Once

On the night of our ninth wedding anniversary, my husband—Damian Grant, the man who ruled the mafia by day and once ruled my heart by night—did not bring me roses. He gave the bouquet that should have been mine to Serena Lane, his personal assistant. Beneath the chandelier where we once danced on our wedding night, he turned to me with that same cold charm he once used to whisper sweet nothings in my ear. “She's pregnant.” Finally, everything fell into place. “She's a picky eater. From today onward, you’ll cook three meals a day for her. And no repeats. “She’s sensitive and hates sleeping alone, so you’ll need to move your things into the guest room.” The room fell silent. I did not raise my voice, nor did I shed a single tear. I simply picked up my packed suitcase and walked to the door. The butler tried to stop me, but Damian did not even blink. “She’ll come back.” He lazily swirled the wine in his glass. “She’ll come back crying and begging within three days.” Our guests burst out laughing. They placed a million-dollar bet right in front of me. They were betting on whether I would be back before the night was over, begging Damian to let me back in like a pathetic stray dog with my tail between my legs. However, they did not know I had already received the family heirloom from my real father. I booked my flight to get far, far away from everyone I used to know. This time, I really left.

"In the world of shadows, loyalty is bought, love is a weapon, and once the mafia claims you, you're ruined—body, soul, and everything you once believed in." Enzo Mezzesalma was cold, aggressive, ruthless, and grim. He had no weakness until he met her and once he got a taste of her, she became his new addiction, now he couldn't let go and she became his only weakness and now, they all wanted her just so they could ruin that perfect facade he had built over the years but only if they knew he was worst than the monster they had never heard of, he was just too good at hiding it. There had to be a reason for Rule Number 3, right? *~* It was summer and Anastasia thought the rest of her days would be sunny but she was dead as she stepped into her home for the first in two years after moving to the university campus to be exchanged for her parent's debts and just like that, Anastasia was thrown into the Mafia world, working as a maid to pay off her parents debts and then she met Enzo Mezzesalma and rule number 3 said: Stay Away From Enzo Mezzesalma. Anastasia didn't know when she started breaking that rule and got herself buried in a hole she wouldn't be able to pull herself out. "My own death does not frighten me, but yours? Oh, that's my greatest and deepest fear," - Enzo Mezzesalma "Being his slut and being a slut are two entirely different things," - Anastasia Martin

When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade…. Esme believed in this saying for as long as she could remember. These words gave her the strength and courage to live each day as it comes until she eventually became tired of making those lemonades and wished for something else. Something—different. But that only seemed wishful thinking. Born as a noble and made an orphan after a rogue attack, Esme became the unwanted pack member of NightCrawler Pack. The once daughter of an alpha became nothing but a slave who answers to the new alpha’s family’ every beck and call. The pack that had once adored her now ridiculed her and laughed at her mistreatment and misery. They seemed to have forgotten how her family had fought for the safety of the pack and the kingdom and even lost their lives for them. But in all this, Esme remained silent. Silently enduring and hoping that one day, her knight in shining armor would come and rescue her. That he will show up one day and take her away from the once happy place that has now become her hell. When that day eventually came, she was rejected without a second thought, and she watched as her world came crashing. Hard. Her heart caved in and lost all hope of ever finding happiness again. Or even leaving the pack. After all, what could a wolfless shifter do? Amidst her misery, a ray of light appeared. She was blessed with a second chance mate. One whose outstretched hand she was hesitant to take, especially after knowing who he was.

LEILANI: I owe my life to Phoenix Baxter, leader of the Sandcastles MC. He'd saved me from my abusive father, gave me a life, gave me a home. I'll forever be indebted to him. Which is why when he propositions me to marry him, I don't refuse. But the Sandcastles MC isn't what it once was, and war rears its ugly head. To protect me, Phoenix places a bodyguard in charge of my welfare. It would've been better if it were someone else. But he choose Mason Vampelt. The one man whose presence does unspeakable things to my body. As the war casts it's shadow over the city, my feelings for Mason develops, and soon we're crossing lines, not giving a damn. I love two men: one out of gratitude, and the other out of my body's devotion. MASON: Leilani and I grew up together in the Sandcastles MC. Once inseparable, we drifted apart as we grew older. Reason being because my boss Phoenix wanted her for a wife. She owes her life to him, as I do mine. But I've seen the way she steals glances my way. Seen the way her body reacts to my presence. We both want the same thing. Each other. Phoenix might've saved my life once, but it's Leilani that gives me the will to keep on living. And I'll have her as mine no matter what.

Alexa loved him when he was untouchable. Hulio wanted her when it was too late. Now, she’s the woman he never saw coming. Alexa Hills was always the overlooked one, the awkward girl with plain looks and a heart too tender for a world obsessed with appearances. She was rejected by all. But behind her timid eyes burned the legacy of a dynasty, and the will of a queen in waiting. Hulio Ripples, one of the heirs to Ripples Investment Firm, was every woman’s dream, charming, arrogant, and hopelessly smitten with Alexa’s glamorous older sister, Ashley. To him, Alexa was a nobody. To him she was a reject. Until his world crashed, quite literally, and she was the only one who stayed. When tragedy strikes, Alexa gives up everything to care for the man she’s always loved. For a moment, it seems like her devotion will be enough. But when Hulio recovers, he returns to the woman who once broke him—leaving Alexa shattered and pregnant with his child. Now, she’s back. Not the shy girl he once ignored, but a stunning force of power and poise—CEO of Hills Fusion and a woman with nothing left to lose. With the help of his brother, Helia, she rises from heartbreak to empire, crushing Hulio’s pride and reclaiming her throne. But in a tangled web of love, betrayal, and revenge… can a heart once broken ever trust again. A provocative tale of passion, pain, and power, Ripples and Hills is a revenge romance that will leave every reader spell bound and lost in a world of entanglement and revenge and unrequited love.

Auralia was once a loving family woman, but all that changed when she contracted an incurable illness. Now she's been unfrozen by a ruthless celebrity in a future world. She must submit to him to pay back the debt her life has created in a world that treats those cured as slaves for the rich

“Never in my wildest imagination did I thought na kailangan pa kitang ipa-kidnap para lang magkita tayo ulit. Hindi na ako papayag na makawala ka pa sa akin ulit, Calista. You’re in my possession now. And once mine, will forever be mine.”

Luna, the next guardian of the moon, embarks on a mission to find her grandfather who one day disappeared in a quest to annihilate the spirit of the infamous mythological creature Bakunawa who was once again reinvigorated. Accompanied by extraordinary allies, a stirring adventure unveils. She makes head and tail of the onus of a guardian as well as a friend.

Clause 7 : on no account should children be brought into this contract, the result of which would have dire consequences. Guess what Vivian Cross did? Vivian Cross was once at the top of the society's scale until unfortunate events took place and she lost all that she had except one. Desperate and in need of help, she lunges herself into an unexpected contractual loveless marriage with a man she once had the hots for but does true love really die? And when things go awry and she is forced to pick between a life of luxury and a forbidden baby, what does she do when she realizes that the man she thought was just distant actually doesn't want her and to prove it, brings his first love back into the picture knowing fully well that it would hurt her beyond reasoning. This game of cat and mouse, will it go on forever or will Nate Stuart finally realize that he had all that mattered in his home?

Avery's always harbored a crush on Jake Ortega, the charming boy next door who once stole her first kiss. Life pulled them apart when she had to move away with her mom. But now, fate reunites them, and sparks fly anew. With Jake now at the helm of his father's billion-dollar company, their rekindled connection breaches all boundaries, fueled by an irresistible attraction. ********* "Do you like that princess?" Jake thirstily questioned between our kiss once again. "Y..yes." I managed to moan out before he cruelly removed himself. Jake stood above me while staring down at me with a pleasing smirk on his handsome face. "Your lips taste of strawberries just as they were before princess. Now I want you to be a good little girl and maybe, just maybe I'll give you what your body has been craving for and more."