Barely Synonym

I’m Lily Stephens. Twenty‑six years old. Four years of my life devoted to Sunflower Company—only to have my promotion erased as if my work never existed. Then he returned. William Thomas—cold, calculated, untouchable. To everyone else, he’s power in its sharpest form. But to me, he’s the shadow that won’t leave my past… and now he’s everywhere in my present. He barely looks at me. In every decision, every meeting, he listens to her, never me. And yet somehow, every move he makes feels like it’s aimed straight at me. I can’t walk away. I can’t explain why. So I stay—and the longer I stay, the more I see that this isn’t just about work. It’s personal. It’s dangerous. And whatever William Thomas is after… it’s something only I can give.

After being brutally dumped by her boyfriend Rafael, Lyra goes to an upscale bar to drown her sorrows. What she doesn't know is that her own sister, Cassandre, lured her there with a dark intention: to take advantage of her vulnerability to drug her with an aphrodisiac and then sell her to a pervert. Under the influence of the substance, Lyra completely loses control and spends an intense night with a stranger. In the early morning, overwhelmed by shame and confusion, she hurriedly leaves the room, leaving a 100-euro note and a note of defiance: "You are worth no more." But for Alexandre, CEO of a powerful group, that night marks a turning point. He is determined to find this young woman with the fiery gaze. However, on his quest, a car accident plunges him into amnesia. Two months later, barely recovered, he resumes the investigation and goes to the address he was searching for before the drama. There he meets Cassandre, who, without the slightest hesitation, impersonates her sister by claiming to be the mysterious one-night lover. But lies come at a price.

“When can I see you again?” She pried, summoning her last drop of courage. “Next time” He replied, biting his lower lips to prevent himself from blushing. “When is the next time?” She continued. He grinned, but remained mum. Six years later, she still could never forget the image of his endearing figure standing before her when she was barely twelve years old, with his handsome face that shone brightly like the fierce sun. Eighteen year old Ariadne, got admission into Leyland university in a different city to pursue a life of her dreams; to get closer to Denver, as close as possible. She just wanted to present herself and make him see her in a new light; an adult as against the little girl in his memory. All she ever wanted is to gently walk into his heart and occupy it. Can such a simple wish come so easy?

Due to my outstanding performance, Mdm. Hall granted me flexible working hours. After a full night of entertaining clients, I had barely fallen asleep when a colleague’s call jolted me awake. “It’s already 9:30 a.m.! How could you be late again?” I patiently explained that I had worked late signing contracts last night. So, I would not be coming into the office this morning. However, my colleague scoffed. “Don’t think that being the top salesperson gives you free rein to skip work! “The heiress, Ms. Hall, is visiting the office for the first time today! “If you upset her, you’d better watch out. She’ll have you fired!” I pushed through my headache and searched my memory. The heiress he mentioned was Cadence Hall. If I was not mistaken, she was the woman who had been desperate to marry into my family.

"I am married!" I spat into his face. "You can't just walk in here and spew nonsense just because I am carrying your baby." His smirk returned and I realised that I made a mistake that day. That day, I thought I was getting into bed with a gentle soul. But this man in front of me has the darkest of auras. It is the kind that makes it hard to look away or slam the door in his face. So, when he took two more steps closer, I could barely move. Then, he said, "I don't care if you are married because now that I have seen you, it is a must you come with me." ~~~~~ Carrie, on the run from her impending wedding, found herself entangled in a reckless one-night stand with a mysterious and affluent stranger. Little did she know that this fleeting moment of passion would weave a fate she could never escape.

Three days before my wedding, my younger sister staged a scene—one where I supposedly abandoned her in the mountains. She claimed I locked her in a cabin, left her to be nearly assaulted, and that she barely escaped with her life. Furious, my fiancé dragged me up the mountain and locked me in that same cabin. He said, "Wendy, a woman as vicious as you won't learn her lesson without punishment. I already told you I'd marry you. Why go after Chloe? Since you're so desperate to climb your way up, you can stay here until the wedding day." I begged him, over and over, but my scorched throat could only force out hoarse, grating sounds. Three days later, Mickey O'Brien stood at the altar in his suit, waiting for me. What he got instead was my remains.

Jason King was a billionaire at the age of 30. He has everyone and everything he could possibly need...or so he though. He suffers from depression after a certain past event changed his life for the worst. Maya Lewis, an innocent young woman was forced into an arranged marriage by her parents when she was 18 years old. The couple barely knew one another. After the wedding, Jason dropped her off at the villa far away from everyone, including him. After nearly 5 years of wrecking his cars and burning villa's down, Maya finally got Jason's attention. She spends her time trying to be a devoted wife but is constantly shunned by her husband. Will Jason stop fighting his feelings and accept that he was bound to fall in love with her? Will his past make or break their marriage? Will Maya stay with Jason despite the trauma or will it be too much to handle?

TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains physical harm, torture, explicit contents including— Dark themes, erotic sex scenes, non consensual situations. And mature topics including trauma, loss. While this is a romance story, READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. — — — — — — — — — — — — “You’re mine now,” he breathed those words on my neck, his hands trailing down my body and stopping only to linger on my thighs. “I’m Axel Salvatore Rossi. And whatever I want— I get.” * * * * * Bound to a man she barely knew, Olivia is confined to a world of games and organized crime. After her sister steals a priceless item, she’s left to pay— with her existence being tied with the mafia lord, Axel. What starts as an unexpected encounter turns out to be something more. Passion ignites, past secrets are revealed, and an ex lover knocks at the door to interrupt a new beginning. Olivia must make a choice— play the game, or fight the players who play dirty…

I confirmed Vincent Lowe was cheating on me on the day of our third wedding anniversary. The dining table was filled with dishes, yet he barely touched his fork before heading out the door. "Where are you going?" I asked. His answer was unnervingly straightforward. "A friend's treating me to dinner. Cassidy Mason—you know her, right? It's a free meal. It'd be a waste not to accept." An hour later, however, I received a voice message from Cassidy. In the message, Vincent's voice was lighter and livelier—so different from how he ever sounded with me. "They say you should marry someone you can truly enjoy a meal with. I really regret meeting you so late. If only I had known you earlier, I would've married you instead." I listened in silence. Then, alone at the table, I finished every last bite of the meal I had prepared. Afterward, I left a divorce agreement behind.

Jessica Cooper was poor in every sense of the word-her slum apartment didn't feel safe anymore, she could barely feed herself or afford good clothes-and after quitting her job, she had nothing to fall back to. Her hope is rekindled when she gets hired by a Billionaire CEO to be his housekeeper. Daniel Snider, an infamous player in the business world was known to reckless, impulsive, self-conceited and irresponsible. His position was handed to him on a platter of gold, so he doesn't see the need to be responsible, until his father gives him an ultimatum; get married, settle down and prove to me that you're responsible enough to handle the company or loose everything you own. Daniel is desperate to prove himself to his father and gain back his position, so he proposes a deal to the maid because he has a secret of hers in his hands which could destroy her. The question is, would Jessica agree to be his contact wife?