Crying Behind Smile

After spending thirteen years abroad, MJ Billings, the twenty-eight-year old multibillionaire and CEO of Billings Corporations; is forced to return to her birthplace; a place she would rather forget. MJ's return is every bit displeasing as it sounds. Under an alias, May Smith, she is forced to work as a PA and serve a man she had hoped to never cross paths with again. One misunderstanding leads MJ Billings and Logan Parker down the road of no return as they play dirty games that may result in the people around them getting hurt. Along the way, the two of them face their worst fears while unwittingly exposing their weaknesses. They keep pushing each other to the limits, and it soon becomes clear to them that the saying is true: "You can't keep two bulls in the same kraal." When a lot of people get caught up in their web of lies, they attract both enemies and friends; and as time goes on, they cannot tell the difference between the two, which leads to the inevitable - betrayals, deceits, a near-death experience, tension, and more lies. Those who know who MJ Billings really is, know that behind all the power and anonymity; lies the real devil. She may be charming to some and intimidating to others with her sardonic smile and devious smirk; but she is heartless and vengeful, and never does anything without a reason. MJ Billings is a ruthless dictator who knows no boundaries. But what could be keeping her grounded in South Africa? How much more can she tolerate, and how long is it going to take before she finally snaps and unveils the devil in her?

With a bag of vegetables gifted by the previous tenant in hand, I was on my way to collect rent from the third household when I unexpectedly ran into someone at the entrance of the community. The man frowned, his eyes fixed on the vegetables I carried, as though he couldn't fathom how I had ended up like this after leaving him. Following his gaze, I instinctively shifted the vegetables behind my back. My eyes dropped to the muddy water on the pavement, and I never would have imagined bumping into my ex-boyfriend—the one who had grown up with a silver spoon—in this aging neighborhood. He noticed my movement, and for a moment, something flickered in his expression: a mix of pity and recognition. "Since you've already learned your lesson," he said, "come back with me." At his words, I instinctively stepped back half a pace. "Who said I'm going back with you?" My rejection seemed to sting, darkening his face. "I know you're still blaming me for giving Rachel a child," he muttered, "but it's been three years. Isn't it time to stop? As long as you come back, we can be the same as before." Three years, huh? How quickly time had passed. Thinking of my little girl at home, still babbling her first words, I couldn't help but smile and shake my head. "Let's leave it at that. Go home and live your life with Rachel. My daughter's waiting for me to go back and make her food."

"I can't do this anymore!" Easton cried, trying to break free from the man who had him pinned to the bed by his throat. ''It's been six years, Ilya! Six fucking years of abuse. When am I going to be free from you?" "Does it look like you have any choice?" Ilya smirked coldly. He produced his knife, wanting to carve his name into Easton's heart, so that every time Easton looked in the mirror, he'd know who he belonged to. "You either obey my every command, or watch as I ruin every last bit of the reputation you've toiled tirelessly to build. Don't push me too hard, East, or I'll unleash a storm that will render you breathless and begging for mercy and it won't be cute." As a pop star, Easton Reese had everything he had always hoped for: money, luxurious lifestyle, fame, and fans all across the globe who worshipped him like the idol that he was. But despite all this, Easton felt empty inside. Behind the happy smile he always wore on his face during the day, there was an excess of pain that he had to endure every night, in secret, where no one must know. Being punished for the crime his father had committed wasn't exactly what hurt him most; it was the fact that he was being punished by his childhood sweetheart, the same man he had once loved with all his heart.

Coraline Hart was a typical young woman for those looking at her from the outside. She went to work at a café, paid her bills, and was never seen without a smile on her face. But no one was to know the true horrors of what Coraline was forced to endure behind closed doors. To deal with his pain, her father went to the bottle and spent most of his time off his face with drink to forget his feelings. Due to his alcoholism, he can never hold down a job, and whatever money he does have, he drinks away. Causing Coraline to give him all of hers, knowing the dangers of what he could do if she were to say no. She had accepted this was her life now, going to work and giving all her money to her father, but that was until her saviour, in the form of a man in a very well-pressed suit with slicked-back hair and the thickest Spanish accent, walked into her café. This mysterious man soon becomes infatuated with this woman, who had unknowingly saved him the day they met; to him, it proved she was his and no other person was to cross her. But his infatuation was soon about to turn deadly; any man that he deemed too close to his Coraline soon slipped away without any hassle. When a police officer comes into the café and shreds some light on the man she was seeing, her world comes crumbling down. But for the mysterious man with the thick Spanish accent, he can never let go of his new obsession. Read on to find out how this simple interaction between two complete strangers became deadly.

When Lily is forced to move to a quiet town after her mother remarries, she feels like her entire world has fallen apart. The city lights, her friends, her freedom all gone. Now she must adjust to a life she never wanted, trapped between a new stepfamily that barely tolerates her and the eerie calm of a forest that seems to whisper her name. But destiny has already begun to weave its threads around her. At Gateway University, Lily meets Byrain, a mysterious, charming, yet distant student who always seems to appear when she least expects him. There’s something about him, his intense gaze, the quiet strength in his voice, the way he looks at her as if he’s known her forever. What Lily doesn’t know is that Byrain is not entirely human. Byrain has lived with a secret. Behind his calm eyes and perfect smile hides the soul of a werewolf the same massive creature that once watched over Lily from the shadows. He has loved her silently, protected her from dangers she never even knew existed, and fought against his own nature just to keep her safe. But when fate draws them together again, his control begins to crumble. Lily is pulled into a world she never believed was real. The truth about Byrain’s identity and their long-hidden connection threatens to change everything she knows about love, destiny, and herself. Now, she must decide: Will she run from the darkness… or embrace the beast who has loved her all along?

Lucas Fenrir was the son of the Alpha of the Silvertail Pack, born as the pack's greatest pride. When his Luna and first love, Nara Boris, chose to leave, he married me in a fit of rage—the most unremarkable Omega in the pack. Everyone said I was just a substitute for Nara. They were waiting to see me abandoned, to see me cry, and to see me beg on my knees. Nonetheless, I always smiled and calmly fulfilled Lucas' every demand. I helped him stabilize the pack's morale, stood up for him in public, and even defended him against the rumors that he had rekindled his past romance with Nara. Until one day, I saw him on the streets during the Moon Goddess Festival. He was holding Nara, kissing her deeply. Meanwhile, I simply turned my head away in silence from behind the crowd and pretended I saw nothing. A few months later, I was diagnosed with wolfsbane poisoning that had spread to my nervous system. My condition was beyond saving. I was admitted to the ICU of the pack's hospital, with only a few days left to live. Lucas came when he heard the news. His eyes were bloodshot as he roared and grabbed my dying body. "Why didn't you tell me? Why are you trying to die alone in secret?" I looked at his unhinged expression, my gaze as gentle as it had always been. There was even a faint mocking smile curling at my lips. "Lucas, I've never loved you. "The one I loved… was actually your twin brother—Derrick."

They laughed warmly. Abruptly, the door swung open. A troop of five men around their twenties came in view. They were in black formal suits. Only one attracted her sight. She sucked in her breath, her heart raced, her body trembled. She grasped the bed sheet in her hands. She felt tightness in my chest, her belly ache and dizziness. Last night's memory was standing in front of her in the beautiful shape of him, reality. He took her virginity. She could feel her body on fire. His white shirt was hugging his muscular body, not bulky but regnant. Three buttons of his shirt were unfastened, showing his tattoos on chest and toned body. There was a light wary smile on his face, showing him some kind of Goddess. There were four people behind him, charging their guns at them. She was terrified of him. Was he here for her? What would he do to her? Why didn't he forget last night and let her also forget this mistake. . Liam Rodrigues is a ruthless cold hearted Mafia & Billionaire. He is the illegitimate first child of his father. Although, her stepmom has accepted him and dotted him like her own born. But he strongly doubts it. He never let anyone be near to him. Except his half brothers, who are more real and loyal to him.Roselyn is an orphan, was adopted by a rich family. She was adopted as a toy for the spoiled brat, Isha Pinto. She wanted to chase her dreams and wanted to build school and colleges for orphan children.

..Saw my hubby, but I was in another woman's body, and this time he wasn't my husband, his uncle was. ~ A voice suddenly cut through the silence. “Oh my goodness, you're finally awake Mrs. Blackwood!” Mrs Blackwood? That was.. I tried to speak, but my voice was a mere whisper. The nurse, a kind faced woman with a warm smile, helped me sit up and handed me a glass of water. As I sipped, fragments of memories began to resurface. A car crash.. screams? and Kenneth's face? But why couldn't I put two and two together? "Can you help me to the toilet?" I asked the nurse, my voice still weak. The nurse nodded and assisted me out of bed and my legs trembled beneath me as I walked, unaccustomed to bearing my weight after such a long time of bederiding Once in the bathroom, I stared at the mirror, expecting to see my own reflection but the face staring back at me was unfamiliar, younger and prettier. A jolt of fear immediately coursed through me. Who was this person? "Mrs. Victoria Blackwood?” I heard the nurse call out from behind and it dawned on me.. that name belonged to Alexander Blackwood's wife, my husband's uncle! A wave of panic washed over me. What was happening? Why was I in this body? I stumbled backward, the nurse catching me by my waist. "Steady Mrs. Blackwood. You're still recovering." But I wasn't recovering. I was lost. Trapped in a stranger's life.

She walked in and stopped immediately she saw her reflection on the mirror and casted a deep smile within herself. A smile of self satisfaction. A lot has happened within this past few years, when she was sold as a bait of sex toy to a ruthless Alpha of all Alpha's, Ricky! How she managed to melt the heart of the cold hearted alpha and gave him love instead and a son as a blessing but that's the tip of the ice berg. On the day, Alpha Ricky was supposed to mark her as his lawfully mated Luna. He flee and rejected her mercilessly. Now, she's turn to her revenge, she's no longer the weak girl anymore, she's now the Luna of Zion pack, she has grown into a powerful lady that has men crawl to her feet. Her name is Laura Nikita! Author's note: Dear Readers, this is not a regular Lovey dovey romance as usual from me, this is about vengeance, abused and forced sex. Avoid it at all cost,if you're weak hearted. I warned you after all...

Iris never imagined that love could feel so intoxicating… or so dangerous. From the moment she met Adrian, his charming smile and irresistible presence drew her in, making her forget caution and reason. On the surface, he seemed perfect — attentive, flirtatious, and seemingly devoted. But behind that captivating exterior lurked secrets she could never have predicted. What began as stolen glances and playful conversations soon escalated into something far more intense — a forbidden affair neither of them could resist. Every kiss came with a hidden truth, every touch with a lie waiting to be uncovered. As Iris is pulled deeper into Adrian’s world, she discovers that his intentions are far from pure, and that their passionate connection masks a darker, more controlling side. When the truth of his deceptions surfaces, Iris is forced to confront a harsh reality: love can be manipulative, suffocating, and even dangerous. Their entanglement spirals into a toxic dance of desire and betrayal, challenging everything she believed about loyalty, trust, and the boundaries of the heart. Caught between temptation and self-preservation, Iris must decide whether surrendering to Adrian’s magnetic pull is worth the heartbreak it could bring — or if walking away from the man who has consumed her thoughts, her body, and her emotions is the only way to survive. The Lies He Kissed Me With is a gripping, 18+ dark romance about toxic love, hidden agendas, and the fine line between passion and destruction. It is a story of obsession, betrayal, and the dangerous allure of a love built on lies — a story readers will not be able to put down until the very last chapter.