Count Rostov

After the real son, Asher Vale, was brought back, everything in our house became tied to drawing lots. The chef of the day, who would have to cook a particular person's preferred dishes, had to be decided by drawing lots. Even our parents' kisses and hugs were chosen the same way. I always drew the short stick. The long stick, by default, belonged to Asher. He never had to do anything to receive our parents' love. Whenever I felt it was unfair and wanted to cry, Mom would scold me sharply, "I bought the lot-drawing box because I was afraid you'd feel hurt. I wanted to be fair to both of you. If you want something, decide it yourselves. Your father and I won't interfere. If you can't draw the long stick, you can only blame your bad luck." So I began practicing every day, shaking the box diligently, over and over, in hopes that one day, it would help me earn my parents' love. Unfortunately, for ten years, I never once drew the long stick. Until my birthday. Asher wanted to go to the amusement park, and Mom once again told us to decide by drawing lots. I secretly glued the two short sticks together and handed them to Mom, hoping to keep her with me. She slapped me hard across the face, screaming that I was cheating and disobedient. Then she stormed out of the house with Asher. When I fell to the ground, the short stick stabbed deep into my neck. 'I'm sorry, Mom. Next time, I'll work harder. Next time, I'll definitely draw the long stick.'

On my twentieth birthday, my father asked me to draw from a box of straws. It was to pick a husband between William Smith and Austin Smith to inherit North Town. The short straw represented Austin, while the long straw represented William. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get the long straw. However, I was certain that I did not want to marry Austin. I drew straws for three years, but it was to no avail. I had no choice but to tamper with the straws to marry William as I wished. However, ten years into our marriage, he was no longer gentle and kind. He had turned into a really cold person. He neither returned home nor touched me. Even when I threatened him with a knife, he refused to talk to me. Despite feeling hurt, I was unwilling to let him go. That was until I watched him kick away the only medicine I had for my asthma while I was writhing on the floor. “I was the one who switched out the straws. There was no long straw, yet you forced me to marry you. Mandy died from a broken heart, so you should pay with your life.” When I opened my eyes again, I was holding a short straw. I calmly said, “Since it’s the short one, I choose Austin.”

Ever since my mom gave birth to her second child, everything in the household is tied to drawing lots. Everyone has to draw lots in order to decide whose favorite food will be served for each meal. We have to draw lots to see who among us gets a hug from our parents. Every time, I end up drawing the short end of the stick, so everyone automatically assumes that my younger sister, Anabelle Madden, gets the better lot. She easily reaps my parents' love without having to do anything at all. Whenever I feel like crying because of the injustice, Mom will scold me instantly. "I bought the lottery box because I was worried that you might feel upset about this. I'm doing this just to be fair to both of you. "If you want something, you have to be the one deciding who gets what. Your father and I won't interfere with your decision at all. Since you can't draw the better lot, that just means you have bad luck." Hence, I keep practicing my lot-drawing skills every day, hoping that I can eventually draw the better lot in order to obtain my parents' love. But for ten years, I never get to draw the better lot. Not even once. On my birthday, Anabelle wants to go to the amusement park, so Mom tells us to draw lots once again. I secretly glue two short lots together before giving it to Mom in an attempt to get her to stay with me. Instead, she slaps me and berates me for being a disobedient child who cheats in lot-drawing. Then, she leaves the house with Anabelle. When I fall to the floor, I feel the short sticks piercing through my neck.

#- Book One Of The Dark Desires Series. I had just one and that was to shoot him. To kill him. I underestimated the power of NIKOLAI ROSTOV. I don't like men, I swear. Or Do I? Meeting Nikolai Rostov changed everything, a psychopath who cares only about himself and uses people as pawns. He used me, brought out those desires in me, desires that I hated. I hated him but at the same time, I wanted him to use me over and over again. …. All Adrian wants is to get revenge on the family who he thinks is responsible for his mother’s death. What he never expected was falling for the ruthless Bratva Lord. What happens when secrets unfold and trust is tested? This book contains graphic violence, mature themes, strong language, mental health struggles, sexual kink, Explicit content, forced proximity, and dark themes.

A young lady awakens to find herself in a luxurious mansion, but is at the mercy of its insane master. Can she discover the truth of what happened and escape? Or will she be another body count?

In a kingdom where alliances are sealed in blood and power is never freely given, Delila Alden never imagined her life would collide with royalty. When she crosses paths with Tobias Rostov, the crown prince of Aruyios, their meeting sets off a chain of events neither of them can control. Lila is stubborn, fiery, and determined to survive the weight of her past. Tobias is disciplined, noble, and bound by duty to his kingdom. What begins as an impossible bond soon grows into something undeniable, a connection that defies the laws of their world. But the path to love is never simple for a prince and his chosen girl. From dangerous rivalries to ancient traditions, every step they take together threatens to tear them apart. Secrets rise, loyalties are tested, and enemies circle closer. Lila must grow into her strength, discovering power she never knew she had, while Tobias struggles to balance his love for her against the future of his crown. As war looms and betrayal strikes from within, the couple must decide how far they will go to protect each other and the kingdom they are destined to rule. A story of passion, sacrifice, and destiny where a girl becomes a princess, and a prince learns that love can be the fiercest weapon of all.

Justin Ramos is a simple boy with a simple dream: to read, write, and count numbers easily. Due to his inborn disorder called dyslexia and dyscalculia, he can never fulfill that. He always wanted to be normal for other people, but he is an outcast. Justin always blames his biological mother and his father, whom he never saw since the day he turned into a 3-year-old boy, for living his hard life. When he met Marian Aguinaldo, an elementary teacher, his whole world changed. He builds the desire to learn, not about his lifelong dream for the alphabet, but he wants to know how to love. How can Justin learn the alphabet and count numbers when he is totally in love with Marian? Will Marian teach him how to love?

What is scarier than someone living in your walls? How about finding out the boy in the walls has seen a monster in there? What will the Count's daughter and her two unusual friends do to protect her home? Rated 12+ for light violence, kissing, sexual reference

When Helena Bale decides that a marriage is overrated, she decides to skip all the formalities and to get to what she really wants; an heir. Headstrong and determined to have her way, she convinces Alexander to abide by her contract. What she didn't count on is how emotional it will all get.

A humiliated and broken woman, who had the chance to change her story. She goes in search of the revenge she wants so much to wash her soul. However, she didn't count that in the midst of all this history a man full of traumas and secrets would cross her path. 🔞🚫 Reading for adults and with triggers: violence, sex, rape