Melanie Bright

Los Angeles was supposed to be my home. Instead, it had always felt like a golden cage. The Smith mansion stood tall behind iron gates, glittering with wealth and silence. Servants bowed. Cameras watched every corner. And the man who called himself my uncle smiled sweetly for the world while hiding knives behind his back. I was seventeen when I heard the truth. “He will take care of the girl tonight,” my uncle said over the phone, his voice calm. “Make it look like an accident.” The girl. He meant me. Fear became the only thing that kept my legs moving. I ran from the driver who was meant to take me home, sprinting through unfamiliar streets until the bright city lights disappeared and the world turned darker. Detroit. Wrong place. Wrong time. Engines roared in the distance when I saw him. A man sitting on a black motorcycle like a shadow carved from danger. Tattoos curled up his neck. His eyes were cold enough to freeze the night. Everyone knew men like him were monsters. But monsters were sometimes the only ones who could save you. I jumped onto the back of his motorcycle and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Please,” I whispered. “Help me.” That single moment would destroy his life. And change mine forever. *******

Many years ago, Katniss had to face the bitter truth about the person she loved the most. After waiting for months to tell him about her pregnancy following years of longing, she witnessed her husband marrying another woman right before her eyes. It was a brutal betrayal. She was humiliated and accused of infidelity, with claims that the child she carried was the result of an affair. Her mother-in-law and husband demanded she sign the divorce papers. With the last shred of her dignity, Katniss agreed. “Sign the divorce papers and leave!” her husband demanded firmly, not giving Katniss a chance to explain. Filled with anger and disappointment, Katniss replied, “You... you will regret this. I am truly innocent. This is just manipulation from people who want to destroy me!” Katniss was left alone with her child and fled the city, trying to find a new life after such a severe betrayal. Living was a daily and nightly torment, but she endured it for her daughter, her little princess, the light of her life. But fate had other plans. Katniss eventually became a symbol of respect and admiration among the people. Her life finally seemed bright and promising—until she met him again, the man she hated so much. Will Katniss forgive him after all he has done to her? Especially after she discovers all the secrets James has been hiding from her—secrets that will make Katniss question her feelings for James once again?

When my colleagues find out that I'm pretty good at cooking, they start organizing dinners at my place. Lucy Holt, one of the junior accountants, suggests that we split the groceries evenly between us. As a result, I don't think I can reject their request without being rude. On my last day of work, the group gathers at my place for one last meal. "You're such a good cook, Jess! We'll all be transferring you 500 dollars later. It's just a token of our appreciation," Lucy declares with a bright smile. But the very next day, she sends me a message. "Hey, Jess. You know it's illegal to operate an unlicensed catering business from your home, right? Your house will get sealed off for further investigation. More importantly, the value of goods has passed the threshold of 10,000 dollars, which means the fine you'll have to pay is probably going to be about 20 times that amount. "Since we worked together, we decided not to report you to the authorities. We'll just settle this matter privately. All you have to do is give us the fine you would've had to pay instead." This is how I realized that, combined with yesterday's meal, the total amount they've given me for groceries thus far is exactly 10,001 dollars.

Love built a kingdom. Love destroyed it. And love… might yet bring it back. Long ago, Queen Daphne and King Zerach ruled the Highland of Songhai with hearts bound by passion and destiny. But when tragedy stole the queen from his arms, the mighty king’s heart turned to stone — until Freda, a gentle soul with eyes like sunrise, taught him to feel again. Their love healed the kingdom… and from it came Prince Lucien, bright, noble, and pure. But fate is cruel. For in another corner of the land lived Lyra, a beautiful, fearless girl whose laughter could tame storms — and whose blood carried the same mark as the prince’s. When Lucien met her in the forest, time itself stood still. Their souls recognized each other before their lips ever spoke. What began as an innocent bond soon became an all-consuming love — one that defied gods, bloodlines, and fate itself. Lucien vowed to make her his queen. Lyra vowed to love him even if the stars fell from the sky. Yet destiny had written another story — a story of a secret birth, a forbidden prophecy, and a love so powerful it threatened to tear the world apart. When truth came, it shattered everything: the king’s peace, the queen’s heart, and the lovers’ dreams. But even as kingdoms burned and tears fell like rain… Lucien and Lyra chose love — even in death. And in the silence after sorrow, the Highland of Songhai bloomed again — the winds whispering their names, Lucien and Lyra… the love that defied eternity.

My boyfriend is trapped in the mountains, and I head there alone to search for him. However, I don't find him despite a night of searching. Instead, I end up falling off a cliff and passing out due to severe blood loss. When I open my eyes again, I hear laughter coming from outside my hospital ward. "Sonya's such a fool! She fell for it again!" "This is our 99th time tricking her, right?" "When you pretended to fall into the water, she jumped into an icy lake to save you in the middle of winter. When you pretended to be poisoned, she went to dig up the herbs that you'd need for the antidote… "This time, you pretended to be trapped in the mountains, and she ran there without a care for her life! She's truly head over heels for you!" I struggle to sit up. That's when I see my boyfriend, Austin Miller, standing at the ward's door. He stands out among the crowd and has a bright smile on his face. He doesn't look like he's lost his way at all. His friends continue talking. "It's her fault for abandoning Austin when he was down on his luck!" "She deserves to get played like this! When this is all over, we can throw the invitation to Austin and Dion's engagement party in her face!" It turns out Austin is already engaged. Yet, to this day, he has no idea why I broke up with him in the first place.

He was stunned when I caressed his wounds with my mouth. "Does it hurt?" I asked, staring into his dark gaze. Amusement shadowed his eyes. "You never asked for my surname. Do you want to know?" I nodded my head, my mind wild with expectation. He cupped my face in his big hands, his glowing red gaze, boring down my bright blue ones. His voice sounded deep and breathy, "Pain. Pain is my surname. I invented pain," Jade smirked. His wounds were healing fast and I couldn't control my urge. Not caring about the consequences, I pressed my lips on his. ******** On the death of the Mage King, he betrothed Isabella to Prince Marcus on her 18th Birthday. Not having any mage powers, she was tasked to prove herself worthy of her crown, by seducing the Supreme Alpha to avenge her late father. Supreme Alpha Jade of the Moon Star Pack remained unmated at twenty-eight because of an untold legend. However, when he rescued Isabella from one of his ditches, things were bound to change when he realized that she was his mate. He doesn't want her and he won't accept her yet, he can't let her go. But what happens when he finds out Isabella's true identity and her real intention for appearing at his pack? Betrayal was punishable by death, so what does fate hold for Isabella?

"My boyfriend? Huh. He is the heir of HongYoonChoi organisation. HongYoonChoi is one of the richest organisation in the world. And my boyfriend is their heir." If only Celine can turn back time, she would never lie about a man who doesn't exist in her current life. Celine Kim is a jobless 25 year-old single lady. She believed that there will be a bright future ahead of her as long as her father's last will shall remain unfulfilled. "Find HongYoonChoi organization's heirs and tell them my name," her dying father told her before she left his daughter alone. She heard that HongYoonChoi has influential and rich members that passed through generations. However, Celine was afraid to meet the dangerous secret group known for being ruthless killers. One day, Celine attended her highschool friend's wedding. At the reception hall where she met her old highschool classmates who belittled her ever since then, she was so eager to regain her pride and thus she lied about her current relationship with a young rich man whom she never met - HongYoonChoi's heir. Little did she know, the supposedly fake boyfriend was also at the party! This is the start of the struggle in Celine's peaceful life: when she's going to meddle inside the dark organization and when she falls in love with the hideous monster among the three heirs, Joshua, Jeonghan and Seungcheol. "My life has no door, you can never escape," Joshua whispered on the prisoner's ear. In HongYoonChoi, there are no doors. And Celine can't escape from them anymore.

During a battle with the vampires, I get injured by a silver dagger in order to protect my mate, Evan Stormhowl. Not only am I incapable of giving birth since then, but my wolf also sinks into an eternal slumber. Because of those reasons, I lose my status as the strongest warrior in the pack and become a laughingstock. For seven years, I grit my teeth and endure the mocking comments from others while doing my best to carry out my duties as the Luna, just so I can preserve Evan's dignity as the Alpha. But he can be seen with an arm wrapped around Lilian Wolfhart's waist at the hunting rite that's only hosted once per five years. When the celebratory banquet is in full swing, an elder named Lucas Nightshade clinks his wine glass while guffawing loudly. "Alpha Evan, I know you've been yearning for Lilian this whole time. Why don't you let her have your pup tonight?" The bonfire illuminates Lilian's bright red cheeks, making her look delicate and beautiful. I let out a cold chuckle before dumping a glass of red wine onto Lilian, who's still fantasizing about having Evan's pups. "I reject that suggestion! I, Erin Bloodmoon, will never share my mate with other she-wolves!" Since seven years have already passed, everyone else must have already forgotten that I'd rather have a dead mate than a disloyal one.

[Urgently Need Breastmilk. Compensation Negotiable.] Eileen Sharp used to be a straight-A student with a bright future until she met her ex-boyfriend and became pregnant. Now a single mother, Eileen needed a second job to make ends meet. Eileen laughed. This was either a joke or a forty-year-old man with a weird kink. She wanted to scroll away, but she had bags of breastmilk in the fridge, and money was tight. Did it matter what the old man did with it, anyway? She risked getting kidnapped. The moment she saw him, she was dazzled. . Billionaire Dominic Presley was engaged to Hollywood’s sweetheart. He had all the money in the world, but it couldn’t buy his infant son formula he could keep down. His fiancé would rather die than breastfeed, choosing to go on a trip instead of staying with their son. Dominic needed a miracle. It was a sweet angel with bags of breastmilk in her arms. The attraction was instant. Can Dominic ignore his growing attraction to Eileen to save his engagement? This woman would save his son, but she was the forbidden fruit he couldn’t refuse. This wouldn’t end well, he knew. Eileen knew her time with him was short. She was her boss. She hated herself for lusting after a taken man. But she hated herself more for wishing the crying little boy was her own. She loved him at first sight, more than his gorgeous father. And she wished she would never part. Can she leave when the time comes? Or will she steal the family she dreams of?

They shattered her heart. Now she's back to ruin their world. Kate once had it all - love, friendship, and a bright future. Until one tragic night changed everything. Her boyfriend cheated on her. Her best friend betrayed her, orchestrating the car crash that nearly took her life. Desperate for a second chance, her wish was granted. Four years later, she's no longer the naive girl they left behind. Now known as Taylor Cosgrove, CEO of TAC Limited. She's back in City S, with one goal in mind, "destroy everyone who betrayed her". But as the lines between the past and present blur, Kate uncovers secrets darker than she ever imagined. The deeper she digs, the more she realizes the truth might not just ruin her enemies, but her new life as well. Love. Lies. Betrayal. Redemption. And one devastating secret that changes everything. "Isn't it obvious, Kate? I did it because I love you". Unable to tell the truths from the lies, Kate is trapped in the webs of her past. **** THE PAST "Where were you?" A girl with blond hair sobbed, barely keeping her eyelids opened. "You promised to always protect me...." "But I'm here now", he whispered softly, cradling her in his arms. "This is all your fault, I'll never forgive you". Her hands went limp, as the words left her mouth. She had lost consciousness. An ambulance wailed in the distance. The sky turned dark and gloomy.