Bright

On the day of the wedding, my best friend, Elena Hartman, can't bear to part with me, so she threads my wedding shoes with a string and ties them snugly around her slim waist. The groomsmen turn the whole place upside down, and we end up late for the ceremony. She eventually cracks up and tugs at her billowy bridesmaid dress, revealing the outline of the shoes at her waist. "I dare you to come take them. As long as I'm here, she's not getting married!" My fiancé, Miles Lawson, shakes his head and chuckles. "You just love tormenting us, don't you?" Miles exchanges a look with the groomsmen, and they charge at her at the same time. She squeals as she falls back onto the bed, squirming under her layers of tulle. "Don't be so rough! I'm ticklish…" The groomsmen flush bright red. Miles' ears turn scarlet as he feels around her waist. She giggles even louder. "How are you going to undo it through all these layers? Use your head!" Then, she gasped. "That tickles!" Her theatrics make my temper flare. I spring to my feet, lift her skirt, and rip the wedding shoes right off her. "If you're that ticklish, smack yourself with a slipper. Drop the act, or I'll yank out the nerves that make you ticklish!"

The year I graduated from high school, my dad brought home a woman and a child with a rose on my mom's birthday. When the child offered my mom the rose, my mom gladly accepted it, only to end her life after spending her 39th birthday. … When I got married, I told my husband, Alistair Yates, that a rose was enough to end our marriage if he wanted a divorce. Then, he tried to reassure me that our house would not have anything related to roses. … Five years later, during one of the Yates Group's tender, one of our partners had a rose pinned to her chest. When he saw this, Alistair immediately kicked her out of the company and blacklisted her. That day, I realized that marriage could actually be blissful. Yet, six months after that, I completed my new drug research. The entire corridor was full of roses when I came out of the lab. The person who had been kicked out of the company? She was standing beside Alistair with a bright smile. I looked at him coldly, but he casually said, "Maria prepared all these for you. She's your sister and she wants to make amends with you." It took me two seconds to stare at Alistair before I turned to leave. What sister? I never had one. And from today, I no longer need a husband.

When the mafia heir, Marco Gallante, barged into the family vault with his mistress, I was standing before the Virgin Mary statue, cross-checking bloodstained ledgers. Fiore Albero cowered behind him, pointing at the ledgers in my hands and shrieking, "Marco, I'm scared..." I did not even bother looking up, just flicked the ash off my cigar. However, Marco kicked the desk over with one swift boot. "Chiara Moltisanti, Fiore can't stand the sight of all this blood and violence. Sign the divorce papers, now!" I stared at the mess scattered across the floor, thinking back to the pregnancy report the family doctor had handed me just ten minutes ago. The Gallante bloodline was dying out in this generation. Ever since the eldest son, Luca Gallante, died in that accident, Marco became the sole heir. The Don, Carmine Gallante, dreamed of nothing more than a legitimate boy of pure blood to carry on the family name and glory. So, I smiled, bright and sharp, with unmistakable mockery. "Perfect. Since you want true love, then the Don's throne will never be yours." Besides, I never wanted Marco, that useless fool. What I wanted was the Gallante empire, a mafia dynasty spanning three continents with 100 years of roots, and the control that left him with nowhere to run and no legs to stand on. This time, I would cut him out completely, keep the bloodline, and sit at the head of the family.

“I was reborn to prevent my death. Another purpose of my reborn is to destroy the enemy. I will surely devastate those all who threaten my kingdom.” Queenie’s body had just been thrown over the abyss. Her body was facing upwards. She can see her future husband’s face. The man smiled happily at seeing Queenie picking up death! Queenie closed her eyes. She gave up. Her life was over! But destiny is always the winner instead of a human plan…. When Queenie opened her eyes, she was still in her own body. She woke up in her second life. That was two years ago. When her father, king Darian of the Bright River kingdom, betrothed her to Prince Fabian of the Nicundhra Kingdom. The matchmaking was the beginning of the disaster. Queenie’s stepmother fell in love with Prince Fabian. They conspire to kill King Darian and his only daughter, Queenie. Prince Fabian was obsessed with ascending the throne. But a miracle happened. Queenie got a second life. It was a chance for her to prevent the death of her father and herself. The great war of various kingdoms exploded. Queenie would fight against multiple monsters for the sake of her father, empire, and people. The spoiled princess had returned. She was reborn as Queenie the Princess Warrior. Can Queenie take her second chance to change the future? The Second Life Of The Princess Knight!

Aurora Claramay. She was called ‘ The Villainess Rose ‘.The only daughter of a grand duke, well-protected by her three brothers. Some say that she’s the villainess in this story and some don’t. Her cold and distant-like personality attracted many suitors while her elegance, gracefulness, and perfection are ladies' idols. Many say that she’s unattainable and beyond one’s reach. On the other hand, rumor has it she’s cold-hearted, merciless to those who betrayed her, and non never received her trust. Aidan Wyatt. He called by many as ‘ The Light ‘ who shone as bright as the sun and beamed as the dazzling moon. Just as the reputation had known by all, he is a well-respected person, justice for the wronged, people called him a monster on the battlefield and a hero who brought peace for the empire. An archduke who ruled both the south and the east. Countless offers came before him, marriages, alliances, partnerships, etc. However, being the first knight in command during the battlefield and a great strategist, was not a groundless rumor. Being quick-witted as well as sly as a fox, he manages them effectively. Fate brought them together one night, where the full moon shines brightly, where all the trees and flowers danced together with the wind and where fireflies even fairies decorated the starry night. However, many agreed that they’re both like chalk and cheese and sometimes fight like cats and dogs and maybe, just maybe some butterflies in their stomach. Will love be born between these two or will thorns be piercing both hearts?

For as long as I can remember, my family and I have been living in an underground basement that's completely shut off from the outside world. My parents have told me that the zombie apocalypse is terrorizing the outside world. The air is completely plagued with the zombie virus, and we'll die if we ever leave the basement. In order to save the supplies—which are already dwindling, to begin with—I've starved myself to the point I'm all skin and bones despite being only 18 years old. When I realize that there's only one last can of food left, I leave behind a suicide note. "Mom, Dad, now there's one less mouth to feed. You'll last a few more days." After that, I slit my wrist right away. Once I'm dead, my soul phases through the thick and heavy metal door. Bright sunlight illuminates the entire world. It's a beautiful, peaceful world filled with greenery. I can even hear birds chirping in the distance. Mom, Dad, and a bunch of people are throwing a barbecue party on the lawn. The mouth-watering smell of food being grilled permeates the air. So, it turns out that the zombie apocalypse is just a lie that's designated to trap me inside the fortress. I'm the only one who has died in this sunny, peaceful world.

Yara and Andrian. They met in an orphanage, grew up together, and together they fought every storm that shot their way. When a couple chose to adopt Yara, she turned them down, sacrificing a lifetime opportunity just to stay with Andrian, because he was the one for her. Because they only had each other. Years later, tears welled up in Yara's eyes as Andrian recited his vows to her, promising her a forever filled with warmth and love. " Excuse me, miss. You have got the wrong person. I am Andrian Fox, and this is my fiancée." Two years later after their wedding, Yara, utterly drained and heartbroken, stood next to the intimidating Fox conglomerate, looking at her husband, the same man that once promised her a forever, his gaze warm and affectionate as he looked at his said 'fiancée', a beautiful heiress, with status that equally matched the newly found Fox family's long-lost heir, Adrian Fox. With his new identity uncovered as the heir to the great Fox fortune, a beautiful heiress as his new fiancée and the bright future ahead, what will Andrian do? What about the vows that he once made to Yara? And Yara, shattered by the betrayal, broken beyond repair, will she pick herself up? Will love visit her again? Driven by pain and thirst for revenge, how far can Yara soar?

When my colleagues find out that I'm pretty good at cooking, they start organizing dinners at my place. Lucy Holt, one of the junior accountants, suggests that we split the groceries evenly between us. As a result, I don't think I can reject their request without being rude. On my last day of work, the group gathers at my place for one last meal. "You're such a good cook, Jess! We'll all be transferring you 500 dollars later. It's just a token of our appreciation," Lucy declares with a bright smile. But the very next day, she sends me a message. "Hey, Jess. You know it's illegal to operate an unlicensed catering business from your home, right? Your house will get sealed off for further investigation. More importantly, the value of goods has passed the threshold of 10,000 dollars, which means the fine you'll have to pay is probably going to be about 20 times that amount. "Since we worked together, we decided not to report you to the authorities. We'll just settle this matter privately. All you have to do is give us the fine you would've had to pay instead." This is how I realized that, combined with yesterday's meal, the total amount they've given me for groceries thus far is exactly 10,001 dollars.

Many years ago, Katniss had to face the bitter truth about the person she loved the most. After waiting for months to tell him about her pregnancy following years of longing, she witnessed her husband marrying another woman right before her eyes. It was a brutal betrayal. She was humiliated and accused of infidelity, with claims that the child she carried was the result of an affair. Her mother-in-law and husband demanded she sign the divorce papers. With the last shred of her dignity, Katniss agreed. “Sign the divorce papers and leave!” her husband demanded firmly, not giving Katniss a chance to explain. Filled with anger and disappointment, Katniss replied, “You... you will regret this. I am truly innocent. This is just manipulation from people who want to destroy me!” Katniss was left alone with her child and fled the city, trying to find a new life after such a severe betrayal. Living was a daily and nightly torment, but she endured it for her daughter, her little princess, the light of her life. But fate had other plans. Katniss eventually became a symbol of respect and admiration among the people. Her life finally seemed bright and promising—until she met him again, the man she hated so much. Will Katniss forgive him after all he has done to her? Especially after she discovers all the secrets James has been hiding from her—secrets that will make Katniss question her feelings for James once again?

"Benjamin! I swear, I never cheated on you. I am a pure woman. I never let anyone touch me. Please, believe me." Charlotte was on her knees, begging her husband to believe her Innocence. But he only looked at her with anger and disgust in his eyes for her. "Do you think I am a fool? If you didn't cheat? If you are that innocent? How come you are pregnant? Is that the reason why you didn't let me touch you in four months of our marriage?" Benjamin yelled at her, hatred dipped from his eyes for Charlotte. "I don't know anything! But please, believe me. I never cheated on you." Charlotte cried, trembling with fear. "That's it! I can't live with an unfaithful woman. I am divorcing you. Get your ugly face out of my sight and never show me your face again, you slut." Without listening to her pleas, Benjamin slapped the divorce papers. ---------------- Charlotte was full of life. With so many dreams in her eyes, she was looking forward to having a bright future. Until an arrogant man laid his eyes on her. And everything changed in her life. She was forced to marry the man she hated the most. When she thought nothing worse could happen to her, she found out that she was pregnant. But how? She was still a virgin and she never let any man touch her?