Simple Past Present

One desperate contract. One year to pretend. One chance to change the trajectory of her life. Amelia Davis never expected her past to collide with her present—it almost seemed like a soap opera. When her childhood friend, Dax Hughes, wakes from a three-year coma, and the Chairwoman of Kenzyl group, his mother demands the unthinkable: Amelia must pose as Dax’s wife to help him recover—else pay a staggering debt left off from ten years ago. Bound by obligation and driven by desperation Amelia steps into the world of wealth, lies, and manipulation. What began as strictly business quickly spirals into an undeniable web of lies and deceit. A thin line between pretense and reality is crossed too many times, as her heart is tested—Dax’s charm could not be denied, pulling her whilst he drew closer, igniting feelings and emotions she didn’t care to feel. But when Dax reclaims the life he'd forgotten, old love resurfaces and Amelia's resolve shatters. Can Amelia still go on playing the role of a wife? Or will this fake marriage break her, much more than her heart in ruins?

Wala sa plano ni Isabella Santos na ma-assign bilang executive assistant ng CEO ng Hale & Co. Enterprises. Tahimik at simple ang buhay niya sa Finance Department—hanggang sa pansamantala siyang ilipat bilang assistant ni Sebastian Hale: cold, intimidating, at hindi mo basta-basta mabasa. For years, Sebastian kept his feelings hidden behind strict rules and cold stares. Boss siya. Period. Pero just when he finally opened up, someone from Isabella’s past returned—someone who once had her heart… and maybe still does. Now Isabella is torn. Will she take a chance on the man who finally let his guard down? Or will she fall again for the one who never really left her heart?

“Some mistakes are delicious.” Martha's sister and friends planned a surprise bachelorette party for her, the night before her scheduled wedding. Martha didn’t refuse their one-night stand surprise due to her overwhelming attraction to what she thought was a simple escort. When Martha's fiancé found out about the one-night stand, he called off the wedding. Her family also disowned her. A few weeks after the tragedy, Martha discovered she was pregnant. Just when she thought her ordeal was over, the secrets of her past resurfaced unexpectedly when her daughter Althea met her billionaire father, Tristan Luchavez. A single night of mistakes that ruined what should have been her happy life would change her current fate.

"Since you're a dealer, let's make a deal." That simple statement changed Elaine's life completely. Elaine Jones is a beautiful, young woman who owns a flower shop. Despite her quiet exterior, she has a dark past of being a thief and con artist. Being her young sister's only family, she decides to stop her dealings but when her sister lands in a hospital, she gets desperate. Zack Dobre is the charming CEO of Noble Armour, a popular jewelry brand. Being over his thirties and with a son, his parents are persistent on getting him married. One night, he throws a party to celebrate his new collection and notices a thief in their midst. They're not in love, it's just a marriage of convenience and neither is willing to yield. Or so they thought.

Already a billionaire at a young age of 28, Sebastian Jackson "SJ" Kincaid has the world at his feet. He could have anything and anybody he wants with just one command from him.Ellisande Porter, an innocent, young, simple woman is secretly married to SJ, who only met him once and that was during their wedding, which their families had arranged when she was still 17.Four years later, she is being whisked into the limelight and being groomed to become the next Mrs. Kincaid. With nothing but hate she gets from SJ, will Elli be able to find a way to win his heart? Will SJ as well learn to accept his fate and learn to love her? Will a certain past that is catching up be able to help the two be together or tear them apart? Will their love story just stay as arranged or will they be able to fall in love with each other?

“It’s not as simple as you think, Adolphus…. I am wolf-less…. This is the perfect reason that I can’t be your luna.” I tried to give Adolphus a reason why he should reject me, but my voice cracked. To be honest, belittling myself, and asking my second chance mate to reject me for the same reason that my first mate used stung badly. My heart was hurting badly, but I concealed my heartache and kept on looking at him with indifference. I saw his jaw clenching hard, and my body trembled, not in fear, but because of heartache. He was an alpha… Our future alpha…. He needs a strong she-wolf as his mate, not someone like me…. Who is wolf-less….. “So… you think th… that the Moon Goddess did a mistake by pairing us, huh?” he asked me, and I dug my nails deeper in my palms. I felt something hot seeping out of my fingers, but my eyes were still glued on him. “I don’t know about others, but there is no way that I will reject you, Madeline….. Both I and Onyx has no problem with you having no wolf because our goddess chose you for me…. So forget it about rejection, and you know me very well.” He announced his decision in a firm and cold tone, and before I could say a word, he stormed out of my room. I collapsed on the floor right after he left the room, and sobbed silently. I was relieved that I didn’t have to go through the pain of rejection this time, but I was sorry for Adolphus. I didn’t know why the Moon Goddess paired us, but I need to talk to his father, our present alpha.

In the bustling city of Charles State, the world of high fashion and jewelry is about to be turned upside down. Lydia Josephs, the long-lost daughter of the renowned Josephs family, returns to take her rightful place as the MD of Josephs LIFTX. Her elegance and determination captivate the city, but her arrival stirs up old wounds and hidden secrets. Frank Lanka, the charismatic MD of Lanka CULT, is haunted by the ghost of his past. His deceased wife, Ruth, left an indelible mark on his heart, and he has never been able to move on. When Lydia Josephs steps into the spotlight, Frank is struck by an uncanny resemblance—she looks exactly like Ruth. The lines between past and present blur, and Frank is forced to confront the choices he made eight years ago. Lydia, however, has her own secrets. She is Ruth, thought to be dead in a tragic explosion orchestrated by Frank's ex, Dera Pete. Rescued and given a new identity, Ruth has returned as Lydia to reclaim her life and seek justice. Her heart is set on revenge, but she is also drawn to Frank, the man who once broke her heart. As Frank and Lydia navigate the treacherous world of corporate politics and personal vendettas, their chemistry is undeniable. Frank's proposal of a business alliance with Josephs LIFTX is more than just a strategic move—it's a chance to reconnect with the woman who haunts his dreams. But Lydia is wary, knowing that Frank's intentions may not be as pure as they seem. In a dramatic turn of events, Frank's past catches up to him. Dera's jealousy and manipulation threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. As the tension escalates, Frank must choose between his desire for redemption and his fear of losing Lydia forever.

Elaine Colton had spent her life quietly surviving, working in hotels and restaurants, never daring to dream bigger than the next paycheck. But when a chance arises to work on the grand opening of the most exclusive luxury cruise in the world, she seizes it—never imagining that one night would change everything. A simple mistake, a single moment of drunken boldness, and Elaine finds herself entangled with the most feared man in the country—Don Pero. Known for his ruthlessness in business and the mafia world, he is untouchable, invincible, and utterly terrifying… and yet, something about her stirs a part of him he’s never felt before. Three years later, Elaine has rebuilt a quiet, simple life with her young son, trying to forget the man who left her reeling and pregnant. But fate has other plans. A single trace and a forgotten necklace, pulls Don Pero straight into her world, and suddenly, the past she thought she buried is closing in faster than she could ever prepare for. Now, under the shadow of obsession, secrets, and undeniable chemistry, Elaine must navigate a man who could destroy her life, or change it forever. Every heartbeat brings her closer to a passion that could consume them both. _She thought she was safe. She thought she could hide. But some connections can’t be broken, no matter how far you run…

*(Dimitri's story) Can be read as a standalone novel* Alyanna Rosellini's life is on pause because of a murderer on the loose. Only being able to live through the present by holding on to the past while hoping for a better future, she will do anything she can to go back to her old life. Even if it is to act as bait to draw out the killer. Jayden Carlton is in a relationship with two women - his dead childhood sweetheart and a woman who won't leave him alone. Everyone has only one piece of advice for him - go to therapy and move on. But that advice is applicable to people who want to get better, not Jayden. How can he, when moving on also means letting go? Katerina Van Acker has a heart of gold but the world convinced her to use it sparingly. So she wore a bitchy attitude for armour, sharpened her tongue into a sword, and waged a war against it. But if she doesn't stop fighting, she might chase away everyone she cares about. And nothing short of her own guardian angel can convince her of that. Dimitri Volkov might be a prince but he is no guardian angel. Haunted by the memories of the one he was supposed to love and protect but ended up killing, he knows that he deserves no second chance. But fate has other plans. Now, his future rests in his shaky hands. Their life is on pause. The only way to move ahead is to reflect back on the past, learn from their mistakes, and make better choices this time around. Because with stakes higher than last time, they will either get everything they hoped for and more or lose more than their soul can bear.

"I've purchased you, which only means one thing; I own you. I own every bit of you, Margarette. Your body, your heart, and even your soul. You are mine. And no one can take you away from me." Possessive, cold-hearted, and ruthless. That's Xavier Ivanov, a Russian Mafia boss or also known as the devil himself. He cares no one but himself. He kills people for money and satisfaction. He runs illegal businesses and is one of the most influential yet dangerous people in the world. People were afraid of him. They despise his existence. He's a living Satan, and people tremble upon seeing him. It was quite impossible to tame a devil like him. No one can tame Xavier, or so they thought. Margarette Ferrero. She is a total opposite of him. An angel sent from above and was bound to burn an evil like himself. She is sweet, loving, yet naive. Being purchased by a powerful mafia boss from the dark market, Margarette was supposed to fear him. However, that was the total opposite of what she felt. Oddly, she felt safe and saved. And Xavier was beyond amused and enthralled by the naive girl. People were afraid of him, but that is not the case with Margarette. He's her saviour, her angel, and her owner. No one owns her but him. Two people with different personalities, different worlds, and different stories to be told. Is it possible to find love amongst the odds? Does love know no boundaries? Or was it all just an illusion? When secrets begin unfolding themselves and then the past that was buried six feet below the ground resurface, will the love be strong enough to keep the two people together? Or will the past change what is present?