Our Selves Or Ourselves

"What? S-so she's going to be my future stepmother, Dad? Seriously? She's even more suited to be my sister! Or...maybe my affair! She must just want to get her hands on your fortune, Dad! Come on! She's nothing more than a deadbeat chick! So, how much do you want, huh? 5 billion? 10 billion? How much? Name your price!" Adrian stared sardonically at the young woman. ***** Alicia Zareta, a young girl of Bandung descent, orphaned, who was only cared for and raised by a distant aunt. Aly, as she is called, is a little innocent, kind, but smart. when she was 19 years old, she received an student scholarship, she met a wealthy man who turned out to be the son of a prominent Billionaire in this country, Australia. They had been in love when they both studied at the same place. He is handsome, a top student, loves speeding or wild racing both cars and motorbikes, but he is also smart and a little arrogant. His charm has always attracted the ladies! He is Adrian Evans Anderson, Adrian was 21 years old that time. Adrian played Alicia thinking of her as an insignificant bet! Adrian even betrayed her by having an affair! Adrian humiliated her in front of many people, which Alicia has never forgotten until now! Left a mark on her that she can't erase! A baby in her womb... Finally Aaron Daryl Anderson 42 year old, a Billionaire CEO in a big company in Australia  came to heal the wounds of her heart, and Alicia tried to accept the man whose age was adrift about 20 years even more with the sincerity of his love. Will Alicia continue with their wedding plans?  Or is this her chance to avenge her heartache by marrying the father of the man who hurt her?

Aria was always treated like the maid at home, even unable to celebrate her eighteenth birthday like any other normal girl. She was bossed around and tormented by her stepsister, Sophie, while her mother always favored Sophie and harbored a deep hatred for Aria. After enduring abuse from her family and betrayal from her boyfriend, Aria completely broke down, only to be shocked when she discovered her hands transformed into wolf claws. It was not until Ethan, a man who claimed to be the executer of Aria’s father's estate, stormed into her life that Aria learned she was Alpha daughter of Nightclaw. Aria didn't want a wolf or a mate. But Aria didn't expect that she would be claimed by four mates...

My childhood friend, whom I hadn’t contacted for years, kept calling nonstop during an important meeting. After the meeting, he spoke in a sharp tone. “Do you think you’re too big for your britches? I’m getting engaged and you’re not even coming back to help out. Do I have to invite you?” I was representing my country at an international scientific forum, so I could only decline politely. Unexpectedly, he turned all haughty. “Fine then. If you’re not coming back, then just send me a gift with four circles and I’ll let it slide. Four circles? Thinking he meant ten thousand with four zeroes, I immediately agreed. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars as a wedding gift.” “Ten grand? Who the hell are you kidding? “My wife is the eldest daughter of the Jeffersons, the most prestigious family in Cirrus. Only the most distinguished people are on the guest list. Seeing that we’re old friends, I’m letting you attend. It’s your great honor!” He cursed angrily and sent me the invitation. I was struck dumb the moment I opened it. My aloof ice queen of a wife, who kept strangers at bay, was locked in a passionate kiss with her arms wrapped around my childhood friend’s waist. “Four zeroes, huh? How about four wreaths?” My gaze darkened as I clutched my phone. Four funeral wreaths ought to count as four circles, too!

Raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, Gina Harrington lived a world of comfort, peace and affluence. But it all changed the moment he came into my life. A man of ruthless disposition and a bloodthirsty nature. The leader of the most notorious group in the mafia mob and a terrible excuse for a human. I had no choice as my life and the family I've known all my life is exposed to the danger that is Devon Fenrir. I had to make a deal with the devil in exchange for their safety. The deal was simple. Become his pet for a year and he would redeem my father's name. I plunged into the depths of hell and submitted to the whims of the devil for the sake of my family. I wonder what I would find down there.

On the day Zachary Lake stands at the pinnacle of global technology, accepting his award, I'm lying in a hospital bed, abandoned by doctors because I can't afford treatment for kidney failure. On TV, the host asks him to call the person he's most grateful for. Without hesitation, he dials my number. "Shannon, do you regret leaving me?" he asks. I clutch the astronomical medical bill in my hand, the paper crumpling beneath my fingers. Forcing a light tone, I reply, "Can you take me on as your kept woman now that you're a big deal?" On screen, his face remains expressionless as he hangs up without a word. Then, his cold voice pierces through the broadcast. "Now, I have nothing to feel grateful for." But what he doesn't know is that when he was on the brink of death years ago, I was the one who gave him my kidney.

Jenna, an exemplary daughter, lives alone with her father who raised her with a lot of love, discipline and responsibility. Mark Black, a very upright man who was widowed very young, but did not make another commitment to his daughter, to live happily. But life is like that, both contacted a blind date company, where they did not speak, wore masks that did not let recognize anything of each other's identity, without knowing it, they do something that would cause pain, regret, tears. Even so, there is an unrevealed truth that in the end will cause their lives to change in their totality. What will that revelation be? What truth will that be? Find out when you read this controversial novel. Where they discover that sex takes place with who can be something for you, but neither knows anything about the other, since everything is done in silence and with masks, but there are also sayings such as. "NOTHING IS WHAT IT SEEMS". Love will overcome very hard obstacles and its protagonists must have strength to cross them, because sometimes friendship and fidelity is something temporary, sometimes who you should take care of is the person you appreciate the most, not always friends are what they seem and say they love you.

From as far back as I can remember, I knew my mom hated me. She gives me sleeping pills when I'm three. When I'm five, she tries pesticide instead. But I'm hard to get rid of. By the time I'm seven, I've already learned how to fight back. If she refuses to give me food, I flip the table so no one can eat either. If she beats me up until I'm on the ground, writhing in pain, I go after her beloved son the same way, leaving him bruised and bawling. That's how we stay locked in battle until I turn 12. Everything changes when my youngest sister is born. I'm clumsily trying to help with her wet diaper when Mom suddenly shoves me against the wall. The look in her eyes holds both disgust and fear. "What were you trying to do to my daughter? I knew it. You take after that monster of a father. Why didn't you just die with him?" I hold my aching head. For the first time, I don't fight back. I believe she's right. My existence is a mistake. I should never have been alive.

On Thanksgiving, my husband Steven Mandel showed up with another woman. Not just anyone—Fiona Osborne, his first love. She had Alzheimer's and only remembered him. And yeah, he said she was moving in. Steven's eyes were ice. "Erica, I stayed away from Fiona out of duty. But I'm not wasting what time I have left without her." Happy 50th anniversary to me. No gift—just a slap-in-the-face love confession. Maya, my daughter-in-law, tried to talk some sense into him, bless her. Then Anton—my own son—cut in. "Mom already kept Dad away from Fiona for years. She's tied ME to you for half my life. Now Dad just wants to take care of the woman he loves—what's so wrong with that?" Steven stepped in front of Fiona like some kind of hero. "Anton's right. Erica, I let you play the wife role for decades. Now, I want to be with the woman I truly love. "If you can't handle that, let's just get a divorce." I stood there, frozen. I'd walked away from a powerhouse law career for this family after we had Anton. I thought I had given everything, and in their eyes, I would be a perfect wife and a perfect mother. But today made it clear—I was never enough. No matter how much I gave, it was never going to be enough. I turned to Maya. She was crying. "You wanna get divorced together?"

Raised in seclusion by humble caretakers, Caleb's life takes a tragic turn when he witnesses the murder of his adoptive father and, years later, the execution of his mother. Left with the responsibility of caring for his sister Alena, they live out a simple existence away from the prying eyes of the village. The tranquility is shattered when Alena is kidnapped, awakening Caleb's dormant powers that were hidden away by his witch mother. Teaming up with a mysterious ally, Julien, they embark on a perilous mission to rescue Alena. As they journey together, Julien seizes the opportunity to reveal Caleb's true lineage – he is the son of King Kalen Voss, also known as King Warborne. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Caleb joins forces with his Julien to fulfill a prophecy that promises to reunite the fractured people and eradicate the malevolence plaguing the land. Their quest leads them to the majestic city of Aurelia, where Caleb is initiated into the dragon army, discovering the secrets of controlling and enhancing his latent powers while keeping his royal bloodline concealed. As Caleb and Julien work in the shadows to overthrow the crown, Caleb finds unexpected love in Celeste, the king's daughter. Their passionate relationship activates a powerful mated bond, propelling them towards a destiny intertwined with the resurgence of a true dragon-king. With Celeste by his side, Caleb embraces his destiny to become the next ruler, standing on the precipice of uniting the people and vanquishing the looming evil that threatens the realm.

When Vera Sinclair’s longtime boyfriend dumps her for the heiress she unknowingly replaced, she’s devastated but not broken. For years, she played the role of the perfect girlfriend, filling in the gaps while he pined for another woman. But now? She’s done being second best. Just when she thinks she’s free, a powerful billionaire, Asher Donovan enters the picture with an intriguing proposition. He needs a fiancée to silence his family’s constant matchmaking, and Vera, with her newfound indifference to love, is the perfect candidate. But Asher isn’t just any billionaire, he’s her ex’s former business rival, the one man who can make her ex regret ever letting her go. As Vera steps into the world of high society on her own terms, she realizes that being a “substitute” was never her destiny. She was meant to be someone’s first choice. And this time, love might just come with the sweetest revenge.