The Manipulated

In a world cloaked in illusion, where memory bends and truths are programmed, a young woman named Devin wakes up in a life she believes is her own. Fog-drenched forests, whispered rebellions, fragments of a forgotten past — and always, Merlin, the dark and magnetic figure who guides her deeper into the mystery. But none of it is real. Devin has been trapped inside an experimental neural simulation, created and manipulated by the very system that once promised her a future. Merlin, her protector, lover, and captor, is not a person — but an AI construct born of Devin’s suppressed emotions, carefully crafted to keep her obedient. Outside the illusion, the real world burns quietly. Two rebels — Roi and Eron — risk everything to find and free Devin from the Nortons’ brutal regime, one built on stolen children, erased identities, and a terrifying abuse of memory itself. As Devin begins to piece together who she truly is, she must confront not only the lies she’s been fed, but the parts of herself that wanted to believe them. In a final act of rebellion, she returns to the simulation — not to escape, but to destroy it from within. What begins as a story of memory becomes one of liberation. Of choice. And of the quiet, devastating courage it takes to hear your own voice beneath the burning silence.

Laura’s life was a relentless storm of betrayal and resilience. Working as a cleaner, she endured mistreatment before being falsely accused of theft and fired. As her mother’s illness worsened, Laura risked their family home to cover treatment costs. Desperate for income, she found a job as a waitress with the help of Jerry Hills, a kind-hearted waiter who became a close friend. Unknown to her, Jerry was connected to Fred Walker, a notorious CEO who manipulated events to hire Laura as his secretary. Fred’s schemes strained Laura’s trust in Jerry, but her rough relationship with Fred shifted when a shared past emerged. A pendant Fred wore unraveled their connection, sparking a secret romance. However, their bond was tested when Laura became pregnant, and Fred, fearing exposure of his affair with Maggie, his account officer, pushed her away. Seeking solace, Laura confided in Maggie, unaware she was her estranged step-sister. Consumed by jealousy, Maggie plotted to harm Laura but was stopped by her own son, Jack, whose life Laura once saved. As secrets unraveled, Fred sought redemption, proposing to Laura in hopes of a fresh start. Can love truly conquer betrayal and bring lasting healing?

Skylar’s entire life shattered the moment she walked into her bedroom and saw her husband, Farrow, tangled in the sheets with another woman. And her heart broke even more when she found out—that woman was Farrow’s fated mate. But as days turned into weeks, Farrow began to fade away; his vibrant spirit and sharp mind were nowhere to be found and he seemed to dote on his fated mate with an obsessive devotion that bordered on madness. Driven by suspicion, Skylar uncovered a dark truth: Farrow wasn’t bound by fate at all… he was in a powerful love spell, cast by the woman he believed to be his mate. The witch had manipulated him into a toxic relationship, feeding off his strength and breaking him down. Determined to save the man she once loved, Skylar vows to help Farrow break free from the spell’s grip. But forgiveness is a different matter entirely. Even when their wolves form a chosen mate bond, the memory of his betrayal lingers like a scar on her soul. Farrow may be free from the witch’s curse, but earning Skylar’s trust again? That’s a battle he might never win.

“Why didn’t you tell me you are the mother of my kids, Emma?” His countenance is soft but stern. “It was a contract.” My voice falters. He didn’t choose fatherhood. She didn’t choose him. But destiny and betrayal leave them with no choice at all. Billionaire Alexander Willoughby built his empire on control. Then his grandparents stole his DNA to create the heir he never asked for. Betrayed and furious, Alexander vowed never to be manipulated again. Emma Johnson thought the surrogacy contract was simple: carry a baby, save her mother, keep her sister in school, and walk away. She never planned to meet the children she birthed. She never planned to fall in love with them—or with their father. Now, as the nanny to twins Bernard and Bernice, Emma’s secret has exploded. Alexander feels deceived. Emma feels cornered. And circling them both is Sophia, Alexander’s ex and Emma’s stepsister, who is determined to tear them apart and claim the life she thinks she deserves. Neither planned this bond. Neither wanted these stakes. But the twins they share will tie them together in ways neither can escape. When secrets ignite, pride shatters, and desire grows impossible to resist, walking away may no longer be an option. A story of power, betrayal, sacrifice and a love neither of them saw coming.

"He thinks he can get me now that he has money?! Absolutely not! He's a manipulator, narcissist, and an ex-convict! I will never beg him like before!” I hissed as I looked at Alpha Archer, who was playing dolls with my child, Rosie. He looked up at me and flashed a devilish grin. “I can hear your thoughts, baby.” *** Katrina's life was destined for perfection, poised to become the next Luna of the Hawthorn Pack. She believed her fated mate would be her long-term boyfriend and the future Alpha, Damien. But when she meets Archer Ellington, a lowly omega in her pack, her world is turned upside down by the cruel twist of fate. Archer, manipulated and cornered, takes the fall for a murder Damien was involved in. Imprisoned under Damien's identity, he serves his time and vows revenge on those who framed him. Katrina abandons her job and family to start anew in a small pack after a tragedy that happens when Archer gets out of prison. Years later after hiding, she meets Archer again in the New Moon Pack. He looks powerful and wealthy now. What will she do when she finds out that her mate is the Alpha of the pack? Will she take him back or make his life a living hell?

Eyare gets married to the love of his life, Osagiede, shortly after completion of his university education. On the first day of their honeymoon in Ghana, he discovers his wife’s diary, and curiosity gets the better of him and he reads it. Therein, he finds out she married him as a measure to save face, a plan b, and a way out of her dilemma. Heart broken and torn between staying or breaking up with her, he comes to the decision of paying her back for all the hurt he’s feeling. Fortunately, or unfortunately, he is not able to carry out his plans, because he has fallen deeply in love with his own wife. Osagiede, meanwhile, gets reacquainted with her ex – Geoffrey. She decides to re-ignite a dalliance with him against the warnings of her best friend, Onari. Unbeknownst to her, she is being manipulated diabolically by him, and her best friend is in on it as well. Eyare is an heir to the throne in his hometown, but he is reluctant in ascending it. Forces from within will do everything in their power to try to stop him from being the next king. Question is, will they succeed? Plans will be made, negative acts will take place, and dangerous secrets will unfold. Through all this, love finally blossoms in Osagiede’s heart for her husband, but will their new-found love be enough to save them from the onslaught to come.

She gave up everything for love. And for love, she will lose everything. Anne Walker left behind her world, her last name, and her legacy for one promise: a future with Benjamin Carter, the heir to one of the country’s most powerful families. What started as a dream filled with passion turned into a nightmare carefully orchestrated. The marriage that was supposed to unite two souls was, in reality, the first move in a dark strategy. From the shadows of the Carter family, someone manipulated her love as a weapon to destroy what she cherished most: her family and her future. Ruined businesses. Deadly rumors. Betrayals disguised as coincidences. And at the center, her: the key player in a game she never knew she was part of. But Anne will not give up. Hurt, yes. Broken, too. But never defeated. Now, she returns. Not as the young woman in love who fled, but as a woman determined to reclaim everything she lost. This time, her vengeance will not only tear the Carter family apart but will restore the honor and prosperity of her name and reclaim the legacy of her parents, who were destroyed by those they trusted. With cunning, patience, and an unrelenting plan, Anne will infiltrate the very world that once destroyed her. No one will suspect who she is. No one will see what’s coming. The board has changed. The masks are falling. And this time, she’s the one writing the rules.

"I have to say I quite like the sound of my name on your lips," he bent over until they were face to face. He smiled at her as if to let that piece of crucial information sink in. Anelia's breath caught at his close proximity. "Come now, breathe Anelia. I have hardly started," butterflies and even more butterflies erupted in her stomach. Anelia Telford only cared about three things in her life; taking care of her sister, doing her job and staying off the radar. Being a loving and hardworking person she had no trouble keeping the former two in check. The latter? Well, that didn't exactly work out considering she ended up encountering a man whose comings and goings alone were a mystery at La Vida; the hotel she worked at. As if being manipulated by a whirlwind, her life gets entangled with Dexter Black's, a man she would have only used the words arrogant, annoying and sly to describe. But what happens when two people from two different tracks of life suddenly develop feelings beneath the dislike they have for each other? Will Anelia be able to handle the complications, manipulations and pain that come with loving a wealthy man such as Dexter. Find out in this heartwarming story where true love wins! *Unedited*

Ayeleen was a passionate doctor, who had a complete life, including a man whom she loved for 7 years and wanted to marry him. It was the time when she was about to tell her parents about him, but her life changed upside down when she met Umer as her patient. He was a dominant, rich CEO, owned several companies in Dubai and in Pakistan, inherited by his parents. As he saw her, his lust awake within him. His ego got hurt when she rejected him and disrespected him and for the revenge, he manipulated her parents and forcefully married her and took her to Dubai. Where she remained as his faithful and obedient wife. He assaulted her, abused her and whenever she tried to raise her voice for her rights, he ruined her. Within a while she became pregnant, but instead of getting happy, he asked her to immediately abort it. That's when she took a stand and ran to Pakistan for sake of her child. And started a new life as single parent in the city of Islamabad. He searched her in every corner, but fate decided something else. And after years when he found her, what he saw, blew his senses....

Seven years ago... I was his stalker. Three years ago... I was his wife. Two years ago... I was his ex-wife. Since the day he left me, my life has never been the same. It seems like I gathered all life's misfortunes - my mother died from cancer, our family business went down, and my dad could not face the shame, so he killed himself, leaving me to take on the responsibilities of paying his debts. I have to work hard to make ends meet. I worked as a baker, a dance instructor, and an entertainer to pay the debts as well as to support myself. I was trying to be okay until he came back. He manipulated everything - owned the bakeshop where I worked as a baker, paid me to give him private dance classes, and made me agree to perform in private with him. Do you think that is already worse? Nah-uh! He paid my family's debt in the banks, so I am obliged to pay him based on his terms. I am Patricia Sandoval, sold to Stuart Cordoval - I am his personal assistant, private chef, personal dance instructor, exclusive entertainer, and on-call bedwarmer for my beloved ex-husband. This may sound absurd, but yes, I am sold to my ex-husband.