Shared Fates

My five years of marriage to Elliot Kline turned out to be a cruel joke. "For tomorrow's monthly report meeting, I'd like Yvette to present your branding plan," Elliot said, not looking up from his desk. I put down the files I was organizing, certain I had misheard. "What?" "Yvette just joined the company. She needs a chance to prove herself. Your plan is perfect for that." He lifted his head, his tone brooking no argument. "But that's my entry for the Veriania Creative Competition," I protested. "You win awards every year. What's the harm in letting her have it this time?" He shrugged, adding, "We need to nurture new talent." I stared at the man with whom I had shared a bed for five years. His face suddenly felt so unfamiliar to me. "Do you know how many sleepless nights I poured into that plan? And you're giving it to a new intern?" "Don't be so petty. It's just a plan. My decision is made." My fists clenched, anger surging through me.

I was with Ivan Knowles for seven years. Despite the rumors that always swirled around him, he never gave me a reason to doubt his loyalty. He let me check his phone and even welcomed me to join him on business trips. I never found anything suspicious until our engagement day. The host had just shared how Ivan flew in my favorite white roses from abroad when the big screen, meant to play a video celebrating our seven years together, instead showed a hospital room. The cry of a newborn rang out. Ivan sat on the bed holding the baby. His secretary, Alba Lawson, leaned on his shoulder, wearing the same diamond ring as mine. Tearfully, she explained to me that it was a misunderstanding. "Alba is a single mom," Ivan excused. "I'm just helping her out as her boss. Don't make a big deal out of this." The room went quiet, everyone waiting for me to flip out. I didn't. Instead, I calmly slipped off my ring and handed it to him. "Of course not. I just wish you happiness."

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT] BDSM. NO CHEATING! My wedding was a day I looked forward to the most throughout my teen. I couldn't contain my joy at the prospect of marrying the man who had been the object of my affection for such a long time—my future husband. But who would have thought I was merely a naive girl believing we shared similar emotions? My entire world came crashing down when my wedding night turned out to be the most horrifying night of my whole life. **** "Untie these cuffs!" I was in so much pain that I couldn't move, nor could I bear it any longer. "Why on earth would I do that? We aren't yet finished here." His tone was hostile. “What?” I was shocked beyond belief. He reached out and grabbed me by the restraint he had used to tie me up and pulled me closer to himself. Then he stroked my cheeks soothingly while staring me dead in the eyes. “Oh, honey. We have not yet had our first night!!"

**When ambition blinds you to what truly matters, but one woman helps you see the light...** Victor Difabio once believed that winning the **Best Actor Award** would fill the emptiness in his life. He sacrificed everything—his time, his body, and his very soul—only to find that success comes at a devastating cost. The moment he finally achieves his dream, tragedy strikes when his beloved, **Phinea Lawson**, takes her own life, leaving Victor with nothing but a trophy and a heart full of regret. --- *"I need to make things right,"* Victor vows, awakening to find himself back in time, just before his wedding day. *"This time, I will prioritize your happiness, Phinea."* As he sets out to spoil her and repay the debts of his past, Victor embarks on a new project that intertwines their fates: an adaptation of Phinea’s favorite novel, **"Suddenly, I Know Nothing."** He works tirelessly to ensure its success, unaware of the profound connection between the story and their lives. --- *"You think you can change the future?"* Phinea asks, her eyes filled with hope and skepticism. *"What if the past is already written?"* Victor's heart races as he faces the challenges of fame, jealousy, and the haunting shadows of their past. With adversaries lurking in the wings, including Phinea's twin sister, **Peregrine**, he must navigate a treacherous path to protect the woman he loves. --- *"You don’t understand, Victor,"* Phinea says, tears glistening in her eyes. *"I’m not worthy of your love. I’m not even a true Lawson."* Victor steps closer, his voice firm. *"You are everything to me, Phinea. Your worth isn’t defined by your name. You are the woman who saved me from myself."* --- **What happens when a man driven by ambition learns that true happiness lies in love and connection?**

Ava Fairchild was sure that she’d never find love. Seemingly lost in a sea of self-pity, she was delighted when her appraisal company was given a job in the Caribbean. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to appraise Sebastian Belrose’s billion-dollar estate seemed to be exactly what she needed to relax and enjoy herself. A walk to the beach at dawn gave her a first impression of the billionaire himself, paddle boarding on the gentle waves. He was reserved and mysterious, and Ava wanted to know all of his secrets. His evasiveness and the fact that he forbade her from traveling to his Study just added to his allure, while simultaneously reminding her about the secrets that destroyed her last relationship. Still, every sunrise that they shared together made her fall more desperately in love with him. But Bastian had a reason for keeping to himself. And as Ava saw the scars that criss-crossed his body, she knew that what she had found was a soul not unlike herself. A man who had been damaged. A man who deserved to trust. A man that deserved to love, and to be loved. Would this beauty be able to tame the beast, or would they be left with just memories of sunrise kisses?