2nd-glance Novels & Stories

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, mine didn’t. I came back with a marriage certificate bearing a stranger’s name, a ring worth more than my parents’ love ever was, and a son whose father I’ve never seen, never known, never remembered. I went to Vegas for a racing competition. I won. I celebrated. And somewhere between the victory and the sunrise, my life changed forever. For six years, I’ve lived with the consequences of one reckless night. I built an empire. I raised my son. And I searched for the man who changed my life without even knowing it. Then fate laughed in my face. My sister married my ex-fiancé—the man I was promised to since childhood. The man I was supposed to become Mrs. Windsor for. The man who now wears my family name… and looks far too much like my child. Every time I’m near him, the past presses closer. Every glance feels like a question I’m terrified to ask. I shouldn’t notice him. I shouldn’t feel anything. He is my sister’s husband. But some secrets refuse to stay buried. Because the truth about Vegas isn’t just in the ring on my finger or the child in my arms. It’s standing right in front of me. And when it finally comes out, it won’t just destroy a marriage, it will burn an empire to the ground.

Jane took a glance at his height and just like her he had a pair of beautiful straight long legs, just his was rather manly and firm in those nicely polished dark leather shoes. He was wearing sunglasses, she walked closer to him and just as she suspected, he was the CEO of Brights Entertainment Damon Miles. She had met him once but wasn’t sure if he still remembered her. “Was he also getting married today?” she asked particularly no one. Her thoughts are distracted by the arrival of his secretary. “President, Ms Grey has not arrived” the assistant behind him reported. Damon Miles shook his head in disappointment, “If she can’t make it on time for the marriage, I doubt she will make it in time as my wife” his voice was cold and firm. “No need to come” his assistant panicked as they were working on a condition. He had to get a married bride or no bride. “President, the old man said, you must marry today, even if it has to be nobody” This statement alone made Damon weak. He hearted the fact his life had been dictated at the moment by the old man. Not to mention he hates being powerless. “Pick a random girl from a reputed family, anyone is okay,” Damon Miles ordered. This gave Jane an idea. So he was faced with the same situation as her, Jane smiled. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and it was a rather bold step from her end. This was not just any regular man but the king of bright. He could get whosoever he wanted, but she felt the need to walk up to him. “I will be your bride”

My chest pounded excitedly as I pulled him closer, ignoring the “this is your boss” warning in my head. I tugged at his tie, my fingers itching to undo his buttons. His hands shifted the lacy underwear, his fingers sliding to reach my entrance. When they slid in, I let out a loud gasp. “Shh, Eve. You're not allowed to scream.” Eve Keller has always lived quietly, overlooked, and inexperienced. Her only escape is the voice she obeys in secret: Dom Daddy, the mysterious man whose erotic audios pull desires from her she’s never dared to explore. But on her first day at Kingston Corp, she hears that same commanding voice… from her new boss, Dominic Kingston. Cold. Ruthless. Every word, every glance, pulls her closer to a darkness she’s only dreamed of. When she realizes the voice she secretly worships belongs to him, Eve’s world tips. Dominic sees everything, her secret, her cravings, her limits, and he begins a game of control that is as thrilling as it is dangerous. Stolen touches, whispered commands, forbidden tension. Eve is drawn to him, terrified by him, and utterly captivated. Every time she resists, questions, or defies him, Dominic’s obsession only grows. Add in Alex, her kind and protective colleague, a jealous rival, and a family determined to control everything, and Eve finds herself caught between safety and temptation, desire and power. One wrong choice could unravel her, and yet…every defiance pulls her deeper into a world of obsession, submission, and passion she never imagined.

I thought I knew who I was. I thought I knew what love felt like. Turns out, I didn’t know anything at all. Marvy was supposed to be my forever—until the night he went down on one knee and a stranger’s panties fell out of his pocket. In that moment, the illusion shattered. The man I loved, the life I dreamed of... it all turned to ash. I told myself I’d never fall again. I’d never let anyone close enough to hurt me. But then there was him—Darren Coldridge. Marvy’s older brother. The one they say has ice in his veins and no heart left to break. He scared me from the start. But when his eyes found mine, everything inside me changed. My pulse skipped. My breath caught. My body remembered something my mind refused to admit—I wanted him. I needed him. Now I’m caught between two brothers: one who betrayed me, and one who burns through every wall I’ve built. Marvy says he still loves me. Darren doesn’t say anything at all—but every glance, every touch feels like a promise he’s too proud to speak. And just when I think it’s only about love and lies, I learn the Coldridge family hides secrets far older—and darker—than either of them. Secrets that tie me to them in ways I never imagined. Because some bonds aren’t chosen. They’re written in blood, in moonlight… and in destiny.

Today was supposed to be my sister's wedding day. Instead, I'm the one walking down the aisle. The man waiting for me is a billionaire tycoon, cold, untouchable, and infamous for crushing anyone who stands in his way. Power bends to his will, money erases his mistakes, and emotions are a weakness he never allows himself to feel. I was never meant to marry him. I'm only here because my sister ran away… and if he discovers I'm a substitute bride, my family will be ruined overnight. So when the officiant asks if I accept him, my lips tremble as I whisper, "I do." His gaze locks onto mine, dark and possessive. "You're mine now, kitten," he murmurs, as if sealing my fate. The nightmare begins that moment. I manage to escape his bed on our wedding night, hiding behind excuses and fragile lies. But the days that follow terrify me more. The walk-in closet is filled with clothes in my sister's favorite colors. The dining table overflows with dishes she loved. He researched her. Memorized her. Or so I thought. Then he slides a peanut butter bagel toward me, my sister's favorite. I'm allergic. I glance up, my pulse roaring in my ears, only to find his expression unreadable. Calculating. Watching. Has he already realized I'm not the woman he married? And if this ruthless billionaire uncovers the truth… will he destroy me? Because marrying him was never part of my future, and falling for him might be the most dangerous mistake of all.

I was Alpha Adrian's secret for eight years. It took his grandfather’s centennial birthday for him to finally bring our son, Gale, and me home to the pack. He swore the pack Elders had finally given us their blessing. Our son, buzzing with excitement, bounced on the bed, clutching the champion’s medal from his junior fighting tournament. He’d fought tooth and nail to win it, just to make his father proud. But the moment we set foot on the Blackwood Manor grounds, we saw him. Adrian, with his arms wrapped around a blonde she-wolf, kissing her deeply. Adrian introduced her with a smile. "My mate, Sophia" Our son, Gale, rushed forward to confront him, stabbing a finger toward the seemingly perfect bite mark on my neck. "That's the mark Dad gave Mom! You all see it!" But the pack’s Head Elder stepped forward. After a cursory glance, he let out a cold sneer. "A clever trick of blood magic," he said with contempt. "It can mimic a scent, but it lacks the soul-deep connection of a true mate bond. Any experienced wolf can see through it." I turned to Adrian, my body frozen stiff. He turned away from me, gently stroking the real mark on Sophia's neck, which glowed with a silvery, moonlit light. "The Blackwood pack will not accept a half-blood who can’t even shift" he said. "The only one fit to stand by my side is Sophia." I looked at him, and a bitter laugh escaped me. To think I had suppressed my own Royal Alpha blood for a man like this.

Athena Delos Reyes is a nineteen year old lady born in a poor family. All that she desires in her heart is to break free from the bondage of poverty. At the age of 11, she witnessed the death of her mother. Consequently, being the eldest daughter, Athena has a responsibilty to be a mother also. For she has a younger sister- Abby. Sadly, the young girl seeks for mother's love. Therefore, Athena's obligation has doubled. She thinks every possible way to land a job but life has been hard for her. It's a sunny afternoon, when she met the love of her life- Elijah Samaniego.They met in a very unusual way. People think they met in a dating app or parties. However, Athena's recklessness brought her to encounter this man. The supposed to be accident turned out to be the beginning of their love story. Elijah, at a first glance can passed as a GQ model. Not only that he seems loads of money but also has a good heart. Fortunately, the man is also attracted to Athena during their first encounter. Coincidentally, he is also a professor to the University attended by Athena. Funny thing is he's the professor of the young lady. Hence, although a student-teacher is forbidden Elijah still pursue her. At first, Athena seems hesitant but her hunger for freedom has blinded her. Therefore, even though she is clueless about Elijah's whole existence, Athea said her yes. The young girl feels that she's been living above the clouds ever since she met him. However, five years had passed but Elijah is still secretive. His love is consistent but transparency is absent. Therefore, Athena decided to conduct an investigation. Without the knowledge of her bestfriend- Bobby. What will be her discovery? and Is she really saved?

Tullah Richard, a young woman, left her family to be with Saul, her beloved boyfriend who, unfortunately, turned out to be a drunkard and abusive. Despite enduring his violent behavior, she remained committed to him. However, as time passed, the relationship took a darker turn. Despite the challenges, Tullah, determined to break free from Saul's toxicity, found herself facing a complicated situation when she discovered she was pregnant. Now torn between her desire to leave and the responsibility of impending motherhood, Tullah must navigate a difficult choice. Will she choose to leave despite the pregnancy, or will the impending arrival of their child tie her to Saul? If she decides to break free, will Saul ever find a way to reconnect with Tullah? The story unfolds with questions about whether Tullah can forge a new and happier life without Saul. --- "Saul, please let go of me!" she whispered, her plea audible in the tense air. "Never," Saul's fury was palpable, evident with just a glance at him. "I can't continue this way. I need to leave your life. Please, let go of me," she pleaded, attempting to free herself from Saul's grip. "You are stuck with me, Tullah. All of you is mine," he forcefully pushed her into the basement room, locked the door, and left. Tullah, no longer able to cry, lay quietly on the cold floor. This wasn't the first time she found herself confined, but she was determined it would be the last. Wiping away her tears, she wished for the morning to arrive swiftly, bringing with it the promise of a new beginning for her and her unborn child. ***** Diva_Unsual. nnenneuche84@gmail.com.

At a college alumni gathering for werewolves, someone jokingly asks my Alpha mate, Ian Glover, a question. "Ian, who is the she-wolf you wanted to mark the most back in college?" Ian takes a sip of his blood wine and looks past me toward Sherry Lark, the most beautiful she-wolf in college back then. He answers bluntly, "Sherry." Sherry is stunned for a moment, and disbelief fills her eyes. "Me? But... When I gave you the scarf carrying my scent and hinted that I wanted to be your mate, why didn't you respond?" Now it's Ian's turn to be stunned. "Didn't you give your scarf to Archer Grant?" It turns out Sherry placed the scarf in the wrong spot back then, causing them to miss out on each other. Her eyes redden instantly, while Ian has a longing and regretful look on his face. Our classmates begin teasing them. One wolf suddenly chuckles and says meaningfully, "How can there be such a perfect coincidence? It's not likely for one to mistakenly give such an important gift to the wrong wolf. Think about it, everyone. Could someone have deliberately intervened?" The moment those words fall, every wolf's gaze turns toward me. Ian and I have formed a mate bond, but we never make it public. So, everyone only remembers how shamelessly I chased after him back in college. But none of them know that Ian is the one who first approached me and sent out signals that he wanted to be my mate. Now, he says nothing. He doesn't even spare me a glance and is just gazing deeply at Sherry. At that moment, I know our mate bond is over.

In a city where ambition shines brighter than honesty, Ethan Blackwood has built his life on control. A rising executive with a flawless image, Ethan keeps his emotions tightly guarded, believing that vulnerability is a weakness he cannot afford. Love, if it exists at all, is something distant—something meant for other people. Kai Rivera lives by an entirely different rulebook. A bold, intuitive photographer, Kai sees the world through shadows and light, capturing truths others work hard to conceal. Unafraid of emotion or connection, he moves through life with fearless curiosity—until a chance encounter at a rain-soaked art gallery collides him with Ethan. What begins as a charged glance turns into an undeniable pull. As Kai’s uninvited lens follows Ethan into quiet cafés, crowded elevators, and hidden rooftops, tension grows into something neither of them can escape. Ethan’s carefully built walls begin to crack under Kai’s relentless honesty, while Kai finds himself drawn deeper into a man who refuses to admit how much he wants to be seen. But desire is never simple. Jealousy, misunderstandings, and the pressure of expectations threaten to tear them apart. Forced into moments of uncomfortable proximity, both men are pushed to confront the truths they’ve been avoiding—about fear, identity, and the cost of loving openly. When emotions finally collide, Ethan must decide whether protecting his image is worth losing the one person who sees him completely. Shadows Between Us is a slow-burn BL romance about longing, restraint, and the courage it takes to step out of the shadows. It is a story of two men learning that love does not demand perfection—only honesty.