Alone On The Stage

At my wedding, my wife’s bodyguard was wearing the same suit as me. He was standing to one side. When I was saying my vows, he suddenly stepped forward and slapped me. I covered my face and looked at my wife, Amelie. She looked calm, as if she knew this would happen. Seeing that she was not reacting, the bodyguard smirked and slapped me again. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. The guests below the stage were flabbergasted, even as rage burned within me. “Call the police!” “You can’t call the police!” Amelie finally said. My parents also suddenly shouted, “No one is allowed to call the police. Anyone who does would be opposing the Bennet family!”

The doctors said it was over—stage four, nothing left to fight. I had three days, max. I signed the organ donor papers myself. If I was gonna die, at least someone else could get a second shot. Told my family I was sick. But my so-called sister—the doctor—shrugged it off like I was making it up. She convinced them I was losing it, not dying. My parents and fiancé fell for it. Handed me over like she was some hero. She wasn't. She pushed me closer to the end. And when I finally died, the same people who wouldn't listen cried like they hadn't let it happen.

It’s end of October 1985 and the crumbling river town of Dubois, Iowa is shocked by the gruesome murder of one of the pillars of the community. Detective David Carlson has no motive, no evidence, and only one lead: the macabre local legend of “Boris Orlof,” a late night horror movie host who burned to death during a stage performance at the drive-in on Halloween night twenty years ago and the teenage loner obsessed with keeping his memory alive. The body count is rising and the darkness that hangs over the town grows by the hour. Time is running out as Carlson desperately chases shadows into a nightmare world of living horrors. On Halloween the drive-in re-opens at midnight for a show no one will ever forget. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Kristier Arabella Sandoval is one of the daughters of the Sandoval clan. She's a student leader, a dancer, and a humble teenager. Her life is too full of happiness and protection. Her family gives her everything, not just money but also love and affection. When she transferred to CCAM (Central Colleges of Medicine), for her college years, she thought life will stay as easy like before. But when she entered the stage of maturity, things started to change drastically. Will she be able to handle the changes in her life? Will she stay the same after falling in love and getting hurt from her first love? For her: "He's been my prince, my comfort, my home, and the only person who constantly explained the meaning of love just by his existence."

It was the thirtieth anniversary of my alma mater, and I had been invited back to give a speech. But as I stepped on stage, my husband's illegitimate son rushed toward me, brandishing a knife. His accusations rang through the hall: I was a homewrecker, the woman who had driven his mother to her death. He went even further, kidnapping my daughter and threatening her safety unless I publicly read a letter of confession. I was beaten to within an inch of my life, my body battered and bruised. I demanded my husband come forward and confront the truth. Instead, he turned on me. "I was forced to be with you in the first place!" my husband spat, venom dripping from every word. "You're the real mistress!"

Blurb Ten years had passed and everything has changed. Her life was ruined and Phoenix left her. He did alone what they promised to do together which made her suffer alone with the grievance he made. He made her a totally different person. When everything seems fine and she's finally ready to move on, destiny will play its unfair game again and make the two broken hearts meet again. Will they finally make amends this time? Or the pain and resentments of the past will just hinder them again?

When I was in the terminal stage of renal disease, my wife gave the kidney that was most compatible with me to my brother. I rejected the doctor’s suggestion to continue waiting for a new kidney and got discharged early. My heart had frozen over. There was no point in holding on anymore. I gave the wealth that I had accumulated over the years to my brother, and my parents finally smiled at me. My wife tirelessly wanted to take good care of my brother. I did not get angry. Instead, I even asked her to be more attentive to his needs. Even when my daughter wanted my brother to be her father, I agreed with a smile. Everything had turned out exactly as they had hoped. Why were they feeling regret?

I was auctioned like property. To pay my father’s debt, they put me on a stage in a red satin dress and diamond collar. I braced for the worst—until he stepped forward. Luciano Moretti. My ex. My first love. Now a ruthless mafia boss with blood on his hands… and my name still burned into his memory. He bid one million dollars to own me. “You’re mine again, cara. This time, there’s no escape.” He says it’s revenge. He says I broke him. But when he touches me… it still feels like home. In a world of power, secrets, and obsession, I’m not just fighting for my freedom— I’m trying not to fall in love with the devil all over again.

Ethan is a huge music fan. Because the lyrics express their emotions or experiences. Music was his comfort, his refuge, and his dearest companion. As a result, his desire to be an artist began. He desired to perform on stage as well as on the street. Just to let the world know about his musical talent and passion. Lily left his home because of his stepfather. She has only one dream, and that is to finish her studies. But how can she complete her studies if she doesn't have enough money? She finds it tough to consume three meals a day. Fortunately, she met a friend named Claire and recruited her as a production assistant in a huge corporation. But there's a catch. She must be married to the CEO's son in order to be admitted into their company.

During a charity gala, my boyfriend bids on a pair of matching watches but gives one of them to his true love. The media excitedly capture the scene and ask, "You bought a million-dollar watch without even batting an eye, Mr. Loewe. You've been single all these years—is it time for you to make an official announcement on your relationship status?" Everyone off stage applauds him, and I join them. I give him my blessings for his so-called announcement. To make it up to me, he attends my birthday celebration. Yet he pushes me into the cake to make his true love happy. Unbeknownst to him, there's a steel rack in the cake to keep it steady. I end up bloodied and on the brink of death.