The Devil All The Time

A tale of two souls, intertwined by fate: One soul, cloaked with isolation and grief, was a solitary figure who struggles to connect with others. The other soul has a heart hardened against the possibility of love. Florence “Flo” Emry, now twenty-one, has retreated into a life of solitude following a traumatic car accident that occurred when she was sixteen. It changed her life forever. The accident left her completely deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other as she needs hearing aid for it. She was devastated when she found out that she became disabled, but she was more broken when she also found out that she had tragically lost her parents and older brother in only one night. Feeling abandoned and worthless, Florence, who was filled with debt from her student loan, has become deeply disappointed and resentful towards herself, seeing herself as a useless human being. One fateful day, a chance encounter with a mysterious man named Zacchaeus “Chaos” Spencer Battenkurt the filthy rich billionaire playboy, 26 years old, turned her life upside down. This charismatic, very polite and respectful man, seemingly ordinary, was actually hiding a deep dark secret. These two souls, so different yet intertwined by fate, must navigate their own internal struggles while also confronting the challenges of their external world. But the question remains: Will they be able to break down their barriers and find solace in each other’s company or will their differences prove to be insurmountable obstacles?

Erika Campbell's rich and perfect life was turned into shambles in a matter of hours by a man. She lost her family, her money, her loved ones and was left on the streets to die. Until the same stranger walked to her with an offer. A slave contract.

Lucius Denovan loves game. And Alicia Lucero happen to be his only game that he loves to play. *** Saat Alicia berusia sembilan tahun, orang tuanya pergi dan dia dititipkan kepada pamannya. Namun, pamannya adalah seorang pria gila harta yang kemudian menjual Alicia pada seorang pria bermata merah kelam itu. Alicia kemudian diasingkan ke sebuah desa. Sampai usianya menginjak angka delapan belas, pria itu datang menjemputnya. Dan dia adalah manusia terkejam yang pernah Alicia temui. Pria itu menyukai sensasi ketika permainannya melukai Alicia. Dia tersenyum ketika melihat Alicia menangis. Dan tertawa ketika Alicia menjerit sakit. Namun, Alicia tidak pernah sekalipun merasa bahwa dirinya harus pergi dari jerat pria itu. Karena Alicia tahu sesuatu yang Lucius tidak ketahui. *** 2020 by Asia July Cover illustration by Asia July (@layaciart)

Mildred has spent most of her life as a prostitute in a club. Men lust after her, they want her, but she was well-known for being violent and disobedient. No man has ever been able to tame her. Zaccheus Gonzales, one of the richest mafia in the country, has turned thirty-five and jaded. He needed a partner to bear his child but no woman could ever satisfy him enough to be his wife. However, he was persistent to have Mildred once he saw her for the first time in the club with nothing but restraints and leash around her neck. Alternatively, Mildred didn't like him at first sight. He was known to her and everyone else as a ruthless killer with no conscience, disregarding the man's attractive physical appearance. She knew better than to trust their species. She despised men and would never submit to them, even if it was Zaccheus who always kept his distance. She had always desired for freedom. What would she do if she finds out she could grasp the freedom she always wanted if she’d only agree to marry Zaccheus Gonzales? Would she trust him and accept?

“Are you crying?" She shook her head and wiped at her face as more tears were falling. “I’m so stupid.” she groaned. "Now I am truly and utterly alone. If I had just said yes to marrying him, none of this would’ve happened. I wouldn’t have dragged you into this mess.” Without warning, I turned sharp to the side, putting the car to a sudden stop close to the curb. “Don’t ever say that again. You think marrying a man you don’t love, a man who doesn’t care if he hurts you, just to please your family is the right thing to do?” I turned to her slowly. “That would’ve ruined you.” “But I would’ve had a home to go to, I would’ve been taken care of. Now I have nothing,” she looked away. I reached over and gently took her bruised hand in mine. “You did the hardest thing anyone in your position could have done. You saved yourself. That takes more guts than standing there and pretending to be happy.” I tucked a hair behind her ear. “You think you are alone? You’re not… you have me.” ___ Alina Etienne has always lived a life dictated by her parents. She is groomed to be an obedient daughter, a perfect public image, and now, a bride to a man she doesn’t know or love. On her wedding day, crushed by the weight of expectations, Alina does the unthinkable... she says “I don’t” and flees the altar. On the run and scared with nowhere to go, she crosses paths with Mikhail Antonov. A cold, guarded man with a past he doesn’t talk about. What began as a reluctant act of kindness turned into something neither of them expected.

What did we do when we were stuck inside during COVID? Some learned new skills, like making sourdough bread or crafting. Some caught up on their Netflix watching, learning all about the Tiger King. And some learned way more about themselves than they would have if the world hadn’t stopped. Samantha and Ashton finally gave in to the love and passion that had been eating them up alive, but they never acted on because Ashton is Samantha’s brother’s best friend. Cole comes to terms with his sexuality with the help of his gay roommate, Kent. Alexis gets stuck overseas with her boss and learns exactly how domineering Jonathan Wilson can be. And couple Jaime and Jorge work to get their roommate Andie out of her shell.

Tamed by the Devil Stepbrother Nolan Carter is everything Clara Bennett despises—cocky, cruel, and sinfully irresistible. On campus, he’s the untouchable golden boy: captain of the team, the star every professor favors, and the devil every girl wants in her bed. And Nolan gives them exactly what they crave. One night. No promises. No emotions. Just filthy satisfaction. His harem of willing admirers proves he doesn’t need to lift a finger—women fall at his feet. But behind that perfect smile hides venom. Nolan has no love for his new “family.” He hates Clara’s mother for marrying his father, and he hates Clara even more—for invading his world, stealing space in his home, and daring to defy him. Clara isn’t like the girls who line up outside his door. She’s sharp-tongued, stubborn, and immune to his charms—or at least she pretends to be. Nolan delights in breaking her down, tormenting her with cutting remarks, cruel games, and dark whispers meant to ruin her reputation. Everywhere Clara goes, Nolan lurks—reminding her she doesn’t belong, reminding her he’s in control. But the more he pushes, the more the lines blur. Hatred burns hot, and desire burns hotter. Clara swears she’ll never fall for him, never be just another notch in his bedpost. Nolan swears he’ll never want her, never crave the one girl who dares to fight back. Yet temptation is a dangerous game. Because when the devil stepbrother sets his sights on you… you either burn, or you break. And Clara is about to discover what happens when hate becomes hunger—when the boy who torments her decides she’s the only sin he can’t resist.

After going bankrupt, I was given away as a gift by my former nemesis, Colt Reyes. My former lover, Emerson Snyder, the one I had played with the most ruthlessly before, now traced his fingers along my face, his hands roaming every inch of my body. "You sure had a lot of lovers," he said. I provoked him defiantly, telling him he was the most despicable among all my lovers. He gave my face a light pat, his suggestive tone dripping with amusement. "That's okay. Now you only need to serve me."

After becoming a successful businesswoman, Chad Jennings’ wife wife threw him out and divorced him. Little did she know, that she would not have achieved her success if it were not for him. After the divorce, he made a comeback and shook the world!

Shea's gift is no ordinary. She can forsee things. Good or bad. Despite the odds she hopes that this will help her find the answers on who and what she truly believes in. To find her lost love. Her right place... that for once, time did not allow it to happen.