Crooked Smile Meaning

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.

Twenty-year-old Francheska Dela Cruz, an aspiring writer was hired in one of the biggest publishing companies in Metro Manila and her first assignment was to interview a philanderer who had a scandalous reputation in his time. Driven by the determination to keep her job and to be noticed by her boss, Dale Trinidad made her decide to push through with the assignment. She found herself in the old capital city of Pasig City, near the Municipal Hall at the heart of Sandoval Avenue in Acacia Alley. A crowded and ragged place with people from all walks of life, Conversations with Micheal Benedicto brought her to the world of passion and lust. His overwhelming vast adventure with all kinds of love and each of his women portrayed a big role in his life. From his first encounter of a carnal affair with his supervisor in his first job to numerous women that came his way. His insatiable desire towards lonely single mothers and older women tainted his reputation and the radical conclusion of his story. All thirty-six women portrayed a big role in his life and shaped him for who he is. Francheska was not just an attendee to Michael's story. She was also about to find out her true identity and the confrontation of reality. It spanned two generations separated by fate, each had its struggle, its pain, lies, betrayal, and joy. Through this encounter, they will finally realize their connection and the real meaning of love, self-sacrifice, acceptance, and forgiveness. That in the end, love is all that matters.

Joel has always hated werewolf society. As one of the lowest ranked werewolves of the Bournville pack, he has learnt to clench his teeth and smile while having to bow to the authority of the higher ranked members of the pack. When Joel takes a job washing pots at the Alpha’s manor house, he has no idea how quickly his life is going to change.Casper, the Alpha’s son has spent the last five years unsuccessfully looking for his mate. When an unlikely friendship forms between Casper and Joel, they both begin to question everything they thought they knew and whether there is more to their friendship than they realise.Emily is the daughter of an Alpha from a rival pack. When the Alphas of the two packs decide to form an alliance, they decide the perfect way to achieve this is through the marriage of their children Emily and Casper.When the time comes, will Casper choose Emily over his possible mate? Or will the decision never be his to make?

Alicia thought college would mean books, lectures, and late-night gossip. Instead, she’s stuck with an arrogant, annoying attractive roommate, a charming coursemate who hides scars deeper than his smile, and a secret bloodline that could destroy or save the supernatural world. Raymond is her fated mate, though neither of them knows it yet. His protectiveness is suffocating, his temper terrifying, and his touch dangerously magnetic. Kevin is everything Raymond isn’t kind, dependable. But Kevin carries a painful truth: he was chosen by the Moon Goddess not as her lover, but as her protector. Now, torn between a bond she doesn’t understand and a loyalty she never asked for, Alicia must embrace her true nature as the daughter of a witch and a werewolf. But destiny always demands sacrifice… One will claim her heart. One will guard her life. And one will pay the price for partial redemption.

Geraldina was an intersex whose life seemed to be only tied to her crazy love for her ex, until the same guy dragged her into a whole new and insane journey. "He's always dragging me into strange things. My life is this messed up because of him!" Dina complained to her system Zero-one "Then let me take you away" A certain target said "Whaa???" All of a sudden, the mission took the weirdest turn with her targets now 'targeting' her with their crazy love. This wasn't right! Her heart was only for her Jack...Right? "Zero-baby help me~ I don\'t know who\'s the target anymore!" Dina whimpered in confusion "Come into my arms then" Zero suddenly said with a strange seductive smile and the same crazy, infatuated look the targets had in their eyes! "EH?!" THIS TRANSMIGRATION SUDDENLY BECAME STRANGE!

One night is all it takes to burn her world to ash. Dragged from the ruins of her family’s estate, Serenya Vale is thrust into the heart of a palace that thrives on whispers, beauty, and blood. At its center sits Prince Kael Dravaryn — dangerous, breathtaking, and the very man everyone swears is her captor… and her only protector. Surrounded by wolves in silk, Serenya is given a choice: obey the Prince and survive the court’s games, or defy him and be devoured by those with sharper teeth. But survival becomes far more complicated when a mysterious knight begins crossing her path — his gaze lingering too long, his presence unsettling the careful balance Kael keeps around her. In a court where a smile can be a blade and a kiss can start a war, every step Serenya takes binds her tighter to two men… and to a fate she never asked for.

Years ago, ruthless mafia heir luciano De Rossi fell for a mysterious woman with a wicked smile—and lost everything. She betrayed him, vanishing with secrets that could destroy his empire. Now, she’s back. Or so he thinks. When Luca crosses paths with innocent and headstrong Eva Moretti, he's convinced she’s the same con artist who once played him. He draws her into his dangerous world, determined to get revenge. But Eva isn’t the woman he remembers—she’s her twin. And while she’s caught in his web of deception, he finds himself tangled in emotions he vowed never to feel again. As passion ignites and the past claws its way into the present, Luca must decide what’s more dangerous: the enemy who broke him… or the twin who might heal him.

"Dad, Mom, I've decided—I'll go through with the marriage arrangement with the Kingston family. I'll be back by the end of the month." Daphne Wharton made the decision in the middle of a camping trip with Luke Hardy. She curled into herself, pulling her scarf higher against the chill. For a moment, there was only silence on the other end of the line. Then, her mother's voice came through, thick with tears. "Daphne, we know this isn't fair to you. Our company is struggling, and the Kingston family is willing to help—but only if you marry their son. We've failed you as parents…" Her father let out a heavy sigh beside her mother. Daphne listened, her gaze unfocused. A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "It's okay, Mom, Dad. This is what I should do. I'll be back in fifteen days—when their son returns to the country."

To fund my daughter's medical treatment, I consider reconnecting with my estranged family until an expected phone call changes everything. "Sir, your diamond necklace has arrived. You may come tomorrow to pick it up." After confirming the order is placed using my and my wife's contract information, my hope sparks. Perhaps the medical bills will finally be covered. When I arrive at the luxury boutique to claim the necklace, the sales clerk frowns, eyeing me from head to toe. "You're saying… you bought this necklace?" I nod, irritated by the condescension. "What happened to the service? Did all the luxury jewelers forget how to treat customers while I was away?" I said inwardly. The clerk flashes me a polite smile and turns to "retrieve" the item, but in reality, he radios the security. "Security, we have a suspected thief here."

Noah Hawkins is the broken brother. The one with the dangerous smile and the kind of eyes that promise sin. He's the one who's always having episodes and has been termed bipolar. He's the bad boy with a history and a mean streak of breaking girls' hearts. He maims, destroys and breaks everything he touches. – Isabella's scholarship to college comes with a price... no dorm, no place to stay. And the only spare room belongs to her boyfriend's brother. Noah. He's not supposed to want her. She's not supposed to want him. He tells himself he'll stay away. Until he doesn't. Because Noah's never been the kind to ask permission. And when he decides he wants something... He doesn't stop until it's his. Even if claiming her means breaking everything in his path... including her heart.