If A Tree Falls

A tremor ran through Araceli as his gaze caught hers. His touch, unexpectedly gentle, sent shivers down her spine. His words, a husky whisper, "I see the longing in your eyes, Angel," hung heavy in the air. ***** The irony wasn't lost on her. Araceli, who craved nothing more than a family's warmth, found herself entangled with a man who, despite his wealth and power, seemed to yearn for the very same thing. He was Zayn, CEO to a vast fortune, yet trapped in a gilded cage of a loveless marriage with a wife who has her eyes on another man. Fate, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor, bringing them together at this crossroads in their lives. Both teetering on the edge, they fought the undeniable pull, the storm of emotions threatening to consume them

Amber Celeste Starling offered herself payment to her father's debt. Her sister Victoria was supposed to be payment enough, but seeing her sister's bright future, Amber simply cannot let her sister suffer. Thus, she offered herself. A 'Word of Honor', a promise that one day, one of Alpha George's daughter will be Kevin Black Eclipse's property. Another female to bear his child. But what if Cena Black, Kevin's mother said otherwise and had a beta claim her instead? Marking her as the pack's bitch. Will Amber accept her fate? And simply accept all the punishment she doesn't deserve? Or would she fight back a destiny that isn't hers to begin with.

Amelia Nightshade has spent her entire life surviving. Orphaned at a young age and raised by a cruel uncle who treated her like nothing more than a burden, she learned early that the world shows mercy to no one. Working quietly in a small bookstore with her only friend, Iris, Amelia believed she had already endured the worst life had to offer. Until the night she discovers the truth. Her uncle has sold her. As payment for a dangerous debt, Amelia is delivered to Lucien Cross—a cold, ruthless mafia boss and one of the most feared business tycoons in the country. A man whispered about in dark corners. A man whose enemies rarely live long enough to regret crossing him. But Amelia refuses to be another victim. Instead, she offers Lucien a bargain. A contract marriage. Eight months. A temporary wife in exchange for the complete repayment of the debt that binds her to him. Lucien agrees, intrigued by the quiet strength behind Amelia’s fearless eyes. What begins as a ruthless deal soon turns into something far more dangerous. Because Lucien is a man haunted by a tragedy from his past—the brutal night his parents were murdered and his little sister vanished without a trace. And Amelia is unknowingly tied to the very people responsible for that night. As secrets unravel and emotions grow stronger, Amelia and Lucien must face a truth neither of them is ready for. The woman he is beginning to love may be connected to the greatest tragedy of his life.

On our tenth wedding anniversary, I made a special trip to the salon to have my hair done. While settling the bill, I noticed an extra charge on my account. It was a coloring and perm package. Judging by the price, it was a package meant for waist-length hair. Mine had been cropped short for seven or eight years. I called my husband, Jason Moore. "Have you used my salon membership card recently?" There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before he laughed lightly, "Oh, I lent it to Quincy a few days ago." Quincy Hahn was his business partner, a fine arts student with long hair. She treasured her natural curls more than anything. She would never be willing to dye or perm it. More importantly, her elder sister was a major shareholder of this salon. Why would she ever need to use my card? I said nothing more and ended the call. Then, I headed straight to a location displayed on my phone. In the cafe, a long-haired lady was nestled in Jason's arms. Her freshly permed curls were soft and bouncy, framing her blushed face with certain demureness. Jason had always complained that my short hair made me look rough and manly. I lacked gentleness and charm. It seemed this long-haired lady suited his tastes perfectly.

Emilia Rossini, a stunning 22-year-old, is kidnapped by the ruthless Mafia don, Marco "The King" De Luca, as leverage to ensure her father's cooperation in a high-stakes business deal As Emilia is held captive in Marco's lavish estate, she finds herself drawn to his charismatic and calculating nature. Despite the danger, she begins to see beyond Marco's ruthless exterior and glimpses a complex, vulnerable man. Marco, too, is captivated by Emilia's spirit and determination. As their relationship evolves, he starts to question his own morality and the legacy of his family's Mafia empire.

Tristan was just after his parent’s happiness, that was why he took Contract Marriage as the only option, not until he found Adrianna. Unfortunately is the contracted love contracted? Would a loveless marriage turn to one filled with love? Find out!

My girlfriend and I were reborn, returning to the cramped basement apartment we rented right after graduation. We silently walked out the door together, neither of us mentioning staying together. She went abroad with her childhood sweetheart to further her studies while I stayed behind, grinding away at my company. Seven years later, she became a rising young designer with a bright future and a happy family. I was still grinding away at the same company. When we met again, she clung to her childhood sweetheart's arm, looking down at my slightly disheveled state with a mocking smile. "Long time no see. How did you end up looking like a beggar?" I ignored her. However, later, when the powerful, world-renowned CEO of a top design firm clung to my arm, acting sweetly, her face twisted with panic. "Alex Prescott! How can you be so close with another woman?!"

I tried closing my eyes while he's having his way with me. He instantly wraps a hand around my neck causing my eyes to fly open. "Don't close those eyes. I want them boring into mine as you please me. You are mine and as such you don't need to find anybody else" Gemma Russo, finds out about the loan contract her father made before he died and starts working her ass off to pay back the money after she's being pestered by the unknown lender and receiving a series of threats. Her little waitress salary was not enough to pay off the loan and feed herself. So she pays heed to her best friend's advice of being a stripper for one night. That night changes Gemma's life as she gets mixed up with one of the deadly mafia bosses and a dangerous drug syndicate and she gets accused of murdering one of Antonio Romano (Boss) men. Antonio Romano is the cold, horrible, ruthless leader of a mafia gang and a dangerous drug syndicate. When he learns about the death of one of his subordinates and he finds out that the suspect is the daughter of the man who made a loan contract with him, he makes her a prisoner in his house and forces her to be his sex slave for a hundred days. To be Antonio's sex slave came with so many difficult conditions which Gemma is never to break as each condition attracts a punishment, but she ends up breaking them all. Now, what are the conditions?

Aireen Cassandra Montes is the only daughter at tagapagmana ng isa sa pinakamalaking shipping line sa buong mundo,the Montes International Shipping Line Private Limited or mas kilala sa tawag na MISL Limited... Tulad ng nakagawian ng mga mayayamang magulang sa kanilang mga anak,isa din siya sa ipinagkasundo ng kaniyang ama na ipakasal sa anak ng kasosyo nito na ni pangalan ay hindi niya alam.. Galit at poot ang nararamdaman niya sa kaniyang ama sa pagmamanipula sa buhay niya kung kaya isang plano ang nabuo sa isip niya and that is.....to RUNAWAY..!! Tobias Craig Lewis owned a construction company, a CEO of his own empire, ang hindi alam ng iba na hindi lamang negosyo ang ikinabubuhay nito, anak s'ya ng isang mafia,mayaman,ma impluensya at may mataas na antas sa alta sosyodad. Sanay s'ya na nakukuha ang lahat ng gusto lalo na ang mga babae.Sa kanilang magkakaibigan siya ang naturingang "playboy" dahil sa kabilaan ang mga babae niya,but he doesn't have any girlfriend, dahil sa isang babaeng matagal niya nang kinababaliwan. Their parents arrange their marriage. Ginawa niya ang lahat mapasakamay lamang ito,ngunit kahit ganon pa man mahigpit ang pagtatanggi nito sa kaniya para siya pakasalan. Paano niya makukuha ang loob ng babaeng tinatangi ng kaniyang puso?Matutugunan kaya ang kaniyang pagmamahal dito ?Paano niya ito napilit to marry a mafia like him ?

On the verge of tears, she smiles. Her smile hides a storm. His touch brings the thunder. • "Are you planning to leave me?" He snarled, his voice dripping with fury. His entire demeanor contorted in anger, the chilling blankness replaced by a terrifying rage that made Zynah shudder. Fear flooded her voice, momentarily stealing her voice. Mustering all the courage she could, she forced out a "No." In a split second, Bilal's frown turned into a smile, a predator satisfied with his prey's submission. He reached out, gently framing her face. He leaned in, and for a fleeting moment, she thought he was going to hit her, but instead, she felt his lips on hers. She stilled. Pulling away after a second or so, he spoke; his voice a low, menacing murmur. "Good," he crooned, the possessiveness in his voice sending a fresh wave of tremor through her. "Because no matter how hard you try, you can never get away from me, you will only get yourself in trouble with me, and trust me, you're going to hate yourself for defying me." • He claims to love her, but his affection is a cage. Will this twisted affection set her free...or break her for good? Find out!!