Ildefonso Santos

A primeira vez que meu amigo de infância, Natan Santos, despertou como lobisomem, nossos amigos me chamaram para ajudá-lo a passar pelo cio. Mas Natan apenas balançou a cabeça. — Eu realmente não quero que ela consiga isso tão facilmente. O amor dos lobisomens é leal acima de tudo, e a primeira pessoa que eu marcar se torna minha companheira para a vida inteira. Quando a Isabela aparecer, eu não vou ceder, nem se ela implorar para me ajudar. Ele esperou e esperou, mas eu nunca apareci. Natan não sabia que o segurança do irmão dele, Luan, já havia lotado meu celular de mensagens. — Srta. Isabela, o Sr. Teodoro já a reivindicou como companheira. Por favor, pode vir e dar um beijo nele? Acontece que eu havia caído enquanto esquiava e morrido cinco anos antes. O irmão dele, Teodoro, me marcou e me deu metade da própria vida, me puxando de volta das garras da morte. Naquela noite, envolvi meus braços ao redor do pescoço de Teodoro e o provoquei: — Teo, para de se segurar. Me conta… há quantos anos você está secretamente apaixonado por mim?

Iya Santos is a 21 years old teacher, who lives her life to the fullest. She grew up with a drunkard father and with her loving grandmother, whom sooner was taken away from her because of death. She was given lots of fortune due her grandmother's death, and because of that at young age she independently manages all the money that she has. She treasures her friends and treated them like family. She never begs for a man’s love, for she believes that love should be given freely and to be begged. A problem occurs, when she met her mother whom she thought already died after she gave birth to her. Feeling lied to and betrayed, she ones again closes her heart to everyone, thinking that she can no longer trust the people around her.Life goes on for her as she realizes that the only way to heal a broken heart is through forgiving. 5 years had pass, her mother called her and wanting to meet her, not because she wants to say sorry for what she had done but because she has a stage 3 cancer and asking her a favor to take care of her child, as she met her mother and her child, her mother had a heart attack and needed to be rush in the hospital. She was left with no choice but to take care of her step brother, whom soon after got attached to her. And when her mother died she took care of him. It was like taking care of her own child, Jom helped her to take care of her step brother. Soon after, Jom and Iya got engaged and soon got marriede.That is when Iya finally realizes the true meaning of life.

A young girl is married off to an Alpha by her parents against her will. She is forced to leave her old life behind and move in with the Alpha, who is known for his power and control within the pack. Despite her initial resistance, she eventually comes to accept her new life alongside Alpha Aiden. However, she soon realizes that the Alpha is a cruel and abusive man who uses his position to control her every move. Aiden wanted the title and in order to receive it he had to take a wife. As Grabiela is about to enter his life, Aiden decides to make it fun and turn it into a game, with her as the main pond, between him and his friends. When the abuse and lies weigh too heavy she realizes that she has to leave but will he let her go? Or will he tighten his grip and lock the doors? ”I’m guessing the meeting wasn't to talk about the food arrangements for when you take over the pack?” ”They’ve arranged for me to marry Gabriella Santos from the Trimoon pack,” ”So what, when have you ever backed down from a challenge?” ”How is tying my life to another in marriage, a challenge?” ”The challenge is to make her submit to you.” ”We’ll make it more interesting-” ”- I bet you won't be able to get it done before the end of the year,” ”I’ll have her submitting to me by the end of the month,” ”Not just submit. You have to have her wrapped around your finger, hopelessly in love with you by the end of the year,” ”Ten grand to whoever wins,” ***Explicit sexual abuse, violence, and otherwise TW scenes later in the book. Will warn in Author Notes***

“I know you want me.” Damien said in a deep hoarse voice. I turned to look at him. “I can never want a ruthless man like you.” “Your eyes are telling a different story Alison.” Damien said, taking a step forward. I took a step backward but Damien had stopped me, his hands traveling across my dress. My breathe hitched in my throat as his hands paused. “Your body is saying a different story.” Damien leaned closer. “You can’t resist me Alison.” “I—“ my voice cracked. At that moment I realized he was right. I wanted Damien Santos. Right now. In his room. *** Alison had it all—wealth, love, and a perfect life—until her conniving stepsister, Mabel, destroyed everything. Framed for infidelity,Alison’s husband throws her out of the house, leaving her penniless and homeless. Just when she hits rock bottom, Alison crosses paths with Damien Santos—a cold and ruthless mafia boss who rules the highlands. Unaware of who he truly is, Alison’s brief exchange with him takes an unexpected turn, placing her under his dark, protective shadow. What starts as a chance encounter quickly spirals into a web of secrets and lies. As Alison uncovers the truth about Damien’s identity, she realizes their meeting wasn’t accidental. Dark revelations from her past resurface, tying her fate to his in ways she never imagined. Can Alison reclaim her life, or will she lose herself in the dangerous world Damien has pulled her into?

Ang wasak na puso ni Astrid ang nagtulak sa kaniya sa bar at uminom hanggang sa malasing dahil nahuli niya ang kaniyang boyfriend na nakikipagtalik sa iba. Sa sobrang kalasingan hindi namalayan ni Astrid ang mga nangyari at nagising na lang siya katabi ang estrangherong lalaki. Si Thor Santos ay isang Bilyonaryong arogante na biktima ng droga at ginamit ang magandang babae upang maibsan ang init na nararamdaman. Nagising ang binata na wala na ang dalaga sa tabi niya. Naalala pa niya ang mga nangyari kagabi ngunit hindi na niya matandaan ang mukha ng dalaga. Nalaman din ng binata na siya ang nakauna sa dalaga kaya naman pinahanap niya ito. Paglipas ng limang taon, nangailangan ng pera si Astrid kaya naman kahit walang pinag-aralan ay sumabak pa rin siya sa malaking kompanya upang magtrabaho. Samantala, si Thor naman ay tinakot ng mga magulang na kailangan niyang pakasalan si Sofia o kailangan niyang maikasal upang mabigyan sila ng apo, kung hindi siya pumayag ay tatanggalin siya sa kompanya. Hindi papayag si Thor na mawala sa kaniya ang kompanya kaya naman ng makita niya ang babae na desperada na makapagtrabaho sa kompanya. Kaya binigyan niya ito ng kasunduan kapalit ang malaking pera na alam niyang hindi matatanggihan ng dalaga, ang kontrata ng pagpapakasal.

Hace cinco años, Lucía Santos sufrió una ruptura uterina al lanzarse para salvar a Julián Lago, quien estuvo a punto de ser atropellado por un coche. Desde entonces, le dijeron que sería muy difícil que pudiera quedar embarazada. Pero Julián no la rechazó. Al contrario, insistió en casarse con ella. Después del matrimonio, Julián prácticamente le entregó todo su amor. No fue sino hasta que sus rivales en los negocios hicieron público un escándalo en redes sociales que Lucía descubrió la verdad: Julián tenía otra mujer afuera, y esa mujer ya llevaba más de tres meses de embarazo. Esa noche, Julián se arrodilló frente a Lucía, suplicándole perdón. —Lucy, créeme. Voy a encargarme de todo. No dejaré que tenga ese bebé... Lucía lo perdonó. El día de su quinto aniversario de bodas, fue al hotel que Julián había reservado. Pero lo que vio allí la dejó sin aliento. En el salón de al lado, Julián, junto con su familia y amigos, estaba celebrando el cumpleaños de su amante embarazada. Todos estaban sentados a su alrededor, sonriendo, compartiendo una felicidad que Lucía jamás había visto. En ese instante, supo que era hora de marcharse.

Dos semanas antes de la boda, Nelson decidió posponerla una vez más. —Ivana inaugura su primera exposición de arte ese día —me dijo—. Estará sola y nerviosa. Tengo que estar ahí para apoyarla. Al final, tú y yo ya estamos juntos, ¿qué más da casarnos un día antes o después? Pero ya era la tercera vez que aplazaba nuestra boda por aquella mujer. La primera, Ivana acababa de operarse y sentía nostalgia de la comida de su tierra, por lo que Nelson no dudó en viajar al extranjero y quedarse con ella durante dos meses. La segunda, Ivana decidió irse al bosque en busca de inspiración para pintar y él, preocupado por su seguridad, fue tras ella. Esta era la tercera. Colgué la llamada y miré a César, mi amigo de toda la vida, quien se encontraba sentado frente a mí, relajado, jugando con su bastón de esmeralda, cuyo golpeteo en el piso de mármol rompía el silencio entre nosotros. —¿Todavía necesitas esposa? —le pregunté, sonriendo con picardía. El día de mi boda, Ivana sonreía radiante, copa en mano, esperando el brindis del hombre a su lado. Pero él, con los ojos rojos, observaba en silencio la transmisión en vivo de la boda del heredero del Grupo Santos, el imperio inmobiliario más grande del país.

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.

Sa taong 2030, sa lungsod ng Maynila, magtatagpo ang dalawang taong galing sa magkaibang mundo. Elaine Santos—isang simpleng babae mula sa isang maralitang pamilya, determinadong gawin ang lahat para mailigtas ang kanyang kapatid na may malubhang karamdaman. Nang mawalan ng pag-asa at pagkakakitaan, mapipilitan siyang tanggapin ang isang alok na magbabago sa kanyang kapalaran. Aidan Velasquez—isang batang negosyante at bilyonaryong kilala sa kanyang lamig, determinasyon, at pusong sarado sa pagmamahal. Sa mata ng publiko, siya ay perpekto. Ngunit sa loob, siya'y wasak—binuo ng pagkabigo, at nilason ng isang nakaraang hindi niya matahimik. Ang kanilang landas ay magtatagpo sa pamamagitan ng isang kasunduan—isang isang-taong kasal kapalit ng tulong pinansyal para sa kapatid ni Elaine. Sa simula, malinaw ang mga hangganan: walang damdamin, walang komplikasyon, isang kontrata lang. Pero sa bawat araw ng pagiging "asawa" ni Aidan, mararamdaman ni Elaine ang paglamlam ng kanyang mga pader. Unti-unti, binubuksan niya ang pintuan ng kanyang puso—hindi lang kay Aidan kundi sa lahat ng taong nakapaligid dito. At si Aidan, sa kabila ng kanyang malamig na maskara, ay masusubok harapin ang katotohanan ng kanyang nakaraan—lalung-lalo na ang sakit na iniwan ni Selene Navarro, ang babaeng minsan niyang minahal. Habang tumatagal, mas lumalalim ang komplikasyon. Lilitaw ang mga lihim. Mabubunyag ang mga sugat. At masusubok ang tibay ng damdamin sa gitna ng mga kasinungalingan, takot, at responsibilidad. Sa huli, ang tanong: Ang pag-ibig ba ay kailangang ikontrata—o ito'y malayang nararamdaman sa tamang panahon?

Prologue Hawak ang maliit na bag, nakatayo si Althea Santos, 20, sa harap ng marangyang tahanan ng pamilya Velasco. Para bang ibang mundo ang kaharap niya—malayo sa simpleng buhay sa probinsya. Kailangan niya ang trabahong ito, at ang pagiging kasambahay ng isang kilalang doktor ang tanging daan upang makatulong sa pamilya. Pagpasok niya sa sala, sinalubong siya ng bango ng mamahaling pabango at kinang ng chandelier. Ang bawat sulok ay parang larawan mula sa magasin, at halos hindi siya makapaniwala na dito siya maninirahan. “Ah, ikaw pala si Althea,” isang malalim na tinig ang umalingawngaw. Lumingon siya at napatigil. Isang matangkad, gwapo, at matipunong lalaki ang naroon—may malamig na tingin ngunit hindi maitatangging kaakit-akit. Si Dr. Adrian Velasco, 25, amo niya at isang respetadong doktor. “Y-yes, Sir,” sagot niya, pilit pinapakalma ang nanginginig na tinig. Ramdam niya ang mabilis na tibok ng puso, hindi lamang dahil sa kaba kundi sa paraan ng pagtitig ni Adrian—parang binabasa ang kanyang buong pagkatao. Lumapit ito, mabagal at tiyak ang bawat hakbang. “Welcome sa Velasco residence. Sana makapag-adjust ka nang mabuti.” Kasabay ng banayad na babala ang isang maliit na ngiti na nag-iwan ng init sa dibdib ni Althea. Sa sandaling iyon, naramdaman niya ang tensyon—isang halong respeto, kaba, at hindi maikakailang kilig. Alam niyang hindi magiging ordinaryo ang mga susunod na araw. Sa ilalim ng bubong na ito, magsisimula ang kwento ng damdamin na susubok sa kanya—mga lihim, selos, kilig, at sakit na magbabago sa kanyang puso magpakailanman. ---