Low Taper Fringe

The day before the piano competition finals, my boyfriend deliberately locked me on the rooftop to help his childhood friend win. He stared at me intently, his voice low and steady. "You'll have plenty more chances. Can't you just let her have this one?" Later, to secure her spot in the orchestra, he went so far as to break my fingers with his own hands. I confronted him in anger, demanding to know why he would do this when we were supposed to be in a relationship. He looked at me solemnly and said, "Susan, Miranda's mother saved me all those years ago, and now I have to fulfill this wish for her." What he didn't understand was that for me, losing the use of my hands felt like losing my very life. After I made the decision to stop loving him, he shattered his own hand, hoping to get my forgiveness.

“What are you doing?” Chad hissed, his tone low and sharp “Playing the part,” Jasmine whispered back, patting his chest as if calming a restless dog. “Relax, Mr. Blackstone. You hired me for this, remember?” Jasmine turned her attention to Ava, her smile turning just a shade sharper. “Hi, I’m Jasmine. Chad’s fiancée.” *** Chad Blackstone is a self-made billionaire with a cold demeanor, his heart frozen after a devastating betrayal by the one woman he trusted—Ava Reeds. When Ava unexpectedly reappears, determined to rekindle their relationship, Chad devises a bold plan to show her he’s moved on and that's where she comes in—Jasmine Withers. A fiery, no-nonsense woman who’s nothing like the superficial socialites Chad is used to. What begins as a calculated business arrangement quickly spirals into a whirlwind of scandal, rivalry, and unexpected passion. In a game of love, revenge, and redemption, who will come out on top—and who will end up heartbroken?

“Believe me, Dominic, the child is yours,” I pleaded, my voice low with desperation. “How can I believe you?” he questioned condescendingly. “You married me for money even though I was impotent, and now you’re saying you’re pregnant for me? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.” “I’m not lying, Dominic. I care about you,” I begged, my voice trembling. I reached out to hold his arm, but he flinched away. “This is probably some plan to tie me down, but it won't work. That baby is not mine! You and I both know I can’t have children. Just pack your things and leave my house. Here are the divorce papers,” he said, flinging them on the bed before walking out. I crumbled onto the ground, feeling the immense pain of his rejection and distrust. Ruby’s life fell apart when she got pregnant for her contract husband, who is impotent. She tried to prove her innocence to the billionaire, but he didn’t believe her and divorced her. Even worse, this man wasn’t just the father of her baby but also the father of the daughter she had through artificial insemination. Two months later, Ruby showed up at her ex-husband’s company, announced as one of the major shareholders. This time, she was back stronger than before. Having inherited her stepfather’s wealth, Ruby returned as a billionaire and swore that Dominic, her ex-husband, would not come near her child. But everything was different when she returned. She found Dominic regretful and remorseful. Not only that, she was now wanted by another man, a hot billionaire who was the talk of the town. Will she forgive Dominic, or will she explore the new love coming her way?

"You shouldn’t be here." Lila’s voice trembled, betraying the iron resolve she clung to. Cassian smirked, his broad frame blocking the doorway. "And yet, here I am." His gaze lingered on her, dark and hungry. "You didn’t think I’d let you go so easily, did you?" Two years ago, he shattered her heart with a rejection that still stung like a fresh wound. Now, the powerful Alpha stood in her doorway, his scent wrapping around her like a forbidden promise. "You made your choice, Cassian," she said, stepping back, even as her pulse quickened. "I’ve moved on." "Have you?" His voice was low, dangerous, as he closed the distance between them. "Because I haven’t. Every moment without you has been hell." Lila’s breath hitched as his hand brushed her cheek, the touch sparking a fire she thought had long since burned out. "You don’t get to do this," she whispered, though her body betrayed her, leaning into him. "I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine again," he growled, his lips just a breath away from hers. "Even if I have to fight the entire world you to prove it." But Cassian isn’t the only one after her heart. And this time, Lila refuses to be anyone’s second choice.

“Lucky advances toward her, and her breathing intensifies. He stop inches from her. “Are you sure?” he asks, his voice low and serious. “I’m certain,” she replies, trying to steady her voice. He studies her for a moment, then asks again, “I don’t think you understand what I’m asking. If I spend the night, I can’t promise to be a gentleman.” She looks at him boldly, her eyes unflinching. “And I’m not asking you to be one tonight.” Daniela Blackwood's life takes an unexpected turn when she gets into a car accident with a handsome stranger, Lucky Hamilton. What starts as a night of despair transforms into an unforgettable night of passion. However, weeks later, Daniela is shattered to discover that Lucky is married to her stepsister, Alicia. Conflicted and heartbroken, Daniela tries to distance herself from the man she unexpectedly fell for. Lucky, on the other hand, has his own side of the story and is determined to explain himself. But Daniela doesn't want to hear it, convinced that any relationship with Lucky is doomed from the start. A surprise pregnancy throws Daniela into turmoil. Struggling with her emotions for a married man and a cruel step mother, Daniela finds herself in a tough situation. The lines between right and wrong blur as she grapples with her growing love for Lucky and the reality of their situation. Can Lucky and Daniela’s feelings for each other overpower the chaos of their own lives? "The Married Man Who Loved Me" is a story of love, betrayal, and redemption.

The door swung open, and there he stood—Stanley Richardson. I froze. He was dressed in only a partially buttoned white shirt, his chiseled chest and toned abs on full display. A silver chain glinted against his skin, and his low-hanging boxers revealed more than I was prepared to see. My cheeks burned as my gaze dropped to the ground. “Evening,” I mumbled, my voice barely audible. Stanley leaned casually against the doorframe, his piercing amber eyes boring into me. A smirk tugged at his lips, and he looked me over as though I were some insignificant object. “What do you want?” he asked, his tone sharp, almost bored. “I—I’ve changed my mind,” I stammered, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “About the deal. I’m ready to accept it.” His smirk widened into something almost cruel. He chuckled, a low, mocking sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “You’re ready, huh?” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, too bad. The deal’s closed.” ********** Betrayed by love and abandoned by family, Alora Kane is left with nothing but a shattered heart and a bruised spirit. Desperation drives her to the doorstep of Stanley Richardson, a ruthless billionaire with a reputation for breaking more than just deals. Seeking a lifeline, she’s met with a cold rejection that leaves her reeling. But Alora isn’t one to stay down for long. In a world where power and survival go hand in hand, she must find her strength, confront her past, and navigate a dangerous game of betrayal, desire, and vengeance. Will she rise, or will she fall?

In the heart of Princeton University, nothing is as it seems. There lies secrets that are just beginning to come to light. Just when I thought that my college life would be a walk in the park for a studious student and werewolf like me, life had more curve balls to hurl at me. I became the target and obsession of a mysterious psychopathic mass murderer known as the Red Ghoul. I am an object he desires and the only thing keeping me safe is the wrath of my football Alpha. Meet Eren Blackwood—tall, dark, undeniably captivating, and Godlike handsome. The guy is the epitome of every girl's dream. He is the football captain and Alpha of the notorious and feared Black Blood pack. He’s every girl's dream and the name that strikes terror into the hearts of his enemies. But for me, he’s something else entirely: he is my protector, my temptation, and ultimately, my NIGHTMARE. Dive into a thrilling and youthful journey of passion and peril where love is a battlefield, and every choice could unleash a dark power neither of us are prepared to face. Get ready for a story that challenges everything you thought you knew about passion, desire, obsession, and danger. This is not just a romance——it's a revelation. ************* "Don't pretend like you don't feel anything" Eren's voice is low, sending shivers down my spine. "What do you mean?" "You know damn well what I mean." "I don't know what you're talking about." I feigned ignorance of what he was talking about, flipping some pages in my textbook. "Come on. I have all these assignments overdue. Aren't you supposed to teach me something tonight?" "It depends on what you want me to teach you, Stoneheart." He smirks, his voice sounding even more dangerous.

“Teach me” I said drunkenly “Teach me how to be a bad girl” “Are you sure about Tiny, there’s a tiny addiction that comes with that” he said, looking at me through the hood of his eyes. “What am I getting addicted to?” I echoed back, trying to keep my focus on his face, and not down his chest and his muscular arms. “Me” *** Cheryl Taylor had just recently divorced her cheating husband and decided to move back to her childhood town. Desperate for a room, she finds one with some weird rules and a roommate who seemed to busy to meet with her – everything comes to a shocking pause when she finds out it’s Aiden Scott – the town’s bad boy, and in fact her high school bully. Aiden Scott is now a made man and a billionaire but he’s stepped on a few toes to get there and now they’re out for his blood and he has to lay low in the town he grew up – the town that only saw him as a good for nothing bastard. He decides to get a roommate to appear normal, he takes the first one he got and only because it’s Cheryl Taylor – the one girl he had harbored a secret crush for years.

He rejected me, and then he realized I’m the center of his world. Bummer. Una I keep my head down. In this backwards pack, females rank low, and my bad leg makes me damaged goods. It doesn’t help that I’ve never shifted. I don’t mind the late twenties single life, though. No one’s paying any attention as I build an illicit farmer’s market empire. My roomies and I are doing it for ourselves, and if life under Killian Kelly is stifling, at least it’s predictable. We can deal. But when biology finally kicks in, I lose my mind. I claim our alpha as my mate. And he rejects me in front of the whole pack. It’s all good. It only hurts when I breathe. I’ll survive. That’s what I do. Who wants an arrogant jerk for a mate, anyway? I’ve got a business to run. Killian To lead this pack out of the dark ages, I’ve had to be hard. Merciless. I don’t flinch, and I don’t make mistakes. Una Hayes isn’t my mate. My wolf might have some kind of strange infatuation, but if she were mine, I’d know it. And I can walk away, can’t I? And if I keep coming back? If she starts living in my head? I’m the strongest male in five generations. My pack scrambles to do my bidding. I can bring one quiet female back in line. No one can possibly be as stubborn as I am. There’s no way I’ve ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m the Quarry pack alpha. I don’t lose.

I was always the outcast—taunted and bullied for my half human blood. After being sent to live with my grandparents in the human world, I grew to resent my parents and my shifter heritage. But when my mother died, I returned to Bridgewater under the guise I could continue my studies at Haronia University while helping my father until he found a new Luna. I expected drama in Bridgewater. What I didn’t expect was falling for my professor. —- “You’re so frustrating,” he said in a low, rough voice. I sat on the edge of his desk and looked up at him. “Are you complaining?” I asked. He stepped forward and pushed his knee between my legs. “Do I look like I’m complaining?” “No,” I answered softly. “You look like you’ve been waiting for this. Do you normally wait for the woman to make the first move?” “I don’t wait for anything,” he said. “I take what I want.” He tightened his grip on my hair until I moaned at the pull. “You’re different.” Fated to My Professor is created by Amelie Bergen, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.