Forehead Bandage

Four days after my death, my four-year-old daughter finally sensed that something was terribly wrong. The fridge door slammed into her forehead when she tried to get a snack. Normally, I would've been there in a heartbeat—arms open, kisses ready, whispering, "You're okay, sweetheart, Mommy's here." But this time, I just lay on the bed, cold and still.​ She didn't understand. She thought the sweet treat would make me respond. So she held the final piece of chocolate up to my mouth. "Here, Mommy. Have some chocolate..." But I didn't even blink. She climbed into my arms, clutching my clothes tightly. "Mommy... Mommy, wake up..." She waited for me to stroke her hair, to tell her that everything was going to be fine. There was only silence.​ Completely lost and scared, she found my phone. "Daddy, why is Mommy still sleeping?" she asked, her voice filled with desperation.​ In response, Oliver sent a photo of himself having Christmas Eve dinner with his childhood sweetheart. His voice was icy cold when he replied, "She's just sleeping, not dead. It's Christmas Eve, and I'm busy. Tell her to stop playing games and come apologize when she's done sulking." Then he hung up.​ But when the truth finally hit Oliver—when the coroner's report came, when the police knocked on his door right in the middle of his laughter, when he realized I'd been lying dead for four days while he toasted—he broke.

Mina Mendoza never expected her quiet life to end with a blood-soaked stranger collapsing in her bar. Luciano is older, dangerous, and carries the kind of power she knows better than to get close to. One night of helping him turns into a war she never meant to step into, and the mafia world she avoided pulls her in with no way out. But the worst part is not Luciano. It is the man standing behind him. Frankie, Luciano’s younger brother, is Mina’s first love, the boy she lost and never honestly forgot. Now he is caught between loyalty to his brother and the feelings he buried years ago. Mina is trapped between the man who crashed into her life like a storm and the man who still owns a piece of her heart. As danger closes in, Mina must choose whom she trusts, whom she loves, and whom she is willing to risk everything for. Saving Luciano changed her world. Loving either brother might destroy it. ~SNEAK PEEK~ His voice dropped, low and possessive. “Fine. One kiss, then we wait.” I told him I didn’t care. “I want you now.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Once we start, there is no going back.” I nodded, and something shifted in his eyes. He leaned me back on the bed, hands braced beside me. “Are you sure?” “If I weren’t sure, we wouldn’t be here.” His kiss was deep, powerful, slow, stealing my breath. I arched into him as his mouth traced my jaw and throat, heat racing through me. “I need you,” I whispered, and everything changed.

"I love you," he gazed at her eyes which are dropped on the floor while he cups her cheeks with his palm. She doesn't look at his eyes. She seems scared. But with what he doesn't understand. "Do you not like me? Even a little bit?" his voice enunciates but she doesn't response to it. He waits for her answer but she doesn't reply him. He tries to back away from her. But as he is leaving, she holds his hands suddenly. "I don't know. I don't know whether I like you or not. I just don't want you to go away. I just don't want you to leave me," she says with the tears sparkling on her eyes. "Esther!" He presses his forehead against her as his breaths fasten. He can feel that along with his, her breaths are quickened as well. He realizes that the fire is burning on both side and she is equally anxious as she is. A smile creeps on his lips as he feels that. "I love you, Esther. You're made for me and I am made for you. We are made for each other," he smiles and presses his lips against her. "You're day dreaming one more time? What the fuck are you dreaming about Esther? Is it about my old man? Are you dreaming about him?" He pushes her against the wall and punches hard on the wall making his knuckles be red and bleed. "Nooo...Nooo... Caden! You're wrong," she cries.

"I am always here for you " Zai silently whispered, and kissed Yilan’s forehead, hugging her tightly in his arm like no one could ever hurt her again. Yillan is a girl with a beautiful smile. Her motto is "family’s first" even though the family he cares about the most, doesn’t treat her like one, she still wishes that one day they would recognize her. Zai is as cold as ice. No one could ever guess what's on his mind. He never shows his emotions to others, but he is a loving son and brother to his family. Besides his family, he only cared most about Yilan without her knowing. He was always protecting and loving her in his own way. Yilan only knew that she first met Zai in their last years in high school at the school festival but she didn't know that Zai already knew her a long time ago then. After 5 years, they met again in an awkward circumstance. But the next day, Yillan forgot what happened. They continuously bump into each other, from time to time. This time Zai is currently the CEO of the Lee Empire, one of the biggest conglomerates in the country. Then, it happened that Yoon corporation faced a great disaster. Yillan's eldest Brother may end up in prison and the company may be endangered. Because of the unexpected turn of events, her Eldest brother sought the help of the Lee Empire and even though it's not proper, Zai used the opportunity to be with Yillan. They entered a contract marriage Can Zai tell Yilan her true feelings? While Yillan will be torn between her family and Zai

Extract The thought of Louis stalking me send cold shivers down my spine. Cold sweats formed on my forehead and I could feel my make-up washing off by my sweats. " Who are you?" Austin roared, but the wicked smile on Louis's face never left my mind. Why was he smiling that way? I couldn't help but wonder with my body trembling. " Louis Rusev" Louis answered and the audience gasped. At this moment, the priest had disappeared and everyone was holding their breath. " The alpha of lake pack?" Austin asked with squinted eyes to be sure the person standing before him wasn't an imposter. I didn't tell Austin the identity of my ex-mate, I only told him what happened between us. " Bravo, you know me well" Louis applauded and approached us on the stage. " What do you want?" Austin asked and I felt his grip tightened around my wrist in a protective manner. " I want my mate back" Louis answered calmly with a domineering voice. My heart dropped to my stomach at his response and I felt tears brimming in my eyes. Didn't he reject me? Didn't he send me away? why did he appear suddenly? In a world where people go over the moon when they find their mate, Nora's life crumbled after finding hers. Happy that her long-time crush, Alpha Louis Rusev was now her mate, she offered herself to him willingly not knowing Fate was Tempting her. How far can she survive the cruel action of fate and the partiality of the moon goddess?

“You'll ruin me, Dawn,” I whispered, my words thick with pain as my forehead connected with hers. I caught her full breasts and hardened rosy pink buds under the silvery glow of the moonlighting that soaked the surface of the pool in its celestial touch. “Would that be such a bad thing?” her question came out with a heavy, sensuous effect, completely tipping me over the edge. •••• With a bruised, low self-esteem, and subjected to immense torture at the hands of her step-family, Dawn Griffin could have sworn that there was absolutely nothing life wanted to throw at her that she wasn't ready for but how wrong she was because the essence of her being shattered when her mate dumped her for her stepsister. As though that wasn't enough, they were so eager to get rid of her, tossing her into an arranged marriage she didn't want, and confiscating her freedom. It was a decision that led her to the arms of a strange man at the bar she ended up with to drown out her problems in drinks. Dawn's matrimony, however, came with a twist and brought her right back into the web of the first man she ever got intimate with, the dangerous Alpha and the devil himself, Alpha Rhys Hallowvern. Rhys Hallowvern was that one Alpha that everyone was so terrified of because of his beastly nature and his aversion for commitment led to him getting a wife he didn't want. But two people who despised each other confined to the same space, how long would it take before facades start shedding, revealing their true intentions? Will the sinister forces lurking in the shadows sit back and hand them their happy ending on a platter of gold?

“Why did you do it?” He demanded in a low voice, a warning, while closing in on me. The defiant look on my face crumbled a little as I hastily began to backtrack, it wasn’t long before I felt the edge of the bed behind my knees. “Fucking answer me, Kiara!” He roared, cold breath fanning the tip of my nose as he spoke. I gulped in fear, as what I had done just began to fully sink in. “I- I don’t…” A firm push against my forehead tipped me over and I fell on my back like a doll, panting wide eyed at a very furious Xavier. I scrambled backwards, or attempted to– but Xavier’s large hands clamped on my ankles, sharply jerking me downwards until my legs dangled at his sides. “Not only did you leave the house on your own– you crashed my car, set it on fire and then you went to a freaking, dangerous club…” He moved his hands off my ankles and circled my hips, grips tightening instantly, threateningly. “…and let worthless men touch what’s mine. Who told you that was acceptable?” I scoffed and rolled my eyes even though my heart was racing. “Who said I was yours? Since when did you make me yours?” “Since right now.” ————— Forced to marry Xavier Romano in order to spare her brother’s life, Kiara Francesco– sassy, rebellious and drop dead gorgeous, was determined to be no fragile and obedient wife; which surprised, spurred Xavier on and made his sinful hunger for her intensify with each passing second. Life as a very powerful mafia lord’s wife was no child’s play, seeing as it comes with a whole lot of danger. And Kiara was ready for the dangerous ride.

Loud music is playing, some students are dancing and other are chatting. The few one who are alone are dispersed observing the others. My eyes scan the room for Liam. Fortunately, I see him standing at the entrance with Lucas, Mateo, Levi and Mason. My legs drag me to their direction and he smiles as he sees me. His friends pushed him to me and he looks like he hesitates for a while before walking up to me. Without a word, he grabs my hand and pulled me away from the noise. Now we’re standing in the boys changing room. Before I speak, he gently cups my face. His forehead is touching mine as his eyes flash in the evening light. My heart races and I look away shyly but he lifts my chin up with his finger. I admire his beauty,drowning in the rush of love and awaiting a toe-curling kiss. I hear his words; “Don’t be silly. You’ll never be my type.” Followed by a chuckle. My blood runs cold as my brain draws a blank *************** Liam Hunter, the name that could make your knees turn jelly. He had it all the looks, money and everyone’s dream girl, Beatrice. He was the school’s basketball team captain. Every girl was dying to spend even a second with him, well except her. His charms didn’t work on her and she seemed oblivious to his existence. Everything changes for Liam when he is dared to date Zara for a month and then dump her. It all starts as game, a mind game for Liam. But what happens when the heart gets involved? What will Zara do after learning the truth? Will she get over her love for Liam and go back to herself?

“Heidi, call me a monster. Call me a beast. Fuck, call me the Devil. It does not change the way I feel about you.” “How about the way ‘I’ feel about you?” I whisper. “This hatred—built from love, passion… trust.” Hunter gently takes my hand and interlocks it with his before placing both on his chest. He then leans down to bump his forehead on mine, making me close my eyes and sigh as it drives in me sensations that cause me to crumble. “I love you, Heidi…” he whispers—doesn’t do good for my eyes bleeding more tears. “…and I will let the world burn for you.” ~ H E I D I I’ve lived twenty-two years but never seen a man like Hunter. He has killed everyone I know and is bound to do more, which is why I’m determined to stop him, if only I wouldn’t have to deal with these emotions—old feelings clashing with new ones; love and hate—that make me want to squash his heart one moment, then piece it up the next. But I know I can’t hang between these feelings forever. I have to choose, and quickly. H U N T E R I am told she is dangerous, a being forbidden from existence. Yet, I find myself protecting her. I shouldn’t, but I do. Then I realize she isn’t the threat. Where danger lies is with my feelings—ones that I must not have, that will be my downfall. To be that creature feared by all, I need to be the man with nothing to lose. But now I have so much to lose. Even nature has fated our Love to be doomed and will see to its vow that one of us is destroyed.

He was busy kissing her. Catching her breath, she took out the dagger and while he’s busy stripping her skirt. Kill. She stabbed his back. He froze as she met his eyes. He growled in pain as she pushed him hard but he grabbed her neck and throw her away. She hold the dagger tightly as she landed on her foot and knee. “You little bitch.” He growled as she raised her dagger, the tip was facing down and the sharp blade was facing him. He could feel the burn on his back as he laughed. “As I expected, you weren’t just a timid girl, Bella.” He watched those blank eyes. Like there’s no soul on it. Kill. There he heard it again as she attacked immediately and he caught her wrist the blade was near on his eyes. He gripped on it and he pinned her down on the floor as he broke her wrist in anger. She growled in pain as she released the dagger. He took it and throw it out. Now with other hand, he reached her right ear and pulled out an earpiece. He crumbled it into pieces as he growled. “Bella!” He growled. “You little traitor.” She whimpered as she tried to kneed him but his knees were on hers, completely holding her down. “Shhh!” He pressed his forehead to hers as he stared right into her eyes. “Bella, Bella. My. Mate.” She froze and stops struggling. He finally let her go as he carried her to bed. He reached her broken wrist and fixed it. Then, he put cloth around it to support it. He pulled out his phone and rang Paxton. Then, he tossed it away. “Mate,” straddled over her and reached her neck.