Sad Truths

"Just join me for a drink perhaps?" Her bushy brows rose suggestively at me. She knew my answer, she knew what I'd say. I grabbed the bottle off her scrawny hands and said "You know, for a one time thing, this has become a regular." To be honest, I was actually looking forward to meeting up with her. Not that I was going to admit it to her face. "Like therapy sessions from two dumb, ill-favored kids. Who are trying to give each other easing words." She was right. Though her stumbled movements indicated a slight intoxication. Suddenly, out of the awkward moment, she looked up at me with a sad smile and said. "I might be a street girl but is it too bad to wish for a normal life? Go to proms? Have new clothes? Shelter? Love? Do I not deserve?" Her teary eyes searched deep into my soul. I was unaware of the lack of distance between us. When did we get so close with barely an inch barrier? "Flare..." that was all I could say because then all I could feel were soft lips against mine. Her lips! And it felt so nice. Subconsciously, I grabbed her little body and went for another kiss, this time, a deeper kiss.

There are a lot more truths in the books we read, than we’d like to admit. What if a book delves into the lives of the very town you live in? Reveals to you some personal stories of people you know? Or thought you knew. Bookstore owner Kevin Ellison faces this truth when a mysterious book shows up in Through a Mirror, Darkly by Kevin Lucia. Through a Mirror, Darkly is a Supernatural Thriller collection masked as a novel. With elements of mystery, suspense, and otherworldly horror, Through a Mirror, Darkly successfully delves into the worlds of Lovecraft, Grant, and the mysterious Carcosa. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing Arcane Delights. Clifton Heights' premier rare and used bookstore. In it, new owner Kevin Ellison has inherited far more than a family legacy, for inside are tales that will amaze, astound, thrill...and terrify: An ancient evil thirsty for lost souls. A very different kind of taxi service with destinations not on any known map. Three coins that grant the bearer's fondest wish, and a father whose crippling grief gives birth to something dark and hungry.

After her boyfriend of five years betrays her, leaving Amanda with her father's crippling debt and the threat of losing her childhood home, she's forced into a desperate situation. Quinn McCullough, a young billionaire, sees an opportunity and offers to settle her debts in exchange for her hand in marriage. Desperate to save her family home, Amanda agrees, unaware of Quinn's ulterior motives. But as their marriage unfolds, Amanda discovers shocking truths about Quinn, including a dark familial connection that threatens to tear them apart. Will their union survive the secrets and betrayals lurking beneath the surface?

During a competition, my wife's childhood friend switches my climbing chalk out for flour. When I'm about to win the competition, my hands slip, and I fall from a rock climbing wall that's several feet high. I'm covered in blood. My wife doesn't care about my survival, though. She tells the doctor to prioritize her childhood friend, who's feigned a fainting spell from the blood. Later, I discover that my wife condoned her childhood friend in switching out the chalk. Why did she do it? Because she was worried that her childhood friend, who was never good at physical activities, would be sad if I were to win. Yet, when I lose hope in her and ask for a divorce, she cries and tells me I'm the one she loves.

 “ I Landon Arlen, Alpha to Moon Shadow Pack, reject you, Jessica Lyon, as my mate”.  Jessica could feel her heart being shredded into tiny pieces, she tilted her head forward hoping to surge the tears from flowing down her eyes.  :She could feel the mate bond untangle, what felt like a feeling of bliss, drawn to him when he was far away was gone, replaced with a sad feeling of yearning that she could never get again.  “ I Jessica Lyon, daughter to the beta of Moon Shadow pack accept your rejection”.  She forced out the words out of her mouth, her lips pursed into a thin line hoping to feel some relief.  She felt nothing other than the tragedy, her heart filled with the burden of living without Landon for the rest of her life, because he was her entire world for Five years and as she watched him clutched in another woman's arm, Jessica could feel her heart shattered into a million pieces.

Bianca’s childhood was marked by loss and hardship. After her father’s sudden death when she was young, she was forced to live with her cruel aunt, enduring years of mistreatment and neglect. Despite the darkness surrounding her, Bianca’s resilience and strength carried her through the years. In high school, Bianca found solace and love in Ethan, a kind and caring boy who saw her for who she truly was. Their deep connection blossomed into a passionate relationship, but just as things seemed to be falling into place, Ethan disappeared without warning. His abrupt departure was driven by a secret threat that he believed could destroy Bianca’s life. Heartbroken and confused, Bianca never knew the real reason for his departure, and worse, she was left with a life-altering secret—she was pregnant with Ethan’s child. Years later, as an adult, Bianca applies for a job at a prestigious company, unaware that it belongs to none other than Ethan. Their reunion is charged with unresolved emotions and painful memories, and neither is sure how to navigate the stormy waters of their past. As they are forced to work together, they begin to confront the hurt, secrets, and love that never truly faded. Slowly, they rebuild their trust, facing the painful truths that kept them apart. Together, they fight for their second chance at happiness, but Bianca must decide if she can truly forgive Ethan and embrace the love they once shared. In the end, *Depth of Pain* is a story of healing, redemption, and the power of love to overcome even the deepest wounds. Bianca and Ethan’s journey is one of rediscovery, where they learn that the only way to move forward is to face the past head-on.

After a devastating valentine's breakup, Miracle never expected to find herself caught in a web of deceit and desire. A mysterious stranger approached her with an offer she couldn't refuse. Three million dollars to be a fake girlfriend to his wealthy client, with one catch: falling in love with him disqualifies her from the deal. Skeptical at first, Miracle agrees to the arrangement, but she quickly realizes that it's not as simple as she thought. Especially when her client turns out to be the infamous Leonel Hamilton, a billionaire with a reputation for breaking hearts without mercy. As Miracle navigates the complexities of their fake relationship, she finds herself torn between her desire for money and her growing feelings for Leonel. But when some truths are revealed, she must decide if the contract is worth the risk or if the lure of money is too strong to resist. Read on to discover the rollercoaster of romance and deceit.

Warning ? ⚠️: For 18+ and above. She was never supposed to be his. But some sins are too alluring to resist. At the beginning Lilith was just curious and drawn to Bastian, however, when she had a taste of him, she realized Bastian had stolen her guarded heart. Bastian Lockhart is a sad billionaire with a lots of traumas. He fights his desires for Lilith wanting to protect and not give in to his darker desires. He vowed within himself to protect her. But who will protect him from his darkest desire? Teaser: "You are playing with fire, Lilith." I tried warning her again. "Let me burn daddy," she said, I knew right there, that we will both be burning and not just her. Warning ⚠️ this is pure dark romance vibes for my girlies with lots of explicit scenes for 18+

Twenty five year old Jaselle Green, years after getting her heart broken on her wedding day finds herself in a whole new life with Adriano Moretti a Mafia Don who sees her as a living shadow of his Late Wife and hoards her all to himself against her wish. Adriano's imperfections and secrecy are only viewed by Jaselle as annoying obsessions and she plots to escape by any possible means. Her escape struggles leads her to a path where many truths and secrets are revealed to her. At both their toughest moment of Denial and pain, influenced by emotional attachments, Jaselle makes her big decision.

Francine Forenbach is the Green River Pack's Princess. The great Alpha King's daughter. At the age of 14, the Forenbach family adopted an unknown civilian. The Forenbach provided him with garments, food, and shelter. Azure's life has always been sad and lonely since he was born. But as he entered the Pack, he began to rethink the decision that had always surrounded his mind. Francine developed feelings for Azure. As they mature, Azure finds himself vulnerable, realizing that his feelings for his adoptive sister are not the result of their shared childhood. Now that they are both consenting adults, the two must figure out how to understand their feelings before things get even more complicated. He couldn't possibly love her. Francine is forbidden to love. It is a sin to love her. She is his younger sister. But the question is... how could he resist those innocent brown eyes?