Naruto Sticks

After the real son, Asher Vale, was brought back, everything in our house became tied to drawing lots. The chef of the day, who would have to cook a particular person's preferred dishes, had to be decided by drawing lots. Even our parents' kisses and hugs were chosen the same way. I always drew the short stick. The long stick, by default, belonged to Asher. He never had to do anything to receive our parents' love. Whenever I felt it was unfair and wanted to cry, Mom would scold me sharply, "I bought the lot-drawing box because I was afraid you'd feel hurt. I wanted to be fair to both of you. If you want something, decide it yourselves. Your father and I won't interfere. If you can't draw the long stick, you can only blame your bad luck." So I began practicing every day, shaking the box diligently, over and over, in hopes that one day, it would help me earn my parents' love. Unfortunately, for ten years, I never once drew the long stick. Until my birthday. Asher wanted to go to the amusement park, and Mom once again told us to decide by drawing lots. I secretly glued the two short sticks together and handed them to Mom, hoping to keep her with me. She slapped me hard across the face, screaming that I was cheating and disobedient. Then she stormed out of the house with Asher. When I fell to the ground, the short stick stabbed deep into my neck. 'I'm sorry, Mom. Next time, I'll work harder. Next time, I'll definitely draw the long stick.'

During the Thanksgiving holiday, my mother-in-law Mary came to visit us from Ohio. I took her to my husband Liam's new spa in Manhattan, Apropos. We enjoyed a basic facial treatment together, which I had purchased for $9.90 on an e-commerce platform. Right after the treatment, the beautician slapped a high-priced package down in front of us. She glanced at us contemptuously and said: "Do you really think you can enjoy our premium services with a $9.90 coupon?Stop kidding. You two look like you’re here to freeload. A single facial here costs thousands of dollars. This isn’t some free trial for cheapskates like you." I suppressed my anger and said coldly: “We have already paid for the basic treatment. How can you call this taking advantage for free?. Go get your manager.” A flashy woman walked over. Her arms were crossed. She looked down her nose at us. “I’m the Boss lady of this place.You and this old hag are just trying to get something for free, aren’t you? Let me be clear. You're buying this five-thousand-dollar hydration treatment today. Or you're not walking out that door.” A five-thousand-dollar hydration treatment? So this was it. This was why Liam suddenly got into the beauty industry. He didn't open a spa. He opened a scam shop to bankroll his mistress. I was about to call Liam, but she beat me to it, dialing a number. “Darling, you need to get down to the spa, right now. I've got a couple of hicks from the sticks making a scene, trying to get free services!”

I turn down a dream research program at Hefford University just so I can stay and help my debt-ridden boyfriend run a burger stand. This time, he says he's serious. I give him all the money I've saved up over the years, hoping we can build a better future together. A few hours later, I discover he's forgotten two hundred dollars in the drawer. I grab the money and run out, hoping to catch him. What I catch is a scene straight out of a corny movie. The loan sharks who used to beat and threaten him are now bowing and nodding deferentially. "Sir, I guess we don't need to show up at your house anymore, right?" Kurt Saunders rubs his temples and replies, "Yup. Anna gave up her entire future for me. She even turned down an opportunity to study at Hefford just to help me pay off my debts." Before he even finishes, his childhood friend lets out a giggle. "Kurt, that's still not enough. You'll only know if she really doesn't mind being poor if she sticks around through a year of flipping burgers without any complaints." Kurt looks at her sly expression and lets out a helpless laugh. "Alright, we'll do it your way. One more year of pretending. Anna would never leave me anyway." I stand there, listening to the sound of my own heart shatter. Kurt, you think I'm giving up my future for you, but it's still mine, and I can take it back.

“I'm pregnant and it's for you.” Her eyes were shut as she finally made the statement. Cold air descended in the room as she opened her eyes to stare at Jack who was looking at her dead in the eyes. “What?” He finally asked after staring at her and she gulped before responding. “I'm pregnant." She replied, more boldly. “Over a month gone.” She added and she noticed his jaw tighten. His face hardened, making her more nervous. Sighing loudly, he took his hand to his hair and racked his hand through it. “Has the doctor confirmed it?" He asked, refusing to believe that she was truly pregnant. “I want to be in my child's life.” he stated lowly and she turned sharply to stare at him like the words pricked her like needles. Jack Antonio is the youngest and most eligible bachelor in the city. During one of his visits to his favorite bar, he comes across Karen, and her image sticks in his mind forever. They get into a one night stand few weeks later, and now, she wants billionaire, but it's not just for love. Karen smith is a 24 year old blogger and journalist. After being kicked out from the firm where she worked, she's left unemployed and realizes that she has to use someone to get to the top so she turns to the one person nearby… But, things get messy when feelings get involved. Jack finds, out, and leaves, but by then, there's already a baby involved. He fights to get her and the child back, but then, her ex is back, and he came to fulfill his promise years ago. A love triangle emerges. Karen is in the midst of two billionaires. One, she has a child for, and the other, a past.

He is a star. The biggest artist in the world. His life is never private. Heck! how can his life be? His father is one of the world most richest and most influential men. His mother, who was once an actress and supermodel, now owns a huge clothing line. Immediately at his birth, he was crowned heir to both empires. So, his life has been for public showcases. She is a nerd whose life is being defined by her GP. Attending one of the most prestigious universities in the world due to a scholarship. She sticks her nose further in her books,a social outcast. Not that she minded anyway. With an aim in mind to help her family out of their debts and misery, she strives to be the best. Fate seems to have other plans for her as she meets this megastar in an unseemly when she is mistaken as an obsessed fan and got her ankle sprained by his body guard. What happens when he can not get her out of his mind, and she is back to forgetting him. And he makes it his mission to find her. What's installed for two polar opposites who find a way to meet each other. "I would not tell anybody about today's incident, not that I have anybody to tell, really." Gemma said as the van stopped in front of the hospital "I am sorry for what he did. Please don't go around telling people about this." Kayden said to her. "For the 100th, I won't tell anyone, and I don't know you or even care." Gemma said as she limped down from the van. "I am sorry, when I go live on stargram, just leave a comment like it's broken ankle." Kayden said, giving her an apologetic smile.

Maya has never known safety. Under her father’s roof, cruelty was law. He was a feared hunter to the outside world, but to her he was worse—an abuser who left scars on her body and shadows in her mind. His control reached so far that even in the darkest nights, she felt the threat of something no daughter should endure. He told her her mother was dead, but the truth was crueler: Nova, her mother, was alive, a werewolf locked away by his hand. Maya’s only escape is hockey. On the ice, she is fast, fierce, and untouchable. When a scholarship offers her freedom, she seizes it,desperate to outrun the past. But at her new school, silence and scars mark her as an outsider. Cruel whispers follow, especially from Lia, the golden Luna-to-be. Yet on the rink, Maya shines, and it is there Liam—the future Alpha—feels the impossible: the mate bond. Bound to Lia but drawn to Maya, his struggle only deepens the storm around them. Strange changes begin. Wounds heal overnight, anger shatters sticks in her grip, and her dreams whisper of silver eyes and forgotten power. When her own eyes flash with that same light, fear spreads through the pack. The truth unravels—her father has conspired with Lia’s mother and a witch to keep Nova imprisoned and Maya controlled. When Maya’s wolf finally awakens, it is no ordinary shift. Her form is larger, darker, a hybrid no one can name. In the battle against those who sought to break her, Maya unleashes a power that nearly destroys everything, even Liam. Her father is dead,Nova is free, Lia is disgraced. Yet Maya stands on uncertain ground, her power a beacon for enemies still to come. Her story has only begun.

Ever since my mom gave birth to her second child, everything in the household is tied to drawing lots. Everyone has to draw lots in order to decide whose favorite food will be served for each meal. We have to draw lots to see who among us gets a hug from our parents. Every time, I end up drawing the short end of the stick, so everyone automatically assumes that my younger sister, Anabelle Madden, gets the better lot. She easily reaps my parents' love without having to do anything at all. Whenever I feel like crying because of the injustice, Mom will scold me instantly. "I bought the lottery box because I was worried that you might feel upset about this. I'm doing this just to be fair to both of you. "If you want something, you have to be the one deciding who gets what. Your father and I won't interfere with your decision at all. Since you can't draw the better lot, that just means you have bad luck." Hence, I keep practicing my lot-drawing skills every day, hoping that I can eventually draw the better lot in order to obtain my parents' love. But for ten years, I never get to draw the better lot. Not even once. On my birthday, Anabelle wants to go to the amusement park, so Mom tells us to draw lots once again. I secretly glue two short lots together before giving it to Mom in an attempt to get her to stay with me. Instead, she slaps me and berates me for being a disobedient child who cheats in lot-drawing. Then, she leaves the house with Anabelle. When I fall to the floor, I feel the short sticks piercing through my neck.

On the day I get released from prison, Joshua Caldwell's adoptive sister, Madeline Caldwell, hosts a live stream to welcome me home. She makes sure to shove the phone right in my face. "This is my older sister, Victoria. Even though she has gotten violated by 13 people, she still has the courage to continue living in this world." The comment section explodes instantly. Joshua frowns slightly, but Madeline merely sticks her tongue out at him with a cute smile on her face. Instead of going hysterical like I did three years ago, I just smile at everyone. "A woman's body is never her weakness. The offenders are the ones who deserve to die, not me." After returning home, I don't stop Joshua from letting Madeline visit our parents' graves on their death anniversary on my behalf. I don't mind Joshua giving my room away to Madeline and telling me to stay in the storeroom. Even when Madeline pushes me into the water once again, Joshua chooses to save her despite her knowing how to swim. After I get rescued by a passerby, I just go home on my own silently. Mixed feelings swirl in Joshua's eyes as he looks at me. "That three-year sentence has changed you for good, Vicky." I just smile softly in response. All I've done is finally see reality for what it is and not harbor any hopes for him at all. Moreover, the system, which I've lost contact with, has finally returned three days ago. It told me that it could take me home in seven days. But why is it that Joshua loses his mind after I've left this world for real?

While studying abroad, I move into a shared apartment. Not a single day goes by without my housemate, Stuart Harper, calling himself some variation of a sweet, brave, and responsible guy. On the very first day he moves in, he hires workers to take out the insulation from the walls. I confront him about it, but he simply grins at me and proudly boasts about his decision. "That was all just some shoddy foam that the construction workers padded the walls with. Not only was it useless, but it was even taking up so much space. The fact that I forked out my own money to get rid of it proves that I'm such a sweet and responsible guy!" With a scowl on my face, I explain to Stuart the purpose of having proper insulation. He immediately leans in close with an admiring gaze. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea! I just wanted to do something nice for us. What should I do now? You have to help me think of something!" I naively assume Stuart just lacks common sense and doesn't act with malice. Thus, I willingly enter into a cycle of always cleaning up after his messes. One day, I get a fever. He ends up buying a secondhand electric slow cooker and declares he's going to take care of me by cooking me soup. My head throbs as I quickly put a stop to his attempt to heat the electric slow cooker on the induction stove. I tell him to let me catch a nap before I teach him how to cook later. But not long after I fall asleep, he secretly sticks the electric slow cooker into the microwave to heat it up. The microwave explodes. As the flames start to spread, Stuart screams and dashes out of the apartment at once. The fire alarm wakes me up. I try to evacuate the burning building, only to find that Stuart has locked the door from the outside. In the end, the fire burns me to a crisp. After that, however, he starts twisting things around. He goes online and says with a helpless expression, "My housemate set the apartment on fire while cooking. I'm the one who had to call the fire department on his behalf, and I even had to compensate the landlord for him. I'm definitely the sweetest, bravest, and most responsible guy to ever live!" As the online community proceeds to condemn me, Stuart uses the attention and publicity to go viral as a content creator. Some time later, my eyes open again. This time, I'm going to roast him good.