Doll Core

A month before the SATs, I, Jenny Reid, could see my score. Literally. It was just floating right above my head. But there was a catch. Every time I cracked open a prep book, my score would drop by ten points. But if I skipped a day of school? It jumped right back up by ten. So, I played the system. For a whole month, I barely lifted a finger. And on the day of the test, the number glowing over my head was a solid 1560. When the scores finally dropped online… I'd scored a 500. And the 1560? That was my little sister Patricia's score. My parents lost it. As punishment, they got me a grueling night-shift job at a local electronics factory. That first night, a bunch of guys I'd never seen before cornered me in the parking lot and beat me half to death. Fading in and out of consciousness, I heard my sister's voice right by my ear. "You just had to one-up me, didn't you? Thought you were so smart… but you never figured out I was the one controlling that number over your head." The truth hit me like a physical blow. The score had been her trick all along. I opened my eyes—and I was back. One month before the SATs. The number above my head read exactly 1300. "Hey," my sister said, all fake sweetness. "Want to study together tonight? We can go over the practice tests." I looked at the stack of papers in my own hands. Without a word, I pulled out my lighter and set them on fire right there in the driveway. "Exams are coming," I said, watching the flames. "I'm not studying." My score ticked up to 1310. My sister's face was this perfect mask of disappointment, but the second I turned away, I caught the sly smile she couldn't quite hide. She had no idea… the real performance, the one I'd been rehearsing just for her, was finally about to begin.

I am about to book a room at a hotel owned by Luca Conti, a consigliere under my command, when a sharp voice suddenly cuts in from behind me. "Aspetta. That's not your price." I turn around. A woman wearing a manager's badge stands there with her arms crossed, scrutinizing me as if I am an unsightly stain she can't wait to wipe away. "We don't allow prostitution here," she says coolly. "If you're receiving clients, there will be a fine." As she speaks, she hands me a penalty notice. The charges are clearly listed on the paper. "Illegal guest reception fee: 350 thousand dollars. "Special soundproofing fee: 150 thousand dollars. "Special cleaning fee: 100 thousand dollars. "Total fee: 600 thousand dollars." Receiving clients? I have simply come straight from a Mafia cocktail party without changing clothes—that's all. What exactly does she take me for?" I lift my gaze and answer evenly, "You're mistaken. I am not that kind of person. You can contact the hotel owner, Luca Conti, and ask him who I am." A sneer flickers through Sofia Rossi's eyes. She spits to the side, full of contempt. "Still claiming you are not a puttana? Women like you come here every week. Every single one of them swears she knows him. "Our boss is the consigliere to the Russo family, the most powerful Mafia family in Seneriffe. Do you really think he needs someone cheap like you? "I suggest you pay up now, subito, before your client loses patience and drags you into the street and rapes you." I do not waste another word on her. I take out my phone and send a message directly to my secretary, Marco Bianchi. "Notify Luca. Either this manager, Sofia Rossi, disappears from this city, or he does."

Michelle est une jeune fille comme toutes les autres; elle est belle et intelligente; elle ne recule devant rien pour préserver sa dignité. Tout bascule lorsqu'elle fait la rencontre d'un séduisant jeune homme, Mike qui la berce d'illusions; elle y croit, et elle se retrouve enceinte. Mike la rejette, il est marié; elle perd le bébé et devient stérile; s'ensuit donc une descente aux enfers... C'est le récit poignant d'une fille prisonnière et victime de ses choix, de ses rêves et ses aspirations consentis par amour, qu'elle va tenter par tous les moyens de combattre et de surmonter.

Julia pensait connaître sa vie : un mariage tranquille, une maison élégante, un fils qu’elle chérit plus que tout. Mais derrière les sourires bien appris, quelque chose se fissure. Le silence de Damien, ses absences prolongées, la froideur qui s’installe entre eux… tout devient impossible à ignorer. Peu à peu, un doute s’invite dans son quotidien et transforme la moindre certitude en question sans réponse. Ce qui semblait solide commence à vaciller, et Julia comprend que la vérité, quelle qu’elle soit, pourrait changer bien plus que son mariage.

When NHL superstar Thane Slade suffers a brutal fall during the Stanley Cup Finals, he doesn’t just lose his career—he loses his name, his future, and the life he thought was untouchable. Then Madison Wallace walks into his hospital room. A quiet nurse with storms behind her eyes, Madison is undocumented, out of options, and hiding wounds deeper than the ones she’s paid to heal. She’s not supposed to get attached—even if she’s been his biggest fan. And he’s not supposed to care—not for anyone, especially not her. But somewhere between the silence and the scars, something dangerous blooms. Something real. Her secret could get her deported. His could destroy them both. And when love grows where lies once stood, one mistake shatters everything. By the time Thane learns the truth… Madison is gone.

The room is dimly lit, the air is filled with the smell of sex and alcohol; the guy laying next to the girl is panting heavily. She on the other hand is laying next to him, all curled up; soft whimpers are coming out of her lips. The guy wraps his muscular arms around her waist and pushes her a little away from him. She opens her eyes halfway through and stares at the guy, his hair sticking to his forehead due to the sweat; his dark brown eyes are closed. His sharp features are glistening, when the little rays of the sun hits his face that is coming in through the window. Forwarding her hand, she caresses his thin lower lip with her index finger and closes her eyes. "Get out." He says in a harsh tone from beside her. Her eyes flutter open completely hearing his harsh words; she always thinks why he acts so badly with her? Retracting her hand back to herself she sits up, her lower belly aches in the bitter sweet pain. A groan comes out of her mouth and her hands go straight to on top of her lower belly, to caress it. His clothes and hers are scattered around on the floor. The entire room is a mess, the bed sheet is all crinkled; pillows are off the bed.

MANIKA. Isa sa pinakapaboritong laruan ng mga bata lalong-lalo na sa mga babae. Minsan, nangongoleksyon pa nga ang iba at ginagawang display. Gusto o hilig mo ba ang mga manika? Ako kasi hindi na. Simula nang mapunta kami sa islang yun. I started to hate dolls. Isang experienced na ayoko ng alalahanin pa. Doon sa... LA ISLA DE LAS MONECAS..

Alice, une jeune femme timide mais pétillante, croise le chemin de Gabriel, le charismatique et populaire étudiant qui anime la fac de son humour. Une complicité naît rapidement entre eux, forgée par une passion commune. Mais tout semble les séparer : elle l'aime peut-être un peu trop, lui ça le dépasse. Après des péripéties tumultueuses, ils cèdent à leur passion, seulement pour que Gabriel parte à l’étranger, brisant le cœur d’Alice en la quittant. Dévastée, elle coupe les ponts, se reconstruit et tente de retrouver l’amour ailleurs, sans jamais l’oublier.Deux ans plus tard, une rencontre fortuite ravive leurs sentiments, mais cet amour reste fragile. ils doivent alors choisir : céder une fois encore à leur lien indéfectible ou accepter que leur amour, aussi puissant soit-il, ne puisse jamais s’ancrer durablement. Entre rires partagés et larmes contenues, Toi, Encore et Toujours explore les cycles d’un amour qui revient sans cesse, laissant planer le doute sur son dénouement.

I'm on track to be a top student, but I end up taking the SAT twice. The first time, I score high enough to get into Westbridge University. The second time, my score qualifies me for Northfield University. Each time, I score over 1500. Yet when the admissions teams see my name, not a single school admits me. At first, I think it must be some kind of background check, certain they've found something in my record. But my parents are honest, hardworking people. They've never broken the law. They wouldn't even harm a fly. So I try a third time. My SAT score is 1580, and my GPA is still perfect. This time, I apply to Crestwood University, thinking I finally have it in the bag. The Crestwood University admissions officer arrives full of cheer, but the moment he sees my name, he freezes, immediately realizing there is no way I will be accepted. I rack my brain, trying to figure out what is wrong with my name. Why does seeing it make every school hesitate, even though my scores are perfect?

On the day I'm supposed to pick up my bride for the wedding, Tracie Mayer, my supposed wife-to-be as well as the heiress of the Mayer family, is replaced by Jayne Cooper, a widowed fishmonger. Everyone in the groom's party laughs and makes fun of me. "Since when are you this thirsty? You don't mind women who have already given birth before, huh?" "I can't believe the heir of the Reeve family is about to marry a widowed fishmonger! Everyone's going to be tickled pink once word gets out!" My family driver's son, Everett Huffman, provokes me on the spot. "This is for treating me like a lowly servant and ordering me to drive you around! That's why Adeline and Tracie decided to avenge me on your big day!" Realization dawns on me immediately. My older sister, Adeline Reeve, and Tracie are standing up for Everett by putting me down. As I turn to stare at Adeline with red-rimmed eyes, she replies nonchalantly, "It's just a wedding ceremony. Endure it like a tough guy you are. "You and Tracie will still get married. We won't let you marry a widowed fishmonger for real."