The Silent Waters

There are monsters in this world. And they used to be us. Now it's time to euthanize to survive in a hospice where Emily, a woman haunted by her past, only wants to do her job and be the best mother possible. Post-infection Chicago. Christmas. Inside The Hospice, Emily and her fellow nurses do their rounds. Here, men and women live out their final days in comfort, segregated from society, and are then humanely terminated before fate turns them into marrow-craving monsters known as ‘Smilers.’ Outside these imposing walls, rabid protesters swarm with signs, caught up in the heat of their hatred. Emily, a woman haunted by her past, only wants to do her job and be the best mother possible. But in a world where mortality means nothing, where guns are drawn in fear and nobody seems safe anymore – at what cost will this pursuit come? And through it all, the soon to be dead remain silent, ever smiling. Such is their curse. It won't be long before that snow-speckled ground will be salted by blood. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Scarlet Watson once believed love was enough—until her husband, Lucas, placed another woman, Maria Owen, on a pedestal far above her. As Maria tightens her grip on Lucas and sets her sights on driving Scarlet out, Scarlet finds herself slowly drowning in a marriage built on betrayal. But just when her world begins to crumble, an unexpected kindness changes everything. Peter, her quiet, observant driver, becomes her only source of warmth in a house gone cold. His steady presence and silent protectiveness awaken something Scarlet thought she’d lost forever—hope. What begins as stolen glances and late-night conversations blooms into a love neither of them saw coming. But Peter carries a secret that could shake everything: one that ties him to the very man who broke her heart. In a world where loyalty is tested and love must fight to survive, can two wounded hearts rewrite their story?

Elena once trusted Julian with her heart—and paid the ultimate price for her faith. Betrayed, abandoned, and left to grieve unimaginable loss, she struggles to rebuild her life among the powerful and ruthless elite of Black Stone Pack. But when secrets long buried come to light, Elena realizes that betrayal cuts deeper than she ever imagined. Caught in a silent war between duty and desire, Elena crosses paths with Ryan, a formidable Alpha who sees the broken pieces she hides behind her quiet strength. As passion and politics collide, Elena is forced to make a choice: remain a pawn in someone else’s game, or seize her fate with her own hands. Haunted by love, sharpened by betrayal, and strengthened by survival, Elena’s journey is not just about healing—it's about rising from the ashes and becoming a force no one saw coming. In a world where loyalty is fleeting and power demands sacrifice, trust is the deadliest risk of all.

“He gave my heart to my mother. So I gave my hand to his father.” When Elara discovers that her fiancé — the man she thought she’d spend forever with — has been sleeping with her own mother just days before their wedding, something inside her shatters. The betrayal isn’t just personal; it’s humiliating, raw, and unforgettable. Instead of collapsing, Elara makes a silent vow: they’ll all pay. And her revenge begins not with a knife, but with a smile. Her target? His father — a cold, enigmatic billionaire who’s always kept his distance from the family drama. She slips into his world like smoke, slowly making herself indispensable… and irresistible. But as lines blur between vengeance and desire, Elara faces a dangerous truth: some hearts are easier to burn than others. And love, even when born of revenge, can destroy everything.

Bianca’s childhood was marked by loss and hardship. After her father’s sudden death when she was young, she was forced to live with her cruel aunt, enduring years of mistreatment and neglect. Despite the darkness surrounding her, Bianca’s resilience and strength carried her through the years. In high school, Bianca found solace and love in Ethan, a kind and caring boy who saw her for who she truly was. Their deep connection blossomed into a passionate relationship, but just as things seemed to be falling into place, Ethan disappeared without warning. His abrupt departure was driven by a secret threat that he believed could destroy Bianca’s life. Heartbroken and confused, Bianca never knew the real reason for his departure, and worse, she was left with a life-altering secret—she was pregnant with Ethan’s child. Years later, as an adult, Bianca applies for a job at a prestigious company, unaware that it belongs to none other than Ethan. Their reunion is charged with unresolved emotions and painful memories, and neither is sure how to navigate the stormy waters of their past. As they are forced to work together, they begin to confront the hurt, secrets, and love that never truly faded. Slowly, they rebuild their trust, facing the painful truths that kept them apart. Together, they fight for their second chance at happiness, but Bianca must decide if she can truly forgive Ethan and embrace the love they once shared. In the end, *Depth of Pain* is a story of healing, redemption, and the power of love to overcome even the deepest wounds. Bianca and Ethan’s journey is one of rediscovery, where they learn that the only way to move forward is to face the past head-on.

"What if... what if I had gotten pregnant back then? What if we had a child together? What would you do in that situation?" Ms. Julia leaned in, moving close to my ear, and whispered with a chilling intensity, "I would have killed him without a second thought." My eyes widened in shock, but the devil woman nodded with a cold smile. "That's right. Collin's heir can only be born from a woman who is exceptionally beautiful and exudes class, someone worthy of standing beside my handsome son. You, my dear, do not meet our standards. We have high expectations, girls." Marissa Bennett was left reeling from her mother-in-law's chilling words. Her elder sister, Renee, had abandoned her disabled fiancé on their wedding day, leaving Marissa to step in and marry him under the guise of Renee, all to save the family's reputation. The cruel twist? Marissa was forbidden from revealing her true identity to her new husband, Tyler Collins. After Tyler's surgery restored his health, Marissa's world was shattered when Renee returned, demanding her place as the rightful wife. Desperate to tell Tyler the truth, Marissa faced a dire threat from her mother-in-law, who vowed to kill her if she exposed the deception. Now pregnant and determined to protect her unborn child, Marissa must navigate the treacherous waters of the Collins family, seeking a way to escape and start anew, far from the lies and danger that surround her.

Looking into the eyes of the brilliant Gregory Green, the world around her disappeared. The grin on his face grew wider as he watched a star struck Willow, gaze deeply into his eyes. Picking up her hand in front of all in the room he shouts ," she is mine! The room was silent and Willow snapped out of her hypnotic trance,looking at the ring on her finger, she tried to tug it off. To her surprise it felt as if it was getting tighter. Gregory watched her struggle,his laugh echoed in the room as he slowly leaned in. Willow stepped back,assuming he was diving in for a kiss. Pulling her into him,his hot breath tickled her ears as he whispered," this is no ordinary ring,babygirl. you are mine forever!" She shook her head , a clear indication of her saying no but the guests at the diner started to applaud. No one dared go against Gregory Green,the richest man in the city. No one dared! Until he forcefully wedded Willow Winter, a waitress in a little diner! A mischievous Willow sets alight to his life,until he claims her heart!

Two decades earlier, the realms of the Four Courts waged war against the covens of witches. Neither side would yield, though both were bleeding themselves dry in a war that spanned five brutal years. The Courts relied on their noble bloodlines, the witches on their wild and ancient spells. Each skirmish ended in ash, with neither enemy capable of breaking the other. Then a sorcerer from the Courts revealed a weapon: an octagonal crystal forged from eight different stones, each carved from the essence of a court. On the battlefield, before witches or nobles could comprehend what was happening, the crystal ignited. A blinding eruption of light burst forth, eight rays fusing into one unbearable brilliance. It was not merely sight that was torn away in that flash — but power, essence, and soul. Both Courts and witches alike fell, drained of the magic that had defined them. When the light faded, the battlefield lay silent under a sky of glittering dust. The enchantments were gone. The witches’ spellcraft, the courts’ line-born sorcery — extinguished forever. Neither side had won. Both had lost. And magic never returned.

Zoya Agrawal is a coy, silent, innocent girl who abides by her parent's rule and shakes her head to their will. Renzo Matteo De Luca is the head of the most feared Italian Mafia. --------------------------------------- "Don't give bloody excuses" I was barking at the man who was indebted to me. "You were supposed to pay me back before two months". "Please forgive me Matteo, I will try to pay you back within a month" he pleads. There is a soft knock on the door,he looks back at me, I give him permission and sat back on the chair. " Dad i have to discuss something with you,its really important " I heard a beautiful voice say.I turned the chair to look the owner of the voice and I felt the air being knocked out of me. "You dont have to pay me back instead I want to marry your daughter" I say after he returns. He looks at me for a second and slowly nods his head. Who knew my journey to India would turn like this????

"There's a problem with your theory," he murmurs, the touch of his fingers down my jawline, down my neck, a silent warning. I'm in the midst of a cold, calculated predator. "One side of me wants to preserve that precious innocence of yours, while the other, well, wants to absolutely destroy it." Not much is known about Alpha Ren. Simply that he lives in a small island in a big estate away from everyone. His secrets remain hidden within the shadows of his distance. He's untouchable. Homeless, Brielle stumbles upon a job at the docks. Whispers speak of better jobs upon Ren's island. And when his ship sails in, Brielle gets a chance, and takes it. Smuggling herself on, she finds herself as a servant within his endless estate, working to keep herself alive. However, as curiosity increases with the elusiveness of the Alpha, Brielle finds herself finding out Ren's terrible secret. Perhaps the Alpha everyone sees on the surface has another side to him. A side, so dangerous, there's only one person who can keep it at bay.