Mantis Piercing Nose

"I'm sorry, Sophia. But her daughter's hurt even worse." Among the rubble, Sophia watched in disbelief as Jared pushed her aside, choosing to go to his first love. But who would save her daughter, who lay unconscious, a steel rod piercing her small body? At Molly's funeral, Sophia silently vowed she was done with Jared. She wanted a divorce. But just as she made up her mind, Jared stumbled back to her, grabbing her hand and telling her she was the one he loved. Sophia looked at a handsome man beside her, her arm linked with his. She smiled slightly and said, "Alright. If Molly agrees, I'll consider it."

She felt like she was constantly walking on a tightrope, balancing life and death. The weight of the world was on her shoulders and she was suffocating, unable to escape the constant mistreatment and disrespect she faced every day. Death seemed like her only hope to escape the misery. But fate had different plans for her. When she stumbled upon the Alpha of the most notorious pack, her world flipped upside down. He was the epitome of power, with piercing eyes that seemed to look into her soul. She was caught in a dangerous game, forced to make a choice that could either save her life or seal her fate forever. Will she be able to escape the claws of the Alpha or will she succumb to his wrath?

Heather's life is turned upside down when she is forced into a marriage with Prince Keith of the powerful Devontae Kingdom, a man she has never met and a kingdom filled with whispered rumors. Determined to resist her fate, Heather braces herself for a life she never chose, only to discover her new reality is far more complicated than she imagined. Keith, the enigmatic third prince of Devontae, is as cold and unwelcoming as the rumors suggest. Bound to his mysterious past and deeply loyal to another woman, he makes it clear their union is nothing more than a political formality. Yet, behind his harsh words and piercing hazel eyes lies a truth Heather never expected, Keith is not the man the world believes him to be. But even with that, everything was pulling them closer because he was her fate and she is his fate.

Evelyn Vion is an ordinary woman with big aspirations of becoming a renowned writer. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Maxwell Fierez, a 30-year-old billionaire from a wealthy and influential family. Despite being aware of the vast differences in their worlds and backgrounds, they find themselves in a secret relationship. The question remains - how far will their forbidden love take them? Against the backdrop of Maxwell's father's disapproval and the challenges that lie ahead, fate seems determined to separate them. Unexpectedly, Evelyn discovers she is carrying their child, but she chooses to keep this news to herself. Until their paths cross once more, and Maxwell comes face to face with Evelyn's child, whose piercing blue eyes mirror his own. How will their smoldering resentment, buried anguish, and relentless urge to conceal drive them forward?

During Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law hinted for the umpteenth time that she wanted a grandchild. However, my husband, Zachary Cole, who had insisted on staying child-free in the past decade, only smiled and filled her plate. After dinner, he slipped onto the balcony. "There, there. Daddy will come see you on New Year's Day," he whispered. I stood in the corner of the living room with a glass of water in my hand, feeling cold as the words sank in. I stepped forward and forced a playful tone. "I just heard you say 'Daddy.' Got a secret kid stashed somewhere?" He rubbed his nose, his voice stiff. "You must've misheard. That's… just a friend's kid." My heart sank. I'd been married to him for a decade, so I knew exactly what he looked like when he was lying.

When my boyfriend came to my family home to ask for my hand in marriage, my sister-in-law, who was usually cold and aloof, became a completely different person. She flung her arm around me warmly and asked, “Cassie, who’s your favorite? This boyfriend or one of the dozen or so men that you’ve brought home before?” As I denied her accusation and interrupted her, she cheekily batted her eyelashes at my boyfriend and cooed, “Oh, yes, yes. Cassie has never brought another man home. You’re the lucky first!” In the midst of dinner, she deliberately took her own soiled underwear out of the bathroom, pinched her nose, and waved it around as she screeched, “Oh my goodness, Cassie! I know you don’t really care about hygiene, but we have guests today! How can you have no shame? It smells so bad!”

When I turned 18, my mother married my stepfather, a retired mafia kingpin, and I moved with her into a luxurious mansion. Just when I thought my life was heading toward happiness, my stepbrother, the new mafia boss, stormed into my life. He was like a devil, with delicate eyebrows, a high, sharp nose, and lips that were always tightly pressed together beneath a cold expression. Every time our eyes met, I felt a chill run through me, making it hard to breathe. I tried my best to avoid him, but he had no intention of letting me go. “My stepsister, from the moment I first saw you, I knew I couldn’t let you go. You can’t escape—you’re destined to be mine.” I stared into his possessive eyes as his body pressed down on mine. “No, you're my stepbrother, we can't……"

My husband's beloved lover suffered from menstruation complications. A traveling doctor claimed that a fresh placenta was needed to cure her. His gaze fixated on my seven-months-pregnant baby bump. And thus, I was pinned down on the bed as they ripped the placenta from my body. My son was carelessly tossed aside. He didn't even get the chance to cry before his tiny body fell silent forever. My husband pinched his nose in disgust, frowning as he looked at me—bleeding out, feebly reaching for my child. “It’s just a premature baby. He'll be fine after a few days of care. Why are you making such a fuss? Sandra is waiting for her medicine." He left and locked the door behind him without looking back. He claimed it was a lesson I needed to learn. By the time he finally remembered us, my son and I had long since bled dry, our bodies cold and stiff.

His eyes softened so full of emotions, his hands on my waist holding me tighter, pulling me closer to him. "You're my forever." He whispered. A smile reached my lips as I wrapped my hands around his neck, "forever is a long time, Hudson." He only leaned down kissing my lips, softly. Only for a second, then he laid a kiss on my nose, then my cheeks, my temple, on top of my head. He pulled me against his chest his lips brushing against my ears. "I sure damn hope so." ꧁𒊹︎꧂ Independent Olivia Keith, a free Spirit. Full of confidence. With a surprising sense of humor. College graduate. Just now having a kick start on her career working in one of the richest car companies in the New York. Alexander Hudson young CEO by day, notorious playboy by night. Vowed to never fall in love again due to his past relationship hardships. She was stubborn, and he was persistent.

His Best friend knows everything about him. Every secret, every mistake, his past with girls, which would explain why Jaxon's best friend wants him to stay clear of his sister but sometimes you can't help wanting something you're forbidden to touch. _____________ "Do you know who I am?" she asks and he bits done a small piece of her hand making her yelp a little and pull her hand back. "Who are you?" he smirked, leaning in real close to her face so close his nose almost grazes hers. "I am Evelynn Caya Heyes, that's who. You are Jaxon Shae O'Connor and I am Ethan's baby sister. You can't just keep kissing me." she informs him like he is stupid not knowing that. "I don't think you will keep thinking long on that one." he grins. _____________