Dimly Lighted

Skyla thought she had it all, a devoted boyfriend, a lifelong best friend, and a future she had carefully planned. But one heartbreaking revelation shatters her perfect world. Plunging her into a sea of misery. The two people she thought world of betrays, leaving her to drown in a series of heartbreaks and unanswered questions. Heartbroken and desperate for an escape, she stumbles into a dimly lit bar, drowning her pain in alcohol. The night takes an unexpected turn when dark memories from her past resurfaces, bearing gifts in hand, and prices she has to pay. As secrets unravel and old wounds resurface, Skyla is forced to confront a past she thought she had buried. But when love, betrayal, and forgotten passions collide. Will Skyla rise from the ashes or lose herself in the storm once more?

As I walked through the dimly lit hallway, my heart was still racing, my breath uneven from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed me in the last few hours. Then, my eyes flickered up, catching sight of the metal plaque bolted to the doorpost "Wing 1." A cold chill ran down my spine. My body went rigid as Otto’s letter flashed vividly in my mind, the words echoing as if he said it directly to my face "Room 316. Wing 2." No. No. No. No. Oh, God. A sickening wave of realization crashed over me, leaving me breathless. The man in the grey suit… He had smiled, nodded, and gestured me down this hallway. So confident. So sure. And like a fool, I had followed. I had made a mistake. A colossal, irreversible mistake. My stomach twisted violently as the truth settled in, thick and suffocating. I had entered the wrong wing. The wrong room. The wrong bed. I had given myself to a stranger. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else. The world tilted, my vision blurred. What had I done? How far is too far? In this encapsulating masterpiesce, Sucre is down for whatever gets him closer to taking revenge on Otto - his twin brother's killer. But, would he really do all that is necessary? Would he chose his ambition over that of Luca the cartel’s underboss and his lover? Can he stop the knife and gun violence on campus and win the five million dollars prize money? Dive into a story of love, betrayal, romance and suspense. The Cartel’s Forbidden Love is a gripping and intriguing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

“Please stop, you're drunk,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I tried to push him off. His body was heavy against mine, his movements sluggish but persistent. He barely heard me. “How old are you?” he murmured, his voice thick with alcohol. “18,” I gasped, heart racing in a mix of fear and confusion. “Then you're already an adult” he said with a low chuckle, as though that settled everything. I should’ve stopped it. I should’ve left. But I didn't have the strength to argue, didn't have the will to stop him. He moved against me again, and that's when I felt something cold touch the most intimate part of me…. I woke up alone in a dimly lit room. He was still there, his back turned to me, but his face-his identity-was still hidden behind the mask. I glanced down at his left shoulder. A Phoenix tattoo. Bold. Intriguing. But then, I didn't hesitate. I grabbed my things and ran, my heart racing as I left the room without another word. It was supposed to be just a night. One meant to be forgotten. And that's exactly what I intended to do. I didn't know his name. I didn't even know his face. It was a night meant to stay buried in the past. It was a night I promised myself I’d forget. But that promise broke when pregnancy came knocking.

I thought I knew love until I had to choose between two powerful alphas.” I've always dreamed of a love story with Jack Quinn, the Good Looking man and the powerful alpha heir of our pack. But to him, I was just a weak omega, and I wasn't someone who deserves a man like him, only worth gracing his bed, we happened to be fated mates but when he shattered my heart with a public rejection and embarrassment, I left everything behind, determined to start a new life far away from the shame and humiliation. With the loving support of my best friend, Kathy, a fellow omega, I quietly raised my son. Four years later, fate led me to Ryker, the alpha of my new pack. Ryker is everything Jack Quinn wasn't, kind, protective and genuinely interested in me. His growing affection is tender and true, though he keeps it hidden, afraid that loving an omega like me might be seen as a weakness Just as I began to feel safe and cherished, He begged for my forgiveness and a second chance, claiming he's changed and ready to be the mate I deserved. Now, I find myself in a love triangle between two alpha's: jack Quinn, whose intense passion still lighted a spark within me, and Ryker, whose gentle love promises safety and warmth. With secrets about my child threatening to be exposed and my heart pulling me in different directions, I must make a choice. In this feet sweeping romantic tale I'm stuck in, I embark on a journey of love, redemption, and self discover. Will I return to the fiery passion of my past with jack, or embrace the tender promise of a new beginning with Ryker? One thing was certain: my heart will never be the same.

In a world ruled by power and betrayal, Atticus Escoban, the younger daughter of the influential Escoban family, has always lived away from the dangerous chaos of their criminal empire. For 21 years, she was sheltered, hidden, and protected. But her life changes forever when Alijax Costaloña, the cold and calculating heir of the Costaloña dynasty, violently confronts her father, leaving him gravely wounded. Atticus never expected to be caught in the crossfire of her family’s schemes. Worse, Alijax discovers her existence and shocks everyone by choosing her—over her older sister Anneth—to be his fiancée. The engagement is a sham, a dangerous ploy to secure alliances, but Alijax has plans no one can predict. Determined to protect her family at any cost, Atticus agrees to the engagement, kahit na lumalaban ang puso niya sa ideya. Behind her composed exterior, she plots her way out, refusing to let the Costaloñas dictate her future. But the closer she gets to Alijax, the harder it becomes to distinguish between the man who ruined her family and the one who seems capable of understanding her like no one else. “Do you think you can escape this, Atticus?” he said, his voice dangerously low as he cornered her in the dimly lit study. “You’re mine now. Whether you like it or not.” Her fists clenched, and she met his cold, unreadable gaze with defiance. “You can own the world, Alijax Costaloña, pero ako? Hindi mo ako makukuha.” In a game of power, deception, and forbidden emotions, Atticus must make the ultimate choice. Will she sacrifice her freedom to protect her family, or will she risk it all to claim the life she truly deserves? Love and survival collide in a story where nothing is what it seems, and every decision could be deadly.