Special Case

On the third day of my son, Zeke Murphy's disappearance, I've hacked into the smart AI system belonging to the entire apartment block. All 202 families in this block are locked up in their respective homes thanks to my ministrations. After that, I leave my first text message in the residents' group chat. "My son, Zeke Murphy, is in this very building. From now on, I will expose a family's secret every hour. If I can't find Zeke, all of you will go to hell with me." A CEO of a company with tens of millions of dollars' worth of assets is quick to lash out at me angrily in the group chat. "Have you gone nuts? Your son's disappearance has nothing to do with us! I order you to stop what you're doing immediately!" I type out my second text and attach a screenshot of an encrypted financial statement. "@1502Mr.Cooper, you have 59 minutes left. Here's a friendly reminder to check your overseas bank account. I'd like to see if the tax department is interested in its contents." I know that Zeke is currently staring at a resident on this very block right now.

No momento em que Luana Tavares perdeu o bebê, Henrique Ribeiro estava comemorando o retorno de Bianca Monteiro ao país. Três anos ao lado dele—cuidando, se dedicando, sendo parceira—no fim, pra ele, Luana era só uma empregada e cozinheira dentro de casa. Ela se cansou, perdeu a esperança, e decidiu se divorciar. No círculo deles, todo mundo sabia: Luana era famosa por ser igual chiclete, difícil de desgrudar. — Eu aposto que em um dia a Luana volta correndo. — Um dia? Meio dia já é máximo. — Disse Henrique. Assim que assinou o divórcio, Luana decidiu: nunca mais olhar pra trás. Se jogou na nova vida, correu atrás da carreira deixada de lado, se ocupou em conhecer gente nova. Dia após dia, Henrique já não via nem sombra dela em casa. Quando o desespero bateu, numa conferência, Henrique finalmente a viu—ela estava cercada de gente, diferente de antes. Ele foi direto: — Luana, até quando você vai continuar com essa palhaçada?! Dante Siqueira entrou na frente, empurrou Henrique com frieza: — Não encosta na sua cunhada. Henrique nunca amou Luana. E, quando finalmente aprendeu a amar, ela já não tinha mais espaço pra ele.

I served; I did what I needed to do, but it wasn't good enough. I sat chained in a dark room for nearly 3 hard, painful years, trying my best to keep myself protected and together when all I wanted to do was crumble under the pain and loss of my self-worth and ability to defend myself. There was never an even fight. It was them against me. Tied up. My brother is my life. We are Twins, and when I found out that he had died even though I tried my best to keep him alive and save him, My whole world fell to pieces. I'm a fighter; I don't back down so easily. I fight for what I believe in, but his death brings me to my knees and makes me feel as though I am drowning. His best friend is there to pick me back up. He makes me feel safe and loved, even when I can't love or forgive myself. He shows up even when I don't want him to, and he proves that he is there. Encourages me to take that leap and believe in myself. But can I really do this? Can I live even without my brother here?

Nicolas Navarro me pediu em casamento sessenta e seis vezes em sessenta e seis viagens diferentes. Na sexagésima sétima, meu coração finalmente cedeu. No dia seguinte ao casamento, entreguei a ele sessenta e seis cartões de perdão. Um acordo silencioso: toda vez que ele me irritasse, poderia usar um para ser perdoado. Seis anos se passaram. Toda vez que a amiga de infância dele entrava entre nós, um cartão desaparecia. Quando restavam apenas dois, Nicolas finalmente notou. E era tarde demais para fingir que nada havia mudado.

I was diagnosed with Neurogenic Wolf Spirit Atrophy. In half a month, I would be dead. The day I received the diagnosis, I decided to give up treatment and donate my body to the Central Research Institute after my death. Through the mind link, I reached out to my brother, whom I hadn’t seen in six years, hoping he would help me sign the papers. He sneered and cut off the link without any hesitation. With the Spirit Severance Donation Contract, a formal waiver of my right to have my wolf spirit returned to my pack's sacred grounds after death, I crossed countless territories alone to the high-ranking city where he resided. He had been promoted to commander of the Silverfang Patrol, basking in glory. He casually signed the document without even looking at me, then said with chilling indifference, “Don’t ever come to me again. Given how ungrateful you are, I can't be bothered to give you a proper burial." I nodded lightly. “I understand.” He did not know that the money for his treatments in the past years had come from me. Now, there were only seven days left until my death.

She was only supposed to be the help… but she might just be his salvation. Billionaire Asher Brown is a man haunted by loss. Ever since his wife’s tragic death, his world has revolved around two things—his daughter, Chloe, and his business empire. Love is the last thing on his mind… until Dahlia Reigns walks through his door. Hired as Chloe’s live-in maid, Dahlia never expected to become more than just an employee. But as she brings warmth and laughter back into the Brown household, she finds herself drawn to the brooding man behind the suit. And Asher? He can’t seem to stay away from her. But not everyone wants to see them happy. Catherine, his late wife’s sister, has her own plans—and she’s willing to destroy Dahlia to keep Asher under her control. As secrets unravel and lines blur, Asher and Dahlia must decide: Will they risk it all for love, or will the past win once again? SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR Dearest incoming readers, this may sound unkind but it needs to be said. Please, if you're expecting a fast-paced, smutty romance book, then this one might not be the one for you. This book is a slow-paced, fluffy romance that focuses on building trust and a lovable communication with mature and understanding characters. Which means no toxicity from the ML and FL of any such. While there will be smut, more of it to come, please do not expect it within the first few chapters. If you're looking for something different and unique, I suggest you give this one a try, and if it's not your style, please skip. Bad and unnecessary comments will not be condoled. Thank you.

My suitcase, filled with precious and expensive birthday gifts, was mistakenly claimed by another person at the airport. When I opened the one left behind, I found it packed with men’s clothes instead of my belongings. Determined to retrieve what was rightfully mine, I went on a frantic search for the man who had taken my suitcase. When I finally confronted him and politely asked for an exchange, he responded with the gentlest of tones: “Oh, I opened it and realized I’d made a mistake—it’s all women’s items.” I breathed a sigh of relief, ready to thank him and express my gratitude. Then he added casually, “I couldn’t use any of those things, so I sorted them out and gave them to my girlfriend. You’re welcome.” My jaw dropped. I could barely muster a response as I muttered under my breath, “What the hell?”

It's the tenth anniversary of my bonding with my warrior mate, Owen Chase, and also our son Leo's birthday. A month earlier, I spent $8000 arranging a trip to the Blood Moon Forest. I plan to take my mate and pup to the Moon Goddess' sacred grounds to receive her blessings. This is supposed to be a happy anniversary celebration for our complete werewolf family. I've prepared everything and booked tickets for the Twilight Coach. But on the night before our departure, Owen and Leo suddenly block our mind-link. "Dad and I are having dinner with Ms. Emma on the 24th floor of Moonlight Restaurant. We've cancelled the tickets—we're not going." The call ends there. They promptly block my number as well. I rush back to our pack overnight, only to find that the security system no longer recognizes me. That night, every household locks its doors and activates protective barriers against the toxic mist of the Silver Mines in the nearby Moonveil Valley, while I could only huddle on the stone steps outside our house, inhaling the silver-laden fog all night. The poisonous substances flood my systems. I am sent to the hospital, burning with fever as my wolf grows weaker with every labored breath. Meanwhile, my family is busy touring Central City with Emma Skinner, spending the money I had worked so hard to earn. Owen posts a photo on his social media. In the photo, Emma, my mate Owen, and my child Leo stand hand-in-hand in front of the wishing fountain in Central City, all smiling brightly. The caption reads: "A perfect trip, a perfect family of three." It is only then that I finally understand—this family exists in name only. It's time for me to rebuild my life.

Depois que minha irmã perdeu a lucidez, o noivado com a influente família Montelo caiu sobre mim. Acreditei que era um presente do destino: finalmente me casaria com Francisco, o garoto que meu coração amou desde sempre. Mas na noite de núpcias, fui deixada sozinha e virei motivo de riso em toda Cidade Antoril. Pior ainda: ao descobrir um segredo cruel da minha irmã, ela me matou. Jogou meu corpo como lixo, como se eu nunca tivesse existido. Mas o tempo, às vezes, nos dá uma segunda chance. Acordei no dia em que os destinos foram trocados. Francisco estava lá, ajoelhado diante da minha irmã confusa, beijando-lhe os dedos com devoção: — Bian, não importa como você esteja, você sempre será o amor da minha vida. Dessa vez, não hesitei. Virei as costas e aceitei o pedido de casamento de Leonardo Zuanetti — o CEO frio, inalcançável… e estéril. Mas Francisco enlouqueceu. Implorou para que eu voltasse. Tarde demais.

Nakilala ni Angela Bautista ang dalagang mahilig sa pocketbook na si Heart Del Rio. Bitbit nito ang mga libro nito nang lumapit ito sa kaniya at binago ang takbo ng kaniyang mundo. Simula noon ay naging anino na niya ang dalaga. Naging maayos naman ang pagkakaibigan nila, ang kaso, pumasok sa eksena ang walang modo nitong kapatid na si Brian Del Rio. Inutusan siya ni Brian na layuan niya ang kapatid nito sa hindi niya maintindihan na dahilan. Kahit labag sa kaniyang loob ay sinunod niya ang binata at doon nagsimula ang kalbaryo ng buhay niya. Naging mas makulit pa si Heart at panay padala ito sa kaniya ng kung ano-ano na naging dahilan bakit na-chismis sila sa campus. Brian Del Rio to the rescue. Nagpanggap ang binata na ito ang nanliligaw sa kaniya para lang matabunan ang issue nila ng kapatid nito. Isang pagpapanggap na hindi dapat siya sumang-ayon. Maraming binitawan ang binata na mga pangako sa kaniya, but promises are meant to be broken. Hindi natupad dahil bigla na lang itong nawala at hindi na muling nagpakita pa sa kaniya. Dapat pa ba siyang maghintay? O dapat na siyang mag-move on dahil pagpapanggap lang talaga ang lahat?