The Ruins By Scott Smith

The narrative unfolds around Rachel West, the eldest daughter in a family with strong moral principles. Despite her high moral standing, she harbors unrequited feelings for James Smith, a man she desires but knows she cannot win. A one-night stand with James leads to an unexpected pregnancy, altering the course of Rachel's life. Rachel, aware of her condition, is compelled to become James Smith's wife. However, James, while respecting her grandmother's wishes, is far from pleased with the arrangement. Settling into the villa as the lady of the house, Rachel becomes a subject of envy and ridicule, particularly from her younger sister. As Rachel adjusts to her new life, her world is further complicated by the presence of James's concubine, Melody. Tragedy strikes with the death of Rachel's grandmother and Melody's sudden disappearance. The events take a darker turn when James accuses Rachel of murder and kidnapping, leading to her imprisonment. In prison, Rachel gives birth to twins but is denied access to them by James. She believes her children did not survive, adding to her emotional turmoil. A twist was introduced when a fire incident at the prison nearly claims Rachel's life. A Good Samaritan rescues her, offering a chance for redemption. She secures a job as a personal assistant, providing a glimmer of hope in her otherwise turbulent life. Simultaneously, James believes Rachel perished in the fire, unaware of her continued existence. The story leaves readers pondering Rachel's resilience and the potential twists that might shape her destiny. What fate awaits Rachel? Rachel's journey is marked by tragedy, betrayal, and an ongoing quest for redemption. As the narrative progresses, readers are drawn into the complexities of Rachel's relationships, her struggles against societal expectations, and the unforeseen events that shape her path.

It was Christmas Eve. Once again, my parents left me alone at home, chasing triple pay at work. However, after twenty years of the same lonely holiday, I couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t want to sit in the quiet house by myself again, so I packed up some sandwiches and went to them. What I didn’t expect was to see them stepping out of a luxury car, arms linked with a boy who looked about my age, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world, heading straight into a five-star hotel. “Mom, Dad, is it okay to leave Suzie all alone at home like that?” My mom waved it off and said, “It’s fine. She’s used to it.” My dad just brushed it off with a chuckle. “She’s nothing like you. You're our real treasure.” Upon hearing that, I turned and walked away. They'd been pretending to be broke all these years, lying to me about working overtime, about scraping by. Well, fine. If they don’t want me, I’m done wanting them, too.

Luke Fagundes is the son of billionaire Gonçalo Fagundes. The boy sees his life change completely when he discovers that his father betrayed his mother. Willing to reveal to the world who Gonçalo really is, Luke faces his own father, who sends him to another state, without clothes and without money. Luke will live hell on earth until he meets Aurora. Their lives, even with similar stories, will teach them that love heals many things, including wounds from the past. Will the son and also Billionaire Luke, abandon the idea of revenge to live a love story?

"Apa kau mau menikahiku?" "Uhuk! Uhuk!" Janu tersedak ludahnya sendiri. Janu sadar bahwa dirinya memiliki rasa untuk Smith. Namun, ia belum berpikir sampai jenjang pernikahan mengingat untuk bisa dekat dengan Smith saja susah. Jangankan dekat, untuk tidak bertengkar saja mendekati mustahil. "A-apa katamu, Smith?" "Apa kau mau jadi suamiku?" tanya Smith lagi tanpa menoleh ke arah Janu, sedangkan Janu tidak berhenti memandangnya lekat-lekat. Selama ini Janu berpikir perasaannya untuk Smith akan bertepuk sebelah tangan karena sikap gadis itu tidak ada ramah-ramahnya sama sekali, selalu dingin dan kasar. Lalu, tetiba saja tengah malam begini, Smith datang melamarnya? "Tapi, kenapa, kenapa begitu mendadak? Kau bahkan selalu terlihat kesal saat di dekatku," tanya Janu dengan suara sangat lirih dan tangan yang sedikit bergetar. Smith menoleh dan menatap tajam mata kucing Janu. "Aku hamil."

While working with the search and rescue team to save people trapped in an earthquake, an aftershock suddenly struck. Without hesitation, I pushed a hospital intern, Serena, out of the way. However, the force of the movement sent me to the ground, where a steel rod pierced my back, leaving me unable to move. When the aftershock ended, my husband, Derrick, came down with the others. Yet, instead of coming to me, he rushed to cradle Serena, who only had a few scrapes. Then he turned to glare at me. “What are you still sitting there for? Are you dead? Serena’s hurt, and you can’t even help her up?!” I was in so much pain I could barely speak, only able to force out a faint sound. “Honey, I… I’ve got a steel rod in my back… Please… help me.” Serena suddenly burst into tears in fear. “Mr. Nelson, I was so scared. Just now, Ms. Jones pushed me forward. If I hadn’t shifted direction, that huge rock would’ve crushed me!” Derrick, furious, shouted at me. “Gwen! You’re a doctor! What about your ethics? Your humanity?” Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. “I didn’t. Please, just save me. I really can’t move…” One of the medical team members who came down with him checked my condition and looked worried. “Director Nelson, the steel rod seems to have pierced her spine. If we don’t treat her now, there’s a risk of paraplegia!” However, Derrick yanked him aside. “Save her? Let her walk herself! Gwen, we’re saving lives right now. If you want to act, I’ll put on a show with you when we get home! “Serena’s injured. Since there’s only one stretcher, we’re taking her up. You can walk up on your own.” His cold, departing back left me in utter despair.

Chynna Holland, is a province girl a full of dreams. Ngunit ang pangarap niyang ito ay wawasakin ng kaniyang ama-amahan ng walang awang ipang bayad siya nito ng utang sa isang negosyanteng pinagkakautungan nito. Dinala siya nito sa isang bar kong saan uso ang pag bid ng mga babae para ma-i-take-out lamang. Isa si Chynna sa napiling ipa bidding ng gabing 'yon kong saan makikilala niya si Luis ang kaibigan ni Zuigi Scott, isang bilyonaryong may problema sa kaniyang pagkakalaki at si Chynna ang ibibigay na regalo nito para sa kaniya. Paano kong ang isang gabi ay nag bunga??

I was betrayed by my fiancé and best friend on the day of our wedding. The very next day, I was auctioned off to pay for my family’s debt. Sold. Helpless. Alone. And then I met him— The man they call the devil. The one I never imagined I could love. The same man who vowed to destroy me. Bound by vengeance and hatred, can I ever escape the cage he built around me?

Layla Monroe has always been the overlooked daughter in a family that treasures beauty over loyalty. Betrayed by her boyfriend and overshadowed by her stepsister, Celeste, Layla has learned to survive without the support of those who should love her most. But when her family’s business teeters on the brink of ruin, they demand a sacrifice: a loveless marriage to Damian Blackwood, a man with secrets as deep as his grudges. Reluctantly, Layla agrees, believing Damian to be a penniless partner in her family’s plot. But her husband is hiding an empire—and a vendetta. What begins as a calculated alliance shift into something more as Layla uncovers Damian’s plans for revenge against her family and his unexpected role in her future. When old enemies and past lovers return, threatening to destroy everything she’s fought for, Layla must choose: protect the family that betrayed her or forge her path with the man who could be her undoing—or her redemption. In a world of lies and betrayal, can Layla find the strength to reclaim her worth and take control of her destiny?

Over 700 years after the death of King Elijah and Queen Celeste, their son Micah ruled over the world. After searching endlessly for his mate, he gave up hope thinking he would rule the world alone for he was the only one to have ever lived for such a long time. When words got to the king that the omegas (humans) have been escaping 'his world' to live in the ruin for almost two decades he became livid going to the ruins to kill them all and teach others never to cross him. What Micah never expected was for his mate to be lurking in the ruined palace hiding from the harsh and brutal world he created and he never expected his mate to be human. "I found you.. Mate" He breathes bringing his hand to cup my cheeks but i snapped my head backwards. "I would never be yours" I said breathing harshly while glaring at him.

When love is a sin, Ava Peony Lazarte is the sinner. Ava is a nineteen-year-old college student who is known for her beauty, wit, and respectable reputation. She is every guy's dream girl and every girl's insecurity. However, behind her alluring and almost perfect facade, no one knows about her scandalous secret; she is the billionaire's mistress. She knows her relationship with the CEO of Valderama corporation, Zachary Wolf Valderama, is wrong for so many reasons. He is twice her age, about to get married for the second time, and he is her friend's father. However, Ava has no plans of quitting her relationship with Zach because she loves him. She depends on him. And he's everything she got. Ava is a warrior of the painful tragedy most people call love. She is a true warrior; a wounded one. Read her story and discover how is it like to be the billionaire's illicit affair.