Pretend Synonym

LUNA He came for my sister. The scarred, brutal Bratva king from Russia, the one whispered about in mafia circles like a ghost story, traveled halfway across the world to claim her. But my sister was too fragile for a man like him. I tried to protect her. I didn’t know I was the one he truly wanted. From the moment Misha Petrov saw me, I became his obsession. He struck a deal with my father and took me instead. Forced me into a sham marriage, dragged me into his icy empire, and made me pretend in public that I belonged to him. But behind closed doors, the lines began to blur. I hated him. I needed him. And then, I ran. MISHA She thinks she escaped. She thinks I’ll let her go. But Luna Rojas was never going to leave me, not truly. I burned everything that stood between us, including the man she thought she loved. The one I had to kill. And when she fled to attend his funeral, I followed with five hundred men and a vow carved in blood. I cleared the graveyard. Claimed her—body, soul, and screams, right there, over his bones. Because if I can’t have her love… I’ll take her fear. And I haven’t even started yet.

TAEYANG SHIN I was never meant to come here. The Alpha Court Academy is a place for heirs, leaders – not broken things like me. I keep my head down, lock my wolf away, and pretend I don’t feel the pull of fate tightening around my throat. Then I meet Ronan Blackwood. The connection is instant, undeniable… and I know what it means. But instead of claiming me, Ronan hates me. Bullies me. And yet, even when his words cut, his eyes burn. I wasn’t looking for a mate. Especially not one destined to ruin me. RONAN BLACKWOOD I’ve spent my life training to inherit a title I never asked for. Son of a dying Alpha. Heir to a bloodline soaked in expectation and control. I don’t have time for distractions – especially not a delicate, sharp-tongued outsider like Tae Yang Shin. The moment I see him, something inside me twists. A dangerous, primal instinct I refuse to name. I push him away, torment him, but the bond coils tighter with every cruel word. I can’t want him. Can’t need him. But fate is cruel — and it’s about to take away our choice. In a world where bonds mean power, desire is weakness, and fate never asks for permission… two souls on opposite sides of pain and pride are bound to collide.

My name is Gabriel Lockwood, I am the sole heir of the Italian mafia in New York. You might know my father. The shark. Raphael Lockwood. He is getting old and soft, so I am taking over. I don’t pretend to be a businessman. I am The Heir and people respect me knowing exactly who I am and what I do. I can say I control most of my surroundings. But no King should rule without a Queen. My father’s reign became a lot more successful when he found his wife and partner in crime. I have been looking for my Queen, but what can I say? I am a player. And I haven’t found the right woman, the woman that will make me realise I only need her in my bed, and in my life... until now. She is the most enigmatic woman I’ve ever met. Even her name... She’s not afraid of me. And she dares to talk back. Intriguing. Does she even know who I am? If she doesn’t I will show her soon. Once I get her in my bed. This is Book three of The Shark Mafia boss. You don’t have to read the previous two to understand this book but it would give you a better perspective on the characters lives. This book contains violence and sexual content. Read at your own risk.

Valeria was just a wife on paper. Three years of a hellish marriage with the only man she had ever loved but it ended in divorce one rainy night. “Sign them. I can no longer stand to see your face or pretend like I don't want to strangle you with my bare hands everytime I lay eyes on you.” He barked coldly, throwing the papers on the table in front of her. She couldn't say it was unexpected. It had always been a matter of time. Once childhood friends, everything had gone to hell because of one woman, Isis Whittaker, Luka's late fianceé. An unfortunate accident. An incriminating message. Somehow, Luka came to believe Valeria was responsible for the death of the woman he loved and took it upon himself to punish her personally. Three years of torment and being labelled a murderer. She'd never thought the ending would be so…cathartic. Her hand lightly grazed her stomach as she signed the papers. Terrified of how she would explain she was pregnant from a night of passion he didn't even remember, she no longer needed to tell him. She would make sure he was never going to find out that she was carrying his son, the heir to the Thorne Empire. But then again, things never quite go as planned, she should have realized this by now…

" I am gay dad", I confessed, crying as I hugged my knees and rocked myself back and forth on the floor.       He glared at me with so much emotions running through him, the most prominent one was hatred and disappointment. " True dad, I may be smiling and trying my best to fit in your world but deep down I am dying."     I went mute as I waited for him to speak.  " You are a disgrace to this family", he spat, walking away.  ' disgrace' , that word changed my life forever. ______ Sebastian, bullied by all, rejected by his father, loved by one.    Kaden, hot, notorious and one of the most famous boy in pearl high. Literally, the golden boy of all times. Girls flirt with him, boys wants to be his friend and he care less about grades and school activities except basketball. Behind the golden facade lies a boy with dark secrets he desperately tries to hide to prevent ruining his reputation. When Sebastian catches a shirtless golden boy popping pills in the school restroom, the scars and bruises on his body draws Sebastian towards him. They both pretend they are fine on the outside but what neither of them know is that, however, they are both broken and their world is falling apart quicker than expected.  When Sebastian discover the truth about Kaden whose lifestyle hold a deeper meaning, he is set on knowing him more. Will love conquer all or will Kaden's past get in the way?

"Just... let me love you, and you can pretend to love me; I don't mind; please, Axel, give me a chance." Chloe desires nothing more than to be loved by the man she adores. Axel was the first man she had ever given her undivided attention to in her life. So when she learned that their parents wanted them to marry, she didn't hesitate to say yes. However, Chloe has a problem: Axel is in love with someone else, which is why he can't reciprocate her feelings. Axel is well-known throughout the mafia world. He was dubbed the "most dangerous man alive" because of his heartless and cruel ways. When it comes to the woman he loves, though, it will be the polar opposite. Who truly weighs in his heart will put his resilience to the test. Aside from being a mafia boss, he also possesses a dark secret that causes Chloe a lot of pain. Everything will change for Chloe as she walks through the darkness. The previous Chloe that everyone knows will vanish, and when she reappears, she will have no option but to wreak vengeance on the person who had devastated her life and murder it ruthlessly. Life is a living hell, but sorrow can also be the source of endless happiness. Will the heart, which is engulfed in intense rage, be restored to its former state? Will there be a second opportunity to resurrect the dead love, or will they be gobbled up by their terrible past?

Growing up with her evil-like parents, Maria Arabella Cortel wasn’t able to do anything when she had to pretend as Maria Renee Garcia, the girl that was promised to marry a Villacorta. She was forced to change everything. Her hair. Her way of speaking and her way of styling clothes. She basically stole her identity. It was all her parents’ plan, but included the real Renee who even pushed her to do it. All for her parents’ obsession with money, and making the real Renee Garcia’s life miserable in their hands. Everything was planned smoothly. Nang napunta na siya sa puder ng mga Villacorta, she felt like slowly succeeding when Mrs. Villacorta didn’t notice at all how she’s not the real girl she wants for her son. The woman is very fond of her. She thought she had no problem at all. But that's only what she thought. Because when Alexandro Kirviel Villacorta appeared, Renee’s fiance, that shattered her long-held notion that she’d succeed in her mission. She was confronted. Pinagbintangang hindi totoong Renee. At pinagbantaang hindi titiglan hanggang manggaling mismo sa kaniyang bibig ang katotohanan. Both of them have agendas to fulfill. One to keep the truth, and the other one to unveil. But what if love gets in the way? Who would win? Who would fail? Especially… when their parents put the decision in their hands, risking everything no matter what it takes.

“You want me to pretend to be your fiancée?” Paige’s voice trembled quietly. Leonardo D’Angelo, her boss, the man she’d spent way too many nights secretly pining over, was holding her by the shoulders. His eyes beseeching. Paige, I know this might come as a surprise to you,” Leonardo’s voice was softer, almost hesitant. “But I need you to be my fake fiancée.” Her heart slammed against her ribs. This had to be a joke. “I—what?” she stammered, staring at him like he’d grown another head. “It’s only for three to four weeks,” he pressed, his grip tightening slightly on her shoulders. “I’ll pay you double, or a vacation, whatever you want. Just say yes.” Paige opened her mouth to refuse, because this was insane, but the look in his eyes stopped her. For once, the arrogant, self-assured Leonardo D’Angelo looked… vulnerable. “Please,” he added, his voice barely above a whisper. She should have said no. She should have walked away. Instead, the word slipped from her lips before she could stop it. “Yes.” The relief on his face was immediate, but Paige’s stomach twisted with nerves. What had she just agreed to? And yet, somewhere beneath the chaos, was the dangerous thrill of being the woman by his side.

"I have this strong urge to kiss you." He said as his eyes flicked to my lips and then back to my eyes. I felt my heartbeat increasing and my knees were starting to feel weak by his closeness. I wet my lips, "Uh...no one is around. There is no need." I said through the lump in my throat. "I know, but I just want to." He said as he crashed his lips to mine. ~~~~~~ Emily Samuels was devastated when she found her boyfriend of a year cheating on her. She was angry and hurt that she swore she would never forgive him. Logan has apologized to her and said it was a mistake, but Emily did not want to hear it. She also turned him down when he begged for her back. Logan's plea for her has gotten consistent that Emily wanted him to stop, so she did something that she hadn't expected to do... She kissed the school's player and heartthrob; Tyler King. She only did that to let Logan see that she has moved on. Tyler, on the other hand, got an idea, so he strike a deal with Emily - to pretend that they were dating. Spending a lot of time with the player has allowed Emily to see the real Tyler. Would their fake dating be just that; fake? Or would it turn out to be real?

"Ten million." He uttered calmly like he was discussing the weather. Bella's steps slowed behind him. He continued with a nonchalant shrug. "Ten million. After six months, you'll walk away with ten million." She took a deep breath, heart pounding as she spun around to face him, speechless. Ten million wasn't just a lot. It was life-changing. Turning, he met her glare, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "All you have to do is be my wife – pretend rather." ________ Arabella Carver always has things under control but finds out she isn't as lucky when everything comes crashing down. She is betrayed by her fiance, on the brink of eviction, and with her mother's life hanging by a thread, she's desperate for help. But as she tries to get the help she needs, only one person is willing to offer and it is none other than Adrian Davidson. The first man to claim her heart only to shatter it like it meant nothing. However, there is a catch to his generosity. He needs a wife to appease his grandmother, and Arabella happens to be her ideal choice so he gives her the papers that bind them. A marriage contract. With little choice and a grudge in her heart, she signs them. Besides, what could go wrong? It is, after all, just a contract. But what happens when old wounds resurface and sparks begin to ignite?