Chapter 22 Tkam

When a young girl named **Emilia** moves to an isolated, fog-drenched city in search of a fresh start, she quickly discovers that something is terribly wrong. The streets echo with silence, residents vanish without a trace, and time itself begins to twist and collapse. As doors appear in places they shouldn’t, and her own reflection begins acting on its own, Emilia realizes she’s trapped in a place that is not just haunted — it’s alive. Each chapter peels back a new layer of horror: shadowy watchers, eerie apparitions, underground tunnels, and ghostly echoes of past inhabitants. But the real terror lies within — the city seems to feed on fear, loneliness, and the feeling of failure. It reflects Emilia’s own anxieties back at her, warping her reality into a trial of the soul. As she searches for meaning, and later for escape, Emilia uncovers the city’s sinister purpose: it traps those most vulnerable and forces them to confront their darkest selves. With the help of other survivors — some real, some echoes — she must navigate psychological mazes and make impossible choices to survive. But survival isn't enough. Emilia must transform — not by escaping her fear, but by embracing it. In doing so, she becomes something more than a victim of the city. She becomes a guide, a witness, and eventually, a keeper of the door. *Trapped in the Hollow City* is a suspenseful, haunting exploration of inner demons, resilience, and the eerie beauty of choosing to become — even when the world seems built to break you.

“Do you feel that, Rose?” He asked in a gruff tone. “The effect I have on you is real. Don’t deny it. Don’t deny me.” Rose’s cheeks burned with shame, even though she pushed her bosom more into his hand, seeking the pleasure she knew he could give her. Then, she recalled that they were in a restaurant, and stilled at once, eyes wide, heart thudding wildly, and breathless. “We’re in a bar,” she told him, her protest sounding weak even to her own ears. “A desert one,” he chuckled. She turned around, and saw that the restaurant was indeed vacant, save for them, and Enzo and Stefan who were standing by the door, their backs to them. It was rush hour, and that couldn’t have happened, even if the food was terrible — and it wasn’t. She understood immediately that the divillish man sitting next to her, who starred in all her fantasies as of late, had ensured that they would have the privacy they needed. For a ruthless mafia boss, he sure could be considerate. ... ... ... ... When Rose meets a mafia boss on one of her night shifts, she thinks he is a peculiar and unpleasant patient whom she would do well to avoid... Little does she know that that encounter is but the beginning to a tumultuous passionate chapter of her life. Risking everything for the man shouldn't be an option... And yet, she soon finds herself caught in his web of sin, desire, and obsession.

Warning... or Invitation? That choice is yours. This isn’t a fairytale. This isn’t about sweet kisses beneath cherry blossoms or soft smiles under the stars. No. This is raw, This is reckless, This is “Burning Embers: Scorching Tales of Desire” A collection of BL short stories carved from lust, laced with obsession, and kissed by chaos. Each chapter stands on its own, a world where strangers become addictions, roommates cross lines, enemies blur into lovers, and the line between want and need snaps without warning. These men don’t fall in love. They fall into temptation. They crash into each other like lightning against the sea, loud, unforgiving, and beautiful in their destruction. You’ll find no gentle romance here. Only the ache of fingertips brushing where they shouldn't, the weight of glances held too long, the gasp before the plunge. This is for the ones who know love isn’t always tender. That sometimes, the most unforgettable stories are the ones written in bruises and longing. This is for those who crave stories that leave a mark, who don’t flinch when desire gets messy, when hearts bleed a little before they beat as one. Not for the faint-hearted. Not for the clean-handed. This is for the bold, the brave, the ones who dare to touch the flame even if it burns. So turn the page. Step into the fire. But don’t say I didn’t warn you--- Because once the embers catch, they never go out.

Important Note to Readers: This story includes two books in the same series. Each book focuses on a different generation of the powerful Wyndham family. Book 1: Gabriel & Isla (Completed) A scandal forces Isla Ainsworth to marry Gabriel Wyndham, the billionaire heir she never wanted. Tied down by duty, surrounded by enemies, and trapped in a loveless marriage, Isla has to survive in a family that never accepted her. He gave her his fame, wealth, protection, and his whole world… but never his heart. Until the truth changes everything. “Please, give me one more chance.”The proud billionaire kneels on one knee and kisses her hand earnestly. “Sorry, Mr. Billionaire. I already have a new life.” Book 2 (Start from Chapter 261) : Mercy & Aurelian (Ongoing) Betrayed by her fiancé. Sold by her parents. And used for profit. Mercy loses everything in one night. Determined to rebuild her life, she takes a job at Wyndham Holdings, only to catch the attention of its powerful, reclusive heir. Aurelian Wyndham doesn’t date. He doesn’t trust. And he’s not the type to marry. But when his family pressures him into an arranged match, he shocks everyone by proposing to Mercy instead. It was supposed to be a convenient marriage. Until living under the same roof begins to reveal secrets about Mercy’s past… secrets tied to the Wyndham empire itself. And now, walking away is no longer an option.

"I, Logan Carter, Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, reject you, Emma Parker of the Crescent Moon Pack." I could feel my heart breaking. Leon was howling inside me, and I could feel his pain. She was looking right at me, and I could see the pain in her eyes, but she refused to show it. Most wolves fall to their knees from pain. I wanted to fall to my knees and claw at my chest. But she didn’t. She was standing there with her head held high. She took a deep breath and closed her wonderful eyes. "I, Emma Parker of the Crescent Moon Pack, accept your rejection." When Emma turns 18, she is surprised that her mate is the Alpha of her pack. But her happiness about finding her mate didn't last long. Her mate rejected her for a stronger she-wolf. That she-wolf hates Emma and wants to get rid of her, but that isn't the only thing Emma has to deal with. Emma finds out that she is not an ordinary wolf and that there are people who want to use her. They are dangerous. They will do everything to get what they want. What will Emma do? Will her mate regret rejecting her? Will her mate save her from the people around them? This book combines Book One and Book Two in the series. Book Two starts after chapter 96!

Menikah dadakan di usia yang masih sangat muda bukanlah impian Biyan, jauh dari planning hidupnya. Laki-laki berusia 22 tahun itu sangat kesal ketika sebuah insiden sial terjadi di luar dugaan. Membuat Biyan seketika harus berperan sebagai suami yang baik. Memperlakukan upik abu seperti ratu sangatlah tidak pantas. "Namamu memang Queen, tapi kamu bukan seorang Ratu, jadi jangan berlagak!" ujarnya pada wanita bernama Queen. Wanita yang harus dinikahi Biyan karena kejadian saat malam birthday party. Membuat gadis itu mendadak jadi Ratu sungguhan karena menikah dengan sang pewaris Tiger's Group. Namanya saja Queen, tapi hidupnya tak semulus kehidupan ratu, dia hanyalah upik abu yang mendadak jadi Queen sungguhan karena menjadi bagian dari hidup Biyan. Semua bermula ketika Queen yang merupakan seorang pelayan di sebuah restoran menerima tawaran dari seseorang untuk menjebak Biyan. Queen yang membutuhkan biaya banyak untuk pengobatan ibunya akhirnya memyetujui itu. Toh tugasnya tidak sulit, hanya menaruh obat tidur dalam minuman Biyan. Tanpa Queen tahu jika hal itu sangat berdampak bagi kehidupannya, dimana la malah berujung dinikahkan dengan Biyan karena kejadian tersebut. Dunianya berubah 180 derajat setelah bersama Biyan. Bagaimana kisah selanjutnya? Ikuti kelanjutannya di Novel Mendadak Jadi Queen. Follow Ig: arsy_la13 untuk mendapat info seputar novel dan visual untuk tokoh.

She died early and went to heaven. Her first wish was to live more in one place, her second wish was to fall in love and her third wish was to die a natural death. She gets to live in three different eras, she gets to fall in love with two guys and she dies at the age of 22 in every era. But she is stubborn to fulfil her wishes her own way...will she be able to go against the orders of the almighty? ................................................................................................. "Who are you?", I asked. "How can you be so dumb", he replied. "Nice name but a bit long for my liking", that was me. And all I got was an angry look. "What! You could have just answered my question without any stupid remarks.", I have no idea from where this audacity came in me. His eyes were red and at that moment I knew he is from some higher order family who have no habit of listening to comebacks. "It's not tough to see how dumb you are to treat the animal before even looking for the rider.", he said with so much arrogance that even the horse made a sound which clearly meant 'I WANT TO PUNCH HIM'. "If a rider doesn't know how to ride without getting hurt, I guess it's more worth saving the horse. It can at least have a master who knows how to ride properly and be productive.", I said with a smirk. "You clearly don't know who I am or else you would have not just saved me first but also would have shown respect.", he shouted at me. What an arrogant jerk! At that moment I knew we hate each other, but fate had some other plans for us!

On the night Isabel Shore gets married, she catches her childhood friend—now her husband—cheating on her. They've known and loved each other for 22 years. Meanwhile, her adoptive brother helps to steal the scumbag for his own sister's sake. Yet, he also acts like he's a good brother to her. How hypocritical, he actually fantasizes about the best of both worlds. Isabel sneers. Do they think she's a pushover that they can walk all over? Even after a decisive divorce, her ex-husband thinks she'll reconcile with him once she gets over her tantrum. After all, he's the only one who loves her so deeply. Her adoptive brother also thinks she'll come crawling after suffering out there. She grew up in wealth and is used to being comfortable, after all. To their surprise, Isabel has long since made a name for herself in Jeriton, thanks to a particular big shot's support. Finally, her ex-husband panics. "She's just throwing a tantrum! I'm the one she loves, and you're nothing but a tool she's using to get back at me!" The big shot smiles. "Is that so? That sounds like a win for me." Her adoptive brother is furious. "Haven't you suffered enough in the hands of one scumbag, Izzy? Why have you found another one? Can't you see everything I've done for you?" The big shot slams the door shut in his face and pins Isabel to the wall. "Remember that I'm the only one you can use. Don't even dream about doing it to anyone else!"

"Scream, cry, beg. The more you try to resist, the more tempting you become." 
**** 
Aeval lost everything to destiny. Her horrific past still haunts her even after years. A mistake made in intoxication now has make her nights sleepless and days restless. At the young age of 22, she is struggling to find her broken pieces in streets of New York even if it meant stealing to pass the night without empty stomach. Her life turned upside down when one night she broke one of her rules and slept with the most deadliest man she can ever encounter, unintentionally. Lorenzo Bianchi, has everything, from riches to women, from wealth to control. At the young age of twenty-seven, he has achieved what is described as nearly impossible for rest. He’s the kind of man who can put a bullet through your head before you could even take a breath. Looks of a God and eyes of the devil, he rules darkest alleys of hell. Mafia leader of one of the ruthless clan, he is on mission in New York when he meets a woman with depths of oceans in her eyes. Something stirred in him when he wake up from his one-night stand to find the woman who made him feel something after years of isolation, gone with his money. To save her sister from her own sins, she agrees to marry the unknown man. Lorenzo is restless, trying to find the woman who plagues his mind since two weeks when a cruel truth is revealed to him. The woman he’s looking for is fianceé of his brother.

Look woman I never begged to be your husband, you gave me that opportunity” Min Jun yelled. Mei Xing a 22 year old and the only daughter of multi-billionaires is diagnosed with cancer but doesn’t want to go through chemotherapy, with only a year left to live, she wants to explore. Min Jun a jobless 23 year old, finds himself a jackpot and agrees to be her contracted husband for the money and all the benefits of being with a billionaire’s daughter. EXCERPT: “Will you marry me?” Mei Xing asked a stranger she met walking on the streets. “What did you just say?” he said and was about to walk away. “I will pay you, a hundred thousand dollars, if you be my husband for a year” she said. “A year?” he asked and she nodded. She scanned through her wardrobe and wore a flowery dress, it wasn’t summer but by summer she might be too sick to wear it. “You only live once, more like a year," Min Jun finally arrived in jeans and a polo, “A summery dress in fall” he said as he took his seat. “The deal is I get fifty thousand dollars before we start the arrangement, then after the wedding I get the other half” Min Jun asked and Mei Xing nodded in approval. “You just have to be with me for a year, I probably won’t be alive by the end of the year” she joked. “Do you have some kind of transferable deadly disease. Covid?” he asked her. “No just cancer” she assured. “So I’m going to be free in a year and you'll be dead” he narrated.