Hope Bagel

Saat usia kehamilanku sembilan bulan, aku sudah ada di penghujung masa kehamilan, tubuhku terasa berat dengan bayi yang bisa lahir kapan saja. Tapi suamiku, Alexander Santoso, wakil kepala keluarga, justru mengurungku. Dia menahanku di sebuah ruang medis bawah tanah yang dingin dan steril, lalu menyuntikkan obat penahan kontraksi. Saat aku berteriak kesakitan, dia menatapku dengan dingin dan berkata aku harus menahannya. Karena pada saat yang sama, istri almarhum kakaknya, Elisa juga diperkirakan akan melahirkan. Sebuah sumpah darah yang pernah dia buat dengan mendiang kakaknya menyatakan bahwa anak laki-laki sulung akan mewarisi wilayah keluarga di Teluk Barat Jaya yang begitu menguntungkan. "Warisan itu milik anak Elisa," katanya. "Davin sudah tiada, dia benar-benar sendirian dan tak punya apa-apa. Seluruh cintaku tetap untukmu, Alana. Aku hanya butuh dia melahirkan dengan selamat. Setelah itu, barulah giliranmu." Obat itu membuat tubuhku terus-menerus tersiksa. Aku memohon padanya untuk membawaku ke rumah sakit. Dia justru mencekik leherku, memaksaku menatap mata dinginnya. "Berhenti berpura-pura! Aku tahu kau baik-baik saja. Kau cuma berusaha merebut warisan itu." "Untuk mendahului Elisa, kau rela melakukan apa saja." Wajahku pucat, tubuhku bergetar hebat. Dengan sisa tenaga, aku berbisik lirih, "Bayinya akan lahir... aku tidak peduli soal warisan. Aku hanya mencintaimu, dan aku ingin anak kita lahir dengan selamat!" Dia mencibir. "Kalau kau memang sesuci itu, kalau kau benar mencintaiku, kau tak akan pernah memaksa Elisa menandatangani perjanjian pranikah yang membuat anaknya kehilangan hak warisan." "Jangan khawatir, aku akan kembali padamu setelah dia melahirkan. Bagaimanapun, kau mengandung darah dagingku." Sepanjang malam, dia berjaga di depan ruang bersalin Elisa. Baru setelah melihat bayi itu di pelukan Elisa, dia teringat padaku. Dia akhirnya menyuruh tangan kanannya, Raka untuk membebaskanku. Tapi ketika Raka menelepon, suaranya gemetar. "Bos... nyonya dan bayinya... mereka sudah tidak ada." Di saat itu juga, Alexander hancur.

Le jour où j'ai décidé de donner mon corps à la science, ma famille s'est rassemblée autour de ma sœur adoptive, Chloé, pour fêter son admission dans un programme expérimental de pointe. Celle qui était censée avoir un cancer du cerveau, c'était moi. Mais Chloé avait profité de la position de mon mari, Zane, à l'hôpital pour échanger ses dossiers médicaux sains contre mon diagnostic en phase terminale. Elle m'a volé ainsi la seule chance que j'avais de survivre. Et le pire ? Tout le monde l'a applaudie. La douleur est devenue insupportable. J'ai lutté pour rester présente, jusqu'au moment où j'ai surpris les infirmières chuchotant : « Heureusement que le docteur Zane a obtenu cette place pour Chloé. Ils disaient qu'il ne lui restait que trois jours à vivre. » Alors, pendant les soixante-douze dernières heures de ma vie, j'ai tout lâché, en silence. Quand j'ai remis à Chloé les manuscrits originaux de mes romans, dans lesquels j'avais mis toute mon âme, mon père et mon frère m'ont adressé un sourire satisfait. Quand Zane a décidé d'exaucer le vœu soi-disant ultime de Chloé en l'épousant, il m'a tendu les papiers du divorce. J'ai signé sans la moindre hésitation. Il a soupiré et m'a félicitée d'être enfin raisonnable. Et quand c'est moi qui ai poussé notre fille, Olivia, à appeler Chloé « maman », Olivia s'est exclamée que sa nouvelle maman était la meilleure. « Ne t'inquiète pas, » m'a rassurée Zane. « C'est juste pour la protéger pour l'instant. Une fois qu'elle sera partie, tout reviendra vers toi. » J'ai tout donné à Chloé, exactement comme ils le voulaient. Alors pourquoi, quand ils ont découvert que tout cela n'était qu'un mensonge abject inventé par Chloé, sont-ils venus pleurer pour ça, en disant que c'est moi qu'ils avaient toujours voulu ?

Cara was never in the popular groups at school, keeping herself away from everyone apart from the school bullies. Years later, a random encounter with a handsome stranger leaves Cara Jones in a whirlwind of emotions. Archer is part of an elite tactical team in the armed forces. When his boss's daughter goes missing, his team is tasked with retrieving the asset. But it's not as easy as he thought. But what happens when your bully turns out to be something else; something more?

"Up until now, my life made sense. Up until now, I had been sheltered away from a world where murder was acceptable and debts were payment. Now, I was exposed to that world, and the lies, secrets and favours were my new currency. The rules were easy to follow and even easier to manipulate. But the last thing I expected was to be thrown in the deep end, fighting for everything I loved." Emiliana was moving on from what she lost, her safety, security, and the love. But what happens when her bodyguard comes back and shows her that the life her family had protected her from, is the life she fits into?

"All I've ever wanted to do was travel the world, experience new cultures and find myself amongst the museums and tourist spots. Unfortunately, my father has other plans for me. Being the only heir to take over the family business, I have no choice in the matter." From Italy to New York, the fashion scene is vast but her heart longs for more and when a green eyed stranger is forced into her life, her perspective soon changes. From family secrets, hidden histories and car chases, Emiliana uncovers much more than she bargained for. Her bodyguard is her only salvation but is he harboring secrets of his own?

“This place is huge. Don't you ever get lonely?" “I do,” he grinned. “That's why I can't wait for you to marry me and move in.” I laughed, shaking my head. "You're crazy.” “Crazy about you and I don't even know why.” *** She wants a green card. He wants revenge. But it seems they'll get more than they bargained for.

Stella means, "The star of the whole world." Cassiopeia Stella has everything she wants. Money, beauty, fame, and intelligence. She's the brightest star of her family, she's the lucky charm of her family. Everyone wants her, everyone admired her personality, everyone loves her. Everyone wants to be her. But there's one thing that everyone doesn't know. She's the secret of the billionaire. She's the billionaire's secret.

WARNING: SOME OF THE SCENES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES. 'ANG ganda mo," kusang tumaas ang ulo ko ng marinig ko 'yon kay Lucas Nixon. Titig na titig ito sa akin at kitang-kita ko doon ang saya at admirasyon sa mga mata niya dahilan para sumikdo ang puso ko sa kaba. Para akong hinahabol dahil sa bilis ng tibok nito. Naramdaman ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko at pilit ko man itago ay huli na dahil nakita niya na ito at mas lalo pa akong inasar. "I will never stop admiring you, Lilie."

When there is death, there is revival. But dear Eva was revived by a demon named Adam, claiming that her soul is his' alone. Despite of the oddity, there is something about this roguish demon who just came into her life--- the familiarity... Yes... the feeling of knowing him for a very long time after seeing him just this once. What might it be?

This book can be read as a standalone novel. But I suggest first reading The Alphas Witch to understand the nuances and characters described within. This book follows the 3rd generation of magic, Alpha William Harris, as he begins his journey walking in his father's footsteps as the Alpha of the New Moon Rising pack and CEO of Harris Enterprises. Along the way, he will discover his powers, his Luna, and the price of having both. Can William conquer all the obstacles he will need to if he is going to have the life he so desperately wants with his runaway Luna? Can he control the powers he was born with? Let's find out!