Settings Meaning In A Story

It was New Year's Eve. We were streaming live when my brother called. I spoke first, "I wish you peace and a happy, long life." He gave a cold laugh. "Yeah, well, I don't want you to have any of that. I hope you spend the rest of your life in misery." I'd cut him off the year he was flat broke. Now that he was successful, this was the first thing he did—get back at me. I kept my tone calm. "I wish you peace and a happy, long life." He sounded annoyed. "Cut it out. There's no way I'm wishing you well. If I have to say something, then I hope you stay miserable forever." The host hesitated, then chimed in, "Ben, that was just a recording of Hailey's message. And yes, when she left… she was in a lot of pain and quite miserable, just like you hoped for."

In a world where family ties and business deals are intertwined, Ivy Smith finds herself trapped in a nightmare. Her father's company is struggling, and the only way to save it is by forming an alliance with the powerful Blackwood family. The cost? Ivy's hand in marriage to Victor Blackwood, a ruthless and cunning man with a reputation for getting what he wants, no matter the cost. Ivy is devastated. She's always been a strong-willed and independent person, and the thought of being tied to someone like Victor is unbearable. But her family's situation is dire, and she feels she has no choice but to accept the arrangement. As the wedding preparations begin, Ivy's brothers - Ethan, Lucas, and Julian - are fiercely protective of her. They know Victor's true nature and are determined to keep her safe. But they're also bound by the agreement, and their hands are tied. Victor, on the other hand, is determined to break Ivy's spirit. He's cruel, manipulative, and has a hidden agenda. He sees Ivy as a trophy, a way to solidify his family's power and control. And he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. As Ivy navigates her new reality, she must find a way to survive Victor's abuse and manipulation. She's trapped in a gilded cage, with no escape in sight. But she's determined to fight back, to find a way out of this nightmare and take control of her own destiny. The story is a dark, twisted tale of love, family, and power. It's a tale of survival and rebellion, of one woman's fight against the forces that seek to control her. Will Ivy find a way to escape Victor's clutches, or will she be forever trapped in this living hell?

"Beg, Ursula," His voice dropped low. "On your knees." I clenched my fist, every fibre in me itching to snap his neck. For my sister. "Please." He doesn’t just want her compliance—he wants her on her knees. And she swore she’d never beg anyone. Not even him. Zachary Wellington; cold, ruthless, feared by everyone except one woman; Valerie Hampton, the one woman he despises so much since high school . He calls her Ursula — the villain in his love story and she calls him Dracula, the devil's spawn . She bullied his first love and she died when she discovered a secret about Valerie. Years later, they meet again. Only this time, it’s no accident. Zachary orchestrated an arranged marriage to claim his billion-dollar inheritance . Fueled by old wounds and a twisted thirst for revenge, he turns their union into a twisted game of chess guided by cold rules, where every move is calculated, and trust is a luxury both can't afford. But what begins as punishment spirals into something far more dangerous: desire, obsession, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. From betrayal and childhood trauma to a violent heir lurking in the shadows, Valerie and Zachary are about to uncover a truth that could destroy them both. Love was never part of the plan. But in a marriage built on lies and vengeance, it might be their only way out.

Just a few days before my wedding, I accidentally come across a post while scrolling online. The title reads, "To the guy getting married in this city, your fiancée's already cheated on you." Curious, I click in to see the gossip, only to realize I'm the one being talked about. A deep male voice plays in the video. "I heard you're getting married?" The woman in the frame, bare-backed and trembling, chokes back a sob. "After you left, I realized you're still the one I love most. I'm done with him. Take me away, please!" The moment I hear her voice, it feels like someone punches me straight in the chest. Then I notice something on her wrist—the luxury couple's bracelet I gave her just yesterday. And in that instant, I feel like the biggest joke of all. Turns out the fool was me.

Nathaniel Reid had always despised being bound by our engagement. To spite me, he recklessly raced cars and caused trouble, indulging in all sorts of reckless behavior. And every time, I cleaned up his mess. Then, a girl named Joanna Smith appeared in his life. On the night of my birthday banquet, he scoured the entire city for a simple breakfast wrap for her and never even bothered to show up. I had already prepared for this moment. That night, I approached my family and asked to change the engagement. "It didn’t have to be Nathaniel." I thought of the distant, composed man from my dreams—the one who had always hidden his quiet, unwavering love for me. A smile flickered across my lips as I said softly, "Didn’t he still have an uncle?"

“Sign the papers, and don’t come back.” Those were the last words Celeste heard from her cold, heartless husband—the man she was forced to marry in exchange for her family’s survival. She thought it was just a deal: marry Killian Hart, play the role of the perfect wife, and disappear when the contract ended. But somewhere between the lonely nights and stolen glances, she made the mistake of falling for him... while he spent every waking moment with another woman. Until the night she found out she was pregnant. Shattered and humiliated, Celeste vanished without a trace, determined to raise their child alone—far away from the lies, betrayal, and the man who never wanted her in the first place. But five years later, fate drags her back to the city she swore she’d never return to. And this time, she’s not the helpless bride in a wedding dress. This time, she’s stronger. Smarter. And she has a daughter who looks just like him. But Killian Hart doesn’t do second chances—and when he sees the child she tried to hide, the ruthless CEO declares war. “I let you go once. I won’t make the same mistake again.” In a world full of secrets, enemies in disguise, and buried truths, can Celeste protect her child—and her heart—from the man who once broke it?

When my boyfriend came to my family home to ask for my hand in marriage, my sister-in-law, who was usually cold and aloof, became a completely different person. She flung her arm around me warmly and asked, “Cassie, who’s your favorite? This boyfriend or one of the dozen or so men that you’ve brought home before?” As I denied her accusation and interrupted her, she cheekily batted her eyelashes at my boyfriend and cooed, “Oh, yes, yes. Cassie has never brought another man home. You’re the lucky first!” In the midst of dinner, she deliberately took her own soiled underwear out of the bathroom, pinched her nose, and waved it around as she screeched, “Oh my goodness, Cassie! I know you don’t really care about hygiene, but we have guests today! How can you have no shame? It smells so bad!”

My husband, Gabriel Buckner, and I had been married for three years. I'd gotten pregnant twice, but I'd lost both babies. It was all because of my in-laws' parrot that could talk. The first time I got pregnant and went to their house, the parrot stared at my belly and kept repeating, "Get rid of the baby! Get rid of the baby!" The second time, the same thing happened. It looked right at my stomach and said the same words. I thought it was just nonsense, but to my shock, my in-laws actually took the parrot seriously and forced me to end the pregnancy. I even showed them the prenatal checkup report from my doctor to prove that the baby was perfectly healthy and begged them not to do it. But they dragged me to the hospital anyway and made me have an abortion on the spot. When I got pregnant a third time, I wanted to be extra cautious. I went straight for an amniocentesis. The report confirmed the baby was healthy and even showed a 99.9% DNA match with Gabriel's. I thought everything would be fine this time. But as soon as the parrot saw me again, it repeated the same words—"Get rid of the baby." And just like before, the Buckners immediately tried to drag me to the hospital. I couldn't understand it. The baby was perfectly healthy, and the DNA report proved it was Gabriel's child. So why would they rather believe a parrot and insist that I get rid of the baby?

“Prey, tell what happens when… if you lose? What benefits am I to reap from this bet of yours?” This bastard had a lot of nerve.I could not back down from him. I knew I could see this contest through. I know I can make my dream a reality.“If I lost than…I will serve under your modeling agency for free for half a year. Does that seem fair enough?” I said regaining my confidence. I could not help but glared back at Elijah. “Sounds like a fair trade to me, little kitten.” He said. I do not like that nickname. No matter how sexy it sounded on his lips.“If I lose than I will publicly apologize to you, I.” Elijah said with a smile repeating the terms. “But it you lose than you work as a model in my business for free for half of the year. Sound about right?” Elijah said.I shook his hand. “Deal.”Elijah smiled to the point where his teeth reminded me of the big bad wolf. “Deal,” he said softly.

Lumaking mabait, masipag at masunuring anak si Anna. Kahit na salat sa buhay ay masaya ang kanyang pamilya pero nag bagong lahat yon nang mamatay ang kanyang ama. Nalubog sila sa utang at naging malamig ang naging pakikitungo sa kanya ng ina. Sa resort sa kanilang lugar ay namasukan si Anna. Nakilala nya rito si Arthur Bryce na unang kita nya pa lamang ay nagustuhan nya na ang binata. Isang secret Agent si Arthur sa isang patagong organisasyon na ang layunin ay sugpuin ang mga masasamang organisasyon. Lingid sa kaalaman ng dalaga na kaya lamang lumalapit sa kanya ang binata ay dahil kumakalap lamang ito ng impormasyon sa kanilang lugar. Unti-unting nahulog ang loob ni Anna rito pero mukhang 'di mutual ang feelings nila sa isat-isa. Lalo na mukhang nagugustuhan nito ang anak ng may-ari ng resort na pinagt-trabahuhan nya. Pero hindi naging dahilan ito para kalimutan nya si Brent kundi mas gagawin nya pa ang lahat para ma gustuhan siya ng Binata.