Paulo Coelho Eleven Minutes

On the day of my wedding, the video I had painstakingly prepared was suddenly replaced with intimate photos of my fiancé and my foster sister, Lindsey Remmington. Within minutes, it hit the top of the trending list. Overnight, I, a celebrated actress, became the abandoned bride of a wealthy family and a public laughingstock. Just when I thought I'd reached rock bottom, Connor Presley, the heir of Elluel City's most powerful family and the boy I'd grown up with, returned from abroad. In front of flashing cameras, he knelt with a diamond ring and proposed, silencing every rumor and every sneer. After we married, we appeared inseparable, our affection the picture of perfection. The only flaw was his infertility—his condition made it nearly impossible for me to conceive. For three long years, I underwent countless rounds of IVF. At last, I became pregnant. Connor was overjoyed. To celebrate, he threw an extravagant party in honor of our long-awaited child. But in the middle of the revelry, one of his closest friends, drunk and unguarded, muttered in Russian, "Connor, you've gone too far. Just because Lindsey was afraid pregnancy would ruin her figure, you put the zygote into Rachel's body and let her carry the baby for you two? If she ever finds out the truth, you'll regret it for the rest of your life." Connor's expression didn't waver. "This was Lindsey's only wish. I had to grant it," he replied coolly. "Besides, having a child with Lindsey has always been my dream. Only her child deserves to be the heir of the Presley family. The days ahead are long—I'll make it up to Rachel, eventually." I stood frozen, my body trembling uncontrollably. That night, I made an appointment for an abortion. When Connor stormed into the hospital, raging like a madman, I looked up at him with chilling calm and said, "I understand Russian."

I stare at the email on my screen, unable to move my fingers. Tomorrow is our company's crucial product launch, and I just learn that the patent for the algorithm I spent three years developing is now filed under Matthew Ashford's new assistant, Sophie Bennett. I storm into Matthew's office to confront him. Sophie sits on his desk with her legs crossed, looking completely innocent. She claims that she filled out the form by mistake. "It's just a clerical error. The patent still belongs to the company. What's the big deal?" Matthew stands up from his chair, positioning himself in front of Sophie. I can't believe what I am hearing. "Matthew, this is my research!" "Emma, you're thirty-five. Why are you picking a fight with a twenty-three-year-old intern?" He frowns. Then, he turns to Sophie. "Starting tomorrow, you're the new CTO. Emma needs… some time off." I'm utterly stunned. A decade of marriage and five years dedicated to building a company together have been shattered by a few casual words from him. Thirty minutes later, Sophie posts a photo on social media of herself sitting on Matthew's lap. They are both clinking champagne glasses. "So lucky to have the best boss ever. I'll make sure to be his loyal kitten." Below that, Matthew leaves a comment—three red heart emojis. I shut my laptop and pick up my phone. "Hello. Is this Mr. David Langley from Novara Group of Sundale Valley? This is Emma Whitmore. I've changed my mind. I'm ready to join you." I pause. "And by the way, about that unreleased algorithm upgrade, I have the complete technical blueprint. Make me an offer." Later, I fly to Tallisport with an eight-figure check in hand, while Matthew goes frantic trying to find me.

WE'RE BACK! Yes, your favorite cousins are back at it again, but this time it ain't about me. So, buckle up and grab your wine glasses, because it's gonna be crazy! Mina’s POV: Wait a damn minute. Am I in hell? Because if I am, I need to speak to HR. I didn't even get a chance to plead my case, give a reference or something. I'm about to start freaking out because, I'm not a “go to hell” and mean it type of person. I can't do heat for five minutes let alone an eternity. I feel like giving my life to save a baby and a man should have gotten me at least joint visitation six months in heaven and six months in hell. “Mina, are you awake?” I heard the voice quietly say next to my ear. I tried opening my eyes, but it felt like I had sand in them. I decided to try speaking, but only let out something that sounded like a sick animal. "Wait right there let me get you some water.” I heard a voice whisper again. Who the hell is that? I have heard that voice before but couldn't figure out who the hell it was. “! We need to move; they've found us.” The voice came again. Wait, what? Who the hell are they? I tried opening my eyes again, this time I managed to get them open enough to see the figure picking me up bridal style. Then the stranger turned his head to look directly in my eyes and I knew instantly who it was. “Blaze? You gotta be shitting me.” I said, obviously shocked. “Hey, can we join the party? I hope you are serving food because we are famished.” I heard a man say.

Le jour de notre anniversaire de mariage, la « muse » de mon mari a posté une échographie d’un fœtus sur Facebook, accompagnée d’un texte : « Merci à cet homme extraordinaire qui m’a soutenue pendant dix ans et m’a offert un fils. » J’ai failli m’évanouir en voyant ça, mais j’ai quand même laissé un commentaire : « Tu as eu un fils avec lui tandis que tu sais qu’il est marié ? » Quelques minutes plus tard, mon mari m’a appelée, furieux : « Tu vois le mal partout ! Je ne fais que lui prêter mon sperme pour une FIV. Elle voulait juste être maman célibataire. » Puis il a ajouté : « En plus, Réa est tombée enceinte du premier coup. Toi, tu as essayé trois fois et toujours rien. Ton ventre ne sert à rien ! » Trois jours avant, il m’avait dit qu’il partait à l’étranger pour affaires. Il ne répondait ni à mes appels ni à mes messages. Je pensais qu’il était occupé. Mais non. Il était avec elle pour son rendez-vous de suivi de grossesse. Une demi-heure plus tard, Réa a partagé une photo d’un festin. « Marre de la cuisine au Pays M. Et Luc a cuisiné pour moi, tout ce que j’aime ! » Je regardais les résultats de ma prise de sang confirmant ma grossesse, mes mains tremblantes, alors que ma joie se transformait en désespoir glacé. Huit ans d’amour fou. Six ans de compromis douloureux après le mariage. Cette fois, c’est fini. Je lâche tout.

Après que ma vingtième demande de lien mental ait été ignorée par mes parents, j'ai foncé vers le Conseil des affaires de la meute. Le rapport médical en main, j'ai lancé sans préambule : « Bonjour, je veux renoncer à mon identité au sein de la meute... et IMMÉDIATEMENT ! » Dix minutes plus tard, mes parents ont fait irruption dans la salle, traînant ma sœur adoptive Elsa. Tous les trois avaient l'air terrifié. Mon père, un Bêta, les crocs apparents et les griffes frémissantes, s'est avancé en hurlant : « Tu n'es qu'une enfant gâtée en quête d'attention ! Arrête ton numéro, tu me fais honte ! » Ma mère, médecin légiste de la meute, a arraché mon rapport, y a jeté un coup d'œil et a ricané : « Tu as falsifié ça juste pour qu'on s'intéresse à toi ? Tu as toujours été une menteuse pathologique. » Elsa, accrochée à leurs manches, sanglotait : « C'est de ma faute… Je devrais pas insister pour organiser cette cérémonie de transformation… Je suis désolée, mais Jennifer, arrête de mentir pour manipuler la culpabilité de papa et maman ! » Je me suis calmement essuyé le sang qui coulait de mon nez, me suis redressée et ai répété à la conseillère : « Je n'ai plus de famille depuis longtemps. Effacez toutes mes traces du registre de la meute. Mes funérailles sont dans trois jours, et je veux pas les retarder. »

I took a deep breath again and again as I finally knocked twice. And after a couple of minutes a baritone yet cold voice spoke. "Come in." My brows furrowed and my chest was pounding so loud when I heard Sir JR's voice. This is the first time he showed himself to us but... this was not the first time I met him. At sana wala rin siyang maalala pa. Pinilig ko ang ulo at pilit tinatanggal ang mga nasa isipan at dahan-dahang pinihit pabukas ang pinto. Biglang nanindig ang balahibo ko dahil sa lamig sa loob ng opisina ni Sir. "Hmm..." tumikhim ako upang agawin ang atensyon niya na nakatalikod mula sa akin at prenteng nakaupo sa swivel chair niya. "Good afternoon, Sir." I greeted politely. He stayed silently, he stayed in his place and he didn't respond to me. Hindi rin siya lumilingon kaya napakamot ako ng ulo. "Sir? What can I do for you? Is it because I'm late this morning? I'm sorry Sir, there's an emergency in our home, the reason why I'm late. I'm sorry." I explained but he remained silent. Dahan-dahan akong napayuko. Mukha ngang bad mood siya dahil hindi man lang lumilingon sa akin. "How old are you?" Wala pa sa isang segundo akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. "Hmmm, 24, Sir..." I answered lowly. "Married?" I swallowed as I responded. "No." "Single?" he asked again. "Opo." "Any relationship? Boyfriend? Ka live in?" "Wala po, Sir..." Pilit kong sinasagot ang mga tanong niya kahit alam kong confidential na iyon. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit iyon ang naging binungad niya sa akin na hindi ko inaasahan. Nabalot kami ng katahimikan hanggang sa muli siyang magtanong na ikinamilog ng mga mata ko. "Virgin or not?" My mouth opened a bit 'coz of his inappropriate question.

I was born with a rare condition. My blood carried healing properties strong enough to neutralize any poison. When Garrett Frank, the young heir from Osbury, was bitten by a venomous snake, he was hanging by a thread. In that desperate moment, I slit my wrist and used my blood to cleanse the venom from his body. Only later did I find out that whoever saved Garrett's life would become the future Mrs. Frank. But after Garrett took over the family business, the first thing he did was drain every drop of blood from my body and have me chopped up and fed to his dogs. "At that time, Loretta had already brought the antidote," he had said coldly. "If you had just waited another five minutes, I could've married her openly and honorably. "But you had to interfere. You stole her place as Mrs. Frank, drove her into despair, and pushed her to take her own life. Since you claim your blood can cure any poison, let's see how much antidote it can make." They bled me dry and threw me into a cage for his dogs. I died there, torn apart and unrecognizable. Afterward, my parents went bankrupt because of the Franks. Both of them took poison and died together. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the very day Garrett had been bitten by the snake. Michelle Frank, Garrett's mother, looked at me with desperate hope. "I heard you have that rare healing blood," she said. "Will you please save my son?" I quickly shook my head. "That's just a rumor, Mrs. Frank. And honestly, using blood as medicine sounds pretty unsanitary. Please don't worry. I heard Ms. Huber is on her way with a special antidote. Your son will be fine!" Still, a small part of me couldn't help looking forward to what would happen. If I didn't step in this time, Garrett wouldn't just fail to inherit the family business—he'd be lucky to live another month!

When I was surrounded by the rogue pack far from our territory, I mind-linked my mate, Alpha Luke, begging for help. He refused me fifteen times—and finally, he blocked the link entirely. In the end, I collapsed from exhaustion and lost consciousness, my wolf howling in despair. When I woke up in the infirmary, Alex, the commander of the Werewolf Tribe, was sitting quietly beside me. He was the one who had received my desperate mind-link. He led his warriors, crushed the rogues, and saved me from the jaws of death. Looking into his worried eyes, I no longer hesitated. I took a deep breath and said with unwavering resolve: “Alex, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go to the Northern Territory for training. I leave in 2 days.” Ten minutes later, Luke barged into the room with Kristy—his so-called adoptive sister—and our twin pups trailing behind. Before anyone could speak, he kicked the door open and pointed at me, shouting with cold fury: “You staged this stunt just to outshine Kristy? Do you realize how much warrior strength you wasted just to feed your vanity? You are not worthy to be a Luna!” My elder son, Chris, gave me a sharp glance and scoffed: “Where’s the wound, Mom? You look perfectly fine. Did you fake this just to get attention?” My younger son, Collin, stared at me, eyes filled with disappointment. He shook his head slowly and whispered: “Mom, did you lie to us again… just because we care about Kristy more?” Kristy gripped Luke’s hand, her voice trembling with fake innocence and tears falling down her cheeks: “I’m sorry, Christina… I won’t celebrate my birthday again. Please… stop causing trouble for Luke and the twins.” I clenched my fists, restraining my furious wolf, and stopped Alex from standing up for me. I watched the four of them turn and leave without a second glance. Then, I turned to Alex and said, with icy clarity: “This time, I have no hesitation, no regret. I’m leaving. I’ll go with you to the Northern Territory. And I won’t eat my words.”

PAG-IBIG Animo'y naubusan ng dugo sa putla si Mia nang ipakilala ng mag-asawang Fuchs si Phineas. Ang estrangherong kaniyang sinuntok at tinadyakan thirty minutes ago sa loob ng airport. Hindi naging maganda ang nagdaang araw ni Mia sa mansiyon simula nang dumating si Phineas. Inis na inis siya sa ginawa nitong pagkuha ng litrato habang magkatabi silang natutulog. Nawindang pa siya nang bigla nalang nagbakasyon si Miss Ivy at ibinilin nito sa kaniyang gumawa ng paraan para hindi umuwi ng Germany ang kaniyang mainiping unico hijo. Hindi alam ni Mia kung ano ang gagawin kay Phineas na palagi nalang siyang iniinis at hindi siya sineseryoso. Sabi pa nito’y she effortlessly beguiled him with her cute curves on her lips na mas lalo pa niyang ikina bwesit ang tono nitong sarkastiko. Sa pagdaan ng mga araw ay nagamay din ni Mia kung paano pakisamahan si Phineas. Hindi niya akalaing aabot sa puntong hindi niya naasahan ang pusong pigilan ang nararamdaman at naisuko ang lahat sa lalaki. Akala ni Mia ay maayos ang lahat hanggang sa isang umaga’y naabutan niya si Phineas na nagmimilagro sa sariling kuwarto kasama ang isang babae. TRAHEDYA Pinatay ni Mia ang kaniyang sarili sa mata ng lahat ng nakakakilala sa kaniya. Sinabayan niya ang isang trahedya na kinasangkutan niya at ng kaniyang pamilya. Upang paghandaan ang paghihiganti sa walang awang umubos ng buhay ng kaniyang pamilya ay umalis si Mia ng San Martin dala ang nakakakilabot na karanasan at ang sakit ng pag-ibig na kaniyang labis na pinagsisisihan. Paano kung sa pagkalipas ng tatlong taon ay dalahin si Mia ng kaniyang paghihiganti pabalik sa San Martin at makitang muli si Phineas? Mapanindigan kaya niya ang binuong bagong mukha at pagkatao? O tuluyan ng susuko ang kaniyang puso?

RÉSUMÉ : Je l'ai vu prendre ses clés de voiture, ses gestes si différents de ceux de l'homme que je connaissais. « Où vas-tu, Ethan ? » ai-je demandé, le voyant se raidir quelques secondes avant de reprendre son attitude normale. Une réaction qui m'aurait échappé si je ne l'avais pas observé attentivement. « Au travail », répondit-il nonchalamment, un sourire froid plaqué sur le visage. Il me lança un regard qui me glaça le sang, laissa échapper un rire grave, puis partit. Quelques minutes plus tard, il revint. Son expression était cette fois radicalement différente. « Quoi ? Tu m'as déjà manqué ? » Sa voix résonna dans le couloir et un frisson me parcourut l'échine. Quelque chose avait changé. Et c'était le genre de changement qui rendait les choses mauvaises, voire catastrophiques. Un accident survenu plus tôt l'avait transformé. Les médecins disaient que c'était un effet secondaire qui disparaîtrait avec le temps. Mais les effets secondaires incluent-ils des baisers plus rudes, un sexe intense et addictif, et un mari qui m'appellerait par un autre nom et oublierait tout ce que je disais dès qu'il aurait le dos tourné ? Alors j'ai creusé plus profondément jusqu'à trouver la vérité. Deux hommes identiques. Des jumeaux. L'un est présumé mort depuis des années. L'autre a survécu. Tous deux prétendaient être mon mari. L'un jurait de m'aimer. L'autre a juré de le tuer avant qu'il ne puisse plus jamais s'approcher de moi. Désormais, chaque murmure, chaque caresse, chaque baiser me faisait me demander : « Qui était dans mon lit ? Et qui a survécu à cette nuit-là ? »