Define Smirking

He shattered her heart to avenge a past that wasn’t hers. Now he desires her in his bed—as his wife. Marceline Valino once believed in love. She gave her heart—and her innocence—to Cross Dejava, the boy who whispered promises in the dark, igniting dreams of a forever that felt so real. But by morning, her world was left in ruins. Private photos were leaked, her name dragged through the mud, and at the eye of the storm? Cross, smirking, cold, and ruthless. “You mean nothing to me,” he said, delivering a blow that would leave scars. “You’re just the bastard daughter of my father’s mistress.” His vengeance had never aimed at her heart; it was meant to punish the daughter for her mother’s sins—an ex-lover who had torn his family apart. Pregnant and abandoned, Marceline begged for mercy, but all she received was the echo of his silence. When she lost the child, she lost every last piece of the girl she used to be. Now, five years later, she’s preparing to return—broke, desperate, and willing to do anything to save her ailing mother. Anything… except this. Because the man extending a lifeline isn’t a savior. It’s Cross. And he has no desire for her heartfelt apologies; he craves her complete submission. A contract marriage awaits her. No love. No escape. No mercy. But Marceline isn’t the naive girl he once broke. She’s a woman who has risen from the ashes, ready to play his game. And as the pieces of their lives fall into place, she’s determining when—exactly—she will ignite a fire that could burn it all down. The future promises a reckoning, and she's preparing to seize it.

Splendor's life was forever marred by the traumatic events of her past. On her 18th birthday, she was brutally raped by someone she trusted. The experience left her shattered, and she built walls around herself to protect her heart. Years went by, but the memories of that fateful day continued to haunt her. Splendor struggled to trust anyone, especially men. Her life was a constant reminder of the pain and fear she endured. Despite her efforts to move on, Splendor's past continued to define her. She became a mother to a beautiful daughter, Dana, but the identity of Dana's father remained a mystery. Splendor's life took a dramatic turn when she met Jace a charming and wealthy suitor. Jace was the same person who had been sending her mysterious gifts. and eventually, they got married. But her life was turned upside down when she discovered her boss, Justin, was the same man who had brutally raped her years ago. The trauma she thought she'd overcome came flooding back. Despite her initial revulsion, Splendor found herself inexplicably drawn to Justin. She couldn't control her feelings, and they began a secret affair.

In a world where traditional roles are shattered, meet the enigmatic pair—Alpha and Omega. The Omega defies the stereotype of weakness, while the Alpha discovers he's not as omnipotent as he once believed. Forget about white fur, black fur, or any fantastical notions. In this reality, she doesn't cook, he does, and they both possess an unexpected allure that transcends the ordinary. There are no damsels in distress here, and crowns like "Alpha King," "Red Alpha," or other such titles are merely empty words. She's a rogue, and he's an alpha, but fate has a way of twisting expectations. Bonds form and bonds break, but who said they were meant for each other? Mates may come and go, but that doesn't define their worth. He doesn't require a Luna, and she has no use for an alpha. When the Alpha stumbles, it's the Omega who tends to his wounds. And remember, the Alpha and Omega here aren't bound by conventional gender norms. Buckle up for a story where "forever" takes on a whole new meaning. Discover their captivating journey in "Alpha and Omega," where the lines between strength and vulnerability blur, and destiny takes its unpredictable course. Don't miss out on the secrets that await. Enjoy the suspense!

Alda was a beautiful, homely lady from a poor background. She had no parents, and she had to bear responsibility for herself and her two sisters. She and her sisters lived in a trailer because they could not afford a proper home for themselves. Though this was the condition Alda was born into, she did not let this define her. Alda was hardworking. She worked two jobs. But these jobs could not pay her enough to provide for herself and her siblings. And for the fact that she got fired, she decided to become a stripper because their wages were better. Micheal saw Alda at the strip club where she was dancing naked and entertaining the men and he decided to sleep with Alda. But unknown to Micheal, Alda was still a virgin. When Micheal found out, he decided to get married to Alda on a contract because his late father wanted him to become responsible by getting married to a virgin before he was able to assume the position of the C.E.O. of his company. Even though Alda agreed to the terms of the contract, and got married to Micheal, it was only the beginning of a miserable life for her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ P.S: I do not own the book cover. Credit goes to the rightful owner. DM to take it down. Social pages: Facebook: @samcrowned Instagram: @sam_crowned1

"Help me tighten this?" Her voice trembles as she turns her bare back to the doorway. Calloused fingers brush her spine – but it’s not her stepmother. It’s Asher Voss, SU’s star quarterback and her new stepbrother, smirking in the mirror， "Next time you mistake me for Mom..." His breath scorches her ear. "...I’ll leave a real mark." To survive the sweltering New York summer before college, Wendy Wu makes a deal with Asher: Act like strangers once school starts. He’ll remain the untouchable quarterback; she’ll be just another exchange student. No eye contact. No acknowledgement. Ever. But when her father’s long hauls and her stepmother’s busy schedule force Asher into babysitting duty, the lines blur: In the kitchen, he catches her weeping over a shelter documentary and lifts her against his sweat-drenched chest. Garage doors rattle open – his grip tightens: "Hold on. Unless you want them to see you like this." At a party, her friend spots a cherry hair tie on his wrist before he drags her into a dark hallway: "You didn’t want to see me?" His whiskey-laced kiss brands her lips. "Yet your eyes undressed me all night." In a restaurant, a rival girl glares through the window. He traps Wendy’s thigh under the table， "Call me ‘brother’ and I’ll save you."  Their secret collapses. Wendy ends it, and he freezes her out in public， "Do I know you?" Until a rain-lashed night when Ahser, drenched and desperate, pins her to the wall， "Don’t tell me you do not regret the breakup" His teeth find her collarbone. "I have to admit it-- I miss you." Can a love forged in stolen touches survive the spotlight? Or will their step-sibling bond shatter them both?

In the heart of Manhattan's cutthroat corporate world, Amelia Reynolds is a young and ambitious secretary with dreams of success. When she becomes the personal assistant to the enigmatic billionaire CEO, Alexander Morgan, she believes that her life is about to change for the better. Little does she know that their connection will lead her down a treacherous path of deception and heartbreak. Proposing a contract marriage as a solution to their shared struggles, Amelia agrees, desperate for financial security. But as their relationship evolves, secrets unravel, and Amelia discovers that Alexander's intentions were far from noble. Betrayed and shattered, she vows to protect herself and seek justice by becoming a force to be reckoned with in the corporate world. Years pass, and Amelia, now a powerful businesswoman, crosses paths with Blake Turner, a successful entrepreneur seeking revenge against the same man who betrayed her. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, determined to bring Alexander down. As they navigate a dangerous web of manipulation and high-stakes business, their shared goal bonds them together in ways they never anticipated. But amidst their quest for retribution, Amelia and Blake discover that their connection runs deeper than a thirst for revenge. The lines between love and hate blur as they confront their past hurts and find the strength to forgive. With a second chance at happiness dangling within reach, will they allow their shared pain to define their future, or will they embrace the transformative power of redemption?

"Skin once broken ,can never be the same. Just like hearts once betrayed, struggle to beat again." ................................................... A broken piece of glass, a shattered heart. Was all that could define Ethan Lockwood's past. The heir to one of the biggest estates in the country, the most eligible bachelor as the tabloids said. With persona cold as ice and presence authoritative and terrifying ,he was making sure to not let anyone come close to him. Not giving anyone the right over him. Until he met her again. By hands of fate, the very girl he despised more than anything. The girl behind everything. But. What if the girl was no longer that beautiful confident rich man's daughter now? What if behind her beautiful smile she veil's a ugliness that made her insecure every night. What if she has been already punished in the worst way which resembled a nightmare. What if she was scarred beyond repair. Will he be able to see beyond her fascade? Does he have it in him to forgive her after everything? Circumstances change, people change and stereotypes break. But what remains is the beauty that lies within. And that's when my friends the journey of 'his not so beautiful wife 2 begins. *Could be read as a stand alone.

Anastasia Arlington was not the same woman she had been when she had first met Vincenzo . She had grown to become someone strong who people looked up to . She was not the naive wife who had married him because she did not have any other choice . She was the face of his company . The company that had been in his family for years was finally hers . She had not let love define her and blind her . Only she could think about things of the best interest to her and taking the company was what she needed . Not because sye loathed her husband or anything but to be quite fair he had robbed her of the perfect fairly tale. Did the perfect fairytale exist ? She heard a knock on her door and wondered who it was when she did nit have a meeting scheduled. "Vincenzo what a nice surprise , I thought you had chemo right now ?",she asked him as she stood up . He looked disheveled, no longer the man she had once married . The man that every woman in New York wanted to be seen with . Now he was scrawny and looked like each breathe would surprisingly be his last . "I was headed there until I got the news that you bought shares and threw me out of my company ",said Vincenzo and Anna just chuckled .

For someone who nearly dies because of an accident that wipes the memories of her 23 years of existence - the only thing that Sammia Avileigh can do is to depend on everything that her family told her. With the help and support from them, she did her best to live a normal life. She follows everything that her parents told her about who she was, what she likes, what she does, what she wants, what's her favorite, how she dresses, what she hates, and what she's not good at. A year later, she finally recovers, she's happy with her life despite forgetting those memories that define her. But her almost perfect life turns upside down when she saw a strange note on the empty abandoned room on the back of their house. 'Aliano Silvanus Rivvero, you need to kill him. Remember that.' What does the note mean? Why does she feel like it is connected to her? And if that's the case- why would she kill the man she is bound to marry? The man that she really likes, according to her parents? They say a memory can be a star or a stain, and Sammia Avileigh didn't know that the latter defines her lost memories. And that's, what they will never let her know...

Amber has always been overshadowed by her twin sister, Maggie. As the daughter of the Alpha, she should have been cherished, but instead, she’s treated like a living blood bank—her entire life structured around keeping Maggie alive. Amber endures it all: neglect, cruelty, and even poisoning, sacrificing herself for the sister who never shows her gratitude. Her only solace is her mate, Lucas, the one light in her dark world. But when Maggie steals him away, Amber’s life shatters. Her best friend is killed, and her parents frame her for the crime. Just when she thinks she’s hit rock bottom, she’s killed to save Maggie’s life. But fate isn’t done with Amber. Reborn three months before her death, Amber now has a second chance to change everything. This time, she’s not alone—two second-chance mates stand by her side, determined to help her reclaim her life. With new allies and a burning desire for freedom, Amber must decide whether to let her past define her or to rise above it and fight for the happiness she deserves. Will she finally find the strength to confront her enemies—or will the weight of betrayal consume her once more?