Secret Santa Gift Exchange!

On Father's Day, I received a heartwarming gift. My one-year-old son called me Dad for the first time. But moments later, he convulsed, foamed at the mouth, and died before we could reach the hospital. My wife was shattered, and I was devastated. The doctors couldn't identify the cause of his death. Three years later, my wife emerged from her grief, and we welcomed our second child. But the moment this child called me Dad, they, too, died instantly. To spare her further pain, I suggested adoption. Yet, even our adopted children met the same fate. Unable to bear the losses, my wife divorced me. Everyone said I was cursed, never meant to be a father. Defiant, I remarried and had another child, vowing never to let them call me Dad. For years, we adhered to this rule. But when our daughter turned four, she came home from preschool, eager to celebrate Father's Day. Holding a card, she read aloud, "Dad."

The day I found out I was a match for my dad—stage four leukemia—I bailed. Mom tore the world apart looking for me, but yeah, she had to watch him go. After that, she drowned herself in research, built a name, even adopted this perfect little angel. We crossed paths again at some fancy leukemia conference she was hosting. I was on the demo table. She took one look and scoffed. "Charlotte Stein, not the time for your crap. Get up and go." The host blinked, stunned. "Dr. Cooper... you know this cadaver?" She actually laughed. "What, she paid you for this stunt?" The host turned ghost-white. "M-Miss Stein passed three days ago..."

After my year-end bonus came in, I immediately transferred 10,000 dollars to my husband to buy New Year’s gifts for both our parents. I even told him to get the very best, especially that case of whisky for my father. On New Year’s Eve, I rushed home to have dinner with my parents. However, at the table that night, Dad, who had always loved his drinks, was sipping tea instead. I was confused. “Dad, it’s the holidays. Why didn't you bring out the liquor?” I smiled as I rose to my feet to grab the case. “Kevin went out of his way to get this. I heard it tastes amazing.” “Don’t touch it!” Dad slammed his teacup against the floor. His face was flushed dark red. “Zeena, don’t send this stuff anymore. I know it’s not easy for you to make money in the city. But even if our Collins family is poor, we still have our pride! People in the village are talking behind my back, saying I’m putting on airs!” I was completely stunned. I opened the bottle and took a sip, then froze for a moment. This was not whisky at all. It was just plain water.

What could stop Matilda when her twin has gotten the best of her? Her position and even her mate. She wouldn't let go of the one man that she had fallen in love with after being wolf-less from birth. But this same man was the death of her, he became her enemy overnight and she wouldn’t give up without a fight. Not even love can shred Matilda’s hatred for her mate and twin sister. Matilda was forced to marry another man who wasn’t only arrogant but known to be ruthless, in her expedition, she learned to change and vowed to return and take over everything that belonged to her. Though the future was unforeseen.

It's my and my boyfriend's anniversary. I open the glovebox to hide a gift inside as a surprise, but a piece of familiar-looking lingerie falls out. It's torn in a spot; it looks like it went through a rough battle. Before I can process the situation, I crash into a car that suddenly switches lanes in front of me. Right before I black out, I remember where I saw the lingerie. It was a gift from me to my best friend.

In my previous life, my best friend gave me a lock-shaped good-luck pendant. I never expected that once I put it on, it would never come off. Soon after, I came down with a fever that lasted seven days straight. When I finally woke up, everything in my life began to fall apart. Misfortune followed me everywhere. That was when I discovered the truth—I had swapped fates with her husband. He would get my wealth while I would get a short, ill-fated life. From then on, the two of them lived a life of effortless wealth, making money without even lifting a finger. Meanwhile, I sank into poverty, plagued by constant bad luck. I struggled through life and did not even make it to 30 before I was killed in a car accident. As I died, my mentally disabled younger brother cried out and rushed in front of me to shield me. However, he could not stop the incoming vehicle, and we died there together. When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn back to the moment she was about to put the pendant on me. I let out a cold smile and pondered. Since she was so desperate to steal my wealthy fate, then she could have a XYY husband instead.

📖 Sinopsis Novel: Mafia Santa Cruz: Raja Tanpa Mahkota Di Santa Cruz—wilayah paling kejam di Aurda—hukum bukan milik pemerintah, melainkan mereka yang memegang senjata dan menguasai ketakutan. Rayder Bomb, seorang bocah berusia 15 tahun, kehilangan segalanya dalam satu malam. Ibunya tewas di tangan kartel, ayahnya menghilang tanpa jejak. Diselamatkan oleh pamannya, Mendoza "Sabio", seorang tokoh besar di dunia kriminal, Rayder dipaksa menjalani kehidupan di mana belas kasihan adalah kelemahan, dan hanya yang kejam yang bertahan. Bersama Moya, sepupunya yang cerdas dan licik, Rayder tumbuh di bawah bayang-bayang kekuasaan Mendoza. Namun, dunia ini tidak mengenal keluarga—hanya loyalitas atau pengkhianatan. Dalam ujian mematikan, mereka mendapat tugas terpisah yang akan menentukan siapa yang pantas mewarisi kerajaan gelap ini. Tapi Rayder tidak ingin menjadi sekadar pewaris. Dia ingin menjadi raja. Di antara perang kartel, pengkhianatan dari dalam, dan ancaman pemerintah Aurda, Rayder perlahan membangun jalannya sendiri—menjadi legenda yang ditakuti oleh musuh dan dihormati oleh bawahannya. Namun, di dunia di mana setiap keputusan dibayar dengan emas atau timah panas, berapa banyak darah yang harus ia korbankan untuk tetap berada di puncak?

Samantha Hurst, a showgirl from Las Vegas, did not expect that at twenty-five her life would be transformed when she met Theon Adamos at a bachelor party. Theon, from a large and noisy Greek family, could not have imagined that one phone call could completely alter the course of his life. A single fun and spontaneous weekend can have definite consequences. What happens in Vegas, does it really stay in Vegas? Sometimes life really is a bitch!

Azura is left alone at a young age in a forest filled with horrible creatures. She learns how to survive in this dangerous place, but knows nothing of her past. On a day like any other, she meets someone who will change her life. She finds a family and her destiny, but not without a struggle. She must overcome many obstacles to learn who she is and where she came from. She is sought out by an evil villain who seeks to end her life and who is also the cause of the disease that is killing the forest. She must face him to fulfill her destiny and bring peace to the land and it's inhabitants. Will she succeed or will the villain be triumphant? Keep reading to find out!

Aria was the Luna of the Winter Mist pack, renowned for her achievements in war strategy. Her contribution was crucial in her pack becoming the most powerful in the entire country. Everything in her life should be perfect. ...Except it wasn't. In actuality, Aria's life was anything but successful. She was helpless to the whims of her abusive Alpha mate and his mistress. A mate who never loved her. As she watches their relationship grow, her options are to run away or die trying to keep her Luna position. But this is not the story of how Aria sways his closed-off heart until he finally loves her. No, this is the story of how Aria died. So when she is faced with the opportunity to go back in time and try again... will she take it? ...Or is she fated to relive her mistakes all over again? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "...And if I refuse?" I asked hesitantly. "Then you will remain in the Abyss, forever reliving your earthly memories." My mind recalled the images that had just tormented me, showing me my death over and over again. I knew now she must have shown me that strategically so I had a taste of what my refusal would look like. "Then I don't want to be Luna again... and I don't want to be Aleric's mate," I said, surprising even myself that I was bargaining with a Goddess. But I couldn't shake the feeling something seemed off. "That is the fate I have chosen for you." "Then I don't accept," I argued. "I think there is something you're not telling me. A reason why you need me to go back so badly." She was silent, her silver eyes regarding me warily. "...So I am correct," I said, taking her silence as confirmation.