Long Shadows David Baldacci

In my seven years of being married to my husband, Mark Chapman, he always gives me whatever I ask for and prioritizes me in everything. This goes on until he keeps sending food coupons to a female college student named Hayley Larkson. Not only that, he stands up for her and beats up some thugs on her behalf. One time, he even takes her to the hospital to get treatment. Holding a toy, my daughter asks Mark innocently, "Dad, Ms. Larkson is so gentle and pretty. She's not as strict and mean as Mom, who always makes me do homework. Can you ask her to move in and be my teacher?" Mark smiles and replies, "Sure." I stand frozen in a corner, my lips trembling. Just then, the system's cold voice speaks in my mind. It asks if I want to go home. I close my eyes and reply, "Take me home."

"Shadows of the Past" is a story about *Natasha Fernandez* (26),the daughter of a billionaire who never enjoyed her childhood due to the loss of her mother and her father's busy schedule. She struggles with health issues and finding true love until she meets *Jamal smith* (29) who rescues her from a robber and becomes her friend, and eventually her husband. Years later, Natasha hires her childhood friend *Imade Martins*(25) a home tutor for her adopted daughter *Tessa* (3). However, Natasha is heartbroken when she discovers Jamal's affair with Imade, and she uses her power to frustrate Imade's business life. Unbeknownst to them all, Jamal is the biological father of Imade's daughter, whom she lost in the hands of a matron to an orphanage some years back. Imade leaves for another city where she falls in love with her boss, Mr. *George Henry,*(34) an influential business tycoon and a single father. Twenty years later, *Roy Henry,* George's son, falls in love with Tessa, Natasha's daughter. However, their love is jeopardized after a family introduction takes place, and complicated truths unravel, putting Tessa's life at stake. The story explores the drama and chaos that ensue as the characters confront their past and navigate their present relationships.

Felix and I had been inseparable for ten years, and everyone thought we would end up married. When he got into fights at school, I took the blame and got expelled in his place. When he slept with countless women, I delivered birth control pills and breakup money in his place. I had always played the part of the shameless doormat, and everyone believed I loved him more than life itself. But the moment he took over as the heir to his family's fortune, he dumped me. He looked at me with scorn and disdain. "Kathy, maybe once upon a time we were in love, but it's been too long. You're dull, and you've drained away every ounce of my affection. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with you, so get out of my sight. I'm going to marry someone I truly love." Everyone was waiting to watch me fall apart. But when I saw the hospital's proof that my mother had been cured, and the extra hundred million dollars in my bank account, I genuinely smiled. "Fine. I'll leave," I said. The truth was, I had stayed with a player like him only because of a business deal. Now that I had the money, it was time for me to walk away.

When Jane comes across a wounded stranger, Nicholas , who has been shot, her instinct to help overrides her caution. Little does she know that her act of kindness will plunge her into a labyrinth of intrigue. As she tends to Nicholas wounds, an undeniable connection forms between them, drawing her closer to a man whose secrets could shatter everything she believes in. He is a wanted criminal, and her own police force tasks her with the daunting mission of tracking him down. Struggling with conflicting emotions, Jane finds herself torn between her duty as a detective and her growing affection for Nicholas.

Elena was supposed to marry a monster. Instead, she betrayed him. Now, Rae Rossi is paying the price. Forced into the life of a runaway mafia fiancée, Rae has one rule—stay quiet, obey, and survive. But Marcelo Bernardo isn’t a man who forgives betrayal… and he doesn’t realize the woman beside him isn’t the one who hurt him. At first, it’s just a game of deception. Then it becomes something far more dangerous. Because the longer Rae pretends to be Elena… the more Marcelo starts to notice. The more he watches, the more he wants. And when the truth finally comes out— He won’t just break her. He’ll destroy her.

Two weeks ago, my family and I went hiking and camping. When the storm hit and the mudslide erupted, my adopted sister shoved me into a ravine. My parents and fiance only cared about my sister. They remained completely unaware of my predicament. A week later, when the rescue team finally finds me, my parents accuse me of being selfish and malicious.—— "You clearly know that your sister is suffering from a terminal illness and is about to die, yet you still try to murder her!" they yell. "The bride for next week's wedding will be your sister. She has end-stage kidney cancer, and her dying wish is to marry your fiancé.Ethan. You have to agree to this!" "I agreed to their wedding, and for atonement. I am willing to donate my kidney to my sister, and I will also give her all the academic papers I own and the oil paintings I have collected." Seeing how sensible I was, my parents and my fiance all smiled with relief. They said, "I've grown up and become sensible. I'm no longer that willful elder sister who didn't know how to care for my younger sister." In my final three days, I will give them everything they want and leave behind a perfect image. And when I die, I hope they won't cry, mourn my death；

A gripping college romance tangled in betrayal, temptations and dangerous secrets. Leon and Felicity are caught in a love that burns too hot to control—haunted by jealous exes, hidden affairs, and consequences that could shatter everything. Each kiss pulls them closer, each lie drives them further apart.

Sienna’s father, who is a corrupt politician, is indebted to Enzo’s organization and has been using Sienna as leverage to keep himself safe. Enzo decides to take Sienna under his protection, but Sienna, feeling both fear and gratitude, struggles with her new reality. Meanwhile, Enzo’s second-in-command, Marco, becomes suspicious of Sienna’s presence. The other members of the organization are wary of her, unsure if she’s an asset or a liability. Enzo himself struggles to understand why he feels protective over Sienna, a girl he should view as a burden. This feelings conflict with his usual ruthlessness. As Enzo struggles with his feelings, a rival mafia family, the Torres Clan, begins to circle, sensing weakness in Enzo’s growing attachment to Sienna. Sienna’s intelligence begins to shine through. She uncovers secrets about her father’s dealings and realizes that he was planning to sell her to the Torres Clan to wipe his debt clean. Romantic tension builds between Enzo and Sienna. He tries to keep his distance, but her fire captivates him.

Sighs, accompanied by small cries, continued to slip from Victoria's mouth. The stings that continued to give her pleasure often caused Victoria's hips to rise, as if she wanted to be completely satisfied by Alex. "I will never let you go, Victoria. So don't ever regret what we did today," he said with passionate eyes. Victoria tilted her face and returned Alex's gaze, which looked sexy in her eyes at the time. Then Victoria smiled and as she put her arms around Alex's neck she said, "Can I back out now that we've come this far Detective Thornfield?" A smile appeared on Victoria's already beautiful face. Love comes like unexpected rain. But pain is a predictable certainty. So it was with Alex and Victoria's love. A love that had to be prevented by all the rules. A love story that goes beyond human romance. A vampire version of Romeo and Juliet. What is the journey of this romance between two vampires from different clans? Experience the full story only in Shadows of Bloodlust.

Tamara Topaz Valentine is not your average human, She is far from it. She never realized how different she was until her20th birthday. Typical werewolves first shift at 16 as for Tamara hers was at 20. This fantastic couple adopted her and she always saw them as her biological parents with no questions asked. At age 15 they passed away in a tragic car accident. Leaving Tamara in foster care until she turned 18. Without her parents by her side, she felt the extreme loneliness that was never thought she world ever fill in her heart. Once she go into her first-choice college she knew that it was meant to be to have a fresh start. She knew it was time to start a new chapter in her life. Little did she know that her who life was going to be turned upside down. My name is Atlas Whitlock I am the next alpha to take over the pack once my dad steps down as alpha. I am a Junior in college to get my degree in business so I know what it takes to run a business successfully. Little did I know that I would have found my soulmate when school started again. She is perfect the only thing is she had no clue that she is a werewolf. Will I be enough to get her through her first shift? Will she accept me as her mate? Will love be enough to survive the unknown?