Masked Emotions

For years, I’ve shut off my emotions, too scared to bare my heart to someone else. Because the last female I trusted, broke it into pieces and scattered it around for me to pick it up. Work is the only thing that kept my head sane. That is until she walked in. She was no longer a shy teenager, but a beautiful and confident woman. I should’ve known resisting her was impossible. But, it happened too quickly for me to comprehend. Arianna Swanson lights my dark world with a simple smile. I see her and I see hope. My heart doesn’t hurt when I’m around her. But she is off-limits. My cousin's best friend. I should’ve stayed away because she deserved better. I tried and succeeded until one day, her lips whispered my name. I’m not the man she needed while nursing a broken heart, but I am drawn to her like a moth to the flame. Then, I caught the web of deception around her and that brings out my protective instincts at full force. And I realize I’m exactly the man she needs now. This is a standalone HEA romance novel with no cliff-hangers

My fiancé and brother hated me for ten years. They firmly believed I had bullied their beloved Linda Lowe. At my engagement party, they exposed my crimes to the world. "She's nothing but a bully who tormented her classmate!" In the viral livestream video, Linda smiled through tears: "I've already forgiven her." "What's done is done. The past is behind us now" She became an overnight sensation. Meanwhile, I was condemned by thousands, attacked with acid by fanatic fans, and in despair, I took us both down together. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my senior year of high school. Linda was pouring water over her own head while smiling, asking me, "Have you thought about how you'll apologize to me?" I lost it right there. Grabbing her by the hair, I dragged her into the bathroom, shoving her head into the toilet. "Let me show you what real bullying looks like. Since your mouth is so filthy, make sure to wash it clean before you go telling tales."

"Does she no longer perform?" "Where is the Gracious Angel for hell's sake!" "There is no ballet world without her!" On the day the Gracious Angel, the world's most renowned masked ballet dancer disappeared from the eyes of the public, the world of ballet...died. But the disappearance of the Gracious Angel birthed the appearance of Tessa Rashford. Anything and everything that made her a human being was given wholeheartedly to the love of her life, Tony Williams. Her love for him was uncompromising but the day she found a wedding invitation bearing his name, Tessa's world crashed. This led to an encounter with the most powerful man the world has ever seen, Doreen Williams. A single act transformed her life again and this time, Doreen vowed he'd be damned to let Tessa go when he discovered who she truly is and her powerful family.

BLURB “MOMMY I'VE FOUND DADDY” Those four words were enough to change her life forever. Ella Rocci, a single mother trying to make ends meet to provide for her five-year-old daughter, Ivy. Life was a daily struggle, but Ivy's playful antics brought joy and unexpected adventures. Ivy has a knack for playing matchmaker, often pretending to get lost in hopes of pairing her mom with a nice man. But what happens when Ivy brings home Rodriguez DeLuca, a man who not only exudes wealth and charm but also happens to be the one-night stand from years ago—who's now revealed to be Ivy's father. As their past collides with the present, Ella must navigate a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected connections, and the possibility of a love she never dared to dream of.

After nursing the baby, I closed my eyes to rest for a moment. The nanny, thinking I was asleep, brazenly clung to my husband, cooing, "Harlan, if your wife finds out that the son she gave birth to was swapped out long ago and that the baby in her arms is actually ours, do you think she’d be furious?” “You’re so smart. Swapping the babies at the hospital was brilliant. Once our daughter inherits her fortune, we’ll kick her out of the house in no time!” I pretended not to hear their conversation. I continued to raise my daughter with utmost care and devotion. When she returned from her studies, I immediately transferred all my shares to her, supporting her to become the youngest heir of the company. At the handover celebration, the nanny dressed even more extravagantly than I did. She boldly grabbed my daughter and declared, “I am Yasmine’s real mother! You’ve kept her from me all these years, but now it’s time that the truth is revealed!” My husband handed me the divorce papers with a smug look. “For Yasmine’s sake, let’s part ways amicably.” My daughter folded her arms and glared at me. “Since you raised me for so many years, I’ll visit you in the nursing home once a year.” Watching their victorious smiles, I lowered my eyes. “As you wish.” I hope you’re ready to handle the kind of wealth that shatters the heavens!

Because I had a face that screamed 'pick-me girl', I became the target of my mother's deepest hatred. She claimed that just seeing me made her sick, bringing back memories of my father's affair. In retaliation, she channeled all her affection into helping a child from a poor village, praising her for being kind and genuine while insisting she loved her hundreds of times more than she ever loved me. But then that same girl went behind my back and seduced my boyfriend, and my mother reacted by hitting me across the face repeatedly. "How did I end up with such a shameless daughter? You're the third wheel, and you're accusing her of being the other woman!" Yet when I fell gravely ill with cancer, she was beside herself with grief, begging for forgiveness while praying earnestly. "How could I not love you, my dear? I've made such terrible mistakes…"

When the earthquake struck on what should have been our fourth wedding anniversary, my supposedly devoted and family-oriented husband, Lionel Brooks, abandoned me and our children, who were trapped under the rubble. Despite our children's pleas for help, Lionel left without a second thought, carrying his former flame, Fiona Smith, and her daughter to safety. While Fiona and her daughter escaped with minor injuries, my precious children had their chests pierced by steel beams, leaving this world forever. It was such a twisted fate. What was meant to be a day of celebration turned into an annual day of mourning for my beautiful children. A week later, during my children's funeral, Lionel had the audacity to call and ask which hospital the kids were in. It was laughable—after ensuring Fiona and her child were comfortable and safe, he finally found time to check on his flesh and blood. I could only say, "You finally remembered your children after a whole week? Lionel, I hope you rot in hell."

"What do you mean it’s over?" Bella’s voice trembled, her heart shattering with every word. "You heard me. I can’t be with you anymore," Michael said coldly, watching as tears streamed down her face. "I did everything for you. I sent you to school, supported your career, and now I mean nothing?" Bella cried, falling to her knees, her emotions spiraling out of control. "I’ll send you money for your dad’s hospital bills, but you’re not the one for me," Michael replied dismissively. Bella’s world collapses when the man she’s loved for six years walks away, choosing Vivian a woman she once called a friend and the younger daughter of the powerful Copperfield family. Despite warnings from her best friend, Elowen, Bella trusted Michael. Now, she’s left heartbroken and betrayed. Swearing off love, Bella focuses on rebuilding her life and plotting her revenge. But her plans take an unexpected turn when David Copperfield the ruthless billionaire and CEO of Copperfield Group enters her life. Abandoned on his wedding day, David offers Bella a one-year contract marriage, needing her to protect his reputation and restore his pride. How will Bella react when she discovers David has a son with a mysterious mother? With her father’s life hanging by a thread, can she survive this cold-hearted arrangement? And what will she do when she uncovers the ultimate betrayal that the man she’s called her father isn’t her real father, and she’s been living a lie?

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT] BDSM. NO CHEATING! My wedding was a day I looked forward to the most throughout my teen. I couldn't contain my joy at the prospect of marrying the man who had been the object of my affection for such a long time—my future husband. But who would have thought I was merely a naive girl believing we shared similar emotions? My entire world came crashing down when my wedding night turned out to be the most horrifying night of my whole life. **** "Untie these cuffs!" I was in so much pain that I couldn't move, nor could I bear it any longer. "Why on earth would I do that? We aren't yet finished here." His tone was hostile. “What?” I was shocked beyond belief. He reached out and grabbed me by the restraint he had used to tie me up and pulled me closer to himself. Then he stroked my cheeks soothingly while staring me dead in the eyes. “Oh, honey. We have not yet had our first night!!"

"How about I kill you here before he arrives? That would be interesting to watch, right?" He said in a cold tone. I gulp down nervously even though, I'm not sure if he meant his word but the look on his face seems dangerous. His guard passes him his gun again and he begin to trail it on my bare skin giving me mixed emotions right now. He placed his right hand on my jaw forcing me to look straight into his eyes. "Why? You now find me attractive and afraid of killing me?" I asked with a raised brow as I give him a sheepish smile. He untied my hands and smirked. "Flirting with me isn't after all bad, little kitten" he said and suddenly clashed his lip with mine. He stopped before I could react and kissed my neck making me moan immediately. • Going against her family just for Raphael Francis, the dangerous Mafia leader, Sihana Caden found out she was nothing but a pawn in Ralphael's game. She realized, he never loved her and was only with her because he wanted using her to get to her father. "Don't you get it, uncle? I can never love a girl like Zayn's daughter. She means nothing to me." I heard him hissed after saying that in a cold tone. "She's my enemy's daughter, as well as my enemy. I HATE HER! I DETEST HER and I'm going to make sure, her Dad get what he did to my Dad. She will have to go through the pains I went through because of her father."