Empty Smiles 소설 & 이야기

She thought marrying the city’s most dazzling billionaire CEO would give her happiness. Instead, she was met with cold indifference, mockery from his relatives, and nights spent alone in an empty marriage. When he shamelessly brought his first love into their home, her patience shattered. With trembling hands but unwavering resolve, she threw the divorce papers on his desk. “You’ll regret this,” he warned with a cruel sneer. But she didn’t look back. Just when the world thought she had lost everything, a shocking truth unraveled—she wasn’t ordinary at all. She was the long-lost daughter of a powerful dynasty. Her eldest brother, a business tycoon, showered her with billions in shares. Her second brother, a ruthless lawyer, stripped her ex-husband of everything. Her third brother, a superstar adored worldwide, declared to the media, “This is my one and only sister.” From ashes, she rose into a queen no one dared touch. Her glow lit up the world, and every man who once scorned her could only watch in regret. When her ex-husband finally came crawling back, begging for one more chance, her brothers only sneered— “Dream on. A man like you isn’t even worthy to stand in her shadow.”

The seventh time Claire Fisher bailed on our marriage license appointment, I finally cut her out of my life—for good. From then on, if she was at a party, I wasn't. When she was scheduled to perform at our college's anniversary celebration, I made sure to leave early. The moment my company announced a collaboration with hers, I resigned without a second thought. Even on Christmas Eve, when she showed up at my parents' house with gifts, I slipped out with a half-hearted excuse about "visiting a friend." I blocked her number. Deleted her from my contacts. Burned every bridge and salted the earth behind me. No calls. No texts. No social media. I didn't reach out. She couldn't reach me. Simple as that. For the better part of my life, I was hopelessly in love with her—waiting on her, caring for her, putting her first in every way that mattered. I gave her all of me without ever holding back. But after the seventh time she left me sitting alone at the City Hall, something inside me broke. I was done. If that meant spending the rest of my life alone, so be it. Better that than sitting in an empty apartment, listening to the silence, holding on to hope for someone who never planned to show up.

The Draghi Brothers Feared, Revered. Monsters. Those were the words papa had always used to describe them. Worthless, useless, good for nothing-those had been reserved for me. After my little stunt at 16, my papa had made sure I was under lock and key. He knew how to manipulate me, spin his lies and I had no say in whatever he did. When he informed me about my marriage to the second son of the Donovan Family, I knew I had no choice. After all, he was my father. Most girls in our family including my sisters had already been married. I stood at the aisle, looking into the eyes of my husband to be, my mind detached. Just before I could say I do, brain matter splattered on my face, his empty eyes staring at me. The culprits— The brothers I had heard so much about. The brothers that marked me when I was 16. In the heat of the struggle, I found myself tied and captured by them—a price for my family's survival. I knew my father would come save me. Yet, I couldn't help but surrender to the sin they showed me daily. I have a choice to make. A captured bride or a willing slave.

A woman runs, holding onto her torso as she keeps glancing behind her. Tears spilling from her already wet cheeks. She catches her breath and screams as the hurt in her chest tore her up internally. "Why... why?!" She cries as her clenched fist hits her broken heart. Her lover tried to rid her of their unborn baby. She was hurt. She felt betrayed. She grew to hate him with all of her being. Still, memories of the love they shared still plagued her. How could she possibly still trust him? And yet, despite her anxiousness, she still held onto a small scale sliver of hope. All she could do now, was to leave him and keep their child safe. *** 16 years passed and there stood a young boy with silver hair and bright amethyst coloured eyes. He smiles at the horizon, staring at the capital city of the country of Enoch. Finally, he was old enough to venture out into the great city. Said to be the largest and most prosperous of the kingdom. He holds firmly onto the hope of an exciting journey as he kissed his mother goodbye. Thinking of all the warning she gave him before his journey could begin. Once in the city, his life changed forever and his perilous struggles began.

“Fine,” I heard myself say, the word tasting like rust. “You want an open marriage? We’ll do open.” A slow smile curved his mouth—victory, not warmth. “Good girl. Then I suppose you won’t mind if I reintroduce Kisha.” The camera panned. There she was, curled on what I now realized was our hotel suite couch, her legs tucked under a cashmere throw that used to be mine. She waved, manicured nails glinting, belly softly rounded under a silk camisole. My world tilted. I forced a smile that felt like glass. “So she’s your girlfriend?” Daniel’s hand settled possessively on that gentle swell. “Not just my girlfriend,” he said, eyes locked on mine. “The mother of my unborn child.” Jayla Carmichael smiles for the cameras as the perfect senator's wife while her world burns. But queens don't kneel. They conquer. Fueled by whiskey and wrath, Jayla ensnares Warren Christopher, a brooding billionaire CEO, after saving his empire in a bar-side twist of fate. Love was the first lie. Revenge is the foreplay, and the truth? it's coming for them all...naked, ruthless and dripping in karma. Will Jayla's vengeance destroy her soul or will warrens fire forge something eternal?. This book isn't just romance, it's war with benefits.

She’s referred to as the most envied wolf in the kingdom. Beautiful. Brave. Pure—Erendina Arden is not only the Alpha King’s daughter and the heir to the throne, she’s also the most sought-after woman in the realm and is named the one with the most fortunate fate. Or so it seems in their eyes. Behind the perfect facade the twenty-year-old princess puts on is a troubled girl with a secret—one too many secrets. Secrets that not only burden her but threaten her very existence. Erendina thought there was no escape from her secrets. Until him. Too mysterious. Too good looking. Too flirty. Emilian Monroe is unlike anyone Erendina has ever seen. When a dirty little secret Erendina would do anything to keep falls into his hands; the price for his secrecy starts something sinful and messy between them. It was meant to be no more a means to keep his mouth sealed but with his gorgeous little smiles and tender gaze, he slithered his way into her life, doing the one thing most men had tried and failed—steal her heart. With him, Erendina thought she could let go of her burdens. Until she learns Emilian also has secrets of his own. Secrets that not only ruin her but threaten everything she thought she knew.

Tanin “Tee” has always been the dependable one, the loyal best friend who stood beside Pat through heartbreak, ambition, and every messy chapter in between. So when fate reunites him with Wayu, Pat’s unforgettable ex lover, Tee knows he should keep his distance. But Wayu is no longer the reckless artist who shattered Pat’s heart years ago. Now successful, magnetic, and impossibly charming, Wayu slips past Tee’s defenses with teasing smiles, stolen glances, and a vulnerability hidden beneath his carefree facade. What begins as harmless encounters soon turns into something far more dangerous. Tee finds himself torn between the growing desire he can no longer deny and the friendship he refuses to betray. As buried feelings resurface and old wounds reopen, tensions explode between the two best friends, threatening to destroy the bond they once believed unbreakable. But love is never simple, and neither is Wayu. Behind his playful charm lies a truth Tee never expected, one that could change everything he thought he knew about heartbreak, loyalty, and second chances. Caught between guilt, passion, and the fear of losing everyone he loves, Tee must decide whether following his heart is worth risking it all.

When my daughter, Lily Gage, has a parent-teacher meeting going on, she requests that my wife, Melody Hutton, and I attend it. Yet, Melody doesn't inform me about the meeting. Instead, she takes her secretary, Benjamin Carter, to the meeting. After the meeting, Melody explains that she doesn't have the heart to interrupt me, seeing as I'm too busy with work. In order to maintain the peace of this family, I decide to endure Melody's shenanigans just this once. But one day, Lily has gotten into a fight with another student at school. By the time I arrive, I witness Benjamin dealing with the situation with Lily in his arms. After asking Lily's teacher for more information, I find out that Lily has actually changed an emergency contact. Apparently, she has filled in Benjamin's contact information in the father's column. Also, Melody has given her permission for Lily to make the change. At that moment, I've lost all interest in staying in this family. That night, I bring up divorce in front of Melody. She just smiles mockingly at me. "So, you want to get divorced just because Benjamin's an emergency contact now?" "That's right."

~Rina Zante Shunned, a half-caste omega and dirt-poor, I have gotten used to the dirty stares people throw my way. And even though I try to ignore the taunts, it’s impossible. Now, my mom has gotten a job as a maid in the alpha’s house. It is a big deal and I should be elated. I was but no longer. How can I when the alpha’s son, devilishly handsome Vincenzo has placed me on his bully list? He desires to bend me to his will. To be a puppet, a mere slave to slake his lust on. Try as I might to run far away from his cold smiles and wandering hands, I can’t. Trapped is what I am. ~Vincenzo Moreno They call me a beautiful bastard. Heartless. Ruthless. Wicked. I am and I'm out for her blood. Despite the fact that she is a nobody, my wolf still craves for her and I will do all I can to make her mine. Because, what I want, I get and I want her. To immerse myself in the innocent wreck that she is. If I should ruin her in the process then, so be it. After all, she is my possession, mia innocente bella.

"You’re just too old to handle me,” I spat in fury. “That’s why you won’t f*ck me.” His eyes turned feral. “What did you just say?” he growled, stepping closer. My breath hitched, and heat pooled between my legs. “I said you're old—and not man enough.” He grabbed my chin, lips inches from mine. “Baby girl, when I’m done with you, you’ll beg this 'old man' to stop. You won’t just know I’m man enough—you’ll feel it in every inch of your sore, trembling body.” ***** At 40, architect Lorenzo De Vito has built a life of discipline and control—until 23-year-old Emily Ross steps into his world. She's bold, ambitious, and irresistible, awakening desires he buried long ago. Lorenzo knows she's off-limits, a risk to his career and reputation, but her teasing smiles and undeniable chemistry make her impossible to resist. As the tension between them ignites, the line between control and surrender begins to blur. Will he resist the temptation or risk it all for the one woman he shouldn’t want?