child's body but she discovers strange powers Watch as she navigates her way through this strange world while unintentionally making herself a harem and a legend

As an orphan, Jared Hale had no one to rely on except himself. His poor status made him the center of mockery in his circle of classmates in his Academy days. He worked in a small store to sustain himself as he attended the Academy. Even though he struggles to survive on his own, he studies hard and maintains his grades without failing, and he's able to graduate without fail. But life is not as easy as it sounds. He still struggles even after years. But just when he was about to give up, a blessing struck down on him as the System recognized him as a host. Now Jared has a generous Money-Maker System. He is out to splurge on his wealth as he pleases and gets revenge on the people from his past.

The world is a battlefield, where the powerful prey on the weak and unlucky. Amidst all the violence and suffering, there are those who refuse to give up, who continue to fight for what is right. Derek Owems and Alexander Majes once lived fairly peaceful lives until a storm of misfortune tore through their worlds, intertwining their paths on a dire and fateful journey. In search of a better life, they joined the Ranks of Azma, determined to use their strength to protect the helpless and those they care about. But Fate is unpredictable. Their path through the Ranks of Azma revealed a deeper meaning to their lives, as they found themselves facing the cruelty of the corrupt systems of the Kingdom of Azma. Their lives now full of twists and turns, their strength and determination are put to the test. Now they must fight to overcome the obstacles in their path or be overwhelmed. Becoming a Hero is a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the unyielding spirit of two men determined to forge a better path—one battle at a time.

"Ariel's wedding day turns into a nightmare when she discovers her adopted mother's dead body and is framed for the crime. But that's only the beginning. Betrayed by her best friend and mate, Ariel loses everything, including her unborn child. Consumed by a thirst for revenge, she makes a pact with Alpha Derek, the ruthless prince of the Shadow Pack. As she navigates the treacherous world of werewolf politics, Ariel must confront the darkness within herself and the prophecy that threatens to destroy her. Will she claim her true powers and exact revenge, or will she become the Alpha King's next victim?"

CEO Azriel Hale Evanders, 33 and a playboy heartthrob in the making. No one would believe that a baby-faced man like him is the current CEO of the world-renowned group of companies that was previously run by his father. Nesryn Aelin Lorcan, 30, Azriel's secretary of 2 years, managed to keep her womanizer boss in check. She also helped in keeping the company afloat, her responsibility is to make sure the CEO does his job right. Follow the story of Nesryn Lorcan as she turn Azriel to a proper ruler.

The cathedral was a stunning sight, adorned with exquisite floral decorations that did nothing but added to it's grandeur. "We are here today," The priest began, his tone rich and commanding. "To witness the union of Manuel and Yvette in holy matrimony". "Before we proceed, if there is anyone here who knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace" . . . . . . "I object!". " On what grounds do you object, young man?". This marriage cannot proceed as it would be unlawful. A married woman cannot marry again not when I , her husband is still hale and healthy". Yvette Jasmin, a rising and well-known actress was over the moon about her upcoming wedding. She flew to Paris for her bachelorette party with her friends, however while drunk she haphazardly married an unknown guy who turns out to be her Brother-in-law, the man who had secretly harbored feelings for her for decades. But now entangled, he couldn't help it. Crashing her wedding was another thing, possessively claiming her was another. Whosoever wanted to get to her would have to pass through this wife slave husband.

"I’m not here to fit in, I’m here to stand out. When the lights are brightest and the pressure’s crushing, that’s when I shine." On the cracked courts of Pinehill, Jaden "Silk" Hunter was a king. His ankle-breaking crossovers, no-look passes, and thunderous dunks made him a streetball legend. But when a scholarship pulls him into the unforgiving world of Ironwood Academy, the country’s most prestigious basketball powerhouse, Jaden learns that talent isn’t enough. At Ironwood, the court is a battlefield, every teammate is a rival, and Coach Grayson Hale rules with an iron fist. The flashy, unpredictable style that made Jaden a legend on the streets is seen as reckless and immature here. His teammates doubt him, his coach benches him, and the media begins to whisper: Is "Silk" all show and no substance? But Jaden isn’t here to play by anyone else’s rules. With his pride on the line and the weight of his hometown’s expectations on his shoulders, he’s determined to prove that style and substance can coexist that you can rewrite the game and still come out on top. When rival prodigies, team betrayals, and mounting pressure push him to the edge, Jaden must rise beyond raw talent and show everyone that greatness isn’t just about playing the game, it’s about playing the Game Above Game. Will Jaden rise to the top, or will the weight of greatness bring him crashing down?

Miley's life fell apart on the night of her 19th Birthday. The celebration was tainted by the business of betrayal. At the party, Miley's drink was spiked, and when she felt ill, she staggered out of the room, only to stumble upon a conspiracy between her boyfriend and her sister. She had always known that her sister didn't love her. but what she hadn't expected was that her boyfriend, whom she had always trusted, was also in cahoots with her. Realization stung sharper than the cold air outside as she discovered their cruel intentions to humiliate her. Overwhelmed and betrayed, she found refuge in an unfamiliar room. But fate, it seemed, had a cocktail of sorrows lined up for her. In the room she sought refuge in was Logan Pierce. This man, a dominant and arrogant person, and her boyfriend's uncle were known to be a living nightmare for those who would cross his path. Under the influence of drugs, they slipped into a night, and he took her for the first time in ways she wished she could forget. Waking up to a world where accusations were hurled at her from all corners, her family turned their backs on her. Placating Logan seemed to have ranked higher than standing up for Miley, their own blood. Disowned and discarded, Miley found herself abandoned on the relentless, heartless streets. Years later, she had blossomed into the U.S. manager of Hales company. During a business meeting, she stumbled upon Logan once again. But the passing years had erased Miley's face from Logan's memory, arousing within him a curiosity and fascination for this elusive lady director. unable to recall the tragic past, Logan felt unwarranted anger towards Miley as he continuously evaded her- thus beginning their forbidden dance of desire yet again.

Through a unexpected incident that led her to getting married to Mr. Devil, a man feared by many, Valeria Hale gets to meet someone who was simply everything she dreamt of in a man, but why the hell did he happen to be her nominal husband's assistant?! Tag along with Valeria as she slowly finds out his true identity and also navigates the treacherous waters of the Capital City where many secrets she had never imagined laid!

Deamon Hale, the 30-year-old CEO of Hale’s Empire, is a force to be reckoned with—an irresistible blend of charm, intellect, and unrelenting power. With his striking good looks and razor-sharp mind, he’s the man everyone admires but few dare to challenge. Known for his playboy lifestyle, Deamon is as captivating as he is unpredictable. Beneath the surface, however, lies an unyielding devotion to his family, a bond so sacred that any threat against them is met with consequences far worse than death. Once a man of peace and contentment, Deamon’s life was turned upside down by the devastating loss of his younger brother, Aiden. That single tragedy ignited a fire in him that burns brighter with every passing day. Now driven by an unrelenting desire for justice, Deamon is determined to track down Aiden’s killer and make them suffer a punishment so cruel, so agonizing, that death would seem like a release—a release Deamon will never grant. This is a man fueled by vengeance, bound by loyalty, and unstoppable in his pursuit of retribution. Jenny Lawrence, a 20-year-old beauty with a heart of gold, radiates innocence and kindness. Her gentle nature often makes her a target for those who take advantage of her compassion. As the eldest daughter of Mr. Lawrence, she carries herself with grace and dignity. But Jenny’s world spiraled into chaos when she was inexplicably entangled in the murder case of a powerful billionaire—a man she had never met or even laid eyes on. What was once a peaceful life turned into a living nightmare, as she found herself fighting to prove her innocence in a web of lies, danger, and intrigue.

Tara has given it her all, taking care of Derek and being a devoted house wife. But he takes it all for granted, and brings home his first love one sudden day. He even goes as far as divorcing Tara, just so he can be with his lover. Seven years later and Tara returns with her smart and handsome son, Richard. Derek is jealous and wants to take him from her. He is even desperate as to make Tara his wife again. "No. We are over, Derek. You will not take my baby away from me. Go back to your mistress." He is going to do everything he can to take her back, but what he doesn't know is that there is another billionaire out there who is madly in love with Tara and her amazing baby.

In a near-future society, Digital Echoes follows Ava Sinclair, a bioethicist grappling with the moral complexities of a groundbreaking technology that allows individuals to upload their consciousness into digital avatars, promising eternal life and limitless exploration. As she navigates the excitement of the Nexus Innovation Conference and engages with Nathaniel Hale, the visionary behind the project, Ava is torn between the alluring prospect of digital immortality and the profound questions it raises about identity, humanity, and the essence of self. As she joins Nathaniel's team, Ava must confront the ethical dilemmas of a world where memories can be shared, experiences can be manipulated, and the line between life and death blurs, ultimately challenging her understanding of what it truly means to be alive.

When Skye's boyfriend of five years, Derek, breaks up with her out of the blue during their wedding preparations, it feels like her whole world is crumbling. That is, until she happens upon a notebook containing what looks like magic spells. With nothing left to lose and in need of a distraction, Skye tries a spell...

Em uma zona marginalizada, um garoto após ser libertado dos maus-tratos que sofreu, culminando no trágico assassinato de sua mãe. Agora, ele se vê em uma situação desesperadora: precisa encontrar maneiras de levar sua irmã para a cidade central, em busca de uma vida melhor e mais segura.

In an alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II, the world is controlled by a sinister new regime, casting a shadow over civilization. This dystopian society is ruled with an iron fist by a totalitarian government that has crushed the spirit of resistance. However, a small group of rebels continues to fight in the shadows, determined to take down the new Axis government and restore freedom to the world. The protagonist, Jonas Hale, is a seasoned soldier and leader of a covert group of resistance fighters. Driven by a deep sense of justice and fueled by the belief that the Axis regime must fall, Jonas embarks on a series of high-risk missions with his loyal team. They strike critical targets, disrupt the regime's operations, and make bold efforts to dismantle the government from within. Along the way, Jonas is hailed as a hero, his leadership and courage keeping the flame of hope alive among his allies.

When Liana Hale is abandoned by her family and thrust into a world of darkness with nothing but her newborn child, she must find strength she never knew she possessed. Betrayed, lost, and vulnerable, she’s determined to survive and uncover the truth about her origins and those who orchestrated her downfall. Haunted by secrets and lies, Liana’s journey unveils powerful alliances, hidden enemies, and an unexpected love that just might redeem them all. As she fights to reclaim her life and identity, she’ll confront a past that could shatter everything she thought she knew.

Um homem acorda no centro de um experimento devastador: uma esfera negra de energia mágica foi implantada em seu corpo, transformando-o em uma arma viva. Perseguido por cientistas inescrupulosos, cavaleiros implacáveis e mercenários, ele precisa lutar por sua sobrevivência enquanto tenta compreender os poderes instáveis que agora o consomem. Determinando acabar com aqueles que o transformaram em cobaia, ele embarca em uma jornada brutal pelas zonas marginais da cidade, enfrentando inimigos formidáveis e revelando segredos sombrios sobre o experimento que pode mudar o destino do mundo. Uma guerra está prestes a explodir, e sua existência é a faísca. No fim, ele deve decidir: será um agente de destruição ou uma força de redenção?

Warning: This novel is R-18, it contains sexually explicit scenes, mature language, and boy-to-boy romance. ••• Armando is a long time boyfriend of a gay senior high student. He will risk everything and does sacrifice just to show his love and let it feel to his sweetheart, Hale. This is a love story where the antagonist and second leading man whose love is more genuine and sincere. "What I hated the most when I realized the fact that MY BOSS IS INLOVED WITH HIS GAY SECRETARY." And that gay secretary is Hale. How can he deal with this? How can he fight his love if his love rival is a million times wealthier than him?

Life was peaceful until the day the demon god~Haitem decided to settle on earth and rebuild his fallen army and mutates all animals and gives them powers beyond imagination creating demons in a world with none. But thanks to the demon god,the long gone energy of earth had returned and was ready to destoy the evil,thanks to haitam something/some power was awoken to the world and it had empowered the rise of knights,mage and so on. Later to be known as heroes. Heroes and demons have been fighting it out ever since the appearance of the demons, At first it was a chaotic world but it stabilized little by little with the rise of the heroes. Heroes kept on evolving and becoming more powerful, and now most of the humanity civilization could become heroes. Blades used to live in a village with his mother and used to be happy until one start night, their village got attacked by the demon king of fear for no reason at all. It was hardly rare seeing a demon king attacking a village all on his own, what one could say Is that it was NOT EXPECTED. Blades mom was the victim under the hunt and she saved blades but lost herself in the battle. With eyes wide like the moon blades watched as the demon king teared his mother's womb apart and take her away as he disappeared to the smoke. Try as he might, grand knight hale appeared at the scene too late, seeing a horrified blades he takes him in. You might think that with what's happened and blades just being 6 he would trauma but no he got the undying fuels to revenge. Being the last survivor of his village, Blades swore to become a knight and slay demons to revenge his village. As a kid he trained under master hale who gave him task after task. Blades even though he was very talented kept training day and night hoping to get a chance of meeting the demon king once more, he swore to tear him apart limb by limb and earn back the dignity of his mother by any means possible. Blades wasn't fueled by passion, oh no he was fueled by Revenge and he would make sure that he killed the demon king If it cost him his own life. The questioned remained, will blade truly get revenge or will he find out the REAL TRUTH about the matter,That he is actually a DEMON HIMSELF?

Emma, a small-town baker, has always loved the magic of Christmas, but this year, her holiday spirit is tested. Her bakery, the heart of the town’s holiday traditions, is at risk of closing due to the arrival of a big-city developer, Lucas Hale, who plans to turn the historic district into a modern shopping plaza. Lucas arrives in town with a heart set on business and a head full of practicality. He’s determined to get Emma to sell her bakery, believing her quaint business stands in the way of progress. But when a snowstorm traps Lucas in town, Emma reluctantly takes him in, and the two are forced to spend the holidays together.

Lemons or lemonade—that’s how Damon Hale saw life. You either got something sweet, or you spent your days squeezing the bitter out, hoping for a taste of something better. Damon, an ordinary construction worker, was ready for life to end, but fate had other plans. Awakening in the fantastical world of Terramar, he’s shocked to find himself reborn as the Crown Prince of Celadrin, the wealthiest kingdom in a land ruled by strength and power. Here, humans command vast kingdoms and tame wild beasts through ancient rituals, transforming them into humanoid servants or fierce fighters. However, Damon’s newfound privilege comes with its own dangers, and his greatest challenge lies in facing the Beast Queen—the oldest and most fearsome of monsters, bent on revenge against the humans who’ve slaughtered and enslaved her kin. Thrust into a world of ruthless elites and deadly creatures, Damon must decide: has he been handed a lifetime supply of lemonade, or been given more lemons to squeeze? ## This is a harem story, and will have a massive harem. The story has a high content of lewdness. If you want a harem novel which focuses more on the romance and action aspects, check out my other book, The Wandering Cowboy. Tags include: Action, Fantasy, Weak to Strong, Romance, Massive Harem, Monster girls, MILFs, Mother-daughter pairs, Netori, R18

"Being mated to the dreadful alpha was something I could’ve never imagined," Diva thought with a heavy sigh. "Ugh! Ahh!" she screamed, throwing a pillow across the room. "I’m so frustrated with everything right now," she muttered to herself. Her voice wavered with anger as she continued, "I never liked this man! And yet, that stupid soothsayer declared I’m mated to this unmerciful brute who kills over the slightest mistake." Her words were venomous, her frustration spilling into every corner of her room. She began tearing through her belongings, scattering clothes and breaking anything in her path. A loud bang came from the door, making her pause. "Diva!" Mikael’s firm voice cut through the silence. "You have to stop this nonsense and come back to your senses. Destiny doesn’t change just because you want it to." "Go away, Mikael!" Diva snapped, her voice cracking with desperation. "I hear you, loud and clear," Mikael replied with an edge of sarcasm. "But when you’re ready to stop acting like a child, don’t forget to call me. I’ll always be there, whether you like it or not." His tone softened slightly, but the sound of his footsteps walking away came swiftly after. Diva leaned her back against the door, sliding down to the floor as tears streamed down her cheeks. It felt like her whole world had been flipped upside down. She wiped at her face but couldn’t stop the sobs from breaking free. "Why him?" she whispered into the empty room. "Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be Derek?" Her mind raced with memories of Derek—the cold, piercing eyes that seemed to see through everyone, the air of authority that silenced even the boldest warriors, and the bloodstained rumors of his merciless reign. A knock came at the door again, softer this time. "Diva," Mikael’s voice was gentler now. "I know this isn’t easy for you. But running from it won’t change the truth. You need to face him. Talk to him. Maybe he’s not as bad as you think." She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Not as bad as I think? You don’t know him, Mikael. You don’t know what he’s capable of." "And neither do you," Mikael replied. "Maybe it’s time you found out." The silence that followed was deafening. Diva closed her eyes, her head dropping to her knees. She wanted to scream, to protest, to demand a different fate. But deep down, she knew Mikael was right. "Why does it feel like my life has been sold off to the devil himself?" she murmured. Her thoughts were interrupted by a chilling gust of wind that swept through the open window. She froze, her eyes darting to the curtains billowing in the night air. For a moment, she felt as if she was being watched. "Destiny, huh?" she whispered bitterly, glancing at the reflection of her tear-streaked face in the shattered mirror across the room. "If this is my destiny, then fate has made a terrible mistake."