Shrugged Shoulders

“Sophia! Sophia!!” I dropped to my knees beside her, grabbing her fragile shoulders, shaking her gently at first, then harder, desperate for any reaction. Nothing. Her skin was cold. <<< Clarissa felt her life crumbling right before her eyes. Bruce was responsible for their daughter's death and many things looked planned. Her goal was to find out what happened but she couldn't be in the marriage anymore. What happens when old flames rekindle? Will Clarissa avenge her daughter's death? Who is Clarissa?

After five years with Nathaniel Sinclair, Sylvia Garner thought their love would lead to a lifelong commitment. But when Nathaniel postponed their wedding, her world began to crumble. At a private club, Sylvia stumbled upon a scene that shattered her heart—Nathaniel down on one knee, proposing to another woman. “You’ve been with Sylvia for five years, but now you’re suddenly marrying Vivian Hayes. Aren’t you afraid she’ll be upset?” someone asked. Nathaniel shrugged it off. “Vivian is ill; this is her dying wish. Sylvia loves me too much to leave.” The whole world knew Sylvia loved Nathaniel to the point of obsession, believing she couldn’t live without him. But this time, he was wrong. On the day of his wedding, he told his friend, “Keep an eye on Sylvia. Don’t let her know I’m marrying someone else!” His friend froze. “Sylvia is getting married today too. Didn’t you know?” At that moment, Nathaniel broke down.

The Horror Game invaded the world. Real players entered the game, and their every move would be broadcast live. My adopted son shoved me—an eighty-eight-year-old woman—straight into a deadly dungeon to save his own skin. One of the comments in the live stream predicted: [What? They’re tossing in such an elderly woman? No way she’s gonna survive the first night!] On the first night, a frost-bitten ghost exhaled icy breath in my face. I shrugged off my thick floral coat, feeling sorry for her. “You poor thing! You must be freezing. Listen to me and bundle up quickly!” The second night, a starving ghost lunged at me with blood dripping down his chin. I sniffed the air, then found a jar of pickled cabbage. “Look at how skinny you are! Come on, let me get you something hot to eat.” On the final day, the last surviving players tied me up, desperate to steal the one ticket to escape. However, before they could touch me, every ghost in the dungeon came storming out, cleavers and rolling pins in hand. “Touch her, and you’re dead meat!”

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.

She coveted everything about me. My possessions, my experiences, and even my men. So one night, my mother pushed me into an older man's bedroom. The next day, she asked with a smug smile, "Nina, how was your night with the older guy?" I rubbed my sore waist, recalling his broad shoulders, long legs, and trim waist from the night before. I smiled as I answered her. "That fiancé of mine is all yours now. Just remember—I’ll be your Aunt-in-law in the future.”

(Completed) Everything about him was meant to draw me in. His endless grey eyes, his broad shoulders, and a scent that a girl could get used to. His accent lingers in my head like a siren's call I can't refuse... but I already have a mate... and my mate? He's dangerous. Someone I shouldn't want, and yet his scent keeps sending me back into his arms. **This 4 book series is COMPLETE – Reading order: 1-Timber Alpha (ch1-86), 2-Mated to Brianna, 3-Mylo (Timber Alpha ch89-172), 4-Alpha Heirs

When Eric Sutton—my charming CEO husband—found out I handed a million-dollar project to his assistant Vivien Cheney, he figured his three months of radio silence had finally broken me. Suddenly, he's all, "Let's go to Iceland for our honeymoon!" Vivien heard and threw a fit. Threatened to quit. Classic. Eric, who treated her like royalty, freaked out. After three days of begging, he bailed on the trip—said it was for "work"—then handed her my ticket. Later, he shrugged it off. "Romance's petty. Work comes first. You're my wife. You get it, right?" Right. I just stared at Vivien's new post: a couples selfie—cheek to cheek, hands shaped like a heart. I didn't say a word. Just nodded. Eric thought I was finally playing the role: calm, supportive, mature. Promised an even better honeymoon when he got back. Too bad I'd already quit. Too bad he'd already signed the divorce papers. We were done.

"Zayne-" I try to push him away when he grabs me by the waist and puts me on the counter. Letting out a gasp, I rest my hands on his shoulders as his warmth lingers on my body. His eyes are slightly red as if he was crying. And before I realize it, he leans forward and rests his head on my shoulder, breathing in my scent. "Myla," He calls, his voice intoxicating. I hate how he has the power to make my knees go weak whenever my name comes out from between his lips. "I never craved attention until I tasted yours."

"Is it true? Did you impregnate my sister?" I asked him, tears burning my eyes. "Is it true that you slept with your secretary?" I continued to question his loyalty. He made me believe he was in love with me, only to take my virginity and break me as nobody had ever. "It is true," he shrugged, "I am a young mayor of this town. I have a lot of options, what made you think you were special?" he smirked, his eyes shining as he watched me suffer. "Don't even think about leaving this town," just when he saw me step back, he ordered, "You will stay here and be my little pet, Phoenix. You will stay in this town and be my----- sex toy!" that was it, the title he gave to our relationship. ...... A Nineteen-year-old Pheonix arrives in a town full of mysteries, crazy rules, and sex addicts. What was supposed to be her escape from the terrible past ends up becoming a nightmare for her when she catches the eyes of the Young Mayor of the town, who is known for having sex addictions. Will Pheonix become one of his addictions or will it be her love that he will become addict to?

I never expected to fall for him, my best friend's father. From the moment I saw Marcus stride across the deck, water dripping from his shoulders, I knew this summer would change everything. I was eighteen now, no longer the little girl who used to play in his backyard. But to him, I was still just Lily's friend. Still off-limits. Still invisible. One vacation. One chance. I'd make him see me differently, even if it meant playing a dangerous game. Because some desires are too strong to ignore, and some men are worth every risk.