The Center Cannot Hold

“You stare like you’re trying to memorize me,” she murmured quietly, without looking up. He stepped closer, voice rough. “I already have. Every inch. Every sigh. But I still feel like I’m starving for you.” He walked up behind her. His fingers trail over her collarbone, slow, reverent. She shivers. “You shouldn’t touch me like that,” she whispered. “Say stop, and I will. But don’t lie.” He leaned down, brushing his lips against the side of her neck. Her breath hitched. “This… this is dangerous.” He murmured, “You’re the most dangerous thing in my life. I’ve killed men with steadier hands than I have when I’m near you.” She turned to face him, their eyes locked. One look—everything trembled between them. “Let me ruin every thought you have of gentleness, Inayat. Let me be the fire you crave but don’t dare name.” He lifted her, gently, set her on the table beside the couch. His hands lingered on her thighs, the tension coiling like smoke in the air. He whispered, “You asked me once why I watch you like I might break. It’s because loving you has become my most violent instinct.” *** When King Agnil is betrayed and slain by his own commander, Samarth, his kingdom falls into chaos—and his daughter, Inayat, becomes the obsession of the man who murdered her father. Years later, the exiled prince, Ayman, returns to reclaim the throne. His plan? Use Samarth’s sister as a weapon of revenge. But as vengeance tangles with emotion, Ayman finds himself torn between justice and the forbidden pull of love. Can he destroy the man who stole everything—without losing the girl who might save him?

The Pride Nicko is an unexpected son in law in Windsor Family, who is rich and famous in Westcoast Town. Earlier, his Wedding with the beautiful Josephine is only a reciprocate to Mr.Gilbert Windsor, Josephine's grandpa. The one who always kind to him since he was a child. Even though Josephine always treat him nicely as a man and husband, but not her big family. Nicko is nothing but a trash for Windsor family. "So, you came here with an empty hand? How silly you are," Armando, his brother in law is mocking him as always. "Armando, dont you remember the fact that he is depending his life to Josephine and his parent in law? He just a poor unemployement," Damian, Josephine's cousin try to make him feel worse. That's Nicko's daily life, always being mocked and insulted anytime, anywhere. This also make Josephine's pride is getting lower among her conservative family. One day, a surprising day came to him unexpectedly. He met his biogical father, Phillip Lloyd, a man from the top social pyramid. Everything has change. Money is not a problem for him anymore. However, he prefer to hide his true identity. What is the reason behind? Find out and see Nicholas Lloyd's journey.

She told him she loved him in high school; he laughed in her face. And, ever since then, Lucia Brielle Renaud had vowed never to fall in love again. Ten years and a successful career later, Lucia's first love... or is it her mortal enemy, Dylan Thomas is back in her life with one sole task; to claim the one position Lucia has ever dreamed of taking on: Vice president of Retro Corp! Oh, another cool fact... he doesn't remember her. At all. Lucia is determined to do everything... even go the extra mile to ensure that she gets that position, and possibly her lost pound of flesh while she's at it, but how far will she go? Dylan Thomas returns to his father's company after so many years also vying for the position of vice president. Little does anyone know that he comes with his own ulterior motives and personal agendas. He meets Lucia, otherwise known to him as Brielle, and the level of attraction he has for her is maddening and almost instantaneous. With lust, feelings and physical attractions getting in the way, who will emerge victorious in this battle for power?

Emilia Clark, a young woman struggling with mounting family debts, responds to a mysterious job posting that arrived unexpectedly in her email. When she arrives at the upscale office for what she assumes is a standard interview, she discovers she's the sole candidate for an unusual position that wasn't clearly described in the original correspondence. The role, as revealed by the formidable Mrs. Grey—matriarch of a wealthy and traditional family—is that of a surrogate mother. The Greys are offering an extraordinarily large sum of money for Emilia to carry a child for their family, with the biological father being Mrs. Grey's son. The older woman presents this as a business transaction, delivered with cold efficiency and an underlying air of entitlement that comes with generations of wealth and influence. Mrs. Grey makes it clear that this is a one-time offer with no room for negotiation or delay—Emilia must accept immediately or leave and never return. There will be no second chances, no time to consider, and no opportunity to ask questions or seek advice. Caught completely off guard, Emilia finds herself in an impossible position. The money would solve her family's financial crisis and lift a burden that has been consuming her life. Yet the weight of the decision—to carry a child for strangers under such pressured circumstances—leaves her reeling. As Mrs. Grey waits for an answer, Emilia must quickly weigh her desperate need for financial security against her autonomy, dignity, and the ethical implications of entering into such an arrangement under duress.

Edward Sterling is playing in his university's freshman basketball tournament when my parents banish me abroad. My biological sister and my fiancée are both on the sidelines, cheering for him. That spotlight should've been mine. The jersey he's wearing, with a star player's autograph on it, was supposed to be my 14th birthday gift. Edward and I have been rivals for most of our lives. It never matters whether I'm right or wrong—the moment he plays the victim, my parents rush to defend him and scold me without hesitation. But I am their biological son! It's not until I die alone and sick in a foreign country that I finally understand one thing. If I ever get a second chance, I'll never again fight Edward for love that was never mine to begin with.

When Prince Aric returns to his kingdom, he discovers that his betrothed, Lady Danika, is plotting to usurp the throne from his mother, Queen Eira, who is seriously ill. Aric sets out on a perilous quest to locate the fabled Sapphire Crown, a potent artifact that is said to have the power to heal any disease, in an effort to save his mother and defend his realm. Aric battles dangerous jungles, abrasive mountains, and deadly traps in the remains of the Sapphire City with the help of the fearsome warrior Kaida. As they proceed, they come across Lady Danika's own group of warriors looking for the Crown, heightening the urgency of their quest. Aric and Kaida place their developing romance on hold in order to concentrate on their mission as they get closer to the Sapphire Crown. However, they discover their feelings for one another are stronger than they had anticipated when they eventually find the Crown and use it to heal Queen Eira. However, it is impossible to ignore Lady Danika's treachery, and Aric swears to find her and bring her to justice. Will Aric and Kaida be successful in prosecuting Lady Danika and defending their realm from harm? Learn the answer in this heart-pounding story of adventure, passion, and betrayal.

My husband’s friend’s widow uploaded a picture of her pregnancy report. [Thank you for letting me have my own baby.] I responded with a question mark when I saw Jake Green, my husband’s name, in the husband column. Jake immediately called me to yell at me. “She’s a widow and is living alone. All she wants is to have a baby to keep her company and give her life a little more cheer. How could you not show her even this bit of pity? “You know that Henry is my friend. It’s only right for me to take care of his wife after he died! This is called friendship, don’t you understand?!” Soon, Henry’s widow uploaded a photo of a loft apartment. [Thank goodness you’re by my side to let me experience the warmth of a family again.] When I saw Jake busying himself in the kitchen in the photo, I thought it was time to end the marriage.

A young, beautiful she-wolf moves into the house opposite mine. She always strikes up conversations with me, her tone filled with enthusiasm. "You and Mr. Howl have such a great relationship. Even after seven years of marriage, he still kisses you goodbye when he leaves. It’s so sweet." She blinks playfully before continuing, "I have a friend who constantly complains about his mate. He says every time he kisses her, it feels like he's kissing a fat pig. Her scent disgusts him, and he can't even get hard when she's around. "And at night… just the sight of her belly rolls and sagging skin makes him want to throw up." I don’t particularly like this she-wolf, but I still offer her a polite smile. That night, however, when my mate kisses me, he suddenly freezes—then pushes me away and runs to the bathroom to vomit.

For ten years, Charles served as the heart of his department at Black Industries, a senior manager renowned for his fierce protection of his team and his unwavering professional integrity. He was the buffer between his staff and the cold corporate world—until his boss’s blatant homophobic remarks crossed a line he could no longer tolerate. Refusing to work in an environment of prejudice, Charles walked away, a move that shattered the status quo and finally forced the "Iron Fist" CEO, David Black, to drop his mask. David, the formidable heir to the Black empire, had spent a decade secretly curating Charles’s career, keeping him close under the guise of professional necessity. The shock of Charles’s departure unearths years of repressed history and David’s deep-seated feelings. Realizing he cannot lose the one person who truly knows him, David pursues Charles, leading to a vulnerable and intense reunion. As the professional walls crumble, they begin a passionate love story, transitioning from the boardroom to a shared life of domestic warmth. Their new family is anchored by Charles’s two loyal companions: Bruce, a gentle Black Labrador, and Abe, an energetic Border Collie. Together, they find solace in quiet park walks and shared evenings, finally building the home David never thought he could have. However, their newfound happiness is not without its shadows. Standing in the wings is a formidable figure from the past—a tall, imposing presence in a suit and tie who refuses to let David’s legacy go. This mysterious antagonist threatens to dismantle their fragile peace, forcing Charles and David to decide if their love is strong enough to withstand a legacy designed to keep them apart.

When I learned that Holly Jones had gone to deliver cold medicine to her young assistant, even though she knew I was trapped in the elevator and suffered from claustrophobia, I asked for a divorce. Holly signed without hesitation. Smiling at her best friend, she said, "Jim is just throwing a little tantrum. His parents are gone, so there's no way he'd really divorce me. Besides, there's a thirty-day cooling-off period before it's finalized. If he regrets it, I'll graciously forgive him and take him back." The very next day, she posted a couples' photoshoot with her assistant, captioned: [Capturing your every sexy moment.] I counted the days. Calmly, I packed my belongings and made a phone call. "Uncle, buy me a ticket to Hudson City."