Graves Hume Public Library

A desperate young woman, Lucy, enters into a contract marriage with the cold-hearted CEO, Drey Jackson, to save her mother’s life. But as their lives collide, hidden secrets lie around Drey’s family, and a dangerous rivalry emerges to tear them apart. Stuck between love and loyalty, Lucy and Drey must navigate a treacherous path where trust is shattered, and survival becomes their only choice. Will they overcome the darkness, or will the price of love and power destroy them both? ******** “So, a contract marriage,” I said slowly, testing the idea. “What makes you think I would even consider something like that? And with you?” I asked, letting out a little laughter. She leaned in slightly, her lips curving into a small, confident smile. “Because it’s the perfect solution for both of us. You need the public to believe you’re happily married. And I need the money. We both walk away with exactly what we want—no strings attached.” I chuckled, feeling I was on the edge of it. “You’re a bartender. What makes you think you can play the part of a billionaire’s wife?” I chuckled darkly as my breathtaking face twisted into a Mona Lisa. “I can have you fired for this, you know.” She didn’t flinch, but I noticed her sweaty palms. She could lose her only surviving job if I wanted that to happen. It was obvious how desperate she needed money but I couldn’t just agree with her even if it was a good idea. “I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m not some desperate woman trying to snag a rich man,” She suddenly snapped. She was only an inch away from me now, trying to avoid any direct touch. “We don't have to be in love.”

Sister Reina Valen thought her life was set, hidden behind convent walls, cloaked in the nun habit, and bound by chastity. But everything shatters when she steps into University of California, only to feel her wolf stir for the first time in years. The cause? Professor Julian Maverick, the hot, charming yet cold professor at the podium, her fated mate. What should have been impossible becomes inevitable. He’s not just her professor. Something she soon discovers. He’s a spy agent, sent by the Alpha King to track down the kingdom’s long-lost only heiress to the throne who went missing as a baby. He realizes that this same daughter now wears a nun’s veil and hides the birthmark that could claim a crown. Reina is that heiress. But loving him means breaking every vow. Mating him means going back on her vows. And when a scandal threatens to destroy them both, Reina must choose between duty to the throne or surrendering to a desire that could burn the country down. As secrets unravel, enemies close in. The King is poisoned. The Royal Council plots rebellion. When Reina discovers she's carrying Julian’s child, the greatest taboo of all explodes into the public eye: a nun pregnant by her forbidden mate. In a world ruled by werewolves, tradition, and betrayal, will their love survive the storm—or spark a new era? She was never meant to lead. He was never meant to love her. But fate doesn’t ask. It commands. And as the country trembles on the edge of war, one question remains: Can a nun-turned-Alpha King-to-be rewrite her legacy with her mate by her side or she's cursed to be alone forever? Their bond is sacred. Their love is a crime. And it’s only just begun.

Rose's career as a successful writer was cut short when she found out that her secret boyfriend and CEO of her agency, Ethan Evans, was already married. The public hounded her of her affair, even though she was also a victim of deceit as she never knew that she was dating a married man. She lost everything, her good reputation and her career as Ethan blamed her for seducing him making the public hate on her more. When things couldn't go worse, her stepmother wanted her to get married to the woman beating Mayor's son. But hope came to her in the form of Aiden, Ethan's rival. She prospered a plan to him: Marry me for just 2 years and I will help you destroy Ethan. With Aiden's help, Rose restarted her career to become the best bookseller in New York. But what happens when her ex-boyfriend, Ethan claims that he had divorced his wife and beg Rose to take him back? Also how will Rose take it when she discovers Aiden secrets. With family troubles and secrets threatening her marriage and her new found romance with Aiden, can Rose overcome them and finally get her happily ever after. Read Disgraced and Desired: The scandalous writer is the CEO wife to find out.

Aria, an omega werewolf, has gone through her time on earth persevering through persecution and double-crossing, trusting that the introduction of her New baby will bring her some comfort. But reverse was the case, when Alex, her mysterious darling and the Mafia Lord dismisses her and sentences her to a public execution, Aria's reality is broken. Copied bursting at the seams with her infant, she promises vengeance against the whole mafia pack that double-crossed her. Phenomenally, she stirs in the collection of Jasmine, a baffling lady with her own dim mysteries. Push into a risky universe of duplicity, faithfulness, and epic showdowns, Aria chooses to utilize her additional opportunity to cut down the individuals who violated her. Be that as it may, as she assumes the part of Adam's life partner and faces her own cravings and fears, Aria should conclude how far she will go to accomplish retribution… and whether another future is conceivable.

Ivy never planned to fall, literally, into Liam’s arms. But the day she bumped into him in the hallway, everything changed. His girlfriend noticed. The school noticed. At first, it was side eyes and some attitude. Then came the rumors. Just as the drama became unbearable, her world crashed, her parents died on the same day.  She had to move in with an aunt who she barely knew.  She stopped going to school, because the pain became unbearable. When she finally returned to school, the tone changed. There were new whispers, but only about her. To the girls like Claire and her group, Ivy was a pity seeker. She was beautiful, quiet, soft, so obviously, they thought she was faking it. Especially when the boys, including Liam, started being nice to her. Even her best friend, Sophia, changed after a new girl, Maya, showed up. Soon, Sophia turned against her, started acting mean. Another betrayal. Ivy was losing people faster than she could have ever imagined. And when her aunt suggested going to therapy, Ivy finally cracked. Ivy didn’t ask to be strong, she was shoved into it. She wasn’t eased into being strong, wasn’t given the time to learn, or grow into it. She learned to talk back. She learned to slap back, literally. When Sophia humiliated her in public, Ivy hit back without apology. But that didn’t mean Ivy was suddenly strong on the inside. She still cried when she was alone. Still felt broken. This isn’t some perfect girl story. Ivy’s not a superhero. She’s just trying to make it through each day without falling apart. She’s just trying to breathe without breaking. And maybe, somewhere in all that mess, she’ll find her own kind of peace.

Following the loss of her father due to conspiracies, Estafania Richardson is faced with different trials and betrayals from people who claimed to love her. She vows to clear her father's name and reclaim her what was rightfully hers "Rich Corp" but every twist and turn is filled with new problems. Backed into a corner with little to no choice she agrees to the marriage alliance proposed by one of the country's most feared bachelor, Seth McQueen. She finds that there are different sides to Seth especially the caring side he keeps away from the public but unknown to her Seth had other reasons for approaching her. Along the way she finds herself developing feelings for him despite his warnings. Will her feelings be reciprocated by the mysterious Seth McQueen or will all her struggles be in vain when Seth finally reveals his true intentions?

Ophelia Martins was once the girl everyone wanted to be—charming, magnetic, untouchable. But when betrayal rips through her inner circle and the ones she trusted most reveal their darkest sides, her world shatters. From best friends turned enemies to ex-lovers hiding cruel secrets, Lia is left to rebuild her life from the ruins of public humiliation and heartbreak. As she struggles to find her footing, Tyler Reed, her childhood friend with a mysterious past, steps in. But Tyler’s return isn't just timely… it's calculated. Beneath his easy smile lies a vendetta years in the making, and Lia might be the one piece in a revenge game she doesn’t even know she’s playing. Secrets run deep in Crestwood High. Everyone has something to lose. Everyone has something to hide. And just when Lia thinks she’s taking back control, a buried truth about her identity threatens to unravel everything. Love. Lies. Legacy. In a world where betrayal feels like love and revenge wears a charming face, can Lia survive the truth long enough to reclaim her own story?

Xavier Bishops and Rain Simmons are an odd pair. Xavier is the quiet rich guy who instigates her bullies and Rain is the girl who finds him hot despite knowing this. They find themselves in a supply closet together on school prank night and they share their first kiss. Xavier's obsession with her increases after this but he still doesn't know how to act towards Rain. They soon enter a secret relationship but Xavier's attitude towards Rain in public doesn't change. He no longer eggs his friends on but he doesn't address her in public either. Rain convinces herself that she's okay with this but her patience continues to wear thin as Xavier's friends keep treating her worse. It all ends when they trash a car her father gave her for her birthday and she exposes her secret relationship with Xavier to everyone. Xavier denies it and laughs at her. Humiliated beyond belief, Rain leaves town for winter break but she doesn't come back and no one knew why. Rain is in a new town, pregnant and alone with grandparents who think she's worthless. They insist she has an abortion and when Rain refuses, they agree to give the baby up for adoption. When Rain changes her mind, they throw her out. She can't go back to her sick father with a baby she can't take care of so she drops the baby with Xavier, promising to come back soon. Twelve years later, Rain is back. She is a military investigator and is investigating a leak in Xavier's company. Her son hates her and his father still wants her. She has a lot on her plate, make her son forgive her, get Xavier to leave her alone and find the person selling government secrets in Xavier's company.

Leo Moretti lives a life of obscene luxury and crushing isolation. Trapped in a marriage to the powerful, volatile Dominic Rossi, Leo exists as a beautiful ornament, polished for public view and bruised in private. His only constant is Silas Vance, his stoic, ex-military bodyguard – a silent sentinel against the world, and against Dominic's unpredictable rage. When a moment of shared vulnerability ignites a forbidden spark, Leo and Silas plunge into a desperate, secret affair. Their stolen moments are electric, a dangerous lifeline in Leo's gilded prison. But as their passion deepens, so does the risk. Dominic Rossi doesn't share what's his, and when he discovers his beautiful husband's betrayal with the man hired to protect him, the gilded cage becomes a deadly trap. Leo and Silas must fight not just for their love, but for their very lives.

Paloma Sofia Santos, 24, has endured the hardships of poverty, working tirelessly to change her fate. Her life takes a turn when she meets Asher Quinto, a 26-year-old wealthy heir stuck in a passionless marriage with Cassia, a composed yet manipulative woman. Drawn to Asher’s charm and wealth, Paloma begins an affair with him despite being in a long-term relationship with Amir, a struggling mechanic who has repeatedly promised her a brighter future. Paloma’s world shatters when she discovers Amir’s betrayal: he has impregnated Cassia. Devastated, Paloma confronts Cassia, who shockingly reveals she has always been aware of Asher’s infidelity and Amir’s involvement. Instead of anger, Cassia proposes a pact. A master manipulator, she admits she never loved either man and has been using their weaknesses to secure control of her family’s business and protect her unborn child. Reluctantly, Paloma agrees but uncovers Cassia’s deeper schemes. Cassia aims to force Asher into choosing between her and his inheritance, solidifying her power. Meanwhile, Asher’s obsession with Paloma spirals, leading to reckless actions that threaten his marriage and business. Amir, desperate to win Paloma back, becomes a pawn in Cassia’s manipulations. A startling truth emerges: Cassia orchestrated Amir’s betrayal to destabilize her marriage and gain leverage over Asher. In a heated confrontation, Paloma exposes Cassia’s schemes, leading to a public scandal that destroys Asher’s family empire. Asher loses both his inheritance and Paloma, while Cassia retains her power but faces isolation. Amir, burdened with his mistakes and fatherhood, begins a journey of redemption. Choosing independence, Paloma walks away from the chaos, stronger and wiser, determined to rebuild her life free from the toxic cycle of betrayal and deceit.