Something She's Not Telling Us: A Novel

Stephanie's voice trembled as she took a hesitant step backward, "But you have a fiancée," she stammered, shaken by the unexpected turn of events. "I couldn't resist," Paul Costa replied in a husky tone, his own steps closing the distance between them. "But..." Stephanie tried to protest, but he silenced her with a gentle yet firm answer, "Shhh. No buts. I want you, and I will have you," he whispered, sending thrilling shivers down her spine. A single night of passion with her boss, Paul Costa, takes an unforeseen twist when Stephanie discovers she's carrying his child. Paul, the CEO of a corporate giant, is on the brink of marrying an heiress from another influential conglomerate, destined to become "Mrs. Costa." However, fate has a different plan, as he finds himself falling deeply in love with Stephanie, a love he cannot openly embrace due to societal expectations and traditions. Their budding romance faces the harsh realities of tradition and social norms, and they must face a world filled with lies, deceit, and betrayals. A dangerous secret lurks, threatening to destroy everything they hold dear

Caleb Smith's best friend, Kevin Baker, calls me in a panic and tells me that Caleb has been in a terrible racing accident. Without a second thought, I rush to the hospital and donate two pints of blood to save him. As I walk past a hospital room, I freeze. There's Caleb—standing perfectly healthy beside a hospital bed. Kevin throws his head back and howls with laughter. "It's April Fools' Day. We actually managed to trick Winnie Jewel into donating two pints of blood. Too bad that it's useless, though. We might as well feed it to the stray dogs." Vivian Jewel, lying in a hospital bed, looks up at Caleb. "Caleb, don't you think that's a bit much?" A fond smile curves Caleb's lips as he replies, "I can't help it. Where does Winnie get the nerve to take your place? She should have stayed in the orphanage, but since she forced her way back into the Jewel family, she can't blame us for taking your side." Kevin jumps in eagerly. "This year marks the eighth year since she returned to the Jewel family, and the eighth year we've been pranking her." Their undisguised mockery spills out of the room. I pull out my phone and contact my aunt, Gianna Jewel. "Aunt Gianna, I’ve decided. Let's leave the country."

My wife, Jana Webster, uses her work at the company as an excuse to skip out on Leah Haynes, our daughter's field day. She even tells us not to participate in the activity. Having noticed how disappointed Leah looks, I decide to take her to the field day myself. As soon as we walk into the school, I spot Jana sitting on the couch located on the stage with her first love, Barton Ritter, as well as his son, Trenton Ritter. They look so close, as though they were an actual family of three. With a microphone in her hand, Jana goes on and on about how she's capable of keeping her family happy while maintaining a successful career. As she speaks, she smiles at Barton from time to time. The audience beneath the stage applauds heartily, giving Jana an ego boost. Even Trenton wears a haughty look. Soon, it's time for the Q&A session. I quickly snatch the microphone over. "Ms. Webster, since when do you have a son? Does your husband know about it?"

On the day my twin sister, Alexia Cavanaugh, and I turn 22, I collapse and find out that I have late-stage cancer. Ignoring the doctor's advice to be admitted, I walk out of the hospital. All I want is to spend one final birthday with my family without a single worry. But when I arrive at the party, a server stops me at the door and tells me the venue has been reserved exclusively for Alexia. Outsiders aren't allowed in. Through the glass, I watch as my brother holds a cake and my father places a birthday hat on Alexia's head. Even my boyfriend is there, smiling as Alexia makes a wish. I stand there for half an hour, gripping my phone, before my boyfriend finally answers my call. "I was just at the hospital. I—" He cuts me off. "Ophelia, you've always been healthy. It's Lexi's birthday today. We should talk later." Isn't today my birthday too? My mother died giving birth to me. The doctor later explained that I deprived Alexia of nutrients before birth, which left her frail from the start. And just like that, everyone decided I should always step aside for my twin, who was born five minutes before me. I ball up the report with my cancer diagnosis and toss it in the trash. I'm done letting their favoritism hurt me. I've never received their love anyway, so I choose to leave for good.

Matteo Romano is trapped under the shadow of his ruthless father and his forbidden love for Dominic Cortez—his father’s trusted lawyer. Their love for each other burns with passion, yet every of their secret touches screams danger with threats and betrayal. What would you do if your freedom—and your love—were sold to the most ruthless man in Italy? “You must marry her!” Dante Romano groaned. Dante, his father, insists he must marry the girl he bought in; her presence threatens everything Matteo and Dominic have been building for years. Built in lies, betrayal, and deadly obsession, Matteo and Dominic must fight for their love—or surrender it to the Don’s dark desires.

In Barangay Plaza Aldea, Ouen Preston Callanta is renowned as a womanizer. He solely thinks about his girlfriends and has no idea what's going on in the world. When he enrolled at Leiven University, his life became both chaotic and joyful. Will he be able to fully comprehend himself, or will everything he knows lead to catastrophe for him and his loved ones?

To save their families' reputations, Shayne and Waren needed to marry each other. The only problem was that Waren has a lover and Shayne always believed that marrying someone is walking to your grave. Both of them have different reasons to oppose the marriage arranged by their parents but would they set them aside for their families' reputation? Would they come to an agreement despite coming to know they absolutely despise each other?

In a car, Matteo Gallagher kisses Evelyn Walsh until she's breathless and entranced. She's been stripped, but he's still fully clothed. The stark contrast makes her blush. Matteo wraps an arm around Evelyn's waist and pulls her close. He chuckles and whispers, "The soundproof divider is up, so the driver can't hear you. He wouldn't dare listen in, anyway. Why are you so shy?" She watches as he intensifies his ministrations on her and throws her arms around him. Love fills her eyes, and she's about to reach her climax. Just then, a phone rings, interrupting them.

I'm the most overlooked Omega in the pack, yet I somehow end up as Alpha Blake Cartman's fated mate. Because of my low status, he never allows me to appear at any events we're supposed to attend together. I plan 18 grand events for him, and he doesn't even let me show up for our anniversary. Then comes the 19th time, when he finally agrees to let me attend. I'm over the moon. I get dressed up, ready for the night, only to see Wendy Lowe—another Omega—already standing by his side. They stand there arm in arm, looking deeply in love, while the memory video I've worked so hard to put together has been replaced with clips of the two of them acting all sweet with each other. With his arm around Wendy, Blake looks at me with nothing but disgust. "My Luna needs the pack's full approval," he says. "You were never officially acknowledged as Luna anyway. Wendy earned their acceptance long before you. Starting today, she's taking your place." Everyone who knows me in the pack is watching, waiting for me to break down and lose it. But I don't scream or cry. I'm not even angry. In fact, I feel like I can finally breathe now. Because in just three days, the three-year mating contract between me and Blake will officially come to an end.

Two years ago, she did everything she could to marry him. Finally, her wish came true.She thought by giving it her all, it would eventually pay off.However, after their marriage, all he had given her was a life worse than death.Because of how merciless and cruel he was, her feelings for him eventually withered away.But just when she had decided to leave, he was the one who refused to let her go…