Palm Beach State Library

"You owe me, Isabel. I married you just for revenge." Emerson's cold voice cut through me. The man I loved betrayed me in the most ruthless way imaginable. In his heart, I was never more than a shadow of his first love, Lilith—the woman who destroyed my life. After the heartbreak of losing my baby, the diagnosis of a malignant tumor was another cruel blow. But Emerson wasn't done. He delivered one final, devastating strike: my father, now in a vegetative state, might have committed an unforgivable crime. The weight of it all nearly crushed my will to live. Yet when I finally walked away, Emerson became desperate to win me back. But why? Wasn’t this exactly what he wanted all along?

“This is forbidden, Asael….”she uttered, making him clench his jaw. “This is wrong,” once again she repeated those same exact words to him which had destroyed his life 3 years ago brutally. “Why is this wrong, Ezrene? Because I am your fucking stepbrother?” He seethed out at her, slamming her against his sinewy body. “Why is this forbidden because my fucking father is going to marry your mother?” he spat at her. “But as far as I could remember….” He thrusted his face dangerously closer to hers. “You had let this stepbrother of yours get closer to you to that extent where you had fucking conceived with his child,” those words of his numbed her very existence completely. “That same exact child of mine which you killed with your own hands before I even got to know about its existence,” that utterly venomous pain flashed in his eyes which teared her up more, making him press his forehead against hers. “Your dad will kill you for this, Asael,” A lethal smirk formed on his face at her words. “You think I am afraid of him and my death?” He asked her while lifting his hands up to palm her face. “If I would have been afraid of my father and my death then I wouldn't have abducted you from you altar, in front of your fucking would-be husband, my father and the whole world, bella,”wiping her eyes, he pushed his face closer to hers. “Because we both know you're just mine, mi bella,” he pressed his lips against hers, causing her soul to break by finding herself trapped in the arms of her love and…… What brutality this love of hers was going to make her endure because she was in love with HER OBSESSED STEPBROTHER?

I made my way directly to the library with the present I had for Asher all nicely wrapped up, ready to be torn open. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. When I arrived at the library, no one was there. I sat there for a whole 20 minutes waiting for Mr. no show. I felt stupid for thinking he would actually come. I got dolled up for no reason at all. Maybe I’ll still meet my mate today. Then it won’t be for no reason. I got up from the table seat and went into the hall, hearing a lot of whispers regarding my new appearance. Some asking if I’m a new girl, others saying I’m trying too hard and others saying I look drop dead gorgeous. I didn’t know how to feel about myself. As I was wandering around the halls waiting for school to start, a smell hit me like a truck. It filled my lungs and took over my mind. It was the smell of after the rain had fallen. Petrichor. "Mate", I growled. I let the scent lead my feet to where my mate was. I was so excited and my palms are sweaty. It led me to the janitor’s closet and before I opened it I heard a moan. I put my ear to the door and heard shuffling. “Hurry Saige, I smell my mate, I can’t let her meet me like this.” I know that voice my heart skips a beat, fear and anger covers my heart like a blanket. It can’t be. It can’t be. There’s no way.

“Please… please don’t kill me,” Lily begged with blood and tears streaming from her face as the big wolf hovered over her. “I’ll give you anything you want… money… anything!” she sobbed. The big wolf studied her for a few seconds and then in one haul, he pulled her car from the ditch where it was upturned and set it on the road. But as soon as it set the car on the road, Lily pumped the ignition as fast as she could and sped off leaving a wake of dust in her trail. As she drove, her eyes darted between the road ahead and the rearview mirror nothing with fear that the Big Wolf was chasing her. He was gaining in on her… it was only a matter of seconds before he’ll get her and tear her apart. She drove as fast as she could, crying and begging on the universe to save her. Suddenly the path curved, surprising Lily who wasn’t expecting the path to take such turn. With full speed, she veered of the road and drove right into a tree. She could hear the pounding paws of the Big Wolf… even in her dying state, he didn’t want to relent. “Moon goddess, please!” she murmured in her head, tasting her blood which was flowed from her face to her mouth. Just before the darkness enclosed her… she saw it rush towards her, was this really her end?

"A worthless bitch is what you will ever be! " Her husband yelled, his hands swung to hit her across her face! "Why don't you just go and die already, can you stop forcing yourself on him, he will never love you, you're so pathetic! " His mistress spat in disdain and hatred. Aurora James thought she married the love of her life, but he turned out to be her greatest nightmare. When he forced her to bear another man's child, she had no choice but to give up her child. Four years later, broken and shattered, she set out in to find the man who fathered her child. Never in her wildest dream had she except it to be Tremont Stone. The cold-hearted and ruthless Billionaire that owns half of her state! He stared coldly at the tiny ugly woman who had bumped into him. "Who are you, woman! " He thundered. "I want one thing from you, that is my son!"

I dated my lawyer boyfriend for five years. He canceled our wedding. Fifty-two times. First time? His intern messed up some paperwork. He ditched me at the beach to fix it. I waited all day. Alone. Second time, we were mid-ceremony when he bolted. Heard that intern was getting heat from another lawyer and left me to face the guests and their stares. After that, every time we tried again, there was always some "emergency" with her. Always. I finally hit my limit. I was done. Packed up and broke it off. But the day I left Ainsley? He totally lost it trying to find me.

"Sorry, it was a dare", that's what I utter after the passionate kiss. I can still feel the familiar taste of that familiar mouth. He still feels the same, he still kisses me like there's no end, he's still passionate and possessive when he holds me in his arms. But he still doesn't look the same. A devilish smirk appears across his fierce face, his eyes darkening at me, making my breath catch. I'm still obsessed with the way he looks at me. "No, Emily. Not again", I tell myself and turn back, escaping the man who knows each bit of my soul, heart and body. The tough palm wraps around my arm harshly, pulling me back against his hard chest as he possessively secures me in his arms. I knew it was going to go well. "Let me go", I whisper. "Not after you reminded how you taste, Em", his hoarse whisper lets his warm breath brush across my neck as I shiver in his grip, weakening to my knees. Amid all similarities, I can't find the old chirpy— vibrant man anymore, instead, I feel the familiar man turning into a demon who wants nothing but to consume me again. This time not in love, but . ~~~~ Kane Gabriel was a kind and vibrant man with excessively features and a heart of gold until his girlfriend Emily Benson betrayed him. Years later Emily herself walked into him only to complete a dare but she didn't know what she invited for herself— a wounded lion who now knew nothing but breaking. With a vow to taint her with pain, will Kane achieve his motives or end up losing his heart once again? Or will a new truth break him from the core?

Wyneth Walford had loved Hayden Hamilton with all her heart for a decade, dedicating three years of her life to caring for him after he was left in a vegetative state by an accident. However, her time and devotion were poured down the drain. Hayden's heart remained stone cold.After their divorce, Wyneth entered the showbiz world, starring in movies alongside charming silver foxes and appearing on variety shows with young hunks. Her doting brothers were prominent figures, including an award-winning actor, a brilliant composer, and a founder of a major brand. Haute couture and jewelry were second nature to her, and even the nation's heartthrob was pursuing her. She had become the most coveted woman in the industry.

Josh, a university student, had known nothing but the harsh embrace of poverty throughout his entire life. Each day, he endured the relentless scorn and derogation from those around him. One day things took a turn for the worst, when he lost his job and his  girlfriend also betrayed him the same day. Josh's heart was shattered into a million pieces, leaving him in a deep state of hopelessness and sadness. Just when he thought things were only going to get worse for him, a sudden revelation changes his life for the better.

Cara Smith is happily blessed with a caring and loving husband, Chris Knowles, with a true best friend, Jessica, by her side. For two years, everything is going on perfectly fine. Or so she thought? On their anniversary party, Cara discovers a shocking secret about an intimate relationship with Jessica and Chris, and apparently, everyone around knew about it except for her! Devastated and heartbroken, she filed for a divorce and headed back home to her parents. Somewhere else lies a rich and successful artist and CEO of a famous art museum, Romeo Armani, who is desperate for true love. Romeo and Cara are actually best friends since childhood, but when he asked her to come with him to France to further their career two years ago, Cara had rejected his offer to be married to Chris, although this is a sweet lie she tells herself. She couldn't dare state the real reason she left Romeo. Chris threatens to ruin Cara's career after a lie he hears from Jessica in an attempt to make him despite Cara. However, Romeo mocks him for making such threat. He is rich and powerful and announces that Cara's company would be the best no matter what Chris does. A year later and Cara becomes stronger and powerful. Chris has a change of heart and wants her back, but Cara has moved on and is finding a new love with Romeo.