Harsh Synonym

In the dark underbelly of Philadelphia, two opposing crime families—the Morgans and the Rinaldis—have maintained a tenuous peace. However, when a merciless Japanese gang executes the killings of their leaders to instigate turmoil, the equilibrium of power breaks, sending the city into a lethal battle of trickery, treachery, and vengeance. Sierra Morgan, the unacknowledged and overlooked daughter of the Morgan clan, is plunged into a perilous task: wed Dominic Rinaldi, the icy and strategic new Don of Il Condottiero, and deceive him for the sake of her vengeful half-siblings. It’s a task she cannot decline, but as Sierra enters the foe's lair, she realizes that Dominic is not the cold-hearted villain she thought he was. Underneath his harsh facade exists a man marked by grief, allegiance, and hidden truths. As their arranged marriage develops into an unforeseen situation, Sierra feels conflicted between her allegiance to her family and the increasing emotions she harbors for the man she was meant to ruin. But betrayal runs deep on both sides, and when shocking truths emerge—including a secret child, forbidden affairs, and an insidious mole within the Rinaldi clan—Sierra realizes the true enemy may not be who she thought. With bloodshed escalating and time running out, Sierra must make an impossible choice: protect the man she loves or betray him to save herself. Can love survive in a world where loyalty is bought with blood, and betrayal is just another business transaction? A story of forbidden love, power struggles, and shocking twists, this gripping tale will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

"You never had a choice, Cassia. But now, the choice is yours." Cassia’s life was never her own. The daughter of a powerless Omega, she was bound by a cruel fate—married off to Alpha Lucien, a man twice her age and cold with dominance. Her mother’s brutal murder at the hands of her stepmother only deepened her misery, leaving her with no protection in a world ruled by ruthless power. Lucien’s cruel indifference burned at her soul, yet there was something about him, something beneath his harsh exterior that seemed to pull at her. But Cassia would not break. Forced into submission, she found the strength to fight. A mysterious ally within the pack emerged, offering help when all hope seemed lost. Through pain and struggle, she began unlocking powers deep within her—powers that her stepmother’s curse had suppressed for years. Her journey to self-discovery and freedom was just beginning, but it came at a cost. Should she seek revenge on the man who tormented her, or embrace the freedom she so desperately craved? And what of Lucien—could the man who caused her so much pain truly change, or was he beyond redemption? As the stakes grew higher, so did the tension between them. With enemies closing in from all sides, Cassia’s decision could change everything. Her true power was awakening, and with it, a choice that would either break her or set her free. Will she escape the chains of her past? Read now to discover Cassia’s journey toward freedom, love, and a destiny that is hers to claim.

Caterina Marino, the daughter of the great doctor Dante Morano, grew up in La Vendetta, the largest mafia group in Mexico. Following in her father's footsteps, she also became the chosen doctor who was given the task of treating every mafia member injured on the battlefield.   Caterine loved mafia leader Leonardo Bianchi, but her love was unrequited. Leonardo disliked her and was often rude to her. All the attention she gives him is considered very annoying by Leonardo, so he often says harsh words.   Dante advises his daughter to stop bothering Leonardo if she doesn't want her life to be difficult. The love she has been giving is considered a burden and a shame.   Caterine felt hurt, so she decided to leave La Vendetta and go to the city to work in a hospital. Since Caterine left, Leonardo was lonely and missed her terribly and forced her to return. Caterine refused, because she had fallen in love with Gabriel Russo, who was her coworker at the hospital. Which turns out Gabriel is also favored by Rossie, who is the sister of Leonardo's biggest enemy.   Until suddenly Caterine disappeared without a trace. Everyone was very panicked, and finally Leonardo realized that he had fallen in love with Caterine.   “Just kill me; Leonardo won't care. I'm not important to him; my death won't mean anything.”   “It's a pity if you have to die now. Be my pet; I'll let you live until I get bored.”

Ethan Blake and Julian Cross are Hollywood’s favorite rivals—two A-list actors whose off-screen feud is as legendary as their on-screen performances. For years, the media has played up their animosity, feeding into the narrative of two stars who can’t stand each other. And Ethan is fine with that. Julian is arrogant, reckless, and far too good at getting under his skin. But when they are cast as romantic leads in a high-profile LGBTQ+ blockbuster, everything changes. Forced into close proximity, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Heated arguments behind the scenes turn into charged moments neither of them can ignore. A single off-script kiss during filming shatters their carefully constructed walls, sending both their careers—and emotions—into uncharted territory. The media explodes with speculation. Rumors spread like wildfire, and their public feud only adds fuel to the fire. A PR crisis forces them into damage control, but every interview, every staged moment, only makes it harder to deny the truth simmering beneath the surface. As industry backlash looms and personal stakes grow higher, Ethan finds himself at a crossroads. He has spent years playing it safe, hiding behind his carefully curated image. But Julian refuses to be another script he follows. He wants something real. In an industry built on illusion, can two men who were never meant to fall for each other survive the spotlight’s harsh glare? Or will fear and fame tear them apart before they even have a chance? Enemies on screen. Lovers behind the scenes. But can they survive the ultimate Hollywood scandal?

SIS (Social Issue Series) #4: Bullying They say that beauty is a luxury. That good looks is the only privilege that matters. That the world is only in favor of those who were born pretty.Sa panahon nga raw ngayon, parang kasalanan na ang pagiging less attractive. You're unappealing? Emotionally weak? Naive? How pathetic. Now you gotta deal with the consequences, loser. Sounds like bullshit? Yup. The truth may be harsh but it is what it is. Once you failed to reach the very high standards set by the society, you're doomed. Yara Isabelle got the deadliest combination of being unattractive, soft-hearted and innocent. But she used to get by and survive the bullying just fine. Because she got her knight-in-shining armor. Her childhood sweetheart. Not until he stopped saving her. Not until he stopped caring. Not until he got fed up of everything.Sky Edison used to be full of compassion. But that was before something terrible happened within their family. His perception had changed. He now finds it ridiculous that people let themselves get treated badly.However, the downside is that for some significant circumstances, these two have to share a condo as they enter senior high school. What could possibly happen given their situation?How would it feel like living under the same roof not with your bully but your former superhero who's now just a witness of your despair? How would it feel like going home to a place with a person who gets to see you getting bullied everyday at school?

Amalie finds herself trapped in a fate worse than death. As a spirit wolf who cannot shift, her existence is considered a bad omen by her pack. Fated to Easton, the cruel and manipulative future Alpha of the Hallowed Moon pack, her life becomes nothing more than a series of cruel games and harsh punishments. But the arrival of the fearsome Alpha Jericho turns Amalies world upside down. Jericho, a powerful Alpha with a devastating past, harbours secrets that could destroy them both. His sudden interest in Amalie is not coincidental—she holds the key to his vengeance. As hidden truths slowly surface, Amalie must decide if she can trust the enigmatic Alpha who promises freedom from Easton. With each passing day, the stakes grow higher, and Amalie is drawn deeper into a deadly plot that could either set her free or seal her fate forever. ** Jericho growls softly and pushes my panties to the side – just enough to bare the hollow of my groin. Her rubs his nose along the spot where my leg and groin meets, and without any warning sinks his teeth into the soft flesh right below my hip. He gets to his feet and wipes a droplet of blood away with his thumb. He stares at it for a moment, then curl his full lips around his finger while he looks straight at me. He doesn't attempt to hide the bulge in his trousers, acting as if this is the most natural thing in the world. "You have to remember, Amalie," he says gruffly, "that this is not a real bond.” Bewildered, all I can do is stare at him and nod.

Katherine had no place in the Royal Masquerade Ball for she was only a servant of the Domil Pack. However, her friend Sandy snuck her into the palace, allowing her a fleeting taste of the royal ball. Amid the sea of masked werewolves, Katherine found herself swept onto the dance floor, unknowingly caught in the arms of Alpha King Luther Reeds. The bond between them was undeniable, but so was the cold anger in his eyes. Without knowing each other’s true identities, Luther rejected her with a harsh command not to show herself ever again, passing her off to another man with a trail of despise as he let her go. Ending the night with pain and hatred for each of them. Luther despised the mate bond, viewing it as a weakness unfit for a King. His only concern was choosing a partner of high status to bear his heir—love and bonds had no place in his plans. But fate had other ideas. Their paths crossed again, and this time, Luther took her—not as his mate, but only to be a servant in his palace. Katherine lived in misery, sorrow, and despair. She watched her mate betray her, use her, and bed any woman he wanted. She wanted to escape the palace, to leave the Alpha King, but she could not. Driven by the last thread of her sanity, she ended her sorrow—and her life—under the cold, emotionless gaze of the Alpha King. But her death was not yet the end, but the beginning. What fate awaits Katherine who was favored by the goddess who cursed the Alpha King? And what will happen when he learns that she is the key to breaking his curse?

"All because you are incredibly attractive doesn't give you the right to be fucking pompous and arrogant." Red slapped her hand over her mouth but it was too late, the words were out. "You find me attractive Red." He stepped closer to her, real close. His mother and friend still watching them. "I..d..on't." She stammered. Daniel took her chin in his hand and lifted her face, "Don't even think of falling for me or getting attracted." His voice was harsh, "I am not your type and would never look your way." The slap that landed on his face wasn't expected. _______ She was the girl without a surname, a terrible con artist and also the infamous petty thief on New York streets. 21 year old Red decided to find a Job and change to be a better person, the moment she walked through those big wooden doors her life changed drastically plus the bonus of having the perfect boyfriend, Capri lorenzo. He was New York's most eligible bachelor with riches and looks to die for. Daniel Hart was a cold hearted boss who worked endlessly to keep up his perfect image. That Monday morning when she walked into his office looking like a tornado, he hated her. he knew he had to be rid of her before she ruined his life. They hated each other and all it took for their lives to change was one heartbreak, a kiss and a steamy night.

"When a lot of people get caught up in their web of lies, they attract both enemies and friends; and as time goes on, they cannot tell the difference between the two, which leads to the inevitable - betrayals, deceits, a near-death experience, tension, and more lies." When MJ Billings finally shows who she really is, everyone's world is turned upsidedown as they start to question what is real and what is not. The cat is finally out of the bag, and the games have only just begun. It is a bloodbath in this sequel as the billionaires fight to keep their heads above the water. A huge scandal rocks Billings Corporations, forcing MJ to return to England. Upon arrival, her entire life is turned into a turmoil after she witnesses the murder of someone close to her heart. Logan is having trouble coming to terms with how quickly MJ messed up his life, and he turns to the last person he never thought he would need. But soon, it turns out he might have walked straight into a bloodbath as his companion's past starts catching up with her. However, even oceans apart, things start heating up between them as their cold personalities clash, and memories of the past and old feelings are resurfaced. Will their feelings be strong enough to overcome the anger and hate that will come to life once the truth is out? Or was their relationship a Titanic- bound to sink from the beginning? Those who don't have money, think it is the one thing that would solve all their problems. And for those who do, money can buy them everything in the world, except their demons. Who is going to come up stronger as both Logan and MJ are faced with harsh realities?

Camila was born a slave, and for that, she wasn't entitled to a last name. She and her mother, a prisoner of war, served diligently in the house of a Jorvikian General, who took pity on them and gave them a home. Life was relatively smooth until Camila became an unwitting pawn in a plot to ruin the life of Ronan, the first son of the Morosov household. On the morning of Ronan's wedding day, Camila woke up in his bed, clueless about what had transpired. This incident sent their lives spiralling into sorrow and pain. Ronan lost the woman he loved and wanted to marry, while Camila and her mother were branded as enemies and social climbers. Life became unbearable for the young slave, and things worsened when she discovered that the incident had resulted in a pregnancy. Fearing for her child's and her mother's safety in a harsh world, Camila was surprised when the Morosovs showed some humanity. They allowed her to keep the baby on the condition that she would raise the child as a nanny. This option was better than being thrown out on the streets to fend for herself and her baby. Nearly two years later, Ronan returned, having stayed away. When he realised what had happened, he decided to take Camila and his daughter to live with him. Although Camila was to live as his maid and their daughter's nanny, the question remained: would the bond they shared ignite an unknown spark between them? Would Ronan forsake his ambitions and allow himself to fall for a woman he was trained not to love?