Madara Photo

_"You can't hide from your past forever, Susan."_ That’s what my stepmother, Jessica, sneered at me six years ago before sending me off with nothing but a fake ticket to America and a shattered heart. I had always been the perfect daughter, but one scandalous photo ruined everything. Betrayed by my own family, abandoned by the man I loved, I was left with nothing but a broken heart and a daughter to protect. Now, I’m back, and I’m not the same naive girl they tried to destroy. I’ve fought my way to the top, and I’m ready to reclaim what’s mine. _"You’re the one with everything to lose, Jessica. Let’s see how you handle it."_ With my daughter by my side and secrets in my arsenal, I’m ready to face the family that betrayed me. But when Ryan, a man with his own dark past, steps into my life, things get even more complicated. He’s powerful, infuriatingly arrogant, and claims to be the father of my child. _"You think you can just walk back into my life and call the shots, Ryan? Think again."_ This isn’t just about revenge anymore. It’s about survival, about protecting my daughter. _"This time, I’m playing by my own rules."_ But with enemies closing in and the stakes higher than ever, I’ll need more than just determination to win. I’ll need to decide who I can trust—and whether my heart is ready to take the ultimate risk. _"Are you with me, or against me, Ryan?"_ This is my story, and it’s time to take back what was stolen from me. But in the world of power and betrayal, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

George Sunther doesn't show up on the day we're supposed to get engaged. His family is nowhere to be seen either. Mom's and Dad's faces become increasingly darker as our relatives whisper disapprovingly. I'm about to contact George when I see a social media update from Winona Sunther, the Sunther family's adopted daughter. "From today onward, we're siblings and also spouses." A photo of her and George decked out in wedding attire while holding each other close is attached. Later, I find George, and he says guiltily, "Winnie is pregnant out of wedlock, and her boyfriend has made a run for it. I have to marry her first so that her reputation remains untainted. It's all so she can have the baby without any hitches." I'm stunned. The invitations for our wedding have already been sent out! George wraps an arm around my waist, his tone as gentle as always. "I'll marry you once the baby is born, okay? You're the only woman I'll call my wife, Mary. You have to trust me." I look into his eyes, which I had once loved with all my heart. My heart twists painfully. He's always like this. He always tells me I have to be more tolerant and magnanimous when it comes to Winona because she's his sister. I watch as he leaves in a hurry after answering a call from Winona. Then, I stop hesitating and call my parents. "Mom, is the Zowski family still up for a wedding?"

Five years ago, my junior made a mistake in the experiment, resulting in an explosion in the lab. In an effort to save my childhood friend, Andrew, I suffered severe burns to one side of my face and was falsely accused as the culprit. Just like that, I became the target of everyone's anger. Only Andrew stood by me, promising, "I love you for who you are, not your appearance. I'll always be there to protect you." But on our wedding day, he vanished without a trace. My mother, suffering from heart disease and barely clinging to life, wanted to see Andrew. When I asked him to come, he replied impatiently, "Are you using such a lame excuse to meet me? Don't you have any shame? Every time I look at your face, I feel disgusting." I pleaded desperately, but he calmly hung up. "Do you think I'm your servant? You can't just summon me whenever you want. Just because you saved me once doesn't mean you can blackmail me for life." My mother died without peace. The junior who slandered me back then later posted a photo on social media, showing a man lifting her effortlessly. Their poses were intimate, highlighting the underlying affection. Her captions read: [It's all his fault for tiring me out during the day. I almost missed out on this beautiful ocean. When you're in love, all is clear to see. I mentioned wanting to go to Belmar Island, and he flew me around the world for it.] I was utterly heartbroken, so I texted him: [Let's break up…]

Alpha Caleb watched as his mate, Luca, was killed in a rogue attack. He never thought he’d feel anything again—until he met him. Padre Leonardo is not just a priest—he’s young, handsome, and hot. When they meet at Luca’s funeral, something deep stirs between them. Their mate bond awakens, wild and real. They try to ignore it. But one drunken night of raw and forbidden passion changes everything. By morning, Leonardo realizes who he is, he’s ashamed and promises never to see Caleb again. Caleb sinks with despair but manages to tell himself to move on. Weeks later, fate brings Leonardo back—this time, as Caleb’s new professor. The bond is still there. Hotter. Heavier. But now they must pretend. They must hide. Their bodies find each other again, over and over—on desks, in basements, behind church doors. Each touch is hotter than the last. Every kiss tastes like sin. But Caleb wants more. He wants love. He wants forever. Then, the danger begins. Two gay wolves are caught and punished. A strict law is passed. Caleb’s jealous classmate moves into his room. Leonardo falls sick—but hides the truth. He is dying. The only thing that can save him is the very thing they are not allowed to have. Caleb finds out everything. He moves in with Leonardo, swearing to save him. The more they hide, the more they fall. But someone is watching. A blurry photo is leaked. A kiss, a hand, a whisper. Leonardo is exposed. The Alpha is furious. And now Caleb must choose. Will he give up his title to save the man he loves? Or will he lose Leonardo forever—this time, not to death, but to shame, law, and a secret that’s no longer theirs to protect?

Four days after my death, my four-year-old daughter finally sensed that something was terribly wrong. The fridge door slammed into her forehead when she tried to get a snack. Normally, I would've been there in a heartbeat—arms open, kisses ready, whispering, "You're okay, sweetheart, Mommy's here." But this time, I just lay on the bed, cold and still.​ She didn't understand. She thought the sweet treat would make me respond. So she held the final piece of chocolate up to my mouth. "Here, Mommy. Have some chocolate..." But I didn't even blink. She climbed into my arms, clutching my clothes tightly. "Mommy... Mommy, wake up..." She waited for me to stroke her hair, to tell her that everything was going to be fine. There was only silence.​ Completely lost and scared, she found my phone. "Daddy, why is Mommy still sleeping?" she asked, her voice filled with desperation.​ In response, Oliver sent a photo of himself having Christmas Eve dinner with his childhood sweetheart. His voice was icy cold when he replied, "She's just sleeping, not dead. It's Christmas Eve, and I'm busy. Tell her to stop playing games and come apologize when she's done sulking." Then he hung up.​ But when the truth finally hit Oliver—when the coroner's report came, when the police knocked on his door right in the middle of his laughter, when he realized I'd been lying dead for four days while he toasted—he broke.

My wife Susan had the power to save lives, but when our son was rushed to the ICU and needed her help, she refused no matter how much I begged. While I was crying myself hoarse when I received news that our son was dead, I heard her purring over the phone, "Mark? Don't worry, your puppy's way more important. Of course I'll save it." There was a limit to her power that she could only use it once a month, but she nonchalantly used it for Mark's pet dog! Shaking with rage, I seized her by the collar and bellowed, "We're talking about a human life here, and your son at that! But an animal is worth more than that?!" Susan shook me off, smirking in disdain. "Mark has always been by himself—is there a problem that I took his side? And what could happen to our son when he has his daddy? Stop giving me that attitude!" Just two hours later, Mark posted on social media a photo of him with Susan kissing his pet dog together, with the smug caption: [Who had bet that a son matters more than a dog? Know when you're beaten. Now pay up!] So he had a bet with someone that Susan would choose his dog! Worst of all, Susan lovingly replied: [If Mark wants to win, I'll always be there for him.] Even as I felt heartrending pain, I was laughing coldly as I sent my own reply. [If you all love to bet so much, why not bet when you're gonna drop dead?]

As soon as I come of age, I become the secret lover of Luciano Carlotta, the future Don of his family. The reason why I choose to be with him isn't to covet his money—it's because I love him. To me, he's my savior who has rescued me from my sad, tragic life as an orphan. He even tells me lovingly that it's not my fault that my parents don't want me, and that he will be the one loving me from now on. So, when Luciano wants me to give birth to his child, I say yes. But once the baby is born, I'm only allowed to visit him once per month. Luciano explains, "I'm the future Don, Rosanna. My family wants me to marry a woman of a similar background and social standing. They still find it difficult to accept you at the moment. I have to keep their opinions of you in mind. "Just wait for a little longer. Once I conquer the final turf and become the Don, I'll definitely marry you. Our son shall become my heir. Staying in the Carlotta family is the best option for him, you know." Naturally, I believe Luciano's excuses. On sleepless nights, I just stare at photos of him and our son as I shed tears quietly. One day, I receive great news from my best friend, Sofia Rossi. Apparently, she's about to get married. "Rosanna, I'm getting engaged! My fiance is very handsome, and he loves me with all his heart, too! You must attend my wedding when the time comes!" As I congratulate her, I tap on the photo that she's just sent me. But I find myself staring at Luciano's face instead.

Quand Livio Colin, mon époux et PDG, a appris que j'avais cédé de mon propre chef le contrat de plusieurs millions à Zoé Delafose, il a proposé, pour me « dédommager », un voyage en Islande. Il croyait que trois mois de silence radio avaient enfin porté leurs fruits. Zoé Delafose était sa précieuse assistante. Elle a mal pris la nouvelle. Une crise de jalousie, une menace de démission, et le voilà aux petits soins. Et le résultat ? Il m'a posé un lapin, prétextant un « déplacement professionnel » pour s'envoler avec elle vers les glaces islandaises. Sa justification, lancée avec désinvolture : « Les sentiments, c'est secondaire. Le travail prime, je suis patron, je dois montrer l'exemple. En tant que ma femme, tu comprends, n'est-ce pas ? » Je suis restée silencieuse, le regard fixé sur l'écran. Zoé venait de poster une photo : leurs deux têtes rapprochées, leurs mains formant un cœur. Il a pris ça pour de la grandeur d'âme, promettant, le sourire aux lèvres, de m'offrir une lune de miel encore plus romantique à son retour. Ce qu'il ignorait, c'était que ma lettre de démission avait déjà été signée. Tout comme les papiers du divorce. Entre lui et moi, la ligne avait été tracée. Il n'y aurait pas de retour en arrière.

I'm 29 years old, nearly 30 and so far, my sister and Photography have been my life and soul. Ever since I stepped foot in my first darkroom during my Sophomore year I always had a hunch that this would be my true passion. Since I held my first camera. Set up my first tripod, captured my first photo and filmed my first piece. I just knew that this is what I wanted to do. My life has been a complicated mess since I was 10 years old. My life was thrown away by my parents because I was a burden to them, I had a pen pal who I vented my anger out on for years yet he had become a huge part of my life. I haven't had a serious relationship in...well...ever and It's not every day that you find a man wanting to talk to you...granted, this man is the one who spilt his coffee down me the first time we met and from then on he became the Baine of my existence. I live in Texas City, Houston and I love what I do, the freedom it gives me being behind a camera but it also comes with a price when you least expect it. My life was complicated enough but when I vent out on a secret to this man, my feelings towards him become stir crazy and a whirlwind of emotions. One's I didn't want in the first place because 2 weeks before meeting said man...I was applying for a year long fellow ship abroad. A once in a lifetime opportunity to go to one of Spain's most explored and cultured cities - Barcelona.

On our wedding anniversary, I canceled all my meetings and made a reservation at a restaurant. That evening, my wife, the renowned investigative journalist Amaya Shaw, called me. “Efim, I’m sorry! I just received a tip from a source. It’s urgent. “It involves inside information about a well-known company. I have to go verify it immediately!” But the next day, I saw that Javor Furey, the junior she had brought along, had posted a collage on his social media. The central photo showed Amaya wearing a childish birthday hat. Her head was pressed against Javor’s, as they made a wish together in front of a cake covered in candles. This was the caption. [Thanks, my dear Ms. Shaw! Even in the midst of her busy schedule chasing big stories, she remembered to give me this surprise birthday!] [Chasing big stories.] I stared at those three words. Then, I glanced at the limited-edition bag on our dining table. It was the one she had been raving about for half a year. It was the anniversary gift I had prepared for her. I felt absurd. I commented just two words under that post. [How touching.] Her call came in almost the second I hit send. She sounded furious. “Efim, do you have to be so sarcastic? “It’s just an anniversary. How old are you? Why are you still celebrating such childish anniversaries?” From our first year of marriage to the present, her “tip-offs from informants” and “special circumstances” always took precedence over our promises. This time, she could not even be bothered to come up with a plausible excuse. I did not say anything. I hung up and blocked her number. This marriage was over.