The Painted Veil

On my fiftieth birthday, my grandson pouted when he saw the present I had given him and complained, “Grandma Cecil at the Emerald Manor has a cooler present for me. It was a Transformer toy that flies.” I was confused by this remark. Emerald Manor was one of the wedding gifts offered when I got married. My husband was not fond of this place because it was too far away from the city, so I have rarely been here as well, and it has been vacant ever since. As we stood outside the manor, I could hear the cheery voices coming from inside the house. My husband and my adopted son were inside celebrating the birthday of the owner of the manor. The Grandma Cecil my grandson referred to was the childhood sweetheart of my husband, Cecil Houston, who was married off far away a long time ago. She remained as beautiful as she once was and was snuggled in my husband’s arms, surrounded by my children. I have dedicated myself to the Blightwells for two decades. This entire time, Cade has taken my commitment as nothing but a joke. When I was reincarnated, I found myself on the wedding day. I listened to the clamoring noises and lifted the veil to see the commotion. It was time to start over.

"Skin once broken ,can never be the same. Just like hearts once betrayed, struggle to beat again." ................................................... A broken piece of glass, a shattered heart. Was all that could define Ethan Lockwood's past. The heir to one of the biggest estates in the country, the most eligible bachelor as the tabloids said. With persona cold as ice and presence authoritative and terrifying ,he was making sure to not let anyone come close to him. Not giving anyone the right over him. Until he met her again. By hands of fate, the very girl he despised more than anything. The girl behind everything. But. What if the girl was no longer that beautiful confident rich man's daughter now? What if behind her beautiful smile she veil's a ugliness that made her insecure every night. What if she has been already punished in the worst way which resembled a nightmare. What if she was scarred beyond repair. Will he be able to see beyond her fascade? Does he have it in him to forgive her after everything? Circumstances change, people change and stereotypes break. But what remains is the beauty that lies within. And that's when my friends the journey of 'his not so beautiful wife 2 begins. *Could be read as a stand alone.

Five years after Alpha Hunter Graham, ruler of Dark Wood Pack lost his mate to the cold hands of death, he was heartbroken, lonely, and lost in a veil of misery hoping to join his dead mate in the afterlife. He didn't want to leave his pack in a vulnerable state so he appointed his stepson Hades to take over the Alpha title Hades Graham, a ruthless, vicious, and cruel wolf, would stop at nothing to seize all the power in the werewolf clan. Out of sheer greediness, to take over the starlight pack he enters into an arranged mating alliance with Amelia Jones whom he loathes with every fiber of his being. He hated the thought of having a mate or even having pups because to him children are a bunch of messy and noisy tramps. But what happens when Amelia Jones finds Alpha Hunter captivating and the center of her fantasies, a desire she can’t control. An attraction that is so real, intriguing, and at the same time scandalous. Would she sacrifice the people she loved, and pursue this strong allure between her and Hades' stepdad? Or stick to the alliance and act like the trophy wife even though she felt nothing for her supposed husband. What happens after a night of passion with Alpha Hunter that left Amelia breathless, wild, insatiated, and alluring?

He has made it crystal clear that I’m not to call him ‘boss’ except on certain occasions, like right now, when his dominating gaze carries a hint of playfulness. I can’t help but smile every time he gets like this, all lovey-dovey, but when he whispers in my ears asking me to go on an adventure with him, it is like an invitation to a forbidden feast and the thought sends a shiver down my spine which unlike you would think, is almost painful. Maybe this is because I have been on an adventure with him for as far as I want to recollect. My memories, if you peeked inside, would be overflowing with every moment with him, each one a brushstroke painted with his boldness and my, well, let’s call it a touch of recklessness. I now wear a souvenir, a mark etched onto my soul. It’s like a silent agreement, a reminder that our fates are tangled, intertwined like climbing vines. He’s the puppet master, my very own Mr. Strings, and every twist and turn of his whims gets woven into the fabric of my being. Maybe you find that hard to believe, like something out of a fairytale. But trust me, my darling, as I unravel the threads of our adventure, one by one, you’ll understand. With each turn and twist, you’ll find yourself hooked, a willing captive in the captivating narrative of our lives, possibly harnessed in the labyrinth of our love, where danger dances with delight, and fate is etched in the footprints of a love like no other. So buckle up, dear reader, for this isn’t a mere tale, it’s a thrill ride, a love song made of equal parts fear and freedom.

This isn't a love story, but almost a love story. Irina and Eric share a world through dreams and time travel. They have a strong mutual understanding about the feelings they have for each other, at the same time understanding that they cannot be together. Eric: I open my eyes and find myself standing alone in an empty room. The ceilings and the walls are neatly painted white. And the floor is composed of polished light brown wood. And there is a dark brown framed window at one corner where the light comes from. A bright yellow and pale red orange light tells me the sun is setting and soon it will be dark. Eric is a ghost who always appears in Irina's dream. Irina: I open the door to the bedroom. There is a dark brown framed window at one corner where the light is coming from. The yellow orange light passes through the open window. I see Eric standing right there on the spot captured by the yellow light. ‘You came back.’ I said. He stood there looking me in the eye. I almost died. Irina is a time traveler who may or may not change his fate. They alternatively tell a bitter sweet story. Love doesn't always mean together, sometimes it is deeper apart. Eric: I stand alone in the rain looking at the dark sky where all I can see is water, for it is both the rain and my tears flowing to my face. Irina: And suddenly it is no longer my reflection I see inside the mirror. What I see now is a figure of a man. I draw closer to see him clearly. But the closer I walk towards him, the farther I become from him. I couldn't get close.

"I will take her in exchange," Alpha Dante declared, and the ball room instantly quieted down, and all eyes turned to the said girl. Whispers filled the ballroom, although it was rather useless since everyone could hear them clearly with their heightened senses. Rhea, the object of discussion, stood there in tattered clothes, confused and seemingly lost. She never wanted to draw so much attention to herself, but here she was with everyone's eyes on her because of a single statement from one man. "I am sorry, Alpha Dante, you must be mistaken, that is not my daughter..." Alpha Collins said but was rudely interrupted by Alpha Dante. "She is the one I want,” Alpha Dante said coldly. “Give her to me or forget about our deal.” ***** Born a mix of blood, half vampire, and half werewolf, Rhea was neither considered a werewolf nor a vampire. Just someone who wasn't needed. Someone who shouldn't exist. Someone whose existence was an abomination. Her father's absence in her life and her mother's passing rendered Rhea homeless, nowhere to go, and no one to turn to. She is forced to fend for herself from an early age, serving as a maid in the packhouse despite being hated and scorned by all. Dante, an alpha whose path had always been painted Scarlet, cursed by the moon goddess, walked a lone and bloodied path. He never asked for a mate and never wanted one after all. He was cursed by the very entity their race worships. He never thought he needed one until he met her. For the first time, he felt his heart waver, his silent beast stirred in the presence of another and definitely not out of hostility.

Julian’s life is already a nightmare. He was just brutally dumped by his wealthy, arrogant boyfriend, Chase Sterling. To make matters worse, Julian’s twin sister runs away on the morning of her arranged marriage to Chase’s terrifying, billionaire father—the ruthless patriarch of the city's top law firm, Victor Sterling. Knowing Victor will destroy their family if the bride doesn't show up, Julian makes a desperate, suicidal decision. With his slender build and identical face, Julian puts on the wedding dress, the heavy veil, and walks down the aisle to marry his ex-boyfriend's father. Julian thinks he just has to survive the wedding night and find a way to annul the marriage later. But he severely underestimates the man he just married. When the bedroom door locks, Victor doesn't even bother lifting the veil. Instead, he unbuckles his belt and whispers, "Did you really think a piece of lace could hide you from me, Julian?" Victor knew it was Julian the entire time. In fact, Victor secretly orchestrated the sister's disappearance just to force Julian into his bed. Now, Julian is trapped in a strict, BDSM-laced contract marriage where his terrifying new husband will train him to be a lethal lawyer by day, and a perfectly disciplined boy by night.

A Dark, Erotic Thriller Filled with Lust, Betrayal, and Revenge Seraphina Carter has been trapped in a luxurious hell for six years—married to Ethan, a man who thrives on breaking her spirit. Verbal abuse, emotional torture, and public humiliation are his weapons, and worst of all, she can’t leave. Their ironclad prenup states that whoever files for divorce first will lose half of their wealth, and Ethan is determined to keep Sera as his beautifully broken trophy wife while he openly indulges in affairs. One drunken night changes everything. Sera stumbles into Crimson Veil, an underground nightclub, and meets Raven Blackwood, a darkly seductive woman with a sinful smile and eyes that promise danger. One touch ignites a fire inside Sera she never knew existed, and by morning, she’s lost in a world of forbidden desire and uncontrollable addiction. But as passion turns into obsession, Raven whispers a dangerous proposal: Why not kill Ethan? What starts as a twisted love affair soon becomes a high-stakes psychological game of manipulation, seduction, and deception. Ethan is not as blind as he seems, and as the walls close in, Sera realizes she's caught between two devils—one she married and one she desires. In a world where love is a weapon and trust is a lie, who is the real predator, and who is just prey? ---

"You're getting married today! It is your duty to your family! You must!" Claire's mother said as she held on to her daughter's hand while a veil was being fixed on her head. "Married! You must be joking mum! I'd rather jump off a cliff!" "Everyone is waiting Claire! You have no choice!" Her mother snapped at her and Claire snatched her hand away from hers in annoyance. "Why must I be forced to suffer for Charlotte's mistakes?!" Charlotte and Claire Branson are identical twins but have lived separate lives ever since they were born. Charlotte, being the perfect daughter and the better sister, was betrothed to marry Henry Laurent, the son of their long time friend and business partner. On the day of the wedding, the Bransons arrive in Charlotte's room to meet a note, Charlotte has eloped with their chauffeur, leaving her parents distraught. Quickly, her family moves to save themselves from public embarrassment and get Claire to stand in line for her sister. Claire refuses at first, but has no choice as she is pushed into the waiting arms of Henry Laurent, an unwilling partner of the marriage who had thought he was getting married to the 'better' sister. Claire is determined to hate her new husband, but this doesn't turn out as planned.

"Mommy!" Xander and Bella squealed in unison, running towards her with David trailing behind. "Look, we found Daddy!""I was here to pick up a client when I bumped into the children," David explained, still attempting to comprehend the striking similarity. "They mistook me for their father."The kids eyed David curiously, their innocent gazes measuring him up and down.Xander tilted his head, a hint of determination in his eyes. "Are you really sure you're not our daddy?" he asked sweetly.David couldn't help but smile at the children's persistence. "I'm quite sure, little one," he replied gently.Bella chimed in, her big eyes filled with curiosity. "But are you sure you didn't meet our mommy years ago? Maybe you just forgot?"~~~~~~~~~~~~~In the wake of betrayal and divorce, Kate Hendricks discovers she's pregnant and learns of her true identity as Sienna. Reunited with her long-lost family, she rebuilds her life and becomes a powerful CEO.Returning to her home country under a veil of secrecy, Sienna is confronted by her past and driven by a desire for revenge.Alongside her mischievous genius twins, Sienna must navigate love, deception, and forgiveness. Can she find a way to heal her broken heart and embrace a future filled with hope and love?