Critical

[WARNING: This novel contains EXPLICIT CONTENT. Not suitable for YOUNG READERS] My naivety was immediately noticed when I tried reciprocating his kisses. Ethan paused and looked deeply into my eyes as if he was trying to draw energy from mine “I can wait,” he whispered while caressing my hair. “Go on” I said without hesitation. I was already lost in passion. I was so f*cking h*rny. In my own defence, he is now my husband and so there's nothing wrong with that.

Aria Sterling just wanted a fresh start. A high-paying job. A quiet life. No drama. But the moment she steps into Westwood Biotech, secrets begin to surface—starting with a mysterious child whose DNA matches her own… and a forbidden spark with the one man she should never want. Now caught between two billionaire brothers, buried memories, and a dangerous past that refuses to stay hidden, Aria must uncover the truth before it destroys everything—including her heart. What if the biggest mistake of your life… was never a mistake at all

I suffered critical injuries that left me in a persistent vegetative state when I tried to rescue my wife, Regina Livingston, from her abductors. Regina spares no expense, spending millions of dollars to bring in the best medical experts in the country to treat me. She watches over me every single night, never weary of caring for me. Four years into my coma, I overhear a conversation between Richard Sutherland—a man I don't know—and Regina. "You've done all you can, Regina," he says. "You don't owe him anything anymore." Regina remains silent. Then, a young boy, Franklin Sutherland, suddenly asks, "Mommy, why do you always visit this man? Who is he?" I'm instantly shocked. Regina and I don't have a child together. I'm completely bewildered, and just as I try to figure it out, I suddenly wake up from my coma.

When I returned to the corporate research and development press conference, I knew Tyler Zach would step forward to accuse our team of plagiarism, yet I chose to turn a blind eye. In my previous life, Tyler’s accusation had caused Nelson Corporation to instantly lose ten percent of its core interests. Back then, I stepped up and single-handedly saved the day. Not only did I ensure the press conference ended smoothly, but I also used the opportunity to elevate the company’s reputation to new heights. However, I was eventually betrayed. My first love, Rosie Nelson, fabricated evidence against me and sent me to prison. Even the results of my project were falsely credited to Tyler. I refused to believe it. I bombarded her with questions and demanded answers. Rosie’s eyes were filled with guilt, but she only replied, “Evan, Tyler came from humble beginnings. He can’t afford to lose this once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a name for himself! “Don’t worry. We’ll get married once you’re out.” I fought desperately to appeal, but I was beaten to death in prison. I wondered if Rosie could handle the company’s losses without me fighting tooth and nail to turn things around this time. I did not expect Rosie to turn to me at the most critical moment of the conference with panicked eyes and urge me desperately, “Evan! Why aren’t you on stage explaining everything yet?!”

Aku rela merendahkan diri demi mempertahankan pernikahan kita yang sudah memasuki usia empat tahun. Aku yang menemanimu menyembuhkan luka hati dan membangun karir. Namun kamu justru memilih kembali pada mantan kekasihmu. Meninggalkanku yang mencintaimu tanpa tapi, disaat aku tengah hamil lagi setelah dua kali keguguran. Usai tiga tahun kamu bersamanya, kenapa kamu ingin membawaku kembali dalam hidupmu? Apa yang kamu sesalkan karena telah meninggalkanku, Mas? Apa yang tidak kamu dapatkan dari wanita pujaanmu, hingga mengharapkanku kembali? Adakah takdir masih menyimpan kejutan yang tidak terduga di antara kita? Sedangkan aku sudah mengubur semua rasaku, bahkan pada pria selain dirimu.

"Here's my calling card. Call me if you need something…" One night stand. Iyon ang nangyari sa pagitan nina Graciella Santiago at ng lalaking hindi niya kilala. Akala niya ay hindi na niya ito muling makikita pa pero isang buwan matapos ang una nilang tagpo, nalaman nalang niyang dinadala na niya ang anak nito. Wala naman dapat siyang balak na tawagan ang lalaki pero nang mapagdesisyunan ng kanyang ina na ipakasal siya sa isang matandang hukluban kapalit ng pera, agad niyang tinawagan ang estranghero na ama ng kanyang anak para pakasalan siya! Akala niya isang gaya lamang niya si Drake Levine Yoshida subalit isang araw natuklasan nalang niya na ang lalaking basta nalang niya niyaya ng kasal ay isa palang mayamang lalaki! At hindi lang basta mayaman kundi isang bilyonaryo at nagmamay-ari ng kumpanyang pinagtatrabahuan niya!

Di dalam dunia yang penuh dengan kekuatan spiritual yang luar biasa, ada seorang pemuda yang mencoba mencapai impian yang tak terbayangkan. Tanpa kekuatan spiritual sendiri, dia kehilangan harapan untuk berada di antara para pahlawan dan penguasa yang kuat. Namun, takdir berkata lain! Suatu hari, pemuda itu menemukan sebuah buku kuno yang aneh. Ternyata, buku itu memiliki kekuatan misterius yang cocok dengan tubuhnya. Dan presto! Dia tiba-tiba memiliki kemampuan yang luar biasa, melebihi semua yang bisa ia bayangkan. Dalam dunia yang didominasi oleh kekuatan supranatural, pemuda ini ada untuk membuktikan bahwa takdir bisa mengubah kehidupan seseorang secara luar biasa.

Mula pagkabata ay nakatatak na sa murang isipan ni Daviana Policarpio na si Warren Gonzales ang kanyang magiging asawa dahil sa naging kasunduan ng kanilang mga Lolo. Hinihintay na lang nila na maka-graduate siya sa kolehiyo para matuloy iyon. Ngunit sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, at ng dahil sa mapaglarong kapalaran at panahon; kalahating taon bago mangyari ang plinano ng matatanda sa kanilang pamilya ay nalaman ni Daviana na mayroon pa lang girlfriend ang lalaking itinatangi at itinakda sa kanya. Hindi alam ng dalaga kung marapat bang ipagpasalamat niya iyon, dahil nang gabing matuklasan niya na may lihim na kasintahan si Warren ay iyon din ang gabing hindi inaasahang muling magsasanga ang landas nilang dalawa ni Rohi Gonzalez; ang anak sa labas at half-brother ni Warren na mula pagkabata nila ay natitipuhan na ng dalaga. Subalit, hindi niya pwedeng ipilit dahil ang sabi ng mga magulang nila ay si Warren at hindi si Rohi ang lalaking nakatakdang maging kabiyak niya at makasama hanggang sa kanyang pagtanda.  Susuwayin ba ni Daviana ang mga magulang upang tuluyang pagbigyan ang isinisigaw ng kanyang puso?

Aku sengaja meminta istriku memakai cadar karena aku malu. Tompel di pipinya membuatku takut ditertawakan. Apalagi orang-orang yang tahu mantan-mantanku terdahulu. Perempuan-perempuan cantik yang tak pernah papa berikan restu. Cuma, malam itu aku benar-benar terkejut luar biasa, tanpa sengaja cadar yang kuminta selalu dia pasang di wajahnya tersingkap. Benarkah perempuan yang ada di depanku ini adalah perempuan yang sama dengan yang aku nikahi enam bulan lalu? ~ Jordhy Durov Atmaja ~ ****** Beberapa tahun lalu, di Kota yang terkenal romantis, Paris, Prancis. Takdir tanpa sengaja mempertemukanku dengan seorang perempuan manis, bermata cokelat dengan bulu mata lebat. Aku cukup shock melihatnya yang berlari tetapi setengah tak berpakaian. Namun, keterkejutanku hilang ketika seorang lelaki muda keluar dari mobil dan mengejarnya. “Tolong selamatkan aku dari dia, Tuan!” “Pergillah! Aku akan membereskan sisanya!” Lalu, aku terlibat baku hantam. Aku yang sudah terlatih bela diri sejak SMA, tentunya dengan mudah menumbangkannya. Namun, kepiawanku berkelahi tak serta merta membuatku bisa menemukannya kembali. Sejak malam itu, sepasang netra cantik dengan bulu mata lentik itu selalu memenuhi pikiranku. Apakah aku sedang jatuh hati? Aku bertahan di sana dan mencarinya, hingga akhirnya papa memintaku pulang ke Indonesia untuk menghadiri pernikahan kakakku, Jordhy Durov Atmaja. Hanya saja ketika aku pulang dan dikenalkan dengan perempuan bercadar yang harus kusebut kakak ipar, kenapa aku seolah-olah menemukan dia kembali? Kenapa sepasang netra cantik dengan bulu mata lentik itu mengingatkanku padanya? ~ Kevandra Suryadinata ~

Trauma masa lalu membuat Kirani Aina Apsarini memiliki ketakutan dengan orang yang berbicara keras atau membentak. Hanya saja, Kiran justru harus memiliki atasan seperti Lintang Amir Wijananto yang berwatak keras! Kiran berusaha menghindar, tapi mengapa Naumira--bocah kecil yang kerap memanggil Amir papi--tampak ingin dekat dengannya?!