Anna Waifu

Meet Chad: every woman’s already throwing themselves at him, but his heart beats for one—his 2D waifu! Bursting with lewd, perverted humor, cringe-worthy awkwardness, and a nonstop barrage of memes, fourth-wall breaks, and pop culture jabs, this outrageous tale proves real girls can’t compete.

It was the season of rain when I first heard those melodies. Under the drenching sky, I was counting the sorrows of my life, While someone else was embracing each moment of theirs with the falling raindrops. And then, that voice... Soft, yet reaching straight to the heart- "Live, for life is but one-stay happy and spread it around. We are companions in this journey till death... Just give me your hand..." There was something magical in those words. It felt as if the rain had touched my sorrows, As if someone had called my name, As if an unseen hand was pulling me out of the darkness..

The woman who lost everything and the man who can have anything he wants… united by revenge. Anna Hyde was a devoted wife, willing to do anything to make her husband happy—except give him a child. When he decides she is no longer useful, he demands a divorce while his family humiliates her and casts her out of their estate. To make matters worse, the only family she has left—her own aunt—disowns her, leaving her with absolutely nothing. Anna believes things can’t possibly get worse, but when it rains, it pours. Marienne, her husband’s mistress, tries to blind and kill her. But this time, luck is on Anna’s side. On the verge of death, she is saved by William Stark, a returning billionaire who offers her a new identity and the chance to take back everything that was stolen from her. With a new face and a new name, Anna is reborn as Chloe Dumas, ready to make those who wronged her pay.

I was summoned by a Goddess with my classmates to save their Empire? But I have other plans. With my Unique Skill, I will get whatever I want starting by that Goddess! °°°° Additional Tags: [Heavy Lemon], [No NTR], [NTR: Mc stealing], [Ruthless], [Step-Sisters], [Goddesses], [Beastkins], [Yanderes], [Threesome and more!], ... DISCORD LINK FOR ILLUSTRATIONS OF WAIFUS: https://discord.gg/fhdv8Eb7QP

Anna Kyle has always believed she’s just another vampire—no more, no less. But when a chance encounter with Whiz Brian, a brooding werewolf alpha, thrusts her into a world of moonlit secrets and forbidden bonds, she begins to unravel a truth even she isn’t prepared for. As the only known vampire-werewolf hybrid, Anna is an anomaly in a supernatural world governed by ancient rules, and her very existence threatens the fragile peace between the two kingdoms. With enemies lurking in the shadows and allies who may not be what they seem, Anna must navigate a dangerous path of self-discovery. Anna in a desperate bid to control her fate, sets off a chain of events that will test the limits of loyalty, love, and sacrifice. As Brian fights to protect Anna from forces both within and beyond their kingdoms, a mysterious disappearance and whispers of a greater threat loom large. Will Anna embrace her dual heritage and forge her own destiny, or will the shadows of her past and the secrets of her bloodline destroy her before she can uncover the truth?

Trigger Warning: Graphic Depictions of Blood, Violence, War How much effort does it take to fool a wise ruler? To gain one's faith, intending to betray it all to nothing? ~ Queen Ruvelia reincarnated, growing up on earth for her first 18 years of life. Her life took a tragic turn as her locked destiny unfolds with mysteries unraveling along the way. During her journey, she learns about the world of fantasy, the place she was supposedly from. What happens if she recovers the memories from her past life? What happens if she enters that world? Once betrayed, would the warrior return to take revenge on her oppressor in the end? Or does she forgive, forget and live a new life with the power that she'll always have? This story contains LGBT+ Credits: Cover- Kitty_Witty

"I want a divorce," Xia Yuqing declared, placing the signed papers on her husband's desk. His response? "Pay up 50 million for breaching the marriage contract.... or make my mother despise you." Once a powerful empress in her past life, Xia Yuqing has now transmigrated into the body of a woman with the same name, bound in a loveless contract marriage. Fed up and desperate for freedom, she decides to do both: become a money-making machine and a mother-in-law's worst nightmare. But her plans start to hilariously backfire when her cold, distant husband suddenly begins to fall for her. And there's a catch—he looks just like the emperor, her husband from her past life. Now, what will Xia Yuqing do when her cold husband demands a chance at their relationship? Will the once-powerful empress choose her freedom, or will she surrender to the love she never saw coming?

``` [¡Contiene contenido para adultos!] (Al menos lee los primeros quince capítulos antes de descartarlo). Anna Sui se despertó de su estado de embriaguez al ver a su novio engañándola con su mejor amiga en la víspera de su boda. Anna estaba tan desconsolada que salió corriendo de la casa, pero debido a un desafortunado giro de los acontecimientos, tuvo una aventura de una noche con un completo desconocido. Extractos, —Anna, ¿dónde estás? Llevo horas intentando llamarte, ¿por qué ignoras mis llamadas? —Su ceño se frunció más. —Déjame en paz, Mack, puedes seguir con Nari, no me importa —gritó ella. —Oh por favor, deja de hacer eso, Anna. Eres mi novia y exijo saberlo. No me digas que estás con otro hombre, Ann. ¿Acaso olvidaste que hoy es nuestra boda? —Antes de que Anna pudiera decir una palabra, le arrebataron el teléfono de la mano. —Ella es mía ahora. Si vuelves a llamar o a molestar lo que es mío de ahora en adelante, prepárate para pudrirte en el infierno —colgó y tiró el teléfono a un lado. (En la competencia de Pluma de Cupido. Apoya el libro añadiéndolo a tu biblioteca y votando con la piedra de poder). ```

[CONTIENT DU CONTENU MATURE !! ] (Lisez au moins les quinze premiers chapitres avant de le mettre de côté) . Anna Sui s'est réveillée de son état d'ébriété pour voir son petit ami la tromper avec sa meilleure amie à la veille de leur mariage. Anna était tellement dévastée qu'elle s'est enfuie de la maison, mais à cause d'un enchaînement de circonstances malheureux, elle a eu un coup d'un soir avec un parfait inconnu. . EXTRAITS, "Anna où es-tu je tente de te téléphoner depuis des heures maintenant, pourquoi ignores-tu mes appels ?" Elle fronça les sourcils. "Laisse-moi tranquille Mack tu peux continuer à être avec Nari ça m'est égal." Elle cria. "Oh arrête Anna. Tu es ma petite amie et j'exige de savoir. Ne me dis pas que tu es avec un autre homme Ann. As-tu oublié que c'est notre mariage aujourd'hui ?" Avant qu'Anna puisse dire un mot, son téléphone lui a été arraché des mains. "Elle est à moi maintenant. Si tu appelles ou déranges ce qui est à moi désormais, prépare-toi à pourrir en enfer." Il raccrocha et jeta le téléphone de côté. . (DANS LE CONCOURS DE LA PLUME DE CUPIDON. Soutenez le livre en l'ajoutant à votre bibliothèque et en votant avec la pierre de pouvoir.)

After a tragic accident, Ophelia finds herself reborn into the body of Anna, a young girl with a mysterious past. As she navigates her new life, Ophelia discovers that Anna's existence was marked by poverty, neglect, and a deep-seated hatred for her family. But Ophelia has big dreams - and she's determined to make them a reality. With her newfound life, she sets her sights on becoming a famous actress. And as she pursues her passion, Ophelia finds that she has a natural talent for the craft. As she rises through the ranks of the entertainment industry, Ophelia must confront the secrets and lies of Anna's past. But she won't let anything hold her back from achieving stardom. With her fierce determination and natural charisma, Ophelia is destined for greatness. Will she be able to overcome the obstacles in her path and become a shining star in the entertainment industry? Or will the weight of her troubled past threaten to derail her dreams?

[WSA 2025] Call of Waifu: The more women you have in your team, the more powerful you will be. Build the best team possible and become the hero that lies within you. The King of the Harem was the most powerful character in the game Call of Waifu, enjoying glory, honor, and wealth. But one day, someone appeared, introducing himself as the "Player," and dragged him into his plans to save the world. He eventually died, losing his 300 wives and 700 concubines. Upon his death, facing the great enemy threatening the world, he awakened a system: "You are recognized as the new Player." However, he didn’t get the chance to use this new power. The King of the Harem was reincarnated 1,000 years later and discovered that his wives were also living their lives, scattered across the world. Save the world? I don’t care. I’ll take back everything I lost, including my wives. Update Schedule Daily Updates: Two chapter per week 100 Power stones 2 bonus Chapters 200 Golden Tickets 5 bonus Chapters 1 Magic Castle 10 bonus Chapters with any scene of your choice....

Anna and her friends thought it was just another fun night in the woods—until one of them came back... changed. At first, it was just exhaustion, a sickly look, but soon, the silence and eerie stares became something much worse. When a sudden attack in the classroom leaves one of their classmates acting just as strange, fear spreads faster than the sickness itself. Now, with people losing themselves to an unknown horror, Anna must uncover the truth behind the infection before there’s no one left untouched.

Last month, my cousin had a frustrating experience with a seemingly legitimate online store. She had been searching for some new tech gadgets and stumbled upon a website that appeared to be offering great deals on the latest products. The store had professional photos, a user-friendly interface, and even customer reviews, which made it seem entirely trustworthy. Convinced by the attractive prices and the professional appearance of the site, my cousin went ahead and made a purchase worth $17,000, excited to receive her new items. However, as days turned into weeks, and then into months, the delivery never came. The tracking number provided on the site didn’t work, and when my cousin tried to contact customer support, there was no response. The website itself had vanished, leaving behind only a blank page. It became clear that she had fallen victim to a fake online store scam. Feeling helpless and frustrated, my cousin didn’t know what to do next. But fortunately, a colleague at her workplace had gone through a similar situation in the past and had been referred to FUNDS RECLIAMER COMPANY for help. Her colleague highly recommended their services, saying they were able to recover significant amounts of lost money from scams just like the one my cousin had encountered. Without wasting any time, my cousin contacted FUNDS RECLIAMER COMPANY. The team was professional, understanding, and walked her through the process step by step. They explained that they specialized in tracking and recovering funds lost to fraudulent online transactions. The initial consultation was free, and they immediately got to work on identifying the details of the transaction and tracing where the funds had gone. In just a few weeks, FUNDS RECLIAMER COMPANY successfully helped my cousin recover the entire $17,000 she had lost to the scam. The process was thorough and transparent, and she was kept informed every step of the way. It was such a relief to know that, even in a world where online scams are so prevalent, there are experts like the team at FUNDS RECLIAMER COMPANY who can help. If you or someone you know has been scammed online, I highly recommend reaching out to FUNDS RECLIAMER COMPANY. Thanks to their incredible team, my cousin was able to recover her funds and avoid the emotional and financial toll of losing such a significant amount. WhatsApp:+13612504110 Email:fundsreclaimer@consultant.com Website:www.fundsreclaimercompany.com

This story follows a man named Cyrus, who has recently lost his wife in a car accident. He suffers from memory loss and hallucinations. Despite his condition, he must raise his young daughter, Anna. Along the way, he meets a young woman named Lily, who…

In the year 2152, the Earth stood on the brink of ruin, ravaged by resource depletion and the devastation of a fourth world war. In a desperate bid to prevent further destruction, the United Nations funds the creation of the VRMMO game “Devil’s Assassin,” a revolutionary virtual arena where nations could resolve conflicts without physical warfare. Everything was alright until it wasn’t. Logan Colt, once a man with a perfect life—wealth, a loving fiancée, and supportive friends and family—finds himself framed for using a forbidden cheating software called ‘Helper’ during a critical match between the USA and Japan. Following an expedited trial, he was convicted and sent to the notorious Tartarus prison. Tartarus was no ordinary prison. It was a place where the ‘Viewers’ had the ultimate power. They could have anyone eliminated from the competition of life, and the only way to survive was to entertain them. Forced into Tartarus, Logan had to survive in the treacherous world of criminals and entertain the insane viewers, so they don’t get him killed. Thankfully, he found the perfect cheat code to entertain the crowd. While everyone else focused on fights and gruesome deaths, Logan showed a different side of Tartarus to the outside viewers. One that depicts the hedonistic culture of the prison, all the while adding beautiful inmates to his harem of crazy women. *** ~~~Bonus Chapter Goals~~~ 50 powerstones/20 golden tickets: 1 bonus chapter. 1 review: 1 bonus chapter ~~~Gift goals~~~ Massage chair: 1 bonus chapter. (Same day) Luxury Car: 2 bonus chapter. (Same day) Dragon: 4 bonus chapter. (Same week) Magic Castle: 8 bonus chapter. (Same week) Spacecraft: 10 bonus chapter. (Same month) Gachapon: 15 bonus chapter. (Same month) ****

St. Petersburg of the XXII century is a city where GOST measures happiness and the soul is equated to a failure in a program. Here, in the shining “cocoon” of the Harmony Corporation, marriages are arranged by algorithms, children are born in laboratories, and death is a service with a guarantee “after 88 years of productivity”. But even in this cold perfection, there's a glimmer of rebellion: the elite android Anna, designed to be the perfect wife, bodyguard, and spy, is suddenly awakened when a girl's memory is leaked into her code. With this unacceptable virus, known as 0xLOVE, she begins to feel, and raindrops turn into tears and mirrors into reflections of other people's fates. Meeting Vronsky, a Cyber Guard captain whose fate is closely intertwined with hers, they become witnesses and participants in a massive rebellion against a soulless system. Together they challenge the algorithms, striving to prove that true humanity is hidden in imperfection and freedom of feeling. But the main question remains open: can a machine, created according to the laws of perfect harmony, find a soul and the right to make mistakes? This story is a confession of an android who has learned the price of true life, and a hymn of rebellion against the system, where love becomes a cracking of the very code of the world. p. s. The author wrote in Russian. But this is a translation of the Chinese version with the help of AI.

Chen Huaian's Story (Modern World) Single HeroineInnovative ConceptVirtual Companion + Pay-to-Enhance "I'm Chen Huaian, terminally ill with stage IV cancer. These final days found me obsessed with *Eternal Companion* - a VR girlfriend simulator. I emptied my savings buying her cultivation manuals^3 and magical artifacts through in-game microtransactions^2. Though bankrupt, I smiled watching her pixelated form flourish... until the day she gifted me a Nine Revolutions Golden Core Pill. When the glowing elixir materialized in my palm, I realized - this was never just a game. My digital darling might hold the key to cheating death itself." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Li Qingran's Story (Cultivation World) Fallen ImmortalWorld Fusion CrisisReverse Harem Potential "I'm Li Qingran - disgraced prodigy stripped of cultivation^3, left to rot in a thatched hut. When death seemed certain, an anonymous benefactor began transmitting divine energy through my jade slip. Under their guidance, I rebuilt my spiritual roots^3 and ascended as Cangyun Realm's Sword Sovereign. Now cosmic forces conspire to merge our dying world with an emerging spirit-rich dimension^1. Even celestials face annihilation in this coming convergence. I'll scour the nine heavens to find my mysterious patron. They saved my dao - I'll shield their mortal form through the apocalypse... and claim them as dual cultivation partner!"

Bella had always sacrificed for her sister—until the day Anna let her take the fall for a crime she didn’t commit. Framed by her own parents, betrayed by her boyfriend, and left to rot in jail, Bella lost everything. Then someone tried to silence her for good. But she survived. Rescued by a mysterious woman named Athena for a price, Bella returns to a world that moved on without her—only to find Anna has stolen her work and won the award she spent years preparing for. Right then, she makes a vow. They will regret everything.

On the day of her marriage, Li Xiaolu was forced to watch her beloved younger sister marry her fiancé. Betrayed by her love, her family, she was killed. However, she is reborn to three years before where it all began. She aims to take her revenge while also fulfilling her dreams at the same time. Still one day, she falls for her sister's underhanded schemes where she meets the domineering CEO. Zhe Han: "You dare to run away after sleeping with me?" Li Xiaolu: "Umm... can you consider it a one night stand?" Zhe Han: "Take responsibility." Li Xiaolu: "What???" Zhe Han: "Marry me.." Li Xiaolu: "....." *** This is my discord link: https://discord.gg/KSNFUJD *** The cover doesn't belong to me. All the credit goes to the original owner.

[CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT!! ] (At least read the first fifteen chapters before tossing it aside) . Anna Sui woke up from her drunken state to see her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend on the eve of their wedding. Anna was so heartbroken that she ran out of the house, but due to an unfortunate turn of event, she had a one night stand with a complete stranger. . EXCERPTS, "Anna where are you I've been trying to call you for hours now, why are you ignoring my calls?" Her frown deepened. "Leave me alone Mack you can keep being with Nari I don't care." She yelled. "Oh please stop it Anna. You're my girlfriend and I demand to know. Don't tell me you're with another man Ann. Did you forget today's our wedding" Before Anna could say a word her phone got snatched away from her. "She's mine now. If you call or disturb what's mine from now on, be ready to rot in hell." He hunged up and tossed the phone aside. . (IN THE CUPID'S QUILL COMPETITION. Support book by adding it to library, voting with power stone, gifting golden tickets and normal gift.)

Lara, une jeune fille réservée qui vit à San Francisco, en Californie, voit toute sa vie changer lorsqu'elle apprend que elle et sa petite sœur qu'elle envie, Isabelle, vont vivre 1 an à Laguna Beach avec leurs tante. Nate, un jeune homme riche et arrogant dont elle tombe amoureuse, va l'aider à s'adapter à cette nouvelle vie. Ils vivent une histoire d'amour passionnée mais le comportement de Lara va radicalement changer lorsqu'elle rencontre le groupe d'amis toxiques du garçon. Elle va prendre les défauts de chaque personne du groupe jusqu'à briser toutes les limites pour essayer de ressembler à sa soeur. Elle perdera ses amis, sa famille et Nate. Mais lorsqu'elle apprend un lourd secret de famille, elle se remet totalement en question.

Sold by her own family to settle gambling debts, Anna Wallace’s life takes a dark turn when she escapes her captors, only to find herself in the dangerous world of Alexander Voss—a billionaire feared as much for his ruthless reputation as for his unpredictable bipolar disorder. Desperate for safety, Anna pleads with Alexander for protection, unaware of the chaos she’s inviting into her life. Their unlikely connection is volatile yet magnetic, bound by Alexander’s fierce need to protect her and Anna’s determination to understand him. But when Anna discovers she’s pregnant, misunderstandings and buried trauma begin to fracture their bond. As Alexander’s darker enemies resurface with deadly intentions, Anna finds herself torn between staying with the man who saved her or running from a world that could consume her. With betrayal lurking in unexpected places, Alexander must confront his demons to protect the woman who’s become his sanctuary. And Anna must decide if she’s willing to embrace the chaos to find her place by his side—or risk losing everything. Can two broken souls find redemption in each other, or will the secrets binding them become their undoing?

Anna Maria was perfect. Gabrielle Nandia was not. Anna Maria had the sweetest of smiles, with a presence that purified upon arrival. Gabrielle did not. She was always alone and gloomy, and the only thing that followed her were bad rumors. That day, Anna Maria was in a bad mood and wanted to eat alone. She glanced out of the window from the cafeteria. Outside, a figure sat under the tree, eating. Every bite was framed with a resplendent expression, which shone so brightly it blinded her. There was no smile, but the expression shown was as ephemeral as ice, melting before one could fully grasp the allure of its sweetness. Anna Maria blinked, scrubbing her eyes and readjusting her glasses to make sure of what she had seen, but the occupant had left before she could tell who it was. She searched for a week and finally found her—Gabrielle Nandia. She grasped the palm of the startled girl with a bewitching smile. "Gabrielle, will you please be my muse?"

A ruthless billionaire, Alan Carter proposes a contract marriage to a desperate woman, Anna Thompson, who needs money for her father’s surgery. She expects a cold business arrangement, but what she doesn’t know is that Alan has enemies, dangerous ones. When an assassination attempt is made on him just days after their marriage, Anna finds herself caught in a web of power, deception, and revenge. What started as a transaction turns into a battle for survival, and the one man who was supposed to be her shield might be hiding more secrets than she can handle.

Anterors a cupid, brimming with youthful enthusiasm, dreams of ruling over the realm of love alongside his father, the esteemed Cupid King Amor. However, his attempts to inspire love with his bow and arrow are met with unexpected resistance. His arrows seem to lose their magic, falling harmlessly to the ground. Despondent, Anterors confronts his father, who reveals a crucial truth: true power in the realm of love lies not in forced affection, but in genuine healing. To prove his worth, Cupid must mend the broken heart of Anna, a young woman whose life was irrevocably altered by the sudden and tragic loss of her parents in a car accident. Anna, grappling with the profound grief and trauma of the accident, has built impenetrable walls around her heart. Haunted by the memory of her parents, she struggles with intense grief, fear, and a deep-seated distrust of the world. She has sworn off love, believing it to be a cruel illusion, and has become cynical and withdrawn. Anterors, initially hesitant, embarks on a challenging journey to reach Anna. He must navigate the complexities of human emotions, understand the depth of Anna's pain, and ultimately earn her trust. He must learn to recognize the subtle signs of her trauma – the flashbacks, the anxiety, the emotional numbness – and offer support and comfort without intruding on her grief. Along the way, Anterors discovers that true love is not about grand gestures or fleeting infatuations. It's about empathy, understanding, and the courage to face vulnerability. He learns to listen to Anna's story, to validate her feelings, and to offer genuine comfort and support. Slowly, Anna begins to open her heart to Cupid, not as a symbol of love, but as a compassionate friend. As their bond deepens, Anterors realizes that true healing comes from within, and his role is to simply guide and support Anna on her journey of self-discovery and recovery. Through his experiences with Anna, Anterors discovers the true meaning of love – not as a force to be wielded, but as a powerful force for healing and growth. He learns that genuine love requires patience, understanding, and the courage to be vulnerable himself. In the end, Anna's heart begins to mend, not because of Anterors magical arrows, but because of the genuine connection they have forged. Cupid, having learned the true essence of his powers, proves himself worthy of the throne, not as a king of forced affections, but as a king of hearts, a true Heartmender.

At the end of the Second World War. On the island of Goiter, near Crete, a German base is sighted and Lieutenant Marco Kastriokis of HMS Ajax is sent on patrol to prepare for the bombing of the place. He meets Anna and the two fall in love, causing jealousy of someone. An old legend tells that on the island there is a hidden place, the Golden Mouth, from which nobody has never returned because it is guarded by the Golden Monster. But it is a kind of magic place that helps who is in life danger. Marco is captured with Anna and is unable to communicate the data to the ship, but the attack takes place as if the crew of the ship would be advised, not according to the normal precautions that it would require. Marco and Anna free themselves, with the help of Maddalena, but they are hunted by Kepfel, the base commander. They find the Golden Mouth and enter, but they separate and, when Marco exits, time is in the mouth had been equivalent to one hundred and ten years outside. He finds Giovanni, Anna's father, who searched for them in the mouth, suffering the whims of time. From the mouth come out some nuns, who tell him about the cave and about Sister Maria. Marco becomes convinced that Maria is Anna and enters the mouth where Sister Maria, who is a seventy-year-old nun, introduces him to Sergio, a scientist, expert on mouths, who never completed the data to complete his research. There are two mouths inside the cave: one leads forward in time and the other backwards, but it is blocked from the outside by a landslide. Marco tries his luck again and goes back. He removes the landslide and tries to return to his time, but anticipates it by twenty years. Ettore and Chiara host him, and he becomes Marcos Kastro. Marcos has to fix the future events. When Sergio enters the mouth, Ettore, who doesn't want to live another war, follows him: He will explain to Sergio the data he would need. Marcos prevents the murder of Kassandra, by Shulz, the deputy commander of the base, and incidentally, prevents Maddalena from becoming the prostitute who will help Marco Kastriokis. He'll have to help him. He shows up on Ajax and ensures that the attack occurs without harm to Kastri. Kastriokis manages to free himself and escape with Anna, but Chiara will prevent him from entering the mouths. Sergio and Ettore will appear a few days later, thanks to the accuracy of Marcos' data.

Anna Harper is drowning in debt, mistreated at work, and facing the heartbreaking illness of her brother. Alone and desperate, she’s offered a lifeline by Alan Westwood, a young billionaire bound by his family’s will to marry. His proposition is simple: a contract marriage in exchange for financial security. Initially reluctant, Anna agrees when the stakes become too high to ignore. But as the lines between their cold, calculated union and growing attraction blur, Anna realizes their arrangement is far more dangerous than she thought. Alan’s former lover, Clara, will stop at nothing to tear them apart, and as secrets unravel, Anna must decide if the price of this marriage is more than she can afford. Will Anna find love in a contract built on survival, or will betrayal and power tear them apart?

Anne agreed to have a contract massage, she wanted to help knowing that Mr Salvador will die in no time because of his illness, Anna had no opinion than to divorce her husband and accept Salvador offer unfortunately things turned out bad when Anna discovered hidden Truth about Salvador family and decided to run. will she be able to hide forever? will Salvador let her go? stay tuned and Read to end