The Writers Retreat

It has been fifty-five days since my fiancé cut me off. I called off the wedding I'd waited eight long years for. All while he was caring for his childhood sweetheart, who was battling depression and seeking peace at a remote retreat. He even had the historic chapel—a local landmark called the Aethelred Sanctuary—closed to the public for six months because of her. And me? I was left to face the swarming reporters, hounded from one place to the next until I had nowhere left to hide—all because he disappeared without a word. Out of options, I went to the retreat to find him. But he turned me away, saying I would disturb the quiet and sanctity of the place. In the bitter cold of deep winter, I collapsed outside the gates, barely holding on. When I woke, I saw him—Jonathan—planting an entire garden of roses on the grounds, every bloom a declaration of love. Six months later, he finally left and returned home with his childhood sweetheart. The roses they had planted now filled what was supposed to be our wedding venue, from floor to ceiling. I watched them, cold and unmoved. What he didn't know was this—I was already engaged to someone else.

Labella Anastasia Laksani, seorang ahli bedah muda jenius, mati saat mencoba menyelamatkan nyawa orang lain. Namun, bukannya masuk surga, jiwanya justru terlempar ke dalam novel best seller yang pernah dibaca adiknya. Ia terbangun di dalam tubuh Ashyel Clarisse van de Liora, seorang figuran pendiam yang ditakdirkan mati dipenggal bersama seluruh keluarganya. "Aku belum mati? Tapi kenapa aku berada di kamar semewah ini? Dan siapa gadis cantik di cermin ini?" Labella menyadari ia masuk tepat sebelum bencana dimulai. Hanya ada satu cara untuk selamat: Menawarkan kesepakatan pada sang "Monster Utara", Duke Aslan Krossvane, pria dingin yang dikutuk dan benci pada wanita. Berbekal pisau bedah dan sifat barunya yang centil-sangat jauh dari sosok Ashyel yang asli-Labella nekat menerobos barak militer. Saat sang Duke sekarat, ia berbisik dengan berani: "Jangan mati dulu ya, Aslan. Aku sudah menjahit perutmu, jadi sekarang bayar aku dengan gelar Duchess."

He was supposed to be her fake fiancé for one snowy Christmas week. He turned out to be the billionaire judge who could make or break her dreams. Desperate to save her failing small town bakery, Elodie Voss enters the Hart Holiday Bake-off, a nationally televised competition with a $500,000 grand prize. There’s only one problem, it’s time for her family’s yearly Christmas retreat and they are determined to find someone for her to marry. Solution? Hire her grumpy, very hot neighbour Cassian Hart as a pretend fiancé to keep them off her back. Cassian agrees instantly, anything to escape his own family’s matchmaking. What Elodie doesn’t know, Cassian isn't just rich. He’s the reserved heir to the Hart Estate of Cuisines empire-the secret major sponsor and final judge of the very contest she’s competing to win. When Elodie's vicious step-sister uncovers the truth and threatens to expose them on live television, one fake relationship becomes terrifyingly real. This Christmas the sweetest prize isn’t the trophy. It's deciding whether to trust the man who could ruin her…or the heart he’s determined to win.

“Is this true?” I asked. I can’t believe of what I have read on the posts on the social media account of the two writers that I met, Sketch and Doodle. I read again the post of Sketch. I thought of something, not because there will be no update on his story but because of his post however I can’t remember where I read it before. Then, I read what Doodle had posted. I suddenly remember my story and I read the last scene that I wrote; same words, same scenarios and same comments like how I read their posts. I doubt quite a bit but really it amazed me which I don’t know why. That is why I read some of their last few posts and it was quite surreal which leads to a coincidental from the turn of events on what their real life is and on what I wrote. I won’t pay any attention to what is going on because I know it wouldn’t happen. It seems like my suspicion is true… the things that I’m writing is coming true when there are real people that’s involved on my story however I need to investigate this. Sketch wasn’t talking while driving, I can see on Doodle eyes how amazed he is while we travel, seeing a fine nature is really amazing while I seldom talk just to point where we have to move. I noticed Sketch glanced at me. I smiled. “I’m actually kidnapping both of you and you two are willing victim.” Sketch stepped on the breaks and it made a big screech of the car. “What?!” they both asked.

Daisy Velasco didn’t come from privilege she fought for every opportunity she had. Working as a junior employee in one of the country’s most powerful corporations, she keeps her head down, does her job, and avoids attention at all costs. For her, this isn’t just a career it’s survival. Getting involved is not an option. Especially not with Liam Villarreal. As the billionaire CEO, Liam is everything Daisy avoids powerful, untouchable, and dangerously perceptive. He’s known for his strict professionalism and cold authority, a man who never blurs the line between business and pleasure. Until her. A company weekend retreat forces Daisy into his world private meetings, late-night conversations, and moments that feel far too intimate for two people who should never cross that line. What starts as tension and curiosity quickly turns into a secret neither of them can afford. Because for Daisy, losing this job means losing everything she’s worked for. And for Liam, risking his reputation could destroy the empire he built. But the deeper they fall into their hidden affair, the harder it becomes to pretend it’s just temporary. Because Liam Villarreal doesn’t chase. He chooses. Daisy is about to learn that being chosen by a man like him isn’t a dream it’s a risk that could either change her life… or break it completely.

"There’s no way I would ever spawn a child for a violent and bloodthirsty man like you." - WILLA CORALINE ALFIERO "Keep this in mind, Miss Alfiero… I would rather end the Wick bloodline than continue it with the likes of you." - GALLAHAN WICK Willa Alfiero had once naively thought she could fix her fated mate's twisted beliefs after she met him in the middle of a bloody battle. But her optimism was quickly burned to ashes when she learned that her fated mate was no ordinary enemy, but was actually Gallahan Wick. The General of the Culling Army. Son of the Alpha King. The tyrant who conquered and looted multiple human kingdoms. Willa couldn’t bear to surrender to the side Gallahan belonged to, much less turn a blind eye to his twisted and cruel acts, even though nature and instinct dictated her to stay with him. So, she ran away. She was also forced to retreat as a Warrior of her pack and as a soldier of the ongoing war between the League of the Moon and the Culling Army. Not because her mind and heart had been swayed. Not because she wasn’t brave enough to fight Gallahan in another battle. But because she was pregnant, and she intended to keep her children hidden from their tyrannical father. But no secret could stay as a secret forever. Gallahan was bound to find out about the existence of his children. With their opposing beliefs and strained past, would their tie as fated mates be enough to bring their family back together?

Is it wrong to want your brother's best friend when he still treats you like a child? Averie does not care anymore. When her boyfriend walked away calling her 'too innocent,' Averie decided boring was a choice she was done making. She reinvented every part of herself, which brought her to a night in the club with a masked stranger whose kiss made her feel alive. Too bad that stranger was Jace Carrington – who now has to face the fact that his best friend's little sister isn't so little anymore. Jace is a billionaire hockey star who can't afford mistakes. His team operates on one sacred rule: personal drama kills team chemistry. Crossing lines with his best friend's sister should be unthinkable, but that kiss changed the math on everything. Now Jace can't be in the same room as Averie without his carefully constructed boundaries crumbling. Averie won't let him retreat into treating her like she's still twelve. She's calling him out on every dodge, every deflection, every attempt to pretend nothing shifted between them. Jace can either keep lying to himself or face what acknowledging her could cost him. The brotherhood comes first – it always has. So why can't he stay away?

Born into a family of culinary royalty, Aria Beaumont has always lived in her father’s shadow — a feared food critic whose name alone can destroy chefs. After getting fired for calling out wrongdoing in the kitchen and catching her boyfriend cheating on the same night, Aria runs into the arms of a mysterious stranger and had a one night stand. When she enrolls in the prestigious Étoile Culinary Academy to rebuild her life and career, She never expects her mentor for the training to be Leon Cordon; the reclusive, world-famous chef who vanished from the culinary world after the tragic loss of someone he loved. And she definitely never expects him to hate her on sight. He recognizes her last name. Her family is his sworn enemy. He recognizes her from the one-night stand and refuses to mentor her. She recognizes his arrogance and was determined to bring him back to the culinary industry. Just as their forbidden connection becomes impossible to deny, the academy sends them on a month-long culinary retreat — isolated, breathtaking, and filled with ghosts of Leon's past. There, Aria learns that the culinary world’s greatest tragedy…may not be what it seemed. A past thought buried will return. Loyalties will break. A rival chef will step into the scene. And Aria must decide whether following her heart is worth losing everything she has finally begun to build.

Ava Richards, an adventurous travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust, never expected her next adventure would lead her straight into the arms of a captivating billionaire. In the sun-kissed streets of Santa Fe, Spain, fate takes an unexpected turn when Ava crosses paths with the enigmatic and devilishly handsome Sebastian Garcia. Sebastian Garcia, a self-made billionaire with a guarded heart, finds himself drawn to the fiery and independent Ava, despite their seemingly opposite worlds. As the owner of luxurious hotels and resorts worldwide, he is used to being in control. But Ava's infectious spirit and undeniable beauty threaten to unravel the carefully constructed walls around his heart. Their initial encounter sparks an intense clash of wills, with their respective worlds colliding in a battle of words and fiery exchanges. Ava and Sebastian find themselves entangled in a passionate game of cat and mouse, each determined to outwit and outmaneuver the other. Little do they know that beneath the surface of their heated banter lies a smoldering desire neither can resist. As they embark on a thrilling adventure through the picturesque landscapes of Santa Fe, their hearts become entwined, and the line between love and hate begins to blur. Together, they explore ancient ruins, breathtaking beaches, and hidden gems, each moment deepening their connection. But when a secret from Sebastian's past threatens to destroy everything they've built, Ava must decide whether to let go of her fears and trust in their love, or retreat to the safety of her solitary adventures. Will Ava and Sebastian surrender to the alluring power of love and bridge the vast divide between their worlds? Can two souls from different walks of life find a way to overcome their differences and create a lasting bond?

‘He was going to reject me.’ My stomach twisted violently. Why had I thought this was a good idea? My palms grew clammy around the ring, my mind screaming at me to retreat, to salvage what little dignity I had left. ‘What kind of person pulls a stunt like this?!’ My own voice taunted me mercilessly. ‘This is it, Claire. Game over.’ But instead of the anticipated rejection, Giancarlo reached out—his hand brushing mine, sending a jolt up my arm as he plucked the ring from my fingers. The motion was fluid, deliberate, like he’d done it before—and then… “I do,” he said simply, his voice steady as he slid the ring onto his finger yh with mad confidence. ~~~ Claire Bennett’s perfect Valentine’s Day proposal ends in a disaster when she catches her boyfriend with another woman. In a fit of rage, she forces an engagement ring onto the finger of the first man she sees—a suave and mysterious passerby who shocks her by playing along. But Claire’s spur-of-the-moment fiancé isn’t just anyone. He’s Giancarlo Fiore Caruso—her ex’s boss and the ruthless CEO of her company. A fake engagement, a trip to the Maldives, and an undeniable connection soon turn her spur-of-the-moment decision into something she can’t control. Sparks of desire fly despite their stark differences, and attraction simmers just beneath the layers of deception. But will Claire’s impulsive decision mark the beginning of something real—or a recipe for heartbreak?