Cloud Strife Smile

He broke her heart. He wants her body. But her bloodline may cost her life. Her mother’s death was not an accident. Her inheritance is not just wealth. It is a dangerous secret buried inside the country’s most powerful private hospital. Aria Lancaster has two men fighting for her. Ethan Blake, the boy who kissed her sweetly and broke her heart without mercy. Damian Cole, the ruthless billionaire who wants to own every part of her, body and soul. One is forbidden temptation. The other is familiar sin. But Aria’s bloodline carries a truth darker than desire, and when it surfaces, passion alone will not be enough to save her.

The fertility clinic called to inform me that my embryos were ready for transfer. I touched my abdomen, still numb from the anesthesia of that morning's egg retrieval. Even with cutting-edge medical technology, embryos couldn't be prepared this quickly. Before I could call back to clarify, my husband stopped me. "Mom's been pressing us hard. I pulled some strings to fast-track the process so you can get pregnant sooner. Imagine twins! My buddies will be green with envy." Silent, I drove straight to the clinic and dialed 911 on the way. "Hello? I'm reporting a fertility clinic involved in illegal surrogacy."

"Loving you means sharing everything, even your pain." As the lone Alter Dire Wolf, Serena Daire is forced to discover the heritage that she ignored because of her anomaly. From the lush forest of the Philippines to the snowy mountains of the Himalayas, the dry and humid climate of Egypt, a quick trip to the most expensive city in the world, and finally to the cold, harsh weather of the Highlands. Danger awaits, and it may cost her the thing that she holds dear...her heart. Tasked to escort Serena to the Highlands, Rooka, the Alpha of the Middle East and African Nation, never expected to meet his mate. An anomaly to the Weres, he must protect and prove that his love the person he thought had died. As danger closes upon them, will their love survive? OR will it be broken once more? Join Serena as she embarks on an adventure she never wanted and a love that she least expected.

Ava Stone's summer camp experience took a turn for the worse when a wild animal attacked her. But what happened next was even more terrifying. Her body now craves raw flesh, and her anger is spiralling out of control. The animals, they fear her. Desperate for a cure, Ava meets Lucas Greyson, a man with knowledge of werewolves. But their connection goes beyond mere research. As they fall deeper in love, Ava discovers that Lucas is actually a werewolf hunter. Will their love be strong enough to overcome the centuries-old feud between werewolves and hunters? As Ava battles with her inner wolf and Lucas grapples with his loyalty to his family, they face ravenous werewolf packs and a bloodthirsty clan of hunters. The odds are stacked against them. But will Lucas choose love over everything else, even if it means turning his back on his family?

Sarah is a struggling journalist who prefers gritty stories over the superficial glitz of the wealthy elite. But when she's assigned to interview notorious billionaire playboy Daniel Blackwood, she knows it's a challenge she can't pass up. Sarah knows this is her chance to make a name for herself, but she never imagined the interview would take such a shocking turn. In exchange for access to information about his business dealings and wealth, which would ultimately boost her career, he wants her to be his wife. Sarah is caught off guard, struggling to weigh the benefits against the risks. She is torn between her career aspirations and the unconventional proposal. Can she take the risk and agree to a marriage of convenience with a man she barely knows? Or will she let go of the opportunity and work her way up the ladder on her own terms? The stakes are high, and Sarah's decision will change the course of her life forever.

After I've completed 98 tasks for my fiancee, Cheryl Landeau, she finally agrees to marry me once I've completed the 99th task for her. For that task, I'm required to pick her up outside her company. On the day I stand outside Cheryl's company with a huge flower bouquet in my arms, I don't see her at all despite having waited till late night. Soon after, I get hospitalized due to a high fever. When I tap on my phone, the first thing I see is a photo of the marriage certificate belonging to Cheryl and her assistant, Jason York. Jason even includes a caption with the photo. "My mom is very satisfied with her daughter-in-law. Please take good care of me from now on, my dear wife." The next day, I hang a banner outside the company. "May Ms. Landeau and Mr. York grow old in harmony and be blessed with children." All of my colleagues are stunned, to say the least. At that moment, Cheryl quickly pulls me into her office. She then explains, "Jason's mom is severely ill. Her death wish is watch him get married. What's wrong with me fulfilling her wish? Can't you show more kindness toward Jason? "Now, stop throwing that tantrum of yours and get rid of the banner. Once Jason's mom passes away, I'll file for a divorce from him." I just smile as I set off more fireworks at the doorway. "Oh, you don't have to bother with a divorce. I'm worried that his mom might come back to life soon. Let's just end things here."

A heart, as soft as cloud, goes through so much pain and agony. Any smile that lits up his face, later turns to sorrow. But that life got changed by an angel who took his breath away, who sealed the hole in his heart and gave him the happiness he could ever wish for.

He slid a paper across the table, his eyes cold. " Sign it." She blinked, confused. "Why?" "It’s our marriage certificate." He spoke as if discussing the weather. "I’ve already signed it. Your turn." Siya froze. **Marriage?** To a man like him? Her? A whore. Pregnant. She looked up at him, pleading. "I-I can be your maid. Do anything. Just… don’t hurt my baby." Her voice trembled, careful, trying to bargain with the devil himself. But Abhimanyu’s gaze was relentless, unmoved. His tone cut like ice. "I want you to sign it right now." Her heart hammered in her chest. "But… how… why me?" She stuttered, breaking. "I don’t want to marry you." She stood, defiance shaking her body. The word **marriage** tasted like ash, reminding her of someone she loathed beyond reason. Abhimanyu leaned in, his smile devoid of warmth. "You **will** marry me. Or…" The room fell silent, thick with the unspoken threat. **The world knows** what he is capable of. "Plea.se," she whispered. Her voice was barely a breath. Siya’s legs screamed to run. But there was nowhere to go. His voice low, lethal. "Listen to me, TweetyBird. If I can save you, I can ruin you too.' His eyes darkened. "Sign it. And you’ll be mine." "Why me?" Her voice broke. ************ Siya laid on the bed on her fours, her hands tied together with a handcuff as Abhimanyu thrusted slowly from her back. He changed their position making her completely under his mercy. As the sun rose in the sky, he uncuffed her. "Scream my name!" He groaned going faster than before. But his pace didn’t slacken at all. He had turned into a needy beast, who was ruining every ounce of sanity left in Siya. *********** ***********

Marion Yuna "Mayu" Selvestre is the result of a betrayal. Thirsty for her parents' love, the girl asked for nothing but to be part of her father's or mother's family. But that became more ambiguous after she was chosen as the fiancée of a prominent billionaire, whom both her half-sisters wanted. Her parents could not accept it, for they were also after the billionaire. And her wish became more vague when she became pregnant due to a one-night mistake with the man. In fear that her parents would abort her baby and in fear of the man finding out that she was pregnant, she left their town and moved around every time she was caught by him. Even if she is afraid of life, Mayu is even more afraid that the cunning and monster Aldo Hendrix Castellanos will take her son away from her.

Si Marion Yuna "Mayu" Selvestre ay bunga ng isang kataksilan. Uhaw sa pag-ibig ng mga magulang. Walang hiniling ang dalaga kun'di maging parte ng pamilya ng kanyang Tatay o Nanay. Ngunit iyon ay naging mas malabo matapos siyang mapiling fiancée ng isang kilalang bilyonaryo na parehong gusto ng kanyang mga kapatid. Hindi iyon matanggap ng kanyang mga magulang sapagkat maging ang mga ito ay naghahabol sa bilyonaryo. At mas lalo pang lumabo ang kanyang kahilingan nang siya ay mabuntis dahil sa isang gabing pagkakamali. Sa takot na ito ay ipalaglag ng kanyang mga magulang at sa takot na malaman ng lalaki na siya ay nagdadalang tao, nagawa niyang lumisan sa kinagisnang lugar at magpalipat-lipat pa sa tuwing siya'y nahuhuli nito. Takot man sa buhay ay mas takot si Mayu na kuhanin sa kanya ang anak ng tuso at tinuturing niyang halimaw na si Aldo Hendrix Castellanos.