Stern Expression

Lauren Cordelia "Lia" worked as a housekeeper in Aldridge Hotel and Resort in Buenavista, a coastal town where she grew up. Nagawa niyang huminto sa pag-aaral nang isang taon bago mag kolehiyo para makapag-ipon dahil malaki ang sasahurin niya sa trabaho. She never thought that her young heart would fall in love with their new general manager, Evander Aldridge, despite his stern and elusive demeanor towards her. Hindi naman siya umasa na masusuklian ang nararamdaman niya dahil sa layo ng agwat ng estado nila sa buhay but she was wrong because he reciprocated her feelings for him! But their happiness came to an end. Lia left Buenavista without a word carrying his child in her womb and did not show up to Evander again. At ang liit nga ng mundo. Muli silang nagkita dahil ito pala ang golden boy ng lolo niyang mayaman. She had no choice but to see him every day since she became his temporary secretary for three months, and he was the only one who could teach her about the company. Evander is mad at her for leaving him, and she won't be able to escape the punishment of the billionaire she hurt.

On my wedding day, my groom's sister, Nadia Lawson, wears an elaborate ball gown and comes on stage to snatch the emcee's microphone. Before all the guests, she arrogantly says to me, "Can't you see the princess is here? Why didn't you curtsy and greet me? You deserve to be punished! Get on your knees and prostrate yourself before me as an apology!" My expression sours at her insolence. I turn around only to see the indulgent expressions on her parents' faces. The groom, Bowen Lawson, says dotingly, "We spoiled Nad silly since she was a child. You are her sister-in-law now. Don't make things hard for her." I am so mad that I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. The clown thinks she's a princess, asking me to kneel before her? Ridiculous.

Kathryn Michaels is a country bumpkin with an honest personality. She's also a timid woman who tends to make careless mistakes at work. Just one glare can easily make her burst into tears. Chris Albert is the most well-known man in Harborlean. He's a cruel and bloodthirsty man with a penchant for brutal and inhuman methods. No woman dares to pine after him even though he's blessed with gorgeous looks. Unexpectedly, a woman actually manages to sneak into his room and sleep with him while he's drunk! Just as Chris scours the world for the mysterious woman, he realizes that his secretary is putting on more weight each passing day. With a dark expression on his face, he coaxes, "Tell me, Kathy. Were you the woman from that night?" Kathryn meets the dangerous man's eyes before shrinking away from him in fright. "N—No!"

“You're pregnant?” “The baby doesn't have a father,” Vanessa said with a shaky voice. “Then make the baby have one. Marry Lucian and get him to sleep with you. Then pin the baby on him.” her mother said with a stern expression. “I'm not your pawn in your business deals!” “Then prove it. Take these pills and erase the mistake before it ruins us all.” After billionaire heiress Vanessa Roothmoore catches her husband Damon cheating on her with her best friend, Sabrina who got pregnant in the process. Vanessa's marriage and trust collapse in one public, humiliating night. Determined to reclaim her life, she walks away from betrayal only to find herself tangled in an unexpected intoxicating one-night stand with a mysterious stranger, Zane. And that night leaves her pregnant. But when she confronts him, he denies ever knowing her. And just when she thinks her life couldn't get more complicated, her ruthless mother doesn't stop pushing her towards an arranged marriage with a powerful heir Lucian. Vanessa is trapped between a child no one wants to claim, a family determined to control her, and two men whose truths are more dangerous than their lies.

"Is she his mistress?" "No, She is his wife." He regretted passing the information when the facial expression of their Boss changed. The only link to reach the traitor would be her only. "Enjoy the meal boys and don't forget to cut down her every part before throwing her into the burning mansion." She thought death was her escape but found herself in the clutch of another monster because of his husband's betrayal. What she didn't know, was the sin that would be committed by her too. Entangling herself in forbidden love with another man even being married. The end of her torturous life opened another sinful path for her to take. The desire took its turn. Will she accept this life or make herself free from every possible shackle she had? Copyright 2020-2021 by Irene Davison (Esperanza) Paperback Available

Tamara Winslow stands amid the crowd while clutching two different documents in her hand. One of them shows a diagnosis report on her alexithymia, while the other showcases a divorce agreement. Three hours ago, she had specifically visited the Clerk's Office because the hospital's system had shown her marital status as "divorced". The city clerk looks up at her. "Ma'am, it's true that you and Mr. Braxton Merrick got divorced three years ago." Tamara's expression freezes on her face. "How could that be? We got married three years ago!" The city clerk checks the details once again. This time, he adapts a rather awkward tone. "The results are correct. It's true that you got divorced three years ago. In fact, it took place… on the seventh second right after you got married…"

The powerful Will Hudson, Bardou City's untouchable kingmaker, was set to marry my sister. Everyone said he was a monster, a man broken in body and mind, that marrying him was no different from stepping into hell itself. My sister, Carrie Wheaton, wept as if her heart would break. I pulled her aside and said, "I'll marry him for you. But in return, you'll stay in the countryside and guard the safe buried beneath Mom's grave. For three years, you mustn't open it." She thought it held a fortune—billions, perhaps—and joy lit up her face. She agreed without hesitation. I watched her greedy expression twist with excitement and couldn't help the cold smile that rose within me. 'Carrie, guard it well. Let's see if you can handle the kind of fortune that can destroy you.'

My fiancé, Owen Lockhart, came from old money. He kept a canary in a gilded cage, spoiling her rotten. Just as I was about to break off the engagement with him, a barrage of comments suddenly popped up in my mind. [What did Owen do wrong? He just wanted to get your attention.] [Don't break up with him. All you need to do is shed a few tears, and he'll give you everything.] I turned my head, and through the window, I saw the canary in her high-end jewelry, smiling brightly as she hooked her arm around Owen's. He lazily lowered his eyes, yet his expression held a hint of indifference mixed with a subtle affection. I smiled bitterly, replying to the lawyer's message: [Go on with drafting the engagement annulment agreement.]

"Brother, please spare my life!" Sera cried out. She kneeled and bowed down to show sincerity but her brother's eyes did not show any emotion. "There is no mercy for traitors, Sera. That's the family motto, remember?" Xander's voice was stern and filled with contempt. "I didn't do it! I don't even know what the Duchess looked like!" She was desperate but none of her family members even tried to listen to her. "We shouldn't have accepted you. The prophecy was true when it said that you will only bring tragedy to this family!" Her father's voice was filled with rage. All her life, all she asked was to be acknowledged. All she wanted was to feel the warmth of a family. Was it too much to ask for? "I wish I was never born," she mumbled. "Prepare to die, Seraphina. This is the punishment for taking my mother's life." Xander lifted his sword and drops of blood splattered when the blade cut through Sera's head. "Sera!" Seraphina jolted when she heard her mother's voice. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the familiar small room and she immediately touched her neck to confirm that her head was not severed. What happened? Why am I back to my ten-year-old self?

"Whose child is this?" His voice was cold and icy, blood shot eyes drilling holes in her watery ones. Scared, she cowered back only for her back to met the wall. A sob of pure horror left her parched throat, her hands lifting up to shield her already bruised face. "I asked," He stepped dangerously closer to her, his hot breath fanning the back of her hands. His sandalwood scent which used to calm her nerves in past, today did nothing other than heightening her fear. "Whose." His rough hands yanked her soft ones from her face, before clasping her jaw tightly, his fingers digging in her bruised skin making her wince. "Child" He whispered deadly, leaning down till his stern lips were brushing over her quivering ones. Tears after tears dripped down her cheeks. "Is in your stomach?" His already tight hold had tightened in bruising manner, making her flinch hard. Her head began to spin in fright, darkness invading her vision. Her heart pleading for some miracle. That wasn't the first question, her husband was supposed to ask her on her wedding night.