Deku Smile

A NOVEL ON STOCKHOLM SYNDROME BOOK 3 OF A THREE BOOK SERIES *TRIGGER WARNING* This book contains scenes that some readers may find disturbing… and also slightly annoying. “Miss. Iris, do you believe she has a point?” she asked and returned to her seat once again. “I don’t think so, her father and uncle deserve to go to jail.” My answer extracted a smile from her like she was proud of my response. “My name is Christine; I am a renowned medico-legal psychotherapist. Been in the business for over twenty years and that is what a case of Stockholm syndrome looks like. In my years of experience, we see situations similar to this but its our job to help the victims realize” “Wow…” I started, really amazed at what she had said and what her work entails. I was only concerned why they locked me in a room with a psychotherapist “it must be difficult at times” I added. “yeah, its difficult every time” she laughed “but today isn’t about me, I have a question for you.” There was a brief pause in between before she carried on “Does Hunter deserve to go to jail?”

Everyone knows Francesco Greco, heir to the largest mafia family in Solerio, is a notorious playboy. Yet when he swears to God that he'll love me for the rest of his life, I choose to believe him. He lives up to his words during the first year of our marriage. The Greco heir, whose presence alone terrorizes others, clings to me like a loyal puppy at home. But by the second year, he starts returning home with one lover after another. Rumors of his scandalous affairs spread, and I become the laughingstock of Solerio. On our eighth anniversary, his 99th lover taunts me in front of everyone at dinner. "Don't sleep in the master bedroom tonight," she says. "Mr. Greco and I are going to have some fun there. Also, change the sheets. I can't stand how dirty your things are." Everyone expects me to break down under such humiliation. Instead, I smile and turn on my heel. Then, I dial Madre Greco's number. "Madre, it's been eight years," I say, my voice steady. "It's time for me to leave."

At Sullivan Group's annual banquet, a female university student approaches Peter Sullivan and offers herself to him. The usually cold and distant Peter suddenly freezes because this young woman looks exactly like his deceased first love. He can't help but tease, "You're asking to be my mistress in front of my wife. Are you so sure you won't be thrown out?" The young lady lifts her chin, and her stubborn expression is identical to that of his lost love. "You two got married for business reasons and mutual benefits. Does she have any say over what you do? Peter, only you can save my mom. Will you do it or not?" She's right. I'm just a pawn in a marriage of convenience. How could I possibly influence Peter's choices? But then, I catch a glint of tenderness in his eyes that I've never seen before, and a self-deprecating smile forms on my lips. Maybe, instead of clinging on and being thrown out like trash, it's better if I give up my place willingly.

The day Yancy Shepherd died, Benedict Page poisoned our dinner. His eyes were wild, and bloodshot, as he watched me writhe in agony. There was a madness in his gaze, but worse was the hatred, a disgust so deep it twisted his face into something unrecognizable. "If it weren't for you forcing your way into our lives, Yancy wouldn’t have died from heartbreak. You ruined us! It’s all your fault!" A photo slipped from his trembling hand and landed at my feet—Yancy at twenty, looking radiant, her smile as bright as a blooming flower. I collapsed to the ground, my strength fading fast like a rose withering in the final grasp of winter. Helpless, I waited for the darkness to claim me, consumed by despair and bitter regret. Why hadn’t I listened to the system and killed him when I had the chance? But when I opened my eyes again, everything was different. I stood watching Benedict flee our engagement ceremony. My brother moved to chase after him, but I quietly raised a hand, stopping him. This time, things would be different.

Leo Parker, my fiance, shoved me out the door with his own hands. He used me as bait to buy time for himself and my best friend, Jessica Thorne, to escape. I'd never forget him shutting the door. I'd never forget his last words through the narrow crack. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Chloe." When I open my eyes again, I'm back to the day before the zombie outbreak. Leo is gently urging me to hurry up and transfer 150 thousand dollars for the remodeling. It's the money we set aside for the home we plan to live in after we get married. In my past life, he set a trap and drained every cent of my savings. This time, I smile and agree. The only difference is that the 150 thousand dollars is going to build my doomsday bunker. And I'm also planning something special for them. After all, since I get a second chance at life, I should properly thank them for the "kindness" they showed me last time when they shoved me out to get torn apart by zombies.

'You're mine, Katrina. Whether you accept it or not, you were made for me.' He growled, stalking towards me like an animal will stalk its prey. 'I'm no one's. Not even yours.' I tried to say, but it came out weak and feeble. I hated how fragile I felt, I hated how my body betrayed me, needing to be near this man. A devious smile appeared on his lips, a glint in his eyes. 'That's not what the scent of your arousal is saying, love.' __________________ When Katrina comes home to find her husband and mate cheating on her with her best friend, Emery, she is shocked and heartbroken. As if that weren't enough, he rejects her on the spot when he finds out she's not pregnant with his child. Full of rage and hurt, Katrina leaves the pack house and seeks solace in a one-night stand with a stranger she meets at a pub. But the next day, she vanishes without a trace. The problem is, the man she spent the night with has no intention of letting her go that easily. And he will stop at nothing to find her... and claim her as his.

The day she walked into that mansion her life was forever transformed. And all it took was his lovely smile to sweep her off her feet on the first meeting for her to tumble into the deep trap of a twisted and forbidden affair. When confronted with such a dramatic situation, Avita felt it was immoral and refused to compromise her values to satisfy her lust and desire for her friend’s father. But, once fate had been decided, there was no way out. Her tenacity and determination left a lasting impression on him. Her delectable, soothing, and calming fragrance kept tempting him to do the forbidden, and he succumbed to his desires. She was everything he loved and despised, and her presence in his life confused everything. He wanted to keep plucking the forbidden fruit, despite the grave repercussions. And the repercussions of his avarice caused him considerable pain. When two people from separate worlds with different agendas meet due to circumstances, plots, and tricks designed as fate. What do you think will happen? What do you think will happen when the virtuous and flawless lover and girlfriend reveal herself to be something no one expected her to be?

Being young and naïve, she was just that open-minded and what she desired was not something much but to be with that one person she strongly admired. Having a crush on someone she couldn’t easily attain; Selena could only watch as a spectator and pray for her beloved to smile at her even if he didn’t mean it. Dreaming to become strong, happy, and live with the people that she loves, meeting him changed everything. Her naiveness and her love for him made her muddleheaded that she unknowingly fell into a trap that he made for her. Selena found herself living in the dream she never thought she will be, having a contract marriage with the man of her dreams, falling for him deeply every single day, she knew that she was done for. However, despite the circumstances that brought the two of them together, Selena wasn’t going to just give and be comfortable with what she had. What she wanted was his heart, soul, and body and no one was going to stop her from being with the man she sets her heart on. Who cares if she is poor? As long as her heart is rich with love, she was satisfied with that.

Hindi ako nagkamali sa nakita ko, alam ko siya ‘yon. Hinding-hindi ako magkakamali pagdating sa kanya. “Daddy!” it was a heart melting voice who called me. “There you are!” I said as I carry my son. I can’t do anything; it pains me seeing her walk away. I want to ask how her life is going, if she has someone new, if it’s still me. I really wanted to hear her talk, see her smile, and met her eyes once again. “Babe? Let’s go,” A soft voice called me, Solange. I turned my gaze in her direction once again, but I lost her… again. Ang pakiramdam na pilit kayong pinaglalayo ng mga alon ay sobrang sakit. Animo’y protektado siya ng malalakas at matatayog na alon kaya hindi malapitan dahil pilit kang itinataboy nito papunta sa dalampasigan. She’s an ocean wave that I can’t keep, an ocean wave that I can only see and admire from afar. ‘Till next time…

Everything in Amelia Hart’s life came crashing down the day her father’s company went bankrupt. Left with piles of debt, a sick younger brother, and no clear way out, she walked into the office of the cold, ruthless billionaire CEO she worked for—Lucas Stone—with nothing to lose and a desperate plea in her eyes. Except… “I have a proposition,” Lucas said, his voice cold and commanding. He slid a document across the table. “A contract marriage. Six months. You get the money to save your family. I get what I want.” His gaze dropped to her trembling fingers. “You’re just my assistant, Amelia. Don’t think for a second this makes you worthy.” “But still, Mr. Stone,” I replied, holding back my tears. “I’ll marry you, and I’ll keep to your terms.” His cruel smile widened. “You just signed your soul away, Miss Hart.” But what neither of them expected… was the night that changed everything. And the test that came back positive. She’s pregnant… for her boss.