Nothing But Thirty Novels & Stories

Not believing her was one thing—but to humiliate her like this, to sell her, to reduce her to a commodity— “Thirty million.” The calm, clear voice cut cleanly through the chaos. The entire room fell silent. Thirty million?! Shock rippled through the crowd. Tanya lifted her head despite herself, staring toward the source of the voice. Even the host looked momentarily stunned—then his eyes lit up with unmistakable excitement. “This gentleman bids thirty million for one night!” he announced loudly. “Any higher offers?” “Thirty million—once.” “Thirty million—twice.” Tanya stood frozen, her mind reeling.

I waited until it was close to midnight—I had three minutes to go. I started thinking back on my life, but it was too simple and plain. There didn't seem to be much to remember. My life had been a tragedy from the moment I was born. The minutes turned to seconds, and I slumped onto the table. I had my urn and photo beside me. Five, four, three, two, one… The countdown ended, and a dead silence descended upon me. The room went silent—even the sound of my breathing disappeared. At the same time, I heard the sound of the doorknob turning. Someone was back!

“Nobody can see us.” XXX

Three lives. Three.

Ayden couldn't stand her causing a scene in the company anymore. One time, during an argument at the company, she fell and lost the baby. Leticia cried day and night. Ayden gave her some money. Was this what he called handling Leticia well? After a long time, I found spending time with Gary very enjoyable. He proposed to me, and his parents didn't mind that I had been divorced. The middle-aged man across from the phone spoke with a rising tone. During this period, my phone would always receive calls from Burville, but when I answered, there would be no response.

I kiss the blonde on the lips and slap the ass of the brunette as they usher themselves out. I stand and pour myself a whiskey. “You have thirty seconds, Yetti,” I say without turning around, “to tell me what you want before my fist comes crashing down on your face.” “We agreed you'd never call me that.”. I smiled into the glass. “We agreed on a lot of things you didn’t bother keeping when it suited you. Twenty five seconds.” He steps further into the room, trying to look at anywhere else that isn't my naked chest. I watch him approach. To strangers, he’s the ruthless tech billionaire the tabloids built.

All she ever received in return was the cold voice of an automated recording. She had sent countless messages explaining herself and begging for forgiveness. Every single one disappeared without a response. She sat there quietly. The entire world felt silent, as though she were the only person left in it, swallowed whole by loneliness and helplessness. Then, in the dead silence of the night, the sound of the keypad lock disengaging suddenly echoed through the house. Claire jolted as joy flooded her face almost instantly. "Nathan..." She stumbled toward the door and yanked it open. "Nathan, I knew you would—"

I closed the message. Went back to work.

"It means you no longer have a home." I pulled a remote control from my pocket and pressed it gently. The hotel's massive LED screen flickered once, and the video of their sweet everyday moments disappeared. In its place were page after page of detailed financial statements, bank transaction records, and scanned copies of asset transfer agreements. All eyes, wide with shock, were fixed on the screen. At the bottom of the screen, the bold red text was impossible to ignore. "Total assets under Victor Lyon—Zero. Current liabilities—1.5 billion dollars."

It showed her singing the song Speechless from Aladdin first and then a time lapse where she was wearing a different dress but singing a different song with three other males behind her “Sometimes I get so weird..I even freak myself out..I laugh myself to sleep it's my lullaby…sometimes I drive so fast…just to feel the danger..I want to scream..it makes me feel alive…is it enough to love…is it enough to breath…somebody rip my heart out..and leave me here to bleed…is it enough to die…somebody save my life…I’d rather be anything but ordinary please…to walk within the lines..would make my life so boring..I want to know that I have been to the extreme…so knock me off my feet..come on now give it