Characters Of That Was Then This Is Now

In the coastal quiet of Baler, a studio is born—not of architecture, but of intention.* Founded by Yam, a poet whose words cradle pain gently, and Franc, an artist who paints tenderness into walls, the studio becomes a refuge for those learning to stay—with grief, love, longing, and themselves. As visitors arrive, they leave behind more than footprints: a sigh recorded in bamboo, a poem tucked into the “Found Letters” shelf, a mural painted in crooked lines. Through zines, tea, silence, and sketchbooks, the studio teaches softness as revolution. Ren creates the *Window of Soft Returns*, an installation of anonymous voice recordings—each whisper forming a community of echoes. Drew builds the *Staircase With No Wrong Turns*, inviting people to walk through emotions without shame. Franc offers brushstrokes as brave work, and Yam curates writing circles that map healing in half sentences. Together, they host festivals that feel like hugs, and they begin traveling their archive, letting softness cross oceans. Even those who once left—like Miguel—return, discovering that some doors never truly close. Others, like Tala, capture the studio’s sound and turn it into a podcast of breath and becoming. Over seventy chapters, the studio transforms into something larger than itself: a mural of memory, a sanctuary for second chances, a place where return is sacred and voice is proof of survival. In the final bloom, the studio stands not as a monument—but as a reminder: > *“Staying isn’t easy. > But chosen together, > it becomes home.”*

When my mind-link request had been ignored by my parents for the twentieth time, I went to the Werewolf Council, clutching the report on silver dust corrosion in my hand. “Hello. I’d like to renounce my pack identity—effective immediately.” Ten minutes later, my parents burst in, dragging my adoptive younger sister, Elsa, with them, panic written all over their faces. The door burst open with a bang, and my Beta father charged in like a storm. His fangs bared, claws twitching. “You’re nothing but a spoiled brat craving attention! Stop this pathetic act. You’re an embarrassment to a Beta’s name!” My mother, a forensic specialist for the pack, immediately snatched the report from my hand. After a brief glance, she let out a cold sneer. “You faked this report just to get our attention? You’ve been a liar since you were a pup.” Elsa clung to both of them, tears in her eyes as she sobbed, “I’m sorry, Jenifer. It’s my fault for holding the shifting ritual. But please... don’t lie to our parents just to make them feel guilty!” Blood was still pouring from my nose, but I wiped it away calmly and stood tall before the werewolf councilors once more. “I haven’t had a real family for a long time. Please—remove all my personal records from the pack. I just don’t want my funeral—scheduled for three days from now—to be delayed.”

He destroyed her life in a heartbeat. Now he wants her heart to beat for him. On her wedding day, Elena Robertson wore red for love. It ended in blood. Her parents, slaughtered before her eyes. Her fiancé, gunned down with a smile on his lips. Her freedom, stolen by the man who thought she was someone else. Thorne Del Roi. The Mafia King feared across continents. Cold. Merciless. Godless. He took everything from her to avenge a crime she never committed. He broke her, used her, poisoned her soul with vengeance. But truth cuts deeper than any blade. Now, the devil who destroyed her is the only one who can’t stop craving her. Not for her body, but for the heart he never meant to feel beating in his chest. And Elena? She wants to hate him. She should hate him. But what do you do when your enemy becomes the air you breathe? He’s power. She’s fury. He’s fire. She’s the match. And when love ignites between them, it won’t just burn, it will explode. So much twist you can't imagine. Dive and enjoy the ride.

Freya Daniella Howard, 24 years old, first heir of Howard Constructions is in ‎love with her boyfriend ‎Benjamin, but scared to tell that to her parents ‎because she knows Benjamin will not meet with ‎their expectations. When her ‎mother asks who she is dating, she without much thought says her best ‎friend's ‎name - Rafael. ‎ Rafael, 28 years old, sole heir of Eastmond Builders, secretly dating a model ‎because he ‎knows his high and mighty parents have high plans for him. ‎Though he's not much bothered because he only wants to savor his love-life for now and focus on his dream; to be eligible enough to be the CEO of his ‎family's business. ‎ However, Freya's lie which was intended to be unharmed ruins all his plans ‎and he becomes her ‎betrothal out of nowhere. Their families celebrate the ‎moment and tie them into Wedlock -- too swift for ‎them to comprehend what in the world has happened to them.‎ Is it fate or Freya's heedless mistake that confined them into marriage?.....hard ‎to answer. ‎

As Cain Knight's mate, I watched him lead Elias Sinclair, his childhood sweetheart, onto the stage at the Black Moon Pack's annual charity gala. "In recognition of Miss Sinclair's outstanding contributions to our community," Cain announced, his voice a glacial shard as his eyes found me, "I have decided to grant her the title of this year's 'Charity Ambassador.'" An honor that had, for years, been bestowed upon the Luna by her Alpha. He shattered tradition just to humiliate me. Under the pitying gazes of the entire pack, I did not cry. I did not question him. I simply straightened my spine, set down my champagne flute, and silently turned to leave. "Let her go," I heard Cain sneer behind me. "She won't last half the night. She'll come crawling back like a beaten dog, begging for my forgiveness." A wave of derisive laughter erupted behind me. "After all these years, Lupita still uses the same tired tricks to get Alpha Cain's attention!" "I bet she'll be on her knees, pleading for Alpha Cain's forgiveness before sunrise!" But they didn't know. The person waiting to spirit me away was already at the door. This time, I would vanish from this gilded cage forever.

Mr. Aidan Bruce Christopher Desmond the 3rd, a multi-billionaire business man in his early 30's, is emotional detached to the rest the world making him be a selfish dark self-centered dangerous man. Blindly he ends up falling deep into a situation that he never in his wildest dreams thought he'd be in. Belinda Nadia Logan, the last heir to the Logans empire, takes up a role of becoming a simple woman that diminishes her Logans title to ashes. Naively she gets herself entangled in a messy situation between two rocks that she can not escape from. This bounds her to the ruthlessness of what the universe could offer. When time comes will she choose to free herself from being earthbound or set herself free...

She's still ten years old when a tragedy comes to her life. Hindi alam ni Sheiha kung ano ang gagawin. She was with her cousin that time when that scene happen. Nanginginig sa takot ang batang katawan, kumakalabog ang pusong hindi magkamayaw sa pagtibok dahil sa nasaksihan. After ten years of preparing herself to make a revenge, she accidentally met a person who will make her belief upside down. She wanted revenge but he... he open the door so Sheiha can see the light of that dark room she's in. Should she chase the light to be with the man she love? Or stay in that dark room to continue her revenge even if it cause her life? "Don't stay on that dark past, please chase the light I've give you. Chase it and you'll find peace." "What if... what if I don't? Paano kung hindi ko magawang maging kampante, maging payapa hanggat hindi ko nagagawa ang bagay na matagal ko ng gustong makamit? Would you stay in that dark room with me? Serves as my light to see the path I'm taking?"

He's an ex military billionaire. She's a happy-go-lucky brat. With just one glance, she fell for those cold eyes and mysterious personality. For better understanding about the story, I suggest you read Making Deals with the Billionaire first. But if you don't want to, it's fine since the events are explained as the story goes on. Completed: September 1, 2018 All Rights Reserved ©? 2018 This story is not proofread and edited, may contain wrong spellings or grammar. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I used to live my life believing that there was something corrupted within me. I had never felt comfortable walking in the searing, bright daylight. It felt as if I didn't belong there. Is that why I felt this sudden attraction to a man who seemed to be the embodiment of darkness? Ashtar Malachious resembled the sum of my sexual fantasies. The shades surrounding him were like a captivating essence. Others called him the predator, the fallen, or the death. I knew that, but my eyes saw him differently. He saved my life in more than a literal way. He seduced me, slowly enticing all my senses. He showed me what a touch could feel like. He let me taste the pleasure I had never thought existed. The one thing he wanted from me was my blood. I knew that if I gave it to him, it would be along with my body, heart, and soul. His irresistible aura blinded me to the dangers that surrounded me. Like a moth to the flame, I stepped closer until the hellfire licked my flesh. Then the wicked flames revealed the cruelest truth—this love kills. In the end, one of us will die.

“Do you mean you are a virgin?” “Yes,” “Yes what?” “I.am.a.virgin.” I said holding a tendril of my hair shyly. “One week.” “For?” “I give you one week to come to terms with all these. After one week, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you, dear wife.” *** Trapped in a royal betrothal, Zara hates Zack. Zack loathes Zara. Thus, they won't consummate the marriage or follow any sort of tradition. To punish them, the Queen sends them on a journey to Island Formentera. However, a shipwreck leaves them stranded— stuck with each other. Will they go home and face the enemies of the royal household together? Or be swallowed by each other's pride?