Present Mic

On the day I came of age, my grandfather, Wilson Saddler, laid out photos of the most eligible bachelors from elite families in the capital, asking me to choose one for an arranged marriage. Without hesitation, I chose the eldest son of the Sullivan family, Ethan Sullivan. Everyone present was stunned. After all, everyone in our circle knew that I, Sabrina Saddler, eldest daughter of the powerful Saddler family, had always liked Aaron Johansen, the young heir of the Johansen family. Ever since I was little, I’d followed Aaron around, declaring I would marry him when I grew up. In my previous life, I did marry Aaron as I wished. But after the wedding, he told me he had always loved my younger sister, Rachel Saddler, and would remain a virgin for her. He made me sleep alone for three months. When my father found out, he married Rachel off to the son of a business partner. Aaron thought I was the one who meddled and forced Rachel to leave. From then on, he stayed out every night, indulging in nightlife, sometimes even flaunting women in front of me. In the end, I was pushed into traffic by Rachel and Aaron, and I died at an intersection. Given a second chance at life, I decided to stay far away from him. I gave him and Rachel my blessing. I never expected that at my engagement party with Ethan, he would completely lose control and try to crash the wedding.

After graduation, I struggle to find a job, while my girlfriend easily lands a position at a major company. She has been with me for two years, and to cheer me up, she even lets me hold onto her payroll card. Once I finally start working, she worries about my long commute and immediately buys me a car. Everyone around us envies me for having such a thoughtful girlfriend. To save up for a house, I secretly deposit my salary into her account. A year later, we decide to get married. Excited, she grabs my hand and says, "I know you don't have much saved. I don't need any wedding gift. All I want is your love." I am deeply touched by her consideration. But on our engagement day, she pulls out photos of me with a dozen women and accuses me of cheating. I look closely and realize I have never even met any of them. Then she shows me my card's transaction history, filled with charges at the notorious Solara Club. "You had my payroll card, and you used my money to indulge yourself!" she cries. "I'm not marrying you. Return my car and all the money you spent over the years. It adds up to 800 thousand dollars." I calmly place the payroll card she gave me on the table and say with a smirk, "Fine, let's settle this properly." When I present the detailed account prepared by my top lawyer, she is stunned.

In the grand church where her dreams are meant to come true, Belva Moguel’s world shatters in an instant. A damning video plays—Pascha Romanov, the man she’s about to marry, tangled in betrayal with her best friend. The vows remain unspoken, the promises broken before they even begin. Heartbroken, Belva walks away from everything: the man she thought she knew, the family she cherished, and the perfect future she had once envisioned. Five years passed. In San Francisco, Belva rebuilds her life from the rubble of the past, living peaceful days with the big secret she’s been hiding: a little boy the world has never known, let alone his father. Yet, her fragile peace crumbles when destiny thrusts her back into the path of the man who once shattered her heart. A ghost from her past who ignites chaos with a single, reckless night of passion. His intoxicating charm pulls her into a whirlwind she swore she’d never revisit, leaving her reeling from the thunderous echoes of her mistake. Pascha is no longer the man she knew. He has turned into a cold, vengeful figure with a dark charm that shakes Belva's walls. Amidst the chaos, Belva must face the fact that Pascha has another woman by his side, while she desperately protects the secret about their son. As past and present collide, Belva is caught between love, betrayal, and a choice that could destroy everything. Can she hold on to the world she has built, or must she give up everything, once again?  

In a world filled with secrets and danger, Anya finds herself trapped between her haunting past and a future teetering on the edge of darkness. Struggling with the burden of an unknown illness and a tragic history, she seeks solace within the confines of her fractured heart. But when an attempt on her life reveals a web of betrayal and deceit, Anya's fragile existence is shattered. She learned that she was to be sold to the ruthless Russian mafia boss who was more cruel that her wicked uncle. But when she tried to run away, she ended up in the arms of the waiting mafia boss and that shattered her. The ruthless capo, Vincenzo, unexpectedly becomes her ally, unravelling a side of him she never knew existed. As they navigate through a treacherous underworld, they discover a shared strength that defies all odds. Together, they embark on a journey of discovery, where past and present collide, and the lines between trust and betrayal blur. As they inch closer to the truth, Anya's determination intensifies, and she realizes she is no longer willing to be a victim. She will stop at nothing to expose the darkness that threatens to consume her. In this gripping tale of resilience, love, and redemption, Anya must confront her deepest fears, confront the demons of her past, and find the strength to fight for justice. Will she uncover the truth and find the freedom she seeks, or will the shadows of her past devour her once more? "Tainted Desires" is a captivating suspense novel that explores the intricate dance between secrets, loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to reclaim her life. Prepare to be enthralled by a tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final, heart-stopping revelation.

How would you feel if your long term boyfriend and love of your life chooose your maid over you? What stunts would you pull to tear them apart? If your heart has been broken thrice, would you still take a chance at love, for the fourth time? If you had a slave, would you let her go free, and take everything that was meant for the one person you love and protect- your kid sister? If you were an alpha king, dreadful, powerful, and wealthy, whom every lady drools for, would you accept a bond to an omega and a slave? ***** Melissa Owens is an omega in the Viperine Pack and a slave to Alpha Reuben and his sister, Lizzy. She had been rejected three times by different mates and she had already concluded that the moon goddess is tired of her. It came as a surprise when the 3-time rejected omega was bonded by the moon goddess once again, but this time to the alpha king himself, alpha Enzo. Alpha Enzo was the boyfriend to Lizzy, Melissa's slaver. Lizzy had so much wanted to be his mate and Luna, but on her eighteenth birthday party, alpha Enzo chose Melissa instead, and worst of all, he chose her right before Lizzy's watching eyes. Would Melissa survive the stunt Lizzy and alpha Reuben would pull? How would she forget her past experiences and move on with present reality? Will the alpha king accept or reject her? As some hidden truth is brought to light and false allegations are well crafted to resemble the truth, how would they find a way around?

In the dark circles of the elite world, he is one of the Saints—most gorgeous, wealthiest, sexiest legacies of old money familias. Objectified and revered, they can do nothing wrong. In truth, Giancarlo Verrazzano came dangerously close to perdition before earning his title. He now lives a life forged out of this past, whilst staying away from its clutches. Then a young daughter of a family friend is sent to him to mentor before their families present her to society as the Von Schiller heiress. Elise is grown up, desirable and exquisite—it’s torment not to touch her. Everyday, he tries to protect her from himself. But when danger stalks her steps, sexual crimes of a serial killer persist and another Saint fixates on her, he gives in to his desires so he can publicly own her. He will do anything to shield her from the shadows that targets her as a result of his teenage obsession with her beautiful mother. Elise dreads the day she must face the world as a Von Schiller and she clings to the man whose blanket of protection has always kept her safe. If only she doesn’t want him, he wouldn’t drive her nuts! The nasty rumors about a dead ex should have repelled her, but Gian can never scare her. So when she finds out she resembles this ex and a sex club exist in her memory, she has to step back and see with unbiased eyes what kind of man truly lurks behind his beautiful mask.

Tres meses antes del divorcio, Celia Sánchez presentó su solicitud de traslado de trabajo. Un mes antes, le envió el acuerdo de divorcio a César Herrera. Tres días antes, sacó todas sus pertenencias de su casa compartida y se mudó de allí. *** Tuvieron un matrimonio de seis años, pero cuando César apareció ante ella con su primer amor y su hijo, pidiéndole que el niño lo llamara "papá", Celia finalmente comprendió la realidad: si él la había hecho sufrir una y otra vez a causa de su actitud parcial hacia esa mujer y a su hijo. Además, César la consideraba como la verdadera "amante" y eso le daba vergüenza, entonces debía poner fin a ese matrimonio para que él pudiera quedarse con su primer amor para siempre. Sin embargo, cuando ella desapareció de su vida, él se volvió loco. Ella creía que César se casaría con su amor, como había supuesto, sin saber que ese hombre poderoso lloraría frente a los medios, suplicándole humildemente su amor. —Nunca he sido infiel, ni tengo ningún hijo bastardo. Solo tengo una esposa que ya no me ama. Se llama Celia Sánchez, ¡y la extraño mucho!

Luna's world is falling apart. Kailangan ng kapatid niya ng kidney transplant, at naibenta na niya halos lahat para lang mailigtas ito. Wala na siyang matakbuhan. She's about to lose everything when something unexpected happens sa ospital. Napagkamalan siyang ina ng anak ng isang mafia lord, and just like that, everything changes. Doon niya nakilala si Theo Montelibano. Cold, commanding, and dangerously intense. May isang kondisyon lang ito—gusto niyang maging yaya si Luna ng anak niya. Kapalit nun, siya ang magbabayad para sa operasyon ng kapatid niya. Luna agrees, kahit hindi siya sigurado kung tama bang makisangkot sa isang lalaking kagaya nito. Habang tumatagal, unti-unting lumalambot ang puso ni Luna sa bata. Pero mas nakakagulat ang epekto ni Theo sa kanya. The more she gets to know him, the more she sees na may lalim ang taong ito. Behind the control and power, may taong sugatan, may taong may tinatago. What started as a deal slowly becomes something deeper. Pero sa mundong puno ng sikreto, panganib, at mga kalabang hindi mo alam kung saan nagtatago, falling in love is never safe. Caught between her painful past, her confusing present with Theo, and the feud na posibleng ikasira ng lahat, Luna has to make a choice. Lalaban ba siya para sa puso niya, o iiwan niya ang tanging pamilyang minahal siya?

The Clark dynasty had spent five years searching for the perfect match for their son, Edward. Their wait wasn't in vain after an unexpected opportunity came from where they least expected, from the royal family. The Royal family, King Harry and Queen Evelyn who have ruled the kingdom for many years with pride, now found themselves in bankruptcy after making bad financial investments. Very desperate to save their kingdom, they struck a deal with the Clarks, who own a multi-billion dollar networking company, with a deal. Damian Clark, the shrewd patriarch, saw more than just a business deal. This was his chance to raise his family's social status. With a well worked out plan, responded to the royals' offer with an audacious proposal: an arranged marriage between his Son Edward and Princess Vanessa. Edward, once married and deeply in love, had suffered a tragic accident that left him with dissociative amnesia. His past, including his former marriage, was erased from his mind – a convenient circumstance for his parents who had never approved of his previous union. Princess Vanessa, an ambitious young lady seeking for a life outside the palace, found herself captured by duty and circumstances. The love for her people is forcing her to consider a loveless union with a man she barely knows. Edward and Vanessa agreed to the arranged union, despite the storm awaiting them. With Edward's forgotten past threatening to resurface, ready to tear apart the thread binding this union, duty, and  unplanned affection. Will the ghosts of Edward's lost memories destroy any chance of happiness for the couple? Or will Vanessa's selfless love for her kingdom pave the way for an unexpected romance? In this high-stakes game of love, power, and duty, the past and present collide. Can love conquer all?

Después de dejar la universidad, mis padres no me presionaron. Pero la amiga de la infancia de mi novio, esa que se hacía pasar por la chica perfecta y de alto coeficiente intelectual, me llamó por teléfono. Yo estaba ocupada trabajando en el campo, sembrando verduras y jugando con el agua, sin tiempo para programar. En mi vida pasada, ella presentó su proyecto de diseño de software un día antes que yo, era exactamente igual al mío. Todos me acusaron de ladrona, de farsante sin escrúpulos. Intenté defenderme, pero nadie me creyó. Más tarde, incluso abrió un canal de transmisiones en vivo para difamarme, diciendo que yo la acosaba en la escuela. La gente en internet enloqueció, atacando cruelmente a toda mi familia. Mis padres, tratando de huir de los fanáticos que los perseguían, murieron en un accidente de coche. Yo no soporté el golpe, me lancé desde lo alto de un edificio… sin poder cerrar los ojos en paz. Hasta el último instante de mi conciencia, no entendía nada. ¿Por qué, si era mi esfuerzo y mi trabajo, alguien más pudo publicarlo antes que yo? Cuando volví a abrir los ojos, estaba de nuevo en el día anterior al plagio.