The Gaze Novels & Stories

"It's just...I don't think this is working out,” he gestured at the empty space between us. My mind reeled. "What do you mean? We're fine, aren't we?" I asked, holding onto hope. "Honestly, Kalynda, I deserve better." "What's wrong with me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Jake's gaze dropped to my body, and he didn’t even try to hide his disgust. "It's just...your weight, Kae. It's...unattractive." Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "You're ashamed of me," I stated, my voice cracking. Jake shrugged. "I'm just being honest, Kae. You need to lose weight if you want to keep a guy like me.” "You're breaking up with me because of my weight?" I asked, incredulous. Jake nodded. Kalynda hits rock bottom when her boyfriend breaks up with her and she realized he’d been using her all along. The bullying and ridicule from her peers, including her step sister, increased, and Kae wants to end it all. But the brooding Max steps in and stops her. She sees life in a new light and works in herself. What happens when she returns as a completely different person?

On my wedding night, I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after a tampered condom left me in excruciating pain. The surgery took over twenty-four hours, and the story spread like wildfire. My husband, Alexander, let it be known that anyone who managed to photograph me in my post-surgery state would be rewarded with ten million dollars. Overnight, I went from being a billionaire's new wife to the laughingstock of every elite circle in New York. The next day, Alexander's childhood sweetheart Dahlia showed up at my door. That was when I learned the truth: she'd coated the condom with industrial-strength adhesive as part of what she called a "social experiment." She didn't show a shred of remorse. Her tone was flippant and cruel: "It was just an experiment. I mean, how was I supposed to know you'd react like that? Besides, we both know you were never good enough for Alexander. So drop the act." Alexander stood beside her, his gaze cold and dismissive: "If it weren't for the marriage contract, no one would've touched you. You know that, right?" What he didn't know was that the woman he was calling a slut had saved his life more times than he could count.

My company hosts an appreciation gala to thank long-time clients. I go to the company's cold storage to retrieve the batch of wine just flown in from overseas when a stream of comments suddenly appears before my eyes. "That was close! She almost caught Daisy covered in red wine and looking all seductive. Good thing Tristan reacted fast and hid her in the freezer." "Can Scarlett just leave already? Look how cold Daisy and Tristan are. They are shivering. What if they catch a cold?" I pause mid-step, my gaze landing on the freezer behind me. Red wine is dripping out, and a piece of fabric is caught in the door. On it, I see the motif I personally sew onto my fiancé's clothes. Just then, the comments appear again. "Tristan plays it cool, claiming he is all about platonic love and staying chaste for Daisy. What a touching romance!" I smirked coldly. The platonic act is fake. The truth is he's cheating on me. Without a word, I turn around and toss the clothes they leave on the floor into the trash. Then, I lock the cold storage door and call the boss, who is in the middle of giving a speech. I exclaim over the phone, "A thief broke into the company! I locked them in the cold storage. Please bring some men and come over quickly!"

For years, Sophia Lark has been married to Lucas Anderson but their marriage is a sham. On the outside, they appear like a perfect couple but behind closed doors, their union is a prison to her. Suffocated by Lucas’s cruelty and indifference, Sophia had spent years fading into the background and enduring his coldness.Everything changes when Lucas’s company is taken over by a new CEO—Julian Gray who is known for his ruthless business mind. Julian and Sophia cross paths during a charity gala. Unlike her husband, his gaze lingers, seeing through the mask she’s forced to wear. She can’t deny the sizzling attraction between them.With his quiet confidence, Julian challenges Lucas for Sophia’s affection. He offers her a glimpse of something she thought was lost—desire, freedom, and a chance to be seen. But stepping into Julian’s world of wealth and influence comes with risks. He’s got secrets of his own and a toxic supermodel ex who is hellbent on winning him back.Then there’s Lucas too, who refuses to let her go without a fight. Sophia finds herself trapped between two powerful men. She must decide if she’s willing to risk everything for a chance at escape—or if she’s only trading one cage for another.

The day my boyfriend, Lucian Farrell, and I, Roxanne Schmidt, decide to register our marriage, the million-dollar diamond ring he'd promised me turns into a can tab. So, I broke things up with him on the spot. In a panic, Lucian fishes out the purchase receipt. "I just forgot to bring the ring. If it bothers you, I can go home and get it right now," he coaxes. My gaze lands on the figure hurrying toward both of us. "There's no need for that. Your 'little shadow' has already brought it over for you," I replied indifferently. Evelyn Wiley rushes up before me with tears in her eyes. A large diamond ring is wedged tightly around her swollen ring finger. "I just wanted to help Ms. Schmidt try the size. But it wouldn't come off no matter how hard I tried…" she explains between sobs. Lucian's face darkens instantly. "Who said you could touch it? The ring was meant for Roxanne!" he snaps. He wrenches at the ring, but it doesn't budge at the slightest. I watch the commotion before me with my arms folded. All of a sudden, a laugh escapes me. "It's simple. If it won't come off, then we can just cut her finger off."

In a world engulfed in blazing desires and searing conflicts, Rachel becomes a pawn in the hands of her ruthless father, sold to the fiery Alpha King, Brandon. Bound by marriage but consumed by despair, Rachel's world ignites with unexpected flames when she discovers her pregnancy. Determined to escape Brandon's fiery grip, she flees Pack Manowi, knowing she is just a breeding tool to him—a mere flicker in his blazing ambitions. Months later, as Brandon's regret scorches his soul, he realizes the inferno of memories with Rachel has sparked a love he cannot extinguish. Desperate to reclaim what he lost, he searches relentlessly, flames of remorse licking at his every step. It is under the scorching gaze of the full moon that fate fans the flames of their reunion. But as the embers of their love smolder, a new inferno rises. Kennedy, a captivating Alpha intertwined with Rachel's destiny, emerges from the flames, declaring his claim over her. "Rachel, I'm here to claim you as my mate!" his voice crackles with intensity, promising a different kind of blaze. Defying the scorching challenge, Brandon's voice cuts through the air, a defiant inferno in its own right. "No, Rachel! I am your mate. Not him! You're my fate!" His fiery determination reveals a depth of love that can't be extinguished.

"Are you going to kill me too?" Olivia muttered weakly. "No little pet, I have other plans for you," the deep voice replied. Pedro's gaze was sinister as he grabbed her by the throat "You owe me now, Olivia." "W-what do you want from me?" she asked, trembling in fear, she looked up to meet the menacing figure of Pedro Ramirez. "I want your loyalty, your obedience, your body," he whispered seductively with a glint of determination in his eyes. Olivia thought she had found love and security with Luciano, but on her birthday, her world turned into a nightmare. With her family brutally taken from her and her own life hanging by a thread, she is rescued by the enigmatic Pedro Ramirez. Little does she know, she has traded one dangerous man for another. As Olivia is drawn deeper into Pedro's world of power and violence, she becomes fixated on seeking vengeance for her family's murder. But as she becomes entangled in the dark and seductive world of the mafia, Olivia realizes she may have gotten more than she bargained for, and the line between love and hate becomes dangerously blurred. Can she navigate the treacherous world of the underground and carve out her own path of retribution, or will she become another pawn in Pedro's deadly game?

I woke up, and I was 28 again. I had twin heirs, and my husband was Santino, Veridia's most feared Mafia Don. He sat at the head of the Commission of the Five Families. His sharp profile was a fixture on the cover of the underworld's most exclusive magazine for several consecutive issues. Even the oldest Valerian families were lining up to offer him their daughters. All the women in Altoria envied my good fortune. But the first thing I did after waking up was pick up the divorce papers, the ink still fresh, and handed them to his childhood sweetheart, Jessy. "My lawyer will handle the divorce. The properties and assets are yours. Santino is yours. The children are yours, too." Sitting across from me, Jessy couldn't believe it, her eyes wide with shock. "Are you crazy, Alessia? Is this some kind of trick?" "How could the woman who has been Donna for six years give it all up so easily?" I lowered my gaze, my tone calm. "Since they all prefer you, I figured it was time to step aside." "Just have Santino sign it and press his signet ring into the wax seal." "Once the divorce is final, I'll leave Veridia for good." This time, I would not make the same mistake. I would never again be a Donna in name only.

Before married, Hannah was The Most Exalted Princess. She had thought a lot about her wedding. Her wedding would definitely be the most outstanding and enviable beyond anyone's. Meanwhile, her mate must be the most mighty and noble among the werewolf. And she would walk to him with her brother's gaze and the blessing of all werewolves. Her happiness would be waiting for me. Her fate was left undecided until ‌her 18th birthday… Abraham was the Alpha of the Black Pack, married Luna. But, as the male protagonist, he did not show up at the wedding ceremony. He didn't admit that Hannah was his Luna! He already had a lover in his heart! When Hannah and Abraham meet first, he emitted an extremely strong scent but he looked at she with such hatred and disgust at the same time. she did feel terrible. It felt like the volcano would erupt and the world would end in the next moment.Hannah expected the worst, thinking that she would be killed. Little did she know that death was the easy way out when her sentence was handed down and Fate intervened. Love or vengeance sometimes the lines that are drawn become a little blurred, and temptation is too much. Can Hannah forgive the pain he caused her?

Today, I am going to marry the man I love, Damon Mark Olson. We didn’t have it easy. I am the veritable Cinderella and he was my handsome prince. People frowned on our relationship. Even his mother never failed to show her dislike for me at every opportunity. But Damon fought hard for me. At the church, I heard the first notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D and started my bridal walk. Damon looked dapper in his suit but he looked distracted, and his hair looked kind of mussed. Tenderness swept over me. When I reached his side, he took my hand. An electric current coursed through our connected skin. Damon looked startled, and I almost laughed, The priest gave us his blessings. And to Damon, he said, “You may now kiss your bride.” I held my breath as Damon very gently lifted my veil. Our eyes connected, and I saw a swirling mass of emotions in his gaze before his head dipped and gave me a kiss that jarred me. He kissed expertly, too expertly, that my eyes flew to his face. And that was when realization sank in. I was not kissing Damon Mark Olson. I was kissing someone who looked exactly like him.