Nothing But Thirty Novels & Stories

On the way to our wedding, my fiancé got a hysterical call from his ex-wife. "Gavin, he's having another episode. He keeps crying for his daddy." This was the third time it happened. Each time we were about to get married, her son would have another psychosomatic episode. Gavin Grant looked at me hesitantly. I knew what he was thinking, so I nodded. "I'll get out. Go ahead." He clasped my hand gratefully. "I'm sorry, Vivian. I'll make it up to you." Before I could even steady myself, he was already telling the driver to turn around. Still in my wedding dress, I stood by the side of the road and hailed a cab. Then, my phone buzzed with a message from Gavin—he'd given me $100 million.

I chuckled wryly, “This is the big leagues, Ana. No one is looking at your pretty face or cares about how beautiful you are. It's either you got it or you don't.” Her eyes narrowed dangerously and a twitch started forming on her lips. She seemed ready to explode but that wasn't my problem. I stared intensely at her and continued, “C, just so you're aware, if this deal doesn't go through, that 30 days might turn to 60 days. And so, if I were you, I'd do whatever it takes to close it as soon as possible.” Ana argued, her eyes spitting fire. “Trust me, I'd want nothing more than to go back to my normal life. I don't care that you have all the money in the world. If you hadn't tricked me into th

Tears stung the corners of my eyes, and my voice cracked as I spoke. “I wasted three years of my life on you—all because of a single promise. And this is how you treat me now?” “That’s because you’re stupid,” he sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. “You clung to some ridiculous fantasy about us. “Someone like you—a pathetic nerd—could never deserve me. “Betty and I, on the other hand, are a perfect match.” I froze in my seat. Although I had long anticipated this ending, a deep sadness still settled in my heart.

The doctor said, "If we can't find a suitable bone marrow match, a month at most." One month. Serena closed her eyes. She thought about Luca's cold, indifferent gaze. She thought about him calling her and Mattia's lives worthless. She thought about Gabriele's disgusting face. She thought about the cameras, the comments, and the laughter. She also thought about one other person—Adriano. The man who had pushed her into hell was now the only person who could save Mattia. She gripped her phone, her palm slick with sweat. The first call went unanswered, and so did the second. She could not tell if she felt disappointed or relieved, but Mattia could not wait any longer. When the third call connect

Not wasting my life here. She types, decisive. [We should get divorced.] Three years taught her something. She got paid. She quits. She's done.

Then his tone turned sharp. "What, forgot your ID again? Scared something might've stopped you this time too?" I took a breath. "I said—I'm not here to get married. Just give me the ring—" His satellite phone blared. He picked up. A panicked voice shouted through the line: "Don! It's bad! Ms. Camorra OD'd—sleeping pills. We don't think she'll make it. And... there's a note. She wrote that it was Ms. Mortoro who pushed her to it!"

Felix gasped, immediately taking offense with her decision. "You have to! Zoey and I will be there." he looked to Zoey for confirmation and she nodded. "There is no way I am going to be your third wheel." Ivory expressed firmly. "What date is it again?" Zoey questioned. "The 26th." Ivory and Felix replied simultaneously. "Uh..." Zoey glanced back and forth between them. "Oh, no. I know this expression." Ivory couldn't contain herself, her laughter echoing throughout the room. Felix's expression turned blank, completely unaware of what was going on.

*** When I woke up, Johan was sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless and smoking. He heard me move and looked back. A check landed on the bed in front of me. I stared at it. He only said a few words. "I'm bored with you." Something inside me cracked. Like porcelain shattering, sharp pieces cut across my heart. Still, my voice came out calm. I even smiled. "I've got less than three months left. Couldn't you wait a little longer?" Johan frowned. "Yara Yelton, you should know your place."

"I don't know how to just... exist." "Then don't try to be normal," Sarah said, her gaze unwavering. "Try to be honest. Start with the small things." She stepped even closer, the scent of lavender and antiseptic clinging to her. For a moment, the world outside the dispensary disappeared. There was no Jakarta, no Surya Group, no burning Puncak. There was only the warmth of her breath and the steady thump-swish of his own heart.

“Baby girl, you got it, girl, you got it, girl. You got it, girl, you got it, girl! I don't wanna play no games, play no games. Fuck around, give you my last name. Know you tired of the same damn thing. That's okay 'cause baby, you-” Amory is pink in the face by the time Liam drops in for the chorus and I pull her body flush against mine before wrapping my arm around her back as I continue, “you the only one I'm tryna make love to, pickin' and choosin'. They ain't really love you, runnin' games, usin'. All your stupid exes, they gon' call again. Tell 'em that a real nigga steppin' in. Don't let them niggas try you, test your patience. Tell 'em that it's over, ain't no debatin'! All you need