The Half Of It: A Memoir

It was our wedding anniversary when my husband's high school sweetheart posted a sonogram picture on her social media, with her captioning a public thank-you to my husband: [Thank you to the man who's been there for me for ten years, and for giving me a son.] The room spun, and anger surged through me as I quickly commented: [So, you're proud of being a homewrecker?] Almost immediately, my husband called, his voice full of rage. "How can you think such disgusting things? All I did was help her with IVF, fulfilling her dream of becoming a single mom. "And by the way, Ruby only needed one try to get pregnant, while you’ve been through three rounds with nothing. Your body is useless!" Just three days ago, he told me he was going abroad for business—ignoring my calls and messages the entire time. I thought he was just busy. However, it turned out he was with her, attending her prenatal checkup. Half an hour later, Ruby posted again, showing off a table full of delicious food. [I got tired of French food, so Ash made me all my favorite dishes. He’s the best!] I stared at the pregnancy test in my hand, the joy I had felt earlier now completely gone. After eight years of love and six years of swallowing my pride just to keep the marriage alive, I’m finally ready to let go.

In the dangerous world of organized crime, love is a luxury few can afford. But for Andrea Lopez, the daughter of a powerful mafia family, it's the one thing she craves most. Despite her kindness and resilience, past traumas have left her wary of opening her heart. When fate brings her face-to-face with Stefano Costanzo once again—her best friend's brother and the ruthless don she's always longed for—sparks fly, and old wounds reopen. Stefano, a cold and ruthless mafia don, lives a life devoid of emotional attachments, harboring a secret pain known to few. Yet, seeing Andrea again after so many years reignites emotions he thought long buried. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared past and uncertain future, they're drawn inexorably together despite their best efforts to resist. But their reunion is not without peril. Stefano's dangerous world threatens to consume them both, and Andrea must confront not only her own demons but also the demons of the man she loves. Can they find redemption in each other's arms, or will their love be their undoing?   *** “Why the hell did you just do that?” I demand, my anger rising. “I’m trying to protect you,” he says, his eyes blazing. “Protect me from what? A good friend?” “He’s not who you think he is. I don’t trust him.” “You don’t trust him, or you’re worried he’ll take me away from you?” I challenge. Stefano’s eyebrow arches. “You think I’m worried he’ll take you away from me?” He leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “Oh, luce del sole, no one can take you from me. You’re mine.”

Michaela Brielle Lendioza is an architecture student who just wants to graduate to achieve her parent's dream of becoming an architect. But because of that one night when something happened that she did not expected. She met Alexander Jaze Corpuz, the man who she surrender herself to. She kept forgetting that one night thing that happened. Not until she crossed path with the guy that she keep escaping. Will she be able to bare the upcoming consequence of her actions?

Her whole life she had been called beautiful. Glances and envious eyes were always cast her way. But never had Bathsheba expected to catch the eye of her King. And never in her wildest imaginings did she anticipate the tragedy it would wreak.

My once best friend posted a photo on her social media account on the tenth anniversary of my marriage. In the photo, her daughter and my son were wrapped in my husband's and her arms. The caption said, 'The perfect pair.' I commented, 'Perfect indeed.' Soon, the post was deleted. The next day, my husband rushed home and asked me, "Sophie is finally recovering. Why are you provoking her?" My son even pushed me and accused me, "It's all your fault for making Tammy cry." I took out the divorce papers and threw them in their faces. "Well, it's my fault, so I quit your perfect family of four."

My mother kept a red notebook recording all of my sister's favourite things. She had a blue notebook for me too. When my mother was hospitalized, I took leaves from work to take care of her. My sister had never shown up. However, my mother recorded in the blue notebook, '15th March, I am not well and am hospitalized. Celine owed me 450 dollars for food allowance. I knew that was not a notebook about my favourite things, but a notebook of all of my expenses. Behind the closed doors, Mother said to Father, "Celine is an evil person. She always likes to compete with her sister. We must take a chance to steal all her money and leave with Belle. Later when we are old, we will ask her to take care of us. I think we should just ask her to pay us back all the money we spent on her that I have recorded in this notebook. I was devastated at that moment.

Audrey Raven’s idea of mating and mate bond changes when she finds her sweet mate in the arms of another. To worsen matters it turns out that he had been cheating on her with her best friend, Elora. Jacob Huxley who was the son to Her father’s Beta, and her mate rejects her because according to him, she wasn’t all girly, she was an omega, and he also felt he was in love with Elora, Audrey’s best friend. Jacob and his father then plan a coup to impeach Audrey’s father in to become Alpha and heir; they do so successfully, killing her parents in the process, but unfortunately, Jacob’s father also dies in the process, leaving his son to take on the position. During the impeachment, Audrey gets involved in a major accident (was shot in the neck) hitting her head against a hard surface in the process. She pretends to lose her memory just so that she doesn’t get killed. Jacob, blinded by the rage for losing his father, further punishes her by enslaving her and then selling her off to a dreaded Lycan king when he no longer found her useful. She is an omega. But then fate takes another turn for Audrey when she falls into the clutches of the dreaded Lycan king and finds out that the moon goddess had given her a second chance mate who happens to also be the Lycan King. But what happens to her when her initial mate, Jacob, comes crawling back, seeking for her forgiveness? Would she return to Jacob despite everything he had put her through, or stick with Kaden, her second chance mate?

(Completed)I always knew who I was born to be, but the Goddess had other plans. She deprived me of the one thing I needed to fulfill my duty. I disappointed my pack, I lost the ones I loved, and my purpose was losing its worth.I persevered for years, waiting for the day I could leave my pack. But my plans were thwarted yet again when She fated me as mate to an infamous Alpha. It would’ve been alright had I not known about his dirty little secret.Lost and confused, who would’ve known that I would one day stumble upon something that would undo everything I knew about the past. And because of it, I’d find myself asking about my real identity and destiny.I’m Anna Bella Fiora, future Head Gamma of the White Lake Pack. Well, at least I thought I was.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*This contains both parts:Part I: Broken Hearts and Fragile SoulsPart II: Cures and Soulmates---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WARNING: CONTAINS MATURE THEMESINTENDED AUDIENCE: MATURE ADULT (18+)(Locked on 12/04/2020)Book Cover Designed By Saii Designs

Faustina "Austina" Villacorta was fond of reading reincarnation stories. As a full-time actress, this hobby also helped her enhance her memory. It was a usual hectic day at work. She was in the backseat of the car, reading the book her PA bought for her. She had no idea that such a typical day would be her last. When she woke up, she found out that she reincarnated into the last book she was reading. Not just that, she was also soon to be the wife of a mafia boss. She became the substitute wife as Rendyl Revamonte! Everything seemed so unreal. Until she was finally standing with him in front of the altar with no time to cope up with the sudden contractual marriage. "I'll pay you a million. Be my substitute wife for a year. After that, you're free." The male lead who was also known as the merciless Mafia Boss. "How's my daughter?" The oh-so-called rich father. To survive in her new world, she must do everything-even if it means putting her life at risk. Will she successfully end this one-year contract with her limbs intact and without being discovered to be nothing more than a mere reincarnated substitute wife of the mafia boss?

Clint Nelson has been the best friend of the future Alpha of Canyon Ridge pack, Anders Forte, his entire life. So, he was surprised but unconcerned when, on his 10th birthday, his wolf awakened as a Guardian. His original plan to be Anders' Beta changed to becoming his top warrior so that he could ensure that Anders always remained safe. Lily Raines has grown up with Calista Johns most of her life. They have shared their hopes and dreams of what their life will be when they finally meet their mates. When Clint and Anders begin showing an interest in them, neither is happy with the attention. Lily continually refuses to date Clint, knowing his playboy reputation. When her wolf is suddenly blessed with the Guardian spirit at 17, Lily's life will turn upside down, and she will be forced to turn to the only person that can help or understand her, Clint. Clint will train Lily and help her to understand the nature of her Guardian spirit. Through their time together, a respect and romance will blossom until Lily turns 18 and realizes that Clint is her fated mate. The two will have a beautiful romance, celebrating their life, the birth of their daughter and protecting the pack they love until one day tragedy strikes, taking one life and leaving the other broken, having to raise their daughter alone.