Shrugged

My boyfriend, Sam Gibson, had a childhood best friend named Tina Lincoln. She was a star medical student. On the day Sam and I were supposed to get our marriage license, Tina took one look at the tight top I was wearing and flat-out claimed I had been sleeping around for years. She pointed at my chest with obvious disgust. “If men hadn’t been all over you, there’s no way your breasts would be this big.” Sam believed her completely. He started cursing at me, calling me a slut who had sleep with anyone, and refused to go through with the marriage license. I tried over and over to explain, but Tina just sneered at me. “People may be more open-minded these days, but that doesn’t mean you can sell your body and make your chest that big.” She used me as some kind of “example,” started a livestream to lecture people online, and exposed all my personal information. After that, strangers kept sending me disgusting, harassing messages, asking how much I charged for a night. Some even followed me and tried to force themselves on me. I begged her to clear things up for me, but she just shrugged and said, “If you never did that kind of thing, why would people be asking you?” In the end, I was assaulted and killed. And she went on to become a nationally famous influencer doctor, gaining fame and money at the same time. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I was supposed to get my marriage license with Sam.

My eyes fell upon a woman lying naked on the cold floor, her face hidden behind a curtain of tangled hair. Her screams echoed through the room as pain wracked her fragile body. I rushed to her side and gently brushed the hair away from her face. Cuts marred her skin, blood oozing from her split lips. Dark blue bruises had formed beneath her swollen eyes. She whimpered softly, every sound a broken plea for help. “Hey… I’m here now,” I murmured. “Nothing will happen to you. Don’t worry—I won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.” I shrugged off my coat and wrapped it around her trembling body, preparing to lift her into my arms when Max stepped forward and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Don’t forget what Ella told you,” he warned quietly. “Get the car ready,” I muttered, ignoring him. “You’re saving her life today,” Max said again, his voice heavy, “and one day, this girl will destroy you. Remember Ella’s warning.” “I don’t know what my future holds,” I replied coldly, “but I won’t leave a girl in this condition.” I bent down and lifted her into my arms. She squirmed weakly before burying her face against my chest, clinging to me as if I were her last hope. Mate. Dominic’s growl thundered inside my head. My breath hitched. My eyes widened in horror. Richard’s wife… The woman whose husband I had killed— She was my mate.

Danielle Young is a kind-hearted and devoted woman who goes above and beyond to fulfill her parents' wishes. Due to this, her parents arranged for her to marry the wealthy heir of the Anderson family, in order to elevate their family's business to the next level. Unfortunately, everything took a dangerous turn, putting the Youngs' cooperation at grave risk.When the news broke out, Mr. Young fell ill, witnessing his company on the verge of falling apart. Left with no choice, Danielle had to seek assistance from her father's business partners, only to discover that they were colluding with the Andersons. Danielle had no option but to put aside her ego and approach the only person capable of assisting her. ******* Jake blinked innocently. "500 million? What do you need such a huge amount of money for?" he asked, arching his brows at her. "Can you quit the act already? Will you lend it to me or not?" she demanded, her voice coming out firm. Jake shrugged his shoulders "Why don't you be my wife instead, and you won't have to pay back a dime?“ his eyes shone with instrest which didn't last for a moment before he returned back to his stoic demeanor. A snicker escaped her lips. "Mr. Carter, are you doing this just to get back at me?" The man slowly got up from his seat and gracefully walked up to Danielle who was standing a few inches away. His lips curled up faintly as he closed the little space between them. "Do you think I'm over you, Bubbles?" He whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. Will Danielle accept the offer of the same man she humiliated years ago? Are Jake's intentions towards Danielle as pure as he portrays on the surface?

*SNEAK PEAK* "Olivia wait." "Just stop and listen to me..." "Olivia!" he snapped. I stopped in my tracks before I turned around and glared at him. "What the f**k do you want? I'm done with you. I'm done trying to win you over okay!?" I felt my eyes burn as I panted. Emotion after emotions swirling around like a f*****g whirlpool. I hated this feeling...I wanted it gone. The overwhelming feeling of betrayal piercing at my heart the longer I stared at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to get hurt." I took a deep breath as I silently cursed when a tear escaped and trailed down my cheek. "It's not that you didn't intend to hurt me; I just wasn't meant to find out, was I." "It's a lot more complicated than that." I shrugged and wiped at my face before looking off into the distance. After staying in silence for a minute or so I met his gaze. He took a step forward as he frowned. "Olivia..." "We all have the right to love someone right?" He hesitated before he nodded his head in agreement. I faintly nodded my head agreeing with myself before I sighed. I have to do this. I could almost feel my heart breaking into a million pieces. "I, Olivia Steel from the nightingale Pack reject..." Before I could continue Damon's eyes darkened before he stalked towards me and pushed me against a tree causing me to gasp at the impact. "Don't you f*****g dare."

Everyone says I have the face of an angel. However, I choose to take a knife and slash my own beautiful face. When my twin sister sees the drastic change in my appearance, she loses it and screams at me, wanting to know why I ruined my face. In my past life, she couldn't stop stealing food deliveries. When our next-door neighbor caught her, she shoved the pregnant woman so hard that she miscarried. The woman was seven months along, and both she and her baby died. But my sister just shrugged it off, bragging that she was some popular influencer, and two pathetic lives didn't matter. She even slapped down a 50-dollar bill like it was nothing, just to humiliate them. "Still trying to scam my money? For all we know, that woman's baby was already dead inside her. Your family must've done pretty awful things to deserve losing two lives like that!" When the dead woman's family showed up at our door with kitchen knives, ready for revenge, my sister chickened out and hid. Before that, she tricked me into coming home instead. The second I walked up to our front door, the grief-stricken husband slashed at my neck, severing the artery. I died right there on the spot. After I died, everyone spat on my memory. They all said I got what I deserved, and my parents covered up what my sister really did. She even had the nerve to come forward and apologize for me, cashing in on my death while hooking up with my boyfriend. The two of them became this perfect couple online and made tons of money. This time around, I decide to destroy my face. I want to see how she will steal my identity and pin her crimes on me now!

Young, wild, and alluring, that's how everyone viewed Scarlett Morris. Most women hated her appearance because she possessed those qualities that drew men's attention towards her. Social media posts often defame and humiliate her personality, but she only shrugged her shoulders on it. Her main focus was to earn more money to support her needs and her twin brother's education. No matter how hard life threw at her, she rose above it, she ignored gossip and humiliation, but people around her were vicious as their jealousy consumed their minds. She often ran into trouble, and someone who is out of her league become her savior. It was none other than the business mogul - Francis Sandler. Francis Sandler built a legendary empire with his talent in the business and his extraordinary networking skills– he handled with absolute perfection both gangs and the government. He came from the wealthiest Sandler family of Irving City- and he's the CEO of T.B.S Empire. His deep secret was buried as danger evolved around it. He was accustomed that most women crawl into his bed to warm his night. From his perspective, Scarlett was another young and wild woman who aimed his fortune. Their destiny collided when several times Francis became Scarlett's savior. That moment Scarlett's enchanting beauty caught his attention, yet his painful and failed marriage reminded him that a beautiful woman is only a trophy to display. He offered her a tempting business transaction giving everything life has to offer in exchange for becoming his hidden woman. Their journey to a rollercoaster relationship started when Francis showed his real intention. The danger is about to unfold when Scarlett's main reason for accepting his offer was a pure secret task that will be bound to destroy them.

I kept on running with Kay as we manoeuvred our way through the messy crowd. Kay pulled me through and we finally got out of the club. We couldn't take the main entrance because Yoshim's men were there. We were running through the dark alley, panting and gasping for air. Relief washed over me when I realised that I finally left that hell hole. We kept on running when I heard a gunshot. I immediately halted and felt a warm liquid trickling down my arm. I looked around and saw no wound, I glanced at Kay and my eyes widened. I immediately brought my hand to my mouth trying to suppress the scream that wanted to come out. Kay held his arm as he bled profusely, he groaned in pain and fell on his knees. “Oh my God, Kay are you alright? Ugh, what am I going to do.” I said while hyperventilating. I heard footsteps and looked up only to be met by those same devilish eyes. He wore a grin on his face. And to his left was Gail who clung to him like a barnacle. How did he even know I escaped? “Haha, I overheard your little conversation with the guard, so I told Yoshim.” She smiled while talking. “Gail, what the is wrong with you?” I said with anger and tears in my eyes. She shrugged her shoulders and her mouth curved into a smile. I pressed my hand on Kay's wound to stop the bleeding, he groaned in pain and I couldn't stop my tears. “I should've gotten rid of you a long time ago.” Yoshim said while pointing a gun to my head. I closed my eyes and waited for him to pull the trigger.

“Paige Miller. Stay here for a bit.” He said when my foot was already out the door. I swallowed hard and looked at Darla who just shrugged and closed the door. I was alone with the hot Callan Montgomery Holden. “So, Paige. I thought you were a bartender.” “And I thought you were just a rich asshole kissing girls all day. Never would've peg you for a CEO, boss.” “Hmm. You're funny. I like you.” “Please don't.” I said and he chuckled again. He bit his lower lip, and I could feel myself wanting to hump him right there on his swiveling chair. “You're thinking the same thing I am, right?” “That I should report you to HR for sexual harassment?” “Ha! Good one. But no. I know you want me too. Right here right now. I can feel you getting hot and wet.” “From the way you kissed me, last night? Sorry, but no. Besides, I'm married.” I lied. I realized I was being stupid and reckless when I remembered it was very specific in the job listing that I had to be single with no kids. “Okay, look. I'm not married, but I'm not interested either. I can't afford to be your next plaything. I need this job to save enough money to start my own small business and not work for anyone ever again. So, please. I know you're probably a great guy, but I'm just not interested. So, if there's nothing else you need professionally, good day, Mr. Holden.” “Sure. But they always say that at first. You'll come around.” If I didn’t have a daughter to think of, I'd have made you come in my mouth already you rich spoiled brat!" I wanted to say, but of course absolutely couldn't.

(Bxb) Eric Valence thought finding a job as an editor for a well-known author named Draven H. Malcolm was the beginning of his writing career. He had no idea that it would also be the beginning of his love story. *** "You're so clueless, it bothers me." He frowned, "What does that mean-" "You never wondered why I gave you all the best things on my floor - the closest desk, drinks from my office, my newest project. I even went to your house and picked you up to make sure you weren't late." "My portfoli-" "There are twenty three others with the same experience as yours, that was an excuse," he admitted, peering into Eric's eyes and daring him to look away. Eric didn't. Draven sighed, "The reason I got mad that day..." he paused for a moment, hesitating again but deciding to let it all out, "the reason I got mad is because I heard you kissed Jason, which I wasn't too pleased about but then seeing you and Justin together..." He never finished his sentence, and Eric raised an eyebrow, "What about Justin and I?" "I feel like you're doing this on purpose," Draven chuckled, examining Eric's confused face. "I'm not sure what you're talking about-" "I like you," Draven said clearly with his entire diaphragm, expression it as loud as he could for Eric to understand. Eric felt his throat squeeze itself shut, no oxygen coming in or out. "I like you, a lot more than I thought, Eric," he breathed. Eric was unable to believe it, shook his head and looked away for moment, before meeting his gaze again. "Why me?" he asked quietly. Draven shrugged his shoulders, eyeing Eric with adoration and admiration, "I'm not sure either, but I want you to be mine."

When I was young, I saved a fae—charming and extremely handsome. In return, he offered me one wish, and I, lost in romantic fantasies, asked for the strongest wolves to be obsessed with me. It sounded dreamy—until it wasn’t. Obsession, I learned, is a storm disguised as a dream. First up, my stepbrother—his obsession turned him into a tormentor. Life became unbearable, and I had to escape before a mating ceremony that felt more like a nightmare than a love story. But freedom was short-lived. The next wolf found me, nearly made me his dinner, and kidnapped me away to his kingdom, proclaiming I would be his Luna. He wasn’t as terrifying, but when he announced our wedding plans (against my will, obviously), his best friend appeared as competitor number three. “Great! Just what I needed,” I thought. This third wolf was sweet, gentle, and truly cared—but, alas, he wasn’t my type. Desperate, I tracked down the fae. “Please, undo my wish! I want out of this romantic disaster!” My heart raced; I really needed him to understand me. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry, you’re on your own. But I can help you pick the best one out of them!” How do I fix this mess? Facing three intense wolves: “Marry me, I’ll kill anyone who bothers you!” the first declared fiercely. “No, marry me! I’ll make you the happiest ever,” the second pleaded. “I’ll destroy every kingdom you walk into. You’re mine!” the third growled, eyes blazed. “Seriously, what have I gotten myself into?” A long sigh escaped my lips. Caught between a curse and a hard place, I really just wanted peace and quiet…but which one do I choose?