Existential Questioning

A forced marriage. A ruthless CEO. And a contract that could ruin—or rescue—her heart. Ayla Morgan thought losing her father was the worst thing that could happen. She was wrong. Within weeks, her family restaurant is seized by debt collectors, her stepmother kicks her to the curb, and her arrogant CEO fires her in front of everyone over a petty mistake. With nothing left but humiliation and bills, Ayla is forced into a blind date arranged by her greedy family… and accidentally ruins the wrong one. That “wrong date”? Damon Cross. Her ex-boss. The coldest man she’s ever met—richer than sin and twice as dangerous. But instead of being furious, Damon makes her a shocking offer: Marry me. Three years. No feelings. No questions. In return, I’ll pay your family’s debt and give you your life back. To him, it’s just a contract. To her, it’s a lifeline. Living under the same roof, working as his personal secretary, Ayla swears she’ll never fall for a man who sees love as weakness. But behind Damon’s icy exterior hides a broken man forced to marry by his dying grandfather—and a loneliness that mirrors her own. As enemies become reluctant allies and fake kisses turn real, Ayla finds herself questioning everything. What happens when the contract ends… but her heart doesn’t? And will Damon let go of control long enough to realize that love might be his only salvation?

In a tragic romantic novel, the story unfolds focusing on Aditya Rashaad, an heir with the tainted status of being an illegitimate child. After enduring a decade of estrangement, Aditya is abruptly thrust back into the spotlight and tasked with taking charge of his father's company, Fajar Rashaad. This sudden responsibility arises as his father falls into a coma following a tragic incident. Through this journey of assuming leadership, Aditya unravels the layers of his father's character, realizing the goodness that had been obscured by his own hatred. As Aditya navigates this newfound perspective on his father, he becomes resolute in seeking vengeance against those responsible for the plot to kill and destroy him. Amidst his father's ailing condition, Aditya finds solace in the care of a compassionate doctor named Catrina Buana. Their relationship blossoms, intertwined with the complexities of their respective pasts. However, Aditya's world is shattered when he discovers that Catrina is the daughter of Indra Buana, the very mastermind behind his father's tragic fate. As Aditya grapples with conflicting emotions, will he be able to let go of his deep-seated grudge against Indra Buana in light of Catrina's genuine love? Can his love for Catrina endure the ultimate test, even as the haunting specter of his father's untimely demise looms over their relationship? The heart-wrenching tale of Aditya's journey unfolds, filled with twists of fate and poignant revelations, questioning the limits of love and forgiveness in the face of profound loss and betrayal.

When my husband, Louis Banks, was caught in a traffic accident, I was at an interview out of town. By the time I got to the hospital, he had already been declared dead, and was sent to the crematorium. Hearing the news, I fainted on the spot. When I woke up again, I was greeted by the court coming to enforce the auction of all our assets. The reason was that Louis' company had gone into financial troubles, leaving us in massive debt, and I was the only legal representative of the company. Many years later, I found myself begging in the snow with a cracked bowl, and I nearly got run over by a luxury car. To my surprise, the one in the driver's seat was none other than Louis, who was supposed to be dead ages ago! Dressed in designer brands and holding another woman in his arms, he jeered at my filthy stench and appearance, even kicking my bowl to pieces. "You're still alive, huh? I was worried that I couldn't trick someone who graduated from a bigshot university, but you were dumb enough to believe it without questioning it for a second!" He laughed, sneering as he continued, "Thanks for working so hard for us, hahaha!" His words filled me with so much anger that I died on the spot, my eyes glaring at him even in death. Little did I expect that when I came to, I found myself back on the day of his accident!

I set fire to my painting in front of the entire academy. Thunderous applause erupts from the crowd as everyone thinks it's some kind of performance art. Unlike them, Willow Laurent is distraught. She rushes up and grabs my hand, questioning in a shrill voice, "Cassidy Seymour, have you gone mad? This is your only chance to prove yourself!" I shake her hand off me coldly. My only chance? No… What she means is that it's her chance. In my past life, I created this masterpiece with all my heart and soul. But she stole it from me and submitted it as her entry first. Whether it was the composition, the colors, or even my original dot-stippling technique… She replicated every detail flawlessly. Then, she won the National Young Artists Gold Award, signed with a top gallery, and became a rising star. And what about me? I was condemned as a shameless plagiarist. Insults and curses gradually drowned me. "You shouldn't be an artist!" "Plagiarists are scum! They should just die!" Her fans stormed into my studio, smashed my art supplies, and broke my right hand. As I saw no end to the hell that I was living in, I jumped down from the top floor of my studio. When I open my eyes again, I'm back to the very day she first accuses me of plagiarism.

Freda Lewis has spent her life fighting against the odds, scraping her way through college with nothing but grit and determination. But when the world outside proves just as unforgiving, a desperate leap of faith lands her in an unexpected arrangement—a five-year contract marriage to the enigmatic billionaire, Williams Franklin. Williams needs a wife to secure his position as the rightful heir to the Franklin family empire. Freda needs an escape from her toxic past. It seems like the perfect deal: no strings, no emotions, and a generous payout. But the deeper Freda steps into Williams’ gilded world, the more she uncovers the cracks in his armor—and the secrets that threaten to tear them both apart. When a shocking revelation exposes Freda’s true identity as the long-lost heir of the powerful Harrington dynasty, she finds herself at the center of a dangerous game of power and betrayal. Torn between her growing feelings for Williams and the family that abandoned her, Freda must decide where her loyalty lies. But just as Freda begins to carve out her place in this treacherous new world, an unexpected betrayal leaves her questioning everything—and everyone. Who can Freda trust when her life has been planned from the start? And as the lines between love and duty blur, will she fight for her heart or risk losing everything? *The truth about Freda’s past is about to change everything… and Williams might not survive the fallout.*

“Get off of me!” I shouted, pushing him as hard as I could. Tristan looked surprised, and the next moment, I saw him glaring at me. “What’s your problem?” he asked, annoyed. I looked at him dangerously. “Trying to kiss me, huh? I won’t let you touch me again! Ever!” ********************************* Elaine Scott, a humble omega maid, unexpectedly finds herself in the spotlight when she marries Tristan Hale, the Alpha heir of the Wolfsilver Pack, as a gesture of gratitude for saving his mother's life. Elaine believes their marriage is based on mutual affection, but Tristan secretly resents her, thinking she has manipulated his parents into marrying him. Tristan's bitterness escalates following the sudden death of his parents, and he directs his anger towards Elaine, subjecting her to misery and isolation. Seeking solace, Tristan turns to Megan Smith, his mistress, further cementing Elaine's plight in a loveless marriage. However, fate intervenes when a tragic car accident wipes Elaine's memory clean, erasing the past five years, including her feelings for Tristan. Initially relieved, Tristan becomes unsettled when Elaine no longer exhibits the deference he expects and begins questioning Elaine’s sudden change. As Elaine tries to move forward, Tristan has a change of heart and wants her back. But Elaine is done with him and is ready to move on. But, is she?

**He was her dream. Now he’s her nightmare.** Madeleine never forgot the man from the gardens. Five years ago, Dom was her fleeting escape. A quiet, thoughtful soul who saw her as more than just a girl in a convent. They whispered dreams under the moonlight, shared stolen moments that meant nothing and everything. Then he vanished, leaving her questioning everything. Now, trapped in the world she swore she’d never belong to, she comes face-to-face with the man who once made her believe in something pure. But Dom doesn’t exist. In his place stands Rafael Andoletti. A ruthless mafia don who rules with fear. A man whispered about in the darkest corners of the city. The man who just forced her to drink poison in a room full of criminals. At first, she’s just another threat to him. A would-be assassin. Then he remembers her, and he spares her life. Rafael never wanted this life. He was forced into this world of darkness, but seeing Madeleine ignites one undeniable truth. He’ll never let her go. She’s horrified by the monster he became. He’s consumed by the woman who gives him a glimpse of the man he could have been. She wants to run. He won’t allow it. Because she was always meant to be his… and Rafael is ready to burn the world down to keep her.

Elena Hart had everything—or so she thought. The love of her fiancé, the legacy of her father’s company, and a future mapped out in glittering gold. But one devastating betrayal shatters her world in a single night, leaving her humiliated, heartbroken, and questioning everything she once believed about trust and love. Enter Sebastian Vale, a billionaire known for his cold logic and ruthless control, a man whose reputation alone could crush her enemies—or her heart. When he offers Elena an unexpected lifeline—a one-year contractual marriage that promises protection for her company and revenge against those who wronged her—she must decide whether to take the leap into a world of wealth, power, and dangerous attraction. As Elena steps into Sebastian’s world of high society, boardroom battles, and whispered secrets, the line between duty and desire begins to blur. With every stolen glance, every heated conversation, and every calculated move, they discover a connection neither of them anticipated—and a love that may be more real than either is willing to admit. In a world where trust is scarce and betrayal is around every corner, Elena and Sebastian must navigate a delicate dance of power, passion, and heart. Will their hearts survive the stakes, or will the very forces that brought them together tear them apart? When the Billionaire Loved Her Back is a sweeping, emotional romance filled with drama, secrets, and slow-burning passion—a story of love, courage, and second chances.

In a whirlwind of emotions and tangled relationships, Rita and Jaden's marriage began as a result of an unexpected bet. Jaden, deeply in love with his ex-girlfriend Percy, was willing to compromise on his dreams to be with her. However, Percy had other plans, wanting to explore her options and not settle down. Believing Jaden would eventually return to her, Percy allowed him to date other women, leading Jaden to choose Rita as his bride. Rita, long harboring feelings for Jaden, agreed to the marriage instantly. Percy, confident that Jaden would never truly move on, decided to break the bet and reclaim him for herself. Caught between his lingering love for Percy and his desire to spare Rita's feelings, Jaden made a difficult decision. He would remain married to Rita for a year, but if Percy still wanted him back after that time, he would divorce Rita. Rita, blinded by her deep affection for Jaden, accepted this arrangement. However, a year later, Rita's world shattered when she discovered she was pregnant. Jaden, without hesitation, presented her with a divorce agreement, leaving her heartbroken and questioning their entire relationship unknown to him that she was carrying his unborn child. Now, Rita must navigate the aftermath of a marriage born from a bet and find a way to move forward for the sake of herself and her unborn child. Will she be able to heal her broken heart and find a new beginning?

◤─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────◥ "Life is neither short nor long, it's now - that we know as life - it's twisted and cruel I'm its own way with trials coming up with every turn you make. No one knows how many seconds one will live let alone years. You never know" ◣─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────◢ His breath got stuck in his throat as he held the pen above the paper, his eyes searching the room in hopes of having at least a glance of her face. "Answer the maulvi" his father spoke. "Son" his mother pestered from his side. His eyes landed on Hiba's expectant ones. She looked from across the veil questioning his delay. He shook his head as he placed the tip of the pen on the paper, a single stroke formed on the paper but that very moment a frantic Ayan ran in the room. "Turn on the tv right now" he yelled making Hamza to oblige right away. "There had been an accident on the motorway car LEB-780 has been hit by a troller on its way out of the city, the hit has caused an explosion rendering the passengers severely injured and in critical condition-" "That's- that's the car maula bakhsh took to drop—" His ears numbed as the pen dropped on the floor, his heart stopped, his eyes stuck on the TV screen. "Bhai!" He ran out of the house and got in his car, the engine roared and soon he was on the road. ─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────