Is The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo A Romance

There are times—far too many times—when you feel that uncontrollable urge to kill someone. For Kaya, this… this was exactly that moment. “Repeat what you just said?” She’d seen hell on the battlefield—second-in-command of a military unit, dodging bullets, dragging traitors by the collar, and coming out alive with grit under her nails. But nothing, absolutely nothing, prepared her for the sight of her spineless husband flirting with her own sister. Right in front of her. “I could never marry a barbarian like you. The one I... I like is Meera—” Blah blah. The same pitiful nonsense again. You think—what could possibly be worse than this? And then, right on cue, your idiotic sister chimes in, completely serious, “I just poisoned you.” Wow. BANG. Before anyone could even react, Meera collapsed. Dead. Her so-called husband gasped like a fish dragged out of water. “Y-you…” He dropped to his knees, staring at Kaya like he was seeing a monster rise from the dark. “You killed your sister?! How could y—?” BANG. Second bullet. Same spot. He dropped like a puppet with its strings cut. Silence. ... Just when Kaya thought her story had finally reached its bitter end, the universe—no, god himself—decided to throw in one last, ridiculous twist. “Wife… wife, didn’t you say you were gonna eat me? Why’d you stop?” A snake beast, ridiculously charming and glowing like some immortal fantasy, clung to her, eyes gleaming. Another voice interrupted. “Shut up! My wife wants to cuddle me now—” A sparrow beastman leapt into her arms, like that made any sense. “Hic… wife, don’t you want me anymore?” A panda-like beastman sat beside her, huge, sniffly, and wronged like a child abandoned at a festival. Sitting in the middle of all this, Kaya was absolutely dumbfounded. ‘When the hell did all of this even start?’

Ruby was a genius; however, she tragically passed away after falling from the fiftieth floor of her own company's building. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in an entirely different world. Have you ever heard about the Ghost World? I'm not referring to the world of deceased individuals, but rather a planet. Ruby was shocked when she woke up in the body of an twenty-year-old girl who was already married and had four ghostly husbands. Unfortunately, these husbands didn't love the original owner, and the original owner treated them poorly. The first husband leaned over with a sly smile on his face and said, "You think you can leave me, pretty wife? Nope! Once my eyes catch what I like, I will get it no matter what." The second husband angrily exclaimed, "I hate you, stupid witch! Don't leave me; your stupid husband loves you." The third husband innocently said, "Wife, I made my special soup for you," and proceeded to show bowls filled with blood. The fourth husband gently raised her chin and said, "Wife, I can't believe that with every passing second, minute, and hour, I'm falling for you even more." The fifth husband, who fell in love with her at first sight, looked at the camera and arrogantly smiled. "I fell in love with someone at first sight! Get ready to grab it; I'm throwing ten thousand gems to celebrate," he declared as the camera panned to a room filled with money and treasures. Ruby : "..." Please, someone, make me dead again. Warning: • Reserve Harem • 18+

Coco Coison, after her untimely death at the hands of a fairy, finds herself transmigrated into the body of Coco Hughes, a woman with a troubled past. However, Coco was bestowed upon an ability: she was given abilities similar to Lala, a garden fairy, as compensation from Lala's sister. Eager to embrace her new life and start afresh in this unfamiliar world, Coco soon discovers that her new reality is far from what she wanted it to be. She encounters the four husbands of Coco Hughes, only to learn that they harbor deep resentment towards her due to Coco Hughes's abusive behavior— both physically and emotionally. Despite her intentions to lead a better life, Coco realizes that she must go through the complicated relationships and work to mend the damage caused by Coco Hughes to the husbands, who are now tied to her fate. Coco Coison must confront her past actions in a world where she is both an outsider in the lives of those Coco Hughes has wronged while carving a path for her to separate herself from her husbands. However, they seem to have another plan. "Where are you going, Coco? Going to that inn? To that friends of yours? How about staying here for the night instead?" The first husband who wouldn't allow her stay because of the other husbands has now starting to suggesting for her to stay. "Coco, what the f*ck are you eating? Was it from that chef in the inn again? How many times do I have to tell you that you should come to me so I could cook something for you?!" The second husband who doesn't like her around suddenly told her that he would cook for her. "The village chief told me that you went to the other villages to get me books again. I thought I told you to stop doing that and not put yourself at risk?" The third husband who loves books more than anything else and hated her guts had scolded her for doing her supposedly weekly task given by him. "Who told you to go and ask those mediators to sing for you? Do I look like a statue? I'm right here, aren't I? I can do it for you." The fourth husband who doesn't like to sing for her had made it his daily task to go to her just so he could sing her for her so she won't ask for someone else. Coco Coison only wanted to live her life peacefully and earn money so she could divorce the four husbands, but it seems like they didn't want that. "It seems that tons of leeches want to have you around, huh? How about we get ourselves busy and have some kids fill the empty space of this house?" If you're not a fan of the mentioned things below then please don't read this book. — Boys love and Girls love. — Mentions of harem and reverse harem. — Focuses on romance. — Suggestive and mature content. — Grammatical errors.

Banished. Powerless. River wakes up in the body of Isen Faelir, the disgraced son of the High Wizard, he was stripped off his title and thrown into the Amazon Realm, where women rule and weak men rot. But just as he braces for humiliation, a mysterious screen appears before his eyes: [Romance System Activated] Objective: Awaken your sealed potential by making women fall. Warning: Each new woman must be more beautiful and powerful than the last. Gray Heart(s) Detected: 5 Current Level: 0 With every heart that turns red, River unlocks a new magical ability. With every bond he forms, his true strength returns. There’s just one problem: River had never flirted before.

> "If your profession causes even a single scratch on my daughter… that’ll be the last time you ever see her." And that’s exactly what happened. One day. One accident. And Seojun’s entire world was ripped away from him. He nearly gave up on life—until a tiny hand wrapped around his finger. The son she left behind… became the only reason he chose to live. Jiwoo, a sweet and passionate artist living in Paris, is chasing her dream—unaware of the beautiful past she abandoned… and the family waiting for her. After four long years of searching, Seojun finally finds her. But when she turns around, her words shatter him. > "Who are you?" Even worse, another man walks up to her with eyes filled with care—enough to make Seojun’s heart stop. Will fate bring them back together? Or will forgotten memories become the very walls keeping them apart forever? ----- hey, support me! read my other story as well and give me a lot of love, I really need it . thank you guys .

Growing up between life and death was normal for him. How could he be normal, especially when the people who raised him were warriors of the ancient era? This is the story of a young man who defied death. The life of Kled and his friends, whose dreams contradict their obligations. Especially if you add dealing with humans while fighting monsters.

After death, Fang Zhen—the great conqueror—is reborn into another world as the young son of a weak noble family. Unlike his previous life, this world thrives on a system where strength is earned by traversing through realms. Blessed with a rare ability known as Arcana, Fang Zhen can perceive what others cannot. Paired with a system that grants him unimaginable power, his path to dominance seems inevitable. But not all is as it seems. His Arcana harbors a hidden flaw—one that could ruin his climb to the top. And being the son of a noble? That paints a target on his back larger than he expected. In a world where power rules and secrets fester beneath the surface, Fang Zhen begins to wonder: Is this second chance a true rebirth… or a curse wrapped in opportunity?

When amateur archaeologist Lila unearths a cursed amulet in the desert, she expects treasure—not waking up trapped in the body of Queen Aurora, the legendary Phoenix Queen whose downfall doomed an entire kingdom. Now, with a fiery phoenix spirit screaming prophecies in her ear and warring factions expecting her to fix centuries of ruin, Lila faces an impossible choice: embrace her new identity to restore the seven flames and unite the fractured realms, or fight to return to her old life—even if it means destroying the kingdoms forever. But the amulet’s power is growing, Aurora’s memories are bleeding into hers, and the line between hero and villain is crumbling. With dragon lords scheming for war, shadowy enemies hunting her, and a brooding royal guard who’s convinced she’s an imposter, Lila must outwit them all before the amulet consumes her completely—or the real Aurora takes back control. The crown is heavy, the flames demand sacrifice, and time is running out… will she rise as the Phoenix Queen, or burn the world down to escape? This is the first draft of the novel, editing will occur. happy reading!

Michelle finds herself on a difficult dillemna she has to choose between a planned life and fated romance

Luo Huian was the most beautiful, strong and narcissistic——- Cut! Cut! Cut! Take two, and do it over. Luo Huian was the most beautiful, strong and wisest immortal in the realm of peace and harmony. Her two fathers doted on her, and she had a generous supply of resources and pills. Her life was perfect. However, her perfect life came to an abrupt end when Luo Huian, an immortal whose responsibility was to bring peace to those who had reached their ends and had run out of faith—— Watched a man jump down a building. Because of her inflexible beliefs and sense of justice, she did not save the bully. Unfortunately, that man was the son of the heavens. The loss of his life brought infinite trouble in Luo Huian’s life and she was punished by the heavens. She was sent to the world of humans where she had to rescue at least five hundred people by saving their lives when they were at the end of their wits. For an immortal this was an easy job, right? Wrong. Her grandmother sent Luo Huian to a world where Gloom Rocks had wrecked chaos. Beasts and monsters were given birth to by the Gloom Rocks that sucked every ounce of happiness from humans. This world was dominated by hunters who could kill the beasts with the powers that they had awakened. And in this cutthroat world, Luo Huian got the short end of the stick. She woke up in the body of an F-class hunter! Dang it. If that wasn’t worse enough, the previous owner had confessed to her cousin-in-law and was kicked out of the family. Double frog in the hot crock. With not a single penny in her pocket Luo Huian goes out to complete her mission. But what would happen when Luo Huian who was an F-class hunter annihilated the Z-class Glooms and Hollows that even the S-class hunters could not? Watch her fend against the dangers and at the same time save the lives of people. But in this small mission, there is a small obstruction —— The three alluring temptations. *********** Resisting the temptation take 1: “MMPH,” Luo Huian pushed against the mer who had pushed her down on the bed while sitting on her waist. “Get off.” “I can’t,” answered Qi Yongrui as he took off his shirt. “Daddy Shun said that he is envious of Uncle Wang. He also wants to hold a grandchild. So, wife let's work hard tonight alright?” Luo Huian: Dear Heavens save me, I am a woman of no desire! **** Resisting the temptation take 2: “Do you think he is good looking?” Fan Meilin questioned the woman who stood next to him. Even though he was the one who won the race and the trophy, his wife was looking at the other mer. “Well yes,” Luo Huian, who was an appreciator of beauty, agreed at once. “Why are you asking this though?” Fan Meilin’s eyes flashed as he smiled at her and leaned in closer to her body as he whispered in her ear, “He might be good looking but I am a better driver. Not only on the track but also in bed, do you want to try darling?” Luo Huian: Resist the temptation! At all costs! I am an iron-hearted woman. ***** Resisting the temptation take 3: “Is this necessary?” Luo Huian questioned as she sat on the couch, watching the mer trace his fingers on her curves while she sat in nothing but modern swimwear. The mer nodded as he wrote on his small notepad, “I need to trace every inch of your skin to create my finest creation, so don’t move.” After he finished writing, he handed the notepad to Luo Huian, his fingers brushing against the curve of her bosom, waist and ——— Luo Huian: My virtue is at extreme risk! ** Fl who is trying to do everything to save her virtue from being taken as it would slow down her cultivation X Mls who are trying their best to snatch it from her. *********** Trigger warning: though the book is set in a comedic setting, there might be some uneasy topics that would discuss depression and loneliness. ***********

[Warning: Mature Content, R18+] Camilla Watson-Veston was left with no choice but to leave her wealthy life behind and raise her son alone as an ordinary employee. A woman filled with rage and anger because of the betrayal of her one true love is indeed very dangerous. When all she could think of was revenge, karma has its funny way of rewarding those worthy with what they deserve. Sometimes not just one, but two or more blessings at once. What will Cammy do if the universe gives her not only two options to consider but three or more? Will she be able to choose which path she should take when nothing seems to be the right one? When freedom costs too much and happiness is hard to reach, will life turn Cammy into bitter from sweet? ********** Story Excerpt: "You’re fucking stunning, Cammy, and don’t let anyone make you think otherwise. Your husband’s a fool for letting you go. I’m going to show you exactly what you’ve been missing. Even if it’s just for tonight, I promise you won’t forget me. After this, I’ll be the only man in your mind," Greg said before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Was it wrong to accept it just because she was married, even though the man she was married to had been betraying her time and time again? Her mind let go of logic; she no longer cared if what they were doing was forbidden. She had made up her mind to surrender herself to him completely, letting him do whatever he desired with her tonight. So she whispered, “Turn off the lights…” Greg smirked, knowing the switch was just within reach, but instead of turning the lights off completely, he dimmed them to the faintest glow without removing his gaze from her. “Forgive me, Cammy. I cannot turn it off completely. I want to see your face when I take you to heaven over and over again while you are screaming my name.” Her hands traced his broad, strong chest, feeling its strength and solidity. ‘Oh God, I’m touching another man’s body!’ she shouted silently in her mind. Before her courage fully faltered, she felt Greg gripped on her wrist, as he released her lips, and whispered, “Not yet, Ms. beautiful. Let's take it slow… I want you to remember our time together as your best without any regrets. I want you to remember me as the man who made you feel important and wanted. Tonight you're the only woman in my life. The only woman my eyes see and my mind thinks of. You are mine, and mine alone. Do you understand?!” ********** A song excerpt that mirrors the emotion of the book. ***The song is not mine.*** I remember back when we were in love And we followed the fire in our hearts We moved every mountain we touched And we danced in the light of the stars I know nothing beautiful lasts But when I get to heaven I'll ask To go back to when we were in love… ********** The Author’s Completed Work: Book 1: CEO’s Contract Obsession - Contemporary Romance (CEO/Sweet Love), 2023 Book 2: The Royal Mark - Fantasy Romance (Werewolf/Fated Mates), 2023

In the future, Tokyo is ruled by a powerful hero association. The heroes are divided into 7 levels, one stronger than the other. A 12 years old boy named Ishikawa Yuto dreams of becoming a hero, but the world wasn't as beautiful as he once thought.

Forged in the depths of darkness and light, a shadowborn will unravel. Seek the elders, the place where it all began. For the blood that once wove the curse, shall provide the cure. But beware, the price of freedom shall undoubtedly be paid in full. ................ Kael watched her, fighting the temptation of wanting to feel her skin beneath his. He loathed and desired her at the same time. Torn between wanting to watch the life drain out of her and kissing her till she's a breathless, moaning mess begging and desperate for his touch. He took in a deep breath trying to calm his fast growing arousal. He could not give into his desires. His duty was more important than anything. Everyone's lives depends on Aria's. No matter how tempting she was, he was not going to give in.

Goi, a lone swordsman, wanders the rugged provinces of all Gaya, wielding twin blades of bronze and steel. Haunted by an untold past, he forges his own path—confronting uncanny omens and supernatural beings that haunt his road. But what he seeks is not victory, nor vengeance—only balance. Within his chest rage the Seven Emotions, and with every encounter, he edges closer to mastering them.

Ran, a powerful wood-type ability user in the apocalypse, struggled to protect her family and survive. She never expected to be betrayed by the very family she trusted most. But unexpectedly, she transmigrated into a world where men were inferior and women were honored. Ran was very satisfied with this. There were no evolved super zombies here. There were no deadly extreme weather disasters. And no family members trying to kill her.

Zelda Delacroix is no ordinary girl—raised in a world of affluence, power, and hidden secrets, she’s adopted into the prestigious Delacroix family, where appearances are everything and silence is survival. But beneath the surface of her new life lies a web of forbidden desire, fractured loyalties, and dangerous truths no one dares to speak. As Zelda tries to navigate university, dreams of becoming an architect, and the unrelenting expectations of the Delacroix household, she finds herself drawn to Lucien—the cold, enigmatic eldest son of the family who has always watched her from a distance. He’s off-limits, untouchable, and infuriatingly magnetic. Their connection simmers quietly, the tension growing more unbearable with each stolen glance and whispered word. But Lucien isn’t the only one watching her. The family’s secrets begin to unravel, and a forgotten brother erased from all records haunts the corners of Zelda’s life. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a dangerous conspiracy that could shatter the Delacroix name—and cost her everything. Meanwhile, rivals emerge. Marcella, a cunning girl from another elite family, pretends to befriend Zelda while scheming to steal Lucien. And Delphine Vale, a petite and seemingly harmless classmate, hides sinister intentions beneath her sweet smile. Every step Zelda takes forward is shadowed by betrayal. With her budding friendship with the genuine and free-spirited Ariyah, and the quiet support of her adoptive brothers Berrett and Ryan, Zelda tries to hold on to her sanity. But as the line between protector and possessor blurs in her relationship with Lucien, and long-buried feelings rise to the surface, Zelda must decide: Can she survive the weight of a love that was never meant to happen? And in a house built on secrets… who will burn first?

From being a sex slave to the mafia lord’s favourite, follow the story of Mina Angel, from being a sassy girl to the mafia lord princess. Aaron Vertercio, the mafia Lord took a liking to Mina, he’d do anything for Mina to be his sex slave, even if he had to make Mina and her sick mom homeless and suffer. “What, I woke up like this” Mina said. “ Go back and change princess!” Aaron growled “ Why?” Aaron walked towards her, the aura was enough to send a shiver down someone's spine Mina was slammed against the wall, and Aaron locked her in his arms “Remember this, you are mine and mine alone”. You can follow me on Discord; _Mckenzie_

Kazumi Naoko is a second-year student who wants just one thing in life: peace and quiet. Whether it’s napping on the rooftop, zoning out with his handheld console, or avoiding anything remotely emotional, Kazumi lives like his life is permanently set to airplane mode. Too bad the girls around him didn’t get the memo. Between Rino Chisa, the unreadable first-year; Minami Inatsu, the impulsive classmate; and Hanami Kanegaya, the sweet girl who’s always nearby—Kazumi’s already drowning in chaos. And just when things couldn’t get worse, he casually reveals that four more girls might like him too. Now with seven unpredictable girls and one sleepy boy stuck in the middle, peace is clearly off the table. A quiet boy. Seven love interests. One unavoidable harem. Let the romantic mess begin. [Weekly Update Webnovel!] [Or When I'm In The Mood To Update:>] [Credit to:Shyrlo to make the Cover Art:D]

Raised in the shadows by Dimitri Volkov, the enigmatic leader of a formidable global secret society, Andrea has trained since childhood to become an elite agent devoted to safeguarding the world from hidden dangers. Though her calm demeanor masks potent and unpredictable powers, daily medication is essential for keeping her abilities in check. Her life has revolved around duty, discipline, and a deliberate avoidance of emotional connections. Now, Andrea embarks on her most critical mission: traversing to South Korea to track down a dangerous villain bent on harnessing a secret weapon that could upend global power dynamics. This adversary has created a mind-controlling drug designed to manipulate his followers and incite chaos across nations. Andrea’s objective is clear—intercept him before he can exploit the weapon and stop the drug's further spread. She will not face this challenge alone, however. Enter "CEO," a mysterious yet prominent figure in the Asian Health Organization who is widely recognized for his humanitarian efforts but is also deeply involved in clandestine operations. Resourceful and enigmatic, he becomes Andrea's unexpected ally in a perilous world filled with uncertainties. As they work undercover, both must navigate a labyrinth of deception, each wary of the other's true abilities and intentions. As Andrea delves into this treacherous landscape of espionage, she grapples with her burgeoning connection to CEO. Though her training has conditioned her to suppress her emotions, she finds herself drawn to him in ways that unsettle her focus. Trust is a risk she cannot afford, especially with the mission's success and the lives of millions in jeopardy. In this gripping fusion of romance and action, Andrea faces a dual battle — against her enemies and her own heart. Can she maintain control over her powers, fulfill her mission, and manage her feelings for her enigmatic partner, or will her growing attachment lead to unforeseen consequences? With time running out and the world watching, the stakes have never been higher.

In a world where you have the power of what defines you, Caspian Sinclair's power is rather...unorthodox. The adopted child of Andrew Grayson and genius violinist has a deadly disease which is slowly killing him, making him fall asleep constantly. He now has the power over dreams, a power outlawed hundreds of years ago. He now walks the path of The Devourer of Dreams, making what seemed impossible, possible. He now has the choice, to save his true family and betray the ones who accepted him with open arms, or side with his new family, at the cost of his loved ones life. This is the story of The Seven Faces ***Available on Royal Road at https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/114963/the-seven-faces

*My Heart Became Hers* Daisy sat by the window, textbooks open, sunlight dancing on her notes as she prepared for her final grade 12 exam. Gabriel, noticing her focus, approached quietly—his words gentle, his presence calm. Though Daisy seemed disturbed by the interruption, she didn’t pull away; instead, she let him sit beside her, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Have you ever wondered what came before the beginning—or what lies beyond the end? Existence has risen and crumbled, over and over, trapped in an eternal cycle. A loop repeating itself through countless eternities. But if all is truly endless… where did it start will i ever truly know what the end is ?

Yu Lin, a battle-hardened cultivator from a post-apocalyptic zombie-infested realm, dies in the middle of a siege, protecting her squad from a horde of evolved undead. She thought it was the end until she opened her eyes in a strange, peaceful village… in someone else’s body. To her utter confusion, she is now in a world where women rule society and men are the protected gender. Even more shocking: she's married to three stunningly beautiful men and one of them is in labor! As Yu Lin struggles to understand this matriarchal society where strong women cultivate and defend the land while men stay home to cook, care, and birth children, she must navigate: Three different husbands with wildly conflicting personalities The expectations of her new identity (a spoiled noble lady who never cultivated a day in her life) The mystery of her transmigration, which seems tied to ancient energies brewing under the surface of this peaceful world And most importantly how not to terrify her delicate husbands with her apocalypse-honed instincts. Swords? Blood? Killing? These men swoon at the sight of a bruise! But Yu Lin isn’t one to just sit around. If she can survive a zombie apocalypse, she can survive a matriarchal romance with three husbands… right?

Kim Soyeon, a reckless 20-year-old heiress to a Dubai real estate empire, lives for luxury and parties, ignoring her late father's will that demands she marry to claim her fortune. When her mother schemes to pair her with Park Jungwoo, a Stoic 32-year-old businessman who fought his way out of poverty, sparks fly between two opposites. Soyeon thinks Jungwoo is dull and arrogant; he sees her as a spoiled child. But amidst Dubai's dazzling nights, from Burj Khalifa to Palm Jumeirah, love begins to bloom through hilarious mishaps and dramatic misunderstandings. With a charming rival stirring trouble and family pressures mounting, can Soyeon grow up and find true love? And will Jungwoo open his heart to a world he's never dared to explore? VIP Romance is an emotional rollercoaster packed with laughter, tears, and swoon-worthy romance, where two worlds collide in the heart of the city of dreams!

BLURB: She was once Meera Rathore — innocent, full of dreams, believing in love. Now she is Myra — a woman with a past full of shadows, a heart hardened by betrayal… and a deadly game to play. Seven years ago, her world was shattered by the powerful Singhania family. Now, she returns — masked in charm, armed with secrets — determined to destroy the man who ruined her life: Mr. Singhania. But revenge is never simple. Ruan Singhania — the man she did not expect to love — stands unknowingly between her and her vengeance. A brother lost. A family built on lies. An old enemy returning from the darkness… As Myra’s deadly game unfolds — love and hate collide, alliances shift, and past sins threaten to consume everyone. And when guns are drawn and blood is spilled — will Myra finally claim her justice… Or will her own past destroy her first? A suspenseful tale of revenge, love, betrayal — and the price of secrets. The game has begun… and only one will win.

A child is born with tremendous power, becoming the strongest child in the world due to his ki power. However, an evil enemy comes and he must eliminate him.

it follows a boy and his friends as they encounter different challenges

In the vast expanse of the Omiverse, where time and space intertwine, a young teen emerges with the power to defy all limits. Skysin Rillem, the cheeky speedster with boundless energy, sets out on an electrifying adventure to seize the fabled Seven Rings of Chaos—the keys to ultimate power and destiny. With each lightning-fast step, he races against cosmic forces, dodging danger and embracing the thrill of discovery. But Skysin's journey is not one he faces alone. Alongside a band of fearless comrades—each wielding their own unique abilities—he dives headfirst into the abyss of the unknown. From the vibrant streets of bustling cosmic cities to the eerie depths of ancient ruins, they brave untold dangers and unearth secrets hidden for eons. As they unravel the mysteries of the Omiverse, Skysin and his allies must confront cosmic titans, cunning adversaries, and the darkest corners of their own souls. With every battle, every revelation, they draw closer to unlocking the universe's deepest truths and shaping their own destinies amidst the chaos. Join them on a pulse-pounding odyssey where the stakes are high, the dangers are endless, and the adventure never slows down. "Why walk if the wind can’t keep up?"