Guilt-tripping

What does the underboss of an infamous crime family have in common with a spirited primary school teacher? Absolutely nothing, except a marriage of convenience, of course. When Lionel Tyson defaults on a gambling debt and offers his most prized possession as collateral, Austin Hawthorne is underwhelmed. But in desperate need of a housekeeper and permanent child minder, he knows he’d be an idiot to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, against his better judgement, he accepts an offer he should absolutely refuse. Marybeth Tyson is horrified to learn that not only is her father wanted by loan sharks, but he has also sold her off to a mafia boss. Bound by duty and pushed by guilt, she agrees to give Austin Hawthorne one year of her life, despite common sense screaming at her to run the other way. After all, how hard can pretending to be madly in love with someone be? It’s all fun and games until play pretend becomes all too real, and an earth-shattering secret from Austin’s past comes to light, threatening to destroy his second chance at love with his dogged pursuit for answers. Betrayal, especially at the hands of his older brother Blake and long-time friend, Andrei Ivanov, is a bitter pill to swallow for Austin, and letting them off scot-free is not an option. Driven by his unquenchable thirst for revenge, Austin will stop at nothing to get to the truth, even if it means destroying decade-old friendships and fragile ties to The Corporation. 2022 Val Sims. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publishers.

After the death of her family in an accident that left her scarred, and wolfless, Nora Howard was constantly at the mercy of her fated mate who was disgusted at the very sight of her. On the day of her anniversary her husband, Alpha Aiden broke the bond between them. And casually tossed a divorce paper at her face. Alpha Aiden gave a diamond ring to her best friend. Nora was shattered, and too weak from betrayal. Only this time, she was done. She might be ugly with a scar on her face. Wolfless, and carrying the guilt of losing her family. It was time for a change. In her quest for escape, Nora strayed into the Blackcrest pack. A powerful pack ruled by the Virelli twins. Halil and Kai Virelli. Lycan kings who ruled their pack with iron fist, and were ruthless with enemies. However, beneath the cold devastatingly handsome faces of the Virelli twins was a spine chilling curse. One only a mate can break. They wanted to exert instant judgement on Nora Howard. But fate shifted when the moon goddess linked them as a second chance mate to Nora. They vowed to make her regret every minute of her life, and break her bit by bit. Until, they caught themselves staring at her a minute longer. An incident happened, that changed everything. Nora ran away from the Blackcrest pack, seeking revenge. Unknown to her, their seeds were growing in her. In that moment, The Lycan twins realized Nora was the woman they truly yearned for. Dark secrets resurfaces linking her to them. Would she go through with her revenge? even if she had the powers to take down the most powerful Alphas. Or had she fallen in love with the Virelli twins, and somehow hadn’t noticed?

Sa labis na kagustuhan ni Gabrielle na mabawasan ang guilt sa pagkawala ng kanyang kapatid ay sinikap niyang gawin ang lahat para sa ikabubuti ng kanyang mga estudyante lalo na at buhay na ng mga ito ang nakataya. Para sa kanya, wala nang mas lulungkot pa sa naging buhay niya. Walang pamilya. Mag-isa. Miserable. Hanggang sa dumating sa buhay niya ang isang lalaki sa katauhan ni Zierelle Montefalcon. Hindi niya alam kung biyaya ba ang pagdating nito sa buhay niya o isang pagkakamali. Pagkakamali, kung hahayaan niya ang kanyang sariling tanggapin ito sa buhay niya at umasa siyang mayroon ulit siyang taong maaasahan sa tabi niya. Sa ilang taong namuhay siya nang mag-isa, natuto na siyang walang ibang inaasahan pa kundi ang sarili lamang niya. She became an independent woman as she wanted to be. But fate interfere. Some things won't go as planned. Namalayan na lamang niya ang kanyang sarili na unti-unti nang nanghihina ngunit sa isiping nasa tabi niya lang ang lalaki ay nanatili siyang malakas at natuto siyang magtiwala na tutulungan siya nitong hanapin ang kapatid niya. How about the boy with yellow umbrella? Patuloy niya itong inaalala dahil naroon ito sa tabi niya noong mga panahong nawala ang kapatid niya. Pagkakatiwalaan niya kaya ang isang aroganteng police officer para mahanap ang dalawang taong matagal na niyang hinahanap? How will she find them when her only clue is.... That summer...the rain pours.

TRIGGER WARNING!! DARK ROMANCE Sexual content, Slavery, 18+, Violence, and Abusive content. Dark Romance, read at your own risk. "So, you made a choice?" His dark voice vibrated in the room, making me flinch. I brought my legs closer in fear, as if I could stop this fear from crawling through my skin, reaching all parts of my body, and nodded my head, whispering "yes.". "Here." He slammed the contract in front of me. I flinched, raised my head, and looked into his dark, angry blue eyes, immediately lowering them in fear. I once wished for him to spare me a glance, and that could make my day, but right now, his deep blue eyes scare me the most, and I don't want him to even look at me. "You are ready to sacrifice yourself to save that motherfucker?!" His angry voice rang in the room with a hint of pain, making me flinch, and an instant guilt followed. I feel so guilty for hurting the man that I love the most, and yet... I am not ready to hurt the other important people in my life. I tried my best to stay calm, not giving him an answer. "Fine! I know how to make you talk!" His voice was low and filled with anger as he said it through his clenched teeth. My hands started to shiver at the thought of going through the same pain he just put me through a few hours ago. How to make me talk? Is ... is he going to hurt me the same way again? 'you deserve it' My conscious replied. --------------- what happens when the person she loves the most hurts her the most? What happens when she is pulled into his darkness that she never knew existed?

“Why are you like this, Axel?” she asked in a low voice, her tone slightly breaking. “Why won't you just leave me alone?” For a moment, something inside me stirred. I reached out slowly and placed my fingers under her chin, lifting her face. She tried to look away, but I wouldn’t let her. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she bit her lower lip stubbornly, trying to keep them from falling. But that tiny act of defiance… God, it did something to me. I wanted to pull her closer, to claim her, to make her mine and never let anyone else touch her. “One year,” I said finally. She frowned. “What?” “I want you,” I said clearly. “For one year, you’ll be my woman. In exchange, I’ll take care of you, your needs, your family’s protection, your brother’s freedom. Everything.” *** After catching her scumbag boyfriend in bed with her coworker, Olivia Brooks did what any heartbroken woman might… she drowned her sorrows at a club. One too many drinks later, she ended up in the arms of a dangerously handsome stranger. What she didn’t know was that the man she mistook for a gigolo was Axel Reynolds, a ruthless billionaire with a taste for control. Olivia tried to move on and bury the memory of that reckless night… until fate delivered a cruel twist. Axel Reynolds wasn’t just anyone—he was her step sister’s soon-to-be husband. Now, trapped between guilt and desire, Olivia wants to hide the truth. But Axel has already found her, and the devil never lets go of what he claims.

"Who are you?" I looked into the stranger's sharp eyes and whispered, my voice shaking. My heart skipped a beat when I saw his strong jawline and chiselled features. Though my recollections of our wild night together were vague, I felt as though I was drowning in his stare because of the way he was looking at me right now—a mix of curiosity and need. Ashley Taylor woke up in a stranger’s bed with no idea of how she got there, and her life has been turned upside down ever since. Panicked, she didn't know what to do. Ashley quickly got up, dressed and left the apartment wishing never to come across the stranger again. Aside from the feeling of guilt that overwhelmed her for cheating on her boss, Richard whom she is in a secret romantic relationship with, Ashley's world turned upside down when she later discovers she is pregnant. Filled with uncertainty of who the father of the child is, she receives the shock of her life when she later discovers the stranger she had a one night stand with is Max, her boss's son. Despite being engaged to her boss, Ashley found herself attracted to Max. She wished she could erase the memories of the passionate night they spent together. Her body yearns for Max, that even when making out with her fiancé Richard, she pictures him to be Max, then only could she be satisfied. Ashley can't afford to lose Richard, nor could she easily do away with her feelings for Max, even if she wants to. Behind Richard's back, she and Max were entangled in a dreadful romance. Dive into the exciting romance novel filled with twists and turns that will keep you at the edge of your seat!

My Alpha mate Cain's childhood sweetheart Vivienne had returned from her overseas training in healing. She'd made a bet with the other healers that she could use the deadly wolfsbane to cure patients. Every senior healer told her it was absolutely impossible. But she ignored the warnings and injected a massive dose of wolfsbane extract straight into my mother Iris's body. My mother fell into a deep coma after her wolf was killed. My brother Ethan, enraged at the Moonlight Gathering, demanded a Trial by Blood from Vivienne, demanding her life. But Cain had Ethan imprisoned in the Silver Prison before the gathering. I was trembling with rage, wanting to tell everyone the truth at the gathering. But Cain stopped me. “When you go up on stage, tell everyone that what happened to your mother was an accident.” I froze, tears streaming down my face. I was his mate, after all. A flicker of guilt crossed Cain's eyes as he gently wiped away my tears. “Don't cry, baby,” his voice was low and gentle. “Vivian and I grew up together. She saved my life when we were little. She's a good person. She would never intentionally use Wolfsbane to harm your mother. It was an accident.” “You just need to admit it wasn't Vivian's fault,” Cain said, “and I'll get the best healers to treat your mother.” He paused. “Ethan will be released immediately too.” I closed my eyes. “Okay…” Since Vivienne was so important to you, then I would grant your wish. I turned and staged my death, leaving with my mother and brother. But the powerful Alpha broke down, searching the world for me and begging me to come back.

What happens when the past comes back to haunt you... but prettier? --- Eleven years ago, Anastasia Hayes ran from Pack Eviscera with blood on her hands and guilt burning in her throat, swearing she'd bury the past beneath ambition and cold distance. Now a rising lawyer with power in her stride and secrets buried underneath a cold exterior, Ana thinks she's untouchable. Until her heat hits, wrong place, worst time, in a hotel room far from home. Desperate and delirious, she does the unthinkable. She marks a Dominant Alpha. A stranger. In a world where Omegas are silenced, sold, and shamed, claiming an Alpha could get her killed or worse… claimed back. But what she doesn't know is: The Alpha isn’t a stranger. He’s the one person she was never meant to touch. The boy she left behind, now a man; and not just any man, but the Bratva’s king. What could possibly go wrong? Right? *** “Tit for tat peaches.” he murmured, dragging his thumb over my bottom lips, “You let me do what I want, where I want it, how I want it, and I'll do what you ask.” My breath hitched, “What are you talking about? You know I can't…” Hermes sighed and began to turn away, “Deals off then.” “Wait!” I grabbed his hand before he could make another step. “Hermes…let's bargain okay…?” He grinned, leaned in so the heat of his breath brushed my ear, “No can't do, Peaches…” his fingers slipped under my waistband. I whimpered. “Now I get to ruin you back.”

[WARNINGMATURED CONTENTS! RATED 18] -----~[[AMELIA]~----- ~AND I KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING ISN'T RIGHT BUT NO ONE ELSE TOUCHES ME LIKE YOU DO~ In the small, picturesque town of Willowbrook, eighteen-year-old Amelia Thompson finds herself caught in a tempestuous and forbidden romance that could tear apart her friendships and shatter her world. "SIN FOR ME" tells the gripping tale of Amelia's struggle to navigate her burgeoning feelings for her best friend's father, while he becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Amelia has always admired Mr. Daniel Mitchell from afar. As a well-respected businessman and devoted father, he exudes charm, intelligence, and mystery. But when Amelia's feelings for him evolve from innocent infatuation to something deeper and more complex, she is consumed by guilt and conflicted emotions. Determined to suppress her forbidden desires, she resolves to distance herself from him and protect her best friend, Lily, from the truth. However, Mr. Mitchell isn't willing to let Amelia go. As the lines blur between love and obsession, he becomes relentless in his pursuit, determined to make Amelia his own. His dangerous infatuation threatens to unravel Amelia's carefully constructed world, and she finds herself torn between her loyalty to Lily, her desires, and the potential consequences of their illicit romance. As the story unfolds, Amelia is faced with difficult choices, heart-wrenching betrayals, and an undeniable attraction that she cannot ignore. She grapples with her moral compass, societal expectations, and the taboo nature of their relationship, all while desperately trying to protect the people she loves. "SIN FOR ME" is a gripping tale of forbidden love, exploring themes of desire, loyalty, and the consequences of succumbing to our deepest passions. Will Amelia find the strength to resist the allure of an illicit romance, or will she succumb to the intoxicating power of forbidden love?

"Why are you sorry right now? what do you want to prove? I asked him grabbing his collar. After torturing me beyond the level you are calling those things love!! Listen Mr Raghabhan, you are a sadistic psycho who found pleasure in my agony. So, don't call those things love. I won't forgive you ever. Just get lost from here. I don't even want to see your disgusting face," I said all this looking directly into his eyes. He tried to say something but I cut his sentence in the middle and again snapped," Remember one thing, I will never forgive you. I will be a shame in the name of woman if I forgive my rapist." Hearing me he was silent for a few moments and kneeled in front of me. I can see regret in his both eyes. He said joining his hand," Just forgive me for once". Seeing him I didn't even feel pity for him. I said anger dripping from my voice," If you ever considered me as a human than leave me in my condition and never come back." . . . Arunima is a single mother who is leading her life with her twin children. The nightmares from her past always bother her making her condition worse. On the other hand, Anirudh is leading his life with guilt for committing sins that he has committed in the past. Join Arunima and Anirudh's journey of vengeance, love, regret and be a part of their journey. Warning- Trigger warning scene ahead. Kindly read at your own risk. Underage readers aren't allowed to read it. English isn't my first language so forgive me for grammatical errors.