Midsummer By Manuel Arguilla Summary

Erica Vaughn, a 24-year-old woman, discovers she's pregnant on her wedding anniversary, but her joy is short-lived. Her husband, Asher Whitfield, a wealthy and ruthless CEO, reveals he's been having an affair and wants a divorce. To make matters worse, Erica is kidnapped and nearly killed, only to be rescued and left to rebuild her life. Five years later, Erica returns to Texas with her young son, determined to confront Asher and seek revenge. As they're forced to work together on a business deal, their past sparks a passionate and intense reunion. However, their rekindled romance is threatened by Asher's fiancée, Miley, who'll stop at nothing to keep them apart. As Erica navigates her complicated feelings and the treacherous world of corporate politics, she must confront the dark secrets of her past and the true nature of her relationship with Asher. Will she be able to overcome her pain and forgive Asher, or will their love be destroyed by the very secrets that once tore them apart?

Once destined to lead his family’s empire, Liam Harrington’s life shattered after a car accident left him in a wheelchair. Abandoned by friends, mocked by society, and betrayed by those closest to him, his bitterness grew as he faced enemies who sought to exploit his weakness. Ava Bennett, the overlooked daughter of her family, dreamed of escaping her oppressive home. But forced into a contract marriage with Liam, she found herself battling not only her family’s cruelty but also those who wished to see her husband fail.

Betrayed by his first love. Hunted by his own pack. Marked as nothing more than a plaything for stronger men. Zane has always been an outcast... bullied for being weak, mixed-blood, and unwanted. And just when he thought he finally found love in Ash, his world shattered with one cruel betrayal. But the Moon Goddess isn’t finished with him yet. Dragged into the elite Magic Academy, Zane thought he’d finally be free. Instead, he’s trapped between dangerous alphas, deadly rivals, and desires that could tear his soul apart. One wants to possess him. One wants to break him. And one might be his salvation… or his greatest sin. With every stolen glance, every forbidden touch, the lines between hate and obsession blur. Power isn’t the only thing awakening in Zane, so is a hunger that could ruin them all. Will Zane submit… or will he make them all kneel?

Magnolia's life slowly falls apart when her step mother sells her to a ruthless Mafia boss, Orion, as payment for her parent sins. His wrath was known to be swift and painful, Magnolia knows this spells doom for her. But Orion's revenge comes with a price: her complete submission to him. He unleashes his inner vengeance and pain on her for the pain her parents made him pass through. Magnolia's world is slowly turned upside down. But Orion has no idea that this beauty would be the end of him. She is a spy sent by his rival Mafia clan to get Intel on him and take him out. Magnolia doesn't want to do it but he doesn't give her a reason to not want to. She is stuck in between the lines of pain, pleasure and love. She finds herself, craving for the very man who absolutely loathes her. Will Magnolia surrender to this intense passion, or will she fight to regain her once lost freedom? In this dark and mysterious world of mafia's, there is one saying that guides all: "Once you've submitted, there's no escape"

Ashina Gonzalo life was bad enough. Her parents were killed when she was young; she had no mate and even when she had the chance of having one, that too was taken from her. She decided to take her revenge on the royal family for all the pain they had caused her but would she go through with it? Would Mr Arrogant Alpha come begging that way she wanted

Trapped in a loveless, tyrannical marriage to ruthless billionaire CEO Damon Cross, Emma Walker endures the whispers of admiration from outsiders, who believe she is the envy of the city. They see her glittering life—the mansions, the diamonds—but none can imagine the cruelty she suffers behind closed doors. Damon treats her as his possession, a mere maid in his palatial home, caged and stripped of dignity. Then, an unexpected event brings Jake Carter, her high school sweetheart, back into her life. Now a powerful entrepreneur, Jake is not only Damon’s business rival but Emma’s last hope for freedom. As Damon’s control tightens, Emma faces an impossible choice. Will she risk everything for a second chance at happiness, or will the chains of her marriage prove unbreakable? As Emma’s journey unfolds, she is plunged into a world of betrayal, suspense, and passion. In this high-stakes love triangle, the lines blur between true love and obsession, freedom and bondage. Can love save the day, or will Emma be bound by her vows forever?

She was born prematurely and with a twisted spine, she was belittled among everyone in the pack , she was the weakest in the pack.She was a disgrace most of all because she couldn't shift when she was 18 making matters worse for her . On her 26th birthday and on a full moon she shifted and found out the future Alpha was her mate. He was the next Alpha - strong and respected . It was a pairing that could never happen. He would be challenged ,an alpha has to be feared and people ought not to see him as weak.

Serena Lancaster’s life is in pieces. After a painful divorce, she’s trying to put herself back together. But when a blind date set up by her parents leads her to Myles Voss, her ex-husband’s boss, things take an unexpected turn. Myles is a powerful lawyer by day and a dangerous biker gang leader by night. He’s used to getting what he wants, and right now, he wants Serena. With a past that’s hard to forget, he sees her as the key to gaining everything he’s been after. But as their fake relationship grows, Serena finds herself torn between trust and the fear of being used.

She was wounded and swore to make all men pay until she met him. Bella was hurt in the most cruel way by the man she has loved all her life. Everything was taken away from her including her hope of having a child of her own which is one of her greatest wish. On the night she found out about everything a beast as created, she swore to never rest until hundred men have paid for her misery. She used her beauty as a weapon and succeeded in ruining many mighty men until she met Henry Rick who was also hurt and on a mission of revenge too. His fiance cheated on him on their wedding day with his step brother, he was hurt and swore to make sure that every woman that comes his way gets a share of his hurt. It was a clash of revenge as their rage clashed with each other. Rick gave up first taking her healing up to himself and shielding her from all the dangers she had incurred upon herself through the course of her revenge mission. Rick was all she ever wanted except that now she was no longer Bella, she was now Rose, her split personality who has no atom of emotion. Will Rick be able to awaken Bella again while shielding her from all the dangers lurking around or will the will Rose succeed in ruining herself aside all the dangers she has created for herself?

"Dimitri, I am telling you for the last fucking time, leave me the hell alone!" I yelled as the blood pulsed through my veins and my auburn hair rose. "My name isn't even Dimitri." "I really don't care. You've betrayed me and that's it. So Dimitri or whatever-" "I am Ivanovich Popov and I am not leaving you alone neither will I ever leave you alone. So it's either you come with me right now and willingly or I drag that pretty little ass while you kick and squirm. Choose wisely, Ramona." He yelled. I don't know why or how but looking at him now, the sweat running down his defined body, the way his biceps flexed and all, I felt a slight wetness pool at my panties. I clenched my legs tighter and decided to try my luck. "My name isn't Ramona either. That's my undercover name. My real name, my birth name, is Madi."