Sharp Objects

"They say the rich live beyond consequence. That no one bleeds behind a billion-dollar smile. They've clearly never met Rico Zane." Aria Lane didn't mean to sleep with a total stranger. Especially not the battered, bleeding man she pulled in off the sidewalk outside of an elite Manhattan nightclub. He had haunted eyes and a tempest brewing behind them. They had one night of weakness. One unforgettable mistake. And by morning, he'd vanished. Months later, she's now pregnant and swimming in secrets, Aria's life takes another sharp turn when stumbles into the father of her child again. This time, he's not bleeding in the shadows, he's standing in light and power. Rico Zane is not just anyone. He's the cold, brilliant CEO of Zane Industries. A billionaire who built a dynasty from the ruins of treachery and smashes anyone who gets in his path. And Aria? She's unfortunately the daughter of the one man who tried to ruin his family. To make matters more complicated, Rico's brother, who was presumed dead for years, returns to take the company and exact revenge on a past Aria is tied to by blood. While corporate wars rage and enemies loom in designer suits, Aria is swept up in a war of secrets, seduction, and strategy. She's both a pawn and a prize in a game of power where love is a liability… and trust a slow poison. Now forced into Rico's dangerous world for the sake of her unborn child, Aria must make a decision: does she stay with the man who sees her as both his weakness and his salvation? Or does she become the woman capable of rewriting her fate one secret at a time?

Sloane is bright, fiercely athletic, almost 20 yo Sophomore student. On the track, she's a promising runner with Olympic-sized dreams. Off the track, she's perfectly happy being one of the guys, "the funny one"-a sharp contrast to the typical well dress college girl. But last semester, her tomboy façade cracked. A disastrous, unreciprocated confession to her lifelong best friend left a permanent, painful dent in their friendship. She was ready to power through the awkwardness, keep her head down, and focus on her sophomore season, when, her world was shaken. A celebrated international star athlete and new exchange student, steps onto campus and into Sloane's life. He's popular, he's gorgeous, and he sees the vibrant woman under the baggy sweatshirts. He doesn't just challenge Sloane on the field; he forces her to confront her greatest flaw: her deep-seated belief that she's not beautiful. But as he teaches her what "beauty" truly means, a complicated new set of rules emerges, with her scholarship at risk and loosing her mind over calculus. Can Sloane chase her running dreams, navigate a new and intense romance, and survive the rumors, bad grades, and campus chaos that follow? Or will the pressure of becoming someone new lead to the biggest stumble of her life? ♡ This romantic comedy explores the complications of academic and athletic pressure at the high level demanded by universities as well as the modern beauty standards, while also capturing how fun and dramatic campus life can be for young people. ┖┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈┚ This book is entirely a work of fiction. The characters are all fictional, and all rights to this work are reserved by the author.

"What do you want?" Leo said angrily. "I just want to go back to sleep," Alana replied, winking. "And?" "I want to sleep in your arms. Not difficult, right?" "No way." "Come on, we've been sleeping apart all this time; I feel so cold," Alana exaggerated. "But if you refuse, that's okay. I'll gladly do what I wanted to do earlier," Alana replied, making Leo rub his face roughly. "Come here," but the next moment, Alana grinned widely as Leo opened his arms and told her to come closer. Without wasting time, Alana tumbled into Leo's embrace, resting her head on Leo's arm, and hugging Leo's waist tightly. "Comfortable and warm," murmured Alana while continuing to nestle deeper into Leo's embrace. "Stop moving, or I'll push you away." "Yes, yes, fine, but can you stroke my hair?" Alana said while tilting her face up, immediately getting a sharp look from Leo. "Tsk, I'm just—," Alana's banter was cut off when Leo moved his hand on the top of her head gently. "It seems I'm going to have sweet dreams," Alana murmured, tilting her face up even more. From this close distance, Leo could clearly see Alana's face, and for some reason, his heart beat faster. Leo was sure Alana could hear it this time. "Hurry up and sleep," Leo said while shifting his gaze, choosing to look at the ceiling of the room. However, instead of stopping the teasing, Alana made Leo more flustered.

After our eighty-eighth canceled wedding, I called my business partner. "I'm taking the Haviana market project." There was a beat of stunned silence. "Seriously? That's ten years overseas. You just got married—well, weren't you? Does your husband even know? What about your parents? You always said staying close to them was everything." I glanced around the empty church and let out a sharp laugh. "There was no wedding. No husband. And my parents? They've got Cindy. That's all they need." Another pause. "Alright. Pack your bags. You leave tomorrow." After the call, I ran a hand down my wedding dress. One last tear slipped out, quiet and pointless. Cindy had another "episode" today. Claimed she'd off herself. Andrew canceled—again. I'd looked at him, drained. "It's the eighty-eighth time." He dropped his head, guilt all over him. "Just a little more time, Viv. She's been off since the accident. I'm scared she'll actually do it. I swear, I'll talk to her. For real this time. Then we'll get married. Promise." My parents didn't hesitate. "Vivian, let Andrew go. If Cindy hadn't gotten kidnapped trying to save you, she wouldn't have these breakdowns. Are you really putting a wedding over your sister's life?" "How could you be so selfish?" I'd heard it all before. Used to fight it. Not this time. If neither my fiancé nor my parents wanted me around, then fine. I'd leave.

He lowered his head and angrily placed a kiss on my lips, I had felt the passion, love and compassion in his previous kisses but right now he was venting out all his anger. He bit my lower lip hard until it was completely swollen and began to bleed, I wanted to cry in pain but he didn't give me a chance and his tongue pried my mouth open and with the help of it he pulled my tongue into his mouth and then bit my tongue. At this moment he was completely consumed by anger and out of his senses, I wanted to use my magic to get rid of him but I could not do that too as he had one of my wrists twisted which was now turning numb with pain and the other was pinned above my head against the wall. Soon his fangs pierced my tongue and this time finally a sharp painful shout left my throat and hit his lips. My lips were now trembling and I just wanted to push him away but as much as I tried that, he kept pushing his body against mine making me loose my mind completely. My painful voice brought him back to his senses and his lips and teeth finally left my mouth, tears flowed through my eyes due to the pain and I looked at him angrily that was when he finally spoke "I told you to be careful but you do every possible thing to rile me up. Your scent is completely different from every person on this earth, it is so appealing and inviting that anyone can find you and that means that no matter how hard you try, you can't escape from me."

Abigail was pinned on the wall by a strong man, and she felt a sharp pain in her arms. “Let go of me. You are hurting me.” Tears started accumulating in her eyes, but she still stubbornly looked at the man’s eyes in a challenging way. The man leaned over her. Their faces were inches away, and his hot breathing was fanning on her cheeks. There were many emotions in his deep green eyes which Abigail couldn’t decipher. After a span of silence, Charles opened his mouth and said, “You are not going anywhere. You are now mine; mine to love, and mine to torture.” ………….. Charles Shaw is the assistant of Aidan Thompson, the CEO of Thompson’s and Co. But he eventually turned out to be the heir of a multi-billionaire business empire. While working under Aidan, he encountered Abigail Mills, the fiancee of Aidan. Abigail loved Aidan for five years, and she always dreamed to be his wife, but Aidan treated her only as a trophy to be decorated in his house. She was gorgeous, perfect to be the daughter-in-law of the Thompson family. He was a workaholic, never had time for Abigail. Whenever she asked him to accompany her, he sent Charles in his place. Initially, Abigail hated Charles. She didn’t want his face, but Charles couldn't refuse his boss, and he quietly followed Abigail, despite his unwillingness. Eventually, they both started developing feelings for each other but never expressed it. Meanwhile, Charles learned about the conspiracy of Aidan against Abigail. He wanted to tell her about it, but before that, he was stabbed and burnt to death by Aidan and his men. Everyone thought that he died, but he came back after one year with a new identity to take revenge.

“Dad What do you mean, you sold me to the Russian mob?” Ana never thought her father capable of betrayal, but the truth hits harder than she ever imagined. Sold to New York’s most feared Bratva boss, Dmitri Orlov, Ana’s life turns into a waking nightmare. Dmitri is a man whispered about in dark alleys—a ruthless crime lord with a reputation carved in blood. With his sharp suits, chilling smile, and a voice that can command armies, he’s the very definition of danger. And now, he owns Ana. Their arrangement is simple: she’s the price her father paid, and Dmitri has no intention of letting her forget it. Cold and calculating, he’s determined to use Ana to exact his revenge. But there’s a darker, more complicated truth behind Dmitri’s anger. The beast with a soul as black as midnight has a weakness—and it’s her. Every heated touch, every possessive growl, chips away at Ana’s defenses. Despite her fear, she starts to see glimpses of the man behind the monster, the one who wants to claim her not just in body, but in soul. But falling for Dmitri was never part of the plan, especially when she discovers she’s carrying his child. Now Ana’s running for her life, caught between her father’s betrayal and Dmitri’s wrath. But there’s one thing she can’t escape—the fact that no matter how far she goes, she belongs to him. And Dmitri will stop at nothing to bring his wife—and his heir—home. Because in their world, “till death do us part” isn’t just a vow—it’s a warning.

Olivia Morgan never believed in monsters, but the woods outside her hometown seem to disagree. Haunted by dreams she’s never been able to explain, Olivia’s life takes a sharp turn one Halloween night when she discovers a black wolf caged beneath silver bars. But when the wolf shifts into Ezekiel—a warm-hearted Alpha with an infuriating smile—Olivia’s reality fractures. Upon freeing him, she finds out he's her fated mate and se's bound to him and a world of wolves and Lycans she never knew existed. Her senses heighten, shadows stalk her every step, and Ezekiel insists she’s no longer safe among humans. When her estranged grandfather, Roman, Alpha Ezekiel's Beta, appears with answers Olivia never asked for, she learns she’s not just anyone—she’s the daughter of a prince and part of a royal Lycan bloodline. Torn between the familiar world she’s known and the legacy pulling her deeper into Silver Lake’s supernatural web, Olivia is faced with enemies she can’t yet understand. Malakai, the feared adversary of her family, seems to know more about her past than anyone, and his motives feel far more complicated than simple vengeance. As Olivia unlocks her dormant powers and unearths secrets about her parents’ deaths, she realizes nothing is as it seems. And when an ancient curse sweeps through Silver Lake, threatening everyone she’s come to care for, Olivia must decide: run from the destiny she never asked for or stand and fight.

Being the best is a requirement for me. When it comes to this, I am the best. Unlike others, I can move quickly. As for me, I'm quite robust. I have a high IQ. Many professional teams are interested in signing me because I am the starting goalkeeper for my high school's soccer squad. My teammates will follow my every order as long as I am captain. Girls urge me to add them to my list of s*x partners. To avoid my father's anger, I just need to make it to the professional league and play for the best team in the world. I am Williams Phanuel, and I have made sure that everything in existence is centered on me. I've got my eye on the new girl in class; it'll only be a matter of time until she succumbs to my charms. This one is more obstinate than others; she won't even give me her name. She has a sharp mind, too. Perhaps too witty for his own good. I simply cannot admit her. No one will get past me. Despite my lack of concern, I must admit that she is distracting me from my objective. Your father will not approve of that. Do I need to reiterate how much I adore the works of William Shakespeare? I'm aware of that. To put it simply, I am a paradox in human form. There are "some born great," "some who make great," and "those who have greatness thrust upon them," as Shakespeare put it. I managed to acquire all three! No one can ever hope to measure up to that.

"Look at this rejected omega!" My ex-husband sneered, and his pack members burst into laughter. Standing beside him was my younger sister, the one he cheated on me with. She clung to his arm, flaunting their bond for all to see. "She must be here to steal you from me," my sister spat in disbelief. "She's not here for any of that," my second chance mate’s voice boomed as he entered the room, towering over everyone in his sharp black suit. The crowd fell silent, astonished. "She's my wife and mate now. She's the new Luna Queen!" he declared, bowing to me with respect and love as he took my hand. The shock on my sister's and ex's faces spoke volumes. They never thought I'd rise above it all. But even I couldn't help but wonder, Wasn't he crippled just one night ago? --- Carena devoted years to her marriage, serving her arrogant alpha husband and in-laws after leaving her birth pack for her fated mate. But her loyalty was repaid with the ultimate betrayal: discovering her alpha husband had been sleeping with her 19-year-old sister. Hurt and rejected, Carena was thrown out of the pack, forced to return to her birth pack with nowhere else to turn. To be accepted back, she was told she must marry the crippled alpha King. She thought that would be the end of it. But one night, she woke up to a troubling sight, realizing she needed to uncover the secrets of her mysterious disabled alpha King before it’s too late.