Into The Water

He was slipping...slowly and ever so surely, he started letting go of his sanity. Inside the Willow Tree, you will find a man in slumber, and you would wish it had stayed that way.

I'd rather die. That's what Lauresse San Forte words. She was taken to a prison cell and had not eaten for days. She was taken with the other girls as a means of a business, bought with a price in a life she did not know. Ashton Sid Del Aveiro was in pursuit of finding his only sister when Lauresse met him in a situation they didn't expect. In a world Lauresse has never been, she was brought with a price for the price. The price that needed her to act as his wife in the eyes of his rivalry, elite families, the organization, and his business associate. For Lauresse's safety. He had a goal, and she had her to be free again. But it won't make an easy way when she needs to dive into his world and into his life. In a game she joined, they were dancing in the system that Ashton would surely be his greatest fall if he let feelings rule him over his mind. His life was nothing but about the organization and as part of the family. He needs to keep it safe even if it's too risky. Life has one meaning, his family. His only sister. His father's happiness. His mother's sanity. But her, his greatest mistake yet his most significant happiness.

Time went by and Bella thought she was finally completely over him until she realised that wasn't the case when he was standing there in front of her after two freaking years. Her heart was stuck in a turmoil of emotions. While she wanted to murder him or quietly run away still a little part of her heart wanted to see him more. This time Bella was determined not to give her heart away and not to fall for his petty tricks. But could she really do that when that very guy happened to be her boss. Ashton had decided to win her again but will he be able to mend a heart he broke while also proving his worth as a C.E.O of the company to his father. Will they DIVE INTO LOVE again?

"You can go fuck yourself Hudson!" Annette yelled as she glared at him "You're already doing that, Goldilocks." Hudson said with a huge grin on his face. ****** Hudson McKenney is ruthless and cold, he has no feelings and might end up getting poisoned by one of his many female mistresses, but Hudson doesn't care. All he wanted was to live his life to the fullest until he meets Annette Zachary. Annette Zachary is slightly naive but loves her sister to death, and she would do anything for her even if she has to tango with the devil. Will she be able to get out of the relationship unscathed?

On our third dating anniversary, Enzo and I were caught in a cruise ship disaster. I gave him the only life preserver, and I was swallowed by the sea, lost without a trace. Three years later, after finally recovering from my injuries, I rushed back home—only to walk right into his grand wedding with my so-called sister. Bound by a life debt, he had no choice but to marry me—and resented me ever since. He hated that I'd come between him and the woman he truly loved. Even my own parents accused me of being selfish, of ruining my sister's happiness for life. Under the weight of everyone's coldness and rejection, I became desperate and unhinged. … Then, one day, when our family's old enemies came for revenge, he threw himself in front of me and took a knife straight to the heart. Blood gushed out as he used the last of his strength to drag me to safety. "Raina," he rasped, "you saved my life once, and now I've repaid the debt. Just do me one favor—don't come back to haunt me in the next life. All I want is to spend it forever with Selina, just the two of us." My heart tore apart, and I died with that grief. However, when I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I had crashed their wedding.

His fingers were already at the lace between my thighs when he pushed me against the marble vanity, breath hot, voice darker than sin, his arousal pressing against my throbbing core. "Open your legs for me, Mrs Valentino." He didn’t wait. He plunged into me roughly, his mouth trailing down my neck like he owned it. I hated the way my body arched for him. I hated even more that he smirked when it did. I was supposed to be terrified, not trembling for the man who forced a ring onto my finger two days after abducting me. Before Dante Valentino touched me like that... before he whispered filth and promises into my ears, I was Valentina Morrison: a quiet girl, psychology graduate, volunteer counselor blissfully unaware that my entire life was a lie. I didn’t know the truth about my parents. I didn't know my bloodline belonged to a mafia empire that their hands were filled with blood. I only knew one thing the night I witnessed a murder in a Manhattan alley and it was that I was going to die...until he showed up. Dante, the most feared Italian boss in New York. He was ruthless and calculating. He didn't save me, he claimed me. Only because I’m not just some civilian. I'm the last surviving Castellano heir, the one piece of leverage that can rewrite the entire underworld. So Dante forced a marriage to protect me. To control me. To bind me to him in pleasure and law. And somewhere between running from gunfire and running from him, I made the worst mistake possible: I let the devil touch me. I let his hands teach my body a language my mind despises but my body craves. I let him explore me.

"Sean, I've made up my mind, I'm going to marry you!" Janice Douglas played with her left hand's fingertips absentmindedly, her eyes locked on the swinging door of the nearby private room. On the other end of the call, the man let out a low chuckle, warm yet laced with a cool, worldly detachment. "Ms. Douglas, are you sure about this? Marrying into our families is a one-way street, no U-turns." "I'm sure!" Janice did not even pause before she shot back, her voice slicing through any second thoughts. "Fine, I'll be back in ten days. Pick me up at the airport, and we'll head straight to make it official."

I was at the grocery store stocking up on holiday supplies when my phone suddenly pinged with a friend request. The profile picture was a scenic shot I'd casually snapped years ago, and I knew right away who it was. But we hadn't spoken in five years—total radio silence. I had no idea why Marcello Golden was popping up now, so I typed into the verification field: [What's going on?] His reply flashed up almost instantly: [I'm back. Can we meet? I have something important to tell you in person.] Something important? As I stared at those words, I found the situation both absurd and amusing. What could be so important between us after all this time? I pushed the thought aside, pulled out my phone to scan the payment code for the cashier, and once the transaction was complete, my first action was to block his contact permanently.

I always think that all of his actions meant nothing but a friendly gesture. I always warn myself not to think too much about the way he treated me. I always think that I'm not that much of a significant girl to him. I used to think that it's okay to not think much because I don't want my expectation to be high because I'm sure the fall will hurt like a wench. I just don't really want to overthink about those things. But wasn't I already overthinking for the fact that I think to not overthink?

Ethan Rivers thought he'd left his past behind—until the boy who broke his heart walks back into his life. Three years ago, Ethan confessed his feelings to Caleb Stone at their high school graduation party. Caleb's response? A cruel, public rejection that left Ethan humiliated in front of everyone. Now a confident junior at Riverside University, Ethan has rebuilt himself. New friends. New life. New rules: never fall for a straight guy again. But on the first day of the semester, Caleb transfers to Riverside. He's different now—quieter, more intense, and no longer the untouchable golden boy. When they're forced to work together on a group project, Ethan tries to keep his distance. But Caleb won't let him. Late-night study sessions. Accidental touches. Lingering stares that make Ethan's walls crack. Then Caleb drops a bombshell: his rejection wasn't real. He was terrified—of his family, of his feelings, of being anything less than perfect. He's been into Ethan all along. Now Ethan faces an impossible choice: protect his heart or risk everything for the boy who destroyed him. Through stolen moments, rain-soaked confessions, and heated arguments that end in desperate kisses, they navigate coming out, family pressure, and the question that haunts them both: Can first love get a second chance?