Best Novel New York Times

Three years into our marriage, Chris Davis doted on me deeply. But I accidentally discovered that he had been cheating on me for two years. In front of that woman, everything he said showed his disdain towards me. "Who would marry a cripple?" "She's like a dead fish in bed." "She's just a deaf person who makes me want to throw up now." Later, I took the initiative to file for divorce. But he went crazy. Kneeling in front of me, every word was filled with regret...

In the second year of my marriage to Jeffery Sadler, he brought a young woman home. When his eyes met mine, Jeffery smiled carelessly and said, "Naomi, perhaps you should try it too." He added, "After all, young and energetic people are truly different." I knew he was only testing me; he had always enjoyed tormenting and toying with me. But what he didn't know was that this time, I was genuinely tempted. Later, as he stared at the fresh scratch marks on the "young person's" waist and abdomen, his eyes blazed red with anger. "Naomi Sloan," he growled, “Who gave you the audacity to actually take this seriously?”

Megan Hurley orchestrated a bullying scheme to drive a wedge between me and my childhood friend, Eugene. I fell into her trap as she intended, but only saved Eugene Carson. The thugs she hired, however, proved reckless. As a result, she accidentally died. This enraged Eugene to the point of hatred. He was convinced I had set up the bullying that led to Megan's death. On our wedding anniversary, he pushed me off a high building, his face twisted with relentless fury. "This is what you owe me and Megan. Sherlyn, you deserve to die!" When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day of the bullying. This time, I didn't intervene. Later, he knocked on my window in the rain, saying hoarsely in despair, "Sherlyn, why do you no longer care about me?"

My father was the CEO of a major corporation, and I was his illegitimate daughter—the one no one was supposed to know about. Growing up, I was the child nobody cared for. My father didn’t love me, and my mother wasn’t much better. From a young age, it was just me and my little brother looking out for each other. When I got into college, my father’s family decided to take my brother in. However, only a few days later, I received the news that my brother was dead.  I knew, deep down, that his death wasn’t just some accident. From that moment on, I worked even harder, determined to succeed. When I finally returned, I had a special gift prepared for my father’s family. This one’s for my brother!

My mother was the best portrait artist in the police station. She had a strong sense of justice and brooked no evil. However, all I got was a sharp retort when I called her to save me. "You know it's your sister's coming-of-age celebration today, and you're cursing her? Kidnapped, are you? Fine, the kidnappers can kill you for all I care." She assumed it was a prank call. So, she refused to go to the police station and do her job. I wasn't saved in time and was tortured to death. When the DNA report came out, she came to the scene all wobbly. She drew a portrait of me with my bones as reference, her hand trembling all the way. "Jessica? It can't be her. This is a mistake!" She tried again and again. Yet, it didn't matter how many times she redid it as the portrait showed my face. My mother, who had hated me my whole life, teared up.

After five years of marriage, Zac Saunders felt the need to protect his son with his mistress. Not only did he pressure me into terminating the pregnancy, but he also conspired with the board of directors to remove me from my position as vice president. He held Jemma Jacobs close, wearing a wicked grin."Samantha Lewis," he sneered, "since you won't obey...""...Jemma take your place from now on," he continued.I pushed his hand away, pulling Jemma in front of me. Ignoring her struggles, I firmly grabbed her hair and forced her to tilt her head back."Come on," I urged, "tell him, who do you belong to?"

My husband's true love's son starts burning up in the middle of the night. He leaves me behind to take him to the hospital. I clutch my belly and wait for him to return, but all I get is news of my child dying of asphyxiation. I'm in agony after losing my child, and I lose hope in everything. I jump off the building and welcome death. When I open my eyes again, I'm back to the day that I slip and fall and give birth prematurely. This time, all I want is for my child to be born safe and sound. Nicholas Zimmer, I don't want you anymore!

In the third year of my marriage, I endure a full day of painful labor to give birth to my first child. However, my husband steals the baby to give to his true love. I try my damnedest to stop him, but all I get is a barrage of insults. "It's just a baby! I'm the one who planted the seed, so I get to decide who gets the fruit!" I'm overwhelmed by grief as I watch my husband leave. However, he shares a happy post on his social media. "Mother and daughter are safe." His true love comments, "Thank you for giving me a child, Jaspie. I'll be the happiest woman in the world with you two by my side." Clueless friends bless them and wish them well. I silently comment, "Give me back my child." All I get is another round of insults. Then, I'm blocked. I don't want to endure this anymore. I hire a lawyer to draft divorce papers before making a police report. "Officer, I want to report my husband for child trafficking."

Hindi akalain ni Serena na ang simpleng pagtanggi niya na sapilitang maikasal sa kuya ng kanyang best friend ang magiging daan pala para maungkat ang isang rebelasyon tungkol sa pagkatao niya. Iyon din ang naging simula ng isang napakalaking pagbabago sa buhay niya. Mula sa pagiging tagapagmana ng mga Choi ay natagpuan niya na lang ang sarili niya na nasa isang napakahirap na kalagayan. Mula sa naglalakihan at mga bonggang runway platform na nilalakaran niya suot ang iba't-ibang designer items ay naroon siya ngayon sa isang maliit na entabladong nasa gitna ng madilim na club— sumasayaw ng malaswang sayaw habang suot ang maliliit na piraso ng tela na kaunti na lang ay maglalantad na sa kaluluwa niya. Mula sa tingin ng paghanga at sigaw ng admirasyon mula sa mga umiidolo sa kanya ay nauwi siya sa pagsalo ng mga malalagkit na tingin at mahahalay na salita mula sa mga lalaking hindi niya kilala na pawang mga hayok sa laman. Ang magandang katawan na dati niyang iniingat-ingatan, ngayon ay naging parausan na lang ng kung sino man ang may kakayahang magluwal ng pinakamalaking halaga para sa isang gabing impiyerno sa loob ng VIP room ng club. Paanong ang simpleng paghahangad ng kabutihan niya para sa sarili ay naging sanhi ng pagbaliktad ng mundo niya at pagkawala sa kanya ng mga taong mahalaga sa buhay niya? Ngunit sa kabila ng hirap at walang katiyakan ay pinili niya pa ring mabuhay. Kahit alang-alang na lang sa isisilang niyang anak sa lalaking nakasama niya sa isang gabing impiyerno na iyon. Sa lalaking hindi niya man lang nakikilala...

Ang kwento na ito ay naglalaman ng mga maseselang tema at lenggwahe. Read at your own risk. Wag sanang husgahan ang laman ng kwento dahil ito ay puro imahinasyon lamang. Ang pagkaparepareho sa mga totoong buhay o sa ibang kwento ay sinisugurado kong hindi ko sinasadya iyon at hindi ito nakaw. April 2018 - February 2019