Bitter Fruits

What does the underboss of an infamous crime family have in common with a spirited primary school teacher? Absolutely nothing, except a marriage of convenience, of course. When Lionel Tyson defaults on a gambling debt and offers his most prized possession as collateral, Austin Hawthorne is underwhelmed. But in desperate need of a housekeeper and permanent child minder, he knows he’d be an idiot to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, against his better judgement, he accepts an offer he should absolutely refuse. Marybeth Tyson is horrified to learn that not only is her father wanted by loan sharks, but he has also sold her off to a mafia boss. Bound by duty and pushed by guilt, she agrees to give Austin Hawthorne one year of her life, despite common sense screaming at her to run the other way. After all, how hard can pretending to be madly in love with someone be? It’s all fun and games until play pretend becomes all too real, and an earth-shattering secret from Austin’s past comes to light, threatening to destroy his second chance at love with his dogged pursuit for answers. Betrayal, especially at the hands of his older brother Blake and long-time friend, Andrei Ivanov, is a bitter pill to swallow for Austin, and letting them off scot-free is not an option. Driven by his unquenchable thirst for revenge, Austin will stop at nothing to get to the truth, even if it means destroying decade-old friendships and fragile ties to The Corporation. 2022 Val Sims. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publishers.

"I, Alpha Kace Thayer of Bloodclaw pack, reject you , Eliora Thayer as my mate and Luna of the Bloodclaw pack." I gasped as I stared at him. He just rejected me! I felt the bond being snapped out of place. The rejection wouldn't be completed until I accepted his rejection. He wasn't in his right sense. We never had any problem that would warrant his rejection, I chanted to myself as I tried to breathe through the pain. "No o. You can't do this to us!" I cried out as I felt my chest tighten. It was worse that I had no wolf to take all or part of the pain. I had to bear it all. I struggled to look at my best friend wondering why she wasn't by my side, urging me to stay strong and slapping my mate. But the bitch was smiling, her arms linked with that of her mate. The pain shot up to another level as I realized what had happened. The bitter taste of their betrayal filled my mouth and I felt the tears run down faster. I turned to the people, no one came to me. No one tried to help me. They just stared and pointed at me, gossiping amongst themselves. These are the people I put before my own happiness. They all betrayed me!! **** Eliora Thayer thought that she had it all in life, a great pack, a good mate and a supporting best friend. Not until, she was betrayed by all of them. Just when she decided to move on, the moon goddess decides to grant her a second chance mate. One she never asked for. What's more? He was a beast who had no intention of letting her go.

Elara Reed has endured years of abuse as her pack's omega—the lowest rank, treated as less than nothing. When the arrogant Alpha heir Kai Thornwood discovers she's his fated mate, he's revolted. In front of the entire pack, he publicly rejects and humiliates her, then marks another she-wolf as his chosen Luna to solidify his disgust. But Kai made one fatal mistake: underestimating Elara. During the rejection, Elara's wolf breaks free, revealing what was hidden her entire life—she carries True Alpha bloodline, a power thought extinct for centuries. That night, she vanishes without a trace. Three years later, Alpha Kai's world is crumbling. His pack is failing, his chosen Luna is barren and bitter, and mysterious enemies are picking off his wolves one by one. Desperate, he tracks down the one person who might save them: Elara. But the broken omega he rejected is gone. In her place stands Alpha Elara Reed—confident, powerful, and leader of the fastest-growing pack in the territories. She's thriving, happy, and definitely not interested in helping the man who destroyed her. Oh, and she has three-year-old twins. His twins. With Alpha powers that shouldn't be possible at their age. Now Kai must grovel, fight, and prove he's worthy of a second chance—while enemies close in on Elara's rare bloodline, traitors sabotage from within, and a rival Alpha offers Elara everything Kai failed to give her: respect, partnership, and love. The clock is ticking. The bond may be severed, but the danger is just beginning. And Elara holds all the power now. His biggest mistake might cost him everything—including his life.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 2: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞 (𝐎𝐍-𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆!! 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 104 and so on...!!) “Contracted to be a bedwarmer of a billionaire I’ve never thought to be my unknown uncle,” Micaiah Vergara was raised on her father’s bitter stories of betrayal. Michael Vergara died with one final command: Never bow down to the Castillanos, especially to the "golden son," Gabriel. But when Micaiah is betrayed by her fiancé, Arkin, on their wedding day, and her father’s company faces total collapse, she is forced to make a deal with the devil. Craige, isang 38-anyos na bilyonaryong may malamig at mapang-utos na awtoridad. One billion pesos to save her legacy, in exchange for a year of "Contracted Pleasure." Micaiah becomes his property, a "bedwarmer", bound by a contract she cannot escape. Makakaya kaya nila ang rebelasyon at katotohanan lalo na kung unti-unti nang nabubuo ang isang pagtitinginan? 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 1 : 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫-𝐈𝐧-𝐋𝐚𝐰'𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 !! 1-103 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬) “Mahal pa rin kita, Ara. Kahit pa pareho na tayong kasal sa iba.” Limang taon ang lumipas matapos iwan ng walang paliwanag ni Arabelle ang kan’yang ex-boyfriend na si Logan Castillano, at di inaasahang muli niya itong makikita sa kasal ng kan’yang sister-in-law bilang groom. Ngayon, pareho nang nakatali ang dalawa sa iba. Ngunit paano kung ang affection nila sa isa’t-isa ay hindi nawala at mas lalong sumihidhi bilang forbidden love. Makakaya kaya nilang suwayin ang tawag ng kanilang mga damdamin? At paano nila matatakasan ang galit ng kani-kanilang kabiyak, if Arabelle is — Carrying her brother-in-law’s Child?

This isn't a love story, but almost a love story. Irina and Eric share a world through dreams and time travel. They have a strong mutual understanding about the feelings they have for each other, at the same time understanding that they cannot be together. Eric: I open my eyes and find myself standing alone in an empty room. The ceilings and the walls are neatly painted white. And the floor is composed of polished light brown wood. And there is a dark brown framed window at one corner where the light comes from. A bright yellow and pale red orange light tells me the sun is setting and soon it will be dark. Eric is a ghost who always appears in Irina's dream. Irina: I open the door to the bedroom. There is a dark brown framed window at one corner where the light is coming from. The yellow orange light passes through the open window. I see Eric standing right there on the spot captured by the yellow light. ‘You came back.’ I said. He stood there looking me in the eye. I almost died. Irina is a time traveler who may or may not change his fate. They alternatively tell a bitter sweet story. Love doesn't always mean together, sometimes it is deeper apart. Eric: I stand alone in the rain looking at the dark sky where all I can see is water, for it is both the rain and my tears flowing to my face. Irina: And suddenly it is no longer my reflection I see inside the mirror. What I see now is a figure of a man. I draw closer to see him clearly. But the closer I walk towards him, the farther I become from him. I couldn't get close.

"Who are you, Sebastian?" "I think I can ask the same. Where did you come from, Anastasia?" As soon as the last syllable escapes my lips, we find ourselves interlocked in a kiss. Knowing my full attention, I stop to ask, "Are you sure you want to do this, Anastasia?" "The only thing I'm sure of is the way you are making me feel." Unable to contain myself, I pull her into a fiery and passionate kiss. All my thoughts are obliterated. For the first time in over two hundred years, I am kissing a mortal woman. I can feel the hunger grow inside me, the pleasure building towards a peak. I pull her even tighter into my body. I can smell her arousal, and it only fuels me. The kiss is getting deeper and deeper with every breath that we take.......... For over two hundred years, the Vampire master, Sebastian Belmont, has been an intimidating presence, striking fear into the hearts of all who dare cross him. With an insatiable thirst for danger and supernatural power, he rules his empire with an iron fist, leaving a trail of bitter ex-lovers in his wake. But now, his path is about to cross with a young girl named Anastasia Santi, who, despite her strong will, always finds herself in need of rescue. One fateful night, Sebastian takes things too far, setting himself on a new path towards a destiny that will lead him to confront all things that go bump in the night. But at the end of it all lies the ultimate sacrifice...He must give up his immortality... Will he be willing to give up the one thing he values the most to achieve his legacy?

The woman Lucas Kingston kept by his side was pregnant. When I found out, I was shocked to realize that she was just as far along as I was. In front of me, she gently caressed her rounded belly before settling herself onto Lucas’s lap. "I heard that Miss Carter’s equestrian skills rival those of men. I’m quite curious and would love to see it for myself. Lucas, could you ask her to give us a demonstration? “If she manages to please me…" She leaned in closer to him, her voice seductive. "Tonight, you can have whatever you want." Lucas’s gaze turned icy as it landed on me. Though he said nothing, everyone present understood his intent. My face drained of color as I pleaded desperately, "Lucas, please don’t do this! I’ll lose the baby!" Laughter rippled through the crowd, while Lucas merely looked at me with disdain. "If you lose it, you can always have another. Now get on the horse! If you can’t entertain her properly, don’t even think about leaving this racetrack tonight!" The moment his words left his mouth, several people grabbed me and forced me onto the saddle. The startled horse reared and took off in a frenzy. Every jolt sent unbearable pain through my abdomen. I glanced back. From the viewing platform, the two of them were already locked in a passionate embrace. Clutching the reins with all my strength, I forced a bitter smile. This was the seventh time. And the last. From that moment on, I would never humiliate myself for anyone again.

Jade knows what it feels like to have no one in her corner; she experienced it firsthand when her aunt sweet-talked her parents and took her to the Philippines' when she was eight. After years of abuse and being used, the only thing Jade wished for was an escape to finally go home and be with her family. All Jade wished for was to experience what it feels like to be loved once again and she got that when she finally escaped from her aunt and made her way back home to her pack and family in Detroit. Finding out that the Alpha Heir Hunter was her mate was the best thing to ever happen to Jade, and Hunter gave Jade a home, love, and became the safety and comfort Jade had always wished for. Two years of blissful union came to an abrupt end when Jade woke up in bed with her sister's boyfriend after a party. Her life goes from sweet to bitter in a matter of days as everyone Jade once loved turned their backs on her, refusing to believe them when she said she didn't cheat on her mate. How could she? Hunter was the love of her life. Jade goes from preparing to becoming the Luna of the Blackwood Pack, to being treated no less than a traitor. Hunter doesn't wait another heartbeat before rejecting her, and Jade is soon branded as a defective mate, banished to the woods as a rogue. How will Jade survive life as a pregnant rogue? The cursed brand on her neck makes it impossible for any pack to take her in. Will her mate come after her? Or will Jade find her strength somewhere else and come back to enact her revenge on the people who hurt her?

Sebastian Sanchez never wanted her, but that's not what led to their divorce. He cheated on her with her best friend and the pain in her heart was multiplied many times over. But, now Isabella Rossi has managed to escape the shadows of her past, building her own happiness after the bitter divorce from Sebastian. She had no time to dwell on all the things about the past that had hurt her. After all, she now had the center of the world that made her forget everything. However, her life is shaken up again when Sebastian reappears in her life, bringing an offer of much-needed financial help. Sebastian hasn't changed; he is still incredibly wealthy, strong, gorgeous, charming, and intoxicating as sin. With her business on the verge of bankruptcy, debts mounting, and daily needs Isabella is cornered between her immediate needs and her desire not to go back to her ex-husband. Isabella insists on keeping her distance from him, seeking other help and trying not to fall for his advances. The situation becomes more complicated for Isabella when Sebastian finds out the major secret she has been keeping. Stefano Archer Rossi; her son. The little blue-eyed one who bears a striking resemblance to Sebastian Sanchez. Sebastian was the most domineering man she despised. But how can she resist Sebastian's relentless pursuit? Using their child as the focal point, transform a traumatic history into a lovely one? There is a razor's edge between love and hatred, and Isabella sees it when they clash. Isabella risks dying if she gives in to this unusual desire and becomes entangled in a deadly game of love and hate.

Rosé Willian discovers she has been dating a married man on their fifth year anniversary. This news doesn’t only destroy her heart, but her whole life too- her reputation and career alike. She loses her job due to the viral video of her going around in the small city of Ontario. Unable to move around freely in the city without whispering gossips and accusing fingers following her around, Rosé flees Ontario to Washington with her friend, Paula. Rosé’s life takes a new turn when she meets Navy Leonardo, a CEO of a luxurious clothing line, a company where she goes to seek a job as a Blogger of the company. On the first day of her employment, Navy Leonardo receives a message from his father, Mayor Alessandro demanding his presence at the family Thanksgiving, else he will be disowned and canceled from the family will. Meanwhile, his father’s threat is due to the fact that Navy has been absent from home in Italy for about five years following the betrayal of his girlfriend, Clarissa getting married to his brother, while the whole family watched. Receiving the message not only upset him, but it makes him bitter and vengeful. A sudden idea to make his ex-girlfriend jealous and his brother envious, occurs to him, a plus fun would be the panicking reaction of his parents to him, bringing home a low class woman as his girlfriend. Who is more perfect for the job than the down to earth Rosé Willian, the Blogger. Beautiful and younger than Clarissa, but poor enough to make his parents turn. Navy is overwhelmed by the pleasure of a silly revenge that he asks Rosé to be his fake girlfriend, just for a night, not knowing he is in for a twist of fate.