Smile Smirk

My husband took our six-year-old daughter on a fishing trip, but when his first love called, he left her alone to answer his phone. With no one watching her, our daughter fell into the sea, and we never recovered her body. Heartbroken, I called him and begged him to return, but his voice was cold as he said, “Cheyenne, today’s Queenie's birthday. Can you stop being such a buzzkill?” When I stumbled back home in despair, I found his first love clinging provocatively to him, a smug smile on her face. “What’s got you so upset, sis-in-law?” she sneered. I let out a cold laugh and flipped the dining table over. “As long as you’re alive, I’ll never be happy.”

"So, what do you think about my brilliant idea?" he continued this time, with a glimmering smile on his face. "My name is Ghino Frost, by the way. Just like you, I was betrayed and cheated by the ones I loved the most."     Ghino's proposal completely tempts me as it makes me realize the reason why I dream of someone impossible. Dylan is my best friend - the love of my life.     And it appears that my one-of-a-kind dream - holding his hands - kissing his lips - and making love with him forever stays in a dream. Dylan and I will never happen.     But I badly need anything that can distract me and survive for the night. Just for the night. "Fine," I finally spoke up after a few minutes of considering everything. "Let's do it. Let's have sex."

BLURB One night. One murder. One photo that changed everything. I was just a broke journalism student trying to survive college on caffeine, ramen, and late-night shifts, Until I saw him pull the trigger. Lucian Romano. Green eyes like a forest fire. A smile that promises sin. And a last name that owns half the city… and most of its corpses. He should’ve killed me. Instead, he gave me a choice: Delete the photo. Say nothing. Or become useful. Now, I’m his “eyes” inside the university, spying on dealers, dodging bullets, and trying not to fall for the killer who sees me as a pawn. But secrets don’t stay buried. And in this game of blood, betrayal, and stolen kisses… One wrong move, and I’m dead. Or worse, his…

He marked her like property. Then completely turned on her. Cecelia was never meant to survive the bond, she was just meant to bleed for it. Chosen for her pack, used for an alignment, discarded when she became inconvenient. Zeke took everything from her: her freedom, her future, and something she never meant to give; her heart. But she didn’t die. She learned. Now she’s back, unrecognizable, with poison in her smile and vengeance stitched into her skin. His mark still burns on her body. But the girl he broke is gone. And the woman she’s become wants nothing to do with him. She doesn’t want his love. She wants him to break, And this time, she’ll make sure he stays broken.

I was lying in bed, scrolling on my phone with my pregnant belly heavy in front of me, when a local news alert popped up. 'Wife killed in suburban murder case. Husband stabbed her to death after she refused intimacy during pregnancy.' I clicked it open, only to realize the article was dated for tomorrow. And the killer's name? My husband's. At first, I thought it was some sick prank or a glitch on the site. But then I saw the photo attached to the piece: our wedding picture. My face had been completely blurred out. The moment my heart seized, the bedroom door creaked open. My husband stood there, licking his lips, his smile so chilling it made my blood run cold. "Honey, I want you tonight."

After her parents are killed in a pack attack, Celia escapes the clutches of the alpha and his notorious pack members only to find herself face to face with the youngest Lycan Prince, Jasper. He is someone everybody avoids, nobody understands and even the King is wary of. "Just kill me and be done with it” I said as irritation building up inside me found its escape through my tongue. I was not even afraid of death anymore. I could even picture meeting my parents again in the afterlife. "Things have gotten too interesting for that” He replied, dragging me out of my thoughts. He gave me a malicious look and a smile that did not reach his eyes. Death would have been an easy way out but there was no escaping Prince Jasper.

"You don't own me." Despite the pool between her legs, Jasmine refused to succumb to him. "I do. You signed the contract, so every part of you belongs to me, and me alone." A smirk appeared on Christopher's lips. He enjoyed her defiance, because he wanted to break her, slowly, bit by bit, until she would yearn for him alone. ----- Jasmine Gates who is an undercover assassin finds her fiance cheating on her with her step sister on the day of her wedding. Christopher Elton becomes the heir to a multi billionaire fortune after his grandfather had assigned all his wealth to him in a will, but the only clause is the presence of an heir which Christopher lacked. These two humans from different world stumble together leading to a night filled with passion, and throbbing desires. Christopher gives Jasmine an offer, and she has no choice other than to accept unless her brother would die. ***** The contract strictly says, "No strings attached." but someone starts to breaks the rule. And what happens when Jasmine finds Christopher's name in the list of targeted assassination? Would she fight against her own organization just to save the man who she was forced to marry? What would also happen to Jasmine when Christopher finds out she had assassinated his grandfather, the only person that showed him love. Would he forgive her? ______

"Ten million." He uttered calmly like he was discussing the weather. Bella's steps slowed behind him. He continued with a nonchalant shrug. "Ten million. After six months, you'll walk away with ten million." She took a deep breath, heart pounding as she spun around to face him, speechless. Ten million wasn't just a lot. It was life-changing. Turning, he met her glare, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "All you have to do is be my wife – pretend rather." ________ Arabella Carver always has things under control but finds out she isn't as lucky when everything comes crashing down. She is betrayed by her fiance, on the brink of eviction, and with her mother's life hanging by a thread, she's desperate for help. But as she tries to get the help she needs, only one person is willing to offer and it is none other than Adrian Davidson. The first man to claim her heart only to shatter it like it meant nothing. However, there is a catch to his generosity. He needs a wife to appease his grandmother, and Arabella happens to be her ideal choice so he gives her the papers that bind them. A marriage contract. With little choice and a grudge in her heart, she signs them. Besides, what could go wrong? It is, after all, just a contract. But what happens when old wounds resurface and sparks begin to ignite?

Trapped into marrying the filthy rich Lucas Hilton, Arianna never imagined her married life to be so void of emotions and love. What she hoped would be a fresh start turned out to be a painful disappointment right from the beginning. On their wedding night, Lucas, her husband, made it crystal clear that he didn't love her. He admitted that the only reason he married her was to have a child who would inherit his fortune. But the torment didn't end there; Lucas shattered her further by divorcing her later on for her inability to birth a child, and he ended up marrying her very own best friend whom he had all along desired. Years later, Arianna returned, now wealthy and accompanied by a son! When he discovers that he fathered a child with the same woman he callously abandoned, all hell will break loose. * * * * * * "You belong to me, Arianna. You always have, and you always will," Lucas growled, forcefully gripping my arm and compelling me to meet his ruthless gaze. "I have never belonged to you, Lucas. Since the moment we wed, I never have, and I never will. I despise you," I retaliated, the words spewing out of me like venom. "Never underestimate me, princess," a malicious smirk twisted across his lips as he sneered, "I will go to any lengths to reclaim what is rightfully mine. And that is you, right by my side."

Cheated and humiliated by her husband, the heiress Dahlia’s life is turned upside down. In a burst of anger she vows to prove to the world she doesn’t need anyone. An unplanned kiss with Dane, a young upcoming businessman who has secrets of his own; opens the doors to new possibilities and makes them join hands. What will happen when the two realise they have far more in common then they ever thought? When lies are uncovered and secrets are spilt, will their budding love blossom? Or will this world of danger, desire and deceit tear them apart? ----- "Are you naturally clumsy, Ms El Nazari, or do you just need an excuse to fall into my arms?” I frowned pushing him away, trying not to pay attention to how firm and toned his body was. "You can carry on wishing Mr Altaire,” I said haughtily, stepping closer I patted his cheek. “I don't do younger men.” ----- I'll close my eyes, Mama. So you can kiss Uncle!” Aria's words made my eyes widen in shock. "We aren't kissing!" I said, quickly rushing off to find a bowl for the beans. I didn't miss Dane's smirk as Aria's eyes became shadowed. Her cheerful mood from moments earlier vanished as she looked down at her shoes. "But I want uncle to be my daddy.”