In Dubious Battle John Steinbeck

"You take me for a fool?” He yelled, gripping my arms tightly, his fingers making sure to leave marks. “I would never lie about something of utmost importance, Diego”, I tried to convince him while earnestly trying to save myself from his strong grip. “No one dares to look me in the face and lie.” He said while gripping my arms more strongly than ever. “Yet, you stand here, lying to my face. You want to use me against my father as your revenge, isn't that right Adriana?” With that, he let go of my arms, shoving me aside angrily—whilst I hit my head against a door frame. _______________ A strong-willed yet vulnerable young lady from a mafia family finds herself stuck in a marriage with a rival heir arranged by both families as a means to stop bloodshed among them. Her husband, being the mafia heir, is a stern person who is feared by members of the syndicate. He hates negotiating and solves his problems on his own. But, when he falls in love with the daughter of the rival family, will it complicate his plans? What will happen when circumstances force them to choose between love and loyalty to their families? How will it affect their lives? A tale where love and vengeance intertwine and the hearts of two individuals are tested against the ultimate betrayal.

It was New Year's Eve. We were streaming live when my brother called. I spoke first, "I wish you peace and a happy, long life." He gave a cold laugh. "Yeah, well, I don't want you to have any of that. I hope you spend the rest of your life in misery." I'd cut him off the year he was flat broke. Now that he was successful, this was the first thing he did—get back at me. I kept my tone calm. "I wish you peace and a happy, long life." He sounded annoyed. "Cut it out. There's no way I'm wishing you well. If I have to say something, then I hope you stay miserable forever." The host hesitated, then chimed in, "Ben, that was just a recording of Hailey's message. And yes, when she left… she was in a lot of pain and quite miserable, just like you hoped for."

In order to save his crush, Zach Clark bought a dismembered female torso from the black market. He personally removed the kidney from the torso for his crush’s kidney transplant. To prevent the police from chasing him down, he threw the torso into sulphuric acid to destroy the evidence. But he did not know that the torso belonged to me.

Chuck's beloved ex, Ella, got divorced and showed up with her two-year-old daughter. Without asking me, he let Ella and her kid move into our home. Then Ella posted a photo of Chuck holding the child, captioned: [My husband cheated, so I filed for divorce, gave my baby a new dad, and found myself a new husband.] The comments were full of praise: [Real-life boss woman drama!] I had to laugh—so being a homewrecker is what counts as a strong woman now? Chuck didn't see a problem. He even told the child to call me "Momma." "Ella's husband cheated on her. She's raising a kid alone. As a woman, can't you have a little empathy? I'm just helping her out." Well, I had no empathy to give—not for the mistress, and definitely not for the scumbag.

My husband, Alex Carter, is a top AI engineer. He one day gets drugged by a new intern at his company, and one night of chaos follows. He calls me the next morning, his voice hoarse from a hangover and filled with unfamiliar panic. "Em, I messed up. But don't worry. I gave her enough money to disappear from this city." After ten years together, I believe it is just a momentary lapse in judgment. Six months later, Alex's company suffers the worst cyber attack in its history, with core data hanging by a thread. I rush back from a fragrance exhibition in Astral, only to witness a scene at the data center entrance that sends me into shock. Alex stands outside the tightly sealed door, his face showing a weariness and guilt I have never seen before. The doctor says that the intern, Brooke Anderson, is three months pregnant and has spent 72 hours with him in the high-radiation server room. Now, she shows signs of miscarriage. Later, Brooke gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The entire Carter family is ecstatic. I remove the wedding ring that has accompanied me for ten years, my fingertips turning ice cold. I dial the number saved with only one letter "S" and say, "Mr. Sullivan, I accept the collaboration you proposed last time." A low, soft laugh comes from the other end of the line. "Ms. Emma Shaw, that's a wise decision."

Krystabel Andez has a childhood that dealt with her in all ways possible. With a hardned heart and a workaholic attitude she promises not to fall in love. But there's always that guy that erupts butterflies. Etienné St Clair Laurent is her love interest, problem is, he has a girlfriend yet sparks are flying. She has to do the right thing. She either fights or flights.

“I’ve made up my mind, I’m going to leave the Emersons and move overseas to live with you.” Cecil Miller’s aunt, Dianne Miller, was thrilled to hear this. She then thoughtfully advised Cecil. “Alright, Cecil, I'll help you with the immigration right away. It will take about a month so you should use this time to get together with your friends since it’s not very likely you’ll see them again once you come to Vinland. Make sure you say your goodbyes. “Don’t forget Cleo especially. He raised you since you were a kid, so you should thank him for everything he’s done for you.” Cecil gave Dianne her word. After hanging up, she left the balcony. As she was heading to the living room, she caught herself sneaking a glance at the picture set on the table.

Kilalanin si Maria Gabriella “Gabby” Villa isang artista na namamayagpag sa kanyang karera. Sa kabila ng kanyang ngiti, nakakubli roon ang kalungkutan na hindi niya hahayaang makita ng iba. Ngunit paano niya ipagpapatuloy ang pagpapanggap na masaya kung madali iyong nasisilip kanyang mga mata? Nakasentro ang atensyon ni Conrad Javier Jinx sa kanyang pamilya at araw-araw na training sa MMA. Marami siyang pangarap na gustong matupad para sa kanila. Sa pagdating ni Gabby sa kanyang sa kanyang buhay, handa niya bang ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pangarap o kalilimutan ito para sa dalaga? Nang dahil sa isang aksidente, itinadhana na pagsamahin sila sa isang lugar sa loob ng ilang buwan. Makakaya pa ba nilang ignorahin ang nararamdaman ngayong nakita nila ang kasiyahan sa bisig ng isa't isa?

Azuriette, an easy-going Grade 12 student belongs to one of the smartest students among their batch, and has been dominating the achievers' list for years, thanks to her keen way of thinking. Everyone acknowledges her, not until her jerky mortal enemy, Treyton, comes back to put an end to her reign. That's how most of the students see Azuriette and Treyton inside the four walls of the academy - rivals. Little did they know, a love story between the toughest of enemies is about to be unraveled. Book Cover Vector to the rightful owner.

#contract marriage #royal prince #forced marriage #playboy love # one-night stand #CEO Romance "Don't you think you're responsible after stealing my first kiss?" he asked mockingly. "It's just a kiss, not virginity moreover you're a boy, why do you care that much for a kiss?" she replied with a shiver. "So you're planning to steal my virginity too?" he asked with a smirk. "No.. no" she replied with a stammering tone. "Then take the responsibility" he said with a straight face. "I hate you you're an emotionless bastard" she screamed while crying. She is hope while he is despair, with two drastically distinct backgrounds and personalities they become one and produce a vivid illustration He is a man of every girl's dream, he is a man of every man's inspiration A perfect role model to a country, whom the country respects he is a royal prince and CEO of a most popular MNC. No one knows his dark side, but the one who know his dark side is a little girl. She loved him from first sight for years, he loved her from first kiss the guy who never let any girl to approach him finally made a girl to stay in his side with force. She is the light in his dark world will she become light in his dark world? or will she also disappear in his dark world? The girl who loved him started disliking for his evil side now it's his turn to lock her with him will she ever know his true side behind his evil side. The marriage with a contract, the life with a lock of hate. She is the one for him, he is one she hate a love story of responsibility and motive destiny's games. NOTE: mature content, violence, drugs etc