Lambing Message

After wrapping up a book signing out of town, I received a message from a friend on the way home. "This personal trainer is something else. He can do all kinds of things with an exercise ball." He also sent me a Live Photo. In the Live Photo, a woman was lying on an exercise ball, pinned down by a man. Her hair was covering her face. In the Live Photo that was a second long, I heard a familiar moan. I called my fiancée. "Where are you?" Her voice was a bit hoarse, "I'm training with an exercise ball at the neighborhood gym, babe. I have a big surprise waiting for you when you get home." I snorted and said, real slow, "How about I give you a big surprise right now? Open the door!"

My husband, Lawrence Schwartz, and I were both liars. He lied to me, saying he would forget his first love, yet his phone is filled with photos of her. I lied to him, saying I would never leave, while secretly planning a future without him. A month ago, I tricked Lawrence into signing the divorce papers. Today was the final day to complete the entire divorce process.. Three hours left. I packed all my luggage and bought a plane ticket for the next day. Two hours left. I cut up every photo of us together, leaving only myself in the album. Last hour. I thought about leaving a message, then decided against it. Today marked the tenth year I had loved him and the first day I left him.

Alina discovers the heartbreaking news that her sister Camille is engaged to her ex-husband Barry upon her return to London after two years overseas. A sex tape of the two is sent in an anonymous message further betraying the trust. In an effort to recover her life and fortune Alina suggests a contract marriage to Dante Navarro, a vicious billionaire who has a personal grudge against Barry. A sincere connection develops between them as they work through their fake marriage, public personas and secrets. They reveal Barry and Camilles deceit as they work together to destroy their schemes. Amidst the turmoil, Alina and Dante face their past traumas which results in an unexpected romantic relationship. In the end Alina regains her inheritance and her authority while discovering true love can find you anywhere at unexpected places.

“Let’s have a deal. Let me be your real wife just for one month, Dashiel.” Isang simpleng hiling iyon. Parang huling pakiusap ng isang babaeng pagod na pagod nang masaktan. Para kay Addison Leigh Castillo, iyon na lang ang natitira sa kanya, ang huling piraso ng dignidad kapalit ng pagmamahal na ibinigay niya kahit kailan ay hindi niya naranasang masuklian. Alam na ni Addison simula pa lang na ang kasal nila ay hindi dahil sa pag-ibig. Pinakasalan siya ni Dashiel Kristian Gutierrez dahil sa obligasyon at sa kagustuhan ng lola nito. Walang lambing, walang yakap, walang titig na may damdamin. Tahimik lang ang bahay, malamig, at hindi kailanman naging tahanan. Pero kahit ganoon, kumapit pa rin si Addison. Sinubukan niyang maging mabuting asawa. Tahimik siyang umasa na baka balang araw, matutunan siyang mahalin ni Dashiel. Hanggang sa unti-unti siyang naubos. Gusto nang pakasalan ni Dashiel ang babaeng mahal nito talaga. At ang mas masakit, buong pamilya nito ang pumayag. Doon tuluyang gumuho si Addison. Kaya gumawa siya ng isang huling kahilingan. Isang buwan lang. Isang buwan na tratuhin siya bilang tunay na asawa. Isang buwan na maramdaman kung ano ang pakiramdam na mahal ka. Pagkatapos noon, aalis na siya nang tuluyan. Para kay Dashiel, desperado lang si Addison. Isang babaeng ayaw pang bumitaw. Pero mali siya. Sa loob ng isang buwan, unti-unting nagbago ang lahat. Napansin niya ang mga ngiti ni Addison, ang tahimik pero buo nitong pagmamahal, at ang paraan ng pag-alis nito, walang reklamo, pero may iniwang sakit sa puso niya. Doon niya napagtanto ang lahat. Nang makita niya ang pagmamahal na matagal niyang binalewala, saka lang niya ito naramdaman. Pero huli na ba? O lalaban ba si Dashiel; sa pamilya, sa nakaraan, at sa sarili niyang pagkakamali, para sa isa pang pagkakataon? “One more chance,” bulong ng puso ni Dashiel. Pero handa pa bang bumalik si Addison… o tapos na talaga ang kwento nilang dalawa?

My husband was praised by my friends as the perfect husband in the world. Everyone said he loved me to death and practically put me on a pedestal. Then came my prenatal checkup. My older cousin, Catherina Bow, called him with a farewell message before attempting suicide. Without hesitation, he abandoned me and rushed off in panic. I was six months pregnant at that time. My mother expected me to be the bigger person and “lend” my husband to Catherina, who was depressed. My brother snapped at me, "The only reason you’re still in this house is because Catherina spoke up for you. Whatever she wants, you should give it to her!" I found it absurd. I was supposed to be their family. She was nothing but a cuckoo in my nest. When I finally decided to walk away from all of them, they regretted their actions.

On the day of my wedding anniversary, I was cleaning my house when I found a picture album. As it turned out, my husband had been religiously taking pictures with the girl of his dreams every year on this precise date. He had been doing it since he was forty years old and he was now sixty years old. His hair had progressed from a jet black to a faded white and yet, he kept up the tradition. There was a written message in his handwriting at the back of the picture that read, “Eternal Love.” Since he doesn't love me, I will no longer bother washing his clothes and cooking for him. I will no longer care for his children and grandchildren. I may have foolishly wasted half of my life, but it was not too late to make a change.

Annette Vasquez is broken and desperate to talk to Ryan, her ex-boyfriend who broke up with her a month ago. When an intimidating man appears on her door dressed in all blacks, she runs for cover and sends Ryan a text for help. Vicente Di Alberto is the Don of the Italian Mafia, cold, ruthless and untouchable. A strange message pops up on his phone which has him acting on impulse. He hates men who hurts women and he is ready to save and protect the woman calling for his help. Rescued by a sinfully handsome man, Ann feels safe around him until she finds out his real identity and also finds herself married accidentally to the most feared man in Italy. She wants out but Vicente is ready to use the accidental marriage to his advantage.

On her birthday, Vicky Shaw's beloved husband, Tyler Hart, was found to be having a candle light dinner with his childhood sweetheart. The birthday present he gave her was a text message requesting a divorce.During their three years of marriage, she did everything she could to keep him with her, throwing all the beds in the other rooms when he was not in the house so he had nowhere else to sleep other than with her.After a fateful car crash, however, she had amnesia and was no longer the woman who loved him deeply. When Tyler finally visited her in the hospital, the first thing he asked was to get her to agree to the divorce. The new Vicky agreed immediately.Everyone knew how much the old Vicky loved Tyler. Only Tyler knew he had loved her dearly.

Sara Beck thought losing a client was the worst part of her week until one reckless night with Dame Casian, a man she’s spent years despising, changed everything and left her haunted with a memory she can’t erase. She hates him… or so she thought. But nothing prepares her for the real nightmare: her mother’s sudden engagement to Dame’s father. Now, the man she slept with, her worst enemy, is about to become her stepbrother, and maybe the only man who truly sees her. Suddenly, she’s caught in a twisted web of forbidden attraction, hidden pasts, and a family merger that feels more like a trap. But can she trust him, or is she setting herself up for heartbreak? And just when she starts to question everything, a message on Dame’s phone reveals a truth she wasn’t ready for.

Why do I feel like I’m making a deal with the devil?” I murmured, signing the paper. I felt him smile as he said, “Maybe you are.” ~ After her father is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Selena receives an anonymous message from a stranger, offering her a way out. But on one condition— she must marry him. She agrees, desperate and determined to get revenge against the Devereuxs. But unknown to Selena, her new husband is Dominic Devereux, the son of the man who framed her father. The plot thickens when Dominic's estranged brother returns offering Selena support and something more. Now trapped in a dangerous world and a marriage built on lies, Selena must navigate a web of seduction and betrayal with secrets that threaten to destroy them all. And just when she’s ready to choose… Dominic forgets her name.