Long Way Down Jason Reynolds

The day before the race, I burned my car and announced my withdrawal. Overnight, my fanbase collapsed. Supporters unfollowed in droves, and casual fans turned on me just as viciously. Jasper, the man who had always treated me as his only real rival, put on a show of false concern. “Without him, the race feels too lonely. No matter what, I still hope he’ll return to the track and face me properly.” I sneered. In my previous life, the racecar I had painstakingly modified ended up identical to his. No matter how many videos I released of full recordings of every step I personally took, all Jasper had to do was tearfully tell his fans, “Then let Finn use it. He needs it more than I do. I’ll win on my own strength.” And just like that, I became the shameless thief in everyone’s eyes. Later, the moment I started my car, the components inside exploded, and I was left in a vegetative state. His fans called it karma. Even on the day my fiancée pulled out my oxygen tube and watched me die, I still couldn’t understand. Why had everything that belonged to me—my career, my girlfriend—all become Jasper’s? When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the race schedule was first announced.

Gilbert Pierce, my wife's male trainee, bragged that he could disarm a bomb just by relying on his senses and with his eyes closed. However, he misjudged it and triggered the bomb's secondary detonation sequence. I stepped in at the last second and used the most dangerous method available, liquid nitrogen flash cooling, to save the entire building. Gilbert was pulled off frontline duty and placed on suspension for review. My wife, Jasmine Clem, tried to speak up for him, but I stopped her cold. "If you defend him now, you won't save him. You'll just get dragged down and suspended alongside him." Unable to handle the pressure, Gilbert blew himself up in an accident. In his suicide note, he accused Jasmine of choosing self-preservation when he needed her most. Jasmine said nothing. She only locked that letter away in her study. Years later, Jasmine became a nationally renowned bomb disposal expert. During a terrorist attack, I was captured and strapped with a timed explosive. Jasmine came to the scene personally to defuse it, but right in front of me, she repeated the exact same mistake her trainee had made years ago. She watched the countdown and smiled lightly at me. "See? He was just nervous back then. If I had encouraged him, he'd be a hero now." The bomb detonated, and I was blown apart. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment she was about to defend Gilbert. She didn't know that inside that building sat the nation's most classified core servers.

Rachel Lloyd had been by William Lewis' side since she was eighteen. One day, after an accident, she finally regained her hearing, which she had previously lost while saving his life. She couldn't wait to share the good news with him. But when she arrived, she found him holding his first love in his arms and whispering sweet nothings to her. William always knew Rachel loved him deeply—to the point she would give her life for him. She never got angry and never asked for much. But this time, instead of quietly staying by his side, she simply signed a non-disclosure agreement. And when the time came, she completely disappeared from his world. When William first heard that Rachel had vanished, he laughed it off. "She'll be back within a week." But a week passed. Then, a month. Then, three months. And still, Rachel didn't return. Now, as panic set in, William searched for her like a madman. For the first time in his proud, arrogant life, he humbled himself and begged, "Rachel, stop this. It's been long enough." Later, he added, "Come home. I'll give you whatever you want." And finally, he said, "If I were dying… would you at least come say goodbye?" When they met again, he was on his knees. His eyes were red-rimmed as he held out a teacup. "Please have some tea... Aunt Rachel."

In my seventh year of trying to win the favor of mafia Don Ethan Larsen, the system declared my mission a failure. I was set to be erased in one month. I did not cry or make a scene. I accepted the death countdown with calm detachment and started a livestream called "My Last Wishes Before I Die." The first thing I did was throw the multimillion-dollar wedding ring into the drain, right in front of Ethan and his first love, just to hear it clatter out of sight. Ethan's expression hardened. "Nina, what kind of trick are you trying to pull this time? You begged me in order to wear that ring and stood there for three days." I smiled, lifted my middle finger, and replied, "Pfft… As if you deserve it."

My name is Cedric Bainbridge. For six years, I've been hiding the fact that I'm married to Beatrice Thorne, the CEO. Despite everything, she won't allow our son to call her "Mom". Once again, his birthday slips her mind. Her thoughts are entirely consumed by her male secretary. I've had enough. I sign the divorce papers and walk away with our child for good. For the first time, Beatrice, who is always so calm, completely loses control. She storms into my office, demanding to know where I've gone. But this time, neither my son nor I will ever look back.

She was forced to marry a famous business tycoon by her stepmother. But he had no regards for her and could f*ck a bitch right in front of her or anyone. Having no other options, she decided to run away on her wedding day. While she ran, she got chased by her father's men until the country's first most richest heir rescued her in his car unknown to her who he actually was. Her problem got worsen when the heir instead of letting her go after helping her now decided to introduce her as his wife to his grandfather. When she objected, he threatened to have her family destroyed. Now Bella ran from a nightmare to a bigger nightmare.

Lyric Chelsy Makinano, an Engineering student who transfered from UST to UP Diliman because of a deal she made with her father. Para sa kanya, naniniwala siya na dapat pinakilinggan ng mga magulang ang mga opinyon ng kanilang anak. Hindi dapat natatakot mag salita ang mga kabataan sa mga nakatatanda, lalo na kung para naman iyon sa ikabubuti. She believe that no matter who you are, or how young or old you are, we should speak for ourselves because it's our right. Meanwhile... Sebastian Anghelo Monteferrante, a Medical student who's studying in UST. His family is leaving in the states, but for some reasons, he chose to go home in the Philippines and continue his studies. He's the type of person na palagig nandyan sa tabi niyo if you need a shoulder. He's willing to do everything, kahit na medyo baduy, para sa mahal niya. Naniniwala siya na, ang mga babae, ay dapat tinuturing ng mga lalaki na parang prinsesa, na magiging reyna din ng kanilang palasyo.

When Catherine Zyla unexpectedly became the Luna of the Silverspring Pack, her world was turned upside down. On the very day she discovered she was pregnant, the Alpha handed her divorce papers, shattering her dreams. The impostor heiress came to provoke her, and her mother-in-law disdained her for having no power or influence. Catherine decided to leave, packing her bags and planning to disappear with her baby. But just as she was about to go, a stunningly wealthy and influential men came to her rescue, arriving in a convoy of luxury cars and vowing to shower her with affection and care. Julian Liddell, the eldest of the six, insisted, "Cathy, wear these exquisite jewels every day!" As Cathy flourished, embraced by the lavish affection of the wealthy man, her desperate ex begged for a second chance, "Cathy, let's remarry."

As far as Hendrix Freeman remembers, Noelle Swanson has always been a bore and a buzzkill. It's only after the divorce that he realizes she's gentle, tender, and alluring. But when he can't stop himself from gravitating toward her, she smiles and tells him, "You've been disqualified from my life, Mr. Freeman."

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?