Nyt The 100 Best Books Of The 21st Century

I sat at the table, watching the food grow cold, much like my heart. Today was my birthday. It was also Leslie Buck's birthday—Katherine White's childhood sweetheart. I unlocked my phone and opened Leslie's social media page. As expected, a new post awaited me. "Grateful to have you by my side for every birthday. Let's keep our promise to celebrate every one of them together in the future!" The photo showed two hands forming a heart in front of a cake. One of them was Katherine's. I could tell from the bracelet she wore. It was the one I had given her. I gave the post a like, then set my phone aside. Without hesitation, I dumped the dishes Katherine liked into the trash and went out to a restaurant to order the food I liked, celebrating my birthday alone. From now on, I would make sure to enjoy every birthday of mine.

Synopsis: Zara Parkinson has only one agenda for the night; Lose her virgin status. She meets a man named Marcello and he shows her just what it is she has been missing out on , her entire life. Two months later, she finds out she is pregnant. Marcello Andres is faced with an ultimatum; get married or get disinherited. A woman comes to him, claiming he is responsible for her pregnancy. With the threat looming over his head, will he make an opportunity out of this crisis? Excerpt: The man before me levels me with freezing stare. My limbs shake under his cold eyes. “ Miss Parkinson, is it? You said you’re pregnant?” “ Yes” “ And I’m responsible for it?” Had he not been listening to me the whole time? “ Yes” He smirks. “ That’s not possible, Miss Parkinson” “But, we met at the club downtown two months ago and we …slept together. It was my first time so I’m not mistaken.” He slams his palms down on the desk with a loud bang. “ You can go pin that thing you’re carrying on the rightful owner because that is not me. I had a vasectomy, Miss Parkinson”

Five years ago, when my boyfriend's small company was on the brink of bankruptcy I stepped in to save him, quietly supporting him from the shadows. Without revealing my identity, I became the company’s largest shareholder. Five years later, the night before his company was set to go public, he held me in his arms and said, "Emma, after the company goes public tomorrow, don’t leave. I have a surprise for you." At that moment, I was swept away by the idea of his "surprise," my mind racing with the hopeful thought that he might propose. I didn’t notice the cold glint of malice lurking in his eyes. The next day, as his company went public, he slapped me across the face and sneered, "Do you even see what kind of person you are? Did you really think someone like you could marry me?" He grabbed me by the hair and dragged both me and my best friend in front of a crowd of thugs and beggars he’d gathered. “These worthless cast-offs aren’t good enough for me anymore. Consider them my gift to you. Do whatever you like with them!”

" Make love to me, Ryan. F*ck me till my legs give way. “ When Amelia said this, she knew she was willing to risk everything… her father’s trust and happiness. **** " Damnit, Amelia! He’s my friend! “ Her father snarled. " And he’s my lover! “ She yelled right back. Bryan shook his head, " No, child. Ryan is too dangerous for you. “ " And old, “ he added in a whisper. " I’m not a child anymore, daddy. I’m 21 “ Amelia answered. " Who knows nothing! End it with him or I’ll disown you! “ He was shouting now. She stomped her feet on the ground like the child her father had called her, " I’m going to be with him, Dad! Get used to it. “ " He’s being called a monster for a reason. Don’t you know why? “ " Stupid reason. He doesn’t deserve it. “ she retorted and added, " And isn’t he supposed to be your friend? “ Bryan shook his head, " You come first, Mel. I’m going to protect you from him. “ " At all cost. “

Albert is a detective, author of a book on criminal psychology called: "The Punisher." One day, he received an invitation from the chief of the police department of city A to participate in investigating a case. With his help, the case was quickly solved. This was a sad case that left a deep impression on him. After solving the case, he thought it would end here. Unexpectedly, right after that, a series of cases happened in city A. In each case with different forms and perpetrators. The special thing is the mysterious black rose which is tightly stuffed in the mouth of the victims. "Is it a coincidence? Not true! An evil hand in the back is manipulating all of this. Who is that person after all? What does that rose mean?" Since then he has been drawn deep into this mysterious case. He meets Melanie, a girl from the action team of the crime-solving team. Here, together, they step on the path to find the truth. Together they witnessed tragedies.After investigations, they discovered clues to help find the manipulator behind. The mystery of 15 years ago is gradually revealed. the black roses was telling a tragic story. Will Tran Nghia face what? How does he have to make a choice? The line between innocence and evil is like a thin flame. With just a little bit of lead it will burn so fiercely that it cannot be extinguished...

The day after I got engaged to my boyfriend, his best friend locked me up. He smiled as he unbuttoned his shirt, stepping closer with each passing moment. "Mich, I'm your true destiny," he said, his voice low and menacing. As I struggled to resist, I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs. When I woke up, all my memories were gone. The handsome stranger standing before me noticed my confusion and kindly offered an explanation. "You're my fiancée, but you cheated on me," he said.

Ruby's world shatters when her father dies unexpectedly, leaving her vulnerable to her mother's impulsive decision—marriage to the billionaire mogul Logan Sullivan. Everything changes when she meets her new stepbrother Nathan who becomes her personal nightmare—devastatingly handsome, ruthlessly arrogant, and determined to break her spirit at every turn. What started off as hatred soon changes to an undeniable attraction, Ruby finds herself falling her for bully and the two gets tangled in a secret forbidden romance? Caught between family loyalty and forbidden desire, Ruby and Nathan must decide if their explosive connection is worth risking everything—knowing that crossing this line means there's no going back.

PROLOGUE: Meet Celestina Guevara-Sy_ Isang Masayahing Babae , Walang ibang inaatupag kundi ang pagiging isang mabuting asawa. Maganda , Mayaman , Mabait , Matalino at higit sa lahat Sexy na halos kinababaliwan ng kalalakihan. Gabriela Javier_ Ang Matalik na kaibigan ni Celestina. Pinagkakatiwalaan at tinuring na kapatid. Sya ang KABIT ng Kanyang asawa. Zander Ford Sy_ Ang lalaking asawa ni Celestina. Na ubod ng sungit , malamig kung makitungo Simula ng bumalik sa pilipinas si Gabriela. Paano kung pinagtataksilan sya ng dalawang taong pinagkakatiwalaan nya? Ang taong minahal nya ng lubos higit pa sa kanyang BUHAY.? Magpaparaya nalang ba sya? Dahil alam nyang wala syang puwang sa puso ng kanyang asawa? O ipaglalaban nya ito kahit sya pa ang masasaktan. "B-bakit nyo ito ginagawa sakin? Pinagkakatiwalaan KO kayo? Bakit? Bakit sya pa Gabriela? Alam mo kung gaano KO sya kamahal? Simula noon? Iniwan mo sya sa ere at ako ang laging nasa tabi nya? Bakit gab.? Ngayon pa na kasal na kami? Ngayon kapa bumalik at sirain ang nabuo kung pamilya? Tinuri kitang kapatid pero niloko at inahas mo sya sakin". Celestina. " Dahil mahal ko sya Celestina. Alam mo na simulat sapul palang ay ako na ang minahal ni Zander? Alam kung alam mo yon Celestina? Nagmamahalan kami ni Zander? Kaya pakiusap palayain muna sya. Alam kung mayron pang mas deserve sa pagmamahal mo. Pakiusap Celestina kung mahal mo ako palayain muna sya? Patawad kung niloko kita o namin. Patawad Bestfriend". Gabriela natameme Ako dahil sa sinabi nito na agad Kong kinatahimik at nanatiling nag proseso pa ng mga sinasabi nya. "I'll try to love you Celestina , but I'll fail. Alam muna noon na si Gabriela lang ang minahal KO at wala ng iba. Sorry kung padalos dalos Ako sa disisyon ko. I'm sorry and please Set me FREE Celestina.". Zander. ________ Date Started: 01_24_2024 Ended: Ongoing

For three years, Laurie Rayne lived as the perfect wife. She was silent, devoted, and invisible in the shadow of the Voss empire. Every bestselling creation credited to the Voss name bore her fingerprints, but none bore her name. And Zane Voss, her cold, distant husband, never once gave her his heart. Now his first love is back, and Laurie is nothing more than a forgotten pawn; discarded, humiliated, and blamed for everything that went wrong. But when her younger brother's life is on the line, Laurie begs Zane for help… only to be spat on and called a leech. Cornered by desperation, Laurie does the unthinkable… She auctions herself off to the highest bidder. Theron Blackmoor: ruthless billionaire, feared businessman, and the man who buys her at a price that shocks the world. He makes her his possession, but promises her power in return. Anything she wants: except her freedom. As Laurie experiences the dark, seductive world of Theron, she uncovers secrets that were never meant to surface. Zane is not done with her. And the past she thought she left behind may be the key to taking everything back. Love was never part of the deal. But is it? Revenge? That was always the plan. ♠

Years ago, ruthless mafia heir luciano De Rossi fell for a mysterious woman with a wicked smile—and lost everything. She betrayed him, vanishing with secrets that could destroy his empire. Now, she’s back. Or so he thinks. When Luca crosses paths with innocent and headstrong Eva Moretti, he's convinced she’s the same con artist who once played him. He draws her into his dangerous world, determined to get revenge. But Eva isn’t the woman he remembers—she’s her twin. And while she’s caught in his web of deception, he finds himself tangled in emotions he vowed never to feel again. As passion ignites and the past claws its way into the present, Luca must decide what’s more dangerous: the enemy who broke him… or the twin who might heal him.